THE CONTRIBUTION OF STRUCTURED PLAY AS A PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL TOOL FOR STUDENTS WITH HIGH-FUNCTIONING ASD IN KINDERGARTEN: THE TEACHERS' PERSPECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of structured play as a learning and educational tool for students with high-functioning ASD. Qualitative research was applied to investigate the above purpose. 12 semi-structured interviews were conducted with primary school kindergarten teachers. The results of the survey showed that the majority of the teachers considered structured play to be necessary for the effective education of students with high-functioning ASD. Also, educators can easily integrate it into their daily educational practice, although the curriculum limits its use. The biggest obstacles that teachers encounter have to do with available educational materials, infrastructure and the need for training. The majority of teachers stated that new technology and digital play are very important in enhancing the skills and progress of students with high-functioning ASD. Finally, teachers differed among themselves regarding the gendered dimension of gaming with the majority stating that they do not choose games that reinforce stereotypes.  Article visualizations

Modelling of turbulent combustion using the Rate-Controlled Constrained Equilibrium (RCCE) - Arti cial Neural Networks (ANNs) approach

The objective of this work is the formulation, development and implementation of Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) to turbulent combustion problems, for the representation of reduced chemical kinetics. Although ANNs are general and robust tools for simulating dynamical systems within reasonable computational times, their employment in combustion has been limited. In previous studies, ANNs were trained with data collected from either the test case of interest or from a similar problem. To overcome this training drawback, in this work, ANNs are trained with samples generated from an abstract problem; the laminar flamelet equation, allowing the simulation of a wide range of problems. To achieve this, the first step is to reduce a detailed chemical mechanism to a manageable number of variables. This task is performed by the Rate-Controlled Constrained Equilibrium (RCCE) reduction method. The training data sets consist of the composition of points with random mixture fraction, recorded from flamelets with random strain rates. The training, testing and simulation of the ANNs is carried out via the Self-Organising Map - Multilayer Perceptrons (SOM-MLPs) approach. The SOM-MLPs combination takes advantage of a reference map and splits the chemical space into domains of chemical similarity, allowing the employment of a separate MLP for each sub-domain. The RCCE-ANNs tabulation is used to replace conventional chemistry integration methods in RANS computations and LES of real turbulent flames. In the context of RANS the interaction of turbulence and combustion is described by using a PDF method utilising stochastic Lagrangian particles. In LES the sub-grid PDF is represented by an ensemble of Eulerian stochastic fields. Test cases include non-premixed and partially premixed turbulent flames in both non-piloted and piloted burner configurations. The comparison between RCCE-ANNs, real-time RCCE and experimental measurements shows good overall agreement in reproducing the overall flame structure and a significant speed-up of CPU time by the RCCE-ANN method.Open Acces

The preconditioned Gmres method in the inverse design of aerodynanic shapes using the adjoint techniques

