bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Formation of economic agents’ inflationary expectations and central bank policy effectiveness: Еxperimental approach
Authors:   European University at St. Petersburg, Polyakova Ekaterina , Vymyatnina Yulia ,   European University at St. Petersburg
Published: November 2021

Expectations of heterogeneous economic agents play a pivotal role in modern macroeconomic theory. Since the standard assumption about a representative fully rational agent and his/her ability to form model-consistent expectations of the underlying process governing real economic outcomes is subject to well-grounded criticism, laboratory experiments are an important tool for gaining new knowledge about the formation of individual expectations. This paper provides an overview of the results of learning-to-forecast experiments based on the New Keynesian model that allow to identify specificities of agents’ expectations formation. These results suggest specific recommendations on ways to increase efficiency of the Central Bank monetary policy. Special attention is paid to agents’ inflation expectations and specificities of applying various types of inflation targeting. The article presents an analysis of the impact of announcing the inflation target on agents’ inflation expectations and the main macroeconomic variables dynamics for two different inflation targeting regimes — strict and flexible. A comparison of point and band versions of inflation targeting is provided for shocks affecting the economy with different intensities. The results of learning-to-forecast experiments presented in the review provide evidence of training and switching between different forecasting heuristics and also indicate the presence of specific cognitive restrictions of agents that extend a certain heuristic rule to all macroeconomic variables for which the forecast is performed.
Capital markets and perceptions of sectoral sensitivity to COVID-19
Authors:   Bialystok University of Technology, Korzeb Zbigniew , Niedziółka Pawel ,   Warsaw School of Economics, Pankou Dmitry ,   Belarus State Economic University
Published: November 2021

This article analyzes the performance of industry sub-indices during the COVID-19 pandemic, done on the basis of the evolution of rates of return for 247 industry indices from 15 European countries in 2020. Differences between the achieved rates of return on industry and the main stock indices in all examined countries were estimated. Additionally, the volatility of individual sector indices over was calculated. This allows us to draw the following conclusions. Firstly, investors considered tourism and the oil and gas and financial sectors to be among industries most vulnerable to COVID-19. Secondly, the need to transfer business to the Internet and to accelerate digital transformation are prerequisites for investors’ decisions to increase the share of technology companies in their portfolios. On the other hand, growing uncertainty is impacting the performance of providers of food and other necessities. Due to administrative constraints put on tourism and passenger transport activities, demand for leisure goods increased rapidly, which translated into results and quotations of the entities responsible for their production. The pandemic crisis, contrary to symptoms observed in Q1 2020 and analysts’ expectations, did not adversely affect industrial production. Finally, in general, the behavior of investors in the Russian market was similar to that of investors in other economies. However, for the three sub-sectors, the reaction of investors was different.
Guías prácticas de histología
Authors: Acosta Convers María Elena
Published: November 2021

Este libro es el resultado de años de apasionada dedicación a la enseñanza teórica y práctica de la histología en diferentes facultades de Medicina de Colombia. La obra comprende un texto breve y un atlas con microfotografías representativas de cada ítem descrito en la orientación inicial, lo que constituye una detallada guía visual para el laboratorio de histología. Las concisas introducciones, junto a los conceptos clave en cada capítulo, presentan al poseedor de este libro una forma fácil de enfocarse en lo que debe aprender para el presente y futuro de su práctica médica profesional. Así, las 304 fotografías que acompañan al texto ilustran ampliamente y proporcionan un atractivo visual a cada tema en los 21 capítulos, facilitando su comprensión. Las pertinentes aplicaciones clínicas que se presentan sobre los aspectos morfológicos revisados brindan al estudiante una valiosa orientación y una herramienta de motivación desde los conceptos básicos hacia la práctica clínica, en los propios inicios de su formación médica. Además, un completo cuestionario con el que concluye cada capítulo aporta al libro un importante sistema de autoevaluación que le permite al estudiante afianzar los conocimientos adquiridos y relacionar los conceptos formados a partir de la práctica en el laboratorio de morfología microscópica.
CONSUMO DE PROCESSADOS E ULTRAPROCESSADOS POR GESTANTES DA ATENÇÃO BÁSICA NO TOCANTINS
Authors: Samanta Carvalho Constantino Araújo Jhenyfer , Oliveira Marinho Jessika , Cândida de Queiroz Santos Anjos Fabiana , Junqueira Pereira Renata
Published: November 2021

