bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evidence of neuroplasticity with robotic hand exoskeleton study for post-stroke rehabilitation: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Singh Neha , Saini Megha , Kumar Nand , Srivast M.V. Padma , Mehndiratta Amit
Published: January 2021

Background: A novel electromechanical robotic-exoskeleton was designed in-house for the rehabilitation of wrist joint and Metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint. Objective: The objective was to compare the rehabilitation effectiveness (clinical-scales and neurophysiological measures) of robotic-therapy training sessions with dose-matched \conventional therapy in patients with stroke.Methods: A pilot prospective parallel randomized controlled study at clinical-settings was designed with patients with stroke within 2 years of chronicity. Patients were randomly assigned to receive an intervention of 20 sessions of 45 minutes each, five days a week for four weeks, in Robotic-therapy Group (RG) (n=12) and conventional upper-limb rehabilitation in Control-Group (CG) (n=11). We hypothesized to evaluate the exoskeleton based therapy for the effects on the functionality of upper-limb and cortical-excitability in patients with stroke as compared to conventional rehabilitation. Clinical-scales– Modified Ashworth Scale, Active Range of Motion, Barthel Index, Brunnstrom Stage and Fugl-Meyer scale, and neurophysiological measures of cortical-excitability (using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) –Motor Evoked Potential and Resting Motor threshold, were acquired pre and post-therapy. No side effects were noticed in any of the patients. Results: Both RG and CG showed significant (p<0.05) improvement in all clinical motor-outcomes except Modified Ashworth Scale in CG. RG showed significantly (p<0.05) higher improvement over CG in Modified Ashworth Scale, Active Range of Motion, and Fugl-Meyer (FM) scale and FM Wrist-/Hand component. An increase in cortical-excitability in ipsilesional-hemisphere was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05) in RG over CG, as indexed by a decrease in Resting Motor Threshold and increase in the amplitude of Motor Evoked Potential. No significant changes were shown by the contralesional-hemisphere. Interhemispheric RMT-asymmetry evidenced significant (p<0.05) changes in RG over CG indicating increased cortical-excitability in ipsilesional-hemisphere along with interhemispheric changes. Conclusion: Robotic-exoskeleton training appears to be benificial for improving motor-outcomes and cortical-excitability in patients with stroke. Neurophysiological changes in RG could most likely be a consequence of plastic reorganization and use-dependent plasticity. Trial Registry Number: ISRCTN95291802
MAIN DIRECTIONS OF ACTIVITY OF STATE BODIES AS SUBJECTS FOR MAINTENANCE OF SYSTEM OF ECONOMIC SECURITY OF UKRAINE
Authors: Melnik V.I.
Published: January 2021

The article is devoted to the research of determining the main directions of activity of state bodies as subjects for ensuring the system of economic security of Ukraine. It is emphasized that in the current difficult conditions for the functioning of the state and the life of its population, an effective policy for ensuring the system of economic security of Ukraine plays a significant role.
Emphasis is placed on the importance of the continued proper functioning of the entire economic security system of Ukraine and, accordingly, the urgent need to take the necessary measures in order to achieve the intended goals effectively, should pay attention to the issue of clarifying the main directions of activity of public authorities in this aspect. It is noted that the definition of the main directions of work of these entities will form an idea of the role and place of each of them among the number of entities empowered to ensure the economic security of the state. Emphasis is placed on the unconditional importance of the state as a special entity for ensuring the economic security of Ukraine. The key directions of state activity in the field of economic security have been clarified. It is emphasized that in order to successfully accomplish the task of comprehensively promoting the proper functioning of the economic security system of Ukraine, there is an objective need for the existence and efficient operation of relevant entities whose activities will be focused on satisfaction, including the security needs of the state. The main state bodies are separated from the results of activity of which the economic position of the state will depend in the future. Based on the analysis of the existing legal support, it is established that a number of public entities are among these entities. The main directions of activity of the mentioned state bodies are determined as subjects of ensuring the system of economic security of Ukraine. It was emphasized and proved that effective work in all these areas is a basic prerequisite for the necessary development of the national economy.
Keywords: state bodies, directions of activity of state bodies, the economic security of Ukraine, a system of economic security of Ukraine, subjects of ensuring the system of economic security of Ukraine.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS ON TRADE DRESS: FEATURES AND GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
Authors: Utkina M.S. , Savytska I.V.
Published: January 2021

