bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Effective Medical Image Classification: Transfer Learning Enhanced by Auto Encoder and Classified with SVM
Authors: Sevinc Omer , Mehrubeoglu Mehrube , Guzel Mehmet Serdar , Askerzade Iman
Published: March 2022

The count of white blood cells is vital for disease diagnosis, which is exploited to identify many diseases like infections and leukemia. COVID-19 is another critical disease which should be detected and cured immediately. These diseases are better diagnosed using radiological and microscopic imaging. A clinical experience is required by a physician, to identify and classify the Chest X-rays or the microscopic blood cell images. In this study a novel approach is proposed for classifying medical images by using transfer learning method which is ResNet-50 where features are reduced with Auto Encoder (AE) and classified with a Support Vector Machine (SVM) instead of softmax classifier which is tested with different optimizers. The proposed method is compared with VGG-16 and ResNet-50, Inception-V3 which use softmax classifiers. Experimental results indicated that the proposed method possess 97.3% and 99% accuracy on WBC and COVID-19 datasets respectively which are higher than compared methods for each dataset.
A Modified Extrema Pattern with Multilinear Matrix Decomposition Based RLC Scheme for Efficient Serial Remote Sensing Images Mining
Authors: Rajakumar Angelin Preethi , Ganesan Anandharaj
Published: March 2022

The growth of serial remote sensing images (SRSI) offers abundant information for determining sequential spatial patterns in several fields like vegetation cover, urban development, and agricultural monitoring. Or else, traditional sequential pattern-mining algorithms cannot be applied efficiently or directly to remote sensing images. Here a new technique is proposed for enhancing the mining efficacy of spatial sequential patterns from raster serial remote sensing images (SRSI) based on pixel grouping approach. The modified extrema pattern is employed to offering grey-scale invariant transform of intensity values unlike previously employed local ternary pattern. The pattern features are computed by transformation process from which the multilinear matrix decomposition of the image is made by computing the covariance estimation on recognizing their orthogonal component. The matrix decomposition is then attained based on run length encoding process (RLC). The two rows of RLC vectors are intersected to attain pixel group matrix. Finally, the compressed image is attained in an efficient manner with effective mining time. The performance outcome reveals that the technique offered in this paper is capable of extracting spatial sequential patterns from SRSI effectively. The proposed system ensures that the entire patterns are extracted at a lower time consumption when compared to the state-of-the-art technologies.
A Scoping Review on COVID-19's Early Detection Using Deep Learning Model and Computed Tomography and Ultrasound
Authors: Bin-Salem Ali Abdulqader , Zubaydi Haider Dhia , Alzubaidi Mahmood , Tariq Zain Ul Abideen , Naeem Hamad
Published: March 2022

Since the end of 2019, a COVID-19 outbreak has put healthcare systems worldwide on edge. In rural areas, where traditional testing is unfeasible, innovative computer-aided diagnostic approaches must deliver speedy and cost-effective screenings. Conducting a full scoping review is essential for academics despite several studies on the use of Deep Learning (DL) to combat COVID-19. This review examines the application of DL techniques in CT and ULS images for the early detection of COVID-19. In this review, the PRISMA literature review approach was followed. All studies are retrieved from IEEE, ACM, Medline, and Science Direct. Performance metrics were highlighted for each study to measure the proposed solutions' performance and conceptualization; A set of publicly available datasets were appointed; DL architectures based on more than one image modality such as CT and ULS are explored. Out of 32 studies, the combined U-Net segmentation and 3D classification VGG19 network had the best F1 score (98%) on ultrasound images, while ResNet-101 had the best accuracy (99.51%) on CT images for COVID-19 detection. Hence, data augmentation techniques such as rotation, flipping, and shifting were frequently used. Grad-CAM was used in eight studies to identify anomalies on the lung surface. Our research found that transfer learning outperformed all other AI-based prediction approaches. Using a UNET with a predefined backbone, like VGG19, a practical computer-assisted COVID-19 screening approach can be developed. More collaboration is required from healthcare professionals and the computer science community to provide an efficient deep learning framework for the early detection of COVID-19.
Study on the Rapid Preparation of Zinc Oxide Nanotubes by Galvanostatic Etching
Authors: Sun Jingsong , Cao Jinxing , Jiang Xiaohong
Published: March 2022

At present, most of the methods for preparing ZnO nanotubes are chemical etching of ZnO nanorods, which is inefficient and takes a long time. In this paper, ZnO nanotubes were successfully prepared by galvanostatic etching. Nanotubes prepared by galvanostatic etching only took 1/6 of the time of chemical etching. The ZnO nanotubes obtained by two different methods were tested by XRD and SEM. It is found that the crystal structure and crystallinity of the ZnO nanotubes obtained by galvanostatic etching are unchanged, and the internal corrosion of the nanotubes by galvanostatic etching is more thorough and has a larger specific surface area. In the tests of UV-vis spectrophotometry, fluorescence spectra and electrochemical performance test, the optical properties and electrochemical performance of ZnO nanotubes obtained by galvanostatic etching are better than those obtained by chemical etching. Because the ZnO nanotubes obtained by galvanostatic etching have larger specific surface area, better optical properties and better electrochemical performance, they have a greater application prospect in sensors and ultraviolet light detectors.
The Current Radiation Situation of the Territory Near the Uranium Mining Enterprises of Northern Kazakhstan
Authors: Nygymanova A.S. , Pirmanova A.G. , Bakhtin M.M. , Kuterbekov K.A. , Kazymbet P.K. , Kabyshev A.M. , Baikhozhayeva B.U.
Published: March 2022

