bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship between the body mass index and the ponderal index with physical fitness in adolescent students
Authors: Cossio-Bolaños Marco , Vidal- Espinoza Rubén , Albornoz Camilo Urra , Fuentes-Lopez José , Sánchez-Macedo Lucila , Andruske Cynthia Lee , Sulla-Torres José , Campos Rossana Gómez
Published: April 2022

Background

The relationship between the Body Mass Index (BMI) with physical fitness in children and adolescent populations from diverse regions are consistent. However, the relationship between the Ponderal Index (PI) with physical fitness, based on what is known to date, has not been examined in depth. The objective was to evaluate the relationships between BMI and PI with three physical fitness tests of students living at moderate altitudes in Peru.

Methods

A descriptive correlational study was carried out with 385 adolescents, between the ages of 10.0 to 15.9 years old, from the province of Arequipa, Peru. Weight, height, and three physical fitness tests (horizontal jump, agility, and abdominal muscle resistance) were evaluated. BMI and PI were calculated, and they were, then, categorized into three strata (low, normal, and excessive weight). Specific regressions were calculated for sex, using a non-lineal quadratic model for each item adjusted for BMI and PI.

Results

The relationship between BMI and PI with the physical tests reflected parabolic curves that varied in both sexes. The regression values for BMI in males oscillated between R2 = 0.029 and 0.073 and for females between R2 = 0.008 and 0.091. For PI, for males, it varied from R2 = 0.044 to 0.82 and for females, from R2 = 0.011 to 0.103. No differences occurred between the three nutritional categories for BMI as well as for PI for both sexes (p range between 0.18 to 0.38), as well as for low weight (BMI vs PI), normal weight (BMI vs PI), and excessive weight (BMI vs PI) (p range between 0.35 to 0.64).

Conclusions

BMI showed inferior quadratic regressions with respect to the PI. In addition, physical performance was slightly unfavorable when it was analyzed by BMI. PI could be a useful tool for analyzing and predicting physical fitness for adolescents living at a moderate altitude since it corrects for the notable differences for weight between adolescents.
The association between reproductive history and menopausal symptoms: an evidence from the cross-sectional survey
Authors: Sharami Seyedeh Hajar , Faraji Darkhaneh Roya , Ghanami Gashti Nasrin , Mansour-Ghanaei Mandana , Bab Eghbal Sedighe
Published: April 2022

Background

During menopause, women experience annoying symptoms which may affect their daily activities and quality of life. This study aimed to determine whether reproductive history, an important indicator of estrogen exposure across the lifetime, is associated with the severity of menopausal symptoms in women.

Methods

This study was a cross-sectional study conducted on 214 women aged 35–65 who were randomly selected, and data was collected by a predesigned structured questionnaire. Each item was graded by subjects and a total score was obtained by summing all subscale scores.

Results

There was a significant association between the somatic, psychological, and urogenital menopausal symptoms and reproductive characteristics. Women with a history of abortion had greater total (β = 0.194, p = 0.009), and psychological (β = 0.230, p = 0.002) symptoms score. Women with higher number of children were more likely to have higher somatic (β = 0.212, p = 0.005) symptoms than others.

Conclusions

Our findings showed reproductive factors may have an influence on the severity of menopausal symptoms. After confirmation by further studies, these findings may help target women at risk of more severe menopausal symptoms at later ages.
Greater than the sum of the parts: a qualitative content analysis of what constitutes a good treatment in the inpatient setting
Authors: Locher Cosima , Buergler Sarah , Heimgartner Nadja , Koechlin Helen , Gerger Heike , Gaab Jens , Büchi Stefan
Published: April 2022

Background

The evaluation of psychotherapy is guided by established concepts, such as efficacy and effectiveness, and acceptability. Although these concepts serve as valid proxies, little is known about corresponding criteria for those directly involved in this treatment. This study aimed to explore inpatients’ and health professionals’ definitions of a good treatment in the inpatient setting.

Methods

Fifteen semi-structured interviews were conducted in a private psychiatric clinic in Switzerland and structured by qualitative content analysis. Different subsamples of the inpatient setting (patients N = 5; psychiatrists N = 5; other health professionals N = 5) were interviewed.

Results

In total, 546 text passages were grouped in 10 superordinate categories and identified as relevant for the concept of a good treatment. Participants stressed patient-specific (i.e., new insights; basic attitudes), treatment-specific (i.e., therapy methods and expertise; treatment success; therapy setting), and relationship-based (i.e., communication and feedback; relationships within the clinical setting; overcoming challenges and hurdles) components that are indispensable for a good therapeutic process. Components that are related to the clinical inpatient setting (i.e., setting and organization of the clinic; code of conduct) were also highlighted.

