bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictive worth of estimated glucose disposal rate: evaluation in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome and non-diabetic patients after percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Liu Chi , Liu Xiaoli , Ma Xiaoteng , Cheng Yujing , Sun Yan , Zhang Dai , Zhao Qi , Zhou Yujie
Published: October 2022

Background

Measurement of estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR) has been demonstrated to be an indicator of insulin resistance (IR) and a risk sign for long-term outcomes in those with ischemic heart disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) having coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). After elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), the usefulness of eGDR for prognosis in those with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) and non-diabetes is yet unknown.

Methods

1510 NSTE-ACS patients with non-diabetes who underwent elective PCI in 2015 (Beijing Anzhen Hospital) were included in this study. Major adverse cardio-cerebral events (MACCEs), such as all-cause mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal ischemic stroke, and also ischemia-driven revascularization, were the main outcome of follow-up. The average number of follow-up months was 41.84.

Results

After multivariate Cox regression tests with confounder adjustment, the occurrence of MACCE in the lower eGDR cluster was considerably higher than in the higher eGDR cluster, demonstrating that eGDR is an independent prognostic indicator of MACCEs. In particular, as continuous variate: hazard ratio (HR) of 1.337, 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.201–1.488, P < 0.001. eGDR improves the predictive power of usual cardiovascular risk factors for the primary endpoint. Specifically, the results for the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, this is AUC, were: baseline model + eGDR 0.699 vs. baseline model 0.588; P for contrast < 0.001; continuous net reclassification improvement (continuous-NRI) = 0.089, P < 0.001; and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) = 0.017, P < 0.001.

Conclusion

Low eGDR levels showed a strong correlation with poor NSTE-ACS prognosis for nondiabetic patients undergoing PCI.
Effectiveness of a nurse practitioner-led cardiovascular prevention clinic at reduction of metabolic syndrome following maternal complications of pregnancy: a preliminary analysis
Authors: Aldridge Emily , Pathirana Maleesa , Wittwer Melanie , Sierp Susan , Leemaqz Shalem Y. , Roberts Claire T. , Dekker Gustaaf A. , Arstall Margaret A.
Published: October 2022

Aim

Maternal complications of pregnancy, including hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, gestational diabetes mellitus, intrauterine growth restriction, preterm labour, and placental abruption, are associated with increased risk of future cardiometabolic disease. Lifestyle interventions that focus on preventative strategies for this young, high-risk population of women may assist in cardiometabolic disease risk reduction. The aim of this preliminary registry analysis was to observe the change in maternal metabolic syndrome status after receiving a nurse practitioner-led lifestyle intervention delivered soon after a complicated pregnancy.

Method

This preliminary analysis included 64 eligible women who had attended both baseline (approximately 6 months postpartum) and review (approximately eighteen months postpartum) appointments at the postpartum lifestyle clinic after an index pregnancy complicated by at least one maternal complication of pregnancy. Metabolic syndrome status at both appointments was assessed.

Results

At the baseline appointment, 22 (34.4%) women met the criteria for metabolic syndrome. This number reduced at the review appointment to 19 (29.7%). This difference was not statistically significant. There were some modest improvements in the individual cardiometabolic risk factors, as well as marked improvements in the women who had recovered from metabolic syndrome over twelve months.

Conclusion

There was a high percentage of metabolic syndrome present early in the postpartum period. The results of this preliminary analysis highlight the importance of continuing preventative care and ongoing research for this group of high-risk women.
Conservative treatment with mouthwashes followed by tongue photo biomodulation therapy in Covid-19: a case report
Authors: Chaughtai Saira , Chaughtai Zeeshan , Asif Arif
Published: October 2022

Background

Oral manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), including ulcers, herpetiform lesions, macules, and petechiae, among others, are becoming increasingly recognized, but there is little guidance on their treatment. Reported cases have described treatment with various mouthwashes containing antivirals, antifungals, antibiotics, anesthetics, or steroids. Our case report is unique in that we provide guidance on the judicious use of these medications, followed by photobiomodulation therapy if the manifestations are treatment resistant.

Case presentation

We describe a 30-year-old Caucasian woman who tested positive for COVID-19 after developing nasal congestion and cough. Ten days after testing positive, she developed a systemic rash on her extremities and torso. At the same time, she developed swelling of the tongue lasting 1 hour, with subsequent appearance of oral lesions that resembled geographic tongue. She also had an irritable sensation on her tongue and some mild loss of sense of taste. We opted for conservative therapy, including mouth rinses containing lidocaine to be used every 6 hours. The patient used the mouth rinse therapy for 1 month and experienced a 90% improvement in her oral lesions and tongue sensitivity. However, she had repeated flares every 3 weeks over a 6-month period, and the steroid mouthwash achieved incomplete resolution. After three sessions of photobiomodulation therapy, she had no further flares or tongue sensitivity and the lesions healed.

Conclusions

The implication of our report is that we promote the judicious use of topical antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and steroids for when they are indicated. We propose lidocaine-containing mouth rinses and steroid mouthwash as an initial, symptomatic treatment regimen for ‘COVID-19 tongue.’ If there is failure of resolution, we recommend photobiomodulation therapy.
Infection prevention and control in tertiary care hospitals of Bangladesh: results from WHO infection prevention and control assessment framework (IPCAF)
Authors: Harun Md. Golam Dostogir , Anwar Md Mahabub Ul , Sumon Shariful Amin , Hassan Md Zakiul , Haque Tahmidul , Mah-E-Muneer Syeda , Rahman Aninda , Abdullah Syed Abul Hassan Md , Islam Md Saiful , Styczynski Ashley R. , Kaydos-Daniels S. Cornelia
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Infection prevention and control (IPC) in healthcare settings is imperative for the safety of patients as well as healthcare providers. To measure current IPC activities, resources, and gaps at the facility level, WHO has developed the Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Framework (IPCAF). This study aimed to assess the existing IPC level of selected tertiary care hospitals in Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic using IPCAF to explore their strengths and deficits.

