bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of risk factors of bladder neck contracture following transurethral surgery of prostate
Authors: Chen Yi-Zhong , Lin Wun-Rong , Chow Yung-Chiong , Tsai Wei-Kung , Chen Marcelo , Chiu Allen W.
Published: April 2021

Backgrounds

The aim of the present study was to investigate the perioperative parameters associated with bladder neck contracture (BNC) after transurethral surgery of the prostate and to compare the incidence of BNC after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) or Thulium vaporesection (resection group) versus Thulium vapoenucleation or enucleation of the prostate (enucleation group).

Methods

Between March 2008 and March 2020, 2363 patients received TURP and 1656 patients received transurethral surgery of the prostate with Thulium laser (ThuP) at Mackay Memorial Hospital. A total of 62 patients developed BNC. These BNC patients were age-and operation-matched to 124 randomly sampled TURP/ThuP controls without BNC. A 1:1 propensity score matching model was used to evaluate the difference in incidence of BNC.

Results

Our study demonstrated that a greater proportion of BNC patients had history of cerebrovascular accidents (11/62 vs. 7/124, p = 0.009), coronary artery disease (14/48 vs. 16/108, p = 0.03), chronic kidney disease (14/62 vs. 11/124, p = 0.01), and two or more comorbidities (29/62 vs. 27/124, p = 0.001) compared with NBNC patients. Multivariate analysis showed that smaller prostate volume (OR 0.96 (0.94–0.99), p = 0.008) and recatherization (OR 5.6 (1.02–30.6), p = 0.047) were significantly associated with BNC. A ROC curve predicted that a prostate volume < 42.9 cm3 was associated with a notably higher rate of BNC. The propensity score matching model reported there was no difference in incidence between resection and enucleation groups.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that incidence of BNC was the same in different surgical techniques and that low prostate volume, recatherization and ≥ 2 comorbidities were positively correlated with the development of BNC after TURP or ThuP.
Stochastic approximation method using diagonal positive-definite matrices for convex optimization with fixed point constraints
Authors: Iiduka Hideaki
Published: April 2021

This paper proposes a stochastic approximation method for solving a convex stochastic optimization problem over the fixed point set of a quasinonexpansive mapping. The proposed method is based on the existing adaptive learning rate optimization algorithms that use certain diagonal positive-definite matrices for training deep neural networks. This paper includes convergence analyses and convergence rate analyses for the proposed method under specific assumptions. Results show that any accumulation point of the sequence generated by the method with diminishing step-sizes almost surely belongs to the solution set of a stochastic optimization problem in deep learning. Additionally, we apply the learning methods based on the existing and proposed methods to classifier ensemble problems and conduct a numerical performance comparison showing that the proposed learning methods achieve high accuracies faster than the existing learning method.
More than meets the naked eye: an unusual psoriatic arthritis mimicry and the important role of dermoscopic examination
Authors: Anne Lim Jo , Rahim Mohd Jazman Che , Ghazali Wan Syamimee Wan , Ahmed Wan Aireene Wan , Isa Seoparjoo Azmel Mohd
Published: April 2021

Background

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) can manifest in various forms. This includes mimicry of other diseases. We describe an unusual mimicry of PsA.

Case presentation

We report a case of a middle-aged lady who presented with severe pain and morning stiffness over the small joints of the left hand for 3 months and painless deformity of the affected joints 1 year before. She was under treatment for pruritic rash over her ankles and knees for the past 1 year as well. Physical examination revealed a fixed flexion deformity, swelling and tenderness of the left ring and little fingers’ distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints. Left hand radiograph showed sclerotic joint margin, narrowed joint space and marginal osteophytes of the affected DIP joints. Dermoscopic examination showed red- violaceous, flat-topped papules and plaques with minimal scales on both ankles; hyperpigmented scaly plaques over both knees and vertical fingernail ridges. Serum autoimmune screening and inflammatory markers were unremarkable. Left ankle skin biopsy showed features consistent of psoriasis. PsA was diagnosed. Weekly titrated oral methotrexate and topical steroid were started. The patient showed significant improvement after 1 month of treatment.

Conclusion

PsA is a great mimicker. Dermoscopy is an accessible and valuable tool to assess skin lesions in greater detail. Clinicians should be aware of coexisting diseases or misdiagnosis when patients do not respond to treatment.
Denosumab might prevent periprosthetic bone loss after total hip and knee arthroplasties: a review
Authors: Xu Jianda , Li Huan , Qu Yuxing , Zheng Chong , Wang Bin , Shen Pengfei , Xie Zikang , Wei Kang , Wang Yan , Zhao Jianning
Published: April 2021

