bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hormone therapy for menstrual-associated migraine: pros and cons
Authors: Kiryanova E. A. , Тabeeva G. R.
Published: February 2022

About 60% of women report menstrual-associated migraine attacks, characterized by a higher intensity and duration and more pronounced treatment resistance. Often, preventive treatment with drugs aimed to relieve menstrual attacks – non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and triptans – is difficult in these patients due to a high risk of medication-overuse headache. In addition, due to a hormonal trigger – a perimenstrual decrease in estrogen – the effect of hormonal contraceptives on migraine attacks has been studied for a long time. This article discusses the results of studies indicating the successful administration of specific hormone therapy regimens, especially in patients with concomitant gynecological pathology or in patients using these drugs for contraception.
Biological basis of aggressive behavior
Authors: Makushkina O. A. , Gurina O. I. , Golenkova V. A.
Published: February 2022

This scientific review highlights the results of domestic and foreign studies aimed at researching the biological aspects of failure to control aggressive impulses. We analyze the role of serotonergic, dopaminergic, noradrenergic, glutamatergic systems, and neuroendocrine mechanisms in aggression manifestation. We discuss the inconsistency of modern concepts about the neurochemical nature of aggressive behavior. The relevance of evaluating the biomarkers of public danger is substantiated. Finally, questions of psychopharmacotherapy of aggressive behavior are reviewed.
Impact of different classes of antidepressants on sleep and wakefulness regulation in depression
Authors: Usov G. M. , Kolomytsev D. Yu. , Lomiashvili L. M.
Published: February 2022

Sleep disturbances are common in patients with mental disorders. Sleep disturbances, in particular insomnia, are widespread in depression. Depressed patients have a lot of sleep complaints that are often confirmed by polysomnography. Most antidepressants impair sleep, so drugs that help to restore sleep are of particular value in clinical practice. Agomelatine (valdoxan) rapidly improves sleep in depressed patients by making it easier to fall asleep, increasing total sleep time, duration of rapid eye movement (REM), and slow-wave sleep (SWS), and improving functioning during the day.
Kinesiotherapy and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for nonspecific lumbago
Authors: Golovacheva A. A. , Golovacheva V. A. , Parfenov V. A.
Published: February 2022

A combined approach is recommended to treat chronic non-specific low back pain (lumbago), including pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods. Kinesiotherapy and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have a high level of evidence in chronic lumbago. Kinesiotherapy includes posture and daily motor activity regimen training, a complex of therapeutic and breathing exercises, post-isometric relaxation, and other physical exercises. NSAIDs reduce pain, improve functional status, and increase patients' adherence to kinesiotherapy, relieving pain in the first days of treatment. A specific NSAID administration is usually individualized, considering the comorbidities and the risk of possible side effects. The use of meloxicam (Movalis) for back pain is discussed.
COVID-19 associated multiple cranial neuropathies
Authors: Maksimova M. Yu. , Grusha Ya. O. , Fettser E. I.
Published: February 2022

The polymorphism of the clinical manifestations of coronavirus infection often creates great diagnostic difficulties for the practitioners, especially in patients with a predominance of neurological symptoms. Of the latter, cranial neuropathies take a particular place, as they may be either one of the first symptoms or appear during the disease progression. Impairment of smell and taste is considered an early manifestation of SARS-CoV2 infection. Similar to the involvement of the olfactory bulb, multiple cranial nerves involvement (for example, VII, VI, and III) has been described. Patients with COVID-19 associated multiple cranial neuropathies are more likely to experience partial recovery of impaired function. We present and discuss a rare case of COVID-19 associated multiple cranial neuropathies with a sequential involvement of the olfactory (I), right visual (II), frontal branch of the trigeminal (V), facial (VII), and hypoglossal (XII) nerves. Data on clinical manifestations and diagnostic criteria for this form of pathology are presented.
Rural-Urban health and mortality differentials in Brazil, 2010-2013
Authors: Costa Monteiro da Silva José Henrique , Lanza Queiroz Bernardo , Sawyer Diana , Neves Alves Pereira Fabiano , Mendonça Guimarães Raphael
Published: February 2022

Urbanization and economic development in developed countries fostered the debate of rural vs. urban health and mortality differentials. Low and middle-income countries experience uneven urbanization processes that result in an urban mortality penalty. Brazil is an example of this scenario of rural mortality advantage, despite the limited access to health services by rural residents. This paper assesses health and mortality differentials of rural and urban areas using morbidity prevalence data from the Brazilian National Health Survey of 2013 and the mortality information from the Brazilian National Census of 2010. The results show that urban residents display higher prevalence rates of diabetes and heart diseases, whereas rural residents display higher prevalence rates of osteoarticular diseases and functional disabilities. Indeed, adult individuals of rural areas presented better mortality indicators than those from urban areas. However, we verified that a significant share of rural individual's life co-occurs with physical and musculoskeletal related morbidities. These differences between urban and rural spaces need to be considered when making health policy decisions.
Leaving, Staying in and Returning to the Hometown
Authors: Albrecht Janna , Scheiner Joachim
Published: March 2022

