bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection of choroidal neovascularisation in flat irregular pigment epithelial detachment in central serous chorioretinopathy using optical coherence tomography angiography: en-face image combined with cross-sectional image
Authors: Ryu So Jung , Lee Jong Sub , Lee Sang Hyup , Ahn Seong Joon , Lee Byung Ro
Published: December 2020

Background: This study investigated choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) in FIPED by two methods: en-face OCTA and cross-sectional OCTA. We intended to evaluate the incidence of CNV and compare the efficacy of each imaging modalities. Methods: We retrospectively studied OCT and OCTA images of 328 eyes with CSC. OCTA B-scans and macular cube scans were primarily reviewed for the detection of FIPED and CNV. En-face OCTA and cross-sectional OCTA with Angio-B view, which is an image that combines an OCT B-scan with a flow signal were analysed to evaluate the presence of CNV in FIPED. Results: Among 93 eyes of 88 patients with FIPED, CNV was observed in 23 eyes on en-face OCTA and 21 eyes on cross-sectional OCTA. There were eight discrepant cases, in which the findings were not consistent with that of cross sectional OCTA. Conclusions: The CNV and FIPED lesions were well detected on both cross-sectional and en-face OCTA. Integration of these two imaging modalities can further improve the efficacy of OCTA in differentiating CNV from FIPED lesion.
Association of Neuroimaging Markers of Cerebral Small Vessel Disease With Short-Term Outcomes in Patients With Minor Cerebrovascular Events
Authors: Chen Xuemei , Wang Lin , Jiang Junying , Gao Yuanyuan , Zhang Rui , Zhao Xiaoyuan , Shen Tingwen , Dai Qi , Li Junrong
Published: December 2020

Background: Increasing evidences have showed that neuroimaging markers of SVD can predict the short-term outcome of acute ischemic stroke (AIS).It is unclear that whether neuroimaging markers of SVD are also associated with short-term outcomes of minor cerebrovascular events. In the present study, we investigate neuroimaging markers of SVD in order to explore their roles in prediction of short-term outcome in patients with minor cerebrovascular events. Methods: Consecutive first-ever stroke patients (n=546) from the Affiliated Jiangning Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were enrolled. A total of 388 patients were enrolled according to minor cerebrovascular events definition（National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale Score≤3）and exclusion criteria. MRI scans were performed within seven days of stroke onset, and then neuroimaging markers of SVD including WMH, lacunes, cerebral microbleeds (CMB), and perivascular spaces (PVS) , SVD burden scores were assessed. We completed baseline characteristics and evaluated the relationships of short-term outcomes to SVD neuroimaging markers and SVD scores. The 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was thought as primary outcome and was dichotomized as good functional outcome (mRS 0-1) and poor outcome (mRS 2-6). Secondary outcomes were stroke progression and stroke recurrence. Results: Higher age, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) upon admission, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (LP-PLA2) and lacunes, Fazekas score were correlated with poor functional outcome (P<0.05), But after adjusting for confounding variables, among the neuroimaging markers of cerebral small vessel disease, only Fazekas score (OR, 1.343; 95% confidence interval, 1.020-1.770; P=0.036) was found to be associated with poor outcome at 90 days. Higher Fazekas and SVD scores were not associated with stroke progression or stroke recurrence. Conclusion: WMH can predict the poor functional outcome of minor cerebrovascular events. Adding other neuroimaging markers of SVD and total SVD burden score, however, does not improve the prediction, which indicated WMH can as neuroimaging markers for guiding the treatment of minor cerebrovascular events.
Anxiety and depression are risk factors for recurrent pregnancy loss: A nested case-control study
Authors: Wang Yanxia , Meng Zhaoyan , Pei Jianyin , Qian Liu , Mao Baohong , Li Yamei , Li Jing , Dai Zhirong , Cao Jianing , Zhang Chunhua , Chen Lina , Jin Yuxia , Yi Bin
Published: December 2020

