bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The safety and efficacy of through-and-through wire technique for ureteral Double-J stent placement
Authors: Chen Cheng Shi , Zeng Chu Hui , Shin Ji Hoon , Park Suyoung , Li Hai Liang , Li Fang Kun
Published: September 2024

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the through-and-through wire (TTW) technique for antegrade ureteral Double-J stent placement after failure of either antegrade or retrograde ureteral stent placement.
Method: This retrospective study analyzed the medical records of consecutive patients who underwent Double-J stent placement with the TTW technique at Asan Medical Center and Gil Medical Center between January 2016 and February 2023. Patient histories, reasons for employing the TTW technique, TTW pathways, and complications were reviewed. Eight patients were included in the study. The reasons for using the TTW technique were failure to advance a larger-diameter catheter, balloon catheter, or Double-J stent passing over the guidewire beyond the stricture (6/8, 75.0%); failure to negotiate the stricture with a guidewire (1/8, 12.5%); and guidewire passing through a ureteropelvic junction defect (1/8, 12.5%).
Results: TTW was applied either between a percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) and the urethral orifice (n=4), between a PCN and an ileostomy pouch (n=3), or between a left and right PCN (n = 1). Urologic assistance was required for retrograde ureteral cannulation in one male patient (12.5%). Subsequently, balloon dilation and/or Double-J stent placement were performed in all eight patients, resulting in 100% technical success. No major or minor complications occurred.
Conclusions: The TTW technique was safe and effective in the undertaking of PCN and antegrade Double-J stent placement in patients for whom either antegrade or retrograde access had failed.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.9.9424
How to cite this: Chen CS, Zeng CH, Shin JH, Park S, Li HL, Li FK. The safety and efficacy of through-and-through wire technique for ureteral Double-J stent placement. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(9):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.9.9424
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Efficacy of argon-helium cryoablation combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced NSCLC
Authors: Guo Yongfei , Yan Jing , Yang Mao , Si Tongguo
Published: September 2024

Objective: To explore the efficacy of argon-helium cryoablation (AHC) combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Methods: A retrospective study was carried out between February 2020 to June 2022 of 85 patients with advanced NSCLC admitted to Tianjin Cancer Hospital Airport Hospital. Patients were categorized into two groups based on whether they had received AHC: patients received chemotherapy treatment alone (chemotherapy group, n=41); patients received chemotherapy combined with AHC (combined group, n=44). Tumor control rate, serum tumor marker levels, quality of life, and median survival time between the two groups were compared.
Results: Tumor control rate in the combined group (86.36%) was significantly higher than that in the chemotherapy group (68.29%) (P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of serum cytokeratin 19 fragment (CYFRA21-1), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and glycoprotein antigen 125 (CA125) in the two groups were significantly lower than those before the treatment, and significantly lower in the combined group compared to the chemotherapy group (P<0.05). After the treatment, the quality of life of patients in both groups was significantly higher than before the treatment. Quality of life in the combined group was significantly higher than in the chemotherapy group (P<0.05). One year after treatment, the median survival time of the combined group (10.5 months; 95% CI: 9.775-11.225) was significantly higher than that of the chemotherapy group (9.4 months; 95% CI: 8.55-10.323) (P=0.045).
Conclusions: Compared with chemotherapy alone, conventional chemotherapy combined with AHC in the treatment of advanced NSCLC can significantly reduce the levels of serum tumor markers and improve overall treatment efficacy, quality of life and 1-year overall survival rate.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.9.9882
How to cite this: Guo Y, Yan J, Yang M, Si T. Efficacy of argon-helium cryoablation combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced NSCLC. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(9):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.9.9882
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Ανάλυση και λειτουργία του αυτοαναφορικού μεταφορικού λόγου στα Παύλεια κείμενα. Διαμορφώνοντας μια καινούργια γλώσσα
Authors: Πουλιάκη Ευγενία
Published: September 2024