Radioactive waste near the industrial zones of the mining administrations of the Stepnogorsk Mining and Chemical Combine, which occupy vast areas of the territory, remains an urgent problem for Northern Kazakhstan. For example, waste rock processing referred to as “tailings”, is contained in huge industrial basin-lakes, called tailings. Each liter of jelly-like “pulp”, in addition to carbonates of arsenic, molybdenum, phosphorus and other chemical elements, contains up to 1 g of active uranium, as well as radium and thorium. As a result of the pedestrian gamma survey, the authors identified a locally contaminated area in the northwest direction from the sanitary protection zone of the tailing dump of the Stepnogorsk Mining and Chemical Combine. It has been established that, according to the indices of radioactive contamination of water bodies, the stagnant water bodies of the Manybaiskiy and Sulukamysskiy thalweg located behind the sanitary protection zone of the tailing dump of the Stepnogorsk Mining and Chemical Combine are classified as contaminated.
The impact of covid-19 and crisis shields on the financing of the catering business
Authors: Dereń Anna
Published: March 2022

Research objective: To point out the details of government aid directed, among others, to catering enterprises in the form of anti-crisis shields and financial shields and to try to assess their effectiveness by analysing the financial result for 2020 on the example of the selected enterprises.

Methodology: The study was conducted in the form of a literature review and a case study. The study was conducted in the two selected Polish restaurants, which differed in size, location and customer specification. The study included an analysis of financial documents.

Main Findings: The study results presented in this paper confirm that governmental aid was needed, although it was disproportionate. The question is whether it was always sufficient to stabilise the situation in a catering company, in an industry so badly affected by pandemic restrictions, during the COVID-19 crisis remains questionable.

Application of the study: The study finding is applicable in practical analysis and evaluation of the support provided by the government to catering entrepreneurs facing a pandemic in 2020.

Originality of the study: The paper combines theoretical and practical approaches to the subject of thesupport provided to entrepreneurs within the instruments of anti-crisis shields.
Security structure of the European Union
Authors: Molendowska Magdalena
Published: March 2022

Purpose of the study: The object of the analysis is to assess the effectiveness of the European Union in ensuring internal and external security. 

Methodology: the article was prepared based on critical analysis of literature and documents and uncontrolled observation method.

Main findings: the established institutions and agencies within the EU may appear to be adequate and competent. However, in reality, their effectiveness and coherence of activities aimed at fulfillment of common safety objectives often fail to meet expectations, whereas systems and operating procedures differ from the solutions used in practice. The multidimensionality of security, and above all the evolution of the challenges in terms of the ever-changing security environment, will require the EU to establish new institutions or equip existing ones with new competences.

Application of the study: security forecasting based on the main variables emerging in the contemporary security environment and adapting the EU institutional security architecture to new threats.

Original/Novelty of the study: the subject matter is very current, being a member of the EU, we participate in the identified problem.
CHALLENGES OF MAIZE BREEDING UNDER TROPICAL CONDITIONS OF BRAZIL
Authors: PINHO RENZO GARCIA VON , VIEIRA SILVA ERIC VINICIUS , DE OLIVEIRA THIAGO LUCAS
Published: March 2022

Tropical maize production represents 49% of the global maize harvested area. In terms of productivity, the annual increase rate in tropical regions is twice as higher as the increase rate in temperate regions. The increase in maize grain yield was expressive in the last 41 years in Brazil. Such achievement was possible due to the joint efforts of many areas of science, especially, plant breeding. Although maize breeding success, many are the challenges faced by the maize breeders to develop high-yielding maize hybrids. Tropical conditions provide more intense challenges in terms of pests and diseases pressures, and above all, water deficit conditions. In addition, the constant increase of breeding programs costs requires the development and application of new techniques to improve the genetic gain per time unit, increasing the maize breeding programs’ efficiency. This review discusses the main challenges faced by maize breeding programs under tropical conditions, highlighting topics related to the development of maize hybrids for first and second growing seasons; breeding for biotic and abiotic stresses conditions; specialty maize breeding; use of transgenic in maize; and genomic tools to maximize the efficiency of maize breeding programs under tropical conditions.
The Opinions of Family Medicine Residents about Education and Working Conditions in Turkey
Authors: DOĞAN Ümmü , KARAOĞLU Nazan
Published: March 2022

Objective: In residency education, the educational environment interacts with each component of the training. This study is intended to assess the perceptions of family medicine residents about the educational and working environments from their point of view and to reveal their problems and expectations.

Methods: In this descriptive and cross-sectional study, nationwide 434 family medicine residents’ opinions about their educational environment were collected using a survey prepared by the researchers.

