bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adult-onset perianal Langerhans cell histiocytosis presenting as pruritus ani: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Hamdan Marah , Qiao Jesse C. , Fikfak Vid
Published: July 2021

Background

Langerhans cells belong to the histiocytic system and give rise to two tumors: Langerhans cell histiocytosis and Langerhans cell sarcoma. Clinical aggressiveness and degree of atypia distinguish the two neoplasms. Langerhans cell histiocytosis can infiltrate a single or multiple organ systems and particularly affects bone, skin, and lymph nodes. Perianal cutaneous Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a rare condition in adults, with 15 cases reported in the literature.

Case

We present the case of a 50-year-old hispanic man who presented with a 9-month history of pruritus ani and a personal history of diabetes insipidus. Punch biopsy confirmed a lesion of Langerhans cells origin but could not exclude Langerhans cell sarcoma because of limited sample size. An additional biopsy was planned as well as a positron emission tomography scan to determine the extent of disease spread. While the patient failed to follow up for repeat biopsy, the positron emission tomography scan was performed and was negative for metastatic disease. A stable perianal lesion of Langerhans cell histiocytosis with benign clinical features in a 50-year-old male despite lack of treatment is extremely rare and has not been described in the literature so far. Here, we review the presentation and workup of patients with Langerhans cell histiocytosis, review the relevant literature, and discuss treatment planning.

Conclusion

Perianal Langerhans cell histiocytosis is rare, and there should be a high index of suspicion with chronic or new perianal lesions, especially in a patient with a history of diabetes insipidus. It is also important to consider the patient’s full clinical course when it is not possible to reach a definitive pathological diagnosis before management.
Asymptomatic meningitis diagnosed by positron emission tomography in a patient with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion: a case report
Authors: Hasebe Masanori , Shirakawa Jun , Miyashita Daisuke , Kunishita Rieko , Kyohara Mayu , Okuyama Tomoko , Togashi Yu , Terauchi Yasuo
Published: July 2021

Background

Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion can be caused by arginine-vasopressin-producing tumors or enhanced arginine vasopressin secretion from the posterior pituitary gland due to central nervous system disorders and intrathoracic diseases.

Case presentation

A 53-year-old Asian man was hospitalized with complaints of tremor and hiccups. Laboratory examination revealed findings suggestive of hypotonic hyponatremia due to syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion. The patient did not complain of headache or photophobia, and showed no signs of meningeal irritation. Positron emission tomography–computed tomography revealed 18F-fluoro-deoxy-glucose accumulation along the cervical spinal cord, based on which the patient was diagnosed as having aseptic meningitis. The hyponatremia was treated successfully by fluid restriction, and optimum plasma sodium concentration was maintained by tolvaptan administration.

Conclusions

This case underscores the need to consider the possibility of mild meningitis as the cause of syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion in patients without other identifiable cause.
Study on new integral operators defined using confluent hypergeometric function
Authors: Oros Georgia Irina
Published: July 2021

Two new integral operators are defined in this paper using the classical Bernardi and Libera integral operators and the confluent (or Kummer) hypergeometric function. It is proved that the new operators preserve certain classes of univalent functions, such as classes of starlike and convex functions, and that they extend starlikeness of order $\frac{1}{2}$

1

2

and convexity of order $\frac{1}{2}$

1

2

to starlikeness and convexity, respectively. For obtaining the original results, the method of admissible functions is used, and the results are also written as differential inequalities and interpreted using inclusion properties for certain subsets of the complex plane. The example provided shows an application of the original results.
A study on multiterm hybrid multi-order fractional boundary value problem coupled with its stability analysis of Ulam–Hyers type
Authors: Nouara Ahmed , Amara Abdelkader , Kaslik Eva , Etemad Sina , Rezapour Shahram , Martinez Francisco , Kaabar Mohammed K. A.
Published: July 2021

In this research work, a newly-proposed multiterm hybrid multi-order fractional boundary value problem is studied. The existence results for the supposed hybrid fractional differential equation that involves Riemann–Liouville fractional derivatives and integrals of multi-orders type are derived using Dhage’s technique, which deals with a composition of three operators. After that, its stability analysis of Ulam–Hyers type and the relevant generalizations are checked. Some illustrative numerical examples are provided at the end to illustrate and validate our obtained results.
Clinical characteristics and risk factors for mortality in COVID-19 inpatients in Birjand, Iran: a single-center retrospective study
Authors: Azarkar Ghodsiyeh , Osmani Freshteh
Published: July 2021

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) has affected mortality worldwide. The Cox proportional hazard (CPH) model is becoming more popular in time-to-event data analysis. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics in COVID-19 inpatients including (survivor and non-survivor); thus helping clinicians give the right treatment and assess prognosis and guide the treatment.

Methods

This single-center study was conducted at Hospital for COVID-19 patients in Birjand. Inpatients with confirmed COVID-19 were included. Patients were classified as the discharged or survivor group and the death or non-survivor group based on their outcome (improvement or death). Clinical, epidemiological characteristics, as well as laboratory parameters, were extracted from electronic medical records. Independent sample T test and the Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test were used to evaluate the association of interested variables. The CPH model was used for survival analysis in the COVID-19 death patients. Significant level was set as 0.05 in all analyses.