88 σ.Στόχος είναι o προσδιορισμός του κέρδους σε υπολογιστικό χρόνο (επιτάχυνση-speedup) από την εφαρμογή της προσταθεροποιημένης GMRES συγκριτικά με επιλύτες, όπως ο Jacobi, που το λογισμικό επίλυσης χρησιμοποιούσε μέχρι τώρα. Η σύγκριση γίνεται κυρίως μεταξύ της αποδοτικότερης GMRES και Jacobi. Για αυτό, γίνεται εκτενής διερεύνηση των παραμέτρων που επηρεάζουν τη σύγκλιση της μεθόδου GMRES. Για μεν τη GMRES, εξετάστηκε η αποδοτικότερη διάστασης της διανυσματικής βάσης και των επαναλήψεων προσταθεροποίησης για δε τη Jacobi του αριθμού επαναλήψεων. Επιπλέον εξετάζονται διάφορες μέθοδοι προσταθεροποίησης της GMRES ώστε να βρεθεί η πιο αποδοτική για τα προβλήματα που εξετάζονται. Η διερεύνηση των παραμέτρων αυτών γίνεται σε αντίστροφο σχεδιασμό αεροτομών και πτερύγωσης με στόχο συγκεκριμένες κατανομές πίεσης, που εκφράζονται από συγκεκριμένο συντελεστή πίεσης, γύρω από ή μεσα σε αυτές. Οι συζυγείς εξισώσεις επιλύονται σε (μη--δομημένα) πλέγματα διαφόρων αριθμών κόμβων καθώς και σε ατριβείς, στρωτές και τυρβώδεις ροές. Βάσει των παρατηρήσεων που έγιναν προσδιορίσθηκε η αποδοτικότερη διαμόρφωση της μεθόδου GMRES που χρησιμοποιείται στην επίλυση προβλημάτων αερο-θερμοδυναμικού σχεδιασμού και βελτιστοποίησης. Αυτή χρησιμοποιήθηκε για το προσδιορισμό του υπολογιστικού κέρδους στο σχεδιασμό εναλλάκτη θερμότητας, μέσω των συζυγών τεχνικών, με στόχο την ελαχιστοποίηση των απωλειών ολικής πίεσης του διερχόμενου ρεύματος ρευστού ενώ μεγιστοποιείται η μεταφορά θερμότητας στο εσωτερικό του. Στην περίπτωση αυτή, η GMRES εφαρμόσθηκε, πέρα από την επίλυση του συζυγούς προβλήματος, στην επίλυση των εξισώσεων ροής (μη-γραμμικές) αλλά και στην εξίσωση μεταφοράς θερμότητας (γραμμική). Η εφαρμογή στις μη-γραμμικές εξισώσεις ροής (μετά από γραμμικοποίηση) δείχνει ότι μπορεί να επιτευχθεί ακόμη μεγαλύτερο υπολογιστικό κέρδος από τη χρήση της μη-γραμμικής GMRES σε τέτοια συστήματα, αν αυτά προγραμματισθούν και χρησιμοποιηθούν.This Diploma Thesis focuses on the application of the Restarted, Preconditioned GMRES (Generalised Minimal Residual Method) to optimization problems and especially to inverse design and to optimization of shapes common in the field of mechanical engineering. GMRES, as a solution method for linear systems, is applied to those systems which are produced by the discrete and continuous adjoint method od optimazation. The shapes to be designed/optimized geometries are airfoil, cascade and the tubes of a heat exchanger. Our target is to estimate the speedup when using the GMRES method instead of the Jacobi method. Comparison takes place between the optimal, in terms of computing time, GMRES and Jacobi. For that reason we investigate extensively the convergence parameters of those methods. Concerning GMRES, we locate the optimal dimension of vector basis and preconditioning sub-iterations. Regarding the Jacobi method, we locate the optimal value of iterations. In addition, several preconditioning methods are tested in order to find the optimal one in the presented applications. This investigation is related with inverse design of an airfoil and a cascade aiming a known pressure distribution, signified by a given pressure coefficient, around and through them. The adjoint equations are solved on unstructured grids of different node numbers, for inviscid and viscous (laminar and turbulent) flows. Taking into account observations made we define the optimal GMRES configuration which is recommended in problems of aerothermodynamic optimization. This is used to compute the Speedup achieved in the optimization of a heat exchanger. The target in this design is to minimize the major flow losses of total pressure while we maximize the heat transfer phenomena between the cold and the hot fluid flows. In this case, apart from solving the adjoint equations, GMRES is used to solve the flow equations (which are non linear) and the one of heat exchange (linear) through the exchanger. By using GMRES to the non linear system of flow equations we give a first estimation of the Speedup we expect to obtain.Αθανάσιος Κ. Χατζόπουλο

TRAF4/6 Is Needed for CD44 Cleavage and Migration via RAC1 Activation

Simple Summary Tumor cells receive signals from the surrounding extracellular matrix that affect their growth and survival. An important component of the extracellular matrix is the large polysaccharide hyaluronan, which binds and activates certain receptors at the cell surface, including CD44. Activation of CD44 initiates several signaling pathways; one of them involves the cleavage of CD44 by proteases, leading to the release of the intracellular domain of CD44, which after translocation to the nucleus affects the transcription of certain genes. In the present report, we elucidate the mechanism by which CD44 is cleaved, and show that this occurs at an increased rate in stem-like tumor cells grown in spheres. We also show that CD44 cleavage promotes the migration of tumor cells. Since the mechanism we have elucidated promotes tumorigenesis, it is possible that inhibition of this pathway may be beneficial in the treatment of tumor patients. The hyaluronan receptor CD44 can undergo proteolytic cleavage in two steps, leading to the release of its intracellular domain; this domain is translocated to the nucleus, where it affects the transcription of target genes. We report that CD44 cleavage in A549 lung cancer cells and other cells is promoted by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta) in a manner that is dependent on ubiquitin ligase tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 4 or 6 (TRAF4 or TRAF6, respectively). Stem-like A549 cells grown in spheres displayed increased TRAF4-dependent expression of CD44 variant isoforms, CD44 cleavage, and hyaluronan synthesis. Mechanistically, TRAF4 activated the small GTPase RAC1. CD44-dependent migration of A549 cells was inhibited by siRNA-mediated knockdown of TRAF4, which was rescued by the transfection of a constitutively active RAC1 mutant. Our findings support the notion that TRAF4/6 mediates pro-tumorigenic effects of CD44, and suggests that inhibitors of CD44 signaling via TRAF4/6 and RAC1 may be beneficial in the treatment of tumor patients

When lack of sleep takes its toll on communication: an assessment of pragmatic abilities in two children following sleep deprivation

Sleep deprivation affects numerous cognitive processes. Children populations have not been studied thoroughly, with regard to the effect of sleep deprivation on communication abilities. In this study, we investigate the pragmatic competence following acute sleep deprivation. Two eleven-year-old boys were evaluated on their pragmatic ability before and following sleep deprivation. The conversations were video-recorded, transcribed and analyzed using the CHAT conventions. The Pragmatic Evaluation Protocol Revised (PREP-R) was administered for the investigation of pragmatic ability. Both children demonstrated a significantly lower performance following acute sleep deprivation. Their specific pragmatic ability and grammatically-based pragmatic ability were impaired. The subjects were unable to use lexical, morphological and syntactic cohesion, and encountered difficulties in the interaction and the managing of pauses. Acute sleep deprivation affects pragmatic competence, mainly due to difficulties in alertness, attention, working memory, and executive dysfunction in general. Variability in the pragmatic ability of the two subjects implies that more studies, focused on the cognitive deficits after sleep deprivation can cast more light on the evaluation of pragmatic ability