Introdução: o consumo frequente de alimentos industrializados, prontos para o consumo, é considerado um mau hábito alimentar em todas as fases do ciclo da vida e pode ser especialmente prejudicial aos grupos populacionais mais vulneráveis, como as mulheres grávidas. No entanto, são preparações altamente palatáveis e práticas que, mesmo contraindicadas, continuam representando parcela importante no cardápio dos brasileiros. Objetivo: caracterizar o consumo de alimentos quanto ao grau de processamento, por gestantes adultas, atendidas na atenção básica de Palmas-TO. Metodologia: o estudo investigou 60 mulheres em quatro dos sete territórios de saúde de Palmas, por meio de um recordatório que investigou o consumo alimentar nas 24 horas anteriores à entrevista. Foram estimados pelo Dietbox, o consumo de energia, macronutrientes, ferro, cobalamina e ácido fólico totais e por grupo de alimentos, conforme categorização em quatro grupos: Grupo 1: alimentos in natura ou minimamente processados; Grupo 2: Ingredientes culinários processados; Grupo 3: Alimentos processados; Grupo 4: Alimentos ultraprocessados. Os dados foram analisados no programa Statistical Package for Social Sciences versão 23.0 (SPSS) por meio de estatísticas descritivas. Resultados: observou-se para o grupo de gestantes estudadas que a ingestão de micronutrientes, em sua maior parte, foi oriunda de alimentos in natura ou minimamente processados, reforçando a importância da ingestão desses tipos de alimentos para uma dieta saudável, sobretudo na gestação. No entanto, observou-se que os alimentos processados e ultraprocessados (vegetais em conservas, alguns pães, macarrão instantâneo, bolacha recheada, margarina, achocolatados, refrigerantes e salsichas) ainda figuram expressivamente nas dietas das gestantes estudadas, tendo fornecido em média 28% da energia diária consumida, 83,2% dos carboidratos diários, 22% dos lipídeos totais e 15,25% das proteínas. Conclusão: processados e ultraprocessados ainda figuram na dieta das gestantes, fornecendo percentuais expressivos da energia e dos carboidratos ingeridos, porém não ofertando quantidades razoáveis de ferro, cobalamina ou ácido fólico.
A Significant Role of Chemistry in Drug Development: A Systematic Journey from Traditional to Modern Approaches with Anti-HIV/AIDS Drugs as Examples
Authors: Yadav Madhu , Srivastava Ritika , Naaz Farha , Verma Rajesh , Singh Ramendra K.
Published: November 2021

Background:

Traditionally, various plant extracts having interesting biological properties were the
main source of new drugs. In the last 30 years, the role of chemistry in combination with new technologies, like
various computational techniques in chemistry, has witnessed a major upsurge in drug discovery and targeted
drug delivery.

Objective:

This article provides a succinct overview of recent techniques of chemistry that have a great impact
on the drug development process in general and also against HIV/AIDS. It focuses on new methods employed
for drug development with an emphasis on in silico studies, including identifying drug targets, especially the
proteins associated with specific diseases.

Methods:

The rational drug development process starts with the identification of a drug target as the first phase,
which helps in the computer-assisted design of new drug molecules. Synthetic chemistry has a major impact on
the drug development process because it provides new molecules for future study. Natural products based semisynthesis
or microwave assisted synthesis is also involved in developing newly designed drug molecules. Further,
the role of analytical chemistry involves extraction, fractionation, isolation and characterization of newly
synthesized molecules.

Results:

Chemistry plays a key role in drug discovery and delivery by natural process or with the help of synthetic
nanoparticles or nanomedicines. So, nanochemistry is also deeply involved in the development of new
drugs and their applications.

Conclusion:

The previous era of drug discovery was dominated only by chemistry, but the modern approaches
involve a comprehensive knowledge of synthetic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, computational chemistry and
the concerned biological phenomenon.
Design Strategies, Chemistry and Therapeutic Insights of Multi-target Directed Ligands as Antidepressant Agents
Authors: Singh Karanvir , Bhatia Rohit , Kumar Bhupinder , Singh Gurpreet , Monga Vikramdeep
Published: November 2021

:

Depression is one of the major disorders of the central nervous system worldwide and causes disability and functional impairment. According to the World Health Organization, around 265 million people worldwide are affected by depression. Currently marketed antidepressant drugs take weeks or even months to show anticipated clinical efficacy but remain ineffective in treating suicidal thoughts and cognitive impairment. Due to the multifactorial complexity of the disease, single-target drugs do not always produce satisfactory results and lack the desired level of therapeutic efficacy. Recent literature reports have revealed improved therapeutic potential of multi-target directed ligands due to their synergistic potency and better safety. Medicinal chemists have gone to great extents to design multitarget ligands by generating structural hybrids of different key pharmacophores with improved binding affinities and potency towards different receptors or enzymes. This article has compiled the design strategies of recently published multi-target directed ligands as antidepressant agents. Their biological evaluation, structural-activity relationships, mechanistic and in silico studies have also been described. This article will prove to be highly useful for the researchers to design and develop multi-target ligands as antidepressants with high potency and therapeutic efficacy.
Ancestral Area Reconstruction of SARS-CoV-2 Indicates Multiple Sources of Entry into Australia
Authors: Phan Ngoc Minh Hien , Faddy Helen , Flower Robert , Spann Kirsten , Roulis Eileen
Published: November 2021

Background:

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). International travels to Australia during the early stages of the pandemic prior to border closure provided avenues for this virus to spread into Australia. Studies of SARS-CoV-2 biogeographical distribution can contribute to the understanding of the viral original sources to Australia.