Conclusions

Patients’ and health professionals’ definitions of what constitutes a good treatment entails a wide array of aspects. The clinical setting is seen to offer unique components that are emphasized to have a healing effect.
On a system of monotone variational inclusion problems with fixed-point constraint
Authors: Alakoya Timilehin O. , Uzor Victor A. , Mewomo Oluwatosin T. , Yao Jen-Chih
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we study the problem of finding the solution of the system of monotone variational inclusion problems recently introduced by Chang et al. (Optimization 70(12):2511–2525, 2020) with the constraint of a fixed-point set of quasipseudocontractive mappings. We propose a new iterative method that employs an inertial technique with self-adaptive step size for approximating the solution of the problem in Hilbert spaces and prove a strong-convergence result for the proposed method under more relaxed conditions. Moreover, we apply our results to study related optimization problems. Finally, we present some numerical experiments to demonstrate the performance of our proposed method, compare it with a related method as well as experiment on the dependency of the key parameters on the performance of our method.
Lyapunov-type inequalities for fractional Langevin-type equations involving Caputo-Hadamard fractional derivative
Authors: Zhang Wei , Zhang Jifeng , Ni Jinbo
Published: April 2022

In this study, some new Lyapunov-type inequalities are presented for Caputo-Hadamard fractional Langevin-type equations of the forms $$ \begin{aligned} &{}_{H}^{C}D_{a + }^{\beta } \bigl({}_{H}^{C}D_{a + }^{\alpha }+ p(t)\bigr)x(t) + q(t)x(t) = 0,\quad 0 < a < t < b, \end{aligned} $$

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. The boundary value problems of fractional Langevin-type equations were firstly converted into the equivalent integral equations with corresponding kernel functions, and then the Lyapunov-type inequalities were derived by the analytical method. Noteworthy, the Langevin-type equations are multi-term differential equations, creating significant challenges and difficulties in investigating the problems. Consequently, this study provides new results that can enrich the existing literature on the topic.
Controversies in enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery
Authors: Shaw Andrew D. , Guinn Nicole R. , Brown Jessica K. , Arora Rakesh C. , Lobdell Kevin W. , Grant Michael C. , Gan Tong J. , Engelman Daniel T. ,   for the Perioperative Quality Initiative (POQI) and Enhanced Recovery after Surgery–Cardiac (ERAS→-Cardiac) investigators
Published: April 2022

Advances in cardiac surgical operative techniques and myocardial protection have dramatically improved outcomes in the past two decades. An unfortunate and unintended consequence is that 80% of the preventable morbidity and mortality following cardiac surgery now originates outside of the operating room. Our hope is that a renewed emphasis on evidence-based best practice and standardized perioperative care will reduce overall morbidity and mortality and improve patient-centric care. The Perioperative Quality Initiative (POQI) and Enhanced Recovery After Surgery–Cardiac Society (ERAS® Cardiac) have identified significant evidence gaps in perioperative medicine related to cardiac surgery, defined as areas in which there is significant controversy about how best to manage patients. These five areas of focus include patient blood management, goal-directed therapy, acute kidney injury, opioid analgesic reduction, and delirium.
Alternative measurement systems for recording cardiac activity in animals: a pilot study
Authors: Kahankova Radana , Kolarik Jakub , Brablik Jindřich , Barnova Katerina , Simkova Ivana , Martinek Radek
Published: April 2022

Monitoring and assessing cardiac activity in animals, especially heart rate variability, has been gaining importance in the last few years as an indicator of animal health, well-being and physical condition. This pilot study tested the sensors based on ballistocardiography sensing the mechanical vibrations caused by the animal’s cardiovascular system, which have proved useful in measuring cardiac activity in humans. To verify the accuracy of these measurement systems, the conventional measurements based on electrocardiography were carried out and the outcomes were compared. The main objectives were to verify the suitability of these sensors in measuring cardiac activity in animals, to determine the advantages and disadvantages of these sensors, and to identify future challenges. Measurements were performed on various animals, specifically a goat, a cow, a horse, and a sheep. Electrocardiographic measurement, which has demonstrated high accuracy in procedures for animals, was used as the study’s gold standard. A disadvantage of this method, however, is the long time required to prepare animals and shear spots to attach electrodes. The accuracy of a ballistocardiographic sensor was compared to reference electrocardiographic signals based on Bland–Altman plots which analysed the current heart rate values. Unfortunately, the ballistocardiographic sensor was highly prone to poor adhesion to the animal’s body, sensor movement when the animal was restless, and motion artefacts. Ballistocardiographic sensors were shown only to be effective with larger animals, i.e., the horse and the cow, the size of these animals allowing sufficient contact of the sensor with the animal’s body. However, this method’s most significant advantage over the conventional method based on electrocardiography is lower preparation time, since there is no need for precise and time-demanding fixation of the sensor itself and the necessity of shaving the animal’s body.
Externally forced symmetric warming in the Arctic and Antarctic during the second half of the twentieth century
Authors: Liu Jianyu , Luo Yiyong , Liu Fukai
Published: April 2022

In recent decades, the two polar regions have exhibited strikingly different changes, with much greater warming in the Arctic than the Antarctic. However, the warming asymmetry between the two polar regions is quite small during the second half of the twentieth century. By using a multi-member ensemble of simulations with the Community Earth System Model, this study investigates the relative contributions of greenhouse gases, aerosol, and ozone forcings to the responses of Arctic and Antarctic surface temperature during 1955–2000. Results show that both the greenhouse gases- and aerosols-induced changes are greater in the Arctic than in the Antarctic, yet they are opposite and act to balance each other, leaving a limited warming in the Arctic and hence a small bipolar asymmetry. Using a radiative kernel, feedback analysis reveals that both greenhouse gases and aerosol forcings influence the polar surface temperature through albedo feedback related to sea ice changes and lapse rate feedback related to strong surface temperature inversion. The ozone forcing can hardly excite any surface temperature changes over the polar regions even in the Antarctic with the strongest ozone depletion, which is due to a cancellation between the cooling effect from radiative forcing and cloud radiative feedback, and the warming effect from lapse rate feedback and enhanced atmospheric heat transport from lower latitudes.
The feasibility of a crossover, randomized controlled trial design to assess the effect of probiotics and prebiotics on health of elite Swiss para-athletes: a study protocol
Authors: Glisic Marija , Flueck Joelle L. , Ruettimann Belinda , Hertig-Godeschalk Anneke , Valido Ezra , Bertolo Alessandro , Stucki Gerold , Stoyanov Jivko
Published: April 2022