Background: To evaluate the interaction of depression and anxiety with the development of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL).Methods: A nested case–control study involving 2,558 participants was conducted with data from the prospective Miscarriage Woman Cohort study between 2017 and 2019 in the province of Gansu, China. The questionnaire data, self-rating anxiety scale and self-rating depression scale were collected after each participant’s first miscarriage. Information on RPL outcomes was obtained from the medical records within the subsequent two years. All patients diagosed RPL were recruited as cases whilst a randomly selected group of women with only one miscarriage in the past were recruited as controls. The logistic regression and the interaction effects between anxiety and depression and RPL were analysed.Results: The prevalence of anxiety (n=325, 28.7% vs. n=278, 19.5%) and depression symptoms (n=550, 48.6% vs. n=589, 41.3%) for the 1,132 RPL cases were higher than 1,426 non-RPL controls (P< 0.001). After adjusting for possible confounding variables, the odds ratio (OR) value, reflecting the multiplicative interaction, was 1.91 (95% CI: 1.50–2.44, P<0.001) for cases with both anxiety and depression symptoms compared with the non-RPL group. The relative excess risk of interaction value, reflecting the additive interaction between anxiety and depression to RPL was 1.15 (95% CI: 0.32–4.21). Moreover, the adjusted OR for RPL cases with mild anxiety and severe depression was 2.77 (95% CI:1.07-44.14, P<0.001) , for RPL cases with severe anxiety and mild depression was 4.23 (95% CI: 1.01–22.21, P<0.001), for RPL cases with severe anxiety and moderate depression was 4.34 (95% CI: 1.03–21.28, P<0.001) and for RPL cases with severe anxiety and severe depression was 5.95 (95% CI: 1.09–45.09, P<0.05).Conclusions: Either depression or anxiety alone could increase the risk of subsequent RPL. Anxiety and depression had a synergistic effect after the first miscarriage which increased the development of subsequent RPL disease.
Analysing the effectiveness of topical bleeding care following tooth extraction in patients receiving dual antiplatelet therapy-retrospective observational study
Authors: Lewandowski Bogumił , Myszka Aleksander , Migut Małgorzata , Czenczek-Lewandowska Ewelina , Brodowski Robert
Published: December 2020

Background Patients using antiplatelet drugs following infarctions, acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or stroke pose a significant clinical problem if it is necessary to perform surgery, including dental surgery, since they are at risk of prolonged or secondary post-extraction bleeding. Discontinuation of this therapy is associated with a high risk of serious thromboembolic complications. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of TachoSil fibrin-collagen patches in stopping and preventing of secondary post-extraction bleeding in patients undergoing chronic antiplatelet therapy.Methods The study was conducted through retrospective examination of the medical records of 153 patients using chronic antiplatelet therapy and those qualified for tooth extraction. The largest group comprised 74 patients using aspirin and clopidogrel as dual platelet antiaggregation therapy; in this group 75 tooth extractions were carried out. In all of the patients TachoSil fibrin-collagen patches and stiches were applied to the wounds resulting from tooth removal. Results Following tooth extraction, primary bleeding was stopped in all the patients and their wounds closed via coagulation within 20-30 minutes. In eight cases, accounting for 4.9% of the patients, secondary bleeding occurred and was successfully stopped only by applying a pressure dressing soaked in tranexamic acid. Secondary bleeding occurred in three patients on the second day and in five patients on the third day following tooth removal. Conclusion Topical application of TachoSil patches following tooth removal in patients using single or dual antiplatelet therapy effectively stopped bleeding and prevented secondary bleeding after tooth extraction.
Clinical profiles, Outcomes and Risk Factors among Type 2 Diabetic Inpatients with Diabetic Ketoacidosis and Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar State: A Hospital-Based Analysis over a 6-Year Period
Authors: Wu Xiao-yan , She Dun-min , Wang Fang , Guo Gang , Li Ran , Fang Ping , Li Ling , Zhou Yun , Zhang Ke-qin , Xue Ying
Published: December 2020

Objective: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) are the two most common hyperglycemic emergencies (HEs) associated with diabetes mellitus. Individuals with HEs can present with combined features of DKA and HHS. The objective of this study is to assess the clinical characteristics, therapeutic outcomes, and associated predisposing factors of type 2 diabetic patients with isolated or combined HEs in China. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 158 patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), complicated with DKA, HHS, or DKA combined with HHS (DKA-HHS) in Shanghai Tongji Hospital, China from 2010 to 2015. Admission clinical features, therapeutic approaches and treatment outcomes of those patients were extracted and analyzed.Results: Of the 158 patients with T2DM, 65 (41.1%) patients were DKA, 74 (46.8%) were HHS, and 19 (12.0%) were DKA-HHS. The most common precipitants were infections (111, 70.3%), newly diagnosed diabetes (28,17.7%) and non-compliance to medications (9, 5.7%). DKA patients were divided into mild, moderate and severe group, based on arterial blood gas. Spearman correlation analysis revealed that C-reaction protein (CRP) was positively correlated with severity of DKA, whereas age and fasting C peptide were inversely correlated with severity of DKA (P<0.05). The mortality was 10.8% (17/158) in total and 21.6% (16/74) in the HHS group, 5.9% (1/17) in DKA-HHS. Spearman correlation analysis indicated that death in patients with HHS was positively correlated to effective plasma osmolality (EPO), renal function indicators and hepatic enzymes, while inversely associated with the continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy. Logistic regression analysis suggested that elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) on admission was an independent predisposing factor of mortality in HHS, while CSII might be a protective factor for patients with HHS. Furthermore, the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis indicated that BUN had the largest area under the ROC curves for predicting death in patients with HHS.Conclusions: Our findings showed elevated CRP and decreased fasting C-peptide might serve as indicator for severe DKA. Elevated BUN might be an independent predictor of mortality in patients with HHS, whereas CSII might be a protective factor against death in HHS.
[18F]-Fluciclovine PET discrimination of recurrent intracranial metastatic disease from radiation necrosis
Authors: Parent Ephraim Edward , Patel Dhruv , Nye Jonathon A , Zhuo Li , Olson Jeffrey , Schuster David , Goodman Mark
Published: December 2020

