bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The landscape of medical care consumption in Israel: a nationwide population cross-sectional study
Authors: Yosef Yoni , Kiderman Alexander , Chinitz David , Lahad Amnon
Published: November 2022

Background

The Ecology of medical care was first published in 1961. The graphical square model showed that 75% of the population in the US and England experience a feeling of illness during a given month, 25% seek medical help and only one percent are hospitalized. In 2001, Green and colleagues found the same findings despite the many changes that occurred over the past decades. The frequency of illness, the desire for assistance and the frequency of seeking and getting medical assistance may differ in different populations due to cultural, economic, social, demographic background and local Health policy. This work describes the ecology of medical care consumption in Israel for the first time and examines the socio-demographic effects on consumption.

Methods

This is a Nationwide cross-sectional study. A telephone survey was conducted among a representative sample of the adult population (> 15 years) in Israel. Subjective morbidity rate in the preceding month, the rate of those considering medical assistance and those who got assistance were calculated. Correlation between socio-demographic variables and patterns of morbidity and medical care consumption was examined using a t-test and chi square for continuous quantitative and categorical variables. Logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis.

Results

A total of 1862 people participated; 49.5% reported having symptoms in the previous month, 45% considered seeking medical advice, 35.2% sought out medical assistance and only 1.5% were hospitalized. The vast majority chose to contact their family physician (58%) and the primary care setting provided their needs in 80% of the cases; Subjective morbidity and medical care consumption differed significantly between Israeli Jews and Arabs. Gaps in the availability of medical services were observed as residents of the periphery forewent medical services significantly more than others (OR = 1.42, p = 0.026).

Conclusions

Subjective morbidity is less common in Israel than in other countries, but paradoxically consumption of medical services is higher. An Israeli who feels ill will usually consider receiving assistance and will indeed receive assistance in most cases. However, a greater tendency to forego medical services in the periphery indicates barriers and inequality in the provision of health services. Different cultural perceptions, lack of knowledge and low accessibility to medical services in the periphery probably contribute to the contrast shown between low consumption of medical services and high prevalence of chronic illness in Arab society. The prevailing preference for family medicine and its ability to deal with most requests for assistance suggest that strengthening family medicine in the periphery may reduce those barriers and inequalities.
How to measure multidimensional quality of life of persons with disabilities in public policies - a case of Poland
Authors: Grabowska Izabela , Antczak Radosław , Zwierzchowski Jan , Panek Tomasz
Published: November 2022

Background

The aim of this paper is to construct a tool that can be used to measure multidimensional quality of life of persons with disabilities in comparison with population without disabilities for the purpose of monitoring of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in Poland.

Methods

The Sen’s capability approach was applied to conceptualize the quality of life in various life domains. We followed guidelines of The Quality of Life Framework developed within the European Statistical System on choosing the life domains in which the QoL should be measured. The QoL scores in each domain (covered by the UNCRPD) were constructed using multiply indicators and multiple causes model (MIMIC). All analysis were based on 2018 EU-SILC data for Poland. We constructed quality of life indicators for population with and without disabilities and compared the differences.

Results

Persons without disability experienced higher QoL as compared to population with disabilities, overall and in various domains. Lower average QoL of persons with disabilities is a result of a lower share of those who experience high QoL. The biggest difference is observed for health and for productive and main activity domains. For material conditions and economic security and physical safety there was a moderate difference recorded. For the leisure and social relations domain there is almost no difference observed. Additionally, we identified diversified associations between such factors as age, gender, household situation, education, partner status, urbanization, health on the QoL across domains and analysed populations.

Conclusions

A tool developed in this paper can be calibrated to enable cross-country and in time comparisons between different populations and support evidenced-based social policy.
Validating administrative data to identify complex surgical site infections following cardiac implantable electronic device implantation: a comparison of traditional methods and machine learning
Authors: Rennert-May Elissa , Leal Jenine , MacDonald Matthew K. , Cannon Kristine , Smith Stephanie , Exner Derek , Larios Oscar E. , Bush Kathryn , Chew Derek
Published: November 2022

Background

Cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) surgical site infections (SSIs) have been outpacing the increases in implantation of these devices. While traditional surveillance of these SSIs by infection prevention and control would likely be the most accurate, this is not practical in many centers where resources are constrained. Therefore, we explored the validity of administrative data at identifying these SSIs.

Methods

We used a cohort of all patients with CIED implantation in Calgary, Alberta where traditional surveillance was done for infections from Jan 1, 2013 to December 31, 2019. We used this infection subgroup as our “gold standard” and then utilized various combinations of administrative data to determine which best optimized the sensitivity and specificity at identifying infection. We evaluated six approaches to identifying CIED infection using administrative data, which included four algorithms using International Classification of Diseases codes and/or Canadian Classification of Health Intervention codes, and two machine learning models. A secondary objective of our study was to assess if machine learning techniques with training of logistic regression models would outperform our pre-selected codes.

Results

We determined that all of the pre-selected algorithms performed well at identifying CIED infections but the machine learning model was able to produce the optimal method of identification with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 96.8%. The best performing pre-selected algorithm yielded an AUC of 94.6%.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that administrative data can be used to effectively identify CIED infections. While machine learning performed the most optimally, in centers with limited analytic capabilities a simpler algorithm of pre-selected codes also has excellent yield. This can be valuable for centers without traditional surveillance to follow trends in SSIs over time and identify when rates of infection are increasing. This can lead to enhanced interventions for prevention of SSIs.
Identification of biomarkers associated with the feed efficiency by metabolomics profiling: results from the broiler lines divergent for high or low abdominal fat content
Authors: Su Zhiyong , Bai Xue , Wang Haoyu , Wang Shouzhi , Chen Chong , Xiao Fan , Guo Huaishun , Gao Haihe , Leng Li , Li Hui
Published: November 2022

Background

Improving feed efficiency (FE) is one of the main objectives in broiler breeding. It is difficult to directly measure FE traits, and breeders hence have been trying to identify biomarkers for the indirect selection and improvement of FE traits. Metabolome is the "bridge" between genome and phenome. The metabolites may potentially account for more of the phenotypic variation and can suitably serve as biomarkers for selecting FE traits. This study aimed to identify plasma metabolite markers for selecting high-FE broilers. A total of 441 birds from Northeast Agricultural University broiler lines divergently selected for abdominal fat content were used to analyze plasma metabolome and estimate the genetic parameters of differentially expressed metabolites.

