bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A TaqMan-based RT-qPCR assay for serotyping of Southern African territories (SAT) 2 strains of Foot-and-Mouth disease virus (FMDV) in Southern Africa
Authors: Kabelo Tshephang I. , Fana Elliot M. , Kesamang Monamodi , Hyera Joseph , Lebani Kebaneilwe
Published: November 2023

Objective

Determining the serotype of circulating virus strains is important in implementing effective vaccination. In this study, Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) Southern African territory 2 (SAT2) specific primers and TaqMan probe were designed towards rapid SAT2 detection and serotyping. The primers were tested by endpoint reverse transcription (RT) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) using the vaccine strain SAT2035. The SAT2 serotype-specific RT-qPCR assay was compared with currently used ELISA and VP1 sequencing using Cohen’s kappa statistics.

Results

The primers yielded amplicons of band size 190 bp during endpoint RT-PCR. When coupled with the probe, the primers reaction efficiency was determined to be 99% with an r2 value of 0.994. The results show that the SAT2 assay has comparable performance to VP1 sequencing (k = 1) and a moderate degree of agreement with ELISA (k = 0.571). The data shows that the newly designed assay could be considered for serotyping of SAT2 strains. However, for this assay to be complete there is a need to design effective SAT1 and SAT3 primers and probes that can be multiplexed to target other serotypes that co-circulate within relevant FMD endemic pools. For future implementation of the assay there is also a need to increase the number of field samples towards validation of the assay.
AMPK activator-treated human cardiac spheres enhance maturation and enable pathological modeling
Authors: Li Dong , Armand Lawrence C. , Sun Fangxu , Hwang Hyun , Wolfson David , Rampoldi Antonio , Liu Rui , Forghani Parvin , Hu Xin , Yu Wen-Mei , Qu Cheng-Kui , Jones Dean P. , Wu Ronghu , Cho Hee Cheol , Maxwell Joshua T. , Xu Chunhui
Published: November 2023

Background

Cardiac pathological outcome of metabolic remodeling is difficult to model using cardiomyocytes derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC-CMs) due to low metabolic maturation.

Methods

hiPSC-CM spheres were treated with AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activators and examined for hiPSC-CM maturation features, molecular changes and the response to pathological stimuli.

Results

Treatment of hiPSC-CMs with AMPK activators increased ATP content, mitochondrial membrane potential and content, mitochondrial DNA, mitochondrial function and fatty acid uptake, indicating increased metabolic maturation. Conversely, the knockdown of AMPK inhibited mitochondrial maturation of hiPSC-CMs. In addition, AMPK activator-treated hiPSC-CMs had improved structural development and functional features—including enhanced Ca2+ transient kinetics and increased contraction. Transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic profiling identified differential levels of expression of genes, proteins and metabolites associated with a molecular signature of mature cardiomyocytes in AMPK activator-treated hiPSC-CMs. In response to pathological stimuli, AMPK activator-treated hiPSC-CMs had increased glycolysis, and other pathological outcomes compared to untreated cells.

Conclusion

AMPK activator-treated cardiac spheres could serve as a valuable model to gain novel insights into cardiac diseases.
Improved plant yield of potato through exogenously applied potassium fertilizer sources and biofertilizer
Authors: Yousef Ahmed Fathy , Ali Ahmed Mahmoud , Azab Mohamed AbdAllah , Lamlom Sobhi F. , Al-Sayed Hassan Mohamed
Published: November 2023

Excessive usage of chemical fertilizers has detrimental effects on the environment and the safety of food. Conversely, utilizing organic fertilizers such as sage offers several advantages, including cost-effectiveness, soil enhancement, and promotion of root development. A two-year field experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of different potassium fertilizer sources and biofertilizers (specifically Bacillus cereus (MBc)) on potato plants. The experiment employed a split-plot design with three replicates, where the main plot factor was MBc (with and without), and the subplot factor was the sources of potassium fertilizer (control without K fertilizer, 100% Feldspar (FD), 100% Filter cake (FC), 75% FD + 25% FC, 25% FD + 75% FC, and 50% FD + 50% FC). The purpose was to examine the growth response of potato plants to these treatments. The results indicated that all treatments increased plant height, stem count, and tuber dry matter compared to the control. Furthermore, all treatments exhibited a higher uptake of macronutrients (N, P, and K) compared to the control. Notably, the plants treated with 100FC combined with MBc showed a significant 104.74% increase in total tuber weight compared to the control treatment. Additionally, the addition of 100FC with MBc significantly enhanced the availability of N, P, and K by 73.13%, 110.33%, and 51.88% respectively, compared to the control treatment. Apart from the biofertilizers, the individual application of FC and its combination with FD also demonstrated positive effects on soil fertility, potato growth, and yield.
Association between serum cholinesterase and the prevalence of atrial fibrillation in Chinese hypertensive population: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Xue Wenjing , Wei Yi , Hu Yuanhui
Published: November 2023

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a very common arrhythmia with significant incidence rate and mortality. Several studies have shown a notable correlation between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and AF. It has been observed that serum cholinesterase (SChE) levels are elevated in individuals with fatty liver. However, the relationship between the SChE index and AF is still unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the association between the SChE index and the prevalence of AF in patients with hypertension.

Method

We collected cross-sectional data from January 2018 to April 2021 based on a retrospective study of cardiovascular disease. A total of 748 patients with hypertension were included, of whom 165 had AF. We used logistic regression models to test the relationship between SChE and the prevalence of AF in hypertensive patients.

