bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimation of muscular metabolic power in two different cross-country sit-skiing sledges using inverse-dynamics simulation
Authors: Lund Ohlsson Marie , Danvind Jonas , Holmberg L Joakim
Published: October 2022

The aim of this study was to estimate and compare the muscular metabolic power produced in the human body using musculoskeletal inverse-dynamics during cross-country sit-skiing. Two sitting positions were adapted for athletes with reduced trunk and hip muscle control, knee low with frontal trunk support (KL-fix), and knee high (KH). Five female national class able-bodied cross-country skiers performed submaximal and maximal exercise in both sitting positions, while recording 3-D kinematics, pole forces, electromyography and respiratory variables. Simulations were performed from these experimental results and muscular metabolic power was computed. The main part of the muscle metabolic power was produced in the upper limbs for both sitting positions, but KH produced more muscle metabolic power in lower limbs and trunk during maximal intensity. KH was also more efficient, utilizing less muscular metabolic power during submaximal intensities, relatively less power in the upper limbs and more power in the trunk, hip and lower limb muscles. This implies that sitting position KH is preferable for high power output when using able-bodied simulation models. This study showed the potential of using musculoskeletal simulations to improve the understanding of how different equipment design and muscles contribute to performance.
EnsembleSplice: ensemble deep learning model for splice site prediction
Authors: Akpokiro Victor , Martin Trevor , Oluwadare Oluwatosin
Published: October 2022

Background

Identifying splice site regions is an important step in the genomic DNA sequencing pipelines of biomedical and pharmaceutical research. Within this research purview, efficient and accurate splice site detection is highly desirable, and a variety of computational models have been developed toward this end. Neural network architectures have recently been shown to outperform classical machine learning approaches for the task of splice site prediction. Despite these advances, there is still considerable potential for improvement, especially regarding model prediction accuracy, and error rate.

Results

Given these deficits, we propose EnsembleSplice, an ensemble learning architecture made up of four (4) distinct convolutional neural networks (CNN) model architecture combination that outperform existing splice site detection methods in the experimental evaluation metrics considered including the accuracies and error rates. We trained and tested a variety of ensembles made up of CNNs and DNNs using the five-fold cross-validation method to identify the model that performed the best across the evaluation and diversity metrics. As a result, we developed our diverse and highly effective splice site (SS) detection model, which we evaluated using two (2) genomicHomo sapiensdatasets and theArabidopsis thalianadataset. The results showed that for of theHomo sapiensEnsembleSplice achieved accuracies of 94.16% for one of the acceptor splice sites and 95.97% for donor splice sites, with an error rate for the sameHomo sapiensdataset, 4.03% for the donor splice sites and 5.84% for theacceptor splice sites datasets.

Conclusions

Our five-fold cross validation ensured the prediction accuracy of our models are consistent. For reproducibility, all the datasets used, models generated, and results in our work are publicly available in our GitHub repository here:https://github.com/OluwadareLab/EnsembleSplice
Examining the underlying processes of different dimensions of self-care behavior among persons with heart failure
Authors: Al-Hammouri Mohammed Munther , Rababah Jehad A.
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This study was conducted to compare how potential predictors differentially contribute to the different dimensions of self-care in persons with heart failure.

Methods

A cross-sectional design was used in this study. Purposive sampling was used to recruit a sample (N = 252) in this study. The data were collected from three major referral hospitals in Jordan. Data analysis was performed using multiple linear regression.

Results

The results showed that around 89% of our sample had insufficiency in at least one dimension of self-care. The initial regression models showed that different combinations of predictors were significantly associated with different dimensions of self-care. These models were also different in terms of the variance explained and the coefficients of the significant predictors. After the follow-up analysis of the best fit models for these dimensions, these differences were maintained.

Conclusion

Despite the similarities in the proposed variables predicting different self-care dimensions, their differences may suggest variations in the underlying processes controlling different self-care dimensions. The current study showed that seven out of the nine proposed variables predicted different dimensions of self-care either in the initial or best-fit models.
Clinical characteristics, drug resistance and death risk factors of Burkholderia cepacia infection in hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients
Authors: Jia Yan , Liu Ya , Liu Yi , Yang Kaitai , Liu Yanfeng
Published: October 2022

Background

Burkholderia cepacia (BC) has been detected more and more in infected patients in recent years. However, as a high-risk population, the clinical characteristics and prognosis of BC infection in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients have not been reported. The purpose of this study is to obtain data that will help fill in the gaps in this field, provide evidence for reducing the mortality rate of BC infection in HSCT patients, and guide the use of antibiotics in the future.

Methods

Electronic medical records of patients with BC infection who underwent HSCT in Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from September 1, 2015 to August 31, 2021 were collected. At the same time, 1:1 case–control matching was conducted according to gender, age and disease type. Comparisons between patients with/without BC infection and respiratory failure were made respectively, and the sensitivity of BC to five clinically commonly used antibiotics was also evaluated. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify independent risk factors for death.

Results

The most common site of BC infection in HSCT patients was the lung (75%). Although BC infection rate (3.74%) and antibiotic resistance were not significant, it was closely associated with a higher risk of death (P = 0.022), which even further increased to 90.9% when combined with respiratory failure (P = 0.008). Procalcitonin > 10 µg/L (HR = 40.88, 95% CI 6.51–256.63, P = 0.000) and septic shock (HR = 4.08, 95% CI 1.02–16.33, P = 0.047) were two independent risk factors for death.

Conclusion

HSCT patients with BC infection are in critical condition, and the management of respiratory infection should be especially strengthened to improve the prognosis of these patients.
Palliative care symptoms, concerns and well-being of older people with frailty and complex care needs upon hospital discharge: a cross-sectional study
Authors: de Nooijer Kim , Van Den Noortgate Nele , Pype Peter , Van den Block Lieve , Pivodic Lara
Published: October 2022

Background

Little is known about the nature and intensity of palliative care needs of hospitalised older people. We aimed to describe the palliative care symptoms, concerns, and well-being of older people with frailty and complex care needs upon discharge from hospital to home, and to examine the relationship between palliative care symptoms and concerns, and well-being.

