bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An association of Pulmonary Function Test with Pectoralis Minor Tightness and Forward Head Posture in Healthy College Going Students- Correlational Study
Authors: Nijal M Parmar  , Twinkle Najkani  , Laxita Gandhi  , Resu Maurya
Published: December 2021

Background: In forward head posture posture, the respiratory mechanism is most commonly affecteddue to muscular imbalance in the thoracic, cervical & shoulder regions which will hamper breathingcapacities. The literature is mostly available with pectoralis major muscle tightness and weakness ofscapular muscles but very few articles are available for pectoralis minor tightness and its effect onbreathing capacities. So, the study aims to determine the effect of pectoralis minor muscle tightness andforward head posture on pulmonary function test in healthy individuals aged 17 to 25 years.Methods: A total of 120 subjects were included in the study based on inclusion & exclusion criteria.Before data collection, Pre-evaluation of the subject was done by using Flexi-ruler for kyphotic &lordotic curve, Pectoralis minor tightness test by measure tape in both upper limb and Inter-scapulardistance. The procedure includes a pulmonary function test in which measurements include FEV1, FVC,MVV, FEV1/FVC & MVV*40/FEV1 by using a computerised spirometer for diagnostic spirometry.Results: The statistical analysis was done by using Pearson’s correlation coefficient which shows apoor but positive correlation between Inter-scapular distance, Flexi curve angle, and all pulmonaryfunction test measurements(r=0.315, 0.251, 0.047, 0.301 & 0.047 between interscapular and pulmonaryfunction test& r=-0.085, 0.075, 0.004, -0.050 & 0.018).While poor & negative correlation between leftand right pectoralis minor tightness & all measures of pulmonary function(r=-0.059, -0.106, 0.048,0.004 & 0.353 between left pectorals tightness & PFT while for right pectorals tightness & PFT, r=-0.22, -0.015, -0.035, -0.037 & -0.047).Conclusion: Pulmonary function parameters show poor correlation which means the respiratorymechanism is not being impaired due to tightness of pectoralis minor muscle & forward head postureof healthy individuals aged 18 to 25.
Association of Social Networks with Health-Related Quality of Life and Physical Functioning in Community Dwelling Elderly Women – A Pilot Study
Authors: Rajna K.M  , Samuel S E  , Haripriya S  , Krishna Muraleedharan
Published: December 2021

Background: Social network is the web of relationships that surrounds an individual, social isolationoccur when social network breaks down, stronger and closer social ties represent social resources intimes of need, reduce a sense of isolation, and increase the mental and physical function. A considerableamount of evidence has consistently demonstrated the benefit of social networking for health, emotionaland physical well-being. The purpose of this study is to find out the relationship of social network withquality of life, health and physical functioning.Objective of The Study: To estimate the relationship between social networks with health-relatedquality of life and physical functioning.Methodology: In this cross sectional Pilot study,30 women aged 65 years and older who wereselected conveniently and assessed using Lubben social network scale-6(LSNS-6) for social networkparticipation, WHO General Health Questionnaire for Health related quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF),Timed Up and Go (TUG) test for mobility and Functional Reach Test (FRT) for balance.Result: Pearson’s correlation coefficient was calculated between the parameters, a very highlysignificant positive correlation was found between Social Networks (LSNS-6) and WHOQOL-BREF 4Domains (p˂0.001). Among 4 domains Domain-1 and Domain-4 correlation were having very strongpositive correlation with a correlation coefficient r= 0.900, r= 0.863 respectively and Domain-2 (r=0.700), Domain-3 (r= 0.600) were having strong correlation. Along with that there exists a highlysignificant moderate positive correlation of LSNS-6 with balance (p=.012, r= .452) and a very highlysignificant strong negative correlation with mobility (p= 0.000, r= -0.630).Conclusion: The study showed that in elderly, health related quality of life is associated with bettersocial networks. Analysis of relationship between social networks with balance and mobility showedbetter the social networks higher the balance and mobility.
Early complex tiering pattern: Upper Ordovician, Barrandian area, the Czech Republic
Authors: Bokr Pavel , Mikuláš Radek , Budil Petr , Kraft Petr
Published: December 2021

Upper Ordovician shallow marine fine-grained sandstones and siltstones exposed in the Loděnice – vinice locality yielded a distinct and well-preserved tiering pattern of trace fossils. The two uppermost tiers are composed mainly of Bifungites and Nereites. Deeper in the sediment, tiers dominated by Thalassinoides, Zoophycos and Teichichnus occur. Most of the succession is completely bioturbated; however, several storm layers enabled study of a well-preserved frozen tiering pattern. Large portions of the bedding planes (ichnologic snapshots) showed a considerable patchiness of intensive surface bioturbation and a preferred orientation of Bifungites. The identified tiering pattern is one of the earliest examples of a well-documented complex tiering of burrows documented in detail.
Actinocamax cf. manitobensis from the
Kangerdlugssuaq area, southern East Greenland
Authors: Christensen Walter Kegel , Hoch Ella
Published: December 2021

