Clasp together: composing for mind and machine

This paper will explore questions of agency, control and interaction and the embodied nature of musical performance in relation to the use of human-computer interaction (HCI), through the experimental work Clasp Together (beta) 2 for small ensemble and live electronics by J. Harry Whalley. This practice-led research is situated at the intersection of music neurotechnology for sound synthesis and brain-computer interfaces (BCI), and explores the use of neural patterns from Electroencephalography (EEG) as a control instrument. The composition departed from the traditional composer/performer paradigm by including both non-instrumental physical gestures and cognitive or emotive instructions integrated into the score

Άνθη ελιάς: Παραγωγή και ανάλυση αιθερίου ελαίου, φυτοχημική μελέτη και βιολογική αξιολόγηση υδροακλοολικών εκχυλισμάτων

Η ελιά (Olea europaea L.) αποτελεί ιστορικά ένα από τα σημαντικότερα καρποφόρα δένδρα των μεσογειακών χωρών. Μέχρι πρόσφατα η επιστημονική βιβλιογραφία περιέχει κυρίως στοιχεία για τις φαινολικές ενώσεις των καρπών, των φύλλων και του ελαιόλαδου της. Πιθανώς λόγω της σημασίας τους στη βιομηχανία τροφίμων, καθώς και της δραστικότητας τους, συμπεριλαμβανομένων των αντιοξειδωτικών, αντιμικροβιακών και θεραπευτικών τους ιδιοτήτων. Ελάχιστα στοιχεία είναι διαθέσιμα για το φυτοχημικό περιεχόμενο των ανθέων της ελιάς, ειδικά για τις Ελληνικές ποικιλίες, για τις οποίες δεν υπάρχουν επιστημονικά δεδομένα. Το γεγονός αυτό αποτέλεσε αφορμή για την συγκεκριμένη διπλωματική εργασία, όπου ως πρώτη ύλη προς ανάλυση επιλέχθηκαν τα άνθη ελιάς Ελληνικών ποικιλιών. Κύριο μέρος της παρούσας εργασίας αποτέλεσε η φυτοχημική μελέτη των ανθέων της Ελληνικής ποικιλίας Λιανολιά Κερκύρας (κωδικός δείγματος: Kato_ktima_1), με σκοπό την ταυτοποίηση και απομόνωση των σημαντικότερων δευτερογενών μεταβλητών καθώς και την αξιολόγηση της δραστικότητας των απομονωμένων ουσιών, ως προς την αναστολή των ενζύμων τυροσινάση, ελαστάση και κολλαγενάση. Συνολικά ταυτοποιήθηκαν δεκαεννέα δευτερογενείς μεταβολίτες και απομονώθηκαν εννέα εξ αυτών (2΄-αιθυλόξη-ολευρωπεΐνη, 2΄-υδρόξη-ολευρωπεΐνη, ρουτινοσίδης του ελενολικού οξέος και ολεοφλοσίδης), εκ των οποίων τρείς αποτελούν νέα φυσικά προϊόντα (2΄-αιθυλόξη-ολευρωπεΐνη, ρουτινοσίδης του ελενολικού οξέος και ολεοφλοσίδης). Οι κύριες κατηγορίες των ουσιών που απομονώθηκαν περιλαμβάνουν τριτερπένια, σεκοϊριδιειδή, φλαβονοειδή και γλυκοσίδες φλαβονοειδών. Η αξιολόγηση των βιολογικών ελέγχων μας οδήγησε στο συμπέρασμα πως οι απομονωμένες ουσίες εμφανίζουν αξιοσημείωτη βιολογική δράση ως προς την αναστολή του ενζύμου της κολλαγενάσης, με περισσότερο δραστικές τις ουσίες 2΄-αιθυλόξη-ολευρωπεΐνη και 2΄-υδρόξηολευπωπεΐνη. Αντίθετα όσον αφορά την αναστολή των ενζύμων τυροσινάση και ελαστάση δεν εμφάνισαν δραστικότητα. Επίσης πραγματοποιήθηκε συγκριτική μελέτη του φυτοχημικού περιεχομένου και αξιολόγηση της βιολογικής δράσης (μέσω προσδιορισμού του ολικού φαινολικού φορτίου, εξουδετέρωσης της ελεύθερης ρίζας DPPH καθώς και αναστολής των ενζύμων τυροσινάση, ελαστάση και κολλαγενάση) ανθέων ελιάς των ελληνικών ποικιλιών Λιανολιά Κερκύρας (κωδικοί δειγμάτων: Kato_ktima_1, Kato_ktima_2, Ano_ktima), αγριελιά Κερκύρας-Olea europaea ssp. oleaster (κωδικός δείγματος: Agrielia) και Κορωνέικη (κωδικός δείγματος: ekpa). Από τη μελέτη αυτή διαπιστώθηκε η παρουσία κοινών δευτερογενών μεταβολιτών σε όλα τα δείγματα με βασική ουσία την ολευρωπεΐνη σε μήκος κύματος 254nm. Σε αντίθεση με το εκχύλισμα Kato_ktima_1 όπου η ολευρωπεΐνη δεν αποτελεί την βασική ουσία του εκχυλίσματος στα 254nm. Με βάση τα αποτελέσματα της βιολογικής αξιολόγησης των δειγμάτων, τα δείγματα Ano_ktima, Agrielia και ekpa χαρακτηρίστηκαν ως δραστικά, ενώ μέτριας δραστικότητας παρουσιάστηκαν τα δείγματα Kato_ktima_1 και Kato_ktima_2. Με τις τιμές του ολικού φαινολικού φορτίου να 10 έρχονται σε συμφωνία με τις αντίστοιχες των IC50 για την εξουδετέρωση της ελεύθερης ρίζας DPPH για κάθε δείγμα. Όλα τα δείγματά παρουσίασαν δραστικότητα όσον αφορά την αναστολή του ενζύμου της κολλαγενάσης, με περισσότερο δραστικό το Ano_ktima. Αντίθετα όσον αφορά