bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical Experience Using the SRS MapCHECK for Patient Specific Plan Verification of Flattening Filter Free, Non-Coplanar Stereotactic Brain Plans Using HyperARC.
Authors: Ashburner Mark , Mugabe Koki
Published: June 2021

HyperArc (HA) treatment planning from Varian is a stereotactic specific planning tool enabling quick and efficient optimisation of treatment planning, and delivery. HA was commissioned and implemented at Waikato Regional Cancer Centre (WRCC) in 2019 to fulfil the demands of dose delivery for stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), allowing for treatment of multiple targets with a single isocenter at non-coplanar angles. The extra levels of plan complexity involved in creating and verifying HA SRS plans required extensive checks and verifications using film and an ion chamber, along with a significant allocation of time and resources. The Sun Nuclear SRS MapCHECK (SRSMC) offered an alternative to the cumbersome film measurements. It is an all-encompassing tool meeting the requirements of TG 218 and ICRU 91 for complex treatment plan verification, claiming to save time and effort, without sacrificing accuracy, enabling for a smoother planning and verification process. SRSMC was initially commissioned on 6MV single target treatments using standard planning, then updated and commissioned for 6FFF multi-target non-coplanar treatments using HA. The SRSMC gamma pass rates were compared to film measurements in the same plane, and the central diode CAX reading compared to ionisation chamber measurements at the same position for a range of plans covering a range of PTV sizes and plan complexities. Pass rates on the SRSMC were comparable to measurements using film (Gamma 3%/1mm, 99.41%, 96.39% SRSMC and film respectively). The central diode is an adequate surrogate for a chamber measurement if the SRSMC is positioned in a similar position as that of the ionisation chamber would be – high dose homogenous region, avoiding steep gradients (mean dose difference Diode vs Chamber: -0.73%). Differences between exposing non-coplanar plans at couch 0 and at planned couch angles were negligible (Gamma 3%/1mm 99.28 coplanar, 99.41% non-coplanar on SRSMC). At WRCC the SRSMC has replaced film and chamber measurements for plan verifications of 6FFF HA multiple metastatic brain treatments at a single isocenter and we are currently investigating its use in other treatment sites.
Protection of Entanglement in the Presence of Markovian or Non-Markovian Environment via Particle Velocity : Exact Results
Authors: Park DaeKil
Published: June 2021

On the analytic ground we examine a physical mechanism how particle velocity can protect an entanglement when quantum system is embedded in Markovian or non-Markovian environment. In particular the effect of particle velocity is examined in the entanglement sudden death (ESD) and revival of entanglement (ROE) phenomena. Even though particles move fast, the ESD phenomenon does not disappear if it occurs at zero velocity. However the time domain 0≤t≤t* for nonvanishing entanglement becomes larger and larger with increasing velocity. When ROE phenomenon occurs at zero velocity, even small velocity can make this phenomenon not to occur although the oscillatory behavior of entanglement in time is maintained. For comparatively large velocity the amplitude of the oscillatory behavior becomes extremely small. In this way the entanglement can be protected by particle velocity. The protection of entanglement via velocity is compared with that via the detuning parameter.
A Newly Designed Polyvinyl Alcohol Hydrogel-Based Gastric ESD Simulator for Trainees: A Pilot Study
Authors: Lee Dong Seok , Kim Ji Won , Lee Kook Lae , Kim Byeong Gwan , Jeong Ji Bong , Lee Gin Hyug
Published: June 2021

Background

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a useful option for the treatment of a variety of digestive diseases but has the disadvantage of difficulty in acquiring skills. We developed a new polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel (PVA-H)-based gastric ESD simulator and evaluated its usefulness for training with a group of experts.
Methods

A new gastric ESD simulator was constructed with three modules (esophagus, gastric wall, and electric). The expert group tested ten ESD sessions and evaluated the simulator with questionnaires on eight items related to ESD procedures using a 7-point Likert scale.
Results

Compared with the real human stomach, the new ESD simulator showed no inferior success rate in lifting of the submucosal layer (5.00 [4.00–6.00]), cutting of the submucosal layer (6.00 [5.00–6.00]), visibility by bubble (4.00 [4.00–6.00]), thickness of the muscle layer (4.00 [4.00–5.00]), combination of the three layers (6.00 [6.00–7.00]), size of the ESD sheet (6.00 [5.00–6.00]), and connectivity of the electrode (6.00 [6.00–7.00]).
Conclusion

A new PVA-H-based gastric ESD simulator can be helpful for training before performing real human gastric ESD.
Impact of an Aging Population and Shift to Chronic Illness on Emergency Department Admissions in a Tertiary Hospital Over Ten Years
Authors: Hu Zhongxun , Siddiqui Fahad Javaid , Fan Qiao , Lian Sherman WQ , Liu Nan , Ong Marcus EH
Published: June 2021