Methods

Cross-sectional study using baseline survey data of a pilot randomised controlled trial. Hospital staff identified patients (≥ 70 years) about to be discharged home, with a clinical frailty score of 5 to 7 and complex needs based on physician-assessment. Patients completed structured interviews, using the Integrated Palliative Care Outcome Scale (IPOS), ICEpop CAPability measure for supportive care (ICECAP-SCM) and IPOS Views on Care quality of life item. We calculated descriptive statistics.

Results

We assessed 37 older people with complex needs (49% women, mean age 84, standard deviation 6.1). Symptoms rated as causing severe problems were weakness (46%) and poor mobility (40%); 75% reported that their family felt anxious at least occasionally. Of the 17 IPOS items, 41% of patients rated five or more symptoms as causing severe problems, while 14% reported that they were not severely affected by any symptom. 87% expressed feeling supported. There was a negative correlation between symptoms (IPOS) and well-being (ICECAP); r = -0.41.

Conclusion

We identified a large variety of symptoms experienced by older people identified as having frailty and complex needs upon hospital discharge. Many were severely affected by multiple needs. This population should be considered for palliative care follow-up at home.
Building the plane while it’s flying: implementation lessons from integrating a co-located exercise clinic into oncology care
Authors: Kennedy Mary A. , Bayes Sara , Newton Robert U. , Zissiadis Yvonne , Spry Nigel A. , Taaffe Dennis R. , Hart Nicolas H. , Galvão Daniel A.
Published: October 2022

Background

Despite its therapeutic role during cancer treatment, exercise is not routinely integrated into care and implementation efforts are largely absent from the literature. The aim of this study was to evaluate a strategy to integrate the workflow of a co-located exercise clinic into routine care within a private oncology setting in two clinics in the metropolitan region of Western Australia.

Methods

This prospective evaluation utilised a mixed methods approach to summarise lessons learned during the implementation of an integrated exercise workflow and supporting implementation plan. Data collection was informed by the RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance) framework. Reports detailing utilisation of the exercise service and its referral pathways, as well as patient surveys and meeting minutes documenting the implementation process informed the evaluation.

Results

The co-located exercise service achieved integration into routine care within the clinical oncology setting. Patient utilisation was near capacity (reach) and 100% of clinicians referred to the service during the 13-month evaluation period (adoption). Moreover, ongoing adaptations were made to improve the program (implementation) and workflows were integrated into standard operating practices at the clinic (maintenance). The workflow performed as intended for ~70% of exercise participants (effectiveness); however, gaps were identified in utilisation of the workflow by both patients and clinicians.

Conclusion

Integration of exercise into standard oncology care is possible, but it requires the ongoing commitment of multiple stakeholders across an organisation. The integrated workflow and supporting implementation plan greatly improved utilisation of the co-located exercise service, demonstrating the importance of targeted implementation planning. However, challenges regarding workflow fidelity within and across sites limited its success highlighting the complexities inherent in integrating exercise into clinical oncology care in a real-world setting.
Initial psychometric evaluation of the Portuguese version of the Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs
Authors: Alves J. C. , Jorge P. , Santos A.
Published: October 2022

Background

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most commonly diagnosed joint disease in companion animals, and proper tools are necessary to assess patients and response to treatment. We aimed to perform an initial psychometric evaluation of the Portuguese version of the Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs (LOAD).Fifty Police working dogs with bilateral hip OA were assessed in a prospective, randomized, double-blinded study. Canine handlers, who were native Portuguese speakers, completed a copy of the translated version of the LOAD. Their results were compared with those of fifty sound dogs. Construct validity was evaluated by assessing differences between OA and sound animals with the Mann-Whitney test. Further evaluation was performed with the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of sampling adequacy, Eigenvalue, and scree-plot analysis. Internal consistency was tested with Cronbach’s α.

Results

A significant difference was observed between OA and sound dogs (p < 0.01), indicating construct validity. Two factors accounted for 81.5% of the total variance. Cronbach’s α was 0.96, and a high inter-item correlation was observed, raging from 0.76 to 0.95, showing strong internal consistency. We presented criterion and construct validity of the Portuguese version of the LOAD, which is valid for use in the Portuguese language. It is an additional stage in providing a broader number of clinicians with an accessible tool to evaluate dogs with osteoarthritis. Further studies are required.
Severe malaria
Authors: White Nicholas J.
Published: October 2022

Severe malaria is a medical emergency. It is a major cause of preventable childhood death in tropical countries. Severe malaria justifies considerable global investment in malaria control and elimination yet, increasingly, international agencies, funders and policy makers are unfamiliar with it, and so it is overlooked. In sub-Saharan Africa, severe malaria is overdiagnosed in clinical practice. Approximately one third of children diagnosed with severe malaria have another condition, usually sepsis, as the cause of their severe illness. But these children have a high mortality, contributing substantially to the number of deaths attributed to ‘severe malaria’. Simple well-established tests, such as examination of the thin blood smear and the full blood count, improve the specificity of diagnosis and provide prognostic information in severe malaria. They should be performed more widely. Early administration of artesunate and broad-spectrum antibiotics to all children with suspected severe malaria would reduce global malaria mortality.
AXL, along with PROS1, is overexpressed in papillary thyroid carcinoma and regulates its biological behaviour
Authors: Wei Mingze , Wang Yizeng , Liu Yuanchao , Li Dongyang , He Xianghui
Published: October 2022

Background

AXL, a TAM tyrosine kinase receptor, plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of various solid tumours. This study explores the role of AXL and its ligand PROS1 in the generation and biological behaviour of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC).

