bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Applications of carbon dots and its modified carbon dots in bone defect repair
Authors: Zhu Longchuan , Kong Weijian , Ma Jijun , Zhang Renfeng , Qin Cheng , Liu Hao , Pan Su
Published: November 2022

Bone defect repair is a continual and complicated process driven by a variety of variables. Because of its bright multicolor luminescence, superior biocompatibility, water dispersibility, and simplicity of synthesis from diverse carbon sources, carbon dots (CDs) have received a lot of interest. It has a broad variety of potential biological uses, including bone defect repair, spinal cord injury, and wound healing. Materials including CDs as the matrix or major component have shown considerable benefits in enabling bone defect healing in recent years. By altering the carbon dots or mixing them with other wound healing-promoting agents or materials, the repair effect may be boosted even further. The report also shows and discusses the use of CDs to heal bone abnormalities. The study first presents the fundamental features of CDs in bone defect healing, then provides CDs manufacturing techniques that should be employed in bone defect repair, and lastly examines their development in the area of bioengineering, particularly in bone defect repair. In this work, we look at how carbon dots and their alteration products may help with bone defect healing by being antibacterial, anti-infective, osteogenic differentiation-promoting, and gene-regulating.
Interpreting a Bayesian phase II futility clinical trial
Authors: Beall Jonathan , Cassarly Christy , Martin Renee
Published: November 2022

Background

A resurgence of research into phase II trial design in the mid-2000s led to the use of futility designs in a wide variety of disease areas. Phase II futility studies differ from efficacy studies in that their null hypothesis is that treatment, relative to control, does not meet or exceed the level of benefit required to justify additional study. A rejection of the null hypothesis indicates that the treatment should not proceed to a larger confirmatory trial.

Methods

Bayesian approaches to the design of phase II futility clinical trials are presented and allow for the quantification of key probabilities, such as the predictive probability of current trial success or even the predictive probability of a future trial’s success.

Results

We provide an illustration of the design and interpretation of a phase II futility study constructed in a Bayesian framework. We focus on the operating characteristics of our motivating trial based on a simulation study, as well as the general interpretation of trial outcomes, type I, and type II errors in this framework.

Conclusions

Phase II futility clinical trials, when designed under in a Bayesian framework, offer an alternative approach to the design of mid-phase studies which provide unique benefits relative to trials designed in a frequentist framework and designs which focus on treatment efficacy.
Surgical site infection after intracorporeal anastomosis for left-sided colon cancer: study protocol for a non-inferiority multicenter randomized controlled trial (STARS)
Authors: He Liang , Li Meng , Zhang Jia-xin , Tong Wei-hua , Chen Yan , Wang Quan
Published: November 2022

Background

Surgical site infection (SSI), as one of the most common hospital-acquired infection, is usually associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and health care burden. SSI is a significant perioperative complication after colon cancer surgery, particularly for left-sided colon cancer. This paper describes the background and design of the “Surgical Site Infection after intracorporeal anastomosis for Left-sided Colon Cancer: study protocol for a non-inferiority multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial (STARS).” The STARS trial aims to compare the incidence of SSI after intracorporeal anastomosis and extracorporeal anastomosis after radical resection of colon cancer and to explore the risk factors of SSI.

Methods

A total of 354 left colon cancer patients from 8 hospitals in China will be enrolled in this multi-center randomized controlled study. The primary outcome of this study is the incidence of SSI 30 days after left-sided colon cancer surgery. Secondary outcome measures include operation time, blood loss, conversion rate, incidence of perioperative complications, completeness of resection, number of lymph nodes collected and postoperative recovery characteristics, 3-year disease-free survival, and 5-year overall survival. The first patient was enrolled in January 2021.

Discussion

To our knowledge, this is the first prospective multicenter study to investigate whether there is a difference in the SSI incidence after intracorporeal and extracorporeal anastomosis for left-sided colon cancer in China. The results may provide more evidence that supports performing total laparoscopic left-sided colon cancer surgery.

Trial registration

The trial has been registered on ClinicalTrials.gov website (ID: NCT04201717). Registered on September 22, 2020
Organoselenium functionalized SBA-15 as a new catalyst for the cyanide-free conversion of oximes to nitriles
Authors: Bigdelo Maryam , Nemati Firouzeh , Rangraz Yalda
Published: November 2022

Background

Here we report a new selenium-based heterogeneous catalyst, which was prepared from the immobilization of diphenyl diselenide on amine-functionalized Santa Barbara Amorphous-15 (SBA-15). The catalyst characterization study has been confirmed by different analysis methods including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis.

Results

The newly designed catalyst was successfully applied in the green dehydration reaction of oximes to corresponding nitriles in the presence of hydrogen peroxide/air.

To demonstrate the role of the catalyst in this study, the model reaction was also carried out in the absence of the catalyst and a trace yield of the relevant product was achieved.

Conclusion

In this way, a series of nitrile derivatives were obtained with 72–96% yields, also, the catalyst could be separated easily and recycled for four consecutive runs with no obvious drop in catalytic activity.
Modification of the Folmer primers for the cytochrome c oxidase gene facilitates identification of mosquitoes
Authors: Hoque Md Monirul , Valentine Matthew John , Kelly Patrick John , Barua Subarna , Murillo Daniel Felipe Barrantes , Wang Chengming
Published: November 2022

Background

Accurate identification of mosquito species is essential for the development and optimization of strategies to control mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases. Problems with the morphological identification of mosquito species have led to the use of molecular identification techniques, in particular the Folmer cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) PCR system (FCOS), originally designed to identify a range of other invertebrates.

