bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development Process of a Holistic Assessment Questionnaire to Measure and Monitor Cancer‐Related Fatigue
Authors: Wijlens Kim A. E. , Witteveen Annemieke , Beenhakker Lian , Siesling Sabine , Vollenbroek-Hutten Miriam M. R. , Bode Christina
Published: November 2024

Purpose: To understand the consequences of diseases and treatment such as cancer and thus the needs of patients for surveillance and care and to improve quality of life, patients should be assessed using a holistic approach. However, instruments to create such a holistic view do not exist and the development presents unique challenges. Therefore, this study presents a method for the development of a holistic assessment questionnaire using cancer‐related fatigue (CRF) as a case.

Method: We started with (1) the definition of our construct of interest (CRF) on the theme level followed by (2) item selection, an iterative process of searching for validated questionnaires that together cover the full holistic construct. The construct definition on theme level (1) was too broad and was, therefore, redefined on the element level (construct > theme > element) based on interviews with relevant stakeholders. Hereafter, item selection (2) was performed on the element level based on a priority list, psychometric properties (e.g., discriminative parameter value) and consultation of experts and future users. Lastly, (3) items were reformulated.

Results: Initial CRF construct definition (1) resulted in 110 relevant validated questionnaires with over three thousand items, requiring a construct redefinition on element level. Seventy‐two items from 21 validated questionnaires were included (2) in the preliminary holistic assessment questionnaire. For item reformulation (3), easy language was used to better suit the target population.

Conclusion: Tailoring care to the individual requires a holistic view. This article presents a novel method to develop a holistic assessment questionnaire, including an example for CRF, with several recommendations for cancer‐specific instrument development. Although the development process of a holistic assessment questionnaire is time‐consuming, more late and long‐term effects of cancer are multidimensional and could benefit from a holistic approach in their assessment to enable personalised care, thereby improving quality of life and reducing societal impact.
Widespread Cutaneous Indeterminate Dendritic Cell Tumor (IDCT) With ETV3::NOAC2 Rearrangement Successfully Treated With PUVA Therapy: A Case Report
Authors: Deshpande Akshay , Rudzki Zbigniew , Bhat Jaideep , Pugh Matthew , Rose Susan , Paneesha Shankara
Published: November 2024

The unique histiocytic entity of indeterminate dendritic cell tumor (IDCT) is known to cause diagnostic conundrum and treatment dilemmas with no published consensus on either. We report a rare case of cutaneous IDCT with ETV3::NOAC2 rearrangement providing further evidence to its association with this condition. With its ease of administration and minimal side effects, PUVA therapy can be successfully used to treat cutaneous forms of IDCT.
Enhancing Medication History Accuracy in a Tertiary Hospital: Pharmacist‐Led Counseling With Nationwide Medication History Sharing Program Versus Conventional Methods
Authors: Chae Hyunwoo , Yoon Subin , Park Soyoung , Jeong Kim A , Heo Kyu-Nam , Kim Yookyung , Seok Jeong Yeon , Kim Sung Hwan , Yun Taeyoung , Park Ji Hyeon , Cho Yoon Sook , Kim Young Tae , Lee Hyun Joo , Lee Ju-Yeun
Published: November 2024

Aims: Medication discrepancies during transitions of care pose substantial risks, particularly in older patients receiving complex medication regimens. Obtaining the best possible medication history (BPMH) is crucial to minimize this risk. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a pharmacist‐led BPMH using various information sources including a nationwide medication history sharing program compared to conventional interviews in a tertiary hospital setting. In addition, we identified factors contributing to medication inaccuracies.

Methods: A single‐center prospective study involving older patients scheduled for thoracic surgery at a tertiary hospital was conducted. Medication histories obtained through conventional interviews during the initial assessment on admission were compared with those obtained through BPMH by pharmacist‐led interviews. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with medication inaccuracies.

Results: This study included 216 patients, a significant proportion of whom were experiencing polypharmacy. The pharmacist‐led BPMH approach demonstrated superior accuracy in documenting medication histories, with conventional methods showing inaccuracies in over 70% of the cases. Factors that significantly increased the likelihood of inaccuracies included the number of medications and number of prescribers. Nonoral and as‐needed medications are particularly prone to inaccuracies.

Conclusions: Pharmacist‐led BPMH significantly improved medication history accuracy compared to conventional methods, which had inaccuracies in over 70%. It is important to be careful when obtaining BPMH for older adults, particularly those with complex medication regimens, nonoral medications, or PRN medications, to enhance patient safety and reduce medication‐related risks.

Trial Registration: Clinical Trial Registry identifier: KCT-006813.
Factors Associated With Nonattendance for Osteoporosis Evaluation Following Fragility Fracture
Authors: Seyok Thany , Collins Jamie E. , Hodys Cole , Erikson Samantha J. , Perez Menendez Samantha , Earp Brandon E. , Charles Julia F.
Published: November 2024

Introduction: This study assessed patient demographic factors associated with nonattendance for osteoporosis evaluation after being referred to our Bone Health Clinic (BHC), a hospital‐based outpatient Fracture Liaison Service (FLS), for a fragility fracture.

Methods: 507 patients sustaining a fragility fracture were referred to the BHC over a 39‐month period. Retrospective chart review was conducted to capture osteoporosis evaluation attendance rates and demographic factors (age, gender, race, area deprivation index, insurance type, and fracture type). A post‐fracture follow‐up visit with either the BHC or another provider in which osteoporosis was noted in the assessment was considered attendance for osteoporosis evaluation. Nonattendance was determined at a cutoff of one year after the fracture date.