Background Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is often the primary treatment modality for patients with intracranial metastatic disease. Despite advances in magnetic resonance imaging, including use of perfusion and diffusion sequences and molecular imaging, distinguishing radiation necrosis from progressive tumor remains a diagnostic and clinical challenge. We investigated the sensitivity and specificity of 18F-fluciclovine PET to accurately distinguish radiation necrosis from recurrent intracranial metastatic disease in patients who had previously undergone SRS. Methods Fluciclovine PET imaging was performed in 8 patients with a total of 15 lesions that had previously undergone SRS and had subsequent MRI and clinical features suspicious for recurrent disease. The SUVmax of each lesion and the contralateral normal brain parenchyma were summated and evaluated at 4 different time points (5 minutes, 10 minutes, 30 minutes, and 55 minutes). Lesions were characterized as either recurrent disease (11 of 15 lesions) or radiation necrosis (4 of 15 lesions) and confirmed with histopathological correlation (7 lesions) or through serial MRI studies (8 lesions). Results Time activity curve analysis found statistically greater radiotracer accumulation for all lesions, including radiation necrosis, when compared to contralateral normal brain. While the mean and median SUVmax for recurrent disease was statistically greater than that of radiation necrosis at all time points, the difference was more significant at the earlier time points (p = 0.004 at 5 min – 0.025 at 55 min). Using a SUVmax threshold of ≥1.3, fluciclovine PET demonstrated a 100% accuracy in distinguishing recurrent disease from radiation necrosis up to 30 minutes after injection and an accuracy of 87% (sensitivity = 0.91, specificity = 0.75) at the last time point of 55 minutes. However, tumor to brain ratios (TBRmax) were not significantly different between recurrent disease and radiation necrosis at any time point due to variable levels of fluciclovine uptake in the background brain parenchyma. Conclusions Fluciclovine PET may play an important role in distinguishing active intracranial metastatic lesions from radiation necrosis in patients previously treated with SRS but needs to be validated in larger studies.
Clinical utility of procalcitonin in febrile infants younger than 3 months of age visiting a pediatric emergency room: A retrospective single-center study.
Authors: park Jun Sung , Byun Young-Hoon , Lee Jeong-Yong , Lee Jong Seung , Ryu Jeong-Min , Choi Seung Jun
Published: December 2020

BackgroundFever in infants under 90 days of age is highly likely to be caused by a severe bacterial infection (SBI) and it accounts for a large number of patients visiting the pediatric emergency room. In order to predict the presence of a bacterial infection and reduce unnecessary inpatient treatment, the classic classification system is based on crude white blood cell (WBC) count, urinalysis, and x-ray, and it is modified and applied at each center incorporating recently studied biomarkers such as c-reactive protein (CRP) or procalcitonin (PCT). This study analyzed the usefulness of PCT in predicting SBI when applied along with the existing classification system, including CRP, among infants less than 90 days old who visited the hospital with a fever at a single institution pediatric emergency center.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients younger than 3 months of age who presented with fever at the Seoul Asan Medical Center pediatric emergency room between July 2017 and October 2018.ResultsA total of 317 patients were analyzed, and 61 were diagnosed with SBI, of which urinary tract infection (UTI) accounted for the largest proportion (55/61, 90.2%). There were differences in WBC, neutrophil proportion, CRP, and PCT between the SBI group and the non-SBI group, and the AUC values of WBC, CRP, and PCT were 0.651, 0.804, and 0.746, respectively. When using the cutoff values of CRP and PCTs as 2.0 mg/dL and 0.3 ng/mL, respectively, the sensitivity and specificity for SBI were 49.2/89.5, and 54.1/87.5, respectively. WBC, CRP, and PCT were statistically significant for predicting SBI in multivariate analysis (odds ratios 1.066, 1.377, and 1.291, respectively). When the subjects were classified using the existing classification criteria, WBC and CRP, the positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were 29.3% and 88.7%, respectively, and when PCT was added, the PPV and NPV were 30.7% and 92%, respectively, both increased.ConclusionPCT is useful for predicting SBI in children aged 3 months or less who visit the emergency room with a fever. Combining PCT with traditional biomarkers (WBC and CRP) may help increase the diagnostic accuracy.
Transcriptional expression of secondary resistance genes ccdB and repA2 is enhanced in presence of cephalosporin and carbapenem in Escherichia coli
Authors: Baishya Somorita , Deshamukhya Chandrayee , Wangkheimayum Jayalaxmi , Das Bhaskar Jyoti , Anbarasu Anand , Talukdar Anupam Das , Bhattacharjee Amitabha , Choudhury Manabendra Dutta
Published: December 2020