Methods

Between September and December 2020, we assessed 11 tertiary-care hospitals across Bangladesh. We collected the information from IPC focal person and/or hospital administrator from each hospital using the IPCAF assessment tool.. The score was calculated based on eight core components and was used to categorize the hospitals into four distinct IPC levels– Inadequate, Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced. Key performance metrics were summarized within and between hospitals.

Results

The overall median IPCAF score was 355.0 (IQR: 252.5–397.5) out of 800. The majority (73%) of hospitals scored as ‘Basic’ IPC level, while only 18% of hospitals were categorized as ‘Intermediate’. Most hospitals had IPC guidelines as well as environments, materials and equipments. Although 64% of hospitals had IPC orientation and training program for new employees, only 30% of hospitals had regular IPC training program for the staff. None of the hospitals had an IPC surveillance system with standard surveillance case definitions to track HAIs. Around 90% of hospitals did not have an active IPC monitoring and audit system. Half of the hospitals had inadequate staffing considering the workload. Bed occupancy of one patient per bed in all units was found in 55% of hospitals. About 73% of hospitals had functional hand hygiene stations, but sufficient toilets were available in only 37% of hospitals.

Conclusion

The majority of sampled tertiary care hospitals demonstrate inadequate IPC level to ensure the safety of healthcare workers, patients, and visitors. Quality improvement programs and feedback mechanisms should be implemented to strengthen all IPC core components, particularly IPC surveillance, monitoring, education, and training, to improve healthcare safety and resilience.
Early brass from the Foyemiaowan-Xindiantai cemetery, 265–439 ce: the origin and diffusion of brass in ancient China
Authors: Wei Qiangbing , Li Yanxiang , Rehren Thilo , Ma Honglian , Li Xiuhui , Chen Jianli
Published: October 2022

The Foyemiaowan-Xindiantai cemetery, with more than 10,000 tombs, is located in north-west Gansu Province. The cemetery was active during the Sixteen-State Period of the Western Jin Dynasty (265–439 CE). As the largest ancient tomb group in the Dunhuang region, its cultural core is still mainly based on the cultural tradition of the Central Plains. Metal objects were texturally and chemically analyzed by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive spectrometry (SEM–EDS), and Raman spectroscopy. The analysis of 36 copper-based objects showed that the main alloying elements were tin and lead, while three objects were brass, with copper and zinc as the main elements. These three pieces of brass are the earliest brass objects found in Gansu Province. The brass contains numerous sulfide inclusions, indicating that the raw materials used to make these objects contained a large amount of residual sphalerite instead of being “pure” calamine. They were then hot forged directly from the original smelted brass, without having been remelted. Brass may have reached China during the Wei Jin Southern and Northern Dynasties (220–589 CE), but it was not widely used in China before the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644 CE). According to the statistics and relevant studies of brass unearthed before the Ming Dynasty in China, although the distribution of brass objects spans a considerable period, it concentrates in three areas from the early to the late stage, showing phased development characteristics. This includes accidental smelting in the Central Plains and Haidai areas, followed by external introduction in the northwest, and the emergence of local production in northeast China. Most brass objects contain lead and tin, which requires further exploration.
ROTI Keograms based on CMONOC to characterize the ionospheric irregularities in 2014
Authors: Li Jinghua , Ma Guanyi , Maruyama Takashi , Wan Qingtao , Fan Jiangtao , Zhang Jie , Wang Xiaolang
Published: October 2022

Ionospheric irregularities have been studied since ~ 70 years ago. With the development of Global Navigation Satellite system (GNSS), networks of GNSS receivers have been used to obtain the characteristics of the irregularities, including the drift velocity, the structure, and the evolution. In this paper, keograms based on the Crustal Movement Observation Network of China (CMONOC) were used to characterize the irregularities over the area from longitude 85 to 125 °E and latitude 11 to 35 °N in 2014. Keograms were obtained for the rate of TEC index (ROTI) for every 0.5 degree longitude and 30 min universal time pixel. The results showed that the occurrence rate of irregularities in 2014 was high in the equinox months and December, and lowest in June. In equinox months the irregularities often appeared after sunset. In March the irregularities usually had long lifetime of ~ 5–7 h and ~ 5 degrees apparent longitudinal width. The long lifetime usually was accompanied by obvious eastward drift of ~ 100 m/s and large vertical ROTI (vROTI). In September the irregularities had weaker ROTI and shorter lifetime than those in March. The irregularities in the 2 equinox months should be related to the equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs). In June, they appeared ~ 2–3 h later than those in equinoxes and drifted westward. The summer irregularities had weakest ROTI and their latitude was ~ 30 °N, much higher than those in equinoxes. In December, the irregularities were discrete patches with a longitudinal width of ~ 2 degrees and short lifetime of ~ 2 h. Unlike the equatorial irregularities in equinox months which are part of equatorial plasma bubbles, the solstice irregularities mainly appear to be a local phenomenon.

