bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antipsychotic prescribing and drug-related readmissions in multimorbid older inpatients, a post-hoc analysis of the OPERAM population.
Authors: Bienfait Adeline , Lagreula Juliette , Blum Manuel R. , Rodondi Nicolas , Sallevelt Bastiaan , Knol Wilma , O'Mahony Denis , Spinewine Anne , Boland Benoit , Dalleur Olivia
Published: August 2023

Background. Limited data are available on characteristics associated with antipsychotic’s use in multimorbid older adults.
Aims. (1) To identify factors associated with antipsychotic prescribing in older inpatients, (2) to assess the association between antipsychotic use and drug-related readmission (DRA) within one year.
Method. This is a secondary analysis of the OPERAM randomized controlled trial which evaluated the impact of a structured medication review on DRA in multimorbid polymedicated inpatients aged ³70. Multivariate analysis assessed the association between characteristics and comorbidities (including neuro-psychiatric conditions), with antipsychotic use. An expert team assessed DRA occurring during the one-year follow-up.
Results. Antipsychotics were prescribed to 110/2008 patients upon admission while 7,7% (n=154) inpatients received antipsychotics at any time (i.e. upon admission, during hospitalisation, and/or at discharge). The most frequently prescribed antipsychotics were quetiapine (n=152), haloperidol (n= 48) and risperidone (n=22), used at low dose (mean PDD/DDD ratio= 0,37). Antipsychotic prescribing was associated with dementia (OR=3,7 95%CI[2,2;6,2]), psychosis (OR=26,2 [7,4;92,8]), delirium (OR=6,4 [3,8;10,8]), mood disorders (OR=2,6 [1,6;4,1]), ≥15 drugs a day (OR=1,7 [1,4;3,6]), functional dependency (Activities of Daily Living score <50/100) (OR=3,9 [2,5;6,1]) and < 2 units of alcohol per week (OR=2,2 [1,4;3,6]). DRA occurred in 458 patients (22.8%) within one year. Antipsychotic prescribing was not associated with DRA (OR=1,0 [0,3;3,9]) however contributed to 8 DRAs, including 3 falls.
Conclusion: In this European multimorbid polymedicated older inpatients, antipsychotics were unfrequently prescribed, most often at low dosage. Besides neuro-psychiatric symptoms, risk factors for inhospital antipsychotic prescribing were lower functional status and polymedication.
Urban bus scheduling considering maximizing TWB under the fixed departure times: A case of Beijing
Authors: Peng Jiankun , Wang Yucheng , Yang Min , Chen Zhijun , Ma Chunye
Published: August 2023

Urban buses play a crucial role in urban transportation, and optimizing bus scheduling has emerged as a significant research area in transportation. However, existing studies have largely overlooked factors like travel satisfaction and subjective well-being when designing bus schedules. To bridge this gap and enhance passengers' well-being while promoting human-centric traffic management, this study employed a multiple linear regression model to establish a connection between passengers' perceived well-being and objective scheduling service attributes, such as perceived in-vehicle congestion, in-vehicle travel time, and waiting time at the station. By deriving a Travel Well-Being (TWB) index from these scheduling attributes, the study aimed to use it as a comprehensive optimization objective for bus timetable optimization. To validate the proposed optimization approach, a bus line in Beijing, China, was selected, and the results obtained using the Differential Evolution (DE) algorithm demonstrated that the scheduling model, incorporating well-being considerations, effectively increased the estimated well-being rate by 29.80% compared to the original timetable. This study contributes to establishing a human-centric and inclusive transportation system by integrating perceived subjective well-being into the optimization of bus timetables.
The effect of lanthanum chloride on the electrocrystallization behavior of cobalt and grain refinement in deposition layers
Authors: Xu Yang tao , peng yin , Dai jing min , Du hai yang , Pei liang
Published: August 2023

This study investigates the effect of different concentrations of lanthanum chloride (LaCl3) on the grain refinement of cobalt deposition layers during the electrochemical deposition process in industrial electrolytes. The impact of different LaCl3 concentrations on cobalt electrodeposition behavior was analyzed using the Liner sweep voltammetry curve (LSV), Cyclic voltammetry curve (CV), and Chronoamperometry curve (CA). The microstructure morphology and grain size of the deposition layers were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy and the preferred orientation and crystal structure were analyzed using X-ray diffraction. The results show that the addition of different concentrations of LaCl3 to the industrial electrolyte leads to a negative shift in the starting deposition potential of cobalt, an increase in cathode polarization degree, an increase in overpotential, a shortened nucleation relaxation time tm and an accelerated nucleation rate during cobalt electrodeposition, resulting in grain refinement of the deposition layers. However, the addition of LaCl3 does not change the cobalt electrocrystallization mechanism, nor does it alter the crystal structure of the cobalt deposition layers, which remain in a close-packed hexagonal structure (HCP). When 0.2 g/L LaCl3 is added, the grain growth orientation changes from the (11\(\stackrel{\text{-}}{\text{2}}\)0) plane to the (11\(\stackrel{\text{-}}{\text{2}}\)0) and (10\(\stackrel{\text{-}}{\text{1}}\)0) planes, resulting in a uniform distribution of grain size and obvious grain refinement of the deposition layers.
Oral administration of Manuka honey modulates gut microbiota composition and enhances anti-tumor immunity in a preclinical model of colorectal cancer
Authors: Masad Razan J. , al-Ramadi Basel K
Published: August 2023

