bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structured Light: Tailored for Purpose
Authors: Forbes Andrew
Published: June 2020

An emerging toolkit is enabling the shaping of light for a wide
variety of applications, in domains ranging from basic science to
manufacturing to communications.
Optical Neural Networks
Authors: Cartlidge Edwin
Published: June 2020

Light-based computers inspired by the human brain could transform
machine learning—if they can be scaled up.
E-Learning Platforms as Leverage for Education for Sustainable Development
Authors: Donath Liliana , Mircea Gabriela , Rozman Tomislav
Published: June 2020

The paper is a conceptual approach to education for sustainable development using an e-learning platform. It starts from the observed reality that all education stakeholders need a learning environment where they can have access to knowledge, collaborate and share their experience, as a survey conducted among students and companies in Timisoara, Romania, region shows. The proposed multi-stakeholder environment accommodates two sections: the learning environment mostly dedicated to students, trainees, tutors and mentors and the virtual sustainability centre that is dedicated to on-line meetings, workshops, counselling, etc. Durable learning is supported by a range of written digital and multimedia resources, including pre-recorded on-line tutoring, videos and games. To engage online learners, various gamification techniques were used in the course design phase, such as recording and presenting the learner’s progress, role-playing and similar. The article presents a conceptual design of the learner’s journey and a mapping from gamification concepts to Moodle LMS elements. Keywords: E-learning, education, sustainable development, gamification, LMS
The ways of Improving the Innovation Management in Ukraine Using the International Development
Authors: Bokovets Viktoriia , Moskvichova Olena , Hryhoruk Iryna , Suprunenko Svetlana
Published: June 2020

In the world economic space there is a complex transition from industrial technological system to postindustrial, in which the high tech, informatization and knowledge economy takes on the dominating role of the driving forces of development. Naturally, for such a turn of events, economic science was not well prepared, and today there is a certain gap between the practice of accelerated changes and the scientific provision of these processes. First of all, it concerns the development of a strategy and mechanisms for the development of the country's economy and identifying opportunities for realizing its innovative potential by doing innovative management. The researchers consider innovative management in their work in a number of aspects: science and art of innovative management (I. Dichkivska, P. Zavlin); kind of administrative activity in making decisions on innovations (I. Balabanov, M. Yon, V. Stadnik,); management of innovations (N. Kruglov, A. Porshnev); a system of rules of principles, norms, values orientations that regulate various spheres of innovation activity (V. Vasilenko, L. Oholova). In innovative management, the methods of socio-psychological series, heuristic and collegial (I. Ansoff, B. Gates, L. Karuushkha, A. Morita) prevail. There is a change in the general functions, structure and objectives of management (L. Danilenko, L. Oholova), there are special means and forms of organization of innovation activity (V. Vasilenko, L. Vashchenko).The study of literary sources and their generalization shows the importance of this issue, and requires a more in-depth study and analysis of international experience in implementing innovative measures. The research objective. The main purpose of this study is to analyze measures to stimulate innovation development in the countries of the world, assessment of their effectiveness, as well as consideration of the directions on the basis of their activation of innovation activity in Ukraine. The article reveals the essence of the concept of "innovative management", analyzes the international experience in implementing and stimulating the innovation process. Thus, to summarize, it can be concluded that the experience of leading countries in stimulating innovation usually involves quite similar measures, namely: subsidies, tax cuts or, in some cases, tax holidays, payment of a share of R & D expenditure. The following organizations are created: informational, technical, financial support for business engaged in innovation activities. Stimulates the development of innovations at the level of universities and other scientific institutions.  Keywords: innovative management; innovative activity; innovative measures; R&D; innovation.
Sustaining Healthcare: Bridging Education with Biomedical and Healthcare Challenges
Authors: Papadopoulou Paraskevi , Marouli Christina , Misseyanni Anastasia
Published: June 2020

Major advances and breakthroughs in Medicine and Healthcare are transforming our world. How will we manage to tackle our disease burden to improve our day-to-day well-being especially if in developed countries the global population of people over 80 will more than triple by 2050 and in the less developed ones the youth profile will escalate?  Will Europeans as an example, find ways to balance budgets and restrain spending and come up with a sustainable survival strategy for Europe’s healthcare systems? This work addresses a number of challenging questions and offers “smart” solutions and a framework on how to develop and sustain new models of care and improve the public services profile with the vision to become globally leading healthcare institutions mainly in Europe and particularly in Greece. The nature of programs in biomedical and healthcare sciences, the kind of educators and healthcare professionals and how to technologically and practically support such programs is considered. How to connect Biomedical programs with Medical Centers and what kind of student internships can be developed is discussed. What it means to have patient-centered medical centers which abide by strict European and international guidelines and certifications and how to provide top quality medical services is also examined. Keywords: Education, Healthcare, Medicine, Biomedical Programs, Smart Solutions, Internships, International Certifications
Foreign Practices in Land Cadaster Systems: An Experience for Ukraine
Authors: Kondratenko Daria , Savchuk Olena , Liubchych Anna
Published: June 2020

