bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Land-use Dynamics in Lupila Ward of Makete District in Southern Highlands of Tanzania
Authors: Sanga Faraja , Liwenga Emma T. , Haulle Evaristo
Published: October 2021

This article examines Land-Use (LU) dynamics in Lupila ward of Makete District in Southern Highlands of Tanzania. Specifically, the purpose of this study is to track LU change in Lupila ward from 1984 to 2014. Geographical information system (GIS) was employed to track LU/Land-Cover (LU/LC) change from 1984 to 2014. The questionnaire, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), in-depth interview and field observations were used to supplement GIS. The data were collected from 87 respondents through questionnaire, FGDs and in-depth interview. Five LU/LC classes were identified, which are agriculture with scattered settlement, natural forests, woodlands, bushlands and grasslands. The identified LU/LC classes changed (increased and decreased) over time. Findings from respondents indicated that LU/LC change was mainly caused by the introduction of exotic tree species and decline in soil fertility. Based on the findings, the study recommends that it is imperative for the respective authority to introduce LU plan in each village so as to rescue resources like natural forests from being depleted.
Association Between Pitch Break on the 4-Seam Fastball and Slider and Shoulder Injury in Major League Baseball Pitchers: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Platt Brooks N. , Zacharias Anthony V. , Conley Caitlin , Hockensmith Lindsay , Stockwell Nicholas , Sciascia Aaron , Stone Austin V.
Published: October 2021

Background:

Few specific risk factors are known for shoulder injury in professional pitchers. New pitch-tracking data allow for risk stratification based on advanced metrics.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose of this study was to determine the association between shoulder injury, pitch frequency, and pitch metrics (velocity, total break, break angle, and spin rate) for the 4-seam fastball, curveball, and slider. We hypothesized that more frequent use of the 4-seam fastball would be associated with shoulder injury.

Study Design:

Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

The Major League Baseball (MLB) database was queried for pitchers who had been placed on the injury list (IL) with a shoulder injury between 2015 and 2019. Injured pitchers were matched 1:1 with controls (pitchers not on the IL with a shoulder injury during the study period), based on age (±1 year), history of ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, position (starter vs reliever), and pitches thrown during the injury season (±500). Pitch frequency, velocity, horizontal break, vertical break, total break, and spin rate for the season were collected from the Baseball Savant website for the 4-seam fastball, curveball, and slider. Univariate analysis was used to determine group differences for individual variables. Multiple logistic regression was performed to determine odds ratios (ORs) for shoulder injury associated with pitch frequency, velocity, total break, break angle, and spin rate. Covariates included age, position, ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction status, expected weighted on-base average, and total pitches thrown.

Results:

Overall, 233 injured pitchers were evaluated. The most common reason for IL placement was inflammation (78/233; 33.5%) followed by strain or sprain (61/233; 26.2%). Increased total pitch break was associated with an increased risk of shoulder injury for the 4-seam fastball (OR, 1.340 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.199-1.509]; P < .001) and slider (OR, 1.360 [95% CI, 1.206-1.554]; P < .001). For the slider, a decreased spin rate (OR = 0.998 [95% CI, 0.997-0.999]; P = .026) and a more vertical break angle (OR = 1.170 [95% CI: 1.073-1.278]; P = .004) were associated with increased risk of injury.

Conclusion:

Increased pitch break of the 4-seam fastball and slider was associated positively with shoulder injury in MLB pitchers. These findings add to the understanding of throwing injury and ability to detect risk using ball-tracking technology.
Using Student-Led Discussions and Snapshot Lectures to Stimulate Active Learning and Accountability: A Mixed Methods Study on Teaching an Implementation Science Course
Authors: Coulter Robert W. S. , Onufer Lindsay
Published: October 2021

We theorized that integrating student-led class activities would foster accountability and active learning in a graduate-level public health implementation science course. We used mixed methods to collect students’ feedback about two active-learning teaching techniques, wherein students were randomly selected to lead class discussions and deliver short, informal “snapshot” lectures. Students reported that both activities encouraged student initiative, engagement with the material, and completion of the assigned readings. However, students thought that the student-led discussions were more enjoyable, made the course more interesting, and contributed more to their learning. These techniques can stimulate active learning and student accountability in public health courses.
FoldHSphere: deep hyperspherical embeddings for protein fold recognition
Authors: Villegas-Morcillo Amelia , Sanchez Victoria , Gomez Angel M.
Published: October 2021

Background

Current state-of-the-art deep learning approaches for protein fold recognition learn protein embeddings that improve prediction performance at the fold level. However, there still exists aperformance gap at the fold level and the (relatively easier) family level, suggesting that it might be possible to learn an embedding space that better represents the protein folds.

Results

In this paper, we propose the FoldHSphere method to learn a better fold embedding space through a two-stage training procedure. We first obtain prototype vectors for each fold class that are maximally separated in hyperspherical space. We then train a neural network by minimizing the angular large margin cosine loss to learn protein embeddings clustered around the corresponding hyperspherical fold prototypes. Our network architectures, ResCNN-GRU and ResCNN-BGRU, process the input protein sequences by applying several residual-convolutional blocks followed by a gated recurrent unit-based recurrent layer. Evaluation results on the LINDAHL dataset indicate that the use of our hyperspherical embeddings effectively bridges the performance gap at the family and fold levels. Furthermore, our FoldHSpherePro ensemble method yields an accuracy of 81.3% at the fold level, outperforming all the state-of-the-art methods.

