bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of dental and skeletal indices between patients under haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis with healthy individuals in digital panoramic radiography
Authors: Abdinian Mehrdad , Salehi Mohammad Mahdi , Mortazavi Mojgan , Salehi Hassan , Kazemi Naeini Maryam
Published: July 2020

Objective:

The aim was to compare dental and skeletal indices in panoramic radiography between patients undergoing haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and age- and sex-matched control group.

Methods:

In this comparative cross-sectional study, quantitative Indices including Antegonial Index (AI), Mental Index (MI), Panoramic Mandibular Index (PMI) and qualitative indices including Mandibular Cortical Index (MCI) and Trabecular Pattern (TP) were evaluated in panoramic images of 32 haemodialysis patients, 14 patients under peritoneal dialysis and 52 healthy individuals. The images were also investigated for pulp canal calcification, pulp stones, soft tissue calcification, changes in or loss of lamina dura, radiolucencies associated with brown tumour and ridge resorption. The indices were compared between the three groups and were investigated for association with the patients’ blood test parameters and their diseases causing chronic renal failure (CRF). Intraobserver agreement for the 2-week interval of assessment was calculated for the indices.

Results

MI (p = 0.574) and PMI (p = 0.100) were not significantly different, but AI (p = 0.01), MCI (p < 0.001) and TP (p = 0.002) were significantly different between the two case groups and the control group. The prevalence of pulp calcification (p = 0.03) and ridge resorption (p = 0.005) was higher in the haemodialysis group. Soft tissue calcification (p = 0.85) and lamina dura changes (p = 0.9) showed no significant difference. Brown tumours were observed in only one case in the haemodialysis group.

Conclusions:

AI, MCI and TP showed a reduction in mineral density of the cortical and trabecular bone in CRF patients and more severely in patients under haemodialysis than those under peritoneal dialysis.
Positioning accuracy assessment of minimally invasive percutaneous injection techniques for the treatment of temporomandibular disorders
Authors: Custódio Antônio Luís Neto , Cameron Andrew , Bakr Mahmoud , Little Chris , Chrcanovic Bruno Ramos , Reher Peter
Published: July 2020

Objective:

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the accuracy of an extraoral CBCT-planned 3D-printed surgical guide aimed to percutaneous injection of substances into the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and the lateral pterygoid muscle (LPM).

Methods:

Nine human cadaver heads were used. Pre-planning CBCT and facial scans were obtained and three percutaneous injection sites were planned: one for the lower compartment of the TMJ and two for the LPM. A digital surgical guide was then designed with small titanium sleeves and printed by a 3D printer. After the injections, new CBCT scans with the needles in place were obtained in order to assess the accuracy of the procedure in relation to the virtual planning.

Results:

The mean values for angle deviation were very low (range 1.13o-4.08o), the same happening for the mean difference in the length reached (range 1.82–2.64 mm), as well as for the mean difference in the needle tip dislocation (range 0.94–2.03 mm).

Conclusion:

The guide seems to be a reliable tool for accurate percutaneous injection of drugs into the inferior compartment of the TMJ and the LPM. Further studies are necessary to test the efficacy and validate the method in an in vivo study.
FUNÇÕES E APLICAÇÕES DAS ATIVIDADES DO PLANEJAMENTO E CONTROLE DA PRODUÇÃO EM UMA INDÚSTRIA DE INSUMOS PARA EMPRESAS DO SETOR TÊXTIL DO CEARÁ
Authors: Costa Isaque Santiago Amaro , Gurgel Jorge Dos Santos , Souza Andréa Moura da Costa
Published: July 2020

O objetivo deste estudo é analisar como as atividades do Planejamento e Controle da Produção (PCP) são realizadas na prática em uma empresa de insumos que atua no setor têxtil, observando a aplicação dos Sistemas de Coordenação de Ordens (SCOs), como o MRP e o Kanban são desenvolvidas em uma indústria de produção de insumos localizada na Região Metropolitana de Fortaleza, Maracanaú. Por meio de um estudo de caso, foi possível observar o funcionamento e associar a aplicação do sistema demonstrado na literatura com o praticado pela empresa. Observou-se como resultados na empresa a sensibilização e a aplicação inicial e limitada do Kanban; entretanto, posteriormente, o Kanban visou, de forma plena, aos melhoramentos na qualidade do produto, na redução dos níveis de estoque, no acompanhamento e no controle da produção e cumprimentos de prazos de entrega dos pedidos.
RELACIONAMENTO ENTRE BUROCRACIA E PÓS-BUROCRACIA EM UM CONTEXTO DE DOMINAÇÃO, CONTROLE E PODER: UM ENSAIO TEÓRICO
Authors: Jeremias Junior Jair , Pessi Anelise , Andrade Arthur Gehrke Martins de
Published: July 2020

O presente ensaio teórico tem como objetivo relacionar a burocracia à pós-burocracia, utilizando-se dos conceitos de dominação, controle e poder. O referencial teórico aborda conceitos citados, focando na burocracia em Kalberg (2010) e Weber (2012) e sua pretendente a sucessora a teoria pós-burocrática, tomando o serviço público como contexto. Por fim, realizou-se uma discussão do referencial, encontrando na pós-burocracia a existência de controle coercitivo, exercido pelos pares que apresenta ainda maior rigidez que nos ambientes burocráticos. O argumento central mediante discussão é de que não ocorreu ruptura entre burocracia e pós-burocracia no serviço público, estando ele com características híbridas inerentes à burocracia e às diversas iniciativas pós-burocráticas. Como sugestão para estudos futuros, sugere-se a exploração empírica desse contexto por tratar-se de ambiente com característica adequada para tal, bem como relacionar com estudos que abranjam as teorias de carreira trazendo um olhar por meio dos praticantes.
A INSERÇÃO DA EDUCAÇÃO AMBIENTAL E DA GESTÃO AMBIENTAL NO CURSO DE ADMINISTRAÇÃO
Authors: Fernandes Vivian Duarte Couto , Abdala Etienne Cardoso , Cezarino Luciana Oranges
Published: July 2020