The experience of European organizations managing land cadaster system is analyzed with examples of land relations development given for different spheres: legal, technical, and economic. The peculiarities in adoption and application of the 3D land cadasters by different countries of the world is viewed. It is stated that a cadaster of the future is to be a multi-purpose one in the 3D or 4D format.   The need in modernizing current land legislation to improve the procedures of collecting, preserving, restoring, and utilizing land resources in Ukraine pertaining to implementation of the principle of the State land cadaster keeping is accentuated on. Advantages of account-and-registration systems are analyzed; the legal nature of social relations arising in this sphere is clarified. Recommendations concerning establishing the 3D cadaster in Ukraine are offered. Key words: lands account, cadaster systems, land, land parcels, the 3D cadaster.
Other Determinants of Inflation in Nigeria
Authors: Inim Victor , Emmanuel Samuel Udo , Ishaku Prince Abner
Published: June 2020

Inflation is a continuous macroeconomic concern that has dominated thoughts at major economic fora due to its pervasive effect on the economy. The quantity theory of money isolates money supply as the major cause of inflation. The economic reality in Nigeria contravenes the theory. The study examines other determinants of inflation in Nigeria using the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) method on quarterly data from January 1999- December 2018. Findings show that poor infrastructural development, exchange rate, political instability, corruption, and double taxation significantly stimulate inflation rather than just money supply. The results show a causal relationship between other determining factors and inflation. The ARDL result shows a significant long-short run relationship. The study recommends that non-monetary factors of instigating inflation should be controlled and security expenditure should be review along with-related mechanisms to achieve low inflation at single digits at most and economic growth and development. Keywords: inflation rate, money supply, Nigeria, economic indicators, ARDL Error Correction Model
Endowment as a Fundraising Tool of the Research University
Authors: Stepanova Alla , Horbas’ Iryna , Derkach Oksana , Ovcharenko Tetyana
Published: June 2020

The article summarizes the arguments within the scientific discussion about the search of alternative sources of research universities funding in the absence of sufficient support from the government. The main objective of the research is to define the possibility of using the endowment as a fundraising tool to attract alternative sources of funding for research universities in Ukraine. The relevance of solving this scientific issue lies in the fact that modern research universities are independent entities, which according to the Bologna Declaration assume the entire load on the future of the state and have to do it at the highest professional level. This can be ensured through a combination of traditional and modern sources of funding. The world experience of successful implementation of the endowment has been presented. The level of knowledge intensity of GDP, which is one of the key indicators that reflects the level of quality of higher education, has been analyzed. The endowment as one of the most effective fundraising tools is poorly developed in Ukraine. This fact has prompted us to research the main provisions of this phenomenon and to define the conditions for its implementation in Ukrainian research-based institutions of higher education by means of the strategic analysis. The conducted SWOT analysis has made it possible to systematize problem areas of the domestic market of educational services in the direction of creating and using the endowment and predicting possible strategies for its development. Since the Research Universities are considered to be the core of creation of intellectual and innovative products and the crucial mover of scientific and technological progress in the country and in the world, they have been chosen as the research object.  Keywords: fundraising, endowment, Research University, market of educational services, investment, alternative sources of funding
The Impact of Corporate Sustainability Index on BIST Sustainability Index
Authors: VARDARI Luan , GASHI Rrezarta , GASHI AHMETI Hana
Published: June 2020

Mass production, which started with the industrial revolution, caused both the unconscious consumption of the resources and the damages to the ecological system after the production. In this respect, the concept of sustainability, which is one of the most important conception of responsibility, is gradually gaining value in terms of protecting resources and transferring them to future generations. (Mori and Christodoulou, 2012: 94-106). Sustainability In the first place, it has started to be used mostly in the management of natural resources; later, it was used in different fields such as sectoral practices and energy tourism (Diaz - Baltciro, Voces, Romero, 2011: 761-773). Today, the expectations of the society from the enterprises have changed compared to the past. These changing expectations lead businesses to new searches. The most important concept that guides these quests is to be sustainable. The concept of sustainability for enterprises gains a new dimension in the form of corporate sustainability”. For corporate sustainability, it is possible for organizations to achieve individual results only to a certain extent. Because companies are affected to a great extent by all kinds of economic, social and even cultural formations occurring in their environment (Kuşat, 2012: 238). The most important benefit of sustainability indices is that it leads to improvements in transparency without the need for regulations, better understanding of the social and environmental impacts of companies and guiding them to reduce the negative effects of company activities. The BIST Index serves as a guide for companies on what to measure, what needs to be developed and what can be explained. Thus, it creates opportunities for companies to see social and environmental risks and opportunities and to manage their sustainability performances correctly. The index, on the other hand, provides information to investors and the community about the sustainability performance of companies. The aim of this study is whether the BIST Sustainable Index makes a difference for companies compared to BIST 100. "Does the BIST Sustainability Index really make a difference?" will be examined. In this context, data between 2014-2018 of BIST Sustainability and BIST 100 index will be examined. Based on the results obtained in the study, it shows that there is no strong evidence of the impact of inclusion in the BIST Sustainability Index on the stock returns of companies. At the same time, the BIST Sustainability Index has been shown to have similar returns to the BIST 100 Index. Key Words: Sustainability Index, BIST, Corporate.
The Implementation of State Policy of Power Cleaning in the Conditions of Political Transformation: Experience of Ukraine and Countries of Central and Eastern Europe
Authors: Goshovska Valentyna , Goshovskyi Volodymyr , Dubchak Liudmyla
Published: June 2020

