bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Obtaining a PhD in Portugal. Determinants of Success and Subsequent Career Paths
Authors: Ramos Ana , Ferreira Daniel
Published: September 2024

Background Over the past three decades, Portugal has invested significantly in doctoral training. However, there is a lack of up-to-date information on the success of scholarship holders in obtaining the degree or on their subsequent career paths. Methods This study analysed four cohorts of scholarship holders funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology between 1995 and 2012. The professional situation at different points in time after the Ph.D. (5, 10, 15 and 20 years) was studied. Results The success rate for obtaining the degree was 88%, which is comparable to other European countries for doctorates completed with funding over a period of 3-4 years. The average time to obtain the degree was 5.06 years. The time to degree was influenced by the scientific field, the nationality of the scholarship holder, and the location of the institution awarding the degree (in Portugal or abroad). The gender or age range of the scholarship recipients did not influence the time required for graduation. The analysis of the career and sector of activity of these graduates at different points in time after obtaining the Ph.D. revealed that approximately 60% percent of the graduates were engaged in R&D activities at some point in their career paths, but this percentage diminished from the oldest to the most recent cohorts, suggesting difficulties in retaining recent graduates in academia and in the private sector. In 2020, 63% of the graduates were engaged in R&D activities, and almost half were employed in higher education as teachers, researchers, or scholarship holders. Conclusions This study confirmed the challenges faced by doctoral graduates in integrating into non-academic job markets. On the other hand, it has demonstrated an efficient use of public funds, with high success rates and a time to degree that is within the average of other European countries.
Współpraca rozwojowa wobec wyzwań w kontekstach niestabilności – zaangażowanie Austrii
Authors: Paterek Anna
Published: September 2024

DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION IN THE FACE OF CHALLENGES IN FRAGILE CONTEXTS – AUSTRIA’S COMMITMENT
The aim of the paper is to analyse the commitment of Austrian development cooperation in fragile and conflict-affected countries in the context of dynamically changing conditions of international development cooperation, in particular the Hamas terror on Israel and the ongoing Russian war of aggression on Ukraine. The political guidelines and strategies of key actors in Austrian Official Development Assistance (ODA) have been assessed. Humanitarian aid is a key element of Austria’s engagement abroad in response to numerous crises, implemented multilaterally on the ground through UN agendas and Austrian nongovernmental organisations. At the same time, there is a tightening of connections between humanitarian aid and development cooperation in contexts of instability as an expression of Austria’s global responsibility.
Untangling the Performance Impact of E-marketplace Sellers’ Deployment of Platform-Based Functions: A Configurational Perspective
Authors: Zeng Jicheng , Fang Yulin , Li Huifang , Wang Youwei , Lim Kai H.
Published: September 2024

Platform-based functions (PBFs) serve as indispensable tools for enhancing sellers’ performance within the e-marketplace. However, the complexity of their interaction and the determination of optimal configurations pose ongoing challenges. Employing fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis on a robust data set comprising 3,300 apparel sellers, our study delves into the intricate interplay of PBFs, revealing the nuanced combinations that exert significant influence on sales outcomes. In our investigation, we underscore the pivotal role of two key elements: the meticulous assessment of seller reputation and the strategic alignment of product positioning. These factors emerge as crucial determinants in shaping effective PBF configurations. Surprisingly, our research uncovers unforeseen drawbacks associated with pricing and marketing functions, particularly for reputable sellers offering high-priced products. Beyond theoretical elucidation, our findings offer pragmatic, actionable insights. We provide concrete strategies for sellers and platform operators to optimize their approaches, fostering a more vibrant and competitive e-marketplace ecosystem.
A ABORDAGEM DA NEGAÇÃO NO ENSINO BÁSICO: PRÁTICA DE ANÁLISE LINGUÍSTICA/SEMIÓTICA EM TEXTOS MULTIMODAIS / APPROACHING NEGATION IN BASIC EDUCATION: LINGUISTIC/SEMIOTIC ANALYISIS PRACTICE IN MULTIMODAL TEXTS
Authors: Sathler Sigiliano Natália , Aparecida Ferreira Freitas Wanessa
Published: September 2024

Este artigo enfatiza a relevância da abordagem, no ensino básico, dos fenômenos linguísticos e de outras semioses de forma atrelada ao seu papel nos efeitos de sentido do texto e na composição dos gêneros textuais. Para tanto, relata uma pesquisa-ação, desenvolvida no âmbito do PROFLETRAS e aplicada em uma turma do 7º do ensino fundamental. Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo propor, aplicar e analisar uma ação didática que levasse os alunos ao reconhecimento da funcionalidade e ao uso das diversificadas formas de marcação da negação em português, especialmente no que tange à intencionalidade persuasiva de seu emprego em publicidades, sinalizada através da linguagem. Para tanto, a partir de pesquisa diagnóstica dos conhecimentos dos estudantes, foi criado material autoral pautado na visão da prática de análise linguística, abordando a negação em sala de aula e levando os alunos a analisarem, identificarem e usarem as diversas formas de negação, sejam de natureza linguística ou através de outras semioses, por meio do incentivo ao reconhecimento de sua funcionalidade persuasiva em textos publicitários. A partir das atividades desenvolvidas com a turma e da análise comparativa de produção e atividade de sondagem de leitura inicial e final, notou-se um avanço considerável no conhecimento sobre as estratégias de negação.
O ENSINO-APRENDIZAGEM DO LÉXICO NO ENSINO FUNDAMENTAL: DESAFIOS E PROPOSTAS/TEACHING AND LEARNING OF LEXICON IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: CHALLENGES AND PROPOSALS
Authors: Araújo Mariângela , De Souza Lígia Fabiana , Avilla Andrade Natália
Published: September 2024