Results: The mean age of the residents was 29.26±4.31 years. Women constituted 70.5% (n=306) of participants and 53.7% (n=233) chose family medicine career due to its working conditions. The rate of those who stated that there were no educational family health centers was 57.1% (n=248). More than half (67.5%; n=293) were satisfied with the department that they are getting education. Institutional assessment score (IAS) of those who chose family medicine for working conditions and obligations was lower than the participants who chose it because of their love and interest (p
An Analysis of Corporate Methods of Distant Teaching of Attorneys
Authors:   President of the Chamber of Lawyers of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous District, Acting Head of the Department of Law Enforcement and Advocacy of the Law Institute of the Yugra State University, LL.D., Anisimov Valeriy F. , Chuvychelov Dmitriy V. ,   Postgraduate Student of the Department of Law Enforcement and Advocacy of the Law Institute of the Yugra State University
Published: March 2022

The practice of lawyers requires continuous training throughout the entire legal practice. Associating themselves with a community of high-qualified professionals, members of the law corporation regularly improve their knowledge using modern training technologies. The study presents an analysis of the existing corporate online system of distance learning and professional training of lawyers. It is noted that the legal community independently, under the auspices of the Federal Chamber of Lawyers of the Russian Federation, according to its needs, develops and implements professional training programs for members of the corporation. Attention is focused on the current state of the training platform, it is pointed out that it has a sufficient scientific and expert base, and corresponds to modern trends in the field of educational services. The advantages and disadvantages of the practice of organizing corporate interactive courses for professional training of lawyers are highlighted, specific offers and recommendations for improving the organization of webinars are formulated. It is concluded that the further development of the corporate system of training and professional development of lawyers will contribute to a qualitative improvement in the efficiency of lawyers’ work, and will allow members of the law corporation to respond flexibly to the processes of intensive changes in legislation. It is proposed to expand the areas of application of interactive technologies in other areas of the advocacy, such as organizing a system for selecting and training candidates for the status of a lawyer.
Salud sexual y reproductiva de mujeres afrocolombianas víctimas del conflicto armado en Bojayá, Chocó, Colombia. Estudio de métodos mixtos, 2019
Authors: Peralta-Jiménez Jonathan Alexander , Urrego-Mendoza Zulma Consuelo
Published: March 2022

Objetivos: explorar la salud sexual y reproductiva, en interfaz con la salud mental, en las mujeres supervivientes de la masacre de Bojayá, considerando los aspectos físicos y psicológicos involucrados en el pleno ejercicio de la sexualidad y en la reproducción a partir del análisis de registros de valoraciones clínicas recolectados en 2018.Materiales y métodos: estudio descriptivo mixto, cuantitativo tipo serie de casos y cualitativo tipo narrativo de tópicos. En el componente cuantitativo participaron 44 mujeres supervivientes directas de un artefacto explosivo; en el componente cualitativo participaron 10 de ellas, que presentaban disfunción sexual. El muestreo fue por conveniencia. Las fuentes de información fueron los registros de atención. Se midieron variables sociodemográficas, antecedentes, ginecobstétricos, síntomas, signos y diagnósticos de disfunción sexual y de salud mental a partir del CIE X. Análisis epidemiológico descriptivo y análisis narrativo cualitativo, en los que se identificaron temáticas emergentes sobre problemáticas vivenciadas y priorizadas, así como eventos significativos relacionados.Resultados: la edad promedio fue 45 años; 54% presentaba sintomatología ginecológica; 32 %dificultades para acceder a planificación familiar; 23 % disfunciones sexuales; 13,63 % antecedente de violencia sexual; y 34 % violencia intrafamiliar; 61,36 % con trastorno de estrés postraumático; el componente cualitativo evidenció frecuentes vivencias de violencia de pareja, problemas familiares, y sufrimiento por sintomatología no tratada.Conclusiones: en mujeres supervivientes del conflicto armado, deben evaluarse rutinariamente posibles disfunciones sexuales, trastornos postraumáticos, y antecedentes de poli victimización. Son necesarios nuevos estudios descriptivos y analíticos, explorando estos aspectos y sus relaciones.
Distance, Lecture Room or Hybrid? - Or the Shape of Future Education at Universities in View of Pedagogy Students
Authors: Stawiak-Ososińska Małgorzata , Olijnyk Maria
Published: March 2022

The paper addresses the important subject of the shape and form of future education at universities in pandemic conditions. The objective of the research with the use of action methods and Edward de Bono’s technique of six thinking hats was to learn about the attitude and opinions of the participants of such teaching (students of pedagogy) after a year's experience of distance education, but also to inspire the respondents to look for innovative and non-standard solutions to improve their studies in the following years. The paper presents their perception of the educational reality in which they had to participate, taking into account their knowledge about the pandemic, emotions accompanying them at this difficult time, pessimistic and optimistic aspects of the situation. It also presents their ideas which could support, replace, or improve the existing forms of e-learning or safe studying in pandemic conditions. The findings of this research clearly demonstrated that students miss direct contact with other people. By “putting on” successive imaginary hats, the participants externalized the needs, wishes, feelings, emotions, and expectations of young people towards education decision-makers. They also provided a clear answer that they wish to return to the university, meet with their peers and lecturers, although at the same time they do not believe it is necessary to attend all courses in a lecture room. In their opinion, teaching in the following years should follow a hybrid model. This paper presents their statements, which may become an inspiration for many higher education decision-makers.
Evaluating the Quality of Life for People with Locomotor Disabilities by Practicing a Certain Sport
Authors: Mîndrescu Veronica
Published: March 2022

