bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improved hole injection/extraction using PEDOT:PSS interlayer coated onto high temperature annealed ITO electrode for efficient device performances
Authors: Dasi Gnyaneshwar , Lavanya Thyda , Sathiyan Govindasamy , Gupta Raju Kumar , Garg Ashish , Amaladass P. , KUPPUSAMY THANGARAJU
Published: March 2021

We demonstrate the improved device performances by using the structure of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) film coated onto the indium tin oxide (ITO) anodic electrode annealed at 400 °C under the normal ambient. The ITO thin films show the improved film quality with decreased dislocation density and lattice strain as annealing temperature increases. The spin-coated PEDOT:PSS film smoothens the wrinkle kind of surface morphology of the ITO film annealed at 400 °C. The annealed ITO (400 °C) with PEDOT:PSS interlayer improves the hole-current density in the hole-only devices (HODs) having the device structure of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/N,N'-Bis(3-methylphenyl)-N,N'-diphenylbenzidine as hole-transporting layer/Al. It enhances the efficiency of organic photovoltaic devices [ITO (annealed) /PEDOT:PSS/P3HT:PCBM (active layer)/LiF/Al] by three times higher (1.69 %) when compared to that (0.48 %) of pristine ITO based OPV device. These results show that the annealing of ITO film at the high temperature of 400 °C under the normal ambient improves the film quality and lowers the potential energy barrier at ITO/PEDOT:PSS interface for effective hole injection/extraction process, resulting in the enhanced device electrical performances.
Morphometric analysis of the His bundle (atrioventricular fascicle) in humans and other animal species, associated with electrophysiological variables. Histological and immunohistochemical study
Authors: Gómez-Torres Fabián Alejandro , SAURI AMPARO RUIZ
Published: March 2021

His bundle is a part of the specialized electrical conduction system that, in the normal or anormal hearts, provides connection between the atrial and ventricular myocardial compartments. The aim of this study was to perform a morphometric analysis of the characteristics of His bundle and its association with predetermined electrophysiological variables in humans, dogs, horses, and pigs. We used five hearts of the species studied. Histological sections of 5 µm thickness were obtained and stained with hematoxylin-eosin and Masson's trichrome. We also used the desmin and PAS method for precise identification of cells. His bundle was longer in horses (2.85 x 0.82 mm) and pigs (1.77 x 0.44 mm) than in dogs (1.53 x 0.26 mm) and humans, which was the shortest (1.06 x 0.23 mm). In His bundle cells, the area and diameters were significantly larger in pigs and horses than in humans (p < 0.001) and dogs (p < 0.001). We have found two patterns of organization of the components of His bundle: Group I, with large cells and a high amount of collagen fibers in ungulates (pigs and horses); group II, with smaller cells and less amount of collagen fibers in humans and dogs. Documenting differences in cell size in His bundle allows us to obtain an additional, alternative identification criterion to commonly used ones such as anatomical location. Morphological characteristics of His bundle and its cells in the different species studied coincide with rapid or slow transmission of the electrical impulse when compared with the predetermined electrophysiological variables.
Genome-wide Hierarchical Mixed Model Association Analysis
Authors: Yang Runqing , Liu Di , Hao Zhiyu , Song Yuxin , Yang Runqing , Liu Di
Published: March 2021

We partitioned the genomic mixed model into two hierarchies to firstly estimate genomic breeding values (GBVs) using the genomic best linear unbiased prediction and then statistically infer the association of GBVs with each SNP using the generalized least square. The genome-wide hierarchical mixed model association study (named Hi-LMM) can correct effectively confounders with polygenic effects as residuals in association tests, preventing potential false negative errors produced with GRAMMAR or EMMAX. The Hi-LMM performs the same statistical power as the exact FaST-LMM with the same computing efficiency as EMMAX. When the GBVs have been estimated precisely, Hi-LMM outperforms existing methods in statistical power, especially through joint association analysis.
Optimal cut-offs of four anthropometric measures and their predictive ability of diabetes in a nationally representative Kenyan study
Authors: Manyara Anthony Muchai
Published: March 2021

