bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of forest degradation classification on the uncertainty of aboveground carbon estimates in the Amazon
Authors: Rangel Pinagé Ekena , Keller Michael , Peck Christopher P. , Longo Marcos , Duffy Paul , Csillik Ovidiu
Published: February 2023

Background

Tropical forests are critical for the global carbon budget, yet they have been threatened by deforestation and forest degradation by fire, selective logging, and fragmentation. Existing uncertainties on land cover classification and in biomass estimates hinder accurate attribution of carbon emissions to specific forest classes. In this study, we used textural metrics derived from PlanetScope images to implement a probabilistic classification framework to identify intact, logged and burned forests in three Amazonian sites. We also estimated biomass for these forest classes using airborne lidar and compared biomass uncertainties using the lidar-derived estimates only to biomass uncertainties considering the forest degradation classification as well.

Results

Our classification approach reached overall accuracy of 0.86, with accuracy at individual sites varying from 0.69 to 0.93. Logged forests showed variable biomass changes, while burned forests showed an average carbon loss of 35%. We found that including uncertainty in forest degradation classification significantly increased uncertainty and decreased estimates of mean carbon density in two of the three test sites.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that the attribution of biomass changes to forest degradation classes needs to account for the uncertainty in forest degradation classification. By combining very high-resolution images with lidar data, we could attribute carbon stock changes to specific pathways of forest degradation. This approach also allows quantifying uncertainties of carbon emissions associated with forest degradation through logging and fire. Both the attribution and uncertainty quantification provide critical information for national greenhouse gas inventories.
Proof-of-concept study for a long-acting formulation of ivermectin injected in cattle as a complementary malaria vector control tool
Authors: Pooda Sié Hermann , Moiroux Nicolas , Porciani Angélique , Courjaud Anne-Laure , Roberge Christophe , Gaudriault Georges , Sidibé Issa , Belem Adrien Marie Gaston , Rayaissé Jean-Baptiste , Dabiré Roch K. , Mouline Karine
Published: February 2023

Background

Domesticated animals play a role in maintaining residual transmission of Plasmodium parasites of humans, by offering alternative blood meal sources for malaria vectors to survive on. However, the blood of animals treated with veterinary formulations of the anti-helminthic drug ivermectin can have an insecticidal effect on adult malaria vector mosquitoes. This study therefore assessed the effects of treating cattle with long-acting injectable formulations of ivermectin on the survival of an important malaria vector species, to determine whether it has potential as a complementary vector control measure.

Methods

Eight head of a local breed of cattle were randomly assigned to either one of two treatment arms (2 × 2 cattle injected with one of two long-acting formulations of ivermectin with the BEPO® technology at the therapeutic dose of 1.2 mg/kg), or one of two control arms (2 × 2 cattle injected with the vehicles of the formulations). The lethality of the formulations was evaluated on 3–5-day-old Anopheles coluzzii mosquitoes through direct skin-feeding assays, from 1 to 210 days after treatment. The efficacy of each formulation was evaluated and compared using Cox proportional hazards survival models, Kaplan–Meier survival estimates, and log-logistic regression on cumulative mortality.

Results

Both formulations released mosquitocidal concentrations of ivermectin until 210 days post-treatment (hazard ratio > 1). The treatments significantly reduced mosquito survival, with average median survival time of 4–5 days post-feeding. The lethal concentrations to kill 50% of the Anopheles (LC50) before they became infectious (10 days after an infectious blood meal) were maintained for 210 days post-injection for both formulations.

Conclusions

This long-lasting formulation of ivermectin injected in cattle could complement insecticide-treated nets by suppressing field populations of zoophagic mosquitoes that are responsible, at least in part, for residual malaria transmission. The impact of this approach will of course depend on the field epidemiological context. Complementary studies will be necessary to characterize ivermectin withdrawal times and potential environmental toxicity.

Graphical Abstract
Asymmetric dysregulation of glutamate dynamics across the synaptic cleft in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Brymer Kyle J. , Hurley Emily P. , Barron Jessica C. , Mukherjee Bandhan , Barnes Jocelyn R. , Nafar Firoozeh , Parsons Matthew P.
Published: February 2023

Most research on glutamate spillover focuses on the deleterious consequences of postsynaptic glutamate receptor overactivation. However, two decades ago, it was noted that the glial coverage of hippocampal synapses is asymmetric: astrocytic coverage of postsynaptic sites exceeds coverage of presynaptic sites by a factor of four. The fundamental relevance of this glial asymmetry remains poorly understood. Here, we used the glutamate biosensor iGluSnFR, and restricted its expression to either CA3 or CA1 neurons to visualize glutamate dynamics at pre- and postsynaptic microenvironments, respectively. We demonstrate that inhibition of the primarily astrocytic glutamate transporter-1 (GLT-1) slows glutamate clearance to a greater extent at presynaptic compared to postsynaptic membranes. GLT-1 expression was reduced early in a mouse model of AD, resulting in slower glutamate clearance rates at presynaptic but not postsynaptic membranes that opposed presynaptic short-term plasticity. Overall, our data demonstrate that the presynapse is particularly vulnerable to GLT-1 dysfunction and may have implications for presynaptic impairments in a variety of brain diseases.
Appearance-based evaluation of varnish removal methods in gilded surfaces
Authors: Arteaga Yoko , Marchioni Diane , Courtier Stéphanie , Boust Clotilde , Hardeberg Jon Y.
Published: February 2023