Results

The results showed that the mortality rate was about (17.4%). So that, 62(17%) patients had died due to COVID-19, and 298 (83.6%) patients had recovered and discharged. Clinical parameters and comorbidities such as oxygen saturation, lymphocyte and platelet counts, hemoglobin levels, C-reactive protein, and liver and kidney function, were statistically significant between both studied groups. The results of the CPH model showed that comorbidities, hypertension, lymphocyte counts, platelet count, and C-reactive protein level, may increase the risk of death due to the COVID-19 as risk factors in inpatients cases.

Conclusions

Patients with, lower lymphocyte counts in hemogram, platelet count and serum albumin, and high C-reactive protein level, and also patients with comorbidities may have more risk for death. So, it should be given more attention to risk management in the progression of COVID-19 disease.
The development of a contextually appropriate measure of psychological distress in Sierra Leone
Authors: Horn Rebecca , Jailobaeva Kanykey , Arakelyan Stella , Ager Alastair
Published: July 2021

Background

Studies of psychological distress in Sierra Leone have typically used measures which were developed for use in other contexts, and which often have not been adapted or validated for use in Sierra Leone. This has resulted in a lack of reliable information about the patterns of psychological distress within the population, which is a barrier to the development of effective and appropriate mental health services. The aim of the study was to develop a locally-appropriate measure of psychological distress for Sierra Leone.

Methods

The new measure consists of two instruments: the Sierra Leone Psychological Distress Scale (SLPDS) and a gendered measure of ability to carry out daily tasks—a Function scale—as an indication of the severity of distress. A three-phase mixed methods exploratory sequential study was conducted. Phase 1 was item generation and testing, leading to the development of a set of potential items for both instruments. Phase 2 was a small pilot study (N = 202) leading to the selection of the final set of items for both measures. Phase 3 was a validation phase where the SLPDS and the Function scale were administered with a larger sample of 904 respondents. Item analysis was used to assess the internal consistency of the scales, and Exploratory Factor Analysis to explore the properties of the SLPDS.

Results

Exploratory factor analysis using the principal axis factoring with an oblique rotation identified a three-factor structure for the 18-item SLPDS. Internal consistency for the SLPDS (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.89) and three subscales was good (Cronbach’s alpha > 0.73). The internal reliability of the male and female versions of the Function scale was also found to be acceptable (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.90 for the female scale and 0.79 for the male scale).

Conclusions

Together the SLPD and Function scales provide a locally-validated tool which will enable government bodies and local and international non-governmental organisations in Sierra Leone to assess mental health and psychosocial needs. This will support both effective service provision and the evaluation of initiatives designed to improve mental health and psychosocial wellbeing.
A novel framework for integrating social media as cooperative learning tool in higher education’s classrooms
Authors: Hamadi Mostafa , El-Den Jamal , Azam Sami , Sriratanaviriyakul Narumon Cherry
Published: July 2021

Despite the considerable body of literature on social media (SM)’s use as formal educational tools within universities, little has been done to provide a comprehensive adoption framework for SM as cooperative learning (CL) instruments. Nonetheless, the pedagogical arguments for SM’s use in HE have theory support. This paper proposes an original SM integration framework based on CL methods within higher education (HE). An integrative review of relevant literature followed by a thematic review of six peer-reviewed empirical research and a thorough examination of relevant SM adoption models are conducted to identify commonalties and themes. In total, six themes were identified and incorporated as major components in the proposed framework. To the best of our knowledge, no previous research has proposed a framework that incorporates CL principles to support an effective SM integration process in HE. This paper proposes a novel integration framework which is a theoretically driven pedagogical guide for incorporating SM in HE’s classrooms. It provides valuable insights on SM’s use in education and forms the basis for future quantitative and qualitative (framework-testing) research in this area of study.
High Coexpression of the Ghrelin and LEAP2 Receptor GHSR With Pancreatic Polypeptide in Mouse and Human Islets
Authors: Gupta Deepali , Dowsett Georgina K C , Mani Bharath K , Shankar Kripa , Osborne-Lawrence Sherri , Metzger Nathan P , Lam Brian Y H , Yeo Giles S H , Zigman Jeffrey M
Published: July 2021

Islets represent an important site of direct action of the hormone ghrelin, with expression of the ghrelin receptor (growth hormone secretagogue receptor; GHSR) having been localized variably to alpha cells, beta cells, and/or somatostatin (SST)-secreting delta cells. To our knowledge, GHSR expression by pancreatic polypeptide (PP)-expressing gamma cells has not been specifically investigated. Here, histochemical analyses of Ghsr-IRES-Cre × Cre-dependent ROSA26-yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) reporter mice showed 85% of GHSR-expressing islet cells coexpress PP, 50% coexpress SST, and 47% coexpress PP + SST. Analysis of single-cell transcriptomic data from mouse pancreas revealed 95% of Ghsr-expressing cells coexpress Ppy, 100% coexpress Sst, and 95% coexpress Ppy + Sst. This expression was restricted to gamma-cell and delta-cell clusters. Analysis of several single-cell human pancreatic transcriptome data sets revealed 59% of GHSR-expressing cells coexpress PPY, 95% coexpress SST, and 57% coexpress PPY + SST. This expression was prominent in delta-cell and beta-cell clusters, also occurring in other clusters including gamma cells and alpha cells. GHSR expression levels were upregulated by type 2 diabetes mellitus in beta cells. In mice, plasma PP positively correlated with fat mass and with plasma levels of the endogenous GHSR antagonist/inverse agonist LEAP2. Plasma PP also elevated on LEAP2 and synthetic GHSR antagonist administration. These data suggest that in addition to delta cells, beta cells, and alpha cells, PP-expressing pancreatic cells likely represent important direct targets for LEAP2 and/or ghrelin both in mice and humans.
Tumour cell CD99 regulates transendothelial migration via CDC42 and actin remodelling
Authors: Mannion Aarren J. , Odell Adam F. , Taylor Alison , Jones Pamela F. , Cook Graham P.
Published: July 2021