Background: This study aimed to determine to what extent an aging population and shift to chronic illness has contributed to emergency admissions at a tertiary care hospital over ten years.Methods: This was a retrospective observational study performed using a database of all emergency admissions from the Emergency Department (ED) at a single tertiary hospital in Singapore during a ten-year period (January 1st, 2008 to December 31st, 2017). Emergency admissions were defined as ED visits with inpatient admission as the disposition. This study analyzed the trends of demographics, pre-existing comorbidities, chronic conditions or ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC) of all patients who underwent emergency admissions in SGH. Results: A total of 446,484 emergency records were included. While the annual number of emergency admissions increased by 22% from 2008 to 2017, the rate of emergency admissions for the Singapore elderly population (aged >65 years) had a relative decrease of 15% during the same period. For elderly patients, lower proportions of them had pre-existing multimorbidity at the time of undergoing emergency admissions. The proportions of emergency admissions whose ED primary diagnoses were categorized as chronic conditions and certain chronic ACSC including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes complications, and epilepsy also decreased for elderly patients. Conclusions: In Singapore, despite a rapidly ageing population, there have been surprisingly fewer chronic conditions, pre-existing comorbidities, and chronic ACSC among the elderly emergency admissions. This is possibly consistent with an overall improved management of the chronic conditions among the elderly population and will be interesting to compare with other healthcare settings in different countries in future studies.
The Effects of Payer-Mix on Utilization during the COVID-19 Pandemic, in Urgent and Primary Care.
Authors: Dominguez Luis W , Beattie Brandon , Poulose Alexander
Published: June 2021

BackgroundHealthcare utilization has changed dramatically during the COVID-19 crisis with the most dramatic drops coming in April 2020. While a lot of research has focused on utilization among the privately insured, or on comparing specialty-visits, comparatively less has been published on the effect of payer-mix, particularly Medicaid, on utilization. MethodsMonthly patient volume was gathered across 3 ambulatory primary and urgent care clinics. The timeframe included appointments, walk-ins and virtual visits from January through June 2020, including the nadir in April. Patient volume was then compared to average payer mix over that same time, at each clinic. A simple linear regression was then run, comparing changes in patient volume and percent Medicaid. ResultsTwo clinics had similar payer mixes, and saw similar decreases in utilization. A third clinic with twice as many Medicaid patients, saw only half the reduction in patient volume, during the nadir in April 2020. ConclusionGiven the limited number of data points, a more robust statistical analysis was not possible. A simple regression line indicated a correlation between the proportion of Medicaid patients and demand resilience for healthcare resources. At scale, the Medicaid population may be less vulnerable to variations in utilization, exhibiting less elastic demand, despite a pandemic, for a myriad of reasons.
Static Modeling of Braided Pneumatic Muscle Actuator: An Amended Force Model
Authors: Ghosh Saswath , Kumar Deepak , Roy Sitikantha
Published: June 2021

The present study reports an amended static force model for a pneumatic muscle actuator (PMA) used in different aerodynamic and fluid power system applications. The PMA is a fluid actuator, made of a polymeric bladder enclosed in a braided mesh sleeve. A physics-based static model is developed to predict the deformation response of the actuator for different applied pressure. The significant losses, like braid-to-braid friction, non-cylindrical ends, and bladder hyperelasticity effect, have been considered to enhance the model’s practical feasibility. However, a combined effect of all these losses in the PMA was ignored in the literature. The findings of the derived model agree well with existing experimental results.
NCAPG is a Potential Biomarker for Prognosis of Treatment in Children with High-risk Neuroblastoma
Authors: Fu Meng , Wu Wei , Sun Yunxia , Zhao Rui , Li Hao , Li Zhiping
Published: June 2021

Background High-risk neuroblastoma, as a lethal pediatric tumor, has unfavorable clinical outcomes, and accounts for ~15% of childhood cancer‐related mortality. However, the biomarkers for treatment prognosis have remained largely elusive. The present study sought to identify potential genes associated with the progression and prognosis of high-risk neuroblastoma. Methods The gene expression profiles of neuroblastoma were downloaded from the Gene Expression omnibus (GEO) database, and samples from GSE62564 and GSE16476 were applied as the training set and validation set, respectively. Bioinformatic analysis were performed by R. Subsequently, the biological functions of key gene were investigated by transwell, western blot, and flow cytometry analysis. miRNA that regulated the expression of key gene were predicted and the bind site were validated by luciferase reporter analysis and Q-PCR in children with high-risk neuroblastoma. Results Analysis shown that 120 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the blue module were identified to be significantly related to high-risk neuroblastoma by weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA). After MCODE and Cytohubba algorithm analyses, 26 genes were recognized as hub genes. Subsequently, univariate COX and LASSO regression analyses identified a six-gene signature (NCAPG, UBE2C, MELK, CCNA2, KIF15, and BIRC5) and constructed a prognostic model. The expression of these six genes in high-risk neuroblastoma children was significantly higher than that in non-high-risk neuroblastoma children. These signature genes and the prognostic model demonstrated strong prognostic capability using Kaplan-Meier (KM) curves. Subsequently, NCAPG was selected as key gene and the results indicated that knockdown NCAPG suppressed the migration and invasion, increased the apoptosis rate and decreased the Bcl-2 level in neuroblastoma cells. In addition, the luciferase reporter analysis method showed that miR-495-3p can negatively regulate the expression of NCAPG. Q-PCR indicated that miR-495-3p highly expressed in children with high-risk neuroblastoma. Conclusion Our findings identified that miR-495-3p/ NCAPG could serve as prognostic biomarkers of high-risk neuroblastoma and may advance the understanding of the molecular pathogenesis.
Communicating prognosis to parents in the neonatal ICU: Optimistic vs. PEssimistic – “The “COPE”-Trial“ – Study protocol of a randomized controlled trial using scripted video-vignettes to explore communication preferences of parents of preterm infants
Authors: Forth Fiona A. , Hammerle Florian , König Jochem , Urschitz Michael S. , Neuweiler Philipp , Mildenberger Eva , Kidszun André
Published: June 2021