Methods

The expression levels of AXL in PTC cancer tissue were analysed using immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining. The expression levels of AXL in PTC and normal thyroid cell lines were analysed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). CCK-8 was used to assess the proliferation of the PTC cell line with and without the effect of the AXL inhibitor (R428). Scratching assays played a role in evaluating the cell migration rate.

Results

PROS1 and AXL were expressed in TPC-1, B-CPAP, and Nthy-Ori 3–1 cells at different levels. Expression was significantly higher in PTC cell lines (TPC-1 and B-CPAP) than in the normal thyroid cell line (Nthy-Ori 3–1) (p < 0.05). In addition, AXL expression in PTC tissues was significantly higher than in adjacent normal tissues (p < 0.05). CCK-8 experiments confirmed that R428 suppresses the proliferation of PTC cell lines in a dose-dependent manner, with an increase in concentration from 0.5 to 4 μM, decreasing the inhibitory effect (p < 0.01). In addition, R428 inhibited PTC cell line migration to different degrees in a range of concentrations from 0.5 to 2 μM compared to control cells (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

PROS1 and its downstream receptor AXL expression were significantly higher in PTC than in normal thyroid cells. AXL expression was also higher in human PTC tissues than in normal thyroid tissues. Inhibiting the PROS1-AXL-mediated TAM signaling pathway via the AXL blocker R428 suppressed the proliferation and migration of human PTC cells, highlighting the role of this cascade in human PTC development and progression.
Family-based cognitive behavioural therapy versus family-based relaxation therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder in children and adolescents (the TECTO trial): a statistical analysis plan for the randomised clinical trial
Authors: Olsen Markus Harboe , Hagstrøm Julie , Lønfeldt Nicole Nadine , Uhre Camilla , Uhre Valdemar , Pretzmann Linea , Christensen Sofie Heidenheim , Thoustrup Christine , Korsbjerg Nicoline Løcke Jepsen , Mora-Jensen Anna-Rosa Cecilie , Ritter Melanie , Engstrøm Janus , Lindschou Jane , Siebner Hartwig Roman , Verhulst Frank , Jeppesen Pia , Jepsen Jens Richardt Møllegaard , Vangkilde Signe , Thomsen Per Hove , Hybel Katja , Clemmesen Line Katrine Harder , Gluud Christian , Plessen Kerstin Jessica , Pagsberg Anne Katrine , Jakobsen Janus Christian
Published: October 2022

Background

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a debilitating psychiatric disorder which affects up to 3% of children and adolescents. OCD in children and adolescents is generally treated with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which, in more severely affected patients, can be combined with antidepressant medication. The TECTO trial aims to compare the benefits and harms of family-based CBT (FCBT) versus family-based psychoeducation/relaxation training (FPRT) in children and adolescents aged 8 to 17 years. This statistical analysis plan outlines the planned statistical analyses for the TECTO trial.

Methods

The TECTO trial is an investigator-initiated, independently funded, single-centre, parallel-group, superiority randomised clinical trial. Both groups undergo 14 sessions of 75 min each during a period of 16 weeks with either FCBT or FPRT depending on the allocation. Participants are randomised stratified by age and baseline Children’s Yale–Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS) score. The primary outcome is the CY-BOCS score. Secondary outcomes are health-related quality of life assessed using KIDSCREEN-10 and adverse events assessed by the Negative Effects Questionnaire (NEQ). Primary and secondary outcomes are assessed at the end of the intervention. Continuous outcomes will be analysed using linear regression adjusted for the stratification variables and baseline value of the continuous outcome. Dichotomous outcomes will be analysed using logistic regression adjusted for the stratification variables. The statistical analyses will be carried out by two independent blinded statisticians.

Discussion

This statistical analysis plan includes a detailed predefined description of how data will be analysed and presented in the main publication before unblinding of study data. Statistical analysis plans limit selective reporting bias. This statistical analysis plan will increase the validity of the final trial results.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03595098. July 23, 2018
Periviscerokinin (Cap2b; CAPA) receptor silencing in females of Rhipicephalus microplus reduces survival, weight and reproductive output
Authors: Wulff Juan P. , Temeyer Kevin B. , Tidwell Jason P. , Schlechte Kristie G. , Lohmeyer Kimberly H. , Pietrantonio Patricia V.
Published: October 2022

Background

The cattle fever tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, is a vector of pathogens causative of babesiosis and anaplasmosis, both highly lethal bovine diseases that affect cattle worldwide. In Ecdysozoa, neuropeptides and their G-protein-coupled receptors play a critical integrative role in the regulation of all physiological processes. However, the physiological activity of many neuropeptides is still unknown in ticks. Periviscerokinins (CAP2b/PVKs) are neuropeptides associated with myotropic and diuretic activities in insects. These peptides have been identified only in a few tick species, such as Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes scapularis and R. microplus, and their cognate receptor only characterized for the last two.

Methods

Expression of the periviscerokinin receptor (Rhimi-CAP2bR) was investigated throughout the developmental stages of R. microplus and silenced by RNA interference (RNAi) in the females. In a first experiment, three double-stranded (ds) RNAs, named ds680-805, ds956-1109 and ds1102-1200, respectively, were tested in vivo. All three caused phenotypic effects, but only the last one was chosen for subsequent experiments. Resulting RNAi phenotypic variables were compared to those of negative controls, both non-injected and dsRNA beta-lactamase-injected ticks, and to positive controls injected with beta-actin dsRNA. Rhimi-CAP2bR silencing was verified by quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR in whole females and dissected tissues.

Results

Rhimi-CAP2bR transcript expression was detected throughout all developmental stages. Rhimi-CAP2bR silencing was associated with increased female mortality, decreased weight of surviving females and of egg masses, a delayed egg incubation period and decreased egg hatching (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

CAP2b/PVKs appear to be associated with the regulation of female feeding, reproduction and survival. Since the Rhimi-CAP2bR loss of function was detrimental to females, the discovery of antagonistic molecules of the CAP2b/PVK signaling system should cause similar effects. Our results point to this signaling system as a promising target for tick control.