Η παρούσα διατριβή πραγματεύεται τον αυτοαναφορικό μεταφορικό λόγο του Αποστόλου Παύλου και τη δυνατότητά του να δημιουργεί μια καινούργια γλώσσα. Συγκεκριμένα, με τη συνδρομή του πλαισίου προσέγγισης της γνωσιακής μεταφοράς, επιχειρείται η ανάλυση των παύλειων αυτοαναφορικών μεταφορών και η ανάδειξη της λειτουργίας τους αλλά και της επίδρασης που άσκησαν στη χριστιανική γραμματεία. Παρουσιάζεται ευθύγραμμα η εξελικτική πορεία του φαινομένου της μεταφοράς, από την αρχαιότητα μέχρι σήμερα, με εστίαση σε δύο σταθμούς της μακραίωνης διαδρομής: στην αριστοτελική μεταφορά με την καθοριστική συμβολή της στη διαμόρφωση και συστηματοποίηση της αρχαίας μεταφορικής θεώρησης (ρητορική προσέγγιση) και στη Θεωρία της Εννοιακής Μεταφοράς (ΘΕΜ) με την ταχύτατη ανάπτυξη και κυριαρχία της στη σύγχρονη μεταφορική θεώρηση (γλωσσολογική προσέγγιση). Tα εργαλεία ανάλυσης του μεταφορικού λόγου που προσφέρει η ΘΕΜ περιγράφονται συστηματικά ως μέσα προσέγγισης του παύλειου λόγου. Σε αυτό το πλαίσιο, παρουσιάζεται ο σημαντικός ρόλος της μεταφοράς στη σημασιολογική αλλαγή και ειδικά στις παύλειες επιστολές υπό τους όρους μετάλλαξη και μεταλειτουργία και εντάσσεται στην τακτική της αντιστροφής που επιχειρεί συχνά ο Παύλος, σε επίπεδο σημασιολογικών σχέσεων και κοινωνικών ρόλων. Η σημασιολογική αλλαγή στον παύλειο επιστολικό λόγο ερευνάται σε ένα δείγμα αντιπροσωπευτικών αυτοαναφορικών μεταφορών, που εντάσσονται σε κύρια θεματικά πεδία του αρχαίου κόσμου: α) οικογένεια, β) δουλεία, γ) κτήριο, δ) ανθρώπινο σώμα – υγεία – ασθένεια, ε) αθλητισμός και στρατός. Το κάθε πεδίο εξετάζεται εισαγωγικά ως προς το ιστορικό, πολιτισμικό και κοινωνικό του πλαίσιο και ακολουθεί η ανάλυση των παύλειων μεταφορών, οι οποίες ανάγονται στο ελληνορωμαϊκό και ιουδαϊκό πολιτισμικό υπόβαθρο του Παύλου και στην εμπειρία του. Στην περίπτωση του Απ. Παύλου, η εμπειρία δεν περιορίζεται σε κριτήρια αισθητηριακά, αλλά επεκτείνεται στη χριστιανική εμπειρία ως προσωπικό βίωμα του ιδίου και των εκκλησιαστικών κοινοτήτων που προσλαμβάνουν τον μεταφορικό του λόγο. Ανάλογα, η αυτοαναφορικότητα των Επιστολών δεν προσδιορίζεται από κριτήρια ατομικά, καθώς υπηρετεί την αποστολικότητα του Παύλου και το ευαγγελικό μήνυμα που μεταφέρει. Η σημασιολογική αλλαγή που συντελείται στους παύλειους γλωσσικούς όρους διερευνάται ακολούθως στη χριστιανική γραμματεία, σε ένα ευρύ πεδίο χρονολογικά (από τον 1–2ο μέχρι τον 20ό αι.) και ειδολογικά, όπου διαπιστώνεται η δημιουργία επιπλέον μεταφορικών αντιστοιχίσεων. Οι σημασιολογικές αλλαγές των παύλειων μεταφορών και η γόνιμη επέκτασή τους στη χριστιανική γραμματεία πιστοποιούν τη δημιουργία μιας καινούργιας γλώσσας, η οποία εκφράζει την ατομική και συλλογική χριστιανική εμπειρία διαχρονικά και, ως εκ τούτου, καθίσταται γλώσσα θεολογική. Είναι η νέα γλώσσα της εκκλησίας, που αναπαράγεται, καλλιεργείται και επαυξάνεται από τους Πατέρες και εκκλησιαστικούς συγγραφείς των επόμενων αιώνων.
Liquefied capsules containing nanogrooved microdiscs and umbilical cord-derived cells for bone tissue engineering
Authors: Carreira Mariana , Pires-Santos Manuel , Correia Clara R , Nadine Sara , Mano João F
Published: September 2024

Background Surface topography has been shown to influence cell behavior and direct stromal cell differentiation into distinct lineages. Whereas this phenomenon has been verified in two-dimensional cultures, there is an urgent need for a thorough investigation of topography’s role within a three-dimensional (3D) environment, as it better replicates the natural cellular environment. Methods A co-culture of Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (WJ-MSCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was encapsulated in a 3D system consisting of a permselective liquefied environment containing freely dispersed spherical microparticles (spheres) or nanogrooved microdiscs (microdiscs). Microdiscs presenting 358 ± 23 nm grooves and 944 ± 49 nm ridges were produced via nanoimprinting of spherical polycaprolactone microparticles between water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol counter molds of nanogrooved templates. Spheres and microdiscs were cultured in vitro with umbilical cord-derived cells in a basal or osteogenic medium within liquefied capsules for 21 days. Results WJ-MSCs and HUVECs were successfully encapsulated within liquefied capsules containing spheres and microdiscs, ensuring high cellular viability. Results show an enhanced osteogenic differentiation in microdiscs compared to spheres, even in basal medium, evidenced by alkaline phosphatase activity and osteopontin expression. Conclusions This work suggests that the topographical features present in microdiscs induce the osteogenic differentiation of adhered WJ-MSCs along the contact guidance, without additional differentiation factors. The developed 3D bioencapsulation system comprising topographical features might be suitable for bone tissue engineering approaches with minimum in vitro manipulation.
Effects of Isotretinoin treatment on human body - review
Authors: Słomczyński Adam , Zatyka Piotr , Pawłowska Agata , Rabenda Michal , Janik Piotr , Osuch Dobromiła , Opala Dominika
Published: September 2024

Introduction: Isotretinoin (13-cis-Retinoic Acid) is a part of the retinoid group, and is used in dermatology for the treatment of acne, due to its demonstrated inhibitory effect on sebaceous gland activity and proliferation. Isotretinoin is a highly lipophilic drug, for this reason taking it with food, doubles the bioavailability of the substance, during systemic treatment. Isotretinoin as a drug has been used effectively for more than 40 years in the treatment of acne, although its exact mechanism of action is not known.
Objective: The objective of this study is to gather and analyze literature regarding the adverse effects of isotretinoin therapy on mental health and the digestive, cardiovascular, immune, urinary, and reproductive systems.
Materials and Methods: A literature review was conducted using the PubMed database with the following search terms : retinoids, isotretinoin, acne, 13-cis-retinoic acid.
Current Knowledge: Isotretinoin therapy has a vast spectrum of side effects affecting various systems of the human body. During the use of isotretinoin, special caution should be taken in patients with depression, lipid disorders, and abnormal liver function. In addition, in patients of childbearing age, make sure to use contraception one month before, during and one month after the end of isotretinoin therapy due to its teratogenicity.
Conclusion: Isotretinoin is still the most effective drug in the systemic treatment of severe forms of acne, nevertheless its potential side effects should be kept in mind. Regular monitoring of patients should be a mainstay during isotretinoin therapy, especially with regard to lipid profile and liver parameters.
Lo (In)disponible. De la técnica heideggeriana a la contradicción de la Modernidad en Hartmut Rosa.
Authors: Pedraza Patrizia
Published: September 2024