Couples' residential decisions are based on a large variety of factors including housing preferences, family and other social ties, socialisation and residential biography (e.g. earlier experience in the life course) and environmental factors (e.g. housing market, labour market). This study examines, firstly, to what extent people stay in, return to or leave their hometown (referred to as ‘migration type’). We refer to the hometown as the place where most of childhood and adolescence is spent. Secondly, we study which conditions shape a person’s migration type. We mainly focus on variables capturing elements of the residential biography and both partners’ family ties and family socialisation. We focus on the residential choices made at the time of family formation, i.e. when the first child is born. We employ multinomial regression modelling and cross-tabulations, based on two generations in a sample of families who mostly live in the wider Ruhr area, born around 1931 (parents) and 1957 (adult children). We find that migration type is significantly affected by a combination of both partners' place of origin, both partners' parents' places of residence, the number of previous moves, level of education and hometown population size. We conclude that complex patterns of experience made over the life course, socialisation and gendered patterns are at work. These mechanisms should be kept in mind when policymakers develop strategies to attract (return) migrants.
Effect of foreign direct investment on gross national income in Nigeria, 2006-2017
Authors: Ani Kelechi Johnmary , Onu Chigozie
Published: March 2022

Effect of foreign direct investment on gross national income in Nigeria, 2006-2017
 
Kelechi Johnmary Ani
Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Nigeria
E-mail: kelechi.ani@funai.edu.ng
 
Chigozie Onu
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria
E-mail: asiano.jc@gmail.com
 
Submission: 11/4/2020
Revision: 12/15/2020
Accept: 1/5/2021
 
ABSTRACT
The study analyzed the effect of foreign direct investment on gross national income over the period of 2006- 2019. The main type of data used in this study is secondary; which were sourced from various publications of Central Bank of Nigeria, such as; Statistical Bulletin, Annual Reports and Statement of Accounts. The regression analysis of the ordinary least square (OLS) is the estimation technique that was employed in this study to determine the effect of the Direct Foreign Investment on gross national income in Nigeria. The cointegration test showed existence of a long run relationship and an indication that 1 cointegrating vectors exist at 5% level of significance among the variables which was corrected with error correction mode (ECM). The result showed that foreign direct investment had a positive effect on gross national income during the period 2006 – 2019. It also revealed that gross domestic product, exchange rate and unemployment rate has a positive effect on gross national income in Nigeria during the same period. The study recommends that government should try to develop trade zones, which are solely based on free economic movements and policies. The study recommends official re-consideration of different determinants of gross national income (GNI) attractions. Government incentives, infrastructure and policies should be put in place to make it easy for general foreign investors, to find Nigeria safe and reliable to invest. Finally, unique fiscal and monetary policies should be formed to strengthen the other macroeconomic variables which will help to overcome the situation of shocks in Nigeria while hosting Foreign Direct Investment inflow for future sustainable economic development.
Modeling, Analysis and Physics Informed Neural Network approaches for studying the dynamics of COVID-19 involving human-human and human-pathogen interaction
Authors: Nguyen Long , Raissi Maziar , Seshaiyer Padmanabhan
Published: February 2022

In this work, the dynamics of the spread of COVID-19 is considered in the presence of both human-to-human transmission as well as environment-to-human transmission. Specifically, we expand and modify traditional epidemiological model for COVID-19 by incorporating a compartment to study the dynamics of pathogen concentration in the environmental reservoir, for instance concentration of droplets in closed spaces. We perform a mathematical analysis for the model proposed including an endemic equilibrium analysis as well as a next-generation approach both of which help to derive the basic reproduction number. We also study the e˚cacy of wearing a facemask through this model. Another important contribution of this work is the introduction to physics informed deep learning methods (PINNs) to study the dynamics. We propose this as an alternative to traditional numerical methods for solving system of differential equations used to describe dynamics of infectious diseases. Our results show that the proposed PINNs approach is a reliable candidate for both solving such systems and for helping identify important parameters that control the disease dynamics.
Reaction Rate Theory-Based Mathematical Approximation for the Amount of Time it Takes For Cellular Respiration to Occur
Authors: Chaturvedi Archit
Published: February 2022

The venerable process of cellular respiration is essential for cells to produce energy from glucose molecules, in order to carry out cellular work. The process is responsible for producing molecules of ATP, a molecule which is thermodynamically coupled with other biochemical and biophysical processes in order to provide energy for such processes to occur. While the process of cellular respiration is essential to biology, one cycle of the process occurs only in a matter of milliseconds, and so, it would be impractical to measure the time it takes for the process to occur through conventional means. Therefore, using concepts from reaction rate theory, particularly Marcus Theory of electron transfer, Michaelis-Menten kinetics for enzymatic catalysis, and the hard-sphere model of collision theory, I formulate and propose a mathematical approximation for the amount of time it takes for cellular respiration to occur. Through this heuristic approach, quantitatively knowing the amount of time it takes for one cycle of cellular respiration to occur could potentially have future applications in biological research.
Homological dimensions relative to preresolving subcategories II
Authors: Huang Zhaoyong
Published: March 2022

Let

𝒜

{\mathscr{A}}

be an abelian category having enough projective and injective objects,
and let

𝒯

{\mathscr{T}}

be an additive subcategory of

𝒜

{\mathscr{A}}

closed under direct summands.
A known assertion is that in a short exact sequence in

𝒜

{\mathscr{A}}

, the

𝒯

{\mathscr{T}}

-projective
(resp.