Background: There is increasing interest in exploring alternative natural products for cancer prevention and treatment. Among these, we recently highlighted the potential utilization of Manuka honey (MH) as an immunomodulatory agent. In the present study, we characterized mechanistically the immunomodulatory properties of MH in a preclinical model of colorectal cancer (CRC).
Methods: MH was administered orally over a 4 week-period. A solution containing equivalent concentrations of the main sugars in MH was used as a control (SC). Mucosal and systemic lymphoid tissues were examined for alterations in cellular composition and activation status by multi-color flow cytometry (FACS). Fecal pellets were collected before and after treatment and used for bacterial 16S rRNA sequencing. Pretreated mice were implanted with CRC cells and followed for tumor growth. Tumors, lymph nodes, and spleens were analyzed by FACS, immunohistochemistry, and qRT-PCR 3-weeks post-implantation.
Results: Pretreatment with MH, but not SC solution, induced type I/II IFN response in mucosal and systemic lymphoid tissues, resulting in enhanced expression of IFN-inducible stem cell antigen-1 (Sca-1) and MHC class II proteins. In an implantable model of CRC, tumor growth was significantly retarded in MH-pretreated mice. These tumors had increased infiltration of immune cells, ~2.0-fold increase in the percentage of intratumoral CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and a 50% decrease in the percentage of Ly6G+ myeloid cells. Immunohistochemical analysis of tumor tissues revealed an increase in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and granzyme-B-expressing cells following MH treatment. Moreover, FACS analysis showed significantly elevated expression of MHC class I on tumors of MH-treated mice. qRT-PCR analysis of purified tumor-infiltrating leucocytes highlighted changes in the expression of various chemokines and inflammatory cytokines that underlie the increased tumor immunogenicity. Finally, bacterial 16S rRNA sequencing revealed unique enrichment of >20 bacterial genera in MH-treated mice.
Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that oral administration of MH induces specific alterations in the gut microbiota and triggers innate and adaptive mucosal immune responses through the activation of type I/II IFN signaling pathways. This culminates in rendering the tumors more immunogenically responsive. Our data highlight the immunostimulatory properties of MH and demonstrate its potential utilization in cancer prevention.
Evolving Parameters of Shewhart Control Chart from Present-day Industrial Engineering Perspective
Authors: Sandeep  , Mukhopadhyay Arup Ranjan
Published: August 2023

The implementation of control charts for controlling processes based on statistical principles often requires answering questions like what should be the sample size (n), the sampling interval (h), and the control limits' multiplier (k). This work, inspired by Duncan and other authors like Gibra, I.N. and Saniga, E.M., etc., has evolved from certain practical considerations in an industry. Duncan in his economic design considered parameters like loss due to false alarm, the average cost of finding an assignable cause, the hourly cost of process control, and average income from in-control and out-of-control processes. However, the proposed model has considered additional parameters like production rate, sampling cost, sample preparation cost, testing cost, energy cost, consumables cost, and reporting cost from the perspective of production engineering. The economic model thus developed has been tailored to encapsulate the journey from Duncan to the contemporary period. The model has been appropriately optimized to determine n, h, and k. The effectiveness of the procedure has been demonstrated through numerical examples, comparative enumeration, and sensitivity analysis. The work is expected to transcend the much-hyped divide between theory and practice in the parlance of statistical process control.
Proteome‐wide Mendelian randomization and colocalization analysis identified potential drug targets for psoriasis
Authors: Li Shifang , Meijiao
Published: August 2023

Psoriasis is a prevalent chronic inflammatory disease of the skin. New psoriasis therapy targets are required. 18 causative proteins were discovered in this study employing proteome-wide Mendelian randomization analysis by integration of the largest-to-date GWASs of plasma protein. Five proteins (namely APOF, MAPRE1, GCKR, ATF6B, and PRSS8) were found to have high support for colocalization evidence with psoriasis (H4>0.8). Interestingly, two of them, namely APOF and PRSS8 with a high support for colocalization evidence with psoriasis, were detected in FinnGen and UK Biobank studies. Gene differentially expression analysis using bulk transcriptome data from 92 psoriatic and 82 normal punch biopsies revealed elevated PRSS8 expression was linked to an increased risk of psoriasis. Furthermore, single-cell RNA sequencing from 33 biopsy samples revealed that PRSS8 was higher expressed in psoriasis skin compared to healthy normal skin and psoriatic non-lesional skin in SERPINB4+ cells of the supraspinous layer of keratinocytes that were upregulated in psoriatic non-lesional skin. Overall, our study revealed that PRSS8 may be prioritized as a potential psoriasis therapeutic target. These findings require additional research in both basic and clinical studies.
Peer-based Promotion and Nurse-led Distribution of HIV Self-Testing Among Networks of Men in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: Development and Feasibility Results of the STEP Intervention
Authors: Conserve Donaldson F. , Abu-Ba’are Gamji Rabiu , Janson Samuel , Mhando Frank , Munisi Grace V. , Drezgic Busara , Rehani Abubakar , Sims Wynton , Ritchwood Tiarney , Choko Augustine , Mushy Stella , Johnson Cheryl , Mayo-Wilson Larissa Jennings , Komba Albert , Urasa Peris , Nelson LaRon , Mbita Gaspar
Published: August 2023

