bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plant diversity and community analysis of Sele-Nono forest, Southwest Ethiopia: implication for conservation planning
Authors: Kefalew Alemayehu , Soromessa Teshome , Demissew Sebsebe
Published: July 2022

Background

Studying the floristic diversity of a certain forest is a basic aspect of the design and management of forest vegetation; and consequently this study focused on the plant diversity and community analysis of the Sele-Nono forest. For the current study, plants were sampled from 90 plots using a stratified random sampling technique along the established strata of the study forest. In all the plots, both floristic and environmental data that were relevant to the study were collected following the state of the art. Based on the collected data, the community types, ordination, floristic diversity, and threats to the forest were analyzed using R-package and SPSS software.

Results

Cluster analysis produced seven distinct community types which significantly differed among themselves (Cophentic correlation coefficient = 0.785, P < 0.001) of which community types 2 and 6 were relatively poor; whereas communities 1 and 4 were rich in terms of their species richness and diversity. In addition, Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) suggests that a number of environmental factors such as altitude and slope (topographic factor), OM and N (edaphic factors) and disturbance were the main drivers for the current distribution of plant species and disparity in plant community composition in Sele-Nono forest. Moreover, the study revealed high beta diversity ($${\beta }_{w}$$βw>12) of plant species at the landscape level (i.e., throughout the study forest). Deforestation for agricultural land expansion and degradation through selective logging are the main threats to the Sele-Nono forest.

Conclusions

The present study revealed that the Sele-Nono forest is a large and heterogenous forest at the landscape level (150, 325.27 ha;$${\beta }_{w}$$βw>12). Moreover, it is one of the richest and diverse forest ecosystems in terms of plant biodiversity, and it could qualify to be labeled as a keystone ecosystem. However, currently it is exposed to a variety of threats. We recommend the forest to be developed into a biosphere reserve. We also recommend the prioritization of areas belonging to community types 2 and 6 of the forest for any possible conservation actions so as to maximize species richness and diversity of the native plants of the area.
Virtual reality-based training for mental health staff: a novel approach to increase empathy, compassion, and subjective understanding of service user experience
Authors: Riches Simon , Iannelli Hannah , Reynolds Lisa , Fisher Helen L. , Cross Sean , Attoe Chris
Published: July 2022

Background

Mental health service users report that staff empathy is key to developing positive therapeutic relationships but promoting empathy in staff training is challenging. Staff may struggle to maintain their compassion, particularly in challenging settings, and have limited clinical confidence when treating conditions of which they lack subjective understanding. Novel interventions are required to address these needs.

Main body of the text

Virtual reality-based simulation training has been shown to be an effective training modality for healthcare professionals; it has the potential to deliver crucial empathy-building learning for frontline mental health staff due to its capacity to increase staff understanding of service users’ experiences. Virtual reality and simulation technology take interactivity and experiential learning to a level beyond which we have seen in teaching and training before. Subjective understanding is elicited because this is a technology for enhanced experiential learning, which in turn fosters greater empathy and compassion. Increased empathy in the workforce is likely to yield significant benefits for service users. Greater empathy in nursing is linked with reduced restrictive practices and reduced conflict between staff and service users. Restrictive practices, including restraint and seclusion, are widely used in mental health settings within the UK, and are an aspect of mental health nursing that is at odds with the therapeutic role of nursing. Despite these innovative developments, there are challenges ahead. Many nurses feel that complete eradication of restrictive practices is impossible and that barriers include a limitation of resources, communication, management, and lack of education. There is a need to make simulation training economically viable so that it can be upscaled and widely available. Therefore, greater investment and resources are needed to bring this innovative training to the wider workforce to support staff and to realise the benefits for service users.

Short conclusion

Virtual reality-based training has great potential for mental health staff, which could have important consequences in terms of improved staff empathy and reductions in harmful restrictive practices. Further research and funding for such training is necessary so that it can be more widely available.
Core–shell structured gold nanoparticles as carrier for 166Dy/166Ho in vivo generator
Authors: Wang Runze , Ponsard Bernard , Wolterbeek Hubert , Denkova Antonia
Published: July 2022

Background

Radionuclide therapy (RNT) has become a very important treatment modality for cancer nowadays. Comparing with other cancer treatment options, sufficient efficacy could be achieved in RNT with lower toxicity. β− emitters are frequently used in RNT due to the long tissue penetration depth of the β− particles. The dysprosium-166/holmium-166 (166Dy/166Ho) in vivo generator shows great potential for treating large malignancies due to the long half-life time of the mother nuclide 166Dy and the emission of high energy β− from the daughter nuclide 166Ho. However, the internal conversion occurring after β− decay from 166Dy to 166Ho could cause the release of about 72% of 166Ho when 166Dy is bound to conventional chelators. The aim of this study is to develop a nanoparticle based carrier for 166Dy/166Ho in vivo generator such that the loss of the daughter nuclide 166Ho induced by internal conversion is prevented. To achieve this goal, we radiolabelled platinum-gold bimetallic nanoparticles (PtAuNPs) and core–shell structured gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with 166Dy and studied the retention of both 166Dy and 166Ho under various conditions.

Results

The 166Dy was co-reduced with gold and platinum precursor to form the 166DyAu@AuNPs and 166DyPtAuNPs. The 166Dy radiolabelling efficiency was determined to be 60% and 70% for the two types of nanoparticles respectively. The retention of 166Dy and 166Ho were tested in MiliQ water or 2.5 mM DTPA for a period of 72 h. In both cases, more than 90% of both 166Dy and 166Ho was retained. The results show that the incorporation of 166Dy in AuNPs can prevent the escape of 166Ho released due to internal conversion.