O presente artigo tem como objetivo descrever sucintamente os desafios encontrados no contexto atual brasileiro para o ensino-aprendizagem do léxico, tendo em vista o que se preconiza nos documentos oficiais que orientam os conteúdos a serem trabalhados nas aulas de língua materna e o que se encontra em alguns materiais didáticos utilizados no país. Além disso, considerando os apontamentos e as lacunas encontradas, busca apresentar a importância de se trabalhar com as questões lexicais, tanto para avançar na competência leitora dos estudantes quanto para que estes possam produzir textos com mais qualidade. Demonstrará ainda como os estudos lexicais podem contribuir para a reflexão em outras disciplinas e nas atividades transdisciplinares. Nesse sentido, o artigo também abordará propostas didáticas desenvolvidas por um grupo de pesquisa, constituído na Universidade de São Paulo, para o trabalho com os estudos lexicais em sala de aula, a fim de fornecer reflexões para futuras aplicações e para o desenvolvimento de novas propostas. Com esse intuito, serão utilizados como referencial teórico a Base Nacional Comum Curricular (Brasil, 2017), como documento norteador para elaboração de materiais didáticos e ensino de língua portuguesa no Brasil; os estudos lexicais desenvolvidos por Pottier (1978) e Biderman (1999), entre outros; e os estudos sobre ensino-aprendizagem do léxico, como os de Leffa (2000), Gil (2016) e Araújo (2019; 2020).
LITERATURA AFRO-BRASILEIRA NO PROFLETRAS: CONCEPÇÃO E PRÁTICA PEDAGÓGICA /AFRO-BRAZILIAN LITERATURE IN PROFLETRAS: CONCEPTION AND PEDAGOGICAL PRACTICE
Authors: Medeiros Vera , Rezende Neide Luzia de
Published: September 2024

Este artigo reflete sobre a contribuição do PROFLETRAS para a inserção da literatura afro-brasileira no trabalho pedagógico no Ensino Fundamental II e para a promoção da educação antirracista na escola pública brasileira. Para isso, examina um conjunto de dez dissertações defendidas no programa entre os anos de 2015 e 2019, as quais se detêm no tema da literatura afro-brasileira e em numa didática que inclui o leitor, no caso professor e aluno, como interlocutores privilegiados do texto. O artigo inicia apresentando a percepção dos docentes sobre sua participação no programa, com destaque para a disciplina “Leitura do texto literário” voltada ao ensino de literatura. Na sequência, trata dos impactos da implementação da Lei 10.639/2003 no âmbito do ensino da literatura no Brasil, que abriu espaço para uma vertente literária, a literatura afro-brasileira, assim como demandou novas abordagens teóricas e metodológicas. Por fim, com base em depoimentos colhidos nas dissertações, são abordadas questões relacionadas à formação inicial e à pouca presença da literatura afro-brasileira nos cursos de graduação em Letras, daí a relevância do PROFLETRAS. O desenvolvimento da análise ampara-se no discurso docente extraído das dissertações e orienta-se por referencial teórico que inclui Geraldi (2002), Larrosa Bondía (2002), Rouxel, Langlade e Rezende (2012), entre outros.
A FORMAÇÃO DOCENTE PARA O USO DAS METODOLOGIAS ATIVAS E O PLANEJAMENTO REVERSO: UMA OFICINA VOLTADA AOS PROFESSORES DA EDUCAÇÃO BÁSICA
Authors: Frade Alves do Amaral Joyce
Published: September 2024

Esse  trabalho é um relato de experiência e tem o objetivo de apresentar o desenvolvimento de uma oficina  ministrada aos docentes da rede pública realizada no evento VI SEPEP ( Seminário de Professores da Escola Pública). O propósito da oficina foi de contribuir para a formação continuada do professor, apresentar as metodologias ativas, em específico a sala de aula invertida e aprendizagem baseada em problemas, o planejamento reverso, como também levá-los a reflexão acerca de sua prática. O estudo possui abordagem qualitativa (Flick, 2009), cujo objetivo é observar e compreender os fenômenos durante o processo de construção de conhecimento no desenvolvimento da oficina. Sendo assim, a oficina teve a duração de 3h (três horas). De acordo com o relato dos docentes participantes, foi possível perceber que os mesmos compreenderam que as metodologias ativas são métodos que quando bem organizados e planejados, podem contribuir para a facilitação do processo de aprendizagem, e que pode se tornar mais eficaz quando é realizado de forma dinâmica, na coletividade e com a mediação do professor.
AS MEDIAÇÕES ENTRE A FORMAÇÃO ESCOLAR E O MUNDO DO TRABALHO NA PERSPECTIVA DOS EGRESSOS
Authors: Ribeiro Oliveira Marina
Published: September 2024