Background: One of the numerous challenges preterm birth poses for parents and physicians is prognostic disclosure. Prognoses are based on scientific evidence and medical experience. They are subject to individual assessment and, hence, will generally remain uncertain with regard to the individual. This can result in differences in prognostic framing and thus affect the recipients’ perception. In neonatology, data on the effects of prognostic framing are scarce. In particular, it is unclear whether parents prefer a more optimistic or a more pessimistic prognostic framing.Objective: To explore parents’ preferences concerning prognostic framing and its effects on parent reported outcomes and experiences. To identify predictors (demographic, psychological) of parents’ communication preferences.Design, setting, participants: Unblinded, randomized-controlled cross-over trial (RCT) at the Division of Neonatology of the University Medical Center Mainz, Germany, including German-speaking parents or guardians of infants born preterm between 2009 and 2019 with a birth weight <1500g. Inclusion of up to 204 families is planned, with possible reduction according to a blinded sample size reassessment after enrollment of 50 to 70 families, depending on the number of participants per family.Intervention: Embedded in an online-survey and in pre-specified order, participants will watch two video-vignettes depicting a more optimistic vs. a more pessimistic framing in prognostic disclosure to parents of a preterm infant. Apart from prognostic framing, all other aspects of physician-parent communication are standardized in both videos.Main outcomes and measures: At baseline and after each video, participants complete a two-part online-questionnaire (baseline and post-intervention). Primary outcome is the preference for either a more optimistic or a more pessimistic prognostic framing. Secondary outcomes include changes in state-anxiety (STAI-SKD), satisfaction with framing, evaluation of prognosis, future optimism and hope, preparedness for shared decision-making (each assessed using customized questions), and general impression (customized question), professionalism (adapted from GMC Patient Questionnaire) and compassion (Physician Compassion Questionnaire) of the consulting physician.Discussion: This RCT will explore parents’ preferences concerning prognostic framing and its effects on physician-parent communication. Results may contribute to a better understanding of parental needs in prognostic disclosure and will be instrumental for a broad audience of clinicians, scientists and ethicists.Trial registration: drks.de DRKS00024466. Registered on April 16, 2021
Predicting the Presence of Targetable Molecular Alteration(s) With Clinico-metabolic 18F-FDG PET Radiomics in Non-Asian Lung Adenocarcinoma Patients.
Authors: Aide Nicolas , Weys Kathleen , LASNON Charline
Published: June 2021

PurposeTo investigate if combining clinical characteristics with pre-therapeutic 18F-FDG PET radiomics could predict the presence of molecular alteration(s) in key molecular targets in lung adenocarcinoma in order to screen patients who are more likely to benefit from a tumoral molecular analysis. MethodsThis non-interventional mono-centric study prospectively included patients with newly-diagnosed lung adenocarcinoma referred for baseline PET and who had tumoral molecular analyses for the following targets: EGFR, BRAF, KRAS, NRAS, MET, STK11, PIK3CA, ALK and ROS1. Tumoral volumes of interest were analysed using LifeX software. A logistic regression was performed, including sex, age, smoking history, AJCC stage and thirty-one PET variables. A validation process was used by randomly splitting the data in training and validation datasets.ResultsEighty-seven patients were analysed. Forty-seven patients (54.0%) had at least one molecular alteration. Using the training dataset (n=67), five variables were included in the logit model: age, sex, AJCC stage, correlation_GLCM and GLNU_GLZLM. More molecular alterations were observed in women: 88.0% in women versus 40.3% in men (p<0.0001). Other clinical and PET variables were not different between patients with and without molecular alterations. There was a moderate correlation between correlation_GLCM and GLNU_GLZLM (p <0.0001, ρ = 0.591). The ROC analysis for molecular alteration prediction using this model found an area under the curve equal to 0.891 (p<0.0001). A cut-off value set to 0.38 led to a sensitivity of 97.4%, a negative predictive value of 80.4% and a LR+ equal to 3.1. When applying this cut-off value in the validation dataset of patients (n=20), the test presented a sensitivity equal to 88.9%, a NPV equal to 87.5% and a LR+ = 2.4. ConclusionsA clinico-metabolic 18F-FDG PET phenotype allows detecting key molecular target alterations with high sensitivity and NPV thus opens the way to the selection of patients for molecular analysis.
The Impact of SARS-COV-2 Variants on Vaccine Efficacy Amongst Healthcare Workers During India’s Second Wave
Authors: Khawaja Tasveer , Jaswaney Rahul , Arora Nirav , Arora Shilpkumar , Gupta Anjan
Published: June 2021