την αναστολή των ενζύμων τυροσινάση και ελαστάση δεν εμφάνισαν δραστικότητα. Τέλος πραγματοποιήθηκε παραλαβή αιθερίου ελαίου από τα άνθη αγριελιάς Κερκύρας (κωδικός δείγματος: Agrielia) και ανάλυση μέσω αέριας χρωματογραφίας συνδεδεμένης με φασματομετρία μαζών (GC-MS) με σκοπό την ταυτοποίηση των σημαντικότερων πτητικών συστατικών. Από την ανάλυση αιθερίου ελαίου αγριελιάς ταυτοποιήθηκαν 13 πτητικές ουσίες με βασικότερους εκπροσώπους την νονανάλη (14.06 %), το εικοσιεννιάνιο (12.53 %), το (8E)-8δεκαεπτάνιο (12.33 %), την εξα-υδροφαρνεσυλο-ακετόνη (11.23 %) και την διυδροεδουλάνη (7.35 %).The olive (Olea europaea L.) is historically one of the most important trees of the Mediterranean countries. Until recently, the scientific literature mainly contains data on the phenolic compounds of its fruits, leaves and olive oil. Probably because of their importance in the food industry, as well as their biological activity, including their antioxidant, antimicrobial and therapeutic properties. Few data are available on the phytochemical content of olive blossoms, especially for Greek varieties, for which there is no scientific data. This fact was the reason for this specific Master thesis, where as the raw material for analysis was chosen to be the olive tree blossoms of different Greek varieties. The main part of the Master thesis was the phytochemical study of the blossoms of the Greek variety Lianolia from Corfu island (sample code: Kato_ktima_1), aiming at the identification and isolation of the major secondary metabolites, as well as the evaluation of the activity of the isolated substances in terms of inhibition of the enzymes tyrosination, elastase and collagenase. Nineteen secondary metabolites were identified, and nine of them were isolated (2΄-ethyloxyoleuropein, 2΄-hydroxy-oleuropein, elenolic acid rutinοside and oleofloside), three of which are new natural products (2΄-ethyloxy-oleuropein elenolic acid rutinοside and oleofloside). The main classes of the substances isolated include triterpenoids, secoiridoides, flavonoids and flavonoids glycosides. The evaluation of the bioassays has led us to the conclusion that the isolated substances exhibit remarkable biological activity in inhibiting the collagenase enzyme, with 2΄-ethyloxy-oleuropein and 2-hydroxy-oleuropein being the more active compounds. In contrast, there was no activity observed, as far as the enzymes inhibition of tyrosinase and elastase were considered. Besides, a comparative study of the phytochemical content and evaluation of the biological activity (determination of total phenolic content, neutralization of free radical DPPH as well as inhibition of the enzymes tyrosinase, elastase and collagenase) of olive blossoms of the Greek varieties Lianolia from Corfu island (sample codes: Kato_ktima_1, Kato_ktima_2 , Ano_ktima), Corfu wild olive tree-Olea europaea ssp. oleaster (sample code: Agrielia) and Koroneiki (sample code: ekpa) was accomplished. This study revealed the presence of common secondary metabolites in all samples with oleuropein being the main compound of our extracts. In contrast to Kato_ktima_1, where oleuropein was not the main metabolite of the extract. Based on the results of the biological evaluation, the samples Ano_ktima, Agrielia and ekpa were characterized as highly active, while moderate activity showed the Kato_ktima_1 and Kato_ktima_2 samples. Total phenolic content values consistent with those of the IC50 for scavening free radical DPPH for each sample. All samples exhibited activity in inhibiting the collagenase enzyme, with Ano_ktima being the most active. In contrast, there was no activity observed, as far as the enzymes inhibition of tyrosinase and elastase were considered. Finally, an essential oil production was carried out from Corfu wild olive tree blossoms (sample code: Agrielia) followed by analysis with GC-MS to identify the main volatile compounds. The results of the essential oil analysis showed that the main volatile compounds were Nonanal (14.06 %), Heneicosane (12.53 %), (8E)-8-Heptadecane (12.33 %), Hexahydrofarnecyl acetone (11.23 %) and Dihydroedulan (7.35 %