Result

In hypertensive patients, the SChE index was significantly associated with AF (OR = 0.723, P < 0.001). After adjusting for potential confounding factors, this correlation was still significant (OR = 0.778, P < 0.001). The stability of the model was verified by adjusting the variable type of SChE. The data were further stratified according to whether the patient had fatty liver. In the stratified data, the correlation between SChE and atrial fibrillation was still significant (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Our study showed that SChE was significantly negatively correlated with the occurrence of AF in patients with hypertension. And this correlation was not affected by whether the patient had fatty liver.
LncRNA MAFG-AS1 is involved in human cancer progression
Authors: Li Penghui , Ma Xiao , Gu Xinyu
Published: November 2023

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) refer to a type of non-protein-coding transcript of more than 200 nucleotides. LncRNAs play fundamental roles in disease development and progression, and lncRNAs are dysregulated in many pathophysiological processes. Thus, lncRNAs may have potential value in clinical applications. The lncRNA, MAF BZIP Transcription Factor G (MAFG)-AS1, is dysregulated in several cancer, including breast cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer, bladder cancer, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, esophagus cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, and glioma. Altered MAFG-AS1 levels are also associated with diverse clinical characteristics and patient outcomes. Mechanistically, MAFG-AS1 mediates a variety of cellular processes via the regulation of target gene expression. Therefore, the diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic aspects of MAFG-AS1 have been widely explored. In this review, we discuss the expression, major roles, and molecular mechanisms of MAFG-AS1, the relationship between MAFG-AS1 and clinical features of diseases, and the clinical applications of MAFG-AS1.
A review on factors related to patient comfort experience in hospitals
Authors: Tian Yu
Published: November 2023

The creation of a welcoming hospital atmosphere is necessary to improve patient wellbeing and encourage healing. The goal of this study was to examine the variables affecting hospitalised patients' comfort. The study procedure included a thorough search of the Web of Science and Scopus databases, as well as the use of software analytic tools to graphically map enormous literature data, providing a deeper understanding of the linkages within the literature and its changing patterns. Insights from a range of disciplines, including engineering, psychology, immunology, microbiology, and environmental science, were included into our study using content analysis and clustering approaches. The physical environment and the social environment are two crucial factors that are related to patient comfort. The study stress the need of giving patient comfort a top priority as they heal, especially by tackling indoor air pollution. Our research also emphasises how important hospital care and food guidelines are for improving patient comfort. Prioritising patients who need specialised care and attention, especially those who have suffered trauma, should be the focus of future study. Future research in important fields including trauma, communication, hospital architecture, and nursing will be built on the findings of this study. To enhance research in these crucial areas, worldwide collaboration between experts from other nations is also advised. Although many studies stress the significance of patient comfort, few have drawn conclusions from a variety of disciplines, including medicine, engineering, immunology, microbiology, and environmental science, the most crucial issue of thoroughly researching the improvement of patient comfort has not been addressed. Healthcare workers, engineers, and other professions will benefit greatly from this study's investigation of the connection between hospital indoor environments and patient comfort.
Association between prognostic nutritional index and peritoneal dialysis discontinuation: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Miyasato Yoshikazu , Morinaga Jun , Inoue Hideki , Nakayama Yushi , Adachi Masataka , Izumi Yuichiro , Kakizoe Yutaka , Mizumoto Teruhiko , Nakagawa Terumasa , Fujimoto Daisuke , Ono Makoto , Oda Akira , Kuwabara Takashige , Mukoyama Masashi
Published: November 2023

Background

Malnutrition is associated with discontinuing peritoneal dialysis (PD). The prognostic nutritional index (PNI), composed of serum albumin level and total lymphocyte count, has been suggested as a prognostic marker for mortality in patients undergoing PD. However, the relationship between PNI and PD discontinuation has not yet been well addressed. We evaluated the relationship between PNI and PD discontinuation in patients with end-stage kidney disease who initiated PD treatment.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent PD at a single academic hospital between 2007 and 2022. We examined the association between PNI (< 40 vs. ≥ 40) and PD discontinuation using Cox proportional hazards regression models. We used restricted cubic spline analysis to examine the continuous associations between the PNI and outcomes.

Results

The mean age (and standard deviation) of the 91 patients was 57.1 ± 13.4 years; 72 (79.1%) discontinued PD during the median follow-up period of 25.0 months. Lower PNI was associated with an increased risk of PD discontinuation. The hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) with three levels of adjustments were 1.74 (1.08, 2.79), 2.21 (1.32, 3.66), and 1.81 (1.01, 3.24) (reference: PNI ≥ 40). Restricted cubic spline analysis showed that a PNI < 40 was continuously associated with a higher risk of PD discontinuation.

Conclusion

A lower PNI (< 40) was associated with a higher risk of PD discontinuation. Our findings suggest that evaluating the PNI may help identify patients at high risk of PD discontinuation and lead to appropriate nutritional management for dialysis maintenance.
Development and psychometric evaluation of TEXP-Q: a questionnaire measuring transition and transfer experiences in emerging adults with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Vallmark Mikaela , Brorsson Anna Lena , Sparud-Lundin Carina , Bratt Ewa-Lena , Moons Philip , Saarijärvi Markus , Mora Mariela Acuña
Published: November 2023

Background

During transition to adulthood and transfer to adult healthcare, emerging adults with chronic conditions are at risk of deteriorating disease control, well-being, and acute, as well as long-term complications. Despite an increasing call for person-centred healthcare services attuned to young peoples’ needs, few validated instruments exist pinpointing adolescents’ and emerging adults’ experiences of preparation for transition and transfer. Thus, the overarching purpose of this study was to develop a person-centred, clinically applicable instrument (Transitional care EXPeriences Questionnaire, TEXP-Q) adjustable to different chronic conditions, although the focus in the present study was Type 1 Diabetes. The specific aim was, therefore, to describe the development and psychometric evaluation of TEXP-Q in emerging adults with Type 1 Diabetes.

Methods

Initial development of the TEXP-Q was inspired by existing research. Items were formulated in accordance with consensus recommendations for developing patient-reported measures, and extra consideration was taken to ensure person-centredness. Psychometric evaluation comprised two phases: In phase I, data from cognitive interviews, content validity indexing, and judgement of an expert panel provided information on face and content validity. In phase II, data from a cross-sectional study conducted at eight adult diabetes outpatient clinics in Sweden (n = 163) allowed for explorative factor analysis (EFA), as well as calculation of content validity, reliability and responsiveness.