Background Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is one of the top non-communicable diseases in Kenya and prevention strategies are needed. Intervening to reduce obesity is the most common prevention strategy. However, black ethnicities develop T2D at lower obesity levels and it is unclear what anthropometric cut-offs could provide the best predictive ability for T2D risk. This study, therefore, aimed to determine the optimal anthropometric cut-offs and their predictive ability of T2D. Methods The study included 2159 participants (59% women) aged 35-69 years from the Kenya STEPwise survey conducted in 2014. Four anthropometric measures – body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist to hip ratio (WHR), and waist to height ratio (WHtR) – were used. Diabetes was defined as a fasting blood glucose of ≥7.0 mmol/l or a previous diagnosis for diabetes. Optimal anthropometric cut-offs and their receiver operating characteristics, such as the area under the curve (AUC), were computed. Results Overall, the optimal cut-off for BMI, WC, WHR and WHtR were 24. 8kg.m-2, 90.0cm, 0.88 and 0.54. On disaggregation by sex, the optimal cut-off for BMI, WC, WHR and WHtR was 27.1 kg.m-2, 87cm, 0.85 and 0.55 in women and 24.8 kg.m-2, 91cm, 0.88, and 0.54 in men. Overall, WC (AUC 0.71 (95% confidence interval 0.65, 0.76)) had a better predictive ability for T2D than BMI (AUC 0.68 (0.62, 0.73), p=0.0314)). Also, WHtR (AUC 0.71 (0.66, 0.76)) had better a predictive ability for T2D than BMI (AUC 0.68 (0.62, 0.73), p=0.0182)). Conclusions WC and WHtR were better predictors of T2D than BMI and should be used for risk stratification in Kenya. A WC cut-off of 87cm in women and 91cm in men, or a WHtR cut-off of 0.55 in both men and women should be used to identify individuals at high risk of T2D.
Estimating interactions in individual participant data meta-analysis. A comparison of methods in practice.
Authors: Walker Ruth , Stewart Lesley , Simmonds Mark
Published: March 2021

Medical interventions may be more effective in some types of individuals than others and identifying characteristics that modify the effectiveness of an intervention is a cornerstone of precision or stratified medicine. The opportunity for detailed examination of treatment-covariate interactions can be an important driver for undertaking an individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis, rather than a meta-analysis using aggregate data. A number of recent modelling approaches are available. We apply these methods to the Perinatal Antiplatelet Review of International Studies (PARIS) Collaboration IPD dataset and compare estimates between them. We discuss the practical implications of applying these methods, which may be of interest to aid meta-analysists in the use of these, often complex models.
Models compared included the two-stage meta-analysis of interaction terms and one-stage models which fit multiple random effects and separate within and between trial information. Models were fitted for nine covariates and five binary outcomes and results compared.
Interaction terms produced by the methods were generally consistent. We show that where data are sparse and there is low heterogeneity in the covariate distributions across trials, the meta-analysis of interactions may produce unstable estimates and have issues with convergence. In this IPD dataset, varying assumptions by using multiple random effects in one-stage models or using only within trial information made little difference to the estimates of treatment-covariate interaction. Method choice will depend on datasets characteristics and individual preference.
THE CONCEPT OF «GRATITUDE» AS A VERBAL AND VALUABLE DOMINANT OF MEDIATEX (on the example of Thanksgiving day)
Authors: Yaremenko Ludmila
Published: March 2021

The article is devoted to the study of the concept of «gratitude» relevant in modern discourse on the material of the media texts combined in the book Thanksgiving day (of the daily All-Ukrainian newspaper «Day»). An attempt is made to determine the conceptual content of the concept of «gratitude» through the verbalized means of objectifying this ethnocultural formation.
The concept of «gratitude» in the analyzed texts plays the role of the semantic dominant, viewed through the prism "Without memory there is no gratitude, and without gratitude there is no historical (institutionalized) memory" which defined their semantic structure.
An attempt was made to identify the axiological potential of «gratitude» as the dominant of a nonfiction text, where expressive expression is a means of achieving maximum impact on the reader. The leading meanings-values ​​are gratitude-self-esteem, gratitude-happiness, universal cultural regulation.
ARTISTIC REPORTAGES BY O. KRYSHTOPA’S UKRAINE: THE SCOPE 1:1
Authors: Lenok Maria
Published: March 2021

The article is devoted to artistic reportages by O. Khrystopa a Ukrainian author of non fiction literature. The artistic reportage of the early 21st century underwent significant changes, evolving from the literary coverage of the 1920s. Contemporary authors refine their texts with different artistic techniques, genre-style techniques, which leads to the emergence of common genres. Such texts tend to be meta-genre in documentary and artistic discourse. The artistic reportages have a dual nature because they synthesize genre features of literature and journalism. There is a tendency to saturate artistic reportage with artistic techniques, expanding the possibilities of literature today.
The aim of the article is to find out the place of artistic reportage in the contemporary Ukrainian literary discourse and to analyze some texts, in particular the book by O. Khrystopa’s Ukraine: the Scорe 1:1.
The author represented a map of his travels and assignments to different corners of the country, covering a number of small and large cities. It is noteworthy that he reproduced urgent topics: unemployment, employment, language, politics, ecology, coal fever, Chornobyl.
The artist skillfully uses linguistic and imaginative means that focus on poetic micro-images in the texts of artistic reportages in the book Ukraine: the Scорe 1:1. The sound and visual images give the texts the proof.
The artist imposes the text with the metaphorical, metonymic or amplifying character, uses simple comparisons, synecdoche, often parses a narrative that helps to focus on the background of the image; expresses the artistic background with literary allusions, preserving the tradition of considering one text within another.
The study of the genre specificity of the artistic reportage will be the subject of the further research.
Morphological and molecular characters of Scutellonema brachyurus (Steiner, 1938) Andrássy, 1958 from South Africa
Authors: Shokoohi Ebrahim
Published: March 2021

