L'effet de la COVID-19 sur l'éducation et le bien-être des étudiants en médecine : une enquête transversale

Background: Canadian medical school curriculums have undergone major restructuring during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study’s goal was to assess the perceived impact of COVID-19 on medical students’ education and wellbeing.  Methods: An online survey was distributed to Canadian medical students.  Descriptive analyses and ANOVAs were used to assess changes in mental health, health habits and quality of education during the pandemic. Results: 248 medical students from 13 schools across Canada participated in this study. 74% reported a reduction in the quality of their education since COVID-19. 58% of students found online to be inferior to in-person teaching. 65% of students had more time for wellness and leisure activities, about half of the cohort felt more depressed (48%) and lonelier (52%). Student’s overall health habits worsened after the start of the pandemic (F=37.4, p < 0.001). Alcohol drinking, time spent seated, and screen time also increased since the pandemic (p < 0.001). During the pandemic, students with a prior history of depression or anxiety expressed increased depressive symptoms (66% vs. 42%, p =0.003), increased anxiety (69% vs. 41%, p < 0001), worse sleep quality (34% vs. 18%, p = 0.031), and poorer quality of life (55% vs. 65%, p = 0.024) versus those with no prior history. Conclusion: Canadian medical student’s education and wellbeing has been negatively impacted during the pandemic.Contexte : Les cursus des facultés de médecine canadiennes ont subi une restructuration majeure pendant la pandémie du COVID-19. L'objectif de cette étude était d'évaluer l'impact perçu de la pandémie sur l'éducation et le bien-être des étudiants en médecine. Méthodes : Un sondage en ligne a été distribué aux étudiants en médecine au Canada. Des analyses descriptives ont été effectuées et une analyse de variance a été réalisée pour évaluer le changement de quatre habitudes de santé pendant la pandémie. Résultats : 248 étudiants en médecine de 13 établissements au Canada ont participé à cette étude. 74% d'entre eux ont signalé une baisse de la qualité de leur enseignement depuis le début de la pandémie. 58% des étudiants ont trouvé que l'enseignement en ligne était inférieur à l'enseignement en présentiel. 65% des étudiants ont déclaré avoir plus de temps à consacrer à leurs loisirs et à des activités en lien avec le bien-être, environ la moitié de la cohorte s’est sentie plus déprimée (48 %) et plus seule (52 %). Les habitudes de santé des étudiants se sont considérablement détériorées à l'arrivée de la pandémie (F=37,4, p < 0,001). La consommation d'alcool, le temps passé assis et le temps passé devant un écran ont également augmenté de manière significative depuis le début de la pandémie (p < 0,001). Pendant la pandémie, les étudiants ayant des antécédents de dépression ou d'anxiété ont présenté des niveaux plus élevés de symptômes liés à ces états (66 % contre 42 %, p = 0,003 pour la dépression et 69 % contre 41 %, p<0001 pour l’anxiété), ils avaient une moins bonne qualité de sommeil (34 % contre 18 %, p = 0,031) et une moins bonne qualité de vie en général (55 % contre 65 %, p = 0,024) que ceux qui n'avaient pas de tels antécédents. Conclusion : L'éducation et le bien-être des étudiants en médecine canadiens ont été touchés négativement pendant la pandémie

Explanation of Experiences and Emotional Reactions in Women Victims of Infidelity: A Qualitative Study

Introduction: Infidelity as one of the main causes for divorce has very deleterious effects on family, mental health, and feelings of the victims. The purpose of this study was to identify and explain emotional experiences and reactions of women victims of infidelity. Method: In this interpretative study with phenomenology method, study population consisted of women victims of infidelity in Shemiranat, Tehran City, Iran, in 2016. 18 women of 22-64 years who were victims of the infidelity were selected through purposive sampling and were investigated by a semi-structured interview. The data were analyzed using a thematic analysis method. Results: The data analysis resulted in two main themes, 12 subthemes, and 61 initial concepts. As the first theme, ‘maladaptive emotional reactions’ consisted of subthemes as the feelings of separation from life (including feelings of sadness, frustration, and desire for death), separation from oneself (including inadequacy, and sense of abandonment), anger, hatred, cruelty, vulnerability, emotional confusion, fear and anxiety, numbness, and coldness. The second main theme was ‘adaptive emotional reactions’ consisting of subthemes as feelings of self-worth (including one’s own and spouse), compassion (including toward the spouse, and toward the rival), and attachment to the spouse (interest in the spouse, sense of their ownership, and their forgiveness). Conclusion: The results showed that infidelity was a phenomenon not experienced similarly by all women victims. Based on social constructivists, different perceptions of women victims causing different patterns of reactions to infidelity in them. Given the fact that the findings have been elicited out of a native study, they may play a vital role in developing the intervention packages. Keywords: Extramarital sex behavior, Adultery, Affair, Extramarital relations, Emotional aspects, Affective aspect

