Reconstruction of strains with a non-smooth distribution and temperature using optical fiber Bragg grating

This paper presents a simulation study of the simultaneous reconstruction of the non-smooth strain distribution of an optical fiber Bragg grating and its temperature, which is based on the reflection spectrum of the reflected beam of the grating. The transition matrix method was used to model the reflection spectrum of the grating, and the nonlinear Nelder-Mead optimization method was used to simultaneously reconstruct the strain distribution along the grating and its temperature. The results of simulations of simultaneous reconstruction of the strain profile and temperature indicate good accord with the strain profiles and temperature set. The reconstruction errors of the strain profiles are less than 1.2 percent and the temperature change errors are less than 0.2 percent, with a noise level of 5 percent

Reconstruction of strains with a non-smooth distribution and temperature using optical fiber Bragg grating

This paper presents a simulation study of the simultaneous reconstruction of the non-smooth strain distribution of an optical fiber Bragg grating and its temperature, which is based on the reflection spectrum of the reflected beam of the grating. The transition matrix method was used to model the reflection spectrum of the grating, and the nonlinear Nelder-Mead optimization method was used to simultaneously reconstruct the strain distribution along the grating and its temperature. The results of simulations of simultaneous reconstruction of the strain profile and temperature indicate good accord with the strain profiles and temperature set. The reconstruction errors of the strain profiles are less than 1.2 percent and the temperature change errors are less than 0.2 percent, with a noise level of 5 percent

Zu den Arbeitsschritten der Segmentierung und der Strukturellen Beschreibung in der Analyse autobiographisch-narrativer Interviews

'Das narrative Interview ist eine seit Jahrzehnten in den Sozialwissenschaften etablierte Methode zur Generierung und Analyse empirischer Daten, insbesondere in der soziologischen und erziehungswissenschaftlichen Biographieforschung. In der Erhebung und Auswertung empirischer Daten fußt das narrative Interview auf der grundlegenden Forschungslogik der Grounded Theory, wie sie insbesondere von Anselm Strauss und Barney Glaser für die Generierung empirisch gegründeter Theorie entwickelt wurde (Glaser/ Strauss 1998, Strauss 1994). Der Gesamtarbeitsbogen der Forschung mittels des narrativen Interviews wurde mehrfach in der einschlägigen Fachliteratur vorgestellt (vgl. statt anderer Schütze 1983, 1987, Jacob 1996). Im folgenden Beitrag werden Vorschläge und Anregungen zum Umgang mit zwei zentralen Arbeitsschritten der Forschung auf der Basis von Erzähltexten entwickelt: denen der Segmentierung und der Strukturellen Beschreibung. Es geht hierbei selbstverständlich nicht um die Vorstellung eines verbindlichen Arbeitsschemas im Sinne von 'Vorschriften'. Zu starre Verfahrensanleitungen haben sich in der qualitativen Sozialforschung als kontraproduktiv erwiesen, vielmehr wird gerade die Entwicklung eines in gewissem Sinne individualisierten, der Forschungsfrage und dem Forschungsfeld adäquaten Umgangs des einzelnen Forschers mit qualitativen Daten als konstitutiv für die qualitative Sozialforschung angesehen. Der folgende Beitrag sieht es vor diesem Hintergrund als seine Aufgabe an, den Einstieg in die Bearbeitung narrativer Interviews zu erleichtern, indem der Leser für den Umgang mit der speziellen Textsorte autobiographisch-narrativen Materials sensibilisiert werden soll. Im folgenden wird die Analyse narrativer Interviews immer vor dem Hintergrund einer biographieanalytischen Perspektive gedacht. Methodologische Diskussionen müssen angesichts der notwendigen Kürze des Beitrages ausgeblendet bleiben.' (Textauszug

Assessment of the level of knowledge about health behaviors and puerperium of various social groups in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship during the Covid-19 pandemic

