bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
German Center Subanalysis of the LEVANT 2 Global Randomized Study of the Lutonix Drug-Coated Balloon in the Treatment of Femoropopliteal Occlusive Disease
Authors: Scheinert Dierk , Schmidt Andrej , Zeller Thomas , Müller-Hülsbeck Stefan , Sixt Sebastian , Schröder Henrik , Weiss Norbert , Ketelsen Dominik , Ricke Jens , Steiner Sabine , Rosenfield Kenneth
Published: April 2016

Purpose: To report a subanalysis of the German centers enrolling patients in the prospective, global, multicenter, randomized LEVANT 2 pivotal trial ( ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01412541) of the Lutonix drug-coated balloon (DCB) for the treatment of femoropopliteal occlusive disease. Methods: Among the 476 patients in LEVANT 2, 126 patients (mean age 67.1±9.6 years; 79 men) were enrolled at the 8 participating German sites between August 2011 and July 2012 and were randomized 2:1 to treatment with the Lutonix DCB (n=83) vs an uncoated balloon during percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA, n=43). All patients had intermittent claudication or rest pain (Rutherford categories 2–4). Average lesion length was 58 mm and average treated length was 100 mm. Severe calcification was present in 11% of lesions, and 23% were total occlusions. The efficacy outcome was primary patency at 12 months, and the safety outcome was 12-month freedom from a composite of perioperative death, index limb–related death, amputation (below or above the ankle), and index limb revascularization. Secondary endpoints included target lesion revascularization (TLR), major adverse events, and functional outcomes. Results: Demographic, clinical, and lesion characteristics were matched between Lutonix DCB and PTA groups, as were the final percent diameter stenosis (19%) and procedure success (91%). By Kaplan-Meier analysis, the 12-month primary patency rate was 80% vs 58% (p=0.015) and the composite safety endpoint rate was 94% vs 72% (p=0.001), respectively. Freedom from TLR was higher for DCBs (96%) vs PTA (82%, p=0.012). Major adverse events were similar for both groups. The benefit favoring DCB over PTA was observed in German men and women. Compared to the non-German LEVANT 2 cohort, there was a shorter time between insertion and inflation of treatment balloons (21.8 vs 39.5 seconds, p<0.001) in the German cohort. Balloons were inflated to higher pressures (9.0 vs 7.7 atm, p<0.001) but for a shorter period of time (130 vs 167 seconds, p<0.001), and although treated lesions in the German cohort had a higher baseline stenosis, final postprocedure diameter stenosis was lower (19% vs 22%, p=0.04) than in the non-German patients. Conclusion: Superiority of DCB over PTA in the German cohort of LEVANT 2 was demonstrated for primary patency, composite safety, and freedom from TLR. The benefit of DCB was also consistent for both genders. Geographic or regional differences in procedural variables may account for the different outcomes between the German and non-German cohorts.
Intensive Family-Based Therapy During an Acute Medical Admission for Anorexia Nervosa
Authors: Matthews Abigail , Peterson Claire M.
Published: April 2016

Family-based therapy (FBT) is the evidence-based treatment of choice for anorexia nervosa (AN) in adolescents, with numerous studies providing support for its efficacy in the outpatient realm. This case report describes the application of a brief FBT intervention during an inpatient medical admission for an adolescent presenting with medical instability secondary to new onset AN. The intensive, four-session FBT-guided intervention included (a) psychoeducation and illness externalization, (b) parent skills training, (c) meal coaching, and (d) behavioral contracting. Self-report assessment and anthropometric data collected at pre-, post-, and 5 months following the intervention suggest increase in body mass index (BMI) and percent ideal body weight, increased parental understanding of AN and parental self-efficacy in managing the illness, decreased parent emotional burden of the illness, and decreases in overall adolescent Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) scores. This case report provides preliminary evidence for the acceptability and effectiveness of a brief FBT-based intervention during medical stabilization for adolescents with AN and their families before proceeding to outpatient FBT.
Development of an efficient numerical model for shaped charge analysis
Authors: Downes Devon , Bouamoul Amal , Nejad Ensan Manouchehr , Baillargeon Yves
Published: April 2016

The process of shaped charge jet formation, fragmentation, and penetration in rolled-homogenous armor steel target plates was investigated using the explicit, nonlinear Lagrangian finite element method. The investigation was conducted in two dimensions utilizing an axisymmetric configuration for a shaped charge with a 40 mm cone diameter. The results obtained using numerical simulations were compared to the experimental results obtained from tests. In addition, the dynamic behavior of the jet was compared to the visual data obtained from X-rays to confirm jet formation and fragmentation predictions. The advanced features of the developed shaped charge model include adaptive remeshing to follow the high deformation pattern of the jet, appropriate constitutive material models and equations of state to account for high strain rate, and restart files to allow the simulation to be performed in stages.
Long-Term Evolution Electromagnetic Fields Exposure Modulates the Resting State EEG on Alpha and Beta Bands
Authors: Yang Lei , Chen Qinghua , Lv Bin , Wu Tongning
Published: April 2016

Long-term evolution (LTE) wireless telecommunication systems are widely used globally, which has raised a concern that exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) emitted from LTE devices can change human neural function. To date, few studies have been conducted on the effect of exposure to LTE EMF. Here, we evaluated the changes in electroencephalogram (EEG) due to LTE EMF exposure. An LTE EMF exposure system with a stable power emission, which was equivalent to the maximum emission from an LTE mobile phone, was used to radiate the subjects. Numerical simulations were conducted to ensure that the specific absorption rate in the subject’s head was below the safety limits. Exposure to LTE EMF reduced the spectral power and the interhemispheric coherence in the alpha and beta bands of the frontal and temporal brain regions. No significant change was observed in the spectral power and the inter-hemispheric coherence in different timeslots during and after the exposure. These findings also corroborated those of our previous study using functional magnetic resonant imaging.
Post-Encephalitic Parkinsonism and Sleep Disorder Responsive to Immunological Treatment
Authors: Brunetti Valerio , Testani Elisa , Iorio Raffaele , Frisullo Giovanni , Luigetti Marco , Di Giuda Daniela , Marca Giacomo Della
Published: April 2016

