bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sleep Tracking of a Commercially Available Smart Ring and Smartwatch Against Medical-Grade Actigraphy in Everyday Settings: Instrument Validation Study
Authors: Asgari Mehrabadi Milad , Azimi Iman , Sarhaddi Fatemeh , Axelin Anna , Niela-Vilén Hannakaisa , Myllyntausta Saana , Stenholm Sari , Dutt Nikil , Liljeberg Pasi , Rahmani Amir M
Published: September 2020

Background

Assessment of sleep quality is essential to address poor sleep quality and understand changes. Owing to the advances in the Internet of Things and wearable technologies, sleep monitoring under free-living conditions has become feasible and practicable. Smart rings and smartwatches can be employed to perform mid- or long-term home-based sleep monitoring. However, the validity of such wearables should be investigated in terms of sleep parameters. Sleep validation studies are mostly limited to short-term laboratory tests; there is a need for a study to assess the sleep attributes of wearables in everyday settings, where users engage in their daily routines.

Objective

This study aims to evaluate the sleep parameters of the Oura ring along with the Samsung Gear Sport watch in comparison with a medically approved actigraphy device in a midterm everyday setting, where users engage in their daily routines.

Methods

We conducted home-based sleep monitoring in which the sleep parameters of 45 healthy individuals (23 women and 22 men) were tracked for 7 days. Total sleep time (TST), sleep efficiency (SE), and wake after sleep onset (WASO) of the ring and watch were assessed using paired t tests, Bland-Altman plots, and Pearson correlation. The parameters were also investigated considering the gender of the participants as a dependent variable.

Results

We found significant correlations between the ring’s and actigraphy’s TST (r=0.86; P<.001), WASO (r=0.41; P<.001), and SE (r=0.47; P<.001). Comparing the watch with actigraphy showed a significant correlation in TST (r=0.59; P<.001). The mean differences in TST, WASO, and SE of the ring and actigraphy were within satisfactory ranges, although there were significant differences between the parameters (P<.001); TST and SE mean differences were also within satisfactory ranges for the watch, and the WASO was slightly higher than the range (31.27, SD 35.15). However, the mean differences of the parameters between the watch and actigraphy were considerably higher than those of the ring. The watch also showed a significant difference in TST (P<.001) between female and male groups.

Conclusions

In a sample population of healthy adults, the sleep parameters of both the Oura ring and Samsung watch have acceptable mean differences and indicate significant correlations with actigraphy, but the ring outperforms the watch in terms of the nonstaging sleep parameters.
Utilizing Theories and Evaluation in Digital Gaming Interventions to Increase Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Among Young Males: Qualitative Study
Authors: Darville Gabrielle , Burns Jade , Chavanduka Tanaka , Anderson-Lewis Charkarra
Published: September 2020

Background

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. HPV attributes to most cancers including anal, oral, cervical, and penile. Despite infection rates in the United States, recommendations and communication campaigns have traditionally focused on females. Because of this, males lack knowledge about reasons for vaccination, the benefits of being vaccinated, and their HPV risk, overall. Gaming as a health education strategy can be beneficial as mechanism that can promote behavior change for this key demographic because of the popularity of gaming.

Objective

We sought to explore the relationship between gamification and HPV vaccine uptake.

Methods

Interviews were conducted with experts (n=22) in the fields of cancer prevention, sexual and reproductive health, public health, game design, technology, and health communication on how a game should be developed to increase HPV vaccination rates among males.

Results

Overwhelmingly, theoretical models such as the health belief model were identified with key constructs such as self-efficacy and risk perception. Experts also suggested using intervention mapping and logic models as planning tools for health promotion interventions utilizing a digital game as a medium. In game and out of game measures were discussed as assessments for quality and impact by our expert panel.

Conclusions

This study shows that interventions should focus on whether greater utilization of serious games, and the incorporation of theory and standardized methods, can encourage young men to get vaccinated and to complete the series of HPV vaccinations.
Leveraging Digital Technology to Overcome Barriers in the Prosthetic and Orthotic Industry: Evaluation of its Applicability and Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Binedell Trevor , Subburaj Karupppasamy , Wong Yoko , Blessing Lucienne T M
Published: September 2020

Background

The prosthetic and orthotic industry typically provides an artisan “hands-on” approach to the assessment and fitting of orthopedic devices. Despite growing interest in digital technology for prosthetic and orthotic service provision, little is known of the quantum of use and the extent to which the current pandemic has accelerated the adoption.

Objective

This study’s aim is to assess the use of digital technology in prosthetics and orthotics, and whether its use can help overcome challenges posed by the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

A web-based survey of working prosthetists, orthotists, and lower limb patients was conducted between June and July 2020 and divided into three sections: lower limb amputees, prosthetist and orthotist (P&O) currently using digital technologies in their practice, and P&O not using any digital technology. Input was sought from industry and academia experts for the development of the survey. Descriptive analyses were performed for both qualitative (open-ended questions) and quantitative data.