Background

Spinal cord injury (SCI) may cause an autonomic imbalance in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to deficits in colonic motility, mucosal secretions, vascular tone, and an increase of intestinal barrier permeability. Autonomic denervation and factors such as age, physical activity, antibiotic use and stress may cause intestinal bacterial translocation, decreased microbiota diversity, known as gut dysbiosis and thus increase susceptibility to experiencing gastrointestinal discomfort. Probiotic treatment in individuals with SCI may normalize the gut microbiota and improve overall health. We aim to assess the feasibility of probiotic and prebiotic intervention in athletes with SCI and collect information necessary for sample size calculation of a definite trial on improving health outcomes in para-athletes.

Methods and analysis

Elite Swiss para-athletes (aged> 18 years), being shortlisted for the Paralympic Games 2021 in Tokyo or a member of a national team (n = 43), will be invited to participate in this single-center randomized crossover trial. Athletes suffering from chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, those currently taking antibiotics or other medication to alleviate gastro-intestinal complaints will not be eligible to be included in the study. Athletes will be randomized (1:1) to receive for 4 weeks a daily dose of either 3 g of probiotic preparation or 5 g of prebiotic (organic oat bran) supplementation in addition to usual diet, followed by a 4-week washout period or vice versa. The primary outcome is the feasibility of the study, measured by recruitment and dropout rates, feasibility of the measurements, acceptability and adherence to the intervention. Secondary outcomes include gastrointestinal health assessment, diet and training information, handgrip strength, blood diagnostic parameters, and intestinal microbiome characterization. The changes in clinically relevant secondary outcome values will be used to make a power calculation for definite trial.

Discussion

This pilot trial will address two common challenges in SCI research: the difficulty to recruit enough participants for a sufficiently powered study and the ability to collect data within the limits of a realistic budget and time frame. Upon demonstrated feasibility of the intervention and study procedures, the intervention will be evaluated in a definitive controlled trial comprising a larger sample of para-athletes (elite, engaged, or recreationally active) individuals with a SCI.

Trial registration

NCT04659408
A continuous intravenous insulin infusion protocol to manage high-dose methylprednisolone-induced hyperglycemia in patients with severe COVID-19
Authors: Takahashi Yoshihito , Matsuura Hiroshi , Domi Hisaya , Yamamura Hitoshi
Published: April 2022

Background

Many patients with severe COVID-19 have impaired glucose tolerance, and steroid therapy is a standard treatment. Thus, good glycemic control is important and correlates with better patient outcomes. We began using a continuous intravenous insulin infusion protocol for glycemic control whose infusion rate changes based on the currently measured value and previous value. This study aimed to evaluate this protocol for COVID-19 patients requiring mechanical ventilation.

Methods

This single-center, retrospective, case control study was conducted on all adult patients who required mechanical ventilation for severe COVID-19 pneumonia admitted to our critical care center from April 1, 2020 through June 20, 2021. Blood glucose levels were measured in all patients every 4 h after admission. We started using the insulin infusion protocol from August 1, 2020. Patients before starting the protocol comprised the non-protocol group and those after starting the protocol comprised the protocol group. Blood glucose levels and hypo- or hyperglycemia events were compared between groups. We also surveyed ICU nurses about their experience using the protocol.

Results

During the study period, 173 patients with COVID-19 were admitted. After 15 patients were excluded for several reasons, the study included 158 patients: non-protocol group (n = 14) and protocol group (n = 144). In the initial phase (days 1–2), blood glucose levels of the protocol group were higher compared with the non-protocol group, and as the number of measurements increased, blood glucose levels were gradually brought under control within the target range in the protocol group. Almost no hypoglycemic events (blood glucose < 80 mg/dL) were detected in either group. The rate of hyperglycemia (blood glucose > 300 mg/dL) was about 5–10% in the initial phase in the protocol group and about 10–15% in the early phase (days 3–4) in the non-protocol group. The questionnaire survey revealed that 80% of ICU nurses responded favorably.

Conclusions

This insulin protocol gradually brought the blood glucose level within target levels in severe COVID-19 patients treated with high-dose steroid. Some hyperglycemia events were detected despite patients being under the protocol in the initial phase, and thus, minor modifications of the protocol might be required in the initial phase.
A review on treatments of hepatocellular carcinoma—role of radio wave ablation and possible improvements
Authors: Dakua Sarada Prasad , Nayak Anchal
Published: April 2022

Background

Currently, several treatment options are available for liver cancer depending on various factors such as location, size, shape, and liver function. Image fusion is required for the diagnosis, intervention, and follow-up of certain HCCs. Presently, mental fusion is the only way while diagnosing liver lesions by comparing the ultrasound (US) image with the computed tomography (CT) image. Nevertheless, mental fusion is bound to have errors. The objective of this paper is to study the present treatment options for hepatocellular carcinoma and review the present treatment options, list out their potential limitations, and present a possible alternative solution based on the findings to reduce errors and mistargeting.