The article is devoted to a topical issue that is being discussed by foreign and domestic
scientists and business entities – trade dress. This issue has been sharply raised by the owners, in particular the developers of the individual design of their product and its packaging or services. Recently, exactly trade dress is very difficult to protect, especially when competitors or other individuals, who want to profit from someone else’s intellectual property, use it for their own purposes. This affects the reputation of the manufacturer, leading to a decrease in the number of goods sold, which has been “unique” for consumers and now is just simply one of many others that has the same design, color combination, or product form. The article defines the concept of trade dress, describes its main features and functions that it performs, being an important element of the brand. In addition, there was analyzed the case law in Ukraine concerning the protection of the plaintiff’s intellectual property right to corporate identity. The legislative status of such a concept in the US and its regulation have also been investigated. Having analyzed the main characteristics of the trade dress, its specific features were identified, defining it as an independent key element of the brand that cannot be equaled. The main feature can be called the uniqueness and originality of style, which aims to individualize the goods or services of a particular entity. Another feature is the new commercial style that distinguishes a product or service from others, making it more visible to the consumer. The core features of corporate identity can essentially be deduced from the very content of the concept, which focuses on identifying, advertising, and demonstrating the ability to trust the manufacturer by consumers who have already purchased a product or service.
The Law of Ukraine “On Protection against Unfair Competition” was also investigated, which in fact lays the foundations for protecting the trade dress of a product or service in Ukraine. Therefore, it can be considered that in this area Ukraine has great potential that will lead to full legal regulation of the notion of “trade dress” and possibly define a complete procedure for its protection.
Keywords: trade dress; uniqueness; goods; trademark; regulation; design; entity.
DIGITALIZATION OF EDUCATION IN UKRAINE: FOREIGN EXPERIENCE AND DOMESTIC PERSPECTIVE OF IMPLEMENTATION
Authors: Sukhonos V.V. , Harust Yu.V. , Shevtsov Y.A.
Published: January 2021

Over the past 50 years, human civilization has been developing at an incredible pace. A special role is played here by technological progress which made an improbable jump. Progress led to the fact that along with the evolution of people, also technologies evolve, at the same time gradually being ahead of the creators. Rather natural it is possible to consider the fact that technologies take root in all spheres of human activity today, thereby it is qualitative them improving. The process of implementation of technologies, in the different public relations, has the name digitalization. It should be noted that though it also is directed to improvement and simplification of human activity in various spheres, at the same time itself the world order becomes more difficult, despite high-quality transformations, now for everyone there is a need to understand the difficult principles of work of the latest technologies. It is also promoted by the fact that innovations every day become more difficult and available. Digitalization became one of the basic elements of the world process of globalization what for example statistics of the UN according to which, in 2019 about 4.1 billion people what makes more than 53% of all population of the planet, are Internet users confirms. Also, various researchers predict that in the next 10 years a large number of professions, in the most various areas, will disappear, and work will be performed by smart mechanisms. However, the emergence of new professions, in the fields of science, creativity, management, and other spheres in which the person will always be a necessary component is also predicted. Against the background of so innovations, the fact of the increase in demand for education is logical and quite justified. Also, requirements for quality, availability, and compliances of education to modern needs of mankind grow. It is important that education is a question of mainly state competence today, for example, Article 53 of the Constitution of Ukraine guarantees everyone the right to education. Considering it and the corresponding trends of development of humanity, a digitalization of education is a logical and natural vector of development of this sphere that experience of the leading countries of the world also testifies to. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate whether really the digitalization of education is necessary for Ukraine, having the analyzed process of technical improvement and the experience of other countries that already have considerable achievements in this sphere.
Keywords: technological advancement, technologies, digitalization, innovations, education, digitalization of education.
CENTRAL BANK DIGITAL CURRENCY: ECONOMIC AND LEGAL CHARACTERISTICS
Authors: Hudima T.S. , Ustymenko V.A.
Published: January 2021

The article is devoted to identifying the peculiarities of the central bank digital currency (CBDC), explaining their impact on the monetary policy of the state, and identifying the prospects for the transformation of domestic banking legislation in connection with the implementation of the CBDC. It is noted that the scope of competence of the Central Bank and the legal basis for the issuance of the CBDC will depend on the economic and legal features of the digital currency, the degree of its impact on the monetary policy, the financial stability of the country’s economy and so on. In the process of forming the appropriate legal field and defining the conceptual apparatus in the sphere of emission and circulation of the CBDC, the peculiarities of the use of the latter in economic transactions and the specific functions not inherent in ordinary means of payment should be taken. СBDC initiatives will help: 1) progressively narrow the banking system at the level of the Central Banks (such as the Chicago Plan) by allowing individuals and businesses to deposit directly into the accounts of the Central Banks; 2) increasing confidence of economic entities and individuals in the financial system; 3) strengthening the financial stability of the economy (both domestically and globally). Granting business entities or individuals the right to store digital money directly with the Central Bank can give rise to two main directions of influence on monetary policy: first, to strengthen its transmission mechanism; secondly, lead to banks being disrupted. This may lead to some legal issues regarding (1) the NBU’s area of competence; (2) the constitutional foundations of the legal economic order (Article 5 of the ECU). In particular, it cannot be ruled out that centralization of the production, servicing, and management of the СBDC turnover may violate the principles of competition in business
activities, prevent abuse of monopoly position in the market, etc.
Keywords: monetary policy, central bank digital currency, financial stability, competence, legal framework, economic operations, issue.
Innovations in government management of the healthcare system: forecasting of covid-19 consequences in social, investment and business development
Authors: Vasylieva Tetiana , Kuzmenko Olha , Musayeva Naila Rashid , Vojtovic Sergej , Kascha Maria , Lieonov Hlib
Published: January 2021