Results

In total, 113 individuals responded to the web-based survey. There were 83 surveys included in the analysis (patients: n=13, 15%; prosthetists and orthotists: n=70, 85%). There were 30 surveys excluded because less than 10% of the questions were answered. Out of 70 P&Os, 31 (44%) used digital technologies. Three dimensional scanning and digital imaging were the leading technologies being used (27/31, 88%), primarily for footwear (18/31, 58%), ankle-foot orthoses, and transtibial and transfemoral sockets (14/31, 45%). Digital technology enables safer care during COVID-19 with 24 out of 31 (77%) respondents stating it improves patient outcomes. Singapore was significantly less certain that the industry's future is digital (P=.04). The use of virtual care was reported by the P&O to be beneficial for consultations, education, patient monitoring, or triaging purposes. However, the technology could not overcome inherent barriers such as the lack of details normally obtained during a physical assessment.

Conclusions

Digital technology is transforming health care. The current pandemic highlights its usefulness in providing safer care, but digital technology must be implemented thoughtfully and designed to address issues that are barriers to current adoption. Technology advancements using virtual platforms, digitalization methods, and improved connectivity will continue to change the future of health care delivery. The prosthetic and orthotic industry should keep an open mind and move toward creating the required infrastructure to support this digital transformation, even if the world returns to pre–COVID-19 days.
Exploring Participants’ Experiences of a Web-Based Program for Bulimia and Binge Eating Disorder: Qualitative Study (Preprint)
Authors: Yim See Heng , Bailey Emma , Gordon Gemma , Grant Nina , Musiat Peter , Schmidt Ulrike
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND

Guided cognitive behavioral self-help is a recommended first-line treatment for eating disorders (EDs) such as bulimia nervosa (BN) or binge eating disorder (BED). Online versions of such self-help programs are increasingly being studied in randomized controlled trials (RCTs), with some evidence that they can reduce ED symptoms, although intervention dropout is variable across interventions. However, in-depth research into participants’ experiences and views on the acceptability of web-based interventions is limited.

OBJECTIVE

This is a qualitative process study of participants’ experiences of everyBody Plus, a web-based cognitive behavioral intervention, integrated into a large RCT to aid the interpretation of the main trial’s results. To our knowledge, this is the first such study in digital intervention for EDs research to include real-time feedback into the qualitative analysis. This study aims to build upon the emerging literature by qualitatively exploring participants’ experiences of a web-based intervention for BN and BED.

METHODS

Participants were those who took part in the UK arm of a larger RCT investigating the efficacy of the everyBody Plus intervention. Reflexive thematic analysis was completed on 2 sources of data from the online platform: real-time feedback quotes provided at the end of completing a module on the platform (N=104) and semistructured telephone interview transcripts (n=12).

RESULTS

Four main themes were identified. The first theme identified positive and negative user experiences, with a desire for a more customized and personalized intervention. Another theme positively reflected on how flexible and easy the intervention was to embed into daily life, compared with the silo of face-to-face therapy. The third theme identified how the intervention had a holistic impact cognitively, emotionally, interpersonally, and behaviorally. The final theme was related to how the intervention was not a one size fits all and how the perceived usefulness and relevance were often dependent on participants’ demographic and clinical characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, participants reported positive experiences with the use of the everyBody Plus web-based intervention, including flexibility of use and the potential to holistically impact people’s lives. The participants also provided valuable suggestions for how similar future web-based interventions could be improved and, in the context of EDs, how programs can be designed to be more inclusive of people by encompassing different demographic and clinical characteristics.
Dental Treatments During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Three Hospitals in Jordan: Retrospective Study (Preprint)
Authors: Obeidat Lina , Masarwa Nader , AlWarawreh Amjad , El-Naji Waddah
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND

Cases of COVID-19 first emerged in December 2019. Since then, the virus has spread rapidly worldwide, with daily increases in the numbers of infections and deaths. COVID-19 spreads via airborne transmission, which renders dental treatment a potential source of virus transmission. Dental treatments require the use of handpieces, ultrasonic devices, or air–water syringes, which generate considerable amounts of aerosols. Jordan, being one of the affected countries, instituted preventive lockdown measures on March 17, 2020. Emergency dental treatments were only allowed in dental clinics of the Royal Medical Services of Jordan Armed Forces and Ministry of Health, and were prohibited in other sectors such as private clinics and universities.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to investigate the dental treatments performed in three military hospitals during the 44-day lockdown period in Jordan. The investigation explores the impact of COVID-19 on the number of patients and types of performed dental treatments.

METHODS

Data such as number of patients, patients’ age and gender, and performed dental treatments were collected retrospectively from the hospital records and were analyzed.

