bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cold ironing: modelling the interdependence of terminals and vessels in their choice of suitable systems
Authors: Pruyn Jeroen , Willeijns Jelle
Published: July 2022

Cold ironing has the potential to reduce the impact of ship exhausts in densely populated areas. However, especially for tankers, the implementation of this concept is almost non-existent. Still, these vessels have a relatively high port energy use, despite relatively short port visits, as they provide power to both pumps and inert gas systems during unloading and loading. A key factor in the reluctance, besides the fact that a sparkless connection is required, is the lack of a standard and the uncertainty from both tanker owners visiting a berth and terminal owners on which shore power systems to apply. This paper investigates the interdependency between ship and terminal owner choices for systems and establishes the overall most economical solution. Cold ironing was reviewed to identify existing systems and solutions and analyse the tanker fleet and terminals. The insights were combined in an integrated economic model consisting of two sub-models; one relating terminal decisions to a cold ironing price and one establishing the vessel side costs and savings. By using fuel price as an input and acceptance rates (for both terminals and vessels) for cold ironing systems as key variables to determine. The models have been used to identify the potential of cold ironing for shortsea and parcel tankers against different fuel prices and % of fleet and terminals that have shore power equipment. In all cases, shore power was not economical, which was caused by the high costs of the fixed costs of electricity, due to the high powers required. Interesting avenues for further research would be to increase the individuality of the model using e.g. an agent based model. Also extending the model with a battery pack on the terminal to allow for peak-shaving could lead to much lower costs and higher economic potential.
Light and electron microscopic morphology of the fertilized egg and fertilized egg envelope of Poropanchax normani, Poeciliidae, Teleostei
Authors: Kim Dong Heui
Published: July 2022

We examined the morphology of the fertilized egg and the fine structure of fertilized egg envelopes of Poropanchax normani belonging to the family Poeciliidae, also known as Norman’s lampeye using light and electron microscopes. The fertilized eggs with narrow perivitelline space were found to be spherical and demersal, additionally containing small oil droplets in the vitelline membrane. Further, a bundle of adhesive filaments was observed to be present on one side of the fertilized egg. These filaments possessed remarkably high elasticity and were approximately 1-3 mm in length. The size of the fertilized egg was determined to be about 1.49 ± 0.07 mm (n = 30). The outer surface appeared smooth, and adhesive filaments originating at different location of the surface of the envelope were found to be distributed around the egg envelope and were joined together to form a single long bundle in scanning electron microscopic observation. A peak-like structure formed of several straight wrinkles was observed around the micropyle. However, the complete structure of the micropyle could not be studied due to the depth at which it was located. Additionally, the total thickness of the egg envelope was ascertained to be approximately12.5–14.5 μm. The egg envelope consisted of two distinct layers, an outer electron dense layer and an inner lamellar layer, further consisting of 10 sublayers of varying thicknesses. Collectively, it was observed that the morphological characteristics of the fertilized egg, fine structures surrounding the micropyle, outer surface, adhesive structure consisting adhesive filaments, and sections of fertilized egg envelope displayed species specificity.
Treatment-naïve idiopathic inflammatory myopathy: disease evaluation by fluorodeoxyglucose versus pyrophosphate
Authors: Simonsen Jane A. , Thøgersen Karin F. , Hvidsten Svend , Gerke Oke , Høilund-Carlsen Poul F. , Diederichsen Louise P.
Published: July 2022

Background

Imaging of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) is challenging, and no pathognomonic signs exist. Different tracers have been tested for this purpose, mainly inflammation markers including technetium-99m-pyrophosphate (PYP). We aimed to examine the utility of fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) relative to PYP in idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM).

Methods

Using visual grading and CT-guided muscular segmentation and standardized uptake values (SUVs), we assessed muscular tracer uptake qualitatively and quantitatively, comparing FDG uptake in eight patients with recent-onset IIM and 24 healthy control persons and FDG and PYP uptake in seven patients.

Results

Muscular FDG and PYP uptake was increased in all patients. However, uptake distribution and signal intensity differed considerably. FDG scans revealed clear involvement of certain muscle groups including core and swallowing muscles and, in addition, abnormality in diseased extra-muscular organs. PYP was mainly visible in bones, whereas muscular PYP uptake was generally discrete and primarily located in the extremities. Quantitatively, FDG uptake was significantly higher in patients than in controls; the volume-weighted SUVmean for all right-side muscles was 0.84 versus 0.60 g/ml (95% confidence interval (CI) for mean difference 0.14–0.34, p = 0.0001). FDG SUVmean values were up to four times higher than PYP mean values in upper limb muscles (95% CI for the mean ratio 2.37–3.77, p = 0.0004) and two–three times higher in lower limb muscles (95% CI for the mean ratio 2.28–2.71, p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Muscular FDG uptake was higher in treatment-naïve IIM patients than in healthy controls and more distinct than PYP uptake in patients with a potential to reveal extra-muscular IIM involvement and malignancy. Thus, FDG appears to be superior to PYP in the diagnostic evaluation of IIM.
Supportive Oncology Care at Home Intervention for Patients With Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Nipp Ryan D. , Gaufberg Eva , Vyas Charu , Azoba Chinenye , Qian Carolyn L. , Jaggers Jordon , Weekes Colin D. , Allen Jill N. , Roeland Eric J. , Parikh Aparna R. , Miller Laurie , Wo Jennifer Y. , Smith Melissa Hennessey , Brown Patricia M.C. , Shulman Eliza , Fernandez-del Castillo Carlos , Kimmelman Alec C. , Ting David , Hong Theodore S. , Greer Joseph A. , Ryan David P. , Temel Jennifer S. , El-Jawahri Areej
Published: July 2022

PURPOSE:

We sought to determine the feasibility of delivering a Supportive Oncology Care at Home intervention among patients with pancreatic cancer.