Graphical Abstract
A novel sustainable platform for scaled manufacturing of double-stranded RNA biopesticides
Authors: Nwokeoji Alison Obinna , Nwokeoji Eleojo Ahuva , Chou Tachung , Togola Abou
Published: October 2022

RNA interference (RNAi) represents one of the most conserved pathways evolved by eukaryotic cells for regulating gene expression. RNAi utilises non-translatable double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules to sequester or degrade mRNA molecules gene. In RNAi, specifically designed exogenous dsRNA delivered to the cell can silence a target gene, a phenomenon that has been exploited in many functional studies and explored in biopesticide applications. The search for safe and sustainable crop pest management options drives the need to offset the effect of inorganic pesticides on biodiversity. The prospect of replacing inorganic pesticides with dsRNA crop spray is gaining popularity, enhanced by its high-target specificity and low environmental impact. However, for dsRNA to reach the pesticide market, it must be produced cost-effectively and sustainably. In this paper, we develop a high-yield expression media that generates up to 15-fold dsRNA yield compared to existing expression media utilising 1 mM IPTG. We also optimise a low-cost purification method that generates high-quality and purified dsRNA. The developed method circumvents the need for hazardous chemical reagents often found in commercial kits or commercial nucleases to eliminate contaminating DNA or single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) species. We also demonstrate that the production platform is scalable, generating 6.29 mg dsRNA from 259 mg wet E. coli cell pellet. The results also provide structural insights into the heterogeneous dsRNA species within the microbial-derived dsRNA pool. Finally, we also show that the purified ‘naked’ dsRNA, without prior formulation, can induce insect toxicity under field conditions. This study provides a novel, complete, low-cost process dsRNA platform with potential for application in industrial dsRNA production.

Graphical Abstract
Genetic association of ANGPT2 with primary open-angle glaucoma
Authors: He Jing Na , Ng Tsz Kin , Lu Shi Yao , Tam Pancy Oi Sin , Chan Poemen P. , Tham Clement C. , Pang Chi Pui , Chen Li Jia , Chu Wai Kit
Published: October 2022

Background

To determine the association of the ANGPT2 gene with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in Chinese.

Methods

Six single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ANGPT2 (rs2515487, rs2922869, rs13255574, rs4455855, rs13269021, and rs11775442) were genotyped in a total of 2601 study subjects from two cohorts. One is a Hong Kong Chinese cohort of 484 high tension glaucoma (HTG) and 537 normal tension glaucoma (NTG) patients, and 496 non-glaucoma control subjects. Another cohort is a Shantou Chinese cohort of 403 HTG and 135 NTG patients, and 543 non-glaucoma control subjects. Subgroup analysis by sex was conducted. Outcomes from different cohorts were combined for meta-analysis.

Results

The association of SNP rs11775442 with NTG in the Hong Kong cohort [P = 0.0498, OR = 1.24, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00–1.55] after adjusting for age and sex did not reach statistical significance after Bonferroni correction. Other SNPs were not significantly associated with NTG, HTG and POAG in individual cohort or in the combined analyses (P > 0.05). In the subgroup analysis by sex, SNP rs13269021 in the Shantou cohort, but not in the Hong Kong cohort, was significantly associated with NTG in males (P = 0.0081, OR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.14–2.43) but not in females (P = 0.874). In the combined analyses by sex, no SNPs were significantly associated with NTG, HTG and POAG.

Conclusions

In the subgroup analysis by sex, a significant association was shown in SNP rs13269021 with NTG in Shantou males, but not in Hong Kong males. Further studies are needed to verify the association between ANGPT2 locus (rs13269021) and NTG in Chinese males.
Analysis of association between low birth weight and socioeconomic deprivation level in Japan: an ecological study using nationwide municipal data
Authors: Okui Tasuku , Nakashima Naoki
Published: October 2022

Background

Several international studies have indicated an association between socioeconomic deprivation levels and adverse birth outcomes. In contrast, those investigating an association between socioeconomic status and low birth weight using nationwide data are limited in Japan. In this study, we investigated an association between municipal socioeconomic deprivation level and low birth weight by an ecological study.

Methods

Nationwide municipal-specific Vital Statistics data from 2013 to 2017 were used. We calculated the low birth weight rate and standardized incidence ratio (SIR) for low birth weight for each municipality and plotted them on a Japanese map. Furthermore, the correlation coefficient between them and the deprivation level were calculated. In addition, a spatial regression model including other municipal characteristics was used to investigate an association between low birth weight and the deprivation level.

Results

Municipalities with relatively high SIR for low birth weight were dispersed across all of Japan. The correlation coefficient between the socioeconomic deprivation level and low birth weight rate was 0.196 (p-value < 0.001) among municipalities, and that between the socioeconomic deprivation level and the SIR for low birth weight was 0.260 (p-value < 0.001). In addition, the spatial regression analysis showed the deprivation level was significantly and positively associated with low birth weight.

Conclusions

The socioeconomic deprivation level and low birth weight were positively associated, and a further study using individual data is warranted to verify reasons for the association.
Caution for living donor liver transplantation with congenital portosystemic shunt: a case report
Authors: Nagao Yoshihiro , Toshida Katsuya , Morinaga Akinari , Tomiyama Takahiro , Kosai Yukiko , Shimagaki Tomonari , Tomino Takahiro , Wang Huanlin , Kurihara Takeshi , Toshima Takeo , Morita Kazutoyo , Itoh Shinji , Harada Noboru , Yoshizumi Tomoharu
Published: October 2022

Background

Congenital portosystemic shunt is an infrequent abnormal connection between the portal vascular system and the systemic circulation. Portosystemic shunts are common findings in patients with cirrhosis, causing gastroesophageal varices, hepatic encephalopathy, and others. However, there is no consensus or literature describing how to manage asymptomatic patients with portosystemic shunts and normal liver.