This paper outlines the use of bidirectional reflectance measurements for the characterisation and evaluation of appearance changes in gilded surfaces caused by varnishing and cleaning. Oil and water gilding mock-ups representative of a 15th-century panel painting were varnished, and a selection of four varnish removal methods was applied. By measuring the bidirectional reflectance of the samples, their appearance was modelled and evaluated according to perceptual gloss attributes. Three main perceptual groups were found for each gilding type: unvarnished, varnished and cleaned surfaces. Finally, for the studied samples, the most appropriate method for removing dammar and colophony varnish from a gilded surface, in terms of appearance change, is solubilisation by applying an Evolon®CR compress.
Basic study of sensorless path tracking control based on the musculoskeletal potential method
Authors: Kinjo Yoshihiro , Matsutani Yuki , Tahara Kenji , Kino Hitoshi
Published: February 2023

In a musculoskeletal system, the musculoskeletal potential method utilizes the potential property generated by the internal force between muscles; posture control can be achieved by the step input of muscular tension balancing at the desired posture. The remarkable aspect of this method is that neither sensory feedback nor complicated real-time calculation is required at all. However, previous studies addressed only point-to-point control as motion control. In other words, with the focus on the convergence to the desired posture, path tracking has not been discussed. Extending the previous studies, this paper proposes a path tracking control based on a sensorless feedforward approach. The proposed method first finds the optimal set of muscular forces that can form the potential field to the desired potential shape realizing the desired path; next, inputting the obtained muscular forces into the system achieves path tracking. For verification, this paper demonstrates a case study of a musculoskeletal system with two joints and six muscles. In this case study, a constrained nonlinear programming method is used to find the optimal muscular force, and the path trackability is verified by numerical simulation.
Response to electroconvulsive therapy in treatment-resistant depression: nationwide observational follow-up study
Authors: Nygren Adam , Reutfors Johan , Brandt Lena , Bodén Robert , Nordenskjöld Axel , Tiger Mikael
Published: February 2023

Background

Previous studies have not investigated response rates after electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in patients with non-psychotic treatment-resistant depression (TRD).

Aims

To assess and compare the response rate of ECT for patients with TRD and non-TRD, in a large and clinically representative patient sample.

Method

Patients aged ≥18 years, who were treated for a unipolar, non-psychotic depressive episode with at least one ECT session as part of a first-time, index ECT series between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2017 were included from the Swedish National Quality Register for ECT. Patients who had initiated a third consecutive trial of antidepressants or add-on medications before start of ECT were classified as having TRD. Patients not meeting criteria for TRD were classified as non-TRD. The main outcome was response to ECT according to the Clinical Global Impressions – Improvement Scale (CGI-I), scored as 1 or 2 (‘very much’ or ‘much improved’ after ECT, respectively). Logistic regression was used to compare outcome measures between TRD and non-TRD, adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

A total of 4244 patients were included. Of these, 1121 patients had TRD and 3123 patients had non-TRD. The CGI-I response rate was 65.9% in the TRD group compared with 75.9% in the non-TRD group (adjusted odds ratio 0.64, 95% CI 0.54–0.75). Older age and more severe depression were predictors of response in patients with TRD.

Conclusions

A clear majority of patients with TRD, as well as patients with non-TRD, responded to ECT, although the response rate was somewhat lower for TRD.
Improving Uptake of Cancer Genetic Risk Assessment in a Remote Tailored Risk Communication and Navigation Intervention: Large Effect Size but Room to Grow
Authors: Kinney Anita Y. , Walters Scott T. , Lin Yong , Lu Shou-En , Kim Arreum , Ani Julianne , Heidt Emily , Le Compte Circe J.G. , O'Malley Denalee , Stroup Antoinette , Paddock Lisa E. , Grumet Sherry , Boyce Tawny W. , Toppmeyer Deborah L. , McDougall Jean A.
Published: February 2023

PURPOSE

Cancer genetic risk assessment (CGRA) is recommended for women with ovarian cancer or high-risk breast cancer, yet fewer than 30% receive recommended genetic services, with the lowest rates among underserved populations. We hypothesized that compared with usual care (UC) and mailed targeted print (TP) education, CGRA uptake would be highest among women receiving a phone-based tailored risk counseling and navigation intervention (TCN).

METHODS

In this three-arm randomized trial, women with ovarian or high-risk breast cancer were recruited from statewide cancer registries in Colorado, New Jersey, and New Mexico. Participants assigned to TP received a mailed educational brochure. Participants assigned to TCN received the mailed educational brochure, an initial phone-based psychoeducational session with a health coach, a follow-up letter, and a follow-up navigation phone call.