METHODS:

We prospectively enrolled patients with pancreatic cancer from a parent trial of neoadjuvant fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan (FOLFIRINOX). The intervention entailed (1) remote monitoring of patient-reported symptoms, vital signs, and body weight; (2) a hospital-at-home care model; and (3) structured communication with the oncology team. We defined the intervention as feasible if ≥ 60% of patients enrolled in the study and ≥ 60% completed the daily assessments within the first 2-weeks of enrollment. We determined rates of treatment delays, urgent clinic visits, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations among those who did (n = 20) and did not (n = 24) receive Supportive Oncology Care at Home from the parent trial.

RESULTS:

From January 2019 to September 2020, we enrolled 80.8% (21/26) of potentially eligible patients. One patient became ineligible following consent because of moving out of state, resulting in 20 participants (median age = 67 years). In the first 2 weeks of enrollment, 65.0% of participants completed all daily assessments. Overall, patients reported 96.1% of daily symptoms, 96.1% of daily vital signs, and 92.5% of weekly body weights. Patients receiving the intervention had lower rates of treatment delays (55.0% v 75.0%), urgent clinic visits (10.0% v 25.0%), and emergency department visits/hospitalizations (45.0% v 62.5%) compared with those not receiving the intervention from the same parent trial.

CONCLUSION:

Findings demonstrate the feasibility and acceptability of a Supportive Oncology Care at Home intervention. Future work will investigate the efficacy of this intervention for decreasing health care use and improving patient outcomes.
Silk Vista Baby for the Treatment of Complex Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery Aneurysms
Authors: Benalia Victor H. C. , Cortez Gustavo M. , Brasiliense Leonardo B. C. , Starke Robert M. , Killer-Oberpfalzer Monika , Lopes Demetrius K. , Kan Peter T. , Nogueira Raul G. , Johnson Jeremiah N. , Pereira Vitor M. , Kilburg Craig , Khalili Susan , Hanel Ricardo A.
Published: July 2022

BACKGROUND:

Treatment of small-caliber vessel lesions using flow diverters remains challenging because of vasculature's narrow luminal diameter and tortuosity. This in turn makes navigation and delivery of conventional devices with standard microcatheters more difficult. The Silk Vista Baby (SVB, Balt) flow diversion device was designed for ease of use in vessels with a smaller diameter, distal lesions, and 0.017″ microcatheter delivery systems.

OBJECTIVE:

To report the outcomes of the SVB device on the treatment of posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysms.

METHODS:

Databases from different centers were retrospectively reviewed for PICA aneurysms treated with SVB. Demographic information, clinical presentation, radiographic characteristics, procedural complications, and immediate postprocedure outcomes were obtained.

RESULTS:

Fourteen patients harboring 15 true PICA aneurysms were treated between January 2019 and June 2021. Nine were female (n = 9/14; 64.2%), and the mean age was 51 ± 14.9 years. Most patients had previously ruptured aneurysms, treated by another endovascular technique. Six aneurysms were located distally (n = 6/15; 40%). The mean neck size was 3 mm (SD 1.35, range 2.5-5 mm), whereas the mean PICA diameter was 1.6 mm (SD 0.26, range 1.5-1.7 mm). The mean length of follow-up was 6 months (SD 8.28, range 4.5-16 months). Treatment-related adverse events included 1 case of transient hypoesthesia. Two additional events were reported, but adjudicated as unrelated to the procedure. Complete occlusion, measured as Raymond-Roy class I, was achieved in all cases.

CONCLUSION:

The SVB device was safely and effectively used in the treatment of PICA aneurysms. The smaller delivery system profile reduces the risk of procedure complications and creates new treatment options for distal lesions.
Charge Transfer between Fe and Ti Induced by Ln Substitution and Temperature in the B-Site-Disordered Perovskites Ln2(FeTi)O6 (Ln = La, Pr, and Nd)
Authors: Goto Masato , Okazaki Masato , Shimakawa Yuichi
Published: July 2022

Newly synthesized B-site-disordered perovskites Ln2(FeTi)O6 (Ln = Pr and Nd) were found to show charge transfer between Fe and Ti ions, which was in contrast to the robust Fe3+/Ti3+ state in the isostructural Ln = La compound La2(Fe3+Ti3+)O6. The charge distribution for Ln = Pr and Nd can be expressed as Ln2(Fe3+0.8Ti3+0.8Fe2+0.2Ti4+0.2)O6 at room temperature, and the amount of Fe2+/Ti4+ increases with decreasing temperature. In addition, the charge transfer resulting in Ln-dependent valence states at the B site strongly affects magnetic properties, including the magnetic transition temperatures and the ground states.
Θέματα εργοδικής θεωρίας Ramsey
Authors: Καραγεώργος Δημήτριος
Published: July 2022