We describe a 70-year-old man who, after a viral encephalitis associated with pneumonia, progressively developed a parkinsonism associated with lethargy. Encephalitis manifested with persistent hiccups, seizures and impairment of consciousness. After 2 weeks, the initial neurologic symptoms subsided and the patient progressively developed movement disorders (rigidity and bradykinesia, resistant to L-DOPA), lethargy and behavioral hypersomnia. Magnetic resonance imaging showed thalamic and hippocampal signal abnormalities, immunohistochemistry on a mouse brain substrate revealed serum autoantibodies binding to the brainstem neuropil. Polysomnographic monitoring was consistent with a very severe disruption of sleep: the sleep-wake cycle was fragmented, and the NREM-REM ultradian cycle was irregular. Intravenous immune globulin therapy resulted in the complete reversal of the movement and the sleep disorders. Our observation confirms that parkinsonism and sleep disorders may be consequences of encephalitis, that an immune-mediated pathogenesis is likely, and, consequently, that immunotherapy can be beneficial in these patients. The polysomnographic monitoring suggests that lethargia, rather than a mere hypersomnia, is the result of a combination between sleep disruption and altered motor control.
Investigation of gas–liquid two-phase flow in a three-stage rotodynamic multiphase pump via numerical simulation and visualization experiment
Authors: Zhang Jinya , Li Yongjiang , Cai Shujie , Zhu Hongwu , Zhang Yongxue
Published: April 2016

To investigate the gas–liquid two-phase flow in a three-stage multiphase pump, numerical simulations and visualization experiments were performed. A mixture of air and water was selected as the medium. A three-dimensional flow field of the three-stage multiphase pump designed by authors was simulated employing the commercial computational fluid dynamics software ANSYS-CFX to solve the Navier–Stokes equations for steady flow and unsteady flow. The differential pressure of each stage and change characteristic of gas volume fraction under various inlet gas volume fraction were compared via steady simulations. The distribution characteristics of pressure and gas volume fraction in three stages were studied, and the movement of gas pockets in impellers was discovered via unsteady simulations as well. Four types of flow patterns were observed during the visualization experiments with the increasing inlet gas volume fraction. The results of the experiment reveal that the positions and characteristics of the gas pocket were similar to the results from the unsteady simulations, which verify the reliability of the simulations.
The use of intrarenal Doppler ultrasonography as predictor for positive outcome after renal artery revascularization
Authors: Brouwers Jeroen JWM , van Wissen Rob C , Veger Hugo TC , Rotmans Joris I , Mertens Bart , Visser Michel JT
Published: April 2016

Whether patients with renal artery stenosis should undergo therapeutic revascularization is controversial. In this retrospective study, we evaluated prognostic intrarenal Doppler ultrasound parameters that might have a predictive value for a beneficial response after renal revascularization. From January 2003 until December 2012, all renovascular interventions for renal artery stenosis were analyzed. The resistive index and the maximal systolic acceleration were determined by Doppler ultrasonography prior to intervention. Thirty-two patients who underwent a renal revascularization procedure were included: 13 combined positive responders and 19 combined non-responders. The combined positive responders had a significant lower resistive index than the combined non-responders (0.5 vs. 0.6, P = 0.001) and a significant lower maximal systolic acceleration (1.0 vs. 3.8, P = 0.001) before revascularization. A prediction model (RI ≤ 0.5 and ACCmax ≤ 1.3 m/s2) was formulated to identify a subgroup that benefits from renal revascularization. This model has an expected sensitivity of 69% and specificity of 89% for improvement in renal function and/or blood pressure after revascularization. The non-invasive intrarenal Doppler ultrasound parameters resistive index and maximal systolic acceleration can be used as tools to predict improvement in renal function and/or blood pressure after revascularization of renal artery stenosis. The clinical value of this prediction model should be evaluated in a prospective trial.
Impacts of anti-nerve growth factor antibody on pain-related behaviors and expressions of opioid receptor in spinal dorsal horn and dorsal root ganglia of rats with cancer-induced bone pain
Authors: Yao Peng , Ding Yuanyuan , Wang Zhibin , Ma Jiaming , Hong Tao , Zhu Yongqiang , Li Hongxi , Pan Shinong
Published: April 2016

Objective

To investigate the impacts of anti-nerve growth factor antibody on pain-related behaviors and expressions of μ-opioid receptor in spinal dorsal horn and dorsal root ganglia of rats with cancer-induced bone pain.

Methods

The rats were randomly grouped and then injected with 10 μl of phosphate buffer saline or Walker256 tumor cells into the upper segment of left tibia. Thirteen days after the injection, the intrathecal catheterization was performed, followed by the injection of saline, anti-nerve growth factor, nerve growth factor, and naloxone twice a day. The pain ethological changes were measured at the set time points; the expression changes of μ-opioid receptor protein and mRNA in spinal dorsal horn and dorsal root ganglia were detected on the 18th day.

Results

After the tumor cells were injected into the tibia, hyperalgesia appeared and the expression of μ-opioid receptor protein and mRNA in spinal dorsal horn and dorsal root ganglia was increased, compared with the sham group; after intrathecally injected anti-nerve growth factor, the significant antinociceptive effects appeared, and the μ-opioid receptor expression was increased, compared with the cancer pain group; the μ-opioid receptor expressions in the other groups showed no statistical significance. The naloxone pretreatment could mostly inverse the antinociception effects of anti-nerve growth factor.