An update on computational anthropomorphic anatomical models

The prevalent availability of high-performance computing coupled with validated computerized simulation platforms as open-source packages have motivated progress in the development of realistic anthropomorphic computational models of the human anatomy. The main application of these advanced tools focused on imaging physics and computational internal/external radiation dosimetry research. This paper provides an updated review of state-of-the-art developments and recent advances in the design of sophisticated computational models of the human anatomy with a particular focus on their use in radiation dosimetry calculations. The consolidation of flexible and realistic computational models with biological data and accurate radiation transport modeling tools enables the capability to produce dosimetric data reflecting actual setup in clinical setting. These simulation methodologies and results are helpful resources for the medical physics and medical imaging communities and are expected to impact the fields of medical imaging and dosimetry calculations profoundly.</p

Self-organization of an optomagnetic CoFe2O4-ZnS nanocomposite : preparation and characterization

We report an advanced method for the self-organization of an optomagnetic nanocomposite composed of both fluorescent clusters (ZnS quantum dots, QDs) and magnetic nanoparticles (CoFe2O4). ZnS nanocrystals were prepared via an aqueous method at different temperatures (25, 50, 75, and 100 degrees C). Their structural, optical and chemical properties were comprehensively characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-vis, photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The highest PL intensity was observed for the cubic ZnS nanoparticles synthesized at 75 degrees C which were then stabilized electrosterically using thioglycolic acid. The photophysical analysis of the capped QDs with a particle size in the range 9-25 nm revealed that the emission intensity and the optical band gap increases compared to uncapped nanocrystals (3.88 to 4.02 eV). These band gaps are wider than that of bulk ZnS resulting from the quantum confinement effect. Magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized via a co-precipitation route and a sol-gel process was used to form the functionalized, silica-coated CoFe2O4. Finally, thiol coordination was used for binding the QDs to the surface of the magnetic nanoparticles. The fluorescence intensity and magnetic properties of the nanocomposites are related to the ratio of ZnS and CoFe2O4. An optomagnetic nanocomposite with small size (12-45 nm), acceptable saturation magnetization (about 6.7 emu g(-1)), and satisfactory luminescence characteristics was successfully synthesized. These systems are promising candidates for biological and photocatalytic applications

General method for state-space modeling and nonlinear control of single-phase cascaded multilevel inverters with LCL coupling

Due to the nonlinear behavior of grid-connected cascaded multilevel inverters (GCCMI), the use of nonlinear controllers can guarantee system stability over a wide range of operation. Therefore, state-space modeling is required to design nonlinear controllers. In this manuscript, a comprehensive method is proposed for the general state-space modeling of an n-level GCCMI with LCL coupling. To validate the accuracy of obtained state-space model, an experimental setup of a cascaded multilevel inverter including two H-bridges has been implemented. The outputs of the state-space model are compared with the simulation and experimental results of the GCCMI. This shows that the proposed model is compatible with a real closed-loop system. The simulations were performed using EMTDC/PSCAD software. In the following, the designed general model is used to develop a nonlinear controller based on the Lyapunov stability criteria for a multilevel shunt active power filter (SAPF). Results show that the designed controller is stable and robust in a wide range of operating point changes

Cognitive Experiences and Reactions of Women to Infidelity: A Phenomenological Study

Introduction: Infidelity, as a main cause for marital maladaptiveness and divorce, has important effects on victim’s family and mental health. This study aimed to identify and explain the cognitive reactions and experiences of women victims of infidelity. Method: The present study employed a qualitative approach along with the interpretative phenomenology method. The study population consisted of women victims of infidelity in Tehran (Shemiranat), Iran, in year 2016. To do so, 18 women who were victims of infidelity were selected through purposive sampling, and investigated by a semi-structured interview. The data elicited from the interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis method. Results: The data analysis resulted in two main themes, 11 subthemes, and 61 initial concepts. As the first theme, “maladaptive cognitive reactions” consisted “porous religious beliefs”, “suspicion”, “obsession”, “damage in the meaning of life”, “maladaptive decision-making”, “thinking to punish the guilty”, “negative self-evaluating, and “thought disorders” as subthemes. The second main theme was “adaptive cognitive reactions” consisting “positive defensive thoughts”, “appeal to religious beliefs”, and “peace-seeking thoughts for the decision-making” as subthemes. Conclusion: From cognitive aspect, the infidelity is not experienced homogeneously by all women victims, and the effects of infidelity can be either maladaptive or adaptive. Personality, religious beliefs, having children, and spousal relationship quality contributed to the women victims’ reactions. Given the fact that the findings have been elicited out of a native study, they may play a vital role in developing the intervention packages. Keywords: Extramarital sex behavior, Adultery, Extramarital relations, Cognitive aspect