The article analyzes the problems of realization of the state policy of power cleaning in the countries of Central-Eastern Europe (Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Baltic countries), and in particular in Ukraine. It has been found that in various countries this step in the public administration was taken since the fall of the communist regime. However, everywhere it was carried out by its own rules. The attention is drawn to the fact that the power cleaning through lustration should be ensured in the light of a wide range of threats that pertain to the human rights sphere and the principle of the presumption of innocence. This was relevant for every state that embarked on the path of transformational change to the implementation of a state policy of power cleaning. None of the countries that have taken such a political step in the public administration system went this route easily (there were both claims to the laws with subsequent legislative initiatives to amend them, and suits to courts of various instances to restore human and citizen’s rights and freedoms). However, there were also positive consequences, which resulted in the cleaning of the authorities of the respective countries from the influences of interested pro-communist political forces, which hindered democratic transformations in the states. Regarding the characteristics of the state policy of power cleaning by lustration in Ukraine, which began only in 2014, we drew attention to the fact that it had a different meaning: it was not aimed at combating the communist past, but at overthrowing the current political regime of “Yanukovych times”. There were some problems, which reflected the emergence of relevant issues in such events of the public administration system, which caused criticism from a number of external international human rights organizations (for example, the Venice Commission), and led to massive claims to courts of various instances aimed to restore of claimants' rights. Also the article draws attention to the fact that lustration, as a mechanism of power cleaning, is an appropriate political step on the way to democratization of society and overcoming the negative consequences of the activity of undemocratic political regimes. However, its implementation requires a prudent approach to defining the principles of legal regulation, the establishment of appropriate institutions to ensure the implementation of lustration and guaranteeing the protection of human and citizen's rights and freedoms from political persecution.  Keywords: sustainable development, public policy, cleaning of power, lustration, protection of human and citizen's rights and freedoms.
Bioeconomy and Circular Economy in the European Food Retail Sector
Authors: Istudor Laura-Gabriela , Suciu Marta-Christina
Published: June 2020

The paper highlights the importance of analysing corporations’ activities and their policies addressing non-financial indicators, in line with the current global concerns regarding sustainability and bioeconomy. It aims at contributing to a better understanding of the concepts of circular economy and bioeconomy, while analysing corporations’ behaviours regarding these topics. As Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) standards have become frameworks for illustrating socially and environmentally responsible behaviours, the number of companies that adopt such standards for the elaboration of sustainability reports has increased. Since the publication of sustainability reports became mandatory as of 2018, we consider that their documentation is in an incipient phase. This paper uses an empirical content-based analysis of sustainability reports released by corporations in the food retail sector inside the European Union. The selected retailers report non-financial performance following the guidelines of international social responsibility codes elaborated by the non-profit organization Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). The results of the analysis show different levels of involvement in sustainable practices across the corporations considered. Furthermore, the paper provides the main challenges regarding the implementation of sustainable methods of doing business, as well as the main impacts of adopting CSR standards for the supply chain. Keywords: Bioeconomy, circular economy, sustainability, CSR, corporations
The World Experience in the Regulation of the Land Circulation
Authors: Kaletnik Grygorii , Honcharuk Inna , Yemchyk Tetiana , Okhota Yuliia
Published: June 2020

The article examines the state of the agricultural development in Ukraine in the context of the crop and livestock industries. The use of land resources by different owners and the structure of agricultural land were also analyzed. The problems of the development of the electronic cadastre of the land   resources were identified. The proposals to use the world experience of agricultural land use in Ukraine were substantiated. The proposals for the improvement the legal framework in the field of the agricultural land circulation were elaborated. Keywords: land market, gross production, world experience, crop production, animal husbandry, land resources
Assessment and Analysis of Sustainability of the Socio-Economic Development of Amalgamated Territorial Communities of the Region
Authors: Khirivskyi Roman , Cherevko Heorhii , Yatsiv Ihor , Pasichnyk Tymofii , Petryshyn Liudmyla , Kucher Lesia
Published: June 2020