Conclusion

We developed a chelator-free radiolabelling method for 166Dy with good radiolabelling efficiency and very high stability and retention of the daughter nuclide 166Ho. The results from this study indicate that to avoid the loss of the daughter radionuclides by internal conversion, carriers composed of electron-rich materials should be used.
Augmented reality in architecture and construction education: state of the field and opportunities
Authors: Hajirasouli Aso , Banihashemi Saeed
Published: July 2022

Over the past decade, the architecture and construction (AC) industries have been evolving from traditional practices into more current, interdisciplinary and technology integrated methods. Complex and intricate digital technologies and mobile computing such as simulation, computational design and immersive technologies, have been exploited for different purposes such as reducing cost and time, improving design and enhancing overall project efficiency. Immersive technologies and augmented reality (AR), in particular, have proven to be extremely beneficial in this field. However, the application and usage of these technologies and devices in higher education teaching and learning environments are yet to be fully explored and still scarce. More importantly, there is still a significant gap in developing pedagogies and teaching methods that embrace the usage of such technologies in the AC curricula. This study, therefore, aims to critically analyse the current state-of-the-art and present the developed and improved AR approaches in teaching and learning methods of AC, addressing the identified gap in the extant literature, while developing transformational frameworks to link the gaps to their future research agenda. The conducted analysis incorporates the critical role of the AR implications on the AC students’ skillsets, pedagogical philosophies in AC curricula, techno-educational aspects and content domains in the design and implementation of AR environments for AC learning. The outcomes of this comprehensive study prepare trainers, instructors, and the future generation of AC workers for the rapid advancements in this industry.
Cotton stomatal closure under varying temperature and vapor pressure deficit, correlation with the hydraulic conductance trait
Authors: WEDEGAERTNER Kurt , SHEKOOFA Avat , PURDOM Sam , WALTERS Kellie , DUNCAN Lori , RAPER Tyson B.
Published: July 2022

Background

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is often grown in locations characterized by high atmospheric evaporative demand. It has been hypothesized that plants which resist hydraulic flow under this condition will limit water use and conserve soil water. Therefore, in a series of controlled environment experiments ten cotton cultivars were exposed to two different temperature and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) conditions (i.e., 38 °C, > 3 kPa and 32 °C, 1∼1.5 kPa) as well as a progressive soil drying. Then, individual differences in shoot hydraulic conductance (Kshoot) was measured using a hydraulic conductance flow meter (HCFM). Physiological parameters were reported included leaf area, dry leaf weight, stomatal conductance (gs), and water use efficiency coefficient (WUEk).

Results

Differences were observed in Kshoot among cultivars under the 38 °C, > 3 kPa but not the 32 °C, 1∼1.5 kPa environment. Under the 38 °C, > 3 kPa environment, correlations were found between Kshoot, stomatal conductance (gs), VPD breakpoint, WUEk, total leaf area, dry leaf weight, fraction transpirable soil water (FTSW) threshold, and slope of TR decline after FTSW threshold.

Conclusion

Results show that the ability of some cotton cultivars to restrict water loss under high evaporative demand through early stomatal closure is associated with the cultivars’ Kshoot. The Kshoot is influential in the limitation of TR trait under high temperature and VPD.
Distal femoral osteotomy versus lateral unicompartmental arthroplasty for isolated lateral tibiofemoral osteoarthritis with intra-articular and extra-articular deformity: a propensity score-matched analysis
Authors: Piovan Gianluca , Farinelli Luca , Screpis Daniele , Iacono Venanzio , Povegliano Lorenzo , Bonomo Marco , Auregli Ludovica , Zorzi Claudio
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Lateral unicompartmental arthroplasty (UKA) and distal femoral osteotomy (DFO) represent surgical solutions in cases of valgus malalignment and isolated lateral osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. The aim of the present study was to assess the clinical results, complications, and the overall postoperative alignment of a series of DFO and lateral UKA with a minimum 2-year follow-up in active middle-aged patients.

Methods

Patients with valgus knee and isolated lateral OA who underwent opening-wedge DFO or UKA from 2017 to 2019 were reviewed. Each patient was characterized by a joint line convergence angle (JLCA) > 3° and mechanical lateral distal femoral angle (mLDFA) < 87°. We excluded patients who underwent meniscus or osteochondral allograft during DFO. The Oxford Knee Score (OKS), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), complications, and postoperative alignment were assessed. Propensity score matching was used to identify comparable patients.

Results

The DFO and lateral UKA groups consisted of 29 patients each. No statistically significant differences in gender, age, body mass index (BMI), length of follow-up, or limb deformity were reported between the two groups. In the DFO group, OKS was reported to improve from 27.51 to 38.59 (p < 0.05) and KOOS from 51.14 to 67.2 (p < 0.05). Similarly, in the UKA group, OKS improved from 26.23 to 35.43 (p < 0.05) and KOOS from 50.12 to 65.91 (p < 0.05). However, the improvement in OKS and KOOS (delta) did not differ between groups (p = 0.35 and p = 0.95). The DFO and UKA groups were characterized by similar postoperative hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angle measurements of −3.26 and −3.00, respectively (p = 0.65). No patients in the UKA group underwent revision or other knee surgeries during follow-up. No infections were detected in either group. In the DFO group, no cases of nonunion or delayed union were reported. However, 40% of DFO patients underwent plate removal. One patient in each group was characterized by progression of medial OA with Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grade > 3.

Conclusion

UKA and DFO represent an effective treatment in lateral knee OA with intra-articular and extra-articular deformity. Both surgeries were able to provide a significant and comparable clinical improvement.

Level of evidence: III, comparative retrospective cohort study.
Analysis of real-time PCR Melanocortin 3 (MC3R) gene expression to identify new biomarkers inflammation in tuberculosis
Authors: Tenriola Andi , Hidayah Najdah , Subair  , Massi Muhammad Nasrum , Halik Handayani , Damayanti Tri , Jafriati  , Rivai Andi Tenri Ola
Published: July 2022

Background

Diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) in the era of technological sophistication requires accuracy and speed to provide as much information as possible so that TB treatment can be carried out quickly and precisely. New studies have also begun to be carried out to diagnose TB, one of which is by examining genes, either by looking at polymorphisms, mutations, or expressions. Several previous studies have confirmed the association of MC3R and TB genes with polymorphisms; MC3R is a gene that participates in the regulation of the inflammatory process and is also found in macrophages; therefore, we tried to analyze gene expression in the active TB group, household contacts, and healthy controls for looked at the differences between the three groups and confirmed the correlation of MC3R with TB by seeing which group's gene expression increased the most expression of the three groups so that the results can be considered as a TB diagnostic biomarker in the future.