Results

The results identified 124 differentially expressed plasma metabolites (P < 0.05) between the lean line (high-FE birds) and the fat line (low-FE birds). Among these differentially expressed plasma metabolites, 44 were found to have higher positive or negative genetic correlations with FE traits (|rg| ≥ 0.30). Of these 44 metabolites, 14 were found to display moderate to high heritability estimates (h2 ≥ 0.20). However, among the 14 metabolites, 4 metabolites whose physiological functions have not been reported were excluded. Ultimately, 10 metabolites were suggested to serve as the potential biomarkers for breeding the high-FE broilers. Based on the physiological functions of these metabolites, reducing inflammatory and improving immunity were proposed to improve FE and increase production efficiency.

Conclusions

According to the pipeline for the selection of the metabolite markers established in this study, it was suggested that 10 metabolites including 7-ketocholesterol, dimethyl sulfone, epsilon-(gamma-glutamyl)-lysine, gamma-glutamyltyrosine, 2-oxoadipic acid, L-homoarginine, testosterone, adenosine 5'-monophosphate, adrenic acid, and calcitriol could be used as the potential biomarkers for breeding the "food-saving broilers".
Understanding the versatile roles and applications of EpCAM in cancers: from bench to bedside
Authors: Liu Yiyang , Wang Yufei , Sun Sheng , Chen Zeyu , Xiang Shuai , Ding Zeyang , Huang Zhao , Zhang Bixiang
Published: November 2022

Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) functions not only in physiological processes but also participates in the development and progression of cancer. In recent decades, extensive efforts have been made to decipher the role of EpCAM in cancers. Great advances have been achieved in elucidating its structure, molecular functions, pathophysiological mechanisms, and clinical applications. Beyond its well-recognized role as a biomarker of cancer stem cells (CSCs) or circulating tumor cells (CTCs), EpCAM exhibits novel and promising value in targeted therapy. At the same time, the roles of EpCAM in cancer progression are found to be highly context-dependent and even contradictory in some cases. The versatile functional modules of EpCAM and its communication with other signaling pathways complicate the study of this molecule. In this review, we start from the structure of EpCAM and focus on communication with other signaling pathways. The impacts on the biology of cancers and the up-to-date clinical applications of EpCAM are also introduced and summarized, aiming to shed light on the translational prospects of EpCAM.
Mediating effects of self-concept clarity and self-objectification on the relationship between celebrity worship and the process of considering cosmetic surgery among Chinese undergraduates
Authors: Cui Jia , Fang Yong
Published: November 2022

Background

Several studies have examined the relationship between celebrity worship and cosmetic surgery; however, few have discussed the mediating role of self-concept. To fill this research gap, the present study aims to examine the mediating roles of self-concept clarity and self-objectification in the association between celebrity worship and cosmetic surgery.

Methods

A sample of 1,089 Chinese undergraduates (Mage = 20.32; SDage = 2.60) completed measures of celebrity worship, actively considering cosmetic surgery, self-concept clarity, and self-objectification. Mediating effect analysis was used to test the hypothesis.

Results

The results showed that celebrity worship, cosmetic surgery consideration, and self-objectification were positively correlated, whereas self-concept clarity was negatively correlated with all three variables. Mediation analysis revealed that celebrity worship predicted consideration of cosmetic surgery not only directly but also through three indirect paths through the mediating role of (1) self-concept clarity, (2) self-objectification, and (3) the chain mediating role of self-concept clarity and self-objectification.

Conclusions

These findings broaden our understanding of the psychological processes that underlie the association between celebrity worship and considering cosmetic surgery and afford practical guidance on reducing the risks associated with cosmetic surgery.
Inequality in mammography uptake: results from recruitment phase of first cohort study among Iranian Kurdish population
Authors: Mirzaei-Alavijeh Mehdi , Jerome-D”Emilia Bonnie , Najafi Farid , Moradinazar Mehdi , Pirouzeh Razieh , Jalilian Farzad
Published: November 2022

Background

Breast cancer is the most common malignant disease in women and is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women. Mammography is the best and the most available diagnostic method for breast cancer early detection. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and inequality in the mammography uptake among Kurdish women in the west of Iran.

Methods

This cohort study was conducted using data extracted from the Ravansar Non-communicable Cohort Study among Kurdish women in the west of Iran from 2014 to 2018. The sample included 5289 women aged 35–65 years. The relative and generalized (absolute) concentration index (RC and GC, respectively) was used to quantify and decompose socioeconomic inequalities in mammography uptake.

Results

Overall concentration index for mammography was 0.2107, indicating that the mammography uptake concentration was greater in women with a higher socioeconomic status (SES). The predictor variables accounted for 44.6% of the inequality in the mammography uptake. Higher SES, living in urban areas, and age group of 51–55 years old increased the chance of having a mammogram. Available evidence supports the inequality of mammography uptake in favor of women with higher SES.

Conclusions

Cost-free screening services for low SES women, and the development of breast cancer prevention campaigns focusing on disadvantaged women could have an important role in mammography uptake and in the reduction of inequalities.
Potentials of miR-9-5p in promoting epileptic seizure and improving survival of glioma patients
Authors: Wang Shenglin , He Xuzhi , Bao Nana , Chen Mingyue , Ding Xiaomi , Zhang Ming , Zhao Li , Wang Shunxian , Jiang Guohui
Published: November 2022

Background

Epilepsy affects over 70 million people worldwide; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have essential functions in epilepsy. miRNA-9, a brain-specific/enriched miRNA, plays a role in various nervous system diseases and tumors, but whether miRNA-9 is involved in epilepsy and glioma-associated epilepsy remains unknown. Therefore, we aimed to explore the potential role of miR-9-5p in seizures and its effect on the survival of glioma patients, in order to provide new targets for the treatment of epilepsy and glioma.