Methods

As there can be difficulties identifying mosquitoes using FCOS, we re-evaluated the FCOS primers and developed a new COI-based SYBR PCR (the Auburn COI system—AUCOS) to improve the molecular identification of mosquitoes. Sequence data in GenBank for 33 species from 10 genera of mosquitoes were used to develop our AUCOS primers. Two molecular assays (AUCOS, FCOS) and morphological identification were carried out on mosquitoes collected from the field in Auburn, Alabama (USA) and on Saint Kitts.

Results

With a convenience sample of individual mosquitoes comprising 19 species from six genera in Saint Kitts (n = 77) and Auburn (n = 48), our AUCOS provided higher-quality sequence data than FCOS. It also proved more sensitive than FCOS, successfully amplifying 67.5% (85/126) as opposed to 16.7% (21/126) of the samples. The species determined by morphology, or genus with damaged samples, matched that as determined by AUCOS for 84.9% (62/73) of the samples. Morphological classification was confirmed by FCOS with 81.0% (17/21) of samples producing utilizable sequences. While both FCOS and AUCOS correctly identified all the Aedes, Anopheles, Deinocerites, and Uranotaenia species in the study, identification of Culex species was less successful with both methods: 50.0% (3/6) by FCOS and 35.7% (5/14) by AUCOS.

Conclusions

The AUCOS DNA barcoding system for mosquito species described in this study is superior to the existing FCOS for the identification of mosquito species. As AUCOS and FCOS amplify the same variable region of the COI, the large amount of existing data on GenBank can be used to identify mosquito species with sequences produced by either PCR.

Graphical Abstract
New asymptotic expansions and Padé approximants related to the triple gamma function
Authors: Das Sourav , Swaminathan A.
Published: November 2022

In this work, our main focus is to establish asymptotic expansions for the triple gamma function in terms of the triple Bernoulli polynomials. As application, an asymptotic expansion for hyperfactorial function is also obtained. Furthermore, using these asymptotic expansions, Padé approximants related to the triple gamma function are derived as a consequence. The results obtained are new, and their importance is demonstrated by deducing several interesting remarks and corollaries.
Influence of polar amino acids on the carbonation of lime mortars
Authors: Zhang Kun , Zhang Yufan , Liu Yan , Wang Lu , He Lu , Dong Taoling , Lu Ruicong , Zhang Yue , Yang Fuwei
Published: November 2022

The addition of protein-based additives (e.g. milk, egg white, animal blood) into lime mortars can improve mortar properties such as workability, strengths and durability. With the intent to understand how and why proteinaceous additives improve lime mortar properties, it could be useful to start from the basic building blocks of proteins amino acids. Consequently, the present study focuses on the influence of polar amino acids on the carbonation of lime mortars, and the results demonstrated that addition of amino acids into mortars could slow down mortar drying, increase surface hardness, slow down carbonation, promote amorphous calcium carbonate stabilization and inhibit calcite formation; moreover, these effects seemed to become more evident with the increase of amino acid concentration. It was speculated that in highly alkaline lime mortars, polar amino acids could lime carbonation by interacting with calcium carbonate via H-bonds and additional Ca2+ mediated adsorption.
Shear wave elastography for differentiating parathyroid neoplasms with malignant diagnosis or uncertain malignant potential from parathyroid adenomas: initial experience
Authors: Liu Ruifeng , Gao Luying , Shi Xinlong , Ma Liyuan , Wang Ou , Xia Weibo , Hu Ya , Xia Yu , Jiang Yuxin
Published: November 2022

Objective

Parathyroid carcinoma (PC) and atypical parathyroid tumor (APT) are rare parathyroid disorders carrying the risk of recurrence of varying degrees. This study aims to explore the value of 2D-shear wave elastography (SWE) in the discrimination of PC/APT among suspicious parathyroid lesions.

Methods and materials

In this prospective study, patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and suspicious parathyroid lesions on ultrasonography (US) were recruited. All the lesions were assessed by SWE before surgery. The velocity (m/s), Young’s modulus (Kpa), and elastogram of SWE were compared between pathologically proven parathyroid carcinoma or atypical parathyroid tumor (Group1) and parathyroid adenoma (Group2). All the SWE parameters were displayed at the setting of 50 or 70 kPa. Correlations between SWE and the lesion size as well as biochemical parameters were analyzed.

Results

36 target lesions were enrolled for analysis. The mean shear wave velocity (SWV) between the two groups was 2.4 m/s vs 1.9 m/s, respectively, while the mean Young’s modulus was 11.1 kPa vs 18.2 kPa, respectively. The cut-off values are 2.35 m/s and 17.05 kPa correspondingly. The sensitivity and specificity of the selecting cut-off values were 0.56 vs 0.63 and 0.95 vs 1.0 (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.813 vs 0.852 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.669–0.956 vs 0.720–0.983]; p <  0.001, p <  0.001; respectively). In contrast, the max SWV and Young’s modulus showed a better sensitivity of 0.75 and 0.81, respectively. The “colored lesion” and “stiff rim” patterns on the elastogram are more indicated in parathyroid carcinoma and atypical parathyroid tumor, whereas the negative elastogram prevails in parathyroid adenoma. The SWV and Young’s modulus of the parathyroid lesions were independent of the tumor size, but the max SWV and Young’s modulus slightly correlated with serum parathyroid hormone concentration (PTH) (r = 0.398, p = 0.016; r = 0.396, p = 0.017).

