bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prerequisites for the Formation of the Anti-Corruption Security Theory in the Russian Federation
Authors:   Siberian Federal University, Damm Irina A.
Published: December 2021

Security is one of the basic needs of the individual, society and the state, as well as an integral condition for their development. Corruption is among the threats to the national security of the Russian Federation, as it follows from the National Security Strategy approved by Presidential Decree No. 683 of 31.12.2015. The significant efforts made by the state since the mid‑2000s to form and improve social, legal and organizational mechanisms for combating corruption consistently lead to positive results. At the same time, we have to state that corruption continues to cause irreparable harm to public relations, creates an atmosphere of social tension in society. It is no coincidence that the new National Security Strategy, approved by Presidential Decree No. 400 of 02.07.2021, emphasizes the need of society to strengthen the fight against corruption. The high rates of development of anti-corruption legislation, as well as the institutionalization of anti-corruption structures, have led to the formation of natural intra-system contradictions that hinder the further sustainable development of anti-corruption activities. The emerging trends of stagnation of the anti-corruption system actualize the search for qualitatively new fundamental scientific developments that allow us to reach a new level of intersectoral scientific understanding and development of anti-corruption mechanisms. The current stage of the development of scientific knowledge about the phenomena of corruption and security, as well as the relevant anti-corruption and security systems, allows us to identify sufficient prerequisites for the beginning of the development of the theory of anti-corruption security, which contains methodological approaches to ensuring personal, state and global anti-corruption security
The Provenance and Tectonic Settings of the Greywacke Member of the Late Neoproterozoic Hazara Formation Lesser Himalayas, Northern Pakistan: Evidence from Geochemistry and Petrography
Authors: Zaman Dar Qamar UZ , Renhai Pu , Sajid Zulqarnain , Mehmood Mubashir , Abdul Wahab Abdul Wahab , Khan Muhammad Jehangir , Latif Tajjamal
Published: December 2021

The petrographic and geochemical analysis of the greywacke horizon of the late Neoproterozoic Hazara Formation from the Hazara Mountains has been investigated to determine the provenance, tectonic settings and weathering history of the sediments. The Late Neoproterozoic Hazara Formation is a thick sedimentary sequence comprising of greywacke, shale, argillites, siltstone, and limestone. The greywackes are characterized by fine to medium-grained, moderately sorted and sub-angular to sub-rounded framework grains. They are rich in quartz, lithic fragments and clay minerals. The petrographic investigation of the greywackes categorized them as feldspathic greywacke in the QFR diagram. The quartz content is higher in sandstone and may reach to 70%, which indicates a weathered felsic source. Chemical Index of Alteration values of greywacke suggests that the source region has experienced highly weathering conditions with a warm and moist climate. Various geochemical interpretations, elemental ratios like Th/Sc, La/Sc,Th/Cr, and positive Eu anomalies indicate that the greywackes of the Hazara formation derived from a felsic source and were deposited within an active continental margin tectonic settings. The main source area of the sediments of the greywackes was located to south to southeast, which may possibly be the Aravali orogeny, central Indian craton and Bundelkhand craton. Finally, the geochemical data of the major elements point to a felsic igneous provenance for the greywacke.
Surface Electromyography Quantification Methods for Evaluating Muscle Activity in Dysphagia
Authors: Suprijanto Suprijanto , Azizah S. Noor Azizah S. Noor , Miranti I. Mandasari Miranti I. Mandasari , Hesty Susanti Hesty Susanti
Published: December 2021

Quantitative evaluation of stroke patients with the risk of swallowing disorder or dysphagia is required to support diagnosis and further rehabilitation planning. Fluoroscopy X-ray imaging usually is used for swallowing diagnosis, though it gives radiation exposure to patients. Therefore, quantification of muscle coordination patterns involved in swallowing based on surface electromyography (sEMG) was introduced. However, an adequate quantification of sEMG for dysphagia diagnosis still lacks standardization. In this work, potential sEMG signal features, namely the contraction duration (DUR), the time to peak of maximum contraction (TTP), and the total RMS power (TP), were further investigated to evaluate the swallowing processes in healthy subjects and post-stroke patients. The experimental scheme instructed the participant, i.e. 20 healthy subjects and 20 patients, to swallow 3 mL of water in normal swallowing mode and swallow saliva in dry swallowing mode. The proposed signal processing procedure helps to establish the feature extraction of the three features mentioned earlier. For dysphagia assessment, with the support of our proposed signal processing procedure, DUR and TTP can be used together to improve diagnosis reliability. The characteristic of both features in healthy subjects was shorter than in post-stroke patients. Also, the TP feature is useful as additional information to evaluate the role of suprahyoid (SUP) and infrahyoid (INF) muscle groups which are very important in the swallowing process. These results are promising to provide a reliable set of features in the time domain for swallowing analysis. Notably, this can also be utilized as a feature for supporting the automatic classification of dysphagia diagnosis.
Effects of Traditional and Convenient Edible Bird’s Nest on Spatial Learning of Male Sprague-Dawley Rats
Authors: Kamal Haziq , Kamil Khidhir , Nelson Tan Kar Wai , Amiruddin Abdul Latif Noor Bin , Prithviraj Singh Manmeet Kaur , Johaniff Nurul Aina Binti , Abdul Halim Nursyahirah Binti , Mohammed Nawi Azmawati , Chua Kien Hui , Jaya Kumar Jaya Kumar
Published: December 2021