Desde la segunda mitad del pasado siglo, las producciones intelectuales en relación a la cuestión de la tecnificación moderna han ido en aumento; la técnica y las formas de alienación social han sido objeto de estudio de pensadores de las más diversas disciplinas. Una de las primeras figuras en acometer esta empresa fue Martin Heidegger, desde la fenomenología hermenéutica, mientras que una de las teorizaciones más recientes al respecto parte de la sociología crítica fenomenológica de Hartmut Rosa. En el presente escrito, partiremos de ambos para pensar el problema de la disponibilidad.
Wybory samorządowe w polsce po 2002 roku – ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem frekwencji wyborczej
Authors: Susolia Artem , Stępiński-Nawrot Szymon
Published: September 2024

This chapter presents an analysis of the evolution of the process of holding local government elections in Poland over the last two decades. According to the authors, the period after 1989 can be characterized as a permanent battle for the reform of local government structures. For the analysis, the period from 2002 to 2024 was selected from the history of local government elections in Poland. Such a time caesura was adopted due to the fact that since 2002 these elections have been direct. Thus, the overarching aim of the chapter was to explain the course of local government elections with a particular focus on local government electoral participation. In this connection, the turnout of local government elections in 2002, 2006, 2010, 2018 and 2024 was analyzed. As the turnout level in the last local government elections of 2024 shows, the trend of increasing electoral participation since 2002 has unfortunately not assumed a progressive character. According to the authors, it is difficult to assess the direction of further development in this area as the analyzed voter turnout is incomparable to the level of voter participation in either parliamentary or presidential elections. The chapter was written using research methods such as the content analysis method, the systematic method, and the statistical method.
A Retrospective Approximation Approach for Smooth Stochastic Optimization
Authors: Newton David , Bollapragada Raghu , Pasupathy Raghu , Yip Nung Kwan
Published: September 2024

Stochastic Gradient (SG) is the de facto iterative technique to solve stochastic optimization (SO) problems with a smooth (nonconvex) objective f and a stochastic first-order oracle. SG’s attractiveness is due in part to its simplicity of executing a single step along the negative subsampled gradient direction to update the incumbent iterate. In this paper, we question SG’s choice of executing a single step as opposed to multiple steps between subsample updates. Our investigation leads naturally to generalizing SG into Retrospective Approximation (RA), where, during each iteration, a “deterministic solver” executes possibly multiple steps on a subsampled deterministic problem and stops when further solving is deemed unnecessary from the standpoint of statistical efficiency. RA thus formalizes what is appealing for implementation—during each iteration, “plug in” a solver—for example, L-BFGS line search or Newton-CG—as is, and solve only to the extent necessary. We develop a complete theory using relative error of the observed gradients as the principal object, demonstrating that almost sure and L1 consistency of RA are preserved under especially weak conditions when sample sizes are increased at appropriate rates. We also characterize the iteration and oracle complexity (for linear and sublinear solvers) of RA and identify a practical termination criterion leading to optimal complexity rates. To subsume nonconvex f, we present a certain “random central limit theorem” that incorporates the effect of curvature across all first-order critical points, demonstrating that the asymptotic behavior is described by a certain mixture of normals. The message from our numerical experiments is that the ability of RA to incorporate existing second-order deterministic solvers in a strategic manner might be important from the standpoint of dispensing with hyper-parameter tuning.

Funding: R. Pasupathy received financial support from the Office of Naval Research [Grants N000141712295 and 13000991]. R. Bollapragada received financial support from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and the National Science Foundation [Grant NSF DMS 2324643].
A ESPECIALIZAÇÃO PRODUTIVA DO NORTE DE MINAS GERAIS:
Authors: Martins de Oliveira Igor , Gonçalves Pereira Luiz Andrei , Carvalho Santos Caio
Published: September 2024

O Brasil ocupa o ranking de terceiro maior produtor de frutas, destacando-se como o principal produtor e exportador de frutas no mundo. A região do Norte de Minas é a terceira maior produtora de frutas do estado de Minas Gerais, com destaque para os municípios localizados em áreas de fruticultura irrigada, as denominadas “ilhas de desenvolvimento” do semiárido. O objetivo desse artigo é analisar a produção citrícola da região do Norte de Minas, por meio dos circuitos espaciais produtivos entre os anos de 2001 a 2019. Entre as frutas cítricas produzidas na região, o limão tem expandido a sua estrutura produtiva e teve a sua inserção no circuito superior do comércio internacional. Entre os anos de 2001 a 2019, a região produziu 1.410.299 toneladas de frutas cítricas e, deste total, 20.348.201 quilogramas foram exportados para dezesseis países. Na formação do circuito espacial produtivo da citricultura, a logística, compreendida como estágio atual do processo de circulação, é de importante relevância na operacionalização do circuito espacial produtivo dos produtos citrícolas do Norte de Minas, bem como para a fluidez territorial da região norte mineira, notadamente devido a sua localização distante geograficamente dos grandes centros consumidores.
GEOPROCESSAMENTO APLICADO NA CARACTERIZAÇÃO AMBIENTAL DE UMA TRILHA ECOLÓGICA, EM DELFIM MOREIRA (MG)
Authors: Andrade Laila Beatriz Leite , Melloni Rogério , Pons Nívea Adriana Dias
Published: September 2024