A recent find ofActinocamax cf. manitobensis from the Kangerdlugssuaq area in southern East Greenland is described, and the belemnites from the same area described earlier are discussed and revised. The belemnites from East Greenland are closely comparable to the belemnites from West Greenland and North America. They are most likely from the Middle Turonian, but the maximum stratigraphic range may be from uppermost Lower-Upper Turonian. Biostratigraphic age determinations of the lithostrati­graphic units proposed earlier for the area are slightly revised.
Dinoflagellate cyst stratigraphy of the Lower Cretaceous Jydegard Formation, Bornholm, Denmark
Authors: Piasecki Stefan
Published: December 2021

Two Danish Geological Survey boreholes in the Lower Cretaceous fine-grained R0dbjerg Member (Jydegard Formation) in the Nyker fault-block on Bornholm have yielded dinoflagellate cysts which can date the sequence as latest Ryazanian to earliest Valanginian. Two dinoflagellate zones are identified, a lower Gochteodinium villosa Zone and an upper Pseudoceratium pelliferum Zone. The age assignment is in agreement with previous ostracod datings. One new dinoflagellate cyst species, Mendicodinium rugarum, is erected and one monospecific genus and the species is emended, Lagenorhytis- L. delicatula. The morphology and distribution of Sentusidinium pelionense, Cantulodinium speciosum and aff. Chlamy­dophorella nyei are discussed.
Organizational and economic mechanism of current assets management of industrial enterprises in the conditions of market transformation
Authors: NOSYRIEV Oleksandr , MEKHOVYCH Serhii
Published: December 2021

Introduction. Analysis of current assets of the enterprise is an important process, which consists in researching and monitoring the property status and key indicators of current assets of the enterprise in the process of its financial and economic activities in order to identify ways to increase its market value and ensure effective development.
The purpose of the paper is devoted to the analysis of management and financing of current assets of industrial enterprises of Ukraine, systematization of methods of current assets management, actualization of problems and formulation of proposals for effective financial management of current assets and substantiation of directions of current assets management in industrial market conditions.
Results. The concept of “current assets” as an element of resource potential used by the enterprise and aimed at ensuring a systematic, continuous and controlled process of economic activity, consumed once to ensure the economic effect in future periods, is improved. The influence of the current assets management system on ensuring the financial stability of enterprises is outlined. The stages of the current assets management process are singled out, the main strategies of current assets financing are investigated and measures to increase the efficiency of current assets management of enterprises in modern market conditions are proposed. When optimizing the size of current assets should be minimal, but sufficient «to ensure uninterrupted financing of planned costs required for the production and sale of products of the enterprise, the implementation of settlements with contractors in a timely manner. It is emphasized that accelerating the turnover of working capital can significantly reduce the cost of production.
Conclusion. The company, forming working capital, should seek to minimize the cost of capital spent on creating their value. Optimization of the composition and volume of working capital, a rational relationship between own, borrowed and borrowed sources of their formation will provide a sufficient level of solvency, liquidity and profitability, strengthening the financial condition, growth of market value of industrial sector enterprises in modern market conditions.
Formation of the generalized technology for the enterprise adaptive competitive strategy development in conditions of entering new foreign markets
Authors: BORTNIKOVA Mariana , CHYRKOVA Yuliia
Published: December 2021

Introduction. The issues of industrial enterprises management systems adaptation are quite sharply expressed in the aspect of European integration processes since external factors have always influenced the activities of any enterprise and required measures of adaptation to them. Therefore, under the influence of the external environment uncertainty, business entities are forced to periodically make changes to their own management system, respectively, the importance of adaptation processes of enterprises increases directly in the context of all its varieties.
The purpose of the paper is to study the key aspects and methodological foundations of building a generalized technology for the developing of an adaptive competitive strategy of an enterprise when entering foreign markets. The methodological and theoretical basis of the research within the framework of this work is the fundamental scientific works of leading scientists. To achieve the set goals and solve certain problems, general methods of cognition (analysis, observation, comparison, etc.) were used in the formation of the main provisions of the study; methods of structural decomposition and graphic modeling in the development and display of the proposed technology for the development of an adaptive competitive strategy of an enterprise when entering new foreign markets.
Results. Based on the study, the essence of adaptive management is revealed. The principles of the adaptive competitive strategy formation are systematized. The influence of factors of the internal and external environment on the adaptation system of the enterprise is characterized. A generalized technology for developing an adaptive competitive strategy of an enterprise when entering new foreign markets is recommended, which provides for the implementation of the following stages: setting goals and objectives, analyzing the internal and external environment of an enterprise, diagnosing the influence of external and internal factors; choosing methods for entering new foreign markets, assessing strategic alternatives and choosing a strategy, planning implementation adaptive competitive strategy of the enterprise, the application of the adaptive competitive strategy of the enterprise, control and regulation of the adaptive competitive strategy implementation when entering new foreign markets.
Conclusion. According to the results of the study, it was found that the implementation of the proposed technology stages will allow the development and implementation of measures for the adaptive competitive strategy application in the selected foreign market, as well as contribute to the stable operation of the enterprise both in the domestic and foreign markets.
Peculiarities of accounting and control of current liabilities of the enterprise
Authors: SEMENETS Alina , DUPLINAT Tetiana
Published: December 2021