O presente trabalho, desenvolvido no âmbito da Educação Profissional integrada à Educação Básica na Modalidade de Jovens e Adultos (PROEJA), tem, por objetivo geral, compreender, a partir da perspectiva dos egressos, as mediações entre formação escolar e mundo do trabalho. Nesse sentido, pretendemos desvelar de que maneira a formação propiciada por esse Programa contribui para a inserção profissional dos estudantes. Neste ponto, cabe destacar que pensamos o conceito de inserção profissional para além da conquista de um posto de trabalho/emprego após a saída da escola, mas como um processo formativo que traz legados para a vida profissional dos estudantes.
Sendo assim, nosso trabalho consistiu em uma pesquisa qualitativa, que utilizou o método de Análise de Conteúdo (Bardin, 1977). A coleta de dados foi realizada a partir da aplicação de um questionário direcionado aos egressos do curso Técnico em Administração – Proeja Integrado -- entre os anos de 2018-2022, nos campi Tijuca II e Centro do Colégio Pedro II
Como arcabouço teórico, utilizamos o conceito de mundo do trabalho do autor Hobsbawm (1995), de inserção profissional – baseado em Trottier (1998) e Alves (2007) -- e de precarização do trabalho, discutido por Gouveia (2018) e Vieira (2011).
Como resultado da análise de dados, concluímos que a taxa de inserção dos egressos em profissões vinculadas à área de formação é baixa. Além disso, a maioria dos respondentes destacou que não houve nenhuma mudança em sua realidade profissional após o término do curso. Em contrapartida, destacam que os conhecimentos adquiridos trouxeram impactos para sua trajetória profissional, independente de estarem atuando profissionalmente na área.
PEDAGOGO/A JURÍDICO/A:
Authors: Freitas de Melo Simony , Lopes dos Santos Gidair
Published: September 2024

O presente texto apresenta um panorama do trabalho que vem sendo realizado pelo/a pedagogo/a no contexto jurídico, evidenciando aspectos que marcaram o início de sua trajetória profissional nesse campo de atuação. As práticas do/a pedagogo/a no ambiente jurídico situam-se na concepção de educação como prática social e na compreensão de que a Pedagogia é a Ciência da Educação e campo de conhecimento científico. Trata-se de uma revisão teórica que tem como propósito principal, situar as práticas desenvolvidas por esses/essas profissionais no Poder Judiciário, e apresentar outras possibilidades de atuação no contexto jurídico, para além dos tribunais de justiça, os quais, necessariamente, também têm no objeto de sua intervenção a vinculação entre Educação e Direito.
O MUSEU COMO ESPAÇO DE ATUAÇÃO DO PEDAGOGO
Authors: Nascimento de Souza Renata
Published: September 2024

O presente artigo apresenta os resultados de pesquisa acadêmica sobre a atuação dos pedagogos em museus. O museu é compreendido como um espaço de educação e, portanto, um espaço de atuação de pedagogos. Em 2011, uma publicação do IBRAM, denominada Museus em números identificou a presença de 406 pedagogos atuando em museus brasileiros. Assim, a partir de entrevistas realizadas com cinco pedagogos de diferentes instituições museais da cidade do Rio de Janeiro foi sistematizado o trabalho do pedagogo em museus e as contribuições do curso de Pedagogia para a sua atuação. Os pedagogos entrevistados ocupavam-se, principalmente, da atividade de planejamento e avaliação das ações educativas. Desta forma, os conhecimentos abordados pelo curso de Pedagogia contribuíram para a atuação profissional dos pedagogos.
Being present
Authors: Phillips Chloe
Published: September 2024

Chloe Phillips reflects on the best ways to communicate for yourself and the dental practice.
VALIDAÇÃO SEMÂNTICA DA CARTILHA EDUCATIVA PARA CONFORTO DE PESSOAS COM INFARTO AGUDO DO MIOCÁRDIO
Authors: Luna Flôres Silva Pedro , Pollyana Pereira Portela
Published: September 2024

O processo de transição epidemiológica e demográfica contribui para o aumento da longevidade, mas também alteração do perfil de doenças infecto-parasitárias para doenças crônicas como doenças cardiovasculares (Oliveira, 2019).
Embroidered memories: postmemorial nostalgia in Palestinian tatreez
Authors: Sheets Kristine
Published: September 2024

For the descendants of al-Nakba survivors, who have been separated and exiled from their familial homeland in Palestine, memories of life before exile are no longer part of an act of recall, but one inherited and imagined. As seen in the narratives that follow, the memories they inherit from family members are often inflected by nostalgia and a longing for return, which in turn shape their imagined relationship with Palestine and their Palestinian identities. To narrate this ambivalence, young artists practise the traditional craft of Palestinian embroidery, or tatreez. As a result, what originated as a form of communication, passed matrilineally, has evolved to incorporate a new spectrum of voices.