Conclusions

2D-shear wave elastography plays a useful role in the preoperative assessment of parathyroid lesions with suspicious malignancy. The mean SWV and Young’s modulus are advised as the favored diagnostic parameter with the best AUC and excellent specificities, while the max SWV and Young’s modulus are more sensitive to distinguish the PC and APT compared with other parameters.
The effectiveness of implementation strategies in improving preconception and antenatal preventive care: a systematic review
Authors: Doherty Emma , Kingsland Melanie , Wiggers John , Wolfenden Luke , Hall Alix , McCrabb Sam , Tremain Danika , Hollis Jenna , Licata Milly , Wynne Olivia , Dilworth Sophie , Daly Justine B. , Tully Belinda , Dray Julia , Bailey Kylie A. , Elliott Elizabeth J. , Hodder Rebecca K.
Published: November 2022

Background

Clinical guideline recommendations for addressing modifiable risk factors are not routinely implemented into preconception and antenatal care. This review assessed the effectiveness of implementation strategies in improving health professional provision of preconception and antenatal care addressing tobacco smoking, weight management and alcohol consumption.

Methods

A systematic review of randomised and non-randomised studies with a parallel comparison group was conducted. Eligible studies used implementation strategy/ies targeted at health professionals to improve at least one element of preconception and/or antenatal care (smoking: ask, advise, assess, assist, arrange; weight/alcohol: assess, advise, refer) compared to usual practice/control or alternative strategies. Eligible studies were identified via CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Maternity and Infant Care, CINAHL and other sources. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted where appropriate, with other findings summarised using the direction of effect. The certainty of the pooled evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach.

Results

Fourteen studies were included in the review. Thirteen were in the antenatal period and 12 tested multiple implementation strategies (median: three). Meta-analyses of RCTs found that implementation strategies compared to usual practice/control probably increase asking (OR: 2.52; 95% CI: 1.13, 5.59; 3 studies; moderate-certainty evidence) and advising (OR: 4.32; 95% CI: 3.06, 6.11; 4 studies; moderate-certainty evidence) about smoking and assessing weight gain (OR: 57.56; 95% CI: 41.78, 79.29; 2 studies; moderate-certainty evidence), and may increase assessing (OR: 2.55; 95% CI: 0.24, 27.06; 2 studies; low-certainty evidence), assisting (OR: 6.34; 95% CI: 1.51, 26.63; 3 studies; low-certainty evidence) and arranging support (OR: 3.55; 95% CI: 0.50, 25.34; 2 studies; low-certainty evidence) for smoking. The true effect of implementation strategies in increasing advice about weight gain (OR: 3.37; 95% CI: 2.34, 4.84; 2 non-randomised studies; very low-certainty evidence) and alcohol consumption (OR: 10.36; 95% CI: 2.37, 41.20; 2 non-randomised studies; very low-certainty evidence) is uncertain due to the quality of evidence to date.

Conclusions

Review findings provide some evidence to support the effectiveness of implementation strategies in improving health professional delivery of antenatal care addressing smoking and weight management. Rigorous research is needed to build certainty in the evidence for improving alcohol and weight gain advice, and in preconception care.

Trial registration

PROSPERO-CRD42019131691.
In response to Fleiss et al. (2022), climate change will affect palm oil yields in Malaysia very detrimentally by 2100 and less so before that date
Authors: Paterson R. R. M.
Published: November 2022

Fleiss et al. (CABI Agri Biosci 3:59, 2022) suggest that palm oil yield from Malaysia oil palm will not be affected substantially by increased temperature from climate change with evidence from a misinterpretation of a paper co-authored by the current author. This current comment article provides evidence that suggest that yields will be much lower in the future.
Efficacy of Telemedicine Using Videoconferencing Systems in Outpatient Care for Patients With Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Uemoto Yasuaki , Yamanaka Taro , Kataoka Yuki , Wada Yoshitaka , Aoyama Yosuke , Kizawa Rika , Yamaguchi Takeshi , Kikawa Yuichiro , Mukai Hirofumi , Taira Naruto
Published: November 2022

PURPOSE

This systematic review aimed to investigate the efficacy of telemedicine (TM) using videoconferencing systems in outpatient care for patients with cancer.

METHODS

We searched six electronic databases (CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, ICTRP, and ClinicalTrials.gov) through June 2021 to identify randomized controlled trials that evaluated the use of TM using videoconferencing systems compared with usual face-to-face care in outpatient care for patients with cancer. We assessed the certainty of evidence on the basis of the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation.

RESULTS

From the 2,400 articles screened, six randomized controlled trials were eligible for this study. Two studies evaluated the use of TM in cancer follow-up and four investigated psychotherapy for cancer. TM using videoconferencing systems may result in no differences in primary outcomes such as patient satisfaction (standardized mean difference, 0.11; 95% CI, –0.18 to 0.40) and outpatient attendance complete proportion (risk difference, 0.02%; 95% CI, –0.04 to 0.09), and secondary outcomes such as medical professional satisfaction, time devoted to outpatient care, and depression score. The certainty of evidence for these outcomes was low. Although the average money spent on outpatient visit was a primary outcome, the level of evidence was uncertain.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that TM using videoconferencing systems in outpatient care for patients with cancer may be as effective as usual face-to-face care. Use of TM more frequently may be considered for patients with cancer who are expected to obtain benefit from TM using videoconference systems.
Phase IIb Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Dose-Escalating, Double-Blind Study of Cannabidiol Oil for the Relief of Symptoms in Advanced Cancer (MedCan1-CBD)
Authors: Hardy Janet , Greer Ristan , Huggett Georgie , Kearney Alison , Gurgenci Taylan , Good Phillip
Published: November 2022

PURPOSE

To determine whether cannabidiol (CBD) oil can improve symptom distress in patients with advanced cancer receiving palliative care.

METHODS

Participants were adults with advanced cancer and symptom distress (Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale [ESAS] total score of ≥ 10/90) who received titrated CBD oil 100 mg/mL, 0.5 mL once daily to 2 mL three times a day, or matched placebo for 28 days. The primary outcome was ESAS total symptom distress score (TSDS) at day 14. Response was defined as a decrease in TSDS by ≥ 6 at day 14. Secondary outcomes were ESAS TSDS over time, individual symptom scores, patient-determined effective dose, opioid use, Global Impression of Change, depression, anxiety, quality of life, and adverse events.