𝒯

{\mathscr{T}}

-injective) dimensions of any two terms can sometimes induce an upper
bound of that of the third term by using the same comparison expressions. We show that
if

𝒯

{\mathscr{T}}

contains all projective (resp. injective) objects of

𝒜

{\mathscr{A}}

, then
the above assertion holds true if and only if

𝒯

{\mathscr{T}}

is resolving (resp. coresolving).
As applications, we get that a left and right Noetherian ring R is n-Gorenstein if and only if
the Gorenstein projective (resp. injective, flat) dimension of any left R-module is
at most n. In addition, in several cases, for a subcategory

𝒞

{\mathscr{C}}

of

𝒯

{\mathscr{T}}

,
we show that the finitistic

𝒞

{\mathscr{C}}

-projective and

𝒯

{\mathscr{T}}

-projective dimensions of

𝒜

{\mathscr{A}}

are identical.
Numerical study of heat and mass transfer on the pulsatile flow of blood under atherosclerotic condition
Authors: Shabbir Muhammad Shahzad , Abbas Zaheer , Ali Nasir
Published: February 2022

The present article investigates the effects of heat and mass transfer on the pulsatile flow of blood through a tapered artery under atherosclerotic conditions. The blood is treated as Sutterby fluid. The wall of the artery is considered to be time-invariant having overlapping stenosis in its lumen. The fully coupled momentum, energy and concentration equations in conjunction with the constitutive equation of Sutterby fluid are simplified by applying the mild stenosis assumption. The governing equations together with the prescribed boundary conditions are discretized and solved by using the finite difference method. The results highlighting the effects of various emerging parameters on the heat and mass transfer are also displayed through graphs. The effects of stenosis height and Prandtl number on the axial variation of Nusselt number are also discussed in detail. A comparison of Sutterby fluid with the Newtonian fluid is also presented to highlight the effects of the Prandtl number on the heat and mass transfer. The present study reveals that the distribution of temperature in the constricted region of the blood vessel is closely associated with the viscoelastic nature of blood. It is also observed that the rate of heat transfer at the wall of the artery can be enhanced by reducing the thermal conductivity.
The Performance of Option Pricing Models Estimating the Marketability Discount in a Pre-IPO Real-World Data Setting: Evidence from Europe
Authors: Grbenic Stefan O.
Published: February 2022

Valuation analysts adjust prices of private firm’s stock downward from their fully marketable counterparts, reflecting the private firms’ lower level of marketability. This discount for lack of marketability can be substantial in magnitude. This study examines the performance (according to bias and accuracy employing estimation error methodology) of seven popular option pricing models in generating discount estimates to coincide with empirically observed discount benchmarks (based on the pre-IPO methodology) in European Union member countries over the period 2004 until 2018. The results allow for the general conclusion that some option pricing models are superior in most settings, coinciding with their individual benefits and deficiencies. The detailed analysis indicates that (i) the superiority of these option pricing models holds for a wide range of periods of assumed restricted marketability, (ii) segmenting discount benchmarks according to their size improves the performance of the option pricing models, (iii) segmenting discount benchmarks according to both, the underlying volatility of stock returns and dividend yields, does not improve the performance of the option pricing models, and (iv) IPO underperformance has no material impact on relative option pricing model’s performance.
Workers’ Movements and the Global Supply Chain: Introduction
Authors: Ovetz Robert , Alimahomed-Wilson Jake
Published: February 2022

The global supply chain crisis during the pandemic provides an opportunity to reflect on the vulnerabilities of the just-in-time model of capitalist production. As capital studies and prepares for risks to the global supply chain, so must workers if we are make global systemic changes needed to reverse the many catastrophic crises facing humanity. The articles in this forum re-examine unions and global workers organizing in seven countries to move us past the limited focus on collective bargaining, contracts, labor law, and unions tied to neoliberal political parties to identify and assess strategies for cross-border worker organizing at these choke points to apply pressure, extract gains, and tip the balance of power in their favor.
Moral legitimation in capital trials: the case of the prosecution’s closing summation
Authors: Chaemsaithong Krisda
Published: February 2022