The article supplies assessment and analysis of sustainability of the socio-economic development of amalgamated territorial communities in Lviv region of Ukraine basing on the methodological approach, proposed by the authors and founded on the principal functions, performed by the territorial communities, and on the estimates of the degree of their fulfilment. Those methods suggest use of a set of indices, which express sustainable or unsustainable development of the economic indices and consider their different intention. Referring to the indices of execution of the local budgets of 22 communities in Lviv region, the authors of the research assess the socio-economic situation of amalgamated territorial communities. Results of the calculations confirm the sufficient sustainability of the socio-economic development of amalgamated territorial communities in Lviv region. However, in 2018, the communities had trouble in executing their socio-economic budgets. The best results of development of the socio-economic indices were demonstrated by Babyna ATC, Davydiv ATC and Zabolottsi ATC, the worse ones â€“ by Biskovychi ATC, Hrabovets ATC and Novyi Kalyniv ATC. To raise the level of the socio-economic standards of living of the â€œlow-performingâ€ amalgamated territorial communities and to support their sustainable development, the government should supply its assistance. Keywords: sustainability, socio-economic development, amalgamated territorial communities, Lviv region, Ukraine
Esophageal Histological Precursor Lesions and Subsequent 8.5-Year Cancer Risk in a Population-Based Prospective Study in China
Authors: Wei Wen-Qiang , Hao Chang-Qing , Guan Chen-Tao , Song Guo-Hui , Wang Meng , Zhao De-Li , Li Bian-Yun , Bai Wen-Long , Hou Pei-Yong , Wang Jin-Wu , Jin Guo-Liang , Lei Fu-Hua , Li Xin-Qing , Xue Li-Yan , Wang Guo-Qing , Abnet Christian C. , Taylor Philip R. , Dawsey Sanford M. , Qiao You-Lin
Published: June 2020

INTRODUCTION:

Data on the associations between esophageal histological lesions and risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in general populations are limited. We aimed to investigate these associations in a large Chinese general population to inform future Chinese ESCC screening guidelines.

METHODS:

We performed endoscopic screening of 21,111 participants aged 40–69 years from 3 high-risk areas of China in 2005–2009, and followed the cohort through 2016. Cumulative incidence and mortality rates of ESCC were calculated by baseline histological diagnosis, and hazard ratios of ESCC, overall and by age and sex, were assessed using the Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS:

We identified 143 new ESCC cases (0.68%) and 62 ESCC deaths (0.29%) during a median follow-up of 8.5 years. Increasing grades of squamous dysplasia were associated with the increasing risk of ESCC incidence and mortality. The cumulative ESCC incidence rates for severe dysplasia/carcinoma in situ, moderate dysplasia (MD), and mild dysplasia were 15.5%, 4.5%, and 1.4%, respectively. Older individuals (50–69 years) had 3.1 times higher ESCC incidence than younger individuals (40–49 years), and men had 2.4 times higher ESCC incidence than women.

DISCUSSION:

This study confirmed that increasing grades of squamous dysplasia are associated with increasing risk of ESCC and that severe dysplasia and carcinoma in situ require clinical treatment. This study suggests that in high-risk areas of China, patients with endoscopically worrisome MD should also receive therapy, the first screening can be postponed to 50 years, and endoscopic surveillance intervals for unremarkable MD and mild dysplasia can be lengthened to 3 and 5 years, respectively.
High-Risk Adenomas at Screening Colonoscopy Remain Predictive of Future High-Risk Adenomas Despite an Intervening Negative Colonoscopy
Authors: Sullivan Brian A. , Redding Thomas S. , Hauser Elizabeth R. , Gellad Ziad F. , Qin Xuejun , Gupta Samir , Robertson Douglas J. , Weiss David G. , O'Leary Meghan C. , Madison Ashton N. , Sims Kellie J. , Williams Christina D. , Hong Julian C. , Lieberman David , Provenzale Dawn
Published: June 2020

INTRODUCTION:

Limited data inform the current postpolypectomy surveillance guidelines, which suggest a shortened interval to third colonoscopy after a negative second examination if high-risk adenomas (HRA) were present on the initial screening colonoscopy. Therefore, we examined the risk of HRA at third colonoscopy stratified by findings on 2 previous examinations in a prospective screening colonoscopy cohort of US veterans.

METHODS:

We identified participants who had 3 or more colonoscopies from CSP#380. We examined the risk of HRA on the third examination based on findings from the previous 2 examinations. Multivariate logistic regression was used to adjust for multiple covariates.

RESULTS:

HRA were found at the third examination in 114 (12.8%) of 891 participants. Those with HRA on both previous examinations had the greatest incidence of HRA at third examination (14/56, 25.0%). Compared with those with no adenomas on both previous examinations, participants with HRA on the first examination remained at significantly increased risk for HRA at the third examination at 3 years after a negative second examination (odds ratio [OR] 3.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28–9.08), 5 years (OR 3.14, 95% CI 1.49–6.61), and 7 years (OR 2.89, 95% CI 1.08–7.74).