This paper summarizes the arguments and counterarguments within the scientific discussion on the issue of the need for an innovative policy in the area of health protection at the link with the transformation of the social and economic development of the country through the pandemic COVID-19. The main goal of this study is to predict two scenarios for the development of the main indicators of the country's socio-economic development: considering the pandemic COVID-19 and the possible course of events without the influence of epidemiological threats. The systematization of literary sources and approaches to innovation and the determination of the volume of negative consequences for the national economy, due to the introduction of quarantine restrictions, has shown that this issue is quite relevant around the world. The study of the transformation of the trajectory of economic development of Ukraine in the article was carried out in the following logical sequence: 1) collection of statistical information, including 118 indicators of social development, the state of capital investment and business expectations of Ukrainian enterprises and screening of multicollinear indicators among them; 2) performing a time series decomposition separately for the interval 5 years before quarantine and taking into account the impact of the pandemic; 3) forecasting the consequences of the pandemic according to the investigated indicators of economic development in 2020-2022 by turning the time series into the Fourier series. The methodological tools of the study were methods of checking for multicollinearity by Pearson coefficients, decomposition of additive models into a trend and cyclic components, selection of cyclic oscillations by fast Fourier transform, extrapolation of constructed models for subsequent years, and quality control of constructed models by F-test quarterly data for 2015-2020 are selected. The study empirically confirms and theoretically proves that among the socio-economic development factors studied, most experienced significant transformations due to the introduction of quarantine restrictions by the government. This leads to the need for innovation policy in the health sector in order to minimize such consequences in the future.
Keywords: Fourier series, forecasting, COVID-19, innovation, time series decomposition, health care.
Clinical Value of Concentrations of Inflammation Immunochemical Markers in Blood Serum in Children with Viral Meningitis
Authors: Kimirilova O. G. , Kharchenko G. A.
Published: January 2021

A number of the immunochemical markers of inflammation in the blood serum, such as the lactoferrin, transferrin, ferritin, and fibrinogen were identified in 450 patients with the viral meningitis of various etiologies (enterovirus, arbovirus, mumps, adenovirus, and herpesvirus) at 14 years of age. The imbalance of the inflammation markers identified was determined, the severity of which depended on the severity, course and outcome of the disease. The decrease of the lactoferrin concentration by 29% (from 719 to 516 ng/ml) and increase of the ferritin level by 30% (from 70 to 91 ng/ml) by the period of the early convalescence met the heavy severity level of the meningitis. The decrease of the lactoferrin concentration by 2% (from 785 to 770 ng/ml) and increase of the ferritin level by 45% (from 68 to 99 ng/ l) by the period of early convalescence indicated the lingering course of the disease. The concentrations of the transferrin less than 2 g/l (1.74 to 1.68 g/l) and ferritin less than 50 ng/ml (40 to 48 ng/ml) were unfavorable prognosis of for the meningitis outcome.
Ecologic Pediatrics is a Pressing Challenge of Our Time
Authors: Baleva L. S. , Sipyagina A. E.
Published: January 2021

The children’s health is one of the most sensitive indicators of the environmental condition. A clear connection of the structure of the child morbidity with the ecological characteristics of the region of residence has been registered. Thus, the general child morbidity, risk to develop the congenital anomalies, chromosomal and genetic diseases, allergic, chronic neuropsychic, oncological and many other diseases are increased in the environmentally unfriendly regions. The hardest part is to identify and isolate from the multiple factors those chemical, physical or biological agents that affect negatively the human health. It is possible to observe the close connection of the wide range of the demographic and epidemiological indicators with the environmental pollution. However, to determine this connection with the action of the certain environmental, anthropogenic factors or their combinations is rather a challenging task. The lack of a single unified, publicly available sociological, medical and environmental monitoring does not allow to assess to the full extent the medical efficiency of the environmental measures, and, therefore, to justify the preventive measures to reduce the level of the eco-dependent pathology in the children.
Quality of working life and inequality: gender consideration
Authors: Riabokon Ivan
Published: January 2021

The paper explores the impact of gender inequality on the quality of working life and analyzes the processes and factors that shape gender issues in Ukraine. The aim of the study is to assess gender inequality in the process of labor potential and human capital implementation, develop measures that would solve gender inequality problems in employment, and justify the positive impact of the proposed measures on the quality of working life. To achieve the abovementioned goal, statistical data and public opinion polls, which formed the basis of the proposed methods for solving the identified problems, have been analyzed. Determinants of gender inequality have been identified, the main of which are the gender wage gap, gender structure of employment imbalance, inequality of women’s access to decent work due to gender stereotypes, and imperfect control mechanisms for gender-sensitive statistics. Possible approaches of the state`s gender policy to achieve gender balance have been identified and expanded through a set of measures that would include improving the mechanism for controlling gender-sensitive statistical data in the form of monitoring at the organizational and state levels, budget planning with due consideration of gender dimension. The author’s vision of the content and essence of gender policy at the institutional level in the context of transformation of values and gender culture of society has been shared.
Competição Geopolítica e Aquisição Tecnológica nas Forças Armadas dos Estados Unidos (2010-2014)
Authors: Farias Hélio Caetano , Botafogo Oliveira Fernando
Published: January 2021