Introduction The puerperium is a period in a woman's life after childbirth, during which systemic changes occur. The woman's body returns to its pre-pregnancy condition. It lasts about 6 weeks. Having a baby and placenta causes changes in the concentration of pregnancy hormones, fluctuations that can negatively affect the behavior of women. In addition, the Covid-19 pandemic may interfere with the clinical condition of the pregnant woman, causing her mental health to deteriorate. Aim of the study: The aim of the study was the assessment of the level of knowledge about health behaviors and puerperium of various social groups in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship during the Covid-19 pandemic. Material and methods             The survey covered 603 respondents from the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship from February to April 2021. 18 subjects were excluded from the study due to incomplete completion of the questionnaire. Ultimately, the analysis was conducted on the data of 584 respondents. The analyzes included women and men aged 19-45, who were divided into four groups. The first group included 130 obstetricians, the second 86 midwives, the third 50 teachers, and the fourth 318 students of the JKU. The Bioethics Committee of the JKU approved the study. Statistical analysis was performer. Results The respondents' knowledge about puerperium was 78.6%. Midwives had the most information, while obstetricians had the least. Participants in all 4 groups have a satisfactory level of knowledge about the duration of the puerperium, the principles of prophylaxis and hygiene in puerperium and feeding the newborn. The respondents obtain their knowledge from books and magazines.  Wstęp Połóg to okres w życiu kobiety, kiedy po porodzie dochodzi do zmian ogólnoustrojowych, które wystąpiły w ciąży tj: inwolucja macicy, gojenie rany krocza, rozpoczęcie laktacji, podjęcie czynności hormonalnych przez jajniki. Trwa on 6 tygodni i dzielimy go na połóg bezpośredni do 24 godzin po porodzie, wczesny 1 tydzień  i późny do 6 tygodni. Urodzenie dziecka i łożyska powoduje obniżenie stężenia hormonów ciążowych tj: laktogen łożyskowy, gonadotropina kosmówkowa.  Stężenie prolaktyny i estrogenów zaczyna wracać do wartości sprzed ciąży. Pierwsza owulacja czyli powrót płodności może wystąpić po 6-8 tyg po porodzie, a u kobiet karmiących piersią nawet po roku ze względu na wysokie stężenie PRL związane z karmieniem piersią. Pandemia mogła negatywnie wpłynąć na przebieg ciąży i połogu, ingerować w stan kliniczny kobiety ciężarnej w konsekwencji kształtując obraz przyszłych pokoleń. W tym czasie u kobiet mogły pojawić się dodatkowe obciążenia psychiczne, które pogarszały stan psychiczny, w wyniku którego mogło dojść do  tzw. zjawiska Baby Blues. Cel pracy Celem badania była ocena poziomu wiedzy na temat zachowań zdrowotnych i połogu różnych grup społecznych województwa świętokrzyskiego w czasie pandemii Covid-19. Materiał i metody                 Badaniem zostało objętych 603 respondentów województwa świętokrzyskiego od lutego do kwietnia 2021 roku. Z badania wykluczono 18 respondentów ze względu na niekompletne wypełnienie  ankiety. Ostatecznie analizę przeprowadzono o dane 584 ankietowanych. Do analiz włączono kobiety i mężczyzn w przedziale wiekowym 19-45 lat, których podzielono na cztery grupy. Do pierwszej grupy zakwalifikowano 130 położnic, drugiej 86 położnych, trzeciej 50 nauczycieli, czwartej 318 studentów UJK. Ankiety od położnic zostały zebrane w Klinice Ginekologii i Położnictwa Wojewódzkiego Szpitala Zespolonego w Kielcach, materiał w pozostałych grupach został zebrany przy pomocy formularza online. Wśród nauczycieli przeważali mieszkańcy małych miast do 50 tys. - 68%, natomiast wśród położnic dotyczyło to środowiska wiejskiego (48,46%). Średni wiek ankietowanych mieścił się w przedziale wiekowym 20-30 lat /65,2%/, między 30 -40 rokiem życia w badaniu wzięło udział 18,2%, powyżej 40 rż- 9,6%,  Osób poniżej 20 r.ż. było 7,1%. W badaniach zastosowano autorski kwestionariusz ankiety za pomocą którego zebrano informacje dotyczące miejsca zamieszkania, wieku, wykształcenia, stanu cywilnego oraz liczby posiadanych dzieci i pytań dotyczących wiedzy na temat połogu. Komisja Bioetyczna Uniwersytetu Jana Kochanowskiego zatwierdziła badanie wiedzy na temat połogu. Informacje niezbędne do przeprowadzenia badania zostały pozyskane w zgodzie z polityką ochrony danych osobowych.                                                              Analiza statystyczna                                                                                                                  Analiza statystyczna przeprowadzona została za pomocą programu komputerowego Statistica 13. Uzyskane wyniki zostały poddane testowi zgodności Chi² zwanemu także testem zgodności Pearsona. Obliczono także współczynniki V Cramera oraz korelacji rangowej Spearmana.                                                                              Wyniki Średnia ocena poziomu wiedzy respondentów wynosi 78,6%. Największy zakres wiedzy posiadały położne, najniższy przedstawiały położnice. Respondenci wszystkich grup mają zadowalający poziom wiedzy na temat czasu trwania połogu, zasad profilaktyki i higieny w tym okresie oraz karmienia noworodka. Swoją wiedzę respondenci pozyskują z książek i czasopism

Parents' knowledge of neonatal transitory conditions and their expectations of the midwife