RESULTS

Participants' average age was 61 years, 25.4% identified as Hispanic, 5.9% identified as non-Hispanic Black, and 17.5% lived in rural areas. At 6 months, more women in TCN received CGRA (18.7%) than those in TP (3%; odds ratio, 7.4; 95% CI, 3.0 to 18.3; P < .0001) or UC (2.5%; odds ratio, 8.9; 95% CI, 3.4 to 23.5; P < .0001). There were no significant differences in CGRA uptake between TP and UC. Commonly cited barriers to genetic counseling were lack of provider referral (33.7%) and cost (26.5%), whereas anticipated difficulty coping with test results (14.0%) and cost (41.2%) were barriers for genetic testing.

CONCLUSION

TCN increased CGRA uptake in a group of geographically and ethnically diverse high-risk breast and ovarian cancer survivors. Remote personalized interventions that incorporate evidence-based health communication and behavior change strategies may increase CGRA among women recruited from statewide cancer registries.
Molecular-Guided Off-Label Targeted Therapy in a Large-Scale Precision Oncology Program
Authors: Vashistha Vishal , Katsoulakis Evangelia , Guo Aixia , Price Meghan , Ahmed Sara , Kelley Michael J.
Published: February 2023

PURPOSE

Increasing utilization of comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) and a growing number of targeted agents (TAs) have led to substantial improvements in outcomes among patients with cancer with actionable mutations. We sought to evaluate real-world experience with off-label TAs among Veterans who underwent CGP.

METHODS

The National Precision Oncology Program database and VA Corporate Data Warehouse were queried to identify patients who underwent CGP between February 2019 and December 2021 and were prescribed 1 of 73 TAs for malignancy. OncoKB annotations were used to select patients who received off-label TAs based upon CGP results. Chart abstraction was performed to review response, toxicities, and time to progression.

RESULTS

Of 18,686 patients who underwent CGP, 2,107 (11%) were prescribed a TA and 169 (0.9%) were prescribed a total of 183 regimens containing off-label TAs for variants in 31 genes. Median age was 68 years and 83% had prior systemic therapy, with 28% receiving three or more lines. Frequency of off-label TA prescriptions was highest for patients undergoing CGP for thyroid (8.6%) and breast (7.6%) cancers. Most patients harbored alterations in BRCA1/BRCA2/ATM (22.5%), ERBB2 (19.5%), and BRAF (19.5%). Among the 160 regimens prescribed > 4 weeks, 43 (27%) led to response. Median progression-free survival and overall survival were 5.3 (4.2-6.5) and 9.7 (7.5-11.9) months, respectively. Patients with OncoKB level 2/3A/3B annotations had longer median progression-free survival (5.8 [4.5-7] months v 3.7 [1.6-7.7] months; hazard ratio, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.24 to 0.82; P = .01) compared with those receiving level 4 treatments.

CONCLUSION

Although administration of off-label TAs is infrequent after CGP, more than one quarter of treatment regimens led to response. TAs associated with level 4 annotations lead to worse outcomes than TAs bearing higher levels of evidence.
Colaboração 360 graus na educação
Authors: Luiz Abrucio Fernando , Ianni Segatto Catarina , Castro Marques Fernanda
Published: February 2023

Modelos de política educacional baseados em governança colaborativa como o proposto no artigo vêm se mostrando mais efetivos do que aqueles calcados apenas em incentivos para desempenho individual.
O Brasil tem solução
Authors: Wilner Adriana
Published: February 2023

Anualmente, uma coalização de 57 organizações publica os re-sultados do acompanhamento da implementação dos 17 Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS) no Brasil. O último levan-tamento dessa iniciativa, denominado Relatório Luz da Sociedade Civil sobre a Agenda 2030, mostra um retrato dramático: 54,4% das 169 metas estão em retrocesso; 16%, estagnadas; 12,4%, ameaçadas; e 7,7%, em progressão insuficiente.
Web-based digital twin online laboratories: Methodologies and implementation
Authors: Lei Zhongcheng , Zhou Hong , Hu Wenshan , Liu Guo-Ping
Published: February 2023

Background: Online laboratories that provide online experimentation are crucial for education and research in all fields of engineering. As a transformative technology, the digital twin can be potentially applied into online laboratories to enable physical-digital twin interactions and enhance user experience.

Methods: In this article, web-based digital twin online laboratories are discussed, the methodologies and implementation of which are presented in detail. The digital twin architecture, three-dimensional twin model, web-based digital twin control algorithm design, and real-time physical-twin control are explored to provide a full picture for the design and implementation of digital twin online laboratory systems. To illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodologies, a use case with the Networked Control System Laboratory (a previously developed control and automation laboratory) is provided, which details the design and implementation.

Results: A four-tier web architecture has been implemented. With the provided web interface, control algorithms can be designed and employed for real-time digital twin experimentation. The experimental results demonstrated that the physical-digital twin fan speed control system can achieve good control and tracking performance with human-in-the-loop interactions.