Results: Of the 507 patients referred to the BHC following a fragility fracture, 177 patients attended osteoporosis evaluation with either the BHC or a primary care provider. Nonattendance was associated with older age (p = 0.0075), having private health insurance (p = 0.0434), and recent hip fracture (p < 0.0001). Attendance was associated with having government health insurance (p = 0.0103).

Conclusion: Inpatient evaluation and treatment for osteoporosis should be considered in patients who are older or have sustained a hip fracture as they may have more difficulty attending post‐fracture appointments.
Deferasirox and Ciprofloxacin: Potential Ternary Complex Formation With Ferric Iron, Pharmacodynamic, and Pharmacokinetic Interactions
Authors: Hamdan Imad I. , Tarawneh Ruba T. , Awwadi Firas , Al-Qattan Duaa , Hamdan Ahmad I. , Afifi Fatma
Published: November 2024

The main aim of this work was to assess the potential formation of ternary chelate complexes, involving deferasirox (DFX), ciprofloxacin (CP), and ferric iron. The coadministration of CP along with DFX might modulate its efficacy, so it is important that it be investigated. A ternary complex involving DFX, CP, and iron (DFX‐CP‐Fe) was prepared and characterized. Theoretical chemistry calculations were performed to measure the equilibrium constants of complexes. Two groups of rats were exposed to DFX or DFX with CP. The level of DFX in plasma was measured, and histological assessments of relevant organs were made. Levels of iron in selected tissues were measured. The formation of ternary complexes was confirmed. Two ternary complexes are thermodynamically favored. The first one of ratio (DFX:CP:Fe) was shown to be favorable with an equilibrium constant of 2 × 107. The second one with ratio (DFX:CP:2Fe) is more thermodynamically favored with an equilibrium constant of 2.0 × 1060. Rats treated with a combination of DFX and CP exhibited lower levels of iron in dried red blood cells in comparison to those treated with DFX alone (p value = 0.012). They also exhibited lower levels of DFX in plasma. Histological assessments of the relevant tissues showed a clear difference in the level of deposited iron in the spleen. In conclusion, ternary complexes are formed, and some with exceptionally high constants. The obtained data indicate a potentially favorable role of CP because while it resulted in a decrease in the level of DFX, it pharmacodynamically produced more effect.
Gastrointestinal Motility Function and Dysfunction in the Elderly Patient: What Are the Effects of Aging?
Authors: Patejdl Robert
Published: November 2024

Background: The prevalence of neurogastroenterological diseases, i.e., disorders of gut brain interaction, has increased over the last decades. Altered gastrointestinal (GI) motility is a key feature of this group of diseases and is affecting all anatomical segments of the GI tract, ranging from swallowing disorders to fecal incontinence. Considering the ongoing demographic transformation in developed countries worldwide, it is highly relevant to understand the age-dependency of motility disorders per se and its pathophysiological mechanisms with a special focus on neurodegeneration. This review summarizes the most relevant findings and open research questions in the field of age-dependent changes in GI motility with a strong focus on studies performed on humans or with biological material obtained from humans. Summary: While the basic function of the GI tract including motility in most of its segments is largely unaltered by aging per se, there is clear evidence supporting an age-dependent increase in the prevalence of constipation and fecal incontinence, the latter mainly affecting women. When, however, the large percentage of elderly patients suffering from frequent chronic diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, or cerebrovascular disease are included, a clear increase in “secondary” motility disorders also affecting the esophagus or the stomach is evident. Studies regarding the pathophysiology of geriatric dysmotility are often limited by the heterogenous clinical history of the studied patients and by coincident impairments of interoceptive sensory function. However, a loss in the number of cholinergic neurons together with changes in the number of interstitial cells of Cajal, certain subtypes of enteric glia, changes in immune cell function, and changes in the endocrine signaling throughout the GI tract have been reported. Key Messages: The overall prevalence of swallowing disorders, impaired gastric emptying, constipation and fecal incontinence is high among elderly patients. The pathophysiology most likely includes a variety of factors ranging from degeneration of enteric neurons and the non-neuronal cell populations involved in GI motility up to age-dependent metabolic and neuroendocrine changes and dietary factors. Deciphering the effects of “healthy aging” but also of the numerous typical chronic diseases of the elderly on GI motility is an ongoing challenge and prerequisite for improving patients’ medical care and quality of life.
Focus on the Blind Spot of Stone Disease: Analysis of Lower Urinary Tract Stone Interventions from 2006 to 2020 using German nationwide inpatient data.
Authors: Herout Roman , Putz Juliane , Borkowetz Angelika , Baunacke Martin , Koch Rainer , Thomas Christian , Huber Johannes , Groeben Christer
Published: November 2024

Introduction
To analyze contemporary treatment trends in bladder stone management in Germany over a 15-year period.
Methods
We analyzed data from the nationwide German hospital billing database from 2006 to 2020. The significance of changes over time was evaluated via linear regression analysis.
Results
Total case numbers of therapeutic interventions for lower urinary tract calculi increased from 6,770 in 2006 to 9,037 in 2020 (p<0.001). Transurethral cystolithotripsy (TUCL) was the predominant procedure with increasing case numbers from 5,552 in 2006 to 7,699 in 2020 (p<0.001). Also, the share of TUCL increased by 4 % during the study period. TUCL with laser fragmentation was coded in 82 cases in 2006 and in 1,527 cases in 2020 (p<0.001). Case numbers of percutaneous cystolithotripsy (PCCL) also increased over time from 406 to 430 cases (p=0.005), but the share decreased by 20 %. Inpatient shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) is very rarely performed for bladder calculi with an average of 22 cases per year in all hospitals in Germany. Case numbers of open cystolithotomy (OCL) also increased from 614 cases in 2006 to 692 cases in 2020 (p=0.006), but the share decreased by 15.5 %. On average 164 cases of stone removal from neobladders per year were performed, mainly transurethrally (47 %) or via an open approach (21 %). Case numbers of TUCL combined with transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR-P) declined from 1,712 in 2006 to 1,450 in 2020 (p=0.014). However, this might be attributed to the concomitant rise of laser enucleation of the prostate with steadily increasing case numbers in Germany.
Conclusion
We present contemporary population-based data on bladder stone treatment in Germany. TUCL is the predominant therapeutic modality with increasing case numbers, but open cystolithotomy is still performed frequently. TUR-P is the procedure that is most often combined with TUCL.
Electroencephalogram denoising using discrete wavelet transform and adaptive noise cancellation based on information theory
Authors: Abdolahniya Hashem , Khazaei Ali Akbar , Azarnoosh Mahdi , Razavi Seyed Ehsan
Published: November 2024