Methods

The YM500v2 database was used to validate the expression of hsa-miR-9-5p in tissues. Moreover, qRT-PCR was performed to investigate the expression of miR-9-5p in temporal lobe epilepsy patients and rats with lithium-pilocarpine-induced seizures. Recombinant adeno-associated virus containing miR-9-5p was constructed to overexpress miR-9-5p in vivo. The effects of miR-9-5p on the behavior and electroencephalographic activities of the lithium-pilocarpine rat model of epilepsy were tested. Bioinformatics analysis was used to predict the targets of miR-9-5p and explore its potential role in epilepsy and glioma-associated epilepsy.

Results

The expression of miR-9-5p increased at 6 h and 7 days after lithium-pilocarpine-induced seizures in rats. Overexpression of miR-9-5p significantly shortened the latency of seizures and increased seizure intensity at 10 min and 20 min after administration of pilocarpine (P < 0.05). Predicted targets of miR-9-5p were abundant and enriched in the brain, and affected various pathways related to epilepsy and tumor. Survival analysis revealed that overexpression of miR-9-5p significantly improved the survival of patients from with low-grade gliomas and glioblastomas. The involvement of miR-9-5p in the glioma-associated epileptic seizures and the improvement of glioma survival may be related to multiple pathways, including the Rho GTPases and hub genes included SH3PXD2B, ARF6, and ANK2.

Conclusions

miR-9-5p may play a key role in promoting epileptic seizures and improving glioma survival, probably through multiple pathways, including GTPases of the Rho family and hub genes including SH3PXD2B, ARF6 and ANK2. Understanding the roles of miR-9-5p in epilepsy and glioma and the underlying mechanisms may provide a theoretical basis for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with epilepsy and glioma.
Intramedullary rod insertion places the femoral component more laterally during Oxford medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty
Authors: Tanaka Toshikazu , Suda Yoshihito , Kamenaga Tomoyuki , Saito Akira , Fujishiro Takaaki , Okamoto Koji , Hiranaka Takafumi
Published: November 2022

Background

This study aims to assess the influence of intramedullary rods on the implantation positions of femoral components using Microplasty instrumentation in Oxford unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. We hypothesized that femoral components can be laterally implanted incorrectly when using intramedullary rods.

Methods

This prospective study included all 45 consecutive patients (53 knees) who underwent Oxford unicompartmental knee arthroplasty surgery for anteromedial osteoarthritis or spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee at our hospital during the study period. A custom-made toolset comprising a triangular caliper and circular trial bearings was used to evaluate the distance between the bearing and the vertical wall of the tibia implant (wall-bearing space) using the caliper at 90° flexion both with and without intramedullary rods.

Results

The wall-bearing space was significantly larger when the intramedullary rod was used than when intramedullary rod was not used (1.8 ± 1.1 mm versus 3.4 ± 1.2 mm, P < 0.001). The mean difference of wall-bearing space with and without intramedullary rod was 1.6 ± 0.7 mm.

Conclusions

Femoral components can be laterally implanted incorrectly by an average of 1.6 mm when using intramedullary rods. The wall-bearing space should be evaluated using trial components, and if the relationship is improper, it should be corrected before keel slot preparation.
Integrating facies analysis and geostatistical methods in an onshore oil field using petrophysical groups
Authors: Rashid Neamatullah Mohammed , Riahi Mohammad Ali
Published: November 2022

Reservoir facies studies are of great importance in different stages of exploration and development of hydrocarbon fields. We have aimed to generate a reservoir facies model for the Asmari Formation in an onshore oil field located in southwest Iran. Input data for electrofacies (EF) clustering algorithms are used, which include gamma-ray (GR), density (RHOB), porosity, and sonic logs from four wells. We obtain the petrophysical group (PG) and EF class using core drill data (mercury injection capillary pressure) and well-logs analysis. The integration of PGs and log EF significantly decreases the uncertainty in reservoir modeling, which alternatively enhances field development decisions. We compare the multiresolution graph-based clustering (MRGC) and k-means clustering methods. EF clustering results find nine EF classes. We delineate high-quality reservoirs based on lower GR, RHOB, and high-porosity logs. Next, we use the clustering results in the static reservoir modeling process, using the sequential index simulation and indicator kriging methods. The comparison between the facies obtained models and existing drilling core data finds that the absolute percentage error of the MRGC algorithm is less than that of the k-means algorithm. The results obtained by this study can provide useful information for the development of hydrocarbon exploration plans in the studied oil field.
Hypothyroidism Prevalence in the United States: A Retrospective Study Combining National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and Claims Data, 2009–2019
Authors: Wyne Kathleen L , Nair Lekshmi , Schneiderman Chris P , Pinsky Brett , Antunez Flores Oscar , Guo Dianlin , Barger Bruce , Tessnow Alexander H
Published: November 2022

Previous estimates determined prevalence of hypothyroidism (HT) to be 4.6% of the US population. This study aimed to update estimates of HT prevalence in the United States by retrospective analysis of 2 datasets. Data on HT type (overt or subclinical HT) and treatment were collected from the 2009-2010 and 2011-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycles. From the Optum administrative claims database, medical and pharmacy claims were collected between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2019. Patients were defined as having HT if, per given year, they had >1 prescription for HT treatment, >1 claim indicating an HT diagnosis, or thyroid-stimulating hormone levels >4.0 mIU/L (NHANES arm). For both studies, treatment was defined as any evidence of synthetic or natural thyroid hormone replacement, identified by pharmacy claims or patient surveys. Data are reported as percentage of patients with HT and treatments received. Between 2009 and 2012, HT prevalence remained around 9.6% of the US population. The administrative claims dataset showed that HT prevalence grew from 9.5% in 2012 to 11.7% in 2019 and that >78% of patients received thyroxine (T4) monotherapy. Similarly, the NHANES dataset showed that T4 replacement therapy was the most common treatment for HT. From 2012–2019, patients with untreated HT grew from 11.8% to 14.4%. The prevalence of HT in the United States has steadily increased since 2009. Likewise, the percentage of hypothyroid-diagnosed patients not receiving treatment also increased, suggesting that the increased prevalence may be due to increased cases of subclinical HT.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Among Gravidas With Chronic Hypertension Compared to Matched Controls: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Dominguez Jennifer E. , Grotegut Chad A. , Wright Mary Cooter , Habib Ashraf S.
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND:

Previous studies of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) risk in gravidas with chronic hypertension (cHTN) did not control for obesity as a risk factor for OSA. We therefore performed this study to evaluate whether OSA is more prevalent among gravidas with cHTN compared to normotensive gravidas matched for body mass index (BMI) and gestational age (primary outcome). We also assessed whether OSA is more severe when comorbid with cHTN in pregnancy (secondary outcome).