Objective:

This study aimed to investigate the clonality and ancestral sources of Australian SARS-CoV-2 isolates using phylogenetic methods.

Methods:

We retrieved 1,346 complete genomes from Australia along with 153 genomes from other countries from the GISAID and NCBI nucleotide databases as of the 14th May 2020. A representative dataset of 270 Australian and international sequences were resulted from performance of nucleotide redundancy reduction by CD-HIT. We then constructed a median-joining network by Network 10.1.0.0, and phylogenies by IQ-Tree, BEAST and FastTree. The Bayesian statistical dispersal-vicariance analysis (S-DIVA) and Bayesian interference for discrete areas (BayArea) built in RASP were used to reconstruct ancestral ranges over the phylogenetic trees.

Results:

Two major clusters, from Europe and from Asia, were observed on the network of 183 haplotypes with distinct nucleotide variations. Analysis of ancestral area reconstruction over the phylogenies indicated most Australian SARS-CoV-2 sequences were disseminated from Europe and East Asia-Southeast Asia.

Conclusion:

The finding is genetic evidence for the geographic origins of the Australian SARS-CoV-2 sequences. Most Australian sequences were genetically similar to those from Europe and East Asia-Southeast Asia, which were also suggested as two main sources of introduction of SARS-CoV-2 to Australia.
"Quem Quer Ser Apagada?" Imagens de Mulheres em Manuais de História no Ensino em Contexto Moçambicano
Authors: Cabecinhas Rosa , Laisse Sara
Published: November 2021

Neste artigo iremos discutir a forma como as mulheres são representadas nos manuais de história em vigor no segundo ciclo do ensino secundário geral em Moçambique: qual o lugar das mulheres nos manuais na história de Moçambique? Quais as mulheres com nome, com rosto ou com voz nos manuais escolares? Como é descrita a sua agência histórica? Para responder a estas questões realizámos uma análise sincrónica, multimodal e comparativa da forma como as mulheres são representadas nos manuais de história da 11.ª e da 12.ª classes. A análise efetuada demonstra profundas assimetrias nas representações de género, quer no que concerne aos conteúdos de ensino, quer no que toca às fontes e à iconografia. Os manuais apresentam um quadro historiográfico assente na liderança masculina, enquanto as mulheres são apresentadas confinadas aos papéis tradicionais de género, com raras exceções. Tendo em conta a escassez de estudos referentes às representações de género, interseccionalidades e ensino de história em Moçambique, neste trabalho, analisamos o modo como texto e imagem contribuem para o apagamento da agência das mulheres nos manuais escolares de história. Prestamos particular atenção às imagens de mulheres e discutimos o potencial das imagens para o combate ao sexismo e para a descolonização do conhecimento.
Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index Predicts Poor Prognosis of Patients After Curative Surgery for Gastric Cancer
Authors: FURUKE HIROTAKA , MATSUBARA DAIKI , KUBOTA TAKESHI , KIUCHI JUN , KUBO HIDEMASA , OHASHI TAKUMA , SHIMIZU HIROKI , ARITA TOMOHIRO , YAMAMOTO YUSUKE , KONISHI HIROTAKA , MORIMURA RYO , SHIOZAKI ATSUSHI , KURIU YOSHIAKI , IKOMA HISASHI , FUJIWARA HITOSHI , OKAMOTO KAZUMA , OTSUJI EIGO
Published: November 2021

Background: The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) is a nutritional measure for predicting the risk of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. We evaluated the utility of the GNRI to predict the short-term and long-term outcomes after curative surgery for gastric cancer (GC). Patients and Methods: Patients who underwent curative surgery for GC between 2008 and 2016 were reviewed (n=795). We classified patients into two groups according to the GNRI (high GNRI: low and no risk; low GNRI: major and moderate risk) and compared the utility of the GNRI. Results: A low GNRI was an independent prognostic factor for poorer overall survival (hazard ratio=2.34, p0.001). The GNRI tended to be a better prognostic indicator in elderly patients with GC. Low GNRI was associated with postoperative complications (odds ratio=2.27, p=0.002), especially in patients aged ≥75 (odds ratio=2.26, p=0.042). Conclusion: Low GNRI was associated with poor prognosis and occurrence of postoperative complications in patients with GC, especially in elderly patients.
The Relevance of Aurora Kinase Inhibition in Hematological Malignancies
Authors: MACHADO CAIO BEZERRA , DA SILVA EMERSON LUCENA , NOGUEIRA BEATRIZ MARIA DIAS , DA SILVA JEAN BRENO SILVEIRA , DE MORAES FILHO MANOEL ODORICO , MONTENEGRO RAQUEL CARVALHO , DE MORAES MARIA ELISABETE AMARAL , MOREIRA-NUNES CAROLINE AQUINO
Published: November 2021