RESULTS

Our results showed a 90% (17,591 to 1689) decrease in patient visits during the lockdown period compared to regular days. The total number of treatments (n=1689) during the lockdown period varied between endodontic cases (n=877, 51.9%), extraction and other surgical cases (n=374, 22.1%), restorative cases (n=142, 8.4%), orthodontic treatments (n=4, 0.2%), and other procedures (n=292, 17.3%). The differences in gender and age group among all clinics were statistically significant (P<.001 and P=.02, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant effect on the number of patients seeking dental treatments. It also affected the types of treatments performed. Endodontic treatment accounted for almost 50% of patient load during the lockdown compared to approximately 20% during regular days.
The epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 in Libya during the ongoing-armed conflict. (Preprint)
Authors: Daw Sr Mohamed , El-Bouzedi Abdallah Hussean , Ahmed Mohamed , Alejenef Ali
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND

Introduction: COVID-19 can have even more dire consequences in countries with ongoing armed conflict. Libya, the second largest African country, has been involved in a major conflict since 2011. This study analyzed the epidemiological situation of the COVID-19 pandemic in Libya, examined the impact of armed conflict in Libya on the spread of the pandemic, and proposed strategies for dealing with the pandemic during this conflict.

OBJECTIVE

Introduction: COVID-19 can have even more dire consequences in countries with ongoing armed conflict. Libya, the second largest African country, has been involved in a major conflict since 2011. This study analyzed the epidemiological situation of the COVID-19 pandemic in Libya, examined the impact of armed conflict in Libya on the spread of the pandemic, and proposed strategies for dealing with the pandemic during this conflict.

METHODS

Methods: We collected the available information on all COVID-19 cases in the different regions of Libya, covering the period from March 25 to May 25, 2020. The cumulative number of cases and the daily new cases are presented in a way to illustrate the patterns and trends of COVID-19, and the effect of the ongoing armed conflict was assessed regionally.

RESULTS

Results: A total of 698 cases of COVID-19 were reported in Libya during a period of three months. The number of cases varied from one region to another and was affected by the fighting. The largest number of cases was reported in the southern part of the country, which has been severely affected by the conflict in comparison to the eastern and western parts of the country

CONCLUSIONS

Conclusion: This study describes the epidemiological pattern of COVID-19 in Libya and how it has been affected by ongoing armed conflict. This conflict seems to have hindered access to populations and thereby masked the true dimensions of the pandemic. Hence, efforts should be combined to combat these consequences.
BIG DATA DRIVEN CLINICAL INFORMATICS & SURVEILLANCE (BDD_CIS) - A MULTIMODAL DATABASE FOCUSED CLINICAL, COMMUNITY, AND MULTI-OMICS SURVEILLANCE PLAN FOR COVID-19: A STUDY PROTOCOL (Preprint)
Authors: Olatosi Bankole , Zhang Jiajia , Weissman Sharon , Li Zhenlong , Hu Jianjun , Hikmet Neset , Liang Chen , Li Xiaoming
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 remains a serious global pandemic. All age groups are at risk for infection but elderly and persons with underlying health conditions are at higher risk of severe complications. Survivors are also at risk for multiorgan dysfunction. The US is significantly impacted with over 41,915,285 cases and 670,565 deaths reported as of 09/20/2021, including 660,034 cases and 10,099 deaths in SC. The availability of COVID-19 data in SC provides a basis for using data science to leverage multitudinal and multimodal data sources for incremental learning and disease monitoring specific to SC. Doing this requires the acquisition and collation of multiple data sources at the individual level.

OBJECTIVE

This project focuses on the process for creating a large unique linked integrated database for all reported South Carolina COVID-19 patients, namely, SC COVID Cohort (S3C).

METHODS

The population for the comprehensive database comes from statewide COVID-19 testing surveillance data (March 2020- till present) for all SC COVID-19 patients (N≈700,000). This project will 1) connect multiple partner data sources for prediction and intelligence gathering, 2) build a secure HIPAA compliant database that links de-identified multitudinal and multimodal data sources, 3) provide a brief overview of data science strategies contemplated for use. Data sources will include all statewide COVID-19 data, hospital based COVID-19 patient registries, Health Sciences South Carolina (HSSC) data, data from the office of Revenue and Fiscal Affairs (RFA), Area Health Resource Files (AHRF) etc.

RESULTS

Till present, data on 440,000 of the 660,000 SC cases of COVID-19 have been collated. We have created a secure remote server, accessible to approved researchers with necessary statistical analytic tools. The project plans to use the data to examine and monitor short- and emergent long-term clinical outcomes specific to SC.

CONCLUSIONS

The development of such a unique linked and integrated statewide database will allow for the identification of important predictors of short- and long-term clinical outcomes for all SC COVID-19 residents using data science.