DISCUSSION:

In a screening population, HRA on the first examination identified individuals who remained at increased risk for HRA at the third examination, even after a negative second examination. This finding supports current colorectal cancer surveillance guidelines, which suggest a shortened, 5-year time interval to third colonoscopy after a negative second examination if high-risk findings were present on the baseline examination.
Liver Enzyme Elevation in Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Multicenter, Retrospective, Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Hao Shao-Rui , Zhang Shan-Yan , Lian Jiang-Shan , Jin Xi , Ye Cheng-Yin , Cai Huan , Zhang Xiao-Li , Hu Jian-Hua , Zheng Lin , Zhang Yi-Min , Jia Hong-Yu , Yu Guo-Dong , Wang Xiao-Yan , Gu Jue-Qing , Lu Ying-Feng , Yu Xiao-Peng , Yu Liang , Xiang Dai-Rong , Ye Chan-Yuan , Jin Ci-Liang , Qiu Yun-Qing , Li Lan-Juan , Sheng Ji-Fang , Liang Ting-Bo , Yang Yi-Da
Published: June 2020

INTRODUCTION:

Elevated liver enzyme levels are observed in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); however, these features have not been characterized.

METHODS:

Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Zhejiang Province, China, from January 17 to February 12, 2020, were enrolled. Liver enzyme level elevation was defined as alanine aminotransferase level >35 U/L for men and 25 U/L for women at admission. Patients with normal alanine aminotransferase levels were included in the control group. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to confirm severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, and patients symptomatic with SARS-CoV-2 infection were defined as patients with COVID-19. Epidemiological, demographic, clinical, laboratory, treatment, and outcome data were collected and compared.

RESULTS:

Of 788 patients with COVID-19, 222 (28.2%) patients had elevated liver enzyme levels (median [interquartile range {IQR}] age, 47.0 [35.0–55.0] years; 40.5% women). Being male, overweight, and smoking increased the risk of liver enzyme level elevation. The liver enzyme level elevation group had lesser pharyngalgia and more diarrhea than the control group. The median time from illness onset to admission was 3 days for liver enzyme level elevation groups (IQR, 2–6), whereas the median hospitalization time for 86 (38.7%) discharged patients was 13 days (IQR, 11–16). No differences in disease severity and clinical outcomes were noted between the groups.

DISCUSSION:

We found that 28.2% of patients with COVID-19 presented with elevated liver enzyme levels on admission, which could partially be related to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Male patients had a higher risk of liver enzyme level elevation. With early medical intervention, liver enzyme level elevation did not worsen the outcomes of patients with COVID-19.
Die Suche nach Weisheit ist jedermanns Pflicht. Islamische Religionsethik mit Schrift und Weisheit
Authors: Badawia Tarek
Published: June 2020

Islamic religious education is currently in a critical phase, as in many federal states the status of a recognised religious community is lacking. Against this background, the question of confessionality is moving to the centre of attention anew. Should one stick to it and, if a religious community is not recognised, accept the end of Islamic religious instruction, or should one look for a new subject profile? The author argues for a subject with a high profile in religious ethics which he locates in the horizon of knowledge and wisdom and which primarily addresses open questions with ethical relevance. This is explained in more detail using the peace issue as an example.
Religion im Ethikunterricht. Prämissen, Inhalte und Ziele
Authors: Blesenkemper Klaus
Published: June 2020

The author reconstructs the institutional premises of ethics teaching and thus also the thematization of religion in ethics with references to the status of ethics as a subject, to the position in the subject system, to the heterogeneity of the learning groups and to the peculiarities of ethics teachers. Three Kant's maxims then outline the proprium of ethics with effects on religion in this subject, before selected religious topics with their specific goals are named. To illustrate this, the author also draws on his experience as a grammar school teacher. Finally, he argues for a complementary and cooperative relationship between the subjects that form values.
Toll-like receptors in the pathophysiology of obesity
Authors: Kytikova Oxana Yu. , Novgorodtseva Tatyana Р. , Denisenko Yuliya К. , Antonyuk Marina V. , Gvozdenko Tatyana A.
Published: June 2020