Total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty are extensively used for the treatment of the end-stage degenerative joint diseases. Currently, periprosthetic bone loss is still the major cause of aseptic loosening, resulting in implant failures. Previous literature introduced some widely accepted protocols for the prevention and treatment of periprosthetic bone loss, but no guideline has been proposed. Denosumab, a human monoclonal immunoglobulin G2 (IgG2) antibody, can inhibit bone resorption by binding to the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL). This article reviews the present findings and evidence concerning the effect of denosumab on the periprosthetic bone loss after total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty. Overall, the current evidence suggests that denosumab is a promising agent for the treatment of periprosthetic bone loss.
Preoperative Amlodipine Is Efficacious in Preventing Intraoperative HDI in Pheochromocytoma: Pilot RCT
Authors: Jaiswal Sanjeet Kumar , Memon Saba Samad , Lila Anurag , Sarathi Vijaya , Goroshi Manjunath , Garg Robin , Barnabas Rohit , Hemantkumar Indrani , Patel Rajendra D , Oak Shrikanta , Dalvi Abhay , Garale Mahadeo , Patil Virendra , Shah Nalini S , Bandgar Tushar
Published: April 2021

Context

Preoperative blockade with α-blockers is recommended in patients with pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma (PPGL). The data on calcium channel blockade (CCB) in PPGL are scarce.

Objective

We aimed to compare the efficacy of CCB and α-blockers on intraoperative hemodynamic instability (HDI) in PPGL.

Methods

In the interim analysis of this monocentric, pilot, open-label, randomized controlled trial, patients with solitary, secretory, and nonmetastatic PPGL were randomized to oral prazosin gastrointestinal therapeutic system (GITS) (maximum 30 mg, n = 9) or amlodipine (maximum 20 mg, n = 11). The primary outcomes were the episodes and duration of hypertension (systolic blood pressure ≥ 160 mmHg) and hypotension (mean arterial pressure < 60 mmHg) and duration of HDI (hypertension and/or hypotension) as a percentage of total surgical time (from induction of anesthesia to skin closure).

Results

The median (IQR) episodes (2 [1-3] vs 0 [0-1]; P = 0.002) and duration of hypertension (19 [14-42] vs 0 [0-3] minutes; P = 0.001) and intraoperative HDI duration (22.85 ± 18.4% vs 2.44 ± 2.4%; CI, 8.68-32.14%; P 0.002) were significantly higher in the prazosin GITS arm than the amlodipine arm, whereas episodes and duration of hypotension did not differ between the 2 groups. There was no perioperative mortality. One patient had intraoperative ST depression on the electrocardiogram. The drug-related adverse effects were pedal edema (1 in amlodipine), dizziness (1 in prazosin GITS), and tachycardia (6 in prazosin GITS and 3 in amlodipine).

Conclusion

Preoperative blockade with amlodipine is an efficacious alternative to prazosin GITS in preventing intraoperative HDI in PPGL. Larger studies that compare preoperative blockade by amlodipine with other α-blockers like phenoxybenzamine and/or doxazosin in PPGL patients are warranted.
Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Quality Assessment Study
Authors: Al Wattar Bassel H , Fisher Maria , Bevington Laura , Talaulikar Vikram , Davies Melanie , Conway Gerrad , Yasmin Ephia
Published: April 2021

Context

Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are key instruments to implement the practice of evidence-based medicine. We aimed to evaluate the methodological quality and variations in CPGs recommendations on the diagnosis and management of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Evidence Acquisition

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL until December 2020 for all evidence-based CPGs and consensus statements on PCOS. We extracted data in duplicate to map clinical recommendations across prespecified disease domains and assessed CPGs methodological quality of using the Appraisal of Guidelines, Research & Evaluation II tool.

Evidence Synthesis

We included 13 PCOS CPGs published between 2007 and 2018. CPGs recommendations were mostly focused on screening for and managing metabolic disease (12/13, 92%), followed by cardiovascular risk assessment (10/13, 77%). Mental health (8/13, 62%) and diagnosis in adolescents (7/13, 54%) were the least reported domains. Most CPGs had a high quality for scope and purpose description (12/13, 92%) while stakeholder’s involvement and applicability of recommendations to clinical practice were appropriate in only 2 CPGs (2/13, 15%). We identified inconsistency in recommendations on PCOS diagnosis in adolescents, optimal lifestyle interventions, hirsutism and acne treatments, interventions to reduce the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, the frequency and screening criteria for metabolic and cardiovascular disease, and optimal screening tools for mental health illness in women with PCOS.

Conclusion

Current CPGs on the diagnosis and management of PCOS vary in their scope and methodological quality, which may hinder evidence translation into clinical practice. We identified disease domains with existing evidence gap to guide future research and guideline updates.
HDL Containing Apolipoprotein C-III is Associated with Insulin Sensitivity: A Multicenter Cohort Study
Authors: Yamamoto Rain , Jensen Majken K , Aroner Sarah , Furtado Jeremy D , Rosner Bernard , Hu Frank B , Balkau Beverley , Natali Andrea , Ferrannini Ele , Baldi Simona , Sacks Frank M
Published: April 2021

Context

High density lipoprotein (HDL) in humans is composed of a heterogeneous group of particles varying in protein composition as well as biological effects.

Objective

We investigated the prospective associations between HDL subspecies containing and lacking apolipoprotein (apo) C-III at baseline and insulin sensitivity at year 3.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A prospective cohort study of 864 healthy volunteers drawn from the relationship between insulin sensitivity and cardiovascular disease (RISC) study, a multicenter European clinical investigation, whose recruitment initiated in 2002, with a follow-up of 3 years.