This article examines discourses of Palestinian postmemory in the embroidered motifs of diasporic artists. This research examines how family dynamics and exposure to tatreez are shaped by gender and each family’s postmemory, drawing on online biographies, written autobiographies and social media posts by the artists, it explores what aspects of their families’ histories are remembered by young Palestinians and how these memories are reinterpreted and expressed through contemporary embroidered art. These individuals create art that combines nostalgia, longing, obligation, confusion, pride and commemoration that characterises al-Nakba memory and modern Palestinian identity. Each artist represents the perspectives of the descendants of survivors; they claim their stake in history and do so in ways that push the craft, as well as the identities it represents, in an evolutionary direction.
Stochastic topological systems in arrays of optical tweezers under thermal activation
Authors: Gao Ming , Li Nan , Chen Xingfan , Cai Han , Hu Huizhu
Published: September 2024

Topology has become important in understanding condensed matter physics and photonics, such as the quantum Hall effect. Recently, interest has grown in applying topology to stochastic systems, including biological active matter. In this study, we explore stochastic topological physics using optically levitated particles in arrays of optical tweezers. We describe the particle dynamics with the Langevin and master equations, mapping the latter to a tight-binding model called the Markov network. By changing the escape rates between traps, we create the Su–Schrieffer–Heeger (SSH) model and show the existence of topologically protected edge states. Our theoretical and simulation results connect the decay rates of particles at certain sites to these topological states. This research provides, to our knowledge, a new way to study topological physics in stochastic systems with the precise control and measurement capabilities of optical tweezers.
Coherent combining of broadband pulses after free space optical parametric amplification
Authors: Jansonas Gaudenis , Erdman Emily C. , Novák Jakub , Antipenkov Roman , Grossmann Vojtěch , Horáček Martin , Naylon Jack Alexander , Bakule Pavel
Published: September 2024

In this study, we present the experimental proof of concept of the polarization-based filled-aperture coherent combination of two distinct broadband (sub-20 fs transform limited pulse duration at around 795 nm central wavelength) optical parametric chirped pulse amplification systems in free space. An average combination efficiency of 90% is demonstrated.
Two-dimensional optical micro displacement sensing and crosstalk elimination based on the self-imaging effect of a grating pair
Authors: Wang Xuhu , Wang Chi , Qian Lailai , Xin Youze , Hu Congzhen , Jin Li , Li Mengwei , Geng Li , Zhang Bing
Published: September 2024

This paper proposes a straightforward method for measuring micro-displacement synchronously along two orthogonal axes. A single structure consists of a pair of two-dimensional gratings and a quadrant detector aligned with a collimated laser is used to detect the micro-displacement. The crosstalk and the common-mode noise are eliminated through a two-step differential process. Experimental results demonstrate that the displacement measurement resolution can reach 40 nm with a sensitivity of 0.483 V/µm within the linear range. The accuracy obtained is 0.29% on the X-axis and 0.31% on the Y-axis within a 500 µm range. The signal-to-noise ratio is improved by 4.56 dB after differential. The simplicity and high compactness of this measurement structure make it suitable for fabrication and alignment using microfabrication processes, which show great potential in many applications such as gyroscopes, accelerators, and multi-dimensional displacement measurements.
Manipulating one-way quantum steering in a mechanical gain-loss optomechanical system
Authors: Bai Cheng-Hua , Bai Suying , Wang Dong-Yang , Guo Qi , Wu Shao-Xiong , Zhao Yang , Wang Hong-Fu , Liu Wenyao , Tang Jun
Published: September 2024

Based on the phenomenon of exceptional points (EPs) in the optomechanically induced mechanical PT-symmetric binary and ternary systems, we propose a mechanism to generate the perfect one-way quantum steering between two totally symmetric modes, respectively. By investigating the quantum steering behavior in the close vicinity of EP, we find that the optimal one-way quantum steering can be successfully generated at the EP in the PT-symmetric binary mechanical system. When pushing the system towards the EP, we show that not only is the broadest region of the one-way quantum steering achieved, but the robustness against the thermal noise can be significantly enhanced. In addition, the direction of the one-way quantum steering can be precisely controlled only by altering the sign of the detuning of the cavity field. What’s more, we analyze the mean populations of the involved modes to further support our findings and find that the occurrence of the one-way quantum steering depends mainly on the difference in the populations between the two target modes. We also successfully extend our findings to the high-order EP, and the desired one-way quantum steering can still be generated in the PT-symmetric ternary mechanical system when it operates at the EP. Our scheme opens up an alternative manipulation method to explore the various novel quantum effects exploiting the EPs and has significant potential applications in quantum nonreciprocal devices.
Multifunctional-hierarchical flexible metasurface with simultaneous low infrared emissivity, broadband microwave absorption, and dynamic visible camouflage
Authors: Yang Junyi , Zhao Jiancun , Li Xinting , Guo Yuhao , Wang Xiaodong , Qiu Ye , Li Ben , Wang Zhenyu , Li Wenli , Yu Yiting
Published: September 2024