Consumption of edible bird's nest (EBN) has been a common practice for the health benefits it is believed to provide. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the effects of both traditional edible bird's nest (TEBN) and convenient edible bird’s nest (CEBN) on the spatial learning of male Sprague Dawley rats in a radial arm maze (RAM). A total of 24 male rats (270-300 g) were allocated into three groups based on diet given namely pellet only (control group), pellet mixed with TEBN (300 mg/kg) and pellet mixed with CEBN (300 mg/kg). The rats were fed with the aforementioned diet throughout the study for 42 days and exposed to RAM for spatial learning assessments which consisted of shaping (3 days), acquisition (8 days) and retention (1 day) trials. In the acquisition trials, CEBN reduced working memory error (WME) on day 5 compared to control, and day 6 compared to the TEBN group. TEBN markedly reduced reference memory error (RME) on day 1 and 8, time spent (day 3) and percentage of correct choices made (day 3) during the acquisition trials compared to CEBN. TEBN and CEBN significantly reduced WME, however, only CEBN increased RME during the retention trial. CEBN significantly affected the total entries produced in the RAM which indicated the non-specific effects of CEBN on the locomotion of the rats. Our findings suggested that TEBN may work better than CEBN in improving spatial learning considering the fact that CEBN markedly reduced the locomotion of the rats during the retention trial.
Cyanamide-Modified Iron(III) Oxide Photocatalysts for Degradation of Phenol in the Presence of Urea and Formaldehyde
Authors: Roslan Nur Azmina , Lintang Hendrik O. , Leny Yuliati Leny Yuliati
Published: December 2021

Cyanamide as the source of carbon and nitrogen was used to modify iron(III) oxide (Fe2O3) photocatalyst. While X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns confirmed that the cyanamide-modified Fe2O3 photocatalysts have comparable crystallinity to that of the unmodified Fe2O3, the diffuse reflectance ultraviolet-visible (DR UV-vis) spectra obviously showed additional light absorption around 500-800 nm on the cyanamide-modified Fe2O3, resulting in a better absorption capability under visible light irradiation. The presence of cyanamide modifier decreased the fluorescence emission intensity of Fe2O3, implying the reduced electron-hole recombination on the Fe2O3 and/or blocked emission sites by the modifier. The presence of carbon and nitrogen on the modified Fe2O3 photocatalysts was confirmed by the elemental analyzer. Photocatalytic activities of Fe2O3 and cyanamide-modified Fe2O3 were then evaluated for degradation of phenol under UV and visible light irradiation. Modification of Fe2O3 with cyanamide significantly improved the degradation of phenol from 30 to 75% under UV light irradiation and from 0 to 80% under visible light irradiation. Photocatalytic degradation of phenol was also investigated in the presence of urea or formaldehyde or both urea and formaldehyde. Even though the percentage of phenol degradation decreased in the presence of other pollutants, it was demonstrated that cyanamide modified iron(III) oxide photocatalysts still gave good activity towards degradation of phenol even in the presence of other organic pollutants.
Poorer Attainment of Hemoglobin A1C, Blood Pressure and LDL-Cholesterol Goals among Younger Adults with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Kim Sui Wan , Hairi Noran Naqiah , Mustapha Feisul Idzwan , Mohd Yusof Khalijah , Mohd Ali Zainudin , Foong Ming Moy
Published: December 2021

Concurrent attainment of glycated haemoglobin A1C, blood pressure, and LDL-cholesterol goals, or collectively known as the ‘ABC’ goals, help prevent cardiovascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). We aimed to determine the proportion of T2D patients who achieved all three ABC goals in Malaysia’s public health clinics. We also determined the association between age groups with the attainment of all the ABC goals. A cross-sectional analysis of the baseline findings from a retrospective open cohort study between 2013 and 2017 in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia was conducted. The data was extracted from the National Diabetes Registry. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients who attained all three ABC goals. The exposure of interest was patients’ age groups, namely 18-44, 45-59 and ≥ 60 years. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to adjust demographics factors, comorbidities, complications and treatment profiles. Among 17,592 patients, the mean age was 59.1 years, with 56.3% females and 64.9% Malays. Overall, 4.5% (95% CI: 4.2-4.8) of the patients attained all the ABC goals. Compared to older adults aged ≥ 60 years, patients aged 18-44 and 45-59 years had adjusted odds ratios of 0.50 and 0.72, respectively, to achieve all the ABC goals. Ethnicity, body mass index, diabetes treatment modality, lipid-lowering agent and polypharmacy were independent factors associated with the outcome. In summary, achieving all the ABC goals in T2D patients is challenging, especially among younger adults. Our findings suggest that more targeted interventions should be directed towards this high-risk subpopulation.
Fluoxetine Affects Intestinal Motility via 5-HT3 and Muscarinic Receptors in ex vivo Mouse Model
Authors: Khuituan Pissared , Nhaemchei Chotika , Pradab Sakda , K-da Sakena , Konthapakdee Nipaporn
Published: December 2021

Fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor anti-depressant, causes undesirable side effects, including diarrhea and constipation. This research investigated the direct effects of fluoxetine at 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 µM on duodenal and proximal colonic tissue contractions. The investigation aimed to determine related mechanisms using an isolated mouse intestine model. Our study showed that fluoxetine at 0.001 μM increased the amplitude of contraction in colonic tissue but decreased the amplitude in duodenal tissue. The direct application of higher concentrations of fluoxetine (1, 10, and 100 µM) reduced the amplitude of contractions in proximal colonic tissue. Moreover, we found that the stimulatory effect of 0.001 µM fluoxetine on the tone of contractions could be prevented by pre-incubating the tissue in ondansetron and atropine. Our findings suggest that the inhibition of the effect of fluoxetine was mainly mediated via 5-HT3 receptors and muscarinic signaling. These findings might explain the conflicting gastrointestinal symptoms caused by fluoxetine.
A Brief Review on Hydrophobic Modifications of Glycol Chitosan into Amphiphilic Nanoparticles for Enhanced Drug Delivery
Authors: Chong Wai Mun , Abd Kadir Erazuliana
Published: December 2021

Glycol chitosan (GC) is the chitosan derivative that is capable of forming amphiphilic nanoparticles upon structure modifications at the reactive functional amine group on the polymer sugar backbone. Owing to the hydrophilic feature of GC and hydrophobic moieties that can be added to the GC structure, modifiable nanosystems were constructed to entrap poorly soluble drugs, mostly chemotherapeutic agents and several anti-inflammatory, anaesthetic, immunosuppressant, and antifungal drugs for more efficient delivery of the payload to the target site and improving the intended therapeutic effects. This review highlights the various hydrophobic molecules used in the chemical modification of GC to create amphiphilic nanoparticles for hydrophobic drug delivery, along with the summary of their physicochemical criteria and successful therapeutic enhancement achieved with the application of the drug-loaded amphiphiles. The biodegradable, GC-based nanoparticles particularly having the inner hydrophobic core and outer hydrophilic shell are an efficient system for drug entrapment, protection and targeting to improve the bioavailability and safety of the drug, in particular for cancer treatment purposes. The significant drug delivery enhancements achieved by these various hydrophobically-modified GC nanoparticles may provide the insights for their further use in nanomedicine.
Pengoptimuman Parameter bagi Selulosa Tandan Kosong Kelapa Sawit (TKKS) Teresterifikasi
Authors: Mostapha Marhaini , Azamkamal Fatihah , Mohd Salleh Kushairi , Amran Umar Adli , Gan Sinyee , Zakaria Sarani
Published: December 2021

Pengubahsuaian kimia terhadap selulosa tandan kosong kelapa sawit (TKKS) menggunakan agen pengesteran asid etilena diamina tetraasetik (EDTA) dan asid asetik (AA) dengan parameter yang berbeza dikaji dan dioptimumkan. Pada peringkat awal, pulpa TKKS telah dirawat menggunakan empat peringkat pelunturan (D-E-E-D) untuk menghasilkan selulosa TKKS. Seterusnya, selulosa TKKS melalui proses esterifikasi menggunakan AA dan EDTA yang dibantu oleh sistem pemanasan gelombang mikro bagi tujuan penambahbaikan keberkesanan pengesteran. Pengaruh parameter pra-rawatan terhadap kestabilan termal dan perubahan kumpulan berfungsi dioptimumkan dengan menggunakan reka bentuk komposit pusat (CCD), pemodelan permukaan tindak balas (RSM) diikuti dengan analisis termogravitometri (TGA) dan analisis kumpulan berfungsi (FT-IR). Didapati terdapat perbezaan ketara (produk esterifikasi) berlaku kepada selulosa TKKS yang diubah suai menggunakan EDTA berbanding AA pada suhu yang tinggi. Data RSM menunjukkan suhu, masa, dan kepekatan bahan kimia yang dioptimumkan untuk selulosa-AA adalah pada suhu 90 °C, 46 min dan kepekatan 8.18, manakala selulosa-EDTA adalah pada suhu 100 °C, 70 min dan kepekatan 0.7. Berdasarkan analisis CCD, keputusan menunjukkan bahawa rawatan selulosa TKKS dengan agen pengesteran EDTA adalah lebih baik berbanding dengan AA.
Utilising Virtual Reality in Pain Management: A Systematic Review
Authors:   Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Jalan Yaacob Latiff, Bandar Tun Razak, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Daud Faiz
Published: December 2021