Despite a growing sense of normalcy in many Western nations, another wave of the COVID-19 pandemic has spread rapidly through the Indian subcontinent. To improve our understanding of the crisis in India and the impact it is having on healthcare workers, we administered an electronic poll to healthcare workers in India. A total of 199 healthcare workers responded to the survey, the majority of whom were physicians. Of all respondents, 177 had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Of those vaccinated, 14 respondents (7.9%) received the Covaxin® (Bharat Biotech) vaccine, while the remaining 163 respondents (92.1%) received the Covishield® (Oxford-AstraZeneca) vaccine. Of the 177 respondents who received a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, 76 (43%) acquired COVID-19 after vaccination, of which 88% had symptomatic infections. The protection offered by vaccination against new strains of SARS-CoV2 is a central question to which there remains an unclear answer. No external sources of funding were used.
Structural, Morphological and Physical Properties of TiH2 Incorporated Hydroxyapatite
Authors: Amirthalingam Nanthini , Panchatcharam Sathishkumar , Deivarajan THENMUHIL , Paramasivam Manohar
Published: June 2021

Titanium incorporated hydroxyapatite preparation was endeavored using TiH2. Titanium has good mechanical properties, good biocompatibility and bioactivity. Titanium incorporated hydroxyapatite material prepared for orthopedic applications were reported to be better mechanical properties. Hydroxyapatite (HAp) was synthesized by wet chemical facile method and after calcination was mixed with TiH2 (5 to 20%).The effect of sintering on phase formation, microstructure, density and porosity of Hap/TiH2was studied by sintering at temperatures from 900°C to 1200°C. The properties of the samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction technique (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy(SEM), Fourier transform spectroscopy (FT-IR), density and porosity. The results from studies showed the presence of β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) and perovskite (CaTiO3) as the major crystalline phases; while minor reaction products like α-TCP and TTCP were also recorded for samples with higher amount of TiH2irrespective of sintering temperatures. Morphology evaluation by SEM revealed the presence of CaTiO3needle structure at temperature till 1000°C, above which it appeared hexagonal due to crystal growth. Functional groups, density and porosity were also studied.
Cardiovascular Regulation of the Elderly in Low Oxygenation Environments: A Narrative Review
Authors: Zanini Gabriel de Souza , Fernandes Bianca , Amaral Vanessa Teixeira do , Felisberto Pedro
Published: June 2021

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
A Multi-Data Geospatial Approach for Understanding Flood Risk in the Coastal Plains of Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: V Rasme Allat , Sekar Leo George , Kumar Arun Prasad , Karuppusamy Balasubramani
Published: June 2021

The coastal plains of Tamil Nadu (India) are highly vulnerable zone for coastal floods, the most common disaster, experienced every year. In the study, the coastal plain is delineated through a watershed approach with 5020 micro-administrative units covering an area of about 3,000 sq.km. A comprehensive flood risk assessment was carried out by preparation of hazards, vulnerability, and exposure layers using multiple data sources including from field surveys, satellite data and secondary data sources. The flood prone regions are delineated initially from Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar data coupled with SRTM-DEM on a probability scale (0–1) and validated with the District Disaster Management Plans of 13 coastal districts. In addition, National Resources Conservation Service – Curve Number (NRCS-CN) method was adopted to estimate surface runoff potential for flood risks. The vulnerability and exposure of the population to the flood hazards was determined using census and household data based indicators. A focused group interview was conducted at 514 locations targeting deprived communities of all major settlements of the study area. The public perceptions were used to understand the flood risks and to validate the hazard and vulnerability layers. To estimate location-specific flood risks within the micro-administrative units, built-up areas with different categories were delineated and intersected with the flood hazard. The amalgamation of results shows that very high flood risk prevails in the northern parts of coastal Tamil Nadu, especially the stretch between Chennai and Cuddalore. In addition to provide a baseline datasets for the first time at micro-administrative units for entire coastal plains of Tamil Nadu, the study offers a pragmatic methodology for sustainable development measures in general and flood risk management in particular.
Assessment of Pathogenic Contamination and Antimicrobial Activity of Selected Herbal Medicinal Remedies in Mbarara City, South Western Uganda
Authors: Walker Guti , Musinguzi Benson , Musa Kirya , Mutesi Charity , Zamarano Henry , Manirakiza Godfrey , Muhwezi Ivan , Kassaza Kennedy , Tusingwire Francis , Opendi Charles , Itabangi Herbert
Published: June 2021

Background: Herbal formulations in Mbarara have been used in the treatment and management of several disease conditions extensively overtime due to low cost compared to empirical synthetic medicine, however evidenced that they can be contaminated with dangerous pathogenic organisms which are all tailored to handling practices, storage, and other environmental conditions thus, the need to further asses these herbs for safety to the consumers.Materials and methods: Forty-five (45) liquid herbal formulations for the treatment and management of communicable infections were purchased on the open market. All Samples were cultured on plate count agar for colony counts and then subcultured on different laboratory media and then analyzed for antimicrobial activity using the agar diffusion method.Results: Out of the 45 herbal formulations, 32(71.1 %) were contaminated while 13 (28.9 %) were not. Out of the organisms isolated from individual formulations, 19 (59.4 %) had Bacillus subtillis and S. aureus, 4(12.5%) had C. freundi and Proteus mirabilis, 2(6.3%), C.divergens, 1(3.1 %) Rhodotorula, 5(15.6%) Aspergillus spp, had E. cloace. 1 (3.1%) had Klebsiella spp. Of these, 29(87.9%) had contaminants within acceptable limits of less than 103CFU/mL, while 12(36.4%) beyond 103 CFU/m. Out of the 45 formulations, not even one could qualify for pharmaceutical use, all MICs all were >1000mcg/mL64.4%) were active while 16(35.6%) had no activity.Conclusion: Herbal formulations in Mbarara are contaminated with various microbes and have very limited antimicrobial activity, herbalists therefore should be trained on good harvesting, safe handling, storage, and good manufacturing practices of these medicinal raw materials and their products, responsible authorities should enact policies and regulations to guide the herbalists and protect the public from adverse effects of consuming these unverified herbal medicinal remedies.
Traffic flow prediction method based on bidirectional linear recurrent neural network
Authors: Xu Ruizhi , Shen Zhou
Published: June 2021