Graphical Abstract
Short-term effects of tropical cyclones on the incidence of dengue: a time-series study in Guangzhou, China
Authors: Li Chuanxi , Zhao Zhe , Yan Yu , Liu Qiyong , Zhao Qi , Ma Wei
Published: October 2022

Background

Limited evidence is available about the association between tropical cyclones and dengue incidence. This study aimed to examine the effects of tropical cyclones on the incidence of dengue and to explore the vulnerable populations in Guangzhou, China.

Methods

Weekly dengue case data, tropical cyclone and meteorological data during the tropical cyclones season (June to October) from 2015 to 2019 were collected for the study. A quasi-Poisson generalized linear model combined with a distributed lag non-linear model was conducted to quantify the association between tropical cyclones and dengue, controlling for meteorological factors, seasonality, and long-term trend. Proportion of dengue cases attributable to tropical cyclone exposure was calculated. The effect difference by sex and age groups was calculated to identify vulnerable populations. The tropical cyclones were classified into two levels to compare the effects of different grades of tropical cyclones on the dengue incidence.

Results

Tropical cyclones were associated with an increased number of dengue cases with the maximum risk ratio of 1.41 (95% confidence interval 1.17–1.69) in lag 0 week and cumulative risk ratio of 2.13 (95% confidence interval 1.28–3.56) in lag 0–4 weeks. The attributable fraction was 6.31% (95% empirical confidence interval 1.96–10.16%). Men and the elderly were more vulnerable to the effects of tropical cyclones than the others. The effects of typhoons were stronger than those of tropical storms among various subpopulations.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that tropical cyclones may increase the incidence of dengue within a 4-week lag in Guangzhou, China, and the effects were more pronounced in men and the elderly. Precautionary measures should be taken with a focus on the identified vulnerable populations to control the transmission of dengue associated with tropical cyclones.

Graphical Abstract
Methanol poisoning outbreak in Saudi Arabia: a case series
Authors: Eskandrani Rawan , Almulhim Khalid , Altamimi Abdulla , Alhaj Abeer , Alnasser Shahd , Alawi Laale , Aldweikh Eman , Alaufi Khalid , Mzahim Bandr
Published: October 2022

Background

Outbreaks of methanol poisoning have been described in the medical literature in different regions around the world. Even though in Saudi Arabia a few outbreaks of methanol poisoning have occurred, they remain undocumented. Herein, we describe several cases of methanol poisoning in Saudi Arabia with the goal of increasing awareness about the dangers of methanol poisoning among healthcare staff.

Case presentation

Nine middle-aged Saudi patients (five men aged 24, 26, 27, 36, and 49 years and four females aged 19, 20, 24, and 25 years) were admitted to our emergency department after alcohol consumption. All patients presented with severe metabolic acidosis and some visual impairment. Treatment was initiated based on the clinical suspicion of methanol intoxication because of laboratory test limitations and time constraints. Patients showed improvement and favorable hospital outcomes after aggressive empirical treatment.

Conclusions

Many social and cultural factors influence the lack of reporting of methanol poisoning cases in Saudi Arabia. We believe it is important to document these outbreaks to increase the knowledge among healthcare providers and promote public health awareness. A high index of suspicion and the development of local public health networks to monitor, survey, follow-up, and facilitate data exchange can help healthcare providers recognize and aggressively treat affected individuals. Early empiric and aggressive management can greatly decrease morbidity and mortality despite challenges and limited resources.
Intravascular ultrasound-based decision tree model for the optimal endovascular treatment strategy selection of femoropopliteal artery disease—results from the ONION Study-
Authors: Yazu Yuko , Fujihara Masahiko , Takahara Mitsuyoshi , Kurata Naoya , Nakata Aya , Yoshimura Hitoshi , Ito Tomoaki , Fukunaga Masashi , Kozuki Amane , Tomoi Yusuke
Published: October 2022

Background

The role of catheter-based imaging in peripheral interventions for lower extremity artery disease (LEAD) has increased with percutaneous interventions. To clarify the relation between intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) information and procedure selection strategy for endovascular treatment therapy (EVT) of the femoropopliteal artery in the real-world clinical settings wherein new endovascular technologies (NETs), including drug-coated balloon (DCB), drug-eluting stent (DES), and covered stent-graft (CS). Our retrospective multicenter analysis examined symptomatic 970 patients treated by EVT for de novo femoropopliteal lesions with IVUS guidance. The decision tree analysis was performed retrospectively to determine the association of IVUS and angiography parameters with the strategy selection of endovascular procedures. We divided the study population according to the developed tree, and identified the most popular strategy selection in each subgroup. We finally examined whether the restenosis risk would be different among respective subgroups of the tree.

Results

During the study periods, plain old balloon angioplasty, DCB, and bare nitinol stent were most frequently selected (25.3%, 23.9%, and 23.8%, respectively). The drug-eluting stent (DES), covered stent (CS), and spot stent strategies were used in 7.3%, 11.5%, and 8.1%. NETs had the lowest restenosis risk in the overall population. The decision tree had a depth of six branches and divided the patients into 11 subgroups by IVUS and angiography parameters. The restenosis rate was similarly low among these 11 subgroups when the most popular NET in each subgroup was selected (P = 0.94).

Conclusions

The use of IVUS data along with angiography data would standardize the selection of endovascular procedures and can improve patency outcomes if NETs are used properly.
Study on molecular expression of long non-coding RNA Glypican3 in hepatocellular cancer patients
Authors: Ramadan Ahmed , Abdelaziz Ashraf Omar , Sabry Dina , Fathi Shaimaa Abd El tawab , Nabeel Mohamed Mahmoud , Shousha Hend Ibrahim , Elbaz Tamer Mahmoud , Lithy Rania mohamed , Ryed Hoda Ramadan
Published: October 2022

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the main cancers in the world with a high mortality rate. The molecular mechanisms of HCC are poorly understood. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have a role in HCC pathogenesis. Glypican3 (GPC3) is a cell surface oncofetal proteoglycan that is expressed in HCC, and its overexpression predicts a poorer prognosis. We aimed to assess the levels of alfa fetoprotein (AFP), lncRNA AF085935 gene expression, and GPC3 protein in HCC patients.