Results

Combining results from cognitive interviews, content validity index values and expert panel judgement, a test version of TEXP-Q was developed, the content and face validity of which were considered good. This version consisted of 17 items answered on a five-point Likert scale, and three open-ended questions answered in free text. During EFA, four items were removed, and a three-factor solution was recognised as most adequate, accounting for 60% cumulative variance and one single cross-loading. After EFA, the instrument comprised 13 questions, divided into three latent factors. Cronbach’s alpha for the complete instrument was 0.866, which indicates good internal consistency. Crohnbach’s alpha approximated to 0.8 for all factors respectively.

Conclusion

TEXP-Q is a newly developed, person-centred instrument which has proven to be both valid and reliable when applied to youths with T1D. The questionnaire fills a need for instruments focusing on emerging adults’ experiences of preparation for transition and transfer.
Effect of primary versus secondary splinting impression techniques on the passive fit of screw-retained implant prosthesis: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Algabri Radwan Saleh , Altayyar Sadeq Ali , Abo-Alrejal Hanan Omar , Alsourori Ali Abdulghani , Alshaibani Dhafer Abdulwasea , Mostafa Marwa Hassan
Published: November 2023

Background

The utilization of splinting techniques for impression copings is commonly advised for complex implant-supported prostheses, as it can enhance the fit of these prostheses. However, there is limited understanding regarding the impact of the secondary splinting of implant analogues, on the passive fit of the prostheses. Limited data are available on the secondary splinting of implant analogues before pouring the impression and its comparison with the primary technique of intraoral splinting of impression copings prior to impression making.

Objectives

This study's objective was to determine the impact of the primary versus secondary impression splinting techniques using resin on the passive fit of screw-retained prosthesis.

Material and methods

This randomized clinical trial (RCT) involved two parallel groups consisting of 14 completely edentulous patients, with seven patients in each group. Each patient received a total of eight implants, four implants per arch, resulting in a total of 28 screw-retained prostheses. Two different impression splinting techniques were employed. Group (1) utilized the primary splinting technique, where the impression copings were splinted before taking the impression. In contrast, Group (2) utilized the secondary splinting technique, where the implant analogues were splinted before pouring the impression material. To evaluate the passivity of the screw-retained prostheses in both groups, a single-screw test (one-screw test) was used. Additionally, supplementary methods, including the screw resistance test, were employed.

Results

The findings of this RCT revealed higher passivity scores for secondary splinting impression pouring technique with a statistically significant difference (P = 0.082). There was a 2.2-fold greater frequency of non-passivity in the primary splinted method. In group (2), the likelihood of non-passivity was four times higher for upper arches prostheses, while there was no significant difference (P = 0.5) observed in both groups for lower arches prostheses.

Conclusions

The study found that using the secondary splinting impression pouring technique resulted in greater passivity of the implant prostheses compared to the primary splinting impression technique.
A review of radial basis function with applications explored
Authors: Arora Geeta , KiranBala  , Emadifar Homan , Khademi Masoumeh
Published: November 2023

Partial differential equations are a vital component of the study of mathematical models in science and engineering. There are various tools and techniques developed by the researchers to solve the differential equations. The radial basis functions have proven to be an efficient basis function for approximating the solutions to ordinary and partial differential equations. There are different types of radial basis function methods that have been developed by the researchers to solve various well known differential equation. It has been developed for approximation of the solution with various approaches that lead to the development of hybrid methods. Radial basis function methods are widely used in numerical analysis and statistics because of their ability to deal with meshless domain. In this work, the different radial basis function approaches were investigated along with the focus on the strategies being addressed to find the shape parameter value. The mathematical formulations of the various radial basis function methods are discussed along with the available shape parameters to get the optimal value of the numerical solutions. The present work will lay a foundation to understand the development of the radial basis functions that could lead to a play an important role in development of method thereafter.
Empagliflozin versus Sitagliptin as add-on dual therapy in Egyptian patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with Metformin: a 12-week randomized, open-label, parallel-group trial
Authors: Zakaraia Haitham G. , Salem Heba F. , Mostafa Mostafa A. A. , Ali Ahmed M. , Rabea Hoda M.
Published: November 2023

Background

Diabetes is one of the world’s most widespread conditions, and diabetic patients are among the most likely to engage in fierce battles with this chronic disease. Which group should be added-on as a dual therapy for Egyptian patients with type 2 diabetes and inadequate glycemic management, HbA1c ≥ 7.0% and ≤ 10% (≥ 53 and ≤ 86 mmol/mol), following not less than 3 months of metformin and diet therapy, is still up for debate. Based on this ambiguity, we designed our study to compare the safety and efficacy of sitagliptin 50 mg (n = 85) with empagliflozin 12.5 mg (n = 85) twice daily as an adjunctive therapy to metformin and diet for a further 12 weeks. HbA1c after 12 weeks of open-label therapy was the major outcome measure.

Results

After 12 weeks of treatment, empagliflozin drastically lowered HbA1c, FPG, PP, body weight, and triglycerides from baseline while significantly increasing LDL, total cholesterol, and HDL. On the other hand, sitagliptin significantly reduced FPG, PP (with a no discernable alteration in HbA1c), body weight, and triglycerides while significantly increasing HDL (P ≤ 0.001 for all comparisons). Comparing the two groups, empagliflozin significantly reduced HbA1c, FPG, and PP while significantly increasing LDL and triglycerides than sitagliptin (P < 0.001 for all except FPG, P = 0.005). More patients receiving empagliflozin 12.5 mg than sitagliptin 50 mg twice daily reported adverse events during open-label treatment (11.8% vs. 8.2%, respectively).

Conclusions

In type 2 diabetic Egyptian patients uncontrolled with metformin and diet, empagliflozin was superior to sitagliptin as regards glycemic control, weight, and SBP/DBP reduction.
Mitral annular disjunction in surgical mitral valve prolapse: prevalence, characteristics and outcomes
Authors: Gray Rhys , Indraratna Praveen , Cranney Gregory , Lam Hebe , Yu Jennifer , Mathur Gita
Published: November 2023

Background

There is a paucity of literature regarding outcomes of patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) and mitral annular disjunction (MAD) after mitral surgery, with many unanswered questions including the post-surgical persistence of MAD, effect of MAD on mitral valve reparability, and incidence of arrhythmia after mitral valve surgery. We aimed to examine the prevalence, imaging characteristics and clinical associations of mitral annular disjunction among patients undergoing mitral valve surgery for mitral valve prolapse, as well as outcomes after surgery including the persistence of MAD, arrhythmic events and excess mortality.