In order to improve the rationality and effectiveness of intelligent traffic control and management on urban roads, a bidirectional linear recurrent neural network-based traffic flow prediction method is proposed from the perspective of spatial and temporal characteristics of traffic flow. The method effectively combines the characteristics of fast and accurate bilinear polynomial solution and dynamic calibration of recurrent neural network, and adopts particle swarm algorithm to realize the dynamic pruning process of redundant neurons and weights, which improves the convergence speed and prediction accuracy of the algorithm. The algorithm is trained and experimented with video data, and a comparative analysis is conducted. The results show that the method can achieve accurate prediction of road traffic flow, the traffic flow prediction accuracy reaches more than 90%, meeting the data accuracy requirements of actual traffic management and control, and the convergence speed of the algorithm has also been significantly improved.
From positive to negative: a time to event analysis during the first COVID 19 epidemic period
Authors: Castillo Gabriele Del , Castaldi Silvana , Marano Giuseppe , Castrofino Ambra , Grosso Francesca , Boracchi Patrizia , Biganzoli Elia , Cereda Danilo
Published: June 2021

BackgroundThe ability to identify the positive subjects is crucial for public health practice to reduce transmission and supporting contact tracing and isolation. The reliability of the criteria of the test-based criteria as the required condition for the reintroduction of the asymptomatic and positive patients of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the community was evaluated assessing the time span from positive to negative for RNA detection by Real Time – Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Methods. We used information concerning negative conversion time and the respective times. Cumulative probabilities of negative conversion time during the follow-up were evaluated by Crude Cumulative Incidences (CCIs). Non-parametric estimates of CCIs and respective 95% C.I.s were obtained.Results. We report the results for 52,186 individuals. 33486 subjects resulted negative or potentially negative with a CCI of 75.2% at 70 days from the first swab (95% CI: 74.8% to 75.7%). 11,000 subjects deceased before 14/05/2020 without diagnosis of negative status (CCI 21.9%; 95% CI: 21.5% to 22.3%), at 56 days from the first swab (maximum observed time to death).Conclusions. SARS-CoV-2 positivity is a condition that frequently lasts more than 30 days. More solid studies are required to determinate the significance of a prolonged state of positivity and the consequences on the policies of dismission of quarantine and isolation.
Adropin expression correlates with aging-related neuropathology in the human brain and improves neuroinflammation and cognitive function in aging mice
Authors: Banerjee Subhashis , Ghoshal Sarbani , Girardet Clemence , DeMars Kelly M. , Yang Changjun , Niehoff Michael L. , Nguyen Andrew D. , Jayanth Prerana , Hoelscher Brittany A. , Xu Fenglian , Banks William A. , Hansen Kim M. , Zhang Jinsong , Candelario-Jalil Eduardo , Farr Susan A. , Butler Andrew A.
Published: June 2021

The neural functions of adropin, a secreted peptide highly expressed in the brain, have not been investigated. In humans, adropin is highly expressed in astrocytes and peaks during critical postnatal periods of brain development. Gene enrichment analysis of transcripts correlating with adropin expression suggests processes relevance to aging-related neurodegenerative diseases that vary with age and dementia state, possibly indicating survivor bias. In people aged <40y and ‘oldold’ (>75y) diagnosed with dementia, adropin correlates positively with genes involved in mitochondrial processes. In the ‘old-old’ without dementia adropin expression correlates positively with morphogenesis and synapse function. Potent neurotrophic responses in primary cultured neurons are consistent with adropin supporting the development and function of neural networks. Adropin expression in the ‘old-old’ also correlates positively with protein markers of tau-related neuropathologies and inflammation, particularly in those without dementia. How variation in brain adropin expression affects neurological aging was investigated using old (18- month) C57BL/6J mice. In mice adropin is expressed in neurons, oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, oligodendrocytes, and microglia and shows correlative relationships with groups of genes involved in neurodegeneration and cellular metabolism. Increasing adropin expression using transgenesis improved spatial learning and memory, novel object recognition, resilience to exposure to new environments, and reduced mRNA markers of inflammation in old mice. Treatment with synthetic adropin peptide also reversed age-related declines of cognitive functions and affected expression of genes involved in morphogenesis and cellular metabolism. Collectively, these results establish a link between adropin expression and neural energy metabolism and indicate a potential novel therapy against neurological aging.
The Structure of the Russian language lesson-study for Primary School and the Potential of this Lesson for the Formation of Primary School Children’s Logical Universal Learning Activities
Authors:   Transbaikal State University, Natalya V. Vasilyeva
Published: June 2021