Background: According to the 2016-2017 Tanzania HIV Impact Survey, only 45% of men living with HIV (MLWH) were aware of their HIV status. In an effort to increase HIV testing in Tanzania, including among men, the Government of Tanzania passed a law in December 2019 to allowing HIV self-testing (HIVST) to be included in the national testing strategies. The objective of this paper is to describe the development and pilot feasibility assessment of the Self-Testing Education and Promotion (STEP) intervention, which was one of the projects conducted in Tanzania focusing on men to inform policy change.
Methods: The development and piloting processes were guided by the ADAPT-ITT model and informed by a national PEPFAR/USAID-funded HIV implementation science project called Sauti.
The adapted STEP intervention included the following two components: 1) peer-based HIVST promotion; and 2) nurse-led HIVST distribution. For the feasibility assessment, 25 men were selected and trained to promote HIVST among their peers before helping to recruit 253 men to receive instructions and collect an HIVST kit from a nurse at a community-based study tent site.
Results: Of the 236 participants who completed the 1-month follow-up survey, 98.3% reported using the kit. The majority (92.4%) of participants reported a negative HIVST result while 4.2% (n=10) received a positive result. Most (70%, n=7) of the participants with a positive result sought follow-up services at a healthcare facility while 40.3% (n=95) of the participants with a negative self-test result visited the community-based project site. Most of the men (53%, n =129) did not visit a healthcare facility or the study site. The majority of participants reported having a mobile phone and forty-seven of them called someone to share their results while twenty-seven sent a text message about their results.
Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that the combined peer-based promotion and nurse-led distribution of HIVST intervention in the community for men was acceptable and feasible. However, the high proportion of men who visited the tent site in the community after self-testing indicated that future research should evaluate the potential for nurses to provide community-based linkage to HIV care and prevention services for self-testers.
Evaluation of the financial performances of the medical device companies among Fortune 500 companies before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Tümer Tolga , Tengilimoğlu Dilaver , Demiray Emine Kübra Dindar
Published: August 2023

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the financial performances of the six medical device companies among Fortune 500 companies before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. For this purpose, we first conducted ratio analysis by using liquidity, turnover, leverage and profitability ratios; then we conducted Wilcoxon signed-rank tests by using the calculated values of the financial ratios. We obtained the required data from the annual financial statements of the medical device companies among Fortune 500 companies. In the analyses, we took 2019 as the year before the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 and 2021 as the year of the COVID-19 pandemic and 2022 as the year after the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings of the study showed that the medical device companies among Fortune 500 companies were able to keep their financial performances strong when the COVID-19 pandemic began; they were able to increase their profits in the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic; and they were able to start using their assets more efficiently after the COVID-19 pandemic. This suggests that the overall financial performances of the medical device companies among Fortune 500 companies were strong before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The evaluation of the financial performances of the medical device companies among Fortune 500 companies before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic may be beneficial for managers and policy makers in the medical device industry to determine the areas that requires to be strengthened in order to be better prepared for possible future pandemics and crisis periods.
THE IMPACT OF SELF-DETECTED LEARNING STRATEGIES ON ACHIEVING MORE EFFECTIVE LEARNING OUTCOMES
Authors: Badoi-Hammami Mona , Costache Colareza Corina
Published: August 2023

Humans curiosity and desire to learn have enabled them to gain knowledge and find solutions for overcoming obstacles in their lives.This has formed the foundation of science.Consequently, teachers can develop structured teaching strategies that incorporate self-directed learning techniques.The motivation behind this study is that learning is influenced by factors such as growth, environmental influences, and genetic predispositions, all of which contribute to personal development and professional growth.Teaching individuals how to learn through self-directed learning is crucial for unlocking their secrets of success in life.Therefore, it is important to prioritize this strategy and include it in teaching plans, as achieving learning outcomes has become a priority in educational systems.Teachers and policymakers strongly support this approach as it benefits both learners and society within the education system.In this context, we present a collection of information highlighting the connection between self-directed learning and achieving outcomes in education.Exploring the connection between students ability to make decisions during their learning process and the likelihood of achieving learning outcomes.The impact of the learners active role during the educational process and the importance of work to increase learners self-image and self-concept.
JUDICIAL ACTIVISM AND OVERREACH IN INDIA
Authors:   Principal of DR.RML Law College, ResearchScholar, Presidency University, Bangalore., K. Koradhanyamath Vijayalakshmi , C. Desai Sandeep ,   Co-Author, Guide & Dean of Law, Presidency.
Published: August 2023

The researcher has worked on the Judicial Activism & overreach in India,This new epitope is exploring Indian Judiciary,Judicial Review,Art.32 and 226 of constitution,PIL,Substantive due process and Art.21 of the Indian constitution,Legislationby the Judicial Activism to overreach.
APPLICATION OF ENDOSCOPIC ULTRASOUND GUIDED FNAC(EUS-FNAC) IN DIAGNOSING PANCREATIC MASS LESIONS
Authors:   Junior Resident, Department of Pathology, D.Y. Patil Medical College, Kolhapur., Thakore Shivani , Patil R.S. ,   Associate Professor, Department of Pathology, D.Y. Patil Medical College, Kolhapur., Tyagi Lavi ,   MD Pathology, Department of Pathology, D.Y. Patil Medical College, Kolhapur.
Published: August 2023