Results

A retrospective analysis of 111 consecutive patients who underwent mitral valve surgery for MVP was performed. A total of 32 patients (28.8%) had MAD. Patients with MAD were younger (64 vs 67 yrs, p = 0.04), with lower rates of hypertension (21.9% vs 50.6%, p = 0.01) and hyperlipidaemia (25% vs 50.6%; p = 0.01) and were more likely to be female (43.8% vs 21.4%, p = 0.04) with myxomatous leaflets > 5mm (90.6% vs 15.2%, p =  < 0.01) and bileaflet prolapse (31.3% vs 10.1%, p = 0.02). Mitral valve repair was performed in 29/32 patients (90.6%) in the MAD positive group, and no patients had the persistence of MAD post-surgery. Post-operative ventricular arrhythmia was higher in the MAD positive group (28.13% vs 11.69%, p = 0.04) with no difference in mortality, 30-day hospital re-admission, or post-operative mitral regurgitation between patients with and without MAD over 3.91 years of follow up.

Conclusion

In this study of consecutive patients with MVP undergoing surgery, MAD was a common finding (almost 1 in 3). MAD does not compromise mitral valve surgical reparability, and both repair and replacement are effective at correcting disjunction. Our data suggest that concurrent MAD in MVP patients undergoing surgery has no significant effect on post surgical outcomes. Further research as to whether this patient cohort requires post-surgical arrhythmia monitoring is warranted.
A research of a strategy to balance the importance and dispersion of multiple critical nodes
Authors: Cui Dong-Xu , He Jia-Lin , Lin Feng , Ru Jie , Ren Wei-Ping
Published: November 2023

Maximizing the range of disease or information spread is a hot research topic in complex networks. In particular, the dispersion among a group of nodes and the spreading ability of a single node are two vital factors in the propagation process. However, although some traditional algorithms have considered both factors, they have failed to address the balance between them. To solve this problem, this paper first proposes two metrics to quantify the dispersion of a group of nodes and the local spreading ability of a single node, then designs an objective function fusing these two metrics, which automatically searches for a balance between these two vital factors during the optimization process. We evaluate the proposed algorithm against seven baseline algorithms on three synthetic networks and nine real networks based on the classic susceptible-infected-recovered (SIR) model. Experimental results show that our algorithm is better than some of the centrality-based and heuristic algorithms in the final propagation scale.
Insights into RNA N6-methyladenosine in Glucose and Lipid Metabolic Diseases and Their Therapeutic Strategies
Authors: Wu Yifan , Zeng Yuan , Ren Yaolin , Yu Jie , Zhang Qian , Xiao Xinhua
Published: November 2023

The incidence of glucose and lipid metabolism diseases, including type 2 diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, is rising, which places an enormous burden on people around the world. However, the mechanism behind these disorders remains incompletely understood. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is 1 type of posttranscriptional RNA modification, and research has shown that it plays a crucial role in several metabolic diseases. m6A methylation is reversibly and dynamically regulated by methyltransferases (writers), demethylases (erasers), and m6A binding proteins (readers). Dysregulation of RNA m6A modification is related to different metabolic processes. Targeting RNA m6A methylation is a potential treatment strategy for these chronic metabolic diseases. This review discusses studies on RNA m6A modification in metabolic diseases and existing therapeutic drugs, with the aim of providing a concise perspective on its potential applications in managing metabolic disorders.
New Perspectives in German Studies: A View from the Margins
Authors: Florea Cristina
Published: November 2023

This article calls for studying German history and culture from the margins, an approach that highlights unexpected mutual influences and entanglements between German and non-German cultures in Europe and beyond and that challenges essentialist understandings of German identity. Moreover, by looking at peripheries of German culture, scholars can break out of the straitjacket of national narratives and rediscover the transnational dimensions inherent in German history. Bukovina, a multiethnic former province of the Habsburg Empire that now spans the border between Ukraine and Romania, is one such place. The article sketches how the German concept of Kultur was first used to legitimize the Habsburg Empire in Bukovina and was later absorbed into a new language of rights in a postimperial age.
Longing for the Sonderweg
Authors: Traverso Enzo
Published: November 2023

The highly controversial idea of Sonderweg, a special path to modernity, is frequently invoked to depict the history of Germany in the twentieth century. Initially claimed by nationalists as an exceptionalism proudly opposed to the development of both France and the United Kingdom, the German Sonderweg became a stigma after 1945, the mark of the wrong turn that had led to National Socialism. Beyond these debates, the thought remains that, under the shadow of this supposedly unique destiny, Germany was a volcano of aesthetic and intellectual creativity. This article analyzes the mental and cultural inversion produced by the end of the Cold War and the birth of a new “Berlin Republic.” From 1990 on, German politics and society tenaciously pursued a project of “normalcy” that consolidated both its democracy and its economy by establishing Berlin leadership in Europe. But this spectacular accomplishment also meant intellectual dryness and a memorial “wisdom” combined with a conservative “constitutional patriotism.” This inverted Faustian fate—conformist and mediocre prosperity instead of evil genius—is the transitory aftermath of a century of fire and blood.
Η εξέλιξη των οχυρωμένων μεσαιωνικών οικισμών των Κυκλάδων (13ος - 20ος αι.)
Authors: Γεωργούλη Ελένη
Published: November 2023