Main Measures

Insulin sensitivity was estimated from an oral glucose tolerance test at baseline and year 3, and by euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp at baseline only. The apolipoprotein concentrations were measured at baseline by a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based method.

Results

The 2 HDL subspecies demonstrated significantly opposite associations with insulin sensitivity at year 3 (P-heterogeneity = 0.004). The highest quintile of HDL containing apoC-III was associated with a 1.2% reduction in insulin sensitivity (P-trend = 0.02), while the highest quintile of HDL lacking apoC-III was associated with a 1.3% increase (P-trend = 0.01), compared to the lowest quintile. No significant association was observed for total HDL, and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) containing apoC-III. ApoC-III contained in HDL was associated with a decrease in insulin sensitivity even more strongly than plasma total apoC-III.

Conclusion

Both HDL containing apoC-III and apoC-III in HDL adversely affect the beneficial properties of HDL on insulin response to glucose. Our results support the potential of HDL-associated apoC-III as a promising target for diabetes prevention and treatment.
Adolescent Tri-ponderal Mass Index Growth Trajectories and Incident Diabetes Mellitus in Early Adulthood
Authors: Wu Yi-Fan , Fan Hsien-Yu , Chen Yang-Ching , Kuo Kuan-Liang , Chien Kuo-Liong
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Studies have reported the influence of adolescent obesity on development of adult diabetes, but the effect of the growth pattern during this period has rarely been explored. Also, the tri-ponderal mass index (TMI) was thought to be a better estimation of adolescent body fat levels than the body mass index (BMI), so we sought to investigate whether growth trajectories derived by these two indices could predict incident diabetes.

Methods

We conducted a study by using the Taipei City Hospital Radiation Building Database, a longitudinal cohort established in 1996. Physical exam results including blood test results were collected annually and the BMI z-score/TMI growth trajectory groups during 13 to 18 years of age were identified using growth mixture modeling. A Cox proportional hazard model for incident diabetes was used to examine the risk of baseline obese status and different BMI/TMI growth trajectories.

Results

Five growth trajectory groups were identified for the BMI z-score and the TMI. During approximately 20 400 person-years follow-up, 33 of 1387 participants developed diabetes. Baseline obesity defined by the BMI z-score and the TMI were both related to adult diabetes. The persistent increase TMI growth trajectory exhibited a significantly increased risk of diabetes after adjusting for baseline obese status and other correlated covariates (hazard ratio: 2.85, 95% confidence interval: 1.01-8.09). There was no association between BMI growth trajectory groups and incident diabetes.

Conclusions

A specific TMI growth trajectory pattern during adolescence might be critical for diabetes prevention efforts.
АНТИМИКРОБНЫЙ ЭФФЕКТ МОНО- И БИЯДЕРНЫХ ИОДИДНЫХ КОМПЛЕКСОВ ПЛАТИНЫ И ПАЛЛАДИЯ
Authors: Salishcheva Olesya V. , Prosekov Alexander Yu.
Published: April 2021

Обоснование. Высокая резистентность микроорганизмов-патогенов побуждает ученых всего мира вести исследования с целью получения новых антимикробных средств. Комплексы платиновых металлов остаются в поле зрения исследователей в плане потенциальных антибактериальных веществ.

Цель. Скрининг антимикробных свойств иодидных комплексов платины и палладия.

Материалы и методы. Оценивали антимикробную активность синтезированных моно- и биядерных комплексов Pt (II) и Pd (II), содержащих мостиковые и концевые иодидные лиганды. В качестве тест-организмов использовали стандартные штаммы микроорганизмов Pseudomonas putida, Bacillus subtilis, Aspergillus niger. Скрининг проведен с использованием диск-диффузионного метода и метода серийных разведений.

Результаты. Все исследуемые комплексные соединения обладают способностью ингибировать метаболический рост микроорганизмов в разной степени. Катионный комплекс платины [(NH3)2Pt(μ-I)2Pt(NH3)2]Cl2 проявляет больший эффект ингибирования по сравнению с комплексом-неэлектролитом [(NH3)2Pt(μ-I)2PtCl2], для которого активность сопоставима с моноядерным комплексом цис-Pt(NH3)2I2. Самый высокий антибактериальный эффект показал биядерный комплекс палладия [enPd(μ-I)2Pden]Cl2, обладающий большей лабильностью по сравнению с комплексами платины. Минимальная ингибирующая концентрация комплексов составила >110 мкм.