Virtual reality (VR) offers patient with a drug free supplement, an alternative or complementary therapy to traditional pain management. VR technology allowing its use in a wide variety of settings in the medicine world. So, we would like to evaluate the current existing evidence supporting VR in pain management. We conducted a systematic review of interventional and observational studies that examined VR applications in pain management between 2010 and 2019. We used Scopus databases, PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid MEDLINE and EBSCOhost to identify the studies using keywords “patient”, “virtual reality”, “medicine” and “pain management”. Data was obtained by two investigators and agreement was reached with the involvement of a third and fourth investigator. Narrative synthesis for all research was done. A total of 451 citations were identified, among which 12 studies met the criteria for inclusion. Studies involve various countries with participant age ranging from 6 to 75 years old. Studies were small, employed different design, instrument and measure for outcome. Studies addressed experimental, acute and chronic pain with four categories of condition which are burn injury, orthopedic diseases and chronic headache. VR was effective during the procedure in experimental and acute pain management. Majority of studies involving VR in painful physical rehabilitation therapy found VR reduced chronic pain and some provide evidence of lasting analgesia effect of VR after therapy. The usage of VR in chronic pain in term of psychological and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) showed improvement of positive mood, emotional and motivation that could lead to improvement of quality of life. VR also useful to elicit findings during painful cervical kinematics assessment in chronic neck pain. VR is a promising technology to be applied in managing chronic and acute pain. Some research showed that VR usage is able to provide lasting effect of analgesia even after VR session. However, there is a need for long term, larger sample sizes and well controlled studies to show clinical and cost-effectiveness for this technology to be used in clinical settings.
Perception of Firefighters on Risk of Exposure to Respiratory Health Hazard: A Qualitative Analysis in Malaysia
Authors:   Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Jalan Yaacob Latiff, Bandar Tun Razak, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia., Mohamed Hanan Mohd Fathulzhafran
Published: December 2021

Firefighters are exposed to multiple occupational hazards, where one of the hazards is chemical hazard that can affect the respiratory system. However, little is known regarding the perception of firefighters on the source of exposure to respiratory hazards, particularly in Malaysia. This work aims to explore the firefighter’s perspective on respiratory hazard exposure and to examine the compliance of the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). In-depth interviews were employed among 12 firefighters at Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia in September 2020. The interview recordings were transcribed verbatim and of thematic analysis done via the NVIVO 12 programme. All participants were Malay, male, and married. The respiratory hazard exposure perceived can be divided into occupational source (e.g. exposure to smoke from firefighting, fire training, firefight demonstration, commuting, firefight vehicles: chemicals and dust) and non-occupational source (e.g. smoking). Firefighter recognised both the importance of wearing PPE and the fact they are still not compliant in wearing it. They also perceived wearing PPE as burden and having only a limited stock of PPE. Education and training need to be reinforced to strengthen firefighters’ risk perception, hazard identification, and risk assessment of hazards exposure. Strict standard operating procedure (SOP) and supervision during firefighters’ task is crucial to reduce hazard exposure and increase PPE compliance. Systematic and thorough inventory management is needed to ensure adequate PPE supply. Post qualitative analysis, the firefighters’ perception on respiratory hazard exposure was obtained, demonstrating that the analysis is ready for further study.
Comparison of Intravenous Lignocaine and Esmolol in Attenuating Hemodynamic Response and Cough Reflex during Extubation in Hypertensive Patients under General Anaesthesia
Authors:   Department of Anaesthesiology & Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Jalan Yaacob Latiff, Bandar Tun Razak, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia., Teo Rufinah
Published: December 2021

Tracheal extubation carries higher complication rates compared to intubation during general anaesthesia (GA). Thus, various drugs are used to attenuate hemodynamic responses and cough reflex during extubation. We investigated if intravenous (IV) lignocaine and esmolol, given prior extubation, was able to achieve that in hypertensive patients under GA. In this prospective, double-blinded, randomised controlled study, 68 hypertensive patients on treatment undergoing GA were analysed. Group L received IV lignocaine 1 mg/kg while Group E received IV esmolol 1.5 mg/kg, 2 minutes before extubation. Heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded at the following interval: before study drug administration (T-0), prior extubation (T-1), 1 minute (T-2), 3 minutes (T-3), 5 minutes (T-4) and 10 minutes (T-5) post-extubation. Group L showed significantly increase in HR at T-2 while SBP and MAP increased significantly from T-1 until T-5. Group E showed a significant reduction in HR at T-1 up to T-5 and significantly lower HR at T-1 and T-2 compared to Group L. Group E showed stable SBP, DBP and MAP at all intervals. In conclusion, IV esmolol at 1.5 mg/kg was able to attenuate the hemodynamic response more pronounced when compared to IV lignocaine at 1 mg/kg from extubation stress in patients with hypertension on treatment. Both lignocaine and esmolol were equally effective in suppressing cough reflex during extubation.
A Comparison between Continuous Indirect Calorimetry and Single Weight-Based Formula in Estimating Resting Energy Expenditure in Nutritional Therapy: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study in Critically Ill Patients
Authors:   Department of Anaesthesiology & Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia., Saw Kian Cheah
Published: December 2021