Sophisticated multispectral detectors have made single-band camouflage materials ineffective, consequently leading to significant advancements in metasurfaces that possess both infrared (IR), radar, and visible stealth capabilities. However, the mutual constraints of stealth principles across different bands and the demand for environment-adaptive camouflage raise challenges to existing multispectral compatible stealth solutions. Here a multifunctional-hierarchical flexible metasurface (MHFM) including an infrared suppression layer (IRSL), three microwave absorbing layers (MAL), an environmental adaptation layer (EAL), and a total reflective sheet (TRS), was designed to simultaneously achieve IR, radar, and dynamic visible stealth. Unlike the direct stacking of functional layers in existing solutions, the EAL is directly integrated with the first MAL as a part of the absorbing structure. As a proof-of-concept, an MHFM sample with an area of 300 × 300 mm2 and a minimum linewidth of 20 µm is demonstrated. The excellent multispectral camouflage performance is verified in experiments, showing low infrared emissivity (0.229, covering the wavelength of 3∼14 µm), the high absorption efficiency of over 90% in 2.53∼34.56 GHz, and dynamic camouflage in both grassland and desert environments. Our work presents a new solution for adaptive visible camouflage and competitive IR-radar stealth that is prospectively applicable in complex environments.
Suppression of quantum dissipation: a cooperative effect of quantum squeezing and quantum measurement
Authors: Xia Yi-Ming , Wang Yi-Fei , Zhang Xiao-Yun , Li Hai-Chao , Xiong Wei
Published: September 2024

The ability to isolate a quantum system from its environment is of fundamental interest and importance in optical quantum science and technology. Here we propose an experimentally feasible scheme for beating environment-induced dissipation in an open two-level system coupled to a parametrically driven cavity. The mechanism relies on a novel, to the best of our knowledge, cooperation between light–matter coupling enhancement and frequent measurements. We demonstrate that, in the presence of the cooperation, the system dynamics can be completely dominated by the effective system–cavity interaction, and the dissipative effects from the system–environment coupling can be surprisingly ignored. This work provides a generic method of dissipation suppression in a variety of quantum mechanical platforms, including natural atoms and superconducting circuits.
Sodium-based plasmonic waveguides with high confinement factors and ultra-low gain thresholds
Authors: Liu Huijuan , Liu Yuying , Teng Da
Published: September 2024

The noble metal-based hybrid plasmon mode features low loss and strong field localization, making it widely applicable in the field of nanophotonic devices. However, due to the high loss of noble metals, the gain threshold is unacceptably high, usually larger than 0.1 µm−1. Here we present a hybrid plasmonic waveguide consisting of a SiO2 layer coated Na nanowire and a hexagonal semiconductor nanowire. Based on the high performance of the proposed waveguide, the Purcell factor exceeding 120 and a confinement factor above 90% are achieved, leading to an ultra-low gain threshold of 0.02117 µm−1. In addition, the proposed waveguide exhibits an extremely low cross talk, making it highly suitable for applications in compact photonic integrated devices. The proposed waveguide may contribute to the development of low-threshold nano-lasers and promote other applications in nanophotonics.
High-performance compact vertical germanium photodiodes enabled by silicon corner reflectors
Authors: Chen Wei , Shi Yang , Wang Yilun , Zou Mingjie , Zhang Wen , Yu Yu , Zhang Xinliang
Published: September 2024

High-performance germanium photodiodes are critical components in silicon photonic systems for high-capacity data communications. By reducing the length of the photodiodes, a smaller resistance–capacitance product can be achieved, leading to a larger bandwidth and lower dark current. However, this also leads to diminished responsivity due to insufficient light absorption. Here, we introduce a silicon corner reflector (SCR) to alleviate this issue by reflecting and recycling the unabsorbed light. The process of evanescent coupling between the silicon and germanium layers is elaborately engineered to optimize the efficiency of light absorption. Experimentally, a responsivity of 0.96 A/W, which is a 21% increase compared to the one without SCR, is achieved at 1550 nm with a germanium length of 4.8 μm. Simultaneously, a remarkably low dark current of 0.76 nA and a large bandwidth of 100 GHz are achieved. Open eye diagrams of 140 Gb/s on–off keying and 240 Gb/s four-level pulse amplitude signals are obtained. To the best of our knowledge, this work achieves the lowest dark current density and noise equivalent power to date and offers a promising solution for low-cost, high-performance optical detection.
IT/OT-Konvergenz: Status-Quo und Umsetzungsempfehlungen
Authors: Hantsch Carolin , Westner Markus , Matschi Markus
Published: September 2024

Der vorliegende Beitrag untersucht die IT/OT-Konvergenz in 31 überwiegend großen deutschen Unternehmen. Er stellt ein „IT/OT-Governance-Framework“ als spezifisches Modell für eine erfolgreiche Konvergenzumsetzung vor. Die Analyse zeigt heterogene Reifegrade der Konvergenzumsetzung in den untersuchten Unternehmen, die sich mehrheitlich noch am Anfang oder in der Implementierungsphase befinden. Bevorzugt wird eine enge Zusammenarbeit zwischen IT und OT, jedoch ohne vollständige Übernahme des OT-Bereichs durch die IT. Ein IT/OT-Tandem aus CIO und zentraler OT-Rolle wird als ideal für die Verantwortungsübernahme angesehen. Aus den Interviews wurden sechs konkrete Umsetzungsempfehlungen abgeleitet, die in das entwickelte IT/OT-Governance-Framework eingeflossen sind. Dazu gehören die Sicherstellung der Top-Managment-Unterstützung, die Nutzung von Security als Treiber, die Einführung einer zentralen OT-Rolle, die räumliche Annäherung von IT- und OT-Teams, das kontinuierliche Aufzeigen der Mehrwerte der Konvergenz und ein schrittweises Vorgehen bei der Umsetzung.
GPMelt: A hierarchical Gaussian process framework to explore the dark meltome of thermal proteome profiling experiments
Authors: Le Sueur Cecile , Rattray Magnus , Savitski Mikhail
Published: September 2024