Introduction. The crisis state of the domestic economy and a number of other factors require domestic enterprises and other levels of management to take prompt and drastic measures aimed at increasing the level of management. One of the promising and proven directions for increasing the efficiency of the management level is the increase and qualitative growth of the accounting system and the internal control system. One of the most important and difficult areas of accounting and control work (determining the final results of the financial and economic activities of the enterprise and its financial condition) is the accounting and control of liabilities, primarily current ones, this is what determines the direction of this research.
The purpose of the paper is to improve the accounting and control of current liabilities by developing measures to eliminate violations and prevent them in the future. The methodological basis was dialectics, philosophical methodological methods of cognition.
Results. The paper examines approaches to clarifying the definition of “current liabilities”. The most significant problems of modern economic activity of the domestic economy are investigated: low contractual discipline, crisis of non-payments, global chronic violation of the terms and conditions of payment for liabilities, primarily for current liabilities. A number of measures were proposed to eliminate violations in accounting, control current liabilities and prevent them in the future; non-admission in the practice of economic activity, accounting and control of delays in the terms and conditions of payment for liabilities. The studies have shown the need to improve the level of planning and contractual discipline, financial planning, improving document flow, accounting and control work at the enterprise.
Conclusion. The main conclusions of the study are: the need for further research on this issue; introduction of a payment schedule for liabilities; the need to develop a methodology for checking current liabilities by the internal control system, compliance with contractual discipline; scheduled regular inspections of facilities and processes related to accounting and control of current liabilities.
Peculiarities of foreign economic activity management of enterprises
Authors: KLEPIKOVA Svitlana , YATSYNA Mariia , DRUHOVA Olena
Published: December 2021

Introduction. The paper is devoted to the problems of research of features and modern mechanisms of economic regulation of foreign economic activity of enterprises in Ukraine. The purpose of the paper is to improve the scientific and methodological basis for stimulating the development of foreign economic activity of enterprises and substantiation of the theoretical foundations of foreign economic activity of enterprises in order to further their development in the today's globalized world. Results. It is determined that one of the problems of foreign economic activity of enterprises is the problem of inefficient management system, lack of strategic and marketing approaches to enterprise management, and enterprises more often use the technique of short-term adaptation. An enterprise focused on the development of foreign economic activity should develop approaches to improve international marketing, especially in terms of making effective management decisions based on the processing of a significant amount of information data and assessing the factors of the international market environment. The main condition for the adaptation of enterprises to the rapidly changing external environment may be the formation of a system of strategic planning, which provides a more rational use of limited resources, promotes consistent development and implementation of management decisions, focuses on sustainable development in market conditions. The management staff should clearly formulate the principles of strategic research in order to intensify foreign trade in industrial enterprises, and most importantly – formed a marketing strategy for foreign trade. The main means of increasing the potential of foreign economic activity of enterprises are the formation of such economic conditions that would allow due to modernization of production to increase domestic production and services, introduce innovative technologies. Conclusion. In order to improve the foreign economic activity of Ukrainian enterprises, it is proposed to implement a policy aimed at increasing merchandise exports by introducing innovative developments to improve the quality of domestic products, which must meet international norms and standards necessary to create a sufficient level of competitiveness in domestic markets.
Novice Teachers’ Information Training in the Conditions of Digitalized Economy and Digitalized Educaiton
Authors: Иванова Д.С.
Published: December 2021

В статье обоснована необходимость модернизации учебных программ информационной подготовки студентов — будущих педагогов в условиях цифровизации экономики и образования Российской Федерации.
Раскрыто содержание понятий «информационные технологии», «цифровые технологии», «сквозные технологии», используемых в образовательном процессе.
Представлены основные аспекты проведенной автором актуализации рабочей программы дисциплины «Информационные и коммуникационные технологии и медиа информационная грамотность» и темы новой дисциплины «Сквозные технологии и искусственный интеллект», которая будет введена в учебные планы педагогического направления подготовки студентов университета в качестве обязательной с сентября 2022 года.
Приведены данные педагогического эксперимента по апробации обучения в рамках предложенных актуализированных учебных дисциплин для специальности 44.03.01 «Педагогическое образование» «Физическая культура» с использованием современных цифровых технологий и проектной методики обучения и результаты оценки эффективности работы по повышению уровня сформированности цифровых компетенций обучающихся в процессе их изучения с помощью методики Национального исследовательского университета «Высшая школа экономики» (НИУ ВШЭ).
Сформулирован обоснованный вывод об эффективности процесса обучения студентов по вышеуказанным программам информационной подготовки.