Metastasis requires tumour cells to cross endothelial cell (EC) barriers using pathways similar to those used by leucocytes during inflammation. Cell surface CD99 is expressed by healthy leucocytes and ECs, and participates in inflammatory transendothelial migration (TEM). Tumour cells also express CD99, and we have analysed its role in tumour progression and cancer cell TEM. Tumour cell CD99 was required for adhesion to ECs but inhibited invasion of the endothelial barrier and migratory activity. Furthermore, CD99 depletion in tumour cells caused redistribution of the actin cytoskeleton and increased activity of the Rho GTPase CDC42, known for its role in actin remodelling and cell migration. In a xenograft model of breast cancer, tumour cell CD99 expression inhibited metastatic progression, and patient samples showed reduced expression of the CD99 gene in brain metastases compared to matched primary breast tumours. We conclude that CD99 negatively regulates CDC42 and cell migration. However, CD99 has both pro- and anti-tumour activity, and our data suggest that this results in part from its functional linkage to CDC42 and the diverse signalling pathways downstream of this Rho GTPase.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Learning walks in an Australian desert ant,Melophorus bagoti
Authors: Deeti Sudhakar , Cheng Ken
Published: July 2021

The central Australian ant Melophorus bagoti is the most thermophilic ant in Australia and forages solitarily in the summer months during the hottest period of the day. For successful navigation, desert ants of many species are known to integrate a path and learn landmark cues around the nest. Ants perform a series of exploratory walks around the nest before their first foraging trip, during which they are presumed to learn about their landmark panorama. Here, we studied 15 naive M. bagoti ants transitioning from indoor work to foraging outside the nest. In 3–4 consecutive days, they performed 3–7 exploratory walks before heading off to forage. Naive ants increased the area of exploration around the nest and the duration of trips over successive learning walks. In their first foraging walk, the majority of the ants followed a direction explored on their last learning walk. During learning walks, the ants stopped and performed stereotypical orientation behaviours called pirouettes. They performed complete body rotations with stopping phases as well as small circular walks without stops known as voltes. After just one learning walk, these desert ants could head in the home direction from locations 2 m from the nest, although not from locations 4 m from the nest. These results suggest gradual learning of the visual landmark panorama around the foragers’ nest. Our observations show that M. bagoti exhibit similar characteristics in their learning walks to other desert ants of the genera Ocymyrmex and Cataglyphis.
Correlated decision making across multiple phases of olfactory-guided search in Drosophila improves search efficiency
Authors: van Breugel Floris
Published: July 2021

Nearly all motile organisms must search for food, often requiring multiple phases of exploration across heterogeneous environments. The fruit fly, Drosophila, has emerged as an effective model system for studying this behavior; however, little is known about the extent to which experiences at one point in their search might influence decisions in another. To investigate whether prior experiences impact flies’ search behavior after landing, I tracked individually labelled fruit flies as they explored three odor-emitting but food-barren objects. I found two features of their behavior that are correlated with the distance they travel on foot. First, flies walked larger distances when they approached the odor source, which they were almost twice as likely to do when landing on the patch farthest downwind. Computational fluid dynamics simulations suggest this patch may have had a stronger baseline odor, but only ∼15% higher than the other two patches. This small increase, together with flies’ high olfactory sensitivity, suggests that their flight trajectory used to approach the patches plays a role. Second, flies also walked larger distances when the time elapsed since their last visit was longer. However, the correlation is subtle and subject to a large degree of variability. Using agent-based models, I show that this small correlation can increase search efficiency by 25–50% across many scenarios. Furthermore, my models provide mechanistic hypotheses explaining the variability through either a noisy or stochastic decision-making process. Surprisingly, these stochastic decision-making algorithms enhance search efficiency in challenging but realistic search scenarios compared with deterministic strategies.
A real-world study evaluating ultrasound-guided percutaneous non-targeted liver biopsy needle failures and pathology sample-quality assessment in both end-cut and side-notch needles
Authors: Zhong Jim , Allard Rachel , Hewitson Dominic , Weston Michael , Hulson Oliver , Burbidge Simon , Lambie Hannah , Kaye Tom , Wyatt Judith I , Albazaz Raneem
Published: July 2021

Objectives:

To determine biopsy device failures, causative factors, complications and sample quality of the 16G end-cut Biopince™ and side-notch Bard™ needles.

Methods:

All ultrasound-guided non-targeted liver biopsies between 01/01/2016 and 31/12/2018 were included. Operator, device, number of failures, complications and repeat biopsies were recorded. Histopathology samples were reviewed for all cases of needle failure and a group with no failures, and graded “yes/no” for the presence of steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis. The pathology slides from these cases were reviewed to assess biopsy sample quality (length and portal tract number). The failure and no-failure groups were compared in terms of device type/histology, and sample quality was compared between the needle types.

Results:

1004 patients were included. 93.8% (n = 942) required one needle pass to obtain a sample and 6.2% (n = 62) required >1 pass due to needle failure. Total of 76 needle failures, more with end-cut than side-notch needles (8.7% vs 2.9%) (p < 0.001). No needle failures resulted in complication. The presence of liver fibrosis was associated with fewer needle failures (p = 0.036). The major complication rate was 0.4% (4/1044). A biopsy with >10 portal tracts was obtained in 90.2% of specimens > 20 mm long, compared with 66% of 16–20 mm biopsies and 21% of <16 mm biopsies. The target of >10 portal tracts was achieved in 10/26 (38.5%) of side-notch biopsies and 64/90 (71.1%) of end-cut biopsies (p = 0.004).