As trilhas ecológicas são locais que promovem o ecoturismo, objetivando a valorização e sensibilização quanto à preservação e conservação dos recursos naturais. No entanto, muitas trilhas não têm recebido valor por parte dos órgãos ambientais ou proprietários, desmerecendo a sua função ambiental. Muito disso se deve à ausência de mapeamento e caracterização ambiental, também de seus recursos naturais importantes como corpos d´água passíveis de potabilidade e/ou balneabilidade. Nesse sentido, o objetivo do presente estudo foi aplicar ferramentas de geoprocessamento na caracterização ambiental de uma trilha utilizada por romeiros, em Delfim Moreira, sul de Minas Gerais, e avaliar pontos de água de interesse dos usuários quanto à sua potabilidade (consumo humano) e balneabilidade (recreação), por meio de análise microbiológica de coliformes totais e Escherichia coli. Os mapas temáticos gerados foram de localização, vegetação, classificação pelo Índice de Vegetação da Diferença Normalizada (NDVI), hipsométrico, declividade, solos, clima, hidrografia e de áreas de preservação permanente (APP). Os resultados de análise microbiológica da água mostraram que as águas das nascentes que cortam a trilha estão contaminadas com coliformes fecais (E. coli), sendo impróprias para consumo de forma imediata. No entanto, as águas das cachoeiras presentes na trilha apresentaram-se excelentes para atividades recreativas. O mapeamento e caracterização ambiental evidenciou tratar-se de uma trilha em área protegida, com facilidade de acesso e baixo grau de esforço físico dos usuários, paisagem exuberante de Mata Atlântica, com forte apelo turístico e econômico por gestores ambientais e turísticos da região.
CIDADE É O MONSTRO QUE VOS FALA:
Authors: Moreira Petrella Guilherme
Published: September 2024

Este artigo pretende discutir a produção da propriedade a partir da disputa pelo espaço. Uma relação que busca inverter a ênfase apresentada no enunciado do presente dossiê, a de “como a propriedade, o aluguel e a renda da terra afetam o habitar urbano”. Essa “inversão”, contudo, não nega a totalidade da relação exposta, mas busca iluminar “como o habitar urbano”, atravessado por disputas, “afeta a propriedade, o aluguel e a renda”. Entendendo a “propriedade” como um momento da produção do valor e da reprodução social, sobretudo sob a forma de renda. E formulando a questão através de sua filiação aos últimos capítulos d’O Capital e a proposta da “fórmula trinitária” de Marx, a partir da qual se estabelece a contradição entre “produção do corpo”, “produção do espaço” e “produção do valor”. O corpo aparece como um momento do trabalho (produtivo, reprodutivo, improdutivo), o espaço como um momento da terra, corpo e espaço podendo ser compreendidos como dadivas gratuitas, sendo o primeiro da natureza humana e o segundo como natureza, e o valor como combinação de processos e de relações de produção e de propriedade sob capital. Uma relação trinitária que tem uma historicidade, metamorfoseando-se na emergência da industrialização e da urbanização massivas e que se reestrutura no capitalismo contemporâneo, sob dominância da financeirização da economia e das relações sociais, práxis dominada pela emergência do neoliberalismo.
ENIGMA DA PRODUÇÃO IMOBILIÁRIA
Authors: Leopoldo Eudes
Published: September 2024

Na perspectiva mais aceita sobre a renda da terra a partir da transição do agrário ao urbano, podemos dizer que ela é tanto extraída por meio do conjunto das infraestruturas e serviços (diferencial), bem como pela situação geográfica (absoluta) e fetiche do consumo de determinados imóveis em específicos lugares, que ascenderam aos céus (de monopólio). A leitura do conceito de renda da terra circunscrita à análise marxista em O Capital trouxe algumas contribuições importantes, mas acreditamos que a metamorfose de renda fundiária em renda imobiliária constitui-se como central. O capitalismo metropolitano-financeiro implica uma renda capitalizada da produção do espaço diversa do capitalismo urbano-industrial, apesar da lógica ser a mesma com novas determinações. Desse modo, a emergência de uma teoria da renda fundamentada nos processos espaciais contemporâneos é imperativa para pensarmos as novas contradições do espaço. Assim, buscamos refletir sobre algumas teorias e desdobramentos da renda da terra produzidas até então para lançar luz à renda imobiliária e o preço de monopólio da terra, na perspectiva de problematizar a teoria da renda, muitas das vezes entendida na transposição das realidades agrárias para as urbanas.
Postoperative education and information-giving for the individual undergoing elective ostomy surgery
Authors: Greenwood Emma
Published: September 2024

Postoperative stoma education is an essential aspect of care for all types of stoma formation because having a stoma impacts on every aspect of a person's life. This critical review of the literature explores stoma patients' needs and wants; postoperative education care guidelines; the role of ward link nurses; and care pathways. The findings from this review demonstrate that there is no national standard postoperative stoma care pathway, yet such pathways are a cost-effective means to improve patient outcomes and care. The review also identified that structured care pathways are not a new concept, but there is a lack of formal research to determine best practice in postoperative stoma education. In the UK, there is wide variation in practice and outcomes, which means that effectiveness cannot be accurately measured. The author has developed and implemented a multidisciplinary postoperative education pathway in line with a national need to further refine postoperative stoma care services to meet stoma patients' needs.
Colostomy irrigation: implementing structured protocol-led follow-up
Authors: Marinova Rali , Marinova Petya
Published: September 2024