Case presentation

The patient was a 39-year-old female who underwent donor right hepatectomy for living donor liver transplantation. The patient was healthy by nature, however, developed hepatic encephalopathy after the surgery due to a development of portosystemic shunt. Portosystemic shunt stole portal blood flow, and imaging modalities revealed narrowing of the portal trunk, representing prolonged depletion of portal blood flow. Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (B-RTO) was performed for occlusion of the portosystemic shunt. B-RTO increased portal blood flow, and hepatic encephalopathy with hyperammonemia was successfully resolved without the outbreak of any other symptom of portal hypertension.

Conclusions

A congenital portosystemic shunt itself is not a contraindication for donor hepatectomy, but perioperative endovascular shunts occlusion or intraoperative ligature of these shunts should be considered.
A closer look at the synthesis of 2-[18F]fluoroethyl tosylate to minimize the formation of volatile side-products
Authors: Pijeira Martha Sahylí Ortega , dos Santos Sofia Nascimento , Araujo Yasniel Babi , Lapolli André Luis , Wandermuren Marcio Nardelli , Riera Zalua Rodríguez , Carvalho Ivone , Elsinga Philip H. , Bernardes Emerson Soares
Published: October 2022

Background

2-[18F]Fluoroethyltosylate ([18F]FEtOTs) is a well-known18F-fluoroalkylating agent widely used to synthesize radiotracers for positron emission tomography. The widespread use of [18F]FEtOTs is due in part to its low volatility when compared to other halide and sulfonate building blocks. In this work, the radioactive volatile side-products formed during the synthesis of [18F]FEtOTs were identified and characterized for the first time, and an optimization of the reaction conditions to minimize their formation was proposed.

Results

In order to characterize the volatiles produced during [18F]FEtOTs synthesis, the reaction mixtures of both cold FEtOTs and [18F]FEtOTs were co-injected onto the HPLC system. The radioactive peaks corresponding to the volatile compounds were collected, analyzed through headspace gas chromatography mass spectrometry sampler (HS-GC–MS) and identified as vinyl fluoride ([19F]VF) and 2-fluoroethanol ([19F]FEOH). By using a rotatable central composite design with a two-level full factorial core of two factors (22), it was determined that temperature and time are independent variables which affect the generation of [18F]VF and [18F]FEOH during the radiosynthesis of [18F]FEtOTs. In addition, in order to reduce the formation of the volatiles ([18F]VF and [18F]FEOH) and increase the yield of [18F]FEtOTs, it was demonstrated that the molar ratio of base to precursor must also be considered.

Conclusion

[18F]VF and [18F]FEOH are volatile side-products formed during the radiosynthesis of [18F]FEtOTs, whose yields depend on the reaction time, temperature, and the molar ratio of base to precursor. Therefore, special care should be taken during the radiosynthesis and subsequent reactions using [18F]FEOTs in order to avoid environmental contamination and to improve the yield of the desired products.
Predictive Model to Guide Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging Surveillance in Patients With Metastatic Lung Cancer: Impact on Real-World Outcomes
Authors: Wu Julie , Ding Victoria , Luo Sophia , Choi Eunji , Hellyer Jessica , Myall Nathaniel , Henry Solomon , Wood Douglas , Stehr Henning , Ji Hanlee , Nagpal Seema , Hayden Gephart Melanie , Wakelee Heather , Neal Joel , Han Summer S.
Published: October 2022

PURPOSE

Brain metastasis is common in lung cancer, and treatment of brain metastasis can lead to significant morbidity. Although early detection of brain metastasis may improve outcomes, there are no prediction models to identify high-risk patients for brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) surveillance. Our goal is to develop a machine learning–based clinicogenomic prediction model to estimate patient-level brain metastasis risk.

METHODS

A penalized regression competing risk model was developed using 330 patients diagnosed with lung cancer between January 2014 and June 2019 and followed through June 2021 at Stanford HealthCare. The main outcome was time from the diagnosis of distant metastatic disease to the development of brain metastasis, death, or censoring.

RESULTS

Among the 330 patients, 84 (25%) developed brain metastasis over 627 person-years, with a 1-year cumulative brain metastasis incidence of 10.2% (95% CI, 6.8 to 13.6). Features selected for model inclusion were histology, cancer stage, age at diagnosis, primary site, and RB1 and ALK alterations. The prediction model yielded high discrimination (area under the curve 0.75). When the cohort was stratified by risk using a 1-year risk threshold of > 14.2% (85th percentile), the high-risk group had increased 1-year cumulative incidence of brain metastasis versus the low-risk group (30.8% v 6.1%, P < .01). Of 48 high-risk patients, 24 developed brain metastasis, and of these, 12 patients had brain metastasis detected more than 7 months after last brain MRI. Patients who missed this 7-month window had larger brain metastases (58% v 33% largest diameter > 10 mm; odds ratio, 2.80, CI, 0.51 to 13) versus those who had MRIs more frequently.