Conclusion:

Ultrasound-guided liver biopsy is safe and sample quality is consistently good when a core >20 mm long is obtained. The end-cut biopsy device generated reliably good quality biopsy samples; however, the needle failure rate was significantly higher than the side-cut needle.

Advances in knowledge:

Ultrasound-guided liver biopsy specimen quality is consistently good when a core >20 mm long is obtained which can be achieved with a single pass using the 16G BiopinceTM end-cut needle, although the needle failure rate is significantly higher than the 16G Max-Core™ Bard™ side-notch needle.
Radiation concerns in frequent flyer patients: should imaging history influence decisions about recurrent imaging?
Authors: Sodickson Aaron D
Published: July 2021

Radiation risks from diagnostic imaging have captured the attention of patients and medical practitioners alike, yet it remains unclear how these considerations can best be incorporated into clinical decision-making. This manuscript presents a framework to consider these issues in a potentially at-risk population, the so called “frequent flyer” patients undergoing a large amount of recurrent imaging over time. Radiation risks from the low-dose exposures of diagnostic imaging are briefly reviewed, as applied to recurrent exposures. Some scenarios are then explored in which it may be helpful to incorporate knowledge of a patient’s imaging history. There is no simple or uniformly applicable approach to these challenging and often nuanced clinical decisions. The complexity and variability of the underlying disease states and trajectories argues against alerting mechanisms based on a simple cumulative dose threshold. Awareness of imaging history may instead be beneficial in encouraging physicians and patients to take the long view, and to identify those populations of frequent flyers that might benefit from alternative imaging strategies.
Aortic intramural hematoma and classic aortic dissection: two sides of the same coin within the acute aortic syndrome for an interventional radiologist
Authors: Pitrone Pietro , Cattafi Antonino , Mastroeni Giampiero , Patanè Francesco , Ceresa Fabrizio , Nirta Giuseppe , Bellone Italo Giuseppe , Monsù Enrico , Carerj Maria Ludovica , Coglitore Alessandra
Published: July 2021

Management of acute type B aortic intramural haematoma (AIH) still represents a challenging issue. Although most resolve spontaneously or with conservative therapy, several cases of AIH may complicate into classic aortic dissection with subsequent risk of aortic rupture and visceral malperfusion, thus needing urgent or preemptive thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR). Despite the long-term aorta-related survival, TEVAR might lead to graft obstruction, migration, infection, stroke/paraplegia, visceral ischemia, endoleak and, last but not least, retrograde aortic dissection (AD), frequent in the acute phase and associated with a high mortality risk. In order to highlight such a close relationship between AIH and AD and the possibility to perform endovascular treatment, we report the experience of an adult female patient with an aortic intramural haematoma evolving into a classic aortic dissection. Despite successful thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR), our patient developed an aortic dissection type A at one month with subsequent indication for cardiac surgery still representing the elective approach in case of pathologies including the ascending aorta. Thus, the aim of our discussion is to create a debate on the most appropriate management for the treatment of descending AIH.
Φυσική δραστηριότητα – άσκηση και παράγοντες καρδιαγγειακού κινδύνου: υπέρταση, δυσλιπιδαιμία, παχυσαρκία
Authors: Μπούρδας Δημήτριος Ηλίας
Published: July 2021

Όλο και περισσότερα ευρήματα μελετών αναδεικνύουν τη συμμετοχή σε προγράμματα φυσικής δραστηριότητας και παρεμβατικής άσκησης ως απαραίτητα συστατικά για τη μείωση της σοβαρότητας των καρδιαγγειακών παραγόντων κινδύνου, όπως η υπέρταση, η δυσλιπιδαιμία και η παχυσαρκία. Ωστόσο, είναι λιγότερο σαφές εάν και ποιος τύπος παρεμβάσεων φυσικής δραστηριότητας και άσκησης (αερόβια άσκηση, δυναμική άσκηση αντίστασης ή και τα δύο) ή χαρακτηριστικά άσκησης (συχνότητα, ένταση, διάρκεια και όγκος) θα αποφέρουν περισσότερο όφελος για κάθε ξεχωριστό παράγοντα κίνδυνου. Ο σκοπός της μελέτης αυτής είναι η παρουσίαση της σχέσης ανάμεσα στη φυσική δραστηριότητα - άσκηση και τους σπουδαιότερους παράγοντες επικινδυνότητας καρδιολογικών νοσημάτων (υπέρταση, δυσλιπιδαιμία, και παχυσαρκία). Η παρούσα μελέτη αναθεωρεί και κάνει συστάσεις για τη φυσική δραστηριότητα και την παρεμβατική άσκηση, με στόχο τη βέλτιστη διαχείριση της καρδιαγγειακής υγείας σε άτομα με παράγοντες καρδιαγγειακού κινδύνου. Η καθοδήγηση που παρέχεται απευθύνεται σε όλους τους εμπλεκόμενους φορείς, συναφείς κλάδους και ειδικότητες, υπεύθυνους χάραξης πολιτικής για τη δημόσια υγεία αλλά και μεμονωμένους πολίτες. Με βάση τις προηγούμενες και τις τρέχουσες ανασκοπήσεις της βιβλιογραφίας, διατυπώνονται τεκμηριωμένες επιστημονικά συστάσεις σχετικά με τον τύπο, τον όγκο και την ένταση της φυσικής δραστηριότητας σε άτομα με παράγοντες καρδιαγγειακού κινδύνου. Συμπερασματικά, αερόβια άσκηση που υπερβαίνει το κατώφλι της έντασης των 4,5 ΜΕΤ και διαρκεί 30 min από μερικές φορές την εβδομάδα έως κάθε μέρα, έχει θεαματικά αποτελέσματά σε σχέση με την υπέρταση, την κατανομή των λιπιδίων στο αίμα και την παχυσαρκία. Η σημαντική αξία της άσκησης ως μέσο πρόληψης των καρδιοπαθειών πλεονεκτεί σε δύο σημαντικά σημεία. Αφενός, στη διατήρηση της υγείας και ευρρωστίας του ανθρώπινου οργανισμού με μείωση της πιθανότητας εμφάνισης καρδιοπαθειών έως και 2-3 φορές, και αφετέρου, στο χαμηλό κόστος.
Eιδικό Τεύχος: Πρακτικά Προγράμματος «Oργάνωση και Διοίκηση της Εκπαίδευσης: Τάσεις και Προοπτικές»
Authors: Αγαλιανού Ολυμπία
Published: July 2021