CLINICALTRIAL
THE EFFECT OF MOTIVATION ON ENGLISH LITERATURE READING TO MEDICAL STUDENTS’ BLOCK EXAMINATION SCORE
Authors: Carissa Dinda , Hastami Yunia , Pamungkasari Eti Poncorini
Published: September 2020

Background: The reading interest rate of Indonesian society is relatively low (approximately 0,001). Meanwhile, during their study, medical students have to read numerous English literatures. Previous research showed that reading activity can be improved by reading motivation. However, studies about Indonesian medical students reading motivation on English literature are still limited. This study aims to assess the effect of students’ English literature reading motivation to the block exam average score.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in January 2018. We used stratified random sampling, and we found 274 samples that fit with inclusion and exclusion criterias selected. The motivation was assessed using the English literature reading motivation scale, block exam test results were obtained through the academic database. Data were analyzed with multiple linier regression test.Result: Students’ English reading motivation increased the block exam average score of Medical Students. Every increase of one score of motivation significantly increase 0,10 score block exam average (p<0,001). Furthermore, every increase of one year of study can significantly increase 3,53 of block exam average score (p<0,001); R2=18,3 %. English literature reading motivation of medical students UNS is in middle category.Conclusion: English literature reading motivation increase the block exam average score of Medical Students in UNS.
STUDENT SUPPORT PROGRAM TO REDUCE STRESS, ANXIETY, AND DEPRESSION ON MEDICAL STUDENTS
Authors: Bustamam Nurfitri , Theresa Ria Maria , Wahyuningsih Sri
Published: September 2020

Background: Medical education is considered as being stressful which may cause stress, anxiety, and depression. The student support program is designed to help students of the Faculty of Medicine Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jakarta (FMUPNVJ) build resilience to the stress through education and coping skills training. This study aimed to evaluate this supportive program on stress, anxiety, and depression levels, as well as academic performance.Methods: This study used a one-group pretest-posttest design. Thirty of third-semester students who were randomly chosen and had psychological problems according to the criteria were offered to join the program. The program used problemfocused coping and emotion-focused coping methods in eight sessions for four weeks. Before and after the program, students were evaluated using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-42 questionnaire and their academic performance based on block exam results.Results: Wilcoxon test showed a decrease in levels of anxiety (p = 0.003) and depression (p = 0.004) after the program. There was no difference in stress levels before and after the program (p = 0.073), but there were a tendency stress levels of the subject to be lower after the program. Wilcoxon test showed an increase in the practice exam result (p = 0.000). There was no difference in theory exam results before and after the program (p = 0.358), but there was a tendency that the exam result to be higher after the program.Conclusion: The student support program has an indication for overcoming psychological problems and improving the academic performance of FMUPNVJ students.
THE ADF AND THE t2 FORMALISM IN H II REGIONS BASED ON THE UPPER MASS LIMIT OF THE IMF FOR THE MW
Authors: Carigi L. , Peimbert A. , Peimbert M. , Delgado-Inglada G.
Published: September 2020

We study in depth the abundance discrepancy problem in H II regions, this time from a different perspective than the usual one: by studying the effect of the upper mass limit (Mup) of the initial mass function (IMF) on the O, C, and He predicted by chemical evolution models for the Milky Way. We use abundances determined with the direct method (DM) and with the temperature independent method (TIM). We compare the predicted abundances at the present time with observations of Orion, M17, and M8 to determine the Mup value of the galactic IMF. From the DM abundances, the models predict an Mup = 25 − 45 M⨀, while from the TIM, CEMs derive an Mup = 70 − 110 M⨀. Spiral galaxies with the stellar mass and star formation rate of the MW are predicted to have an Mup ≈ 100 M⨀. These results support that abundances derived from the TIM are better than those derived from the DM.
DYNAMICS AROUND AN ASTEROID MODELED AS A MASS TRIPOLE
Authors: dos Santos L. B. T. , Marchi L. , Sousa-Silva P. A. , Sanchez D. M. , Aljbaae S. , Prado A. F. B. A.
Published: September 2020

The orbital dynamics of a spacecraft orbiting around irregular small celestial bodies is a challenging problem. Diffculties to model the gravity field of these bodies arise from the poor knowledge of the exact shape as observed from the Earth. In order to understand the complex dynamical environment in the vicinity of irregular asteroids, several studies have been conducted using simplified models. In this work, we investigate the qualitative dynamics in the vicinity of an asteroid with an arched shape using a tripole model based on the existence of three mass points linked to each other by rods with given lengths and negligible masses. We applied our results to some real systems, namely, asteroids 8567, 243 Ida and 433 Eros and also Phobos, one of the natural satellites of Mars.
FOUR NEW γ DORADUS VARIABLES IN ECLIPSING BINARIES: REVISED PULSATION PERIOD RELATIONS
Authors: Özdarcan O. , Çakirli Ö.
Published: September 2020

We present photometric light curve modelling of four Kepler eclipsing binaries KIC 2720354, KIC 10063044, KIC 11724091 and KIC 8565912. The modelling results show that KIC 10063044 is a semi-detached eclipsing binary, while the other systems are detached eclipsing binaries. Estimated physical parameters of these systems and residuals from the best-fitting light curve models strongly indicate γ Dor type pulsations on the primary components of the target systems. Evaluating the relations between pulsation period (Ppuls) and orbital period (Porb), the force exerted to per gram on the surface of the pulsating star (F/Mpuls) and the fractional radius of the pulsating star (r), we find that linear relations on a logarithmic scale still exist, but with a smaller slope than reported in previous studies.
Alimentación y nutrición en cáncer hematológico: diseño y validación de una infografía psicoeducativa
Authors: Carrillo Valdez Lindsay , Escamilla Gutiérrez María Luisa
Published: September 2020