Colostomy irrigation is a procedure that allows patients to achieve a certain degree of bowel control, and a period free of stoma effluent. It has the potential to improve quality of life, body image and confidence, and reduce patient anxiety. It may also help reduce odour and flatus, prevent/address peristomal skin irritation and alleviate constipation. Because it can reduce or eliminate the need for a colostomy bag, it may also cut expenditure on stoma appliances. However, colostomy irrigation is not offered to patients as standard. A protocol was drawn up to ensure colostomy irrigation was routinely offered to suitable patients and to provide them with a structured follow-up to ensure they were well supported throughout the first year of carrying out the procedure. Quality of life and the efficacy of colostomy irrigation can be monitored using questionnaires on these two issues. Two case studies demonstrate how patients' quality of life can improve when using colostomy irrigation as part of their stoma care routine.
Raising the voice of specialist stoma care nurses: a call for a national strategy in stoma care
Authors: Rolls Natasha , Carvalho Filipe , Hall Alexandra , Osborne Wendy
Published: September 2024

Specialist stoma care nurses (SSCNs) are highly educated professionals who play a critical role in the care of people living with a stoma. However, they experience some unique challenges. Currently in the UK, stoma care has no national standards, targets or best practice pathway, resulting in significant variation and an undervalued service. As members of an evidence-based profession, SSCNs need to demonstrate their value. Specialist nurses in cancer care and inflammatory bowel disease are supported by nationally, with pathways, targets and standards of care, as well as career and education frameworks. This system could be used for SSCNs. A national approach is needed to develop an evidence-based best-practice pathway, commissioned and implemented across the UK for all stoma patients and with SSCNs at its heart. SSCNs need to demonstrate their value through data and evidence. Working with Getting it Right First Time, a taskforce aims to review the evidence and establish minimum standards of care for all stoma patients. SSCNs should be co-ordinators and drivers of change at the highest level of national innovation, policy and decision-making. The work of SSCNs should be is recognised and valued because what they do matters.
Evaluating the impact of a new clean intermittent self-catheterisation device: experiences of male patients
Authors: Cassells Claire , Hillery Sarah
Published: September 2024

Urinary incontinence is common and has many causes. A main one is urinary retention, and clean intermittent self-catheterisation is the gold standard for managing it. There are, however, complications associated with performing this, which affect patient experience, quality of life and compliance with the procedure. The most common complication is urinary tract infection (UTI), which can be debilitating and have serious consequences. On average, patients experience 2.7 UTIs a year. Infection often arises from residual urine left behind, this can be caused by mucosal suction into catheter eyelets giving the impression that the bladder has finished emptying and leading to early withdrawal of the catheter. Mucosal suction by catheter eyelets can also lead to micro-trauma. Hydrophilic catheters have long been used to prevent micro-trauma. A catheter using Micro-hole Zone Technology instead of conventional two eyelets was developed with the aim of reducing UTI risk by addressing risk factors for bladder micro-trauma and incomplete voiding. A recent evaluation of Coloplast's Luja male intermittent catheter found that 97% of nurses would recommend Luja, 96% of nurses felt confident their patients will learn how to completely empty their bladder with Luja, and 88% of nurses were less worried that their patients are at risk of getting UTIs due to incomplete bladder emptying.
The Effect of Probiotics on Obesity with Comorbid Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Chen Liang , Zhou Jinhu , Xu Ting , Xu Liwei , Yu Chaoli
Published: September 2024

Aims/Background Obesity and depression frequently co-occur, and the relationship between them is bidirectional. Being obese or overweight increases the risk of depression, and conversely, depression increases the risk of obesity or overweight. Emerging clinical research has shown that probiotics may be effective in treating obesity and associated depression. Modulating gut microbiota with probiotics may improve obesity-related depression, but current evidence is inconsistent.

Methods We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library for randomized controlled trials examining probiotics for depression in obese adults. Mean difference (MD) in depression scores between probiotic and placebo groups was pooled across studies using random-effects models. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 to explain heterogeneity in meta-regression analysis. To detect the publication bias of the included studies, a funnel plot, and Begg and Egger tests, were used. Possible heterogeneity moderators were detected by subgroup and sensitivity analyses, Galbraith plot, and graphic display of study heterogeneity (GOSH) analysis. Leave-one-out and Influence analyses were performed to assess sensitivity.

Results Five trials (n = 488) were included. Overall, probiotics did not significantly improve depressive symptoms versus placebo (MD = 0.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] = −0.63 to 0.79, p = 0.82). Considerable heterogeneity among studies was observed (I2 = 63%). In subgroup analyses, probiotics significantly reduced depression as measured by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (MD = −0.60, 95% CI = −1.17 to –0.03, p = 0.04) with no heterogeneity (I2 = 0%). Probiotics also decreased depressive symptoms after 12 weeks of supplementation (MD = −0.78, 95% CI = −1.58 to –0.01, p = 0.05) versus placebo. No publication bias was found using Begg and Egger tests. The GOSH diagnostics revealed three outliers, among the clusters identified by K-means, DBSCAN (Density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise algorithm), and GMM (Gaussian Mixture Model) analyses.