Eιδικό Τεύχος: Πρακτικά Προγράμματος «Oργάνωση και Διοίκηση της Εκπαίδευσης: Τάσεις και Προοπτικές»
Προσαρμογή στα Ελληνικά και στάθμιση τεσσάρων ερωτηματολογίων του διαθεωρητικού μοντέλου σχετικών με τη φυσική δραστηριότητα σε εφήβους
Authors: Τζωρμπατζάκης Νικόλαος , Sleap Mike
Published: July 2021

Mία σειρά τεσσάρων ερωτηματολογίων του διαθεωρητικού μοντέλου προσαρμόστηκαν στα Ελληνικά και σταθμίστηκαν για ένα δείγμα εφήβων. Το πλήθος του δείγματος κυμάνθηκε μεταξύ 17 και 61 εφήβων, στις διάφορες μεθόδους που χρησιμοποιήθηκαν, με μέσο όρο ηλικίας τα 15.8 έτη. Η προσαρμογή έγινε από τα Αγγλικά στα Ελληνικά χρησιμοποιώντας τη μέθοδο μετάφραση-πίσω-μετάφραση. Κατά τη στάθμιση τα ερωτηματολόγια εξετάστηκαν ως προς την ταυτόχρονη εγκυρότητα, εσωτερική αξιοπιστία και αξιοπιστία εξέτασης- επανεξέτασης. Το ερωτηματολόγιο των σταδίων αλλαγής συμπεριφοράς έδειξε ικανοποιητική ταυτόχρονη εγκυρότητα με καρδιοσυχνομέτρηση συνδυασμένη με ημερολόγια δραστηριοτήτων καθώς και ικανοποιητική αξιοπιστία εξέτασης-επανεξέτασης δύο εβδομάδων. Τα ερωτηματολόγια των διαδικασιών αλλαγής συμπεριφοράς, της αυτό- αποτελεσματικότητας και του ισοζυγίου απόφασης βρέθηκαν να έχουν ικανοποιητική εσωτερική αξιοπιστία, και στις περισσότερες περιπτώσεις ικανοποιητική αξιοπιστία εξέτασης-επανεξέτασης δύο εβδομάδων. Καταδεικνύεται ότι τα εξεταζόμενα ερωτηματολόγια φανέρωσαν ικανοποιητικά ψυχομετρικά χαρακτηριστικά ώστε να μπορούν να χρησιμοποιηθούν με εμπιστοσύνη στο παρόν δείγμα αλλά και σε άλλα παρόμοια Ελληνικά δείγματα στο μέλλον.
Rebalancing the extra-judicial scales: Documentary aesthetics and the legacy of the Central Park Five
Authors: Baliño Rios Sofia
Published: July 2021

The Central Park jogger case has returned to news headlines with the 2019 Netflix mini-series When They See Us, a dramatised account of the original trials. It has reignited debate over the injustices faced by the Black community in the United States, and led to lawsuits and job resignations on the part of former police investigators and prosecutors. Since the case’s inception, issues of race, media reporting, economics, and the identity of New York City have influenced the trial and its aftermath and have inspired documentaries, books, and the landmark 1990 essay “Sentimental Journeys” by Joan Didion. In this article, I argue that the creators of two of these works, by testing the boundaries of narrative, demonstrate that the case was inexorably tainted by a pervasive feeling of social precarity and racial prejudice which cost five young men several years of their lives, and offer a productive line of enquiry for acknowledging such factors and their influence, if not resolving them.
A simple optical pH sensor based on pectin and Ruellia tuberosa L-derived anthocyanin for fish freshness monitoring
Authors: Nazaruddin Nazaruddin , Afifah Nurul , Bahi Muhammad , Susilawati Susilawati , Sani Nor Diyana Md. , Esmaeili Chakavak , Iqhrammullah Muhammad , Murniana Murniana , Hasanah Uswatun , Safitri Eka
Published: July 2021