Methods

This is a systematic review on the present treatment options for hepatocellular carcinoma, especially radio wave ablation.

Results

It is found that computer fusion is the possible alternative to the present mental registration.

Conclusions

Although computer fusion is the best alternative to use radio wave ablation, there have been a few open-ended questions to further explore.
Cardiac complications in patients with COVID-19: a systematic review
Authors: Brogi E. , Marino F. , Bertini P. , Tavazzi G. , Corradi F. , Forfori F.
Published: April 2022

Cardiac complications in patients with COVID-19 have been described in the literature with an important impact on outcome. The primary objective of our systematic review was to describe the kind of cardiac complications observed in COVID-19 patients and to identify potential predictors of cardiovascular events. The secondary aim was to analyze the effect of cardiac complications on outcome.

We performed this systematic review according to PRISMA guidelines using several databases for studies evaluating the type of cardiac complications and risk factors in COVID-19 patients. We also calculated the risk ratio (RR) and 95% CI. A random-effects model was applied to analyze the data. The heterogeneity of the retrieved trials was evaluated through the I2 statistic. Our systematic review included 49 studies. Acute cardiac injury was evaluated in 20 articles. Heart failure and cardiogenic shock were reported in 10 articles. Myocardial infarction was evaluated in seven of the papers retrieved. Takotsubo, myocarditis, and pericardial effusion were reported in six, twelve, and five articles, respectively. Arrhythmic complications were evaluated in thirteen studies. Right ventricular dysfunction was evaluated in six articles. We included 7 studies investigating 2115 patients in the meta-analysis. The RR was 0.20 (95% CI: 0.17 to 0.24; P < 0.00001, I2 = 0.75). Acute cardiac injury represented the prevalent cardiac complications observed in COVID-19 patients (from 20 to 45% of the patients). Patients with acute cardiac injury seemed to be significantly older, with comorbidities, more likely to develop complications, and with higher mortality rates. Acute cardiac injury was found to be an independent risk factor for severe forms of SARS-CoV-2 infection and an independent predictor of mortality. Due to the scarce evidence, it was not possible to draw any conclusion regarding Takotsubo, myocarditis, pleural effusion, and right ventricular dysfunction in COVID-19 patients. Noteworthy, possible arrhythmic alterations (incidence rate of arrhythmia from 3 to 60%) in COVID-19 patients have to be taken into account for the possible complications and the consequent hemodynamic instabilities. Hypertension seemed to represent the most common comorbidities in COVID-19 patients (from 30 to 59.8%). The prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) was high in this group of patients (up to 57%), with coronary artery disease in around 10% of the cases. In the majority of the studies retrieved, patients with CVD had a higher prevalence of severe form, ICU admission, and higher mortality rates.
Seismic interpretation pitfalls caused by interference effects, exemplified by seismic modeling of outcropping chalk successions
Authors: Qu Dongfang , Anderskouv Kresten , Stemmerik Lars , Nielsen Lars
Published: April 2022

Interference and inherent resolution limitations are well-recognized problems in reflection seismic data and have over time led to misinterpretations. Acquisition of seismic data containing a broad range of frequencies, including high frequencies, does not solve this problem but merely moves the problem to a finer scale. Forward seismic modeling of known geologic scenarios is a valuable tool for studying anticipated seismic responses of successions with a given set of geologic and/or rock physical characteristics and for predicting interpretational challenges. We perform finite-difference-based seismic forward modeling on a conceptual geologic model derived from outcropping chalk sections in southeast Denmark and evaluate possible pitfalls that may hamper interpretation of seismic data acquired from strata with similar characteristics. We demonstrate that interbedded strata with contrasting physical properties and variable thickness can result in interference effects resembling faults and fractures. The result has significance for characterization, e.g., geothermal sites, potential CO2 storage targets, groundwater reservoirs, and hydrocarbon exploration sites, in which the proper imaging of faults and fractures from seismic data is an essential task.
Skeletonization and impermeability characterization of discontinuity interface for reservoir with sandstone compartment
Authors: Zhang Dong , Huang Xuri , Fan Ting’en , Yin Cheng , Ding Feng
Published: April 2022

In the process of fluvial sedimentary evolution, mudstone interlayer is frequently developed in the interval of sandstone deposition, forming a reservoir of sandstone compartment. Some generally nonpermeable or semipermeable interlayers become discontinuity interfaces of a reservoir, which is one of the causes for the complexity in the distribution of remaining oil. The degree of the impermeability of the discontinuity interface on fluid flow is critical to the development of hydrocarbons. The discontinuity interface, a small-scale reservoir discontinuity comparing with the fault, is generally below the seismic vertical resolution ([Formula: see text]). The key to the study of the discontinuity interface is to characterize the variation of plane characteristics of sediments between isochronous seismic horizons. Therefore, we can extract seismic attributes between isochronous seismic horizons to analyze the subtle changes of seismic data, which reflect the distribution of the discontinuity interfaces. In the experiment of gradient vector to detect discontinuity interface in seismic attribute, the authors find that the width of the discontinuity interface is caused by the “lens” shape of the sandstone itself. This phenomenon is an indicator of the impermeability of the discontinuity interface. Here, we have developed a two-step method. First, we use the erosion operator of mathematical morphology to locate the skeleton of the discontinuity interface with the steering of the gradient direction. Second, we measured the width of the discontinuity interface to indicate its impermeability. The application to a field data set demonstrates that the results of this proposed method are consistent with the production data of the wells. The proposed method characterizes the reservoir heterogeneity refined from sandstone sets to a single sandstone bed, which improves the resolution of seismic geologic interpretation.
Identifying minor faults on top of coalfield Ordovician limestone stratum using seismic attributes derived from azimuthally stacked data
Authors: Zhang Libing , Huang Yaping , Wu Bin , Dong Shouhua
Published: April 2022