During a survey on plant-parasitic nematodes from South Africa, Scutellonema brachyurus was recovered from soil samples collected around the rhizosphere of wild grass in the North West and Limpopo provinces. This species characterized by a hemispherical lip region with four to six annuli, basal lip’s annuli with longitudinal incisures, body length 696–904 µm (a = 25.1–33.5; b = 5.0–7.2; c = 48.9–75.3; c’ = 0.5–0.9; V = 55–60), stylet 21–27 µm length, tail rounded with 10–19 µm length and spermatheca nonfunctional and male absent. The nblast analysis based on the D2-D3 segment of 28 S rDNA placed South African populations of S. brachyurus with 98% similarity to Greece (KU059494) and 99% similarity to South African (JX472052) S. brachyurus. Besides, nblast of COI of mtDNA showed 98% similarity of the test species with South African populations of S. brachyurus (JX472096; JX472097). The phylogenetic analysis put the South African populations of S. brachyurus together with other S. brachyurus with a 100 posterior probability support. Besides, the measurements, line illustration, and scanning electron microscopy photographs are provided for S. brachyurus from South Africa.
Significance of tridymite distribution during cooling and vapor-phase alteration of ignimbrites
Authors: Heled Yuli , Rowe Michael C. , Chambefort Isabelle , Wilson Colin J.N.
Published: March 2021

Thick sequences of silicic ignimbrites contain complex emplacement and cooling histories, often masking contacts between ignimbrite flow packages. Mineralogical and textural variations in these sequences are primarily a function of emplacement temperature and cooling time. Here, we focus on the use of the silica polymorph tridymite to understand the association of vapor-phase crystallization and devitrification within ignimbrite flow packages. As opposed to the common occurrence of cristobalite, the restricted domains in which we observe tridymite may provide more relevant constraints for interpreting post-emplacement devitrification and vapor-phase alteration. This study examines sections through the Whakamaru (New Zealand), Bishop (U.S.A.), and Grey’s Landing (U.S.A.) ignimbrites by combining textural observations with measurements of density, groundmass crystallinity, and the distribution and proportion of tridymite to cristobalite. The rheomorphic Grey’s Landing ignimbrite represents a high-temperature end-member scenario, with widely distributed tridymite (up to 20%) resulting from a high-magmatic temperature and rapid devitrification in a low-porosity deposit. In the welded Whakamaru and Bishop ignimbrites, metastable tridymite (up to 13%) is concentrated along boundaries between flow packages. Here tridymite is interpreted to crystallize in transient permeable zones, forming during vapor-phase alteration prior to compaction, where upper denser-welded flow materials serve as vapor seals. Our results suggest that tridymite may link the initial cooling and welding history of ignimbrites to vapor-phase alteration and devitrification, and may serve as a potential mineralogical fingerprint of depositional contacts, important for consideration of lateral transport of fluids in geothermal reservoirs.
The role of the sense of entitlement for Russian consumers’ behavior
Authors:   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Berezka Svetlana M. ,   National Research University Higher School of Economics, Demidova Daria A. ,   Lomonosov Moscow State University
Published: March 2021

This study aims to identify the sense of entitlement of Russian consumers’ behavior in customer loyalty programs context. It describes the consumer sense of entitlement concept and its application to consumer behavior research based on an extensive literature review. Consumer sense of entitlement refers to the extent to which a customer expects special treatment from the company. According to foreign research, consumer sense of entitlement as a personality trait remains stable over time and relatively invariant across other factors, and a situational response to the company’s actions affects consumer behavior including the personal style of interaction and their expectations. The paper includes an empirical study of the sense of entitlement of Russian consumers, who are representatives of generations Y and Z. The analysis was conducted on the data collected through a quantitative online survey on the consumer attitude and expectations of airline services. As a result of factor analysis and structural equation modeling, key components of consumer sense of entitlement such as demanding behavior and distinction have been revealed. Th e interrelation with loyalty and complaint behavior was identified for two groups of respondents, namely the members of customer loyalty programs and non-members. The authors revealed the positive impact of consumer sense of entitlement on voicing complaints for both groups of respondents and the positive influence of loyalty on the demanding behavior of respondents who do not participate in loyalty programs. The article represents an initialattempt to examine the Russian consumers’ sense of entitlement.
Revisiting personalization through customer experience journey
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Gogua Megi M. , Smirnova Maria M. ,   St. Petersburg State University
Published: March 2021