RESULTS

Of the 144 patients randomly assigned, the planned sample size of 58 participants on CBD and 63 on placebo reached the primary analysis point (day 14). The unadjusted change in TSDS from baseline to day 14 was –6.2 (standard deviation, 14.5) for placebo and –3.0 (standard deviation, 15.2) for CBD with no significant difference between arms ( P = .24). Similarly, there was no detected difference in proportion of responders (placebo: 37 of 63 [58.7%], CBD: 26 of 58 [44.8%], P = .13). All components of ESAS improved (fell) over time with no difference between arms. The median dose of participant-selected CBD was 400 mg per day with no correlation with opioid dose. There was no detectable effect of CBD on quality of life, depression, or anxiety. Adverse events did not differ significantly between arms apart from dyspnea that was more common with CBD. Most participants reported feeling better or much better at days 14 (53% CBD and 65% placebo) and 28 (70% CBD and 64% placebo).

CONCLUSION

CBD oil did not add value to the reduction in symptom distress provided by specialist palliative care alone.
PLA2G6-Associated Neurodegeneration: A Rare Case Report of Neurodegeneration with Brain Iron Accumulation in Children
Authors: Widianti Nurani , Hanindita Meta Herdiana , Widjaja Nur Aisiyah , Irawan Roedi
Published: November 2022

This report aimed to describe and review the clinical features, neuroimaging findings, and PLA2G6 mutations identified in a 34-month-old girl with regression of developmental milestones.A 34 months old girl came to Dr.Soetomo Hospital’s outpatient clinic, Surabaya, with a developmental regression for six months, and got worse until she could not do any activity and was followed by recurrent seizures. She had a sibling who had similar problems and symptoms and then died at five years of age. The head MRI revealed brain atrophy, the possibility of an early sign of metabolic disorder, and a white matter lesion at the globuspallidus bilateral that supports the encephalopathy metabolic view. The genetic test revealed a positive homozygous such as a pathogenic variant in the PLA2G6 gene, which confirmed the diagnosis. PLA2G6-Associated with Neurodegeneration (PLAN) should be considered as a diagnosis in children with developmental regression.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.1.6801

How to cite this: Widianti N, Hanindita MH, Widjaja NA, Irawan R. PLA2G6-Associated Neurodegeneration: A Rare Case Report of Neurodegeneration with Brain Iron Accumulation in Children. Pak J Med Sci. 2023;39(1):---------.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.1.6801

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.
Αιλίου Αριστείδου «Περί Σμύρνης»
Authors: Σιόντης Θεόδωρος
Published: November 2022

O ιστορικός και φιλολογικός σχολιασμός των λόγων του Αιλίου Αριστείδου «Περὶ Σμύρνης», είναι το θέμα της παρούσης διατριβής, καθώς τα εν λόγω κείμενα του ρήτορος, αποτελούν τη μόνη εκτεταμένη γραπτή περιγραφή για την πολύπαθη πόλη της Ιωνίας κατά τη ρωμαϊκή περίοδο. Η μελέτη διαρθρώνεται σε τέσσερα κεφάλαια. Στο πρώτο κεφάλαιο περιγράφεται ευσύνοπτα η περίοδος ακμής της ρωμαϊκής αυτοκρατορίας (2ος μ.Χ. αι.) και οι συνθήκες υπό τις οποίες ήκμασαν οι ελληνικές πόλεις, όπου και κορυφώθηκε το φαινόμενο της δεύτερης σοφιστικής. Ακολουθεί η παρουσίαση της ζωής και του έργου του Αιλίου Αριστείδου. Η επιβίωση των κειμένων του Αιλίου Αριστείδου, από την αρχαιότητα έως την Αναγέννηση και τις πρώτες εκδόσεις τους, είναι το αντικείμενο πραγμάτευσης του δεύτερου κεφαλαίου. Διαχρονικά, εντοπίστηκαν και παρουσιάζονται πλείστες επιρροές του ρήτορος σε μεταγενέστερους συγγραφείς, ιδίως όσες διαπιστώθηκαν σε έργα που αντανακλούν οι Σμυρναϊκοί λόγοι, όπως και η συνοδοιπόρος χειρόγραφη παράδοση των εν λόγω κειμένων. Το τρίτο κεφάλαιο περιλαμβάνει τους λόγους του Αιλίου Αριστείδου για τη Σμύρνη, η μεταγραφή των οποίων έγινε σύμφωνα με την έκδοση του B. Keil (1898). Των κειμένων ακολουθεί η παρουσίαση της δομής και του περιεχομένου τους και επισημαίνονται τα φιλολογικά τους χαρακτηριστικά. Εν συνεχεία, παρουσιάζονται ζητήματα που αφορούν την προβληματική γύρω από τους αποδέκτες και την ακριβή χρονολόγηση των δύο Σμυρναϊκῶν (17, 21).Ο ιστορικός και φιλολογικός σχολιασμός των λόγων Περί Σμύρνης του Αιλίου Αριστείδου περιλαμβάνεται στο 4ο κεφάλαιο. Του σχολιασμού, προτάσσεται η γεωγραφία και η ιστορία της Σμύρνης και εν συνεχεία παρουσιάζεται η πόλη, σύμφωνα με τα κείμενα του Αριστείδου.
Συμμετοχική δημοσιογραφία
Authors: Σαρίδου Θεοδώρα
Published: November 2022

