Kurs Wyszukiwania Informacji dla studentów Uniwersytetu Mikołaja Kopernika w Toruniu

Artykuł przedstawia krótką charakterystykę oraz założenia Kursu Wyszukiwania Informacji przeprowadzonego dla studentów Uniwersytetu Mikołaja Kopernika w Toruniu w roku akademickim 2007/2008. Kurs zorganizowany został przez członków Koła Naukowego Specjalistów Informacji, a jego celem było zapoznanie uczestników z podstawowymi technikami wyszukiwania informacji w Internecie oraz problemami oceny jej jakości. W artykule zaprezentowano wyniki dwuetapowych badań ankietowych, które dostarczyły informacji na temat oczekiwań studentów wobec tego typu kursu, jak i poziomu satysfakcji po jego zakończeniu

The Effect of Frustration and Boredom on Self-Harming Behaviour

Despite the increasing attention on self-harming behaviour, research lacks evidence-based understanding of factors that can influence or cause this phenomenon. This study focuses on the influence of boredom and frustration on self-harming behaviour. This was done by measuring the amount and intensity of self-administered electrical stimulation amongst 63 undergraduate psychology students. Frustration was manipulated with an unsolvable computer task and boredom with a movie. Participants in the frustration condition were expected to harm themselves more intensely, whereas participants in the boring condition were expected to harm themselves more frequently. For the induced boredom, there was an effect on the frequency of self-harming behaviour. However, the frustration manipulation demonstrated no effect on either intensity or frequency of self-harming behaviour by the participants. We argue that the effects of the induced frustration did not last long enough to have an effect on the later self-harming

Using Non-Invasive Multi-Spectral Imaging to Quantitatively Assess Tissue Vasculature

This research describes a non-invasive, non-contact method used to quantitatively analyze the functional characteristics of tissue. Multi-spectral images collected at several near-infrared wavelengths are input into a mathematical optical skin model that considers the contributions from different analytes in the epidermis and dermis skin layers. Through a reconstruction algorithm, we can quantify the percent of blood in a given area of tissue and the fraction of that blood that is oxygenated. Imaging normal tissue confirms previously reported values for the percent of blood in tissue and the percent of blood that is oxygenated in tissue and surrounding vasculature, for the normal state and when ischemia is induced. This methodology has been applied to assess vascular Kaposi's sarcoma lesions and the surrounding tissue before and during experimental therapies. The multi-spectral imaging technique has been combined with laser Doppler imaging to gain additional information. Results indicate that these techniques are able to provide quantitative and functional information about tissue changes during experimental drug therapy and investigate progression of disease before changes are visibly apparent, suggesting a potential for them to be used as complementary imaging techniques to clinical assessment

Prediction of post-operative necrosis after mastectomy: A pilot study utilizing optical diffusion imaging spectroscopy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Flap necrosis and epidermolysis occurs in 18-30% of all mastectomies. Complications may be prevented by intra-operative detection of ischemia. Currently, no technique enables quantitative valuation of mastectomy skin perfusion. Optical Diffusion Imaging Spectroscopy (ViOptix T.Ox Tissue Oximeter) measures the ratio of oxyhemoglobin to deoxyhemoglobin over a 1 × 1 cm area to obtain a non-invasive measurement of perfusion (StO₂).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This study evaluates the ability of ViOptix T.Ox Tissue Oximeter to predict mastectomy flap necrosis. StO₂measurements were taken at five points before and at completion of dissection in 10 patients. Data collected included: demographics, tumor size, flap length/thickness, co-morbidities, procedure length, and wound complications.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>One patient experienced mastectomy skin flap necrosis. Five patients underwent immediate reconstruction, including the patient with necrosis. Statistically significant factors contributing to necrosis included reduction in medial flap StO₂(p = 0.0189), reduction in inferior flap StO₂(p = 0.003), and flap length (p = 0.009).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>StO₂reductions may be utilized to identify impaired perfusion in mastectomy skin flaps.</p