We propose three independent methods for determining geometrical shape and topological type of local atomic environment in crystals that is represented as a coordination figure. The methods are based ...on comparison of the edge graphs of the simplified Voronoi polyhedra, maximizing volume of intersection of polyhedra, and comparison of angular fingerprints of polyhedra. We implemented the methods to the program package ToposPro and tested them on 9642 crystal structures of five-coordinated copper and zinc complexes. The methods showed good selectivity and coincidence. We discuss correlations of the coordination figure type with other structure descriptors and perspectives to use the obtained results in knowledge databases.
Introduction
The development of new highly accurate, inexpensive and accessible methods for the detection of lower-extremity peripheral artery disease (LE-PAD) in diabetic patients is required. The ...aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of a new incoherent optical fluctuation flowmetry (IOFF) method in detecting legs with hemodynamically significant stenoses compared to ankle brachial index (ABI) and transcutaneous oximetry (TcPO2) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM).
Materials and methods
Patients were recruited into 2 groups. Group 1 included patients with DM without LE-PAD and/or diabetic foot syndrome; Group 2 included patients with DM and LE-PAD. All patients underwent the following measurements: ultrasound (reference method), ABI, TcPO2, and the new IOFF method.
Results
The new IOFF method showed a sensitivity of 79.5% and a specificity of 89.8% in detecting limbs with hemodynamically significant stenosis (AUC 0.890, CI 0.822–0.957). TcpO2 allows the diagnosis of LE-PAD with 69.2% sensitivity and 86.2% specificity (AUC 0.817, CI 0.723–0.911). Using a standard ABI cut-off of less than 0.9, the sensitivity and specificity for this parameter were 34.5% and 89.7%, respectively. Increasing the diagnostic cut-off of the ABI on the study group to 0.99 improved sensitivity to 84.6% and specificity to 78% (AUC,0.824 CI 0.732–0.915).
Conclusions
The new IOFF technique has demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity in the detection of LE-PAD in patients with DM. The high accuracy, rapid measurement, and potential availability suggest that the new IOFF method has a high potential for clinical application in the detection of PAD.
Three universal algorithms for geometrical comparison of sets of n points in the Euclidean space R3 are proposed. It is proved that at an accuracy ϵ the efficiency of all the algorithms does not ...exceed O(n3/ϵ3/2). The most effective algorithm combines the known Hungarian and Kabsch algorithms, but is free of their deficiencies and fast enough to match hundreds of points. The algorithm is applied to compare both finite (ligands) and periodic (nets) chemical objects.
A universal and effective algorithm is proposed for geometrical comparison of sets of n points in Euclidean space. Applications of the algorithm for comparison of both finite (ligands) and periodic (nets) chemical objects are considered.
(1) Background: To date, there are no studies evaluating the ability of the incoherent optical fluctuation flowmetry (IOFF) method to assess foot tissue perfusion. The aim of this study was to ...evaluate the correlation between perfusion values measured by IOFF and TcPO2 in patients with diabetes-related lower-extremity complications. (2) Methods: This was an observational, cross-sectional, two-center study. Diabetic patients with peripheral artery disease and/or diabetic foot ulcers were studied (n = 27, examinations were carried out on 54 legs). Perfusion in the foot tissues was assessed using TcPO2 (reference standard for this study) and the IOFF method. (3) Results: High correlation coefficients of all perfusion parameters measured by IOFF with TcPO2 (Rs 0.7 to 0.76) were shown. The study demonstrated that the IOFF method allows, with a sensitivity of 85.7% and a specificity of 90.0%, the identification of patients with a critical decrease in TcPO2 < 20 mmHg. (4) Conclusions: The high correlation of IOFF parameters with TcPO2 and the moderately high sensitivity and specificity in detecting patients with severe ischemia of foot tissues shows the promise of the method for assessing a tissue perfusion in patients with diabetes-related lower-extremity complications.
Introduction
. Communication complexities which often occur in interdisciplinary work gave rise to the studies on teaching interdisciplinary communication. A growing need to provide pedagogical ...solutions to facilitate teaching interdisciplinary communication stimulated the research into language as a social practice to better understand communication process for interdisciplinary purposes.
Aim
. This exploratory study investigates the concept of interdisciplinary communicative competence and proposes a framework of interdisciplinary communicative competence with the focus on three underlying components: knowledge, skills, and personal attributes of interdisciplinary team members.
Methodology and research methods
. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used. The data obtained from 24 in-depth semi-structured interviews with five groups of higher education stakeholders (employers, academic directors of the programmes, professors, students, and alumni) revealed the existing interdisciplinary practices in the university and cross-functional practices in the companies. The proposed framework was empirically tested using an online survey with 139 responses from professors, students, and employers. The data processing techniques included the use of Kendall’s concordance coefficient, Cronbach’s alpha, and the principal component analysis.
Results
. The study presents the authors’ conceptualisation of interdisciplinary communicative competence and its framework as the result of the literature analysis and the empirical research. The findings provided evidence on the importance of language skills for effective interdisciplinary communication as perceived by 5 groups of respondents. The choice of language skills as a basic component of interdisciplinary communicative competence is justified.
Scientific novelty
. The study contributes to the conceptualisation of a framework of interdisciplinary communicative competence. The elements of the framework are identified and their relevance is empirically tested.
Practical significance
. The results of the empirical part of the study can be applied in the design of interdisciplinary learning process in higher education, for example, in the design of interdisciplinary courses, and teaching materials.
This study was aimed to investigate the prevalence of the
CES1 gene
(
c.1168-33A
>
C, rs2244613
) polymorphism among 12 different ethnic groups living in Russia to provide a basis for future ...clinical studies concerning genetic determinants of dabigatran safety. The study involved 1630 apparently healthy, unrelated, and chronic medication-free volunteers of both genders from 12 different ethnic groups in Russia: 136 Russians, 90 Avars, 50 Dargins, 46 Laks, 120 Kabardians, 112 Balkars, 244 Ossetians, 206 Mari, 204 Mordvinians, 238 Chuvashes, 114 Buryats and 70 Nanays. Genotyping was performed by using real-time polymerase chain reaction-based methods. The allelic prevalence of the ethnic groups was compared with Caucasus population participating in the RE-LY study. Statistically significant differences for the following gene polymorphism were found between all ethnic groups and RE-LY participants. Based on obtained results, it can be assumed that patients of all ethnic groups living in Russia taking dabigatran have a lower risk of bleeding.
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