The article substantiates the necessity to modernize the curricula of novice teachers’ information training in the Russian Federation in the conditions of digitalized economy and digitalized education.
The article analyzes such education-related notions as information technologies, digital technologies, end-to-end technologies.
The article discusses the major elements of the Information and Communication Technologies and Media and Information Literacy curriculum actualized by the author of the article. It also discusses the topics covered in the End-to-end Technologies and Artificial Intelligence course which is to become a standard part of the curriculum in September 2022.
The article presents data pertaining to a pedagogical experiment regarding the actualized curricula designed for Pedagogical Education and Physical Education (44.03.01) and presupposes the use of digital technologies and project methods. It also presents the results of an assessment of work aimed at enhancing students’ digital competencies in online learning environments using strategies developed by National Research University of Higher School of Economics.
The article substantiates the effectiveness of the above mentioned curricula.
Desafíos en la formación continua docente: Una revisión sistemática
Authors: Flores Vigil Lorena , Gomez Ysela , Chacaltana Raquel , Prado Pedro , Jurado Elizabeth , Huayta Franco Yolanda
Published: December 2021

En diversos países han enfatizado en el desarrollo de procesos de capacitación, actualización y especialización de los profesionales de la educación, considerando que su formación profesional inicial no evoluciona según las necesidades y exigencias actuales; por lo cual, las acciones de formación continua son una propuesta de mejora en la calidad del desempeño docente. El objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar los aportes académicos respecto a la formación continua, para contribuir con bases teóricas actualizadas permitiendo afrontar los desafíos del docente. La metodología consistió en la revisión sistemática, utilizando la guía de declaración PRISMA, la búsqueda se efectuó en bases de datos de Scopus, EBSCO, ProQuest y ALICIA; además, la revisión consideró los enfoques, contenidos y las estrategias que se utilizan en la implementación de la formación continua del profesorado. Los resultados obtenidos permitieron el análisis de 20 artículos científicos, de los cuales 4 fueron de enfoque cuantitativo, 11 cualitativo, 2 mixtos y 3 de reflexión. En conclusión, la formación continua docente proporciona, competencias, destrezas y actitudes para el desarrollo de una educación de calidad mediante interrelaciones positivas de los actores educativos, para luego socializar las prácticas exitosas de forma colegiada.
Inteligencia emocional y satisfacción laboral del personal Asistencial de la Clínica San Juan de Dios
Authors: Cruzalegui Pavel , Cochan Segundina , Alomia Danny , Geraldo Luis
Published: December 2021

La inteligencia emocional y la satisfacción laboral son variables importantes en el entorno organizacional. Por lo tanto, el presente estudio buscó determinar la relación entre inteligencia emocional y satisfacción laboral del personal asistencial de la Clínica San Juan de Dios. Además, de la relación de la percepción, comprensión, regulación emocional con la satisfacción laboral. Para ello, se utilizó una metodología basada en un enfoque cuantitativo de tipo correlacional a través de un diseño no experimental de corte transversal, donde se contó con la participación de 80 colaboradores, la cual se aplicó un cuestionario que miden la inteligencia emocional y satisfacción laboral, que permitió aplicar pruebas descriptivas y de correlación. Los resultados evidenciaron que la inteligencia emocional y satisfacción laboral tienen una correlación positiva y significativa (Sig.=0.000; Rho= 0.431), asimismo se encontró que las dimensiones, percepción, comprensión, regulación emocional tienen una relación directa con la satisfacción laboral. Se concluye que mientras la inteligencia emocional sea alta o se incremente la satisfacción laboral de los colaboradores también se incrementará, además, su incremento dependerá si la recepción, comprensión y regulación emocional permanecen altas y positivas.
The formation and development of entrepreneur’s communication competence
Authors:   Synergy University, Ushakova Elena V.
Published: December 2021

The article is devoted to the study of the main stages of the formation of communication competence and the technology of professionally oriented teaching the Culture of Speech course to the students doing an Entrepreneurship degree. The need for a high level of communication competence as one of the conditions for the personal competitiveness of an entrepreneur is substantiated. The article presents several components of communication competence – linguistic (normative), functional-stylistic, rhetorical – in accordance with which training is conducted. The importance of the development of communication competence with all the elements of its structure being taken into account is considered, including knowledge of the basic norms of the Russian literary language, the ability to compose oral and written texts in accordance with the functional styles of the Russian literary language; the skill of building reasoned statements; knowledge of speech etiquette means and the ability to choose the most effective of them for business communication. The necessity of professionally oriented teaching of the culture of speech, classroom modeling of real life situations, involving the development of the ability to use various language registers, is emphasized. Since language performs not only the function of transmitting information, but also that of influence, special attention is paid to the rhetorical aspect of communication competence, the basics of logic and theory of argumentation, the preparation of public speech, the formation of the skill to not only correctly, but also logically and convincingly build oral and written speech. The paper proposes methods for conducting classes aimed at developing the communication skills of students, including interactive technologies: situational workshops, trainings, didactic games. Such forms make it possible to increase the effectiveness of students’ engagement in the process of cognitive activity, to develop the skills of group communication, the ability to develop the necessary communication strategy, depending on the conditions and purpose of communication.
Study of competition in the regional banking sector of Russia
Authors:   Synergy University, Tsypin Alexander P. , Orlova Alina A. ,   Synergy University
Published: December 2021