Background: The issue of carbapenem resistance in E.coli is very concerning and it is speculated that cumulative effect of both primary resistance genes and secondary resistance genes that act as helper to the primary resistance genes are the reason behind their aggravation. Therefore, here we attempted to find the role of two secondary resistance genes (SRG) ccdB and repA2 in carbapenem resistance in E. coli (CRE).Methods: Influential genes belonging to secondary resistome that act as helper to the primary resistance genes like blaNDM and blaCTX-M in aggravating β-lactam resistance were selected from an earlier reported in silico study. Transcriptional expression of the selected genes in clinical isolates of E.coli that were discretely harboring blaNDM-1, blaNDM-4, blaNDM-5, blaNDM-7 and blaCTX-M-15 with and without carbapenem and cephalosporin stress (2µg/ml) was determined by real time PCR. Cured mutants sets that were lacking (i) primary resistance genes, (ii) secondary resistance genes and (iii) both primary and secondary resistance genes were prepared by SDS treatment. These sets were then subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method.Results: Out of the 21 genes reported in the in silico study, 2 genes viz. repA2 and ccdB were selected for transcriptional expression analysis. repA2, coding replication regulatory protein, was downregulated in response to carbapenems and cephalosporins. ccdB, coding for plasmid maintenance protein, was also downregulated in response to carbapenems except imipenem and cephalosporins. Following plasmid elimination assay increase in diameter of zone of inhibition under stress of both antibiotics was observed as compared to uncured control hinting at the reversion of antibiotic susceptibility by the-then resistant bacteria. Conclusion: SRGs repA2 and ccdB help sustenance of blaNDM and blaCTX-M under carbapenem and cephalosporin stress.
Histone methyltransferase SETD1A participates in lung cancer progression
Authors: Du Mei , Gong Piping , Zhang Yun , Liu Yanguo , Liu Xiaozhen , Zhang Feng , Wang Xiuwen
Published: December 2020

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, with an estimated 1.2 million deaths each year. Despite advances in lung cancer treatment, 5-year survival rates are lower than ~15%, which is attributes to diagnosis limitations and current clinical drug resistance. Recently, more evidence has suggested that epigenome dysregulation is associated with the initiation and progress of cancer, and targeting epigenome-related molecules improves cancer symptoms. Interestingly, some groups reported that the level of methylation of histone 3 lysine 4 (H3K4me3) was increased in lung tumors and participated in abnormal transcriptional regulation. However, a mechanistic analysis is not available. In this report, we found that the SET domain containing 1A (SETD1A), the enzyme for H3K4me3, was elevated in lung cancer tissue compared to normal lung tissue. Knockdown of SETD1A in A549 and H1299 cells led to defects in cell proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), as evidenced by inhibited WNT and TGFβ pathways, compared with the control group. Xenograft assays also revealed a decreased tumor growth and EMT in the SETD1A silenced group compared with the control group. Mechanistic analysis suggested that SETD1A might regulate tumor progression via several critical oncogenes, which exhibited enhanced H3K4me3 levels around transcriptional start sites in lung cancer. This study illustrates the important role of SETD1A in lung cancer and provides a potential drug target for treatment.
Improvement of urinary tract symptoms and quality of life in Benign Prostate Hyperplasia patients, associated with consumption of a newly developed whole tomato-based food supplement. A phase II prospective, randomized double-blinded, placebo-controlled study.
Authors: Cormio Luigi , Calò Beppe , Falagario Ugo , Iezzi Manuela , Lamolinara Alessia , Vitaglione Paola , Silecchia Giovanni , Carrieri Giuseppe , Fogliano Vincenzo , Iacobelli Stefano , Natali Pier Giorgio , Piantelli Mauro
Published: December 2020

Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common urologic disease among elderly men. The diagnosis of BPH is usually driven by lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) that can significantly affect patients’ quality of life. This phase II prospective, randomized double-blinded, placebo-controlled study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of a novel whole tomato-based food supplement on LUTS of patients diagnosed with BPH.Methods: Forty consecutive patients with histologically proved BPH were randomized 1:1 to receive daily for two months a sachet (5 grams) of a newly developed whole tomato food supplement (WTFS) (treatment=Group A) or placebo (Group B). Patients were asked to fill the International Prostatic Symptom Score questionnaire before and after treatment.Results: All but 1 patient in Group B successfully completed the scheduled regimen. No side effects were recorded. Unlike placebo, treatment significantly reduced (p<0.0002) LUTS since mean IPSS decreased from 9.05+1.15 SE to 7.15+1.04 SD (paired t-test, two-tailed p-value <0.001), and improved life quality (P < 0.0001) A trend toward a reduction of total PSA levels was observed in WTFS treated patients (8.98 ng/ml+1.52 SE vs 6.95+0.76 SE, P = 0.065), with changes being statistical significant only in the subgroup of patients with baseline levels above 10 ng/ml (18.5ng/ml+2.7vs. 10.3+2.1p= 0.009)Conclusions: The new WTFS may represent a valid option for the treatment of symptomatic BPH patients. Unlike pharmacological treatments, the supplement is side effects free and highly accepted among patients
Emergency Department Use by Patients with End-stage Renal Disease in the United States
Authors: Wang Ningyuan , Pei Jiao , Fan Hui , Ali Yaseen , Prushinskaya Anna , Zhao Jian , Zhang Xingyu
Published: December 2020