Underpinned by the assumption that the legitimacy of a social practice is obtained discursively, this study proposes a linguistically-grounded model for examining moral legitimation in the sentencing phase of capital trials. Drawing upon state lawyers’ closing speech in six capital trials (Indiana, USA), the study identifies key strategies the State uses to justify death and explores their ideological basis. The quantitative findings indicate that moral legitimation is integral to this genre, and, qualitatively speaking, the State relies to a great extent on strategies such as naming labels, assignment of agency, and evaluation, respectively. This is followed by emotion-based reasoning and analogy. It is argued that the reliance on moral legitimation treats death as a natural corollary of such moral characterizations and precludes the discussion of the life-sentence option.
Non-traditional oils with water-soluble substrate as cell growth booster for the production of mannosylerythritol lipids by Pseudozyma antarctica (ATCC 32657) with their antimicrobial activity
Authors: Bhangale Akash P. , Wadekar Sushant D. , Kale Sandeep B. , Mali Suraj N. , Pratap Amit P.
Published: February 2022

Among glycolipids, mannosylerythritol lipids (MEL), are mild and environmentally friendly surfactants used in various industrial applications. MELs are produced by biofermentation using non-traditional oils with various water-soluble carbon sources as cell growth booster. This substrate affects the production yield and cost of MEL. In this research work, the non-traditional oils jatropha oil, karanja oil and neem oil were used as new substrates along with glucose, glycerol and honey as new water-soluble substrates. All these oils are new feedstocks for the production of MEL using Pseudozyma antarctica (ATCC 32657). Jatropha oil, karanja oil and neem oil with honey as substrates resulted in higher MEL yields of (8.07, 7.75, and 1.86) g/L and better cell growth of (8.07, 7.75, and 1.86) g/L, respectively, than non-traditional oils with glucose and glycerol as substrates. Neem oil gave a lower yield of MEL (1.54 g/L) as well as cell growth (6.06 g/L) compared to jatropha oil and karanja oil (7.03 and 6.17) g/L, respectively. Crude MEL from the fermentation broth was detected by thin-layer chromatography (TLC), Fourier transform infrared spectrommetry (FT-IR), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR). Purified MEL has been used as an antimicrobial agent in cosmetic products associated with gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and fungi.
Investigation of the synergistic effect and the morphology of the binary compound systems with potassium N-lauroyl glycinate
Authors: Huang Jian , Xu Hujun
Published: February 2022

Potassium N-lauroyl glycinate (PLG) is an amino acid surfactant widely used in detergents and has excellent chemical properties. In the present work, PLG was mixed in different molar ratios (α1) with the commonly used amphoteric surfactant lauryl amidopropyl betaine (LAB) or the non-ionic surfactant alkyl glycoside (APG). Subsequently, the surface tension, average hydrodynamic radius and number of micellar aggregates of the individual surfactants and the compound systems were measured using the hanging plate method, dynamic light scattering and fluorescence probe method, respectively, and the corresponding surface activity parameters were calculated. The results show that the binary PLG/LAB and PLG/APG systems exhibit non-ideal behaviour and that there was mutual attraction in the systems. The broad distribution of the micelle radius of the PLG/LAB compound system indicates that there are two types of micelles, namely spherical and rod-shaped in the systems. The distribution of the micelle radius of the PLG/APG compound system decreases to the minimum value at α
1 = 0.5. At α
1 = 0.7 and 0.9, double peaks and a broad distribution were also observed. The number of micelle aggregates in the PLG/LAB and PLG/APG compound systems is less than that of the individual surfactants at the respective mole fractions.
Stability of pesticide in water emulsion induced by mixed surfactants
Authors: Liu Jiexiang , Qian Cuihua , Zhang Xiaoguang
Published: February 2022

Etofenprox emulsions in water were prepared by mixing polyoxyethylene (20) castor oil ether (EL-20) with the surfactants polyoxyethylene (10) octylphenyl ether (OP10), polyoxyethylene styrenated phenol ether (602), polyoxyethylene (40) castor oil ether (EL-40) and octylphenyl polyoxyethylene phosphonate (OPP), respectively. Emulsion stability was investigated and analysed based on the hydrophilic-lipophilic equilibrium, surfactant structure and surface tension of the diluted emulsion. The results showed that the emulsions (EL-40 + EL-20) and (OPP + EL-20) had relatively high stability. Subsequently, the surfactants polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene-styrenated phenol ether (1601), polyalkoxylated butyl ether (LQ) and OPP were added separately to the emulsions (EL-40 + EL-20), (602 + EL-20) or (OPP + EL-20) to obtain the ternary surfactant systems. Emulsion stability was further investigated and discussed based on droplet size, zeta potential and surface tension. The results revealed that the addition of OPP and LQ could further improve the stability of (EL-40 + EL-20) emulsions, and that LQ was also beneficial for the stability of (OPP + EL-20) emulsions. The stability mechanism of the emulsion was also discussed.
Synergistic interaction between sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) and N,N-dimethyldodecan-1-amine oxide (DDAO) and their adsorption onto activated charcoal and Jordanian natural clay
Authors: Abdel-Rahem Rami A. , Niaz Sana , Altwaiq Abdelmnim M. , Esaifan Muayad , Al Bitar Mohammad Bassam , Al Bawab Abeer
Published: February 2022