Methods

This study included 122 people, 49 patients with confirmed TB, 46 close relatives of patients, and 27 healthy controls. This study used a real-time PCR technique to analyze MC3R gene expression in the three groups, and all data were analyzed using Bio-Rad CFXTM software version 3.1 and one-way ANOVA using SPSS 21.0.

Results

The value of MC3R gene expression in the active TB group increased 3.6-fold in the healthy group (p = 0.143), and that of gene expression in the healthy control group increased 1.09-fold in the healthy group (p = 0.007).

Conclusion

There is a relationship between MC3R and TB based on the results of gene expression analysis that increased in the active TB group compared to the household contact group and healthy controls.
Spin-orbit-locked hyperbolic polariton vortices carrying reconfigurable topological charges
Authors: Wang Mingsong , Hu Guangwei , Chand Saroj , Cotrufo Michele , Abate Yohannes , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Grosso Gabriele , Qiu Cheng-Wei , Alù Andrea
Published: July 2022

The topological features of optical vortices have been opening opportunities for free-space and on-chip photonic technologies, e.g., for multiplexed optical communications and robust information transport. In a parallel but disjoint effort, polar anisotropic van der Waals nanomaterials supporting hyperbolic phonon polaritons (HP2s) have been leveraged to drastically boost light-matter interactions. So far HP2 studies have been mainly focusing on the control of their amplitude and scale features. Here we report the generation and observation of mid-infrared hyperbolic polariton vortices (HP2Vs) associated with reconfigurable topological charges. Spiral-shaped gold disks coated with a flake of hexagonal boron nitride are exploited to tailor spin–orbit interactions and realise deeply subwavelength HP2Vs. The complex interplay between excitation spin, spiral geometry and HP2 dispersion enables robust reconfigurability of the associated topological charges. Our results reveal unique opportunities to extend the application of HP2s into topological photonics, quantum information processing by integrating these phenomena with single-photon emitters, robust on-chip optical applications, sensing and nanoparticle manipulation.
The contribution of Greek-owned shipping to the Greek economy
Authors: Παναγιώτου Στυλιανός
Published: July 2022

Οι εισπράξεις από θαλάσσιες μεταφορές, που αφορούν σχεδόν αποκλειστικά την ποντοπόρο ναυτιλία, καλύπτουν διαχρονικά σημαντικό μέρος του ελλείμματος του εμπορικού ισοζυγίου και του ισοζυγίου τρεχουσών συναλλαγών της χώρας. Η Ελλάδα κατέχει συγκριτικό πλεονέκτημα στις εξαγωγές θαλάσσιων μεταφορών, σύμφωνα με τους δείκτες του Αποκαλυφθέντος Συγκριτικού Πλεονεκτήματος. Πρόσφατα, το 2015, άλλαξε η μεθοδολογία κατάρτισης των λογαριασμών για τις υπηρεσίες θαλάσσιων μεταφορών. Η νέα μεθοδολογία κατάρτισης βασίζεται σε ένα στατιστικό μοντέλο - Greek Shipping Estimation Model (GSEM) - που χρησιμοποιεί δεδομένα τόσο από διοικητικές πηγές όσο και από διεθνείς βάσεις δεδομένων. Η ανάλυση της διεθνούς πρακτικής ανέδειξε ότι η χρήση ερωτηματολογίων είναι η προτιμώμενη μέθοδος. Οι προσδιοριστικοί παράγοντες των εισπράξεων από θαλάσσιες μεταφορές την περίοδο μετά το 2015 διερευνήθηκαν με την εφαρμογή της μεθοδολογίας ελέγχου ορίων (bounds testing) του Αυτοπαλίνδρομου Υποδείγματος Κατανεμημένων Χρονικών Υστερήσεων (Autoregressive Distributed Lag - ARDL) - που προτάθηκε από τους Pesaran et al (2001) - για την ύπαρξη συνολοκλήρωση μεταξύ των μεταβλητών. Η μεθοδολογία αυτή είναι σύγχρονη και μόλις πρόσφατα άρχισε να χρησιμοποιείται στην εμπειρική έρευνα της ναυτιλιακής οικονομικής. Η εμπειρική διερεύνηση κατέδειξε ότι ο Ελληνικός Ναυλοδείκτης (GreekShippingIndex - GSI), ο οποίος είναι ένας σταθμισμένος δείκτης εσόδων ειδικά για τον ελληνόκτητο στόλο, το κόστος των καυσίμων και το μέγεθος του ενεργού ελληνόκτητου στόλου αποτελούν τους προσδιοριστικούς παράγοντες των εισπράξεων από θαλάσσιες μεταφορές. Ωστόσο, μόνο ο ναυλοδείκτης GSI και το κόστος των καυσίμων παραμένουν στατιστικά σημαντικά την περίοδο πριν από το 2015, μαζί με τα υπόλοιπα δανείων προς τον κλάδο της ναυτιλίας, μια μεταβλητή που δεν είναι πλέον διαθέσιμη. Συνεπώς, οι προσδιοριστικοί παράγοντες πριν και μετά τη μεταβολή της μεθοδολογία κατάρτισης δεν ταυτίζονται με εξαίρεση τον ναυλοδείκτη GSI. Η αναδρομική εκτίμηση για την περίοδο 2002-2014 έδειξε ότι η εκτιμηθείσα χρονοσειρά ήταν χαμηλότερα από την αρχική (προ του 2015), αν και οι δύο σειρές συγκλίνουν προς το τέλος της περιόδου εκτίμησης
Θεωρία χρησιμότητας, ορθολογικότητα και Daniel Kahneman
Authors: Παπαδάκης Θεόδουλος-Ελευθέριος
Published: July 2022