Αντικείμενο της παρούσας εργασίας είναι η εξέταση της εξέλιξης των οχυρωμένων οικισμών των Κυκλάδων την περίοδο από το 13ο ως τον 20ό αι. μέσα από το παράδειγμα του οικισμού της Χώρας της Σικίνου. Η Χώρα της Σικίνου, χτισμένη στη βόρεια απόκρημνη πλαγιά του νησιού, αποτελείται από δύο οικιστικά σύνολα. Ο εσωστρεφής χαρακτήρας του νησιού, λόγω έλλειψης φυσικού λιμανιού, διαφύλαξε αναλλοίωτο στο πέρασμα των αιώνων το μοναδικό οικισμό του, ο οποίος περιλαμβάνει το Κάστρο και τις εκτός οχύρωσης κατοικίες, με εξωτερικό περίβλημα το αγροτικού χαρακτήρα δομημένο περιβάλλον, άρρηκτα δεμένα με την καθημερινή ζωή των κατοίκων και τη διασφάλιση της επιβίωσής τους. Το Κάστρο αποτελεί τυπικό δείγμα κυκλαδίτικου οχυρωμένου οικισμού, με κάτοψη σχήματος τετράπλευρου και περίβολο από οικίες των οποίων η εξωτερική όψη διαμορφώνει το αμυντικό τείχος. Εσωτερικά του περιβόλου, υπήρχε και δεύτερη συστάδα οικιών οι οποίες κατεδαφίστηκαν κατά τη διάρκεια της ιταλικής κατοχής για να διαμορφωθεί η σύγχρονη πλατεία. Αποτελεί παράδειγμα οχυρωμένου οικισμού στον οποίο είναι ευδιάκριτες δύο τουλάχιστον σημαντικές οικοδομικές φάσεις εκ των οποίων η δεύτερη καθόρισε και τη σύγχρονη μορφή του. Εκτός από την πρώτη φάση της οποίας η κατασκευή ανάγεται στο β’ μισό του 16ου αι., η δεύτερη σημαντικότερη εντοπίζεται την περίοδο από το τέλος του 17ουως τις αρχές του 18ου αι.. Οι οικίες είναι διώροφες και περιλαμβάνουν μία ή περισσότερες από τις αρχικές ισόγειες στενομέτωπες μονόχωρες μονάδες που αποτέλεσαν τον αρχικό πυρήνα του σχεδιασμού. Η επίδραση της αρχιτεκτονικής αλλά και της οικονομικής ευμάρειας που χαρακτήρισε την οικοδομική δραστηριότητα των αρχών του 18ου αι. μετέτρεψε τα λιτά στενομέτωπα μονόχωρα σπίτια του Κάστρου σε διώροφα αρχοντικά με σάλες και περίτεχνα θυρώματα. Μέσω της έρευνας και της εργασίας πεδίου στο πλαίσιο εκπόνησης διδακτορικής διατριβής με αντικείμενο την εξέλιξη των οχυρωμένων οικισμών των Κυκλάδων μέσω του παραδείγματος της Χώρας Σικίνου, προέκυψαν πολύτιμα στοιχεία μέσω των οποίων αποκρυπτογραφείται η άγνωστη μέχρι στιγμής αρχιτεκτονική ιστορία του οχυρωμένου οικισμού της Σικίνου και παράλληλα συμπληρώνεται η εικόνα που έχουμε για την τυπολογία,την εξέλιξη και τη χρονολόγηση των οικισμών στις Κυκλάδες από την περίοδο του ύστερου μεσαίωνα.
Αποκαλύπτοντας φωνές του παρελθόντος
Authors: Κρασάκη Ελένη
Published: November 2023

Το σημαντικότερο χαρακτηριστικό της μουσικής που αποκαλείται ιστοριογραφικά ως μπαρόκ, έχει να κάνει με το πρόταγμα της ανάδειξης του κειμένου διαμέσου της μουσικής, προκειμένου να αναμοχλευθούν η ψυχική κατάσταση και τα πάθη των ακροατών, κατά τα πρότυπα του αρχαίου ελληνικού δράματος. Στη βόρεια Ιταλία των αρχών του 17ου αιώνα, ένα σύνολο πολυπαραγοντικών στοιχείων, μουσικών ή μη, συνέργησαν καθοριστικά, ώστε να επέλθουν ριζικές αλλαγές στη μουσική θεωρία και πράξη, προτάσσοντας το τραγούδι και το κείμενο στον πυρήνα της μουσικής δημιουργίας. Προκειμένου να προσεγγιστεί ερμηνευτικά η εποχή αυτή, η ιστοριογραφική τεκμηρίωση αποτελεί το σημαντικότερο μεθοδολογικό εργαλείο. Ωστόσο, φαίνεται πως τα ευρήματα και οι ερμηνείες που προκύπτουν, αν και βρίσκουν πρακτική εφαρμογή στα μουσικά όργανα, όσον αφορά το τραγούδι δεν ενσωματώνονται πλήρως. Σε μεγάλο βαθμό η τραγουδιστική πρακτική παραμένει άρρηκτα δεμένη σε αισθητικά και τεχνικά πρότυπα ύστερων εποχών, που λειτουργούν ως τροχοπέδη στην διερεύνηση και πραγμάτωση αρκετών από τα διακυβεύματα που φέρνει στην επιφάνεια η ιστοριογραφική τεκμηρίωση. Η παρούσα έρευνα, κατ’ αρχήν, αποσκοπεί στην πλαισίωση της τέχνης του τραγουδιού από την ιστοριογραφική τεκμηρίωση, έτσι όπως αυτή έχει διαμορφωθεί τα τελευταία χρόνια, θέτοντας το εξής ερώτημα: πώς ήταν το τραγούδι στις αρχές του 17ου αιώνα και ποια η σχέση του με την εποχή που προηγήθηκε και ακολούθησε; Προκειμένου να διερευνηθεί το ερώτημα αυτό, αξιοποιούνται πληροφορίες που παρέχονται κατά βάση στις πρωτογενείς πηγές και διερευνώνται τα ακόλουθα πεδία: το θεωρητικό υπόβαθρο, όπως αυτό διαμορφώθηκε από την ουμανιστική σκέψη της όψιμης Αναγέννησης καθώς και ο τρόπος που αναπτύχθηκε και τέθηκε σε εφαρμογή στο γόνιμο περιβάλλον των διαφόρων Ακαδημιών· προϋπάρχουσες εκτελεστικές πρακτικές πάνω στις οποίες βασίστηκε η νέα μουσική γλώσσα όπως το μονοφωνικό τραγούδι, ο αυτοσχεδιασμός και το απαγγελτικό τραγούδι· μαρτυρίες και καταγραφές σε σχέση με τους ίδιους τους τραγουδιστές και τις τραγουδίστριες· ζητήματα τεχνικής και πρακτικής εκτέλεσης, έτσι όπως παρουσιάζονται από τους Giulio Caccini στον πρόλογο του Le nuove musiche και τον Christoph Benrhard στο Von der Singe-Kunst oder Manier. Παράλληλα γίνεται μια συγκριτική μελέτη έξι διαφορετικών μελοποιήσεων του ποιήματος του G.B. Guarini Gorga di cantatrice, στις οποίες αποτυπώνονται γλαφυρά οι μεταλλάξεις που συντελέστηκαν από το stile antico στο stile modernο. Διαμέσου της μελέτης όλων των παραπάνω φωτίζεται ο τραγουδιστικός ήχος μιας εποχής η οποία χαρακτηρίστηκε από έντονες αλλαγές και ζυμώσεις, τάση για πειραματισμό και ρήξη με παγιωμένες θέσεις (τόσο μουσικές όσο και εξωμουσικές), θέτοντας στην προμετωπίδα αυτών των αλλαγών το τραγούδι. Οι μεταλλάξεις που συντελέστηκαν στην προς έρευνα εποχή, έμελλε να καθορίσουν αποφασιστικά την πορεία της κλασικής ευρωπαϊκής μουσικής μέχρι σχεδόν τα μέσα του 20ου αιώνα και η διερεύνησή τους αποτελεί ιδανικό πεδίο έρευνας, προκειμένου να τραγούδι να επανασυνδεθεί με το βασικότερο χαρακτηριστικό του, την δυνατότητα να εκφέρει κείμενο, άρα και νόημα.
Investigations on the role of SAF-A in the epigenetic regulation of nuclear architecture
Authors: Αθαναηλίδου Ευαγγελία
Published: November 2023