Identifying geologic faults has always been the primary aim of geophysical prospecting work in coalfields. However, identifying minor faults of the top Ordovician limestone stratum (in coalfield areas) remains a significant challenge. As parts of the work described herein, we build a geologic model with a fault located on top of the Ordovician limestone stratum in a coalfield. We use a 2D seismic profile obtained by means of forward modeling in a numerical simulation (by azimuth) process, to fit seismic attributes to a general ellipse equation. The seismic attributes derived from these azimuthally stacked data sets have found that, at the fault locations, the maximum amplitude decreases, whereas the minimum amplitude increases. Fitting the seismic attributes according to the least-squares method for the maximum and minimum amplitudes by azimuth produces ellipses that fitted well to the fault plane and could be used to determine fault plane characteristics. Specifically, the major axis of the ellipses runs parallel to the faults’ strike. At a given fault dip angle, eccentricity ( e) can be used to qualitatively determine fault throw and fault dip. The larger the value of eccentricity ( e), the greater the fault throw and fault dip. Finally, the validity of this azimuth analysis method is verified by application to actual seismic data.
A key clinical consideration: antidepressant withdrawal or illness relapse?
Authors: Malhi Gin S. , Bell Erica
Published: April 2022

Distinguishing the symptoms of antidepressant withdrawal from those of relapse is a complex issue that has an impact on a significant number of clinicians and patients. This commentary expands on several important points made by Horowitz & Taylor in their examination of this critically under-researched area and illustrates the relationships between symptoms, and how their onset may provide insights into their aetiology.
Left Freudians
Authors: Colston Alex
Published: April 2022

Are the limits of psychoanalytic politics the limits of the politics of psychoanalysis’s founding father, Sigmund Freud? This article offers an answer to this question by discussing Freud’s political affinities and then recounting a short history of the “Left Freudians,” psychoanalytic thinkers who broke with Freud’s old-style liberalism. Freud was neither a communist nor a political radical, but he was the figurehead of a tradition of inquiry and body of knowledge that lent itself to radical political thought and practice. How does psychoanalytic thinking justify this ideological break? Beginning with anarchist Otto Gross, this article traces a genealogy of radical psychoanalytic thinkers through the historical depoliticization and repression of political psychoanalysis, unearthing its more radical proponents and critiques and substantiating Gross’s assertion that psychoanalysis is preparatory work for the revolution. At the end of the genealogy, the article turns to psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan’s infamous and emblematic encounter with provocateurs from the radical student movement. Neither as domineering nor paternalistic as he seemed, Lacan’s diagnosis of the revolutionaries as hysterical helots should be read as his own provocation for them to clarify their desire, because the purpose of political psychoanalysis is to understand the unconscious desire involved in political acts.
The efficiency of photovoltaic systems
Authors: Γουσιόπουλος Αθανάσιος
Published: April 2022