Η συμμετοχή του κοινού στην παραγωγή των ειδήσεων αποτελεί συχνά το πρίσμα υπό το οποίο προσεγγίζεται θεωρητικά και ερευνητικά η δημοσιογραφία. Τα εγγενή χαρακτηριστικά της δεύτερης γενιάς του παγκόσμιου ιστού σε συνάρτηση με τις υφιστάμενες κοινωνικές και οικονομικές συνθήκες αναδεικνύουν τον ρόλο του χρήστη σε κομβικό για την ειδησεογραφική διαδικασία και ευνοούν νέες δυνατότητες κατανάλωσης και παραγωγής περιεχομένου. Οι οργανισμοί των μέσων υιοθετούν στους διαδικτυακούς τους τόπους εργαλεία και εφαρμογές, επιτρέποντας την ενσωμάτωση του περιεχομένου που παράγεται από τους χρήστες. Η συμμετοχική δημοσιογραφία αντιμετωπίζεται ως κινητήρια δύναμη ενίσχυσης της δημοκρατίας και επανασύνδεσης των κυρίαρχων μέσων με την κοινότητα. Ωστόσο, εμπειρικές έρευνες αμφισβητούν την ελκυστικότητά της και υπογραμμίζουν την έλλειψη ενδιαφέροντος των δημοσιογράφων και των χρηστών, καθώς και τα προβλήματα σκοτεινής συμμετοχής που ανακύπτουν. Η παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή μελετά τη συμμετοχή του κοινού στη δημοσιογραφία μέσα στο πλαίσιο των οργανισμών των ελληνικών μέσων. Για τον σκοπό αυτό ερευνάται αρχικά η υιοθέτηση της συμμετοχικής δημοσιογραφίας στους διαδικτυακούς τόπους των ημερήσιων εφημερίδων πανελλαδικής κυκλοφορίας μέσα από τα εργαλεία που παρέχονται και τις μεθόδους εποπτείας του περιεχομένου που χρησιμοποιούνται. Η ανάλυση της εξελικτικής πορείας του φαινομένου καταγράφει την ύπαρξη λίγων και αυστηρά ελεγχόμενων εργαλείων, τα οποία αφήνουν μικρά περιθώρια δημιουργίας περιεχομένου στους χρήστες. Στη συνέχεια εξετάζεται η συμμετοχή ως έννοια και ως πρακτική στο περιβάλλον ενός συνεργατικού δημοσιογραφικού οργανισμού που επιδιώκει τη διατήρηση ισχυρών δεσμών με τους αναγνώστες του. Με τη χρήση ενός συνδυασμού ποσοτικών και ποιοτικών μεθόδων ερευνάται ο τρόπος με τον οποίο γίνεται αντιληπτή και πραγματώνεται η συμμετοχή του κοινού. Διαπιστώνεται ότι πρόκειται για μία πολυδιάστατη διαδικασία, η οποία εξελίσσεται στο στρατηγικό περιβάλλον που θέτει το μέσο και διαμορφώνεται με γνώμονα τις αντιλήψεις και τις στάσεις των δημοσιογράφων. Ταυτόχρονα, οι προσδοκίες και τα κίνητρα των χρηστών επηρεάζουν την τελική συμμετοχική εμπειρία και τον επιδιωκόμενο αντίκτυπό της. Τέλος, στο πλαίσιο της διατριβής ερευνάται αν και με ποιον τρόπο η αξιοποίηση των τεχνολογιών του σημασιολογικού ιστού μπορεί να συμβάλλει στη διαχείριση της συμμετοχικής δημοσιογραφίας. Προς την κατεύθυνση αυτή προτείνεται μία εφαρμογή υποβολής, επεξεργασίας, ελέγχου και δημοσίευσης περιεχομένου. Τα δομικά χαρακτηριστικά της καθορίζονται με βάση έρευνες σε δημοσιογράφους και χρήστες, ενώ, αφού αναπτυχθεί, αξιολογείται από ειδικούς μετά από εμπειρική χρήση.
ΕΑΜ Λέσβου
Authors: Μάντζαρης Δημήτριος
Published: November 2022

Η διατριβή έχει ως κεντρικό στόχο τη διερεύνηση των πολιτικών, οικονομικών και κοινωνικών συνθηκών που διαμορφώθηκαν στη Λέσβο στη διάρκεια της κρίσιμης δεκαετίας 1940-1949 και τις επιπτώσεις που είχαν στη ζωή των κατοίκων της. Η περίοδος πραγμάτευσης ξεκινά από το Μεσοπόλεμο και επικεντρώνεται στην Κατοχή, την Απελευθέρωση και το πέρασμα στον εμφύλιο πόλεμο, ενώ το τελευταίο κεφάλαιο της διατριβής πραγματεύεται τις συνθήκες που διαμορφώθηκαν στο νησί την πρώτη περίοδο μετά τον Εμφύλιο. Η διατριβή εστιάζει στις πολιτικοκοινωνικές διεργασίες που διαμόρφωσαν ένα ρωμαλέο αριστερό κίνημα, που εμφανίζεται στη Λέσβο την περίοδο του Μεσοπολέμου και κορυφώνεται τα δύο τελευταία χρόνια της Κατοχής (1943-1944). Πιο συγκεκριμένα η διατριβή επικεντρώνεται στην συγκρότηση της «Οργάνωσης» ως προπομπός του ΕΑΜ στη διάρκεια της Κατοχής, τη μεγάλη μαζικοποίησή της, ιδιαίτερα το 1944, την ανάδειξή της ως μοναδικής πατριωτικής-εθνικής δύναμης ευθύνης στο νησί και την ανάδυσή της στην τοπική εξουσία αμέσως μετά την Απελευθέρωση. Η διατριβή διερευνά τα χαρακτηριστικά της εξουσίας του ΕΑΜ στη Λέσβο, και εστιάζει στις ιδιαιτερότητές της σε σχέση με τη δράση της οργάνωσης την ίδια περίοδο, στα γειτονικά νησιά και σε άλλες περιοχές της Ελλάδας. Η οπτική της διατριβής έχει ακριβώς ως άξονα τις δυναμικές που ανέπτυξε η Αριστερά την τετραετία 1943-1946, δυναμικές που την ανέδειξαν στα μάτια του λεσβιακού λαού ως μια υπεύθυνη πατριωτική δύναμη, που ακόμα και σε ταραγμένες πολιτικά περιόδους, όπως η περίοδος των Δεκεμβριανών ή του Εμφυλίου, δεν προέβη σε ακρότητες, αλλά επεδίωξε εν τοις πράγμασι την εθνική συνεννόηση. Με βάση την προσέγγιση αυτή, διερευνώνται οι λόγοι για τους οποίους ειδικά στη Λέσβο η Αριστερά δεν έχασε ποτέ τη δυναμική που απέκτησε την τετραετία 1943-1946 ακόμα και μετά τον Εμφύλιο, τις επόμενες δεκαετίες του 20ου αιώνα.
Σύνθεση και χαρακτηρισμός γραμμικών και μη γραμμικών συμπολυμερών
Authors: Πανταζίδης Χρήστος
Published: November 2022