Firms use personalization in order to influence the customer experience through numerous touch points. This influence has positive and negative consequences, which have further strong impact on the customer responses and overall success of the firm’s communication with the customer. Personalization and customer experience have the common path of their development and share the fields of applications; however, scientific literature is currently fragmented and analyzes the narrow aspects of either personalization or customer experience. This conceptual article investigates personalization with the focus on the overall customer experience journey and its use for the estimation of customer responses and touch points’ utilization. The need for this focus is based on the necessity of the firm to understand customer responses to personalization as well as the factors appearing at pre-purchase, purchase and post-purchase stages of customer decision making. The theoretical novelty of the paper embraces positive and negative consequences of personalization for identification of future empirical research directions. These conclusions include the impact of anthropomorphization through embedded automated interactive messaging, history-based and group-based recommendation systems as well as the impact of increased touch points and influence of informational vulnerability on customer trust, click-through intentions and reactance. Managerial contributions relate to the suggestions on possible actions required to either enforce particular effects with positive outcomes for customer experience or diminish negative ones in terms of technological facilitation, measurement possibilities and enhancement of information transparency.
What does the system of phonemes do?
Authors:   University of Minnesota, Liberman Anatoly S.
Published: March 2021

System is one of the most important concepts of modern linguistics, including phonology, but it remains unclear in what sense the phonemes of a language form a system. It is apparent that the reference is not due to the fact that vowels and consonants function in series nor to the interplay between the prosodic and the segmental levels. Nowadays, phonemes are usually presented in the form of generative models, and the possibility to do so is understood as system’s justification. Yet the results of such modeling testify to the researcher’s ingenuity rather than to the organization of language. The role of the actual system, rather than such as is imposed on it by a linguist, comes to the foreground in diachrony. This role does not consist in producing symmetry (for instance, filling a case vide) or facilitating push- and drag-chains. System exists to prevent the changes of sounds and prosodemes from disrupting the process of communication; it even makes them unnoticed by the speakers. Only diachronic phonology, though it borrows its framework from general phonology, gives life to two basic concepts of linguistics: system and the distinctive feature. Change reveals their uses, which otherwise remain hidden. The conclusions in the present article are drawn from the material of Germanic languages, mainly English: The Great Vowel Shift and some compensatory processes, including such consequences of apocope as the circumflex and vowel lengthening. Throughout the article, special emphasis is put on the protective role of the system.
Variability of the language norm in the functioning of toponyms: Problems and contradictions
Authors:   Volgograd State University, Ilyin Dmitrii Yu. , Sidorova Elena G. ,   Volgograd State University
Published: March 2021

The article examines the linguistic content of the language norm related to the spelling of geographic proper names. As the basic notion, the authors use Ludmila Verbitskaya’s definition of the norm recognizing orthographic standards as a particular case of a language norm. The significance of a research in this area is due, firstly, to specificities of spelling norms, and secondly, difficulties of proper name codification. The orthographic norms are characterized by a significantly higher degree of strictness in comparison with other types of linguistic standards, hence, the avoidance of toponymic orthographic doublets creating problems in place-name identification. Normally, place names are not present in popular orthographic dictionaries and other non-specialized lexicographic sources. Not infrequently, the spelling of a particular locality in a codified form can only be found either on geographical maps and atlases or in gazetteers and registries of geographical names of a particular region. As a result, the spelling norm becomes established in the the native speakers’ linguistic competence primarily through the assimilation and application of the corresponding rules. It was revealed that the most significant contradictions in the implementation of the spelling norm take place when choosing an upper- or lowercase letter in compound proper names, as well as when representing the elements of compounds (separately, as one word or hyphenated). The resultss of the present research can be used in revision of orthography of both existing and newly formed place names to make them concordant with the principles of linguistic ecology
The functions of parenthetical structures in the context of communicative registers of the language (in the novel Aviator by E. G. Vodolazkin)
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Kazakov Vladimir P.
Published: March 2021

The article provides an analysis of parenthetical structures in the novel Aviator by Eugene Vodolazkin in light of its genre peculiarities and in the context of communicative registers of the language. In the diary entries of Innokentiy Platonov (the main character of the novel), the parenthetical structures appear instrumental for a variety of communicative tasks, for example, they mark important details of the past and recapture memories of the events making the reader a witness; they also help to provide explanations of situations and actions and express the reaction to what is happening or taking place. The additional speech plan of parenthetical structures easily correlates with: 1) informative register (the author of the diary shares his knowledge with the readers); 2) reproductive register (the events are described as occurring or taking place in front of the author and the readers); 3) reactive register (the author of the diary expresses his reaction to the events of the past and present). The article describes the major groups of parenthetical structures in terms of their meaning, singled out within each communicative register, and provides data on the number of items selected by means of the continuous sampling method. It is established that the most frequent parenthetical structures in the novel are those operating in the context of the informative register, predominantly with the meaning of incidental, clarifying or particularizing information, and also those performing a reasoning function.
Linguistic and cultural discrepancy, or Sui Mei Travels about the Soviet Union
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Kleiner Yuri
Published: March 2021