Στην παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή ο κύριος στόχος είναι η δημιουργία ενός καινοτόμου χαμηλού κόστους κυκλώματος ελέγχου (hardware), το οποίο μπορεί να μιμηθεί την συμπεριφορά ηλιακών κυττάρων (solar cells) κάτω από διαφορετικές συνθήκες ηλιακής ακτινοβολίας και θερμοκρασίας. Επιπλέον, στόχος είναι να προτείνουμε ένα νέο αλγόριθμο ανίχνευσης του σημείου μέγιστης ισχύος (MPPT), ο οποίος θα μπορούσε να εκτιμήσει με ακρίβεια και αξιοπιστία το σημείο λειτουργίας μέγιστης ισχύος. Η πεπλεγμένη συνάρτηση η οποία περιγράφει την χαρακτηριστική ρεύματος – τάσης ενός φωτοβολταϊκού στοιχείου περιέχει το μέγεθος του ρεύματος και στα δύο μέλη της εξίσωσης στη μορφή I = f (V, I). Στην παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή μία εξίσωση του ρεύματος ανεξάρτητης της τάσης προκύπτει ύστερα από μαθηματικούς υπολογισμούς για το σημείο μέγιστης ισχύος, ως συνάρτηση μίας νέας μεταβλητής η οποία είναι μαθηματικά καλώς ορισμένη. Η επικύρωση των παραπάνω πραγματοποιείται κατόπιν μελέτης σε τέσσερα διαφορετικά φωτοβολταϊκά στοιχεία. Στην καλύτερη περίπτωση η απόκλιση της προτεινόμενης μεθοδολογίας από το σημείο μέγιστης ισχύος Pmpp ήταν της τάξεως του 0,08%, ενώ στην χειρότερη περίπτωση το ποσοστό απόκλισης ήταν 0,84%. Η νέα προτεινόμενη μέθοδος εξετάζεται για μεταβολές μέχρι +/- 5% στις τιμές των 5 παραμέτρων προσαρμογής (Rs, Rsh, n, Io, Iph) με το Iph να έχει την μεγαλύτερη επίδραση (σφάλμα μέχρι 5%). Δύο τοπολογίες VBE πολλαπλασιαστή προτείνονται οι οποίες μπορούν με αξιοπιστία να μιμηθούν την λειτουργία ηλιακών κυψελών. Η ανάλυση που πραγματοποιήθηκε δείχνει ότι και τα δύο ηλεκτρονικά κυκλώματα έχουν την δυνατότητα να δώσουν ποιοτικές χαρακτηριστικές ρεύματος – τάσης με μικρό RMSE (10^-3). Η δεύτερη βελτιωμένη έκδοση του VBE πολλαπλασιαστή έχει την δυνατότητα λειτουργίας σε μεγαλύτερο εύρος μεταβολών ηλιακής ακτινοβολίας και θερμοκρασίας. Με την βοήθεια αυτού του μοντέλου ήταν δυνατή η κατασκευή ενός χαμηλού κόστους (£230) πλήρως λειτουργικού πρωτοτύπου ψηφιακά ελεγχόμενου εξομοιωτή ηλιακού συστήματος “DiceSol”. Μία συσκευή ανίχνευσης του σημείου μέγιστης ισχύος (MPPT) υλοποιήθηκε βασιζόμενη σε ένα ισχυρό μαθηματικό μοντέλο. Ο προτεινόμενος αλγόριθμος “Βηματισμός της Χήνας” χρησιμοποιήθηκε σε συνδεσμολογία μετατροπέα ανύψωσης συνεχούς τάσης σε συνεχή τάση (ΣΤ/ΣΤ). Παρουσιάστηκε άριστη στατική και δυναμική συμπεριφορά. Σε όλες τις περιπτώσεις η σύγκλιση ήταν υψηλότερη του 98,53% καθώς ο χρόνος σύγκλισης είναι κατά μέσο όρο 220 msec.
Historia Ukrainy: Ziemia i ludzie
Authors: Magocsi Paul Robert
Published: April 2022

Dzieło profesora Magocsiego obejmuje opis bardzo długiego okresu dziejów ziem, na których dziś znajduje się państwo ukraińskie: od przeszłości archeologicznej, starożytnej, aż po wypadki, które rozegrały się w ostatnich latach na naszych oczach. Jest to swoista encyklopedia historyczna, bardzo erudycyjna. Budzi podziw orientacja autora w olbrzymiej i różnojęzycznej (angielskiej, ukraińskiej, niemieckiej, rosyjskiej, czeskiej i francuskiej) literaturze przedmiotu. Uwzględnia on także punkt widzenia historiografii izraelskiej (żydowskiej). Dorobek badań polskich jest wykorzystany skromniej, choć w bibliografii znajdujemy opracowania w języku polskim. Jest to praca naprawdę syntetyczna, to znaczy przemyślana przez autora, a nie posklejana z cudzych narracji. Stanowi całość podporządkowaną pewnej wizji historii, konsekwentnie realizowanej przez autora. [… ] [… ] Historia Ukrainy profesora Magocsiego [… ] uznaje wszystko, co się działo na ziemiach dzisiejszej Ukrainy, za jej własną historię. Proponuje ukraiński odpowiednik tzw. historii publicznej, czyli oficjalnej i służebnej wobec potrzeb społecznych wizji dziejów danego państwa. Prawdę mówiąc, jest to powielenie amerykańskiego sposobu pisania o przeszłości ziem dzisiejszych Stanów Zjednoczonych, w który włączona jest historia ludów rdzennych, zamieszkujących je przed przybyciem białych osadników. [… ] (z posłowia prof. Andrzeja A. Zięby)
Triple-Valve Infective Endocarditis: A Case with Unusual Features
Authors: Oliveira Inês , Vasconcelos Gisela , Bragança Bruno , Cruz Margarida , Abreu Glória , Azevedo João , Andrade Aurora
Published: April 2022

Infective endocarditis is a condition associated with high morbidity and mortality, usually with univalvular involvement. We describe the case of a 76-year-old woman with triple-valve endocarditis due to Streptococcus gallolyticus complicated by perivalvular suppurative lesions, acute heart failure and acute kidney injury. Unfortunately, the patient died despite antibiotic therapy and emergent surgery. This case highlights uncommon triple-valve involvement in the absence of risk factors, posing a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.
Neuromodulation and the life-changing advances in this area of medical technology
Authors: Palmer Sarah Jane
Published: April 2022

By using the science and technological advances of neuromodulation to develop a network of neurological responses connecting the brain with the legs, three paralysed men have been able to walk again. Sarah Jane Palmer discusses the technique used and how this can pave the way for a hopeful future for others with paralysis.
Research Roundup
Authors: Mestecky Ann-Marie
Published: April 2022

Ann-Marie Mestecky provides a synopsis and brief review of recently published research articles of interest to neuroscience nurses
Experimental treatments: the legal parameters
Authors: Finch John
Published: April 2022

Exactness, experiment and the expected all find a place in the laws and principles of clinical practice. These include the legal duty of care owed by clinicians to their patients, consideration of the risks (legal or clinical), consideration of the law relating to consent when proposing treatment and, in cases where it is appropriate for them to be employed, the use of ethics committees. John Finch, a freelance journalist specialising in law and ethics relating to clinical treatment, draws together these strands in the special context of experimental treatment
Thrombectomy for acute ischaemic stroke: evaluation of a bespoke ambulance-based simulation package for stroke nurses
Authors: Cluckie Gill , Corns Jennifer
Published: April 2022

Background/Aims:

Thrombectomy patients are often transferred to a thrombectomy centre with a nurse escort. This article reports the evaluation of a bespoke simulation course for these nurses.