Conclusions

Anti-nerve growth factor could reduce hyperalgesia in the cancer-induced bone pain rats, and the antinociceptive effects were related with the upregulation of μ-opioid receptor.
Effects of the intention to hit a disguised backhand drop shot on skilled tennis performance
Authors: Iwatsuki Takehiro , Takahashi Masanori , Van Raalte Judy L
Published: April 2016

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of the intention to hit a disguised backhand drop shot on tennis performance. Skilled tennis players ( N = 10) were videotaped while hitting drop shots with and without instruction to disguise the shot. Results calculated via three-dimensional motion analysis indicated that disguised drop shots involved more shoulder rotation and greater transition movement forward than control condition drop shots. To disguise drop shots, tennis players used exaggerated shoulder rotation movement and moved their bodies forward. The results of this research highlight the effects on performance of skilled athletes’ intention to deliver an unanticipatable drop shot.
Discursive representation of Boko Haram terrorism in selected Nigerian newspapers
Authors: Osisanwo Ayo
Published: April 2016

Studies on terrorism with bias towards Boko Haram (BH) have mainly been carried out from non-linguistic fields. The few linguistics-related studies that have examined the media reportage of the BH activities, with emphasis on the discourse and linguistic strategies deployed in the representations, have not been sufficient. This study, therefore, identifies the linguistic and discourse strategies deployed by selected newspapers in representing the BH and other social actors. For data, headline and overline stories are purposively sampled from four newspapers, published from 2011 to 2014, from the northern ( Daily Trust and Leadership Nigeria) and southern ( The Punch and The Nation) parts of Nigeria. The analysis is guided by a combination of critical discourse analysis and systemic functional linguistics. In all the reports subjected to analysis, 13 representational strategies were identified, while at least 15 tools from Van Leeuwen’s categorisations were used in representing social actors. The newspapers also deployed discourse strategies to manage the voices of social actors, identify and specify the social actors and action, label, condemn BH activities, among others. The mediated reports on BH insurgency orientate Nigerians.
The Manifesto Corpus: A new resource for research on political parties and quantitative text analysis
Authors: Merz Nicolas , Regel Sven , Lewandowski Jirka
Published: April 2016

This article presents a digital, open-access, multilingual, annotated corpus of electoral programs. It complements the recent methodological innovations in (semi-) computerized content analysis by providing a large, standardized text corpus for the political science community. The corpus is based on the collection of the Manifesto Project, which comprises of (at the time of writing) the largest hand-annotated text corpus of electoral programs available. Since 2009 the project’s costly and time-intensive procedure of collecting and coding documents has been fully digitized. As a result, it now provides more than 1800 machine readable documents from 40 different countries. Six hundred of these documents contain content-analyzed annotations at the level of single (quasi-) sentences, which correspond to the Manifesto Project coding scheme. Additionally, the corpus will continually be extended by incorporating new elections and digitizing older documents. The database also provides meta-information for each document (eg. party, election, language, etc.) that allow it to be referenced back to the Manifesto Dataset. The corpus is stored in a standardized format in an online database, and an API and R package ( manifestoR) guarantee easy access.
Exercise Video Games and Exercise Self-Efficacy in Children
Authors: Dos Santos Hildemar , Bredehoft Margaret Dinhluu , Gonzalez Frecia M. , Montgomery Susanne
Published: April 2016

The aim of this article was to investigate the use of exergaming in promoting exercise behavior among children and to examine the impact of the intervention on participants’ exercise self-efficacy, in addition to assessing physiological changes. A sample of 55 children enrolled in the Family Fit program, where participants were categorized into 2 groups: healthy weight and overweight. Measures were taken at baseline, after the 7-week program, at the 12-week follow-up, and at the 24-month follow-up. Positive changes in exercise self-efficacy were significant for the overweight group, while the healthy weight group maintained their exercise self-efficacy. At the 24-month follow-up, 97% children reported being interested in participating in a future fitness program, and 96% children who did not play sports before the intervention started practicing sports. Exercise self-efficacy is a predictor of physical activity, and incorporating exergaming in a structured program may lead to increased self-efficacy in participants.
Extracellular vesicles released by CD40/IL-4–stimulated CLL cells confer altered functional properties to CD4+ T cells
Authors: Smallwood Dawn T. , Apollonio Benedetta , Willimott Shaun , Lezina Larissa , Alharthi Afaf , Ambrose Ashley R. , De Rossi Giulia , Ramsay Alan G. , Wagner Simon D.
Published: April 2016

Key Points

CD40/IL-4–stimulated CLL cells release EVs enriched with specific miRNAs including miR-363. Transfer of CLL-EVs to autologous CD4+ T cells enhances migration and immune synapse formation interactions with tumor cells.
ITD assembler: an algorithm for internal tandem duplication discovery from short-read sequencing data
Authors: Rustagi Navin , Hampton Oliver A , Li Jie , Xi Liu , Gibbs Richard A. , Plon Sharon E. , Kimmel Marek , Wheeler David A.
Published: April 2016

Background

Detection of tandem duplication within coding exons, referred to as internal tandem duplication (ITD), remains challenging due to inefficiencies in alignment of ITD-containing reads to the reference genome. There is a critical need to develop efficient methods to recover these important mutational events.

Results

In this paper we introduce ITD Assembler, a novel approach that rapidly evaluates all unmapped and partially mapped reads from whole exome NGS data using a De Bruijn graphs approach to select reads that harbor cycles of appropriate length, followed by assembly using overlap-layout-consensus. We tested ITD Assembler on The Cancer Genome Atlas AML dataset as a truth set. ITD Assembler identified the highest percentage of reported FLT3-ITDs when compared to other ITD detection algorithms, and discovered additional ITDs in FLT3, KIT, CEBPA, WT1 and other genes. Evidence of polymorphic ITDs in 54 genes were also found. Novel ITDs were validated by analyzing the corresponding RNA sequencing data.

Conclusions

ITD Assembler is a very sensitive tool which can detect partial, large and complex tandem duplications. This study highlights the need to more effectively look for ITD’s in other cancers and Mendelian diseases.
Cerebrospinal fluid soluble TREM2 in aging and Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Henjum Kristi , Almdahl Ina S. , Årskog Vibeke , Minthon Lennart , Hansson Oskar , Fladby Tormod , Nilsson Lars N. G.
Published: April 2016

Background

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) neuropathology is associated with neuroinflammation, but there are few useful biomarkers. Mutant variants of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) have recently been linked to late-onset AD and other neurodegenerative disorders. TREM2, a microglial receptor, is involved in innate immunity. A cleaved fragment, soluble TREM2 (sTREM2), is present in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Methods

We developed and used a novel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to investigate the potential value of CSF sTREM2 as an AD biomarker in two independent cohorts: an AD/mild cognitive impairment (MCI)/control cohort (n = 100) and an AD/control cohort (n = 50).