Στην παρούσα εργασία παρασκευάστηκαν ομοπολυμερή, γραμμικά και μικτόκλωνα αστεροειδή συμπολυμερή πολυανιοντικών αλυσίδων, οι οποίες φέρουν ως αντισταθμιστικό κατιόν το λίθιο, και μπορούν εν δυνάμει να χρησιμοποιηθούν ως πρόσθετα ή πολυμερικές μήτρες σε στερεούς πολυμερικούς ηλεκτρολύτες.Προηγήθηκε η σύνθεση του μονομερούς STFSIK, ενώ ακολούθησε ο πολυμερισμός του μέσω νιτροξειδικών ριζών, για την δημιουργία των γραμμικών ομοπολυμερών δειγμάτων. Ως αποτέλεσμα προέκυψαν γραμμικά ομοπολυμερή PSTFSIK με εύρος μοριακών βαρών, ενώ ολοκληρώθηκε μελέτη της κινητικής του πολυμερισμού με συγκεκριμένη αλκοξυαμίνη ως απαρχητή NMP. Εν συνεχεία, τα λιθιωμένα παράγωγα, PSTFSILi, παρασκευάστηκαν μέσω αντίδρασης αντικατάστασης ιόντος.Ομοίως, με τον ταυτόχρονο συμπολυμερισμό στυρενίου και STFSIK, δημιουργήθηκαν τυχαία γραμμικά συμπολυμερή PS-co-PSTFSIK/Li και μελετήθηκε η επίδραση της σύστασης στις θερμικές ιδιότητες των πολυμερών τα οποία εμφάνιζαν συγκρίσιμο βαθμό πολυμερισμού.Για την δημιουργία των μικτόκλωνων αστεροειδών συμπολυμερών, συντέθηκε αστεροειδής μακροαπαρχητής πολυαιθυλενοξειδίου, ο οποίος χρησιμοποιήθηκε για τον NMP πολυμερισμό του STFSIK αλλά και τον συμπολυμερισμό STFSIK, St.Για τα αστεροειδή συμπολυμερή PEO/PSTFSILi που παράχθηκαν, έγινε μελέτη της ιοντικής αγωγιμότητας και των μηχανικών ιδιοτήτων τους, για την αξιολόγηση της δυναμικής τους όσον αφορά τη χρήση αυτών των υλικών σε μπαταρίες ιόντων λιθίου.
Knowledge about kitchen hygiene and associated factors in caregivers in a peri-urban area of Lima
Authors: Lozada-Urbano Michelle , Miranda Doris , Huamán Franklin , Chirinos-Cáceres Jesus , Rivera-Lozada Oriana
Published: November 2022

Background: Food and kitchen hygiene are necessary conditions for safe food and prevent foodborne illnesses. The objective of this study was to identify the factors associated with caregivers’ knowledge of kitchen hygiene in San Juan de Lurigancho (SJL).

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. We surveyed 250 mothers at comedores populares (a sort of community kitchens which are very popular in Lima) and who were part of mothers' clubs in the areas of Huascar V and San Pablo, in SJL in Lima. The sample was selected through non-probability convenience sampling. A questionnaire with three dimensions (cleanliness, storage and contamination of children) was administered.

Results: On average, in Huascar and San Pablo, most caregivers were the children’s mothers (93.2%); most of the caregivers were between 21 and 30 years old (54%); they had secondary level of education (70.4%); they were living in free union with their partners (69.2%); they were mainly housewives (80.4%); their houses were constructed with materials different from brick and cement (68.4%); and their houses had a bare floor (70.0%). They did not have drinking water in the kitchen (88.4%); they did not use a gas stove (88.4%), a refrigerator (50.0%), a radio (82.0%), or a microwave (16.4%). A good level of knowledge of food hygiene was found in 63.2% of caregivers. No predictive capacity of the assessed sociodemographic characteristics on the level of knowledge of kitchen hygiene was identified.

Conclusions: This study determined that the assessed sociodemographic variables were not significantly associated with the level of knowledge about kitchen hygiene. It is necessary to improve mothers' knowledge about the handling and consumption of spoiled food and their effect on children's health.
The neurogenic bladder: developing a consensus bladder and bowel management pathway for people with MS
Authors: Thomas Sue , Bradley Joan , Cole Georgina , Girvan Marie , Metcalfe Gale , Naik Paru , Owen Audrey , Solomons Margaret , Stross Ruth , Yates Ann , Webb Mark , White Sarah , Young Jane
Published: November 2022

This article outlines how the bladder can be affected in neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and the impact this has on patient quality of life and NHS resources. A group of MS and bladder and bowel nurse specialists has developed consensus bladder pathways in the hope that all nurses in contact with patients who are likely to have neurogenic bladder symptoms become ‘bladder aware’.
Grey area nursing: high-dependency nurses’ experiences of caring for patients approaching the transition from curative to palliative care
Authors: Johnson Emily , Jack Barbara
Published: November 2022

Background:

Nurses in high-dependency units frequently facilitate the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatments and provide end-of-life care. Providing this care has been shown to cause distress, burnout and cumulative grief. There remains a lack of understanding of high dependency nurses’ experiences of caring for patients approaching withdrawal of life-sustaining treatments.