Methods:

The Standardised Thrombectomy Ambulance Transfer Simulations (STATS) course was a high-fidelity simulation course using static ambulances and an immersion room. Evaluation was by questionnaire and data were managed in Excel.

Results:

A total of 35 nurses from six hospitals evaluated the course and all rated it as excellent or very good. Benefits reported were the use of simulation for realism and the practice of transfer skills. Self-reported median confidence ratings increased from 5 to 9/10. Key learning was reported in patient management, teamwork and communication, and knowledge about thrombectomy.

Conclusions:

The STATS course supports the role of simulation in education for nurses undertaking thrombectomy transfers. As thrombectomy services develop in the UK, simulation provides an opportunity for education and practice for this role.
New boost for the PM near net shape industry
Authors: Shipley Jim
Published: April 2022

Jim Shipley, manager for business development at Quintus Technologies, explains why using hot isostatic pressing to make near net shape components is a better choice than ever before.
Composite storage tank industry steps up to US regulations
Authors: Arthur Gary L
Published: April 2022

Gary L Arthur, president of the Fiberglass Reinforced Plastics Institute in the US explains how the composite industry set out standards in response to regulations enacted to protect all stakeholders from reinforced plastic storage tank failures.
ODONTORADIOSIS Web: Identificac¸ ˜ao Semiautom´atica de Pontos Cefalom´etricos
Authors: Oliveira Couto João Victor
Published: April 2022

A an´alise cefalom´etrica, baseada em radiografias cefalom´etricas laterais, consiste em uma ciˆencia pertencente a ortodontia, a qual visa a obtenc¸ ˜ao da localizac¸ ˜ao e posic¸ ˜ao de pontos cefalom ´etricos para se gerar medidas que ser˜ao utilizadas por especialistas por estes especialistas para realizar um diagn´ostico mais preciso de seus pacientes (CHUKRUBURTTY, SHIBATA; CAUWENBERGHS, 2003).
Faithfulness without sexual exclusivity: gendered interpretations of faithfulness in rural south-western Uganda, and implications for HIV prevention programmes
Authors: Bukenya Dominic , Mayanja Billy N. , Sully Elizabeth A. , Seeley Janet
Published: April 2022

This article explores gendered meanings of both faithfulness and sexual exclusivity within intimate long-term relationships, and the implications for HIV prevention messaging. In 2011–12, in-depth interviews were conducted with a random sample of 50 men and women (52 per cent women) in long-term relationships in rural Uganda. Confirming prior research, we found that a double standard exists for sexual exclusivity, where men define faithfulness to mean strict sexual exclusivity by their wife, but women defined it as being for both partners. However, both men and women defined fidelity to imply continued support. Fidelity was perceived to be intact if a man continued to provide material support, despite not being sexually exclusive. These findings highlight the limitations of HIV prevention strategies that emphasise faithfulness, where faithfulness is not synonymous with sexual exclusivity.
Assessment process in the technical education: how teenager’s students show their emotions in challenging situations
Authors: Do Pinho Louise Silva , Mello Elena Maria Billig
Published: April 2022

This article aims to analyze how students' emotions appear in challenging pedagogical situations, more specific periods of evaluations in regular face-to-face classes. The research is characterized as qualitative phenomenological. The data were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire, analyzed according to the Discursive Textual Analysis methodology. The context in which the investigation was carried out is the integrated technical education of a campus of the Federal Farroupilha Institute, a technical education institution in the south of Brazil. The analysis of the data collected showed that in assessment situations, negative emotions such as anxiety, fear, and insecurity predominate. On the other hand, negative emotions may vary, depending on the assessment instrument used, but they are predominantly associated with the evidence. The analysis showed that it is necessary to look for alternatives to minimize the effects of negative emotions on the teaching-learning process, especially about the evaluation process, and to find ways to improve these practices so that they contribute to learning with more quality.
¿Mejorar la enseñanza? Yes, we can
Authors: Pi Mireia
Published: April 2022