Conclusions

Our methodology is efficient in learning discriminative and fold-representative embeddings for the protein domains. The proposed hyperspherical embeddings are effective at identifying the protein fold class by pairwise comparison, even when amino acid sequence similarities are low.
The doll therapy as a first line treatment for behavioral and psychologic symptoms of dementia in nursing homes residents: a randomized, controlled study
Authors: Santagata Francesca , Massaia Massimiliano , D’Amelio Patrizia
Published: October 2021

Background

Patients living with dementia are severely affected by the development of behavioral and psychologic symptoms (BPSD) which represent a burden for patients and caregivers. The use of psychotropic drugs in the control of BPSD is widely diffused, however the use of a first line non-pharmacologic approach is highly recommended.

Here we evaluate the effect of doll therapy (DT) in the management of BPSD, on the reduction of caregiver burden and delirium incidence in nursing home residents by a randomized controlled trial.

Methods

We enrolled fifty-two nursing homes residents living with dementia and BPSD. Subjects were randomized to DT (26) or standard treatment (ST, 26), we measured BPSD, caregiver burden and delirium with standard clinical scales at baseline, after 45 and 90 days.

In order to evaluate the presence of BPSD we used Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) scale and the A.Di.CO scale, the caregiver burden was measured by the Greutzner scale and delirium by the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) scale.

Results

DT was more effective in reducing agitation and aggressiveness as respect to ST. Moreover DT globally reduced the presence of BPSD as dysphoria, wandering and apathy. We observed a significant reduction of the professional caregiver burden and the incidence of delirium was significantly reduced in subjects treated with DT.

Conclusions

We show that DT is more effective that ST in the control of BSPD in patients affected by moderate to severe dementia. Moreover we suggest that DT may effective in reducing the incidence of delirium.

Trial registration

Retrospectively registered in ClinicalTrials.gov the 10th June 2, 2021 trial registration number NCT04920591.
Invasive pneumococcal disease burden in hospitalized adults in Bogota, Colombia
Authors: Narváez Paula O. , Gomez-Duque Salome , Alarcon Juan E. , Ramirez-Valbuena Paula C. , Serrano-Mayorga Cristian C. , Lozada-Arcinegas Julian , Bastidas Alirio , Gómez Sandra , Vargas Hernan , Feldman Charles , Reyes Luis Felipe
Published: October 2021

Background

The incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) varies depending on a number of factors, including vaccine uptake, in both children and adults, the geographic location, and local serotype prevalence. There are limited data about the burden of Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn), serotype distribution, and clinical characteristics of adults hospitalized due to IPD in Colombia. The objectives of this study included assessment of Spn serotype distribution, clinical characteristics, mortality, ICU admission, and the need for mechanical ventilation.

Methods

This was an observational, retrospective, a citywide study conducted between 2012 and 2019 in Bogotá, Colombia. We analyzed reported positive cases of IPD from 55 hospitals in a governmental pneumococcal surveillance program. Pneumococcal strains were isolated in each hospital and typified in a centralized laboratory. This is a descriptive study stratified by age and subtypes of IPD obtained through the analysis of medical records.

Results

A total of 310 patients with IPD were included, of whom 45.5% were female. The leading cause of IPD was pneumonia (60%, 186/310), followed by meningitis. The most frequent serotypes isolated were 19A (13.87%, 43/310) and 3 (11.94%, 37/310). The overall hospital mortality rate was 30.3% (94/310). Moreover, 52.6% (163/310 patients) were admitted to the ICU, 45.5% (141/310) required invasive mechanical ventilation and 5.1% (16/310) non-invasive mechanical ventilation.

Conclusion

Pneumococcal pneumonia is the most prevalent cause of IPD, with serotypes 19A and 3 being the leading cause of IPD in Colombian adults. Mortality due to IPD in adults continues to be very high.
Umbilical hernia repair and recurrence: need for a clinical trial?
Authors: Mannion Jennifer , Hamed Mohamed Khalid , Negi Ritu , Johnston Alison , Bucholc Magda , Sugrue Michael
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Umbilical hernia repair, despite its perceived simplicity, is associated with recurrence between 2.7 and 27%, in mesh repair and non mesh repair respectively. Many factors are recognized contributors to recurrence however multiple defects in the linea alba, known to occur in up to 30% of patients, appear to have been overlooked by surgeons.

Aims

This systematic review assessed reporting of second or multiple linea alba defects in patients undergoing umbilical hernia repair to establish if these anatomical variations could contribute to recurrence along with other potential factors.

Methods

A systematic review of all published English language articles was undertaken using databases PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library from January 2014 to 2019. The search terms ‘Umbilical hernia’ AND ‘repair’ AND ‘recurrence’ were used across all databases. Analysis was specified in advance to avoid selection bias, was registered with PROSPERO (154173) and adhered to PRISMA statement.