METHODS:

This was a single-center, prospective cohort study. Adult gravidas at 10–20 weeks of gestation, with and without cHTN, were enrolled and BMI matched. All subjects answered OSA screening questionnaires and underwent a home sleep test when they were between 10 and 20 weeks of gestation. Pregnancy outcomes were followed for all subjects. We performed univariable and multivariable logistic regression to model the relationship between cHTN status and OSA.

RESULTS:

A total of 100 pregnant subjects (50 with cHTN and 50 normotensive) completed a home sleep test of 2 hours or more. There were no differences in demographic variables between the 2 groups, except that gravidas with cHTN were significantly older than normotensive subjects (mean ± standard deviation [SD] 34 ± 4 vs 30 ± 6 years; P < .001). OSA was more prevalent (64% vs 38%; P = .009; odds ratio [95% confidence interval (CI)] 2.90 [1.30–6.65]; P = .01) and more severe in gravidas with cHTN (moderate or severe OSA 59% vs 21%; P = .009). After controlling for age, we found no overall association between cHTN on OSA risk (adjusted odds ratio [95% CI] 2.22 [0.92–5.40]; P = .076). However, among gravidas older than 25 years of age, cHTN was associated with higher odds of OSA (adjusted odds ratio [95% CI], 2.64 [1.06–6.71], P = .038).

CONCLUSIONS:

cHTN and age are important risk factors for OSA in gravidas. Gravidas with cHTN should be screened for OSA in early pregnancy. Future studies may validate screening tools that include cHTN and age, and investigate the role of OSA therapy in blood pressure control.
Monumental Bodies
Authors: Giorgis Elizabeth W.
Published: November 2022

Ethiopian artist Dawit Abebe’s Jerba paintings were first exhibited in Addis Ababa in 2015. Jerba, a word that means “back” or “background,” is a series of mixed media and acrylic paintings concerned with historical memory and the political and cultural accounts attending to that memory. Abebe’s jerbas explore the contemporary predicaments of Ethiopia, where ethnic tensions have proliferated and where the trademarks of the human body are objectified to one’s ethnic identity rather than to the body’s lived experience as a human being. The evocative power of the composition, texture, and detail of Abebe’s paintings in representing the human image is exquisite while adding a conceptual component that conjures up, for instance, notions of memory and nostalgia, conflicting imaginations of the nation, and the place of Ethiopia in the passage of history. While the Jerba series skillfully navigates the perspective of the past and its remnants in the interpretation of the present, the visual metaphors connect personally with the spectator. Seemingly faint voices transpire from individual panels, and sounds communicate with the viewer through particular stories. Likewise, impressions of silence also materialize, as if the jerbas are telling the viewer that there are histories and stories one cannot comprehend. Abebe’s critical engagement through these works responds to the changing pressures of time and place, particularly the ambiguities of modern citizenship in the Ethiopian state.
Proactive Grief
Authors: Ghanayem Eman
Published: November 2022

Part memoir, part theoretical reflection, this essay offers one answer to the question “How do Palestinians grieve?” In this narration of the author’s mother’s relationship to death, her multiple displacements, and her plan for her life, the term proactive grief is used to theorize how and why her mother’s life trajectory was shaped by her strife to have a dignified death, in other words, to be able to die in Palestine. To illuminate the significance of her mother’s approach to death and its relationship to being Palestinian, being refugee, and living under colonial war conditions, this essay also reflects on the difficulty of writing about grief while being personally entangled in its complicated emotions. Ultimately, her mother’s proactiveness and commitment to home within and beyond life present an intimate narrative and a family history that could show readers what it means to be Palestinian, to live colonization, to love home, and to face constant threat with dignity.
PTP10D-mediated cell competition is not obligately required for elimination of polarity-deficient clones
Authors: Gerlach Stephan U. , de Vreede Geert , Bilder David
Published: November 2022

Animal organs maintain tissue integrity and ensure removal of aberrant cells through several types of surveillance mechanisms. One prominent example is the elimination of polarity-deficient mutant cells within developing Drosophila imaginal discs. This has been proposed to require heterotypic cell competition dependent on the receptor tyrosine phosphatase PTP10D within the mutant cells. We report here experiments to test this requirement in various contexts and find that PTP10D is not obligately required for the removal of scribble (scrib) mutant and similar polarity-deficient cells. Our experiments used identical stocks with which another group can detect the PTP10D requirement, and our results do not vary under several husbandry conditions including high and low protein food diets. Although we are unable to identify the source of the discrepant results, we suggest that the role of PTP10D in polarity-deficient cell elimination may not be absolute.
A new software tool for computer assisted in vivo high-content analysis of transplanted fluorescent cells in intact zebrafish larvae
Authors: Førde Jan-Lukas , Reiten Ingeborg Nerbø , Fladmark Kari Espolin , Kittang Astrid Olsnes , Herfindal Lars
Published: November 2022

Acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes are cancers of the bone marrow with poor prognosis in frail and older patients. To investigate cancer pathophysiology and therapies, confocal imaging of fluorescent cancer cells and their response to treatments in zebrafish larvae yields valuable information. While zebrafish larvae are well suited for confocal imaging, the lack of efficient processing of large datasets remains a severe bottleneck. To alleviate this problem, we present a software tool that segments cells from confocal images and track characteristics such as volume, location in the larva and fluorescent intensity on a single-cell basis. Using this software tool, we were able to characterise the responses of the cancer cell lines Molm-13 and MDS-L to established treatments. By utilizing the computer-assisted processing of confocal images as presented here, more information can be obtained while being less time-consuming and reducing the demand of manual data handling, when compared to a manual approach, thereby accelerating the pursuit of novel anti-cancer treatments. The presented software tool is available as an ImageJ java-plugin at https://zenodo.org/10.5281/zenodo.7383160 and the source code at https://github.com/Jfo004/ConfocalCellSegmentation.
Δημοσιογραφική εκπαίδευση και βιώσιμη ανάπτυξη
Authors: Δημητρίου-Δρουσιώτη Σοφία , Σπυρίδου Πασχαλία (Λία)
Published: November 2022