Este artigo analisa o processo de aquisição tecnológica no Planejamento de Força das Forças Armadas dos Estados Unidos entre 2010-2014. Para tanto, foram consultados documentos oficiais publicados pela Casa Branca e pelo Departamento de Defesa no período de 2010 a 2018, além de uma revisão bibliográfica. Partindo da hipótese de que a aquisição tecnológica foi um ponto central para o desenvolvimento de capacidades de defesa, como pode ser demonstrado pela análise das Estratégias de Compensação e dos Relatórios Quadrienais de Defesa, constatou-se que a reorientação das prioridades estratégicas das Forças Armadas norte-americanas indicou uma série de vulnerabilidades tecnológicas para a manutenção da condição de potência global, especialmente com a contestação de sua supremacia militar na região da Ásia-Pacífico.
A influência do mar como elemento da política externa angolana uma diplomacia naval angolana
Authors: Fernandes Capitão Ginga Damião
Published: January 2021

O presente artigo parte da consciência de que na atual conjuntura internacional em que se observa, cada vez mais, a diminuição da importância das fronteiras físicas, à Angola se exige uma adaptação das estratégias geopo- líticas, geoestratégicas, geoeconômicas e até ideológicas, em nome dos interesses coletivos. Destarte, interessará por isso reflectir sobre os principais contributos que o Mar pode acrescentar à ação diplomática na realização da Política Externa de Angola, tendo como matriz o sistema de relações internacionais, cada vez mais em transfor- mação e interdependência. Pretende-se assim apresentar uma visão diferenciada, por meio de uma abordagem qualitativa, mediante um raciocínio dedutivo, que versa sobre a importância estratégica dos Oceanos, enquanto instrumento por excelência de projeção, afirmação e de- senvolvimento da Política Externa Angolana, em que se infere que, enquanto Angola não apostar na sua compo- nente naval, os proveitos que poderá alcançar do Mar, como instrumento essencial para a sua ação externa, se- rão insignificantes.
The ‘Senatusconsultum Claudianum’ and the Mysterious ‘Lex’ Concerning the Status of Children Born to Free Women Cohabiting with Slaves (G. 1,86
Authors: Kacprzak Agnieszka
Published: January 2021

The starting point of this article is the relation between the provision of the SC Claudianum which turned the children born to a free woman by a slave into slaves, and the analogous regulation of the mysterious lex which Gaius mentions in § 86 of Book One of his Institutiones. The fact that almost the same provision appears in two diﬀerent enactments has attracted the attention of many scholars. Some have concluded that the lex in question must have applied to Latins or peregrines, but not to Roman citizens. Others on the other hand ruled out the possibility of the Senatusconsultum containing a provision on children, since their status depended directly on the lex. I claim that both of the regulations which Gaius describes are authentic and both applied to Roman citizens. Notwithstanding obvious analogies, they were not identical. Not only did they address diﬀerent social problems, but they also laid down diﬀerent procedures for the acknowledgement of the slave status of the children. Once we have clarified the relation between these regulations, we are in a better position to understand both the way in which the SC Claudianum functioned as a whole, and its presumable aim. I devote the last part of my article to the latter problem. I argue against with the claim that the aim of the Senatusconsultum was to punish the women and hence to stop them from cohabiting with slaves. On the contrary, such liaisons were a familiar phenomenon in Roman society, as the epigraphical material shows, and they were accepted, providing they observed well-defined conditions and were under the control of the slave’s master. Te main aim of the SC Claudianum was to delineate the bounds within which the cohabitation of free women with slaveswas admissible.
Inflammatory Basis of Atherosclerosis: Modulation by Sex Hormones
Authors: Nasser Suzanne A. , Afify Elham A. , Kobeissy Firas , Hamam Bassam , Eid Ali H. , El-Mas Mahmoud M.
Published: January 2021

Atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally. Several lines of evidence are supportive of the contributory role of vascular inflammation in atherosclerosis. Diverse immune cell types, including monocytes/macrophages, T-cells and neutrophils, as well as specialized proresolving lipid mediators, have been successfully characterized as key players in vascular inflammation. The increased prevalence of atherosclerotic CVD in men in comparison to age-matched premenopausal women and the abolition of sex differences in prevalence during menopause strongly suggest a pivotal role of sex hormones in the development of CVD. Indeed, many animal and human studies conclusively implicate sex hormones as a crucial component in driving the immune response. This is further corroborated by the effective identification of sex hormone receptors in vascular endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells and immune cells. Collectively, these findings suggest a cellular communication between sex hormones and vascular or immune cells underlying the vascular inflammation in atherosclerosis. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of vascular inflammation as a causal cue underlying atherosclerotic CVDs within the context of the modulatory effects of sex hormones. Moreover, the cellular and molecular signaling pathways underlying the sex hormones- immune system interactions as potential culprits for vascular inflammation are highlighted with detailed and critical discussion. Finally, the review concludes by speculations on the potential sex-related efficacy of currently available immunotherapies in mitigating vascular inflammation. Conceivably, a deeper understanding of the immunoregulatory influence of sex hormones on vascular inflammation-mediated atherosclerosis permits sex-based management of atherosclerosis-related CVDs.
Anti-anxiety Properties of Selected Medicinal Plants
Authors: Khan Asmatullah , Akram Muhammad , Thiruvengadam Muthu , Daniyal Muhammad , Zakki Shahbaz Ahmad , Munir Naveed , Zainab Rida , Heydari Mojtaba , Mosavat Seyed Hamdollah , Rebezov Maksim , Shariati Mohammad Ali
Published: January 2021