Voltammetric determination of hydroxylamine in water and waste water samples using a NiO nanoparticle/new catechol derivative modified carbon paste electrode

A (9,10-dihydro-9,10-ethanoanthracene-11,12-dicarboximido)-4-ethylbenzene-1,2-diol (DED) mo­di­fied NiO/NPs carbon paste electrode “(DED/NiO nanoparticle (NiO/NPs)/CPE) was constructed for determination of hydroxylamine (HX). The cyclic voltammogram showed that the electro­catalytic oxidation of HX at the surface of DED/NiO/NPs/CPE occurs at a potential of about 800 mV less positive than with an unmodified electrode. Square-wave voltammetry results presented that the electrocatalytic oxidation peak currents of HX in pH 8.0 had two linear dynamic ranges in the range of 0.1 to 2.0 and 2.0 to 400.0 µM HX, with a detection limit of 0.07 µM. The kinetic parameters such as electron transfer coefficient a (0.47) and rate constant (2.454 × 103 M-1 s-1) were determined for the chemical reaction between HX and DED. Finally, this method was evaluated for the determination of HX in water and waste water samples

A glucose biosensor based on novel Lutetium bis-phthalocyanine incorporated silica-polyaniline conducting nanobeads

The facile preparation of highly sensitive electrochemical bioprobe based on lutetium 13 phthalocyanine incorporated silica nanoparticles (SiO2(LuPc2)) grafted with Poly(vinyl 14 alcohol-vinyl acetate) itaconic acid (PANI(PVIA)) doped polyaniline conducting nanobeads 15 (SiO2(LuPc2)PANI(PVIA)-CNB) is reported. The preparation of CNB involves two stages (i) 16 pristine synthesis of LuPc2 incorporated SiO2 and PANI(PVIA); (ii) covalent grafting of 17 PANI(PVIA) onto the surface of SiO2(LuPc2). The morphology and other physico-chemical 18 characteristics of CNB were investigated. The scanning electron microscopy images show 19 that the average particle size of SiO2(LuPc2)PANI(PVIA)-CNB was between 180-220 nm. 20 The amperometric measurements showed that the fabricated SiO2(LuPc2)PANI(PVIA)-21 CNB/GOx biosensor exhibited wide linear range (1-16 mM) detection of glucose with a low 22 detection limit of 0.1 mM. SiO2(LuPc2)PANI(PVIA)-CNB/GOx biosensor exhibited high 23 sensitivity (38.53 μA mM−1 cm−2) towards the detection of glucose under optimized 24 conditions. Besides, the real (juice and serum) sample analysis based on a standard addition 25 method and direct detection method showed high precision for measuring glucose at 26 SiO2(LuPc2)PANI(PVIA)-CNB/GOx biosensor. The SiO2(LuPc2)PANI(PVIA)-CNB/GOx 27 biosensor stored under refrigerated condition over a period of 45 days retains ~ 96.4 % 28 glucose response current

HSPVdb—the Human Short Peptide Variation Database for improved mass spectrometry-based detection of polymorphic HLA-ligands

T cell epitopes derived from polymorphic proteins or from proteins encoded by alternative reading frames (ARFs) play an important role in (tumor) immunology. Identification of these peptides is successfully performed with mass spectrometry. In a mass spectrometry-based approach, the recorded tandem mass spectra are matched against hypothetical spectra generated from known protein sequence databases. Commonly used protein databases contain a minimal level of redundancy, and thus, are not suitable data sources for searching polymorphic T cell epitopes, either in normal or ARFs. At the same time, however, these databases contain much non-polymorphic sequence information, thereby complicating the matching of recorded and theoretical spectra, and increasing the potential for finding false positives. Therefore, we created a database with peptides from ARFs and peptide variation arising from single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). It is based on the human mRNA sequences from the well-annotated reference sequence (RefSeq) database and associated variation information derived from the Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Database (dbSNP). In this process, we removed all non-polymorphic information. Investigation of the frequency of SNPs in the dbSNP revealed that many SNPs are non-polymorphic “SNPs”. Therefore, we removed those from our dedicated database, and this resulted in a comprehensive high quality database, which we coined the Human Short Peptide Variation Database (HSPVdb). The value of our HSPVdb is shown by identification of the majority of published polymorphic SNP- and/or ARF-derived epitopes from a mass spectrometry-based proteomics workflow, and by a large variety of polymorphic peptides identified as potential T cell epitopes in the HLA-ligandome presented by the Epstein–Barr virus cells