Results

We found no significant difference in sTREM2 levels between groups of controls and patients with AD or MCI. However, among all controls there was a positive correlation between sTREM2 and age (Spearman rho = 0.50; p < 0.001; n = 75). In the AD/MCI/control cohort, CSF sTREM2 correlated positively with total Tau (T-tau) (Spearman rho 0.57; p < 0.001; n = 50), phosphorylated Tau (P-tau) (Spearman rho 0.63; p < 0.001; n = 50) and amyloid-β1–42 (Aβ42) (Spearman rho 0.35; p = 0.01; n = 50) in control subjects. Among controls with a CSF Aβ42 above a cut-off value (700 pg/ml) in this cohort, the positive correlation between sTREM2 and Aβ42 was stronger (Spearman rho = 0.44; p = 0.002; n = 46).

Conclusions

sTREM2 in CSF correlates with aging in controls, and with the neurodegenerative markers CSF T-tau/P-tau among controls who are negative for AD CSF core biomarkers Aβ42, T-tau or P-tau.
Complete genome sequences of Geobacillus sp. WCH70, a thermophilic strain isolated from wood compost
Authors: Brumm Phillip J. , Land Miriam L. , Mead David A.
Published: April 2016

Geobacillus sp. WCH70 was one of several thermophilic organisms isolated from hot composts in the Middleton, WI area. Comparison of 16 S rRNA sequences showed the strain may be a new species, and is most closely related to G. galactosidasius and G. toebii. The genome was sequenced, assembled, and annotated by the DOE Joint Genome Institute and deposited at the NCBI in December 2009 (CP001638). The genome of Geobacillus species WCH70 consists of one circular chromosome of 3,893,306 bp with an average G + C content of 43 %, and two circular plasmids of 33,899 and 10,287 bp with an average G + C content of 40 %. Among sequenced organisms, Geobacillus sp. WCH70 shares highest Average Nucleotide Identity (86 %) with G. thermoglucosidasius strains, as well as similar genome organization. Geobacillus sp. WCH70 appears to be a highly adaptable organism, with an exceptionally high 125 annotated transposons in the genome. The organism also possesses four predicted restriction-modification systems not found in other Geobacillus species.
Using geomechanical modeling to quantify the impact of natural fractures on well performance and microseismicity: Application to the Wolfcamp, Permian Basin, Reagan County, Texas
Authors: Ouenes Ahmed , Umholtz Nicholas M. , Aimene Yamina E.
Published: April 2016

We have evaluated workflows to quantify the mechanical impact of natural fractures (NFs) on the production performance of hydraulically stimulated stages in shale wells. Variations in fracture orientation and density can enhance or degrade the transport and effectiveness of fracturing fluids. Specifically, we studied the effect of a complex fault splay system on a horizontal Wolfcamp B reservoir well. A general workflow that combines geophysics, geology, and geomechanics (3G) was evaluated and applied to the well. The benefits of the 3G workflow are threefold. First, the quantitative impact of the NFs on the regional stress is provided through the differential horizontal stress variation, which impacts fracturing complexity. Then, the reservoir strain map, validated with microseismic data, gives insights into the stimulated drainage pathways. Finally, the ability of the [Formula: see text] integral to predict poor hydraulic fracturing stages as a function of fracture density along the wellbore or as a function of the energy required to propagate a fracture. Building on the validated 3G workflow, a well placement workflow that takes into account the quantitative impact of NFs on well performance was developed on the sample Wolfcamp well. By comparing the [Formula: see text] integral of the same completion stage in simulations with and without NFs, stages with similar [Formula: see text] integral values in both simulations were identified as those not being affected by the NF network. This allows the workflow to provide the optimal position of a well in the presence of NFs associated with a complex fault system that may produce undesirable water. The result is a validated 3G workflow that provides a geomechanical explanation for an empirical relationship showing that high oil production is achieved within a “Goldilocks” range of natural fracturing.
Διαδραστική Αξιολόγηση: Έρευνα-Δράση για την εισαγωγή της ψηφιακής μάθησης στη μικτή εκπαίδευση
Authors: Λάσκαρης Δημήτρης , Χαιρετάκης Μανώλης , Καλογιαννάκης Μιχαήλ
Published: April 2016

Η παρούσα μελέτη διερευνά τον τρόπο με τον οποίο η έρευνα-δράση μπορεί να αξιοποιηθεί για την εισαγωγή, σχεδιασμό, ανάπτυξη και εφαρμογή της ψηφιακής μάθησης στη μικτή εκπαίδευση. Προσδιορίζουμε ως πρωτότυπο μοντέλο αξιολόγησης της ψηφιακής μάθησης, τη «Διαδραστική Αξιολόγηση» (ΔΑ) και προτείνουμε τρόπους για την αξιοποίηση και αξιολόγηση των εργαλείων παραγωγής, επικοινωνίας, διανομής περιεχομένου και διαχείρισης ηλεκτρονικού μαθήματος (HM) που υπάρχουν στην πλατφόρμα Moodle και του Πολυμορφικού Εκπαιδευτικού Υλικού (ΠΕΥ) που αναπτύχθηκε στην διαδικτυακή πλατφόρμα του Media Distance Education (Medie) για τις σπουδές της Επικοινωνίας και των ΜΜΕ για την τριτοβάθμια εκπαίδευση στην Ελλάδα. Η μελέτη περίπτωσης που μελετάμε αφορά στη συμμετοχή 62 φοιτητών σε προαιρετικό ψηφιακό μάθημα ως συμπληρωματική της παραδοσιακής εκπαιδευτικής διαδικασίας ενός συμβατικού μαθήματος του προγράμματος σπουδών του Τμήματος Επικοινωνίας και ΜΜΕ του ΕΚΠΑ. Αξιοποιώντας τα εργαλεία του Moodle, διερευνήσαμε και αξιολογήσαμε το εκπαιδευτικό έργο της ανάπτυξης και υλοποίησης της ψηφιακής μάθησης, το πώς και γιατί συγκεκριμένα κριτήρια συνεργατικής-ενεργητικής μάθησης και κριτικής προσέγγισης στη γνώση και στις δεξιότητες μπορούν να οργανωθούν ως γενικότεροι δείκτες εποικοδομιστικής και μαθητοκεντρικής προσέγγισης στη μάθηση. Η πορεία και τα προϊόντα της έρευνας που αναπτύχθηκε ανέδειξαν τους παράγοντες που επηρεάζουν και ενθαρρύνουν τη συμμετοχή και κινητοποιούν τους φοιτητές να αξιολογήσουν ένα ηλεκτρονικό μάθημα.
Ψηφιακή Πολιτειότητα και Εκπαίδευση. Η ιδιότητα του πολίτη σήμερα: εννοιολογήσεις και προβληματισμοί
Authors: Μαρινάκη Μαρία
Published: April 2016

