bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical integration of fast Raman spectroscopy for Mohs micrographic surgery of basal cell carcinoma
Authors: Boitor Radu , de Wolf Coen , Weesie Frank , Shipp Dustin W. , Varma Sandeep , Veitch David , Wernham Aaron , Koloydenko Alexey , Puppels Gerwin , Nijsten Tamar , Williams Hywel C. , Caspers Peter , Notingher Ioan
Published: March 2021

We present the first clinical integration of a prototype device based on integrated auto-fluorescence imaging and Raman spectroscopy (Fast Raman device) for intra-operative assessment of surgical margins during Mohs micrographic surgery of basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Fresh skin specimens from 112 patients were used to optimise the tissue pre-processing and the Fast Raman algorithms to enable an analysis of complete Mohs layers within 30 minutes. The optimisation allowed >95% of the resection surface area to be investigated (including the deep and epidermal margins). The Fast Raman device was then used to analyse skin layers excised from the most relevant anatomical sites (nose, temple, eyelid, cheek, forehead, eyebrow and lip) and to detect the three main types of BCC (nodular, superficial and infiltrative). These results suggest that the Fast Raman technique is a promising tool to provide an objective diagnosis “tumour clear yes/no” during Mohs surgery of BCC. This clinical integration study is a key step towards a larger scale diagnosis test accuracy study to reliably determine the sensitivity and specificity in a clinical setting.
Method for parametric imaging of attenuation by intravascular optical coherence tomography
Authors: Zheng Sun , Fei Yang , Jian Sun
Published: March 2021

Catheter-based intravascular optical coherence tomography (IVOCT) is a powerful imaging modality for visualization of atherosclerosis with high resolution. Quantitative characterization of various tissue types by attenuation coefficient (AC) extraction has been proven to be a potentially significant application of OCT attenuation imaging. However, existing methods for AC extraction from OCT suffer from the challenge of variability in complex tissue types in IVOCT pullback data such as healthy vessel wall, mixed atherosclerotic plaques, plaques with a single component and stent struts, etc. This challenge leads to the ineffectiveness in the tissue differentiation by AC representation based on single scattering model of OCT signal. In this paper, we propose a novel method based on multiple scattering model for parametric imaging of optical attenuation by AC retrieval from IVOCT images conventionally acquired during cardiac catheterization. The OCT signal characterized by the AC is physically modeled by Monte Carlo simulation. Then, the pixel-wise AC retrieval is achieved by iteratively minimizing an error function regarding the modeled and measured backscattered signal. This method provides a general scheme for AC extraction from IVOCT without the premise of complete attenuation of the incident light through the imaging depths. Results of computer-simulated and clinical images demonstrate that the method can avoid overestimation at the end of the depth profile in comparison with the approaches based on the depth-resolved (DR) model. The energy error depth and structural similarity are improved by about 30% and 10% respectively compared with DR. It provides a useful way to differentiate and characterize arterial tissue types in IVOCT images.
Hybrid III-V diamond photonic platform for quantum nodes based on neutral silicon vacancy centers in diamond
Authors: Huang Ding , Abulnaga Alex , Welinski Sacha , Raha Mouktik , Thompson Jeff D. , de Leon Nathalie P.
Published: March 2021

Integrating atomic quantum memories based on color centers in diamond with on-chip photonic devices would enable entanglement distribution over long distances. However, efforts towards integration have been challenging because color centers can be highly sensitive to their environment, and their properties degrade in nanofabricated structures. Here, we describe a heterogeneously integrated, on-chip, III-V diamond platform designed for neutral silicon vacancy (SiV0) centers in diamond that circumvents the need for etching the diamond substrate. Through evanescent coupling to SiV0 centers near the surface of diamond, the platform will enable Purcell enhancement of SiV0 emission and efficient frequency conversion to the telecommunication C-band. The proposed structures can be realized with readily available fabrication techniques.
Tunable spin Hall shift of light from graphene-wrapped spheres
Authors: Zhang Q. , Gao D. L. , Gao L.
Published: March 2021

Graphene has taken impressive roles in light manipulation and optical engineering. The most attractive advantage of graphene is its tunable conductivity that could be dynamically modulated by various means. In this paper, we show that the spin Hall shift of light is dynamically tunable via changing the Fermi level of the graphene-wrapped spheres. Such tunability is prominent when different modes interfere with each other, such as at the interference of electric and magnetic dipolar modes or at the interference of electric dipolar and electric quadrupole modes. The circular polarization degree in the near field clearly demonstrates the strength of spin-orbit interaction, which is associated with spin Hall shift of light in the far-field. In addition, the spin Hall effect is shown in far-field detection plane and should be observed in experiment. Our results provide insights into how the spin Hall effect could be tuned and add new perspective in designing optical super-resolution imaging techniques.
High-Q quadrupolar plasmonic lattice resonances in horizontal metal–insulator–metal gratings
Authors: Fang Xinyu , Xiong Lei , Shi Jianping , Li Guangyuan
Published: March 2021

We propose a plasmonic platform for achieving out-of-plane quadrupolar plasmonic surface lattice resonances (SLRs) with large quality factors. The proposed platform is composed of a horizontal metal–insulator–metal (MIM) grating embedded in a homogeneous dielectric environment. Numerical results based on rigorous coupled-wave analysis show that under oblique incidences, high-Q out-of-plane quadrupolar SLRs can be excited at wavelengths of 1242 nm over a wide range of insulator widths, and the quality factor can reach 1036. As a comparison, under the same conditions, only dipolar SLRs with much lower quality factors of