Η διατριβή αυτή αποτελείται από τρία μέρη. Στο πρώτο μέρος εισάγουμε την κλάση των coideals σε ένα άπειρο κατευθυνόμενο σύνολο X και αποδεικνύουμε διαμεριστικά αποτελέσματα για τις διατεταγμένες πεπερασμένες και άπειρες ακολουθίες του X ως προς ένα coideal. Η θεωρία που αναπτύσσουμε επεκτείνει την κλασσική τοπολογική θεωρία Ramsey και περιλαμβάνει ως ειδικές περιπτώσεις αποτελέσματα, από την αντίστοιχη θεωρία για coideal στο σύνολο των φυσικών αριθμων των Louveau, Mathias, Farah και Todorcevic, το διαμεριστικό αποτέλεσμα για ακολουθίες πεπερασμένων υποσυνόλων φυσικών αριθμών των Milliken και Taylor, αλλά και διαμεριστικά αποτελέσματα σε λέξεις του Carlson, των Bergelson, Blass και Hindman και της Φαρμάκη.Στο δεύτερο μέρος παρουσιάζουμε αποτελέσματα επαναφοράς και πολλαπλής επαναφοράς για τοπολογικά δυναμικά συστήματα πάνω σε μια κατευθυνόμενη μερική ημιομάδα ως προς μια βάση coideal που είναι κατάλληλη γι αυτή. Η θεωρία μας περιλαμβάνει αποτελέσματα επαναφοράς και πολλαπλής επαναφοράς για τοπολογικά δυναμικά συστήματα πάνω στους φυσικούς αριθμούς και στα πεπερασμένα μη κενά υποσύνολα των φυσικών αριθμών που αποδείχθηκαν από τους Furstenberg και Weiss αλλά και ανάλογα αποτελέσματα για τοπολογικά δυναμικά συστήματα πάνω σε λέξεις.Στο τρίτο μέρος ασχολούμαστε με σύγκλιση εργοδικών μέσων και τις συνέπειες που έχουν σε προβλήματα επαναφοράς στη συνδυαστική και τη θεωρία αριθμών. Αξιοποιώντας ιδιότητες ομοιόμορφης κατανομής για πολυωνυμικές ακολουθίες και μεθόδους που αναπτύχθηκαν από τον Leibman και τον Φραντζικινάκη , δείχνουμε ότι οι εργοδικοί μέσοι πάνω σε ακέραια μέρη ισχυρά ανεξάρτητων πολυωνύμων, συγκλίνουν ως προς τον μέσο στο αναμενόμενο όριο. Τα αποτελέσματα αυτά έχουν μέσω της Αρχής του Furstenberg άμεσες εφαρμογές στη συνδυαστική. Επιπλέον παίρνουμε και τα αναμενόμενα όρια και τα αποτελέσματα στη συνδυαστική για πολλαπλούς εργοδικούς μεσούς για μία ακολουθία και πολλές ακολουθίες πάνω σε πρώτους αριθμούς.
Parallel and distributed methods for autonomous design of artificial neural networks
Authors: Κυριακίδης Γεώργιος
Published: July 2022

Τα τελευταία χρόνια, τα νευρωνικά δίκτυα με τη μορφή του deep learning έχουν αναζωπυρώσει το ενδιαφέρον για την τεχνητή νοημοσύνη. Οι εφαρμογές που αξιοποιούν το deep learning έχουν αυτοματοποιήσει αρκετές εργασίες που είναι δύσκολο να εκφραστούν αλγοριθμικά. Τα παραδείγματα περιλαμβάνουν αναγνώριση αντικειμένων σε μια εικόνα, μέτρηση του αριθμού των εμφανίσεων για το ίδιο αντικείμενο, αυτόνομη οδήγηση και ακριβή μετατροπή ομιλίας σε κείμενο. Ενώ το deep learning επιτρέπει την αυτοματοποίηση τέτοιων εργασιών χωρίς ρητές οδηγίες προς τον υπολογιστή, χρειάζονται πολύπλοκες νευρωνικές αρχιτεκτονικές. Αυτές οι αρχιτεκτονικές απαιτούν αρκετές ώρες και υπολογιστικούς πόρους για να σχεδιαστούν. Επιπλέον, απαραίτητη προϋπόθεση είναι η τεχνογνωσία τόσο στα νευρωνικά δίκτυα όσο και στο συγκεκριμένο πεδίο εφαρμογής. Η αναζήτηση νευρωνικής αρχιτεκτονικής (Neural Architecture Search) στοχεύει στην αυτοματοποίηση της διαδικασίας σχεδιασμού των δικτύων με πολλές διαφορετικές προσεγγίσεις, συμπεριλαμβανομένων της μεταευρετικής, της ενισχυτικής μάθησης και των διαφοροποιήσιμων μεθόδων. Η παρούσα διατριβή χρησιμοποιεί και μελετά παράλληλους και κατανεμημένους αλγόριθμους αναζήτησης νευρωνικής αρχιτεκτονικής. Μελετώνται η αποδοτικότητα και η αποτελεσματικότητα των εφαρμοζόμενων αλγορίθμων και τεχνικές επιτάχυνσης που έχουν υιοθετηθεί ευρέως αλλά δεν έχουν μελετηθεί στο παρελθόν σε βάθος. Επιπλέον, στο πλαίσιο της διατριβής, έχει αναπτυχθεί μια βιβλιοθήκη ανοιχτού κώδικα που στοχεύει στην κατανεμημένη αναζήτηση νευρωνικής αρχιτεκτονικής. Τέλος, η διατριβή συνεισφέρει στον τομέα της αναζήτησης νευρωνικής αρχιτεκτονικής επαληθεύοντας την αποτελεσματικότητα και δείχνοντας τους περιορισμούς μεθόδων όπως είναι η εκπαίδευση με μειωμένες εποχές, οι κατανεμημένες εξελικτικές μέθοδοι αναζήτησης, οι κατανεμημένες διαφορίσιμες μέθοδοι και η χρήση μεθόδων αναζήτησης νευρωνικής αρχιτεκτονικής για συνελικτικά δίκτυα γράφων (Graph Convolutional Networks).
Drafting national recovery plans and stakeholder involvement: an opportunity for strengthening EU legitimacy?
Authors: Kolliopoulos Athanasios
Published: July 2022

The Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) is at the heart of Next Generation EU, Europe’s plan to tackle the economic fallout of the pandemic crisis. To obtain this support, national plans outlining structural reforms to be implemented by member states are to be submitted for assessment by the European Commission before being approved by the European Council. Accordingly, to effectively implement the structural reforms to be financed by the RRF, national governments and their constituents must show ownership over the process. While it should be in everyone’s interest to disburse recovery funds as soon as possible so as to reach a strong recovery effect, it is equally important to ensure enough time for public consultations with the relevant stakeholders and a successful reflection of input from the stakeholders in the national plans. However, drafting national recovery plans proved a laborious exercise, bringing back concerns over the EU democratic deficit. Consequently, a crucial question concerns whether the pandemic crisis is a proper opportunity to bridge the legitimacy gap of the EU, which has widened in the era of the EU’s economic crisis. In an attempt to answer this question, this paper provides an overview of the overall involvement of stakeholders in drafting national recovery and resilience plans based on information gathered from several official reports.
Emergency contraception from historical myth to modern reality: a historical timeline and updated interpretation
Authors: GOLDSTUCK Norman D
Published: July 2022

Introduction: Emergency contraception is the use of a birth control method after coitus has taken place and there is a fear that it may lead to a pregnancy. Historical attempts were more likely to be harmful rather than effective. Oral estrogens, progestins, anti-progesterone, and partial agonist/antagonists of progesterone have all been used with varying degrees of efficacy. Currently ethinyl estradiol/levonorgestrel combinations, levonorgestrel alone, ulipristal acetate, and mifepristone are the usual oral methods depending on availability. Copper carrying and more recently levonorgestrel releasing intrauterine devices have also been used successfully. The intrauterine devices appear to be more effective than the oral methods and are also regular contraceptive methods and in addition have therapeutic properties.

Background: The evolution from longer duration oral treatments with side effects to the current single tablet of levonorgestrel, ulipristal acetate, or mifepristone with low side effects and reasonable efficacy is described. The role of the highly effective copper intrauterine device and now also the levonorgestrel intrauterine device for emergency contraception is examined.

Conclusion: Oral emergency contraception is a short term solution. Expanding emergency contraception to include the levonorgestrel releasing intrauterine device may provide long term contraception and health benefits as well as providing emergency contraception.
Case Report: Synchronous bilateral lipoma arborescens of the bicipitoradial bursa
Authors: Elafram Rafik , Ben Romdhane Majdi , Khessairi Nayssem , Hamdi Ahmed
Published: July 2022

Background: Lipoma arborescens (LA) is an infrequent benign tumor made of mature sub-synovial fatty cell proliferation that may arise into the synovial joint, the bursae or the tendon sheaths. This condition affects mainly the knee joint, but the bicipitoradial bursa is an exceptional location. We report herein a case of a synchronous bilateral (LA) of the bicipitoradial bursa.

Case presentation: A 52-year-old patient, with no medical history, presented with a swelling of both front arms that had been progressing for nine years. Physical examination showed a mass in the antecubital fossae of 3cm on the left side and 0.5cm on the right side. Both masses were tender, well-defined, fixed, without inflammatory signs and painful on elbow flexion. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan was performed, revealing the presence of a septate soft-tissue mass of the distal portion of the brachial muscle of 70x46x27mm. This mass had a heterogeneous fat signal in its depth and a homogeneous fat composition on the outside. The diagnosis of liposarcoma was suspected. The patient underwent surgery to remove both masses. Gross examination showed a characteristic frond-like or digitiform pattern. Microscopical examination demonstrated papillary proliferation of the synovial villi. The final diagnosis was of LA. The patient had no complications and there was no recurrence of LA.

Conclusions: LA is a rare condition, and the bicipitoradial bursa is an exceptional location.

Histological confirmation is mandatory to correct the diagnosis.
Understanding the stress and coping experiences of undergraduate university students in the COVID-19 context: A qualitative study
Authors: Trower Rebecca , Hurley Laoise , Murphy Emer R. , Durand Hannah , Farrell Karen , Meade Oonagh , Molloy Gerard J. , McSharry Jenny
Published: July 2022

Background: The various psychological challenges experienced by university students have been well- characterised. The university experience can be stressful, which can negatively impact on mental health. Student stress was further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic due to the lack of on-campus learning and peer contact. This study aims to understand the stress experiences and coping strategies of undergraduate university students in Ireland during the COVID-19 pandemic and to explore the differences between first-year and returning students’ experiences.

Methods: Undergraduate students at the National University of Ireland, Galway, took part in online semi-structured interviews via Microsoft Teams. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using inductive reflexive thematic analysis.

Results: Nineteen students were interviewed (10 first-years and 9 returning students). Three themes were developed in relation to perceived stressors: (1) ‘The unknown. The dragon. The fear of getting sick’ with sub-themes, ‘Fear of COVID-19’ and ‘Chronic uncertainty and negative media messages’; (2) ‘Online learning is overwhelming’ with sub-themes ‘Difficulties with university workload’ and ‘One place, same screen, same things’; (3) ‘Social isolation’ with sub-themes ‘Lack of peer contact’ and ‘Fear of missing out’. Two themes in relation to coping were also developed: (1) ‘Help each other, keep each other afloat’ and (2) ‘Focusing on the positives in a shared storm.’ First-year students described additional stressors not experienced by returning students such as navigating university for the first time remotely and making friends virtually.