One of the most frequently used techniques for removing background noise from electroencephalogram (EEG) data is adaptive noise cancellation (ANC). Nonetheless, there exist two primary disadvantages associated with the adaptive noise reduction of EEG signals: the adaptive filter, which is supposed to be an approximation of contaminated noise, lacks the reference signal. The mean squared error (MSE) criterion is frequently employed to achieve this goal in adaptive filters. The MSE criterion, which only considers second-order errors, cannot be used since neither the EEG signal nor the EOG artifact are Gaussian. In this work, we employ an ANC system, deriving an estimate of EOG noise with a discrete wavelet transform (DWT) and input this signal into the reference of the ANC system. The entropy-based error metric is used to reduce the error signal instead of the MSE. Results from computer simulations demonstrate that the suggested system outperforms competing methods with respect to root-mean-square-error, signal-to-noise ratio, and coherence measurements.
The History of Philippine Education in the COVID-19 Era
Authors: Gumarang Bernardo K
Published: November 2024

"In the Year 2020 to 2022, a terrifying event shakes the world which brought an unforgettable history to mankind where Covid-19 virus spread out around the globe. This event drastically affected the Philippine Education sector most especially the Filipino educators and students who are struggling on how to continue the delivery of lessons and learning while battling with the threats of Covid-19 virus. The Philippines which is considered under the third world countries have faced difficulty on how to respond immediately on the needs of the education sector, and this situation added on the challenges of educators in the midst of pandemic.
This book titled “The History of Philippine Education in the COVID-19 Era” will give an idea on the experiences of
teachers in the Philippines during Covid-19 pandemic. The author wanted to open the eyes of the people that the
educators also played a huge role during Covid-19 pandemic just for the continuity of education and for the sake of students which is so-called the next generation, the hope of the Fatherland. The claims of the majority that educators are having an easy life during pandemic is being debunked in this book by sharing the experiences of educators doing things beyond their duties as well the stories from the students. This book will be an eye-opener for everyone that teaching is indeed a selfless job and profession. It it is also an account of students who experienced challenges during pandemic."
Organisation Advocacy While Experiencing a Career Plateau: The Mediating Moderating Role of Emotional Exhaustion and Organisation Embeddedness
Authors: Jain Vivek
Published: November 2024

Board members often focus on improving the company’s net promoter score. An excellent net promoter score reflects customers’ and employees’ engagement with the company and their readiness to engage in organisational advocacy. Companies often measure organisation advocacy to measure the extent of employee engagement. This research evaluates factors that could influence organisation advocacy. It studies the negative impact of career plateau and emotional exhaustion on organisation advocacy. It further evaluates the positive moderating impact of organisation embeddedness on organisation advocacy. The social identity theory lens evaluates the model and posits that organisation advocacy could be compromised if the employee’s identity gets threatened. The research findings support a significant negative impact of emotional exhaustion on organisation advocacy. Further results prove a significant positive impact of career plateau on emotional exhaustion and a negative impact on Organisation advocacy, mediated through emotional exhaustion. Organisation embeddedness is further seen to positively moderate the combined mediated negative impact of career plateau and emotional exhaustion on organisation advocacy. Employees who are embedded in the organisation try to maintain their social identity and avoid speaking negatively about their organisation. For management, this paper brings forth the point that the supervisor occupying their position for a long time may often be the reason for the subordinate not getting a promotion and experiencing a career plateau. Strategies to maintain subordinate social identity, reduce career plateau, reduce emotional exhaustion and improve organisation embeddedness are further deliberated.
PALS1-dependent modulations of mRNA profiles in MDCK II cells grown in non-confluent monolayers and three-dimensional cysts
Authors: Schughart Klaus , Möller-Kerutt Annika , Höffken Verena , Nedvetsky Pavel , Groh Ann-Christin , Braun Daniela Anne , Pavenstädt Hermann , Weide Thomas
Published: November 2024