Patients and methods

The patients were classified into three groups: HCC group, cirrhotic group, and healthy control group. For all groups, we performed clinical examinations, laboratory investigations, and imaging. The levels of AFP, GPC3 protein, and LncRNA gene expression were estimated. A statistical analysis was done.

Results

Levels of GPC3 and LncRNA gene expression were significantly higher in the HCC group versus other groups. LncRNA gene and GPC3 levels are excellent for the detection of HCC with a sensitivity of 96% and 87%, respectively. Specificity was 81% and 64%, respectively. Linear regression analysis showed that LncRNA gene expression and GPC3 protein are significant predictors for HCC (p = 0 and p = 0.001, respectively). Log rank analysis based on GPC3 and LncRNA gene expression levels in HCC patients showed that high expression of GPC3 and LncRNA is associated with shorter overall survival than those with low expressions (p value < 0.001).

Conclusion

In our study, LncRNA gene expression and GPC3 levels are good diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for HCC patients.
Outcomes With Local Therapy and Tyrosine Kinase Inhibition in Patients With ALK/ROS1/RET-Rearranged Lung Cancers
Authors: Hubbeling Harper , Choudhury Noura , Flynn Jessica , Zhang Zhigang , Falcon Christina , Rusch Valerie W. , Park Bernard J. , Ziv Etay , Shaverdian Narek , Gelblum Daphna Y. , Shepherd Annemarie F. , Simone Charles B. , Wu Abraham J. , Gomez Daniel R. , Drilon Alexander , Rimner Andreas
Published: October 2022

PURPOSE

Local therapy prolongs progression-free survival in patients with oligometastatic non–small-cell lung cancers treated with chemotherapy. We previously reported that local therapy also prolongs survival and time to next therapy in patients on tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) for EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinomas. Here, we investigate the role of local therapy in patients progressing on TKIs for ALK/ ROS1/ RET-rearranged lung adenocarcinomas.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with advanced ALK/ ROS/ RET-rearranged lung adenocarcinomas who underwent radiation, surgery, or percutaneous thermal ablation from 2012 to 2020 for progression on an ALK/ROS1/RET TKI were included. Progression patterns were identified. Times from local therapy to progression, next therapy, and death were measured.

RESULTS

Sixty-one patients with ALK (n = 37), ROS1 (n = 12), and RET (n = 12) fusions were identified. Patients received radiotherapy (92%), surgery (13%), and percutaneous thermal ablation (8%). Local therapy was administered for solitary/oligoprogressive (94%) or polyprogressive (6%) disease. For most patients (85%), local therapy addressed all progressing sites. The median times from any local therapy to subsequent progression and next systemic therapy were 6.8 months (95% CI, 5.1 to 8.1) and 10 months (95% CI, 8.4 to 15.3), respectively. Third or greater local therapy was associated with shorter time to progression and next therapy than first/second local therapies (hazard ratio, 4.97; P < .001 and hazard ratio, 2.48; P < .001). The median overall survival from first local therapy was 34 months (95% CI, 26 to not reached).

CONCLUSION

Local therapy for progression on ALK, ROS1, or RET TKIs is associated with clinically meaningful time on continued TKI therapy beyond progression, especially earlier in the course of disease.
Pd-Mediated Light-Controlled Living Radical Polymerization of Methyl Acrylate
Authors: Sumino Shuhei , Ryu Ilhyong
Published: October 2022

The radical polymerization of methyl acrylate in the presence of a palladium dimer complex and ethyl iodoacetate as an initiator under photoirradiation conditions led to the formation of poly(methyl acrylate) having good Ð values. The polymerization could be controlled by switching the light on and off, exhibiting living characteristics. We propose that such α-Pd polyesters could function as dormant species, which would allow a pair of transient α-keto radicals and persistent Pd radicals to be generated upon photoirradiation.
Η Αξιολόγηση του Μαθητή από τη Σκοπιά των Εκπαιδευτικών
Authors: Ρέλλος Νικόλαος
Published: October 2022

«Η αξιολόγηση είναι μια από τις βασικές αποστολές του εκπαιδευτικού κατά την άσκηση των διδακτικών του καθηκόντων». Κατά την αντιπαράθεση με το θέμα της αξιολόγησης του μαθητή ανακύπτει κατ’ αρχήν το ερώτημα, κατά πόσον ο εκπαιδευτικός είναι ή αισθάνεται ικανός (δηλαδή επαρκώς κατηρτισμένος), για να μπορέσει να ανταποκριθεί επιτυχώς στην εκπλήρωση της ανωτέρω αποστολής. Επιτυχής ανταπόκριση σημαίνει εδώ να εκφέρει ο εκπαιδευτικός αξιολογική κρίση, η οποία κινούμενη εντός του πνεύματος της παιδαγωγικής λειτουργίας της αξιολόγησης, υπηρετεί την ατομική ενίσχυση του παιδιού, προσφέροντας σ’ αυτό ενθάρρυνση και σημεία στήριξης για την παραπέρα μαθησιακή (και κοινωνικοποιητική) του πορεία. Δύο μεγάλοι άξονες ερωτήσεων της έρευνας έχουν ως πυρήνα, αντίστοιχα, τη βαθμολογική και περιγραφική αξιολόγηση. Μέσα από πολλές υποερωτήσεις εδώ γίνεται σε τελική ανάλυση κριτική θεώρηση της βαθμολογικής και περιγραφικής αξιολόγησης και παρουσιάζονται -καλυμμένα- τα πλεονεκτήματα και μειονεκτήματα της μιας και της άλλης.
Για μια διευρυμένη κατανόηση της γλωσσικής συνειδητοποίησης (Μετάφραση Χρ. Γκόβαρη)
Authors: Kron Friedrich W.
Published: October 2022