Conclusion: All students struggled with various additional stressors due to the COVID-19 situation, particularly first-year students who experienced additional stressors while adjusting to university in a pandemic context. All students described coping strategies to help manage stress, which may be useful in developing future interventions and mental health supports for university students.
A protocol for a systematic review of standardised tools used in perinatal death review programmes
Authors: O'Connor Emily , Greene Richard , O'Donoghue Keelin , Leitao Sara
Published: July 2022

Introduction: Perinatal mortality encompasses stillbirths and early neonatal deaths. A perinatal death surveillance and response cycle has been recommended by the World Health Organization for use in the review of perinatal deaths. The main components of the cycle include identifying and reporting perinatal deaths, and reviewing the deaths, including potentially modifiable factors, in order to measure and improve quality of care provided to women and infants. There is no consensus on the best way to design, implement and conduct perinatal death reviews. This systematic review aims to identify standardised tools that are used to review perinatal deaths. 

Objectives: The primary aim of this protocol is to describe methodology for a systematic search of the literature to identify standardised tools that are used to review perinatal deaths in upper-middle to high-income countries. Review tools may include standardised checklists, forms, frameworks or other structured documents used to review perinatal deaths. Review tools will be appraised to see if they incorporate the identification of modifiable factors in perinatal deaths and establish recommendations for improvements to quality of care provided.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature will be performed to identify peer-reviewed publications and grey literature describing the use of perinatal mortality review tools without date restrictions. The eligibility of review tools for inclusion will be based on inclusion and exclusion criteria applied to the SPIDER framework. Data will be extracted based on the structure and content of included review tools, and the tools will be appraised using the Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation Health Systems (AGREE-HS) instrument.

Conclusion: This systematic review protocol for identifying and appraising standardised perinatal mortality review tools may help to establish the optimal way to structure a standardised review process for perinatal mortality in middle- to high-income countries.

PROSPERO registration: CRD42022326877
ADVERSUS “ADVERSUS HOMO ECONOMICUS”: CRITIQUE OF THE “CRITIQUE OF LESTER’S ACCOUNT OF INSTRUMENTAL RATIONALITY”
Authors: Lester J. C.
Published: July 2022

This essay goes through Frederick 2015 (the critique) in some detail, responding to the various paraphrases and criticisms therein. It is argued that in each case the critique is mistaken about what Lester 2012 (Escape from Leviathan: EfL) says, or about what the critique presents as a sound criticism, or both. Introduction: the three problems with the critique and the philosophical problem that EfL is attempting to solve. “Abstract”: the critique’s confusion about EfL’s aprioristic theory of instrumental rationality. There are then detailed replies (too many and too diverse to summarise) to quotations from the critique’s confused interpretations and criticisms under the following headings (quoted from the critique): “2. Instrumental Rationality”; 3. Weakness of Will”; “4. Desires and Values”; “5. Free Will”; “6. Self-Interest”; “7. Maximisation”; “8. Morals”. Finally, in “9. Conclusion”, the philosophical problem for economics is briefly restated. The philosophical interpretation of homo economicus in EfL (as with its overall philosophical theory of libertarianism) has yet to be given adequate critical consideration.
LIABILITY OF ONLINE PLATFORMS IN EUROPE FOR THE ILLEGAL UPLOADING AND HOSTING OF PROTECTED WORKS
Authors: Prigoda Anastasiia
Published: July 2022

At the beginning of the 18th century, the Institute of Copyright and Intellectual Property protection was established as a state regulation system of relations in the field of competition in the market and control of the distribution of legal, literary content in the form of physical media. After the spread of the IT products, including the popularization of the Internet, various online platforms appeared platforms through which authors and owners of intellectual property results can post their works to obtain material benefits and advertise the product. Internet "piracy" causes severe damage to the economic condition of the authors, for example, in the form of lost profits. The main document that regulates the issue of responsibility of online platforms is the Copyright Law Directive (EU) 2019/790 of the European Parliament and the Council of 17 April 2019 or, in other words, the Digital Single Market Directive. The European Union strives to protect its users as much as possible by developing recommendations and adopting legislative acts.
INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL COOPERATION IN THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS: MAIN FEATURES
Authors: Skuratovich Katherine
Published: July 2022

The decisive factor in the social and economic development of countries and the world was the contribution of science, innovation, and new technologies. With their help, the production volume of products, goods, and services and their diversity are constantly increasing. At the same time, the key to successful and stable development is not in the availability of the latest achievements but the possibilities for the country’s benefit. The more efficient the market mechanism for the transmission and attraction of the latest achievements, the more efficient the distribution of this factor of production in society and the greater the benefit to scientific organizations and the state will be. The role of international cooperation is to support and complement national efforts. Nowadays, an analysis of international trends shows that the effective development of science and the creation of competitive innovation products is impossible without the deep integration of national scientific and industrial spheres into global research and innovation networks. That is the only way to ensure the inflow of foreign investment, highly effective personnel, and new technologies.
STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT IN ENSURING ECONOMIC SECURITY IN THE DIGITAL ECONOMY AND THE VUCA WORLD
Authors: Zachosova Nataliia , Koval Oleksii
Published: July 2022