Intensive care unit-related fluconazole use in Spain and Germany: patient characteristics and outcomes of a prospective multicenter longitudinal observational study

Background: Candida spp. are a frequent cause of nosocomial bloodstream infections worldwide. Objective: To evaluate the use patterns and outcomes associated with intravenous (IV) fluconazole therapy in intensive care units in Spain and Germany. Patients and methods: The research reported here was a prospective multicenter longitudinal observational study in adult intensive care unit patients receiving IV fluconazole. Demographic, microbiologic, therapy success, length of hospital stay, adverse event, and all-cause mortality data were collected at 14 sites in Spain and five in Germany, from February 2004 to November 2005. Results: Patients (n = 303) received prophylaxis (n = 29), empiric therapy (n = 140), preemptive therapy (n = 85), or definitive therapy (n = 49). A total of 298 patients (98.4%) were treated with IV fluconazole as first-line therapy. The treating physicians judged therapy successful in 66% of prophylactic, 55% of empiric, 45% of preemptive, and 43% of definitive group patients. In the subgroup of 152 patients with proven and specified Candida infection only, 32% suffered from Candida specified as potentially resistant to IV fluconazole. The overall mortality rate was 42%. Conclusion: Our study informs treatment decision makers that approximately 32% of the patients with microbiological results available suffered from Candida specified as potentially resistant to IV fluconazole, highlighting the importance of appropriate therapy

Pre-existing cardiovascular diseases and glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Europe: a matched cohort study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although there is a growing body of evidence showing that patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have poor glycemic control in general, it is not clear whether T2DM patients with pre-existing cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are more or less likely to have good glycemic control than patients without pre-existing CVD. Our aim was to examine the degree of glycemic control among T2DM patients in Europe with and without pre-existing CVD.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This is a matched cohort study based on a multi-center, observational study with retrospective medical chart reviews of T2DM patients in Spain, France, United Kingdom, Norway, Finland, Germany, and Poland. Included patients were aged >= 30 years at time of diagnosis of T2DM, had added a SU or a PPARγ agonist to failing metformin monotherapy (index date) and had pre-existing CVD (cases). A control cohort with T2DM without pre-existing CVD was identified using 1:1 propensity score matching. With difference-in-difference approach, logistic and linear regression analyses were applied to identify differences in glycemic control by CVD during the follow up period, after controlling for baseline demographics, clinical information, and concurrent anti-hyperglycemic medication use.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The percentage of case patients with adequate glycemic control relative to control patients during the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th years after the index date was 19.9 vs. 26.5, 16.8 vs. 26.5, 18.8 vs. 28.3, and 16.8 vs. 23.5 respectively. Cases were significantly less likely to have adequate glycemic control (odds ratio: 0.62; 95% confidence interval: 0.46-0.82) than controls after adjusting for baseline differences, secular trend, and other potential confounding covariates.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>T2DM patients with pre-existing CVD tended to have poorer glycemic control than those without pre-existing CVD, all other factors being equal. It suggests that clinicians may need to pay more attention to glycemic control among T2DM patients with CVD.</p