Introduction: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNAC) has become an important modality for identification of pancreatic masses. It is a minimally invasive procedure that provides excellent cell yield even in deep seated lesions. The preoperative diagnosis of pancreatic mass by EUS-FNAC can help the surgeons in early detection and confirmation of neoplasm as pancreatic mass lesions are highly concerning for pancreatic carcinoma. This study was aimed at application of EUS-FNAC in diagnosing pancreatic mass lesions. Methods: A study was conducted for 20 cases who underwent EUS guided FNAC for pancreatic mass lesions. EUS-FNAC was performed by using a curvilinear array echo endoscope. The technique was carried out by a skilled endoscopist, and the glass slides were used to make smears from fluid that was aspirated containing corpuscular fractions. The slides were air dried before being examined cytopathologically. Results: Out of 20 cases,10 were of pancreatic Ductal adenocarcinoma, 3 of Neuroendocrine tumor of pancreas, 2 of Acinar cell carcinoma, 1 of Solid pseudopapillary tumor, 2 of Serous cystadenoma and 2 of Mucinous cystadenoma. This was confirmed later, on further Immunocytochemical stains. Conclusions:Out of 20 cases, 16 were malignant and 4 were benign. EUS-FNAC can help in early diagnosis and can improve the patient outcome. It is safe, cost-effective and reliable. It not only gives precise cytological diagnosis, but it also allows for the exact site of tiny lesions.
A CASE REPORT OF AYURVEDA MANAGEMENT OF CERVICAL CELL DYSPLASIA (CIN 1)
Authors:   Vice Chancellor, Maganbhai Adenwala Mahagujarat University, Nadiad., Shaikh Nilofar , Gupta S.N. ,   Vice Chancellor, Maganbhai Adenwala Mahagujarat University, Nadiad.
Published: August 2023

Cervical dysplasia, also called as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), is a precancerous condition strongly associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in which healthy cells on the cervix undergo some abnormal changes. In cervical dysplasia, the abnormal cells are not cancerous, but have the potential to develop further and progress into cancer, if not diagnosed and treated early. Screening through the Pap smear test (Papanikolau test) has reduced the deaths related to cervical cancer by three-quarters. A 50-year-old female with complain of profuse vaginal discharge and burning urination since 3 months approached to outpatient department of Prasutitantra and Streeroga, JS Ayurveda Mahavidhyalaya, nadiad. She had history of irregular foul smelling menses with inter menstrual and post coital bleeding. On per speculum examination vaginitis and cervical erosion around the external os with profuse white discharge were found. Her Pap smear test reveled Low grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion (LSIL/CIN 1). She was successfully treated with oral medicaments of kanchanara guggulu, combination of rasayana churna and haridra churna along with local application of jatyadi taila yonipichu for 3 months. She had got significant relief in white discharge per vaginal, post coital bleeding, burning urination and cervical erosion. After completion of treatment, Pap test was done which turned negative and remained negative till 1 year follow up with no recurrence of symptoms. This case report demonstrates that cervical cell dysplasia (CIN1 /LSIL) can be effectively managed with Ayurveda Management.
Glycemic control and cardiovascular complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Druk I. V. , Safronova S. S.
Published: August 2023

Over the past few decades, the prevalence of diabetes in developed and developing countries has increased dramatically, making diabetes a key health priority worldwide. It can be assumed that an increase in the life expectancy of patients with diabetes significantly affects the prevalence of diabetes, maintaining the trend of its increase. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease and its adverse outcomes compared to the general population. The pathophysiological relationship between hyperglycemia and cardiovascular disease is beyond doubt. Glycemic control per se remains essential for the successful management of diabetes, prevention of chronic complications of the disease and death. Diabetes control involves, first of all, the achievement of target indicators of carbohydrate metabolism. The use of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), despite known sensitivity limitations, has become the standard for assessing glycemic control in diabetic patients. Early achievement of the target HbA1c level reduces the risk of diabetic complications, increases the likelihood of long-term sustainable disease control. Numerous clinical studies have demonstrated that higher HbA1c and greater HbA1c variability are manageable risk factors for adverse cardiovascular events. Optimal hypoglycemic therapy for diabetes in order to reduce cardiovascular risks should ensure the achievement of the target level of glycemic control as soon as possible (the first 3 months of therapy), maintaining the target level of glycemia with the lowest possible HbA1c variability in subsequent years and therapy should be safe. Timely intensification of therapy, including the use of insulin, can prevent the negative consequences of prolonged hyperglycemia. Glar-100 has a high efficacy and safety in comparison with other insulin preparations at the initiation and intensification of DM2 therapy. RingGlar® and Lantus® are equivalent drugs.
Psycho-emotional state of patients with chronic non-communicable diseases: important aspects of therapy
Authors: Shishkova V. N.
Published: August 2023