The article justifies the structure of the Russian language Lesson-Study for primary school and describes the potential of this technology for the formation of primary school children’s logical universal learning activities. The analysis of scientific literature and summarizing the results of pedagogical research allowed the author to make a conclusion about the structure of Lesson-Study which can include the following stages: motivation to the lesson activities; preparing for research activities and their implementation; presentation of the research findings; reflection of research activity; application of its results in practical work, and identification of prospects for further research. The article identifies high potential of the Russian language Lesson-Study in formation of all types of primary school children’s logical universal learning activities listed in a Model Programme for Primary General Education. The structure of Lesson-Study substantiated by the author can be used for planning the lessons of such type in teaching Russian for primary school children, as well as for the organization of children’s activities at the lesson. The Lesson-Study potential in formation of logical universal learning activities of schoolchildren may be of interest for primary school teachers from the point of view of lesson design aimed at achieving meta-subject educational results. Keywords: Lesson-Study, Russian, structure of lesson, logical universal learning actions, elementary school
Distance Educational Technologies in the Socio-Cultural Space of a Preschooler
Authors:   Transbaikal State University, Tatyana V. Bezrodnykh
Published: June 2021

The article actualizes the issues of implementation of distance educational technologies in the socio-cultural space of preschoolers. The purpose of the study is to theoretically substantiate, systematize the possibilities of using distance educational technologies in the development of the socio-cultural space of a modern preschooler. The author has analyzed the theoretical literature on the problems of sociocultural space, sociocultural experience of preschoolers, digitalization of preschool education. The sociocultural space of preschoolers’ development is represented by the world of adults, which simulates the socio-cultural situation of the child’s development, the space of subjects and relations, and the space of moral, ethical and legal norms, as well as the space of interaction between organizations and the family as the main institution of the child’s socialization. Distance educational technologies are more focused on meeting the needs of the child in communication with parents and loved ones; develop trusting relationships; contribute to the strengthening of family ties, since they reduce the forced disunity of generations; create a positive image of family and family upbringing. Theoretical analysis of psychological and pedagogical literature, interpretation of modern research of the problem has allowed the author of the article to systematize the possibilities of using distance educational technologies in the socio-cultural space of preschoolers. To determine the effectiveness of the use of distance learning technologies in the socio-cultural space of a preschooler, a SWOT analysis of web services of preschool educational organizations was applied, and a survey method was used to identify the degree of satisfaction of teachers and parents with the implemented distance format in kindergarten. Keywords: distance educational technologies, preschooler, preschool education, sociocultural space, sociocultural experience
Problems of implementation of compulsory health insurance in Ukraine
Authors: Aleksandrov Vadym , Rubanov Pavlo , Mazhed Eisa Madi
Published: June 2021

This article summarizes the arguments and counterarguments within the scientific discussion on health care financing by introducing compulsory health insurance in Ukraine and improving voluntary one. The study’s primary purpose is to theorize and determine the main directions and recommendations for implementing compulsory health insurance in Ukraine. Systematization of scientific background concerning the study problem showed that Ukrainian national and municipal health care institutions didn’t provide free medical care in the amount and quality guaranteed by the Constitution of Ukraine. Therefore, the relevance of solving this scientific issue is the necessity of comprehensive health care reforming (especially funding) considering compulsory health insurance. To achieve this goal, the study was conducted in the following logical sequence: analyzing models, historical experience, and a hybrid budget insurance system of health care financing; identifying the Ukrainian health insurance features during the pandemic in 2020; clarifying the problems of health insurance development in Ukraine and the world; analyzing and considering the theoretical base on solving health insurance issues; retrospective analysis of the three-level insurance model; developing the practical recommendations for improving the mechanisms of compulsory health insurance implementation. The methodological tools of the study were the methods of dialectical scientific knowledge, systematic approach, statistical and comparative analysis, a review of scientific background, regulatory framework, and insurance companies’ reports. The study involves data for 2002-2021. The object of the study is the health insurance system and state mechanisms for regulating compulsory and voluntary health insurance in Ukraine. The obtained results showed that the introduction of compulsory health insurance in Ukraine addressed the expanding availability of medical services to the general population and attracting additional resources in health care. The study empirically confirms and theoretically proves that the Ukrainian government should determine the main health services provided and the insurance premium amount, coordinate the interaction between insurance parties, resolve conflict situations, provide the legal basis for the system functioning, control financial flows and activity insurance fund. The study results can be helpful for insurance market professionals, financiers, and economists in the health care industry, researchers, and students of economic specialties.
The impact of chemical nematicides on entomopathogenic nematode survival and infectivity
Authors: Touray Mustapha , Cimen Harun , Gulsen Sebnem H. , Ulug Derya , Erdogus Dolunay , Shapiro-Ilan David , Hazir Selcuk
Published: June 2021