Η σύγχρονη ιστορία του Ανθρώπου ξεδιπλώνεται καθώς γράφεται πάνω σε δύο βασικούς άξονες που σχεδόν μονοπωλούν το σχετικό λόγο στις κύριες πτυχές του:  παγκοσμιοποίηση και σύγχρονες τεχνολογίες. Η ιδιότητά του ατόμου ως ενεργό, συνεπές και υπεύθυνο υποκείμενο στα πλαίσια μιας διευρυμένης, καθότι παγκοσμιοποιημένης, κοινωνίας φωτίζει, επαναδομεί και αναδομεί το περιεχόμενο της πολιτειακής του οντότητας. Ο σημερινός Άνθρωπος είναι ο (ενεργός) πολίτης του Κόσμου, μιας μη-περιοριστικής μορφής Πολιτείας που διαχέεται και διαστέλλεται στο χωρο-χρόνο, αναπτύσσεται δυναμικά και πολυδιάστατα, δημιουργώντας νέες συνθήκες μέσα στις οποίες Αυτός (το υποκείμενο/πολίτης) εξελίσσεται. Οφείλοντας (ως πολίτης) εξ ορισμού να ανταποκριθεί ορθολογικά, με σεβασμό, σύνεση και υπευθυνότητα σε ένα εξόχως ανομοιογενές και ετερόκλητο, πλέον, πλέγμα σχέσεων, διασφαλίζει την αρμονική του ‘συμβίωση’ (ως κοινωνικό ον) εντός και εκτός πραγματικών όρων και πλαισίων, με τον κυβερνοχώρο να συνιστά και να λειτουργεί ως μια παράλληλη διάσταση της σύγχρονης Πολιτείας. Η νέα μορφή πολιτειότητας ακολουθεί κατά πόδας τις επιταγές (και ανάγκες) της ψηφιακής εποχής, διαμορφώνοντας ένα εξελιγμένο πλαίσιο εννοιολογήσεων εντός του οποίου καλείται ο σύγχρονος πολίτης, με την εκπαίδευση ως το πιο ενδεδειγμένο μέσο ενίσχυσης της ταυτότητάς του, να βρει το δρόμο του μέσα από τις πολύπλοκες και ενίοτε αποπροσανατολιστικές ατραπούς που ορίζει η τεχνολογική πρόοδος και εξέλιξη, αποφεύγοντας τις Σειρήνες και τα παραπλανητικά θέλγητρα ενός σύγχρονου (κι ενίοτε α-σύγχρονου)  σύμπαντος λόγων.
Innovation through i2Flex: The Transformation of a Classic in the Humanities Program
Authors: Jasonides Kathleen , Karvouniaris Janet , Zavacopoulou Amalia
Published: April 2016

Innovative since its inception, the ACS Honors Humanities program has a long history of more than 40 years as an interdisciplinary team-taught course that examines essential questions through literature, visual and performing arts, philosophy and history.  This innovative approach has continued to motivate successive teaching teams to modify and enhance a program that challenges students academically, utilizing the best possible resources and taking advantage of new technology. In this article, we present one in-depth case study where we explain how we transformed the Honors Humanities course from Face To Face to i2Flex. We will describe and present examples of how we redesigned the course format and presentation, learning activities and assessment. We present data on student feedback and our findings regarding the benefits and challenges of adopting the i2Flex methodology for this course.
Απόψεις ομάδας φοιτητών για την εκπαιδευτική διάσταση του κοινωνικού δικτύου Facebook
Authors: Τσώνη Ροζίτα , Σύψας Αθανάσιος , Παγγέ Τζένη
Published: April 2016

Η χρήση των κοινωνικών δικτύων στην εκπαίδευση αποτελεί διαδεδομένη πρακτική που απασχολεί αρκετούς ερευνητές του πεδίου. Στην παρούσα μελέτη έγινε προσπάθεια αποτύπωσης των στάσεων και του τρόπου χρήσης των κοινωνικών δικτύων από δείγμα φοιτητών της Σχολής Επιστημών Αγωγής του Πανεπιστημίου Ιωαννίνων. Η αποτύπωση των απόψεων των φοιτητών έγινε με χρήση έντυπου ερωτηματολογίου με ρωτήσεις ανοικτού και κλειστού τύπου. Από τα αποτελέσματα προέκυψε ότι οι φοιτητές χρησιμοποιούν στην συντριπτική τoυς πλειοψηφία το Facebook. Οι περισσότεροι θεωρούν χρήσιμη την αξιοποίηση του στην εκπαίδευση τους. Ένα ποσοστό φοιτητών ενημερώνονται από αυτό για θέματα που αφορούν τις σπουδές τους και το χρησιμοποιούν για να διακινήσουν διδακτικό υλικό. Τέλος, έγινε συσχέτιση των αποτελεσμάτων με τα αποτελέσματα αντίστοιχων ερευνών.
Η Αξιοποίηση των Μέσων Κοινωνικής Δικτύωσης στην Πρωτοβάθμια Εκπαίδευση
Authors: Κολλιοπούλου Κωνσταντίνα
Published: April 2016