Conclusions: This article presents the methodologies and implementation of digital twin web-based online laboratories. The use case verified the proposed web architecture, digital twin implementation, control architecture, and human-in-the-loop interactions for a digital twin experimentation system, which can potentially be used for the design and implementation of other digital-twin applications in different fields.
Diameter, height and species of 42 million trees in three European landscapes generated from field data and airborne laser scanning data
Authors: Aussenac Raphaël , Monnet Jean-Matthieu , Klopčič Matija , Hawryło Paweł , Socha Jarosław , Mahnken Mats , Gutsch Martin , Cordonnier Thomas , Vallet Patrick
Published: February 2023

Ecology and forestry sciences are using an increasing amount of data to address a wide variety of technical and research questions at the local, continental and global scales. However, one type of data remains rare: fine-grain descriptions of large landscapes. Yet, this type of data could help address the scaling issues in ecology and could prove useful for testing forest management strategies and accurately predicting the dynamics of ecosystem services. 

Here we present three datasets describing three large European landscapes in France, Poland and Slovenia down to the tree level. Tree diameter, height and species data were generated combining field data, vegetation maps and airborne laser scanning (ALS) data. Together, these landscapes cover more than 100~000~ha and consist of more than 42 million trees of 51 different species.

Alongside the data, we provide here a simple method to produce high-resolution descriptions of large landscapes using increasingly available data: inventory and ALS data.

We evaluated the overall reliability of our workflow by comparing the stands dominant heights measured by ALS to those calculated from the trees we generated. Overall, the landscapes we generated are in good agreement with the landscapes they aim to reproduce.
CBD and THC - influence on insomnia, sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome - review based on recent advances
Authors: Tomkiewicz Michał , Tomkiewicz Julia , Paluch Michał , Olko Paweł , Rybkowska Agnieszka , Żuchnik Magda , Radulski Jakub , Sałata Piotr , Szczuraszek Paulina , Szczuraszek Hugo
Published: February 2023

Proper and healthy sleep is an element of everyday life necessary for the proper functioning of the body. Unfortunately, a large part of humanity cannot experience proper rest, due to sleep disorders such as insomnia, restless leg syndrome, obturative sleep apnea and other diseases that complicate sleep. There are not many ways to treat sleep disorders and their use is often associated with difficulties in everyday life and side effects of the used methods. Work on this subject is still ongoing, with time there are more and more new possibilities and different, unconventional applications of substances discovered long ago. Plants containing cannabinoids have been known to mankind since ancient times. And this cannabinoids can have huge importance and contribute to the treatment and prevention of sleep disorders. Studies on the impact of these substances on sleep and sleep disorders are limited, which leads to the fact that in many countries their use is still prohibited. And therefore undertaking research on this topic requires a lot of effort. However, the data that has been collected so far on the subject of the influence of cannabinoids on sleep disorders carry optimistic information. Cannabinoids in the correct doses and ratio as to the content of individual subgroups can bring relief to people suffering from lack of proper sleep. However, the negative effects of these substances should not be forgotten. Chronic use, too high doses or improper application can have a negative impact on the quality of sleep.
Discourses on Research and Researchers: The Case of Portuguese Associated Laboratories
Authors: Branco Sousa Sofia
Published: February 2023

This paper aims to map knowledge produced by associated laboratories in Portugal using the two-phase model of discourse analysis proposed by Sousa and Magalhães(2013). We analyse the mission of associated laboratories to understand what is (are) the privileged form(s) of knowing in science and the actors involved in that process. Weidentify discourse organisers (phase one of the model) and the way discourses become dominant/excluded (phase two of the model). The application of the two-phase model of discourse analysis enables us to conclude that research is being constructed as academic science in a post-academic world and researchers are presented as “in training” or as professors.
Sense of Loneliness, Sense of Effectiveness, Interpersonal Trust and Interpersonal Relations of Academic Youth During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Myszka - Strychalska Lucyna Kamila
Published: February 2023

The article aims to present the levels of the sense of loneliness, sense of effectiveness and interpersonal trust presented by academic youth and to demonstrate their importance for the subjective assessment of the quality of interpersonal relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic. It presents the results of empirical research conducted with the participation of 2,285 respondents studying in a full-time mode in Poland. The research material was collected using an online questionnaire (CAWI) and subjected to statistical analysis (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, V-Cramer coefficient, chi-square test, Student’s t-test, one-way ANOVA and Levene’s test were used). The survey questionnaire used the De Jong Gierveld (DJGLS) Loneliness Scale in the Polish adaptation, the scale to measure interpersonal trust by Dorota Hybiak and the scale to measure the sense of effectiveness by Krystyna Skarżyńska. The results obtained show a statistically significant correlation, with the respondents showing a higher sense of effectiveness, a lower level of loneliness and a higher level of interpersonal trust, and higher subjective satisfaction with interpersonal relationships experienced during a pandemic. These research categories can therefore be considered as protective factors in a pandemic situation and as factors of “hope” for the rebuilding of interpersonal contacts in a post-pandemic reality.
The Activities of Local Government Municipal Units in Shaping Inclusive Education in Poland
Authors: Skotnicka Beata , Mrózek Sebastian
Published: February 2023