∼

300

can be excited in a vertical MIM grating, which has the same period and a quarter-turned unit cell. We expect that the proposed high-Q quadrupolar SLR platform will find applications in light–matter interactions on the nanoscale.
Modelling of malaria risk, rates, and trends: A spatiotemporal approach for identifying and targeting sub-national areas of high and low burden
Authors: Lubinda Jailos , Bi Yaxin , Hamainza Busiku , Haque Ubydul , Moore Adrian J.
Published: March 2021

While mortality from malaria continues to decline globally, incidence rates in many countries are rising. Within countries, spatial and temporal patterns of malaria vary across communities due to many different physical and social environmental factors. To identify those areas most suitable for malaria elimination or targeted control interventions, we used Bayesian models to estimate the spatiotemporal variation of malaria risk, rates, and trends to determine areas of high or low malaria burden compared to their geographical neighbours. We present a methodology using Bayesian hierarchical models with a Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) based inference to fit a generalised linear mixed model with a conditional autoregressive structure. We modelled clusters of similar spatiotemporal trends in malaria risk, using trend functions with constrained shapes and visualised high and low burden districts using a multi-criterion index derived by combining spatiotemporal risk, rates and trends of districts in Zambia. Our results indicate that over 3 million people in Zambia live in high-burden districts with either high mortality burden or high incidence burden coupled with an increasing trend over 16 years (2000 to 2015) for all age, under-five and over-five cohorts. Approximately 1.6 million people live in high-incidence burden areas alone. Using our method, we have developed a platform that can enable malaria programs in countries like Zambia to target those high-burden areas with intensive control measures while at the same time pursue malaria elimination efforts in all other areas. Our method enhances conventional approaches and measures to identify those districts which had higher rates and increasing trends and risk. This study provides a method and a means that can help policy makers evaluate intervention impact over time and adopt appropriate geographically targeted strategies that address the issues of both high-burden areas, through intensive control approaches, and low-burden areas, via specific elimination programs.
Infection Manager System (IMS) as a new hemocytometry-based bacteremia detection tool: A diagnostic accuracy study in a malaria-endemic area of Burkina Faso
Authors: Post Annelies , Kaboré Berenger , Bognini Joel , Diallo Salou , Lompo Palpouguini , Kam Basile , Herssens Natacha , van Opzeeland Fred , van der Gaast-de Jongh Christa E. , Langereis Jeroen D. , de Jonge Marien I. , Rahamat-Langendoen Janette , Bousema Teun , Wertheim Heiman , Sauerwein Robert W. , Tinto Halidou , Jacobs Jan , de Mast Quirijn , van der Ven Andre J.
Published: March 2021

Background

New hemocytometric parameters can be used to differentiate causes of acute febrile illness (AFI). We evaluated a software algorithm–Infection Manager System (IMS)—which uses hemocytometric data generated by Sysmex hematology analyzers, for its accuracy to detect bacteremia in AFI patients with and without malaria in Burkina Faso. Secondary aims included comparing the accuracy of IMS with C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT).

Methods

In a prospective observational study, patients of ≥ three-month-old (range 3 months– 90 years) presenting with AFI were enrolled. IMS, blood culture and malaria diagnostics were done upon inclusion and additional diagnostics on clinical indication. CRP, PCT, viral multiplex PCR on nasopharyngeal swabs and bacterial- and malaria PCR were batch-tested retrospectively. Diagnostic classification was done retrospectively using all available data except IMS, CRP and PCT results.

Findings

A diagnosis was affirmed in 549/914 (60.1%) patients and included malaria (n = 191) bacteremia (n = 69), viral infections (n = 145), and malaria-bacteremia co-infections (n = 47). The overall sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value (NPV) of IMS for detection of bacteremia in patients of ≥ 5 years were 97.0% (95% CI: 89.8–99.6), 68.2% (95% CI: 55.6–79.1) and 95.7% (95% CI: 85.5–99.5) respectively, compared to 93.9% (95% CI: 85.2–98.3), 39.4% (95% CI: 27.6–52.2), and 86.7% (95% CI: 69.3–96.2) for CRP at ≥20mg/L. The sensitivity, specificity and NPV of PCT at 0.5 ng/ml were lower at respectively 72.7% (95% CI: 60.4–83.0), 50.0% (95% CI: 37.4–62.6) and 64.7% (95% CI: 50.1–77.6) The diagnostic accuracy of IMS was lower among malaria cases and patients <5 years but remained equal to- or higher than the accuracy of CRP.

Interpretation

IMS is a new diagnostic tool to differentiate causes of AFI. Its high NPV for bacteremia has the potential to improve antibiotic dispensing practices in healthcare facilities with hematology analyzers. Future studies are needed to evaluate whether IMS, combined with malaria diagnostics, may be used to rationalize antimicrobial prescription in malaria endemic areas.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02669823) https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02669823
Emerging fungal pathogen of an invasive grass: Implications for competition with native plant species
Authors: Kendig Amy E. , Svahnström Vida J. , Adhikari Ashish , Harmon Philip F. , Flory S. Luke
Published: March 2021