The competitive environment in the banking sector encourages the production of new banking products, which brings additional benefits to consumers of banking services, but in Russia, in the regional aspect, there is a significant problem that requires detailed consideration, consisting in the concentration of the bulk of bank assets in the hands of a narrow circle of credit organizations. In this regard, we believe that the chosen topic of the study is relevant and timely. The purpose of the study is to quantify and qualitatively interpret the level of competition of credit institutions in the regions of Russia. To achieve the goal, the following were used: a method of comparison, analysis and synthesis, mathematical and statistical methods. The main results include the following: a trend towards a decrease in the number of credit institutions has been identified since 1996, which is caused by the policy of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation to improve the banking sector, as well as high competition; analysis of the dynamics of key indicators of the banking system showed that despite economic sanctions from Western countries, stagnation of the domestic economy after the crisis of 2014, changes in business processes and the way of life of people in connection with the pandemic of the Covid-19 virus, credit organizations in Russia make a profit from year to year. This pattern indicates their high adaptability to changes in the external environment; spatial analysis of indicators characterizing the activities of credit institutions revealed a significant concentration of capital in two entities, this is Moscow and St. Petersburg, thus it is possible to confidently assert the monopolization of the capital market in Russia. The results will be useful to researchers in the field of competition, the capital market and the banking sector, as well as employees of credit organizations in the formation of a strategy for the development of banks.
The use of HR technologies by business owners in ensuring the growth of labor productivity
Authors:   Synergy University, Gromova Natalia V.
Published: December 2021

The Russian economy is characterized by a relatively low level of labor productivity, 2–3 times inferior to the economies of a number of industrially developed countries. In the presence of well-developed macroeconomic labor productivity estimates in the Russian economy can be noted the limited number of micro-economic studies that have comprehensively examined the factors affecting productivity in companies. The issues of ensuring the growth of labor productivity have become especially relevant for Russian business owners in recent years. This is due on the one hand the sanctions pressure on the Russian economy, on the other hand, the pandemic COVID-19. Active implementation of HR-technologies in the practice of domestic business is just one of the reserves to ensure productivity growth. The purpose of the study is to identify ways to increase labor productivity indicators through the development and implementation of modern HR technologies in Russian companies. The research methodology consists in the analysis of literary sources on the problems of labor productivity and the effectiveness of modern HR technologies in solving this issue, as well as the analysis of scientific definitions within the framework of the research topic. This article indicates that labor productivity is one of the key factors in the competitiveness of the national economy. The influence of such modern HR technologies as technologies of personnel motivation based on KPI, technologies of talent management and technologies of continuous development were shown. The study identified ways to increase labor productivity through the development and implementation of advanced HR-technologies.
REMOTE TEACHING FOR THE NEW NORMAL SOCIETY: A PARADIGM SHIFT IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Authors:   sst. Professor, Titus II Teachers College, Tiruvalla,, Mathai Suramya , Oommen Nimmi Maria ,   sst. Professor, Titus II Teachers College, Tiruvalla,
Published: December 2021

Covid 19 pandemic has brought drastic changes in the life of people all over the world. Though it has created imbalances in all fields of life, we are in the threshold of a new normal life. The virus has made people fall to social, emotional and psychological crisis. Drastic changes have been occurred in the field of education also. The conventional classroom teaching has changed to online mode of education and the paradigm shift in education is being welcomed and practised by the educators, parents and students. This paper focusses on the paradigm shift happened in the higher education sector, challenges in the field of higher education and remote teaching for the new normal society, particularly in the Covid scenario.
Diagnosis and pharmacological treatment of chronic heart failure in accordance with the recommendations of ESC 2021
Authors: Pocheptsova O. G. , Kuznetsov I. V. , Byazrova V. V.
Published: December 2021

The article presents a new universal definition of chronic heart failure, patient’s phenotypes, algorithm for diagnostics of HF, considers the guidelines of their managements and the prognosis of the disease determiner’s factors. The article will be useful for cardiologists, doctors of the emergency departments.
PROMOTING FINTECH FINANCING FOR SME IN S. CAUCASIAN AND BALTIC STATES, DURING THE COVID-19 GLOBAL PANDEMIC
Authors: Charaia Vakhtang , Chochia Archil , Lashkhi Mariam
Published: December 2021