El cáncer y su tratamiento implican cambios en la dieta y metabolismo que aumentan el riesgo de desarrollar desnutrición, especialmente cuando los pacientes desconocen cómo alimentarse. Aunque se han desarrollado materiales psicoeducativos para favorecer conductas alimentarias saludables, la mayoría son extensos, están dirigidos a pacientes diagnosticados con tumores sólidos o no señalan datos de validación. Con el objetivo de construir y validar un material psicoeducativo breve, orientado a la promoción de conductas alimentarias y nutricionales saludables del paciente oncohematológico adulto, se diseñó y validó la infografía Recomendaciones para la alimentación del paciente oncohematológico. Se empleó la metodología propuesta por la Organización Panamericana de la Salud y por Ziemendorff y Krause en un grupo de jueces expertos (n=18) y otro de pacientes oncohematológicos (n=20). Se obtuvieron acuerdos porcentuales superiores a 80 % y κ>.68 en ambos grupos de validación, por lo tanto, la infografía diseñada es un instrumento conciso, válido y específico que puede ser distribuida entre la población diana.
Sanctions in U.S. - Russia Relations
Authors: Ziegler Charles E.
Published: September 2020

Given America’s leading position in the global economy, the U.S. government has frequently leveraged that power to punish “rogue states”, discourage nuclear proliferation, promote democratization, and create pressure for regime change. Washington relied on economic incentives in relations with Russia after 1991, but since 2012 the United States has utilized a broad range of economic sanctions against Russian side, leading to a significant deterioration in what was already a troubled relationship. In contrast to earlier comprehensive sanctions like those imposed on Iraq and Haiti, the U.S. is now crafting “smart” or targeted sanctions designed to exert maximum pressure on selected Russian elites and firms. Rather than evaluating the effectiveness of these measures on changing Russian behavior, the author explores the neglected domestic dimension of the U.S. sanctions process to improve understanding of U.S. foreign policy. This article draws on primary sources in the form of Congressional legislation, executive orders, and official statements to analyze U.S. sanctions imposed on Russia, and develops three brief case studies - the Magnitsky Act, post-Ukraine sanctions, and the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act - to explicate the main issues and actors driving U.S. sanctions. The author argues that domestic factors, including Congressional pressures and interest group activity, are critical to understanding U.S. sanctions regimes. While President Donald Trump has frequently resisted congressionally imposed sanctions, expectations for a more conciliatory approach towards Russia under the Trump administration have not materialized.
Russia’s Strategies towards BRICS: Problems and Opportunities
Authors: Sergunin Aleksandr Anatolievich
Published: September 2020

This article aims to examine Moscow’s policy motives regarding BRICS as well as priority areas in Russia’s strategy towards this grouping. The Russian policies towards and within BRICS represent a combination of ideational and material motives. On the one hand, BRICS is important for the Kremlin in terms of status seeking: with the BRICS’ help Russia tries to return its status of a great power, shape the future world order and to make the West abide by the rules of that order. On the other hand, Moscow values its economic and strategic partnerships with the BRICS states which are important for Russia’s well-being and for counter-balancing the West in the global geopolitical and geoeconomic game. In other words, BRICS provides Russia with additional prestige in the international arena as well as greater legitimacy to its international activities. In contrast to the West’s accusations, in case of BRICS Russia’s foreign policy behavior does not fall into the category of the revisionist one. Rather, Russia (similar to other BRICS countries) prefers to act on the basis of existing international rules and norms rather than to challenge or keep them intact. Russia aims at reforming these rules to adapt them to new global realities and make them acceptable for all the members of the world community.
Book review: Tsygankov, A. (Eds.). (2018). Routledge Handbook of Russian Foreign Policy. Abington: Routledge, 440 p.
Authors: Kurylev Konstantin Petrovich , Turava Georgiy Merabievich
Published: September 2020

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Book review: Wang, Xiaoquan. (2018). “Yidai yilu” jianshe zhong shenhua Zhonge zhanlue xiezuo yanjiu. Peking: Zhongguo shehui kexue chubanshe [Deepening China-Russia Strategic Cooperation in the Construction of “Belt and Road” Studies. Peking: Chinese Social Science Press], 169 p. (In Chinese)
Authors: Grachikov Yevgeny Nikolayevich
Published: September 2020

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Universal and Culturally Specific Features and Linguistic Peculiarities of the Political Cartoon in the Arabic and French Languages
Authors: Dugalich Natalia M.
Published: September 2020