Results

Six hundred and forty-six initial papers were refined to 10 following article review and grading. The presence of multiple linea alba defects as a contributor to recurrence was not reported in the literature. One paper mentioned the exclusion of six participants from their study due multiple defects. In all 11 factors were significantly associated with umbilical hernia recurrence. These included: large defect, primary closure without mesh, high BMI in 5/10 publications; smoking, diabetes mellitus, surgical site Infection (SSI) and concurrent hernia in 3/10. In addition, the type of mesh, advanced age, liver disease and non-closure of the defect were identified in individual papers.

Conclusion

This study identified many factors already known to contribute to umbilical hernia recurrence in adults, but the existence of multiple defects in the linea, despite it prevalence, has evaded investigators. Surgeons need to be consider documentation of this potential confounder which may contribute to recurrence.
Co-producing an intervention for tobacco cessation and improvement of oral health among diabetic patients in Bangladesh
Authors: Mishu Masuma Pervin , Elsey Helen , Choudhury Arup Ratan , Dastagir Shahana , Khan Saeed , Tahsin Tania , Suma Hena Moni , Karmaker Rajesh , Dogar Omara
Published: October 2021

Background

Tobacco consumption is a major risk factor for many diseases including diabetes and has deleterious effects on oral health. Diabetic patients are vulnerable to developing certain oral conditions. So far, no studies have attempted to co-develop a tobacco cessation intervention to be delivered in dental clinics for people with diabetes in Bangladesh.

Aim

To co-produce a tobacco cessation intervention for people with diabetes for use in dental clinics in Bangladesh.

Objectives

To assess: (1) tobacco use (patterns) and perceptions about receiving tobacco cessation support from dentists among people with diabetes attending the dental department of Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders (BIRDEM) who smoke or use smokeless tobacco (ST) (2) current tobacco cessation support provision by the dentists of the dental department of BIRDEM (3) barriers and facilitators of delivering a tobacco cessation intervention at a dental clinic, and (4) to co-produce a tobacco cessation intervention with people with diabetes, and dentists to be used in the proposed context.

Methods

The study was undertaken in two stages in the dental department of BIRDEM, which is the largest diabetic hospital in Bangladesh. Stage 1 (July–August 2019) consisted of a cross-sectional survey among people with diabetes who use tobacco to address objective 1, and a survey and workshop with dentists working in BIRDEM, and consultations with patients to address objectives 2 and 3. Stage 2 (January 2020) consisted of consultations with patients attending BIRDEM, and a workshop with dentists to co-produce the intervention.

Result

All survey participants (n = 35) were interested in receiving tobacco cessation support from their dentist. We identified important barriers and facilitators to deliver tobacco cessation intervention within dental services. Barriers reported by dentists included lack of a structured support system and lack of training. As a facilitator, we identified that dentists were willing to provide support and it would be feasible to deliver tobacco cessation intervention if properly designed and embedded in the routine functioning of the dental department of BIRDEM. Through the workshops and consultations at stage 2, a tobacco cessation intervention was co-developed. The intervention included elements of brief cessation advice (using a flipbook and a short video on the harmful effects of tobacco) and pharmacotherapy.

Conclusion

Incorporation of tobacco cessation within dental care for people with diabetes was considered feasible and would provide a valuable opportunity to support this vulnerable group in quitting tobacco.
Implication and challenges of direct-fed microbial supplementation to improve ruminant production and health
Authors: Ban Yajing , Guan Le Luo
Published: October 2021

Direct-fed microbials (DFMs) are feed additives containing live naturally existing microbes that can benefit animals’ health and production performance. Due to the banned or strictly limited prophylactic and growth promoting usage of antibiotics, DFMs have been considered as one of antimicrobial alternatives in livestock industry. Microorganisms used as DFMs for ruminants usually consist of bacteria including lactic acid producing bacteria, lactic acid utilizing bacteria and other bacterial groups, and fungi containing Saccharomyces and Aspergillus. To date, the available DFMs for ruminants have been largely based on their effects on improving the feed efficiency and ruminant productivity through enhancing the rumen function such as stabilizing ruminal pH, promoting ruminal fermentation and feed digestion. Recent research has shown emerging evidence that the DFMs may improve performance and health in young ruminants, however, these positive outcomes were not consistent among studies and the modes of action have not been clearly defined. This review summarizes the DFM studies conducted in ruminants in the last decade, aiming to provide the new knowledge on DFM supplementation strategies for various ruminant production stages, and to identify what are the potential barriers and challenges for current ruminant industry to adopt the DFMs. Overall literature research indicates that DFMs have the potential to mitigate ruminal acidosis, improve immune response and gut health, increase productivity (growth and milk production), and reduce methane emissions or fecal shedding of pathogens. More research is needed to explore the mode of action of specific DFMs in the gut of ruminants, and the optimal supplementation strategies to promote the development and efficiency of DFM products for ruminants.
Implementation of EQ-5D-5L as a routine outcome measure in Community Outpatient and Specialized Rehabilitation Services
Authors: Churchill Katie , Warner Lisa , Keogh Eileen , Al Sayah Fatima
Published: October 2021