Ο στόχος της παρούσας διδακτορικής διατριβής ήταν διττός: κατά πρώτον, η ανάδειξη του κριτικού πλαισίου που ασκήθηκε στη Θεωρία Αναμενόμενης Χρησιμότητας και στην υπόθεση του Ορθολογικού Ατόμου, όπως αυτή αναπτύχθηκε και εξελίχθηκε διαχρονικά και, κατά δεύτερον, η στατιστική και οικονομετρική διερεύνηση της επίδρασης των δημογραφικών παραγόντων στην (αν)Ορθολογικότητα των ατόμων και στη στάση τους απέναντι στις καθιερωμένες πρακτικές των επιχειρήσεων που αποσκοπούν στη μεγιστοποίηση του κέρδους τους. Στο πλαίσιο αυτό, αρχικά παρουσιάζεται και αναλύεται η Θεωρία Χρησιμότητας καθώς και οι κυριότερες κριτικές που της ασκήθηκαν, διαχρονικά. Το θεωρητικό πλαίσιο αφορά στη μετάβαση από την Κλασική Θεωρία στη Νεοκλασική, καθώς και τη μετάβαση από την Απόλυτη στην Τακτική Χρησιμότητα και τη Θεωρία Αναμενόμενης Χρησιμότητας. Υπό αυτό το πρίσμα, η Διδακτορική Διατριβή εστιάζει στη συνεισφορά του κατόχου Νόμπελ στα Οικονομικά, το 2002, Daniel Kahneman, που αφορά, πρώτον, στην αμφισβήτηση της Θεωρίας Αναμενόμενης Χρησιμότητας ως επαρκές αναλυτικό υπόδειγμα λήψης αποφάσεων και, δεύτερον, στην ανάπτυξη της Θεωρίας Προοπτικής (Prospect Theory) ως ένα εναλλακτικό υπόδειγμα λήψης αποφάσεων, υπό συνθήκες αβεβαιότητας. Τρίτον, παρουσιάζεται και αναλύεται το έργο του Daniel Kahneman σε σχέση με τα καθιερωμένα πρότυπα Δικαιοσύνης (Fairness) που ισχύουν στην κοινωνία και την επίδραση που αυτά έχουν στον καθορισμό των τιμών, των μισθών και των ενοικίων. Προκειμένου να ελεγχθούν εμπειρικά τα παραπάνω θεωρητικά σχήματα, έλαβε χώρα διαδικτυακή έρευνα μεταξύ 2020-2021 με τη μορφή ανώνυμου ερωτηματολογίου το οποίο διανεμήθηκε και απαντήθηκε ηλεκτρονικά από άτομα σε όλη την Ελλάδα και οδήγησε σε πολύ ικανοποιητικό πλήθος έγκυρων απαντήσεων, ήτοι 676 και 646 έγκυρες απαντήσεις, για τη Θεωρία Προοπτικής και Δικαιοσύνης, αντίστοιχα. Από την κατάλληλη στατιστική και οικονομετρική επεξεργασία των διαθέσιμων στοιχείων και των αντίστοιχων απαντήσεων, πολύ συνοπτικά προκύπτει ότι: (α) τα ευρήματα των Kahneman και Tversky (1979) καθώς και των Kahneman, Knestch και Thaler (1986) επαληθεύονται από την έρευνά μας σε πολύ μεγάλο ποσοστό, (β) τα άτομα παρουσιάζουν την τάση να παραβιάζουν τα αξιώματα της Θεωρίας Αναμενόμενης Χρησιμότητας, (γ) οι επιχειρησιακές πρακτικές που αποσκοπούν στη μεγιστοποίηση του κέρδους όπως ορίζει η Νεοκλασική Θεωρία συχνά προσκρούουν στα διαδεδομένα πρότυπα Δικαιοσύνης, και (δ) οι δημογραφικοί παράγοντες συνιστούν μεταβλητές στατιστικά σημαντικού επηρεασμού τόσο της (αν)Ορθολογικότητας των ατόμων, όσο και των διαδεδομένων προτύπων Δικαιοσύνης, κάτι που αποτελεί και τη βασική συνεισφορά της εν λόγω Διδακτορικής Διατριβής στη βιβλιογραφία. Λέξεις κλειδιά: Χρησιμότητα, ορθολογικότητα, δικαιοσύνη, Kahneman, Ελλάδα
Ανάπτυξη πολυκριτηριακής μεθοδολογίας για τη χωρική οργάνωση επενδυτικών προτεραιοτήτων
Authors: Χαραλαμπίδου Βασιλική
Published: July 2022

Ο αναπτυξιακός προγραμματισμός, καθώς και οι επενδυτικές προτεραιότητες είναι δύο εξίσου σημαντικές συνιστώσες του επιπέδου οικονομικής ανάπτυξης μιας χώρας, διότι καθορίζουν και καθορίζονται από τις συνθήκες, την ένταση, τη μορφή και τους τομείς της παραγωγικής διαδικασίας. Η κίνηση και η ροή κεφαλαίων παγκοσμίως, οι επιχειρηματικές πρωτοβουλίες και η στροφή προς τις άμεσες ξένες επενδύσεις εντείνουν τον ανταγωνισμό μεταξύ των χωρών, αναδεικνύοντας έτσι, τη χωρική διάσταση του φαινομένου. Η χωρική οργάνωση των επενδύσεων και των παραγωγικών δραστηριοτήτων εν γένει, είναι ένα σύνθετο πρόβλημα και η τελική απόφαση προκύπτει συνυπολογίζοντας αρκετούς παράγοντες. Στη σημερινή πραγματικότητα της κλιματικής και ενεργειακής κρίσης, έχοντας ήδη υπερβεί μιαοικονομική ύφεση, η αλλαγή του παραγωγικού συστήματος και η ανάγκη προσέλκυσης ανταγωνιστικών επενδύσεων είναι απαραίτητη, ειδικά για την περίπτωση της Ελλάδας. Η παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή εντάσσεται στο ευρύτερο γνωστικό πεδίο του Χωρικού σχεδιασμού, της Επιχειρησιακής έρευνας και των Οικονομικών της ανάπτυξης. Στόχος της είναι η βέλτιστη χωρική οργάνωση των επενδυτικών κλάδων και των παραγωγικών δραστηριοτήτων, έτσι ώστε να αξιοποιηθούν τα κατά τόπους ανταγωνιστικά πλεονεκτήματα της χώρας και να υπάρξει γεωγραφική στόχευση αυτών. Αντικείμενο της έρευνας είναι η ανάπτυξη πολυκριτηριακής μεθοδολογίας για τη χωρική οργάνωση των επενδυτικών προτεραιοτήτων, σε εθνική και περιφερειακή κλίμακα. Έτσι, προκύπτουν με ιεραρχική σειρά οι επενδυτικοί κλάδοι στους οποίους οφείλει να δώσει ιδιαίτερη βαρύτητα και να προσελκύσει η Ελλάδα. Παρότι, η χώρα κινείται προς μια νέα αναπτυξιακή κατεύθυνση μεταρρυθμίσεων, η πολυκριτηριακή μεθοδολογία, όπως αυτή εφαρμόστηκε για τις τρέχουσες συνθήκες που επικρατούν, ανέδειξε ως επιτακτική ανάγκη, τη ριζική αναπροσαρμογή του επενδυτικού μοντέλου και αναπτυξιακού προσανατολισμού. Τα αποτελέσματα που προέκυψαν είναι χρήσιμα και μπορούν να αξιοποιηθούν, προκειμένου να καταρτιστούν οι απαραίτητες πολιτικές και στρατηγικές για την προώθηση των συγκεκριμένων επενδυτικών κλάδων. Η προτεινόμενη πολυκριτηριακή μεθοδολογία δύναται να αποτελέσει, αφενός, ένα εργαλείο άσκησης πολιτικής για την τρέχουσα ελληνική πραγματικότητα, μια νέα μεθοδολογία χωρικού σχεδιασμού που προσαρμοσμένη, ανταποκρίνεται σε κάθε κλίμακα του χώρου και αφετέρου, ένα εργαλείο υποστήριξης των αποφάσεων των επενδυτικών προτεραιοτήτων από την Κεντρική Διοίκηση και την Τοπική Αυτοδιοίκηση.
Αυτοαξιολόγηση των μαθητών και σχολική επίδοση
Authors: Βασιλειάδου Δέσποινα
Published: July 2022