Este caso de ensino trata da possibilidade de inserção dos temas educação ambiental e gestão ambiental em uma faculdade de Administração no interior de Minas Gerais. Roberta, professora efetiva da instituição, começou a pesquisar acerca da sustentabilidade desde a sua passagem pelo doutorado. Desde então, dedicou parte significativa de seu tempo para pesquisar o desenvolvimento sustentável nas organizações. Ao chegar à universidade, uniu-se a um grupo de professores os quais desenvolviam pesquisas nessa área. Por meio de um diagnóstico feito na unidade sobre o ensino de administração e sua relação com as temáticas ambientais, identificaram uma lacuna expressiva entre a realidade e a prática. Assim, o grupo de pesquisadores reavaliou o ensino, a pesquisa e a extensão de modo que a educação ambiental e o estudo da gestão ambiental nas organizações fossem inseridos no curso de Administração.
DETERMINANTES DE PREÇOS NO MERCADO IMOBILIÁRIO À LUZ DO MODELO HEDÔNICO
Authors: Paz Regileuza Rodriques Campelo Bezerra , Nobre Liana Holanda Nepomuceno , Nobre Fábio Chaves
Published: July 2020

O mercado de imóveis é um segmento que contribui para o crescimento e desenvolvimento de uma região, pois é um dos setores com maior capacidade de impulsionar a economia, dada sua capacidade de gerar empregos e renda. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo geral analisar a formação de preços do mercado imobiliário de Mossoró-RN e, visando alcançá-lo, traçaram-se os seguintes objetivos específicos: descrever as variá veis determinantes na formação do preço dos imóveis e compreender o impacto de cada variável sobre o preço dos imóveis. A amostra compôs-se de 478 imóveis da cidade de Mossoró-RN, utilizando-se dados baseados nos registros disponibilizados por seis sítios de imobiliárias da cidade. Para análise dos dados, utilizou-se, inicialmente, a estatística descritiva das variáveis e, em seguida, a regressão linear múltipla. Os resultados sugeriram que o valor do imóvel sofre influência diretamente da classificação do bairro, da área do imóvel (m²), do número de salas, do número de garagens, do número de dormitórios, do número de suítes, do número de cozinhas e do número de banheiros. As variáveis independentes anteriores também explicaram 66,1% da variação do preço do imóvel no município de Mossoró-RN.
Emerging Anti-Microbial Resistance in Febrile Neutropenia: Is it high time to evaluate quality control measures?
Authors: Mahar Uzma , Anwar Nida , Fatima Naveena , Hassan Jawad , Shamsi Tahir
Published: July 2020

Objective: We performed a prospective analysis at our center to find out the most common organisms causing bacterial infections to establish pattern of antibiotic resistance, in order to combat febrile neutropenia effectively in the terms of outcome as well as cost.

Methods: A hospital based observational study was conducted at National Institute of Blood Diseases and bone marrow transplantation from January 2017 to December 2017. Patients presented with absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of less than 500/ml were enrolled. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 21.0. P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: In this study, a total of 242 patients from various hematological disorders were enrolled and 403 bacterial isolates were obtained. The most frequent isolated gram-negative organisms were Escherichia coli, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae and the most prevalent gram-positive organisms were staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus species. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed that most of the Staphylococcus aureus isolates were highly resistant to methicillin (p = 0.002), whereas Enterococcus species were resistant to vancomycin (p = 0.000).

Conclusion: The choice of empirical antibiotic regimen should be based on local spectrum of bacteria and their regional susceptibility pattern to improve the survival and minimize hospital stay of patients.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.6.2138

How to cite this:Mahar U, Anwar N, Fatima N, Hassan J, Shamsi T. Emerging Anti-Microbial Resistance in Febrile Neutropenia: Is it high time to evaluate quality control measures? Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(6):1246-1251. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.6.2138

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Frequency of autoimmune thyroiditis in children with Celiac disease and effect of gluten free diet
Authors: Rasheed Javaria , Hassan Rushan , Khalid Muhammad , Zafar Fauzia
Published: July 2020

Objective: To determine the frequency of autoimmune thyroiditis in children with Celiac disease and the effect of gluten free diet on autoimmune thyroiditis.
Methods: We enrolled 100 patients, age 1-12 years of either gender diagnosed as Celiac disease (CD) in this prospective observational study in the Department of Pediatric Medicine, from 1st January 2018 to 30th June 2019. Diagnosis of autoimmune thyroiditis was made if anti–thyroperoxidase >35 iu/ml or anti–thyroglobulin >20 iu/ml at diagnosis of CD and then at one year on gluten free diet (GFD) in all cases. Children with repeat anti-tTG levels > 10 times upper limit normal at 6-months after enrollment were labelled as non-compliant to GFD. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data.
Results: Mean age of the participants was 5.94±3.16 years and 53% were females. Fourteen cases of autoimmune thyroiditis were detected at enrollment and six (7%, n/N = 6/86) were later diagnosed on follow-up who were initially negative. Seven hypothyroid cases among the autoimmune thyroiditis were treated with thyroxine and became euthyroid on follow-up testing. Compliance to GFD was 52%. Autoimmune thyroiditis improved on gluten free diet in four cases (28.6%). Of the six euthyroid cases at diagnosis three cases became hypothyroid and all were non-compliant.
Conclusion: Frequency of autoimmune thyroiditis was 20% over a follow-up period of one year. Good compliance with the GFD has some effect on improving autoimmune thyroiditis and maintaining euthyroid status of CD patients.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.6.2226
How to cite this:Rasheed J, Hassan R, Khalid M, Zafar F. Frequency of autoimmune thyroiditis in children with Celiac disease and effect of gluten free diet . Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(6):1280-1284. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.6.2226
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Frequency of silent carotid artery stenosis in diabetics and its associated factors: An analysis in tertiary care hospital
Authors: Ali Faiza Sadaqat , Bader Nimrah , Zuberi Bader Faiyaz , Banu Sabiha
Published: July 2020

Objective: To estimate frequency of silent carotid artery stenosis and its associated factors in diabetic patients attending a tertiary care hospital.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in tertiary care Civil Hospital, Karachi from March 2019 to September 2019,. A total of 166 patients with Diabetes Mellitus were included in this study. Brief history was taken for the duration of DM, treatment, and smoking habits. Carotid artery stenosis (CAS) wafrs measured by Doppler ultrasound of right and left common, internal, and external carotid arteries.

Results: Frequency of silent carotid artery stenosis (CAS) in diabetic patients was observed in 28.92% (48/166) cases. The mean age ±SD of the patients was 54.8 ±7.96 years. 27 (22.29%) patients were smoker and all were male. Out of 166 diabetic patients, 59 (35.54%) were treated with insulin and 107 (64.46%) were treated with oral hypoglycemic.

Conclusion: Substantial number of diabetic patients with increasing age, increased duration of diabetes and smoking habits have significant silent Silent Carotid Artery Stenosis (CAS).