Purpose – to analyse the digitalization trends in the Central Caucasian (Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia) and Baltic States with the aim of reducing a financial gap for the Small and Medium size Enterprises in Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Research methodology – comparative analysis between Baltic and Caucasian countries are made to analyse the basic positions and farther development opportunities for Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Findings of the given paper – while SME sector crucially important contributor to employment, diversification and productivity in any country of the world and especially in developing ones, they still face significant credit constraints through traditional credit providing institutions. However, the trend is changing and modern digital technologies from the fintech area are providing new alternatives, which already had been widely used in Baltic, but still are waiting their chance in Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia, with different level of progress and readiness.
Research limitations – some statistical data does not exist for all six countries or were possible to obtain for different periods of time. Lack of academic literature on fintech in Caucasian countries.
Practical implications – It can provide a useful perspective for researchers, academics, investors, investment managers, decision-makers, and scientists.
Originality/Value – The paper analyses three advanced European Union member state’s (Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia) fintech positions and perspectives as a model of development for three developing Caucasian states (Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia).
The H i Column Density Distribution of the Galactic Disk and Halo
Authors: French David M. , Fox Andrew J. , Wakker Bart P. , Lehner Nicolas , Howk J. Christopher , Savage Blair D. , Richter Philipp , O’Meara John , Borthakur Sanchayeeta , Heckman Timothy , Norman Colin
Published: December 2021

We present a census of neutral gas in the Milky Way disk and halo down to limiting column densities of N(H i) ∼ 1014 cm−2 using measurements of H i Lyman series absorption from the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer. Our results are drawn from an analysis of 25 AGN sight lines spread evenly across the sky with Galactic latitude ∣b∣ ≳ 20°. By simultaneously fitting multi-component Voigt profiles to 11 Lyman series absorption transitions covered by FUSE (Lyβ–Lyμ) plus HST measurements of Lyα, we derive the kinematics and column densities of a sample of 152 H i absorption components. While saturation prevents accurate measurements of many components with column densities 17 ≲ log N(H i) ≲ 19, we derive robust measurements at log N(H i) ≲ 17 and log N(H i) ≳ 19. We derive the first ultraviolet H i column density distribution function (CDDF) of the Milky Way, both globally and for low-velocity (ISM), intermediate-velocity clouds (IVCs), and high-velocity clouds (HVCs). We find that IVCs and HVCs show statistically indistinguishable CDDF slopes, with β
IVC =

−

1.01

−
0.14

+
0.15

and β
HVC =

−

1.05

−
0.06

+
0.07

. Overall, the CDDF of the Galactic disk and halo appears shallower than that found by comparable extragalactic surveys, suggesting a relative abundance of high column density gas in the Galactic halo. We derive the sky-covering fractions as a function of H i column density, finding an enhancement of IVC gas in the northern hemisphere compared to the south. We also find evidence for an excess of inflowing H i over outflowing H i, with −0.88 ± 0.40 M
⊙ yr−1 of HVC inflow versus ≈0.20 ± 0.10 M
⊙ yr−1 of HVC outflow, confirming an excess of inflowing HVCs seen in UV metal lines.
The Apparent Tail of the Galactic Center Object G2/DSO
Authors: Peißker Florian , Zajaček Michal , Eckart Andreas , Ali Basel , Karas Vladimír , Sabha Nadeen B. , Grellmann Rebekka , Labadie Lucas , Shahzamanian Banafsheh
Published: December 2021

Observations of the near-infrared excess object G2/DSO increased attention toward the Galactic center and its vicinity. The predicted flaring event in 2014 and the outcome of the intense monitoring of the supermassive black hole in the center of our Galaxy did not fulfill all predictions about a significantly enhanced accretion event. Subsequent observations addressed the question concerning the nature of the object because of its compact shape, especially during its periapse in 2014. Theoretical approaches have attempted to answer the contradictory behavior of the object, resisting the expected dissolution of a gaseous cloud due to tidal forces in combination with evaporation and hydrodynamical instabilities. However, assuming that the object is instead a dust-enshrouded young stellar object seems to be in line with the predictions of several groups and observations presented in numerous publications. Here we present a detailed overview and analysis of the observations of the object that have been performed with SINFONI (VLT) and we provide a comprehensive approach to clarify the nature of G2/DSO. We show that the tail emission consists of two isolated and compact sources with different orbital elements for each source rather than an extended and stretched component as it appeared in previous representations of the same data. Considering our recent publications, we propose that the monitored dust-enshrouded objects are remnants of a dissolved young stellar cluster whose formation was initiated in the circumnuclear disk. This indicates a shared history, which agrees with our analysis of the D- and X-sources.
MOJAVE. XIX. Brightness Temperatures and Intrinsic Properties of Blazar Jets
Authors: Homan D. C. , Cohen M. H. , Hovatta T. , Kellermann K. I. , Kovalev Y. Y. , Lister M. L. , Popkov A. V. , Pushkarev A. B. , Ros E. , Savolainen T.
Published: December 2021