The importance of strategic management and strategy development for determining the benchmarks of functioning and development of the economic security system is substantiated. This article describes the role of strategic management in ensuring the economic security of the business entity. The peculiarities of the organization of security-oriented company strategic management in the conditions of the expansion of the digital economy, Industry 4.0, as well as the peculiarities of functioning in the VUCA World have been determined. The paper proposes the use and formalization of the main characteristics of the strategy of security-oriented digital development and the strategy of personnel potential development with a focus on economic security. The proposals are based on the strategy of security-oriented digital development to lay the need for business transition to the digital plane, and digitalization of business processes with awareness and anticipation of all the risks that will accompany such transformations. To protect companies from reputational risks and with the awareness that the organization of effective risk management is impossible without the participation of persons, specialists, experts, etc., a paper proposed a strategy for human resources with a focus on economic security. The algorithm of its implementation involves the determination of the skills and competencies that staff will need in a few years in the context of continuing instability and uncertainty in the company environment and taking measures for their formation and development.
THE ISSUE OF UNIFORM APPLICATION OF PROVISIONS ON MEDICAL DEVICES IN THE EU ON - CASE POLAND
Authors: Zylka Bartlomiej
Published: July 2022

The import and introduction of medical devices to the common market of the European Union constitutes a significant part of the community's trade exchange with the world. In this context, the harmonization of regulations relating to medical devices has become one of the key elements of the trade, medical, and customs policy of the European Union. This article briefly outlines the evolution of the Community regulations on medical devices and indicates some problems that are important from the point of view of members of the economic market, which may arise at the stage of application of regulations on medical devices by state administration bodies, as well as the related legal and business consequences. The analysis focuses on the two legal acts which are of key importance from the point of view of qualifying devices as medical Directive 93/42/EEC on medical devices (MDD), applicable from 1 January 1995 until 25 May 2021, Regulation (EU) 2017/745 on medical devices (MDR), fully applicable from 26 May 2021. Similarly, the role of public administration bodies in applying EU law is analyzed, and the related dangers to the principles on which the EU legal system rests are indicated. The issues raised constitute the basis for de lege ferenda conclusions, which focus on the possibility of unifying the practice of applying the law in the individual Member States through specific institutional solutions and thus eliminating potential particularisms.
Modified body – symbol of risk or resources?
Authors: Lammek Mateusz
Published: July 2022

Cel pracy

Tatuaż i kolczykowanie ciała stają się coraz bardziej popularne. Psychologiczne podejście do takich modyfikacji ciała wciąż pozostaje heterogeniczne. Celem niniejszej replikacji było oszacowanie poziomu satysfakcji z życia i samooceny oraz ujawnienie subiektywnie doświadczanych objawów zaburzeń zdrowia psychicznego u osób, które deklarowały posiadanie tatuażu i/lub piercingu w trakcie epidemii koronawirusa.

Metoda

Badania zostały przeprowadzone w okresie od kwietnia do czerwca 2020 w formie on-line. Uczestnicy (N = 557) byli w wieku 15-68 lat.

Wyniki

Nie stwierdzono istotnych różnic w postrzeganej satysfakcji z życia, samoocenie i ocenie zdrowia psychicznego pomiędzy osobami z modyfikacjami ciała i bez nich. Ujawnione różnice w wymiarach samooceny oraz ilości subiektywnie odczuwanych objawów depresji okazały się mieć charakter przypadkowy.

Wnioski

Wszyscy uczestnicy badania (niezależnie od posiadania modyfikacji ciała) mieli świadomość posiadania i umięjętności wykorzystania zasobów osobistych, by radzić sobie z sytuacją pandemii COVID-19. Modyfikacje ciała nie należy traktować jako czynnik ryzyka. Szczególnie wśród osób wytatuowanych wraz ze wzrostem satysfakcji z życia wzrastała samoocena funkcjonowania psychologicznego.
Neurological and neuropsychological post-covid complications
Authors: Mielniczek Katarzyna , Kowalska Aleksandra , Jóźwik Katarzyna , Lipiec Marta , Dołomisiewicz Diana
Published: July 2022

Introduction: COVID-19 is an acute respiratory disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It attacks the respiratory system in particular, however, it can also lead to gastrointestinal or neurological diseases. The disease leads to numerous neurological complications.

Material and method: the purpose of this study is to review the neurological and neuropsychological complications that have arisen as a result of COVID-19 outbreak. The literature available on the PubMed scientific platform was reviewed. Time descriptors were set for 2020-2022.

Results: Neurological symptoms are mainly due to cerebral hypoxia due to respiratory failure. These include encephalitis, meningitis, encephalopathies, seizures, disorders of consciousness, smell, taste and vision, among others. Neuropsychological complications can also occur.

Conclusions: Pulmonary abnormalities, neurological complications and exercise intolerance were frequently identified complications among COVID-19 survivors. The main neurological symptoms reported were fatigue, concentration changes, memory loss, and sleep disturbances. In contrast, the longest-lasting complications were fatigue, loss of concentration or memory, weakness, pain and dizziness.