Rehabilitation is a person-centred approach that optimizes functioning to reduce impairments in individuals with illness, injury or disability. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) have a role in rehabilitation to inform clinical practice, enhance patient-centered care, support health services programming, direct performance measurement, and contribute to quality improvement. A Canadian provincial health system implemented a Rehabilitation Model of Care that provides a real-world perspective on the adoption of a standardized PROM, the EuroQol EQ-5D-5L, in the community rehabilitation setting. This article will provide an overview of PROMs implementation in the community rehabilitation context, and discuss key facilitators and challenges to implementation within the 18 early adopter sites and with the spread and scale to 152 urban and rural sites. A change management approach, contextualized local coaching and strong leadership support were facilitators in the initial phases of implementation. Adequate resources and infrastructure from technological platforms for electronic data capture and visualization were assets in addition to clinical teams that had existing strong quality improvement cultures to collect PROMS in existing workflows. Challenges to implementation include the clinical relevance of the PROM, difficulty with contextualization to suit diverse clinical and programmatic teams, and the need for further knowledge sharing activities to build readiness for adoption. The implementation of PROMs in community rehabilitation has added value at the clinical (micro), programmatic (meso) and health system level (macro). Clinically, it has promoted the importance of incorporating the patients’ voice into outcome measurement. At the program level, the cultivation of a data informed learning community was fostered as teams make improvements and use data to inform future program growth or service changes. Finally, at the health system level, data visualization promotes transparency and accountability with performance across the province and the standardized use of the EQ-5D-5L provides a consistent language to promote measurement throughout the health system.
Automated detection of colon cancer using genomic signal processing
Authors: Naeem Safaa M. , Mabrouk Mai S. , Eldosoky Mohamed A. , Sayed Ahmed Y.
Published: October 2021

Background

Disorders in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) mutations are the common cause of colon cancer. Detection of these mutations is the first step in colon cancer diagnosis. Differentiation among normal and cancerous colon gene sequences is a method used for mutation identification. Early detection of this type of disease can avoid complications that can lead to death. In this study, 55 healthy and 55 cancerous genes for colon cells obtained from the national center for biotechnology information GenBank are used. After applying the electron–ion interaction pseudopotential (EIIP) numbering representation method for the sequences, single-level discrete wavelet transform (DWT) is applied using Haar wavelet. Then, some statistical features are obtained from the wavelet domain. These features are mean, variance, standard deviation, autocorrelation, entropy, skewness, and kurtosis. The resulting values are applied to the k-nearest neighbor (KNN) and support vector machine (SVM) algorithms to obtainsatisfactoryclassification results.

Results

Four important parameters are calculated to evaluate the performance of the classifiers. Accuracy (ACC), F1 score, and Matthews correlation coefficient (MCC) are 95%, 94.74%, and 0.9045%, respectively, for SVM and 97.5%, 97.44%, and 0.9512%, respectively, for KNN.

Conclusion

This study has created a novel successful system for colorectal cancer classification and detection with the well-satisfied results. The K-nearest network results are the best with low error for the generated classification system, even though the results of the SVM network are acceptable.
A very rare case report of bilateral maldescended ovaries and müllerian duct anomaly associated with inflammatory myositis, myasthenia gravis and thymic pathology
Authors: Rakhshankhah Nima , Ebrahimi Ramin , Ataee Kachuee Manizhe , Mohammadi-Vajari Mohammad-Ali , Abouie Abolfazl
Published: October 2021

Background

Maldescended ovaries are a rare condition. Despite its different embryologic development with the uterus, maldescended ovary is usually accompanied by uterine malformations and is found during the course of infertility. In other cases, it may be incidentally diagnosed in examinations due to abdominal pain or in a survey of finding paraneoplastic origin. Probable immune-related developmental conditions are associated with this abnormality; sometimes cross-reaction with other immune-related diseases is possible.

Case presentation

Here, the probable paraneoplastic origin is surveyed for a patient with coexisting inflammatory myositis and myasthenia gravis. According to this survey non recognized Mullerian duct and ovarian anomalies were found.

Conclusions

Knowledge about this anatomical abnormality is helpful for clinicians to prevent misdiagnosis and improper management. Moreover, understanding the probability of accompanying other conditions such as immune-related and neuromuscular junction disorders with Mullerian duct anomalies can offer a comprehensive insight.
Why electroconvulsive therapy still carries a stigma
Authors: Paris Joel
Published: October 2021

Electroconvulsive therapy is a highly effective treatment in psychiatry but still carries a stigma. One possible explanation is that it can be seen as a threat to personal autonomy.
Is psychosis a syndemic manifestation of historical and contemporary adversity? Findings from UK Biobank
Authors: Bhui Kamaldeep , Halvorsrud Kristoffer , Mooney Roisin , Hosang Georgina M.
Published: October 2021

Background

Psychosis is associated with many forms of adversity, deprivation and living in urban areas.

Aims

To investigate whether psychosis is part of a syndemic of multiple adversities.

Method

Drawing on UK Biobank (UKBB) data (Project ID: 57601), we sought to understand mechanisms by which childhood, recent/contemporary and place-based adversities might cluster and interact to be implicated in pathways by which psychoses evolve. We investigated the associations between adversities, potential mediating inflammatory markers and ICD-10 diagnoses (F20–F31) of psychotic disorders. We fitted logistic regression models initially including all relevant candidate variables and used backwards deletion to retain theoretically plausible and statistically significant (P < 0.05) associations with psychotic disorders. The candidate variables were entered in a partial least squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM) to test for syndemic interactions between risk factors. We tested whether the findings were sensitive to demographics, gender and ethnicity.