:

Exploration of new drugs targeting anxiety treatment is a major concern worldwide. Medicinal plants are being used as a potential source of novel drugs for anxiety disorders. The objective of this review is to provide information about the healing outcomes of anxiety treatment with natural products. Valeriana officinalis, Citrus aurantium, Commelina benghalensis, Achyranthes aspera, Mimosa pudica, Achillea millefolium, Nymphaea alba, Leonurus cardiac, Camellia sinensis, Turnera aphrodisiaca, Crataegus oxyacantha and Piper methysticum showed promising effects on anxiety in animal models. In clinical studies, passion flower, kava, valerian, St John's wort, and ashwagandha showed the most positive results. More studies are needed for the exploration of the anti-anxiety of medicinal plants. In drugs derived from natural sources have explored many components that are playing an essential role in curing anxiety disorders and associated complications.
Insight View on Synthetic Strategies and Biological Applications of Pyrimidobenzothiazoles
Authors: Agarwal Dinesh Kumar , Sahiba Nusrat , Sethiya Ayushi , Soni Jay , Teli Pankaj , Agarwal Shikha , Goyal Pradeep Kumar
Published: January 2021

:

Pyrimidobenzothiazoles and its derivatives are important structural scaffolds in the field of synthetic organic chemistry and medicinal chemistry. The review is focused on one pot multicomponent approaches for generating pyrimidobenzothiazoles and its derivatives along with their interesting biological profile over the last ten years. Several eco-benign and cost effective approaches such as nano catalyst, ionic liquid, metal, solid acid, catalyst free, solvent free, etc. for its synthesis have been discussed in this review. Different synthetic strategies of pyrimidobenzothiazole derivatives have been compiled and discussed using 2-aminobenzothiazole, 1,3 diketones, substituted aldehydes, alkynoic acid, bis-methyl thiomethylene malononitrile, Baylis Hillman acetates, etc.
Delayed Multiple Non-ischemic Cerebral Enhanced Lesions After Endovascular Therapy For Left Internal Carotid Aneurysm: A Case Report
Authors: Cai Yanli , Huang Lin , Hao Jianqiang , Xie Fei , Ling Tianjin , Richard Seidu A.
Published: January 2021

Introduction:

Endovascular therapy (EVT) for intracranial arterial aneurysms is depicted
with several complications. Very recently, delayed non-ischemic cerebral enhanced (NICE) lesions
have been identified as a rare complication associated with EVT. This complication always
stands a higher chance of being missed in asymptomatic patients. We report a case of multiple
NICE lesions in a known chronic hepatitis B infection and chronic gastritis patient with left internal
carotid aneurysm (ICA) treated with detachable coils.

Case Presentation:

A 52 years old female with left ICA was treated with detachable coils via the
endovascular route. Three weeks after the operation, she presented with numbness of her right
limbs which was persistent and waked her up from sleep each night. She admitted skin allergies after
wearing metals except for gold and silver since childhood. MRI revealed multiple abnormal lesions
in the left temporal lobe, hippocampus, insula, and parietal lobe and some perifocal edema
which were consistent with the diagnosis of delayed NICE lesions.

Conclusion:

It is very important to report the occurrences of these lesions in literature because of
their allergic origin. We advocate that allergy to metals especially those used in coating endovascular
equipment should be evaluated before every EVT for intracranial aneurysms.
A Sentiment Analysis Based Approach for Customer Segmentation
Authors: Bhatia Madhulika , Bhatnagar Anisha
Published: January 2021

Background:

Customer Segmentation is the process of dividing customers into groups based on some
demographic factors in order to get an idea of the targeted audience for a product and to best market said product.

Objective:

Sentiment Analysis on customer reviews is one way that this process can be enhanced to get not just
demographic information but subjective information and preferences as well.

Methods:

In this study, Long Short-Term Memory model, a deep learning technique has been applied for Sentiment
Analysis and its results have been used to perform Customer Segmentation on demographic data containing information
such as age and gender. Segmentation was performed using Spectral Clustering. Cluster Labels were extracted to perform
supervised classification using different supervised algorithms, such as Support Vector Machines, Random Forests,
Decision Trees and Logistic Regression.