The article discusses the universal and culturally-specific features and linguistic means of the political cartoon in the Arabic and French languages. Political cartoon is a universal tool for political dialogue between government and society, a reflection or reaction of society to a certain political event, series of events, or a person of national or world level. The goals and objectives of political cartoon, its mechanism of influence on the addressee, and its genre identity have a common tradition and common components. The study of the phenomenon of a political cartoon in various linguistic cultures is an area of relevant multidisciplinary research, primarily because the authors creative principle at the level of text and drawing interacts in the political cartoon with tradition and its genre framework, producing a capacious multilayer creolized text, the decoding of which requires from the addressee the presence of linguistic, logical and extralinguistic (primarily political and historical) presuppositions and the skills to analyze it. The object of the proposed work is a modern political cartoon in Arabic and French. The subject of the research is structural, lexical-semantic, pragmatic and cultural-specific characteristics of the creolized text of a political cartoon in the Arabic and French languages. The purpose of the work is to identify universal and culturally specific features of a cartoon on a political leader or an event at the iconic and verbal level in each of the languages under consideration. For the first time in Russian linguistics the presented study carries out a comparative analysis of the political cartoon in the Arabic and French languages and describes its universal features and cultural-specific peculiarities.
Bosnia and Herzegovina as a Historical Balkan Bridge Between Cultures, Religions and Nations
Authors: Savchenko Aleksandr V. , Khmelevskii Mikhail S.
Published: September 2020

Given article presents an overview and analysis of the facts of the crossing of the Slavic, Oriental and European cultures in the very center of the Balkan Peninsula, as well as the connection of the Orthodox, Catholic and Muslim (Islamic) worlds and mentality in the historical retrospective of Bosnia and Herzegovina, its culture, ethnography and language. Special attention is paid to the specific moments of modern political life, socio-demographic problems, as well as to the peculiarities of the national mentality, traditions and customs of different peoples (formed as a result of confessional differences), living on the territory of modern Bosnia and Herzegovina. On this basis we try to present the specifics and uniqueness of this region: on the one hand, the Slavonic one, and on the other, not being such in the traditional and direct meaning of this word. Along with these questions, stereotyped views of the peoples of the former Yugoslavia on the Muslim part of the population of Bosnia and Herzegovina, their actual implementation in contemporary culture, literature and language, as well as their transformation as a result of the crucial political events of the 1990s, are also considered. In the article it is concluded for the first time that apart from the notions Slavia Orthodoxa and Slavia Romana, traditionally accepted in the science about the Slavs, from the XVI century, the third world - Slavia Muslim with its mentality, culture, religion and language has started to form in the Balkans.
THE NEW EUROPEAN UNION FINANCIAL MARKET ECOSYSTEM: DIGITALIZATION AND SUSTAINABILITY
Authors: Frolova Evgenia E.
Published: September 2020

The article is devoted to the analysis of a new concept - the ecosystem of the financial market of the European Union. It is proved that the new ecosystem of the financial market of the European Union, aimed at the priorities of "sustainable financing" has developed and become the objective reality of new public relations. In this regard, a comparative analysis of the above issues is of particular importance. The study showed that the European Union in December 2019 presented its vision of regulating a new ecosystem of the financial market: the cornerstones of this regulation were identified - the regulation on information disclosure, the regulation of low-carbon standards, the draft regulation on taxonomy. Given the fact that the above normative acts apply not only to participants in the EU financial market, but also to third countries, Russia needs to determine its position on this issue. A lag in the legal regulation of these issues can lead to serious losses for Russian legal entities offering financial services. The purpose of the study is to form an understanding of the principles of legal regulation of sustainable financing in the European Union based on an analysis of regulatory acts and scientific sources. The article uses General scientific methods of cognition: empirical methods of comparison, description, interpretation; theoretical methods of formal and dialectical logic. Private scientific methods were used: legal-dogmatic and the method of interpretation of legal norms.
COMPUTER TECHNOLOGIES FOR COMMITTING SABOTAGE AND TERRORISM
Authors: Klebanov Lev R. , Polubinskaya Svetlana V.
Published: September 2020

The article discusses the problems that arise in connection with the crimes against state and public security committed by use of computer and network technologies. This topic is becoming relevant because some states have already experienced the effects of combat computer viruses, which can be regarded as waging war using cyber weapons. The most famous example is the attack by the Stuxnet computer virus on an Iranian uranium enrichment plant. The virus was created specifically to disable industrial control systems. The use of unmanned ground and air vehicles to carry out terrorist acts is of particular danger. The Russian military in Syria is constantly confronted with terrorist attacks: the Khmeimim aerospace forces base is regularly attacked with unmanned air vehicles - drones. Terrorist acts with the use of computer and network technologies are no less dangerous. The destructive potential of cyberterrorism is determined by the widespread computerization of state and public life, the implementation of projects to create smart cities, including smart transportation, as well as the intensive development of the Internet of things. The purpose of the article is to analyze new criminal threats to state and public security, as well as to study high-tech ways of committing crimes such as sabotage, terrorist acts, and other crimes of a terrorist nature. The cost of their consequences for society is very high, and criminals do not always need to attack social objects directly - it is enough to spread panic among the population using online media, social networks and websites of authorities of various levels, after obtaining illegal access to them. The article describes some of the techniques already used to commit crimes of sabotage and terrorism. The authors draw attention to the priority of cybersecurity both for engineers of devices with elements of artificial intelligence, and for lawmakers who should pay attention to methods of technical forecasting when developing legal norms aimed at prevention of new ways of committing such crimes. When writing the article, the authors used a wide range of Russian and foreign sources of legal, statistical, sociological and other information. The authors used such research methods as analysis, synthesis, deduction, induction, formal legal method as well as comparative legal method.
REVIEW ON THE MONOGRAPH BY R.KH. MINNEBAYEVA “THEORETICAL PROBLEMS OF OPTIMISING ACTUAL COMPOSITIONS”. MOSCOW: YURLITINFORM PUBL., 2020.184 р.
Authors: Tsukanova Elena Yu.
Published: September 2020