Η χρωματίνη είναι μια δυναμική δομή που εμπλέκεται σε διάφορες κυτταρικές διεργασίες. Μελετώντας τους μοριακούς μηχανισμούς και τις επιγενετικές τροποποιήσεις που ρυθμίζουν την αρχιτεκτονική της χρωματίνης, μπορούμε να αποκτήσουμε γνώσεις για το πώς τα κύτταρα προσαρμόζονται σε μεταβαλλόμενα περιβάλλοντα και πώς η απορρύθμιση αυτών των διεργασιών μπορεί να οδηγήσει σε παθολογικές καταστάσεις. Στην παρούσα διατριβή εστιάσαμε σε μια από τις πιο σημαντικές πρωτεΐνες ρυθμιστή της χρωματίνης, που ονομάζεται Scaffold Attachment Factor A (SAF-A), ή αλλιώς hnRNPU, και πιο συγκεκριμένα στην αλληλεπίδραση της SAF-A με την ακτίνη που εντοπίζεται στον πυρήνα. Προηγούμενες μελέτες έχουν δείξει ότι η SAF-A και η ακτίνη είναι σε θέση να αλληλεπιδρούν άμεσα και να ρυθμίζουν τη μεταγραφή ρυθμίζοντας τη φωσφορυλίωση της περιοχής CTD της RNA Πολυμεράσης II. Πρόσφατα δεδομένα έχουν επίσης δείξει ότι μια μετάλλαξη στην θέση δέσμευσης ακτίνης της SAF-A μπορεί να οδηγήσει σε νευροαναπτυξιακές διαταραχές. Για να αποκτήσουμε περισσότερες πληροφορίες σχετικά με το ρόλο της αλληλεπίδρασης της SAF-A με την ακτίνη, εφαρμόσαμε νέες τεχνικές CRISPR/Cas για να σημάνουμε τις ενδογενείς πρωτεΐνες και να παρατηρήσουμε τις αλληλεπιδράσεις τους σε ζωντανά κύτταρα. Με τη χρήση πειραμάτων απεικόνισης ζωντανών κυττάρων και φωτολεύκανσης δείξαμε ότι η υπερέκφραση της SAF-A ή μεταλλαγμένων μορφών της (που κατασκευάστηκαν στο εργαστήριο) οδηγεί στη συσσώρευση της μονομερούς ακτίνης στα πυρηνικά σωματίδια ματίσματος. Από την άλλη πλευρά, χρησιμοποιήσαμε το σύστημα mAID για να επιτύχουμε ταχεία αποικοδόμηση της SAF-A μέσα σε λίγες ώρες και εξετάσαμε την επίδραση της αποικοδόμησης στην ακτίνη χρησιμοποιώντας όλα τα επικυρωμένα δημοσιευμένα εργαλεία για την έκφραση, την οπτικοποίηση και τη μέτρηση της ακτίνης. Τα πειράματά μας αποκάλυψαν ότι με την αποικοδόμηση της SAF-A υπάρχει σημαντικός εμπλουτισμός της ακτίνης στον πυρήνα, που οδηγεί στον σχηματισμό πολυμερών ινιδίων ακτίνης, αλλά και στον εμπλουτισμό των ινιδίων τάσης ακτίνης στο κυτταρόπλασμα, ενισχύοντας τη μετανάστευση των κυττάρων. Πρόσθετα πειράματα που στοχεύουν στον μηχανισμό του τρόπου με τον οποίο η SAF-A ρυθμίζει τον εντοπισμό και τον πολυμερισμό της ακτίνης δείχνουν τη συμμετοχή της SAF-A στο μονοπάτι εξαγωγής της ακτίνης από τον πυρήνα. Τα αποτελέσματα αυτής της διατριβής αποτελούν ένα στέρεο έδαφος για την κατανόηση του μηχανισμού αλληλεπίδρασης της SAF-A και της ακτίνης και πώς αυτή η αλληλεπίδραση μπορεί να επηρεάσει την αρχιτεκτονική της χρωματίνης και την έκφραση γονιδίων. Η μελλοντική έρευνα θα δείξει πώς εμπλέκεται η αλληλεπίδραση αυτή στην ανθρώπινη παθοφυσιολογία και πώς η αποκτηθείσα γνώση μπορεί να μεταφραστεί σε ιατρικές εφαρμογές.
Ανάπτυξη προγραμμάτων σπουδών στις κοινωνικές επιστήμες και συσχέτισή τους με την αγορά εργασίας
Authors: Παπαγεωργίου Ιωάννης
Published: November 2023