Solutions of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) and N,N-dimethyldodecan-1-amine oxide (DDAO) with mole fractions of 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00 were prepared and their surface tension was measured as a function of total surfactant concentration. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) values of these mixed solutions were also determined. The minimum area occupied by a surfactant molecule at air/water interface was calculated for single and binary surfactant mixtures. A pronounced synergistic interaction between SDBS and DDAO was detected. The surface tension and CMC-values of SDBS/DDAO mixtures are significantly lower than those of the single surfactant. The mixed system of SDBS/DDAO exhibits a highly negative interaction parameter (β = −10.6) according to regular solution model, and is found to fulfill the condition of Hua and Rosen, indicting a strong synergistic interaction between the two surfactants. The contact angle measurements show the wettability of the surfactant mixture onto polyethylene substrate is higher than of the respective single surfactant. In addition, the adsorption of SDBS and DDAO or their mixtures on 1.0% activated carbon and 5.0% Jordanian natural clay (JNC), respectively, was investigated using the depletion method. The individual surfactants were found to adsorb to a considerable extent on activated carbon, and a slightly higher adsorption tendency was even measured for mixed SDBS/DDAO surfactant systems. Although no SDBS molecules adsorbed on JNC, adsorption was observed for solutions containing DDAO and SDBS/DDAO surfactants. The improvement in wettability and adsorption of SDBS/DDAO surfactants at the air/water and solid/water interfaces is directly related to the synergistic interaction between the two surfactants.
Synergistic behavior of SLS-OPE-10 binary mixtures at their CMC
Authors: Chavan Akshaya Ravindra , Bhagwat Sunil S.
Published: February 2022

The micellation behaviour of mixtures of sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and octylphenol ethoxylate-10 (OPE-10) was investigated using tensiometry and dye solubilisation. The interaction parameters for the system were determined using Rubingh’s model for non-ideality and the adsorption parameters were calculated. The surfactant mixture was found to behave synergistically in terms of CMC reduction and dye solubilisation. Furthermore, the mixture appears to mimic the adsorption and micellation properties of OPE-10 more closely than SLS, regardless of composition. With this knowledge, and considering that OPE-10 is typically more expensive than SLS, the formulator can now use only a fraction of the required amount of OPE-10 for a given application (instead of using 100% OPE-10), resulting in high performance yet economical products. It was also found that the said mixture exhibits azeotropic behaviour at a certain fixed composition.
Synthesis and characterisation of carboxy amide-bonded pyridinium Gemini surfactants: influence of the nature of the spacer group and counterions on the aggregation behaviour
Authors: Franke Maximilian Eberhard , Rehage Heinz
Published: February 2022

A series of novel dimeric pyridinium surfactants has been synthesised and the effects of a semi-flexible p-xylyl spacer and flexible, polyethylene glycol spacers have been studied. The nature of the spacer determines solubility and aggregation behaviour in two- and three-dimensional systems. Some of these insoluble compounds form two-dimensional, rigid-condensed structures at the air–water interface, while others form liquid-analogue monolayers. Whereas the latter compounds become soluble after exchange of the counterions, the former remain insoluble. The aggregation behaviour of Langmuir layers was, inter alia, investigated by Brewster angle microscopy. The micellisation behaviour of diluted aqueous solutions of soluble surfactants was primarily investigated by conductometric measurements and thermodynamic parameters of aggregation have been deduced with respect to the spacer length.
Exploring How Fines and Fees Finance Community Supervision
Authors: King Katelyn J. B. , Petkus Amber , Ruhland Ebony L.
Published: March 2022

Every state relies on fines and fees to defray the costs of community supervision, and many rely on a combination of monetary sanctions and government aid to operate these programs. Texas is one such state that designs their system to provide approximately two-thirds of funding necessary for supervision operations while the rest is meant to be obtained via local supervisee fees. This study questions the accuracy of the 65/35 split in counties involved in the Community Corrections Fines and Fees (CCFF) Study and examines how programs’ offender fees and state appropriated funding have changed over time. Gathering data from local fiscal reports, three programs covering six counties are studied. Our findings indicate that fees are over-relied upon in every jurisdiction examined, with increasing contributions each year while supervisee counts fall. Further, these individuals also supply money to other funds used for supervision and/or criminal justice not accounted for in the core programming (i.e., local supplemental programs, general fund contributions). Though few, the CCFF programs examined appear representative of state-wide trends and data suggests the fluctuations in fee reliance may largely result from targeted funding changes to competitive program grants. In all, Texas and specific program appropriations and fees are all increasing, but the state appears to be failing to keep up with local needs. This has large potential for collateral consequences to system and supervisee alike.
Legal Financial Obligations (LFOs) as Taxes, Regulatory Fees, or User Charges? An Analysis of Washington’s Criminal Legal System LFO Revenue
Authors: Walker Evan
Published: March 2022