Aurora kinases are a family of serine/threonine protein kinases that play a central role in eukaryotic cell division. Overexpression of aurora kinases in cancer and their role as major regulators of the cell cycle quickly inspired the idea that their inhibition might be a potential pathway when treating oncologic patients. Over the past couple of decades, the search for designing and testing of molecules capable of inhibiting aurora activities fueled many pre-clinical and clinical studies. In this study, data from the past 10 years of in vitro and in vivo investigations, as well as clinical trials, utilizing aurora kinase inhibitors as therapeutics for hematological malignancies were compiled and discussed, aiming to highlight potential uses of these inhibitors as a novel monotherapy model or alongside conventional chemotherapies. While there is still much to be elucidated, it is clear that these kinases play a key role in oncogenesis, and their manageable toxicity and potentially synergistic effects still render them a focus of interest for future investigations in combinatorial clinical trials
Discharge Instruction Reminders Via Text Messages After Benign Gynecologic Surgery: Quasi-Experimental Feasibility Study
Authors: Sajnani Jocelyn , Swan Kimberly , Wolff Sharon , Drummond Kelsi
Published: November 2021

Background

With the implementation of enhanced recovery after surgery protocols and same-day hospital discharge, patients are required to take on increasing responsibility for their postoperative care. Various approaches to patient information delivery have been investigated and have demonstrated improvement in patient retention of instructions and patient satisfaction.

Objective

 This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of implementing a postoperative text messaging service in the benign gynecologic population.

Methods

 We used a quasi-experimental study design to evaluate patients undergoing outpatient laparoscopic surgery for benign disease with a minimally invasive gynecologist at an academic medical center between October 2017 and March 2018. In addition to routine postoperative instructions, 19 text messages were designed to provide education and support to postoperative gynecologic patients. Patients were contacted by telephone 3 weeks postoperatively and surveyed about their satisfaction and feelings of connectedness during their recovery experience. Demographic and operative information was gathered through chart review. The cost to implement text messages was US $2.85 per patient.

Results

 A total of 185 patients were eligible to be included in this study. Of the 100 intended intervention participants, 20 failed to receive text messages, leaving an 80% success in text delivery. No patients opted out of messaging. A total of 28 patients did not participate in the postrecovery survey, leaving 137 patients with outcome data (control, n=75; texting, n=62). Satisfaction, determined by a score ≥9 on a 10-point scale, was 74% (46/62) in the texting group and 63% (47/75) in the control group (P=.15). Connectedness (score ≥9) was reported by 64% (40/62) in the texting group compared with 44% (33/75) in the control group (P=.02). Overall, 65% (40/62) of those in the texting group found the texts valuable (score ≥9).

Conclusions

 Postoperative text messages increased patients’ perceptions of connection with their health care team and may also increase their satisfaction with their recovery process. Errors in message delivery were identified. Given the increasing emphasis on patient experience and cost effectiveness in health care, an adequately powered future study to determine statistically significant differences in patient experience and resource use would be appropriate.
Comparative Analysis of Organizational Culture in IT Sector
Authors: Kumari Neeraj
Published: November 2021

The study aims to do a comparative analysis of organizational culture between the three different organizations in IT sector. It is an exploratory research. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the primary data. The sample size was 165. It consisted of employees from three leading IT organizations in India. Aligning culture and leadership goals are keys to organisational success. All the four dimensions of organisational culture are heavily influenced by leadership based interventions in an organisation. A true leader is a catalyst in driving: Adaptability–by creating change, emphasising customer focus and promoting organisation learning, Mission–by defining strategic direction, defining objectives and goals  and creating a shared vision, Consistency–by managing coordination & integration, defining core values and working to reach agreement, and Involvement–by empowering people, building team orientation and developing organisation capability.
Editorial
Authors: Jiménez Zaldivar María Elena
Published: November 2021

RDP Revista Digital de Posgrado publica tres trabajos de investigación en la sección de Artículos, correspondientes a las disciplinas de Ingeniería, Economía y Pedagogía: “Cadena de valor sustentable de la apicultura en la Ciudad de México apoyada en la innovación sociocultural”, “Producción capitalista de la Zona Metropolitana del Valle de México, una aproximación conceptual” y “Educación remota y pandemia: experiencias de padres de familia”. En la sección Ensayos se incluye el texto: “Protección a personas víctimas de violencia familiar en época de pandemia”; y en la sección Reseñas bibliográficas presenta la edición digital de Etnografía Antigua General del Estado de Oaxaca.
Mantra masyarakat Sasak: Kajian bentuk, fungsi, dan aspek teologi
Authors: Agusman Agusman , Mahyudi Johan
Published: November 2021