Thermal proteome profiling (TPP) is a proteome wide technology that enables unbiased detection of protein drug interactions as well as changes in post-translational state of proteins between different biological conditions. Statistical analysis of temperature range TPP (TPP-TR) datasets relies on comparing protein melting curves, describing the amount of non-denatured proteins as a function of temperature, between different conditions (e.g. presence or absence of a drug). However, state-of-the-art models are restricted to sigmoidal melting behaviours while unconventional melting curves, representing up to 50% of TPP-TR datasets, have recently been shown to carry important biological information. We present a novel statistical framework, based on hierarchical Gaussian process models and named GPMelt, to make TPP-TR datasets analysis unbiased with respect to the melting profiles of proteins. GPMelt scales to multiple conditions, and extension of the model to deeper hierarchies (i.e. with additional sub-levels) allows to deal with complex TPP-TR protocols. Collectively, our statistical framework extends the analysis of TPP-TR datasets for both protein and peptide level melting curves, offering access to thousands of previously excluded melting curves and thus substantially increasing the coverage and the ability of TPP to uncover new biology.
Effect of aberrant fructose metabolism following SARS-CoV-2 infection on colorectal cancer patients’ poor prognosis
Authors: Jiang Jiaxin , Meng Xiaona , Wang Yibo , Zhuang Ziqian , Du Ting , Yan Jing
Published: September 2024

Most COVID-19 patients have a positive prognosis, but patients with additional underlying diseases are more likely to have severe illness and increased fatality rates. Numerous studies indicate that cancer patients are more prone to contract SARS-CoV-2 and develop severe COVID-19 or even dying. In the recent transcriptome investigations, it is demonstrated that the fructose metabolism is altered in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, cancer cells can use fructose as an extra source of energy for growth and metastasis. Furthermore, enhanced living conditions have resulted in a notable rise in fructose consumption in individuals’ daily dietary habits. We therefore hypothesize that the poor prognosis of cancer patients caused by SARS-CoV-2 may therefore be mediated through fructose metabolism. Using CRC cases from four distinct cohorts, we built and validated a predictive model based on SARS-CoV-2 producing fructose metabolic anomalies by coupling Cox univariate regression and lasso regression feature selection algorithms to identify hallmark genes in colorectal cancer. We also developed a composite prognostic nomogram to improve clinical practice by integrating the characteristics of aberrant fructose metabolism produced by this novel coronavirus with age and tumor stage. To obtain the genes with the greatest potential prognostic values, LASSO regression analysis was performed, In the TCGA training cohort, patients were randomly separated into training and validation sets in the ratio of 4: 1, and the best risk score value for each sample was acquired by lasso regression analysis for further analysis, and the fifteen genes CLEC4A, FDFT1, CTNNB1, GPI, PMM2, PTPRD, IL7, ALDH3B1, AASS, AOC3, SEPINE1, PFKFB1, FTCD, TIMP1 and GATM were finally selected. In order to validate the model’s accuracy, ROC curve analysis was performed on an external dataset, and the results indicated that the model had a high predictive power for the prognosis prediction of patients. Our study provides a theoretical foundation for the future targeted regulation of fructose metabolism in colorectal cancer patients, while simultaneously optimizing dietary guidance and therapeutic care for colorectal cancer patients in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Respiratory symptoms after TB treatment completion: A qualitative study of patient and provider experiences in urban Blantyre, Malawi
Authors: Meghji Jamilah , Msukwa-Panje Wezi , Mkutumula Elizabeth , Kamchedzera Wala , Banda Ndaziona P. K. , MacPherson Peter , Engel Nora
Published: September 2024

Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) survivors experience a high burden of residual and recurrent respiratory symptoms after TB treatment completion. However, guidelines for the investigation and care of symptomatic TB-survivors are limited. We used qualitative methods to explore patient and provider understandings, experience and practice around respiratory symptoms in the post-TB period. We conducted in-depth interviews with PTB-survivors who had experienced respiratory symptoms (cough, chest pain, breathlessness) after successful TB treatment completion in Blantyre, Malawi (n = 23). We completed focus group discussions with TB-Officers (n = 12), and in-depth interviews with health care workers (n = 18) from primary and tertiary health facilities. Interviews were conducted in Chichewa, and thematic analysis was used to identify common themes. Our data highlight that TB survivors have negative experiences of respiratory symptoms after TB treatment completion, with anxiety about the cause of symptoms, uncertainty about if and how to return to care, and fear of recurrent TB disease. Our findings suggest four critical practices which shape this experience including: limited counselling at TB treatment completion; the lack of clear health seeking pathways to return to care; the use of TB-focused investigations for those returning to care; and heterogeneous approaches to TB retreatment decisions. This study highlights that the post-TB period is a critical part of the patient’s experience of TB disease. Current practices create a negative patient experience, and carry clinical and public health risks including delayed diagnosis of TB relapse, missed diagnosis of cardio-respiratory disease, and misuse of antimicrobials and TB retreatment. Formative guidelines are needed to improve the care of symptomatic TB-survivors.
Long-term impact of COVID-19 pandemic: Moral tensions, distress, and injuries of healthcare workers
Authors: Jeffs Lianne , Heeney Natalie , Johnstone Jennie , Hunter Jon , Loftus Carla Adrienne , Ginty Leanne , Greenberg Rebecca , Wiesenfeld Lesley , Maunder Robert
Published: September 2024