Conclusion Overall, probiotics did not improve depressive symptoms in obesity. However, beneficial effects were observed with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and short-term use of probiotic. Additional rigorous randomized controlled trials are warranted to elucidate the therapeutic potential of probiotics for obesity-related depression.
A–Z of prescribing for children
Authors: Davies Kate
Published: September 2024

This series focuses on aspects of prescribing for neonates, children and young people, from A–Z. Aspects of pharmacokinetics will be considered, alongside legal considerations, consent and medications in schools
Pharmacokinetics in older people: an overview of prescribing practice
Authors: Reis da Silva Tiago Horta
Published: September 2024

As the population ages, understanding the unique pharmacokinetic profiles of older adults is crucial for effective and safe medication management. This article provides an overview of the pharmacokinetic changes that occur with ageing, including alterations in absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. Emphasising the implications for prescribing practice, the article highlights common challenges and strategies for optimising pharmacotherapy in older patients. By recognising the physiological changes and potential drug interactions, healthcare providers can tailor their prescribing practices to improve therapeutic outcomes and minimise adverse effects in this vulnerable population.
Effectiveness of an Inquiry-Based Science Program on Enhancing Science Process Skills and Knowledge Among Moroccan Preschool Children
Authors: Ouabich Raja , Tifroute Lahcen , Rafouk Leila
Published: September 2024

This study evaluates the effectiveness of a twelve-week Inquiry-Based Science (IBS) program on enhancing science process skills and scientific knowledge among preschool children in Morocco. Conducted in a quasi-experimental setting, it involved 105 children (M = 60.46 months, SD = 4.32), with 37 in the IBS group and 68 in the control group. The program utilized the 5Es instructional model and the Engineering Design Process (EDP) to engage children in active, hands-on learning experiences. Statistical analysis demonstrated that the IBS group achieved substantial improvements in both science process skills and scientific knowledge relative to the control group, with between-group effect sizes (Cohen’s d) ranging from 1.02 and 2.31. These findings highlight the significant impact of structured inquiry-based approaches in early childhood education. The study underscores the need for integrating such methods into the preschool curriculum to foster scientific understanding and skills from a young age, thereby better preparing Moroccan children for future academic and professional challenges. The results advocate for educational stakeholders to consider adopting inquiry-based learning frameworks to enhance the overall quality of early childhood education in Morocco.
APRESENTAÇÃO
Authors: Wandercil Marco , Garcia Paulo Sérgio , Calderón Adolfo Ignacio , Alavarse Ocimar Munhoz , Fonseca Dora Maria Ramos , Imig Paula Grasso
Published: September 2024

Dossiê Avaliação em Foco
Cartographies of infrastructural imaginations: mapping ecological utopias and dystopias in the Global South
Authors: Valero Thomas Ernesto
Published: September 2024

This article provides the reader with a theoretical framework and a method of representing cities called cartographies of infrastructural imaginations. The study employs mapping methods from the fields of architecture, urban geography and visual cultures. The research inquires about the role of cartography in the analysis of discourses that define policies of water supply, food distribution and land-use regulation, which are three environmental challenges in cities. How can we identify and situate the urban actors that attend to such challenges in cities from the Global South?

The research is empirically grounded in Mexico City, Shanghai and Bangalore, urban settlements with a history of colonial occupation in previous centuries. Their foreign interventions still shape urban imaginaries of these cities. The method of blending photographic analysis with maps aims to offer objective precision of geographical data and subjective street-level views of local stories. The intention is to understand where the infrastructural ideas come from, and how imaginaries flow to communicate visions about the development of the city. A central task here is to frame how power structures interact and represent their interests via utopian and dystopian narratives.
3D visuospatial perception in augmented reality based on multifocus imaging
Authors: Alonso Julia R. , Fernández Ariel , Javidi Bahram
Published: September 2024

We present our recent advances regarding augmented reality based on multifocus sensing to adjust the visuospatial perception which could be useful in therapy devices regarding binocular treatment or to alleviate stereo visual fatigue.
Human gesture recognition in degraded environments with multi-dimensional integral imaging: An Overview [Invited]
Authors: Javidi Bahram , Krishnan Gokul , Pla Filiberto
Published: September 2024

In this work, we present an overview of human gesture recognition in degraded environments with multi-dimensional integral imaging. It is shown that for human gesture recognition in degraded environments such as low light, and occlusion, we can gain substantial improvements in performance over conventional imaging.
Optical Tomography of Clouds and Atmospheric Turbulence from Space and Ground-based Cameras
Authors: Schechner Yoav Y. , Shaul Nir , Holodovsky Vadim , Aides Amit , Schilling Klaus , Koren Ilan
Published: September 2024

Novel tomographic principles yield 3D atmospheric fields using multi-view imagery. Turbulence strength is mapped by observing scintillation of bulbs. Extinction in clouds is mapped volumetrically from polarimetric cameras onboard a satellite formation.
Iterative Phase-retrieval from Single-shot Recording by Space Division Multiplexing
Authors: Rajput Sudheesh K. , Todo Ryuju , Kumon Yuki , Nishio Kenzo , Matoba Osamu , Awatsuji Yasuhiro
Published: September 2024

We propose an iterative phase estimation from two diffraction images recorded by space division multiplexing. Two intensity images can be captured by polarization camera after separating object intensity of two planes in different polarization directions.
I-COACH with Structured Beams: 3D Imaging Techniques by a Single Camera Shot Without Two-Wave Interference
Authors: Anand Vijayakumar , Rosen Joseph
Published: September 2024