CONCLUSION

The proposed model can identify high-risk patients, who may benefit from more intensive brain MRI surveillance to reduce morbidity of subsequent treatment through early detection.
Η πρακτική του ημερολογίου ως οικοδόμηση της διαπολιτισμικής στιγμής
Authors: Remi Hess
Published: October 2022

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Γιατί να προστατέψουμε τα απειλούμενα είδη; Ανάλυση των προσεγγίσεων που υιοθετούν οι μαθητές Γυμνασίων της Σάμου για την προστασία του τσακαλιού
Authors: Λιαράκου Γεωργία
Published: October 2022

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Η Aφήγηση του Βιωμένου Παρελθόντος – Από την Aτομική στην Eθνική Ιστορία
Authors: Παπαντωνάκης Γεώργιος
Published: October 2022

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Τα ιδανικά και οι στόχοι ζωής των ηρώων και των ηρωίδων στα θεατρικά έργα για παιδιά
Authors: Κλαδάκη Μαρία
Published: October 2022

This paper examines the ideals and life goals of male and female heroes (adults and underage) as reflected in theatrical plays for children. The method used in the research was based on content analysis (quantitative-qualitative). As classification unit we defined the person (the character), while as context unit we used the meaning module. Research material analysis indicated that the heroes of theatrical plays for children have both high goals and ideals. Thanks to their combative and forceful character, they successfully face social phenomena, resist against authoritarian regimes, battle against social injustice, etc. On the contrary, female heroes do not seem to be fighting for some higher goal or they don’t appear in the research texts as struggling for any ideals. Similarly, in underage characters, boys are the ones setting high goals: saving the planet, humanity, struggling for peace in the world and endeavouring for a cleaner environment for everyone. Girls, on the other hand, not only appear as not having high goals in their lives but more often than not they seem not to realise current everyday life problems altogether.
Μεθοδολογία Σχεδιασμού για την Αξιοποίηση των νέων Μέσων σε Παιδαγωγικές και Εκπαι-δευτικές Δράσεις
Authors: Σοφός Αλιβίζος
Published: October 2022

Το άρθρο αναφέρεται στη μεθοδολογία σχεδιασμού εκπαιδευτικών δράσεων με τη χρήση των νέων Μέσων σε παιδαγωγικές και εκπαιδευτικές δράσεις. Πρόκειται για μια θεώρηση που θέτει ως βασικό σημείο αναφοράς το διδακτικό μετασχηματισμό, ενώ τα νέα Μέσα προσεγγίζονται μέσα από τη γενικότερη παιδαγωγική και εκπαιδευτική προοπτική. Ως εκ τούτου η προτεινόμενη μεθοδολογία δεν προσανατολίζεται στην τεχνολογική τεκμηρίωση των εκπαιδευτικών επιλογών με στόχο την εκμάθηση τεχνολογικών και μόνο δεξιοτήτων χρήσης (skills). Αντιθέτως, οι επιστημονικές ρίζες τοποθετούνται στο επιστημολογικό πλαίσιο των κινήματος της Νέας Αγωγής, της προοδευτικής Αγωγής, της μεταρρυθμιστικής Αγωγής, που στοχεύουν σε παιδοκεντρικές, εργασιοκεντρικές, συνεργατικές και δημοκρατικές εκπαιδευτικές παρεμβάσεις. Το άρθρο χρίζεται σε δύο μέρη. Το πρώτο αναφέρεται στη σημασία του διδακτικού μετασχηματισμού και κυρίως στις προϋποθέσεις που πρέπει να υφίστανται, προκειμένου να καταστεί εφικτός ο μετασχηματισμός αυτός. Στο δεύτερο μέρος παρουσιάζονται οι πέντε φάσεις που περιέχει η προτεινόμενη μεθοδολογία του σχεδιασμού εκπαιδευτικών δράσεων με τη χρήση των νέων Μέσων. Στόχος του άρθρου αυτού δεν είναι η αναλυτική αιτιολόγηση, τεκμηρίωση και παρουσίαση της μεθοδολογίας, αλλά αντίθετα η συνοπτική παρουσίασή της, προκειμένου να βοηθήσει τους εκπαιδευτικούς στις δύο πρώτες βαθμίδες της εκπαίδευσης να προσανατολιστούν και να προσδιορίσουν τις βασικές ενέργειες για την παιδαγωγική τεκμηρίωση της εκπαιδευτικής τους παρέμβασης με την αξιοποίηση των νέων Μέσων.
Σεξουαλικότητα ατόμων με αναπηρία
Authors: Σωτηρία Δασκαλάκη
Published: October 2022

Οι άνθρωποι που έχουν διάφορες μορφές αναπηρίας διατηρούν τις σεξουαλικές τους ταυτότητες και εκφράζουν τη σεξουαλικότητά τους, συχνά, με ένα τρόπο διαφορετικό από των αρτιμελών.  Ιστορικά, οι ανάπηροι έχουν θεωρηθεί από ακαδημαϊκούς και την κοινωνία σε γενικές γραμμές ως μη-σεξουαλικοί, γεγονός που οφείλεται στις εμφανείς φυσικές διαφορές και στις πιθανές διαφορές λειτουργικότητας. Αυτά τα πιστεύω έχουν καλλιεργηθεί από τους κοινωνικούς   ορισμούς για το σεξουαλικά επιθυμητό και γοητευτικό, που δεν περιλαμβάνουν τους  ανθρώπους με αναπηρίες. Ανάλογα με τη φυσική αναπηρία, επηρεάζεται και η σεξουαλική λειτουργία σε ποικίλους βαθμούς. Οι άνθρωποι με αναπηρίες συνήθως ερευνούν τις σεξουαλικές τους ικανότητες και επιθυμίες μέσα από δοκιμές και μαθαίνοντας από τα λάθη τους με τους εαυτούς τους ή με το σύντροφό τους. Επειδή δεν υπάρχει κοινωνική υποστήριξη, φαίνεται σαν η κοινωνία των ανθρώπων με αναπηρίες να παράγει σεξουαλική αυτοεκτίμηση και να αναπτύσσει μια σεξουαλική ταυτότητα μέσα από την εμπειρία και την υποστήριξη των υπόλοιπων στην κοινότητα. Γενικά, υπάρχει η ελπίδα ότι μέσα από την αυξανόμενη ευαισθητοποίηση γύρω από την αναπηρία, οι άνθρωποι με αναπηρίες θα βρουν στο μέλλον μια πιο ανοιχτή κοινωνική αντίληψη αναφορικά με τη σεξουαλικότητα.
Δεν ντρέπομαι πια
Authors: Τσιμπιδάκη Ασημίνα
Published: October 2022