In epithelia, apicobasal cell polarization is closely linked to cell-cell contact formation, both controlled by the conserved Crumbs (CRB) complex, which includes the transmembrane protein Crumbs (CRB3a) and adapter proteins PALS1, PATJ, and LIN7c. In MDCK II cells, a model for cell polarization, depletion of PALS1 - which binds to all CRB components - leads to defective cell polarization and improper distribution of tight junction proteins, resulting in severe epithelial barrier defects in 3D cyst models. This study investigated whether this phenotype is associated with transcriptional changes by analyzing wildtype (WT) and PALS1 knockout (KO) MDCK II cell lines grown under non-confluent conditions and in 3D cyst cultures. Our results indicate that the transition from non-confluent cells to 3D cysts involves numerous differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in both WT and KO cells. Importantly, the analyses revealed significant overlaps between WT and KO cells in their maturation processes, suggesting that most identified DEGs are linked to differentiation from non-confluent to polarized MDCK cells and likely not a result of PALS1 deficiency. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and over-representation analyses using REACTOME and KEGG databases confirmed these similarities. In contrast, the direct comparison of WT and KO cells at the two stages showed fewer DEGs and overlaps in associated biological processes and signaling pathways. DEGs associated with the 3D stage, in which the phenotype manifests, contain DEGs and pathways that were predominantly linked to cell cycle linked processes, centromere assembly, or DNA replication. Furthermore, the transcription of genes encoding key junction proteins, additional polarity proteins, and cell-substrate interaction proteins is less affected by the loss of PALS1, indicating that PALS1 influences the transcriptional profiles in epithelial cells as a modulating factor.
A look back at the strike by Mozambican doctors in 2013: what can we learn?
Authors: Manguele Alexandre Lourenço Jaime , Craveiro Isabel , Sidat Mohsin , Sengo Dulnério Barbosa , Cabral António Jorge Rodrigues , Ferrinho Paulo
Published: November 2024

Background

The occurrence of strikes in the health sector has been an increasing concern around the world, given their negative impact on the provision of services and care to patients. The Mozambican doctors' strike in 2013 2013 is considered by many to be the largest of a kind in the country's history, and marked the changes which are still a matter of debate. The aim of this study is to understand the causes, strategies and perceived impact of this strike from the perspective of the main actors involved, taking a look back at everything that happened, including the backstage and tense moments during the negotiations. These details have been little covered in similar studies and are important for a better understanding and management of this type of movement.

Methods

This is a qualitative study with a phenomelogical approach that consisted of semi-structured interviews with the main players involved in the strike movement, and analysis of documents produced around this movement. Non-probabilistic snowball sampling was used to select participants until data saturation was reached. The interviews were transcribed and imported into Nvivo version 12, and the data was analysed using content analysis to identify themes related to the research questions.

Results

The doctors were demanding better salaries, career prospects and working conditions. Failure to fulfil agreements, threats from the government and a lack of communication are believed to have precipitated the strike. Faced with staff shortages, the government restricted services, prioritised urgent cases, and patients saw services slowed down, their care delayed, a lack of medicines in health units and a loss of confidence in the healthcare system. Although the strike contributed to the approval of the Doctors' Statute, it led to the interruption of postgraduate studies, transfers and suspensions of professionals.

Conclusion

The strike was motivated by aspects associated with salaries and working conditions. Some of the approaches adopted further distanced the parties and delayed consensus. The strike had negative consequences for everyone, especially patients. This study provides important lessons for improving strike prevention and management strategies in the health sector.
Influence of trust on the acceptance of the RTS,S malaria vaccine in the Kassena-Nankana districts of Ghana
Authors: Bugase Eustace , Tindana Paulina
Published: November 2024

Background

Vaccines have increasingly become some of the most effective public health tools for promoting health and reducing the burden of infectious diseases. The availability of a malaria vaccine for routine use will be a major milestone, nonetheless, trust by the public for the vaccine could pose a major challenge for its acceptance. Documented evidence such as the boycott of the oral polio vaccine in northern Nigeria and the failure of the Ebola vaccine trial in Ghana among others highlight the impact of public trust on vaccine acceptance.

Methods

This is an explorative cross-sectional mixed-method study conducted in the Kassena Nankana districts. The study was conducted in the Kassena Nankana Districts between May and December 2020. A total of 390 structured questionnaires were administrated to mothers and caregivers of children under five years of age while 15 in-depth interviews were conducted with mothers and health workers. STATA software Version 16.0 was used to interpret the quantitative data, where bivariate and multivariate regression analysis was performed to determine the influence of trust on vaccine acceptance while QSR NVivo 12 software was used to code the qualitative data to aid the thematic analysis.

Results

The results revealed that the level of knowledge of the RTS,S vaccine among participants was high. About 95.4% of the mothers had good knowledge of the malaria vaccine and more than half 61.2% of them got information about the vaccine from the health facility. The level of trust for the malaria vaccine was equally high with 91.4% of the mothers reporting that the vaccine treats childhood malaria. In a bivariate analysis, educational status (P = 0.013), ethnicity (P = 0.008), marital status (P = 0.041), education on the vaccine and perceived ineffectiveness P < 0.05, and trust for the malaria vaccine (P < 0.05) were found to be statistically associated with vaccine acceptance. Compared with participants who agree that vaccines are harmless to children, those who disagree were significantly less likely to accept vaccines (OR = 0.25, 95%CI [0.08, 0.83], p = 0.017). The qualitative data correspondingly revealed that mothers trusted vaccines which thus accounted for the high uptake of the malaria vaccine in the districts.

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that trust in the malaria vaccine is critical for its uptake. Therefore, efforts towards improving acceptance of the vaccine should be focused on building and sustaining trust for the vaccine among mothers and community members.
Analytic performance of ScreenFire HPV RS assay Zebra BioDome format and its potential for large-scale population HPV screening
Authors: Wang Jun , Imade Godwin , Akanmu Alani S. , Musa Jonah , Anorlu Rose , Zheng Yinan , Garcia-Bedoya Olga , Sanchez Gloria I. , Belinson Jerome , Kim Kyeezu , Maiga Mamoudou , Gursel Demirkan B. , Sagay Atiene S. , Ogunsola Folasade T. , Murphy Robert L. , Hou Lifang
Published: November 2024

Background

Easy-to-use, rapid, scalable, high-throughput, and cost-effective HPV tests are urgently needed for low-resource settings. Atila Biosystems’ high-throughput, cost-effective, and clinically validated ScreenFire HPV Risk Stratification (RS) assay identifies 13 high risk HPV (hrHPV) in 4 groups based on their oncogenic risk (i.e., HPV16, HPV18/45, HPV31/33/35/52/58, and HPV51/59/39/56/68). The current standard format is subject to laboratory contamination, which is common for any molecular PCR test. To overcome this drawback, Atila has recently upgraded it into an innovative, contamination-free Zebra BioDome format. The contamination-free feature makes this novel assay format more suitable for large-scale community- and population-based cervical screening. This study evaluated the analytical performance of the Zebra BioDome format.