Inflammatory markers and plaque morphology: An optical coherence tomography study

Background: OCT with its unique image resolution is the ideal method to detect culprit lesion characteristics in different clinical presentations. The identification of inflammatory markers related to plaque characteristics may be of clinical importance. Methods: Thirty-two patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and fourteen patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP) were enrolled in this study. Culprit lesion morphology was assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients with ACS and SAP. The possible relations between serum levels of high sensitivity-C reactive protein (hs-CRP) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) with plaque characteristics were investigated in those patients. Results: Plaque rupture and thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) were detected more frequently in ACS patients compared with SAP patients, (78.6% vs. 14.3%, p<0.001, 92.9% vs. 14.3%, p<0.001, respectively). Higher levels of serum hs-CRP and IL-18 were found in patients with plaque rupture vs. those with no plaque rupture (median value: 19.2 mg/L vs. 1.6 mg/L, p<0.001 and 219.5 pg/ml vs. 127.5 pg/ml, p=0.001 respectively), and TCFA vs. those without TCFA (median value: 15.2 mg/L vs. 1.6 mg/L, p=0.004 and 209.0 pg/ml vs. 153.2 pg/ml, p=0.03 respectively). Serum hs-CRP was the only independent predictor of plaque rupture (p=0.02, odds ratio 1.1, 95% confidence interval 1.0 to 1.2). A cut-off value of hs-CRP>4.5 mg/L could detect ruptured plaque with a sensitivity of 91.7% and a specificity of 77.8%. Conclusions: OCT detected plaque rupture and TCFA more frequent in ACS patients compared with SAP. Elevated hs-CRP and IL-18 were positively related to plaque instability and rupture. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved

Opportunistic screening for hypertension in the general population in Greece: International Society of Hypertension May Measurement Month 2019

Hypertension remains a major public health issue with inadequate control worldwide. The May Measurement Month (MMM) initiative by the International Society of Hypertension was implemented in Greece in 2019 aiming to raise hypertension awareness and control. Adult volunteers (>= 18years) were recruited through opportunistic screening in five urban areas. Information on medical history and triplicate sitting blood pressure (BP) measurements were obtained using validated automated upper-arm devices. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP >= 140mmHg and/or diastolic >= 90mmHg, and/or self-reported use of drugs for hypertension. A total of 5727 were analysed [mean age 52.7 (SD 16.6) years, men 46.5%, 88.3% had BP measurement in the last 18months]. The prevalence of hypertension was (41.6%) and was higher in men and in older individuals. Among individuals with hypertension, 78.7% were diagnosed, 73.1% treated, and 48.3% controlled. Awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension were higher in women and in older individuals. Hypertensives had a higher body mass index (BMI) and were more likely to have diabetes, myocardial infarction and stroke, and less likely to smoke than normotensives (all P<0.001). Among treated hypertensives, 65.1% were on monotherapy, and with increasing number of antihypertensive drugs the BP levels were higher and hypertension control rates lower. The prevalence of hypertension in Greece is high, with considerable potential for improving awareness, treatment, and control. Screening programmes, such as MMM, need to be widely implemented at the population level, together with training programmes for healthcare professionals aiming to optimise management and control

mRNA expression of specific HER ligands and their association with clinical outcome in patients with metastatic breast cancer treated with trastuzumab

Prognostic and predictive biomarkers are being studied for the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. The present study retrospectively assessed the mRNA expression of HER family receptor ligands and of other potential prognostic biomarkers and their association with time to progression (TTP), survival and clinicopathological characteristics in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) treated with trastuzumab. A total of 145 tumour tissue samples were analysed. mRNA expression analysis of the transcripts of interest was performed and the association of these markers with selected clinicopathological parameters was examined. HER2 status was centrally re-evaluated. Only 67.6% of patients were truly HER2-positive according to the central HER2 re-evaluation. Heparin binding epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like growth factor, transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFB1) and thyroid hormone receptor alpha (THRA) mRNA expression was higher in HER2-positive patients (P=0.026, P<0.001 and P<0.001). Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 4 was correlated with retinoic acid receptor alpha, TGFB1 and THRA (rho=0.45, rho=0.60 and rho=0.45). In HER2-positive patients, high neuregulin 1 and high betacellulin were unfavourable factors for TTP [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.78, P=0.040 and HR=2.00, P=0.043, respectively]. In patients with de novo MBC, high EGF expression was associated with a non-significant prolongation of TTP (HR=0.52, P=0.080) and significantly longer survival (HR=0.40, P=0.020). The present study examined clinical and biological implications of specific genes and it was concluded that their expression has an impact on the outcome of trastuzumab-treated patients with MBC