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) belonging to the genera, Steinernema and Heterorhabditis, occur naturally in the soil along with plant-parasitic nematodes which are important root pests of many different crops. Here, we report the effects of four registered nematicidal compounds (fluopyram, fosthiazate, metam potassium, and fenamiphos) that are used for the control of PPNs on the survival, virulence, penetration efficiency, and reproduction of S. carpocapsae and H. bacteriophora. Despite previous studies warning of the impact of nematicidal compounds on IJ survival and infectivity, none have assessed their impact on EPN chemotaxis, penetration into and reproduction in insect host or conducted longer term soil assays. Survival of EPNs, based on observing IJ movement under a stereomicroscope after incubation in different concentrations of nematicides, showed that ≥ 80% of both nematode species were killed by fosthiazate, fenamiphos and metam potassium within 24 h. The recommended concentration of fluopyram killed 33% of H. bacteriophora, and 28% of S. carpocapsae after 48 h exposure. IJs exposed to the nematicides were less virulent against Galleria mellonella larvae in sand bioassay to non-treated IJs as significantly more control IJs of both EPN species penetrated their insect host (~47% of IJs added) than IJs exposed to fluopyram and fosthiazate; and the number of IJ progeny emerging from these controls was significantly higher than the number of IJ progeny emerging from IJs treated with the nematicidal compounds. In a highly novel discovery, the chemotaxis experiments using Pluronic F-127 gel indicated that H. bacteriophora were repelled from nematicide-treated environments. Moreover, IJs of both species added to treated natural loamy-clay soil at 5-day-intervals for 30 days post application of nematicides were generally unable to induce G. mellonella mortality, except for S. carpocapsae IJs added to fosthiazate-treated soil. Overall, our study indicates that there were detrimental effects of the nematicides on EPN IJs in treated soil. Therefore, overlap in timing for control of PPNs and the use of EPNs for biological insect control must be avoided. Future studies should assess the optimization of timing for nematicides use and survival and infectivity of IJs in the soil.
Investigation of Measurement Invariance of State Test Anxiety Scale
Authors: SELVİ Hüseyin
Published: June 2021

In this study, it was aimed to examine the measurement invariance of State Test Anxiety Scale and its sub-dimensions developed by Şahin (2019) in terms of different variables. For this purpose, data were collected from a total of 956 university students studying in different faculties. The measurement invariance of the scale was examined by multi-group confirmatory factor analysis in terms of gender, faculty and socioeconomic level variables. In the study, the measurement model was established for 22 items and three components of the state anxiety test scale (cognitive, psychosocial and physiological) and tested for configural, metric, scalar and strict equivalence by considering the hierarchical principle in terms of gender, faculty and socioeconomic level variables. The findings showed that Configural equivalence was provided for all dimensions except the cognitive and physiological subscales for the socioeconomic status variable. On the other hand, metric equivalence was achieved in cognitive, psychosocial and physiological dimensions for the gender variable. Metric equivalence was achieved in Cognitive dimension for faculty variable. And for the socioeconomic status variable, it was provided only for the scale as a whole. Scalar and strict equivalence conditions were not met by any of the variables examined in the study.
AS ALTERAÇÕES TRAZIDAS PELA LEI 13.465/17 NO QUE SE REFERE À USUCAPIÃO EXTRAJUDICIAL – UMA ANÁLISE DA CONSTRUÇÃO DE UM ORDENAMENTO QUE PROPICIE A DESJUDICIALIZAÇÃO
Authors: Franco Gastão Marques , Rezende Elcio Nacur
Published: June 2021

A aquisição originária da propriedade e dos direitos reais à ela inerentes por meio da usucapião é uma das figuras jurídicas mais relevantes em nosso ordenamento pátrio. Até o advento do Código de Processo Civil de 2015, o procedimento que declarava a propriedade fundamentada na usucapião era feito quase que exclusivamente perante o Poder Judiciário. Com o novo diploma processual, que modificou a Lei de Registros Públicos, passou-se a permitir que tal procedimento fosse feito perante o Cartório de Registro de Imóveis da comarca em que o imóvel estivesse localizado. O presente artigo pretende analisar se houve realmente a criação de um procedimento extrajudicial com efetiva utilidade prática, almejando a conclusão de que, apesar de ter sido prevista em 2015, essa desjudicialização da usucapião só se tornou efetiva com a entrada em vigor da Lei nº 13.465 de 2017, em decorrência da modificação de certas regras procedimentais que serão devidamente pormenorizadas nesse estudo.
ASPECTOS MATERIAIS E PROCESSUAIS DA AMMINISTRAZIONE DI SOSTEGNO ITALIANA: COMPARAÇÕES COM A TOMADA DE DECISÃO APOIADA BRASILEIRA
Authors: Silvestre Gilberto Fachetti , Abelha Rodrigues Guilherme Santos Neves , Calil Igor Gava Mareto
Published: June 2021

Trata-se de pesquisa que realizou uma revisão bibliográfica sobre o instituto italiano de amparo à pessoa com deficiência/enfermidade da amministrazione di sostegno, comparando-o com o instituto brasileiro da tomada de decisão apoiada, que tem a mesma função, a partir de seus aspectos jurídicos materiais e processuais. No Brasil, a Lei de Inclusão da Pessoa com Deficiência (Lei nº. 13.146/2015) incluiu o art. 1.783-A no Código Civil, criando a tomada de decisão apoiada. A literatura jurídica brasileira aponta, desde então, que esse apoiamento se assemelha à amministrazione di sostegno do Codice Civile de Itália. Analisando material documental (julgados e bibliografia), a pesquisa se utilizou de método dedutivo para responder ao questionamento se realmente há similaridade entre ambos os institutos, com dois objetivos: se há, quais seriam as contribuições da amministrazione di sostegno para a melhor compreensão e operabilidade da tomada de decisão apoiada; e se não há, propor que no Brasil não mais se faça a afirmação da correspondência, o que pode causar prejuízos na operabilidade desse instrumento de apoio no Brasil.
AUXÍLIO-RECLUSÃO: ANÁLISE DO BENEFÍCIO PREVIDENCIÁRIO
Authors: Guillen Hurtado Antonio Paulo , Guerreiro Carollyne Pereira da Costa , Bonfim Cláudia Ramos de Souza
Published: June 2021