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Παρουσίαση του Προγράμματος Μεταπτυχιακών Σπουδών «Περιβαλλοντική Εκπαίδευση» του Τ.Ε.Π.Α.Ε.Σ. Πανεπιστημίου Αιγαίου
Authors: Παπαβασιλείου Βασίλειος , Μουστάκας Λουκάς , Αναστασάτος Νικόλαος , Θεοδωροπούλου Έλενα , Καΐλα Μαρία
Published: October 2022

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Η Φιλοσοφία, τα παιδιά και η Φιλοσοφία της Παιδείας
Authors: Θεοδωροπούλου Έλενα
Published: October 2022

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Η οικογένεια με ένα παιδί προσχολικής και σχολικής ηλικίας με ειδικές ανάγκες
Authors: Τσιμπιδάκη Ασημίνα
Published: October 2022

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Διγλωσσία:Η Περίπτωση της Φωνημικής Συνειδητοποίησης στην Προσχολική Ηλικία
Authors: Δέδε Κωνσταντίνα
Published: October 2022

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Πορείες Μάθησης Δίγλωσσων Μαθητών στο Ελληνικό Σχολείο. Ζητήματα Γλώσσας και Ταυτότητας
Authors: Στόγιος Νικόλαος
Published: October 2022

Η συγκεκριμένη εργασία μελέτησε τις πορείες μάθησης των μη ελληνικής καταγωγής μαθητών στο κοινωνικό και σχολικό πλαίσιο της πόλης της Ρόδου. Σκοπός της ήταν να διερευνηθεί ο βαθμός βελτιστοποίησης των ακαδημαϊκών επιδόσεων των συγκεκριμένων μαθητών στη βάση της αξιοποίησης των πρώτων τους γλωσσών, της θετικής νοηματοδότησης του πολιτισμικού τους κεφαλαίου και της αξιοποίησης των γνώσεων, τις οποίες φέρουν από τις χώρες καταγωγής τους.
Το Ολοήμερο σχολείο- μια καινοτομία στην Εκπαίδευση
Authors: Διακογεωργίου Αρχοντούλα
Published: October 2022

Το Ολοήμερο Σχολείο αποτελεί μια καινοτομία για την Εκπαίδευση με συγκεκριμένους παιδαγωγικούς και κοινωνικούς στόχους καθώς καλείται να ικανοποιήσει τις ανάγκες που δημιουργούνται στα πλαίσια της οικογένειας όταν οι γονείς είναι εργαζόμενοι. Στην ηλικία των μαθητών του Δημοτικού σχολείου είναι βασικό να παρέχεται η δυνατότητα της δημιουργικής αξιοποίησης του χρόνου μετά από την ολοκλήρωση των μαθημάτων της Πρωινής ζώνης με παράλληλη προετοιμασία των εργασιών της επόμενης ημέρας και φυσικά η χαλάρωση και η σίτιση σε συγκεκριμένες ώρες και κατάλληλα διαμορφωμένους χώρους. Εμείς καλούμαστε να ικανοποιήσουμε αυτές τις ανάγκες και να δώσουμε ένα ουσιαστικό περιεχόμενο στο θεσμό του Ολοήμερου Σχολείου ώστε να μην αποτελεί μόνο ένα τυπικό χώρο εκπαίδευσης αλλά ένα χώρο χαράς, γνώσης και ουσιαστικής μάθησης και παράλληλα να λειτουργεί ως αντισταθμιστικός παράγοντας στις εκπαιδευτικές ανισότητες που προκύπτουν από τα διαφορετικά περιβάλλοντα που προέρχονται οι μαθητές μας.
Η καινοτομία των Ερευνητικών Εργασιών στην πράξη: Οι απόψεις των εκπαιδευτικών για την εφαρμογή της στην Α΄ Τάξη του Γενικού και Επαγγελματικού Λυκείου στο Νομό Δωδεκανήσου
Authors: Αργυρίου Αργύρης , Κασιμάτη Αικατερίνη , Ανδρεάδου Δέσποινα
Published: October 2022

This paper elaborates and analyzes the results of an empirical survey in order to investigate teachers working in Dodecanese prefecture views, regarding implementation of research work in practice, in Class A of the General and Vocational School. The specific survey's objectives was to explore in which extent the four pedagogical principles for research work apply to: a) the principle of the research approach in learning, b) the principle of teacher's collaboration, c) the principle of differentiation in learning content, process and context, d) the principle of student's team working. An additional objective of this study was to record teachers views regarding the problems encountered during the research implementation process as well as select their recommendations to resolve them.
Αξιολόγηση, Σχεδιασμός και Προετοιμασία Επιμορφωτικού Προγράμματος Εκπαιδευτικών Δευτεροβάθμιας Εκπαίδευσης σε παιδιά Ρομά
Authors: Ντρενογιάννη Ελένη , Λιάμπας Αναστάσιος
Published: October 2022

Η εργασία παρουσιάζει την αξιολόγηση, το σχεδιασμό, την προετοιμασία και τα κύρια συμπεράσματα της υλοποίησης ενός επιμορφωτικού προγράμματος από απόσταση για εκπαιδευτικούς δευτεροβάθμιας εκπαίδευσης που είχαν στις τάξεις τους παιδιά από κοινωνικά ευάλωτες ομάδες. Σκοπός του επιμορφωτικού προγράμματος ήταν η ενδυνάμωση των εκπαιδευτικών, ώστε να αναλάβουν πρωτεύοντα και ενεργητικό ρόλο στην εκπαιδευτική πράξη. Οι εκπαιδευτικοί μπόρεσαν και  την προσέγγισαν ερευνητικά, μελέτησαν τις μεθόδους και τις διδακτικές τους πρακτικές  και την αναπροσανατόλισαν  σε Έρευνα δράση. Γνώρισαν και κατανόησαν τους μαθητές τους, έθεσαν στο επίκεντρο την επίτευξη στόχων που οι ίδιοι επέλεξαν και ήταν καίριας σημασίας για την τάξη τους με  εξαιρετικά αποτελέσματα τόσο για τους ίδιους όσο και για  τους μαθητές τους.
Η αναπαραγωγή των θρησκευτικών δομών εξουσίας στο διαδίκτυο
Authors: Καραμούζης Πολύκαρπος
Published: October 2022