The mechanisms of financing are key in reducing educational differences. Therefore, the provision of financing for systemic solutions and structures that facilitate the development of inclusive education is one of the key factors influencing the creation of this education model and its practical implementation. Among the organs responsible for organizing and implementing inclusive education in Poland are units of local government, which by implementing the local policy are obliged to take into account solutions that promote inclusion both in broadly understood social and educational activities. The objective of this study is to present research results pertaining to the role of local government units in shaping inclusive education and in promoting the idea of inclusion, as well as the preliminary identification of good practice in this field. The research was conducted using the focus interview method. The focus groups consisted of selected representatives the faculties/departments of education of municipal local government units which were diverse in terms of structure. It can be seen that the activities of local government units are important in terms of creating inclusive education and that they constitute the basis for the dissemination of good practice. A significant role is also assigned to the documents they create, such as municipal strategies and education financing plans.
Arthroscopic synovectomy of the wrist
Authors: Lee Young-Keun , Kim Jong-Hong
Published: February 2023

The theoretical rationale of synovectomy is to reduce or eliminate the aggressive inflammatory cell mass, thereby reducing swelling, decreasing pain, and improving joint function. Traditionally, open-wrist synovectomy is the standard treatment, as it allows an inspection of all compartments and extensor tendons. Arthroscopic synovectomy of the wrist was first introduced by Roth and Poehling in 1990. Since then, it has been successfully performed in selected patients. Arthroscopic synovectomy might be indicated in any disease that leads to long-standing synovitis of the wrist and when other treatment modalities do not provide satisfactory symptom reduction or may be contraindicated. Arthroscopic synovectomy is a surgical procedure with minimal morbidity. It results in less damage to the joint capsule and ligaments, thereby hastening rehabilitation and shortening the hospital stay. Therefore, we think that understanding the surgical technique for wrist arthroscopic synovectomy and appropriately applying it to patients could prevent disease progression in patients with wrist arthritis and overcome incapacitating dysfunction of the upper limb, including the wrist, hand, and forearm.
Assign-to-Seat: Dynamic Capacity Control for Selling High-Speed Train Tickets
Authors: Zhu Feng , Liu Shaoxuan , Wang Rowan , Wang Zizhuo
Published: February 2023

Problem definition: We consider a revenue management problem that arises from the selling of high-speed train tickets in China. Compared with traditional network revenue management problems, the new feature of our problem is the assign-to-seat restriction. That is, each request, if accepted, must be assigned instantly to a single seat throughout the whole journey, and later adjustment is not allowed. When making decisions, the seller needs to track not only the total seat capacity available, but also the status of each seat. Methodology/results: We build a modified network revenue management model for this problem. First, we study a static problem in which all requests are given. Although the problem is NP-hard in general, we identify conditions for solvability in polynomial time and propose efficient approximation algorithms for general cases. We then introduce a bid-price control policy based on a novel maximal sequence principle. This policy accommodates nonlinearity in bid prices and, as a result, yields a more accurate approximation of the value function than a traditional bid-price control policy does. Finally, we combine a dynamic view of the maximal sequence with the static solution of a primal problem to propose a “re-solving a dynamic primal” policy that can achieve uniformly bounded revenue loss under mild assumptions. Numerical experiments using both synthetic and real data document the advantage of our proposed policies on resource-allocation efficiency. Managerial implications: The results of this study reveal connections between our problem and traditional network revenue management problems. Particularly, we demonstrate that by adaptively using our proposed methods, the impact of the assign-to-seat restriction becomes limited both in theory and practice.

Funding: S. Liu’s research is partly supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) [Grant NSFC-72072117]. Z. Wang’s research is partly supported by the NSFC [Grant NSFC-72150002].

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2023.1188 .
Nurse – leader or manager?
Authors: Ksykiewicz-Dorota Anna
Published: February 2023

This research paper discusses the idea of leadership. The author pays special attention to leadership in nursing. The study is also an attempt at organizing the concepts related to the above-mentioned problem.
The issue of leadership remains to be one of the most complex problems in the field of management as such. With approximately 35.000 definitions of the concept of leadership and a whole abundance of theories presented by researchers, it remains to be a really complex issue.
The ethical and psychosocial aspects of robotization of medicine
Authors: Sak Jarosław , Kidacki Janusz , Zarębska Barbara , Suchodolska Elżbieta
Published: February 2023

The aim of the work is to analyze some scientific articles looking at the ethical and psychosocial problems related to the phenomenon of robotization in medicine. The main ethical problems include: obtaining the patient’s informed consent for a medical intervention using a robot, keeping doctors’ confidentiality, taking personal responsibility by the medical personnel for the effects of their medical work and/or using procedures carried out by robots, respect for the patient’s dignity, autonomy and the right to privacy, providing equal access for all patients to medical procedures performed using robotic systems, reliability of assessment of the benefits associated with the use of robotic procedures over conventional methods in given patient. In terms of how the society perceives the robotization process, the following issues are problematic: replacing doctors or nurses with robots, distrust and fear of the patients of using advanced robotic technology, no personal contact with the physician-operator before and after the procedure in case of telesurgery and impaired interpersonal relationships in case of application of robot-assisted mental and social therapy systems.
A midwife in Italy
Authors: Pałucka Klaudia , Łepecka-Klusek Celina , Pilewska-Kozak Anna B.
Published: February 2023