Infectious diseases and invasive species can be strong drivers of biological systems that may interact to shift plant community composition. For example, disease can modify resource competition between invasive and native species. Invasive species tend to interact with a diversity of native species, and it is unclear how native species differ in response to disease-mediated competition with invasive species. Here, we quantified the biomass responses of three native North American grass species (Dichanthelium clandestinum, Elymus virginicus, and Eragrostis spectabilis) to disease-mediated competition with the non-native invasive grass Microstegium vimineum. The foliar fungal pathogen Bipolaris gigantea has recently emerged in Microstegium populations, causing a leaf spot disease that reduces Microstegium biomass and seed production. In a greenhouse experiment, we examined the effects of B. gigantea inoculation on two components of competitive ability for each native species: growth in the absence of competition and biomass responses to increasing densities of Microstegium. Bipolaris gigantea inoculation affected each of the three native species in unique ways, by increasing (Dichanthelium), decreasing (Elymus), or not changing (Eragrostis) their growth in the absence of competition relative to mock inoculation. Bipolaris gigantea inoculation did not, however, affect Microstegium biomass or mediate the effect of Microstegium density on native plant biomass. Thus, B. gigantea had species-specific effects on native plant competition with Microstegium through species-specific biomass responses to B. gigantea inoculation, but not through modified responses to Microstegium density. Our results suggest that disease may uniquely modify competitive interactions between invasive and native plants for different native plant species.
A fault diagnosis method based on Auxiliary Classifier Generative Adversarial Network for rolling bearing
Authors: Wu Chunming , Zeng Zhou
Published: March 2021

Rolling bearing fault diagnosis is one of the challenging tasks and hot research topics in the condition monitoring and fault diagnosis of rotating machinery. However, in practical engineering applications, the working conditions of rotating machinery are various, and it is difficult to extract the effective features of early fault due to the vibration signal accompanied by high background noise pollution, and there are only a small number of fault samples for fault diagnosis, which leads to the significant decline of diagnostic performance. In order to solve above problems, by combining Auxiliary Classifier Generative Adversarial Network (ACGAN) and Stacked Denoising Auto Encoder (SDAE), a novel method is proposed for fault diagnosis. Among them, during the process of training the ACGAN-SDAE, the generator and discriminator are alternately optimized through the adversarial learning mechanism, which makes the model have significant diagnostic accuracy and generalization ability. The experimental results show that our proposed ACGAN-SDAE can maintain a high diagnosis accuracy under small fault samples, and have the best adaptation performance across different load domains and better anti-noise performance.
Non-thermal plasma modulates cellular markers associated with immunogenicity in a model of latent HIV-1 infection
Authors: Mohamed Hager , Clemen Ramona , Freund Eric , Lackmann Jan-Wilm , Wende Kristian , Connors Jennifer , Haddad Elias K. , Dampier Will , Wigdahl Brian , Miller Vandana , Bekeschus Sander , Krebs Fred C.
Published: March 2021

Effective control of infection by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), the causative agent of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), requires continuous and life-long use of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) by people living with HIV-1 (PLWH). In the absence of ART, HIV-1 reemergence from latently infected cells is ineffectively suppressed due to suboptimal innate and cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses. However, ART-free control of HIV-1 infection may be possible if the inherent immunological deficiencies can be reversed or restored. Herein we present a novel approach for modulating the immune response to HIV-1 that involves the use of non-thermal plasma (NTP), which is an ionized gas containing various reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). J-Lat cells were used as a model of latent HIV-1 infection to assess the effects of NTP application on viral latency and the expression of pro-phagocytic and pro-chemotactic damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). Exposure of J-Lat cells to NTP resulted in stimulation of HIV-1 gene expression, indicating a role in latency reversal, a necessary first step in inducing adaptive immune responses to viral antigens. This was accompanied by the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines including interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ); the display of pro-phagocytic markers calreticulin (CRT), heat shock proteins (HSP) 70 and 90; and a correlated increase in macrophage phagocytosis of NTP-exposed J-Lat cells. In addition, modulation of surface molecules that promote or inhibit antigen presentation was also observed, along with an altered array of displayed peptides on MHC I, further suggesting methods by which NTP may modify recognition and targeting of cells in latent HIV-1 infection. These studies represent early progress toward an effective NTP-basedex vivoimmunotherapy to resolve the dysfunctions of the immune system that enable HIV-1 persistence in PLWH.
Knowledge and practice of clients on preventive measures of COVID-19 pandemic among governmental health facilities in South Wollo, Ethiopia: A facility-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Dewau Reta , Mekonnen Tefera Chane , Tadesse Sisay Eshete , Muche Amare , Bogale Getahun Gebre , Tadesse Amsalu Erkihun
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Coronavirus-19 is a global health challenge and need an immediate action. Thus, understanding client’s knowledge about SARS-COV2 causes, roots of transmissions, and prevention strategies are urgently warranted. Although there were global studies reported knowledge and preventive practices of COVID-19, but the information is not representative and inclusive for Ethiopia. Thus, the current study is done to identify the knowledge and the prevention strategies for COVID-19 among clients in South Wollo, Ethiopia.

Methods

An institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 21 to 30, 2020 among clients seeking service in Dessie town health facilities. A total of 81 clients were included from the selected health facilities with simple random sampling technique. We developed measuring tools by adopting from World Health Organization and center for disease prevention recommendation manual for assessing service providers’ knowledge and preventive practices. For data entry Epi-data 3.1 version was employed and further data management and analysis was performed using STATA Version 14. Student T-test and one way ANOVA were computed to see the mean difference in knowledge and practice between and among the group. Chi-square test was also done to portray the presence of association between different co-variants with client’s knowledge and preventive practices.

Results

Findings of the study showed that more than half (56.8%) of the participants had good knowledge about its symptoms, way of spread and prevention of the virus. Furthermore, 65.4% of clients demonstrated five or more preventive practice measures of COVID-19. The mean preventive practice score with standard deviation was (4.75±1.28 from 6 components). In the current study, knowledge had no significant difference among sex, education status, and monthly income. However, COVID-19 transmission knowledge was significantly higher among urban residents. Thus, clients who were knowledgeable about way of transmission and symptoms of COVID-19 had significantly higher COVID-19 preventive practice.