A simple optical pH sensor using the active compound anthocyanin (ACN), derived Ruellia tuberosa L. flower immobilized in a pectin membrane matrix, was been fabricated and employed to monitor the freshness of tilapia fish at room temperature and 4oC storage. The quantitative pH values were measured based on the UV-Vis spectroscopy absorbance. The optimum pectin weight and ACN concentrations were 0.1% and 0.025 mg/L. The sensor showed good sensitivity at 0.03 M phosphate buffer solution. The sensor’s reproducibility was evaluated using 10 replicate sensors where a standard deviation of 0.045 or relative standard deviation of 9.15 was achieved. The sensor displayed an excellent response after 10 minutes of exposure, possessing a response stability for 10 consecutive days. The decrease in pH value of the Tilapia fish from 7.3 to 5 was observed in a 48 hour test, which can be used as the parameter when monitoring fish freshness. Overall, this reported optical pH sensor has a novelty as it could be used to monitor the rigor mortis phase of fish meat, which is useful in food industry.
Essential oil extraction from onion using ethanol and CO2 as an extraction fluid mixture
Authors: dos Santos Etiandra , Tingeira Teresa Saleme , da Costa Vicencia de Fátima Cristovão , Chiarello Luana Marcele , Chivanga Barros António André
Published: July 2021

Introduction: Essential oils are volatile chemical compounds, widely known by their fragrance, as well as by antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. These oils are generally extracted from aromatic plants in procedures using conventional solvents.

Methods: In this study, essential oil was extracted from onion (previously chopped and dried) using a mixture of ethanol and CO2 as the extraction fluid. The essential oil obtained from the extraction was collected and purified and the mass was determined (by weighing) to evaluate the effect of CO2 flow on the yield. The essential oil extracted and purified was characterized to determine the acid and refraction indexes, viscosity, and specific mass.

Results: The values obtained for refraction and acid indexes are within limits and similar to the average reported in literature. In all cases, when the CO2 was used, there was an increase the essential oil recovery. In terms of quality, the products from this process were characterized to determine the density, acid index and refraction index. The results obtained were similar to those published in the literature.

Discussion: The proposed apparatus and CO2 methodology can be considered a good alternative to boost the extraction of essential oil aiming the obtaining of new products for use as raw materials in different industrial processes. Since this apparatus presents more than double extraction yield than Soxhlet experiment.
Prospects for the use of video games as a means of positioning the foreign policy of the Russian Federation
Authors: Belov S.
Published: July 2021

The aim of this work is to assess the potential of using video games as a means of positioning the foreign policy of the Russian Federation. The research methodology is built by combining an expert survey with elements of descriptive analysis and case study. Within the framework of this study, 10 expert informal interviews were conducted using online video communication services. The author comes to the conclusion that video games have high potential in terms of being used as a resource for positioning Russia's foreign policy. A high degree of genre differentiation makes it possible to use them as a tool to influence the political perception of all segments of the target audience. Game genres, which are potentially attractive to a wide range of users who do not have a sustained interest in political topics, are the least resource-intensive. At the same time, within the community of gamers, there is potentially already formed consumer demand for a new product that belongs to familiar genres, but has an original storyline. The practical significance of the work lies in the development of specific recommendations that can be used in the framework of the program for the creation and promotion of appropriate video games. The theoretical significance is manifested through the possibility of improving explanatory models through the analysis of the revealed empirical material.
Prospects and opportunities of digital diplomacy
Authors: Sinchuk Yu. , Kashirina T.
Published: July 2021

The main purpose of the article is to analyze the development of the phenomenon of digital diplomacy at the present stage. The article defines the term «digital diplomacy», examines the origins of this phenomenon and its application in the current world order. The main method of scientific analysis were the historical method, as well as the SWOT analysis matrix. The main focus of the article is aimed at the use of various methods of digital diplomacy by foreign ministries of various countries. In particular, examples of the implementation of activities through digital diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation are considered; current problems and prospects for the development of the department's activities in the digital space are identified. In addition, the authors consider the ways in which digital diplomacy affects the political agenda and the impact of the spread of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) on this phenomenon at the global and local levels. The main conclusions drawn from the analysis of the above-mentioned issues include the following: currently digital diplomacy of various states is most often understood as activities aimed at influencing the opinion of the foreign audience; it is the digital diplomacy that is called the main catalyst for various mass protests around the world; in the period of coronavirus infection tools of digital diplomacy in the absence of other methods of influence on the audience reached a new level; the undoubted effectiveness of methods of impact on the audience through the information and communication technologies proves the need for the development of such tools and the development of alternative agenda in the Russian Federation. The theoretical and practical significance of the work is determined by the relevance of the topic: digital diplomacy is an integral factor that largely determines the course of various political processes around the world; in addition, the results of the analysis can be used to develop a state strategy in this direction and also can be helpful in direct implementation of the digital diplomacy.
Validade e clareza dos conceitos e terminologias do Guia de Atividade Física para a População Brasileira
Authors: Benedetti Tânia Rosane Bertoldo , Borges Lucélia Justino , Streit Inês Amanda , Garcia Leandro Martin Totaro , Manta Sofia Wolker , Mendonça Gerfeson , Binotto Maria Angélica , Christofoletti Marina , Silva-Júnior Fernando Lopes e , Hallal Pedro Curi , Papini Camila Bosquiero
Published: July 2021