Keywords: "COVID-19", "postcovid neurological symptoms", "neurological complications".
Screening and identifying Sarcopenia in primary care
Authors: Nazarko Linda
Published: July 2022

Linda Nazarko explains what sarcopenia is, how it affects adults and how it is diagnosed
Studies on the Actions of Calcium Channel Blockers, Anticholinesterases Agents on Experimentally Induced Spastic Paralysis in Normotensive Rats
Authors: P. I Aziba P. I Aziba , Idumange Tari R. , C. T Senjobi, , Akee M Adeniyi- , Oluwasegun Adedokun
Published: July 2022

Experimental paralysis was induced intramuscularly (i.m) in rats , using Suxa(1.08mg/kg ) , Deca (1.08mg/kg ) in normotensive rats weighing150-180g±2.5g (n=8).Various concentrations of these drugs ranging from (0.36—1.08mg/kg) were used , in order to assess at what concentrations will induced spastic paralysis sustained without death. Similarly, dose response concentrations effect was examined and the onset of action( ie time taken to observe paralysis and manifestation of pain and death was recorded. In some experiments, equimolar concentrations of Suxa(1.08mg/kg) and Deca(1.08mg/kg) was used to assess reaction time(RT) and potency of the agents. Thereafter the actions of Calcium Channel blockers (CCB), Diltiazem ( DTZ) and verapamil(VE) were studied in separate experiments. Anticholinesterase agent(AchE) in combination with Atropine a known antimuscarinic agent(AchE ) and investigated their actions on induced paralysis. The results obtained in these studies showed that CCB produced a significant potentiation of spastic paralysis on Suxa induced paralysis but non reversal effect with Deca , while AchE in combination ATR showed a reversal effect on paralysis induced by these agents in the concentrations used in his study. The aim of the study was to see interaction of these agents on sustained experimental paralysis in rodent.
Understanding the Correlation of Diet, Immunity, and Probiotics: A Credible Implication in SARS-CoV2 Infections
Authors: Nisar Akib , Kathade Suyash Arunrao , Aswani Mayur Arjun , Harsulkar Abhay Madhukar , Jagtap Suresh Dnyandev , Kunchiraman Bipinraj Nirichan
Published: July 2022

The COVID-19 had been emerged as a pandemic and resulted in more than 273 million reported cases and 5.3 million deaths worldwide. Concerns have been raised regarding this virus due to its unprecedented ability to move from human to human and cause infections, acute morbidity, and fatal outcome. Gut and lung microbiome profile substantially depends on dietary habits and plays a major role in modulating immunity thereby providing resistance to viral infections. The Gut-lung axis shows a correlation in microbial profile and the gastrointestinal microbiota can modulate lung microbiota majorly through the impact of microbial metabolites. Firmicutes and Actinobacteria specifically Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus are responsible to modulate immunity and are widely used as probiotic species. In this review, we have concluded that different dietary habits affect microbial diversity and it can be a determining factor to fight SARS-CoV2 infections.
Prebiotic Profiling of Indigenous Selected Dioscorea Spp. Using In-vitro Techniques
Authors: Aswani Mayur Arjun , Kathade Suyash Arunrao , Nisar Akib , Anand Pashmin Kaur , Kunchiraman Bipinraj Nirichan , Jagtap Suresh Dnyadeo
Published: July 2022

The current study used an in-vitro technique to evaluate the functional potential of Dioscorea alata L. and D. bulbifera L. extracts as prebiotics. Prebiotics are nondigestible carbohydrates that undergo a selective fermentation process in the gut to benefit the host, according to Gibson and Roberfroid in 1995. Many wild edible plants are high in carbohydrates and are utilised as both a staple food and medicine for a variety of stomach-related disorders. This study employed sweet tuber (ST), bitter tuber (BT), sweet bulbils (SB), and bitter bulbils (BB) from D. bulbifera, as well as tuber (AT) from D. alata and extracted prebiotics using standard method.The AT plant sample seemed to have the least reducing sugars, with a concentration of 2.83 mg/mL. The prebiotic activity of ST, BT, SB, BB, and AT samples was examined as the sole carbon source for microorganisms; among these, AT exhibited a considerable increase in the growth of recognised probiotics Lactobacillus plantarum, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, S. boulardii, and Pichia spp. in-vitro when compared to fructooligosaccharides (FOS). This preliminary investigation indicates that AT has the potential to be used as a promising prebiotic.
Heart Rhythms Recorded Among Pupils in Enugu, South East Nigeria
Authors: Okorie Pamela Onyinye , Ugwu Princewill Ikechukwu , Isiguzo Godsent Chichebem , Omire-Oluedo Okechukwu Maduabuchi , Nworgu Choice Chinemerem , Nwannadi Vivian Ifeyinwa , Okafor Oluchi Kizito , Anyaehie Ugochukwu Bond
Published: July 2022

Electrocardiography (ECG) is an important non-invasive tool used to detect cardiac arrhythmias. Abnormal, and indeed dangerous, rhythms may exist among apparently healthy school children. Regular cardiovascular screening may help reveal such abnormal rhythms and thus help to prevent unexpected adverse events, including sudden death. The aim of this study was to ascertain the different heart rhythms that occur in pupils in Enugu metropolis. A descriptive cross-sectional research approach was adopted. Three hundred and fourty-one healthy looking pupils between age six and twelve years were recruited. Questionnaires were administered; medical general examination and electrocardiography, using a 12-lead ECG machine, were done on each of the pupils. At the end of the study, no structural evidence of heart disease was identified in any of the pupils. There was normal sinus rhythm in 79.1% of the pupils, however, in 20.9% of them abnormal rhythm was seen. The abnormal rhythms noted were: premature complexes (8.44%), atrial tachycardia (5.64%), first degree atrioventricular block (5.63%), bradycardia (2.82%) and incomplete right bundle block (2.82%). This study showed that among apparently healthy school children, abnormal heart rhythms are present, and these rhythms could be missed in absence of cardiovascular screening. As the reported cases of sudden death during sports in children and young adults keep rising, it is important to encourage routine cardiovascular screening to aid early detection and prevention of possible abnormalities.
Wearable and Non-wearable Technology Assisted Assessment and Rehabilitation approaches for Gait Improvement among the Patients with Knee Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review
Authors: Raghav Sumit , Singh Anshika , Mani Suresh , Kumar Mukul
Published: July 2022