Soviet textbooks of foreign languages, in particular English, very accurately reflect those tendencies which affected the evolution of the approach to teaching and its goals, from exchanging information to unidirectional (“addresseeless”) communication that was thematically limited by the realities of a closed society. The material of textbooks changed from original works slightly colored ideologically in the late-1920s towards texts that were completely removed from the realities of countries of the studied languages in the 1930s — 80s. The practice based on “word-for-word translation” methodology resulted in (a) entire lexical spheres having no equivalents in the English-speaking world (e. g. The Moscow News lexicon), (b) incorrect designations of borrowed notions (“currency exchange office” instead of Foreign Exchange), and (c) “reification,” creating notions based on reinterpreted borrowings. All this is fundamentally different from borrowing words together with respective notions under natural conditions (e. g. in émigré communities). Later on, the method of direct borrowing began to be used in Russia and as a result, a significant layer of neologisms was formed in the vocabulary of the modern Russian language. A large portion of the neologisms had equivalents (some of them previously borrowed) and this resulted in a new synonymy with further ousting of one of the synonyms (e. g. tendencija → trend, specialist → ekspert, etc.), or a division of meanings, includ- ing even the formation of words in their own right (messač’< message), etc. An alternative to this tendency can be a conscious attitude to language processes (native speakers’ control of borrowings), which in turn, depend on competence in both contacting languages and, in the last analysis, the organization of education in the country.
From the history of Russian phonetics: Theory and practice in acoustic and perceptual research of the Department of Phonetics, Leningrad University (1950–70s)
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Svetozarova Natalia D.
Published: March 2021

The article dedicated to the memory of Ludmila Verbitskaya is concerned with the role of acoustic and perceptual research in the development of Lev Shcherba’s phonological theory. Of fundamental importance for this were the studies of the Laboratory of Experimental Phonetics of Leningrad University, conducted in the 1950–1970s, in which fundamental theoretical issues were inseparable from the problems of application. It is at this period that Verbitskaya’s early works were created, largely responsible for her reputation of an outstanding linguist. In 1965, she defended her Ph.D. dissertation Russian Speech Units vis-à-vis Аllophones and Phonemes (Lev Zinder, advisor), based on an extensive experimental study. Among other things, she challenged the dogma of the traditional phonological theory that speakers perceive only distinctive phonemic oppositions, by demonstrating the ability of the speakers of Russian to distinguish a greater variety of vowels than was normally supposed. It should be noted, however, that in Verbitskaya’s experiment, of all the allophones involved, the informants discerned only those responsible for providing the hardness-softness consonantal opposition. In this case, the informants not only perceived the differences, but were able to interpret them in accordance with the phonological system of the Russian language.
Factor analysis of leptin, adiponectin effect and resistin during bronchial asthma
Authors:   Pavlov First St. Petersburg State Medical University, Lalaeva Тatiana , Mineev Valery ,   Pavlov First St. Petersburg State Medical University, Тrofimov Vasily ,   Pavlov First St. Petersburg State Medical University
Published: March 2021

To date, the participation of particular adipokines (leptin, adiponectin, resistin) in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma has been well studied, however, their interaction, in particular their cooperative effect on the course of the disease, has not been practically studied. The aim of the study is to identify the effect of the cooperative interaction of key adipokines on the course of bronchial asthma, depending on the pathogenetic variant of the disease. Factor analysis was used to analyze the data from the study of the levels of leptin, adiponectin, resistin in 56 patients with bronchial asthma. Factor analysis made it possible to identify 3 factors. Factor 1 reflects the direct effect of leptin signaling on the severity of bronchial asthma, to a lesser extent on the exacerbation of the disease. In this case, the adiponectin component, with a high negative factor load, is associated with the severity of the course and the phase of bronchial asthma. Factor 2 reflects the direct effect of another adipokine resistin on the severity of bronchial asthma, but we draw attention to the fact that the resistin component with a large positive factor loading is associated with a non-allergic variant of bronchial asthma and exacerbation of the disease. Factor analysis revealed a fundamentally different pathogenetic role in relation to the severity of bronchial asthma of such adipokines as leptin and resistin in different variants of the disease.
Quality of life and muscle strength improvement in an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patient after nutraceuticals
Authors:   Institute for Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Freire de Carvalho Jozélio , Yamasita João Ricardo ,   Instituto de Medicina Consciente, Churilov Leonid ,   St. Petersburg State University
Published: March 2021