Given the longevity of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to address the perceptions and experiences associated with the progression of the pandemic. This narrative can inform future strategies aimed at mitigating moral distress, injury, and chronic stress that restores resilience and well-being of HCWs. In this context, a longitudinal survey design was undertaken to explore how health care workers are experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic over time. A qualitative design was employed to analyze the open ended survey responses using a thematic analysis approach. All physicians and staff at an academic health science centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada were invited to participate in the survey. The majority of survey respondents were nurses and physicians, followed by researchers/scientists, administrative assistants, laboratory technicians, managers, social workers, occupational therapists, administrators, clerks and medical imaging technologists. The inductive analysis revealed three themes that contributed to moral tensions and injury: 1) experiencing stress and distress with staffing shortages, increased patient care needs, and visitor restrictions; 2) feeling devalued and invisible due to lack of support and inequities; and 3) polarizing anti- and pro-public health measures and incivility. Study findings highlight the spectrum, magnitude, and severity of the emotional, psychological, and physical stress leading to moral injury experienced by the healthcare workforce. Our findings also point to continued, renewed, and new efforts in enhancing both individual and collective moral resilience to mitigate current and prevent future moral tensions and injury.
Real-world outcomes of Deep Brain Stimulation for dystonia treatment: Protocol for a prospective, multicenter, international registry
Authors: Albanese Alberto , Jain Roshini , Krauss Joachim K.
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is an established therapeutic approach for the treatment of dystonia. However, to date, no large-scale or comprehensive DBS dystonia patient registry has been yet undertaken. Here, we describe the protocol for a world-wide registry of clinical outcomes in dystonia patients implanted with DBS.

Methods and analysis

This protocol describes a multicenter, international clinical outcomes registry consisting of up to 200 prospectively enrolled participants at up to 40 different sites to be implanted with a constant-current, multiple independent current controlled (MICC) DBS device (Vercise DBS Systems, Boston Scientific) for treatment of dystonia. Key inclusion criteria for registry candidates include the following: understanding of study requirements and treatment procedures, a signed written informed consent form prior to participation, and meeting all criteria established in the locally applicable Instructions for Use (IFU) for the implanted DBS system. Key clinical endpoints include (but are not limited to) the evaluation of disease state (Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale [BFMDRS], Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale (TWSTRS), quality of life (Short Form Health Survey-36, Short Form Health Survey-10), and treatment satisfaction (Clinical Global Impression of Change [CGI-Clinician; CGI-Subject; CGI-Caregiver]) at 6-months, 12-months, 2-years, and 3-years post-lead placement. Adverse events are documented and reported using structured questionnaires.

Perspectives

Treatment of patients with dystonia using DBS has progressed considering recent technological advances. This international dystonia outcomes registry aims to collect and evaluate real-world clinical data derived from patients who have been implanted with a constant-current, MICC-equipped DBS system (with available directional capabilities), per standard of care.
Domain affiliated distilled knowledge transfer for improved convergence of Ph-negative MPN identifier
Authors: Reza Md Tanzim , Alam Md. Golam Rabiul , Rahman Rafeed , Dipto Shakib Mahmud
Published: September 2024

Ph-negative Myeloproliferative Neoplasm is a rare yet dangerous disease that can turn into more severe forms of disorders later on. Clinical diagnosis of the disease exists but often requires collecting multiple types of pathologies which can be tedious and time-consuming. Meanwhile, studies on deep learning-based research are rare and often need to rely on a small amount of pathological data due to the rarity of the disease. In addition, the existing research works do not address the data scarcity issue apart from using common techniques like data augmentation, which leaves room for performance improvement. To tackle the issue, the proposed research aims to utilize distilled knowledge learned from a larger dataset to boost the performance of a lightweight model trained on a small MPN dataset. Firstly, a 50-layer ResNet model is trained on a large lymph node image dataset of 3,27,680 images, followed by the trained knowledge being distilled to a small 4-layer CNN model. Afterward, the CNN model is initialized with the pre-trained weights to further train on a small MPN dataset of 300 images. Empirical analysis showcases that the CNN with distilled knowledge achieves 97% accuracy compared to 89.67% accuracy achieved by a clone CNN trained from scratch. The distilled knowledge transfer approach also proves to be more effective than more simple data scarcity handling approaches such as augmentation and manual feature extraction. Overall, the research affirms the effectiveness of transferring distilled knowledge to address the data scarcity issue and achieves better convergence when training on a Ph-Negative MPN image dataset with a lightweight model.
Derivation and validation of the BIMAST score for predicting the presence of fibrosis due to Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease among diabetic patients in the community
Authors: Forlano Roberta , Stanic Tijana , Jayawardana Sahan , Mullish Benjamin H. , Yee Michael , Mossialos Elias , Goldin Robert D. , Petta Salvatore , Tsochatzis Emmanouil , Thursz Mark R. , Manousou Pinelopi
Published: September 2024

Background & aims

Current screening pathways, developed from tertiary care cohorts, underestimate the presence of Metabolic-dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the community. We developed, validated, and assessed cost-effectiveness of a new score for screening the presence of fibrosis due to MASLD in primary care.