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.6.2306

How to cite this:Ali FS, Bader N, Zuberi BF, Banu S. Frequency of silent carotid artery stenosis in diabetics and its associated factors: An analysis in tertiary care hospital. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(6):1270-1274. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.6.2306

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Etiology of acute undifferentiated fever in patients presenting to the emergency department of a tertiary care center in Karachi, Pakistan
Authors: Ali Noman , Khan Nadeem Ullah , Waheed Shahid , Mustahsan Syed
Published: July 2020

Objective: Our study aimed at identifying the characteristics and etiology of various causes of acute undifferentiated fever in patients presenting to the emergency department of a tertiary care hospital.

Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted at the department of emergency medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital from January to June 2016. Adult patients presenting to Emergency department with acute undifferentiated fever were enrolled. Descriptive statistics were calculated in terms of mean±SD for continuous variables like age of the patients and duration of fever, whereas frequency and percentage were computed for categorical variables like gender and causes of fever.

Results: A total of one hundred and fifty five patients were included. Out of these 97 (62.6%) were males and 58 (37.4%) were females. Most patients (25.2%, n= 39) were diagnosed as malaria followed closely by dengue fever (n=33, 21.3%) and then enteric fever (n= 10, 6.5%). while 41.9% (n=65) were diagnosed as suspected viral fever based on clinical judgment and inconclusive laboratory results.

Conclusion: Malaria was found to be the most common confirmed cause of acute undifferentiated fever followed by dengue and enteric fever. The provision of accurate epidemiological data will enable resources to be directed towards key areas and will be of practical importance to clinicians.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.6.2334

How to cite this:Ali N, Khan NU, Waheed S, Mustahsan S. Etiology of acute undifferentiated fever in patients presenting to the emergency department of a tertiary care center in Karachi, Pakistan. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(6):1285-1290. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.6.2334

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Δενδροχρονολόγηση – Απολιθωμένο Δάσος Σιγρίου Λέσβου
Authors: Ευαγγελιδάκη Χρυσάνθη , Παπαδοπούλου Ειρήνη , Δήμητσα Βασιλική , Δήμητσα Ερασμία , Ανδριοπούλου Αφροδίτη , Καρακίτσου Αριάδνη , Αποστολίδου Ανθή , Ταστάνη Ελπινίκη
Published: July 2020

Θέμα της παρούσας εισήγησης είναι η εφαρμογή της τεχνικής της δενδροχρονολόγησης τόσο σε σύγχρονα δείγματα όσο και σε δείγματα απολιθωμένων κορμών δένδρων προερχόμενων από το Μουσείο Απολιθωμένου Δάσους Σιγρίου Λέσβου. Μέσα από μια διεπιστημονική συνεργασία και κατόπιν μελέτης και μετρήσεων επί των δειγμάτων επιχειρήθηκε η ανασύσταση κλιματικών συνθηκών και η δημιουργία κλιματικού αρχείου των περιοχών από τις οποίες προέρχονταν τα δείγματά μας. Ειδικότερα, ασχοληθήκαμε με τη μέτρηση πάχους των δακτυλίων από σύγχρονα δείγματα προερχόμενα από περιοχές της Ελλάδας προκειμένου να προσδιορίσουμε τις συνθήκες ανάπτυξης και διαμόρφωσης των εν λόγω δακτυλίων και να ταυτοποιήσουμε την προέλευσή τους. Παράλληλα, μελετήσαμε ψηφιακά δείγματα κορμών προερχόμενων από δασικές περιοχές των ΗΠΑ με σκοπό να συγκριθούν τα κλιματικά δεδομένα και να εξαχθούν συμπεράσματα καθώς και ψηφιοποιημένα δείγματα από το Μουσείο Απολιθωμένου Δάσους Σιγρίου Λέσβου – το οποίο εντάσσεται στα Παγκόσμια Γεωπάρκα UNESCO – με σκοπό τον έλεγχο των κλιματικών συνθηκών κατά την εποχή της απολίθωσης.
Η Χημεία στην υπηρεσία του ανθρώπου. Χρησιμοποιούνταν η Χημεία πάντα προς όφελος του ανθρώπου;
Authors: Τσιρίδου Αθηνά , Φώτη Φωτεινή , Γεωργολιός Νικόλαος
Published: July 2020

Το αντικείμενο της Χημείας απασχολούσε τους ανθρώπους από πολύ παλιά. Μάλιστα τα ευρήματα για την πρώτη χρήση της Χημείας χάνονται στα Προϊστορικά χρόνια. Μέσα στο πέρασμα των αιώνων η χρήση της Χημείας πέρασε από διάφορες φάσεις για να φθάσουμε σήμερα στην σύγχρονη Χημεία, η οποία βρίσκεται πίσω από πολλές καθημερινές ανάγκες αλλά και πολλά επιστημονικά επιτεύγματα. Στην παρασκευή φαρμάκων, στην κατασκευή υλικών υψηλής τεχνολογίας, στην καθαριότητα, στην επεξεργασία και στον έλεγχο της ποιότητας των τροφίμων, στο έλεγχο της ποιότητας του περιβάλλοντος.Παρόλα αυτά κάποιες χημικές ουσίες μέσα στην μακρόχρονη ιστορία της Χημείας χρησιμοποιήθηκαν με επιζήμιο τρόπο, άλλοτε από άγνοια ή κατά λάθος και άλλοτε εσκεμμένα.Χαρακτηριστικό παράδειγμα είναι δύο χημικά στοιχεία ο υδράργυρος και το αρσενικό τα οποία εδώ και αιώνες χρησιμοποιήθηκαν τόσο προς όφελος του ανθρώπου αλλά και σαν υλικά για δολιοφθορές ή ακόμη δολοφονίες.
Κατασκευή και βαθμονόμηση αλκοολόμετρου με απλά υλικά
Authors: Αντωνίου Νεφέλη , Βογιατζόγλου Αγγελική , Παρασκευοπούλου Ναταλία , Πελεκάνου Νεφέλη , Μηλιάς Τζώρτζης , Σαρρής Χρήστος , Φραγκής Θοδωρής
Published: July 2020