Conclusion

Our findings revealed that clients’ knowledge and preventive practice of COVID-19 were not optimal. Clients with good knowledge and urban residents had practiced better prevention measures of the pandemic, signifying that packages and programs directed in enhancing knowledge about the virus is useful in combating the pandemic and continuing safe practices.
Rotational stability of modified toric intraocular lens
Authors: Osawa Ryoko , Oshika Tetsuro , Sano Masahiko , Yuguchi Takuma , Kaiya Tadayoshi
Published: March 2021

We evaluated the rotational stability of a new toric intraocular lens (IOL), HOYA XY-1 toric IOL that is an improved version of HOYA 355 toric IOL, with longer overall length (13.0 mm vs. 12.5 mm), shortened unfolding time, and texture processing of the surface of haptics. Data from 193 eyes of 165 patients (76.4 ± 8.3 years old) with preoperative corneal astigmatism exceeding 0.75 diopters who had undergone phacoemulsification and toric IOL implantation were collected and analyzed. Corneal astigmatism, refractive astigmatism, and uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) were evaluated before and 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month after surgery. The degree of IOL decentration, IOL tilt, and toric axis misalignment was assessed at 1 day and 1 month postoperatively. Fifty eyes received AcrySof toric IOL, 51 eyes TECNIS toric IOL, 46 eyes HOYA 355 toric IOL, and 46 eyes HOYA XY-1 toric IOL. The amount of axis misalignment from the intended axis was significantly different among IOLs (p = 0.004, one-way ANOVA), and HOYA XY-1 showed significantly less amount of axis misalignment than TECNIS (p = 0.020, Tukey’s multiple comparison) and HOYA 355 (p = 0.010). The proportion of eyes that showed axis misalignment <10° at 1 month postoperatively was significantly higher with HOYA XY-1 toric IOL than with other toric IOLs (χ2 test, p = 0.020). HOYA XY-1 toric IOL, the modified version of HOYA 355 toric IOL, showed excellent rotational stability in comparison with other models of toric IOLs.
Association of electronic cigarette exposure with serum uric acid level and hyperuricemia: 2016-2017 Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey
Authors: Kim Taeyun , Kim Yunkyung , Kang Jihun
Published: March 2021

Objectives

The present study evaluated the association of electronic cigarette (EC) exposure with serum uric acid (UA) level and hyperuricemia (HUA) using a nationally representative sample of South Korea.

Methods

This study included 10,692 participants (9,905, 609, and 178, never, ever, and current EC users, respectively). Urinary cotinine and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) levels were used to determine conventional smoking exposure among EC users. The association between EC use and UA level was evaluated by linear regression analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between EC and HUA. Subgroup analysis confined to cotinine-verified active smokers was performed to address the association between the dual use of EC and combustible cigarettes and serum UA levels.

Results

The serum UA level was highest among current EC users, followed by ever and never EC users. The prevalence of HUA was 26.2%, 19.3%, and 10.8% in current, ever, and never EC users, respectively. Although EC exposure was positively associated with HUA in a dose-dependent manner only in men (Ptrend = 0.04), a similar tendency was also observed in women with marginal significance (Ptrend = 0.102). The positive association of HUA with EC exposure was more apparent among dual users (odds ratio [OR] = 1.96, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.29–2.99) than among those who only smoked combustible cigarettes.

Conclusions

EC exposure was associated with higher serum UA level and higher OR of HUA. The positive association between EC exposure and HUA was more prominent in dual users who concurrently consumed EC and combustible cigarettes.
O príncipe ideal no século XVI e a obra de D. Jerónimo Osório
Authors: Soares Nair de Nazaré Castro
Published: March 2021

Esta obra trata da formação e da educação integral do homem investido em poder ou senhorio, no Renascimento, a partir das suas fontes Clássicas. A influência dos padrões da educação moderna iniciada em Portugal com a Corte de Avis, vai ganhar importância, em Portugal, com D. João II, D. Manuel e D. João III. Como marco de referência da Cultura Humanística e da Pedagogia Política em Portugal, impõe-se a obra de D. Jerónimo Osório, De regis institutione et disciplina, “Sobre a formação e educação do Rei”, dedicada a D. Sebastião, em 1572, tal como os Lusíadas de Camões, ambas publicadas com a licença do mesmo censor inquisitorial, Bartolomeu Ferreira. Estas obras, uma neolatina e outra em português, que abordam temáticas em muitos aspetos coincidentes, são uma referência incontornável do Portugal de Quinhentos, reflexo da sua cultura e da sua realidade. O famoso Bispo de Silves, D. Jerónimo Osório, o “Cícero Português”, autor do mais importante tratado de educação em Portugal, pela sua cultura, pela sua projeção internacional e pela sua lição formativa do homem integral, é sem dúvida merecedor do relevo que lhe é conferido nesta obra
Multi-agent simulations for emergency situations in an airport scenario
Authors: Bicharra Ana Cristina , Sanchez-Pi Nayat , Correia Luis , Molina José Manuel
Published: March 2021

This paper presents a multi-agent framework using Net- Logo to simulate human and collective behaviors during emergency evacuations. Emergency situation appears when an unexpected event occurs. In indoor emergency situation, evacuation plans defined by facility manager explain procedure and safety ways to follow in an emergency situation. A critical and public scenario is an airportwhere there is an everyday transit of thousands of people. In this scenario the importance is related with incidents statistics regarding overcrowding and crushing in public buildings. Simulation has the objective of evaluating building layouts considering several possible configurations. Agents could be based on reactive behavior like avoid danger or follow other agent, or in deliberative behavior based on BDI model. This tool provides decision support in a real emergency scenario like an airport, analyzing alternative solutions to the evacuation process.
Interventions via Social Influence for Emergent Suboptimal Restraint Use
Authors: Mokom Felicitas , Kobti Ziad
Published: March 2021