The objective of the article was to describe a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) treated with nutraceuticals who had a better quality of life and improved muscle strength. A 65-year-old male patient with a past medical history of gout was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in 2016. He received intravenous immunoglobulin and prednisone, but no improvement was observed. In 2018, he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, submitted to a bone marrow transplant, and initiated riluzole. After 2 months, he came to our private clinic; he could not walk anymore and used outpatient nasal ventilator equipment. Beck anxiety inventory (BAI) was 20 [normal range (nr): < 8], Beck depression inventory (BDI) was 12 (nr: < 10), Bristol stool form scale (BSTS) was 5 (nr: 3–4), and there were 7 symptoms of dysbiosis. Analogic visual scale (Lickert scale) for well-being was 5.0. We suspended the colchicine, added vitamin D3, creatine, vitamin C, N-acetyl cysteine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, B1, and B6 vitamins. Dysbiosis was also treated. After 2 months, he returned feeling much better, BAI and BDI reduced BDI to 11, and BSFS normalized. Following this evaluation, a nutraceutical prescription was added: methylfolate, zinc, magnesium, green tea extract, Ginkgo biloba, lipoic acid, pyrroloquinoline quinone, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10, and resveratrol. After 7 months, he was feeling very well; BAI and BDI were normal, he gained weight. He felt a marked improvement in his muscle strength, and he gained again the capacity of eating alone, his quality of life improved, and AVS well-being was 8.0. This report illustrates a demonstrative case of a patient with ALS treated with nutraceuticals and improved his quality of life and muscle strength. It may be an alternative therapeutic option for such patients.
The impact of limited rationality on the creation and management of complex infrastructure projects: The cases of Heathrow and Berlin- Brandenburg airports
Authors:   Baikal State University, Anokhov Igor V.
Published: March 2021

The article aims to examine the impact of decision-makers’ limited rationality on creating and managing infrastructure projects. The object of the study is transportation enterprises that have critical importance for the national and global economy. I argue that the success of the infrastructure projects depends on the external environment state and is most evident during macroeconomic recovery. Authorities make less rational decisions and approve more innovative and expensive projects at the micro level if the national economy approaches the peak of growth. The productivity of operating objects depends on the interplay between the external environment and the internal functional and isolated levels of the enterprise — physical, distribution, economic, technological, and design. I suggest that these levels differ dramatically by their innovativeness and planning horizon. The physical level implies the routine and short-term planning, whereas the project level implies the higher level of innovativeness and long-term planning horizon. The remaining levels occupy an intermediate position between these two poles. A significant deviation from the indicated distribution at the functional levels can undermine the productivity of transportation enterprise and infrastructure projects. I illustrate this assumption using the cases of the construction projects of Terminal 5 at Heathrow and Berlin–Brandenburg Airports. In both projects, the obtained results were far from the planned ones, which proves the distortions in the way their activities were distributed between functional levels.
Self-Healing Cloud Computing
Authors:   Innopolis University, Petrenko Sergei
Published: March 2021

Purpose of the article: development of tools for building a cyber-stable private cloud. The relevance of building a cyber-resilient private cloud is confirmed by the dynamics of growth in the market volume of relevant solutions. According to PRnewswire, the market for private cloud solutions will reach 183 billion USD by 2025. At the same time, the average annual growth rate of the CAGR will be 29.4% during the forecast period. According to the analytical company Grand view research, the global market for private cloud solutions in 2018 was estimated at 30.24 billion US dollars, and it is expected that in the period from 2019 to 2025, the CAGR will be 29.6%. Research methods: It uses a set of open-source solutions that applies the advanced cloud technologies, including distributed data processing models and methods, container orchestration technologies, softwaredefined data storage architecture, and a universal database. Results: Developed tools for building a cyber-stable private cloud. Considered a possible approach to building a cyber-resilient private cloud based on the well-known and proprietary models and methods of the artificial immune systems (AIS), as well as technologies for distributed data processing, container orchestration, and others. In addition, the unique centralized fault-tolerant logging and monitoring subsystem has been developed for the described platform, as well as an innovative cybersecurity subsystem based on the following original technologies.
Awareness and Acceptance of Contraceptive Methods Among Women of
Reproductive Age Attending Gynae Out-Patient Clinic at a Tertiary Care
Hospital in Western Uttar Pradesh, India
Authors: Kulshrestha Kalpna , Sukla Debbarma , Verma Kalpana
Published: March 2021

Background:

India is the second most populous country in the world. Appropriate
knowledge and usage of contraception are important.

Objective:

This cross-sectional observational study was done to assess the awareness and usage of
different methods of contraception among women of reproductive age group.

Material and Methods:

Six hundred women between the ages 18-45 years, attending Gynae OPD
at SIMS, Hapur were interviewed with the help of a predesigned questionnaire from May 2019 to
January 2020. Women having medical disorders were excluded.

Results:

Among 600 women, 52.5% were between 21 to 30 years of age. 81.2% had parity equal to
or more than two. 86% of women were of rural origin and 66.5% belonged to the Muslim community.
85.3% of women were aware of barrier contraception, 81% were aware of natural methods,
47.7% knew about IUCD, and 57.5% were aware of OCP’s. 78.2% were aware of permanent methods
of family planning. 96.3% of women were aware of at least one method of contraception. Only
37.4% of women were using contraception. There was a statistical difference among the rural and
urban populations for awareness and usage of contraception.