Η υπερβολική κατανάλωση αλκοολούχων ποτών (ροφημάτων που περιέχουν αλκοόλ) από τους εφήβους σε ολοένα και μικρότερες ηλικίες έχει σαφώς αυξητική τάση τα τελευταία χρόνια. Στην προσπάθεια ανάδειξης του προβλήματος αυτού στην μαθητική μας κοινότητα, η ομάδα μας κατασκεύασε ένα απλό και ιδιαίτερα φτηνό αλκοολόμετρο κατά τη διάρκεια των εργαστηριακών μαθημάτων των φυσικών επιστημών. Μετασκευάζοντας κατάλληλα μια πλαστική πιπέτα των 2ml και στηριζόμενοι στο φαινόμενο της άνωσης καταφέραμε να δημιουργήσουμε ένα «όργανο μέτρησης» της περιεκτικότητας του οινοπνεύματος (αλκοόλ) στα διάφορα ροφήματα-ποτά. Τοποθετήσαμε σε ογκομετρικό κύλινδρο των 100ml γνωστής περιεκτικότητας διαλύματα αλκοόλ σε νερό, προκειμένου να βαθμονομήσουμε με όσο το δυνατόν μεγαλύτερη ακρίβεια το αυτοσχέδιο «όργανο» μας. Όλα τα μέλη της ομάδας, κάθε φορά, μετρούσαν προσεκτικά το ύψος του στελέχους του “οργάνου” που ήταν πάνω από την οριζόντια επιφάνεια του εκάστοτε διαλύματος, ώστε να ελαχιστοποιείται το «σφάλμα ανάγνωσης» κατά τη μέτρηση. Έτσι δημιουργήσαμε την καμπύλη βαθμονόμησης του οργάνου, στην οποία στηριχθήκαμε για να υπολογίσουμε τις περιεκτικότητες διαφόρων αλκοολούχων ποτών του εμπορίου. Η μέθοδοςπου ακολουθήσαμε έχει πολύ καλά αποτελέσματα στα «καθαρά ποτά» που συνήθως έχουνυψηλά ποσοστά αλκοόλ. Τα ποσοστά σφάλματος των μετρήσεων μας φαίνονται να εξαρτώνταιαπό την περιοχή τιμών της περιεκτικότητας σε αλκοόλ του, υπό μέτρηση, αλκοολούχου ποτού.Το γεγονός αυτό θεωρείται αναμενόμενο, αφού στο εμπόριο υπάρχουν διαφορετικάαλκοολόμετρα για κάθε επιθυμητή περιοχή μετρήσεων. Επιχειρείται η συστηματοποίηση τωνσφαλμάτων και η διερεύνηση μαθηματικής μεθόδου εξάλειψης αυτού του φαινομένου.
ΜΑΘΗΤΕΣ-ΠΟΛΙΤΕΣ ΤΟΥ ΚΟΣΜΟΥ: ΣΥΜΒΟΥΛΕΣ ΣΤΟΝ ΠΛΑΝΗΤΑΡΧΗ ΓΙΑ ΤΟ ΖΗΤΗΜΑ ΤΗΣ ΚΛΙΜΑΤΙΚΗΣ ΑΛΛΑΓΗΣ
Authors: Καραργύρης Π , Λαναράς Π. , Λουριδά Μ. , Μαντζαβέλας Δ. , Μαντζαβέλας Ι. , Μαντζώρου Ζ. , Μικελάκης Ο. , Ξανθάκος Β. , Παπαδημητρίου Κ. , Σεϊντή Γ. , Στατήρη Ρ. , Σταυρογιάννης Ι. , Τσαρπάλα Β. , Τσέλιου Δ. , Φωτοπούλου Κ. , Χαϊδεμένος Α. , Χρυσοπούλου Μ. , Μαζωνάκη Μαρία
Published: July 2020

29.12.2017 Ο Ντόναλντ Τραμπ ειρωνεύτηκε την κλιματική αλλαγή, την ώρα που οι βόρειες Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες πλήττονταν από κύμα ακραίου ψύχους γράφοντας: «Στα ανατολικά, μπορεί και να είναι η παραμονή της ΠΙΟ ΚΡΥΑΣ ημέρας του χρόνου που έχει ποτέ καταγραφεί. Ίσως θα μπορούσαμε να χρησιμοποιήσουμε λίγο αυτήν την παλιά καλή υπερθέρμανση του κλίματος από την οποία η χώρα μας, αλλά καμία άλλη χώρα, ετοιμαζόταν να πληρώσει ΤΡΙΣΕΚΑΤΟΜΜΥΡΙΑ ΔΟΛΑΡΙΑ για να προστατευθεί. Καλυφθείτε!» Εμείς όμως μαθαίνουμε για ακραία καιρικά φαινόμενα σε όλα τα μέρη της γης. Κάθε μαθητής διάλεξε ένα σημείο του πλανήτη, ερεύνησε τι συμβαίνει εκεί, τι διαφορά υπάρχει από πριν, τι θα συμβεί στο μέλλον και πρότεινε μέτρα. Σκοπός της εργασίας ήταν η συνειδητοποίηση από τους μαθητές ότι Γεωγραφία δε σημαίνει η γνώση του κλίματος ενός τόπου, αλλά τι και γιατί συμβαίνει εκεί, με απώτερο στόχο, κάθε κάτοικος αυτού του πλανήτη να συμβάλει στην ευημερία του.
ΡΑΔΙΟΓΕΩΛΟΓΙΚΗ ΕΡΕΥΝΑ ΕΥΡΥΤΕΡΗΣ ΠΕΡΙΟΧΗΣ ΠΡΟΤΥΠΟΥ ΓΥΜΝΑΣΙΟΥ ΑΝΑΒΡΥΤΩΝ
Authors: Αλεξανδρής Ορέστης , Ανανιάδης Ιωάννης , Κουτσελίνη Ζωή Νικολέττα , Κυριακίδου Ευαγγελία Ευριδίκη , Λεουτσάκος Βασίλειος , Λουκάς Ιάσων , Πάζας Βασίλειος Πέτρος , Πετσετάκης Μενέλαος , Πρινιωτάκη Γεωργία , Τουτουντζης Άδωνης Νικόλαος , Χατζηαναστασίου Κωνσταντίνος παναγιώτης , Χατζηπέτρου Αικατερίνη , Ρουμπέα Γεωργία , Κούκουλης Αθανάσιος
Published: July 2020