Optimal nutritional therapy is important to improve outcome in critically ill population in an intensive care unit (ICU). Although indirect calorimetry (IC) is currently a gold standard for resting energy expenditure (REE) measurement, yet it is still not routinely used in the ICU. A total of 146 mechanically ventilated patients were randomised to receive enteral nutrition (EN) with energy targeted based on continuous indirect calorimetry (IC) measurements (IC group, n=73) or according to 25 kcal/kg/day (SWB group, n=73). Patient characteristics were equally distributed and the IC group showed lower mean measured REE (1668.1 + 231.7 vs 1512.0 + 177.1 kcal, p<0.001). Results also showed a significant deficiency in the daily (-148.8 + 105.1 vs. -4.99 + 44.0 kcal, p<0.001) and total cumulative energy balances (-1165.3 + 958.1 vs. 46.5 + 369.5 kcal, p<0.001) in the SWB group as compared to the IC group. From the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, we found that ICU mortality was significantly lower in the IC group with better survival probability compared to the SWB group (log-rank test, p = 0.03). However, both groups showed comparable results in terms of ICU length of stay, duration of mechanical ventilation and incidence of feeding intolerance. In conclusion, this study showed that tightly supervised nutritional therapy based on continuous IC measurement provides significantly less mean daily and cumulative energy deficits as well as significantly reduced ICU mortality rate.
Haemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) in Adult with Dengue Infection
Authors:   Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Jalan Yaacob Latiff, Bandar Tun Razak, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Ismail Ahmad Khaldun
Published: December 2021

Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) or haemophagocytic syndrome is a rare but life-threatening syndrome of excessive immune activation with nonspecific clinical presentation. HLH is one of the complications in dengue infection. A 69-year-old lady was treated for severe dengue with multi-organ dysfunction with superimposed pneumonia, requiring mechanical ventilation. However, persistent cytopenia despite blood transfusion without evidence of haemorrhage raised the suspicion of HLH. Further blood investigations revealed hypertriglyceridaemia, hypofibrinogenaemia and hyperferritinaemia. Bone marrow aspiration showed haemophagocytosis. Patient fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for HLH by HLH-2004 trial. Her HScore is 281, with the probability of having HLH is 99.9%. Patient’s condition improved after administration of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and intravenous dexamethasone in tapering doses. Early specific treatment of HLH with IVIG and/or corticosteroid is important but diagnosis is usually delayed due to nonspecific clinical findings and laboratory results. High index of suspicion with the aid of diagnostic criteria by HLH-2004 trial and HScore is helpful to recognise this syndrome.
Traumatic Small Bowel Injury: A Diagnosis Challenge
Authors:   Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Jalan Yaacob Latiff, Bandar Tun Razak, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia., Mohamed Saleem Syed Abdul Kader
Published: December 2021

Traumatic small bowel injury is rare complication following a blunt abdominal trauma. We encountered a case of small bowel injury following a motor vehicle accident that was initially missed during the first presentation due to unremarkable findings in examination. Patient re-presented five days later with bowel ischaemia and was managed accordingly. It is a challenge in diagnosing the injury due to its vague presentation. The usage of Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) scan as a screening tool in Emergency Department to pick up intra-abdominal injury do have limitations especially in diagnosing small bowel perforation post blunt abdominal trauma. The early phase of small bowel injury post blunt abdominal trauma rarely produces significant free fluid during the FAST scan. It is paramount for the emergency doctors to have a high level of suspicion in high risk cases to provide early supportive treatment and early referral to surgical team. If left undiagnosed bowel ischaemia may lead to catastrophic complication affecting the patient’s morbidity and mortality. In conclusion, each case should be managed and risk stratify individually. Computed tomography abdomen is found to be more superior in detecting bowel injuries, hence, and investigation of choice compared to bedside ultrasonograpy in cases with high level of suspicaion.
Can I Be Pregnant? – Diagnostic Challenges in Ruptured Chronic Ectopic Pregnancy
Authors:   Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Jalan Yaacob Latiff, Bandar Tun Razak, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia., Nagaretnam Bhasyani
Published: December 2021

Ectopic pregnancy is an obstetric emergency which accounts for 4% of all pregnancy-related deaths. All women of child bearing age with abdominal pain or vaginal bleeding presenting to the Emergency Department should be evaluated for ectopic pregnancy. However, there have been many reported cases of diagnostic challenges of ectopic pregnancy. One rare variant of ectopic pregnancy that can be easily overlooked is chronic ectopic pregnancy. We present this case of a 39-yearold female, who presented with acute abdomen and free fluid in her abdomen. Urine pregnancy test indicated she was not pregnant. However, intraoperative findings confirmed left tubular pregnancy. We would like to highlight three major diagnostic challenges we faced in this case i.e.; (i) women of child bearing age with abdominal pain should always be evaluated for ectopic pregnancy; (ii) diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy should not be dismissed even though the pregnancy test is negative; and (iii) the role of computed tomography (CT) scan in acute abdomen of unclear aetiology. As a rule, all haemodynamically unstable acute abdomen should be sent to the operation theatre. Haemodynamically stable patients should be carefully evaluated to facilitate surgical management.
Practical aspects of therapy for glutaric aciduria type 1
Authors: Zakharova E. Yu. , Mikhailova S. V. , Zarubina V. V. , Krasnoshchekova N. A. , Pechatnikova N. L. , Vorontsova V. P. , Gribov D. I. , Zazivihina M. V. , Slatetskaya А. N. , Kurkina M. V. , Baranova P. V. , Nazarenko L. P. , Repina S. А. , Selimsyanova L. R. , Vashakmadse N. D. , Bushueva T. V.
Published: December 2021