Τα θέματα της κοινωνικο-οικονομικής ανισότητας και της κλιματικής αλλαγής, μολονότι σε τροχιά χειροτέρευσης εδώ και αρκετά χρόνια παρέμεναν συστηματικά εκτός της κυρίαρχης ατζέντας τόσο στο χώρο της πολιτικής όσο και στη δημοσιογραφία. H σχετική βιβλιογραφία υπό τον όρο αναπτυξιακή δημοσιογραφία εστιάζει στο νέο ρόλο που καλείται να διαδραματίσει η δημοσιογραφία προς την κατεύθυνση της ενημέρωσης και κινητοποίησης των πολιτών προς ένα βιώσιμο μοντέλο ανάπτυξης και διαβίωσης. Σε αυτό το πλαίσιο, ένα κεντρικό ερώτημα που αναδύεται αφορά στις δεξιότητες και γνώσεις των δημοσιογράφων προκειμένου να υπηρετήσουν το νέο ρόλο της δημοσιογραφίας. Σε αντίθεση με σχετικές έρευνες που εστιάζουν στο θέμα των τεχνολογικών δεξιοτήτων ως βασικής προϋπόθεσης για την επίτευξη του νέου ρόλου της δημοσιογραφίας, η παρούσα έρευνα αναδεικνύει τησπουδαιότητα παραδοσιακών δημοσιογραφικών δεξιοτήτων σε συνδυασμό με τεχνολογικές δεξιότητες και την ανάγκη επιμόρφωσης επί θέματα βιώσιμης ανάπτυξης ως απαραίτητων στοιχείων για να μπορούν οι δημοσιογράφοι να καλύπτουν επαρκώς και με ενδιαφέροντα τρόπο τη σχετική θεματολογία.
Ψευδείς ειδήσεις και περιβαλλοντική επικοινωνία
Authors: Λάμπρου Ευάγγελος , Αντωνόπουλος Νίκος
Published: November 2022

Η έννοια της «περιβαλλοντικής επικοινωνίας» αποτελεί τον ακρογωνιαίο λίθο της ικανότητας της επιστήμης της βιωσιμότητας να επιτύχει τους στόχους της και ιδιαίτερα να δημιουργήσει καλύτερες προϋποθέσεις για τη σύνδεση της γνώσης με τη δράση και την ουσιαστική εφαρμογή των αρχών της. Η ικανότητα της περιβαλλοντικής επικοινωνίας να δημιουργεί τις συνθήκες εκείνες της ενημέρωσης και της πληροφόρησης του ευρύτερου κοινού δίνουν τη δυνατότητα στην επιστήμη της βιωσιμότητας να κάνει γνωστούς τους στόχους της και να καταστεί σχετική με τις ανάγκες των ενδιαφερομένων και των κοινωνικών εταίρων. Ωστόσο, σε πολλές περιπτώσεις η κοινή γνώμη πέφτει θύμα παραπληροφόρησης με τις ψευδείς ειδήσεις να αποτελούν σημαντική τροχοπέδη για τη σωστή επικοινωνία και την διαμόρφωση της «πράσινης συνείδησης» στην κοινωνία (Lindenfeld et al., 2012).Πολλές φορές λοιπόν, τα περιβαλλοντικά θέματα δεν έχουν τελικά την απήχηση που  θα έπρεπε να έχουν αποκτήσει στην κοινή γνώμη λόγω της κακής ή ανεπαρκούς επικοινωνίας των χαρακτηριστικών τους ή και ακόμα λόγω της παραπληροφόρησης  και των ψευδών ειδήσεων που διακινούνται διαμέσου διάφορων διαύλων και μέσω των Μέσων Κοινωνικής Δικτύωσης με αποτέλεσμα οι πολίτες να αποκτούν λανθασμένη εικόνα ή και πληροφόρηση για πολλά κρίσιμα ζητήματα που αφορούν στο περιβάλλον και την βιωσιμότητά του. Η συγκεκριμένη έρευνα κάνει μια προσπάθεια να καταδείξει ότι η ορθή επικοινωνία των περιβαλλοντικών θεμάτων και ζητημάτων απειλείται και από την ύπαρξη του φαινομένου των ψευδών ειδήσεων οι οποίες πολλές φορές εμφανίζονται ως ψευδοεπιστημονική γνώση ή ως εναλλακτική ειδησεογραφία. Μέσω τις κατάρριψης ψευδών ειδήσεων από την ελληνική πλατφόρμα “Ellinika Hoaxes” καταδεικνύεται η συνεχής παρουσία παραπληροφόρησης πάνω σε ζητήματα που αφορούν την ενημέρωση για το περιβάλλον αλλά και οι κίνδυνοι που προκύπτουν από αυτήν για την κοινωνία και την προστασία των περιβαλλοντικών πόρων εν γένει.
Απτικά ψηφιακά παιχνίδια
Authors: Κίργινας Σωτήρης
Published: November 2022