Introduction. Midwifery is one of the world’s oldest professions. Midwives are found in every corner of the world but the scope of their professional expertise may differ in various countries. Although there are numerous documents listing the midwife’s essential competencies, these professionals have to cope with various problems trying to upgrade their skills. A great example of that struggle could be found in Italy. This is one of the countries where midwives keep on fighting for autonomy. Theoretically, an Italian midwife is an independent health care employee, holding a university diploma and a license. In practice, most midwifes work only in hospitals. Italy is a country with the highest rate of caesarean sections in the European Union. In 2013, the rate was 36.3%. The obstetric care is dominated by gynecologists, whilst only some 3% of pregnancies is handled by midwives. This is due to the poor organization of medical care. After all, the role of a midwife is important in making the childbirth more humanized. There are some actual similarities between the professional situation of a nurse in Italy and Poland. They face similar problems when it comes to the implementation of their activities.
Aim. The aim of the study was to discuss the position of midwives in Italy, with special attention paid to the legal standards, the education system and the professional independence.
The health behaviors and their selected predictors vs. the quality of women`s life in perimenopausal period on the example of women addicted to alcohol
Authors: Banaszkiewicz Mariola , Ciecieląg Anna , Andruszkiewicz Anna , Betke Katarzyna , Marzec Alicja
Published: February 2023

Introduction. The hormonal changes in a woman’s body can unfavorably affect the functioning of each sphere of her life. Some women reach for alcohol to relieve unpleasant symptoms related to that period and consequently become addicted to alcohol.
Aim. The aim of the study was to demonstrate the relationship between the selected predictors, such as: a sense of coherence and its components, control of emotions, self-efficacy and health-related behavior and quality of life of the examined perimenopausal women addicted to alcohol.
Material and methods. The study was conducted using the following survey research tools: a Sense of Coherence-Orientation to Life Questionnaire (SOC-29), and gynecological history, Courtland Emotional Control Scale (CESC), health behavior scale for women (SZZK), Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), a standardized test of the quality of life (EQ-5D). The study involved 50 perimenopausal women with alcohol dependence aged 40-55 years – the participants of the AA meetings. The study was conducted throughout January-April 2013.
Results. Statistical analysis showed the relationship between an overall sense of coherence with all subscales of health behaviors in the examined women. The higher level of sense of coherence, the higher scores on the scales of health behaviors. The analysis of the results showed the relationship between selected predictors of coherence and its components, control of emotions, self-efficacy and quality of life of the respondents.
Conclusion. Sense of coherence and its components, self-efficacy and control of emotions (anger) proved to be the predictors of health behavior and quality of life of perimenopausal women addicted to alcohol. In the educational activities undertaken by an interdisciplinary team, the above-mentioned resources should be taken into account.
Parents’ decisions regarding vaccines and professional education about vaccinations
Authors: Bednarek Anna
Published: February 2023

Introduction. Parents make decisions about the implementation of vaccination in children mainly relying on education provided by the medical staff. At the same time, they benefit from other sources of knowledge about infectious diseases and vaccines, including most commonly the Internet. An important factor influencing parents’ approaches to immunization includes also the experiences related with the implementation of immunoprophylaxis in their own offspring.

Aim. An attempt to assess the relationship between the number of children in a family and making decisions about the importance of vaccination as well as identification of the influence of sources of information on the parents’ view on immunization.

Material and methods. The pilot study comprised 156 mothers of the first child and 112 mothers giving birth to the subsequent child in the Department of Obstetrics and Pathology of Pregnancy, Teaching Hospital No. 1 in Lublin, in 2014. The method used was a diagnostic survey, using the author’s questionnaire, which included 16 questions related to the theme of the paper.

Results. The willingness to implement vaccination was confirmed by 98.1% of the mothers of the first and 100% of the subsequent child. The use of combined vaccines was declared by significantly more mothers expecting subsequent child (66.9%; p<0.001). Only mothers expecting their first child in the majority did not take a decision as to the form of immunoprophylaxis (24.11%; p<0.001). The recommended vaccinations are used more often by mothers of the subsequent child (28.57%; p<0.05). Education by medical staff contributed to the decision concerning implementation of the vaccination in 71.8% of mothers of the first and 43.8% of the subsequent child.

Conclusion. Different sources of knowledge about children’s vaccinations and mothers’ experience positively shape their vaccinology decisions. The combined vaccines – according to the declarations of the respondents - are most often used in mandatory immunoprophylaxis.
Knowledge and attitudes of students towards individuals in terminal condition
Authors: Grochowska Aneta , Sopel Halina , Kubik Barbara , Moździerz Kazimiera , Romanowska Urszula
Published: February 2023

Introduction. One of the social processes currently taking place in European countries is a growing number of the elderly and chronically ill. The problem of increasing life expectancy is a new biological and social phenomenon. Despite advances in medical sciences and development of technology in the 21st century, death is a necessity inscribed in the future of every man since birth.

Aim. Assessment of knowledge and attitudes as regards individuals in terminal condition.