Methods

We conducted a study to test the analytical performance of Zebra Biodome format in comparison to the results of using the ScreenFire HPV RS assay standard format on Biorad CFX-96 real-time PCR instrument. We used overall agreement rate and unweighted kappa value to compare the performance.

Results

The overall agreement for detection of hrHPV was 96.0% with unweighted kappa value 0.94 (95% confidence interval: 0.90–0.98). The agreement rates between hrHPV genotype 16 and risk stratification genotype group (HPV18/45, HPV31/33/35/52/58, and HPV51/59/39/56/68) were all > 97.5%.

Conclusion

The innovative ScreenFire HPV RS assay Zebra BioDome format produced highly concordant results with the standard format. The shared features by the two assay formats, such as easy-to-use, high throughput, cost-appropriate, and no requirements for DNA extraction. The unique contamination-prevention feature along with no requirement of preparation of reagents make the Zebra BioDome format more suitable for large-scale HPV screening to reduce global cervical cancer burden.
Development and validation of a UV spectrophotometric method for simultaneous estimation of teneligliptin hydrobromide hydrate and pioglitazone hydrochloride in pharmaceutical dosage form
Authors: Gupta Ravi Shankar , Tiwari Akhilesh , Patel Sanjeev Kumar , Karthikeyan Chandrabose , Gupta Deepak Kumar , Soni Pranay , Joshi Megha
Published: November 2024

Background

This study presents the development and validation of a UV spectrophotometric method for the simultaneous estimation of teneligliptin hydrobromide hydrate (TEN) and pioglitazone hydrochloride (PIO) in pharmaceutical dosage forms. The method measures absorbance at 243 nm for TEN and 265 nm for PIO. Validation was conducted according to ICH guidelines, covering specificity, linearity, range, precision, accuracy, limit of detection, limit of quantification, and robustness.

Results

The method exhibited linearity in the 2–25 µg/ml concentration range for both TEN and PIO, with correlation coefficients close to 1. Precision studies showed low % RSD values, indicating excellent repeatability and minimal intra- and inter-day variability. Accuracy was confirmed through recovery studies, with results within the 98–102% range. The method demonstrated sensitivity with low LOD and LOQ values. Robustness testing showed stability and consistency under varying conditions. Analysis of tablet formulations confirmed the accurate quantification of both drugs.

Conclusion

The developed UV spectrophotometric method offers a simple, sensitive, and cost-effective solution for the simultaneous estimation of TEN and PIO in pharmaceutical formulations. It is suitable for routine analysis and quality assessment of tablet dosage forms.
Beyond nets and sprays: transformative strategies for malaria resilience in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Mwang'onde Beda John
Published: November 2024

Objective: This narrative review assesses the effectiveness of malaria interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa in alignment with the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016–2030. Methods: Literature searches utilized WHO malaria reports from 2015 to 2023, along with published articles from databases including Springer, Hindawi, PubMed, Google Scholar, BioMed, and Elsevier. Results: The review highlights that interventions such as habitat modification and house improvements are effective, particularly in addressing human-related factors in mosquito breeding. However, challenges persist in epidemic preparedness, diagnostic methods, and malaria research, all of which are crucial for effective management. Weak healthcare systems, limited funding, and insufficient surveillance capabilities further undermine malaria control strategies in Sub-Saharan Africa. The importance of research and innovation especially from scientists within malaria-affected regions is emphasized as vital to achieving malaria elimination. Coordinated efforts, alongside substantial investments in basic science and implementation research, are also essential. Despite these obstacles, recent success in malaria elimination in China illustrates the feasibility of control and eradication through well-coordinated initiatives. Conclusion: modifying houses is one of the simplest and most eco-friendly strategies to control indoor malaria transmission. However, achieving sustainable progress in malaria control across Sub-Saharan Africa demands a comprehensive, collaborative, and adaptive approach. This review highlights the need for diverse and innovative strategies to meet the goals set forth by the WHO Global Technical Strategy.
Τρισδιάστατες προσομοιώσεις ατμοσφαιρικής ρύπανσης και εναπόθεσης θρεπτικών στη περιοχή της Aνατολικής Μεσογείου
Authors: Αμανατίδης Δημήτριος-Γεώργιος
Published: November 2024