Η παιγνιακή εμπειρία που βιώνεται κατά τη διάρκεια της αλληλεπίδρασης παίκτη παιχνιδιού παραδοσιακά εξαρτάται από την οπτική και την ηχητική ανατροφοδότηση για την παροχή πληροφοριών στους παίκτες. Άλλοι αισθητηριακοί τρόποι πουπροκύπτουν από την απτική αλληλεπίδραση ανθρώπου-μηχανής, όπως επί παραδείγματι ανατροφοδότηση μέσω δονήσεων και παλμικών κινήσεων, θερμική ανατροφοδότηση, ανατροφοδότηση μέσω άσκησης δυνάμεων και μέσω παραμορφώσεων, επαυξάνουν και εμπλουτίζουν την ποιότητα της αλληλεπίδρασης  παίκτη - παιχνιδιού. Στο πλαίσιο αυτό, σκοπός της παρούσας εργασίας είναι η διερεύνηση των τρόπων με τους οποίους τα χαρακτηριστικά των απτικών ψηφιακών παιχνιδιών επηρεάζουν και βελτιώνουν την επικοινωνία ανθρώπου-μηχανής και κατά συνέπεια, δημιουργούν θετικότερη παιγνιακή εμπειρία, μεγαλύτερη αίσθηση εμβύθισης και παρουσίας σε σύγκριση με τα μη απτικά, συμβατικά ψηφιακά παιχνίδια, αποτελώντας σημαντικά εργαλεία που μπορούν να αξιοποιηθούν με μεγάλη επιτυχία στην περιβαλλοντική επικοινωνία. Η εργασία ολοκληρώνεται με προτάσεις αξιοποίησης διαφορετικών απτικών ανατροφοδοτήσεων για την επίτευξη ακόμη μεγαλύτερης βελτίωσης της παιγνιακής εμπειρίας και της περιβαλλοντικής επικοινωνίας.
Ψηφιακός πολιτισμός και περιβαλλοντική επικοινωνία
Authors: Κιουρεξίδου Ματίνα
Published: November 2022

Οι φιλικές προς το περιβάλλον ιστοσελίδες είναι μια νέα προσέγγιση που βάζει τους ανθρώπους και τον πλανήτη σε  πρωταρχικό ρόλο. Κάθε μέρα οι δραστηριότητες που πραγματοποιούνται ψηφιακά αυξάνονται. Μπορεί το διαδίκτυο να είναι άυλο αλλά καταναλώνει μεγάλες ποσότητες σε ενέργεια για να λειτουργήσει. Οι ανανεώσιμες πηγές ενέργειας, η χρήση του μαύρου χρώματος, η μείωση του μεγέθους και η μείωση CO2 μιας ιστοσελίδας είναι μερικοί από τους ευκολότερους και φθηνότερους τρόπους για να συμβάλλουν θετικά στα κλιματικά ζητήματα τα μουσεία και όχι μόνο.
Η βιοποικιλότητα ως θρυαλλίδα περιβαλλοντικής επικοινωνίας μέσω παιχνιδοποιημένης πολυμεσικής εφαρμογής
Authors: Αθανασιάδου Κατερίνα , Στεφανία Γαβριήλ , Τσαράβα Κατερίνα , Χρυσού Μαριάννα
Published: November 2022

Οι καταστροφικές επιπτώσεις της κλιματικής αλλαγής παγκοσμίως, επηρεάζουν τηνευημερία του ανθρώπου και τη βιωσιμότητα του πλανήτη. Οι επείγουσεςπεριβαλλοντικές προκλήσεις απαιτούν ευρύτερη ευαισθητοποίηση των πολιτών,επαρκή πληροφόρηση, κινητροδότηση και έκκληση για δράση. Οι νέες τεχνολογίεςκαι ιδιαίτερα τα παιχνίδια, έχουν αποδειχθεί ικανά μέσα για την προσέγγιση ενόςευρύτερου κοινού. Σκοπός της παρούσας μελέτης είναι ο σχεδιασμός, η δημιουργίακαι η αρχική αξιολόγηση μίας πολυμεσικής εφαρμογής, που στόχο έχει ναλειτουργήσει ως ένα ισχυρό εργαλείο περιβαλλοντικής επικοινωνίας με κεντρικό θέματη βιοποικιλότητα. Η ανάλυση των χρηστών της εφαρμογής, ακολουθήθηκε από μίαλεπτομερή ανάλυση αναγκών και οδήγησε στη σχεδίαση ενός πρωτοτύπου το οποίοκαι αξιολογήθηκε σε περιβάλλον εργαστηρίου με τη χρήση της ευρετικής αξιολόγησηςκαι της αξιολόγησης ευχρηστίας από εμπειρογνώμονες. Αυτές οδήγησαν σεβελτιώσεις του αρχικού πρωτότυπου και ανέδειξαν ικανοποιητική την ευχρηστία τηςεφαρμογής, η οποία εκτιμάται ότι μπορεί σε επόμενο στάδιο να αξιολογηθεί με τηνομάδα-στόχο και σε πραγματικές συνθήκες.
Επιχειρηματικότητα και Κοινωνικό Κεφάλαιο στην Ελλάδα
Authors: Παρθύμος Αλέξανδρος
Published: November 2022

Το κοινωνικό κεφάλαιο είναι μια έννοια που θεωρείται περισσότερο θεωρητική και λιγότερο εμπειρική και που έχει οριστεί με πολλούς διαφορετικούς τρόπους κατά τις τελευταίες δεκαετίες. Οι περισσότερες εμπειρικές μελέτες έχουν χρησιμοποιήσει μέχρι σήμερα μεθοδολογίες για τη μέτρηση του κοινωνικού κεφαλαίου που επικεντρώνονται κυρίως σε ερωτήσεις σχετικά με την εμπιστοσύνη και τη συμμετοχή σε ομάδες και κοινωνικά δίκτυα. Μελέτες αναδεικνύουν τη σημασία των δικτύων για την ανάπτυξη επιχειρηματικότητας σε τοπικό αλλά και υπερτοπικό επίπεδο, με συνέπεια, το κοινωνικό κεφάλαιο να αποτελεί φαινόμενο δικτύου. Στο πλαίσιο αυτό, η παρουσία δομημένου κοινωνικού κεφαλαίου, μιας συνεκτικής κοινωνίας των πολιτών, διευκολύνει την εισροή χρηματοοικονομικού κεφαλαίου, το οποίο με τη σειρά του προάγει τη βιωσιμότητα των επενδύσεων προς όφελος της κοινωνίας. Θεωρούμε ως κύρια υπόθεση ότι η επιχειρηματικότητα, ως φαινόμενο γεωγραφικής (περιφερειακής) διαφοροποίησης, σχετίζεται θετικά με το κοινωνικό κεφάλαιο. Υποθέτουμε ότι το είδος και ο βαθμός ολοκλήρωσης της επιχειρηματικότητας σε μια περιοχή δομείται κατ’ αναλογία με την αλληλεπίδραση μεταξύ του κοινωνικού κεφαλαίου και άλλων παραγόντων που οδηγούν την επιχειρηματικότητα. Από αυτή την άποψη, είναι απαραίτητο να εξεταστούν τα επιχειρηματικά παραδείγματα που προωθούνται από συγκεκριμένες κοινωνίες των πολιτών μέσω του δεδομένου κοινωνικοπολιτικού περιβάλλοντός τους. Η παρούσα μελέτη περιλαμβάνει τον προσδιορισμό των μικροχωρικών αλληλεπιδράσεων που θεωρούνται καθοριστικοί παράγοντες της περιφερειακής επιχειρηματικής δραστηριότητας. Αυτή η γνώση είναι σημαντική διότι η περιφερειακή επιχειρηματική δραστηριότητα αποτελεί μια υπομελετημένη περιοχή, παρότι είναι ζωτικής σημασίας για τη χάραξη πολιτικής, ενώ η πληρέστερη κατανόηση των χαρακτηριστικών της επιχειρηματικής κουλτούρας μιας περιοχής μιας χώρας θα επιτρέψει στις πολιτικές πρωτοβουλίες να στοχεύουν δράσεις πολιτικής για να μετριάσουν ορισμένα από τα μειονεκτήματα και να προωθήσουν όλα τα χαρακτηριστικά που μπορούν να προωθήσουν την ιδιωτική επιχείρηση, την καινοτομία και την περιφερειακή ανάπτυξη.
Fuzzy inference systems and their applications
Authors: Σουλιώτης Γεώργιος
Published: November 2022