Background: We sought to describe the national characteristics of ED visits by patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the United States in order to improve the emergency treatment and screening of ESRD patients. Methods: We analyzed data from 2014-2016 ED visits provided by the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. We sampled adult (age ≥ 18 years) ED patients with ESRD. By proportion or means of weighted sample variables, we quantified annual ED visits by patients with ESRD. We investigated demographics, ED resource utilization, clinical characteristics, and disposition of patients with ESRD and compared these to those of patients without ESRD. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between these characteristics and ESRD ED visits. Results: Approximately 722,692 (7.78%) out of 92,899,685 annual ED visits represented ESRD patients. Males were more likely to be ESRD patients than females (aOR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.09–1.66). Compare to whites, non-Hispanic Blacks were 2.55 times more likely to have ESRD (aOR: 2.55; 95% CI: 1.97 – 3.30), and Hispanics were 2.68 times more likely to have ESRD (95% CI: 1.95–3.69). ED patients with ESRD were more likely to be admitted to the hospital (aOR: 2.70 ; 95% CI: 2.13-3.41) and intensive care unit (ICU) (aOR: 2.21; 95% CI: 1.45-3.38) than patients without ESRD. ED patients with ESRD were more likely to receive blood tests and get radiology tests.Conclusion: We described the unique demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical characteristics of ED patients with ESRD, using the most comprehensive, nationally representative study to date. These patients’ higher hospital and ICU admission rates indicate that patients with ESRD require a higher level of emergency care.
Enhancing innovation speed through trust: -A case study on reframing employee defensive routines
Authors: Mitcheltree Christina Marie
Published: December 2020

Trust in organizations plays an essential role for efficient innovation implementation. However, trust between managers and employees is under communicated in relation to innovation speed. Innovation speed is related to innovation adoption, concerning new ways of performing laboratory services within the health sector. The purpose of this case study is to investigate how trust mechanisms may enhance innovation speed by reducing employee decisions to perform defensive routines. The focus is related to trust as a social condition for enhancing innovation acceptance in the context of management and organizing styles subject to the Norwegian Work Life Model. The study found that a lack of employee participation and involvement, may result in emotional tension, a sense of uncertainty, disconnect, and various defensive mechanisms towards management and the innovation. Consequently, employees’ attention, loyalty and responsibility might be redirected away from the innovation.
Alles Simple (Club)? Bildung in der digitalen vernetzten Welt
Authors: Cwielong Ilona Andrea , Kommer Sven
Published: December 2020

Jugendliche nutzen viele Möglichkeiten der digitalen Medien, um ausserhalb der Schule zu lernen, etwa durch Erklärvideos und Tutorials. Anders aber als zum Lernen in der Schule gibt es kaum Erkenntnisse darüber, wie Lernen mithilfe digitaler Medien ausserhalb der Schule funktioniert. Gerade das ist aber für die Steuerung von Bildungsprozessen und für eine bestmögliche Lernförderung im Kontext der Digitalisierung relevant. Hier setzt das Verbundprojekt der RWTH Aachen und der Universität Bremen an: Das interdisziplinäre Team untersucht, wie Lernen und Bildung bei Jugendlichen ausserhalb der Schule mit Einsatz von digitalen Medien funktioniert, etwa bei Erklärvideos oder Tutorials, Foren, Blogs auf Youtube. Im Folgenden werden die ersten Erkenntnisse einer Marktanalyse schulbezogener Erklärvideos vorgestellt.
The satisfaction of the target audience of advertising communications as a factor of socialization
Authors: Yanenko Yaroslav
Published: December 2020

Introduction. The influence of advertising communications on the socialization process
occurs through the demonstration of behavior patterns, through the transmission of knowledge, values, advertising heroes, etc. using modern communication technologies.
Relevance and purpose. The relevance of the topic is determined by the influence of modern advertising communications on the target audience, in particular, on its satisfaction in various fields. The purpose of scientific research is to determine the features of satisfaction with the target audience of advertising communications as one of the critical factors of modern socialization.
Methodology. The main method used in the article is content analysis. The author analyzed examples of advertising videos, which allowed determining the main relationship between the satisfaction of the target audience and the content of the advertisement.
Results. As a result of the study is determined the features of satisfaction of the target
the audience of advertising communications as one of the important factors of modern socialization, this is the relationship between the satisfaction of the target audience and the content of the advertisement, in particular, these are her characters who demonstrate socially approved patterns of behavior. It has been established that the main feature of the socialization effect of advertising videos on the target audience is the transmission of new knowledge, values, social norms, patterns, and behaviors, etc. The main aspects of satisfaction with the target audience of modern advertising communications have been clarified, in particular, satisfaction with their own physiology, job satisfaction, satisfaction with spending my free time, and satisfaction from everyday life as a way to achieve various benefits. Particular attention is paid to determining the levels of satisfaction of respondents in the process of communication with advertising messages.
Conclusions. The novelty of the scientific work lies in an empirical study, the results of
which confirmed the existence of a connection between the content of advertising and the satisfaction of the target audience. The results of the research can be used by Ukrainian advertisers and become the basis for increasing the effectiveness of advertising campaigns.