The article reviews the monograph by R.Kh. Minnebaeva «Theoretical problems of optimization of Actual Compositions» assesses the content of a monographic study devoted to solving some issues of improving the list of elements and their structural relationships within the actual composition. Particular attention is paid to the debatable aspects of the author's approach to solving the studied problems.
VIRTUAL SCOPE OF LEGAL SCIENCE AND NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PROFESSION IN THE POST-PANDEMIC PERIOD
Authors: Trikoz Elena N.
Published: September 2020

The further “digital” changes in the field of law, and the pandemic-induced transformation of legal practice and the profession of a technocratic lawyer are analyzed. The author forcasts appearance of the so-called virtual (digital) law as a new trend in jurisprudence. The problem of technical security and legality of the online court hearings is raised.
Graph embedding code prediction model integrating semantic features
Authors: Yang Kang , Yu Huiqun , Fan Guisheng , Yang Xingguang
Published: September 2020

With the advent of Big Code, code prediction has received widespread
attention. However, the state-of-the-art code prediction techniques are
inadequate in terms of accuracy, interpretability and efficiency. Therefore,
in this paper, we propose a graph embedding model that integrates code
semantic features. The model extracts the structural paths between the nodes
in source code file?s Abstract Syntax Tree(AST). Then, we convert paths into
training graph and extracted interdependent semantic structural features
from the context of AST. Semantic structure features can filter predicted
candidate values and effectively solve the problem of Out-of- Word(OoV). The
graph embedding model converts the structural features of nodes into vectors
which facilitates quantitative calculations. Finally, the vector similarity
of the nodes is used to complete the prediction tasks of TYPE and VALUE.
Experimental results show that compared with the existing state-of-the-art
method, our method has higher prediction accuracy and less time consumption.
A novel data-driven intelligent computing method for the secure control of a benchmark microgrid system
Authors: Wang Shunjiang , Zhao Yan , He Jiang , Chen Rong , Cao Lina
Published: September 2020

Microgrid is a small-scale cyber-physical system, and it generally suffers from various uncertainties. In this paper, we investigate the secure control problem of a benchmark microgrid with system uncertainties by using data-driven edge computing technology. First, the state-space function of the benchmark microgrid system is formulated, and parameter uncertainties are taken into consideration. Second, a novel data-driven intelligent computing method is derived from the modelbased reinforcement learning algorithm, which only requires system data instead of system models. By utilizing this computing method, the optimal control policy can be obtained in the model-free environment. Third, the Lyapunov stability theory is employed to prove that the uncertain microgrid can be asymptotically stabilized under the optimal control policy. Finally, simulation results demonstrate the control performance can be improved by tuning the parameters in the performance index function.
A homomorphic-encryption-based vertical federated learning scheme for rick management
Authors: Ou Wei , Zeng Jianhuan , Guo Zijun , Yan Wanqin , Liu Dingwan , Fuentes Stelios
Published: September 2020

With continuous improvements of computing power, great progresses in algorithms and massive growth of data, artificial intelligence technologies have entered the third rapid development era. However, With the great improvements in artificial intelligence and the arrival of the era of big data, contradictions between data sharing and user data privacy have become increasingly prominent. Federated learning is a technology that can ensure the user privacy and train a better model from different data providers. In this paper, we design a vertical federated learning system for the for Bayesian machine learning with the homomorphic encryption. During the training progress, raw data are leaving locally, and encrypted model information is exchanged. The model trained by this system is comparable (up to 90%) to those models trained by a single union server under the consideration of privacy. This system can be widely used in risk control, medical, financial, education and other fields. It is of great significance to solve data islands problem and protect users? privacy.
Crowd counting´a la Bourdieu: Automated estimation of the number of people
Authors: Przybylek Karolina , Shkroba Illia
Published: September 2020

In recent years, sociologists have taught us how important and emergent the problem of crowd counting is. They have recognised a variety of reasons for this fact, including: public safety (e.g. crushing between people, trampling underfoot, risk of spreading infectious disease, aggression), politics (e.g. police and government tend to underestimate the number of people, whilst protest organisers tend to overestimate it) and journalism (e.g. accuracy of the estimation of the ground truth supporting an article). The aim of this paper is to investigate models for crowd counting that are inspired by the observations of famous sociologist Pierre Bourdieu. We show that despite the simplicity of the models, we can achieve competitive result. This makes them suitable for low computational power and energy efficient architectures.
Visual e-commerce values filtering framework with spatial database metric
Authors: Kopecky M. , Vojtas P.
Published: September 2020