Introduction: This article presents a relevant review of technological interventions used in gait analysis for post-operative knee surgery cases. Gait analysis plays a vital role in the early monitoring and rehabilitation of post-operative instances. The Gait analysis help with early diagnosis and physiotherapy interventions can produce significant results. Thus, reducing the overall cost of treatment and increasing the effect of administered treatment. In the modern era, physiotherapists use different sensors to monitor spatiotemporal parameters. These sensors help assist and enhance the administered physiotherapy. This review paper focuses on sensor-based technological interventions in gait analysis. It emphasizes that technology-assisted rehabilitation, notably sensor-based technologies, motion sensors, and motion analysis software, improves monitoring and functional mobility in knee arthroplasty.

Methodology: The systematic search yielded 272 studies, 11 added retrospectively via reference screening of included articles. Following title and abstract screening, we include 53 studies for full-text screening, and ultimately, 20 studies met the review's predetermined eligibility criteria. Two physiotherapists, 'SR' and 'AS,' conducted a thorough search using various electronic databases and screened the eligibility of titles and abstracts. This review included a total of twenty studies. We included all those studies associated with various technological interventions, outcome measures, and study populations. All relevant studies were categorized and tabulated based on the technologies used, the type of device used, and the outcome measure used to monitor and quantify Gait and other mobility impairments.

Conclusion: This review paper provides a comprehensive overview of the applications of technology-based intervention to monitor and quantify mobility status using assisted gait analysis. There is moderate-quality evidence that technology-assisted rehabilitation, specifically sensor-based technology, motion sensors, and motion analysis software, results in a statistically significant improvement in monitoring and functional mobility in patients undergoing knee arthroplasty.
Metal Nanoparticle Synthesis Using Fruit Extracts as Reducing Agents and Comparative Studies with a Chemical Reducing Agent
Authors: Lavande Soham , Jaiswal Shraddha , Deore Roshanee , Pawar Jayant , Tale Vidya
Published: July 2022

Nanoparticle synthesis using plant extracts is biologically safe, cost-effective, and environment-friendly, hence attracting many researchers owing to its advantages over chemical or physical methods. In the current study copper and silver nanoparticles have been synthesized by chemical and biological methods (using fruit extract). The leftover fruits collected from the fruit vendors and were used for the study, such as guava (Psidium guajava L), and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) as a source of ascorbic acid, while lemon (Citrus limon (L.) Osbeck) and orange (Citrus X sinensis) as a source of citric acid. Quantification of ascorbic acid and citric acid present in fruit extract was performed by Iodometric and acid-base titrations, respectively, followed by Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) to confirm their role in nanoparticle production. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV–visible (UV–VIS) spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The number of particles produced with fruit extract as a reducing agent was more compared to chemical methods. The size and structure of the synthesized nanoparticles produced using fruit extracts were similar to those produced chemically. Also, the antibacterial effect of Cu and Ag nanoparticles was seen against Escherichia coli and Streptococcus pyogenes strains.
Traditional Ethnomedicinal Practice in the Homemade Alcoholic Beverage of Mising Community of Majuli District, Upper Assam
Authors: Yein Jelshing , Pegu Bhaba Kumar , Sanong James , Khanikar Nirupam Raj , Pegu Biswajit
Published: July 2022

Assam's Mising community is the state's second most populous tribal community. Since ancient times, the Mising tribe has consumed homemade alcoholic beverages. Mising community members, primarily drink two types of homemade alcoholic beverages: Po:ro Apong and Nagin Apong. Various plant ingredients were used in the preparation of the starter culture for such homemade alcoholic beverages as Apong. In Mising rural areas, the ingredients of these plants were also used in traditional ethnomedical practise. The current study documented the Mising community of Majuli District, Upper Assam's traditional ethnomedicinal practise in the homemade alcoholic beverage.
A Systemic Review on Micro-emulsion: Liquid Dosage form for Topical Drug Delivery System
Authors: Dhanawate Pratik Dilipraj , Gawade Ashwini Ramkrishana , Kuchekar Ashwin Bhanudas , Podutwar Akash Anil
Published: July 2022

Microemulsions (ME) is a system that combines water, oil, and an emulsifier / surfactant which is a form of volatile liquid, homogeneous and kinetically stable. Microemulsion is an attractive drug delivery system for topical administration. Due to its solubility, mild skin irritation, and watery swelling are used in the Topical Drug Delivery System (TDDS). By improving the quality of skin texture, it provides a level of penetration. The function of skin balance is to limit the penetration of bacteria, viruses, and other environmental factors. With standard drugs, skin penetration may take time and have not been able to provide immediate action. So, in this case, we used the Microemulsion-based Topical Drug Delivery system. Microemulsion increases solubility, protects the drug from environmental factors and improves drug bioavailability. MEs provide high penetration and the ability to penetrate into the skin. Because of this, the immediate action of the drug can occur in the infected area. Due to the presence of a hydrophilic and lipophilic environment, it provides outstanding biocompatibility. There are several test frames used to maintain stability, microemulsion kinetics.