Introduction The neonatal period is the period of the child's adaptation to life outside the mother's body. The child has to adapt to the changes taking place in its body. After delivery, the new-born baby is assessed according to the Apgar scale. Objective of the study The objective of the study was to assess the parents' knowledge of the transitory conditions of neonates and to identify their expectations towards medical personnel. Material and methods 248 women participated in the study. Inhabitants of large cities accounted for 64.5% of the respondents and 16.2% of the respondents were inhabitants of rural areas. Women aged over 35 accounted for 46.8% of patients, 19.3% were patients between the ages of 26 and 30. Patients between the ages of 30 and 35 also accounted for 19.3%. Patients under 25 years of age accounted for 14.6%. The Bioethics Committee approved the project. Statistical analysis was performed with the use of the Statistica computer program. Results 81% of women displayed knowledge about the duration of the neonatal period. 62% of the respondents knew the effect of vitamin K in preventing the occurrence of haemorrhagic disease in the neonate. Half of the women prefer to feed on demand. A big problem among women in childbed is the lack of access to a psychologist. Conclusions Parents cannot recognize transitory conditions in a neonate. Antenatal education of future mothers influences their pro-health behaviour. Parents source their knowledge from their family, friends, guides and books.Introduction The neonatal period is the period of the child's adaptation to life outside the mother's body. The child has to adapt to the changes taking place in its body. After delivery, the new-born baby is assessed according to the Apgar scale. Objective of the study The objective of the study was to assess the parents' knowledge of the transitory conditions of neonates and to identify their expectations towards medical personnel. Material and methods 248 women participated in the study. Inhabitants of large cities accounted for 64.5% of the respondents and 16.2% of the respondents were inhabitants of rural areas. Women aged over 35 accounted for 46.8% of patients, 19.3% were patients between the ages of 26 and 30. Patients between the ages of 30 and 35 also accounted for 19.3%. Patients under 25 years of age  accounted for 14.6%.          The Bioethics Committee approved the project.      Statistical analysis was performed with the use of the Statistica computer program. Results 81% of women displayed knowledge about the duration of the neonatal period. 62% of the respondents knew the effect of vitamin K in preventing the occurrence of haemorrhagic disease in the neonate. Half of the women prefer to feed on demand. A big problem among women in childbed is the lack of access to a psychologist. Conclusions Parents cannot recognize transitory conditions in a neonate. Antenatal education of future mothers influences their pro-health behaviour. Parents source their knowledge from their family, friends, guides and books

Pro-apoptotic Action of Corticosterone in Hippocampal Organotypic Cultures

Elevated levels of glucocorticoids exert neurotoxic effects, and the hippocampus is particularly sensitive to the effects of glucocorticoids. Because some data have indicated that an increased action of glucocorticoids in the perinatal period enhances the susceptibility of brain tissue to adverse substances later in life, the main purpose of the present study was to compare necrotic/apoptotic corticosterone action in hippocampal organotypic cultures obtained from control animals with the effect of this steroid in tissue from prenatally stressed rats. Because the adverse effects of glucocorticoid action on nerve cell viability appear to result mainly from an increase in the intensity of the effects of glutamate and changes in growth factor and pro-inflammatory cytokine synthesis, the involvement of these factors in corticosterone action were also determined. In stress-like concentration (1 μM), corticosterone, when added to hippocampal cultures for 1 and 3 days, alone or jointly with glutamate, did not induce necrosis. In contrast, in 3-day cultures, corticosterone (1 μM) increased caspase-3 activity and the mRNA expression of the pro-apoptotic Bax. Moreover, corticosterone’s effect on caspase-3 activity was stronger in hippocampal cultures from prenatally stressed compared to control rats. Additionally, 24 h of exposure to corticosterone and glutamate, when applied separately and together, increased Bdnf, Ngf, and Tnf-α expression. In contrast, after 72 h, a strong decrease in the expression of both growth factors was observed, while the expression of TNF-α remained high. The present study showed that in stress-like concentrations, corticosterone exerted pro-apoptotic but not necrotic effects in hippocampal organotypic cultures. Prenatal stress increased the pro-apoptotic effects of corticosterone. Increased synthesis of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α may be connected with the adverse effects of corticosterone on brain cell viability

Stress exposure alters brain mRNA expression of the genes involved in insulin signalling, an effect modified by a high fat/high fructose diet and cinnamon supplement

In occidental societies, high fat and high sugar diets often coincide with episodes of stress. The association is likely to modify brain energy control. Brain insulin signalling is rarely studied in stressed individuals consuming high fat diets. Furthermore the effects of cinnamon supplement are not known in these conditions. Therefore, we exposed rats, over a 12-week period, to a control (C) or a high fat/high fructose (HF/HFr) diet that induces peripheral insulin resistance. A cinnamon supplement (C+CN and HF/HFr +CN) was added or not. After diet exposure, one group of rats was exposed to a 30-min restraint followed by a 10-min open-field test, their combination featuring a moderate stressor, the other rats staying unstressed in their home cages. The insulin signalling in hippocampus and frontal cortex was studied through the mRNA expression of the following genes: insulin receptor (Ir), insulin receptor substrate (Irs1), glucose transporters (Glut1 and Glut3), glycogen synthase (Gys1) and their modulators, Akt1 and Pten. In C rats, stress enhanced the expression of Ir, Irs1, Glut1, Gys1 and Akt1 mRNA. In C+CN rats, stress induced an increase in Pten but a decrease in Gys1 mRNA expression. In HF/HFr rats, stress was associated with an increase in Pten mRNA expression. In HF/HFr+CN rats, stress increased Pten mRNA expression but also decreased Gys1 mRNA expression. This suggests that a single moderate stress favours energy refilling mechanisms, an effect blunted by a previous HF/HFr diet and cinnamon supplement