An IMS LD Graphic Editor using the graphs representation for modifying the course structures

Commentary on: Chapter 20: Delivery of Learning Design: the Explor@ System?s Case. (Paquette, Marino, De la Teja, Léonard, & Lundgren-Cayrol, 2005) Abstract: We developed a Web portal, named netUniversité, that enables the teachers to create their courses online then to visualize, manage and participate to them. In order to create and execute the courses content, we have implemented an IMS LD player and an IMS LD web course content editor. These modules are integrated in the netUniversité;. Using this application the teacher can automatically generate educational Web site structures, adding the pedagogical contents in these structures. However, the main weakness of a web editor (like ours) is the lack of a global view of course structure. These aspects prompted us to create a graphical editor that offers to the teacher a perspective on the IMS LD document with the possibility to perform some basic editing operations (adding, moving, deleting) in order to complete the web editor. In this paper we describe our approach concerning this graphical editor that is included in the web editor to the netUniversité; web portal. Editors: Colin Tattersall and Rob Koper

Computer-supported collaborative decision-making

This is a book about how management and control decisions are made by persons who collaborate and possibly use the support of an information system. The decision is the result of human conscious activities aiming at choosing a course of action for attaining a certain objective (or a set of objectives). The act of collaboration implies that several entities who work together and share responsibilities to jointly plan, implement and evaluate a program of activities to achieve the common goals. The book is intended to present a balanced view of the domain to include both well-established concepts and a selection of new results in the domains of methods and key technologies. It is meant to answer several questions, such as: a) “How are evolving the business models towards the ever more collaborative schemes?”; b) “What is the role of the decision-maker in the new context?” c) “What are the basic attributes and trends in the domain of decision-supporting information systems?”; d) “Which are the basic methods to aggregate the individual preferences?” e)“What is the impact of modern information and communication technologies on the design and usage of decision support systems for groups of people?”.

Sternal cleft – A rare congenital malformation

AbstractSternal cleft is a rare congenital malformation. We present the case of a new-born with complete sternal cleft and skin defect, without any other associated anomaly. Operated on in the neo-natal period, the post-operative recovery was good. She developed a transitory right lateral cervical lymphangioma, which resolved spontaneously. The follow up at 4 years revealed no complications

Cardiovascular Effects of Cumulative Doses of Radioiodine in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Radioiodine (131I) therapy for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) involves exposure of the whole body, including the heart, to ionizing radiation. This exposure to the subsequent risk of heart disease is uncertain, especially in patients with DTC associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DTC/+T2DM). The current study aimed to assess the relationship between left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), high cumulative 131I dose, and peripheral blood parameters in patients with DTC/−T2DM and DTC/+T2DM. The study enrolled 72 female patients with DTC/−T2DM and 24 with DTC/+T2DM who received cumulative 131I doses above 150 mCi (5.55 GBq). LVEF was lower in patients with concomitant T2DM than those without (p 131I dosage was inversely correlated with LVEF only in DTC/−T2DM patients (r = −0.57, p r = −0.67, p r = −0.76, p 131I doses has different cardiovascular effects in DTC/−T2DM and DTC/+T2DM

An Updated Distribution of the Herpetofauna from the Natura 2000 Site Rarău-Giumalău (Rosci0212), Romania

Amphibians and reptiles are among the most threatened animal species in Europe. Because of their legal conservation status, amphibians and reptiles may act as umbrella and flagship species in certain areas. The Rarău-Giumalău Natura 2000 site (ROSCI 0212) is such an area that, despite its conservation status, is still exposed to human activities alterations. In addition, the standard data form of the site mentions only three amphibian species, which is notably below the herpetofauna diversity of the region. Therefore, the aim of this study is to update the existing knowledge on the local herpetofauna. To this end, herpetological field surveys were conducted in the area between May– September, 2015, ten species being identified, as follows: six amphibians (Salamandra salamandra, Lissotriton montandoni, Ichthyosaura alpestris, Bombina variegata, Bufo bufo and Rana temporaria) and four reptiles (Anguis colchica, Lacerta agilis, Zootoca vivipara and Vipera berus). Species distribution is influenced by human activities, among which grazing seems to be the most important. The diversity of herpetofauna is not evenly distributed between the perimeters of the site. The Giumalău perimeter has only six species probably because of a lower habitat diversity compared to the Rarău perimeter. Nine of the identified species are protected by European and national regulations, whereas the standard data form of the site lists only two of them, and one not confirmed by our study. Therefore, the standard data form, a tool for protective management, does not reflect the real situation of the herpetofauna of the site and for this reason, it should be updated

Analysis of the Correlation between the Radioactive Iodine Activity and Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