Treatment of many of the diseases in the panel of expanded newborn screening includes dietary therapy. Glutaric aciduria type 1 (GA1) is a hereditary disorder caused by mutations in the gene GCDH, encoding glutaryl‑CoA dehydrogenase, an enzyme in the amino acid metabolic pathways. The decreased activity of the enzyme leads to accumulation of neuro‑ toxic metabolites. The recommended treatment approaches for GA1 are the prescription of specialized nutrition products, levocarnitine, and symptomatic management. In 2021, clinical guidelines for the treatment of this rear disease were published in Russian Federation. To provide for the timely treatment, it is essential for a practitioner involved in the care patients with such a rare disorder as GA1 to have the knowledge of the principles of management, as well as practical algorithms for diet calculation.The article gives a detailed case‑based description of management during metabolic decompensation and the choice of dietary therapy for GA1 patients of different age groups.
POLR3A-related hypomyelinating leukodystrophy: case report and literature review
Authors: Murtazina A. F. , Markova T. V. , Orlova A. A. , Ryzhkova O. P. , Shchagina O. A. , Dadali E. L.
Published: December 2021

Hypomyelinating leukodystrophies (HL) is a group of genetically heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorders characterized by a lack of brain myelin deposition. One of the most common autosomal recessive HL is HL type 7 caused by mutations in the POLR3A gene. We reported the first clinical case of a Russian patient with HL type 7.Proband is a 7‑year‑old patient with HL type 7. The diagnosis was confirmed by genealogy, neurological examination, brain magnetic resonance imaging and molecular genetic testing. Two compound‑heterozygous variants in the POLR3A gene were revealed in the patient. Each variant was described earlier in patients with variable clinical manifestations of neurodegenerative diseases. The peculiarities of clinical manifestations in our patient were the manifestation of the disease in the first year of life, the predominance of cerebellar symptoms, a movement limitation of the jaw, leading to worsening of dysarthria, a delay in the formation of permanent teeth and short stature. The course of the disease was moderate that could be explained by different effect of the variants in the POLR3A gene.POLR3A‑related disease is a group of clinically heterogeneous disorders manifesting from early childhood to adulthood and characterized by isolated spastic ataxia or ataxia combined with oligodontia and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, isolated or complicated spastic paraplegia, as well as a combination of ataxia with extrapyramidal symptoms. Our case report demonstrates the complexity of diagnostic process in the absence of a peculiar clinical picture and specific changes in brain imaging.
OLENA STEPANIV – USS AND UGA OFFICER, UKRAINIAN DIPLOMAT, GEOGRAPHER, GEOLOGIST
Authors:   Taras Shevchenko national University of Kyiv, Smyrnov I. , Lyubitseva O. ,   Taras Shevchenko national University of Kyiv, Cui Zh. ,   Taras Shevchenko national University of Kyiv
Published: December 2021

Peculiarities of life, military, the diplomatic activity of O. I. Stepaniv, PhD in Geography, as well as her scientific achievements as a Ukrainian geographer and geologist, are revealed. The biography of O. I. Stepaniv (1892–1963) absorbed all the complexities of the twentieth century. A woman who aspired to comprehend science and entered the Faculty of Philosophy of Lviv University devoted her youth to the struggle for independence of Ukraine. As an extraordinary person, she achieved success in military affairs even in these difficult times – she became an officer in the armies of the Ukrainian Sich Riflemen and the Ukrainian Galician Army; carried out significant public work to establish the Republic of Western Ukraine and became its diplomatic representative. At the same time, she continued her studies, was able to write and defend a dissertation in Vienna and obtain a doctor degree (PhD) in history and geography. From 1921 until her arrest for “anti-Soviet” activities in 1949, O. I. Stepaniv taught and conducted scientific work, in particular, on economic and social geography. It is noted that her works on the geography of transport can be considered as “forerunners” of geologistics, which emerged as a direction of geographical research only at the beginning of the XXI century. It is proved that O.I. Stepaniv views on the geopolitical, transport-geographical position of the Ukrainian lands were much ahead of the current level of comprehension of geographical material and still need their study. The authors emphasize that her transport and geographical works, in particular, dedicated to the city of Lviv (1943), are geologistical in their approach and in many respects “resonate” with the modern vision of the geopolitical and geologistical potential of Ukraine as an independent Europian state. The authors give an example of a modern EU project in the field of transport logistics “Three Seas Initiative”, aimed at developing the transport network of the Baltic-Adriatic-Black Seas region, to which Ukraine is invited as a strategically important partner (although it is not yet a full member of the EU).
THE INFLUENCE OF MORPHOMETRIC INDICATORS OF THE RELIEF ON THE FORMATION OF LANDSCAPES OF THE SOUTHEASTERN SLOPE OF THE GREATER CAUCASUS
Authors:   Baku State University, Ismailova A.
Published: December 2021