Τη σημερινή εποχή τα Μέσα Κοινωνικής Δικτύωσης (ΜΚΔ) έχουν εισβάλλει δυναμικά στο χώρο της επαίδευσης και διεκδικούν την αξιοποίησή τους. Οι εκπαιδευτικοί, οι οποίοι αποτελούν τους βασικούς πυλώνες για την εισαγωγή και χρήση των ΜΚΔ στην εκπαιδευτική διαδιακασία, έχουν αρχίσει με μικρό βηματισμό να τα εμπιστεύονται. Από τα αποτελέσματα έρευνας που πραγματοποιήθηκε σε εκπαιδευτικούς που υπηρετούσαν σε δημόσια δημοτικά σχολεία της Αττικής το σχολικό έτος 2014-15 προέκυψε ότι, πάνω από τους μισούς εκπαιδευτικούς κάνουν «μέτρια» έως «πολύ» συχνή χρήση των ΜΚΔ στο διδακτικό τους έργο. Αυτοί που τα χρησιμοποιούν περισσότερο είναι οι γυναίκες, οι νεότεροι ηλικιακά εκπαιδευτικοί, οι διαθέτοντες βεβαίωση πιστοποίησης στις ΤΠΕ, οι έχοντες πρόσβαση στο διαδίκτυο και οι ανήκοντες σε ανώτερη ιεραρχικά θέση (στελέχη της εκπαίδευσης). Το ΜΚΔ που αξιοποιείται περισσότερο στην εκπαίδευση είναι το YouTube, προφανώς ως μέσο ανάρτησης και προβολής εκπαιδευτικού υλικού, με μεγάλη διαφορά από το Facebook και το Blogger που καταλαμβάνουν τη δεύτερη θέση. Ως εκ τούτου, οι δυνατότητες των ΜΚΔ για συνεργασία, ανταλλαγή απόψεων και επικοινωνία των μελών της εκπαιδευτικής κοινότητας δεν αξιοποιούνται επαρκώς ακόμη.
Υποστήριξη Ομαδικών Συμβουλευτικών Συναντήσεων του Ελληνικού Ανοικτού Πανεπιστημίου μέσω στοιχείων Μικτής Μάθησης και ΤΠΕ*
Authors: Αντωνέλου Γεωργία Ε. , Βερύκιος Βασίλειος Σ. , Καλαντζή Ροζαλία Γ. , Παναγιωτακόπουλος Χρήστος Θ. , Σταυρόπουλος Ηλίας Κ.
Published: April 2016

Η εκπαιδευτική διαδικασία στο Ελληνικό Ανοικτό Πανεπιστήμιο προσεγγίζει το μοντέλο της μικτής μάθησης, αφού συνδυάζει τη διδασκαλία από απόσταση και την πρόσωπο-με-πρόσωπο μάθηση μέσω των Ομαδικών Συμβουλευτικών Συναντήσεων, οι οποίες αποτελούν σημαντικό στοιχείο της μαθησιακής διαδικασίας. Προκειμένου να επιτευχθούν οι στόχοι μιας ΟΣΣ, ζωτικής σημασίας είναι η σωστή προετοιμασία και η οργάνωση του περιεχομένου της από τον Καθηγητή-Σύμβουλο. Στην παρούσα εργασία, προτείνουμε ένα μοντέλο διεξαγωγής ΟΣΣ που βασίζεται σε στοιχεία μικτής μάθησης και αξιοποιεί τις ΤΠΕ στην Εκπαιδευτική διαδικασία. Ο Κ-Σ έχει τη δυνατότητα να οργανώνει ορθότερα το περιεχόμενο της ΟΣΣ, να επιτυγχάνει τη συμμετοχικότητα και τη συνεργατικότητα των φοιτητών, πριν, κατά τη διάρκεια, και μετά το πέρας αυτής.
Αναφορές στην εξ αποστάσεως εκπαίδευση στον Ελληνικό Τύπο της περιόδου 1943-1954
Authors: Παπακωνσταντίνου Ελένη , Καραλής Θανάσης
Published: April 2016

Στην εργασία παρουσιάζονται ευρήματα αναφορικά με πρώιμες αναφορές στην εξ αποστάσεως εκπαίδευση και σε μορφές αυτομόρφωσης / αυτομάθησης (self – learning) που εντοπίστηκαν στον Τύπο και τις πηγές της περιόδου 1943-1954. Τα δημοσιεύματα αυτά αφορούν κατά κύριο λόγο την από απόσταση εκμάθηση ξένων γλωσσών, κυρίως της αγγλικής γλώσσας, μέσω οπτικοακουστικών βοηθημάτων. Με μικρότερη συχνότητα εμφανίζονται δημοσιεύματα που αφορούν στην εκμάθηση σχεδίου εξ αποστάσεως ενώ μετά το 1945 εντοπίζονται για πρώτη φορά καταχωρήσεις σχετικά με την παρακολούθηση τεχνικών μαθημάτων δια αλληλογραφίας για μαθητές από την επαρχία. Παρουσιάζονται, επίσης και δημοσιεύματα για ραδιοφωνικές εκπομπές, η πλειονότητα των οποίων αφορά και πάλι την εκμάθηση της αγγλικής γλώσσας. Σε αυτά τα δημοσιεύματα εντοπίζονται ορισμένες αναφορές για τα πλεονεκτήματα της από απόσταση εκμάθησης μιας ξένης γλώσσας έναντι του συμβατικού τρόπου της παρακολούθησης μαθημάτων. Από τα δημοσιεύματα που αναφέρονται στις ραδιοφωνικές εκπομπές διαπιστώνουμε ότι τα μαθήματα αγγλικής γλώσσας είχαν μια αρκετά συστηματική μορφή αφού το περιεχόμενο των μαθημάτων προδημοσιευόταν στο ραδιοπρόγραμμα που κυκλοφορούσε σε έντυπη μορφή - ενώ ο ραδιοσταθμός Αθηνών είχε συνάψει συνεργασία με το B.B.C. για την αναμετάδοση μαθημάτων που ο αγγλικός σταθμός είχε δημιουργήσει από κοινού με το Πανεπιστήμιο του Λονδίνου για τη διδασκαλία των αγγλικών σε αλλοδαπούς.
Συστήματα διαχείρισης μάθησης & σχολική εξ αποστάσεως ξενόγλωσση εκπαίδευση
Authors: Μούστου Όλγα
Published: April 2016