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Tablets im Unterricht deutscher Schulen - Eine empirische Studie zur Akzeptanz und Nutzung von Tablets in vier Schulen
Authors: Aufenanger Stefan
Published: October 2022

In German schools tablets become an increasingly significant role, in which they either replace the traditional desktop computer or notebooks or be introduced as new digital media in the classroom. An empirical study at four schools in the city of Wiesbaden in Germany investigated the use of tablets in schools, expectations and acceptance of the new teaching with tablets by teachers and students as well as changes in the quality of teaching. The results show that the value of tablets dependent less of the devices than from their didactically justified use here is the educational.
Ο ρόλος ατομικών και οργανωσιακών παραγόντων στη διαδικασία επιτυχούς ενσωμάτωσης των Τεχνολογιών Πληροφορίας και Επικοινωνίας από τους εκπαιδευτικούς Πρωτοβάθμιας Εκπαίδευσης: προσέγγιση με μεικτές ερευνητικές μεθόδους
Authors: Μαρκαντώνης Χρίστος
Published: October 2022

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Role of virtual modality for stroke caregivers in facilitating stroke survivors and assessing their perceptions in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Khoja Adeel , Ali Naureen Akber , Akber Noshaba , Harrison Jade , Kazim Fizzah
Published: October 2022

Background:

Stroke survivors become either partially or completely dependent on their family members for assistance. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has created a new set of challenges for caregiving, due to government-imposed lockdowns. In the current crisis, the crucial role of virtual modality in stroke caregiving can no longer be ignored. Therefore, this review aims to report the utilization of virtual modality to facilitate stroke caregivers in delivering care to stroke survivors in this pandemic. Moreover, it will also assess the perceptions of stroke caregivers in managing stroke survivors during pandemic

Methods:

An electronic search was carried out between 1 December 2019 to 31 March 2022 to explore the role of virtual platforms to assess stroke caregivers’ perceptions and the use of a distant medium in managing stroke survivors’ care in the COVID-19 era by using four electronic data bases that includes PubMed, CINAHL Plus, Science Direct, and Cochrane.

Results

The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly complicated the stroke caregiver’s life and their ability to deliver care. Therefore, utilizing virtual medium serves as a unique supplemental resource in warranting patient care continuity. The current review provides evidence for the integration of distant modality in facilitating stroke caregivers to manage stroke survivors and it also assesses their perception during pandemic.

Conclusion:

The current review provides limited but encouraging data that promotes the efficacy of virtual models in healthcare. It was identified that distant healthcare services are suitable and accessible for the provision of care to the community of stroke caregivers during this pandemic.
DEVELOPMENT OF STRUCTURAL DAMAGE INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE SYSTEM BASED ON MIXED REALITY
Authors: CHUNG JUNYEON , SOHN HOON
Published: October 2022

Though automatic structural damage inspection methods based on mobile robots have been rapidly developed recently, they are not able to completely replaced conventional human based inspections due to limitations such as the false alarm of automatic damage detection techniques. In this study, a human centered inspection system with aid of an augmented reality framework is developed in order to improve convenience in inspecting and managing various types of structural damages such as spalling, exposed rebars and efflorescence. The developed system automatically detects and quantifies structural damages, and displays the inspection results in real-time through an augmented reality device. In addition, the previously detected damages are visualized with holographic markers and their information at the exact location. Therefore, an inspector can easily find where the previous damages were and whether the damages become severe or not. The performance of the developed system was validated through a field test and it was revealed that the system can save inspection time and improve convenience by accelerating essential tasks of the inspector such as damage detection, size measurement and finding locations of previous damages and determining whether the damages become severe or not.
MONITORING OF RAIL-TRACKS BASED ON MEASURED ACCELERATION DATA
Authors: MIAH MOHAMMAD SHAMIM , LIENHART WERNER
Published: October 2022