Association of hypoglycemic symptoms with patients' rating of their health-related quality of life state: a cross sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To evaluate the association between patient-reported hypoglycemic symptoms with ratings of their health-related quality of life state and patient-reported adverse events in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This observational, multicenter, cross sectional study was based on a sample of patients with T2DM from seven European countries who added sulfonylurea or thiazolidinedione to metformin monotherapy between January 2001 and January 2006. Included patients were required to have at least one hemoglobin A_1c(HbA_1c) measurement in the 12 months before enrollment and to not be receiving insulin. Demographic and clinical data from medical records were collected using case report forms. Questionnaires measured patient-reported hypoglycemic symptoms, health-related quality of life (EuroQol visual analogue scale, EQ-5D VAS), and treatment-related adverse events.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 1,709 patients were included in the study. Mean patient age was 63 years, 45% were female, mean HbA_1cwas 7.06%, and 28% were at HbA_1cgoal (HbA_1c< 6.5%). Hypoglycemic symptoms during the 12 months before enrollment were reported by 38% of patients; among whom 68% reported their most severe symptoms were mild, 27% moderate, and 5% severe. Adjusted linear regression analyses revealed that patients reporting hypoglycemic symptoms had significantly lower EQ-5D VAS scores indicating worse patient-reported quality of life (mean difference -4.33, p < 0.0001). Relative to those not reporting symptoms, the adjusted decrement to quality of life increased with greater hypoglycemic symptom severity (mild: -2.68, <it>p </it>= 0.0039; moderate: -6.42, <it>p </it>< 0.0001; severe: -16.09, <it>p </it>< 0.0001). Patients with hypoglycemia reported significantly higher rates of shakiness, sweating, excessive fatigue, drowsiness, inability to concentrate, dizziness, hunger, asthenia, and headache (<it>p </it>< 0.0001 for each comparison).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Hypoglycemic symptoms and symptom severity have an adverse effect on patients' rating of their health related quality of life state. Hypoglycemic symptoms are correlated with treatment-related adverse effects. Minimizing the risk and severity of hypoglycemia may improve patients' quality of life and clinical outcomes. Results are subject to limitations associated with observational studies including the potential biases due to unobserved patient heterogeneity and the use of a convenience sample of patients.</p

Showing mutual support through digital empathy badges

Charity badges and empathy (awareness) ribbons are common tokens of support for charities and other worthy causes. In this paper we revisit the concept of smart badges with the aim of developing digital equivalents of the charity badge/empathy ribbon. We describe the design of prototype low–cost digital empathy badges based around infra-red transceiver technology, that light up and play a ringtone in the presence of other badges and we present the findings of a small pilot study involving a dozen badge wearers

Designing for empathy in a church community

Whilst empathy is considered an essential component of our humanity, it is arguably absent as a design consideration when creating modern communications, where the focus is often one of speed and efficiency. However, as with all design attempts to promote a particular emotion, the inherent subjectivity means that it is best explored through practice based approaches. As such, this paper presents a research through design approach to designing for empathy, as a means of identifying some of the design sensibilities required to address such a challenge. We consider how design interventions to two currently personal rituals for reflecting upon prayers and worries within a church community in London may be extended and augmented in order to allow those prayers and worries to be shared more widely within the church community. It is expected that these interventions will promote conversation and support within the community, thus generating empathy between community members. From these designs we expect to be able to draw more general understandings about designing systems for empathy

Supporting empathy through embodiment in the design of interactive systems

Whilst empathy is considered an essential component of what it means to be human, it is arguably absent as a design objective when creating modern communication systems. This paper presents an approach to designing for, as opposed to with, empathy using the example of two design interventions to create embodied rituals reflecting prayers and worries of individuals within a church community. The aim of these interventions is to facilitate conversation and support within the community, thus generating empathy between community members, and inciting prosocial behaviour through embodied cognition