Η παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή εντάσσεται στο ευρύτερο πλαίσιο των αριθμητικών προσομοιώσεων για τον έλεγχο της ποιότητας του αέρα. Έχει ως στόχο να μελετήσει την σύσταση της ατμόσφαιρας και την εναπόθεση θρεπτικών συστατικών στην επίγεια και θαλάσσια περιοχή της Μεσογείου. Ενδιαφέρον παρουσιάζει η μεταφορά μέσω της ατμόσφαιρας αεριών ρύπων όπως το όζον και το μονοξείδιο του άνθρακα, που επηρεάζουν την οξειδωτική ικανότητα της ατμόσφαιρας καθώς επίσης και αιωρούμενων σωματιδίων, τα οποία μεταφέρουν θρεπτικά συστατικά όπως το άζωτο, θείο και φώσφορο. Με την εναπόθεση τους σε χερσαίες και θαλάσσιες περιοχές της Μεσογείου, επηρεάζουν τα οικοσυστήματα αλλά και την ανθρώπινη υγεία. Στη παρούσα εργασία χρησιμοποιήθηκε το μοντέλο μέσης κλίμακας WRF-CHEM (Weather Research and Forecasting) για να μελετηθεί η ατμοσφαιρική ρύπανση και η ατμοσφαιρική εναπόθεση θρεπτικών στη Μεσόγειο. Κατ’ αρχάς αξιολογήθηκε η ικανότητα του μοντέλου να προσομοιώνει την μετεωρολογία και την ατμοσφαιρική ρύπανση στη περιοχή με σύγκριση με παρατηρήσεις. Κατόπιν αναπτύχθηκαν κατάλληλα υποπρογράμματα για να υπολογιστούν με το WRF-CHEM, η ροή εναπόθεσης αζώτου και φωσφόρου καθώς και οι ατμοσφαιρικές συγκεντρώσεις των πρωτογενών βιολογικών αερολυμάτων (PBAP). Τα PBAP μπορούν να αποτελούν σημαντική συνιστώσα των συνολικών αερολυμάτων στην ατμόσφαιρα, πηγή θρεπτικών αλλά και πυρήνες σχηματισμού πάγου στην ατμόσφαιρα. Το βελτιωμένο μοντέλο προσομοιώνει τις ατμοσφαιρικές συγκεντρώσεις των κύριων κατηγοριών βιοαερολυμάτων (βακτήρια, σπόρια μυκήτων και γύρη) με βάση τις εκπομπές τους, που είναι συνάρτηση της μετεωρολογίας και των οικοσυστημάτων που υπάρχουν στην εκάστοτε περιοχή, της μεταφοράς και εναπόθεσής τους. Τα υπολογισθέντα επίπεδα PBAP συμφωνούν (τάξη μεγέθους) συγκρίθηκαν με τις λιγοστές παρατηρήσεις στην περιοχή. Υπολογίστηκε ότι τα PBAP συνεισφέρουν περίπου το 24% του συνολικού οργανικού άνθρακα στην λεκάνη της Μεσόγειο για τον καλοκαιρινό μήνα του Ιουλίου του 2016 και ως 28% για τον χειμερινό μήνα του Φεβρουαρίου συμμετέχοντας με 46.5Gg-Ν/month και 0.3Gg-P/month και 24.75Gg-Ν/month 0.2Gg-P/month στην ροή εναπόθεσης αζώτου και φωσφόρου στη περιοχή.
Computational methods for transcriptomic data analysis
Authors: Κορφιάτη Αίγλη
Published: November 2024

Η γρήγορη πρόοδος των τεχνολογιών αλληλούχισης επόμενης γενιάς (NGS), σε συνδυασμό με εξελιγμένες υπολογιστικές τεχνικές, έχει φέρει επανάσταση στην κατανόησή μας για τα μικρά μη κωδικά μόρια RNA και τους ρόλους τους σε κυτταρικές διεργασίες και ασθένειες. Σε αυτή τη διατριβή, αναπτύσσουμε υπολογιστικές μεθόδους μηχανικής μάθησης για την ανάλυση δεδομένων RNA-Seq και την αποκάλυψη του πολύπλοκου τοπίου των μη κωδικών RNA. Οι υπολογιστικές μας μέθοδοι αξιοποιούν προηγουμένως μη ευθυγραμμισμένες αναγνώσεις για τον εντοπισμό τόσο των γνωστών όσο και προβλεφθέντων ncRNA, προσφέροντας γνώση για τους λειτουργικούς τους ρόλους. Οι μέθοδοί μας ξεπερνούν τα υπάρχοντα εργαλεία όσον αφορά την απόδοση πρόβλεψης, επιτρέποντας πιο αξιόπιστη ανάλυση των δεδομένων RNA-Seq και ενισχύοντας την κατανόησή μας για τα μη κωδικά RNA σε ασθένειες. Χρησιμοποιώντας στη συνέχεια δεδομένα μεταγραφώματος και μεθόδους μηχανικής μάθησης, αναπτύσσουμε μοντέλα πρόβλεψης για διάγνωση και πρόγνωση. Το δερματικό μελάνωμα επιλέγεται ως μελέτη περίπτωσης. Πρώτα αντιμετωπίζουμε την πρόκληση των κατακερματισμένων δεδομένων στην έρευνα για το δερματικό μελάνωμα δημιουργώντας τη βάση δεδομένων ebioMelDB, η οποία ενσωματώνει ποικίλα κλινικά, απεικονιστικά δεδομένα και δεδομένα RNA-Seq. Αυτός ο φιλικός προς τον χρήστη πόρος δίνει τη δυνατότητα στους ερευνητές να αναπτύξουν πιο ακριβή διαγνωστικά εργαλεία, προγνωστικά μοντέλα και θεραπευτικές στρατηγικές. Στη συνέχεια, χρησιμοποιούμε τα δεδομένα από το ebioMelDB για να αναπτύξουμε στοχευμένα μοντέλα πρόβλεψης για τη διάγνωση και την πρόγνωση του δερματικού μελανώματος. Οι ταξινομητές μας που βασίζονται στη μηχανική μάθηση, και ενσωματώνουν δεδομένα γονιδιακής έκφρασης και προφίλ miRNA, προβλέπουν επιτυχώς τη ζωτική κατάσταση, την υποτροπή και τη μετάσταση στο δερματικό μελάνωμα με υψηλή ακρίβεια. Επιπλέον, διερευνούμε τις δυνατότητες της βαθιάς μάθησης στη διάγνωση του καρκίνου του δέρματος χρησιμοποιώντας τόσο δερμοσκοπικές όσο και κλινικές εικόνες. Εστιάζοντας σε δημόσια διαθέσιμα σύνολα δεδομένων, αναπτύσσουμε έναν ταξινομητή βαθιάς μάθησης ικανό να διακρίνει τον καρκίνο του δέρματος από τις καλοήθεις βλάβες. Συνολικά, αυτή η εργασία παρουσιάζει τις δυνατότητες των τεχνικών μηχανικής μάθησης, των προηγμένων εργαλείων βιοπληροφορικής και των περιεκτικών πόρων δεδομένων για τη βελτίωση της κατανόησης, της διάγνωσης και της θεραπείας του δερματικού μελανώματος.
THE DOCTRINE OF THE VIRGIN BIRTH IN CHRISTIANITY FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF COMPARATIVE RELIGION: APPROACHES AND INTERPRETATIONS
Authors: Sobolev Yuri V.
Published: November 2024

