bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance evaluation of deep learning techniques for DoS attacks detection in wireless sensor network
Authors: Salmi Salim , Oughdir Lahcen
Published: February 2023

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are increasingly being used for data monitoring and collection purposes. Typically, they consist of a large number of sensor nodes that are used remotely to collect data about the activities and conditions of a particular area, for example, temperature, pressure, motion. Each sensor node is usually small, inexpensive, and relatively easy to deploy compared to other sensing methods. For this reason, WSNs are used in a wide range of applications and industries. However, WSNs are vulnerable to different kinds of security threats and attacks. This is primarily because they are very limited in resources like power, storage, bandwidth, and processing power that could have been used in developing their defense. To ensure their security, an effective Intrusion detection system (IDS) need to be in place to detect these attacks even under these constraints. Today, traditional IDS are less effective as these malicious attacks are becoming more intelligent, frequent, and complex. Denial of service (DOS) attack is one of the main types of attacks that threaten WSNs. For this reason, we review related works that focus on detecting DoS attacks in WSN. In addition, we developed and implemented several Deep learning (DL) based IDS. These systems were trained on a specialized dataset for WSNs called WSN-DS in detecting four types of DoS attacks that affects WSNs. They include the Blackhole, Grayhole, Flooding, and Scheduling attacks. Finally, we evaluated and compared the results and we discuss possible future works.
Market capitalization shock effects on open innovation models in e-commerce: golden cut q-rung orthopair fuzzy multicriteria decision-making analysis
Authors: Moiseev Nikita , Mikhaylov Alexey , Dinçer Hasan , Yüksel Serhat
Published: February 2023

This research paper analyzes revenue trends in e-commerce, a sector with an annual sales volume of more than 340 billion dollars. The article evaluates, despite a scarcity of data, the effects on e-commerce development of the ubiquitous lockdowns and restriction measures introduced by most countries during the pandemic period. The analysis covers monthly data from January 1996 to February 2021. The research paper analyzes relative changes in the original time series through the autocorrelation function. The objects of this analysis are Amazon and Alibaba, as they are benchmarks in the e-commerce industry. This paper tests the shock effect on the e-commerce companies Alibaba in China and Amazon in the USA, concluding that it is weaker for companies with small market capitalizations. As a result, the effect on estimated e-trade volume in the USA was approximately 35% in 2020. Another evaluation considers fuzzy decision-making methodology. For this purpose, balanced scorecard-based open financial innovation models for the e-commerce industry are weighted with multistepwise weight assessment ratio analysis based on q-rung orthopair fuzzy sets and the golden cut. Within this framework, a detailed analysis of competitors should be made. The paper proves that this situation positively affects the development of successful financial innovation models for the e-commerce industry. Therefore, it may be possible to attract greater attention from e-commerce companies for these financial innovation products.
Enlarging aneurysm sac post EVAR – type V or occult type II Endoleak?
Authors: Patel Shyamal , Chun Joo-Young , Morgan Robert
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Several theories exist regarding the underlying mechanism of type V endoleaks (T5EL), which remains unclear. Torikai et al. (2018) describe sac expansion in cases with patchy heterogenous enhancement of peripheral thrombus and postulate these are due to atypical type II endoleaks (T2EL) from proliferated vasa vasora. These cases of apparent endotension pose a therapeutic challenge as continued sac expansion warrants active intervention.

Materials and methods

Retrospective review of T5EL cases was performed who underwent multidisciplinary discussion at our institution between 2020–2021. Clinical history and imaging were reviewed by a vascular interventional radiologist aiming to identify the underlying mechanism of sac expansion.

Results

Two cases of these specific T5ELs were identified. One patient underwent endovascular management and image-guided aspiration of intra-sac fluid whilst another underwent open surgical ligation and sac plication. In both cases, fluid re-accumulated with re-expansion of the aneurysmal sac on follow-up. Careful review of CT imaging showed subtle foci of peripheral sac enhancement, suggestive of vasa vasora causing occult T2ELs. This was not visible on single phase CTA, super-selective angiography or cone beam CT.

Conclusion

We identified two complex cases with unexplained sac expansion following EVAR suggestive of T2ELs from proliferated vasa vasora. Transcatheter embolisation of this network of vessels although challenging has been previously considered to stunt sac expansion. We suggest this phenomenon is under-diagnosed. Nevertheless, long-term surveillance is warranted as continued sac expansion risks changes in aneurysm morphology leading to potential loss of the proximal/distal seal zones.
Measurement of Δ9THC and metabolites in the brain and peripheral tissues after intranasal instillation of a nanoformulation
Authors: Upadhyay Gunjan , Fihurka Oksana , Habecker Connor , Patel Pranav , Sanchez-Ramos Juan
Published: February 2023

Background

Comparative bioavailability of cannabinoids following their administration by dosing routes has been studied previously, but there are no quantitative reports of distribution of Δ9THC, nor its metabolites, across various brain regions following intranasal (i.n.) administration. The aim of the present study was to determine the time course of Δ9THC transport from nose to brain and to quantify the distribution of Δ9THC and its metabolites in four brain regions.

Methods

Δ9THC was formulated as a lipophilic nano-emulsion and instilled i.n. to three groups of adult mice and euthanized after 2, 4, and 8 h. Brains were dissected into 4 regions. Sensitive analytical methods (HPLC-MS) were utilized to quantify levels of Δ9THC and metabolites in brain regions and peripheral tissues. Data was expressed as mean concentrations (± SEM) of Δ9THC and metabolites in brain regions, blood, plasma, urine, and liver. Two-way analysis of variance was performed followed by post hoc multiple comparisons.