Η σύγχρονη εκπαιδευτική πραγματικότητα και η μετατόπιση του ενδιαφέροντος στον ενεργό ρόλο των μαθητών και τη συμμετοχή τους στην εκπαιδευτική διαδικασία, έφερε στο προσκήνιο νέες θεωρήσεις και πρακτικές στην αξιολόγηση των μαθητών. Μία από τις μορφές αξιολόγησης που θέτει το μαθητή στο επίκεντρο αποτελεί η αυτοαξιολόγηση. Κατά τη διάρκεια της αυτοαξιολόγησης οι μαθητές σκέπτονται, προβληματίζονται και αξιολογούν το έργο τους και τα αποτελέσματά του. Τις τελευταίες δεκαετίες έχουν εκπονηθεί, κυρίως σε χώρες του εξωτερικού, έρευνες οι οποίες έχουν δείξει πως η αυτοαξιολόγηση επιδρά θετικά στη σχολική επίδοση των μαθητών, σε διάφορα, μάλιστα, γνωστικά αντικείμενα. Ωστόσο, οι λιγότερες από αυτές τις έρευνες έχουν υλοποιηθεί στην Πρωτοβάθμια εκπαίδευση, σε αντίθεση με τις άλλες βαθμίδες εκπαίδευσης. Στην Ελλάδα οι ελάχιστες σε αριθμό έρευνες, που μελετούν τη σχέση της αυτοαξιολόγησης και της σχολικής επίδοσης μαθητών του Δημοτικού, περιορίζονται σε ένα κάθε φορά γνωστικό αντικείμενο. Στο πλαίσιο αυτό, και προκειμένου να μελετηθούν οι σχέσεις, αλλά και να ερευνηθεί ο βαθμός σύνδεσης μεταξύ της αυτοαξιολόγησης των μαθητών με τη χρήση ρουμπρίκας και της σχολικής επίδοσης, διεξήχθη πειραματική έρευνα σε Δημοτικό Σχολείο. Τα μαθήματα στα οποία έγινε η εφαρμογή της αυτοαξιολόγησης ήταν η Ιστορία και η Γλώσσα, ενώ εξετάστηκε χωριστά και η παραγωγή του Γραπτού Λόγου. Η έρευνα υλοποιήθηκε σε συνολικό δείγμα 70 μαθητών. Την ομάδα ελέγχου αποτέλεσαν δύο τμήματα (ένα της Ε και ένα της ΣΤ τάξης), ενώ την πειραματική ομάδα τα εναπομείναντα δύο τμήματα (ένα της Ε και ένα της ΣΤ τάξης), στα οποία εφαρμόσθηκαν ασκήσεις αυτοαξιολόγησης για δυόμισι μήνες. Για το σκοπό της παρούσας έρευνας επιλέχθηκε ο συνδυασμός της ποσοτικής και της ποιοτικής προσέγγισης. Συγκεκριμένα, χρησιμοποιήθηκαν τα εξής ερευνητικά εργαλεία: τεστ γνώσεων, ερωτηματολόγιο αυτοαξιολόγησης, ρουμπρίκες και συνεντεύξεις. Κύριο εύρημα της έρευνας είναι πως η αυτοαξιολόγηση επέδρασε θετικά στη σχολική επίδοση των μαθητών της πειραματικής ομάδας, καθώς, με το πέρας της παρέμβασης, βελτίωσαν στατιστικά σημαντικά την επίδοσή τους σε όλα τα τεστ γνώσεων. Επίσης, από την έρευνα προέκυψε πως η βαθμολογία των μαθητών στην αυτοαξιολόγηση μέσω των ρουμπρικών βελτιωνόταν κατά την εξέλιξη της παρέμβασης, γεγονός που δείχνει πως οι μαθητές αισθάνονταν ικανότεροι να αυτοαξιολογούνται. Επιπλέον, μέσα από την χρήση του ερωτηματολογίου αυτοαξιολόγησης, φάνηκε πως οι μαθητές της πειραματικής ομάδας βελτιώθηκαν όσον αφορά τις διαστάσεις της ενημερότητας, της αυτοδιόρθωσης, αλλά και της συνολικής αυτοαξιολόγησης, εν συγκρίσει με την ομάδα ελέγχου. Τέλος, από την ανάλυση των ποιοτικών δεδομένων που συλλέχθηκαν μέσα από τις συνεντεύξεις των συμμετεχόντων εκπαιδευτικών και μαθητών, προέκυψε πως η εμπειρία της αυτοαξιολόγησης αποτιμάται πολύ θετικά από τους ίδιους.
Interactive visualization of spatial omics neighborhoods
Authors: Xu Tinghui , Sankaran Kris
Published: July 2022