Results:

An accuracy of 90.9% was achieved by the LSTM model. An accuracy of 100% was achieved by the Random
Forest and Decision Tree Classifiers.
Endovascular Surgery or Both: A Case Report of Hybrid Procedure in a Patient with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and Tasc D Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease
Authors: Purwowiyoto Sidhi Laksono , Pasciolly R. Mohammad Reza Juniery , Prawara Ananta Siddhi
Published: January 2021

Hybrid procedure, a combination of endovascular and open surgical approach, has emerged as the first-line treatment for patients with severe aortoiliac diseases because of its effectiveness. We report a hybrid procedure in a 72 year old man with an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) and Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC) D aortoiliac occlusive disease. After two failed attempts using the intraluminal technique (retrograde and antegrade), we successfully performed an endovascular approach with subintimal and Subintimal Arterial Flossing Antegrade-retrograde Intervention (SAFARI) technique with the help of roadmap technology. The vascular surgeon completed the procedure by creating femorofemoral bypass using a Great Saphenous Vein (GSV) graft. The graft was patent and there were no complications at 1 week, 1 month and 6 months follow-up.
Extended Erosive Oral Lichen Planus Treated with a very Low-Level Laser Therapy: A Case Report
Authors: Mameli Antonello , Murgia Martina Salvatorina , Orrù Germano , Casu Cinzia
Published: January 2021

Background:

Oral lichen planus is a chronic idiopathic inflammatory disease that affects the skin and mucous membrane and involves about 1-2% of the population. The management of this pathology aims to control symptoms. Clinically, it can appear as a plaque, in reticular form, or an erythematous/atrophic form. The treatment options include different classes of drugs and non-drug therapies such as a laser. In addition, most drug treatments include numerous side effects.

Objective:

The aim of this work is to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of a particular type of very Low-Level-Laser Therapy for the management of an erosive oral lichen planus case.

Methods:

An extensive form of erosive Oral Lichen Planus was treated using a Low-Level Laser Therapy with a 660 nm diode laser. The treatment was performed once per week for two sessions of five minutes each. Different outcome variables were examined: the size of lesions, evolution of pain symptoms, and presence of side effects and stability of the therapeutic results in the follow-up period.

Results:

After a week, the lesion appeared more homogenous, and the erythematous areas underwent a reduction with a simultaneous decrease in symptoms. After two weeks, the lesion seemed completely healed with the disappearance of pain. The follow-up continued for the other four months, and no relapse was reported. No adverse effects were observed during the study.

Conclusion:

This study suggests that Low-Level Laser Therapy with very low power parameters could be a safe and successful treatment for extended oral erosive lichen planus lesions.
Novel and Controversial Therapies in COVID-19
Authors: Singh Romil , Shaik Likhita , Mehra Ishita , Kashyap Rahul , Surani Salim
Published: January 2021

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, which has led scientists all over the world to push for the identification of novel therapies for COVID-19. The lack of a vaccine and specific treatment has led to a surge of novel therapies and their publicity in recent times. Under these unprecedented circumstances, a myriad of drugs used for other diseases is being evaluated and repositioned to treat COVID-19 (example- Remdesivir, Baricitinib). While multiple trials for potential drugs and vaccines are ongoing, and there are many unproven remedies with little or no supporting evidence. Presently, discussions are revolving around the use of multivitamins (Vitamin, C, D, A), minerals (selenium, zinc), probiotics, flavonoids, polyphenols, and herbal remedies (curcumin, artemisinin, herbal drinks). Our review delves further into the details of some of these controversial therapies for COVID-19.
Anti-obesity Effects of Some Plant Extracts in Rats Fed with High-Fat
Diet
Authors: Al-Azhary Diaa B. , Amin Hanan M. , Kotb Eman M.
Published: January 2021

Background and Aim:

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions around the world, resulting
in severe health effects and financial costs, which have led to prompt actions and the advancement
of phytochemistry technologies as new treatment techniques. This study aimed to assess
and compare the anti-obesity, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects of some common and
safe doses of natural products like bitter orange, flax seeds, and ginger in adult male albino rats fed
a high-fat diet.

Methods:

Fifty adult male albino rats were divided into five groups (n=10): a negative control
group that received a balanced normal diet, a positive control group that received a high-fat diet
(HFD) for eight weeks, and other 3 groups were fed HFD for eight weeks receiving daily 20
mg/kg/day of bitter orange fruit aqueous extract (standardized at 10% p- synephrine) or 250 mg/kg/-
day of flax seeds ethanol extract or 200 mg/kg/day of ginger rhizomes ethanol extract for the last 4
weeks. All rats were sacrificed at the end of the study to obtain blood, liver, and kidney samples
for biochemical and histopathological analyses.

Results:

The herbal extracts reduced body weight, lipid profile, inflammatory markers alpha-fetoprotein
(AFP) and C reactive protein (CRP), malondialdehyde (MDA), and liver enzymes, all of
which had been increased by the HFD. Furthermore, treatment with herbal extracts resulted in a significant
reduction and improvement of the proliferated inflammatory infiltration, congested veins,
and fatty vacuolated vesicles induced by HFD in liver and kidney tissues. Bitter orange exhibited
the strongest anti-obesity effects, while flaxseed and ginger showed the strongest antioxidant and
anti-inflammatory effects in response to the HFD.