Publications investigating the effect of radioactive iodine (131I) therapy on the circulating peripheral blood cells in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) are limited to blood samples collected more than 92 h after 131I. Studies conducted on blood samples collected up to 92 h are rare due to the radioactive contamination risk. This research aimed to assess the relationship between the prescribed 131I activity, human whole blood activity, and peripheral blood cells at many time points (6, 22, 46, 69, and 92 h after 131I). The study enrolled 50 female patients with DTC who received a 131I median activity of 90.54 mCi (3.35 GBq). The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was measured as an inflammatory marker. 131I uptake in the residual thyroid tissue peaked after 46 h. Blood activity decreased in the first 46 h and increased 69 h after the 131I intake. Blood activity was associated with the absolute lymphocyte count and the NLR at 69 h (r = −0.49 and r = 0.52, p < 0.001). Our results demonstrate that the time interval between 46 and 69 h should be associated with the release of hematological inflammatory mediators, such as neutrophils and lymphocytes, to eradicate tumor cells in response to 131I therapy

Analysis of the Correlation between the Radioactive Iodine Activity and Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

Publications investigating the effect of radioactive iodine (131I) therapy on the circulating peripheral blood cells in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) are limited to blood samples collected more than 92 h after 131I. Studies conducted on blood samples collected up to 92 h are rare due to the radioactive contamination risk. This research aimed to assess the relationship between the prescribed 131I activity, human whole blood activity, and peripheral blood cells at many time points (6, 22, 46, 69, and 92 h after 131I). The study enrolled 50 female patients with DTC who received a 131I median activity of 90.54 mCi (3.35 GBq). The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was measured as an inflammatory marker. 131I uptake in the residual thyroid tissue peaked after 46 h. Blood activity decreased in the first 46 h and increased 69 h after the 131I intake. Blood activity was associated with the absolute lymphocyte count and the NLR at 69 h (r = −0.49 and r = 0.52, p 131I therapy

Picosecond Laser Processing of Photosensitive Glass for Generation of Biologically Relevant Microenvironments

Various material processing techniques have been proposed for fabrication of smart surfaces that can modulate cellular behavior and address specific clinical issues. Among them, laser-based technologies have attracted growing interest due to processing versatility. Latest development of ultrashort pulse lasers with pulse widths from several tens of femtoseconds (fs) to several picoseconds (ps) allows clean microfabrication of a variety of materials at micro- and nanoscale both at surface and in volume. In this study, we addressed the possibility of 3D microfabrication of photosensitive glass (PG) by high repetition rate ps laser-assisted etching (PLAE) to improve the fabrication efficiency for the development of useful tools to be used for specific biological applications. Microfluidic structures fabricated by PLAE should provide the flow aspects, 3D characteristics, and possibility of producing functional structures to achieve the biologically relevant microenvironments. Specifically, the microfluidic structures could induce cellular chemotaxis over extended periods in diffusion-based gradient media. More importantly, the 3D characteristics could reproduce capillaries for in vitro testing of relevant organ models. Single cell trapping and analysis by using the fabricated microfluidic structures are also essential for understanding individual cell behavior within the same population. To this end, this paper demonstrates: (1) generation of 3D structures in glass volume or on surface for fabrication of microfluidic channels, (2) subtractive 3D surface patterning to create patterned molds in a controlled manor for casting polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) structures and developing single cell microchambers, and (3) designing glass photo-masks to be used for sequel additive patterning of biocompatible nanomaterials with controlled shapes, sizes, and periodicity. Mesenchymal stem cells grown on laser-processed glass surfaces revealed no sign of cytotoxicity, while a collagen thin coating improved cellular adhesion

The E/e’ Ratio—Role in Risk Stratification of Acute Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

Background and Objectives: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remains a worldwide management problem. Although there is a general effort for characterizing this population, few studies have assessed the predictive value of the echocardiographic E/e’ ratio in patients with acute HFpEF. The aim of the study was to identify groups with different prognosis in patients hospitalized with a first acute episode of HFpEF. Materials and Methods: The primary endpoint of the study was heart failure readmissions (HFR) at 6 months, while the secondary outcome was six-month mortality. We consecutively enrolled 91 patients hospitalized for the first time with acute HFpEF. We examined the E/e’ ratio as an independent predictor for HFR using univariate regression. Results: We identified and validated the E/e’ ratio as an independent predictor for HFR. An E/e’ ratio threshold value of 13.80 was calculated [(area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) = 0.693, sensitivity = 78.60%, specificity = 55%, p < 0.004)] and validated as an inflection point for an increased number of HFR. Thus, we divided the study cohort into two groups: group 1 with an E/e’ ratio < 13.80 (n = 39) and group 2 with an E/e’ ratio > 13.80 (n = 49). Compared to group 1, group 2 had an increased number of HFR (p = 0.003) and a shorter time to first HFR (p = 0.002). However, this parameter did not influence all-cause mortality within six months (p = 0.84). Conclusions: The dimensionless E/e’ ratio is a useful discriminator between patients with acute HFpEF. An E/e’ value over 13.80 represents a simple, yet effective instrument for assessing the HFR risk. However, all-cause mortality at six months is not influenced by the E/e’ ratio