Under Washington state law, legal financial obligations (LFOs) are assessed to people that “use” the criminal legal system across the state. State courts have ruled on how taxes, fees, and user charges are assessed upon residents; however, imposition of LFOs is predominantly at judicial discretion and under a broad statutory scheme of criminal punishment for victim restitution and government revenue generation. State jurisprudence of taxes and user charges offers clarity to how LFOs can be more equitably and efficiently organized and imposed by courts across Washington. This paper expands on the history of fines in Anglo-American law to outline the development of the dual purpose of criminal monetary sanctions: punishment and government revenue. This paper uses the statutory and other legally-determined characteristics of taxes and user charges to characterize and categorize how the courts and the legislature should structure the assessment of LFOs and consider how local and state programs generate revenue from the criminal legal system. By applying non-criminal taxes, regulatory fees, and user charges jurisprudence to the criminal legal system fines and fees structure, this analysis considers shifting the statutory sentencing and assessment structure of LFOs to a day fines structure and limiting the LFOs that are imposed upon people during their interaction with the criminal legal system.
Services Rendered
Authors: Fischer Michael
Published: March 2022

America’s legacy of racism and inequity has created a criminal legal system that privileges money over innocence. A protracted encounter with the courts has the potential to bankrupt entire families, keeping them and even their descendants in a cycle of disadvantage that can span generations. Yet there are also countless legal backwaters across the country where money, instead of insulating a defendant from the worst of the criminal legal system, puts a different kind of target on their back.

Drawing on the author’s lived experience as a formerly incarcerated citizen, this piece uses personal history to explore the different financial pressure points used in the criminal legal system: the ecosystem of cash bail, fines, and fees. It outlines differences in the ways such pressure is applied depending on a defendant’s economic standing, and argues that it amounts to a form of coercion inflicted on defendants from across the spectrum of financial privilege.

The piece also highlights how financial exploitation in the criminal legal system can leave defendants not only financially indebted to their support networks but emotionally indebted as well: ashamed of the money and time that was spent—and seemingly wasted—on trying to secure an outcome that the system, by design, always keeps just out of reach.
Probation Officer Viewpoints on the Assessment, Collection, and Enforcement of Fees
Authors: Ruhland Ebony L. , Leigh Katie , Petkus Amber
Published: March 2022

Monetary sanctions exist in every part of the criminal legal system, including community corrections. Fines, fees, restitution, surcharges, and other court costs are included as monetary sanctions. Prior research has highlighted the types of monetary sanctions, their correctional goals, and the effects of monetary sanctions on individuals paying them. For fees, Texas relies on them for partial support of their probation departments’ operations. In this study, we focus on two probation jurisdictions in Texas to explore officers’ attitudes and beliefs around monetary sanctions. Specifically, we use survey data to examine officers’ belief in fairness around fees assessment and their views on the collection and enforcement of fees. The findings find overall support among the officers for fees within probation. Sixty-one percent of the surveyed officers believed asking clients to pay fees was fair. Officers also had more punitive attitudes around collections and thought that consequences were appropriate responses to late or nonpayment of fees. This study provides insight into how officers view monetary sanctions and how these views might shape enforcement.
Spiraling Criminal Debt
Authors: Garrett Brandon L.
Published: March 2022

The scale of criminal debt in the United States has exploded, with local, state and federal court imposing billions in fines and fees on people in criminal cases. If the person lacks the ability to pay or does not pay the fines, still additional financial penalties can result. Legal consequences of non-payment can in turn result in a person’s loss of a range of other rights, including employment, housing, public assistance, driver’s licenses, and voting rights. The extent of this problem of spiraling criminal debt has been increasingly well-documented and the subject of law and policy reform. This article begins by introducing the problem, through a set of studies in North Carolina, a state that along with many others has expanded the number and inflexibility of criminal fines and fees. First, a study of a novel North Carolina dataset illustrates the scale of such debt, where one in twelve adults in the state owe criminal debt. Much of that debt is concentrated in lower-level traffic and misdemeanor cases. Further, individuals who do not pay court costs or fines within a short time period never do so. Second, a study of driver’s license suspensions illustrates the further impact of those policies: one in seven North Carolina adult drivers have had their licenses indefinitely suspended. Third, surveys of affected individuals further shed light on the broader social impacts of these practices. A wide range of states and the federal government have adopted similar approaches in recent decades, imposing fines and fees in criminal cases without clear regard for ability to pay or the counterproductive impacts of these schemes. In the federal system, criminal fines are often uncollected due to inability to pay. I conclude by addressing law and policy reforms and the constitutional question whether such debt can be imposed on persons who lack ability to pay, and what Equal Protection, Due Process, Keywords: Excessive Fines Clause, and other requirements must be satisfied to constitutionally impose criminal debts.
Punishment Through Restitution
Authors: Lollar Cortney E.
Published: March 2022

Criminal restitution is a standard part of sentencing. As criminal restitution obligations have become more common, the contours of what constitutes “restitution” have expanded. A consequence of the rise in the number of restitution orders, as well as the growth in restitution amounts, is an increase in uncollected restitution obligations. Unpaid restitution debt runs in the billions of dollars, most of which is uncollectible due to the indigence of those ordered to pay it. Unpaid restitution leaves everyone unsatisfied: crime victims are rarely compensated sufficiently and those ordered to pay restitution remain under the authority of the criminal legal system while their restitution obligation remains outstanding.