Aim:

To explore experiences of high dependency nurses caring for patients approaching withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment and highlight any support or needs they may have.

Methods:

Interviews were conducted and analysed using qualitative thematic analysis.

Findings:

Nurses experienced conflict in decision making, which was reported to prolong patient distress and cause nurses moral anguish. Nurses need time to talk and further education to support them to provide withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment.

Conclusion:

High-dependency nurses need time to talk following caring for this patient group and more extensive education to support them to provide quality end-of-life care.
Attitudes of ward nurses towards the administration of ‘as required’ injectable medications for symptom control at the end of life
Authors: Hirsch Christine , Hall Elke , Shah Fatimah , Tomas Jon
Published: November 2022

Background:

It is recognised good practice to prescribe ‘as required’ parenteral medication (ARPM) to provide individualised symptom control in the final days of life. The decision to administer the medication and, sometimes, to decide the dose, usually lies with the nurse.

Aims:

To explore attitudes towards administration of ARPM at end of life (EOL) among hospital nurses.

Methods:

The views of registered nurses, recruited from wards with high death rates, were explored through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Questionnaire responses were coded and statistically analysed. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, manually coded and thematically analysed.

Results:

Almost 50% of questionnaire respondents (n=62) reported feeling ‘very confident’ in recognising symptoms at the EOL. Only 39% of respondents reported undertaking specific training. Three main themes emerged through the interviews: experience; factors influencing the decision to administer ARPM; and education.

Conclusion:

Wider accessibility to training may support confident decision making by hospital nurses administering ARPM at the EOL.
The introduction of a palliative care link nurse programme to improve nurses’ attitudes, knowledge and confidence in providing end-of-life care in an acute care setting
Authors: Bruno Melissa
Published: November 2022

Background:

Providing end-of-life (EOL) care in the acute care setting has been challenging, with clinicians focused on curative treatments and prolonging life, while few nurses are receiving adequate training and support in caring for the dying.

Aims:

To assess if the introduction of a palliative care link nurse programme (PCLNP) improved nurses’ confidence in providing EOL care in the acute care setting.

Methods:

A total of 40 acute care nurses attended a full-day education session on core topics, followed by regular 3-monthly educational meetings. Participants were provided with ongoing support and mentoring and required to complete quality improvement activities. A mixed-research methodology was used.

Findings:

The PCLNP had a positive impact on nurses’ attitudes towards death and dying, and increased levels of comfort in providing EOL care to patients and supporting families. Nurses completed clinical audits and provided education to their colleagues.

Conclusions:

EOL care in this setting must be improved for both patients and their families. This programme has shown an increase in nurses’ knowledge and comfort level in providing EOL care. Further research into determining the direct impact on patient care and families is required.
Lateral versus over-the-head chest compression quality in student paramedic
Authors: Smith Neil , Douglin Troy
Published: November 2022

Background: Chest compressions are one of the few interventions proven to improve survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. While rescuer position has been investigated before, few studies have sought to assess how rescuer position affects the quality of chest compressions in a cohort of student paramedics. Aim: This study sought to determine if chest compressions performed from an over-the-head (OTH) position were more effective than those performed from a lateral (LAT) position in a cohort of student paramedics. Methods: Seventy-five student paramedics performed both OTH and LAT chest compressions in this randomised, crossover study. Metrics including chest compression rate, depth and recoil were used in the assessment of quality. Findings: No significant differences were observed between performance in the two positions in this study. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the quality of chest compressions between the two positions studied. It seems OTH compressions are equally effective and are a viable alternative in the difficult-to-access arrested patient.
Whole-body radiation exposure in Trauma and Orthopaedic surgery
Authors: Hurley Robert J. , McCabe Fergus J. , Turley Luke , Maguire Danielle , Lucey Julie , Hurson Conor J.
Published: November 2022

Aims

The use of fluoroscopy in orthopaedic surgery creates risk of radiation exposure to surgeons. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) can help mitigate this. The primary aim of this study was to assess if current radiation protection in orthopaedic trauma is safe. The secondary aims were to describe normative data of radiation exposure during common orthopaedic procedures, evaluate ways to improve any deficits in protection, and validate the use of electronic personal dosimeters (EPDs) in assessing radiation dose in orthopaedic surgery.

Methods

Radiation exposure to surgeons during common orthopaedic trauma operations was prospectively assessed using EPDs and thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs). Normative data for each operation type were calculated and compared to recommended guidelines.

Results

Current PPE appears to mitigate more than 90% of ionizing radiation in orthopaedic fluoroscopic procedures. There is a higher exposure to the inner thigh during seated procedures. EPDs provided results for individual procedures.