Material and methods. The research was conducted at State Higher Vocational School in Tarnow among the group of 284 students. The research tool was an original survey questionnaire.

Results. The studied group was composed of 26.4 % males and 73.6% females. The average age of the respondents was 26.79 years (SD=7.60). The men were significantly more frequently (p=0.008) than women prone to giving up employment abroad in order to look after a close person, also more frequently (p=0.027) claimed that in contacts with the terminally ill, a spiritual support is important. The attitude of the surveyed towards faith influenced the indication of vital factors in contacts with a terminally ill person. For believers the spiritual support was remarkably more important in a contact with a terminally ill person (p=0.016) whereas the non-believers significantly more often mentioned dealing with all formalities (p=0.049). The research demonstrated that the nonbelievers were significantly more often (p<0.000) in favour of euthanasia of individuals in a terminal condition.

Conclusion. Students in a vast majority demonstrated the attitudes towards the individuals in a terminal condition that are socially acceptable. They demonstrated great sensitivity to the needs of a sick person. The surveyed hold the opinion that helping another person can become a source of one’s own spiritual growth.
The sense of life satisfaction of nursing students
Authors: Zalewska-Puchała Joanna , Sowa Agata , Majda Anna , Bodys-Cupak Iwona
Published: February 2023

Aim. The aim of this study was to determine the degree of life satisfaction of nursing students and its determinants.
Material and Methodology. The study was performed by applying diagnostic survey, the questionnaire technique with the use of research tools in the form of: author’s questionnaire form, Subjective Happiness Scale by S. Lyubomirsky and H.S. Lepper, The Meaning in Life Questionnaire by M.F. Steger, P. Frazier, S. Oishii M. Kaler and Steen Happiness Index Questionnaire by M.P. Seligman, T.A. Steen, N. Park and C. Peterson. Statistical studies were carried out using the SPSS 17.0.0 software. The research comprised 90 full-time and part-time students at the faculty of nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences Collegium Medicum of Jagiellonian University.
Results. Studies have shown that most of the students declared lack of time to spend with family and friends; almost half of the respondents have no time to develop their interests and participate in sports, they devote most of the time to study. Despite this, the same group of students received scores above the midpoint on the scale of happiness, the meaning of life questionnaire and happiness questionnaire. Statistical analysis showed that student`s life satisfaction is influenced by the financial situation, sport, assessment of themselves as a student, course of study, time spent on learning, assessment of past life.
Conclusion. The majority of nursing students felt happines and satisfied with life.
Health behaviors of young people during late adolescence
Authors: Stępień Renata , Wiraszka Grażyna , Dajer Anna
Published: February 2023

Aim. The objective of the study was to analyze health behaviors in young people during late adolescence with regard to the dietary habits, physical activity, rest and stress.

Material and methods. The study was conducted in a group of 258 high school students aged 18-19 years. The study was conducted in April 2015 in the town of Końskie within the Świętokrzyskie Province. The study was conducted using the diagnostic survey method.

Results. As shown by the study, more than one half of the students declared non-adherence to healthy lifestyle principles (n=136; 53%). More than 63% of students slept less than 7 hours per every 24 hours. The young people preferred passive leisure pastimes; only about 13% of responders practiced sports every day. High stress levels were reported by every third student (34.1%). The most common form of stress-relieving activity consisted in video gaming (35%). Two factors that significantly differentiated health behaviors in adolescents were gender and place of residence.

Conclusion. Most young people are satisfied with their health and most commonly consider it to be good. The physical aspects of the lifestyle of subjects requires monitoring and improvement, which particularly pertains to physical activity, changing dietary habits and leisure. The young people declared high levels of stress that was relieved mainly by escaping into the realm of video games.
Stres i relacje interpersonalne w pracy zawodowej pielęgniarek na przykładzie badanej grupy
Authors: Zdziebło Kazimiera , Stępień Renata , Siudak Marzanna
Published: February 2023

Introduction. The working environment is full of stressful conditions that mainly concern the medical profession. In particular, the work of nurses is associated with high levels of occupational stress since they are responsible for helping, contacting the weak, sick or people that simply await medical assistance.
Aim. The aim of this study was to assess nurses’ exposure to stress at work.
Material and Methodology. The study involved a group of 108 nurses working in different entities of therapeutic activity in Sandomierz. The authors used the diagnostic survey method and a digital questionnaire of their own making. For statistical analysis, they used ANOVA Kruskal-Wallis test for multiple comparisons and medium-rank test for indicators of structure.
Results. As many as 82.72% of the surveyed nurses considered their work as stressful. The nurses mention the following factors as the most stressful ones: huge responsibility, low wages, exposure to harmful agents and dying people. The test results (p <0.001) indicate that not all of the tested stressful situations in the work environment of nurses evoke the same level of stress. Looking through the statistical lens, work induces stress in the following way: it causes pain, constant fatigue and irritability and lack of patience.
Conclusion. Among the stress factors at work, the nurses mention low wages and insufficient number of staff when set against the actual patients’ needs. Occupational stress exerts huge influence over the life of the surveyed nurses’.
Planejando rotas de fuga: uma autoetnografia dos desafios da humanização do parto no ambiente hospitalar em Maceió – AL
Authors: Allebrandt Débora
Published: February 2023