Η παρούσα διπλωματική εργασία είναι το αποτέλεσμα της ερευνητικής μου εργασίας στο πλαίσιο της επέκτασης της κλασικής λογικής στην λογική πολλαπλών τιμών. Οι βασικές έννοιες που διερευνήθηκαν είναι: κλασική άρνηση, ασαφής άρνηση, κλασική σύζευξη, ασαφής σύζευξη, κλασική διάζευξη, ασαφής διάζευξη, συνεπαγωγή, ασαφής συνεπαγωγή, θεωρία δυνατοτήτων, ασαφείς αριθμοί. Ιδιαίτερη έμφαση δίνεται σε όλες τις ασαφείς συνεπαγωγές, καθώς και στις ιδιότητες που αποκτούν. Επιπλέον, ο κρίσιμος ρόλος των ασαφών αρνήσεων καθώς και των ασαφών συζεύξεων στην κατασκευή ασαφών συνεπαγωγών είναι θεωρητικά αποδεδειγμένος και επιβεβαιωμένος από την έρευνα. Τέλος, παρατίθεται μια σειρά από γεννήτριες ασαφών συνεπαγωγών.
Ice microphysics from multi-frequency suites of active and passive remote sensing instruments
Authors: Καλογεράς Πέτρος
Published: November 2022

Οι φυσικές διεργασίες σε μεγάλα γεωγραφικά πλάτη και η μικροφυσική των πολικών νεφών συνιστούν πεδία έρευνας η περεταίρω μελέτη των οποίων καθίσταται επιβεβλημένη για την πιο ακριβή περιγραφή του αρκτικού ενεργειακού κύκλου, της κλιματικής μεταβλητότητας, και των μηχανισμών ανάδρασης. Η εργασία αναπτύσσει και εκτιμά μια τεχνική ανάκτησης παραμέτρων κατανομών μεγέθους παγοκρυστάλλων για μέση διάμετρο σταθμισμένη-δια-της-μάζας και κυβικής πυκνότητας πάγου, εδραζόμενη σε παρατηρήσεις πολλών συχνοτήτων και ταχυτήτων Doppler, καθώς επίσης προτείνει ένα σχήμα διαχωρισμού φάσεως υδρομετεώρων για πολικές περιοχές βασισμένο σε ανάλυση ροπών μεγεθών από παρατηρήσεις ραντάρ. Η τεχνική εφαρμόζεται σε βάσεις δεδομένων από την ερευνητική εγκατάσταση του προγράμματος ARM στη Βόρεια Κλίση της Αλάσκα και από δύο αναπτύξεις της Φορητής Εγκατάστασης 2 του ιδίου προγράμματος (BAECC, AWARE) οι οποίες συνιστούν ένα σύνολο κάθετης παρατήρησης από το έδαφος, αισθητήρων ραντάρ σε συχνότητες X, Ka, και W, lidar, και ραδιομέτρων μικροκυμάτων. Η ανάκτηση μικροφυσικών παραμέτρων επαφίεται σε παρατηρήσεις πολλών συχνοτήτων: αρχικά, ένα σχήμα παλινδρόμησης παρατηρήσεων ανακλαστικότητας-ταχήτητας σε Ka- εύρος συχνοτήτων εκτιμά ταχύτητα κατακρήμνισης παγοκρυστάλλων υποκείμενο σε διόρθωση κατακόρυφης συνιστώσας του ανέμου. Κατόπιν, ενεργές ανακλαστικότητες υπολογίζονται βάσει διόρθωσης εξασθένησης σήματος λόγω ατμοσφαιρικής διάδοσης. Οι ανακλαστικότητες και οι ταχύτητες κατακρήμνισης ενσωματώνονται σε Μπαεσιανό στατιστικό σχήμα το οποίο αντιπαραβάλλει παρατηρήσεις έναντι προϋπολογισμένων ηλεκτρομαγνητικών ενεργών διατομών σκέδασης και υδροδυναμικών ιδιοτήτων παγοκρυστάλλων. Ο διαχωρισμός φάσεως βάσει ραντάρ αποδεικνύεται αξιόπιστος στον εντοπισμό στρωμάτων μετασταθούς υγρού νερού επί κορυφών των νεφών. Συγκεντρωτικές στατιστικές υπολογίζονται βάσει των δεδομένων BAECC. Η συνδυαστική υλοποίηση ανακλαστικότητας ραντάρ με ταχύτητες κατακρήμνισης σε σχήμα αντιστροφής δύο- ή τριών- συχνοτήτων, επιδεικνύει το ότι οι παρατηρήσεις Doppler είναι σε θέση να επιχορηγήσουν το μικροφυσικό χαρακτηρισμό μειώνοντας την αβεβαιότητα των αντιστροφών, εξ’ αιτίας της σύνδεσης παρατηρήσεων και προσομοιώσεων ηλεκτρομαγνητικών και υδροδυναμικών ιδιοτήτων ατμοσφαιρικού πάγου έναντι μεθόδων που υλοποιούν μόνο ηλεκτρομαγνητικές ιδιότητες. Τα αποτελέσματα καταδεικνύουν μικρότερες αποκλίσεις των αντιστροφών μεταξύ σεναρίων υλοποίησης X/Ka/W/Doppler ή Ka/W/Doppler έναντι X/Ka/W. Κλείνοντας, η συμπερίληψη παρατηρήσεων χαμηλότερων συχνοτήτων (10-15 GHz) προτείνεται για την καλύτερη διόρθωση σήματος (απορρόφηση, βαθμονόμηση) και περεταίρω περιορισμού της αβεβαιότητας αριθμητικών σχημάτων ατμοσφαιρικών αντιστροφών.
Risk factors common to leading eye health conditions and major non-communicable diseases: a rapid review and commentary
Authors: Keay Lisa , Ren Kerrie , Nguyen Helen , Vajdic Claire , Odutola Michael , Gyawali Rajendra , Toomey Melinda , Peters Ruth , Ee Nicole , Dillon Lisa , Hackett Maree , Ah Tong Brandon , D'Esposito Fabrizio , Faulmann David , Burton Matthew , Ramke Jacqueline , Jalbert Isabelle
Published: November 2022