Conclusion

PPE currently used by surgeons in orthopaedic trauma theatre adequately reduces radiation exposure to below recommended levels. Normative data per trauma case show specific anatomical areas of higher exposure, which may benefit from enhanced radiation protection. EPDs can be used to assess real-time radiation exposure in orthopaedic surgery. There may be a role in future medical wearables for orthopaedic surgeons. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(11):907–912.
Wave-particle duality of light appearing in an intensity interferometric scenario
Authors: Ikuta Rikizo
Published: November 2022

A single photon exhibits wave-particle duality in the Young’s double-slit interferometer. The duality characterized by an interference visibility and a which-path information has trade-off relation known as complementarity. These quantities are related to the first-order coherence, and the interference is based on the phase correlation between lights coming from two arms. However according to quantum optics theory, such a simple wave-particle picture is not enough to understand the nature because the theory showed an importance of higher-order coherence in the sense of both interference and statistical distribution of photons. Second-order intensity correlation is especially crucial to reveal distinctive quantum features of photons with no classical analogue. Here, in an intensity interferometric scenario as represented by the Hong-Ou-Mandel interferometer, we discuss a wave-particle duality of light based on a which-path information and a quantity characterizing a magnitude of the intensity interferometric effect. We show, for classical light, the two quantities obey the complementary principle similar to the case of the double-slit experiment, but do not for nonclassical light. The nonclassical light such as photons at two arms is allowed to show larger which-path information and intensity interference simultaneously beyond the complementary relation. Moreover, the violation reveals a new nonclassical nature of light although both of the above two quantities seem to be understandable classically, which is never found from a consideration of only one side of wave-particle duality.
Experimental demonstration of spectral suppression effect improvement for multi-longitudinal mode high-spectral-resolution lidar
Authors: Wang Binyu , Liu Dong , Pan Sunqiang , Wu Lingyun , Chen Sijie , Wang Nanchao , Wu Hongda , JIang Chengchong , Liu Chong
Published: November 2022

The multi-longitudinal mode high-spectral-resolution lidar (MLM-HSRL) is an effective technique for detecting atmospheric optical characteristics of aerosols. Due to the excessive longitudinal mode numbers, the current MLM-HSRL cannot obtain a well spectral suppression effect, which seriously affects the retrieval accuracy of the optical characteristic parameters. In this paper, a new index called Longitudinal Mode Rejection Ratio (LMRR) has been proposed to evaluate the spectral suppression effect of the MLM-HSRL; a novel mismatch error and mode control (MEMC) technique is proposed to improve the spectral suppression effect of the MLM-HSRL, which contributes to developing the scientific potential of the MLM-HSRL for aerosol remote sensing. Based on our self-developed MLM laser, through controlling the longitudinal mode frequency-pulled shift of the MLM laser, adjusting the total mismatch error, and reducing the longitudinal mode numbers, we realize the LMRR index improved from about 5 to over 30, and the working stability of the system is also promoted by decreasing the longitudinal mode numbers. The experiment well improves the spectral suppression effect and verifies the effectiveness of the proposed MEMC technique. To the best of our knowledge, for the first time, the study addresses the conundrum of the lower spectral suppression effect for the MLM-HSRL. This work would help to provide a powerful support for the high-precision, long-term, and stable operation of the MLM-HSRL in the future.
High-sensitivity low-noise photodetector using a large-area silicon photomultiplier
Authors: Masuda Takahiko , Hiramoto Ayami , Ang Daniel G. , Meisenhelder Cole , Panda Cristian D. , Sasao Noboru , Uetake Satoshi , Wu Xing , DeMille David P. , Doyle John M. , Gabrielse Gerald , Yoshimura Koji
Published: November 2022

The application of silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) technology for weak-light detection at a single photon level has expanded thanks to its better photon detection efficiency in comparison to a conventional photomultiplier tube (PMT). SiPMs with large detection area have recently become commercially available, enabling applications where the photon flux is low both temporarily and spatially. On the other hand, several drawbacks exist in the usage of SiPMs such as a higher dark count rate, many readout channels, slow response time, and optical crosstalk; therefore, users need to carefully consider the trade-offs. This work presents a SiPM-embedded compact large-area photon detection module. Various techniques are adopted to overcome the disadvantages of SiPMs so that it can be generally utilized as an upgrade from a PMT. A simple cooling component and recently developed optical crosstalk suppression method are adopted to reduce the noise which is more serious for larger-area SiPMs. A dedicated readout circuit increases the response frequency and reduces the number of readout channels. We favorably compare this design with a conventional PMT and obtain both higher photon detection efficiency and larger-area acceptance.
Novel figuring method for a multilayer Laue lens
Authors: Ji Bin , Yue Shuaipeng , Zhou Liang , Li Ming , Chang Guangcai
Published: November 2022

A new, to the best of our knowledge, figuring method for a multilayer Laue lens (MLL) in the hard X-ray region is proposed in this paper. Theoretical simulation at 20 keV shows that the figuring method can compensate for the structure error. The phase errors of the first-order diffracted wave decrease from 0.85π to 0.26π after figuring. The spatial resolution changes from 45 nm to 26 nm after figuring, which is almost the same as that of the ideal MLL with a spatial resolution of 24 nm. The figured MLL can achieve 36% of the ideal MLL's first-order diffraction efficiency. Such method may reduce the requirements for the fabrication of the MLLs, and may make it possible to manufacture the larger numerical aperture MLL with the longer working distance in the future.
Simultaneous reception of AMCC signals and QPSK signals by a single coherent receiver with DSP
Authors: Igarashi Ryo , Koma Ryo , Hara Kazutaka , Kani Jun-ichi , Yoshida Tomoaki
Published: November 2022

This paper investigates an auxiliary management and control channel (AMCC) signal extraction method using digital signal processing (DSP) blocks with 3-step moving averaging that allows a single coherent receiver to receive main signal and AMCC signal simultaneously. Receiver sensitivity characteristics versus the modulation index (MI) and average number of the proposed DSP blocks are elucidated. Based on the results, we discuss a policy for designing the parameters. Experiments apply the design policy to achieve receiver sensitivity of –41.8 dBm with both 25 Gbit/s QPSK main signal and 128 kbit/s AMCC signal; the main signal sensitivity penalty is just 0.2 dB.