The article offers an examination of the doctrine of the virgin birth in Christianity within the framework of intra-confessional discussion. Paying attention to the emphasis of the doctrine of the virgin birth in the modern Protestant tradition, the question of the place and significance of the doctrine of the virgin birth in the church tradition (Orthodox and Catholic) is introduced into the problem field of the study. Separately, the question of the possibility of the new birth in an age of “the waning of faith” is raised. The interdisciplinary approach in the study allows us to identify a number of important provisions that determine the difference and commonality in the interpretations of the two traditions: the authority of holy theological exegesis, the significance and place of the oral tradition in modern Protestant communities, the primary and secondary in the understanding of the hierophanic, the rational and mystical in the spiritual experience of the believing Christian. The works of such scholars and researchers as: M. Weber, D. Melton, M. Eliade, M. Foucault, L. Harrison, D. Bogolepov, S. Horuzhiy, I. Yablokov. An important place in the study of the issue is occupied by the holy theological heritage - the works of John Chrysostom and Simeon the New Theologian. As methods of research were used: the method of comparative religious studies, hermeneutic-textual analysis, socio-historical and cultural approaches. In the course of the work, a number of important conclusions have been drawn about the understanding and place of the doctrine of the virgin birth in Christian doctrine. The most important of which are: the significance of explicitness and understanding of the virgin birth in Protestantism; the complexity and implicitness of the Church's exegesis of the virgin birth, expressed in two main vectors of understanding of this question. These articles can be used in the research activities of philosophers-religionists on the history of Christianity. The practical value of the study lies in the possibility of incorporating the results into classes in philosophy, religious studies and theology, as well as directly in missionary activities.
IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMUNICATIVE IMPACT IN THE ENGLISH-LANGUAGE POPULAR SCIENCE IT-DISCOURSE
Authors: Avakova Marina L. , Ayvazyan Nadezhda B.
Published: November 2024

Background. The article is devoted to the study of the implementation of communicative impact in the English-language popular science IT-discourse. The study is relevant due to the development of new possibilities of communicative interaction, the increasing social role of information in the global digital environment. Professional communication concentrated on various features of modern information technologies plays an important role in the dissemination of scientific knowledge to the public.
Purpose. The purpose of this article is to identify and analyze the language tools of communicative impact in the English-language popular science IT-discourse.
Materials and methods. The research material comprises the English-language articles on modern information technologies published in electronic popular science journals Computer World, T3 over the period 2023-2024. The main research methods include the analysis of scientific literature, the continuous sampling methodology, communicative-pragmatic language analysis, the method of linguistic description.
Results. The authors have identified that the characteristic features of implementing the strategies of communicative impact in the English-language popular science IT discourse are the use of colloquial style to facilitate the process of interpreting scientific information, the use of emotional-evaluative, expressive lexical units, rhetorical devices to strengthen the communicative impact on the addressee.
„Otwieranie wszechświata”. Polska powojenna awangarda poetycka: Tymoteusz Karpowicz i Krystyna Miłobędzka
Authors: Górniak-Prasnal Karolina
Published: November 2024

Monografia przedstawia interpretacje projektów poetyckich dwojga powojennych awangardystów, Tymoteusza Karpowicza i Krystyny Miłobędzkiej. Ich twórczość poetycka i koncepcje twórcze zostały poddane lekturze relacyjnej – wybrane utwory zanalizowano na tle wspólnych inspiracji literackich i filozoficznych, jak i potwierdzonej w dokumentach osobistych wieloletniej przyjaźni dwojga twórców. Lektura relacyjna pozwala wyeksponować wizje tworzenia poezji oraz strategie autokreacyjne Karpowicza i Miłobędzkiej. Wybrany sposób lektury umożliwia pokazanie, jak te dwa poetyckie idiomy, czytane równolegle, dialogują ze sobą, a jednocześnie manifestują swoją odmienność. Metafora otwarcia to główny motyw całej książki, stanowiący łącznik między tematyką poszczególnych rozdziałów i symbolizujący metodę czytania tej poezji – głównym celem rozprawy jest pokazanie, jak awangardowe dzieła poetyckie, uznawane za hermetyczne, mogą otworzyć się przed czytelnikiem.
Salony, "salonierki", polityka. Studium porównawcze Paryża i Warszawy w drugiej połowie XVIII wieku
Authors: Wiśniewska Dorota
Published: November 2024