Purpose: To reveal the role of high energy of slope relief in the formation and differentiation of modern mountain geosystems of the Southeastern slope of the Greater Caucasus by assessing the degree of horizontal dissection, slopes of slopes and landscape-morphometric tension of territories with various landscape complexes with subsequent mapping of the ecogeographic situation in order to ensure rational land use and environmental safety. Methodology and Approach: On the basis of field and office studies, data on the state of the soil and vegetation cover, the author analyzed the impact of morphometric indicators on the exodynamic conditions of landscape belts, identified individual landscape-morphological blocks according to the degree of morphometric tension, schematic maps reflecting the impact of horizontal dissection and slopes of slopes on the natural complexes of the territory. Results: The author, through a comparative analysis of quantitative morphometric indicators from different ranks of landscape complexes, showed that there is a close correlation between them, i.e. differentiation, fragmentation and small contour of mountain landscape geosystems, and each landscape unit is distinguished by its own morphometric indicators, which also determine their exogeodynamic stability. It was revealed that the highest intensity of 5 points is characteristic of the territory covering steep slopes within the heights, which are characterized by the development of subnival, alpine meadow and subalpine complexes. The results of field and office studies were reflected in the compiled cartographic materials, which made it possible to carry out a spatial analysis of the development of the exodynamic situation on the territory of the southeastern slope of the Greater Caucasus. Theoretical and Practical implications: Based on the generalization of the results of the research carried out, the territories most exposed to exogenous relief-forming processes can be identified, a more detailed study is carried out and the exodynamic situation is more objectively assessed. The results of the study will make it possible to carry out effective economic planning, to identify priority areas for the implementation of anti-erosion and phyto-reclamation measures in mountain areas.
THE EVOLUTION OF VIEWS IN ATLAS CARTOGRAPHY: FROM PAPER ATLAS CONCEPT TO ATLAS PLATFORM
Authors:   Taras Shevchenko national University of Kyiv, Krakovskyi S. , Kurach T. ,   Taras Shevchenko national University of Kyiv
Published: December 2021

Modern atlas cartography has a number of unsolved problems, among which a special place is occupied by the renewal of the atlas concept and approaches to the atlas development and maintenance of atlases functioning. To study this problem, the article analyzes the evolution of the atlas concept in time and in the context of cartography paradigms. The key elements of the concept of the atlas in the “paper age” were format in the form of books with a certain fixed set of structural elements and a unified layout, atlas as a system of maps, atlas as a model of geosystem, atlas as a tool for storytelling, atlas as a tool for communication information and knowledge, atlas as a research tool. The greatest theoretical contribution to atlas cartography of the pre-computer age was given to G. Mercator and representatives of the model-cognitive paradigm of cartography. It is established that with the advent of electronic atlases in the late 1980s and atlas information systems in the 1990s, the generation of new atlas concepts is carried out in the field of geovisualization and communicative paradigm of cartography, which focused on high-quality visualization of maps (data sets) and communication of information in the form of a “story” or geoportal. It was found that in the late 2000s, atlases began to be transformed into complex information systems (atlas platforms) with a branched atlas infrastructure for multiple creation of atlases of the same type in technical implementation and concept. These innovations are primarily driven by cybercartographers, the Swiss school of cartography and the relational cartography.A number of problems of modern atlas concepts are indicated, including excessive focus on technology and users, as well as ignoring cognitive capabilities of atlases for geosystem research. Further conceptualization of atlases as models of geosystems and a unique class of cartographic information systems are named as priority areas of research.
Documenting Disability History in Western Pennsylvania
Authors: Malley Bridget
Published: December 2021

Disability history is everyone's history. However, existing archival literature on disability focuses almost exclusively on issues of accessibility. Relatively little has been written on the challenges and opportunities present in strengthening disability history representation in archives. The author uses their experience as a contractor for a regional nonprofit to explore the nature of working with community members to strengthen disability history representation in archives and proposes documentation strategy as an ideal framework for such collaborations.
Dietary therapies for epilepsy in low resource settings: challenges and successes
Authors: Sharma Suvasini
Published: December 2021

The Ketogenic Diet (KD) is a high fat, low carbohydrate and restricted protein diet which has been used for the treatment of drug resistant epilepsy in children. It is considered the treatment of choice for refractory nonsurgical epilepsy in children. However, despite this being a very useful and relatively simple treatment, children from developing countries have not been able to benefit as much as their counterparts in more privileged settings. In this article, the challenges faced by pediatric neurologists and parents who wish to use the diet in children with refractory epilepsy are discussed, and also the simple low cost innovations which can be used to overcome these challenges are suggested. The evolution from the use of the classic ketogenic diet to the flexible use of the modified Atkins diet in low resource settings will be discussed.
Using additive technologies to create broadband antennas with fractal geometry
Authors:   Kotelnikov Institute of Radioengineering and Electronics of Russian Academy of Sciences, Smirnov Andrey V. , Fionov Alexander S. ,   Kotelnikov Institute of Radioengineering and Electronics of Russian Academy of Sciences, Gorbachev Ilia A. ,   Kotelnikov Institute of Radioengineering and Electronics of Russian Academy of Sciences, Shamsutdinova Elizaveta S. ,   Kotelnikov Institute of Radioengineering and Electronics of Russian Academy of Sciences, Kuznetsova Iren E. ,   Kotelnikov Institute of Radioengineering and Electronics of Russian Academy of Sciences, Kolesov Vladimir V. ,   Kotelnikov Institute of Radioengineering and Electronics of Russian Academy of Sciences
Published: December 2021