Dimensionality reduction of spatial omic data can reveal shared, spatially structured patterns of expression across a collection of genomic features. We studied strategies for discovering and interactively visualizing low-dimensional structure in spatial omic data based on the construction of neighborhood features. We designed quantile and network-based spatial features that result in spatially consistent embeddings. A simulation compares embeddings made with and without neighborhood-based featurization, and a re-analysis of Keren et al., 2019 illustrates the overall workflow. We provide an R package, NBFvis, to support computation and interactive visualization for the proposed dimensionality reduction approach. Code and data for reproducing experiments and analysis are available on GitHub.
Modern approaches to address the concept of territorial division in Islamic jurisprudence
Authors: Alotaibi Hajed A.
Published: July 2022

Background: This article examines how current jurists can deal with a juristic division of the world into abode of "Islam” and “infidelity". The success with which jurists re-evaluate this dichotomy will have major impacts on how an Islamic state interacts with non-Muslim governments on the one hand, and Muslims residing temporarily or permanently in a non-Muslim territory on the other.

Methods: Here, an attempt made to review the concepts of Dar Al-Islam and Dar Al-Harb from two perspectives: that of the dialectical limits and liberalization, as discussed in secondary material such as books, research articles, and reports.

Results: this paper has explored and discussed the criteria for identifying Dar Al-Islam and Dar Al-Harb in Islamic jurisprudence.

Conclusions: This article analyzes the various arguments put forward to establish new ways of peaceful coexisting and maintaining healthy international connections.
Protocol for a randomized study of the efficacy of ibandronic acid plus eldecalcitol in patients with gastric cancer after gastrectomy: A comparative study of different routes of administration of ibandronic acid
Authors: Aiba Hisaki , Suzuki Nobuyuki , Sagawa Hiroyuki , Hashimoto Hiroya , Kimura Hiroaki , Inoue Jumpei , Usami Takuya , Goto Yuta , Mizuno Yuichiro , Okubo Tomotaka , Ito Sunao , Takiguchi Shuji , Murakami Hideki
Published: July 2022

Background: Patients who undergo gastrectomy for gastric cancer are susceptible to osteoporosis. To prevent a decrease in bone mineral density, an appropriate prophylaxis is considered important to adjust the post-gastrectomy condition. In this study, we will compare two different routes of administration of ibandronic acid (oral or intravenous) plus eldecalcitol as a potentially more suitable treatment for patients at a high risk of fragile fracture.

Protocol: This study protocol describes a randomized, active-controlled, non-blind, single-center, phase II trial. For patients in the investigational arm (Group A), sodium ibandronate hydrate will be administered intravenously once a month with daily oral intake of eldecalcitol; for those in the control arm (Group B), sodium ibandronate hydrate will be administered orally once a month with daily oral intake of eldecalcitol. We will recruit patients aged 20–85 years who have undergone gastrectomy for gastric cancer and are at a risk of fragility fractures. The study will include patients with existing vertebral fractures and/or femoral proximal fractures, or with lumbar and/or proximal femur bone mineral density of less than 80% of the young adult mean. The primary outcome of this study will be the change in lumbar bone mineral density. We will also evaluate the changes in femur bone mineral density, bone metabolism markers, health-related quality of life as evaluated using the EuroQol 5 Dimension (EQ-5D), and digestive symptoms as evaluated using the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale after 52 weeks of treatment.

Conclusions: We believe that appropriate treatments that are adjusted to the condition of patients after gastrectomy are important for the prevention of bone mineral loss.

Registration: This study was accepted by the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCT1041200059, November 6, 2021).
Protocol for a proof-of-concept study evaluating systematic quality improvement with Realtime event support (SQUIRES)
Authors: Montes de Oca Arianna , Budelier Thaddeus P. , Wolfe Rachel C. , Murray-Torres Teresa M. , Milbrandt Melissa , Guffey Ryan , Kronzer Alex , Bollini Mara L. , Torres Brian A. , Henrichs Bernadette , Ben Abdallah Arbi , McKinnon Sherry L. , Kangrga Ivan , Reidy Andrea , Kerby Paul W. , Avidan Michael S. , Wildes Troy S.
Published: July 2022

Introduction: Quality improvement (QI) in healthcare results in better patient outcomes, healthcare system performance, and professional development. One target of QI initiatives in the perioperative period is surgical site infections (SSI), for which several risk factors have been identified. Reliable administration of indicated surgical antibiotic prophylaxis is a modifiable factor of particular relevance. We hypothesize that a novel telemedicine-augmented quality improvement program will improve administration of surgical antibiotic prophylaxis.

Objectives: The objective of this QI study is to evaluate the utility of a telemedicine-augmented QI initiative on administration of timely surgical antibiotic prophylaxis. The incidence of SSI will also be reported for multiple surgical services.

Methods: This will be a multi-center prospective before-and-after proof-of-concept study. Patients undergoing a surgical procedure across seven operating room facilities at four hospitals in the BJC Healthcare System will be included. Approximately 40,000 patients over an eight-month period will be enrolled. This eight-month period will include a baseline observational phase, an education intervention phase, an intervention phase employing real-time event detection with associated guidance from a remote telemedicine center, and a subsequent observational phase. The primary outcome will be administration of on-time surgical antibiotic prophylaxis throughout the trial. Other outcomes will include incidence of SSIs.