Keywords: advertising communications, promotional video, satisfaction, socialization,
target audience.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN INDIA: A CRITIQUE
Authors:   Associate Professor (Law), National Institute of Construction Management and Research, Hyderabad., Sopan Yadav Vikrant
Published: December 2020

Corporate Social Responsibility (hereinafter referred to as CSR) holds the profit striving corporate entities accountable towards contemporary social needs. One such area that needs consideration from both Government, as well as corporate entities, is environmental protection and development. Though the corporate sector in India has been contributing in bits and pieces towards environmental protection, by and large, there has been a lack of policy approach in contributing towards sustainable development by the corporate entities. The scenario seems to have changed a bit in the last few years, especially post statutory mandate of CSR under the Companies Act, 2013.This research paper is an attempt to analyze the statutory mandate of CSR u/s 135 of the Companies Act and subsequent amendments to it. It also contains a critical overview of Sustainable CSR activities by the corporate sector in India.
Portfolio optimization of bank credits with interval returns: Empirical evidence from Iran
Authors: Nahvi Abouzar , Ghorbani Mohammad , Sabouhi Sabouni Mahmoud , Dourandish Arash
Published: December 2020

Bank credit is one of the main sources of spending on productivity and economic services. However, because of the limitations in its amount, accurate planning is essential to optimize its allocation to applicants. Despite the total volume of credits allocated to the agricultural sector, as well as the large number of applicants and sub-sectors applying for these facilities, there is still no clear pattern for the optimal allocation of agricultural bank credits in Iran. It is bank managers who must decide on the distribution of financial capital in a competitive environment. Based on this fact, the paper investigates the optimum portfolio composition of the Agricultural Bank credits in accordance with optimistic, pessimistic, and collaborative strategies by using an interval non-linear multi-objective programming model and considering three different states in determining the rate of return using a genetic algorithm. The results showed that the current pattern of the distribution of bank credits is estimated as different from the optimal one. In the optimum patterns estimated in all states, the agriculture, agricultural services, animal husbandry, aviculture and greenhouses sections were assigned the largest shares in their optimum portfolio combination. Managers can choose their desired model according to three studied strategies and depending on the importance, different estimates of return, and risk of each of them.
Electrochemical activation as a fat rendering technology
Authors: Gorbacheva Mariya , Tarasov Vasily , Kalmanovich Svetlana , Sapozhnikova Alla
Published: December 2020

Introduction. The existing methods of animal fat obtaining have certain disadvantages, hence fat extraction study highly is relevant. Electrochemically activated solutions are known to have a great potential for animal fat extraction. The present paper introduced a new advanced fat obtaining technology based on the principle of electrochemical activation.

Study objects and methods. The research featured ostrich fat obtained by wet rendering in water and in an electrochemically activated solution (catholyte) using various processing methods and technological parameters. Standard methods helped define the physical and chemical parameters of the obtained fat samples.

Results and discussion. The paper introduced a technological and hardware setup of an ostrich fat production line with the necessary equipment specifications. The research made it possible to define the optimal parameters for fat extraction: the salt concentration for the catholyte = 4 g/100 cm3, voltage = 40–42 V, pH = 11, and redox potential of the catholyte = between –600 and –700 mV. During the fat processing, cell membranes in the electrolyte were destroyed, which inactivated the enzyme system. The obtained combination of physical and chemical factors resulted in ostrich fat of high quality. Fat extraction in an electrochemically activated solution (catholyte) catalyzed the process and increased the fat yield, regardless of the processing temperature. The fat yield exceeded 58% at 55°C and catholyte pH of 11.0. At 95–100°C and pH of 9.5–10.6, it exceeded 95%.

Conclusion. The new technology increased the fat yield, maintained its high quality, and reduced the processing cost. Therefore, the developed production line could be recommended for fat extraction of farm animals, depending on the intended use.
Why are myths true: Plato on the veracity of myths
Authors:   University of Belgrade, Deretic Irina
Published: December 2020

Distinguishing myths in terms of their veracity had almost been neglected in Plato’s studies. In this article, the author focuses on Plato’s controversial claims about the truth-status of myths. An attempt is made to elucidate what he really had in mind when assessing the veracity of myths. The author claims that Plato, while discussing the epistemic status of myths, actually distinguished three kinds of myths in regard to what they narrate. Additionally, it is argued that he endorses three different kinds of truth value for myths: they can be either true or false, probable, or factually false but conveying some valuable truths. In the Republic II and III, Plato implicitly distinguishes the truth value of theological myths from the truth value of aetiological and normative ones, each of which are explained in detail in the article. In Plato’s view, the theological myths can be either true or false, because he determines the divine nature a priori. When ascribing the probable character to myths, Plato has in mind mostly aetiological myths. Given that we are unable to establish the truths on the origins and development of many phenomena, because they originated in the remote past, what we can do is to reconstruct plausible and consistent myths of these phenomena, which, among others, might contain the arguments and even proofs, such as the proof of the cosmic destruction in Plato’s own myth in the Politicus. In the third case, when Plato says that myths are lies, yet containing some truth, he had in mind myths which might be the product of our imagination like eschatological myths, for example. Being a kind of fiction, they are false, in the sense they do not correspond to any real state of affairs. Since they convey profound ethical norms or religious insights, they can be regarded as true.
The Myth of the Given today: Perspectives of realistic epistemology
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Nikonenko Sergey V.
Published: December 2020