Results

Peak concentrations of Δ9THC were reached at 2 h in the brain (15.9 ng/mg), blood (4.54 μg/mL), and plasma (4.56 μg /mL). The percentage of administered dose of Δ9THC transported to the brain (5.9%) was greater than in blood (1.7%), plasma (1.6%), urine (0.4%), and liver (0.1%). Concentrations of Δ9THC and its THC-COOH metabolite in the liver reached their highest levels at 8 h.

Discussion

The present study is the first to report the uptake and distribution across brain regions of Δ9THC and its principal metabolites following i.n. administration. The systemic bioavailability (absorption into the blood) of intranasal Δ9THC was 1.7% of the administered dose, much lower than that reported by others after oral ingestion (7–10%) and inhalation (20–35%), but those prior studies did not measure the transport of Δ9THC into brain regions. Others have reported Δ9THC in the whole brain following i.n. instillation in a different species (rats) to be twice (5.9%) that following i.p. injections, while metabolites of Δ9THC in rat brain were lower after i.n. administration.

Conclusions

The intranasal route of a Δ9THC nanoformulation is an effective way to deliver cannabinoids to the brain, especially in those who cannot take the medication orally. Going forward, a metered dosing nasal spray will provide accurate and consistent doses.
Field evaluation of the novel One Step Malaria Pf and Pf/Pv rapid diagnostic tests and the proportion of HRP-2 gene deletion identified on samples collected in the Pwani region, Tanzania
Authors: Mwangonela Zena E. , Ye Young , Rachel Qin , Msuya Hajirani M. , Mwamlima Tunu G. , Mswata Sarah S. , Chaki Prosper P. , Kimaro Ester G. , Mweya Clement N. , Mpina Maxmillian G. , Mwangoka Grace W.
Published: February 2023

Background

Malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDTs) have played an important role in the early detection of clinical malaria in an endemic area. While several mRDTs are currently on the market, the availability of mRDTs with high sensitivity and specificity will merit the fight against malaria. We evaluated the field performance of a novel One Step Malaria (P.f/P.v) Tri-line and One Step Malaria (P.f) rapid test kits in Pwani, Tanzania.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study conducted in Bagamoyo and Kibiti districts in Tanzania, symptomatic patients were tested using the SD BIOLINE, One Step Malaria (P.f/P.v) Tri-line and One Step Malaria (P.f) rapid test kits, microscope, and quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR). An additional qPCR assay was carried out to detect Histidine-Rich Protein 2 (HRP-2) gene deletion on mRDT negative but microscope and qPCR positive samples. Microscope results confirmed by qPCR were used for analysis, where qPCR was used as a reference method.

Results

The sensitivity and specificity of One Step P.f/P.v Tri-line mRDTs were 96.0% (CI 93.5–97.7%) and 98.3% (CI 96.8–99.2%), respectively. One Step P.f mRDT had sensitivity and specificity of 95.2% (CI 92.5–97.1%) and 97.9% (CI 96.3–99.0%) respectively. Positive predictive value (PPV) was 97.6% (CI 95.4–98.7%) and negative predictive value (NPV) was 96.2% (CI 95.5–98.3%) for the One Step P.f/P.v Tri-line mRDTs respectively, while One Step P.f mRDT had positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of 97.0% (CI 94.8–98.3%) and 96.7 (CI 94.9–97.9%) respectively. 9.8% (CI 7.84–11.76) of all samples tested and reported to be malaria-negative by mRDT had HRP-2 gene deletion.

Conclusion

One Step Malaria P.f/P.v Tri-line and One Step Malaria P.f rapid test kits have similar sensitivity and specificity as the standard mRDT that is currently in the market, demonstrating the potential to contribute in the fight against malaria in endemic settings. However, the identified malaria parasites population with HRP-2 gene deletion pose a threat to the current mRDT usability in the field and warrants further investigations.
The value of magnetic resonance neurography in evaluation of sciatic neuropathy
Authors: Abd El-Azeem Esraa Hessin Youssef , Saleh Rasha Aly , Alarabawy Reda , El-Ahwal Hanan Mohamed Saleh
Published: February 2023

Background

Sciatic neuropathy is one of the most common neuropathies of the lower extremities. One of the most common presentations of sciatic neuropathy is foot drop and may also be associated with several other clinical (sensory and/or motor) presentations. In recent years, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has established itself as an important tool for the study of peripheral nerves, especially after the development of protocols including sequences optimized for this purpose, referred to as magnetic resonance neurography (MRN), being used as noninvasive means of diagnosing peripheral nerve disease. Such high-resolution imaging protocols aimed to image the nerves at hip, thigh, knee, leg, ankle, and foot and can demonstrate traumatic or iatrogenic injury, tumor-like lesions, or entrapment of the nerves, causing a potential loss of motor and sensory function in the affected area. This study aimed to be familiar with MRI and MRN findings in patients with sciatic neuropathy.

Results

In this prospective study, thirty patients presented with clinical manifestations and/or electrophysiological studies having sciatic neuropathy and underwent MRI and MRN at a university Hospital from March 2021 to March 2022. In view of clinical presentation, muscle weakness (66.67%), numbness and tingling (60%), and sensory manifestation (60%) were the most prevalent presenting manifestation followed by back pain (43.33%), foot drop (33.33%), and urinary and bowel incontinence (23.33%). MRN and MRI results showed a strong correlation with the presenting symptoms of participants, in the form of increased sciatic nerve caliber in 23.33%, muscular atrophy in 13.33%, nerve root impingement in 26.67%, and lumbar spondylosis in 36.67%. MR neurography sequences gave additional findings to the conventional MRI in the form of increased nerve signal intensity in 53.33%, perineural edema in 50% of cases, neural structure disruption in 26.67%, muscular impend denervation in 16.67%, bone marrow edema in 30.33%, pseudo-meningocele in 13.33%, and nerve root avulsion in 3.33% with no correlated findings in MRI.