Federal legislation established criminal restitution as a punitive mechanism, in addition to a compensatory one, but courts have been reluctant to fully acknowledge the implications of accepting restitution as punishment. If courts would concede restitution’s punitive purpose and effect, the Constitution could limit the scope of restitution awards — through the Sixth Amendment’s jury trial right and the Eighth Amendment’s excessive fines clause. Under the Sixth Amendment, juries could determine the amount of restitution. Despite language in the federal statutes prohibiting courts from considering a defendant’s ability to pay, courts could declare those portions of the restitution statutes unconstitutional under the Eighth Amendment, and consider, instead, the proportionality of the restitution amount relative to the gravity of the offense, relying on the anti-ruination principle in determining excessiveness.
Developing soft skills in high school students using digital tools
Authors:   Kurgan State University, Ryleeva Anastasia Sergeevna , Khomutnikova Elena Anatolyevna ,   Kurgan State University, Emanova Svetlana Vladimirovna ,   Kurgan State University
Published: March 2022

Introduction. The article presents an overview of the research on developing soft skills in high school students, research findings on the assessment of universal competencies in high school students and the search for approaches to the development of universal competencies in high school students by means of using digital tools. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the level of soft skills among high school students and to justify the implementation of practical procedures within the framework of a digital learning environment. Materials and Methods. In order to assess the level of soft skills (e.g. emotional intelligence and self-monitoring) in Russian ninth graders (n=400) the authors applied the following general research methods: analysis, synthesis, and reviewing research literature. Empirical methods including M.Snyder’s Self-monitoring scale and Thomas–Kilmann’s inventory were used to reveal the types of behaviors for handling conflicts. The authors developed practical procedures aimed at enhancing self-control, communication and cooperation skills, and emotional intelligence, using Lift to Future and Learnis.ru educational platforms. The research methodology was based on the competence approach (A. M. Aronov, A. V. Barannikov, A. G. Burmus, I. A. Zimnaya, A. V. Khutorskoy) and modern approaches related to the problem of digitalization of education (Ya. A. Vahramenko, A. P. Ershov, I. V. Robert, S. A. Tanganyan). Results. The study revealed the main deficiencies in soft skills among the surveyed 9th graders. The authors identified invariant (lack of self-reflection, lack of motivation for self-development, unwillingness to change) and variable difficulties that impede the development of soft skills in ninth graders and are associated with individual personality traits: lack of self-confidence, excessive ambitions and desires, emotional immaturity, and increased fatigue. The study revealed a low level of emotional intelligence in 50 % of the respondents and a low level of cooperation skills in 75 % of the respondents. The authors presented a range of practical procedures based on using digital tools, which contributed to the development of soft skills indicators in high school students. The study suggests that measures aimed at enhancing soft skills should include both group and individual activities and take into account invariant and variable negative factors. The authors enrich the term ‘digital literacy’ with new content. Conclusions. Finally, the authors emphasize that digital tools contributed to maintaining motivation and increasing digital literacy in all the participants of the experiment.
The problem of semantic dyslexia in schoolchildren with general speech impairment
Authors:   Khachatur Abovyan Armenian National Pedagogical University, Karapetyan Siranush Gevorkovna , Kirakosyan Armine Armenovna ,   Khachatur Abovyan Armenian National Pedagogical University
Published: March 2022

Introduction. The article addresses the problem of reading disorders among pupils with general speech impairment. The purpose of the research is to study the prerequisites for impairments in the reading process in primary schoolchildren with general speech impairment and determine the main directions of speech therapy to overcome semantic dyslexia. Materials and Methods. This study is based on Armenian and international scholarly literature on the role of reading comprehension in schoolchildren with general speech impairment, their development and socialization. Results. The study reveals the characteristic features of semantic dyslexia in children with general speech impairment (the 3rd level). Reading comprehension by children with general speech impairment is characterized by a range of disorders, which are mainly manifested in inaccurate knowledge and use words and expressions, in misunderstanding of the semantic and grammatical relations between words, in the problems of identifying the object and the subject in the sentence and the relations between them, in violation of semantic programming and language rules within the text, etc. Conclusions. The article clarifies the mechanism of reading disorders in children with general speech impairment (the 3rd level) and proposes ways and methods of correcting semantic dyslexia.
Controversies about the systematic preoperative pharmacological treatment before pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma surgery
Authors: Castinetti Frederic , De Freminville Jean-Baptiste , Guerin Carole , Cornu Erika , Sarlon Gabrielle , Amar Laurence
Published: March 2022