Psycho-emotional disorders such as depression and anxiety disorders are important modifiable risk factors for the development and complicated course of many common chronic non-communicable diseases. A particular feature of such comorbidity is the significant impact of psycho-emotional disorders on the motivation and adherence of patients to a healthy lifestyle and various therapy options, which increases the risks of complications and, as a consequence of this, the healthcare expenditures. The topicality of the issues of screening and management of psycho-emotional disorders in the general practitioner practice is caused, on the one hand, by high rate of these disorders in patients with chronic non-communicable diseases, deterioration in quality of life and an increase in adverse outcomes, and on the other hand, inadequate awareness of the possibilities to manage the psycho-emotional state of patients with comorbidities. The therapy for psycho-emotional disorders includes both drug and non-drug methods, however, the effectiveness of such therapy in relation to the clinical course and prognosis in patients with different comorbidities is not the same. This review presents the most common comorbidities of psycho-emotional disorders and somatic diseases in therapeutic practice. A buspirone and tofisopam therapy for psycho-emotional disorders in patients with various comorbidities was discussed. The efficacy and safety of tofisopam and buspirone have been studied in numerous studies in patients with chronic diseases and a wide range of anxiety disorders, including a long-term administration.
The effect of mineral water on the course of experimental oxalate nephrolithiasis
Authors: Lobanov Yu. F. , Zharikov A. Yu. , Zverev Ya. F. , Strozenko L. A. , Kalnitsky A. S. , Micheeva N. M.
Published: August 2023

Introduction. The number of patients with urolithiasis (UCD) is increasing annually both among the adult population and among children, and therefore it is necessary to develop an integrated approach to the prevention and treatment of this pathology. Most often, with urolithiasis, oxalate-calcium crystalluria is determined, to reduce the level of which, low-mineralized mineral waters with a minimum sodium content are recommended.

Aim. To study the effect of mineral water “Serebryanyy klyuch” on the course of experimental calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis.

Materials and methods. During the study on laboratory rats, oxalate nephrolithiasis was simulated for 3 weeks by providing a 1% solution of ethylene glycol as a drink, while the rats of the experimental group used mineral water “Serebryanyy klyuch” as a solvent. The results of urine biochemistry (calcium, creatinine, activity of lactate dehydrogenase and γ-glutamyl transferase) and morphological studies (determination of the amount and size of calcium deposits in the kidneys, assessment of the structural and functional state of the nephrothelium) were evaluated.

Results. Calcium-oxalate deposits in the control group of rats were detected in 25% of cases, while large-sized stones were observed in the kidney tubules. In the experimental group, the presence of stone deposits was detected in 1 (11.1%) case, with a clear shift towards smaller deposits. Morphological signs indicating the development of dystrophic changes with the phenomena of nephrosclerosis were much less pronounced in the conditions of consumption of mineral water “Serebryanyy klyuch”.

Conclusion. Thus, the use of mineral water “Serebryanyy klyuch” in the conditions of a three-week experimental oxalate nephrolithiasis was accompanied by characteristic signs of facilitating the course of the pathology and contributed to a decrease in the proportion of large calculi in the kidneys.
Some aspects of anti-inflammatory therapy of osteoarthritis
Authors: Filatova Yu. S. , Solovyov I. N.
Published: August 2023

In the article, the authors discuss the therapy of OA as one of the common diseases of the musculoskeletal system, which leads to disability of people of working age. Focusing on modern concepts of pathogenesis, the article draws attention to pain and the mechanisms of its formation in OA. The recommendations of the world’s leading communities (EULAR, ARC OARSI) and the conclusions of the consensus resolution of experts of the Russian Federation on the diagnosis and treatment of osteoarthritis 2022 are also given. The article draws attention to some aspects of pain therapy. The data of studies and meta-analyses demonstrating the effectiveness of NSAIDs in pain associated with OA are presented. Among the variety of NSAIDs, the article provides data on the efficacy and safety of nimesulide, as well as its additional properties such as inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, neuroprotective and gastroprotective effects. The conclusions of the consensus meetings of 2005, the purpose of which was to provide a continuous and up-to-date assessment of the clinical profile and safety profile of nimesulide, and 2014, the purpose of which was to familiarize with the current state of pathophysiology and treatment of acute pain with a special focus on nimesulide, are presented. The article also provides data on the safety and efficacy of nimesulide in the treatment of OA in comparison with drugs such as diclofenac, naproxen and ibuprofen. One of the little-studied aspects of pain therapy is the patient’s preference. The article presents data from studies of the effectiveness of various forms of NSAIDs and patient preferences in therapy. The authors of the article conclude that the most acceptable from the point of view of efficacy, safety, the rate of onset of the effect, as well as the preferences of patients is nimesulide in the form of granules for the preparation of a solution.
Clinical efficacy of acotiamide in patients with functional dyspepsia: results of a multicenter study
Authors: Bakulin I. G. , Khlynov I. B. , Sablin O. A. , Pakhomova I. G. , Pavlova N. V.
Published: August 2023

Introduction. Despite the high prevalence of functional dyspepsia (FD), the question of effective treatment of this pathology remains open. This underlines the relevance of new approaches in the treatment of FD and the introduction of the drug Dyspevict® (acotiamide), a prokinetic with a new mechanism of action, into clinical practice to alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life of patients with FD.