Registration Information: This trial is registered on clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04983329 (30th July 2021).
Expert opinion on the habit forming properties of laxatives in patients with constipation
Authors: Balekuduru Avinash , Sahu Manoj Kumar
Published: July 2022

Constipation is a commonly reported disorder in many patients. Constipation treatment using laxatives on a regular and long term basis can lead to patient dependence, especially among the elderly. However, there is scanty data on the habit-forming potential of laxatives in Indian constipated patients. This review has explored literature evidence and expert opinion on patients’ experience regarding habit-forming attributes of stimulant and osmotic laxatives. Additionally, structured face-to-face discussions were conducted with 2 key opinion leaders to understand their clinical experience on the habit-forming aspects stimulant and osmotic laxatives in patients with constipation. Based on literature evidence, lactulose is not known to lead to any habit-forming behaviors in patients. Furthermore, experts pointed out that dependence on stimulant laxatives is common, but not on osmotic laxatives, and emphasized that milk of magnesia is not habit forming. In conclusion, no habit-forming characteristics or dependence was observed with the use of osmotic laxatives in India. Nevertheless, real-world, studies exploring patient and physician perspectives are warranted to establish the dependence and habit forming attributes of laxatives.
OpenSAFELY: Representativeness of electronic health record platform OpenSAFELY-TPP data compared to the population of England
Authors: Andrews Colm , Schultze Anna , Curtis Helen , Hulme William , Tazare John , Evans Stephen , Mehrkar Amir , Bacon Sebastian , Hickman George , Bates Christopher , Parry John , Hester Frank , Harper Sam , Cockburn Jonathan , Evans David , Ward Tom , Davy Simon , Inglesby Peter , Goldacre Ben , MacKenna Brian , Tomlinson Laurie , Walker Alex
Published: July 2022

Background: Since its inception in March 2020, data from the OpenSAFELY-TPP electronic health record platform has been used for more than 20 studies relating to the global COVID-19 emergency. OpenSAFELY-TPP data is derived from practices in England using SystmOne software, and has been used for the majority of these studies. We set out to investigate the representativeness of OpenSAFELY-TPP data by comparing it to national population estimates. 

 Methods: With the approval of NHS England, we describe the age, sex, Index of Multiple Deprivation and ethnicity of the OpenSAFELY-TPP population compared to national estimates from the Office for National Statistics. The five leading causes of death occurring between the 1st January 2020 and the 31st December 2020 were also compared to deaths registered in England during the same period. 

Results: Despite regional variations, TPP is largely representative of the general population of England in terms of IMD (all within 1.1 percentage points), age, sex (within 0.1 percentage points), ethnicity and causes of death. The proportion of the five leading causes of death is broadly similar to those reported by ONS (all within 1 percentage point). 

Conclusions: Data made available via OpenSAFELY-TPP is broadly representative of the English population. Users of OpenSAFELY must consider the issues of representativeness, generalisability and external validity associated with using TPP data for health research. Although the coverage of TPP practices varies regionally across England, TPP registered patients are generally representative of the English population as a whole in terms of key demographic characteristics.
Ludzie starzy na wsi podlaskiej w dobie reform agrarnych w Rosji w XIX wieku
Authors: Kuklo Cezary
Published: July 2022

Artykuł ma na celu przeanalizowanie roli i miejsca ludzi starych w rodzinie chłopskiej na Podlasiu, włączonym w końcu XVIII w. do Rosji, w czasie reform agrarnych dokonujących się w tym państwie w XIX w. Jego podstawę źródłową stanowią spisy mieszkańców parafii Trzcianne z 1843 i 1882 r. W efekcie dla badanego okresu określono nie tylko dominującą formę rodzinną ogółu chłopskich gospodarstw domowych, lecz także strukturę gospodarstw kierowanych przez seniorów (60 lat i więcej). Ponadto ustalono moment rezygnacji jednostki z pozycji głowy gospodarstwa, który wyznaczał początek starości i zmianę dotychczasowego statusu społecznego w obrębie wspólnoty rodzinnej i całej wsi oraz stopień izolacji rodzinnej i społecznej seniorów z uwzględnieniem ich płci. Temu służyło dokładniejsze poznanie powiązań osobowych wynikających z charakteru współmieszkania, z uwzględnieniem, obok pozycji zajmowanej w gospodar
Świat rzymskich monet.
Authors: Kluczek Agata Aleksandra
Published: July 2022

Celem artykułu jest krytyczna ocena książki poświęconej życiu i karierze Margarete Bieber (1879–1978), wybitnej historyk i  archeolog sztuki starożytnej, oraz zawierającej numizmatyczne studia kilku współczesnych autorów. Zasadniczą część tekstu stanowią uwagi o ikonografii monety rzymskiej, zwłaszcza monety imperialnej II i III stulecia, oraz o związkach między rzeźbą a monetami. Skupia się on na kwestiach metodologii i wartości poznawczej źródeł numizmatycznych.
Seminarium naukowe „Dawne i współczesne znaczenie ziemiaństwa w kreowaniu tożsamości kulturowej wśród lokalnej społeczności”, Toruń 18 lutego 2022 r.
Authors: Krajniak Radosław
Published: July 2022

Prezentowany tekst jest sprawozdaniem z seminarium naukowego pt. "Dawne i wspoółczesne znaczenie ziemiaństwa w kreowaniu tożsamości kulturowej wśród lokalnej społeczności, które odbyło się 18 lutego 2022 r. w siedzibie Kujawsko-Pomorskiego Centrum Dziedzictwa.
Pengembangan media power point berbasis multimedia Ispring Suite 10 materi energi listrik
Authors: Zharfa Mustafid , Saputro Budiyono
Published: July 2022

Tujuan penelitian (1) mengetahui tingkat kebutuhan media Power Point berbasis multimedia ispring suite.10 materi energi listrik di MadrasahIbtidaiyah saat ini, (2) mengetahui kelayakan media Power Point berbasis multimedia ispring suite.10 materi energi listrik, dan (3) mengetahui efektivitas media Power.Point berbasis multimedia ispring suite 10 terhadap hasil belajar materi energi listrik. Metode penelitian adalah Research.and.Development (R&D). Subyek penelitian adalah siswa kelas VI MI Al Falah Tanjungrejo dan guru Madrasah Ibtidaiyah. Hasil penelitian 1) hasil kondisi nyata penggunaan media pembelajaran saat ini 66% pendidik belum menggunakan media inovatif serta analisis kebutuhan menunjukkan rerata 3,40 (butuh) media pembelajaran; 2) pengembangan media power.point berbasis multimedia ispring suite 10 materi energi listrik melalui tahapan: (a) mencari data kondisi nyata dan analisis kebutuhan, (b) perancangan power point berbasis multimedia ispring suite 10, (c) FGD dengan ahli materi, ahli media dan guru, (d) revisi serta penilaian validator, maka memperoleh hasil rerata 3,50 (baik); 3) efektivitas pengembangan media power.point berbasis multimedia ispring.suite.10 dengan dilaksanakan 3 kali uji coba, yaitu: (a) uji coba perorangan memperoleh rerata skor 3,47 (baik), (b) uji coba kelompok memperoleh rerata skor 3,57 (sangat baik), (c) uji coba terbatas memperoleh rerata skor 3,62 (sangat baik). Hasil tersebut disimpulkan bahwa media ini sangat layak untuk digunakan, serta 3) uji efektivitas terhadap media power.point berbasis multimedia ispring suite 10 dengan menggunakan SPSS 16 diperoleh hasil data pretest 0,58 dan data posttest 0,220 signifikansi > 0,05 sehingga data terdistribusi dengan normal. Hasil Uji T memperoleh data 22.887,  p=0,00<0,05. Hasil tersebut menunjukkan bahwa media power point berbasis multimedia ispring suite 10 materi energi listrik efektif terhadap prestasi belajar siswa kelas VI MI Al Falah Tanjungrejo.
Evaluation of Serum Levels of Tissue Inhibitor Metalloproteinase-1and Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 in Egyptian Patients with Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Zaki Moushira , A. Hussein Mona Abd Elmotaleb , Tawfeek Hend M. , Ahmed Nadia Mohamed , M Ibrahim Amr M , Youness Eman R.
Published: July 2022