Obesity is a complex and relevant global medical and social problem. The adipose tissue is not only a place of deposition of energy substrates but also a source of secretion of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators involved in the development of the chronic latent systemic inflammatory process in the organism with obesity. The metabolic signal in obesity contributes to the polarization of macrophages in the M1 direction and triggers the Th1 immune response, causing the development of adipose tissue inflammation. A chronic inflammatory condition plays a key role in the pathophysiology of obesity-induced insulin resistance. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) may be a possible pathophysiological link in the development of insulin resistance in inflammation. At the same time, inflammation-induced lipolysis is necessary for the release of energy resources during the development of the infectious process. Thus, low-grade inflammation is important to protect against adipocyte dysfunction. These results suggest that pro-inflammatory signaling is not exclusively pathogenic in obesity. In this regard, the study of inflammatory signaling pathways involved in the modulation of chronic inflammation of adipose tissue is particularly relevant. This review summarizes current views on the structure, function of TLRs and their involvement in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammation in obesity. The possibility of using TLRs as a therapeutic target in this pathology is discussed. Obviously, further study of inflammatory signaling pathways involving TLRs initiating the development of chronic inflammation of adipose tissue will allow the development of new and effective therapeutic strategies for obesity and its metabolic complications.
Prediction of early response to liraglutide therapy in patients with obesity
Authors: Logvinova Oksana V. , Troshina Ekaterina A.
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND: The main goal of treating obesity is to reduce the risk of developing its complications and comorbid diseases, which requires a steady decrease in body weight by at least 510%. In Russia in 2016, the list of drugs for the treatment of obesity was supplemented by a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1) liraglutide . There is evidence that about one third of patients do not achieve a clinically significant decrease in body weight during treatment with liraglutide, while the factors that predict the so-called early response to treatment are currently unknown.
AIM: To identify prognostic factors of an early response to complex therapy of exogenously constitutional obesity, including agonist of GLP-1 receptors liraglutide, and to evaluate the effect of this therapy on the dynamics of levels of endogenous peptide bioregulators of eating behavior (IB).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 42 patients with exogenously constitutional obesity, which were divided into 2 groups, comparable by sex, age and body mass index (BMI). The first group (n=22) received treatment recommendations for the correction of nutrition and physical activity, as well as liraglutide 3.0 mg for 3 months. The second group (n=20) received only recommendations for the correction of nutrition and physical activity. At the start and after 3 months, anthropometric characteristics and laboratory parameters were evaluated in all patients, including the levels of endogenous peptide bioregulators of IB (leptin, ghrelin, obestatin and GLP-1), their dynamics was compared between groups. Depending on the therapeutic effect, the 1st group was divided into two subgroups: those who achieved (n = 14) and did not achieve (n = 8) a clinically significant decrease in body weight. In both subgroups, baseline characteristics were analyzed as possible prognostic factors for the effectiveness of complex therapy.
RESULTS: To predict an early response to complex therapy, including liraglutide, a mathematical model has been developed that is implemented as a calculator in MS Excel and contains a combination of initial body weight and fasting plasma ghrelin. The dynamics of body weight and BMI in the group of complex therapy was statistically significantly higher than that in the group of isolated lifestyle modifications (ILM).
CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of individuals with an early response to 3.0 mg liraglutide therapy is comparable to that of data from randomized clinical trials. The mathematical model, which includes a combination of initial body weight and plasma ghrelin, allows predicting the likelihood of a clinically significant decrease in body weight after 3 months of using liraglutide 3.0 mg in combination with ILM with a sensitivity of 86% [65%; 97%] and prognostic value of a positive result of 80% [60%; 95%].
Hereditary syndromes with signs of premature aging
Authors: Golounina Olga O. , Fadeev Valentin V. , Belaya Zhanna E.
Published: June 2020

Aging is a multi-factor biological process that inevitably affects everyone. Degenerative processes, starting at the cellular and molecular levels, gradually influence the change in the functional capabilities of all organs and systems. Progeroid syndromes (from Greek. progērōs prematurely old), or premature aging syndromes, represent clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of rare hereditary diseases characterized by accelerated aging of the body. Progeria and segmental progeroid syndromes include more than a dozen diseases, but the most clear signs of premature aging are evident in Hutchinson-Guilford Progeria Syndrome and Werner Syndrome. This review summarizes the latest scientific data reflecting the etiology and clinical picture of progeria and segmental progeroid syndromes in humans. Molecular mechanisms of aging are considered, using the example of progeroid syndromes. Modern possibilities and potential ways of influencing the mechanisms of the development of age-related changes are discussed. Further study of genetic causes, as well as the development of treatment for progeria and segmental progeroid syndromes, may be a promising direction for correcting age-related changes and increasing life expectancy.
Osteoporosis in the elderly
Authors: Dudinskaya Ekaterina N. , Brailova Natalia V. , Kuznetsova Veronika A. , Tkacheva Olga N.
Published: June 2020