This present article describes the importance of practicing performance sport for people with disabilities, along with the benefits and changes in the quality life that the latter bring. The purpose of this paper has been to focus our attention on the way people with certain afflictions can overcome the bridge of disability by practicing a sport, taking into account relevant examples, such as participating in two European Handball Championships for athletes in wheelchairs for the Romanian National team. As a leading method of research, we have used a questionnaire which aims to understand the way in which disabled people cope with performance sports and how these activities influence their lives, generally, further analysing auxiliary aspects such as the quality of sleep, adopted diet and social life, to name a few. The questionnaire has been distributed to all players who participated in the two European Championships from 2018 to 2019, from 8 European Union countries, with a sample group of 59 disabled people. Based on this implemented method of action, we have examined the results and have had discussions regarding the significant role of performance sport in the life of people with disabilities, concluding that sport is not merely an isolated subject in their day to day routine, but a quintessential element in many aspects of their contemporaneous living. Sport represents a stable platform for shaping and sustaining certain healthy habits with recommendations that people with disabilities engage in such an endeavour thus managing their physical and mental health and also their social and community lives.
Forms and Methods of Future Physical Education Teachers’ Training: An Analysis of Foreign Experience
Authors: Shapran Yurii , Shapran Olha , Raytarovska Iryna , Rybalko Petro , Romanenko Viktor , Halaidiuk Mykola
Published: March 2022

The article analyzes the main forms and methods of professional training for future physical education teachers in Switzerland, the USA, Germany, Austria, Norway, and the UK. These countries have been chosen owing to their effective methodical systems. Both original sources and receptive experience of Ukrainian researchers have been taken into account. Therefore, the article aims to select innovative methodical tools that are not widely used in Ukraine. Importantly, the article adheres to a transformational and innovative approach to objectification and prediction of educational changes, as well as to comparative, summarizing and other theoretical methods. Consequently, it has become possible to identify innovative features of professional training for future physical education teachers in the above-mentioned countries and outline potential changes in Ukrainian education after borrowing relevant experience and implementing it within the traditional lecture-seminar system. Furthermore, the article addresses the problem of methodological diversity, as well as the prevalence of axiological approaches over those closely related to physical education and its methods. The international relevance of the article lies in summarizing innovative approaches used in different countries to forms and methods of professional training of future physical education teachers. It will allow one to comprehensively or selectively borrow this experience to improve education in the countries dealing with transformational changes.
Completing Specific Techniques in Muscle Training by Using Electrostimulation in Combination with (TRX)
Authors: Popescu Răducu
Published: March 2022

The idea of this work has been caused by restrictions imposed all over the world in recent years. The closing of the gym has brought new approaches to having a toned body, paying attention to health safety. Proposed training methods include (EMS) and (TRX) for an experiment group, compared to the control group, which worked only with the program (TRX). The combination of the two muscle-forming techniques is the subject of this study. The Muscle Training Program (TRX) took place over 6 weeks, 4 times a week, with 8 male subjects in each of the two groups. The age of the participants is between 23 and 31 years, the study being conducted over 6 weeks. Data collected from subjects and statistically analyzed were analyzed. Body mass index and BMI values were recorded using Jackson-Pollock. Hypothesis: We intend to verify through this study the effectiveness of a muscle training program that uses the Suspension Training (TRX) method in combination with Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS). Conclusion: The results of the study prove that the use of equipment (TRX) in combined training (EMS) brings significant benefits in weight control. Mean weight values showed a decrease from 98.2 kg to 93.7 kg, down by 4.4 kg and 4.48% respectively, as well as body mass index (BMI) from 27.8% BMI to 23.3% BMI with 4.5% BMI. The hypothesis of the work has been confirmed, a visible muscle toning is performed, thus forming a complex basis.
Andragogy: Searching for Ways to Improve the Educational Process in Educational Institutions for Adults
Authors: Tymchuk Liudmyla , Kovalenko Inna , Vieilandie Lilia , Prokofyeva Lyubov , Rasskazova Olha , Topolnyk Yana
Published: March 2022

The topic of the article is relevant because at the present time there is a renewal of the education system and the search for ways to improve the learning process in educational institutions for adults continues. In the studies of educators in the 1920s in the conditions of keen discussions a wide range of organizational forms and methods of adult education was highlighted and scientifically substantiated. Traditional in the teaching of adults, as well as in school practice, was the classroom teaching system. Its basis was the usual forms of classroom work - lecture, conversation, discussion, debate, storytelling, etc. The purpose of the article is the study of ways to improve the learning process in educational institutions for adults in the works of domestic and foreign scientists, the study and presentation of organizational forms and methods of adult education; the description of the organization of independent work of students by performing their research tasks. An important place in schools for adults was given to organization of independent work of students through implementation of their research tasks - term papers, essays. The use of the method of excursions was also widespread, the issue of application of the method of staging in the practice of teaching adults was substantiated. Group, individual and self-educational forms of organization of education have also become widespread in adult schools.
Domowe miejsca – próba zarysowania emocjonalnej mapy mieszkania
Authors: Kubacka Małgorzata
Published: March 2022