Interferenceless coded aperture correlation holography (I-COACH) is a well-established 3D imaging method that has revolutionized the field of imaging. Here, we summarize the latest developments in I-COACH using ensembles of spatially structured longitudinal light beams.
Holographic optical engine (HolOE) for material laser processing, volumetric display, and computational imaging
Authors: Hayasaki Yoshio
Published: September 2024

Holographic optical engine composed of a spatial light modulator, imagers, relay optics, and a control computer offers an easy installation and easy use of holographic beam shaping.
Integral Phase Imaging for 3D Refractive Index Retrieval with the Transport of Intensity Equation
Authors: Fernández Ariel , Silva Alejandro , Arocena Miguel , Alonso Julia R.
Published: September 2024

Transport of Intensity Equation allows for phase recovery from a given point of view. By recovering phase for different perspectives and introducing a multi-slice model of a sample, 3D distribution of its refractive index can be obtained.
Three-dimensional Interferometric Interogation Using a Broad Range of Light-sheet Modalities
Authors: Potcoava Mariana , Mann Christopher , Art Jonathan , Alford Simon
Published: September 2024

We present quantitative 3D live nerve cell imaging using Gaussian-beam light-sheet modalities with conventional lattice light-sheet and interferometric optical detection approaches. The interferometric detection approach offers maximum FOV scanning area than the conventional one.
CPU Based Real-Time Full Volume Processing and Automatic Dynamic Focal Plane Projection Display of 4D Optical Coherence Microscopy at 265 kA-scans/s
Authors: Lawman Samuel , Alam Uazman , Shen Yao-Chun , Zheng Yalin
Published: September 2024

For OCM to replace IVCM as a screening tool for DPN, the equivalent nerve en-face projection needs to be displayed in real time. Here we show it can be done with a moderate spec CPU.
Rapid computational algorithm with minimum user input for reconstructing phase images in structured illumination Digital Holographic Microscopy
Authors: Obando-Vásquez Sofía , Castaneda Raúl , Restrepo René , Trujillo Carlos , Doblas Ana
Published: September 2024

A rapid computational algorithm is presented for Structured Illumination in Digital Holographic Microscopy. The proposed algorithm is based on the minimization of two cost functions to reconstruct improved resolution images with minimum user input automatically.
Localizing Objects inside Scattering Media through Foveation
Authors: Balaji Muralidhar M. , Ahsanullah Danyal , Rangarajan Prasanna
Published: September 2024

This submission presents a framework that utilizes foveated sampling to reduce the ill-posedness of the diffuse optical imaging inverse problem and localize objects embedded inside a scattering medium.
Simulation of Quasi-Bound States in the Continuum Driven All-Dielectric Nano-slit Array-based Sensor: Probing Absorptive Analytes under Visible Light
Authors: Khurana Swapnil , Srivastava Sachin Kumar
Published: September 2024

An all-dielectric quasi-BIC sensor with narrow linewidth has been simulated for detecting absorptive analytes. The spectral and transmittance sensitivities were calculated to be 204.08 nm/RIU, and 1223.045 %/RIU, respectively.
High-speed phase transition imaging using spike streams
Authors: Xiong Bo , Wang Ruliang , Zhou You , Sun Xuyang , Yang Yaxiong , Su Changqing
Published: September 2024

Phase transition process occurs rapidly and at unpredictable time, posing challenges for traditional cameras to capture the entire process at high speed. Here, we present a self-supervised learning enhanced high-speed phase transition imaging method based on spike streams.
Distributed optic fiber sensing with high frequency response and multi-points phase demodulation
Authors: Jia Kun , Lai Xin , Wang Qiaobo , Ma Yixiao , Zhang Lai , Xiao Qian , Jia Bo
Published: September 2024

A novel distributed optic fiber vibration sensing system is proposed by combining an in-line Sagnac interferometer and -OTDR. The system can realize high frequency response and multi-points phase demodulation.
Design of a Coudé Mirror Assembly in a Large Ground Telescope for Astronomical Imaging
Authors: Lee Jaehyun , Park Kisoo , Son Eui Seung , Jeong Suseong , Rhee Hyug-Gyo , Kang Pilseong
Published: September 2024

We develop a 1-m ground telescope for astronomical observation. To accurately guide beam to AO system, we employ a coudé mirror assembly. Its mirror shape and mount structure are optimized to minimize wavefront error.
Specular Reflections for Classification of Unresolved Surfaces
Authors: Alghamdi Ahmed , Nero Gregory , Hageman Gordon , Brady David
Published: September 2024

Unresolved specular surfaces can be classified by sampling their radiance field. We present a way of distinguishing between two unresolved reflective targets. This is applicable for target identification in unresolved remote sensing situations.
Binary Coded Aperture Design by Sphere Packing in Compressive Ultrafast Photography
Authors: Díaz Nelson , Beniwal Madhu , Guzmán Felipe , Marquez Miguel , Liang Jinyang , Vera Esteban
Published: September 2024

This work presents a binary coded aperture (CA) design using sphere packing (SP) to determine the number of light entries in a compressive ultrafast photography (CUP) system. Our proposed approach leverages the uniform sensing that yields SP and the temporal shifting induced by the galvanometer to achieve uniform sensing.
Trace Gas Sensor Based on Differential Integrating Sphere
Authors: Zhang Chu , He Ying , Qiao Shunda , Ma Yufei
Published: September 2024

A differential integrating sphere based photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) gas sensor is proposed. The photoacoustic signal of the sensor was double enhancement and the noise was suppressed.
Extremely Fast Calibration of Phase-Only Spatial Light Modulators with Fresnel Zone Plates
Authors: Ordóñez L. , Ipus E. , Mendoza-Yero O.
Published: September 2024