Aim. Evaluate the efficacy and safety of the use of acotiamide in patients with FD with postprandial distress syndrome (PDS).

Materials and methods. 389 patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio into two groups. Patients of the first group took acotiamide, patients of the second group – placebo. Study drugs were taken orally for 4 weeks. The main criterion for the effectiveness of treatment was the “response to therapy”, assessed by patients on a 7-point Likert scale. Secondary efficacy criteria were: complete regression or relief of symptoms of FD with PDS, improvement in the quality of life of patients, which was assessed on the basis of the Nepean short dyspepsia index.

Results and discussion. After 4 weeks, “response to therapy” was observed in 143/193 (74.1%) patients in the acotiamide group compared with 98/189 (51.9%) patients in the placebo group (p < 0.001). Therapy with Acotiamide, in contrast to placebo, showed a complete regression and relief of some symptoms of FD with PDS. Also, after the use of acotiamide, there was an improvement in well-being and quality of life in 172/194 (88.7%) patients compared with 131/189 (69.3%) patients in the placebo group (p < 0.001).

Conclusion. The results of the conducted clinical study allow us to conclude that acotiamide is an effective treatment for FD with PDS in adults. The safety profile of the drug is comparable to placebo.
Method for finding the cost-optimal road trajectory on the surface of the terrain
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Abbasov Majid E. ,   Institute for Problems in Mechanical Engineering of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Sharlay Artyom S. ,   St. Petersburg State University,   Military Academy of Logistics (VAMTO named after A. V. Hrulev)
Published: August 2023

The paper studies a method for finding the cost-optimal trajectory of a road connecting two points on a given terrain. Situations are considered when the cost of delivery of materials is a constant value, as well as a more general formulation of the problem, in which the cost of delivery depends on the coordinate of a point. In each case, an integral functional is constructed cost, the argument in which is a function that describes the trajectory of the path. The Ritz method is used to find an approximate solution. It is set analytically, in the form of a trigonometric polynomial, which increases the convenience of processing and further research of the results obtained in comparison with the numerical solution of the necessary conditions for the extremum of the investigated functional. The paper also discusses the problem of convergence. Illustrative examples are given.
Clearing function in the context of the invariant manifold method
Authors:   Satbayev University, Mustafin Almaz T. , Kantarbayeva Aliya K. ,   al-Farabi Kazakh National University
Published: August 2023

Clearing functions (CFs), which express a mathematical relationship between the expected throughput of a production facility in a planning period and its workload (or work-inprogress, WIP) in that period have shown considerable promise for modeling WIP-dependent cycle times in production planning. While steady-state queueing models are commonly used to derive analytic expressions for CFs, the finite length of planning periods calls their validity into question. We apply a different approach to propose a mechanistic model for one-resource, one-product factory shop based on the analogy between the operation of machine and enzyme molecule. The model is reduced to a singularly perturbed system of two differential equations for slow (WIP) and fast (busy machines) variables, respectively. The analysis of this slow-fast system finds that CF is nothing but a result of the asymptotic expansion of the slow invariant manifold. The validity of CF is ultimately determined by how small is the parameter multiplying the derivative of the fast variable. It is shown that sufficiently small characteristic ratio ’working machines: WIP’ guarantees the applicability of CF approximation in unsteady-state operation.
Research of investment attractiveness based on cluster analysis
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Qi Dongfang , Bure Vladimir M. ,   St. Petersburg State University
Published: August 2023

The continued economic development of various countries or regions has resulted in increased competition in global markets, leading to a concentration of investors and skilled labour in locations with high investment attractiveness. The investment attractiveness of a given country or region is determined by its investment potential and risk, which are characterized by a combination of various significant factors.This paper seeks to develop an econometric model to estimate the amount of investment in fixed capital in a specific region, taking into consideration the linear relationship between the observed results, in order to determine the main conditions that are necessary for achieving stable and high economic growth. These conditions include the acceleration of investment activity and the implementation of major national reforms to ensure the effectiveness of the investment process. To assess the overall influence of the financial and economic indicators studied on the volume of investment, multiple regression analysis was utilized as the primary mathematical tool of the study. Furthermore, assumptions were made regarding the rank of the observations. To validate this hypothesis, a cluster analysis was conducted, grouping the observations into four clusters based on their results, depending on the volume of investment or the geographical characteristics of the region.
Dynamic path planning algorithm for autonomous mobile robot with a minimum number of turns in unknown environment
Authors:   Petrozavodsk State University, Rego Grigorij E. , Voronov Roman V. ,   Petrozavodsk State University
Published: August 2023

The article is devoted to the problem of reactive navigation of a mobile robot with limited information about the environment. An algorithm for finding a path from source to the target with a minimum number of turns is described. The idea of the algorithm is based on the bug family of algorithms for reactive navigation. The mobile robot remembers the boundaries of obstacles and calculates the angle of rotation depending on the surrounding situation. The difference from bug algorithms is that the robot does not move “along the obstacle”, but turns only in a limited number of cases. The results of testing the algorithm on simulated polygons are presented. Models of fallen trees, stumps and swamps were considered as obstacles. The performance of the algorithm is evaluated by comparing the minimum possible number of turns with the number of turns in the path obtained using the algorithm.
On the question of a constructive controllability criterion. Pt I. Cyclic invariant subspaces
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Kalinina Elizaveta A. , Kamachkin Alexander M. ,   St. Petersburg State University, Stepenko Nikolai A. ,   St. Petersburg State University, Tamasyan Grigoriy Sh. ,   Mozhaisky Military Space Academy,   Institute for Problems of Mechanical Engineering of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Published: August 2023