Przestrzenny podział mieszkania nie jest jedynym, który jednostki tworzą i wykorzystują podczas realizacji codziennych, rutynowych praktyk. Poniższy artykuł jest próbą ukazania typologii domowych miejsc powstających na podstawie uwarunkowań afektywnych, a konkretnie sposobów zapamiętywania wyjątkowych wydarzeń o dużej doniosłości emocjonalnej. Mieszkanie może być w tym samym czasie miejscem odosobnienia i uspołecznienia, miejscem uwielbianym i znienawidzonym. Emocjonalne podziały charakteryzuje przechodniość i tymczasowość. Jednocześnie jednak pewne uczucia związane z praktykami zamieszkiwania na dłużej niż inne definiują charakter, zakresy i sposoby użytkowania przestrzeni.
Koncert życzeń – żądania francuskie w negocjacjach gospodarczych z Polską w latach 1933–1935
Authors: Ambrochowicz-Gajownik Anna
Published: March 2022

Lata 30. XX w. w stosunkach gospodarczych pomiędzy Polską a Francją do łatwych nie należały. Oba kraje bardzo mocno odczuwały skutki kryzysu ekonomicznego. Przyczynił się on m.in. do wprowadzenia zakazu przywozu, czyli zastosowania tzw. polityki kontyngentowej. Następnie wymusił na Francji ochronę własnego rynku poprzez ograniczenie importu na rzecz premiowania eksportu. W Polsce zaś czynnikiem pogłębiającym kryzys był odpływ zagranicznych kapitałów. Innym przejawem rozbieżności w relacjach bilateralnych był sposób prowadzenia negocjacji. Francja nastawiona była na prowadzenie rozmów w sposób punktowy, a nie całościowy. Strona polska preferowała to drugie rozwiązanie, ponieważ umożliwiało wyrównanie bilansu handlowego z płatniczym. W latach 1933–1935 relacje gospodarcze polsko-francuskie przypominały swoistego rodzaju koncert życzeń, w którym rolę dominującą odgrywała strona francuska. Stawiane przez nią warunki były najczęściej niekorzystne dla drugiej strony, co też powodowało liczne napięcia.
Księżacka odpowiedź na książkę Jacka Perzyńskiego Sekrety Łowicza i Skierniewic, Wyd. Księży Młyn Dom Wydawniczy, Łódź 2020, ss. 165 + [3]
Authors: Wysocki Piotr
Published: March 2022

Artykuł jest polemiką z książką Jacka Perzyńskiego pt. Sekrety Łowicza i Skierniewic. Autor książki, wbrew tytułowi, nie przedstawia tylko sekretów Łowicza i Skierniewic. Na 34 artykuły zamieszczone w pracy J. Perzyńskiego Łowicza dotyczy 12 tekstów, Skierniewic zaś 10. Pozostałe artykuły opisują ciekawostki z okolicznych miejscowości. Autor korzystał głównie z opracowań i popularnonaukowych tekstów lokalnych badaczy. Ponieważ sporadycznie zaglądał do źródeł historycznych, w pracy pojawiają się przeinaczenia tekstów pierwotnych i błędy. Praca napisana jest dobrym językiem, ale jej układ koncepcyjny jest chaotyczny.
The essence, methods and results of assessing profitability of a non-public university
Authors: Trippner Paweł , Jóźwicki Rafał
Published: March 2022

The aim of the study is to present the meaning, structure and principles of financing higher education in Poland. The division into public and non-public higher education is presented and the authors focused on the sources of financing non-public higher education, which does not benefit from budget subsidies. The most important sources of financing activities of non-public higher education were indicated. Another objective of the paper is to characterize the role, essence and importance of the financial controlling department in the management of economic entities including non-public higher education institutions. The authors’ interests is also focused on financial documents, which provide data to evaluate the financial situation of an economic entity as well as financial measures used during the analysis. Finally, an assessment of the level of profitability of a non-public higher education institution is made with a detailed division into full-time, extramural and postgraduate studies. The revenue structure of the studied entity was also compared to the market of non-public higher education institutions in Poland.

The essence of functioning of the financial controlling department in a company and the tasks and role of a financial controller are additionally presented in the paper. The methodology used in the submitted article is a financial analysis of non-public university’s financial statement based on profitability ratios. The article deals with the occasional subject of evaluation of non-public university functioning by the Financial Controlling Department in terms of income generated, costs incurred and profitability level achieved.