Заключение. Антимикробная активность комплексов по отношению к изученным тест-культурам зависит от состава и строения комплекса, природы центрального атома, числа координационных центров, их заряда, прочности связей лигандов с комплексообразователем.
Obedience in times of COVID-19 pandemics: a renewed governmentality of unease?
Authors: Bigo Didier , Guild Elspeth , Kuskonmaz Elif Mendos
Published: April 2021

This article transects and articulates different disciplines and lines of thought in order to understand the redefinitions of the boundaries of political power in times of COVID-19, and the practices which may outlive the potential normalisation of the crisis when an efficient vaccine is discovered. We claim that the COVID-19 pandemic is an original form of governmentality by unease articulating three dimensions. First, the basic reaction of modern states when faced with uncertainty is to apply national-territorial logics of controls. Second, bureaucracies consider the virus as a danger to security and organise public health emergencies according to the rules of the game of national security, creating tensions between internal security, public health and the economy because policymakers may be unsure about the priorities and may prioritise border controls. Third, resistance against the chosen national policies show that people are not led by a politics of fear and/or protection, but rather their own concerns about themselves with peer-to-peer surveillance as a key element of their compliance. Contact tracing technologies and strategies of border controls are key elements to analyse. We do so in different contexts: the UK, the EU and Turkey.
Enhanced emission from a single quantum dot in a microdisk at a deterministic diabolical point
Authors: Yang Jingnan , Shi Shushu , Xie Xin , Wu Shiyao , Xiao Shan , Song Feilong , Dang Jianchen , Sun Sibai , Yang Longlong , wang Yunuan , Ge Zi-Yong , Li Bei-Bei , Zuo Zhanchun , Jin Kuijuan , Xu Xiulai
Published: April 2021

We report on controllable cavity modes by controlling the backscattering by two identical scatterers. Periodic changes of the backscattering coupling between two degenerate cavity modes are observed with the changing angle between two scatterers and elucidated by a theoretical model using two-mode approximation and numerical simulations. The periodically appearing single-peak cavity modes indicate mode degeneracy at diabolical points. Interactions between single quantum dots and cavity modes are then investigated. Enhanced emission of a quantum dot with a six-fold intensity increase is obtained in a microdisk at a diabolical point. This method to control cavity modes allows large-scale integration, high reproducibility and flexible design of the size, the location, the quantity and the shape for scatterers, which can be applied for integrated photonic structures with scatterer-modified light-matter interaction.
Analysis of signal-to-noise ratio of angle of polarization and degree of polarization
Authors: Chen Yingkai , Zhu Zhongmin , Liang Zuodong , Iannucci Leanne E. , Lake Spencer P. , Gruev Viktor
Published: April 2021

Recent advancements in nanofabrication technology has led to commercialization of single-chip polarization and color-polarization imaging sensors in the visible spectrum. Novel applications have arisen with the emergence of these sensors leading to questions about noise in the reconstructed polarization images. In this paper, we provide theoretical analysis for the input and output referred noise for the angle and degree of linear polarization information. We validated our theoretical model with experimental data collected from a division of focal plane polarization sensor. Our data indicates that the noise in the angle of polarization images depends on both incident light intensity and degree of linear polarization and is independent of the incident angle of polarization. However, noise in degree of linear polarization images depends on all three parameters: incident light intensity, angle and degree of linear polarization. This theoretical model can help guide the development of imaging setups to record optimal polarization information.
Health Information-seeking through Personal Health Records among Women Susceptible to Breast Cancer
Authors:   University of Memphis School of Public Health, Kim Hyunmin , Mahmood Asos , Powell M. Paige
Published: April 2021

Objective: Health information-seeking is an essential component of health-related behavior and decision-making. Access to personal health records (PHRs), offered by healthcare providers, is an essential tool to access health information. However, little is known about predictive factors of use of PHRs as a medium of health information among women. In this study, we explored health information-seeking’s decision processes through PHRs among middle-aged and older women susceptible to developing breast cancer. Methods: We used data from the 2014 Health Information National Trends Survey in the United States and employed a 2-part Hurdle model. The study sample included 1159 women aged 40 to 75 years. Results: The Hurdle estimation found that health information-seeking through PHRs consists of 2 distinct decision processes: (1) the use of PHRs and (2) the frequency of use; different sets of factors are associated with each decision process. Women’s demographic characteristics were found to be the primary factors for PHR use. In contrast, socioeconomic factors, salience, self-efficacy, and general health status were more likely to be the main factors affecting the frequency of use. Conclusions: Based on the findings, providing greater access to PHRs to women, particularly those with health needs or concerns, should be considered by policymakers. Additionally, the issue of the digital divide in PHR use should be addressed.
School Personnel’s Responses to School-based Vaping Prevention Program: A Qualitative Study
Authors:   University of Nebraska Medical Center, Dai Hongying , Ramos Athena , Tamraker Niran , Cheney Marshall , Samson Kaeli , Grimm Brandon
Published: April 2021

Objective: In this qualitative study, we sought to assess 3 topics of interest: (1) current status of vaping and school-based prevention; (2) school personnel’s perceptions of vaping; and (3) challenges in implementing school-based vaping prevention programs. Methods: We conducted 5 focus groups using a semi-structured interview guide during October through December 2019. School personnel (eg, principals, teachers [N = 32]) from 30 middle and high schools were recruited across diverse regions in Nebraska. Results: Eight themes arose from the thematic analysis in 3 topic areas. School personnel attributed student vaping to easy access, low perception of harm, addiction, and proliferation of stealthy products for concealed use. Whereas schools showed strong support for addressing youth vaping on school grounds, few schools had adopted a comprehensive e-cigarette prevention and cessation program. The top challenges to current school-based vaping prevention programs include lack of time, knowledge, and coordinated efforts. Participants also recognized the significance of parental engagement in the prevention effort. Conclusions: There is a considerable variation in school policies and actions to address youth vaping. An evidence based youth vaping program that involves schools, parents, students, and communities needs to be developed and disseminated in school settings.
Predictors of on-task Behaviors: Evaluating Student-level Characteristics
Authors:   University of California, San Diego, Golaszewski Natalie , Bartholomew John , Errisuriz Vanessa , Korinek Elizabeth , Jowers Esbelle
Published: April 2021