This study introduces a direct method for the calibration of Liquid Crystal Spatial Light Modulators (LC-SLM). It employs an array of Fresnel zone plates encoded onto a phase mask to obtain the calibration curve. Unlike conventional methods that require iterative processes or multiple measurements, the proposed method achieves full calibration of the LC-SLM from a single image.
A near-UV photoacoustic spectrophone for filter-free measurement of light absorption properties of brown carbon in the CESAM simulation chamber
Authors: Shang Zhijin , Fayad Layal , Di Biagio Claudia , Cazaunau Mathieu , Pangui Edouard , Bergé Antonin , Picquet-Varrault Bénédicte , Doussin Jean-Francois , Cazier Fabrice , Dewaele Dorothée , Houzel Nicolas , Wu Hongpeng , Dong Lei , Thaury Claire , Sigrist Markus W. , Chen Weidong
Published: September 2024

Filter-free measurement of light absorption properties of brown carbon has been performed in the CESAM simulation chamber using a photoacoustic spectrophone operating at 405 nm.
Extending Bragg Coherent Diffraction Imaging to the Atomic Scale with Physics-Based Optimization
Authors: Meziere Jason , Pateral Anastasios , Harder Ross , Sandberg Richard L.
Published: September 2024

As upgrades to synchrotrons increase coherent flux, atomic resolution in Bragg Coherent Diffraction Imaging has become a distinct possibility. We present a new method that shows the capability to achieve atomic resolution for small nanoparticles.
Detection of Piston using a Digital Pyramid Wavefront Sensor
Authors: Malone Deborah Catherina
Published: September 2024

Pyramid Wavefront Sensors are sensitive to piston. Here we present the preliminary work, which uses a spatial light modulator as a digital pyramid wavefront sensor to detect the piston from a segmented phase screen.
Towards 100% sky coverage, challenges and potential solutions for tip-tilt sensing in Laser Guide Star Adaptive Optics
Authors: Noelia Martinez Rey
Published: September 2024

Though widely used in astronomy for atmospheric correction, Laser Guide Star Adaptive Optics cannot fully sense turbulence and requires a natural star, limiting sky coverage and observable targets. Proposed solutions and unresolved challenges are discussed.
Polarization adaptive optics for diattenuation aberration correction
Authors: Ma Yifei , Zhao Zimo , Wang An , Elston Steve J. , Morris Stephen M. , Booth Martin J. , He Chao
Published: September 2024

We propose the use of optical skyrmions as a way to probe an optical system and provide metrics that characterise the performance of a polarisation adaptive optics system in the presence of diattenuation aberrations.
Two Photon Adaptive Microscopy Using Walsh Mode Based Neural Network Aberration Estimation
Authors: Xiao Yuyao , Hu Qi , Booth Martin J.
Published: September 2024

Existing adaptive optics methods correcting aberrations with complex high-order shapes are commonly inefficient. A neural network encapsulating the mathematics of Walsh mode lattices was proposed. Results suggested it had the potential to outperform conventional methods.
Approaching the Quantum Limit of Wavefront Sensing with Spatial Mode Sorting
Authors: Trzaska Jacob , Ashok Amit
Published: September 2024

We describe a wavefront sensor that is asymptotically quantum-optimal in the limit of small phase error. The sensor could be used with an adaptive optics system to sense residual errors when in closed loop.
Second Order Correlation Interference Imaging
Authors: Kassem Khaled , Lyons Ashley , Fatima Areeba , Cornwall Patrick , Willomitzer Florian , Faccio Daniele
Published: September 2024

We demonstrate that utilizing intensity correlation rather than phase-interference enables phase-noise robust imaging across a diverse array of applications. From high-resolution cellular bioimaging to non-line-of-sight scenarios, we highlight the versatility and effectiveness of this approach.
Panoramic Integral Imaging for Zero-Light 3D Situational Awareness
Authors: Wagenaar Paul , Cowan Laura V. , Wood Nicholas , Harvey Andrew R.
Published: September 2024

We report panoramic multi-camera, integral imaging at thermal infrared wavelengths to yield the first immersive, zero-light 3D imaging system. Our scalable architecture demonstrates automated 3D detection of partially occluded objects in clutter.
Stairstep versus pilot-tone 3D imaging: empirical signal-to-noise ratio studies
Authors: Banet Matthias T. , Wong Felix , Fienup James R.
Published: September 2024

This paper compares motion-insensitive stairstep and pilot-tone coherent 3D imaging in simulation in the presence of noise. Stairstep outperforms pilot-tone on average, but pilot-tone can be superior for facets of the object that have modest slopes.
Event-Driven LiDAR with Dynamic Neuromorphic Processing
Authors: Aquilina Matthias , Sola Alex Vicente , Kirkland Paul , Lyons Ashley
Published: September 2024

We present a novel spiking neural network approach to building 3D LiDAR images from temporal information alone. Our method uses the “spike” events from individually detected photons without the need to construct temporal histograms.
Extended Field of View Mueller Matrix Polarimetric Microscopy
Authors: Fernández Ariel , Demczylo Roman , Silva Diego , Lecumberry Federico
Published: September 2024

A microscopy setup incorporating Division of Focal Plane sensing and linearly independent States of Polarization in the input allows to obtain 3 × 3 Mueller matrix of tissue samples. Image stitching techniques allow to extend the Field of View for whole-slide imaging and multi-scale characterization.