The functioning of higher education in Poland should be divided into two areas: state universities, which benefit from budget subsidies for students studying on a full-time basis, and non-public higher education institutions, which may or may not benefit from such subsidies. Their primary source of income is fees paid by students in various forms, mainly in the form of tuition fees. Non-public sector of higher education in Poland doesn’t use public budget grants so the importance of Financial Controlling Departments is essential in calculating incomes and costs. The data used in the analyses came from a private institution in the higher education sector. The owner of the company did not agree to provide its name and the detailed figures based on which the financial ratios were calculated.
The influence of clinical and medical history factors and anti-thrombotic therapy on the prognosis in patients with atrial fibrillation and myocardial infarction
Authors: Pereverzeva Kristina G. , Agaltsova Natalia P. , Tishkina Irina E. , Shopina Christina S. , Kosolapova Yuliya O. , Figol Alena K. , Yakushin Sergey S.
Published: March 2022

Aim: To assess an impact of clinical and medical history factors and antithrombotic therapy on the prognosis in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) admitted to the cardiology in-patient clinic for myocardial infarction (MI).
Materials and methods: This was a retro-prospective study. Two hundred and fifty six (256) patients with AF plus MI (median age 71.0 [65.0; 79.3] years; men, 143 (55.8%)) were included into the retrospective part of the study in 20182019. Data on their clinical and medical history particulars, as well as on antithrombotic therapy were collected from their medical files. Nineteen (19) [13; 25] months after the index event (MI), telephone contact was made with patients or their relatives in order to assess the patient's life status, as well as record the frequency of non-fatal MI and cerebral strokes (MI). Contact was established with 253 patients. The completeness of the sample coverage is 99.0%.
Results: During the follow-up after discharge from the hospital, 29.6% (n = 75) of patients died, 40.7% (n = 103) of patients reached the composite endpoint (CЕ), which included deaths, non-fatal MI and brain strokes.
The patients who died, compared to those who survived, were older (77.0 [62.0; 82.0] vs 68.0 [62.0;76.7] years, respectively, p 0.001), with a smaller proportion of men (44.0% vs 61.2%, respectively, p = 0.012). They were also more likely to have had type 2 diabetes mellitus (50.7% vs 37.1%, p = 0.04) and the history of acute stroke (24.0% vs 8.4%, p 0.001), and less likely to have had percutaneous coronary intervention (48.0% vs 64.0%, p 0.001). Serum creatinine levels in those who have died were higher than in the surviving patients (114.0 [95.0; 139.0] mmol/l vs 99.5 [85.0; 120.0] mmol/l, p 0.001).
The patients who have achieved CE, compared to those who have not, were older (75.0 [67.0; 81.0] vs 65.0 [50.0; 82.0] years, respectively, p 0.001), with a smaller proportion of men (48.5% vs 61.3%, respectively, p = 0.045), higher proportion of patients with past history of stroke (20.4% vs 8.0%, p = 0.005) and fewer patients who had underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (52.4% vs 66.0%, p 0.03).
There was no significant association between the administration of anti-platelet agents and/or oral anticoagulants and outcomes in the patients with AF and MI.
Conclusion: In the patients with AF and MI, a higher death risk and achievement of CE were significantly associated with age and a history of stroke. The use of anti-platelet agents and oral anticoagulants in various combinations had no significant impact on the outcomes in this patient group, which is likely related to small duration of the follow-up and small patient sample.
Comparison of the treatment results in patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer in clinical trials and in standard clinical practice using the pseudorandomization method
Authors: Moiseenko Fedor V. , Fedyanin Mikhail Yu. , Volkov Nikita M. , Abduloeva Nuriniso Kh. , Levchenko Natalya V. , Chubenko Vyacheslav A. , Zhabina Albina S. , Stepanova Maria L. , Kramchaninov Mikhail M. , Artemeva Elizaveta  V. , Moiseyenko Vladimir  M.
Published: March 2022

Rationale: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is an aggressive disease with median survival of 1214 months in inoperable patients in the pre-immunotherapy era. Nowadays, under treatment with checkpoint inhibitors median survival is 1922 months. However, only a proportion of patients are sensitive to immune therapy. In this regard, inclusion into clinical trials remains a priority option for patients from medical perspective.
Aim: To compare the results in NSCLC patients treated in accordance with the current clinical guidelines and in international clinical trials using the propensity score matching.
Materials and methods: The study included data from 344 patients with histologically verified unresectable advanced NSCLC without activating mutations, who received the 1st line systemic medical therapy at various combinations (single agent chemotherapy, platinum doublet-based therapy, chemoimmunotherapy, single agent immunotherapy) within the compulsory health insurance (CHI), and from 90 patients, who received therapy in clinical trials. A direct comparison of long-term treatment results was carried out with the log-rank method. To exclude any influence of individual factors on survival rates, an univariate regression analysis and pseudorandomization accounting for these factors were carried out.
Results: The direct comparison of the treatment results showed a higher progression-free survival rate in the patients treated according to clinical trial protocols, than in those treated under CHI (13.3 [95% confidence interval (CI) 8.118.5] months vs 6.4 [95% CI 5.96.9] months). Pseudorandomization of patients based on a combination of statistically significant parameters from the CHI and clinical trial groups showed a significantly longer time to progression in the trial group (13.3 [95% CI 8.318.3] vs 6.3 [95% CI 4.87.7] months).
Conclusion: Participation in clinical trials is per se a factor that can significantly impact the longer duration of the treatment effect. This indicates the necessity of the most active use of this tool in clinical practice.
The prognostic value of actin-binding proteins fascin and ezrin in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
Authors: Kondakova Irina V. , Kakurina Gelena V. , Kolegova Elena S. , Cheremisina Olga V. , Korshunov Dmitriy A. , Bakhronov Islom A. , Choinzonov Evgeny L.
Published: March 2022