Οι θρησκευτικές δομές εξουσίας αποτελούσαν για τις οργανωμένες θρησκείες ένα βασικό στοιχείο της ύπαρξής τους. Οι θρησκευτικές δομές συνδέονταν επίσης με τις κοινωνικές δομές και εξυπηρετούσαν πρακτικές ανάγκες των ανθρώπων. Σήμερα, οι θεσμικές θρησκείες πέρα από την παραδοσιακή τους offline θρησκευτική λειτουργία αποκτούν και μια online παρουσία στο χώρο του διαδικτύου. Το άρθρο αυτό πραγματεύεται το ερώτημα εάν η online θρησκευτική παρουσία των θρησκειών μεταβάλλει τις παραδοσιακές θρησκευτικές δομές εξουσίας και τις μετασχηματίζει. Επίσης, διερευνάται κατά πόσο αυτό συμβαίνει στην Ορθόδοξη Εκκλησία της Ελλάδος.
Η φιλοσοφία Εκπαιδευτικών Οργανισμών που εντάσσουν δομικά την αξιοποίηση των Νέων Τεχνολογιών στην οργάνωση του εκπαιδευτικού υλικού και την παιδαγωγική και διδακτική αξιοποίησή τους
Authors: Οικονόμου Βασίλης
Published: October 2022

Στο άρθρο αυτό παρουσιάζεται μια ολοκληρωμένη μελέτη περίπτωσης για την ένταξη Μαθητικών Υπολογιστών (Μ.Υ.) στην εκπαιδευτική διαδικασία (Δ΄ Δημοτικού μέχρι και Α’ Λυκείου) από το έτος 2007 μέχρι και σήμερα (2014), ενός πολυδιάστατου και καινοτόμου Εκπαιδευτικού Οργανισμού (Εκπαιδευτήρια Δούκα). Στόχος του είναι μέσα από παραδοσιακές αξίες, με έμφαση στην καινοτομία, να εφοδιαστούν οι μαθητές και οι μαθήτριες του με ικανότητες 21ου αιώνα, ως συνδυασμού γνώσεων, δεξιοτήτων, αξιών και θετικής στάσης ζωής. Η μετατόπιση προς μαθητοκεντρικά και ομαδοσυνεργατικά περιβάλλοντα, η εμπλοκή σε εστιασμένες δραστηριότητες ενεργητικής μάθησης, σε δραστηριότητες στις οποίες οι μαθητές αλληλεπιδρούν ο ένας με τον άλλον και δραστηριότητες αναζήτησης, επεξεργασίας πληροφοριών και επικοινωνίας, επιτυγχάνεται με καλές πρακτικές διδασκαλίας βασισμένες σε διδακτικά μοντέλα. Κάθε αίθουσα εξοπλίζεται με διαδραστικό πίνακα, οπτικο-ακουστικές συσκευές, εργαλεία και εκπαιδευτικό υλικό και λογισμικό, ασύρματη δικτύωση, και αξιοποιείται με πολλούς εναλλακτικούς τρόπους ώστε να διευκολύνεται η ανάπτυξη της επικοινωνίας, της δημιουργικότητας και της πρωτοβουλίας των μαθητών. Για τον Μαθητικό Υπολογιστή σχεδιάστηκε και αναπτύχθηκε εφαρμογή, με στόχο την εύκολη και απρόσκοπτη διαχείριση του ψηφιακού διαδραστικού εκπαιδευτικού υλικού που αξιοποιείται στην εκπαιδευτική διαδικασία, από τους μαθητές, τους εκπαιδευτικούς αλλά και τους γονείς των μαθητών. Τα καλύτερα μαθησιακά αποτελέσματα μέσω της βελτίωσης της εκπαιδευτικής διαδικασίας, προκύπτουν και από τον κατάλληλο συντονισμό στοχευμένων ομάδων εργασίας που βελτιώνουν την οργάνωση των δομών λειτουργίας του Εκπαιδευτικού Οργανισμού, σε συνέργεια πάντα με τους εκπαιδευτικούς οι οποίοι συμμετέχουν ενεργά.
Η δια-πραγμάτευση του μέγιστου με την ποιητική του ελάχιστου
Authors: Κωτόπουλος Tριαντάφυλλος
Published: October 2022

The literary text does not only constitute a socially morphed product that takes into consideration the historical and social circumstances which created it, but at the same time it is an aesthetic product, an art product, that is, of the particular artistic intervention of its creator. In the following text, we attempt to approach dialectically the book series by Veggelis Iliopoulos, containing Trigonopsaroulis, a unique character, in a way that takes into account the extratextual historical and social coordinates of the literary text, to the extent that these are expressed as connotations in a semantic level through the productive process of writing.
Κύπρου Χρυσάνθη, «“Οι εξομολογήσεις ενός νόθου κοριτσιού”: μια ανάγνωση»
Authors: Χριστοδουλίδου Λουίζα
Published: October 2022