No Brasil estima-se que 98% dos nascimentos ocorrem em ambiente hospitalar. Embora o movimento de humanização do parto tenha ganhado terreno na assistência ao parto domiciliar, o cenário é distinto quando falamos do parto hospitalar, pois é justamente no ambiente hospitalar que são produzidas as alarmantes taxas de cesarianas (80% no setor privado e 35% no setor público) e altos índices de intervenção. Este artigo busca, a partir de uma reflexão autoetnográfica,  situar o cenário de atendimento ao parto hospitalar em Maceió – AL. O planejamento do parto, do pré-natal, contato com obstetras, enfermeiras e doulas até seu desfecho serão aproximados com a construção de uma rota de fuga num cenário hostil.  A autoetnografia desafia aspectos formais do modo como construímos nosso lugar de fala como pesquisadoras e permite explorar a partir de uma vivência pessoal a emoção e da catarse como parte intrínseca à pesquisa social. Não silenciar a violência é tomado aqui como uma ferramenta para pensar alguns dos desafios da adesão às boas práticas e elaboração de uma crítica transformadora da assistência ao parto.
Ginecologia e colonialidade: intersecções de raça e sexualidade
Authors: Meinerz Nádia Elisa , Nelly Dos Santos Jhulia
Published: February 2023

Este artigo desenvolve reflexões sobre as relações de poder que constituem a prática ginecológica institucional, com foco nas conexões entre colonialismo, raça e sexualidade. A partir de publicações que abordam a história da ginecologia como especialidade médica, resgatamos as formas de experimentação nos corpos de mulheres negras, escravizadas e ex-escravizadas. Através de pesquisas sobre saúde materno-infantil que exploram a dimensão da raça, observamos a reprodução das iniquidades no campo da atenção à saúde. E por meio da aproximação com a literatura sobre saúde das mulheres lésbicas e bissexuais, problematizamos a heterossexualidade compulsória inerente às rotinas e aos protocolos técnicos da clínica ginecológica. Considerando a racialização e heterossexualidade compulsória como aspectos constitutivos da colonialidade de gênero, apresentamos um cruzamento analítico entre dados empíricos sobre movimentações sociais contemporâneas que interpelam a ginecologia institucional, protagonizados por mulheres lésbicas e por ativistas da Ginecologia Natural no Brasil.
Effects of Sources, Boundaries, and Heterogeneities on Photon Migration
Authors: Jacques Steven L. , Ostermeyer Martin R. , Wang Lihong , Hielscher Andreas H.
Published: February 2023

This paper considers three issues regarding the suitability of diffusion theory for calculations of
photon density waves:
(1) Directed sources, such as a collimated beam,
(2) Boundaries (eg., an air/tissue interface), and
(3) Heterogeneities (eg., tumor or vessel).

Heterogeneities have optical properties of absorption (µa) and scattering (µs'
= µs(1-g)) in [cm-1] which differ from the surrounding background tissue
properties, and are treated by a method of superposition of virtual sources (the SVS Method).
Effect of Finite Volumes on Noninvasive Frequency-Domain Measurements of Tissue Optical Properties
Authors: Patterson Michael S. , Pogue Brian W.
Published: February 2023

Errors in estimates of the absorption coefficient of tissue caused by failure to include light losses at the boundaries are examined by using diffusion models and experiments.
New Holographic Methods for Improved Imagery through Scattering Media
Authors: Arons E. , Chen H. , Clay K. , Dilworth D. , Draper R. , Lopez J. , Leith E. , Shih M. , Sun P. C.
Published: February 2023

Two solutions to the limitation of low coherence holography for imaging through scattering media are described: the computer generation of the coherence gate, and the use of spectral decomposition holography.
Forward and Inverse Calculations for Near-Infrared Imaging Using a Multigrid Finite Difference Method
Authors: Pogue B. W. , Patterson M. S.
Published: February 2023

A multigrid finite difference method for solving the diffusion is used to solve the forward optical imaging problem. Simulations of near-infrared imaging are presented for some simple test objects, using typical soft tissue interaction coefficients. The forward calculation used here may provide a fast method of reconstructing diagnostic optical images.
Controllable Transparencies and Object Image Reconstruction by Its Fourier-Spectrum at the Stimulated Scatterings of Light
Authors: Tcherniega N. V. , Kudryavtseva A. D. , Sokolovskaya A. I. , Er-rhaimini S. , Xuan N. P. , Rivoire G.
Published: February 2023

Object image reconstruction by its Fourier-spectrum has been obtained in the beams of backward stimulated scattering. Dependence of the reconstruction quality and conversion efficiency into scattered light on the geometry conditions of excitation has been investigated.
Optical Properties of Human Uterus at 630 nm
Authors: Madsen Steen J. , Tromberg Bruce J. , Tadir Yona , Wyss Pius , Svaasand Lars O. , Haskell Richard C.
Published: February 2023

The optical properties of normal and fibriotic human uteri were determined using frequency-domain and steady-state techniques.