Conclusion:

In obese rats, the use of these herbal extracts displayed a variety of possible protective
and therapeutic effects. As a result, they are recommended for obese people, and further research is
needed to determine the effects of a combination of various biochemical components found in these
plant extracts on obesity and related disorders.
Corrigendum to: A Study of Wireless Body Area Networks and its Routing Protocols for Healthcare Environment
Authors: Kaur Ramanpreet , Pasricha Ruchi , Kaur Bikrampal
Published: January 2021

The last paragraph on page 149 is revised as follows:

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors would like to extend their gratitude and sincere thanks to the IKG Punjab Technical University, Kapurthala for
giving the opportunity to carry out the present research work.

The original paragraph provided is mentioned below:

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Declared none.
A Flash on Cell Therapy Strategies in Clinical Trials against SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Sadat Seyed Mehdi , Larijani Mona Sadat , Ramezani Amitis , Aghasadeghi Mohammad Reza
Published: January 2021

Background:

Since December 2019, an outbreak of a novel coronavirus infection has
been reported, drawing immediate attention from the World Health Organization. SARS-CoV-2, as
the cause of COVID-19 with extra potency of transmission, has led to global concern. Currently,
more than a thousand clinical trials have focused on achieving a protective or preventive approach
against the virus, among which cell-based therapies seem to be significantly applicable.

Objective:

We aimed to summarize cell-based therapy against COVID-19 and compare the applicable
methods and possible outcomes.

Methods:

The current clinical trials based on cell-based therapies are summarized according to the
cell sorting applications. The possible approaches, advantages, and opinions are discussed.

Results and Conclusion:

Cell-based therapy has already brought some hope. It needs to meet the
following features: 1) The long-term protection data after treatment must be provided by stem cell
investigators. 2) A design of multivalent antigens based on immunoinformatic prediction is suggested
to engineer T-cell and dendritic cell-based therapies in order to deliver the most immunogenic
conserved epitopes. 3) According to the sophisticated procedure, the preparation of the cells must
be supported by authorities in order to decrease the cost and the time of the whole process.
The Effectiveness of Lemongrass Oil Against Brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens Stal. (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) on Rice Plant
Authors: Himawan Toto , Rachmawati Rina , Rifandani Eka Putri
Published: January 2021

Rice (Oryza sativa) is the primary food crop in the world. The use of natural pesticides made from essential plants has begun to be developed because it is useful in controlling some plant pests. This study aimed to investigate lemongrass oil's effectiveness in controlling brown planthopper pests in rice plants. This study consist of five concentrations using lemongrass oil and sterile distilled water as control was repeated three times. The highest mortality of brown planthopper was found at 1.6% concentration (100%), while the lowest mortality was 0.1% concentration (26.66%). The lemongrass oil can be used to control brown planthoppers because of the LC50 value at a concentration of 8233.34 ppm (0.8%) and LT50 at 6 HAT.
Leaf and Flower Extracts of Tithonia diversifolia Against Aphis gosypii in Red Chili Plant
Authors: Himawan Toto , Rahayu Tari , Widjayanti Tita
Published: January 2021

Red chili is one of the main commodities in Indonesia. Aphid (Aphis gossypii) is one of the pests that cause damage to the red chili plant. A. gossypii attacks require control measures using plant-based pesticides from the leaves and sunflowers of Mexico. This study aimed to determine the toxicity of leaves and flower of T. diversifolia extracts against A. gossypii. This research consisted of five concentrations (0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 0.9%) and four replications. The LC50 and LT50 were calculated by using probit analysis of the Hsin Chi program. The results showed that the Tithonia diversifolia flower extract had higher toxicity than the leaf extract of 0.48%, which could cause the death of A. gossypii by 50%, while the leaf extract had a concentration of 0.55%. The flower extract caused the fastest 50% mortality (37.42 hours), while leaf extract was 65.63 hours. The leaf and flower extracts can also reduce the number of A. gossypii offspring.
A Russian Funeral Film: The Funeral of Anastasia Vial'tseva
Authors: Domagala Jakob , Speegle Shawn
Published: January 2021

Vol. 2, No. 2 (2020)

This issue of SourceLab presents the 1913 funeral film of Russian singer  Anastasia Vial'tseva.