Σε αυτή την εργασία θα μας απασχολήσει το διήγημα «Οι εξομολογήσεις ενός νόθου κοριτσιού» (Πεζός Λόγος ΙΙΙ, Ιστορίες από την Κύπρο την αγέρινη, 1973) του Κύπρου Χρυσάνθη. Οι άξονες της αναγνωστικής μας πρόσληψης εστιάζονται στην εξιστόρηση των γεγονότων από την οπτική γωνία του αυτοδιηγητικού αφηγητή - της κεντρικής ηρωίδας. Η αναπαράσταση του τόπου και των συμβολικών του διαστάσεων είναι μία άλλη ενδιαφέρουσα πτυχή την οποίαν θα αναδείξουμε με τη συμβολή της  φαινομενολογίας του τόπου, εφόσον ο τόπος και το τοπίο, κυρίως το σπίτι, κεντρικοί άξονες της κειμενικής οργάνωσης του διηγήματος, δημιουργούν το σκηνικό μέσα στο οποίο εκδηλώνονται τα πάθη των δρώντων προσώπων. Ο χώρος γίνεται το πρόσχημα για τις μεταβολές που συμβαίνουν στην ψυχή της ηρωίδας και συμβάλλουν στην ανάδειξη του εσωτερικού της  κόσμου.
A geospatial source selector for federated GeoSPARQL querying
Authors: Troumpoukis Antonis , Konstantopoulos Stasinos , Prokopaki-Kostopoulou Nefeli
Published: October 2022

Background: Geospatial linked data brings into the scope of the Semantic Web and its technologies, a wealth of datasets that combine semantically-rich descriptions of resources with their geo-location. There are, however, various Semantic Web technologies where technical work is needed in order to achieve the full integration of geospatial data, and federated query processing is one of these technologies.

Methods: In this paper, we explore the idea of annotating data sources with a bounding polygon that summarizes the spatial extent of the resources in each data source, and of using such a summary as an (additional) source selection criterion in order to reduce the set of sources that will be tested as potentially holding relevant data. We present our source selection method, and we discuss its correctness and implementation.

Results: We evaluate the proposed source selection using three different types of summaries with different degrees of accuracy, against not using geospatial summaries. We use datasets and queries from a practical use case that combines crop-type data with water availability data for food security. The experimental results suggest that more complex summaries lead to slower source selection times, but also to more precise exclusion of unneeded sources. Moreover, we observe the source selection runtime is (partially or fully) recovered by shorter planning and execution runtimes. As a result, the federated sources are not burdened by pointless querying from the federation engine.

Conclusions: The evaluation draws on data and queries from the agroenvironmental domain and shows that our source selection method substantially improves the effectiveness of federated GeoSPARQL query processing.
STRUCTURAL DAMAGE DETECTION, LOCALIZATION, AND QUANTIFICATION VIA UAV-BASED 3D IMAGING
Authors: PENG XIN , SU GAOFENG , CHEN ZHIQIANG , SENGUPTA RAJA
Published: October 2022

Visual damage inspection for civil structures is a labor-intensive and timeconsuming task. We propose an autonomous UAV-based pipeline for crack and spalling detection, localization, and quantification. Through fusing 3-dimensional (3D) reconstruction and 2D damage detection after performing UAV-based imaging for an engineering structure, the process generates a damage-annotated 3D information model with rich metadata, including the size and type of damage and its location relative to the structure. The pipeline is composed of four steps: image acquisition via UAV, 3D scene reconstruction, crack/spalling detection and extraction using a deep neural network, and 3D damage localization and quantification. To validate this process, UAV images from three full-scale concrete columns are processed, and results are evaluated in this paper. The results demonstrate that the proposed pipeline can provide accurate and informative 3D condition mapping for civil structures. The authors envision that by employing this UAV-based automatic process, structural damage inspection can be conducted much frequently and rapidly with a significantly low cost.
DAMAGE LOCALIZATION AND MAGNITUDE ESTIMATION ON A COMPOSITE UAV WING VIA STOCHASTIC FUNCTIONALLY POOLED MODELS
Authors: ZHOU PEIYUAN , KOPSAFTOPOULOS OTIS
Published: October 2022

A vibration-based active-sensing global SHM method is proposed and evaluated for its damage localization and quantification accuracy on complex wing structure. In the process, the wing structure is actuated by a white noise vibration and the response signals are collected by a distributed sensor network. The proposed SHM method first utilize auto-regressive exogenous (ARX) model [1] for representing the time-domain response at each sensor location under various damage conditions, where stochasticity contained in structural response is minimized and identified. ARX models are then mapped to damage parameter space via vector-dependent functionally pooled (VFP) method [2]. Then, a damage estimation algorithm based on minimizing VFP-ARX model prediction error is developed. Finally, the damage estimation results are evaluated as the possibility of leveraging multiple senor signal in SHM process is implicated.
ON A POPULATION-BASED STRUCTURAL HEALTH MONITORING FRAMEWORK: AN AEROSPACE CASE STUDY
Authors: GARDNER PAUL , . BULL LAWRENCE A. , GOSLIGA JULIAN , POOLE JACK , DERVILIS NIKOLAOS , WORDEN KEITH
Published: October 2022

One of the biggest problems facing the uptake of structural health monitoring (SHM) in industry is a general lack of available damage-state data. Population-based structural health monitoring (PBSHM) is one solution to this problem, expanding the available information and datasets for a monitoring campaign by leveraging measurements across populations of structures and computer models. The information from across a population can be utilised in performing and improving inferences on particular target structures or the complete population as a whole. The challenge in PBSHM is in knowing which information should be shared between individual structures in a population, and how that information can be shared and transferred between members of the population. This paper demonstrates a methodology for performing PBSHM, which is experimentally validated on a population of aircraft wings, transferring label information from a Gnat trainer aircraft wing to an unlabelled Piper Tomahawk aircraft wing dataset. The proposed approach combines abstract representations of structures as graphs with transfer learning technologies, in order to produce a classifier that generalises across the population. The methodology is shown to be successful, with the labelled Gnat dataset diagnosing locations of damage on the (unlabelled) Piper Tomahawk aircraft with 100% accuracy.