Methods

Consecutive T2DM patients underwent screening for liver diseases with transient elastography (TE). Based on predictors of significant/advanced fibrosis, we generated the BIMAST score (based on aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and body mass index (BMI)) and validated it internally and externally (Royal Free Hospital, London and Palermo Hospital). For cost-effectiveness analysis, 6 screening strategies were compared against standard of care: BIMAST score, ultrasound plus abnormal liver function tests, FIB-4, NAFLD fibrosis score, ELF and transient elastography (TE). A Markov model was built based on fibrosis status. Cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) were estimated over a lifetime.

Results

Among 300 patients enrolled, 64% (186) had MASLD and 10% (28) other causes of liver disease. In the whole population, patients with significant fibrosis, advanced fibrosis, and cirrhosis due to MASLD were 17% (50/287), 11% (31/287), and 3% (8/287), respectively. In primary care, BIMAST performed better than other non-invasive markers at predicting significant and advanced fibrosis. Moreover, BIMAST reduced false negatives from 54% (ELF) and 38% (FIB-4) to 10%. In both validation cohorts, BIMAST performance was as good as FIB-4. In the cost-utility analysis, ICER was £2,337.92/QALY for BIMAST.

Conclusion

The BIMAST predicts the presence of significant fibrosis in the community, reduces false negatives and is cost-effective. The BIMAST score should be included in the holistic assessment of diabetic patients.
The educational pathway to Advanced Practice for the physiotherapist: Protocol for a systematic mixed studies review
Authors: Maddigan Kaitlyn , Kowalski Katie L. , Tawiah Andrews K. , Rushton Alison B.
Published: September 2024

Rationale

Advanced Practice Physiotherapy (APP) is a post-licensure higher level of practice that requires distinctly increased skills, clinical reasoning and experience. The four pillars that underpin APP are clinical practice, leadership, education and research. Multiple systematic reviews support that APP is beneficial to health care systems. While APP exists in over a dozen countries, it has yet to reach international recognition. A steppingstone in gaining global acknowledgement is understanding the educational pathway that physiotherapists traverse to become Advanced Practitioners. No systematic review has synthesized evidence to describe and evaluate the educational pathway for physiotherapists to APP. Therefore, the objectives of this review are 1) to describe the post-licensure educational pathways that physiotherapists engage in to advance their level of practice, 2) to evaluate the pillars of APP demonstrated by the physiotherapist after traversing a post-licensure educational pathway.

Materials and methods

A systematic mixed studies review using a data based convergent qualitative synthesis design will be conducted. MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PEDro, SportDiscus, ProQuest Education databases as well as the grey literature will be searched from inception to 02/29/2024. Studies that aim to describe and or evaluate the capacity of educational pathways to influence the level of practice of the physiotherapist will be included. Two independent reviewers will screen studies, extract data and assess methodological quality (Quality Assessment of Diverse Studies). Quantitative data will be ‘qualitized’, and all data will be synthesized via a clustered textual description and directed content analysis. After synthesis, two reviewers will assess confidence in the cumulative evidence (GRADE-CERQual), which will inform the discussion.

Implications

The optimal pathway(s) to Advanced Practice for the physiotherapist will be evaluated to inform future high-quality research investigating the effectiveness of post-licensure education in developing Advanced Practice physiotherapists.
Arctigenin inhibits the progression of colorectal cancer through epithelial-mesenchymal transition via PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway
Authors: Chen Xiang-Fan , Liu Pei-Gen , Sheng Nan , Li Xin-Shuai , Hu Rui-Kun , Zhu Long-Xun , Feng Panfeng
Published: September 2024

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant disease worldwide, with high mortality rates. Conventional treatment methods often lead to metastasis and drug resistance, highlighting the need to explore new drugs and their potential molecular mechanisms. In this study, we investigated the effects of arctigenin on CRC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis, and related protein expression, as well as its potential molecular mechanisms.

Methods

The CCK-8 assay, transwell migration and invasion assays, flow cytometry, immunoblotting and immunofluorescence staining, western blot and an allograft tumor transplantation model was used.

Results

Our study revealed that arctigenin effectively inhibited CRC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in a dose-dependent manner, while also inducing apoptosis. At the molecular level, arctigenin significantly downregulated the expressions of PCNA, Bcl2, MMP-2, and MMP-9 and upregulated the expressions of Bax and cleaved caspase-3. Additionally, arctigenin demonstrated the ability to inhibit the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process by upregulating E-cadherin and downregulating mesenchymal markers, such as N-cadherin, Vimentin, Snail, and Slug. Furthermore, arctigenin could inhibit the activation of the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway, which has been implicated in cancer progression. In vivo experiments also showed that arctigenin significantly reduced tumor volume and size compared to the control group, with no significant adverse effects on the liver.

Conclusions

This is the first study to elucidate the mechanism by which arctigenin inhibits colorectal cancer metastasis through the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway by suppressing the EMT process at the molecular level.