Έχει πολύ μεγάλη σημασία η ραδιογεωλογική μελέτη του υποβάθρου, ιδιαίτερα όταν συνδέεται με την ποιότητα ζωής των ανθρώπων, όπως την ραδιοπροστασία από την εκπομπή των ακτινοβολιών α, β, γ, και την αντισεισμική θωράκιση από ρήγματα, που συνδέονται με διάφορα βάθη του υποβάθρου.Στην παρούσα εργασία εκτός από τα ραδιογεωλογικά στοιχεία με τα οποία τεκμηριώνεται ο μηδενικός ραδιολογικός κίνδυνος από τη χαμηλή εκπομπή των ακτινοβολιών α, β και γ του εδάφους, παρουσιάζεται και ο εντοπισμός μια δομής ραδονίου με «σχετικά» υψηλές συγκεντρώσεις (από 2.900-4.137Bq/cm3), που συνδέεται με ρήγμα μικρού βάθους του υποβάθρου.Η δομή του ραδονίου έχει ΒΒΑ-ΝΝΑκή διεύθυνση, διατάσεις 750Χ250m,και βρίσκεται 500m περίπου δυτικά από το σχολείο μας. Οι «σχετικά» υψηλές συγκεντρώσεις ραδονίου της δομήςδεν μπορεί να προέρχονται από τους τοπικούς γεωλογικούς σχηματισμούς, παρά μόνο από τους«σχετικά» βαθύτερους ορίζοντες του υποβάθρου, δια μέσω ενός ρήγματος το οποίο δεν φθάνει μέχρι την επιφάνεια του εδάφους, διότι είναι καλυμμένο με Μειοκαινικά ιζήματα του όρους Πεντέλη. Επομένως το ρήγμα είναι μη ορατό, χαμηλής τάξεως (3ης, 4ης, κλπ.,), λόγω της υποδεέστερης δομής ραδονίου <5.000Bq/cm3 με την οποία συνδέεται και άρα χαμηλής σεισμικής επικινδυνότητας.
Το Γεωπάρκο της Λέσβου είμαστε «εμείς»
Authors: Γαγάνη Κλειώ , Κεχρινιώτη Νεφέλη , Κουκούλα Παρασκευή , Κεχρινιώτης Παναγιώτης , Γαλής Ευστράτιος , Πετσίδη Ευαγγελία , Ζαφειρίου Μαρία , Μουτζουρέλλη Ειρήνη , Ζερβού Μαρία , Σκαλοχωρίτου Γεωργία , Διγιδίκης Γεώργιος
Published: July 2020

Η γεωλογική κληρονομιά αποτελεί αναφαίρετο δικαίωμα του κάθε τόπου ξεχωριστά, χωρίς, όμως, πολλές φορές να αποτελεί κοινό «κτήμα» όλων των κατοίκων του. Στην διαπίστωση αυτή ερείδεται η συγκεκριμένη ερευνητική πρόταση με θέμα: «Το Γεωπάρκο της Λέσβου είμαστε “εμείς”». Στην εργασία αυτή προσεγγίζεται η έννοια «γεωπάρκο» και συγκεκριμένα το Γεωπάρκο της Λέσβου, με τρόπο βιωματικό και διαδραστικό, μέσα από την μελέτη του ρόλου και των επιδράσεών του στη διαμόρφωση της ταυτότητας του τόπου και των ανθρώπων του με τρόπο αμφίδρομο. Το ερευνητικό ερώτημα που τίθεται είναι διττό. Κατά πρώτον, ποιες είναι οι γνώσεις της τοπικής κοινωνίας και της μαθητικής κοινότητας για το τι είναι «γεωπάρκο» και κατά δεύτερον, ποια η σημασία της διεθνούς αναγνώρισης του Γεωπάρκου της Λέσβου στην ανάπτυξη του νησιού.
Γενετική Μηχανική: Εφαρμογές και συνέπειες» Το πεπρωμένο φυγείν αδύνατον; Είναι δυνατόν τα γονίδια μας να μην πουν το μάθημά τους;
Authors: Βολτυράκης Γεώργιος , Ντρουμπογιάννη Αλεξάνδρα
Published: July 2020

Η πρόοδος της επιστήμης της Βιολογίας ήταν αλματώδης από το 1953, που οι Watson και Crick πρότειναν το μοντέλο της τρισδιάστατης δομής του DNA (διπλή έλικα). Το DNA είναι το γενετικό υλικό των περισσότερων οργανισμών το οποίο καθορίζει τη μορφή και τη λειτουργία τους. Στην αρχαιότητα που οι άνθρωποι δεν γνώριζαν την ύπαρξη αυτού του χημικού μορίου, πίστευαν ότι οι τρεις μοίρες, η Κλωθώ, η Λάχεσις και η Ατροπός όριζαν το νήμα της ζωής με διαφορετικό τρόπο η καθεμία. Σκοπός της παρούσας εργασίας είναι να παρουσιάσει τον τρόπο που η Γενετική Μηχανική, αφενός έδωσε γνώσεις στον επιστήμονα να βελτιώσει την ποιότητα ζωής του ανθρώπου κατανοώντας τα μυστήρια της ζωής και αφετέρου στην τεράστια δύναμη με την οποία τον όπλισε, ώστε να επηρεάζει την εξέλιξη των οργανισμών προκαλώντας ηθικά διλήμματα. Η ανάπτυξη της παρούσας εργασίας θα στηριχθεί στη βιβλιογραφική επισκόπηση μέσω των θεωρητικών προσεγγίσεων.
Επιστημονική Φαντασία ή Πραγματικότητα;
Authors: Οικονόμου Δημήτρης , Σταμπουλίδου Θωμαή , Παπαδόπουλος Σταύρος
Published: July 2020

Το ερευνητικό ερώτημα της εργασίας μας είναι «Κατά πόσο τα σενάρια επιστημονικής φαντασίας σε ταινίες που πραγματεύονται την γενετική και ευρύτερα την παρέμβαση και αλλαγή των ανθρωπίνων ικανοτήτων-ιδιοτήτων είναι αληθινά και πραγματοποιήσιμα; Κάτω από ποιες συνθήκες και με ποιες προϋποθέσεις θα πρέπει αυτά να εφαρμόζονται;». Αφορμή αυτής της μελέτης στάθηκαν ταινίες επιστημονικής φαντασίας στις οποίες έχουμε δει εφαρμογές της επιστήμης και της τεχνολογίας, οι οποίες κάτω από τον έλεγχο των «επιστημόνων» άλλαζαν κατά πολύ τον άνθρωπο. Σκοπός της μελέτης μας ήταν να διερευνήσουμε την απόσταση που υπάρχει ανάμεσα σε ένα σενάριο επιστημονικής φαντασίας και στην σύγχρονη επιστήμη. Διαπιστώσαμε πως κάθε μέρα γίνεται ένα ακόμα βήμα σμίκρυνσης της απόστασης και κάθε σενάριο επιστημονικής φαντασίας προσεγγίζει ολοένα και περισσότερο στην πραγματικότητα. Πολλές προχωρημένες ιδέες που προβλήθηκαν για πρώτη φορά σε κινηματογραφικές ταινίες, αποτελούν σήμερα μέρος της καθημερινότητάς μας. Κατά την διάρκεια της έρευνάς μας καταγράψαμε τα αποτελέσματα των παρεμβάσεων της τεχνολογίας στον άνθρωπο και εξετάσαμε κατά πόσο οι ίδιες οι πράξεις αλλά και οι συνέπειές τους συμβάδιζαν με την ηθική, προσβλέποντας στην βελτίωση των δυνατοτήτων των ανθρώπων και εντέλει στο «κοινό καλό».
Ζωή στην Ανταρκτική
Authors: Κουτσουράς Χρήστος , Κωνσταντινίδης Γιάννης , Ζαρφτζιάν Μαριλένα
Published: July 2020