Ante una realidad cambiante y compleja, la educación debe preparar al alumnado para aprender a aprender constantemente y tener la capacidad de adaptarse a cualquier situación, de aprender de ella aprovechando sus fortalezas para tomar las mejores decisiones. Si la educación debe capacitar a los individuos para que aprendan de forma eficiente a lo largo de la vida, debemos preguntarnos cómo fomentar los procesos metacognitivos en el día a día del aula para que los alumnos tomen consciencia de cómo aprenden y de cómo hacerlo eficientemente para aplicarlo en el futuro.La experiencia didáctica quería saber si la integración de actividades que fomentan la metacognición -como las rutinas y destrezas de pensamiento- en el diseño instruccional de una unidad influiría en el proceso de aprendizaje y cómo lo haría.Se diseñó la unidad Cuerpos geométricos para dos grupos de alumnos de matemáticas de 2º ESO (38 alumnos), a uno de los cuales se integró actividades que fomentaban los procesos metacognitivos. Se realizó un pretest y un post test a cada grupo y se contrastaron los resultados, se analizó los Diarios de aprendizaje resultantes y se entrevistó a su profesora.Al contrastar los datos cuantitativos y cualitativos recogidos, se demostró que la integración de actividades como las rutinas y destrezas de pensamiento fomentan la metacognición y provocan cambios en el aprendizaje del alumnado. Los alumnos adquirían una mayor responsabilidad al desarrollar la unidad hasta el final, desarrollaban un mayor sentido crítico respecto a su propio trabajo y daban más importancia al proceso realizado que a los resultados propios del proceso de aprendizaje. Se demostró, pues, que los procesos metacognitivos se pueden fomentar a partir de un diseño instruccional adecuado, así como la necesidad de acompañamiento docente durante este proceso.En conclusión, la experiencia didáctica muestra cómo el diseño instruccional de una unidad didáctica puede hacer que el alumnado aprenda a aprender con la integración de actividades que fomenten la metacognición, aunque el contexto (etapa de confinamiento por el covid19) en el que se realizó la experiencia requerirían la aplicación de la misma en condiciones de contexto normales.
Advanced architectures for high-performance quantum networking
Authors: Alshowkan Muneer , Evans Philip G. , Williams Brian P. , Rao Nageswara S. V. , Marvinney Claire E. , Pai Yun-Yi , Lawrie Benjamin J. , Peters Nicholas A. , Lukens Joseph M.
Published: April 2022

As practical quantum networks prepare to serve an ever-expanding number
of nodes, there has grown a need for advanced auxiliary classical
systems that support the quantum protocols and maintain compatibility
with the existing fiber-optic infrastructure. We propose and
demonstrate a quantum local area network design that addresses current
deployment limitations in timing and security in a scalable fashion
using commercial off-the-shelf components. First, we employ White
Rabbit switches to synchronize three remote nodes with ultra-low
timing jitter, significantly increasing the fidelities of the
distributed entangled states over previous work with Global
Positioning System clocks. Second, using a parallel quantum key
distribution channel, we secure the classical communications needed
for instrument control and data management. In this way, the
conventional network that manages our entanglement network is secured
using keys generated via an underlying quantum key distribution layer,
preserving the integrity of the supporting systems and the relevant
data in a future-proof fashion.
Design of stereo imaging system with a panoramic annular lens and a convex mirror
Authors: Wang Jia , Bai Jian , Wang Kaiwei , Gao Shaohua
Published: April 2022

Panoramic stereo imaging system can not only provide panoramic images to obtain more information, but also obtain the depth information of the target object, and it has broad application prospects in robot navigation, road planning, and obstacle avoidance. A new panoramic stereo imaging system combined with a panoramic annular lens (PAL) and a convex mirror is proposed. It provides a large panoramic vision up to 360°× (30°∼150°) and, to the best of our knowledge, the entire FOV is the largest in the existing literature. Meanwhile, the stereo field of view is 35°.
Polarization effects on ablation efficiency and microstructure symmetricity in femtosecond laser processing of materials—developing a pattern generation model for laser scanning
Authors: Shin Sungkwon , Hur Jun-Gyu , Park Jong Kab , Kim Doh-Hoon
Published: April 2022

This paper investigated the effects of femtosecond laser beam polarization on ablation efficiency and microstructure symmetricity for 64FeNi alloy (Invar) sheet processing to fabricate fine metal masks. It was found that the ablation efficiency for linear polarization was approximately 15% higher than that for circular polarization due to electric field enhancement induced by low-spatial-frequency laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS). The hole size and sidewall taper angles for the microstructures generated by linear polarization were asymmetric, whereas those generated by circular polarization were symmetric due to non-oriented LIPSS. The asymmetric and symmetric three-dimensional microstructure profiles, measured by using a confocal laser scanning microscope, were verified by employing an analytical model that was derived using the total input fluence and the ablation rates for linear and circular polarizations, respectively.
Dual-channel metasurfaces for independent and simultaneous display in near-field and far-field
Authors: Li Zuyu , Zhang Yuhang , Huang Hui , Qin Shuai , Jie Kaiqian , Liu Hongzhan , Guo Jianping , Meng Hongyun , Wang Faqiang , Yang Xiangbo , Wei Zhongchao
Published: April 2022

The operation of near-field and far-field can be employed to display holographic and nanoprinting images, which significantly improves the information density. Previous studies have proposed some approaches to display the images independently or simultaneously, but cannot satisfy these two characteristics in a single structure under the same incident light. Here, a single layer multifunctional metasurface is proposed to display a nanoprinting image and a holographic image independently and simultaneously. By tailoring the dimensions of each nanobricks and adopting different orientation angle, the amplitude and phase can be artificially designed. Moreover, enabled by the simulated annealing algorithm, we take the impact of both amplitude and phase of each nanobrick into consideration, which eliminates the unnecessary influence of amplitude on holographic image. Compared with previous work, our metasurfaces markedly improve the quality of holographic image with simple structures while not affecting the nanoprinting image. To be exact, it breaks the coupling between the near-field and far-field, achieving independent and simultaneous control of both fields. Our proposed metasurfaces carry characteristics of simple manufacture, little crosstalk, and great compactness, which provides novel applications for image displays, optical storage and information technology.