Results

We fitted a PLS-SEM including psychosis as a syndemic outcome, and identified three latent constructs: lifetime adversity, current adversity and biomarkers. Factor loadings were above 0.30, and all structural paths were significant (P < 0.05). There were moderate associations between lifetime adversity and current adversity (standardised coefficient s.c. = 0.178) and between current adversity and biomarkers (s.c. = 0.227). All three latent constructs showed small but significant associations with psychosis (s.c. < 0.04). Lifetime adversity and current adversity were more strongly associated among ethnic minorities (combined) than White British people.

Conclusions

Our findings stress the importance of interactions between childhood and contemporary adversities in preventive and therapeutic interventions for psychotic disorders, especially among ethnic minorities.
Nation, Race, and Performance in the Poetics of Nicolás Guillén and Nancy Morejón
Authors: Cort Aisha Z.
Published: October 2021

In the context of revolutionary Cuba, discourses of identity are veiled behind discussions and performances of nation and nationality. Consideration of the paradoxical relation of blackness and the Cuban Revolution must consider the historical relation of blackness to the Cuban nation, from its inception, to independence, through the Republic and immediately prior to the Revolution. In addition, a discussion of this relation must consider the discreet comments on race made via official policies, speeches, and discourses on the subject. Using Nancy Morejón’s critical analysis in her seminal 1982 work Nación y mestizaje en Nicolas Guillén as a springboard, the objective of this work is two-fold—to explore how the Cuban nation is reimagined in the poetry of Nicolás Guillén and to dissect the use of metaphors such as mestizaje as performances of nation that in turn highlight racial discourse.
Mas yo resto: Entrevista con Nancy Morejón
Authors: Pérez-Rosario Vanessa
Published: October 2021

In this interview, Cuban poet Nancy Morejón talks about her early work, her involvement with Ediciones El Puente, her poetry publishing hiatus from 1967 to 1979, and her literary criticism on the work of Nicolás Guillén. (In Spanish; an English translation is available online)
Thinking Beyond Coloniality: Toward Radical Caribbean Futures
Authors: Sheller Mimi
Published: October 2021

This essay reviews Aaron Kamugisha’s reading of the works of C. L. R. James and Sylvia Wynter in his 2019 book Beyond Coloniality: Citizenship and Freedom in the Caribbean Intellectual Tradition. Kamugisha issues a resounding call to reenergize the radical Caribbean intellectual tradition, saving us from our own alienation, colonization, and ambivalence. This essay takes inspiration from Beyond Coloniality to respond to the climate-political-social-cultural crisis in the Caribbean and to think through the possibilities for futurity in relation to reparative justice and ecological repair. It considers how the multiple devastations of recent “unnatural disasters” in the Caribbean are the outcome of the coloniality of climate, the deadly logics of racial capitalism, and the persistence of antiblack racism globally. The coloniality of climate calls for attention to repair, care, and reparations. We need to ask, Who is responsible, who is harmed, and who should be accountable?
Θεσμικός εκδημοκρατισμός του σύγχρονου πανεπιστημίου
Authors: Παπανικολάου Βάια
Published: October 2021