The paper presents the results of a study of the frequency dependence of the S11 parameters of antenna samples with fractal geometry, created using 3D printing technology, followed by the deposition of a conductive copper coating by galvanization. It is shown that changing the dimension of the fractal at different iterations, shifting and dividing the resonant frequencies, it is possible to flexibly form the working bands of antennas in any frequency range and any width. The developed designs can be used to create broadband rectennas.
Reconstructed Paleodiets and Subsistence Strategies of the Central Ciscaucasian Population (1000 BC to 1000 AD), Based on Collagen Isotope Analysis of Bone Samples from the Kichmalka II Burial Ground
Authors:   Institute of Archaeology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Babenko A. N. , Dobrovolskaya M. V. ,   Institute of Archaeology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vasilyeva E. E. ,   State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia, Korobov D. S. ,   Institute of Archaeology, Russian Academy of Sciences
Published: December 2021

Системы расселения и хозяйствования населения предгорий Центрального Кавказа в железном веке и раннем Средневековье отражают сложные региональные культурные процессы. Палеоэкологические подходы, основанные на анализе изотопного состава углерода и азота в местных экосистемах, являются новой перспективой изучения природно-климатических условий, антропогенного воздействия, традиций землепользования и питания. Рассмотрен изотопный состав коллагена костей 19 человек и 11 животных из могильника Кичмалка II, оставленного носителями кобанской и аланской культур, а также населением сарматского времени. Изотопный состав углерода погребенных аланской эпохи указывает на практически исключительное использование людьми и домашними животными растений С3-типа фотосинтеза. Люди кобанского и сарматского времени включали в свой рацион С4-растения (просо, Panicum miliaceum), что обусловило превышение трофического шага по углероду (Δδ13Счеловек–животное). Установлены статистически достоверные различия в составе углерода, отражающие, вероятно, две пищевые модели в среде кобанского населения. Значения Δδ15Nчеловек–животное находятся в пределах трофического шага и свидетельствуют о значительном потреблении мясо-молочной продукции всеми рассматриваемыми группами. Сравнение с данными по могильнику Клин-Яр III выявило различия в изотопных подписях людей и домашних животных кобанского времени. К основным причинам этого можно отнести изменение климата в раннем железном веке и разную долю проса в питании кобанцев. Низкое содержание δ15N (менее 4 ‰) в коллагене костей коз, овец и лошадей аланского времени, возможно, отражает практику отгонного альпийского скотоводства.
ASSESSING THE DIGITAL MATURITY OF AN ENTERPRISE AS THE FIRST STEP TO DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
Authors: Aydel O. A.
Published: December 2021

The questions of assessing an enterprise’s digital maturity as the first step in digital transformation are considered. Particular attention is paid to such success factors of digital transformation as awareness of the need for change, availability of quality IT-support and competencies in this area, as well as highly qualified personnel in the field of big data analytics and availability of a strategy of comprehensive digital transformation for the enterprise.
The Impact of a Stranger’s Emotional Facial Expression on the Perception of His Personality
Authors: Barabanschikov V.A. , Zhegallo A.V. , Smolny Y.N. , Marinova M.M.
Published: December 2021

This study the role of emotional expressions of the sitter’s face in the perception of his personality traits. The scores given by observers on the scales of the “Personality Differential” for images of a calm face and the face of the same sitter, demonstrating six basic emotions, were compared. Forty-nine photographic images of the emotional states of seven sitters included in the RaFD database were used as stimulus material. A total of 193 Moscow university students (66 men and 127 women, mean age 23.3 years) participated in the experiment. A 17% statistically significant change in personality scores was recorded, two-thirds of which tended toward the positive poles of the scales. Changing perceptions of a person’s personality suggests a coherent relationship between emotion modality and personality traits. Each basic expression influences a specific group of 10-15 traits, and in different ways. Each trait relies on an affective configuration with its own specificity. Disgust has the maximum integrative influence on the view of the sitter’s personality. Joy causes extremely high positive changes, while sadness and astonishment cause moderate, symmetrical changes in the ratio of positive and negative shifts. Fear and anger lead to an equilibrium of positive and negative evaluations. The highest volume of trait changes is obtained for the “Activity” factor (A), which is associated mainly with positive shifts, the lowest volume is for the “Evaluation” factor (E), which is, together with the “Strength” factor (S), the main source of negative changes in the sitters’ perception. The volume of affective feature shifts is determined by the morphotype of the face and the individual stylistics of emotion expression. In everyday life, the possibility of affective changes in traits does not violate the general invariance of interpersonal perception.