Although restraint use has increased primarily in developed countries, vehicle accident-related injuries and deaths continue to be a problem. Alongside lack of restraint use, studies involving suboptimal restraint use have gained recent popularity. In this study we investigate the use of social influence forinterventions to counter emerging suboptimal restraint use in groups of agents.A multi-agent simulation model is provided where dominant individuals use randomly assigned influence rates to repeatedly alter the knowledge of lessinfluential group members. Cultural influence is implemented via a cultural algorithm and used to simulate individuals affected by beliefs in the community. Objectives include investigating the emergence of patterns of restraint selection and use as well as interventions targeted at more influential agents. Results demonstrate that prominent patterns of behaviour similar to the influentialmembers of the groups do emerge. Furthermore, interventions targeted at influential group members outperform interventions targeted at a percentage of the population at large. Interventions succeed at some level both in the presence and absence of cultural influence.
Machine Learning ANN Models for Predicting Sensory Quality of Roasted Coffee Flavoured Sterilized Drink
Authors: Goyal Sumit , Goyal Gyanendra Kumar
Published: March 2021

This paper highlights the significance of feedforward artificial neural network models for predicting shelf life of roasted coffee falvoured sterilized drink. Coffee is one of the most important products for trade in international market. Single as well as multilayer models were explored and different backpropagation algorithms were investigated, Root mean square error and coefficient of determination R2 were used to compare the prediction performance of single and multilayer feedforward ANN models. Experimental results suggested that multilayer models take less time and give better results as compared to single layer ANN models for prediction of sensory quality of roasted coffee falvoured sterilized drink..
Learning Objects Recommendation System: Issues and Approaches for Retrieving, Indexing and Recomend Learning Objects
Authors: Azambuja Silveira Ricardo , Lunardi Comarella Rafaela , Lima Rocha Campos Ronaldo , Vian Jonas , De La Prieta Fernando
Published: March 2021

This paper discusses some important issues regarding the the management of Learning objects covering searching over repositories and different approaches of recommendation systems and presents a multiagent system based application model for indexing, retrieving and recommending learning objects stored in different and heterogeneous repositories. The objects within these repositories are described by filled fields using different metadata (data about data) standards. The searching mechanism covers several different learning object repositories and the same object can be described in these repositories by the use of different types of fields. Aiming to improve accuracy and coverage in terms of recovering a learning object and improve the relevance of the results we propose an information retrieval model based on a multiagent system approach and an ontological model to describe the covered knowledge domain.
Eficácia da Técnica de Colpossuspensão a Burch Laparoscópica para o Tratamento da Incontinência Urinária de Esforço: Uma Revisão Sistemática / Efficacy of the Colpossuspension Technique to Laparoscopic Burch for the Treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence: A Systematic Review
Authors: Pacheco Alison De Santana , Vasconcelos Neto José Ananias
Published: March 2021

Resumo: A incontinência urinária ocorre em 30% das mulheres no mundo é uma condição prevalente com carga médica, social e psicológica significativae com o aumento da expectativa de vida da população é esperado que esse valor se eleve. Assim, fez-se necessários estudos que avaliem a eficácia dos tratamentos disponíveis na atualidade. Objetivos:  Objetivou-se discutir a eficácia do tratamento da incontinência urinária com o uso do método de colpossuspensão a Burch laparoscópica descritos na literatura científica nos últimos dez anos. Metodologia: Foi realizada uma revisão sistemática, a qual utiliza de fonte de dados a literatura sobre determinado tema. Resultados: O processo de seleção dos artigos nas bases de dados SciELO (11,1%), LILACS (11,1%) e MEDLINE (88,8%). A taxa de cura objetiva variou de 70,7% a 90,6% e a subjetiva de 31% a 77,8%. A taxa de recidiva esteve presente em três (33,3%) variando de 2,2% a 9,3%. A colpossuspensão foi realizada com outras cirurgias ginecológicas em 33,3% dos estudos. O mesmo valor foi encontrado na realização de comparações com a colpossuspensão laparotômica, sling retropúbico e um com sling two-team; com a quantidade de pontos utilizados na colpossuspensão e o custo financeiro entre as abordagens cirúrgicas. A taxa de complicação intra operatório variou de 0% a 14,9% e pós-operatório de 0% a 20%. O grau de satisfação dos pacientes foi abordado em 33,3% do estudo com variação de 51% a 90%. O tempo de seguimento das pacientes variou de seis a 60 meses. Conclusão: Com base nas características das pesquisas analisadas, verifica-se a necessidade de estudos mais amplos que realizem a comparação da colpossuspensão laparoscópica de Burch com outras abordagens terapêuticas cirúrgicas para a incontinência urinária.
Circulating Macrophage Activation Markers Predict Transplant-Free Survival in Patients With Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
Authors: Bossen Lars , Vesterhus Mette , Hov Johannes R. , Färkkilä Martti , Rosenberg William M. , Møller Holger J. , Boberg Kirsten M. , Karlsen Tom H. , Grønbæk Henning
Published: March 2021

INTRODUCTION:

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a progressive liver disease characterized by bile duct inflammation and fibrosis. The role of macrophages in PSC development and progression is less studied. Macrophage activation markers soluble (s)CD163 and mannose receptor (sMR) are associated with disease severity and outcome in other liver diseases, but not previously investigated in PSC. We evaluated sCD163 and sMR regarding disease severity and prognosis in patients with PSC.