The rank of the Kalman’s controllability matrix of linear systems depends on the bases of the invariant cyclic subspaces of the state matrix generated by the columns of the input matrix. The case of the Jordan form of the state matrix and scalar control is studied in detail. It is shown that the dimension of cyclic subspaces is determined by the index numbers of the first non-zero elements of the coordinate blocks of the columns of the input matrix. The formation of the bases of these subspaces is completely disclosed. Based on this, the basis of the space of a constructive control system is constructed.
‘I’ll tell that human tale’: Documenting the Wartime Sexual Violence in Jing-Jing Lee’s How We Disappeared (2019)
Authors:   Department of English, St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Kolkata, Biswas Ashmita
Published: August 2023

Sexual slavery as a phenomenon of war was rampant during the Japanese Imperial Army’s occupation of territories before and during the Second World War (1939-1945). These innumerable sex slaves, or “comfort women”, as the Japanese Army had named them, were women (a striking number of them being minors) who were forcefully captured and separated from their families and placed at comfort stations built to fulfill the sexual needs of the Japanese soldiers. While this entire system was created on the pretext of reducing wartime rapes and curbing the spread of venereal diseases, these comfort stations did just the opposite. Studies conducted into these comfort stations reveal how they had become sites of inhuman sexual violence, torture, disease, and death. This paper will look at how Jing-Jing Lee’s historical fiction How We Disappeared (2019) rewrites these innumerable, nameless, brutalized women into the world’s history as victims of a bloody war that had tainted unassuming lives and had snuffed out their existence ruthlessly. Lee’s narrative is scarred by violence committed along gendered lines – illustrating the reduction of the female body to a disposable sexual tool, existing merely to bear the brunt of a war that was not theirs. This paper decodes the politics of gender violence behind Japan’s enforced and licensed prostitution, the nature of sexual violence, the commodification of women’s bodies, the place of women in the socio-cultural context of the era, and the gendered role of women, in what was quintessentially men’s war.
Neoclassicism in Bangla Word Formation Processes
Authors:   Department of English (H&S), Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, Hyderabad, Sarkar Tanushree
Published: August 2023

In this paper, I examine the notion of neoclassical word formation in Bangla and attempt to account for all the morpho-phonological interactions of both neoclassical and native Bangla word formation processes under the framework of Rule-based Phonology. The paper has both descriptive and theoretical goals. Bangla has a vast lexicon and a rich morphological system. The abundance of the classical Sanskrit language entities makes it interesting to explore the word formation processes and observe the morphophonological interactions in light of Neoclassicism. The words and affixes in Bangla have been divided into: a) Tadbhava and b) Tatsama c) Deshi (Native) and d) Videshi (Foreign). I study the different word formation processes in Bangla affixes. A rule-based account has been given to account for the morphophonological changes and bring out the essence of Neoclassicism in the Bangla lexicon and contribute towards the study of Bangla phonology and morphology.
Performance evaluation of biocoagulant for the effective removal of turbidity and microbial pathogens from drinking water
Authors: Nigussie Zenebe , Habtu Nigus Gabbiye
Published: August 2023

In this study, Moringa seeds, aloe vera leaves, and cactus leaves were used as biocoagulants for the treatment of drinking water. The effects of coagulant type, coagulant dosage, and pH were studied on the quality of the treated water. Response surface methodology was used to predict and optimize the parameters. The standard Six Jar test was used to measure the performance of coagulants. Three mixing modes were used in the jar test: quick mixing at 1 min at 120 rpm, slow mixing for 19 min at 40 rpm, and 15 min settling. The characterization results showed that extracts of Moringa seeds, aloe vera leaves, and cactus leaves contain 43.95 ± 0.49, 13.9 ± 0.42, and 10.94% ± 0.37 protein, respectively. It was revealed that coagulant type, coagulant dosage, and the interaction between (coagulant type (MS-SC and AV-SC) and pH) were significant (p < 0.05) for turbidity removal. Jar test results showed a removal efficiency of turbidity 98.83%, and 98.74% and 69.83% using MS-SC, and AV-SC and Ca-SC bio, respectively. These results imply that the three coagulants can be considered as effective, low-cost, and eco-friendly resources for the treatment of drinking water in rural communities of Ethiopia where access to clean water is scarce.
Evaluating water policies under the changing conditions of climatic variables in North Khorasan Province, Iran
Authors: Azizi Asiyeh , Mehrabi Boshrabadi Hossein , Zare Mehrjerdi Mohammad Reza
Published: August 2023