We aimed to evaluate the levels of serum tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D)alone and in diabetic nephropathy(DN) and assess their relation with other clinical features. This study was conducted on 30 patients withT2D, 30 with diabetic nephropathy (DN) and 50 age- corresponded healthy individuals. Serum MMP-1 and TIMP-1 were measured with ELISA in patients and controls. Elevated serum concetrations of TIMP-1 and MMP-1 were recognized in DN group compared to patients with T2D alone as well as controls. Positive correlation was also observed between MMP-1, TIMP-1, FBG and HbA1c in DN group. In multiple linear regression analysis HBLA1c, TG and low HDL were selected as components significantly related to MMP-1 and TIMP-1 in DN patients. in conclusion, serum MMP-1 and TIMP-1were significantly increased in DN. Further, in DM type 2 both markers were not significantly increased than controls. These blood biomarkers are associated with DN and might be salutary in clinical discrimination of DN in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Atypical Oral Fibrous Histiocytoma - An Uncommon Histiocytic Lesion Presenting as Inflammatory Fibrous Hyperplasia
Authors: Nitin Priyanka , H S Sreeshyla , Hegde Usha
Published: July 2022

Fibrous histiocytoma, as the name suggests, is a lesion which is prominently composed of a combination of fibroblastic & histiocytic cells. Fibrous histiocytoma can usually be seen as either cutaneous types or involving deep tissues. The diagnosis of fibrous histiocytoma is only confirmed after surgical excision. It is imperative to differentiate this lesion from the other aggressive forms of fibrohistiocytic neoplasms. Atypical Fibrous Histiocytoma (AFH) comes in the spectrum of fibrous histiocytic lesion ranging from benign to malignant lesions. Atypical Fibrous Histiocytoma in oral cavity is distinctly uncommon. This uncommon occurrence of the lesion needs to be made known of, to prevent inappropriate treatment. Hence, here we present an uncommon case report of Atypical oral fibrous histiocytoma which presented clinically as epulis fissuratum/ Inflammatory fibrous hyperplasia
Oxidative Stress: Assessment of Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances Value in Overweight Asthmatic Children
Authors: Mansour Sameh Abdelaziz , Hassan Essa Mohammed Abdel Malik , Ahmed Hoda Hegazy , Abo-ghabsha Mohammed Elsayed , Metwally Mahmoud Mohammed Mohammed , Wahby Aliaa Ahmed , Elmohsen Mohamed Mahmoud Abd , M. Ismail Nagwa Abdallah , Abdel Mawla Mohamed Ahmed
Published: July 2022

Nowadays bronchial asthma and increased body weight represent major problems in children. Asthmatic attacks in obese patients are not well controlled using the conventional treatment regimens. Asthma has been associated with increased systemic and exhaled levels of hydrogen peroxide and thiobarbituric acid-reactive products in expired breath condensate of asthmatic patients. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances formed from peroxidation of lipids. The aim of the Study is to show the action of Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances activity in asthma among overweight children suffering from asthma and to detect the connection between this biomarker and the etiology, degree of severity among children with bronchial hypereactivity. The study is cross-sectional study, was conducted on Egyptian children on regular follow up at the outpatients pediatric allergy clinic in Bab El-shariea university Hospital, Al-Azhar University. The study group included 96 child divided into 4 groups. Group A which included overweight children with (mild persistent asthma). Group B which included non-overweight children with (mild persistent asthma).Group C which included overweight non-asthmatics children and Group D The control group (non-overweight non-asthmatics). The results showed significant increase in the Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances level in Overweight asthmatic patients in relation to non-overweight patients with asthma. We found that they can distinguish asthma controlled patients from non-asthma controlled patients. This study showed high level of oxidative stress with high asthma severity as measured by Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. These substances were good markers of relation between bronchial hyper activity and oxidative stress which became high with asthma severity.
Impact of High Dose Metformin Versus Teneligliptin as add together on to Metformin on Glycemic Control of T2DM Patients
Authors: Poornima. R Poornima. R , Brigida. S Brigida. S , Elizabeth Arul Amutha , Soujania G Soujania G , Lella Tanuja
Published: July 2022

Introduction: Hyperglycaemia and abnormalities in simple carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism are the characteristic feature of the metabolic disorder, Diabetes Mellitus. Diabetes mellitus treatment is achieved by modifications in diet, sleep pattern, regular physical activity followed by addition of anti-hyperglycemic drugs like metformin if HbA1C levels stays more than 7.0%.Materials and Methods The study period was from April 2019 – September 2019. The total duration of study was 24 weeks. Total 160 patients were screened; among them 100 participants were selected as per the inclusion criteria. Out of 100 patients, only 91 patients have completed the study. Conclusion To conclude DPP-4 inhibitor Teneligliptin 20mg OD exemplifies to be a pertinent add-on to Metformin 500mg BD to enhance the glycaemic control and could be an operative and reliable medication preference in T2DM through decent patient acceptability.