Conclusions

MRN is an additional accurate tool in the study of different sciatic nerve diseases and can also give detailed knowledge of the nerve anatomy, adding value to electrophysiological studies and conventional MRI.
The Elusive Neuroendocrine Tumor: Finding the Ectopic ACTH Source 16 Years After the Diagnosis of Cushing Syndrome
Authors: Smushkin Galina , Phillips Richard , Chausse Guillaume
Published: February 2023

Ectopic adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) syndrome (EAS) accounts for the minority of cases of Cushing syndrome. Up to 20% of these cases remain occult, despite multiple imaging attempts to localize the ACTH-producing tumor. Here we describe long-term follow-up of a 41-year-old woman, with ectopic Cushing syndrome initially classified as occult due to negative localization studies, who had bilateral adrenalectomy to manage hypercortisolism. After 16 years and many computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging scans, Octreoscans, and 2 exploration surgeries for false positives on imaging, the source of ectopic ACTH production was localized in the pancreas utilizing molecular imaging with gallium-68 somatostatin receptor–targeted positron emission tomography (PET)/CT and fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT. She underwent a distal pancreatectomy, and pathology confirmed a 1.7-cm well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor with a moderately strong reactivity to ACTH stain. This case demonstrates the utility of multiple functional imaging modalities in resolving these “cold cases” of occult ectopic Cushing syndrome and the importance of a timely management of hypercortisolism with bilateral adrenalectomy.
Being Dead Otherwise
Authors: Allison Anne
Published: February 2023

With an aging population, declining marriage and childbirth rates, and a rise in single households, more Japanese are living and dying alone. Many dead are no longer buried in traditional ancestral graves where descendants would tend their spirits, and individuals are increasingly taking on mortuary preparation for themselves. In Being Dead Otherwise Anne Allison examines the emergence of new death practices in Japan as the old customs of mortuary care are coming undone. She outlines the proliferation of new industries, services, initiatives, and businesses that offer alternative means---ranging from automated graves, collective grave sites, and crematoria to one-stop mortuary complexes and robotic priests---for tending to the dead. These new burial and ritual practices provide alternatives to long-standing traditions of burial and commemoration of the dead. In charting this shifting ecology of death, Allison outlines the potential of these solutions to radically reorient sociality in Japan in ways that will impact how we think about the end of life, identity, tradition, and culture in Japan and beyond.
The Impact of Social Determinants of Health in Pediatric Shunted Hydrocephalus
Authors: Khalid Syed I. , Hunter Brittany M. , Shah Pal , Patel Aashka , Thomson Kyle B. , LoPresti Melissa A. , Roblin Douglas W. , Lam Sandi , Mehta Ankit I.
Published: February 2023

BACKGROUND:

Social risk factors have been shown to negatively affect health outcomes in children. However, this has not been characterized regarding pediatric shunted hydrocephalus.

OBJECTIVE:

To explore the impact of social risk factors on outcomes in pediatric shunted hydrocephalus with the goal of identifying specific areas of intervention that might improve the outcomes of children undergoing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion.

METHODS:

In an all-payer administrative database, records between January 2010 and October 2020 were analyzed to identify children undergoing CSF shunting procedures. Children with social risk factors were compared with those without regarding rates of infection, shunt-related interventions, and mortality within 5 years of their shunting procedure.

RESULTS:

Among the 5420 children who underwent first-time shunting procedures, 263 (4.9%) were identified to have social risk factors. Children with identified social risk factors had increased odds of central nervous system infection (odds ratio [OR] 2.06, 95% CI 1.45-2.91), revision (OR 2.43, 95% I 1.89-3.12), and mortality (OR 2.86, 95% CI 1.23-5.72). The mean numbers of computed tomography studies (14.60 ± 17.78 vs 6.34 ± 6.10), MRI studies (18.76 ± 24.37 vs 7.88 ± 24.37), and shunt series X-rays (17.22 ± 19.04 vs 7.66 ± 8.54) were increased among children with social risk factors.

CONCLUSION:

Children with social risk factors had increased rates of central nervous system infection, shunt-related interventions, and mortality within 5 years of CSF shunting. We underscore the importance of characterizing the impact of social risk factors in specific conditions, such as pediatric shunted hydrocephalus, and look to future directions aimed to mitigate these risk factors with coordination and direction of individualized resources, encouragement of advocacy, and community partnership.
Comparison of the antimicrobial reduction effect of photodynamic inactivation with the addition of chlorophyll and curcumin photosensitizer in Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Enterococcus faecalis
Authors: Arifianto Deny , Astuti Suryani Dyah , Medyaz Sarah Ratri , Lestari Septia Budi , Samian Samian , Nurdin Dezy Zahrotul Istiqomah , Hariyani Dita Ayu , Susilo Yunus , Syahrom Ardiansyah
Published: February 2023

Background: Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Enterococcus faecalis are pathogenic bacteria of the oral cavity that cause various diseases such as periodontitis and endodontics. These bacteria are easily resistant to antibiotics. Photodynamic inactivation (PDI) is a method of inactivating microorganisms that utilizes light to activate a photosensitizer agent (PS) that produces reactive oxygen species causing cell lysis.