Rationale: During neoplastic transformation, epithelial cells become mobile, which is one of the main mechanisms of metastatic disease and recurrence. Cell motility is regulated by actin-binding proteins, which ensure the association/dissociation of actin filaments and their interaction with the cell membrane. Previously, we have shown the presence of actin-binding proteins in the serum from patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC); however, their association with the development of metastases and relapses in cancer patients has not been sufficiently studied.
Aim: To evaluate the serum levels of actin-binding proteins fascin-1 and ezrin in patients with HNSCC depending on the disease recurrence and lymphatic metastasis.
Materials and methods: Serum fascin-1 and ezrin levels before combination therapy were measured with ELISA assay in 30 HNSCC (T1-4N0-2M0) patients (mean age 56 7 years).
Results: The median fascin-1 level was significantly higher in the patients with lymphatic metastases, compared to those without metastases: 0.64 (0.40; 5.89) vs 6.35 (1.72; 8.35) ng/mL, respectively (p 0.001). At 12 to 36 months after combination therapy, the disease relapsed in 12 (40%) patients. Ezrin levels were significantly higher in the relapsed patients, compared to those without a relapse within 3 years after combination therapy: 2.55 (2.35; 2.75) vs 1.93 (1.87; 2.5) ng/mL (p = 0.02). The ROC analysis showed an association between fascin-1 serum levels with metastatic disease (AUC = 0.71, 95% confidence interval 0.570.85) and an association between ezrin levels and the disease relapse (AUC = 0.76, 95% confidence interval 0.570.94).
Conclusion: These indicators can be used for the development of minimally invasive early detection of metastases in lymphatic nodes and for the prognosis of HNSCC recurrence.
Measuring political knowledge: development and testing the scale in Russia
Authors: Klimova Aigul , Artamonov Georgy , Chmel Kirill
Published: March 2022

To our knowledge, this is the first paper which develops and validates the scale of political knowledge in Russia. The scale was validated in a telephone survey using random sampling (N = 3002). The scale includes 10 questions on the knowledge of political institutes, main political actors, substantial events, international politics, and history of the state. The scale showed sufficiently high internal consistency. Cronbach’s alpha was equal to 0.74. In addition, the criterion and convergent validity of the instrument was tested based on socio-demographic variables, interest in politics, news discussion, media consumption, and political behavior. We found weak and medium Pearson correlation coefficients between political knowledge and socio-demographic variables. Convergent validity shows weak and medium correlation coefficients between political knowledge and interest in politics, frequency of discussion of political news, and media consumption. The strongest correlation was found with interest in politics. In addition, we found a positive correlation between political knowledge and such forms of political behavior as turnout at State Duma elections, signing petitions, and participating in campaigning. Finally, the IRT (Item-Response Theory) results showed quite a high quality of the scale. Overall, we conclude that this scale can be used to measure political knowledge in Russia.
Results of the parliamentary elections in Portugal and their impact on Russian-Portuguese relations
Authors: Guseletov Boris
Published: March 2022

The article examines the results of the Portuguese parliamentary elections held on January 30, 2022. It compares the results of the leading political parties in the elections of 2015, 2019 and 2022, and characterizes all the leading Portuguese political parties represented in parliament from 2015 to 2021. The results of the government led by the leader of the Socialist Party, A. Costa, are presented. The results of the government headed by the leader of the Socialist Party, A. Costa, formed by the results of the 2015 elections are presented. The reasons for maintaining the rating of this government and its impact on the election campaign are revealed. The article examines how the coronavirus pandemic and the government's actions to overcome its consequences influenced the course and results of the election campaign. The activities of the main opposition parties in this country are assessed: the liberal-conservative Social Democratic Party, the right-wing radical populist Chega Party and the Liberal Initiative Party. The course of the election campaign and its main topics are examined, as well as other political parties that were elected to the parliament as a result of these elections: the Liberal Initiative, the Left Bloc and the Unionist Democratic Coalition. The positions of the leading political parties of the country regarding their attitude to the new government coalition are presented. The state of Russian-Portuguese relations is analyzed. It forecasts how the results of the elections will affect the formation of the new government of this country and the relations between Russia and Portugal.
Zdążyć przed katastrofą — wyzwanie dla postwzrostu w Nowym Europejskim Bauhausie
Authors: Schudy Hanna
Published: March 2022

W dobie katastrofy klimatycznej obserwuję coraz częstsze łączenie metod ratowania przyrodniczych warunków egzystencji z przeciwdziałaniem nierównościom społecznym i rewizją polityk państwowych pod względem inwestowania w infrastrukturę oraz usługi publiczne. Dyskutowany jest model wzrostu oraz można zaobserwować dystansowanie się wobec wzrostu PKB jako celu samego w sobie. W tym kierunku idzie też polityka Unii Europejskiej, która w Zielonym Ładzie oraz w programie Bauhaus opowiada się za budowaniem odporności oraz większą inkluzją społeczną. Sądzę, że Unia promuje zatem — mimo że nie wprost — idee postwzrostu. Na przykładzie programu Bauhaus pokażę, że skuteczność promocji idei postwrostowych będzie wymagała wzmocnienia roli państwa i instytucji publicznych.
Pożyteczne resztki. Praktyki rewitalizacji wobec społecznego wytwarzania hałd
Authors: Kufa Jessica
Published: March 2022

Krajobraz Górnego Śląska aktualnie ulega znaczącym zmianom. Kominy hut i szyby kopalniane zostają zastąpione przez szklane biurowce. Hałdy, którym przypisuje się ambiwalentne znaczenia, są przekształcane przez praktyki rewitalizacyjne i rekultywacyjne w miejsca rekreacji i zieleńce.