Objective: In this study, we examined students’ fitness, body mass index (BMI), and demographics as predictors of observed time on-task (TOT) behaviors as an indicator of behavioral inattention. Methods: We collected demographics, fitness estimates, and BMI from 2020 fourth-graders (Mean age = 8.6 (SD = 0.5); 47% girls; 49% white) from 28 schools. We measured TOT through momentary time sampling observations. Three-level linear models were conducted to determine whether characteristics predicted differences in TOT. We tested interactions between characteristics and TOT. Results: Older students exhibited greater percent of TOT (estimate = 2.34, SE = 1.02, df = 919, t = 2.30, p < .05). Additionally, boys spent less percent TOT (estimate = -3.59, SE = 1.03, df = 906, t = -3.49, p < .05). There were no differences by race/ethnicity, SES, BMI, fitness, or time of day and percent TOT. Furthermore, none of the interactions were statistically significant (p > .15). Conclusions: Girls and older students spent more TOT. These findings are of interest to educators and psychologists working on the development of research-based guidelines aimed to support elementary students’ engagement in the classroom.
Critical Evaluation of the Case for Pausing California’s School-based Fitness Testing
Authors:   University of California, Irvine, Woodworth Amanda
Published: April 2021

Objective: We undertook a literature review to evaluate the evidence for an association among school-based fitness testing and bullying, weight-based teasing (WBT), and/or gender discrimination. Methods: We searched the peer-reviewed literature using PubMed, ERIC and GOOGLE Scholar to identify articles related to school-based physical fitness testing (K-12) on the one hand and bullying, WBT, and/or gender discrimination on the other. Results: We identified 12 studies on the impact of school-based physical fitness testing (PFT) on bullying and WBT. These studies do not support the assertion that PFT places students at elevated risk for bullying and/or WBT as compared to other school settings. There is a dearth of studies investigating an association between PFT and gender discrimination. Conclusions: The concerns about PFT as a widespread cause of bullying and WBT are not supported by the evidence. It is likely that school climate is a stronger determinant overall of these negative student interactions and that more rigorous teacher training would ameliorate student concerns about fitness testing. Nevertheless, more rigorous research is warranted to determine with confidence that PFT does not elevate students’ risks for bullying and WBT and to examine the risks for students with non-binary gender.
FRAMEWORK FOR SYSTEMATIZATION OF DATA SCIENCE METHODS
Authors: Liubchenko Vira V. , Komleva Nataliia O. , Zinovatna Svitlana L. , Pysarenko Katherine O.
Published: April 2021

The rapid development of data science has led to the accumulation of many models, methods, and techniques that had been successfully applied. As the analysis of publications has shown, the systematization of data science methods and techniques is an urgenttask. However, in most cases, the results are relevant to applications in a particular problem domain. The paper develops the framework for the systematization of data science methods, neither domain-oriented nor task-oriented. The metamodel-method-technique hierarchy organizes the relationships between existing methods and techniques and reduces the complexity of their under-standing. The first level of the hierarchy consists of metamodels of data preprocessing, data modeling, and data visualization. The second level comprises methods corresponded to metamodels. The third level collects the main techniques grouped according to methods.The authors describe the guiding principles of the framework use. It provides a possibility to define the typical process of problem-solving with data science methods. A case study is used to verify the framework’s appropriateness. Four cases of applying data science methods to solve practical problems described in publications are examined. It is shown that the described solutions are entirely agreed with the proposed framework. The recommended directions for applying the framework are defined. The constraint of the framework applying is structured or semi-structured data that should be analyzed. Finally, the ways of further research are given.
SOFTWARE AT MOBILE SPECTROMETER WITH CZT-DETECTOR
Authors: Maslov Oleh V. , Mokritskiy Vadim A.
Published: April 2021