Methods: This study used the PDI method with a 405 nm diode laser at various energy density with the addition PS curcumin or chlorophyll Alfalfa, as much as 1.6 mg/ml on A. actinomycetemcomitans and E. faecalis bacteria.

Results: The study on E. faecalis bacteria showed that the energy density diode laser irradiation of 1.59 J/cm² gave the percentage of E. faecalis bacteria death 36.7% without PS, 69.30% with the addition of chlorophyll Medicago sativa L and 89.42% with the addition of curcumin. Meanwhile, the bacteria A. actinomycetemcomitans showed that the energy density diode laser irradiation of 1.59 J/cm² gave the percentage of bacterial death 35.81% without PS, 64.39% with the addition of chlorophyll Medicago sativa L and 89.82% with the addition of curcumin. PS was critical to the success of the PDI.

Conclusions: The addition of PS curcumin increased the effectiveness of reducing bacteria E. faecalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans compared to chlorophyll Medicago sativa L.
Case Report: COVID-19 with cytokine storm in a 16-year-old patient: if heart failures comes think about levosimendan
Authors: Rodriguez-Garcia Veronica , Guerrero Orriach Jose Luis , Ariza Villanueva Daniel , Garcia Pinilla Jose Manuel , Robles Mezcua Ainhoa , Rubio Navarro Manuel , Cruz Mañas Jose
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Our case is unique because the differential diagnosis was a challenge. At first, the patient presented with septic shock and multi-organ failure in the context of a suspected lymphoproliferative syndrome. Once the lymphoproliferative process had been ruled out, hemophagocytic syndrome due to COVID-19 infection was suspected, so he is probably one of the few patients with such an exhaustive study that could contribute to our understanding of COVID-19. We followed therapeutic guidelines that differ from the usual, using adrenalin and levosimendan. Corticosteroids helped to modulate the cytokine storm.

Case report: A 16-year-old adolescent was admitted to the intensive care unit with fever, diarrhea, multiorgan failure and septic shock. He was IgG positive for COVID-19 and IgM negative. Thoraco-abdominal computed tomography demonstrated multiple para-aortic and peri-pancreatic lymphadenopathy and acute respiratory distress syndrome. The first suspected diagnosis was a lymphoproliferative syndrome and bacterial infection. The second possibility was a hemophagocytic syndrome in a patient recovering from COVID-19. He was treated with broad spectrum antibiotics because the differential diagnosis was difficult, and we removed them when the microbiological screening was negative. During the course of the disease he presented with severe biventricular dysfunction, probably due to the cytokine storm, so we used inotropic drugs (adrenaline, levosimendan). Infection with Salmonella species group B was diagnosed later, when the patient was in the Internal Medicine ward, although he was asymptomatic.

Conclusion: The severity of COVID-19 infection ranges from mild to severe, causing serious disease in some people. Although the pathophysiology is not well known, it seems that in some cases an immune storm is triggered, and it is related to more serious and prolonged disease. In our case, heart failure was important, because it could have worsened the prognosis. Fortunately, the response to levosimendan and corticosteroids was adequate and he recovered favorably until discharge.
Mutation spectrum analysis of DMD gene in Indonesian Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy patients
Authors: Dwianingsih Ery Kus , Iskandar Kristy , Hapsara Sunartini , Ping Liu Chun , Malueka Rusdy Ghazali , Gunadi . , Matsuo Masafumi , Lai Poh San
Published: February 2023

Background: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) are allelic disorders caused by mutations in the DMD gene. The full mutation spectrum of the DMD gene in Indonesian patients is currently unknown. Mutation-specific therapies are currently being developed, such as exon skipping or stop codon read-through therapy.  This study was conducted with the aim of identifying the mutation spectrum of the DMD gene in Indonesia to guide future development and application of feasible therapeutic strategies.  

Methods: This study is a cross sectional study that enrolled 43 male patients with a clinical suspicion of DMD or BMD. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) reaction was performed to screen for the common mutations in the DMD gene.  

Results: Out of 43 subjects, deletions accounted for 69.77% (n=30) cases, while duplications were found in 11.63% (n=5) cases. One novel duplication spanning exons 2 to 62 was identified. Deletion mutations clustered around the distal (66.67%) and proximal (26.67%) hot spot regions of the DMD gene while duplication mutations were observed solely at the proximal region. Two false positive cases of single exon deletion detected through MLPA were attributed to sequence mutations affecting primer ligation sites, confirming the need to validate all single exon deletions when using this screening method. Analysis of available maternal DNA samples showed that the rate of de novo mutations (48.15%) appears higher than expected in this population. Out of 31 patients who were classified as DMD based on clinical and genotype characterizations, 60.47% (n=26) of cases were suitable for exon skipping therapy.  

Conclusion: This is the first comprehensive study showing the feasibility of implementing the MLPA method for routine screening of DMD patients in Indonesia.  This is also the first study showing the potential applicability of exon skipping therapy in the majority of DMD cases in the country.
12 tips for introducing e-portfolios in undergraduate medical and dental curriculums
Authors: Javed Kainat , Arooj Mahwish , Ashraf Rizwan , Kaukab Nabila , Khan Rehan Ahmed
Published: February 2023

It is impossible to overlook the curricular advancements occurring all across the world. The evaluation methods should be revised in addition to the course objectives, programmes, and competences. If courses are evaluated the same way they have been in the past, we will not progress in education. We are on the verge of an educational revolution that will fundamentally alter how we educate and assess students.