METHODS:

We investigated 2 independent PSC cohorts from Oslo (n = 138) and Helsinki (n = 159) and analyzed blood sCD163 and sMR levels. The Mayo score, Enhanced Liver Fibrosis Test, and Amsterdam-Oxford model were assessed for comparison.

RESULTS:

Median (interquartile range) sCD163 was 3.32 (2.27–5.60) and 1.96 (1.47–2.70) mg/L in the Oslo and Helsinki cohorts, respectively, reflecting differences in disease severity between cohorts. Median sMR was similar in both cohorts, 0.28 (0.22–0.44) and 0.28 mg/L (0.20–0.36), respectively. In both cohorts, sCD163 and sMR levels raised with increasing disease severity (liver enzymes, Mayo score, and enhanced liver fibrosis test). Patients with high baseline levels of sCD163 had shorter transplant-free survival than patients with low baseline levels. Furthermore, sCD163 was associated with transplant-free survival in univariate cox-regression analyses. Both sCD163 and sMR performed better in the Oslo cohort of more severely diseased patients than those in the Helsinki cohort of more mildly diseased patients.

DISCUSSION:

Macrophage activation markers are elevated according to disease severity suggesting an important role of macrophages in PSC. Furthermore, sCD163 was identified as a prognostic marker and predictor of transplant-free survival in PSC (see Visual Abstract, Supplementary Digital Content 4, http://links.lww.com/CTG/A516).
Support for osteopathic manipulative treatment inclusion in chronic pain management guidelines: a narrative review
Authors: Franzetti Megan , Dries Emily , Stevens Brady , Berkowitz Lisa , Yao Sheldon C.
Published: March 2021

Context

Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is used to treat chronic pain conditions. However, few guidelines focusing on chronic pain management include recommendations for OMT.

Objectives

To evaluate previous literature on the use of OMT for improving chronic pain.

Methods

A literature search was conducted on MEDLINE/PubMed and ScienceDirect on August 26–27, 2019, using the terms “osteopathic,” “chronic,” and “pain,” yielding a total of 312 MEDLINE/PubMed articles and 515 ScienceDirect articles. Eligibility criteria required that studies investigate pain, functional status, or medication usage through an experimental design, focusing on human subjects with chronic pain who had various forms of OMT administered by osteopathically trained individuals in which the comparator group received no intervention, a sham or placebo, or conventional care. Three authors independently performed literature searches and methodically settled disagreements over article selection.

Results

In the 22 articles included in our study that examined OMT use in chronic pain conditions, we evaluated primary outcomes of pain (22; 100%) and functional status (20; 90.9%), and the secondary outcome of medication usage (3; 13.6%). The majority of articles showed that OMT resulted in a significant decrease in pain levels as compared to baseline pain levels or the control group (20; 90.9%) and that OMT resulted in an improvement in functional status (17; 77.3%). In articles that did not find a significant difference in pain (2; 9.1%) or functional status (3; 13.6%), there were overall outcomes improvements noted. All articles that investigated medication usage (3; 13.6%) showed that OMT was effective in decreasing patients’ medication usage. Our study was limited by its small sample size and multimodal comparator group exclusion.

Conclusions

OMT provides an evidence-based management option to reduce pain levels, improve functional status, and decrease medication usage in chronic pain conditions, especially low back pain (LBP). Pain management guidelines should include OMT as a resource to alleviate chronic pain.
On the modeling of pulp properties in CTMP processes
Authors: Bengtsson Fredrik , Karlström Anders , Wik Torsten
Published: March 2021

The goal of this paper is to model the pulp properties fiber length, shives width and freeness. This will be done utilizing specific energy, flat zone inlet consistency and the internal variables, consistencies and fiber residence times estimated from refining zone soft sensors. The models are designed using more than 3600 hours of data from a RGP82CD refiner. The pulp properties are sampled using a measurement device positioned after the latency chest. Such measurements are noisy and irregularly sampled which opens for a number of challenges to overcome in modeling procedures. In this paper it is shown that the models for shives width and fiber length are capable of predicting most of the major dynamics. However, for freeness no reliable linear models can be derived. When estimating fiber length, the specific energy together with flat zone inlet consistency, fiber residence times and the consistency in the conical zone were the dominant inputs. For shives width it was found that a similar set of inputs resulted in the best models, except that the consistencies during normal process conditions did not significantly influence shives width. Furthermore, fiber residence times were shown to have considerably more pronounced impact on fiber length compared with shives width estimates.
Stingray envenomation and injury in a dog
Authors: Adegboye Olutoye , Adegboye Olusegun
Published: March 2021

The stingray, a seemingly harmless cartilaginous fish, is capable of causing painful injuries and envenomation in humans. There is no known peer reviewed case report involving dogs in a veterinary journal at the time of writing this case report. Poor management of the condition or overzealous attempts to remove embedded barbs has resulted in complications in humans. This case report presents an effective approach to the treatment of stingray envenomation in dogs which is likely to be reproducible in other domestic animals. Clearly elucidated are the principles behind antibiotic therapy in the treatment of stingray injuries and the benefit of lignocaine injection in cases of embedded stingers. There is a need for case reports to enhance clinical knowledge of stingray management in domestic animals. This case report, thus, serves as an impetus for future research in this area of veterinary medicine.
Degradation of moxifloxacin by ionizing radiation and toxicity assessment
Authors: Muneer Majid , Kanjal Muhammad Imran , Saeed Muhammad , Jamal Muhammad Asghar , Haq Atta ul , Iqbal Munawar , Haq Ehsan ul , Ali Saddaqat
Published: March 2021