Αντικείμενο της παρούσας διατριβής αποτελεί η πρόταση ενός νέου εμπεριστατωμένου μεθοδολογικού πλαισίου μέτρησης των διαστάσεων της Δημοκρατίας στο πανεπιστήμιο. Επικυρωμένοι και καθιερωμένοι δείκτες που χρησιμοποιούνται από διεθνείς οργανισμούς με κύριο στόχο τους τη δημιουργία και υποστήριξη, με συστηματικό τρόπο, εξειδικευμένων, διαχρονικών βάσεων δεδομένων για τη μέτρηση της Δημοκρατίας μπορούν, μέσα από κατάλληλη προσαρμογή να μεταφερθούν στο πεδίο του πανεπιστημίου. Για την επιλογή αυτών των δεικτών, δημιουργήθηκε ένα νέο εννοιολογικό μοντέλο του δημοκρατικού πανεπιστημίου με συγκεκριμένα χαρακτηριστικά γνωρίσματα, η εσωτερική διάρθρωση του οποίου αποτυπώνει τον πολύπλοκο, πολύπλευρο και καίριο θεσμικό του ρόλο στην κοινωνία, πέρα από στενά γεωγραφικά όρια. Ποιοτική έρευνα και λογισμικά εργαλεία εξόρυξης γνώσης, χρησιμοποιήθηκαν για την επιλογή των κατάλληλων δεικτών, η πολλαπλότητα, η ποικιλία και ο πλουραλισμός των οποίων ενισχύει την αντικειμενικότητα της επιλογής τους.Οι συσχετίσεις των δεικτών με τα δημοκρατικά χαρακτηριστικά του πανεπιστημίου αποτυπώθηκαν γραφικά με τη μορφή διαγραμμάτων, αναδεικνύοντας τη σημαντικότητα και την ευαισθησία των δεικτών καθώς και την ένταση των σχέσεων που αναπτύσσονται με τα πανεπιστημιακά χαρακτηριστικά. Η επικύρωση του προτεινόμενου μοντέλου, έγινε με μια μελέτη περίπτωσης, λειτουργίας του ελληνικού πανεπιστημίου, στο πλαίσιο των τριών κυριότερων εκπαιδευτικών μεταρρυθμίσεων, του ν.1268/1982, του ν. 4009/2011 και του ν.4485/2017.Η εσωτερική διάρθρωση του προτεινόμενου μοντέλου του πανεπιστημίου, αναλύεται περαιτέρω και με τη χρήση πρόσθετων εργαλείων, εστιάζοντας για πρώτη φορά με αυτόν τον τρόπο στα επιμέρους ζητήματα αυτονομίας, λογοδοσίας, ποιότητας, παιδαγωγικής και διεθνοποίησης, ηθικής και κοινωνικής δικαιοσύνης. Στοιχεία που συνθέτουν και αποδίδουν το νοηματικό του χαρακτήρα και αναδεικνύουν τη σημαντικότητα του δημοκρατικού πανεπιστημίου. Θεωρούμε ότι το μοντέλο του δημοκρατικού πανεπιστημίου που προτείνουμε στη συγκεκριμένη έρευνα είναι ένας αξιόπιστος ρεαλιστικός, μηχανισμός που αποδίδει το νοηματικό, λειτουργικό και θεσμικό χαρακτήρα του δημοκρατικού πανεπιστημίου και μπορεί να αποτελέσει τον πυρήνα ανάλυσης και μελέτης περιπτώσεων δομικής κατάρρευσης του, πρεσβεύοντας μια διευρυμένη θεώρησή του. Αναδεικνύονται ασυμβατότητες και τρωτά σημεία που μπορεί να υποβαθμίζουν τη δημοκρατική θέσμιση του πανεπιστημίου ιδιαίτερα όταν καλείται να διαχειριστεί αντικρουόμενα αιτήματα κατά την αλληλεπίδραση του με εσωτερικούς και εξωτερικούς φορείς και την πολιτεία. Πιστεύουμε ότι αυτή η μορφή του δημοκρατικού πανεπιστημίου και οι δείκτες μέτρησης της ποιότητας της, μπορεί να λειτουργήσουν ενισχυτικά στις πολύπλοκες διαδικασίες διαμόρφωσης πολιτικής και λήψης αποφάσεων.
Aspects of health inequalities in Greece during the sovereign debt crisis
Authors: Καλαβρέζου Νίκη
Published: October 2021

Η διατριβή αποτελείται από τέσσερα κεφάλαια και είναι οργανωμένη ως ακολούθως. Το Κεφάλαιο 1 αποτελεί μια λεπτομερή καταγραφή του ελληνικού συστήματος υγείας καθώς και των μεταρρυθμίσεων που εφαρμόστηκαν στον τομέα υγείας κατά την προηγούμενη δεκαετία. Λειτουργεί ως μια εισαγωγή στα τρία κεφάλαια που ακολουθούν και τα οποία αναλύουν τάσεις αναφορικά με τις διαφορετικές όψεις των ανισοτήτων υγείας. Το Κεφάλαιο 2 εστιάζει στις ανισότητες πρόσβασης στο ελληνικό σύστημα υγείας. Το Κεφάλαιο 3 μετράει ανισότητες στις ίδιες (out-of-pocket) δαπάνες υγείας των νοικοκυριών καθώς και στις καταστροφικές δαπάνες υγείας. Το Κεφάλαιο 4 μετράει την ανισότητα στην κατάσταση υγείας (αποτελέσματα υγείας). Στα συμπεράσματα συνοψίζεται η διατριβή και προτείνονται θέματα για μελλοντική έρευνα. Η διατριβή αυτή ολοκληρώθηκε με την οικονομική συνδρομή και στήριξη του Ιδρύματος Κρατικών Υποτροφιών (ΙΚΥ).
Spontaneity of nuclear fusion: a qualitative analysis via classical thermodynamics
Authors: Tosti Silvano
Published: October 2021

Background: So far the feasibility of nuclear reactions has been studied only through the evaluation of the reaction rate, which gives us information about the kinetics, while the thermodynamic analysis has been limited to evaluations of the change in enthalpy without any consideration of the change in entropy.

Methods: This work examines the thermodynamics of nuclear fusion reactions through a simplified approach. The analysis introduces the thermodynamic study of fission and fusion reactions through their comparison with a chemical process.

Results: The main result is that fission reactions are always spontaneous (ΔG < 0) since a lot of energy is released in the form of heat and the system moves spontaneously towards a more disordered state. In contrast, fusion reactions are spontaneous only when the enthalpic contribution of the change in Gibbs energy overcomes the entropic contribution. This condition is verified when the temperature of the process is below a characteristic value T*, calculated as the ratio between the energy corresponding to the mass defect and the change of entropy of the fusion reaction.