Conclusion:

Despite awareness of contraception, in our study population, the acceptance of contraception
was low in comparison to other studies. Fear of side effects is the most common reason for
less usage.
The Use of N-Acetyl Cysteine Versus Chromium Picolinate as an Adjuvant
to Clomiphene Citrate and Metformin in PCOS Women to Improve Ovulation
Induction and Insulin Resistance: A Pilot Randomized Controlled
Trial
Authors: Alalfy Mahmoud , Rashwan Ahmed S. S. A. , Hussein Mohamed , Bakry Ahmed , Eid Ahmed , Eid Marwa M.
Published: March 2021

Background:

Good response to ovulation induction and in turn improving pregnancy
rates represents a big challenge in patients with PCOS.

Aim:

To assess the effectiveness of adjuvant therapy to clomiphene citrate and metformin (in the
form of N-acetyl cysteine versus Chromium Picolinate) as regards response to ovulation induction
and metabolic syndrome improvement in patients with PCOS and infertility.

Patients and methods:

This randomized controlled trial involved 108 women diagnosed with
PCOS and infertility and were divided into 3 groups; according to the treatment protocol; group 1
received clomiphene citrate plus metformin only, group2 received clomiphene citrate and metformin
plus N-acetyl cysteine and Group 3 received clomiphene citrate and metformin plus chromium
picolinate.

Results:

There was a statistically significant difference as regards good ovulation in the form of mature
follicles (≥18 mm in diameter), with the best results in group 3, followed by group 2.
Both N-acetyl cysteine and chromium picolinate, as adjuvant therapies, were more effective in reducing
the fasting insulin levels than clomiphene citrate plus metformin alone.

Conclusion:

Chromium picolinate and N-acetyl cysteine are effective adjuvant therapies for improving
ovulation, insulin resistance, and endocrinal outcomes in women with PCOS.
Museus em tempo de mudança : a ação do Ecomuseu de Ribeira de Pena no processo das Barragens do Tâmega
Authors: Guimarães Emanuel
Published: March 2021

The museum born from the New Museology is a dynamic and interventional museum, with influence on the dynamics of the region where it is located. In addition to preserving heritage, museums today have a close relationship with the surrounding community and contribute to the socio-economic and cultural development of the territory. In the face of major changes in the landscape and society, museums' ability to intervene is even more important in order to ensure that major changes maintain a connection with the past and that they translate positively into the future of the community and its territory. This article intends to make known the action of the Ribeira de Pena Ecomuseum in the construction process of the Tâmega Dams, a process of profound changes for the territory and for the community of the region, an action centered on the preservation of the heritage representing the local identity and valuing cultural assets as an opportunity for local development in the future.
Conocimientos y prácticas sobre parásitos intestinales en una comunidad del pueblo indígena Zenú, Colombia, 2019
Authors: Gómez Díaz Jaime , Ramírez Mejía Francisco , Amador Ahumada Concepción , Valencia Jiménez Nina
Published: March 2021

Background. The knowledge and practices of the Zenú Indigenous People about intestinal parasites are unknown, which prevents planning and comprehensive care by the health authorities in the corresponding population. Objective. Describe knowledge and practices related to intestinal parasites of the Zenú indigenous community located in the Berlin - San Andrés de Sotavento neighborhood. Materials and methods. Qualitative, ethnographic research that allows identifying the cultural perspective of people was conducted. The instrument used was the semi-structured interview; designed to collect information on knowledge and practices related to intestinal parasites, according to five specific categories; perceptions, life cycle, perceived risks, treatment and prevention. The information record was documented, with the prior consent of the participants. The interview was applied to two focus groups; one made up of 12 children, and the other made up of 12 adults. The sampling used was for convenience. Results. The mix of knowledge and self-care practices from biomedicine and traditional knowledge was identified. Conclusions. Adult women and children identify intestinal parasites as causing disease, and identify - from a biomedical perspective - some symptoms and forms of prevention related to this pathology, sometimes mixed with traditional knowledge. The development of self-care actions based on the knowledge of the ancient medicine of the Zenúes was identified. Study subjects ignore the risks of consuming contaminated or untreated water.
Evaluación de conocimientos, prácticas y prevención de la encefalitis equina venezolana en zonas rurales de Córdoba
Authors: Guzmáz-Terán Camilo , Calderón Rangel Alfonso , Villa Dangond Hiltony
Published: March 2021