Railway tracks are used as mass transportation system for transporting large number of people and goods from place-to-place to keep the economy running smoothly. Hence it is inevitable to keep the tracks healthy for safe and on-time movement of trains. Traintracks are complex systems that contain ballast, sleepers, fasteners and rails. Therefore, monitoring only one/two elements (e.g., ballast/train-track) will not provide enough information to understand the overall performance of the railway tracks. To tackle such issue, herein a sensor fusion i.e., accelerometers, fiber-optic sensors, strategy is adopted and sensors are placed at different locations of a real rail-track. In order to measure the vibration signal four accelerometers are employed, first one is placed on the rail (between two sleepers), second one is installed on the rail but above the sleeper, third one is exactly on the sleeper, and last one is on the precast railway trough. In a first step, the investigation has focused into accelerometers data only. The tests are performed for the following loading conditions: (i) shaking the track via an APS400 type shaker, (ii) hitting the track by an impact hammer, and (iii) by passing a real train on the track. The time-series data are analyzed and the frequencies and spectrums are estimated via the use of fast Fourier transform (FFT). The changes of frequencies of the tested rail-track at different locations due to the various loading conditions are observed. In a later step, an autoregressive type time-series model has been developed and validated where the initially obtained results show good agreement with the measured data. The current findings will assist to monitor the rail-track for any further changes.
MONITORING EARLY CEMENT HYDRATION WITH CODA WAVE INTERFEROMETRY
Authors: DIEWALD FABIAN , IRBE LINDA , KRAENKEL THOMAS , MACHNER ALISA , GEHLEN CHRISTOPH
Published: October 2022

The inorganic chemical reaction of hydraulic binders, such as cement with water, is a complex mechanism and a vital part of every building process involving concrete. Dur ing this hydration reaction, the system develops strength due to the formation of various solid hydration phases over time. In the case of ordinary Portland cements (OPC), the main hydration phase is called C-S-H phase, and is responsible for the early- and long- term strength development of cement. Therefore, the formation of this phase determines the time for continuing construction work, e.g. removing formwork or concreting of the following structures. Under laboratory conditions and for relatively small samples, methods such as quantitative X-ray diffraction analysis are able to monitor the progress of hydration over time. However, it is more challenging to monitor the hydration of larger structures under non-laboratory conditions. In this study, we propose a sensitive and robust monitoring method to detect and quantify the formation of various hydration phases during the early hydration of OPC using Coda Wave Interferometry, based on the evaluation of ultrasonic waves with embedded piezoelectric sensors. We investigated the signal correlation and velocity perturbation of ultrasonic signals during the first 24 hours of OPC hydration. We identified periods during which these parameters varied significantly and periods during which the signals stabilized, in our case approximately 18 hours after initiation of the reaction. Simultaneously, we monitored the hydration of OPC using similar but smaller samples by means of heat flow calorimetry and a Vicat penetration test. We predicted the evolution of the main hydration phases’ mass by thermodynamic modeling and validated our results as well as the assignment of characteristic periods to the formation of specific hydration phases in the time domain. Our proposed method adds to the spectrum of ultrasound- based methods for hydration monitoring. Our approach aims at a more sophisticated prediction of the early-age strength development of cement and concrete, even under site conditions and for large structures.
INTELLIGENT IDENTIFICATION OF RIVET CORROSION ON STEEL TRUSS BRIDGE BY SINGLE-STAGE DETECTION NETWORK
Authors: FENG YAWEI , GUO YAPENG , ZHUO YI , DI HAO , WEI JIANFENG , LI SHUNLONG
Published: October 2022

Rivet corrosion, which is a common disease of steel truss bridges, directly reflects the safety status of steel structures. The identification of rivet corrosion is critical to ensure the normal service of steel truss bridges. In practical engineering, the main detection method of rivet corrosion is manual visual inspection. However, this method has low efficiency and poses a threat to the personal safety. To address this issue, an intelligent identification method for rivet corrosion on steel truss bridges by a single shot detector (SSD) is proposed after obtaining the panoramic image of the bridge. The sub-images cut from the panoramic image are as the network’s input. Considering the small size of bridge rivets and low precision of small object detection of SSD, this study divides the panoramic image into sub-images of 100 × 100 pixels, and then uses bilinear interpolation to resize the sub-images into 300 × 300 pixels. To improve the robustness of the detection model, gaussian noise, random rotation and roll-over tricks are applied to the original dataset. The expanded dataset includes 600 labelling images, which is divided into training set (80%) and testing set (20%), including corroded rivets and normal rivets. The network is trained with transfer learning technique for 12000 iterations, with cross entropy loss for classification and smooth L1 loss for location. The confidence threshold in network inference is set to 0.6 considering the rivet space distribution to reduce false positives of corroded rivets. The qualitative and quantitative testing results show the accuracy of the proposed approach.
LOS GRAFFITI DE LA PORTADA NORTE DE LA IGLESIA DE SAN JUAN DE BOHÍ (ALTA RIBAGORZA, LLEIDA).
Authors: Jimeno Guerra Vanessa
Published: October 2022

El presente trabajo de investigación se centra en los graffiti incisos durante los siglos XIII y XIV en la portada norte de la iglesia románica de san Juan de Bohí (Alta Ribagorza, Lleida). En él, se realiza un estudio de la totalidad de las manifestaciones parietales recogidas a ambos lados de la puerta y se corrigen las cronologías erróneas establecidas con anterioridad para algunos de ellos.
APORTACIONES DOCUMENTALES A LA BIOGRAFÍA DEL PINTOR JUAN DE ESPINAL.
Authors: Cabezas García Álvaro
Published: October 2022

En las siguientes páginas se aportan varias referencias y transcripciones documentales concernientes al pintor sevillano Juan de Espinal (1714-1783). Gracias a ellas puede profundizarse en determinados aspectos de su práctica profesional, como su constante actividad como perito y tasador de diversas pinacotecas locales. También puede percibirse cómo se apoyó, durante toda su carrera, en el ejercicio del negocio inmobiliario e incluso conocerse la gestión que hizo del patronato de la capilla que tenía en la parroquia de San Gil. Estos hechos, sumados a la calidad de su arte, le permitieron situarse y permanecer en la cúspide del escalafón de la pintura sevillana durante buena parte del siglo XVIII.
EL PRETIGIO Y LAS INSPIRACIONES DEL VESTIR "A LA ESPAÑOLA" EN SICILIA ENTRE LOS SIGLOS XVI Y XVII.
Authors: Lo Cicero Giorgia
Published: October 2022