We present multiepoch, parsec-scale core brightness temperature observations of 447 active galactic nucleus (AGN) jets from the MOJAVE and 2 cm Survey programs at 15 GHz from 1994 to 2019. The brightness temperature of each jet over time is characterized by its median value and variability. We find that the range of median brightness temperatures for AGN jets in our sample is much larger than the variations within individual jets, consistent with Doppler boosting being the primary difference between the brightness temperatures of jets in their median state. We combine the observed median brightness temperatures with apparent jet speed measurements to find the typical intrinsic Gaussian brightness temperature of 4.1( ± 0.6) × 1010 K, suggesting that jet cores are at or below equipartition between particle and magnetic field energy in their median state. We use this value to derive estimates for the Doppler factor for every source in our sample. For the 309 jets with both apparent speed and brightness temperature data, we estimate their Lorentz factors and viewing angles to the line of sight. Within the BL Lac optical class, we find that high-synchrotron-peaked BL Lacs have smaller Doppler factors, lower Lorentz factors, and larger angles to the line of sight than intermediate and low-synchrotron-peaked BL Lacs. We confirm that AGN jets with larger Doppler factors measured in their parsec-scale radio cores are more likely to be detected in γ rays, and we find a strong correlation between γ-ray luminosity and Doppler factor for the detected sources.
Global Coronal Equilibria with Solar Wind Outflow
Authors: Rice Oliver E. K. , Yeates Anthony R.
Published: December 2021

Given a known radial magnetic field distribution on the Sun’s photospheric surface, there exist well-established methods for computing a potential magnetic field in the corona above. Such potential fields are routinely used as input to solar wind models, and to initialize magneto-frictional or full magnetohydrodynamic simulations of the coronal and heliospheric magnetic fields. We describe an improved magnetic field model that calculates a magneto-frictional equilibrium with an imposed solar wind profile (which can be Parker’s solar wind solution, or any reasonable equivalent). These “outflow fields” appear to approximate the real coronal magnetic field more closely than a potential field, take a similar time to compute, and avoid the need to impose an artificial source surface. Thus they provide a practical alternative to the potential field model for initializing time-evolving simulations or modeling the heliospheric magnetic field. We give an open-source Python implementation in spherical coordinates and apply the model to data from solar cycle 24. The outflow tends to increase the open magnetic flux compared to the potential field model, reducing the well-known discrepancy with in situ observations.
Multiwavelength Observations of Sgr A*. I. 2019 July 18
Authors: Michail Joseph M. , Wardle Mark , Yusef-Zadeh Farhad , Kunneriath Devaky
Published: December 2021

We present and analyze ALMA submillimeter observations from a multiwavelength campaign of Sgr A* during 2019 July 18. In addition to the submillimeter, we utilize concurrent mid-infrared (mid-IR; Spitzer) and X-ray (Chandra) observations. The submillimeter emission lags less than δ
t ≈ 30 minutes behind the mid-IR data. However, the entire submillimeter flare was not observed, raising the possibility that the time delay is a consequence of incomplete sampling of the light curve. The decay of the submillimeter emission is not consistent with synchrotron cooling. Therefore, we analyze these data adopting an adiabatically expanding synchrotron source that is initially optically thick or thin in the submillimeter, yielding time-delayed or synchronous flaring with the IR, respectively. The time-delayed model is consistent with a plasma blob of radius 0.8 R
S (Schwarzschild radius), electron power-law index p = 3.5 (N(E) ∝ E
−p
), equipartition magnetic field of B
eq ≈ 90 Gauss, and expansion velocity

v

exp

≈
0.004
c

. The simultaneous emission is fit by a plasma blob of radius 2 R
S, p = 2.5, B
eq ≈ 27 Gauss, and

v

exp

≈
0.014
c

. Since the submillimeter time delay is not completely unambiguous, we cannot definitively conclude which model better represents the data. This observation presents the best evidence for a unified flaring mechanism between submillimeter and X-ray wavelengths and places significant constraints on the source size and magnetic field strength. We show that concurrent observations at lower frequencies would be able to determine if the flaring emission is initially optically thick or thin in the submillimeter.
Evaluation of Trypanosoma cruzi parasitic load by real-time PCR and blood culture in long-term kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Jesus Guimarães Ferreira Juliana , Antonio de Almeida Eros , Barbosa Marcon Gláucia Elisete , Gonçalves Lima Rodrigo , Barroso Pereira Mariane , Ramos Gadelha Fernanda , Mazzali Marilda , Martins Luiz Cláudio , Silva Wanderley Jamiro , Botelho Costa Sandra Cecília
Published: December 2021

Introduction: Acute Chagas disease involving reactivation can occur after organ transplant, and follow-up by direct parasitological or molecular methods is essential for monitoring the parasitic load in such patients. In contrast, there is a little data on the parasitic load in long-term organ recipients. In this study, we examined the parasitic load in long-term kidney transplant patients and assessed the possibility of late Chagas disease reactivation.

Methodology: Blood cultures and real-time PCR were used to assess the parasitic load in four immunosuppressed patients who underwent kidney transplants (between 1996 and 2014) and were also treated for parasites.