Nosso objetivo foi avaliar a validade e a clareza dos conceitos e terminologias adotados na elaboração do Guia de Atividade Física para a População Brasileira (Guia). O Grupo de Trabalho Domínios da Atividade Física (GT Domínios) conduziu a avaliação da validade e da clareza dos conceitos e terminologias relacionados a atividade física (AF), comportamento sedentário, domínios (tempo livre, deslocamento, trabalho ou estudo e tarefas domésticas) e intensidades da AF (leve, moderada e vigorosa), em três etapas: 1- Proposição dos conceitos; 2- Escuta com pesquisadores (dois momentos); 3- Consulta pública. Os conceitos propostos pelo GT Domínios foram baseados em guias internacionais, artigos científicos, relatórios nacionais e conhecimentos técnico-científicos-acadêmicos dos integrantes do GT Domínios, discutidos em reuniões (etapa 1). Na escuta com pesquisadores (etapa 2) foram testadas a validade e a clareza dos conceitos em dois momentos. Participaram 70 e 40 pesquisadores vinculados aos outros GT do Guia no primeiro e segundo momentos, respectivamente. Em ambas as escutas, todos os conceitos apresentaram índice de concordância para validade e clareza igual ou superior a 80%. As sugestões convergentes indicadas na etapa 2 foram incluídas e novas versões dos conceitos foram disponibilizadas para a terceira etapa (consulta pública), realizada pelo Ministério da Saúde. Foram realizadas 14 sugestões relacionadas aos conceitos que foram aceitas e incorporadas ao texto do Guia, quando pertinentes. Conclui-se que os conceitos e terminologias relacionados a AF propostos pelo GT Domínios para compor o Guia, após a avaliação de pesquisadores especialistas e da população consultada, são válidos e claros.
Smart Policies for Multisource Inventory Systems and General Tandem Queues with Order Tracking and Expediting
Authors: Song Jing-Sheng , Xiao Li , Zhang Hanqin , Zipkin Paul
Published: July 2021

We study an inventory system with multiple supply sources and expediting options. The replenishment lead times from each supply source are stochastic, representing congestion and disruption. We construct a family of smart ordering and expediting policies that utilize real-time supply information. Such dynamic policies are generally difficult to evaluate, because the corresponding supply system is a tandem queue with state-dependent arrivals and routing, whose queue-length steady-state distribution is usually not in product form. Our main result is to identify two appealing special cases of the general policy, Policy-M and Policy-E, which possess simple product-form solutions and lead to closed-form performance measures. Policy-M retains full sourcing flexibility, but ignores upstream congestion in making expediting decisions. Policy-E only orders from the normal, farthest source, but makes expediting decisions based on both upstream and downstream information. A numerical study shows that the best Policy-M leads to a lower average cost than the best Policy-E in almost all cases. Also, implementing the best Policy-M parameters, the general policy only performs slightly better than Policy-M. These observations reveal the value of combining sourcing flexibility with some, but limited, dynamic expediting. Our findings are equally applicable to the equivalent tandem queue. They thus may aid dynamic routing and expediting decisions for online retailers and logistics providers, among others.
Operations Research: Topics, Impact, and Trends from 1952–2019
Authors: Calma Angelito , Ho William , Shao Lusheng , Li Huashan
Published: July 2021

In “Operations Research: Topics, Impact and Trends from 1952–2019,” A. Calma, W. Ho, L. Shao, and H. Li retrospectively look at 68 years of publication of the Operations Research. Using 5,440 journal articles, they highlight the top contributing countries and authors and top research methods and problems investigated. Mathematical programming is the most common research method, whereas inventory is the most investigated problem. Investigations related to pricing are growing significantly. The United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom publish the most papers, with the United States and Canada having similar publication profiles per capita. Inventory is the most popular research problem studied by North American, Asian, and Middle Eastern countries, whereas European countries focus on scheduling problems. Network visualizations of the journal’s last 10 years show dynamic programming as the most used method and pricing as the most studied problem. Coauthor networks on collaborations on both dynamic programming and pricing are also shown.
A study of the role and educational needs of ophthalmic specialist nurses
Authors: Rattanasirivilai Pornjittra , Shirodkar Amy-lee
Published: July 2021

Aims:

To explore the current roles, responsibilities and educational needs of ophthalmic specialist nurses (OSNs) in the UK.

Method:

A survey of 73 OSNs ranging from band 4 to band 8 was undertaken in May 2018.

Findings:

73% of OSNs undertake more than one active role, with 59% involved in nurse-led clinics; 63% felt formal learning resources were limited, with 63% reporting training opportunities and 21% reporting time as major barriers to further training. More than 38% emphasised hands-on clinic-based teaching had a greater impact on their educational needs. Some 64% were assessed on their skills annually and 59% felt confident with their skill set.

Conclusion:

The Ophthalmic Common Clinical Competency Framework provides a curriculum and assessment tools for OSNs to use as a structure to maintain clinical skills and knowledge. Eye departments should use this as guidance to target learning needs and improve standards of care to meet the changing needs of society.
The computer says no: AI, health law, ethics and patient safety
Authors: Tingle John
Published: July 2021

John Tingle, Lecturer in Law, Birmingham Law School, University of Birmingham, discusses some recent reports on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in the context of law, ethics and patient safety
Innovative approaches to teaching vascular access to nursing students in the COVID-19 era
Authors: Marchionni Caroline , Connolly Madolyn , Gauthier Mélanie , Lavoie-Tremblay Mélanie
Published: July 2021

Purpose:

For the student nurse, peripheral venous cannulation is one of the most stressful skills to be learned. Although some healthcare employers/establishments offer courses on vascular access and infusion nursing as part of their onboarding programs, ultimately educational institutions should share the responsibility to ensure that graduating nurses can provide safe infusion therapies.