This publication is part of the digital documentary edition series SourceLab, based at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Our Editorial Board conducts rigorous peer-review of every edition.
Spatio-Temporal Metocean Measurements for Offshore Wind Power
Authors:   School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK and Seaview Sensing Ltd, Wyatt Lucy
Published: January 2021

This paper presents the case for the use of HF radar to provide wave, current and wind measurements and maps during the surveying, resource and impact assessment, construction, maintenance and performance assessment phases of an offshore fixed or floating wind farm or other marine renewable project. The data presented are from the Celtic Sea which is currently the focus of a lot of offshore wind interest. The data are from a dual radar system deployed at the Wave Hub site off the Cornwall coast since 2011, a single radar system in North Devon reactivated in 2017, and data from 2005 when the North Devon radar was operated as a dual radar with a second site in South Wales. The accuracy of the wave and wind data is discussed and examples of the sort of data that could be available are presented.
APLIKASI PEMESANAN MAKANAN UNTUK MENINGKATKAN PENJUALAN BAGI UMKM BERBASIS ANDROID
Authors: M.Cs Pujianto
Published: January 2021

Usaha Mikro, Kecil dan Menengah (UMKM) merupakan salah satu penggerak roda perekonomian di Indonesia. UMKM menjadi fokus pemerintah Indonesia karena UMKM memiliki kontribusi sebesar 60,3% dari total produk domestik bruto (PDB) Indonesia. Selain itu, UMKM menyerap 97% dari total tenaga kerja dan 99% dari total lapangan kerja. Untuk meningkatkan daya saing bagi UMKM diperlukan digitalisasi penjulan dalam melakukan proses bisnisnya. Rumusan dalam peneliian ini adalah bagaimana membuat aplikasi pemesanan makanan berbasis Android bagi UMKM. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah membuat aplikasi pemesanan makanan bagi UMKM berbasis Android. Metode penelitia ini menggunakan metode research and development, sedangkan pengembangan sistem menggunakan waterfall model.  Hasil dari penelitian ini adalah sebuah aplikasi pemesanan makanan yang dapat digunakan oleh pengguna dalam memesan makanan yang diinginkan sesuai dengan menu yang ditampilkan. Proses pemesanan makanan sangat simpel dan sistem akan melakukan validasi sebelum makanan dipesan ke pelaku UMKM. Sebelum sistem digunakan dilakukan pengujian terhadap aplikasi terkait fitur-fitur yang ada pada aplikasi. Dengan adanya aplikasi ini diharapkan dapat meningkatkan penjualan bagi UMKM yang telah bergabung sehingga dapat meningkatkan perekonomian.
Antecedents of Individuals’ Concerns Regarding Hospital Hygiene and Surgery Postponement During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-sectional, Web-Based Survey Study
Authors: Ostermann Thomas , Gampe Julia , Röer Jan Philipp , Radtke Theda
Published: January 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic poses a major challenge to people’s everyday lives. In the context of hospitalization, the pandemic is expected to have a strong influence on affective reactions and preventive behaviors. Research is needed to develop evidence-driven strategies for coping with the challenges of the pandemic. Therefore, this survey study investigates the effects that personality traits, risk-taking behaviors, and anxiety have on medical service–related affective reactions and anticipated behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective

The aim of this study was to identify key factors that are associated with individuals’ concerns about hygiene in hospitals and the postponement of surgeries.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional, web-based survey of 929 residents in Germany (women: 792/929, 85.3%; age: mean 35.2 years, SD 12.9 years). Hypotheses were tested by conducting a saturated path analysis.

Results

We found that anxiety had a direct effect on people’s concerns about safety (β=−.12, 95% CI −.20 to −.05) and hygiene in hospitals (β=.16, 95% CI .08 to .23). Risk-taking behaviors and personality traits were not associated with concerns about safety and hygiene in hospitals or anticipated behaviors.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that distinct interventions and information campaigns are not necessary for individuals with different personality traits or different levels of risk-taking behavior. However, we recommend that health care workers should carefully address anxiety when interacting with patients.
Tinnitus Profiling in an Albanian Population (Preprint)
Authors: Dode Albi , Genitsaridi Eleni , Qirjazi Birkena , Mehdi Muntazir , Pryss Rüdiger , Probst Thomas , Reichert Manfred , Hauck Franz , Hall Deborah Ann
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND

Characteristics of tinnitus, the perception of sound in the absence of an external acoustic stimulus, can vary from one individual to another. This heterogeneity has been blamed for the lack of success in finding a cure. To our knowledge, no previous study on tinnitus in Albania has been published, although some studies in eastern Europe are available. A study investigating the characteristics of tinnitus in this region would be important, providing the basis for further research on tinnitus in Albania and contributing to a wider understanding of tinnitus heterogeneity across different geographic locations.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to develop an Albania translation of a standardized questionnaire for tinnitus research (the European School for Interdisciplinary Tinnitus Research-Screening Questionnaire - ESIT-SQ) and use it to investigate characteristics of tinnitus in the Albanian population.

METHODS

Three translators were recruited to create the Albanian ESIT-SQ translation following good practice guidelines for translating questionnaires. This questionnaire was subsequently used to collect data from people attending otolaryngology clinics in Albania.

RESULTS

Self-report data from 107 people with varying degrees of tinnitus severity were collected using the Albanian ESIT-SQ. Using a Random Forest approach, we found that self-reported hearing difficulty, tinnitus duration, tinnitus pitch, and temporal manifestation of tinnitus were predictive of tinnitus symptom severity (cross-validated accuracy of 0.64, confidence Interval 0.54-0.73).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, our study in an Albanian sample demonstrated that the ESIT-SQ can be used to investigate phenotypical characteristics and subgroup distinctions.