Mantra dalam sejumlah literatur dan kajian dijelaskan sebagai ucapan atau perkataan yang memiliki fungsi, bentuk dan bisa mendatangkan kekuatan. Fungsinya bisa sebagai pengobatan, pelindung diri, pemikat, dan sebagainya. Bahasa  yang digunakan berbentuk perpaduan antara bahasa daerah dengan kalimat-kalimat islami yang memberikan aspek kesakralan. Namun demikian, terdapat seuatu yang berada di dalam mantra tersebut, yaitu aspek teologi atau pemahaman tentang Tuhan. Pemahaman tentang Tuhan itulah yang sesungguhnya memberikan implikasi terhadap fungsi atau kekuatan mantra tersebut. Dengan demikian, tujuan penelitian ini ialah untuk mendeskripsikan aspek teologi dalam bentuk dan fungsi mantra yang terdapat di dalam kebudayaan masyarakat Sasak. Metode yang digunakan ialah kualitatif-etnografi dengan narasumber  2 orang tokoh adat, 2 orang dukun (tukang obat) dan 2 orang pemilik mantra yang diwawancarai untuk memperoleh sejarah serta contoh mantra. Hasil temuan yang diperoleh yaitu mantra ialah ucapan yang memiliki bentuk seperti pantun, teka-teki atau puisi dan berfungsi sebagai pengobatan, pelindung diri, berburu dan sebagainya serta bisa menghadirkan kekuatan. Kekuatan yang bisa didatangkan dari mantra tersebut harus didasarkan kepada kepercayaan tentang kekuasaan Allah SWT. Kepercayaan terhadap kekuasaan Allah SWT itulah yang merujuk kepada aspek teologi masyarakat yang tersusun dalam dimensi kepercayaan terhadap Allah SWT, Rasul, takdir, alam gaib dan janji serta ancaman Allah SWT.                            
 
Mantra in a number of literatures and studies are described as sayings or words that have function, form and can bring power. Its function can be as treatment, self-protection, charm, and so on. The language used is in the form of a blend of regional languages ​​with Islamic sentences that provide a sacred aspect. However, there is something in the mantra, namely the theological aspect or understanding of God. The understanding of God that actually has implications for the function or power of the mantra. Thus, the purpose of this study is to describe the theological aspects in the form and function of mantra contained in the culture of the Sasak people. The method used is qualitative-ethnographic, with 2 traditional leaders, 2 shamans (medicines) and 2 mantra owners being interviewed to obtain the history and examples of mantra. The findings obtained are that mantra are utterances that have forms such as rhymes, riddles or poetry and function as treatment, self-protection, hunting and so on and can bring the power. The power that can be obtained from the mantra must be based on belief in the power of Allah SWT. This belief in the power of Allah SWT refers to the theological aspects of society which are structured in the dimensions of belief in Allah SWT, Rasul, Takdir, the supernatural things and the promises and threats of Allah SWT.
ULTRASOUND EXAMINATION AND THE RISK OF IATROGENIC INFECTIONS DEVELOPMENT
Authors:   Vitebsk State Order of Peoples' Friendship Medical University, Dikareva E.A. , Pimanov S.I. ,   Vitebsk State Order of Peoples' Friendship Medical University
Published: November 2021

Ultrasound examination is used in all areas of modern medicine and occupies the leading positions in non-invasive instrumental diagnostics. Ultrasound is believed to be safe for patients. At the same time, there is a dangerous effect of ultrasound, manifested by bacterial and viral contamination of ultrasound equipment and the examined patients. Numerous studies have convincingly shown that ultrasound is dangerous in terms of iatrogenic contamination of a patient with bacterial, fungal and viral infections. Each ultrasound examination includes contact between the probe of the device and the patient’s skin, or his/her mucous membranes, or sterile tissues during intraoperative examinations. When the ultrasonic sensor comes into contact with the patient’s body, it may become contaminated with pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms. It is also possible to contaminate the ultrasound equipment and the hands of a doctor who conducts this study. All this will subsequently contribute to the microorganisms transmission to other subjects being examined. Therefore, every patient should be considered as a potential source of pathogenic microorganisms and viruses. The purpose of the work was to analyze the literature data on bacterial and viral contamination during ultrasound examination.
SURGICAL ACCESS TO THE THIRD SEGMENT OF THE VERTEBRAL ARTERY
Authors:   The 4th City Clinical Hospital named after N.E. Savchenko, Turliuk D.V. , Rogovoy N.A. ,   The 4th City Clinical Hospital named after N.E. Savchenko,   Belarusian State Medical University, Alexeev S.A. ,   Belarusian State Medical University, Yanushko V.A. ,   Republican Research Center «Cardiology»
Published: November 2021