Conclusions: Due to the unavailability of data related to entropy changes in fusion reactions, only a qualitative thermodynamic analysis has been carried out. Through such analysis, the influence of the operating conditions over the spontaneity of fusion processes has been discussed. The final considerations emphasize the role of the thermodynamics analysis that should be implemented in the current studies that, so far, have been mainly based on the assessment of the reaction rate and exothermicity of fusion reactions.
Mirrored Appearance of Complete Common Mesentery Discovered on CT Scan for Crohn's Disease
Authors: Ndikumana Odette , Badi Fatima Zahra , Djidda Oumar , Sabiri Mouna , Elmanjra Samia , Lezar Samira , Essodegui Fatiha
Published: October 2021

Incomplete 90° intestinal rotation in a clockwise direction results in complete common mesentery being placed in a mirror image to and with a similar appearance to complete common mesentery. This rotation places the colon in the right half of the abdominal cavity and the small intestine in the left half of the abdominal cavity. We report the case of a 19-year-old patient with a history of cerebral palsy secondary to meningitis who presented with melaena and inflammatory anaemia. CT enterography was performed which showed regular, non-stenosing circumferential wall thickening of the sigmoid colon and rectosigmoid junction compatible with Crohn's disease, which was confirmed by pathophysiology. It also revealed transposition of the colon to the right hemi-abdomen and the small intestine to the left hemi-abdomen, the caecum to the right iliac fossa, and the third portion of the duodenum to the left of the mesenteric vessels.
Hypercalcaemia Caused by Sunflower Seeds and Calcium Carbonate Supplements
Authors: Patoli Iqra , Kazim Mehrunissa , Jamil Saad Bin , Abbas Syed Hassan
Published: October 2021

Introduction: Hypercalcaemia is commonly associated with malignancy or endocrinological disorders. However, sometimes it can occur due to increased oral intake of calcium. We present an interesting case of hypercalcaemia due to ingestion of sunflower seeds and calcium carbonate supplements. Case Description: We present the case of a 53-year-old man with history of T-cell lymphoma and gastroesophageal reflux disease who was brought to the emergency room due to altered mental status, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. His calcium level was 3.30 mmol/l (normal value 2.23–2.58 mmol/l). Imaging studies were unremarkable. The patient was hydrated with normal saline and calcium levels improved. Once he was more coherent, he disclosed that he had consumed significant amounts of sunflower seeds and calcium carbonate supplements, which were considered to be the cause of his hypercalcaemia. Conclusion: Hypercalcaemia is common and can lead to critical illness. Although hypercalcaemia is frequently associated with endocrinological disorders, sometimes the presentation is secondary to increased intake. The consumption of sunflower seeds and antacids containing calcium carbonate can cause symptomatic hypercalcaemia. It is important to recognize rare causes of hypercalcaemia in order to treat it in a timely manner and prevent recurrence.
Entrepreneurial Potential of Internally Displaced Persons: Mechanisms of Attraction and Use
Authors:   Institute of Industrial Economics of the NAS of Ukraine, Pankova O. , Shastun A. ,   Institute of Industrial Economics of the NAS of Ukraine, Kasperovych O. ,   Institute of Industrial Economics of the NAS of Ukraine
Published: October 2021

The information and analytical support of the entrepreneurial activity of internally displaced persons (IDPs) is analyzed. There is a lack of statistical accounting of the number of actually relocated businesses, IDP entrepreneurs from the Crimea and Donbass. The needs and problems of these displaced persons do not have a quantitative and qualitative dimension. There is no information on the regional distribution of resettlement of IDP entrepreneurs. The main problems and obstacles of IDP entrepreneurship have been identified. They are limited opportunities for self-employment, rehabilitation, start-up and development of SMEs and micro-entrepreneurship of IDPs in places of relocation. The state does not compensate for the loss of the ability of IDP entrepreneurs to continue their business activities due to partial or complete destruction of fixed assets, lack of business support programs, inability to obtain loans for resumption of activities and limited access to financial resources, etc. The priority directions of preservation, support and development of entrepreneurial potential of IDPs are offered, which are directed on maintenance of social justice concerning realization of the rights, freedoms and guarantees of IDP-entrepreneurs; creation of favorable institutional, legal, financial and economic, information and communication conditions for the restoration and development of IDP business; providing ample opportunities for IDP entrepreneurs to obtain loans and fixed assets, etc. The advantages of non-state sources of support for IDPs' business activities are revealed. These are international lending instruments: investment financing, reorientation of existing projects; international grant funding; international technical assistance. It has been proven that social entrepreneurship is an effective option for using the entrepreneurial potential of IDPs. The institutional, legal, financial and economic mechanisms of the state regulatory policy for the development of SMEs in Ukraine regarding IDPs have been identified. The need to establish partnership and coordination networks between the public, public and private sectors is noted. Strategic directions of formation of entrepreneurial potential of IDPs for regional and local development are offered.
Economic and Mathematical Modeling of the Innovation Process in the Agro-Industrial Sector
Authors:   Azerbaijan State University of Economics, Aliyeva Nailya Rauf kyzy
Published: October 2021

Modern scientific research in the agro-industrial sphere is increasingly based on various mathematical calculations. In practice, it is economic and mathematical models that are of particular importance. These methods and approaches have gained particular value and distribution in the production environment, but in modern conditions of production and economic activity, more and more sectoral economic entities are faced with the application of mathematical models in order to improve the efficiency of investment resource management.
Assessment of the Conditions for Concluding Loan Portfolio Purchase and Sale Agreements between Related Parties as a Tool for Prudential Supervision of the National Regulator
Authors:   LLC ", Artemenko D. ,   Investment and Legal Group"
Published: October 2021