E-portfolios have now become recognized and valued by everyone in medical education and the workplace, including policymakers. For programmatic assessments, E-portfolios are the best supporting document one can use as a qualitative assessment. It can be used in many ways including career planning, assessment, and for structured feedback.

E-Portfolio provides a secured database and then there are numerous ways to use this knowledge. It allows a learner to gather and exhibit proof of their accomplishments and proficiency in order to support the modern techniques of academic assessment.

In this article, we suggest 12 tips for putting a portfolio programme for undergraduate students into practice. The suggestions are based on an extensive evaluation of the literature, and the authors' personal experiences helped lay the groundwork for the recommendations.
Imagen y difunto: fotografía y representación de la muerte en Medellín, 1880-1930
Authors: Neva Oviedo Jessica Alejandra
Published: February 2023

La fotografía de difuntos fue una manifestación del arte mortuorio de gran valor en algunos sectores de la sociedad de Medellín de finales del siglo XIX y comienzos del siglo XX. Hay dos temas centrales, estrechamente vinculados, cuando se trata de esta práctica: la fotografía, como proceso físico-químico con una preocupación estética, y la muerte, como un hecho biológico y sociocultural, el cual produce una reacción en los deudos que han perdido a un ser querido. La fotografía de difuntos pertenece, a grandes rasgos, a una construcción simbólica moderna de la muerte. Para poder interpretar su significado en el contexto de comprensión en el que se produjo es importante analizarla desde una triple perspectiva: (1) el examen del contenido de la fotografía, (2) el fotógrafo y las corrientes estéticas, y (3) los medios técnicos de la fotografía de ese tiempo y la apropiación de las imágenes por parte de los deudos. Es importante señalar que el uso de la fotografía post mortem como documento histórico es de suma relevancia para el historiador, porque muestra cómo en el pasado se establecieron ciertas prácticas funerarias con las que actualmente las sociedades no cuentan, lo cual pueda deberse a la configuración de nuevas concepciones sobre la muerte.
Avaliação do conhecimento de nutricionistas brasileiros sobre dois capítulos do novo Código de Ética da profissão
Authors: Francisco Jamilly Lobo de Freitas , Bandeira Derick Mendes , Costa Camila Ferreira de Souza
Published: February 2023

Introdução: O mais recente Código de Ética do nutricionista foi publicado em 2018, sendo escassas as pesquisas neste tema. Objetivo: Este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar o conhecimento de nutricionistas sobre condutas éticas associadas aos capítulos IV e V do Código de Ética e Conduta do Nutricionista. Método: O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da Universidade Iguaçu (Protocolo 4.417.990/2020). Trata-se de uma pesquisa quantitativa e exploratória, na qual foi aplicado um questionário on-line de 34 questões objetivas a nutricionistas de todo o país. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida na plataforma do Google Forms e o link foi compartilhado com nutricionistas presentes em grupos no WhastApp, Facebook e com contas no Instagram. Resultados e Conclusão: Nossos dados mostram que a maior parte dos profissionais já leu o Código de Ética (81%), porém foi observado um conhecimento parcial em relação aos artigos 54, 58, 60, 61, 63, 64. Constatou-se que o perfil dos nutricionistas é composto principalmente por mulheres, brancas, com idade entre 30 a 39 anos, casadas ou em união consensual, sem filhos, com titulação máxima a especialização, tendo renda individual mensal de 3 a 6 salários mínimos, renda familiar mensal de até 6 salários-mínimos, e com área de atuação principal a nutrição clínica. Foi observado que alguns fatores influenciam a leitura do código e a quantidade de acerto das questões: cor, titulação máxima, renda familiar e individual, área de atuação e estado civil.
Unconventional food plants: sustainability in a university restaurant
Authors: Fangueiro Ana Luiza Da Silva , Penha Manoela Pessanha da , Lourenço Maristela Soares
Published: February 2023

Introdução: As plantas alimentícias não convencionais (PANC) são plantas comestíveis, muitas vezes desconhecidas, que podem ser nativas ou introduzidas no território brasileiro e apresentam-se como uma possibilidade de consumo sustentável. Objetivo: Analisar a produção e o consumo de PANC como uma alternativa sustentável de cardápio em um restaurante universitário (RU) no Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Método: Foi realizada uma pesquisa quali-quantitativa, descritiva, exploratória e propositiva com aplicação de questionários aos agricultores que cultivam PANC, aos gestores e usuários do RU estudado. Resultados: Os agricultores entrevistados cultivam 19 tipos de PANC, de cultivo simples, mas de sazonalidade e rendimento variável. Os gestores do RU responderam que seria possível a introdução de PANC no cardápio do RU, desde que sejam realizados testes de aceitabilidade com os usuários. 81,22% dos usuários do RU relataram conhecer ao menos um tipo de PANC e 91,7% responderam consumi-las, caso fossem introduzidas no cardápio. Conclusão: A produção de PANC dos agricultores entrevistados possibilitaria a inclusão de PANC como ingrediente nas preparações alimentares do cardápio do RU estudado.
Implementation of noise-reduction strategies and designated quiet time in an intensive care unit
Authors: Gupta Poonam , Thomas Mincy , Amer Aisha , Joseph Sherin , Louis Ivy , George Jacinth , Al Zubi Mohammad , Mcdonald Ian , El Hassan Mawahib
Published: February 2023

Background/Aims

Excessive noise is a considerable problem in intensive care units, interfering with patient rest, recovery times and patient satisfaction. This quality improvement project aimed to implement and evaluate noise-reduction strategies in a coronary intensive care unit in Doha, Qatar.