The question of systematic use of a pharmacological treatment before surgery in patients diagnosed with pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL) remains highly controversial. While recent guidelines suggest that this should be used in all patients, some experienced teams consider it unnecessary in some cases, provided the surgery is performed in a dedicated center that has expert endocrinologists, cardiologists, surgeons, and anesthetists. This controversy is aimed at shedding light on the potential benefits and risks of such a treatment, focusing specifically on alpha blockers which are considered as the first-line medical treatments in patients with PPGL. After discussing the rationale for alpha blockers, hemodynamic instability, tolerance, and acute cardiac complications will then be discussed in the first part of the manuscript, defending a systematic use. The second section will focus on blood pressure control, tolerance of alpha blockers, and also the management of normotensive PPGL, examining the daily risks of PPGL and arguing against the systematic use of a preoperative pharmacological treatment before surgery. Finally, we will discuss the concept of expert centers and define the patients in whom the risk/benefit profile would favor the use of this preoperative treatment.
Assessment of Clinical Efficacy of Dexamethasone in Patients with Moderate COVID-19
Authors: Tolochko M. V. , Leyderman I. N. , Khokhunov O. A. , Mazurok V. A. , Rzheutskya R. E.
Published: February 2022

The host immune response, primarily manifested by hypercytokinemia, obviously plays a key role in the development of severe novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19. Currently, numerous therapies aimed at suppressing the hyperinflammatory response and the "cytokine storm" are being investigated. One of these methods is the use of corticosteroids, particularly dexamethasone.

The aim was to assess the clinical efficacy of dexamethasone in patients with moderate bilateral multifocal pneumonia caused by SARS CoV-2 virus.

Material and methods. Sixty-nine patients aged from 31 to 88 years hospitalized in Almazov National Research Center and the Semashko City Hospital No 38 with SARS CoV-2 coronavirus infection complicated by moderate (semiquantitative visual pulmonary lesion grading system CT 2-3 corresponding to 25-50% and 50-75% parenchymal involvement, respectively) community-acquired bilateral multifocal pneumonia were retrospectively studied. Group 1 included 39 patients with moderate coronavirus infection who received therapy according to the current version of the temporary guidelines (TG) of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, including dexamethasone. The drug was administered parenterally twice daily in a dosage of 12 mg in the morning and 8 mg in the evening for the first three days, then the dose was gradually reduced over 5-7 days. No Interleukin-6 inhibitors were administered to patients in this group. Group 2 was composed of 30 patients who received therapy according to the current version of TG, including a parenteral interleukin-6 inhibitor (tocilizumab, olokizumab, or sarilumab) following the standard regimen. Patients in this group were not administered with dexamethasone.

Results. CT scans corresponding to severity grade 3 and 4 (50-75% and >75% involvement, respectively) lung lesions on Day 7 were found in 35.89% of group 1 patients, while similar CT scans were found in 50% of patients who received interleukin-6 inhibitors (P=0.33). On Day 14 no significant differences in this parameter were revealed as well. Duration of fever in the dexamethasone group was 3.69 (0.62;6.76) days, while in the control group it was 3.95 (0.61;7.29) days (P=0.98). There was a tendency to decreased blood Creactive protein (CRP) values in the dexamethasone group on days 5 and 7. The frequency of transfer of patients to the ICU and hospital stay duration did not differ significantly between the groups.

Conclusion. Dexamethasone has comparable clinical efficacy with IL-6 antagonists in the comprehensive treatment of patients with moderate COVID-19 disease, which is confirmed by the chest CT evolution, duration of fever, and changes in serum CRP.
Diaphragm Function Parameters in Patients with Severe COVID-19
Authors: Yakovlev A. Y. , Pevnev A. A. , Belous M. S. , Maksimychev V. N. , Chistyakov S. I.
Published: February 2022

The aim of the study was to investigate the feasibility of predicting the need for mechanical ventilation in patients with severe COVID-19 disease using ultrasound assessment of diaphragm function.

Material and methods. An open prospective pilot study included 60 patients diagnosed with the novel coronavirus infection, who, at the time of admission to the intensive care unit (NEWS score > 6), underwent ultrasound assessment of diaphragm excursion, thickness and the diaphragm thickening fraction. Group 1 (n=30) included patients who did not require mechanical ventilation, and group 2 (n=30) consisted of patients who were subsequently transferred to mechanical ventilation.

Results. Patients in group 2 had significantly lower diaphragm function parameters (left excursion value (P<0.001), right excursion value (P<0.001), diaphragm thickness on inspiration (P=0.043), and thickening fraction (P<0.001) than patients in group 1.

Conclusion. Decreased diaphragm excursion of less than 17.1 mm on the right side is a predictor of initiation of mechanical ventilation in patients with the COVID-19 infection (sensitivity 93.3%, specificity 76.7%). Morphological examination in deceased patients of group 2 revealed pericellular and perivascular edema, venular thrombosis, endoneurial edema, and sludge in the lumen of arterioles.
Dexamethasone and SARS-CoV-2: the Dangerous Steroids Pandemic (Letter to the Editorial Office)
Authors: Belletti A. , Fresilli S. , Landoni G. , Zangrillo A.
Published: February 2022

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