Στόχος της έρευνας είναι να μελετηθούν τα προγράμματα σπουδών της Φιλοσοφικής Σχολής του Α.Π.Θ. σχετικά με το αν και κατά πόσο το περιεχόμενο τους σχετίζεται με τις απαιτήσεις της αγορά εργασίας και αν και κατά πόσο επηρεάζουν τις επαγγελματικές προοπτικές και δυνατότητες των αποφοίτων. Συμμετέχοντες στην έρευνα ήταν ακαδημαϊκοί καθώς και τελειόφοιτοι των Τμημάτων της Σχολής. Η τεχνική συλλογής του υλικού πραγματοποιήθηκε με δύο μεθόδους: Αφενός με τη διενέργεια ημιδομημένων συνεντεύξεων στους ακαδημαϊκούς και αφετέρου με τη χρήση ερωτηματολογίων για τους τελειόφοιτους των Τμημάτων. Η μέθοδος ανάλυσης που επιλέγηκε είναι αυτή της ποιοτικής ανάλυσης περιεχομένου. Μελετήθηκε το αντίκτυπο των προγραμμάτων σπουδών στην ενίσχυση των επαγγελματικών προοπτικών των φοιτητών και φοιτητριών υπό μια παιδαγωγική-εκπαιδευτική διάσταση. Η ανάλυση των προγραμμάτων σπουδών εξήγαγε τις παραμέτρους και τα στοιχεία εκείνα τα οποία μπορούν να συνεισφέρουν σε μια καλύτερη επαγγελματική τοποθέτηση των αποφοίτων στην αγορά εργασίας, ενώ παράλληλα πρότεινε νέες παιδαγωγικές πρακτικές και μορφές στα προγράμματα σπουδών μέσω των ευρημάτων της έρευνας. Βάση των ευρημάτων, μερίδα ακαδημαϊκών προσπαθεί να εντάξει στη διδασκαλία του και στην εν γένει στόχευση του δεξιότητες γνωστικές και μη που οδηγούν και σε άλλα επαγγέλματα εκτός του εκπαιδευτικού. Οι φοιτητές και φοιτήτριες βάση των απαντήσεων τους φαίνεται σε μεγάλο βαθμό να αναζητούν αυτές τις προοπτικές που θα τους οδηγήσουν σε μια ομαλή μετάβαση στην αγορά εργασίας. Η ανάπτυξη δεξιοτήτων στους φοιτητές και φοιτήτριες φαίνεται να ενισχύει τις επαγγελματικές τους προοπτικές. Η υπάρχουσα δομή των προγραμμάτων σπουδών δεν ευνοεί ιδιαίτερα την ανάπτυξη δεξιοτήτων εκτός των γνωστικών. Ακόμη και οι γνωστικές δεξιότητες αναπτύσσονται σε μέτριο βαθμό είτε λόγω μη συνοχής των προγραμμάτων σπουδών είτε λόγω της παραδοσιακής διδασκαλίας που ακολουθείται. Ο βασικότερος λόγος ελλιπούς συνοχής των προγραμμάτων σπουδών είναι η έλλειψη σαφών και κοινών διατυπωμένων σκοπών και στόχων ή η μη εφαρμογή τους στην πράξη από όλους τους διδάσκοντες. Διαπιστώνεται έλλειμμα κοινής κουλτούρας μεταξύ των διδασκόντων γεγονός που αντανακλάται αρνητικά στη δομή των προγραμμάτων σπουδών και κατ’ επέκταση στις επαγγελματικές προοπτικές των αποφοίτων. Η ένταξη εγκάρσιων δεξιοτήτων στα προγράμματα σπουδών συμπεραίνεται ως σημαντικής σημασίας με σκοπό την επίτευξη ενός σύγχρονου ολοκληρωμένου επαγγελματικού προφίλ του αποφοίτου αλλά και της κατάλληλης επιστημονικής κατάρτισης του. Επίσης, προτείνεται η κοινή στόχευση μεταξύ του ακαδημαϊκού προσωπικού ως προς το επιθυμητό επαγγελματικό προφίλ αποφοίτου, γεγονός το οποίο θα συνέβαλε στην συνεκτική δομή των προγραμμάτων σπουδών και πιθανώς θα συνέτεινε στη δημιουργία ενός ολοκληρωμένου επιστημονικού και επαγγελματικού προφίλ του αποφοίτου.
Empowering stoma patients and nurses during the pandemic and beyond
Authors: Perry-Woodford Zarah
Published: November 2023

Zarah Perry-Woodford, Consultant Nurse, Stoma and Internal Pouch Care Department, St Mark's Hospital, London ( zarah.perry-woodford@nhs.net ), winner of the Gold Award in the Nurse of the Year category in the BJN Awards 2023
Defining the scope of advanced practice
Authors: Foster Sam
Published: November 2023

Sam Foster, Executive Director of Professional Practice, Nursing and Midwifery Council, considers the issue of defining and regulating the scope of advanced nursing practice
The challenges in managing co-occurring Parkinson's and schizophrenia spectrum disorders
Authors: Hearn Elizabeth
Published: November 2023

This article explores the relationship between Parkinson's and schizophrenia spectrum disorders, discussing not only the possibility that they can be comorbid conditions but that the presence of one could increase the chances of developing the other. They are rarely documented together, other than in relation to medication-induced side effects, and this could be due to diagnostic overshadowing, or the widely held belief that these conditions are not able to co-exist. It also briefly discusses treatment options available and gaps identified for future research.
Impact of paramedics carrying just-in-case end-of-life care medication
Authors: O'Brian Edward , Chohan Andeep , Sewell Bernadette , Pease Nikki
Published: November 2023

Background:

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, it was predicted that frail community patients with symptoms of severe COVID-19 infection may need urgent symptom management—and that unless they had already been identified as being in their last weeks of life, they would be unlikely to have just-in-case (JIC) medications at home. The Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust therefore placed JIC medications on emergency ambulances to increase symptom management options for paramedics treating patients with symptoms of severe COVID-19 infection and/or associated with advanced end-stage illness.