Οι ιδιαίτερες οικονομικές, γεωγραφικές και κοινωνικές συνθήκες της Ελλάδας έχουν διαμορφώσει μια εκπαιδευτική πραγματικότητα που αντιμετωπίζει πολλαπλές προκλήσεις και προβλήματα, που δυσχεραίνουν το εκπαιδευτικό έργο. Όμως, η ραγδαία ανάπτυξη του διαδικτύου και η εξέλιξη της τεχνολογίας προσφέρουν νέους τρόπους διδασκαλίας που δύνανται να λύσουν ή, τουλάχιστον, να περιορίσουν δραστικά πολλά προβλήματα. Στόχος της παρούσας μελέτης είναι η διερεύνηση των αντιλήψεων, των στάσεων και των συναισθημάτων των εκπαιδευτικών ξένων γλωσσών για εξ αποστάσεως διδασκαλία με χρήση Συστημάτων Διαχείρισης Μάθησης (ΣΔΜ) (Learning Management System, LMS). Επικεντρωθήκαμε στο κατά πόσο η χρήση LMS υποστηρίζει και βοηθά τους εκπαιδευτικούς, ώστε να προωθηθεί η σχολική εξ αποστάσεως εκπαίδευση (εξΑΕ). Πληθυσμός - στόχος της έρευνάς μας είναι ξενόγλωσσοι εκπαιδευτικοί που διδάσκουν σε δημόσια σχολεία ανά την Ελλάδα. Τα ευρήματα της μελέτης μας έδειξαν ότι οι ξενόγλωσσοι εκπαιδευτικοί έχουν τη διάθεση να χρησιμοποιήσουν LMS, ανεξαρτήτως ηλικίας, επαγγελματικής εμπειρίας ή εξοικείωσής τους με τις νέες τεχνολογίες. Σε γενικές γραμμές θεωρούν πως μια τέτοια διδασκαλία θα έλυνε πολλά προβλήματα στην ξενόγλωσση δημόσια εκπαίδευση. Ωστόσο, έδειξαν έντονη δυσαρέσκεια και απογοήτευση για το ελληνικό εκπαιδευτικό σύστημα, τονίζοντας πως είναι σχεδόν ανέφικτο να πραγματοποιηθούν τέτοιες προσπάθειες. Σημαντικά είναι και τα ευρήματα σχετικά με τα προβλήματα που εκτιμούν ότι θα αντιμετωπίζουν στη χρήση LMS. Παρά όμως το ότι νιώθουν απογοητευμένοι από την ανεπάρκεια του εκπαιδευτικού συστήματος, οι ίδιοι συνεχίζουν να ενημερώνονται και θεωρούν πως η εφαρμογή σχολικής ξενόγλωσσης εξΑΕ θα προωθήσει σε μεγάλο βαθμό τη διδασκαλία των ξένων γλωσσών και θα βελτιώσει το εκπαιδευτικό τους έργο.
Recent advances in the management of Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Villasboas Jose C. , Ansell Stephen M.
Published: April 2016

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is a rare cancer of the immune system that typically affects lymph nodes and sometimes other organs. Although the majority of patients can be potentially cured with the use of multi-agent chemotherapy and radiotherapy, a proportion of them will relapse or develop resistant disease for which treatment options are limited. In recent years, new agents have been developed and tested in HL with encouraging results. Two classes of drugs stand out as highly active in advanced HL based on recent study results: antibody-drug conjugates and programmed death 1 inhibitors. Clinical trials in HL with these agents have been completed in the past several years and the results have recently become available. In this review, we discuss the recent advances in the management of HL with a focus on strategies to decrease toxicity and a review of the two drug classes that have the potential to change the landscape of treatment of this disease.
“The molecule’s the thing:” the promise of molecular modeling and dynamic simulations in aiding the prioritization and interpretation of genomic testing results
Authors: Oliver Gavin R. , Zimmermann Michael T. , Klee Eric W. , Urrutia Raul A.
Published: April 2016

Clinical genomics is now a reality and lies at the heart of individualized medicine efforts. The success of these approaches is evidenced by the increasing volume of publications that report causal links between genomic variants and disease. In spite of early success, clinical genomics currently faces significant challenges in establishing the relevance of the majority of variants identified by next generation sequencing tests. Indeed, the majority of mutations identified are harbored by proteins whose functions remain elusive. Herein we describe the current scenario in genomic testing and in particular the burden of variants of unknown significance (VUSs). We highlight a role for molecular modeling and molecular dynamic simulations as tools that can significantly increase the yield of information to aid in the evaluation of pathogenicity. Though the application of these methodologies to the interpretation of variants identified by genomic testing is not yet widespread, we predict that an increase in their use will significantly benefit the mission of clinical genomics for individualized medicine.
Incentive-Driven Information Dissemination in Two-Tier Supply Chains
Authors: Jiang Li , Hao Zhongyuan
Published: April 2016

We investigate information flow in two-tier supply chains, where retailers order from suppliers and sell in a market with uncertain demand. The retailers each have access to a demand signal and can exchange signals (horizontal information sharing). The suppliers can offer the retailers differential payments to gain access to their signals (vertical information acquisition). We demonstrate that retailer competition is a necessary condition to sustain information flow, whereas supplier competition precludes vertical information acquisition. Facing horizontal competition, the retailers can have an incentive to exchange signals if competition is less intense; and this incentive is stronger when they order from independent suppliers than when they order from a monopolist supplier. In the setting where two retailers order from a monopolist supplier, once the retailers exchange signals, the supplier will acquire signals from them both; otherwise, it will have an incentive to acquire signals if the signals are sufficiently correlated. It can be incentive compatible for horizontal information sharing and vertical information acquisition to coexist so that the retailers’ signals are available to all parties. Under this circumstance, the supplier will profit from information flow and the retailers can earn profit gains as well, whereas the consumers will be worse off.
Training palliative care: a study of public and private institutions in Kenya
Authors: Cheptum Joyce , Chemuttai Siongei Viola , Nyambane Dennis , Chelagat Dinah
Published: April 2016

Background:

Globally, life-threatening diseases are on the rise, indicating the need for palliative care, an approach of ensuring quality of life for the patient and his or her family. Education and training is one of the ways of ensuring staff competency in providing palliative care.