Ο άνθρωπος είναι το μοναδικό ίσως ον που κατάφερε να αποικήσει όλον τον πλανήτη γη, με εξαίρεση κάποια ακραία οικοσυστήματα όπως η Ανταρκτική. Η ήπειρος αυτή έχει λιγοστούς κατοίκους: βρύα, λειχήνες, άλμπατρος, φώκιες, πιγκουίνους. Ο άνθρωπος εκπροσωπείται από επιστήμονες που ζουν σε ειδικά προσαρμοσμένες βάσεις για μικρό χρονικό διάστημα. Το καθεστώς προστασίας της Ανταρκτικής στοχεύει αυστηρά στη διατήρηση της οικολογικής ιδιαιτερότητάς της, με βασικό άξονα την αποτροπή εισόδου μολυσματικών και ρυπογόνων παραγόντων. Στην εργασία μας εξετάζουμε τους παράγοντες που καθιστούν την Ανταρκτική μη κατοικήσιμη. Οι χιονοπτώσεις είναι συνεχείς, οι θερμοκρασίες φτάνουν μέχρι και -80℃ ενώ η ηλιακή ακτινοβολία μπορεί να προκαλέσει επικίνδυνα εγκαύματα. Αυτό δημιουργεί πολλά προβλήματα στους επισκέπτες, με κυριότερα την κατανάλωση 5000 θερμίδων/ημέρα, τη χρήση ειδικών ισοθερμικών ενδυμάτων και γυαλιών ηλίου. Οι υπερβολικά χαμηλές θερμοκρασίες έχουν ως αποτέλεσμα την πλήρη έλλειψη μικροβίων. Έτσι από τη μία δεν έχουμε μικροβιακές λοιμώξεις, από την άλλη όμως λείπουν οι αποικοδομητές. Δεν υπάρχει δυνατότητα αποικοδόμησης των οργανικών και ανόργανων αποβλήτων και αυτά πρέπει να μεταφερθούν αλλού. Οι άνθρωποι ζουν σε βάσεις που είναι πλήρως εξοπλισμένες με τα τελειότερα συστήματα θέρμανσης, ηλεκτροδότησης, εξαερισμού κλπ. Μια καταιγίδα μπορεί να θέσει εκτός λειτουργίας ένα από αυτά τα συστήματα θέτοντας σε κίνδυνο τη ζωή των κατοίκων.
Πώς επιδρούν τα διαφορετικά είδη μουσικής στους καρδιακούς παλμούς του ανθρώπου, κατά τη διάρκεια ήπιας άσκησης;
Authors: Ρίτσας Αθανάσιος , Σεσέρι Κωνσταντίνα , Σταμπουλίδου Θωμαή , Τσακίρης Κωνσταντίνος , Γρηγοριάδου Κυριακή , Μιχαηλίδης Νικόλαος
Published: July 2020

Σήμερα υπάρχει μια ποικιλία επιστημονικών ερευνών που έχουν πραγματοποιηθεί και έχουν ως κεντρικό θέμα την επίδραση της μουσικής στον ανθρώπινο οργανισμό και γενικότερα, σε κάθε πτυχή της ζωής του. Με αφορμή το ενδιαφέρον μας για την λειτουργία του ανθρώπινου οργανισμού και την ιδιαίτερη αγάπη μας για την Μουσική, επιλέξαμε να ερευνήσουμε πώς επιδρούν τα διαφορετικά είδη μουσικής στους καρδιακούς παλμούς του ανθρώπου, κατά την διάρκεια ήπιας άσκησης; Το ερευνητικό μέρος περιλαμβάνει την οργάνωση και την πραγματοποίηση του πειράματος πάνω στο οποίο βασίζεται η έρευνά μας, καθώς και στην ανάλυση των αποτελεσμάτων του πειράματος. Για κάθε συμμετέχοντα έγιναν τρεις διαφορετικές μετρήσεις των παλμών του, σε κατάσταση ηρεμίας, σε ηρεμία ακούγοντας διαφορετικά είδη μουσικής και σε ήπια άσκηση ακούγοντας τα ίδια είδη μουσικής. Από την επεξεργασία των δεδομένων της εργασίας μας, προκύπτει ότι οι καρδιακοί παλμοί τουανθρώπου αυξάνονται, όταν αυτός ακούει Metal μουσική, τόσο σε κατάσταση ηρεμίας όσο και στη διάρκεια ήπιας άσκησης.
Policy makers, regulators and researchers’ perspectives on genomics research and the capacity of the National Health Research Act of 2013 to regulate genomics research in Zambia
Authors: Mweemba Oliver , Musuku John , Matenga Tulani Francis L. , Parker Michael , Rutakumwa Rwamahe , Seeley Janet , Simanga Twambo , Tindana Paulina , de Vries Jantina
Published: July 2020

Background: Health research in sub-Saharan Africa takes place against a lengthy history of exploitation and unfair collaboration. This has involved the export of samples and data from the continent for the benefit of institutions and researchers elsewhere. In this paper, we report the perspectives of people involved in conducting genomics research in Zambia and the capacity of the Health Research Act (HRA) of 2013 in regulating genomics research.

Methods: We approached 14 purposively selected stakeholders involved in the development or implementation of the HRA in Zambia for in-depth interviews. These were members of research ethics committees, genomics researchers, Ministry of Health policy makers and institutional lawyers.

Results: Participants reported that there are benefits in genomics research for Zambia such as diagnosing and treatment of diseases. Participants also expressed concerns, most of which were ethical in nature. Prominent concerns were on consent. Participants’ main concern was the possible misuse of samples in the future. These concerns resonated with the HRA, which prohibits the use of broad consent for the collection of samples and data for future unspecified research. The implications of this is that Zambians may not participate in any kind of health research for which the storage, sharing and re-use of data or samples is envisaged. The restrictive nature of HRA means that genomics research may be excluded from future health research collaborations, thus isolating the country from potentially beneficial health research. Some policy makers also worried the samples and data that comes from such research may be difficult to access by local scientists.