The technology is based on a semiconductor CdZnTe-portable (almost the size of a mobile phone) gamma-ray spectrometer with high resolution, which provides high efficiency of rapid identification of radionuclides and assessment of radiation dose from low to moderately high levels. The CdZnTe gamma-ray spectrometer is a highly efficient device based on the use of CdZnTe(CZT) semiconductor detectors operating at room temperature with very low power consumption, a digital multichannel analyzer, and amicrocomputer. CdZnTe-portable spectrometer is a self-contained device and consists of three modules -a detector module, a multichannel analyzer, and a microcomputer. The detector module contains a high-quality CdZnTe detector, a preamplifier, and a high voltage power supply for the detector. There are detector modules with different volumes of the CZT detector from 5mm3to 1600mm3. It is possible to use a multi-detector system. The analyzer module contains an amplifier, a digital signal processor, a low voltage power supply, and a computer interface. The microcomputer software interacts with the multichannel analyzer, analyzes gamma spectra, and provides the accumulation of time profiles of the dose of gamma radiation, communication with other information systems. Spectrometric measurements in real-time make it possible to use "electronic collimation" technologies to build a map of the radiation field and localize sources of ionizing radiation, with the subsequent certification of identified sources, creation of an effective radiation monitoring system with the functions of certification of ionizing sources radiation. The corresponding software allows you to solve the following tasks –building a three-dimensional map of the fields of ionizing radiation of various degrees of spatial detailing, taking into account the radiation energy, localization, and certification of gamma radiation sources. The special laboratory kit is based on μSPEC microspectrometers. A LattePanda single board computeris used to control the operation of spectrometers, collect and analyze data. LattePanda –A Windows10 Computer with integrated Arduino. This explains the choice of LattePanda. Windows10 applicationallows you to use the WinSPEC software to control the multichannel analyzer operation supplied with the spectrometer. The built-in Arduino allows you to remote control the movement of the radiation source during laboratory experiment. Both the traditionalproblems of calibrating spectrometers (energy calibration and efficiency curves), including those for various source geometries, processing the measured spectra using standard programs, calculating the activity of sources, and the problem of creating a spectra processing program and a spectrometer control program are considered. The values of the minimum detectable activity are given.
Estimating environmental risk assessment for drinking and fisheries use (on the example of the Danube river – the city Vilkovo)
Authors: Daus Maria E. , Daus Yurii V.
Published: April 2021

The Danube is a source of water for the household and industrial needs of Ukrainian population, industry and agriculture. The Danube waters are used for drinking centralized water supply in the cities of Kiliya and Vilkovo, as well as fisheries in the region. Therefore, it was important to carry out the “Environmental Risk Assessment for Drinking and Fisheries Use (on the example of the Danube River –the city Vilkovo)”. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the application of the environmental risk criterion R on the basis of hydrochemical observations to verify the safety of drinking and fishery use. Analysis of environmental problems of the lower Danube River - Vilkovo; assessment of the environmental situation; calculation of water quality risk indicators according to the methodology of the Institute of Market Problems and Economic and Environmental Research of the NAS of Ukraine; establishing a link between water quality and risk is the finding of the research. It is established that the environmental situation is “critical” due to suspended substances, phenols, manganese and HCC for drinking water supply and “strained” through chromium, manganese, HCC, copper for fishery use. An assessment of the water quality by the modified Water Pollution Index (IWM) showed that the water is “moderately polluted” and “contaminated”. For both types of water use, normalized aggregated pollution indices were calculated taking into account the likelihood of a risk event occurring and R risk indicators were determined by year. It is established that there is a close linear relationship between WSS and R. It is shown that environmental risk estimates, based on the probability of exceeding concentrations of pollutants above the MPC, reflect well the ecological status of the water.
Using Geo-electric Techniques for Vulnerability and Groundwater Potential Analysis of Aquifers in Nnewi, South Eastern Nigeria
Authors: Ifeanyichukwu Kenechukwu A. , Okeyeh Elizabeth , Agbasi Okechukwu E. , Moses Onwe I. , Ben-Owope Ogechukwu
Published: April 2021

In Nnewi, Anambra State Nigeria, twenty vertical electrical sounding (VES) were performed to delineate vulnerability and transmissivity of identified aquifer within the study area. Hydraulic parameters (transverse resistance, longitudinal conductivity, hydraulic conductivity and transmissivity) were delineated from geoelectrical parameters (depth, thickness, and apparent resistance). The geo- parameters of the aquifer: apparent resistance from 1000.590 to 1914.480, thickness from 42.850 – 66.490 m and 65.530 to 100.400 m of depth. The estimated hydraulic parameters of the aquifers are transverse resistance 54264.383 - 104568.898 Ωm, longitudinal conductance 0.029 – 0.062 mho, hydraulic conductivity 0.664 – 2.015 m/day and transmis- sivity between 4.167 and 13.963 m2/day. All aquifers have poor protective capacity, 40 percent of the aquifers have low classification with smaller withdrawal potential for local groundwater supply, while 60 percent of the delineated aquifer has intermediate classification and withdrawal potential for local groundwater supply. Due to its groundwater supply potential and protective capacity, the eastern part of the study area has stronger groundwater potential.
New perspective Reza gold deposit (Gedabek ore district, Lesser Caucasus, Azerbaijan)
Authors: Imamverdiyev Nazim A. , Baba-zadeh Vasif M. , Mursalov Samir S. , Valiyev Anar A. , Mansurov Mamoy I. , Abdullayeva Shakhla F.
Published: April 2021