What were 18th-century salons? Who led them, and how could one become part of this world? What activities accompanied the meetings? What functions did salons play in social and political life? What was the attitude of the "salonnieres" towards politics, and to what extent did the salon help them in their public activities? The author answers these questions by referring to works on the salon in France, the diaries of Polish-Lithuanian nobility, and the accounts of travelers who visited Warsaw during the reign of Stanisław August Poniatowski. She compares the social life of elites in France and Poland in the second half of the 18th century, showing common points and the specificity of both environments. The conclusions from reading the correspondence of the Marquise Marie de Vichy-Chamrond du Deffand and Maria Radziwiłł made it possible to compare the political cultures of exemplary "salonnieres" and to show the connections between social and political life from their perspective.
Miejsca czytelnicze na Facebooku. Perspektywa użytkowników
Authors: Kortas Weronika
Published: November 2024

Badania opisywane w niniejszej książce odróżnia od tych omówionych w literaturze ustawienie w centrum użytkownika, a nie instytucji. Dokonując oceny stopnia użyteczności „książkowych” stron na Facebooku, sprawdzono stopień zaspokojenia potrzeb informacyjnych oraz to, czy dana strona została zorganizowana przez właściciela tak, by użytkownik mógł z niej korzystać w sposób efektywny i zadowalający. Łącząc ze sobą różne metody badań (traingulacja), starano się zdobyć takie dane, które umożliwią spojrzenie na potrzeby użytkownika z różnych perspektyw.

Publikacja Miejsca czytelnicze na Facebooku zawiera szeroki przegląd metod prowadzenia badań w obszarze Internetu, zwracając uwagę na wieloaspektowy charakter Internetu jako narzędzia badawczego, źródła informacji oraz obiektu analizy. Skupia się także na metodach badania doświadczeń użytkownika (UX) oraz oceny użyteczności, wprowadzając czytelnika w obszar istotny dla tworzenia efektywnych interakcji w środowisku online. Przedstawiono w niej pięciokrokowy proces badawczy, który obejmuje: badania ankietowe; analizę netnograficzną; opracowanie obszarów i kryteriów oceny użyteczności (z podziałem na analizę treści i zaangażowania oraz przygotowanie strony); ocenę użyteczności stron oraz porównanie z wykorzystaniem metody jakościowo-heurystycznej wyników analizy stron czytelniczych i stron bibliotek oraz badania netnograficznego.
Atopie Johanna Georga Hamanna
Authors: Żymełka-Pietrzak Anna
Published: November 2024

Johann Georg Hamann, niemiecki filozof i teolog drugiej połowy osiemnastego wieku, ekscentryczny mistrz stylu, pisał utwory, które stanowiły wyzwanie dla ówczesnych czytelników i pozostają nim do dziś. Hamann stosował idiosynkratyczne strategie pisarskie, posługiwał się aluzjami i ironią, zderzał ze sobą cytaty i kryptocytaty, a swoją argumentację formułował za pomocą metafor, analogii i obrazów. Monografia Atopie Johanna Georga Hamanna proponuje oryginalny klucz do zrozumienia tego osobliwego pisarza i jego utworów, a jest nim tytułowa kategoria atopii (od gr. ἄτοπος – „nie na miejscu”, „niedorzeczny”, „absurdalny”), która, starannie zrekonstruowana, zostaje odniesiona do różnych aspektów życia i pisarstwa Hamanna. Autor utożsamia się z Sokratesem, postacią najważniejszą dla filozoficznego rozumienia atopii, a swoje pisarstwo określa platońską metaforą otwieranej figurki sylena, szpetnej na zewnątrz, lecz skrywającej w swoim wnętrzu złocony posążek bóstwa – skarb luterańskiej ortodoksji. Anna Żymełka-Pietrzak rekonstruuje atopiczny sokratyzm Hamanna na tle innych sokratyzmów epoki, analizuje przyjmowane przez Hamanna maski Sylena, satyra, Pana i koźlego proroka, by w następnym kroku zinterpretować Hamannowski stylistyczny eksces jako wyraz teologii języka, której modelem jest jednocześnie chrześcijańska nauka o uniżającym się Bogu i żydowska kabała. Na koniec autorka prezentuje atopiczną hermeneutykę Hamanna, kładącą nacisk na negatywne strategie badania granic rozumienia, uzupełnioną o topikę atopii, czyli katalog figur niedopasowania i braku zakorzenienia wyrażających niestabilną pozycję autora i filozofa. Książka napisana przejrzystym językiem, dobrze osadzona w literaturze przedmiotu, ukazuje osobliwość myśli Hamanna w kontekście osiemnastowiecznych debat, a jednocześnie – przy zachowaniu naukowego dystansu – z zaangażowaniem przedstawia go jako myśliciela nadal aktualnego.
Wydział Nauk Ekonomicznych i Zarządzania 1968–2023: wspomnienia
Authors: Karaszewski Włodzimierz
Published: November 2024

This book was published to celebrate the 55th Anniversary of the Faculty of Economic Sciences and Management of the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń and, at the same time, to thank everyone who created the Faculty and contributed to its development. The coming into being of this book is associated with the intention to periodically publish works devoted to the history of the Faculty, which began with the publication of a book entitled Byli z nami… [They were with us...] (ed. P. Jaworowski) by the Nicolaus Copernicus University Press in 2008, which presented memories of deceased academic teachers of the Faculty. As part of the series, in 2018, the book Wydział Nauk Ekonomicznych i Zarządzania 1968–2018: wspomnienia [Faculty of Economic Sciences and Management 1968–2018: Memories], edited by P. Jaworowski and W. Karaszewski, was published (NCU Press, Toruń 2018). This third book in this series consists of three parts. The first contains a brief outline of the fifty-five-year-long history of the Faculty. The second one consists of the memories of its employees. In the third part, we recall the memory of Faculty employees whose lives have already come to an end.