Today V3 is the rarest and most difficult to access segment of the vertebral artery (VA). Material and methods. A sectional study was performed in 35 patients who died from various causes to study the topographic and anatomical characteristics of the VA anatomy in V3. The technique of access to the VA: along the inner edge of the right sternocleidomastoid muscle, a linear incision 6.2+1.5 cm long was performed, starting from the level of 2.1+0.8 cm above the angle of the lower jaw along the submandibular fold towards the «tragus» auricle. The common carotid artery, the internal carotid artery (ICA), the jugular vein, and the external carotid artery up to the third segment were isolated with excision and ligation of the lateral branches. The dissection of the salivary gland was not carried out, since it is quite mobile and is well retracted by the retractor hooks, as well as the venous plexus, nerves, «digastric» muscle. Results. The original approach proposed by us suggests reducing surgical trauma, as well as reducing the risk of developing damage to the neurovascular structures in the intervention zone. When working on the sectional material, the distance between the distal portion of the ICA and the third segment of the VA was determined. It did not exceed, according to our data, 3.2+2.1 mm. This fact allows, if necessary, to safely form an anastomosis between the ICA and the VA in the V3 segment according to the «side-to-side» type. Conclusions. The proposed access to the third segment of the VA enables the reduction of surgical trauma by reducing the incision length up to 6.2+1.2 cm, as well as by mobilizing anatomical structures in the surgical wound without crossing them (salivary gland, jugular vein, vagus nerve, C2 - a portion of the brachial plexus, digastric muscle, internal carotid artery). With concomitant tortuosity of the ICA, the excess part of the ICA is the optimal material for bypassing the VA in the third segment of the VA. A variant of surgical correction in this situation is the formation of «trifurcation» of the carotid artery.
Prediction of Depression by Cognitive Function Above Core Affect
Authors:   University of Latvia, Vanags Edmunds , Raščevska Malgožata
Published: November 2021

The association between depression and cognitive function has been observed in a large number of studies, but there are no clear and robust mechanisms for this association. The aim of this study was to investigate how cognitive functions (working memory inhibition, executive functions cognitive control and psychomotor speed) in one model predict depression above current core affect in a sample of healthy individuals. The study involved 275 adults aged between 20 and 59 years (male 32.7%) and used the depression scale from DASS-42 questionnaire, the Swedish Core affect scale, and the cognitive function task battery. The results of hierarchical regression analysis suggest that the depression is more significantly explained after controlling core affect by the working memory storage, inhibition, and executive function cognitive control processes, when performing several tasks with different valence words. This suggests that even in healthy individuals, there may be a significant association between depressive symptoms and cognitive function after controlling current core affect state which may fluctuate and not be reflected in the retrospective assessment.
Validity and Reliability of the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II: Latvian Version
Authors:   University of Latvia, Sadauska Inese , Koļesovs Aleksandrs
Published: November 2021

The objective of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the Latvian version of the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II), measuring psychological flexibility described as the ability to act according to chosen values while consciously being in contact with subjectively unpleasant present moment experiences. The scale provides a single score across 7 items. The original AAQ-II was translated to Latvian and then back to English. The Satisfaction with Life Scale, Flourishing Scale and Meaning in Life Questionnaire was applied for testing the convergent validity of the AAQ-II. Participants of the study were 191 people, ranged in age from 19 to 68 (159 women, mean age M = 30.62, SD = 9.50). Reliability analysis, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA and CFA) of the scale were performed. EFA indicated a one-factor structure. Results showed that the Latvian version of AAQ-II has good psychometric properties and convergent validity. Testing of the original model by CFA resulted in acceptable fit indices.
Drivers of Faculty Pedagogical Digital Competence or How to Get Things Going Online
Authors:   Rīga Stradiņš University,, Jansone-Ratinika Nora , Koķe Tatjana , Strods Raimonds , Brants Māris
Published: November 2021

The world`s health crisis was started and the area of higher education was significantly challenged by the spread of the virus SARS-CoV-2. The academic community was forced to rethink its ways of learning and teaching dynamically. It transformed the understanding of the faculty competence as an essential component of the continuity of qualitative education, which emphasizes the need to increase the competence to work in a technology-enhanced study environment and to support students in achieving learning outcomes remotely. The aim of the article is to explain the pedagogical digital competence of faculty, which reflects one of the research aspects covered in the State Research Programme (SRP) dedicated to mitigating the consequences of COVID-19. The research methodology consists of a set of quantitative data, which was obtained by surveying 349 faculty from 33 higher education institutions of Latvia. In turn, a questionnaire was developed based on the obtained conclusions, performing an analysis of literature and educational guidelines. Patterns of the use of educational technologies of faculty were analyzed and described in the framework of the research. The wide analysis performed during the research can be summarized in several conclusions. (1) Skills that faculty have self-assessed as the highest primarily characterize the use of technologies and technological solutions (TTS – analogous to hardware and software) to meet students basic learning needs. In turn, skills in the use of TTS, which would help students to develop digital competence and achieve study results in line with labor market trends, are assessed lower. (2) Faculty consider themselves to be more proficient in using TTS to promote students’ cognitive skills than in acquiring practical skills. (3) Faculty feel more proficient in providing feedback to students, rather than collecting it from them and performing summative rather than formative assessment. (4) The improvement of pedagogical digital competence (PDC) of faculty is driven more by cooperation with students than by administrative pressure.
The Relationship Between Students’ Citizenship Activities and Bullying at School
Authors:   University of Latvia, Čekse Ireta , Geske Andrejs , Kiris Kaspars
Published: November 2021