Na podstawie konkretnych przykładów takich miejsc na terenie Górnego Śląska chciałabym przeanalizować działania rewitalizacyjne podejmowane przez władze miejskie oraz instytucje, do których należą zwałowiska. Hałdy będące obiektem badań są na różnym etapie przekształceń — od zarośniętych terenów znajdujących się poza uwagą władz miasta, przez miejsca przekształcane, aż po przestrzenie, na których rewitalizację już zakończono.

W artykule postawię pytanie, jak procesy rewitalizacji wpływają na to bogactwo wytworzone w procesach żywiołowych (Krzysztof Czekaj, Kevin Lynch), przeprowadzę analizę kodów wizualnych (korzystając z narzędzi zaproponowanych przez Jadwigę Zimpel i Weronikę Maćków) oraz zastosowanych działań partycypacyjnych (Marcus Missen) w kontekście moralnej technologii (Bru-no Latour) oraz sposobów korzystania z narracji historycznych (John Urry).
Jungquartäre Talgeschichte an der unteren Isar und der Donau unterhalb von Regensburg
Authors:   , Schellmann Gerhard
Published: March 2022

Dissertation: Jungquartäre Talgeschichte an der unteren Isar und der Donau unterhalb von Regensburg
Foreign investment as the beginning of the presence of westernization of American culture in Indonesia
Authors: Naredi Hari , Rahmawati Melinda
Published: March 2022

Since 1967, foreign investment in Indonesia has led to the westernization of American culture among Indonesians. Westernization is a challenge for Indonesian people in terms of preserving their own culture. This study aimed to determine the impact of foreign investment as the beginning of the spread of the westernization of American culture in Indonesia. This study utilized descriptive qualitative methods with an analysis of literature studies that specifically discussed the impact of foreign investment as the beginning of the westernization of American culture in Indonesia. The results of this study indicate that the westernization of American culture occurs because of foreign investment in Indonesia so that Indonesian people adopt some of the culture brought by that country. This study finds that the cultural shift in Indonesian society is caused by the westernization of American culture among the people. This westernization is the result of Indonesia’s opening to foreign investment, which has brought their culture to Indonesia. As a result, cultural assimilation occurs, leading to a cultural shift through westernization, especially in urban communities.
Resenha de A música é um jogo de criança, de François Delalande
Authors: Moreira Tamya
Published: March 2022

Esta resenha tem por objetivo apresentar o livro A música é um jogo de criança, de François Delalande, cuja primeira edição em português data de 2019. São indicados aspectos que fazem deste livro uma referência de interesse para a educação musical, além de serem estabelecidas relações com outras obras e com o contexto de sua produção. Destacam-se as matrizes do pensamento delalandiano, a saber: a psicologia do desenvolvimento, a estética e a etnomusicologia. Em diálogo comnessas áreas, Delalande apresenta uma proposta pedagógica, a pedagogia do despertar musical. Intenta-se, com esta resenha, contribuir para a leitura e discussão da obra no Brasil, uma vez que esta circulava de maneira restrita – porque sem tradução – há décadas no país e agora poderá ser acessada por um número mais abrangente de pessoas.
O uso de smartphones e a integração entre os aprendizados formal, não formal e informal
Authors: Oliveira Marcio
Published: March 2022

O uso de smartphones e tablets tem se tornado cada vez mais comum, sendo parte da vida cotidiana e profissional dos indivíduos. A articulação desses dispositivos com estratégias didáticas tem motivado a produção de pesquisas em diversos campos da Educação. No campo da Música, as práticas de compartilhamento, produção e disseminação se tornaram mais frequentes oferecendo oportunidades relevantes de interação. A possibilidade de realizar múltiplas tarefas com smartphones em ambientes distintos permite a multiplicação de situações para fazer música, oferecendo ocasiões para compartilhar conhecimentos, ouvir, refletir e aprender, seja intencionalmente (aprendizado formal e não formal), seja não intencionalmente (aprendizado informal). O presente ensaio teórico relaciona os principais conceitos da literatura para gerar uma reflexão acerca dos processos de uso de smartphones em estratégias didáticas, integrando o aprendizado formal com os aprendizados não formal e informal. Utilizando a perspectiva sociocultural, o estudo verifica que os professores devem se ater ao interesse, à familiaridade e à interação a fim de entender as mudanças qualitativas do conhecimento dos alunos. Além disso, é necessário não só integrar as modalidades de aprendizado, mas também considerar os valores e atitudes dos alunos no âmbito do desenho das estratégias didáticas.