The article describes Reza gold deposit of Ugur exploration area located in Geda- bek Ore District of the Lesser Caucasus in NW of Azerbaijan. It is established that main mineralization in the Reza gold deposit consists of hematite-barite-quartz-kaoline veins- veinlets and breccia, pyrite stock-stockverk and quartz-sulfide veins. On the main orebody surface center secondary quartzites with vein-veinlets barite-hematite mineralization have occured over which remain accumulations of hydrous ferric oxides cementing breccias of quartz and secondary quartzites. “Reddish mass” is also observed in erosion parts, being an oxidation product of stock and stockverk limonite-hematite ores. Representing typical gossans, these accumulations by the data of trenches for thickness about 5-10 m contain gold 0.3-3.5 ppm and silver 1.0-45.0 ppm. There are three zones of gold mineralization within the Reza gold deposit: oxide mineralization; transition zone mineralization; sulfide mineralization. The oxide gold mineraliza- tion consists of clay-gravel weathering crust of kaolinite type. The gold-bearing mineralization has been oxidized to a depth of ap- proximately 50-100 meters. Typically, the gold mineralization is coarser and a minor increase in gold grade occurs within the oxides compared to the original rocks. The nugget effect increase in the gold grade of the oxides does not exceed approximately 10%. Deposit alteration signature has characteristics which suggest the current outcrop level may be near the top of a mineralized, gold-bearing high sulfidation epithermal (HSE) system. The gold mineralization at the deposit is interpreted as forming in shallow high sulfidation epith- ermal systems. The mineralization has been noted in well-confined hydrothermal breccia and associated with pyrite stock-stockwork. The majority of the deposit material and current estimates are formed within the barite-hematite-quartz-kaoline mineralization in the secondary quartzite rocks. The main brecciation and stockwork are hosted within secondary quartzite, sometime massive silicified andesite porphyritic rocks.
Biogeochemical peculiarities of accumulation of chemical elements by plants of the Svydovets Massif of the Ukrainian Carpathians
Authors: Kryuchenko Nataliya O. , Zhovinsky Edward Ya. , Paparyga Petr S.
Published: April 2021

he objective of the paper was determining biogeochemical peculiarities of ac- cumulation of chemical elements (Mn, Ni, Сo, V, Cr, Zr, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ba, P) by wild-grow- ing shrubs (stems and leaves) – bog bilberry (Vaccіnium uliginоsum), European blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.), alpine juniper (J. communis subsp. alpina); perennial herbaceous plants (flowers and leaves) – common tormentil (Potentіlla erecta (L.) Hampe), willow gentian (Gentiana asclepiadea), true sedges (Carex); and trees (needles) of European silver fir (Abies alba) on nine plots in the Svy- dovets Massif of the Ukrainian Carpathians. The results we obtained based on field surveys (selection of samples of soil and vegeta- tion) and interpretation of their analysis allowed us to determine the total regional background of chemical elements in soils and ash of plants using emission spectral analysis. We assessed the total concentration of chemical elements in soils of the plots (least to highest): the Apshynets Ridge – the Herashaska Polonyna – Drahobratske Lake – the Svydovets stream – Apshynets Lake – Herashaske Lake – the Zhuravlyne Bog – Vorozheske Lake (group of small lakes) – Vorozheske Lake (large) and determined the dependence on type of soil and pH. We determined that for wild-growing herbaceous plants the biogeochemical activity of species increases in the following sequence: true sedges - willow gentian - common tormentil; for wild-growing shrubs (bog bilberry, European blueberry, alpine juniper) such a sequence is impossible to determine due to the great difference between the values on different plots. We determined the role of each plant as medicinal for treating microelement deficiency in Cu, Zn, Co. We determined that in the plot of the Herashaska Polonyna, the needles of alpine juniper contain a maximum amount of Zn and Co, the needles and leaves of bog bilberry – Cu, Zn, Co; the flowers and leaves of common tormentil by Apshynets Lake and European silver fir near the area of the Svydovets stream – Cu. We calculated the daily dose of each element according to species of plants to overcome microelementosis. The results of biogeochemical surveys may be the basis for determining and recommending plants as medicinal, and also of geochemical and biogeochemical monitoring studies.
A model for the development of high quality training of tourism professionals through the use of computer 3D-tours
Authors: Lepkyi Mykhailo I. , Matviichuk Liudmyla Y. , Lysiuk Tetiana V. , Tereshchuk Oksana S. , Podolak Volodymyr M.
Published: April 2021

The article is focused on the problem of training future tourism specialists using informational and communication technologies. The educational process of preparation requires changing the educational and methodological support in order to give the students the opportunities to master modern professional tools, technologies, methods of creating high quality tourist products. To solve this problem, the authors propose a model for the development of high quality training of tourism professionals through the use of computer 3D-tours. The development of this model took into account the theoretical and methodological basis regarding the professional training of future specialists in the field of tourism, the results of the analysis of educational programs, curricula for training students of the speciality “Tourism” and the data of the pilot experiment. It consists of the following main blocks. The conceptual-oriented block includes concepts, approaches, principles of participation, information and communication technologies. The content-technological block includes the content of the educational project of developing 3D-tours, levels of professional knowledge and skills, as well as types of familiriazation with ICT tools. The educational content of the model takes into account the practical mastery of the student’s professional skills in the development of various 3D-tours. During this process, the ICT tools are introduced gradually in a certain order. The organization-activity block of the model includes forms of organizing the study and technologies for studying. This model entails the involvement of classroom-based and remote, individual, and group forms of organization of the educational process, organization of project development for a detailed analysis of educational topics. The assessment-resultative block includes criteria, metrics and levels. During the development of the model, the results of the activity of thesubjects of the educational process were analyzed in accordance with two groups of criteria: the criterion of formation of professional theoretical knowledge, practical skills of 3D-tour development and the criterion of the level of using modern software and technical means in creative educational development. The developed model allows for increasing the quality of training of future tourism specialists. During the practical application of the proposed model, virtual 3D-tours were developed. Their development has shown the possibility of implementing the model of development of training of specialists in tourism by using computer 3D-tours with the use of modern ICT tools in the study of special disciplines and the attaining professional skills.
The total content of macronutrients and heavy metals in the soil on devastated lands at Kryvyi Rih Iron Mining & Metallurgical District (Ukraine)
Authors: Savosko Vasyl M. , Bielyk Yuliia V. , Lykholat Yuriy V. , Heilmeier Hermann , Grygoryuk Ivan P. , Khromykh Nina O. , Lykholat Tatyana Yu.
Published: April 2021