Aims:

This study sought to explore challenges faced by both public and private faith-based training institutions offering palliative care.

Methods:

This was a qualitative study in both public and private training institutions, which were selected randomly. Six institutions were selected for the study. One palliative care trainer in each institution was interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. Information was recorded, transcribed and thematic analysis was done. Data were presented in the form of narration.

Results:

Many institutions had incorporated palliative care into their curricula. However, these institutions faced challenges, including few allocated hours and few members of staff trained in palliative care. Clinical area employees were not well equipped with knowledge on palliative care.

Conclusion:

Challenges exist in both public and private institutions. Institutions should allow for more training hours in palliative care.
TWO NEW RECORDS OF ANTHIINE FISHES GENUS PLECTRANTHIAS (PERCIFORMES: SERRANIDAE) FROM INDONESIA
Authors: Peristiwady Teguh , Makatipu Petrus Ch. , Satrioajie Widhya Nugroho , Wibowo Kunto
Published: April 2016

Three specimens of Plectranthias retrofasciatus Fourmanoir and Randall, 1979 and one specimen of P. randalliÂ Fourmanoir and Rivaton, 1980 were collected by first author from fish market, Bitung, North Sulawesi on JuneÂ and September 2010. The specimens were deposited at LBRC-F, the reference collection of LIPI Bitung, TechnicalÂ Implementation Unit for Marine Biota Conservation, Research Centre for Oceanography, Indonesian Institute ofÂ Sciences, Bitung, Indonesia. Plectranthias retrofasciatus is closely related to P. megalophthalmus and P. knappi,Â in sharing some morphological characters as snout length and interorbital width, while P. randalli differs to otherÂ species by having a moderate deep body proportion. Initially these species known only from New Caledonia for P.Â retrofasciatus and Chesterfield Islands and southern Taiwan for P. randalli respectively. The two species of anthiineÂ fishes collected from Bitung, Indonesia bringing the total number of species of this genus known in Indonesia to six.
Aptamer-modified polymer nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery
Authors: Modrejewski Julia , Walter Johanna-Gabriela , Kretschmer Imme , Kemal Evren , Green Mark , Belhadj Hamza , Blume Cornelia , Scheper Thomas
Published: April 2016

The purpose of this study was to develop a model system for targeted drug delivery. This system should enable targeted drug release at a certain tissue in the body. In conventional drug delivery systems, drugs are often delivered unspecifically resulting in unwarranted adverse effects. To circumvent this problem, there is an increasing demand for the development of intelligent drug delivery systems allowing a tissue-specific mode of delivery. Within this study, nanoparticles consisting of two biocompatible polymers are used. Because of their small size, nanoparticles are well-suited for effective drug delivery. The small size affects their movement through cell and tissue barriers. Their cellular uptake is easier when compared to larger drug delivery systems. Paclitaxel was encapsulated into the nanoparticles as a model drug, and to achieve specific targeting an aptamer directed against lung cancer cells was coupled to the nanoparticles surface. Nanoparticles were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and nanotracking analysis (NTA). Also their surface charge was characterized from ζ-potential measurements. Their preparation was optimized and subsequently specificity of drug-loaded and aptamer-functionalized nanoparticles was investigated using lung cancer cells.
Estimates of accuracy of the Poisson approximation for the distribution of number of runs of long string repetitions in a Markov chain
Authors: Mikhaylov Vladimir G.
Published: April 2016

LetX0,X1, … be a simple ergodic Markov chain with a finite set of states andξ̃n, k(s) be a number of runs ofk-fold repetitions of strings having lengths. Estimates of accuracy of the Poisson approximation for the distribution ofξn, k(s) in the sequenceX0,X1, …,Xn+s−1are obtained, these estimates are uniform overk.
Analysis of the open-hole compressive strength of spruce
Authors: Yoshihara Hiroshi , Ataka Naoki , Maruta Makoto
Published: April 2016

Open-hole compression tests on Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis Carr.) were conducted, and the effect of the hole notch on the compressive strength has been investigated. A circular hole was cut at the centre of the longitudinal (R)-radial (R) plane. A compression load was applied to the specimen along the L or R direction, and the nominal stress at the onset of nonlinearity and the nominal compressive strength were obtained. In the test, the diameter of the hole was varied, and the effect of the diameter was analysed based on point stress criterion (PSC). It was revealed that the notch sensitivity of Sitka spruce was not so significant, and this tendency was more pronounced for the compressive strength in the R direction than in the L direction. Despite the notch insensitivity, however, the open-hole compressive strength could be predicted appropriately by the PSC.
Öffentliche Unternehmen, private Unternehmen und Property Rights-Theorie. Das Beispiel der indischen Stahlindustrie / Public Enterprises, Private Enterprises and Property Rights-Theory. The Case of the Indian Steel Industry
Authors: Dunn Malcolm H.
Published: April 2016

Diese Studie über die indische Stahlindustrie befaßt sich mit den Konsequenzen der Industriepolitik und der Eigentumsrechte auf die wirtschaftliche Entwicklung. Sie gliedert sich in fünf Teile. Nach der Einleitung werden die Ziele und Instrumente der indischen Industriepolitik im Stahlsektor skizziert. Der nächste Teil behandelt die Theorie der öffentlichen Unternehmung, wie sie von Theoretikern der Property Rights-Theorie (Alchian et. al.) entwickelt wurde. Im vierten Teil werden der öffentliche und private Sektor der indischen Stahlindustrie einem empirischen Effizienzvergleich unterzogen. Im letzten Teil werden die Stärken und Schwächen des Property Rights-Ansatzes diskutiert.
Economic Aspects of Innovative Activities in Private Industries / Ökonomische Implikationen von privaten und öffentlichen Forschungsaktivitäten für private Unternehmen
Authors: Hockmann Heinrich
Published: April 2016

In this paper, models are derived to discuss the basic determinants and patterns of the development of innovations in private industries. Special attention is paid to the impact of market structure and nonperfect appropriability conditions on the incentives to engage in research and development. The results of the models are used to explain the development of hybrid rye in Germany.