Results: There were no positive blood culture or real-time PCR results in Chagas disease patients who received kidney transplants. The real-time PCR presented detection limit of 0.1 parasite equivalent/mL. The time interval between the transplant and sample collection varied from one to 19 years.

Conclusions: No parasites were detected in the evaluated patients. The use of benznidazole and immunosuppressive therapy may have contributed to control the T. cruzi infection. In transplanted patients with Chagas disease, the use of methods such real-time PCR and blood culture can monitor the parasitic load and prevent disease reactivation.
Combining LAMP and Au-Nanoprobe to detect INH-RIF resistance accurately in tuberculosis: an evidence-based review
Authors: Habiburrahman Muhammad , Ariq Haekal , Handayani Raden Rara Diah
Published: December 2021

Approximately 1.41 million people die annually due to tuberculosis. One of the main problems in Tuberculosis eradication is the development of resistance to various antibiotics. However, current efforts to detect resistances face challenges such as limited equipment, budget, and time. This evidence-based review investigated loop-mediated isothermal amplification, an alternative molecular diagnostic tool with promising performance and applicability in developing countries, and its use combined with Au-Nanoprobe to detect antibiotic resistance in tuberculosis. The literature search was conducted through four databases (Proquest, EBSCOhost, Scopus, and Pubmed) for useful articles on loop-mediated isothermal amplification and Au-Nanoprobe in detecting tuberculosis and tuberculosis resistance. After filtering the result with inclusion and exclusion criteria, the search produced three papers that best answer the clinical question. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification amplifies a target sequence, and Au-Nanoprobe responds to the DNA specific to the target mutant, producing an observable color change. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification and Au-Nanoprobe showed 100% sensitivity and specificity in detecting rifampicin and isoniazid resistance. Another study investigated its viability to detect tuberculosis and found 98.2% sensitivity and 88.2% specificity. Combining loop-mediated isothermal amplification and Au-Nanoprobe had a shorter time to get results and should also be relatively cheaper because it does not need a high temperature to work and requires less equipment. In conclusion, loop-mediated isothermal amplification and Au-Nanoprobe can be used as an efficient and accurate method to detect isoniazid and rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis strains. The new technology is promising for developing countries due to their high disease burden but facing several healthcare barriers.
A Trypanosoma cruzi strain from southern Mexico is more virulent for male mice in part by blocking the immune response
Authors: Palma-González Celeste Amaranta , Recinos-Vázquez Héctor Israel , Burguete-Gutiérrez Julio César , De Fuentes-Vicente José Antonio , Schlie-Guzmán María Adelina , Vidal-López Dolores Guadalupe , Díaz-Gómez Jesús , Vidal Jorge Eugenio , Gutiérrez-Jiménez Javier
Published: December 2021

Introduction: Chagas disease is a neglected disease in the American continent. The southern Mexican state of Chiapas has the highest incidence rate of Chagas disease in the country. The disease, mainly caused by Tripanosoma cruzi in Mexico, is more prevalent in males than in females but the scientific basis for the sex-related tropism is not completely understood. The objective of this study was to evaluate the pathogenicity of a T. cruzi strain in mice of both sexes and to assess certain elements of the immune response in the infected animals.
Methodology: Triatomines bugs were searched at Los Mezcales, Chiapas, Mexico and T. cruzi was identified by PCR and sequencing. A T. cruzi strain was isolated from the feces of triatomines bugs. Mice were infected with the strain and the virulence of the T. cruzi strain as well as the immune response against the infection was compared in male versus female mice.
Results: T. dimidiata was identified in all dwellings. 42.9% of the bugs were infected with T. cruzi lineage TcI. Male mice exhibited higher parasitemia than females, and developed leukopenia and lower levels of anti-T. cruzi antibodies compared to female mice.
Conclusions: The identification of the T. cruzi strain in this endemic region of Mexico revealed that male mice are prone to this infectious protozoo, in addition to manifesting a deficient immune response against infection. These findings may explain the greater number of cases of Chagas disease among men in this endemic region of Latin America.
IL-17A in COVID-19 Cases: a meta-analysis
Authors: Fadlallah Sukayna , Sham Eddin Marcel S , Rahal Elias A
Published: December 2021

Introduction: Numerous reviews, commentaries and opinion pieces have suggested targeting IL-17A as part of managing Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the notorious pandemic caused by the Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). IL-17A is a proinflammatory cytokine attributed with homeostatic roles but that is also involved in autoimmune disease pathogenesis. While some studies have reported an increase in IL-17A in COVID-19 cases, no significant associations were found by others. Hence, we undertook this meta-analysis to study serum IL-17A levels in COVID-19 patients in relation to disease severity.

Methodology: Multiple databases were systematically reviewed for literature published on the topic from January 1, 2019 to April 30, 2021. A random effects model was used to calculate weighted mean differences (WMDs) and 95% confidence interval (CIs) as well as the