Este artículo analiza la influencia de la dominación española en la moda y el gusto en Sicilia. El vestido “a la española” se convirtió en un medio de distinción en la sociedad aristocrática siciliana y el arte textil se convirtió en un medio de difusión de la cultura y el gusto de la época. Gracias a los grandes intercambios políticos y económicos que Sicilia mantuvo con España, la isla se convirtió en un punto de referencia y las grandes familias nobles sicilianas se alinearon con las más grandes cortes europeas en términos de lujo, elegancia y opulencia.
Academic Entrepreneurship: Entrepreneurial Advisors and Their Advisees’ Outcomes
Authors: Roche Maria P.
Published: October 2022

The transfer of complex knowledge and skills is difficult, often requiring intensive interaction and extensive periods of coworking between a mentor and mentee, which is particularly true in apprenticeship-like settings and on-the-job training. This paper studies a context that quintessentially describes this type of learning: the academic laboratory. I focus on ways a change in the attention of a principal investigator, moving to entrepreneurship, may influence knowledge transmission and skill development by examining the relationship of this change with their PhD students’ scientific productivity and careers. To do so, I rely on novel restricted-access data encompassing faculty and PhD students in computer sciences, engineering, and the life sciences who were active at an elite U.S. research university from 2001 to 2017. The results suggest a substantial negative association between a professor’s entrepreneurial activity and the short- and long-run publication output of the PhD students they train. Furthermore, I detect a decrease in students’ likelihood of becoming professors themselves but an increase in their likelihood of working for consulting firms on graduation. Finally, I provide evidence suggesting that changes in trainee development are the most feasible drivers of the results rather than changes in trainee research orientation, selection, or life cycle effects.

Funding: This work was supported by the National Science Foundation [NSF SciSIP Dissertation Improvement Grant 1933387]. The author thanks the Harvard Business School Division of Research and Faculty Development for further financial support.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2022.1633 .
The effect of COVID-19 on student opportunities to acquire airway skills
Authors: Barr Nigel , Donathan Erin , Ockey Ryan
Published: October 2022

Background:

To protect healthcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic, substantial changes were made to clinical care guidelines across the United States. Alongside these changes, emergency medical services call volume decreased nationwide. These made it difficult for paramedic students to practise and master the practical skills necessary for skill competency and graduation. The aim of this study was to explore the changes in the number of opportunities available to paramedic students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods:

A retrospective study of student records was carried out to explore airway procedure variables before and after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results:

Statistically significant differences in case exposure were found between the periods before and after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Case volume and opportunities to practise most airway procedures decreased post COVID-19. However, procedures associated with higher-acuity patients, such as intubation, increase in frequency.

Conclusion:

The pandemic gave rise to difficulties for paramedic educators in preparing students for qualification and the current study has highlighted such unique challenges. Consideration must be given to developing a more flexible, adaptable and scalable way to measure a student's competency in paramedicine in times of significant disruption.
Friction stir processing for tensile strength and microstructure enhancement of Lm25 aluminum alloy – 5% Sicp metal matrix composites
Authors: Vijayavel P. , Rajkumar I. , Magudeeswaran G. , Sundararajan T.
Published: October 2022

The stir casting method is used to make metal matrix composites and fabricated into plates. The composite material suffers from porosity, uneven distribution of reinforcement particle, and friction stir processing (FSP) is attempted to improve the surface properties of LM25AA-5% SiCp aluminum based metal matrix composite. Tool rotational speed is one of the vital FSP parameters which will influence the processing efficiency predominantly. In this investigation, five different tool rotational speeds of 800, 900, 1000, 1100 and 1200 rpm were used and their effect on tensile strength, microstructure, hardness and ductility of the friction stir processed material were evaluated. From this investigation it is found that the tool rotation speed of 1000 rpm yielded superior tensile strength compared to its counterparts. The formation of finer grains in the stir zone and uniform distribution of reinforcement particles are the main reasons for the superior tensile properties of this material.
Heuristic-based optimization framework for customizable design of long-haul data center interconnect networks
Authors: Gao Ruoxuan , Zhang Yihao , Liu Xiaomin , Chen Minggang , Li Fangchao , Li Xiang , Yi Lilin , Hu Weisheng , Zhuge Qunbi
Published: October 2022

With the widespread deployment of data centers, Internet service providers are expecting more efficient design strategies to build long-haul data center interconnect (DCI) networks. In this paper, we propose a heuristic-based optimization framework to design these networks. Through this framework, network designers can obtain a site-type design scheme that arranges customized site types such as in-line amplifiers, dynamic gain equalizers, optical terminal multiplexers, and electrical regenerators, and three strategies are provided for reference. Taking the quality of transmission as the main metric, and the overall cost of the network as the ancillary measurement, we compare the schemes obtained by the proposed framework against the baseline scheme obtained by a traditional periodic design strategy. Simulations are conducted on a topology of the Tencent DCI network. Under the condition that all schemes ensure that the minimum general signal-to-noise ratio (GSNR) remains above the given GSNR threshold, the schemes designed by our framework can achieve overall cost savings up to 25.73%.