Background: To gain an understanding of the intersection of risk factors between the most prevalent eye health conditions that are associated with vision impairment and non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Methods: A series of rapid reviews of reviews reporting on non-modifiable risk factors, age and sex, and modifiable risk factors, including social determinants, were conducted for five common eye health conditions that are the leading causes of vision impairment globally (refractive error including uncorrected refractive error, cataract, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy) and five prevalent NCDs (cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, dementia, and depressive disorders). Articles published within approximately 5 years to the end of 2019 were identified through expert recommendation, PubMED, Ovid Medline, the Lancet Global Burden of Disease series, the International Agency for Research on Cancer and World Cancer Research Fund.   

Results: Of 9,213 records identified, 320 records were eligible. Eye health conditions and NCDs share many risk factors. Increased age was found to be the most common shared risk factor, associated with increased risks of AMD, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, refractive error, cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and dementia. Other shared risk factors included smoking, obesity, alcohol consumption (mixed results), and physical activity was protective, though limited evidence was found for eye conditions. Social determinants are well documented as risk factors for NCDs.

Conclusion: There is substantial overlap in common established risk factors for the most frequent vision impairing eye conditions and leading NCDs. Increasing efforts should be made to integrate preventative and risk reduction interventions to improve health, with greatest shared benefits for initiatives which aim to reduce smoking, improve diet, and promote physical activity.
The role of IL-6, ferritin, and coagulopathy in COVID-19 clinical progression
Authors: Harahap Alvin Tagor , Irawan Cosphiadi , Susilo Adityo , Harimurti Kuntjoro , Gathmyr Dewi , Shatri Hamzah , Lubis Anna Mira , Nainggolan Leonard , Abdullah Murdani
Published: November 2022

Background

In COVID-19, the release of pro-inflammatory mediators in the cytokine storm, primarily interleukin-6 (IL-6), has been hypothesized to induce pulmonary intravascular coagulation. However, the relationship between IL-6 and coagulopathy remains unclear in COVID-19 progression. We aimed to investigate the correlation of IL-6 with D-dimer, fibrinogen, prothrombin time (PT), and ferritin. Furthermore, we also analyzed the effect of those parameters on the worsening of COVID-19 patients.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was conducted in moderate and severe COVID-19 patients from June 2020 to January 2021. A serial evaluation of IL-6, D-dimer, fibrinogen, ferritin, and PT was performed and correlated with the patient's condition at admission and on the 14th day. The outcomes (improvement, worsening, or discharged patients) were recorded during the study.

Results

Of 374 patients, 73 study subjects (61 severe and 12 moderate COVID-19) were included in this study. A total of 35 out of 61 severe and one out of 12 moderate illness subjects had experienced worsening. Spearman-rank correlation of IL-6 with with ferritin, D-dimer, fibrinogen, and PT was 0.08 (p=0.5), −0.13 (p=0.27), 0.01 (p=0.91), and 0.03 (p=0.77), respectively. In ROC analysis, D-dimer (74,77%) and IL-6 (71,32%) were the highest among other variables (>60%).

Conclusions

In COVID-19 patients, there was a correlation between elevated IL-6 and D-dimer levels with disease deterioration. There was no correlation between elevated IL-6 levels with ferritin, D-dimer, fibrinogen, and PT levels. Therefore, changes in IL-6 and D-dimer can predict worsening in moderate and severe COVID-19 patients.
Attitude towards dengue control efforts with the potential of digital technology during COVID-19: partial least squares-structural equation modeling
Authors: Purnama Sang Gede , Susanna Dewi , Achmadi Umar Fahmi , Eryando Tris , Wulandari Luh Putu Lila
Published: November 2022

Background: Dengue fever is still a public health issue in Indonesia, and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, integrated digital technology will be required for its control. This study aimed to identify the factors that influence attitudes toward dengue control concerning the potential application of digital technology.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey, with 515 people willing to fill out an online questionnaire. The analysis was conducted using Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). There were 46 indicators used to assess attitudes toward dengue control, which are organized into six variables: the need for digital information systems, perceptions of being threatened with dengue, the benefits of dengue control programs, program constraints, environmental factors and attitudes in dengue control.

Results:  The source of information needed for dengue control was mainly through social media. There was a positive relationship between perception of environmental factors to perception of dengue threat, perception of program constraints, perception of program benefits, and perception of digital technology needs. Perception of program benefits and threatened perception of dengue have a positive relationship with perception of digital technology needs.

Conclusions: This model showed the variables perception of digital technology and perception of benefits had a positive association with attitude towards dengue control.