he relevance of the research is due to the need to develop technologies for phytoremediation of the devastated lands in the mining and metallurgical regions of Ukraine and the world. In this regard, the creation of tree plantations adapted to the ecological conditions of such territories is considered by many experts as the most promising option for innovative technologies. However, the development of artificial woodlands requires knowledge of the pedogeochemical characteristics of devastated lands. The aim of the work was to carry out a comparative analysis of the macronutrients and heavy metals gross forms content in the soils of the devastated lands of the Kryvyi Rih mining and metallurgical region. The field studies focused on five contrasting monitoring sites of the Petrovsky dump (Central Kryvorizhzhya), which has a typical age and composition of rocks for the region. Soil sampling, drying, sieving, and sample preparation (sintering in a muffle furnace) were done in accordance with classical techniques. The concentrations of macronutrients (potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, and phosphorus) and heavy metals (iron, manganese, zinc, copper, lead, and cadmium) were determined using an Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP- MS) X-Series 2 (Thermo Fisher Scientific, USA). The analytical part of our research was carried out on the basis of the laboratory of the Institute of Biosciences, Freiberg University of Technology and Mining Academy (Freiberg, Germany). At monitoring sites, significant differences were found in the content of macronutrients gross forms, and their variation relative to the control values as well. Potassium and sodium concentrations generally differed slightly or were close to control levels. The results of determining the content of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus indicate a significant deficiency or excess of these macronutrients in the soils of the devastated lands. An increased sulfur content was found in the soils of all monitoring sites, in some cases 4 times higher than the control level. The measured content of gross forms of iron, manganese, copper, cadmium and, partially, zinc in the soils of different monitoring sites exceeded the control values by 5.5 – 5.9 times. Thus, the analysis of the research results made it possible to establish that the soils of the devastated lands of the Petrovsky dump are characterized by unfavorable properties for the growth of most species of woody plants.
Landscape geochemical conditions and patterns of inter-element redistribution of heavy metals in landscapes of Kivertsi National Nature Park “Tsumanska Pushcha”
Authors: Splodytel Anastasiia O. , Sorokina Liudmyla Yu. , Lunova Oksana V.
Published: April 2021

nalysis of landscape geochemical conditions of the territory of Kivertsi National Nature Park “Tsumanska Pushcha” was carried out also the levels of pollution of landscapes within the park and adjacent territories were established. Features of the accumulation and distribution of pollutants in the landscapes of the territory under conditions of natural and Technogenic geochemical anomalies are considered. The landscapes of the studied migration classes (calcium, calcium carbonate, carbonate clayey, acidic calcium) are characterized by a relatively high coefficient of migration intensity due to relatively weak buffering capacity, low water retention capacity and contrasting moisture regime. However, strong gleyed horizons are able to fix contaminants during their surface movement. Using the methods of landscape geochemical research, analytical methods, data on the gross and mobile content of heavy metals were obtained and analyzed. The highest concentrations of manganese and chromium are found in soils differentiated on loess sediments, nickel and copper on glacial sediments. Most of the studied heavy metals exceed the regional geochemical background. In terms of the gross content in soils, trace elements form the following geochemical series: Zn>Cu>Pb>Ni>Mn>Cr. The accumulation of lead up to 2-3 MPC in forest litters is clearly traced. Dependences of the stability of landscapes to Technogenic pollution on the level of conservation of natural geochemical parameters of soils, the degree of their anthropogenic transformation and the level of heavy metals incomings have been established. All studied plants maximally accumulated Mn, Cu, Cr and minimally Zn and Ti which is consistent with the patterns of migration of these elements in the soil. The high accumulation of heavy metals in the aboveground part of the studied plants indicates a significant removal of elements from the soil, which, in turn, makes it possible to consider certain plant species as potential phytoremediators. According to the average values of the concentration of macro elements in plants, the following geochemical series is established: CaO>K2O>MgO>P2O5>SiO2>SO3> Al2O3> Fe2O3>Na2O>TiO2. On the basis of the data obtained, 4 types of biogeochemical bonds between chemical elements in the soil – plant system for the territory of the NPP were identified: V, Ti - soil> plant; Ni - soil  plant; Mn, Cu - soil <plant.