The article proposes to use the market value of the loan portfolio as a criterion for compliance with the terms of its purchase and sale agreements, between related parties, the normal market and use it as a tool in the supervision of the national regulator. The developed methodological support for assessing the compliance of the conditions for concluding purchase and sale agreements of loan portfolios, between related parties, normal market conditions is based on the characteristics of the elements, properties and features of valuation as an economic category. The proposed algorithm for assessing the terms of conclusion between related parties of purchase and sale of loan portfolios for their compliance with normal market conditions allows to take into account the essential characteristics of loans and complies with current legislation of Ukraine governing banking. On the example of contingent portfolios of cash and consumer loans, the stages of forecasting cash flows from the payment of outstanding balance of principal, interest, commissions and other payments on debt service, as well as income from the sale of default loans are disclosed.
Innovative Ultrastructure as a Necessary Component of the National Innovation System
Authors:   LLC ", Oleksenko L. ,   Institute of Innovative Bioeconomics"
Published: October 2021

The article analyzes the innovative ultrastructure of the national innovation system and identifies its types and components. The conditions for the development of an effective innovative ultrastructure are considered. The organizations that perform scientific and scientific-technical work by sectors of activity are analyzed. The analysis of the number of employees involved in the implementation of research and development, by sectors of activity, academic degrees and age. Attention is paid to the analysis of institutions that train scientific personnel. The costs of performing scientific and scientific-technical works by types and sectors of activity, as well as the sources of their financing are studied. The results of scientific and scientific-technical work are clarified, in particular, the number of created new types of products, equipment, technologies, materials, plant varieties, animal breeds and methods and theories. Further directions of research of this theme are offered.
Status and Trends in the Development of Financial Support for Social Protection in Ukraine
Authors:   SHEI Donbass State Engineering Academy, Voloshinа О. , Kovaleva M. ,   SHEI Donbass State Engineering Academy, Bozhenko V. ,   SHEI Donbass State Engineering Academy
Published: October 2021

The article considers the state and tendencies of development of financial provision of social protection in Ukraine. Modern problems of financing the sphere of social protection of the population in Ukraine are revealed. The importance of understanding the social protection of the population as a system of financial relations necessary to compensate for social risks and ensure social security is substantiated. The essence and features of financial provision of social protection of the population are revealed. The research of directions of budgetary financing of social sphere at the state level is carried out. The financial mechanism of realization of social protection which provides formation of the sources of the financial resources directed on performance of the corresponding programs and actions, and also the substantiated choice of methods, forms and levers of their use is investigated. It is proved that one of the significant obstacles to the effective implementation of social policy in our country is the insufficient level of its financial security in combination with irrational planning, distribution and inefficient use of available financial resources.
Social Protection of the Population at the Present Stage: State and Problems in Ukraine
Authors:   SHEI Donbass State Engineering Academy, Smyrnova I. , Lykhoshva О. ,   SHEI Donbass State Engineering Academy, Rak N. ,   SHEI Donbass State Engineering Academy, Horiieva L. ,   SHEI Donbass State Engineering Academy
Published: October 2021

The article analyzes the functioning conditions of the current system of social protection of the population of Ukraine. The theoretical foundations regarding the forms and sources of financing and financial support of the social protection system are considered. The features of financing social transfers through the main forms of social protection – social security, social insurance, and social assistance – are investigated. Weaknesses and ways to improve the domestic social protection system are identified. Approaches to solving financing problems in the field of social protection of the population are proposed.
At the Crossbreaks of Time ... My Chronicle of Half a Century. Essay. Part two
Authors:   SHEI Donbass State Engineering Academy, Makogon Yu.
Published: October 2021

An autobiographical attempt to tell about the time in which he lived, became who he is now, and the need to tell about the experienced, and still experiencing, the consequences of changing times ... Each author has his own vision, in the formation of which many factors mattered: the state of society, education, a profession that has lost and gained age – and so can be listed indefinitely.
Formation and Application of Labor Potential of Donetsk Economic Region
Authors:   State Institution Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University, Burda N. , Chebotarova N. ,   State Institution Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University
Published: October 2021

The article examines the theoretical aspects of the formation and application of labor potential on the basis of the elaboration of modern sources of scientific literature and official statistical data. The analysis of the main parameters of labor potential of Donetsk economic region is carried out and its features and dynamics are revealed. An assessment of the general demographic situation of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which is marked by declining birth rates, aging, depopulation and migration. The migration of the population in the region has a significant impact on the formation of labor potential, which prompted the analysis of the migration movement of the population (interregional, interstate and migrating abroad). As part of the two oblasts is temporarily occupied, the research was conducted using the statistics on the territories of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts controlled by Ukraine. For a more complete picture of the impact of the current situation on people's desire to leave the region, data for the same period in Sumy region were given, as it also borders the Kharkiv region of Ukraine and the regions of the Russian Federation, as well as the two regions we studied. Since the formation of labor potential in the region is influenced by its reproduction, the birth rate analysis was also conducted. The application of labor potential in the field of economic activity is directly related to the level of economic activity of the population and the level of its employment, so their dynamics in the studied region over the past five years is analyzed. The necessity of effective application of labor potential, its qualitative component is substantiated, namely: first of all, it is necessary to improve the structure of employment and optimize the structure of jobs, to improve target programs in terms of their impact on employment conditions in industries and regions.