Introduction. Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) is a zoonotic disease of viral origin, transmitted by mosquitoes, mainly of the Culex species. Mosquito-borne diseases represent a burden on society. However, they can be prevented through knowledge and good practices. Objective. To evaluate the level of knowledge and participation of the community in the control and prevention of VEE in some rural areas of the department of Córdoba. Materials and Methods. A cross-sectional analytical empirical study was carried out in 11 rural areas, with the application of a survey of knowledge, attitude and practice to establish a numerical measurement. The training phase was carried out in the villages of La Cristalina in Puerto Escondido and Campo Bello in Tierralta (Córdoba). Results. A total of 95 households were interviewed. The average age of the respondents was 52 years. 80.22% were men. The educational level reached was: primary 35.16%, high school 29.67%, technical 5.49% and university 4.40%. 39.56% of the population evaluated considered VEE to be a contagious disease, 47.25% as a fatal disease and 5.49% as a temporary annoyance. Conclusion. The population is not clear about the knowledge about VEE and the vector cycle, despite this the population studied has a good attitude and disposition to change strategies for the control of arboviruses.
Morbilidad por alteraciones de la Microbiota Intestinal en niños nacidos por cesárea
Authors: López Bernal Cristian Alberto , Herrera Gutiérrez Concepción , Amador Ahumada Concepción
Published: March 2021

Cesarean section represents a risk for women and newborns, and has been associated with pathologies in childhood. Objective: To determine the statistical behavior of asthma, bronchial hyper-reactivity and diabetes in children up to 12 years old according to the route of birth in Montería. Methodology: Analytical and descriptive study, based on information from 275 surveys of relatives of children under 12 years of age attended by any of the causes of morbidity under study at the San Jerónimo de Montería Hospital, a database was configured in Microsoft Excel and it was attached to the statistical package SPSS25. The analysis was based on descriptive statistics and correlation with Pearson's Chi-square test and "Z" test, determining the relationship between diseases and the route of birth. Results: 50.2% of the children were male. A statistically significant relationship was observed between diabetes and the cesarean birth route (p-value <0.05), there was no relationship with respiratory diseases. Conclusions: Cesarean section was the predominant birth route, significantly related to diabetes in the study population.
Homes of Stroke Survivors Are a Challenging Environment for Rehabilitation Technologies
Authors: Rennick-Egglestone Stefan , Mawson Sue
Published: March 2021

The design of digital technologies that support poststroke rehabilitation at home has been a topic of research for some time. If technology is to have a large-scale impact on rehabilitation practice, then we need to understand how to create technologies that are appropriate for the domestic environment and for the needs and motivations of those living there.
This paper reflects on the research conducted in the Motivating Mobility project (UK Engineering and Physical Science Research Council: EP/F00382X/1). We conducted sensitizing studies to develop a foundational understanding of the homes of stroke survivors, participatory design sessions situated in the home, and experimental deployments of prototype rehabilitation technologies.
We identified four challenges specific to the homes of stroke survivors and relevant to the deployment of rehabilitation technologies: identifying a location for rehabilitation technology, negotiating social relationships present in the home, avoiding additional stress in households at risk of existential stress, and providing for patient safety.
We conclude that skilled workers may be needed to enable successful technology deployment, systematizing the mapping of the home may be beneficial, and education is a viable focus for rehabilitation technologies.
Mobile and Wearable Technology for the Monitoring of Diabetes-Related Parameters: Systematic Review
Authors: Rodriguez-León Ciro , Villalonga Claudia , Munoz-Torres Manuel , Ruiz Jonatan R , Banos Oresti
Published: March 2021

Background

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder that affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide and causes several million deaths every year. Such a dramatic scenario puts some pressure on administrations, care services, and the scientific community to seek novel solutions that may help control and deal effectively with this condition and its consequences.

Objective

This study aims to review the literature on the use of modern mobile and wearable technology for monitoring parameters that condition the development or evolution of diabetes mellitus.

Methods

A systematic review of articles published between January 2010 and July 2020 was performed according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Manuscripts were identified through searching the databases Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed as well as through hand searching. Manuscripts were included if they involved the measurement of diabetes-related parameters such as blood glucose level, performed physical activity, or feet condition via wearable or mobile devices. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

Results

The search yielded 1981 articles. A total of 26 publications met the eligibility criteria and were included in the review. Studies predominantly used wearable devices to monitor diabetes-related parameters. The accelerometer was by far the most used sensor, followed by the glucose monitor and heart rate monitor. Most studies applied some type of processing to the collected data, mainly consisting of statistical analysis or machine learning for activity recognition, finding associations among health outcomes, and diagnosing conditions related to diabetes. Few studies have focused on type 2 diabetes, even when this is the most prevalent type and the only preventable one. None of the studies focused on common diabetes complications. Clinical trials were fairly limited or nonexistent in most of the studies, with a common lack of detail about cohorts and case selection, comparability, and outcomes. Explicit endorsement by ethics committees or review boards was missing in most studies. Privacy or security issues were seldom addressed, and even if they were addressed, they were addressed at a rather insufficient level.

Conclusions

The use of mobile and wearable devices for the monitoring of diabetes-related parameters shows early promise. Its development can benefit patients with diabetes, health care professionals, and researchers. However, this field is still in its early stages. Future work must pay special attention to privacy and security issues, the use of new emerging sensor technologies, the combination of mobile and clinical data, and the development of validated clinical trials.