Osteoporosis in the elderly and senile can be compared with the epidemic of the 21st century due to the high prevalence and increased incidence among people who have survived the 50-year threshold, which make up the bulk of patients. Osteoporosis is associated with a significant increase in the risk of falls and fractures, leading to adynamia and an increased risk of death. Despite the insufficient knowledge of the pathogenesis of the disease, the available data have already allowed the development of preventive measures and treatment principles. Currently, there are preventive and therapeutic measures aimed at reducing the risk of falls, fractures and repeated fractures, however, earlier detection of the disease in old age is often difficult due to the characteristic features of geriatric patients. The polymorbidity, unexpressed clinical picture, the development of frailty syndrome, sarcopenia, social and mental maladaptation and an increase in the frequency of depression make the population of elderly and senile people vulnerable to an increased risk of osteoporosis, falls and fractures and associated hospitalizations and mortality. This review highlights the features of pathogenesis, clinical features, principles of treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in the older age group.
A dialética da natureza na produção do espaço na Praia do Saco, litoral sul de Alagoas/Brasil
Authors: Cruz Rennisy Rodrigues , Albuquerque Mariana Zerbone Alves , Gomes Edvânia Tôrres Aguiar
Published: June 2020

Este artigo tem por objetivo investigar os impactos socioambientais ocasionados com a expansão de empreendimentos imobiliários e analisar a relação sociedade e natureza no processo de produção do espaço da Praia do Saco no Município de Marechal Deodoro – AL. No processo de produção do espaço do litoral de Alagoas nota-se a expansão de empreendimentos imobiliários em áreas de conservação ambiental associados à privatização de acessos a praia, à desterritorialização de comunidades, e à destruição e apropriação da natureza por loteamentos e condomínios. Nesse sentido, fez-se necessário tecer uma discussão teórica sobre a produção do espaço e a dialética da natureza, como também a elaboração de uma análise específica da produção do espaço na Praia do Saco, identificando os vetores de transbordamento da capital Maceió para o Litoral Sul de Alagoas, as ações, os agentes e as transformações socioespaciais,além das irregularidades e os impactos socioambientais a fim de uma investigação crítica sobre a dinâmica contemporânea desse espaço. Como parte dos procedimentos metodológicos foram realizadas visitas a campo para observação, análise da área em questão, confecção de fotografias e realização de entrevistas. Deste modo, constatou-se que este processo de expansão imobiliária no litoral sul da Região Metropolitana de Maceió tem reproduzido o processo de acumulação por despossessão, pois, áreas são apropriadas pelos empreendedores imobiliários, o que gera a expulsão direta ou indireta das comunidades tradicionais, além de ocasionar um forte impacto socioambiental na área pela exploração irregular do solo.
Etyka a nauki o zjawiskach moralnych
Authors: Pieter Józef
Published: June 2020

Along with the development of humanistic branches of psychology , ethnography, and social sciences one may observe a gradual increase of factual statements concerning moral phenomena, i.e., those forms of relations of particular men among themselves which are connected with such concepts as justice, injury, goodness, evilness, etc. Under the influence of the crisis of systematical philosophy and evolutionism, as well as in connection with the development of those sciences which – according to their programs or accidentally – have dealt with moral phenomena has gradually arisen the problem of ethics, as a normative science, with the other sciences mentioned above. Some light-minded critics of ethics were of the opinion that the place of ethics should be taken by a general science of morality which would be methodologically related mainly to psychology, sociology and history of culture.
Koncepcja życia autentycznego Martina Heideggera
Authors: Jaroszewski Tadeusz
Published: June 2020

The article makes a critical assessment if Heidegger’s conception of an authentic life. After presenting a number of social reasons which account for the current expansion of anthropological problems within philosophy, the author observes that the criticism of contemporary philosophical anthropologies – first and foremost of existentialism – is one of the fundamental tasks confronting the marxist philosophy. The reason for the critical studies on existentialism rests not only in the fact of its dealing with certain problems arising in definite social circun1stances, which, incidentally, marxism has to face too, but also because the problems of the philosophy of man are an integral part of Marxism itself, and have so far been rather neglected. The author further presents the basic tents of Heidegger’s philosophy, his conception of atheism, the thesis of human solitude and the necessity of making choice without a chance of learning beforehand anything about the things to be chosen. He lays the main stress on the problems of an „authentic life”. As Heidegger put it, the authentic life is nothing else but our courage to face the whole truth about our existence. An authentic man is he who „realises that he is a nonentity, and from that position evaluates his whole life”. Only the authentic man is free in the full meaning of the word, „since he knows that all he has achieved will eventually be blotted out, that he is alone and condemned to death”. Therefore, terror and anxiety constitute the essence of our existence. Understanding of the essence of death and conscious acceptance of fear and the necessity of choice determine our freedom. Living through our existence, understood as being-to-death (Sein-zum-Tode), delivers us from the non-authentic life. That is how – concludes the author – rebelling against the bourgeois-style life, which strips a man of his identity is reduced to the dimension of the deliverance within an individual consciousness – „an apparent deliverance”, as Marx put it while criticizing Stirner’s nihilism, to which Mounier added the term „the alienation of Narcissus” – the deliverance which emancipates an individual not only from „conformism resulting from living in a community”, but also life understood as a realisation of life itself through social expression. What only remains is the sense of nullity of one’s own existence. That is how the rebellion turned into a self-contradicting value – freedom became synonymous with the alienation of inter-human ties. The alienation of individuals, the sense of absurdity of everything that surrounds them, and questioning and subsequent rejection of all social value and forms – all this has been advanced to the rank of a virtue, and recognized as the hallmark of freedom and the „authentic life”.
Natura ludzka a potrzeby
Authors: Reykowski Janusz
Published: June 2020