The paper aimed to evaluate the impacts of water pricing and quota policies under changing climatic conditions on the major production factors using economic-biophysical modeling. The data were collected by 382 questionnaires focusing on wheat, barley, cotton, alfalfa, and sugar beet crops in the 2017–2018 cropping year in North Khorasan Province, Iran. Climate change scenarios were defined as wet, moderate, and dry scenarios resulting from precipitation changes. The results showed that climate change scenarios reduce the total irrigated area of crops and total water used. Due to the effect of precipitation on crop yield, dry and moderate climate changes reduce the total gross income, while wet climate changes increase it. The scenarios of quota and pricing policies were then applied under climate change scenarios. The amount of water conserved by applying the quota policy was equal to the quota rate, while the impact of the pricing policy varied depending on the type of climate change. The highest amount of water conserved belonged to the conditions of dry climate change in Atrak and Central Desert catchments, which was about 6.8–8.6 and 3.83–14.48%, respectively. As the climate moves toward drought conditions in this province, the implementation of such policies can partially protect water resources.
Simulating two Algerian cities' desalination plants coupled with solar energy systems using TRNSYS
Authors: Irki Sara , Albright Edet , Merzouk Nachida Kasbadji , Hanini Salah , Barkaoui Sami , Benaissa Mhamed , Ghernaout Djamel , Elboughdiri Noureddine
Published: August 2023

Our study aimed to design a prototype for a desalination unit coupled with a solar collector, utilizing TRNSYS 16, to address the needs of both Bouzaréah in northern Algeria and Ghardaïa in southern Algeria. The desalination unit is composed of vacuum membrane distillation (VMD) coupled with a solar collector, and the photovoltaic has been designed according to the climatic conditions of each region. In this work, the approach adopted is to integrate a model developed in the literature into a simulation environment (TRNSYS) coupled with the CODE-BLOCKS compiler and FORTRAN programming language to create a new component (i.e., VMD process). Simulation results showed that the optimum permeation flux obtained through the desalination unit is relatively higher in Ghardaïa than in Bouzaréah, with a flow exceeding 30 kg/h.m2. The permeation flux and the power to load reached their maximum values with the charge of solar irradiation 48 kg/h.m2 and 6300 kJ/h, respectively, for Ghardaïa at the sun irradiation value 800 W/m2 and temperature of 34 °C. Results showed that Ghardaïa had a higher GOR value than Bouzaréah over the year (10.947 vs. 8.3389). Moreover, both locations recorded thermal recovery ratio values exceeding 1, indicating the high efficiency of the desalination unit.
Alimentación y actividad física en estudiantes modalidad presencial de una universidad pública de Cartagena, Colombia
Authors: Gómez-Bustamante Edna , Palomino-Blanquicett Jhoselys , Alvis-Estrada Luis
Published: August 2023

Introducción: la alimentación y la actividad física hacen parte de los hábitos y/o comportamientos que permiten alcanzar el bienestar y mejorar la salud. Estos hábitos están influenciados por factores personales, ambientales y sociales. Objetivo: identificar la alimentación y actividad física en estudiantes de modalidad presencial de una universidad pública de Cartagena, Colombia. Método: 1292 estudiantes fue seleccionados mediante muestreo probabilístico estratificado, se utilizó la virtual “Encuesta de factores de riesgo en salud relacionados con el estilo de vida” del Instituto Nacional de Salud de Colombia. Resultados: los resultados indican que en la población predominó el sexo femenino, afiliados al régimen subsidiado en estrato socioeconómico 1 y 2; inscritos a la enfermería, ingeniería, ciencias humanas y ciencias económicas, principalmente. En cuanto a la alimentación se encontró que la mayoría comió frutas enteras y verduras; pero, es alto el consumo de fritos, alimentos de paquetes/golosina, bebidas azucaradas y adición de sal a las comidas ya servidas. Conclusiones: los estudiantes tienen una alimentación poco saludable y realizan actividad física pocos días a la semana. Se requiere promover estrategias institucionales para fortalecer hábitos saludables creando espacios que potencien y maximicen la salud de la población estudiantil.
Aproximación teórica de enfermería en la calidad de vida del profesor universitario
Authors: Acosta-Salazar Diana , Romero-Cárdenas Angela , Vásquez-Munive Mirith
Published: August 2023

Introducción: la enfermería como disciplina dirige sus acciones hacia el cuidado integral de la vida y la salud del ser humano, ya sea a nivel individual o colectivo. Dos elementos esenciales lo componen; uno es el profesional, que lo integra con otras disciplinas de la salud y facilita el desarrollo de acciones que mejoren la calidad de vida y respondan a las necesidades sociales. Objetivo: describir las dimensiones y componentes que caracterizan la calidad de vida y el estado de salud de los profesores universitarios. Método: se realizó una revisión bibliográfica exploratoria en diversas fuentes documentales y bases de datos científicas, consistente en una búsqueda bibliográfica en junio de 2022 en Scielo y Redalyc. Resultados: el autocuidado podría ser considerado como la capacidad de un individuo para realizar todas las actividades necesarias para vivir y sobrevivir con bienestar. Conclusiones: estas teorías, provenientes de la psicosociología y la enfermería, contribuyen al surgimiento de nuevos modelos y enfoques que generan bienestar y desarrollo humano, en beneficio de la persona y, por tanto, mejoran indicadores de dicha calidad de vida en los pacientes-docentes universitarios.