The gamma ray induced degradation of moxifloxacin in aqueous media has been evaluated. The drug solutions (50 & 100 mg/L) were irradiated to absorbed doses of 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, 1.2, 1.5, 2, 3 and 4 kGy using Cs-137 gamma radiation source. The parameters such as drug initial concentration, oxidant (H2O2) concentration and gamma ray absorbed doses were optimized. The efficiency of Advanced oxidation processes (AOP) was evaluated on the basis of degradation, reduction in chemical oxygen demand (COD) and toxicity reduction of the drug. The maximum degradation of 94.01 and 88.30% was achieved when drug solutions were exposed to gamma irradiation absorbed dose of 4 kGy which enhanced to 100 and 99.06% in the presence of H2O2 (0.5 mL/L) for 50 and 100 mg/L respectively. A significant reduction in COD 72 and 75% for 50 mg/L while 65 and 69% in case of 100 mg/L was noted using gamma and gamma/H2O2 respectively at absorbed dose of 4 kGy. The parameters such as dose constant (k), removal efficiency (G-value), gamma ray absorbed doses required for 50, 90 and 99% degradation (D
0.50, D
0.90 and D
0.99) have been calculated. The radiolytic degradation was monitored by UV–Vis spectrophotometer and HPLC, FT-IR studies were performed to investigate the change in functional groups before and after treatment, while GC-MS analysis was carried out to monitor intermediates/degraded end-products. The FT-IR spectra has shown complete destruction of aromatic rings after radiation treatment but a minor peak appeared at 1216 cm−1 corresponding to CO stretching. The GC-MS study for the drug samples treated with gamma/H2O2 has shown no any significant peak which confirms the complete degradation. The cytotoxicity of treated samples was carried out by hemolytic assay and mutagenicity using Ames test before and after each treatment. The hemolytic test showed 73.92% hemolysis, while gamma/H2O2 treatment reduced the mutagenicity to 74.08 and 65.66% against TA98 and TA100 bacterial strains respectively. The response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the data. The obtained data elaborate that gamma/H2O2process is promising approach for the remediation of pharmaceutical waste effluent.
Środowiska naukowe związane z Instytutem Studiów Kobiecych w Białymstoku i ich wkład we współczesne polskie badania z zakresu historii kobiet (2011-2019)
Authors:   Uniwersytet w Białymstoku, Miodowski Adam
Published: March 2021

W 2011 r. powstał w Białymstoku Instytut Studiów Kobiecych. Działające od blisko dziesięciu lat stowarzyszenie podjęło w tym czasie szereg inicjatyw ukierunkowanych na prowadzenie i upowszechnianie badań z zakresu historii kobiet oraz ich współczesnej aktywności w przestrzeni społecznej, kulturalnej, medialnej, politycznej, gospodarczej i naukowej. Wśród najważniejszych projektów realizowanych przez Instytut należy wskazać wieloletni cykl debat naukowych pod ogólnym tytułem Kobiety w życiu publicznym. Zainicjowano też ogólnopolską serię konferencji naukowych Polityka i politycy w prasie XX i XXI wieku, która uzyskała rangę międzynarodowej. Ukazały się też cenione tomy pokonferencyjne. Kluczowe znaczenie dla szerszej prezentacji wyników prowadzonych badań z zakresu historii kobiet i ich współczesnej aktywności było utworzenie „Czasopisma Naukowego Instytutu Studiów Kobiecych” oraz jego wprowadzenie na listę czasopism punktowanych Ministerstwa Nauki i Szkolnictwa Wyższego. Jeszcze ważniejszym osiągnięciem Instytutu Studiów Kobiecych stało się powołanie Ośrodka Badań Historii Kobiet. W jego prace zaangażowane są badaczki i badacze z Uniwersytetu w Białymstoku, Uniwersytetu Marii Curie-Skłodowskiej w Lublinie, Uniwersytetu Jana Kochanowskiego w Kielcach, Uniwersytetu Szczecińskiego, Uniwersytetu Pedagogicznego im. Komisji Edukacji Narodowej w Krakowie i innych uczelni. Wykrystalizowanie się tego ogólnopolskiego, międzyuczelnianego środowiska naukowo-badawczego uznać należy za zwieńczenie pierwszej dekady działalności kierowanego przez prof. Małgorzatę Dajnowicz Instytutu Studiów Kobiecych.
Ruchy kobiece i aktywność kobiet jako przedmiot badań – szanse i wyzwania
Authors:   Uniwersytet Pedagogiczny im. KEN w Krakowie, Gajda Joanna
Published: March 2021

W dyskusji nad badaniami ruchów kobiecych i analizą aktywności kobiet warto zatrzymać się nad wyzwaniami związanymi z samym przedmiotem. W rzetelnym procesie badań jego definiowanie i konstruowanie nie powinno być pomijane. Różne podejścia wynikają z wielości paradygmatów, dyscyplin, kontekstów i zainteresowań badawczych. Operacjonalizacja przedmiotu determinuje sposób badania, czyli stosowane metody i techniki zbierania danych oraz ich analizy. Wyniki badań przeprowadzonych w różnych paradygmatach wydają się być nieporównywalne i całkowicie odrębne. Artykuł ma na celu przedstawienie głównych wyzwań i szans związanych z realizacją badań społecznych poprzez dookreślenie przedmiotu. Przedstawione zostaną inspirujące przykłady opartego o dane wtórne podejścia syntezy badań (research synthesis), które ma u podstaw założenie kumulatywnego charakteru wiedzy naukowej. Na przykładzie wybranych projektów opisane zostaną dobre praktyki oraz wyzwania, z którymi będzie mierzyć się badaczka lub badacz podejmujący temat aktywności kobiet w badaniach społecznych.
Redaktorki „Mojej Przyjaciółki” (1934-1939) i „Przyjaciółki” w okresie czytelnikowskim (1948-luty 1951)
Authors:   Uniwersytet Kazimierza Wielkiego w Bydgoszczy, Wodniak Katarzyna
Published: March 2021