Methods:

A review of medications to palliate symptoms of severe COVID-19 infection and advanced and terminal illness was undertaken. A verbal order process was implemented, allowing prescription-only medications to be administered by paramedics. Guidance, training and data capture processes were designed and implemented.

Results:

Symptoms associated with advanced cancer were the main reason for giving ambulance-based JIC medications, and midazolam and morphine were the most administered medicines. No adverse incidents were reported or recorded.

Conclusion:

Ambulance-based JIC medications were and continue to be appropriately administered, irrespective of life-limiting illness diagnosis. Although carrying JIC medicines on ambulances was introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, 12 months of data collection indicates this is a safe, cost-effective, patient-centred practice.
Performance Analysis of a Pressurized Assembly with a Reinforced O-ring
Authors: Bahloul El Mehdi El , Aissaoui Hicham , Diany Mohammed , Boudaia Elhassan , Mabrouki Mustapha
Published: November 2023

In industrial facilities, leaks from manufacturing equipment represent uncontrolled fugitive emissions. The most critical components in this equipment are the seals. Several types of seals are used and the most popular are flat seals and O-rings. These seals are subject to high clamping loads and pressures. The failure of the seals could seriously affect the safety of people, and also the environment by the leakage of toxic products.
In this work, the analysis of the mechanical and leakage behavior of the O-ring seal reinforced by a metal core and a conventional one when placed either between two plates or in a rectangular groove is presented.
Four finite element models, developed using Ansys software, are used to study the behavior of the assemblies in the four cases when clamping load and fluid pressure are applied.
This study shows that the introduction of a metal core inside an elastomer O-ring improves the sealing in pressurized installations. The comparison between the assembly without and with a groove shows that the installation of the two studied seals in a groove can protect them against the high stresses which can cause their deterioration and thus increase the probability of failure.
A Review of Pilot-operated Hydraulic Valves – Development, Challenges, and a Comparative Study
Authors: Elsaed Essam , Linjama Matti
Published: November 2023

Hydraulic systems have been widely used due to their high power-to-weight ratio. Despite the growing instances of being superseded by the electromechanical counterparts at low power levels, the market was incapable of presenting alternatives for large-size applications. Additionally, in recent years, the demand for more significant heavy machinery (Mobile & Industrial) has increased, which led to the necessity of even higher flow and pressure Pilot-operated valves, despite the fact that these valves have several issues. One might think the alternative could be developing a hydraulic system that does not rely on Pilot-operated valves, but after decades of research, these systems could not get close to the performance of Pilot-operated Multistage valves.
The paper presents a comprehensive study of the progress accomplished from the year 2016 to early 2022 in hydraulic Pilot-operated valves; they are widely employed among ordinary valves, proportional valves, and state-of-the-art digital hydraulics. Higher efficiency will be a primary factor in the success of the new designs.
The academia presented several studies to improve the Pilot valves’ performance, but still, they are limited. There are no dramatic developments, and there are only a few upgrades.
Motivación y práctica deportiva en adolescentes en función del género, edad y deporte
Authors: Aznar-Ballesta Antonio , Peláez Barrios Eva María , Salas Alicia , Vernetta Mercedes
Published: November 2023

Nos proponemos conocer los factores motivacionales que influyen en adolescentes que realizan actividad física deportiva extraescolar, analizando cómo estos factores se comportan como predictores. Se trata de un estudio no experimental, de tipo descriptivo y corte transversal. 307 adolescentes de entre 12 y 18 años respondieron un cuestionario ad hoc para recabar información básica sociodemográfica (sexo, curso escolar, características del deporte practicado) y la Escala de Medida de los Motivos para la Actividad Física-Revisada. Los resultados muestran que los adolescentes que practicaban deportes colectivos estaban más motivados en todos los factores que los que practicaban deportes individuales. Los que practicaban más horas destacaron por una motivación más centrada en la competencia, aunque también lo hicieron respecto al factor disfrute, concretando así su tendencia hacia la motivación intrínseca. La competición promovió mayor motivación en todos sus factores a diferencia de los deportes no competitivos. La apariencia y el disfrute se comportaron mutuamente como predictores motivacionales negativos, pudiéndose deber a la dependencia extrínseca de la apariencia. Destacamos que la principal motivación de los deportistas en general hacia la práctica de actividad física deportiva es el disfrute, seguido de los motivos por competencia, social, fitness y, por último, la apariencia.
Tesis doctoral: Formación para el desarrollo de la lectura y la escritura académica: Evaluación de la implantación del modelo Scaffolding Academic Literacy en el Grado de Primaria de la Facultad de Educación de Toledo
Authors: Rodriguez-Miñambres Paloma
Published: November 2023

Se trata de una reseña sobre la la tesis de la profesora Juana Blanco Fernández sobre el efecto de la implementación de la metodología Scaffolding Academic Literacy, basada en la Lingüística Sistémico-Funcional y la Pedagogía de Géneros Textuales, en el desarrollo de la lectura y la escritura académica de los estudiantes del Grado de Educación Primaria de la Facultad de Educación de Toledo. La tesis pone de manifiesto la importancia de la escritura académica al tratarse de una disciplina que desde la segunda mitad del siglo pasado lleva concitando la atención de especialistas y motivando el surgimiento de corrientes que, desde varios ámbitos disciplinares, pretenden orientar la tarea de enseñar a escribir en la Universidad. De entre todas estas corrientes y, debido a su consideración de la centralidad del lenguaje en el proceso, esta tesis se articula sobre la Pedagogía basada en Géneros Textuales, desarrollada por la Escuela de Sídney (Rose y Martin, 2012; 2018) y fundamentada principalmente en la Lingüística Sistémico-Funcional (Halliday & Mathiessen, 2014).