Methods

Rapid plan-do-study-act cycles were used to implement several noise reduction strategies, including the introduction of two designated quiet time periods per day (15:00–16:00 and 2:00–4:00), staff education about the impact of noise, environmental adjustments and an audio-visual device to alert staff, patients and visitors of excessive noise levels. A sound metre app was used to measure noise levels for 4 months before the intervention and for nearly 3 years (April 2018–December 2020) after implementation. Surveys were used to collect informal feedback from staff and patients on the ward.

Results

The average pre-intervention noise level on the unit were 64.6 dB, which was reduced to a consistent average of 24 dB during designated quiet times following the interventions. No adverse effects on communication or medical errors were observed. Patient and staff feedback was positive, with most patients (n=50) and all staff (n=86) being satisifed with the noise levels following the intervention.

Conclusions

Although the nature of activity in intensive care units makes them noisy environments, it is possible to reduce noise levels by targeting modifiable factors and implementing simple measures, such as dedicated quiet times, staff education and audio-visual noise alerts.
Powrót dzieci do szkoły
Authors: Strumińska-Doktór Anna , Jagodzińska Małgorzata
Published: February 2023

Okres izolacji był trudny dla dzieci i dorosłych. Niestety dla dzieci, u których relacje społeczne odgrywają istotną rolę w rozwoju, ich ograniczenie wpływa negatywnie na samopoczucie psychofizyczne. Dla dzieci w wieku szkoły podstawowej Uczestnictwo w życiu klasowym, kontakty z rówieśnikami, wpływają na stan psychiczny, samopoczucie, a także rozwój emocjonalny i społeczny. Celem artykułu jest przedstawienie problemów uczniów i nauczycieli związanych z przyjściem do szkoły po długiej nieobecności spowodowanej pandemią Covid-19. Chcąc poznać trudności z jakimi zmagają się dzieci przeprowadzono badania w wybranych szkołach podstawowych z zastosowaniem sondażu diagnostycznego. Wyniki badań wskazują na wiele potrzeb uczniów i nauczycieli związanych z powrotem do edukacji stacjonarnej, od której odzwyczaiły się dzieci. Na pierwszy plan wysuwają się problemy emocjonalne i społeczne na poziomie grupy rówieśniczej, klasowej. Badania ukazały trudności w nawiązaniu relacji z nauczycielami i rówieśnikami po ponownym rozpoczęciu edukacji w klasie szkolnej. Uzyskano także informację o potrzebach nauczycieli, którzy podobnie jak uczniowie powinni mieć dostęp do porad psychologicznych.
Przygotowanie do zawodu nauczyciela w opiniach studentów w Polsce i Portugalii
Authors: Michalak-Dawidziuk Joanna
Published: February 2023

Celem prezentowanego fragmentu badań było poznanie opinii studentów w Polsce i Portugalii (według miejsca zamieszkania) na temat stopnia ich przygotowania do zawodu nauczyciela. W przeprowadzonych badaniach zastosowano metodę sondażu diagnostycznego. Uzyskane wyniki wykazały, iż rozkład trzech najliczniejszych grup odpowiedzi przedstawiał się następująco: miasto powyżej 500 tys. mieszkańców – stopnie: średni 17,2%, wysoki 11,0%, bardzo wysoki 3,1%; miasto od 50,5 do 500 tys. mieszkańców – stopnie: średni 4.9% badanych, wysoki 4.9%, bardzo niski 1,8%; miasto od 5,5 do 50 tys. mieszkańców – stopnie: wysoki 9,2%, średni 6,1%, niski 1,8%; miasto do 5 tyś. mieszkańców – stopnie: średni 3,1%, wysoki – 0.6%, bardzo wysoki – 0.6% oraz wieś – wysoki – 12.3%, średni – 9.8%, bardzo wysoki – 2.5%. Oznacza to, iż w opinii najliczniejszej grupy badanych (41,1%) studia pedagogiczne przygotowały ich w średnim stopniu do wykonywania zawodu nauczyciela, drugą pod względem liczebnym grupą są studenci, których zdaniem zostali w czasie studiów przygotowaniu do zawodu nauczyciela w stopniu wysokim (38.0%), natomiast w opinii 8.0% respondentów w stopniu bardzo wysokim.
Aspiracje edukacyjno- zawodowe nauczycieli w dobie pandemii Covid-19
Authors: Lewandowska Hanna
Published: February 2023

Nauka zdalna wywołana pandemią Covid-19 oraz obecne trudności związane z migracją uchodźców spowodowaną wybuchem wojny na Ukrainie zmuszają nauczycieli do szybkiej adaptacji do nowych wyzwań. Wielu z nich uczy się korzystania z nowoczesnych technologii, szuka inspiracji w Internecie, czy nawet rozpoczyna studia podyplomowe. Warto zatem przekonać się, czy trudny czas przemian mógł stać się szansą na rozwój zawodowy nauczycieli. W ciągu ostatnich kilku lat wiele zmieniło się w metodyce nauczania. Różne są także kwalifikacje i aspiracje zawodowe nauczycieli podejmujących pracę w placówkach oświatowych. Podejmowane przez nich wysiłki by sprostać stawianym im wymaganiom są więc zagadnieniem wciąż aktualnym i zmiennym, przez co wymagają bliższego poznania. Niniejszy artykuł ma na celu podkreślenie wagi rozwoju osobistego nauczycieli w obliczu stawianych przed nimi nowych wyzwań. Jest to raport z badań przeprowadzonych wśród pedagogów pracujących na trzech etapach edukacyjnych, również w szkołach specjalnych. Głównym celem powyższych dociekań była próba odpowiedzi na dwa podstawowe pytania badawcze: czy w celu sprostania oczekiwaniom społecznym w okresie pandemii nauczyciele powinni doskonalić swoje umiejętności dydaktyczno – wychowawcze; oraz czy w ich opinii proces ten ma realny wpływ na poprawę jakości pracy szkoły i modyfikację pracy z uczniami. Dodatkowym celem przeprowadzonych badań było przekonanie się, czy okres nauczania zdalnego miał wpływ na proces samokształcenia nauczycieli i ich chęci do jego rozpoczynania. W badaniach udział wzięło siedemdziesięciu czterech nauczycieli z województwa mazowieckiego. Prowadzone były metodą wywiadu z uwagi na możliwą do uzyskania w ten sposób szczerą relację z respondentem.
Kształcenie studentów zagranicznych podczas pandemii i w dobie postpandemicznej
Authors: Banaszak Artur
Published: February 2023