Our customer preference model is based on aggregation of partly linear relaxations of value filters often used in e-commerce applications. Relaxation is motivated by the Analytic Hierarchy Processing method and combining fuzzy information in web accessible databases. In low dimensions our method is well suited also for data visualization. The process of translating models (user behavior) to programs (learned recommendation) is formalized by Challenge-Response Framework ChRF. ChRF resembles remote process call and reduction in combinatorial search problems. In our case, the model is automatically translated to a program using spatial database features. This enables us to define new metrics with visual motivation. We extend the conference paper with inductive ChRF, new representation of user and an additional method and metric. We provide experiments with synthetic data (items) and users.
An improved heuristic-dynamic programming algorithm for rectangular cutting problem
Authors: Yin Aihua , Chen Chong , Hu Dongping , Huang Jianghai , Yang Fan
Published: September 2020

In this paper, the two-dimensional cutting problem with defects is discussed. The objective is to cut some rectangles in a given shape and direction without overlapping the defects from the rectangular plate and maximize some profit associated. An Improved Heuristic-Dynamic Program (IHDP) is presented to solve the problem. In this algorithm, the discrete set contains not only the solution of one-dimensional knapsack problem with small rectangular block width and height, but also the cutting positions of one unit outside four boundaries of each defect. In addition, the denormalization recursive method is used to further decompose the sub problem with defects. The algorithm computes thousands of typical instances. The computational experimental results show that IHDP obtains most of the optimal solution of these instances, and its computation time is less than that of the latest literature algorithms.
Trauma och kollektiva minnen i Georgiens utrikespolitik
Authors: Ekman Per
Published: September 2020

Abstract: Trauma and Collective Memories in Georgia’s Foreign PolicyGeorgia’s foreign policy since the mid-1990s would appear to be a regional anomaly. While Georgia’s neighbors have either accommodated to Russia’s geopolitical interests or sought to navigate between Russia and the West, Georgian governments have pursued a comparatively stable pro-Western foreign policy orientation. Thus, structural arguments like geographic proximity, or Russia’s assertive foreign policy, cannot account for the variation in foreign-policy orientation among post-Soviet states. Moreover, although alternative explanations, like Georgia’s European identity and commitment to democracy, or explanations related to qualities of the Mikheil Saakashvili government, are not without merits, they cannot fully account for the continuity in Georgia’s pro-Western foreign policy over time. This article argues that the collective memory of the traumatic years 1989–1994 is a key factor for understanding Georgia’s foreign policy continuity. The collective memory and trauma related to loss of territory, together with a weak state and Russia’s negative involvement, have shaped the strategic thinking of Georgia’s foreign policy elites. This trauma explains Georgia’s shift to a pro-Western foreign policy in the mid-1990s and the continuity of this policy up until today. This argument is supported by the author’s interviews with key Georgian decision-makers responsible for foreign policy decisions.
Leder. Sydkaukasien: frihet och säkerhet i stormakternas skugga?
Authors: Berglund Christofer
Published: September 2020

Länderna i Sydkaukasien – Armenien, Azerbajdzjan och Georgien – går sedan länge en svår säkerhetspolitisk balansgång. Respektive land måste utöver sin komplicerade relation till varandra navigera mellan konkurrerande grannar som Ryssland och EU. Den förra ser på regionen som sitt »nära utland» och den senare ser på den som sitt »östliga partnerskap». Situationen väcker ett antal angelägna frågor. Kommer Ryssland att kunna behålla kontrollen över sitt »nära utland»? Kan EU lära sig att hantera den geopolitiska tvekamp som unionen dragits in i? Och hur navigerar den politiska eliten i Sydkaukasien mellan sina grannar? Dessa frågor angrips inom ramen för detta temanummer som inkluderar originella bidrag från Jakob Hedenskog (FOI Totalförsvarets forskningsinstitut), Michel Anderlini (Malmö universitet), Per Ekman (Uppsala universitet) och Li Bennich-Björkman (Uppsala universitet).
Säkerhet och sårbarhet efter Armeniens Sammetsrevolution: Hur ser eliterna på jämställdhet, mänskliga rättigheter och konfliktlösning?
Authors: Bennich-Björkman Li
Published: September 2020

Abstract: Security and Vulnerability After Armenia’s Velvet Revolution: Elite Perceptions on Gender Equality, Human Rights and Conflict ResolutionThe Velvet Revolution in spring 2018 and the snap elections that followed in December 2018 shook Armenia. This article examines the country’s new political elite and other central social elites, and their affective and evaluative beliefs with respect to human security, drawing on an elite survey conducted in 2017 and 2019, complemented by in-depth interviews. The aim is to shed light on whether Armenia’s elite-level political culture is headed for progressive change concerning the rights of disadvantaged groups, primarily women and sexual minorities – an expectation among the young and educated in Yerevan. This study finds that, as regards reducing vulnerability and increasing the security and freedom of choice for those traditionally disadvantaged in Armenian society, the values and judgments of the new elites have remained basically traditional.