School violence and bullying highlighted as a global issue outside and in the school. In this research, IEA International Civic and Citizenship Study (ICCS) 2016 data from eight countries – Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Germany (North Rhine-Westphalia), the Russian Federation, Sweden and Denmark – was compared. The aim of the article is to observe the relationship between bullying and students’ citizenship activities at school and in the future. The research determined a relationship between bullying and factors that described students’ citizenship activities. The results show that there is a link between bullying and students’ experiences of participation in illegal and legal activities, participation in classroom discussions, interest in the wider community, and at-school citizenship activities. This article was supported by research application no. 1.1.1.2/VIAA/1/16/020, and European Social Fund project No. 8.3.6.2/17/I/001.
Strengthening and Supporting the School Communities: A Case of Regional Schools in Lithuania
Authors:   Vytautas Magnus University, Kaminskiene Lina , Bortkevičienė Virginija ,   Kaunas University of Technology,   University of Latvia
Published: November 2021

The paper discusses how the school microclimate could be improved within the school community, based on the results of a research carried out in 15 regional schools in Lithuania. The analysis is specifically focused on how the school community could be strengthened by improving the relationship between teachers and schools’ administration. Following the methodology of the thematic analysis, the paper highlights key issues which might be important to reconsider the formation of a positive relationship, internal communication, democratization of governance, reduction of competition between teachers, strengthening the confidence in the teacher, respect for each other as well as fostering an open, tolerant culture. The results of the research indicate the need to strengthen collaboration and engagement-based community: a need to develop a participatory culture, to develop teachers’ support systems, to rethink how to involve parents more actively into the school life, to ensure more effective feedback system (teachers-administration-parents). The paper also highlights a need to improve the emotional climate of schools, to develop clear guidelines for evaluating teachers’ activities, to ensure smooth internal communication, informing and involving teachers about planned changes, and allowing all members of the community to feel part of the organization, not only by informing about the activities being carried out, but also by enabling critical opinions to be expressed; to form different working groups involving different educators (e. g. primary school and subject teachers) on different issues of school performance development.
Promoting Social Equality in Inclusive Education: Mapping the Experience of Parents of Children who Rely on Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Authors:   EUROCY Innovations Ltd, Gregoriou Marianna , Pampoulou Eliada , Milis George ,   Cyprus University of Technology
Published: November 2021

Inclusive education aims for equal opportunities to be provided to all children regardless of their socioeconomic background, genre, or disability. There are various technological tools that can support the inclusive education of students with complex communication needs. Despite the fact that the parents’ roles in supporting pupils with disabilities is vital, to date, there has been a lack of research investigating the roles of Cypriot parents of these children. The research aim was to explore the experiences of parents on the island who support students with complex communication needs, regarding how they perceive their roles as parents. In-depth interviews were conducted with six parents of children aged five to twelve years. Data were analysed based on thematic analysis. The findings show that parents of children with complex communication needs in Cyprus have a number of roles when it comes to supporting their children in communicating with others. They attend training sessions to acquire the necessary skills to communicate effectively with their children. They also act as communicating partners with friends, relatives and others. In addition, they act as advocates of their children both in the school, as well as in the wider community. It is vital that a number of online platforms are made openly available in order to increase knowledge and skills on issues related to AAC and inclusion. Of note is the MYHUB Inclusion Hub Platform (www.inclusion-hub.eu) which offers a one-stop-shop for inclusion practices, tools, resources and methods addressed to the pedagogical staff in formal and non-formal educational settings.
Self-Guided Learning Process in Preschool: Challenges of the Practice
Authors:   University of Latvia, Randoha Antra , Vigule Dagnija
Published: November 2021