Conclusion: In this article, we describe the views of Zambian policymakers on genomics research and the capacity of HRA in regulating genomics research. Our findings are relevant for the Zambian audience, and other African countries that are aiming to regulate health research, especially genomics research.
Cardiorespiratory physiological perturbations after acute smoke-induced lung injury and during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support in sheep
Authors: Chemonges Saul
Published: July 2020

Background: Numerous successful therapies developed for human medicine involve animal experimentation. Animal studies that are focused solely on translational potential, may not sufficiently document unexpected outcomes. Considerable amounts of data from such studies could be used to advance veterinary science. For example, sheep are increasingly being used as models of intensive care and therefore, data arising from such models must be published. In this study, the hypothesis is that there is little information describing cardiorespiratory physiological data from sheep models of intensive care and the author aimed to analyse such data to provide biological information that is currently not available for sheep that received extracorporeal life support (ECLS) following acute smoke-induced lung injury.

Methods: Nineteen mechanically ventilated adult ewes undergoing intensive care during evaluation of a form of ECLS (treatment) for acute lung injury were used to collate clinical observations. Eight sheep were injured by acute smoke inhalation prior to treatment (injured/treated), while another eight were not injured but treated (uninjured/treated). Two sheep were injured but not treated (injured/untreated), while one received room air instead of smoke as the injury and was not treated (placebo/untreated). The data were then analysed for 11 physiological categories and compared between the two treated groups.

Results: Compared with the baseline, treatment contributed to and exacerbated the deterioration of pulmonary pathology by reducing lung compliance and the arterial oxygen partial pressure to fractional inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2) ratio. The oxygen extraction index changes mirrored those of the PaO2/FiO2 ratio. Decreasing coronary perfusion pressure predicted the severity of cardiopulmonary injury.

Conclusions: These novel observations could help in understanding similar pathology such as that which occurs in animal victims of smoke inhalation from house or bush fires, aspiration pneumonia secondary to tick paralysis and in the management of the severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in humans.
Anti-c-myc cholesterol based lipoplexes as onco-nanotherapeutic agents in vitro
Authors: Habib Saffiya , Daniels Aliscia , Ariatti Mario , Singh Moganavelli
Published: July 2020

Background: Strategies aimed at inhibiting the expression of the c-myc oncogene could provide the basis for alternative cancer treatment. In this regard, silencing c-myc expression using small interfering RNA (siRNA) is an attractive option. However, the development of a clinically viable, siRNA-based, c-myc silencing system is largely dependent upon the design of an appropriate siRNA carrier that can be easily prepared. Nanostructures formed by the electrostatic association of siRNA and cationic lipid vesicles represent uncomplicated siRNA delivery systems.

Methods: This study has focused on cationic liposomes prepared with equimolar quantities of the cytofectin, N,N-dimethylaminopropylamido-succinylcholesteryl-formylhydrazide (MS09), and cholesterol (Chol) for the development of a simple, but effective anti-c-myc onco-nanotherapeutic agent. Liposomes formulated with dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) in place of Chol as the co-lipid were included for comparative purposes.

Results: Liposomes successfully bound siRNA forming lipoplexes of less than 200 nm in size, which assumed globular, bilamellar structures. The liposome formulations were well tolerated in the human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) and colon carcinoma (HT-29) cells, which overexpress c-myc. Lipoplexes directed against the c-myc transcript mediated a dramatic reduction in c-myc mRNA and protein levels. Moreover, oncogene knockdown and anti-cancer effects were superior to that of Lipofectamine™ 3000.

Conclusion: This anti-c-myc MS09:Chol lipoplex exemplifies a simple anticancer agent with enhanced c-myc gene silencing potential in vitro.
An Alternating Manifold Proximal Gradient Method for Sparse Principal Component Analysis and Sparse Canonical Correlation Analysis
Authors: Chen Shixiang , Ma Shiqian , Xue Lingzhou , Zou Hui
Published: July 2020

Sparse principal component analysis and sparse canonical correlation analysis are two essential techniques from high-dimensional statistics and machine learning for analyzing large-scale data. Both problems can be formulated as an optimization problem with nonsmooth objective and nonconvex constraints. Because nonsmoothness and nonconvexity bring numerical difficulties, most algorithms suggested in the literature either solve some relaxations of them or are heuristic and lack convergence guarantees. In this paper, we propose a new alternating manifold proximal gradient method to solve these two high-dimensional problems and provide a unified convergence analysis. Numerical experimental results are reported to demonstrate the advantages of our algorithm.
Children's spacers for the treatment of asthma: top ten tips
Authors: Henry Heather
Published: July 2020

In this article, Heather Henry provides a quick overview of what you need to know about children's use of spacers, with reference to the latest evidence
The efficacy of guided growth as an initial strategy for Blount disease treatment
Authors: Danino Barry , Rödl Robert , Herzenberg John E. , Shabtai Lior , Grill Franz , Narayanan Unni , Gigi Roy , Segev Eitan , Wientroub Shlomo
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the success of guided growth by temporal hemiepiphysiodesis of the lateral proximal tibia as a first line treatment option for Blount disease.

Methods

This was a retrospective multicentre study conducted in five centres, covering data on 55 limbs in 45 patients, with an average follow-up of 24.5 months following plate insertion. Preoperative alignment analysis was compared with three measurements taken postoperatively. The normalization of the mechanical medial proximal tibia angle (mMPTA) was defined as the primary outcome measure.

Results

Mean age at surgery was 9.5 years. Average preoperative mMPTA was 77°. On average, at 24.5 months post-surgery, mMPTA was 86.33°, while 43/55 limbs (78.18%) have achieved normalization (mMPTA 85° to 90°). Average rate of correction was 1° per month. When grouping the children as infantile (11 limbs), juvenile (12 limbs) and adolescent (32 limbs), operated on before the age of four years, between four and ten years and after the age of ten years, respectively, 63.63%, 66.67%, 87.5% have completed correction of deformity during the follow-up period. Interestingly, the femoral component of the deformity has achieved correction as well in 33/55 limbs (64%).