Artykuł ma być próbą przybliżenia środowisk twórczyń najbardziej masowych tytułów prasowych dla kobiet: przedwojennego dwutygodnika „Moja Przyjaciółka” ukazującego się w latach 1934-1939 w Zakładach Wydawniczych Alfreda Krzyckiego oraz wzorowanego na nim tygodnika „Przyjaciółka” z okresu, kiedy jego wydawcą był Instytut Prasy Spółdzielni Wydawniczo-Oświatowej „Czytelnik” (marzec 1948 – luty 1951). Analizie porównawczej poddane zostały sylwetki dziesięciu redaktorek, graficzek i publicystek „Mojej Przyjaciółki” oraz przygotowanie i drogi do zawodu takiej samej liczby dziennikarek związanych z „Przyjaciółką” powojenną. Na jej podstawie można stwierdzić, że pierwsze z pism, o ogólnokrajowym zasięgu, choć powstające w prowincjonalnym Żninie na Pałukach, tworzyły niezamężne dwudziestolatki stawiające swoje pierwsze kroki zawodowe w rodzinnym przedsiębiorstwie Krzyckich i przechodzące tam przez wszystkie etapy pracy redakcyjnej. Drugi z periodyków, będący elementem większego projektu kulturalno-oświatowego „Czytelnika” obliczonego na pozyskanie szerokich rzesz ludowego audytorium kobiecego, mającego dotąd znikomy lub żaden kontakt z prasą, „miały robić przedwojenne, dobrze wykształcone komunistki z inteligenckich domów” specjalnie wyselekcjonowane i przygotowane do pracy w czasopiśmie kobiecym.
Obraz Ligi Kobiet na łamach prasy dla kobiet w okresie gomułkowskim (1956-1970)
Authors:   Uniwersytet Marii Curie-Skłodowskiej w Lublinie, Jędrzejski Łukasz
Published: March 2021

Artykuł ma na celu przedstawienie propagandowych obrazów Ligi Kobiet największej i najpopularniejszej organizacji kobiecej w Polskiej Rzeczypospolitej Ludowej. Cezury czasowe przyjęte do przeprowadzenia procedury badawczej obejmowały lata 1956-1970 i wyznaczone były przez okres sprawowana funkcji I sekretarza Komitetu Centralnego przez Władysława Gomułkę. Prasa dla kobiet (dedykowana płci) była elementem systemu medialnego Polskiej Rzeczypospolitej Ludowej. W toku eksploracji tematu spożytkowano artykuły poświęcone działalności Ligi Kobiet na łamach „Kobiety i Życia” i „Zwierciadła”.
Liga Kobiet w okręgu białostockim w latach 1956-1975. Kierunki i efekty działalności
Authors:   Uniwersytet w Białymstoku, Zaniewska Agnieszka
Published: March 2021

Działalność Ligi Kobiet w okręgu białostockim w okresie rządów Władysława Gomułki i pierwszych latach rządów Edwarda Gierka była zgodna z polityką Polskiej Zjednoczonej Partii Robotniczej. Organizacja kobieca działająca w systemie komunistycznym i stanowiąca zaplecze propagandowe partii rządzącej prowadziła działalność popularyzującą panujący ustrój polityczny. Niniejszy artykuł prezentuje główne aktywności podejmowane przez Ligę Kobiet w północno-wschodniej części Polski Ludowej, a także rezultaty jej działalności prezentowane na łamach biuletynu „Nasza Praca” oraz wybranej prasy regionalnej.
Obraz organizacji kobiecych na łamach polskiej prasy dla kobiet w okresie transformacji ustrojowej
Authors:   Uniwersytet Marii Curie-Skłodowskiej w Lublinie, Szwed-Walczak Anna
Published: March 2021

Transformacja ustrojowa w Polsce sprzyjała rozwojowi formalnych inicjatyw społecznych. Na tym polu dostrzegalne były również zinstytucjonalizowane działania kobiet. Już 4 października 1989 r. zarejestrowano Polskie Stowarzyszenie Feministyczne. Rozpoczął się proces rozbudzania „solidarności płci”, konstytuowania polskiego ruchu feministycznego i formalizacji działań organizacji nawiązujących do idei równouprawnienia płci. Asumptem do legalizacji działań środowisk kobiecych był projekt ustawy penalizującej aborcję, ale też nieobsadzenie urzędu pełnomocnika do spraw kobiet. W tym kontekście można było spodziewać się wzrostu liczby materiałów prasowych dotyczących zorganizowanej działalności kobiet. Celem badań była rekonstrukcja medialnego obrazu organizacji kobiecych, który był prezentowany w najpopularniejszych polskich pismach dedykowanych kobietom („Kobieta i Życie”, „Przyjaciółka”, „Zwierciadło”) w latach 1989- 1992. Cezura badawcza odpowiadała pierwszej fazie transformacji systemowej w Polsce. Inicjował ją rok, w którym odbyły się Obrady Okrągłego Stołu, a kończył rok uchwalenia tzw. małej konstytucji w 1992 r.