Methods:

An innovative vascular access and infusion nursing (VAIN) curriculum was created and mapped onto the entry to practice undergraduate nursing program at McGill University in Montréal, Québec, Canada. This presented an opportunity to implement new teaching approaches.

Results:

Students experienced multiple new teaching approaches including multimedia and experiential learning and live simulation to ensure acquisition of knowledge and psychomotor skills. The teaching approaches had to be rapidly modified with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusions:

The VAIN curriculum emphasizes simulation and directed practice, seeking to increase competence, confidence, and knowledge. The pandemic underscored the need for flexibility and creativity in content delivery.
La pintura como lugar de revelación en María Zambrano
Authors: Chacón Fuentes Pedro
Published: July 2021

La pintura constituyó un tema central en la refexión de María Zambrano. En este artículo se persigue esclarecer el profundo signifcado que le otorgó quien afrmó: «El arte que se ve como arte, es distinto del arte que hace ver». Prioritariamente, a sus ojos, las creaciones pictóricas constituían lugares privilegiados de desvelación de la verdad. Pero, al mismo tiem- po, toda pintura se nos presenta como enigma, como realidad que exige de nuestra mirada la desve- lación del misterio que ella misma encierra. Esta concepción de la pintura se muestra, ejemplarmente, en la singular mirada flosófca que Zambrano proyecta sobre La tem- pestad de Giorgione, sobre El Niño de Vallecas de Velázquez y sobre Rosa en un vaso de Luis Fernández.
María Zambrano. Una flosofía para afrontar el fracaso
Authors: Mora García José Luis
Published: July 2021

Desde la Primera Guerra Mundial hasta el fnal de la Segunda, incluyendo la Guerra Civil española, fue para intelectuales europeos y españoles tiempo de refexión acerca del fracaso. Mas fueron los discípulos de la Generación del 14 quienes no renunciaron a pensar el fracaso como derrota sino como esperanza. Para ello el concepto unamuniano de «agonía» fue clave. Este artículo muestra las proximidades y distancias de María Zambrano con otros autores a propósito de este tema.
Epistolario entre María Zambrano Alarcón y José Ferrater Mora: 25 años de crítica filosófica
Authors: Elizalde Frez María I.
Published: July 2021

Se presenta el estudio crítico del epistolario inédito de María Zambrano y José Ferrater Mora mantenido entre 1944 y 1968. En él los autores abordan la crítica a sus publicaciones, así como comparten las comunes preocupaciones sobre el cristianismo,Ortega y Gasset y los filósofos que se han quedado en España,el papel de la filosofía en la contemporaneidady el exilio.
María Zambrano y la novela: una nueva forma de conocimiento
Authors: Sotelo Vázquez Adolfo
Published: July 2021

Este trabajo analiza, por una parte, el realismo narrativo de Benito Pérez Galdós a la luz de los clásicos españoles que le sirven de referencia, de autores como Dickens, Balzac o Zola, y de la compañía crítica de Leopoldo Alas, Clarín. Por otra parte, se detiene en las reflexiones de María Zambrano sobre el novelista canario para mostrar tanto la distancia que guardan en relación con Ortega, como su cercanía a otros autores (Menéndez Pidal —y el Centro de Estudios Históricos—, Américo Castro, entre otros). El trabajo concluye con la idea de que la lectura que Zambrano realiza de Galdós apunta a un pensamiento sobre la historia esencial y sobre la novela (en su forma realista) como forma de conocimiento, cuestiones que Zambrano ve desplegadas con especial sabiduría en la escritura del autor de Fortuna y Jacinta, novela especialmente querida por Zambrano, junto a Misericordia.
María Zambrano, Simone Weil y la Europa fortaleza
Authors: Matheu Ribera Pau
Published: July 2021

El presente artículo explora las relaciones que pueden establecerse entre el pensamiento de María Zambrano y el de Simone Weil. En particular, se argumenta que el concepto weiliano de desarraigo puede ayudar a comprender la conexión entre la historia trágica y la estructura sacrificial de la sociedad occidental en la obra de Zambrano. Finalmente, se muestra cómo en ambas pensadoras la salida de este nudo trágico parece necesitar de un saber que encontramos en los llamados «pitagóricos».
Tunable Van der Waal’s optical metasurfaces (VOMs) for biosensing of multiple analytes
Authors: Kumari Rashmi , Yadav Anjali , Sharma Shubhanshi , Das Gupta Tapajyoti , Varshney Shailendra Kumar , Lahiri Basudev
Published: July 2021

Van der Waal’s heterostructure assembling low dimensional materials are the new paradigm in the field of nanophotonics. In this work, we theoretically investigate Van der Waal’s optical metasurfaces consisting of graphene and hBN for the application of biosensing of multiple analytes in the mid-infrared (MIR) region. Phonon polaritons of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) show an advantage over plasmon polaritons, as the phonon polaritons are lossless and possess high momentum and enhanced lifetime. The hybrid phonon mode produced at 6.78 µm in the mid-infrared (MIR) region with near-perfect absorption is used for surface-enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA) based detection of organic analytes. Moreover, by adding the graphene layer, the device’s overall resonance responses can be tuned, enabling it to identify multiple organic analytes-such as 4,4’-bis(N-carbazolyl)−1,1’-biphenyl (CBP) and nitrobenzene (Nb) [C6H5NO2], just by changing graphene’s fermi potential (Ef). Owing to large wave vector of phonon polariton, the device has the capability to detect small amount of number of molecules (390 for CBP and 1990 for nitrobenzene), thus creating a highly sensitive optical biosensor.