W ciągu ostatnich kilku lat Polska stała się atrakcyjną destynacją dla studentów z różnych części świata, szczególnie z Azji czy Afryki. Kandydaci na studentów Polsce przechodzą proces rekrutacyjny i po pozytywnej weryfikacji przez uczelnie oraz placówki konsularne, przyjeżdżają do naszego kraju i rozpoczynają studia. Pandemia, która zaatakowała cały świat na początku 2020 roku zaskoczyła wszystkich, wprowadziła wiele zmian do życia i funkcjonowania różnych instytucji, w tym wyższych uczelni. Konieczne było więc dostosowanie systemu kształcenia oraz wprowadzenie licznych zmian, w tym także w kształceniu studentów zagranicznych. Poniższe opracowanie ma na celu analizę sytuacji, w jakiej znalazło się kształcenie studentów zagranicznych w Polsce oraz analizę funkcjonowania samych studentów w Polsce. Zmianie musiały ulec zasady rekrutacji oraz sposoby pozyskiwania takich studentów. Życie samych studentów też uległo modyfikacji, z uwagi na istniejące restrykcje i ograniczenia. Ze względu na pandemię i ograniczenia w działaniu uczelni w bardzo krótkim czasie zmuszono nas do przeniesienia procesu dydaktycznego ze świata rzeczywistego do świata wirtualnego. Nie wszyscy członkowie społeczności akademickiej byli na to przygotowani i nie wszyscy byli skłonni do takiej transformacji. Zmiany dotknęły wszystkich, ale studentów zagranicznych przebywających poza swoimi domami w sposób szczególny.
Miejsce poradnictwa online w systemie działań wspierających
Authors: Lubina Ewa
Published: February 2023

Poradnictwo w różnych dziedzinach życia społecznego zajmuje ważną pozycję. Zapewnia wsparcie społeczne w warunkach takiego wsparcia wymagających. Ostatnimi laty potrzeby w tym obszarze wzrosły lawinowo. Celem artykułu jest analiza postrzegania społecznego poradnictwa online. W tym celu przebadano 98 osób, których wypowiedzi stały się podstawą do sformułowania interesujących wniosków. Przydatność i efektywność pomocy psychologiczno-pedagogicznej jest zróżnicowana w różnych grupach wiekowych.
Terahertz phase shift sensing and identification of a chiral amino acid based on a protein-modified metasurface through the isoelectric point and peptide bonding
Authors: Shi Wei-Nan , Fan Fei , Zhang Tian-Rui , Liu Jia-Yue , Wang Xiang-Hui , Chang ShengJiang
Published: February 2023

The efficient sensing of amino acids, especially the distinction of their chiral enantiomers, is important for biological, chemical, and pharmaceutical research. In this work, a THz phase shift sensing method was performed for amino acid detection based on a polarization-dependent electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) metasurface. More importantly, a method for binding the specific amino acids to the functional proteins modified on the metasurface was developed based on the isoelectric point theory so that the specific recognition for Arginine (Arg) was achieved among the four different amino acids. The results show that via high-Q phase shift, the detection precision for L-Arg is 2.5 × 10−5 g /ml, much higher than traditional sensing parameters. Due to the specific electrostatic adsorption by the functionalized metasurface to L-Arg, its detection sensitivity and precision are 22 times higher than the other amino acids. Furthermore, by comparing nonfunctionalized and functionalized metasurfaces, the D- and L-chiral enantiomers of Arg were distinguished due to their different binding abilities to the functionalized metasurface. Therefore, this EIT metasurface sensor and its specific binding method improve both detection precision and specificity in THz sensing for amino acids, and it will promote the development of THz highly sensitive detection of chiral enantiomers.
FASFLNet: feature adaptive selection and fusion lightweight network for RGB-D indoor scene parsing
Authors: Qian Xiaohong , Lin Xingyang , Yu Lu , Zhou Wujie
Published: February 2023