Psychological research is based on philosophical assumptions which are not always explicitly formulated. On the other hand, the results of these investigations affect philosophical thinking and the conception of human nature. For a long time it was a ruling conception in psychology that the essence of human nature consists in the existence of driving mechanisms with homeostatic properties drives or needs – which, principally, are inborn mechanisms modified by learning. The analysis of driving mechanisms founded on psychological and neuro-physiological data, brought about a modification of this traditional view. Starting from the concept of need as an objective phenomenon (i. e. a condition which must be fulfilled if a human being should live, develop and reproduce) it can be stated that the higher organisms have a special mechanisms securing the satisfaction of needs. They are drives. These mechanisms do not exist in a ready form in man but only potentially, as an ability to organize a functional unit in result of certain experience. The formation of drives includes: making connections between certain internal (partly also external) stimuli and some forms of activity reducing these stimuli; learning how to find things which are necessary to reduce them; and, finally, the acquisition of the ability to give verbal labels to the occurring processes. In consequence, the final form of a drive is determined by biological and social factors as well as by individual experiences.
Idea czystości nauki a nauki społeczne
Authors: Ross Alf
Published: June 2020

The author finds attitude rather than belief to be motivating force in human actions. The idea of purity of science does not forbid the scientist to express his personal judgments; what it does is to demand that he should himself realize that in doing so he trespasses the limits of science and, moreover, that he should make others realize it. The essential difference between social engineering and technology is that in social life it is steadily necessary to choose from among conflicting values. A politician acts rightly when he listens to the opinions of experts but still he is the one who bears the ultimate responsibility for the decisions he makes.
Problem neutralności metaetyki
Authors: Albert Hans
Published: June 2020

Moral Philosophy (metaethics), says the author, neither is nor should be neutral with respect to ethical systems. He argues for rationalism as a definite all-embracing methodological directive that may secure a critical, non-dogmatic approach to all views, including moral views.
Stan i perspektywy etyki w Rumunii
Authors: Popescu Vasile
Published: June 2020

The author describes briefly the activities of different ethical centres and gives a survey of the principle directions of ethical research in Romania. These include primarily normative problems (such as moral progress, the structure of moral consciousness, marital and family morals, the ethics of labour, socialist humanism), the theoretical problems (the relation of ethics to science, the sociology of morals, the history of morals, and a critique of contemporary ethical systems) and translations of classical ethical works. The recent publication of a project for a code of socialist morality gives evidence of the advance and significance of ethical research in Romania.
Podstęp w walce
Authors: Heza Edmund
Published: June 2020

In the history of Indo-European peoples warriors were known to possess characteristic physical and ethical features which went together with special social status. This is undoubtedly true of ancient Greeks. According to Homer characters who made heroic feats depicted in his books had moulded their personality in accordance with requirements of arete and battle was the best means to achieve this end, even though particular ways of obtaining it were heavily affected by subjective considerations. The individualism of the epic heroes can best be seen in the freedom they enjoyed to choose any method of fighting that suited them at the moment. The highest credit, however, was given for the fortitude displayed in a duel monomachia, which often awarded the warrior with eternal fame. But in exceptional circumstances the heroes resorted to guiles mētis or ambushes dolos. We have no ground to believe, therefore, that any kind of „chivalry code” was observed at that time.
Wartości podstawowe
Authors: Starczewska Krystyna
Published: June 2020

Trying to avoid the dilemma of axiological subjectivism and objectivism “The World of Experience” is taken as the starting point of this article. Basic values are meant to represent notions which symbolize the meaning of human experience of the world. Simultaneously these notions symbolize the meanings of the basic relations between subject and object of experience. Utility, truth and beauty are in this conception the most general notions symbolizing the meanings of practical, cognitive and aesthetic experiences. Moral goodness is a notion symbolizing the meaning of personal experiences of the subject. The practical, cognitive and aesthetic experiences occur within the frame of unilateral, matter of fact contacts of the subject with an object. The specific trait of the personal experience lies in the direct contact with the subjectivity of another human being. The experience of another man as of “one who also experiences” is the foundation of moral experiences. Recognition of the subjective autonomy of another man leads to the experience which presents him as a moral subject. The relations between moral subjects are moral relations. These relations obtain within communities whose members observe certain rules which are adopted in order to protect their autonomy and to strengthen the bonds between them, which are a warrant of the existence of their community. The effort made to preserve one’s subjective autonomy and to establish bonds with other people considered as other autonomous subjects is at the same time the essence.