O auxílio-reclusão é devido aos familiares dependentes do segurado da Previdência Social que se encontrar preso em regime fechado. Para receber o benefício o segurado necessita estar contribuindo com o INSS há pelo menos 24 meses e cumprir também outros requisitos, o que torna o benefício inacessível para muitos segurados, fazendo com que apenas pouco mais de 8% da população carcerária consiga recebê-lo.  Este estudo é de abordagem qualitativa e caráter bibliográfico-jurídico-teórica. Fundamenta-se especialmente na Lei nº. 8.213/91 que dispõe sobre os planos de benefícios da Previdência Social. O objetivo deste artigo é analisar a legislação previdenciária, mais precisamente no que tange à Lei n.º 8.213/91, demonstrando seus impactos na sociedade brasileira e as últimas alterações legislativas, assim como descrever a relevância do auxílio-reclusão por meio um levantamento dos valores que são pagos, e, apresentar as mudanças legislativas que aconteceram ao longo dos anos. Questiona-se qual a importância social do auxílio-reclusão para a sociedade brasileira? Considera-se ao final, que esse benefício é necessário para que muitas famílias não fiquem desamparadas, permitindo que o princípio da dignidade da pessoa humana e o princípio da individualização da pena sejam respeitados conforme previsto em na Constituição Federal de 1988.
RECENTES POLÍTICAS PÚBLICAS DE AUTOCOMPOSIÇÃO DE CONFLITOS E A (IN) COMPATÍVEL FORMAÇÃO DOS PROFISSIONAIS DE DIREITO
Authors: Stangherlin Camila , Spengler Fabiana Marion
Published: June 2021

Nos últimos anos, o Brasil instituiu uma política pública voltada à efetivação do direito de acesso à justiça por meio de mecanismos autocompositivos, o que fora alicerçado na edição de normas resolutivas. Nesse aspecto, os cursos de Direito receberam orientações para um ajustamento em conformidade com essas implementações.  A presente pesquisa objetiva compreender o panorama atual de formação básica de profissionais de Direito, essencialmente, no que concerne sua preparação para as práticas de resolução de conflitos pautadas em autonomia, diálogo e consensualidade entre os envolvidos. O método de abordagem é o dedutivo e o levantamento de dados se deu por fontes primárias e fontes secundárias (pesquisa documental e pesquisa bibliográfica).  O problema que move o trabalho questiona: as diretrizes da formação jurídica fundamental encontram-se alinhadas às disposições presentes nas resoluções que contemplam as atividades autocompositivas? A conclusão aponta para uma formação ainda incipiente naquilo que se refere ao estudo e à capacitação para formas consensuais de resolução de conflitos.
A SEGURANÇA INTERNACIONAL E AS GARANTIAS DOS DIREITOS HUMANOS
Authors: Lima Clarisse Laupman Ferraz , Husek Carlos Roberto
Published: June 2021

O artigo propõe uma inquirição sobre a Segurança Internacional e a postura atual de subtração de garantias de direitos humanos já consolidadas no âmbito internacional. Nosso questionamento segue explorando sobre a real necessidade de que para nos sentirmos seguros, devemos abrir mão de direitos. Assim, expomos os princípios da Segurança Internacional e liberdade religiosa, invocando os acontecimentos últimos como leis nacionais que impedem o uso de artefatos religiosos no uso público e diário dos crentes nacionais, em nome de maior segurança. Ainda, nos questionamos sobre o que virá de próximo: qual das liberdades será colocada na berlinda, o quanto de barganha teremos entre direitos e segurança? Para tanto, faremos um arrazoado de considerações que se iniciam com identificação do que é segurança internacional, qual a ameaça comum ao Mundo e que liberdades são as visivelmente atingidas até o momento.
A (IN)EFETIVIDADE DA MEDIAÇÃO FAMILIAR PARA A TUTELA DOS DIREITOS DA PERSONALIDADE DA CRIANÇA E DO ADOLESCENTE
Authors: Fernandes Vieira Diego , Moraes Carlos Alexandre
Published: June 2021

Esse artigo analisa os direitos da personalidade das crianças e dos adolescentes que são mediados pelos seus pais, estudando, para tanto, a conjuntura judiciária e o método da mediação aplicado neste cenário. Utilizando o método hipotético-dedutivo, o artigo parte da premissa de que a configuração em que a mediação se encontra atualmente acaba muito mais por violar os direitos da personalidade do que propriamente efetivá-los. Para se comprovar esta hipótese foram utilizados o critério qualitativo e a técnica de pesquisa bibliográfica. A pesquisa realizada revelou a atual desvirtuação da mediação familiar no Brasil, bem como A sua inadequada aplicação nos conflitos, sendo, ainda, verificado que os direitos da personalidade dos filhos são lesionados com tal cenário, sendo urgente uma mudança voltada para a resolução dos conflitos familiares que, em razão de sua natureza especial, tendem a envolver questões existenciais e imateriais, carregadas de sentimentos e angústias. Assim, este artigo alerta sobre um mal que assola o Direito e Família, explicando, ao mesmo tempo, a importância dos direitos da personalidade para o desenvolvimento humano, em especial, da criança e do adolescente.