Conclusion

Hemiepiphysiodesis is an effective first line treatment for Blount disease. Overall success rate is good but varies according to child's age. Adolescent Blount has the best chance of achieving full correction while same treatment is less effective in infantile Blount. Level of evidence: IV
Pendekatan Model Nonparametrik untuk Memodelkan Hubungan Antara Jumlah Uang Beredar dan Indeks Harga Konsumen di Indonesia Tahun 1969-2017
Authors: Sihombing Pardomuan Robinson
Published: July 2020

Inflation is one of the macroeconomic variables of concern to the government in addition to economic growth, unemployment and poverty. Inflation is measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). According to the quantity theory of the classics, argues that the price level is determined by the amount of money in circulation, prices will rise if there is an increase in the money supply, assuming the amount of goods offered is fixed, while the amount of money is doubled, sooner or later the price will doubled. Often the relationship between macroeconomic variables is not always linear, it can be exponential, logarithmic, or highly fluctuating patterns. This nonlinear relationship cannot be forced using parametric regression which generally uses the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) or Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE) which often implies the existence of certain distributions and linear data patterns. In some literatures, researches using a linear model with OLS, for describing the relationship between CPI and money supply. This research uses several non parametric approaches, namely kernel and spline functions. The results obtained are a strong positive relationship between money supply and CPI, where money supply has a significantly positive effect on CPI. The most suitable non parametric method to describe the relationship pattern between CPI and money supply is the smoothing spline method with Generalized Cross Validation (GCV) parameter optimization method with the smallest RMSE and MAPE criteria and functions that can follow data patterns smoothly.

Keywords: CPI, money supply, non parametric, kernel, spline.
Comparative Studies of the Phytochemical and Antioxidant activities of the leaves, stems, roots, and seeds extracts of Mitracarpus scaber Zucc (Rubiaceae)
Authors: Coulibaly Wacothon Karime
Published: July 2020

Extracts of the leaves, stem, roots, and seeds of Mitracarpus scaber plants have been thoroughly investigated in an attempt to determine their phytochemical and antioxidant activities. Phytochemical screening carried out by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) revealed the presence of several secondary metabolites in all the selective extracts of the plant. The levels of phenolic compounds showed that the leaves of M. Scaber are the richest in polyphenols with an average value of 488.291 ± 1.205 μg GAE/g (microgram of gallic acid equivalent per gram of the dry matter of the powdered plant). The total flavonoid assay revealed a high content in the leaves (1.624 ± 0.032 %). Also, studies of the antioxidant activities by DPPH● (2,2-diphenyl-1'-picrylhydrazyl) method showed a significant effect compared to vitamin C (96.62 %). The percentages of inhibition are respectively 89.82 % and 82.3 % for ethyl acetate extracts of the leaves and seeds. Furthermore, the inhibitory percentages of n-butanol in the leaves and seeds are 90.57 % and 83.67 %, respectively. Calculated IC50 showed that the n-butanol fraction of the seeds exhibited the highest activity with an IC50 of 0.293 mg/mL less than ascorbic acid with an IC50 of 0.387 mg/mL.
Care workers’ ambivalence towards family care partners: informal decision-making processes when older people consider relocation to a residential home
Authors: Söderberg Maria
Published: July 2020

The aim of this article is to reveal how care workers in the home-help service interpret the influence of family care partners when older people’s relocation to a residential home is considered. Based on interviews with 33 care workers, this article investigates how they use their discretion. The analysis shows that the care workers express ambivalence towards family care workers and that they informally influence decision-making processes despite prevailing care management systems. The conclusion drawn are that welfare ideas in transformation and diffuse areas of responsibility may not benefit either care workers, family care partners or a care receiver’s self-determination.
Double layer SiO2–TiO2 sol–gel thin films on glass for antireflection, antifogging, and UV recoverable self-cleaning
Authors: Fardo F. M. , Ribeiro R. S. , Strauss J. A. , Nardi J. , Ferreira L. C. , Schmökel G. , Costa T. M. H. , Pereira M. B. , Horowitz F.
Published: July 2020

Double layer thin films, mechanically stable and adhering to glass, were produced through the sol–gel process, using tetraethyl orthosilicate and titanium butoxide as precursors. The refractive index of the titania and silica–titania composite layers were typically 2.1 and 1.7, and their physical thicknesses were approximately 65 nm and 81 nm, respectively, as determined by ellipsometry. These optical constants allowed attainment of quarter-wave optical thicknesses at the center of the visible spectrum (550 nm) as designed, with an increase of 3.4% in transmittance. The nanometric surface roughness, measured by optical profilometry, was effective to decrease light scattering and water contact angles to below 10°. As novelty in dip-coated sol–gel films, superhydrophilicity for self-cleaning, antifogging, and antireflection in the mid-visible spectrum were simultaneously attained with durability of 9 weeks in the dark. Further application of UV light allowed regeneration of contact angles for self-cleaning.
Temperature measurement with compositional correction of gas mixture based on laser-induced plasma
Authors: Li Shishi , Dong Meirong , Cheng Lihua , Luo Fasheng , Zhao Weihao , Lu Jidong
Published: July 2020

Laser-induced breakdown plasma was used for gas temperature measurement based on the residual energy of a laser pulse defined as the laser energy detected in the beam path as well as plasma emissions. Gas mixtures with different compositions (

O

2

/

N

2

,

O

2

/

C
O

2

, and

O

2

/

N

2

/

C
O

2

) were used to simulate the main components of combustion products at different temperatures. First, the correlation of residual energy and gas temperature was investigated, which showed that the residual energy increased with an increase in the gas temperature. The results showed that it also relates to the gas composition, which would affect the characteristics of laser-induced plasma. Then the spectral emission ratio of the plasma (O/N, O/C, and C/N) was obtained simultaneously to correct the compositional effect on the temperature measurement. Finally, the gas temperature with different components can be obtained by the equation coupled with the gas temperature, residual energy, and gas composition. The corrected temperature is consistent with that obtained by thermocouple and the gas temperature measurement error is less than 3.5% in the range from 309 K to 548 K.
Fast rigorous mask model for extreme ultraviolet lithography
Authors: Zhang Zinan , Li Sikun , Wang Xiangzhao , Cheng Wei
Published: July 2020

The calculation of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) mask diffraction spectrum is the key of EUV lithography simulation. In this paper, a fast rigorous EUV mask model is proposed to calculate the diffraction spectrum fast and accurately. Based on the mask structure decomposition method, the relationship among the region diffraction, the boundary diffraction of the absorber, and the direction of incident light is analyzed at first. Then the frequency-domain functions related to angle of incidence and diffraction angle are established to model the geometrical and boundary diffraction of the absorber. The fast rigorous EUV mask model is established by combining the equivalent layer multilayer model based on the Fresnel formula and the accurate absorber model. Simulations and comparisons show the effectiveness of the proposed model. For the 14 nm vertical line-space pattern, the calculation errors of critical dimension (CD) via the proposed model are reduced by 80.6% and 93.9% compared with the structure decomposition method for dense and isolate features.