The article deals with the reception of Wilfrid Sellars’s The Myth of the Given. The Problem consists in the ontological status of reality and the possibility of empirical knowledge. The ideas of well-known representatives of modern analytical epistemology are analyzed: J. Searle, H. Putnam, J. McDowell, G. Evans, C. Peacocke, W. Child, T. Rockmore, etc. An attempt is made in the article to show that The Myth of the Given is losing its relevance in modern humanistic realism where the world is already becoming a symbolic construct within the epistemological framework. Experience as such is no longer deemed as a linguistic phenomenon in modern epistemology. Sellars’s argumentation is convincing only if universalism, in terms of the interpretation of experience and reality, is criticized from the standpoint of radical pluralism of epistemological theories. In this case, indeed, no “Given” exists, viewed as a correlation between the substance of Sensitivity and the only possible world of Reality. It is illustrated that modern analytical epistemology is an arena of competition between two leading positions in the interpretation of the world: externalism and internalism. Despite the contradiction between these theoretical positions, they are in accord in recognizing a pluralistic worldview, which is, moreover, of a “humanistic” nature. These theories address neither “the given” nor “the world of facts”. The main trouble with The Myth of the Given is the lack of criteria of objectivity in any act of experience.
Risk, risk-reflection and the problem of the socio-political order
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Abgadzhava Daur A.
Published: December 2020

The article discusses the issues of risk and risk-reflection in modern societies. It also illustrates the role of the relationship of knowledge and power in the formation of ideas about risks and the importance of risk reflection in maintaining order. A modern society is viewed as a world formed on the basis of reflections and decisions. Risk reflections in risk management, understanding a situation and determining costs and benefits, are based on comprehensive knowledge provided by experts, professionals, authorities and, finally, the authorities. The configuration for exercising power is regulated by the configuration of knowledge or discourse, which controls the direction of information and the language that support and disseminate ideas that orient actors’ actions. Discourse determines awareness and an understanding of the risks that actors may face. The article notes that the problems are based on monopolization of the right to determine what is considered a risk as well as what is its scope and possibilities of implementation. In this regard, the discurse on risk for beneficiaries is the basis for public administration, as knowledge of risks and their negative consequences becomes a motive for responsible behavior, in which individuals otherwise interpret, control, and direct their behavior. The article concludes that by considering risks in a controlled order, the authorities legitimize them. Risks are viewed as a representation of reality and this allows for the ability to manage the risk’s impact. The regulatory function of power manifests itself indirectly, forming and transmitting knowledge and ideas. The purpose of power is a modification of behavior when an individual, acting independently, contributes to the achievement of the goals facing the power.
On the theoretical legacy of Abū ‘l-H. asan al-Māwardī
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Tumanian Tigran G.
Published: December 2020

The article examines some aspects of the theoretical legacy of Abū ‘l-Ḥasan al-Māwardī, a medieval Islamic theologian and jurist. This prominent scholar, who lived a long and eventful life, wrote a number of works that left a noticeable mark in the political and legal thought of Islam. Al-Māwardī also wrote several significant treatises in Islamic theology and Jurisprudence. Among them are works devoted to commenting on the Qur’ān — Nukat wa’l-‘uyūn [Tafsīr al-Māwardī], ’Amthāl al-Qur’ān, as well as a treatise on Prophethood — ’A‘lām al-Nubuwwa. Another important but still insufficiently studied treatise of al-Māwardī on Jurisprudence is called Kitāb al-Ḥāwī al-kabīr fī fiqh madhhab al-Imām al-Shāfi‘ī. It is generally accepted that al-Māwardī‘s essay called al-’Iqnā‘ made him famous in his lifetime. This legal guide to the Shafi‘i law certainly strengthened the professional authority of al-Māwardī as the leading Shafi‘i faqih and apparently contributed to the growth of his political influence in medieval Baghdad. Despite the merits and recognition of al-Māwardī as an authoritative connoisseur of Islam, his creative search was not limited to writing works on religious topics. Al-Māwardī ‘s obvious interest in scientific disciplines was, in particular, confirmed in several studies on philology. He wrote at least two works on this subject: namely, ’Amthāl wa’l-ḥikam and Kitāb fī al-naḥw. However, the scholars who study the heritage of al-Māwardī deal mainly with his socio-political works. Al-Māwardī was known as a gifted and experienced diplomat who repeatedly acted as a mediator in solving complex political problems. As an adviser for many years at the Abbasid court, al-Māwardī composed several works on the theory of state and governance, such as al-Aḥkām al-Sulṭāniyya, Qawānīn al-wuzarāʾ wa- siyāsat al-mulūk, as well as Tashīl al-naẓar wa-ta‘jīl al-ẓafar fī ’akhlāq al-malik wa-siyāsat al-mulk etc. These works, diverse not only in content, but also in genre, mainly reflect the essence of political processes of that time.
Hermarchus’ treatise Against Empedocles and the dispute of the Epicureans and the Stoics on the origin of morality
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Shakhnovich Marianna M.
Published: December 2020