The mandatory teaching/learning content of the preschool lays emphasis on the child’s most essential interests and needs, acquiring them in such a process that leads to the formation of literacy or competence. Self-guided learning in the teaching/learning process appears as the major method that helps the pre-schooler acquire the content of all domains. According to the preschool guidelines, values and morals, general or transversal skills, cognitive, emotional and social aspects of the child’s actions that help to acquire knowledge, understanding and key skills for man’s functioning in important spheres of life and these are the key skills in the domains of language, social and civic, understanding of culture and self-expression in art, science, mathematics, technology, health and physical activities that form the mandatory teaching/learning content of preschool education. When acquiring all the necessary skills and knowledge, the child has to reach the planned learning outcomes that are attained in a self-guided learning process. Self-guided learning is one of the most essential modern competences or the individual’s readiness to adjust and apply the knowledge, skills and attitudes when solving different situations. Are preschools ready for this, does this process take place and do preschool teachers understand the concept “self-guided learning process” – this is the topicality that definitely should be paid attention to relating it to teacher education, the development of the self-guided learning model and its piloting in the preschool environment. A self-guided learning process should not be taken for granted because the child does not have such skills – to know / to feel how and what to do to start, for example, exploration. The child has not acquired these skills if the adult has not demonstrated how to do this. The child since young age should be gradually directed towards that – what and in which way to learn. The participation of the adult or teacher in this significant process is critical.
Academics’ Perceptions of Quality in Higher Education in Turkey
Authors:   Gazi University, Mirici Semra
Published: November 2021

Quality in education is one of the main concerns for governments in order to make sure the students will be able to meet the work power needs of the sector, and be able to get a job that meets their expectations in career when they graduate. In other words, it can be summarized with two words; input quality and output equality. The study aimed to investigate Turkish academics’ perceptions about the quality in higher education in Turkey. The study adopted survey method based on quantitative data. The participants comprised 53 academics from different universities in Turkey, and they were selected randomly on voluntary basis. The data were collected in distance using “The Questionnaire of Academics’ Perceptions of Quality in Higher Education” adapted from Rossner (2008) as a Google Form. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage. The results revealed that majority of academics in Turkey were in favor for accreditation, they were in the opinion that the curricula content should be designed in accordance with the 21st century skills and market needs, and certified programs should be offered to students in an educational environment where even academics should be observed by field experts to make sure about the quality of educational practices.
Exploring Students’ Perceptions on Acquisition of Transversal Skills During an Online Social Simulation
Authors:   Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, Dāvidsone Agnese , Seppel Külliki , Telyčėnaitė Austė , Matkevičienė Renata , Uibu Marko , Silkāne Vineta , Jurāne-Brēmane Anžela , Allaje Õnne ,   University of Tartu,   Vilnius University
Published: November 2021

Due to the demands of the current job market, universities need to adapt their teaching approaches to provide students with opportunities to advance their transversal skills in order to succeed with their careers. Social simulations have been considered previously as a fruitful study method that helps to advance transversal skills; however, the research in this field is scarce. This study aims to explore the perceived affordances and limitations of social simulation as an online learning method for acquisition of transversal skills of graduate and undergraduate students from communication and media study programs. The empirical part draws on a set of qualitative data. All together 32 students in two universities participated in the testing of an original simulation scenario that was created in an Erasmus+ Strategic partnership project. The results indicate that students in both simulation exercises mostly applied their negotiation, strategic thinking and planning skills. During the second simulation, self-evaluation forms filled before and after the event helped the students to realize which transversal skills they need and want to develop further. Our results demonstrate that students felt pressured to intensively collaborate and coordinate with their group members, other groups and the teachers as during both testing sessions technical disruptions were experienced. We conclude that an online social simulation is a productive interactive learning and teaching method that helps to sensitize students towards their transversal skills and stimulate self-reflection. We also argue that in exercising a social simulation online there is an additional layer of pedagogical implications: the choice of the digital platform and the potential technical disruptions such as the loss of Internet connection or sudden malfunction of some of the platform’s features may divert the flow of the simulation.
Conceptualisation of University Students’ Civic Transversal Competence
Authors:   Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, Medne Dace , Rubene Zanda , Bernande Māra , Illiško Dzintra ,   University of Latvia,   Daugavpils University
Published: November 2021

Education plays a key role in promoting fundamental values, citizens’ rights and responsibilities as well as social inclusion, in particularly so by reducing hostility towards vulnerable social groups. Therefore, all stages of education, including higher education, are important in the development of civic transversal competence. To ensure sustainable, qualitative, modern, and competitive higher education, the education facilitating the productive involvement of students in civil society and, consequently, their competitiveness in the labour market is a topical issue in the context of Latvia too. In keeping with this rationale, in January 2020, the University of Latvia started the implementation of the first round of the research “Assessment of Competences of Higher Education Students and Dynamics of Their Development in the Study Period” with the study of students’ civic transversal competence as its part. The paper aims to conceptualize students’ civic transversal competence, to determine its criteria and their indicators at different levels of higher education. Using the qualitative data processing program NVivo 12.0, there was carried out an analysis of 20 recent studies and higher education documents (2014-2020), as well as examples of good practice. The result is a descriptive matrix for civic transversal competence assessment, which can be used as a basis for the development of assessment tools.