RGB-D indoor scene parsing is a challenging task in computer vision. Conventional scene-parsing approaches based on manual feature extraction have proved inadequate in this area because indoor scenes are both unordered and complex. This study proposes a feature adaptive selection, and fusion lightweight network (FASFLNet) for RGB-D indoor scene parsing that is both efficient and accurate. The proposed FASFLNet utilizes a lightweight classification network (MobileNetV2), constituting the backbone of the feature extraction. This lightweight backbone model guarantees that FASFLNet is not only highly efficient but also provides good performance in terms of feature extraction. The additional information provided by depth images (specifically, spatial information such as the shape and scale of objects) is used in FASFLNet as supplemental information for feature-level adaptive fusion between the RGB and depth streams. Furthermore, during decoding, the features of different layers are fused from top-bottom and integrated at different layers for final pixel-level classification, resulting in an effect similar to that of pyramid supervision. Experimental results obtained on the NYU V2 and SUN RGB-D datasets indicate that the proposed FASFLNet outperforms existing state-of-the-art models and is both highly efficient and accurate.
Generation of vector beams based on diffraction characteristics of a linear polarization hologram in coaxial recording
Authors: Ye Tian , Wang Jinyu , Liu Jie , Qi Peiliang , Huang Lu , Yuan Xinyi , Zhang Yuanying , Yang Yi , Lin Xiao , Huang Zhiyun , Tan Xiaodi
Published: February 2023

Polarization holography is an effective tool for realizing light field manipulation and can be utilized to generate vector beams. Based on the diffraction characteristics of a linear polarization hologram in coaxial recording, an approach for generating arbitrary vector beams is proposed. Unlike the previous methods for generating vector beams, in this work, it is independent of faithful reconstruction effect and the arbitrary linear polarization waves can be used as reading waves. The desired generalized vector beam polarization patterns can be adjusted by changing the polarized direction angle of the reading wave. Therefore, it is more flexible than the previously reported methods in generating vector beams. The experimental results are consistent with the theoretical prediction.
Radial-mode sensitive probe beam in the rotational Doppler effect
Authors: Guo Zhenyu , Chang Zehong , Zhang Ying , Ma Guangdong , Zhu Xindong , Jia Junliang , Zhang Pei
Published: February 2023

The rotational Doppler effect (RDE) attracts much attention in various research areas, from acoustics to optics. The observation of RDE mostly depends on the orbital angular momentum of the probe beam, while the impression of radial mode is ambiguous. To clarify the role of radial modes in RDE detection, we reveal the mechanism of interaction between probe beams and rotating objects based on complete Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) modes. It is theoretically and experimentally proved that radial LG modes play a crucial role in RDE observation because of topological spectroscopic orthogonality between probe beams and objects. We enhance the probe beam by employing multiple radial LG modes, which makes the RDE detection sensitive to objects containing complicated radial structures. In addition, a specific method to estimate the efficiency of various probe beams is proposed. This work has the potential to modify RDE detection method and take the related applications to a new platform.
Aberration-free warp projection on a horopter screen using freeform holographic optical elements
Authors: Jeon Hosung , Kim Youngmin , Hahn Joonku
Published: February 2023

A horopter screen has been popularly studied since its curvature reduces the parallax between two eyes and the immersive displays with a horopter-curved screen are regarded to provide vivid impression of depth and stereopsis. But, the projection on a horopter screen causes some practical problems that the image is hard to be focused on the entire screen and its magnification is partially different. An aberration-free warp projection has a great potential to solve these problems, which changes the optical path from an object plane to an image plane. Since the variation of the curvature is severe in the horopter screen, a freeform optical element is required for an aberration-free warp projection. In comparison with the traditional fabrication method, the hologram printer has the advantage of rapidly manufacturing free-form optical devices by recording the desired wavefront phase on the holographic medium. In this paper, for a given arbitrary horopter screen, the aberration-free warp projection is implemented with the freeform holographic optical elements (HOEs) fabricated by our tailor-made hologram printer. We experimentally demonstrate that the distortion and defocus aberration are effectively corrected.
Physics-model-based neural networks for inverse design of binary phase planar diffractive lenses
Authors: He Jianmin , Guo Zhenghao , Zhang Yongying , Lu Yiyang , Wen Feng , Da Haixia , Zhou Guofu , Yuan Dong , Ye Huapeng
Published: February 2023

The inverse design approach has enabled the customized design of photonic devices with engineered functionalities through adopting various optimization algorithms. However, conventional optimization algorithms for inverse design encounter difficulties in multi-constrained problems due to the substantial time consumed in the random searching process. Here, we report an efficient inverse design method, based on physics-model-based neural networks (PMNNs) and Rayleigh–Sommerfeld diffraction theory, for engineering the focusing behavior of binary phase planar diffractive lenses (BPPDLs). We adopt the proposed PMNN to design BPPDLs with designable functionalities, including realizing a single focal spot, multiple foci, and an optical needle with size approaching the diffraction limit. We show that the time for designing single device is dramatically reduced to several minutes. This study provides an efficient inverse method for designing photonic devices with customized functionalities, overcoming the challenges based on traditional data-driven deep learning.
Temporal progression along discrete coding states during decision-making in the mouse gustatory cortex
Authors: Lang Liam , La Camera Giancarlo , Fontanini Alfredo
Published: February 2023

The mouse gustatory cortex (GC) is involved in taste-guided decision-making in addition to sensory processing. Rodent GC exhibits metastable neural dynamics during ongoing and stimulus-evoked activity, but how these dynamics evolve in the context of a taste-based decision-making task remains unclear. Here we employ analytical and modeling approaches to i) extract metastable dynamics in ensemble spiking activity recorded from the GC of mice performing a perceptual decision-making task; ii) investigate the computational mechanisms underlying GC metastability in this task; and iii) establish a relationship between GC dynamics and behavioral performance. Our results show that activity in GC during perceptual decision-making is metastable and that this metastability may serve as a substrate for sequentially encoding sensory, abstract cue, and decision information over time. Perturbations of the model’s metastable dynamics indicate that boosting inhibition in different coding epochs differentially impacts network performance, explaining a counterintuitive effect of GC optogenetic silencing on mouse behavior.