The article analyzes the theory of the origin of morality, presented by the Epicurean Hermarchus in his treatise “Against Empedocles” (Porph. De abstin. I, 7–12). The author expresses doubt on the established point of view that Hermarchus, in criticizing Empedocles, actually meant to criticize the philosophical schools of his day, and did not polemicize with the Pythagoreans and the followers of Empedocles, but with the Stoics, whom he did not name, but had in mind. Exploring the Peripatetic and Epicurean tradition of using terms close to the concept of oikeiōsis, which was introduced by Hermarchus to explain the prohibition of killing a person by another person, the author of the article expresses the opinion that Stoic Chrysippus, criticizing the teaching of the Epicureans about the aspiration for pleasure as a person’s primary impulse in his essay “On the ultimate goal”, used this Epicurean term in his theory of the origin of morality (Diog. Laert. VII, 85). Such an “interception” or reinterpretation of concepts was a fairly common device used by the Stoics in a polemic against Epicureanism. Hermarchus, unlike the Stoics, who understood oikeiōsis exclusively in the context of the emergence of individual self-awareness and feelings of self-preservation, spoke about the social meaning of oikeiōsis, which described people’s perception of each other within the human community and shows the impossibility of such an attitude towards living beings outside this community (to animals). Later, the term oikeiōsis was considered to be Stoic, and its creation was attributed to Zeno.
MICHAEL OAKESHOTT AND EDUCATION: MODERN INTERPRETATIONS
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Fedorishchev Kirill
Published: December 2020

The dynamic structural changes affecting the modern university provide fertile ground for a large number of discussions on the organization of higher education. Controversy about the future of education exists, perhaps, at all levels of communication: the fundamental problems of educa- tional institutions are determined and a significant number of proposals for reforming and mod- ernizing the education system are being developed. Some observers determine the need to cre- ate a system of free learning, denying the normative nature of education, while others are trying to determine the list of canonical disciplines and great books that should be limited to students and teachers. Additional observers believe that efforts to transform the university into an effective educational organization gradually reduce the teaching process to a set of technical functions, threatening genuine learning opportunities. In the process of reforms, the idea of a university was, if not lost, then at least obscured by the modern trend for the search for hidden goals of educa- tion and programs to achieve them. As the world is replete with goals and programs, it becomes an increasingly irresistible temptation for academic institutions to submit to inevitably conflicting best practices. In this regard there is again a demand for the study of the forms of organizing higher education developed by the greatest theorists of our time. The article examines the current aspects of the discussion about the concept of education in the political philosophy of Michael Oakeshott (1901–1990). The author attempts to interpret the political theory of M.Oakeshott as a form of political education.
Professional and educational standards in jurisprudence
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Diveeva Nelli I. , Dobrohotova Elena N. ,   St. Petersburg State University
Published: December 2020

The issue of standards of legal activity is relevant for Russia, however, there is no general understanding of what should be standardized and how. In this case, the central element of the condition for admission to legal activities (as a general rule) is the presence of a vocational (legal) education. The authors in the system vein consider the issues of conjugation (correlation) of educational standards and professional standards in jurisprudence as components of the national system for the development of professional qualifications in Russia. The article presents the arguments in favor of the non-direct (non-linear) nature of the relationship between professional and educational standards for: the purpose of their creation; characteristic of constituent elements; the obligation of their implementation by the participants of public relations; time gap in assessing the structure and qualification indicators of graduates and employees. It is concluded that, in fact, the conjugation of standards is not a determining mechanism for managing the development of qualifications, but only an integral part of a wider mechanism — the inclusion of employers (other customers for the training of professional personnel) in the process of implementation by educational organizations of basic educational programs. In this regard, in relation to the field of jurisprudence is proposed a foresight sphere of employment. Outcome of foresight (through the common efforts of the professional community of lawyers and experts in the field of higher professional education) should be the construction of a common “professional core of legal qualifications” or “core of the legal profession”. Thus, it will be possible, firstly, to identify the core of competencies as the basis of the profession called “lawyer”, secondly, to identify the species differences that may provoke the professional community to design relevant professional standards, professional practices framework, quality standards of individual types legal services. Since there can be no linear transition of qualifying requirements and ways to identify them between educational and professional standards, then a different concept and logic of standardization of education is needed. The authors of the article propose legal and social mechanisms for constructing such a concept.