bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improvements in lower-extremity patient-reported outcomes after lumbar interbody fusion
Authors: Kim Yong-Chan , Lee Keun-Ho , Kim Gab-Lae , Kim Ki-Tack , Ha Kee-Yong , Ko Seung Nam , Luo Qiang , Eom Tae Won , Gwak Hyun Gon
Published: September 2021

OBJECTIVE

Recently, new patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) of the spine were designed to overcome the limitations of previous spinal PROMs and to consider the whole spine as a single kinetic functional unit. Owing to the significance of spine-hip-knee and global body balance, the spine and lower extremities cannot be considered separately. However, no reports have evaluated lower-extremity functional outcome using PROMs after lumbar spine surgery. The authors aimed to elucidate changes in hip and knee PROMs after lumbar interbody fusion and to evaluate the sagittal spinopelvic radiographic parameters that were most strongly correlated with lower-extremity PROMs.

METHODS

In 2018, the authors consecutively evaluated patients who underwent lumbar interbody fusion surgery with at most three levels. Preoperative and 1-year postoperative clinical and radiographic data were assessed. Spinal functional outcomes were measured with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, and Scoliosis Research Society–22r (SRS-22r) questionnaire. Lower-extremity functional outcomes were evaluated with the Harris Hip Score (HHS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Linear regression was used to evaluate the relationship between spinal and lower-extremity PROMs and spinopelvic radiographic parameters.

RESULTS

The authors enrolled 67 patients, with a mean age of 66.4 years. The average number of surgical levels was 1.7. All assessed PROMs improved significantly after surgery (p < 0.001 for ODI, p < 0.001 for VAS, p = 0.017 for SRS-22r, p = 0.042 for HHS, and p = 0.033 for WOMAC). Spinopelvic parameters, including lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic tilt (PT), C7 sagittal vertical axis, and sagittal radiographic parameters of hip and knee, significantly improved after surgery. On linear regression analysis, HHS and WOMAC correlated with LL and PT, respectively (β = 0.554 and p = 0.043 for correlation of HHS with LL; β = 1.573 and p = 0.021 for correlation of WOMAC with PT).

CONCLUSIONS

The current study demonstrated that lumbar fusion surgery may induce postoperative improvements in lower-extremity functional and radiological outcomes. However, among radiographic parameters, changes in LL and PT were the most strongly associated with lower-extremity PROMs.
Acute failure of S2-alar-iliac screw pelvic fixation in adult spinal deformity: novel failure mechanism, case series, and review of the literature
Authors: Martin Christopher T. , Polly David W. , Holton Kenneth J. , San Miguel-Ruiz Jose E. , Albersheim Melissa , Lender Paul , Sembrano Jonathan N. , Hunt Matthew A. , Jones Kristen E.
Published: September 2021

OBJECTIVE

Pelvic fixation with S2-alar-iliac (S2AI) screws is an established technique in adult deformity surgery. The authors’ objective was to report the incidence and risk factors for an underreported acute failure mechanism of S2AI screws.

METHODS

The authors retrospectively reviewed a consecutive series of ambulatory adults with fusions extending 3 or more levels, and which included S2AI screws. Acute failure of S2AI screws was defined as occurring within 6 months of the index surgery and requiring surgical revision.

RESULTS

Failure occurred in 6 of 125 patients (5%) and consisted of either slippage of the rods or displacement of the set screws from the S2AI tulip head, with resultant kyphotic fracture. All failures occurred within 6 weeks postoperatively. Revision with a minimum of 4 rods connecting to 4 pelvic fixation points was successful. Two of 3 (66%) patients whose revision had less fixation sustained a second failure. Patients who experienced failure were younger (56.5 years vs 65 years, p = 0.03). The magnitude of surgical correction was higher in the failure cohort (number of levels fused, change in lumbar lordosis, change in T1–pelvic angle, and change in coronal C7 vertical axis, each p < 0.05). In the multivariate analysis, younger patient age and change in lumbar lordosis were independently associated with increased failure risk (p < 0.05 for each). There was a trend toward the presence of a transitional S1–2 disc being a risk factor (OR 8.8, 95% CI 0.93–82.6). Failure incidence was the same across implant manufacturers (p = 0.3).

CONCLUSIONS

All failures involved large-magnitude correction and resulted from stresses that exceeded the failure loads of the set plugs in the S2AI tulip, with resultant rod displacement and kyphotic fractures. Patients with large corrections may benefit from 4 total S2AI screws at the time of the index surgery, particularly if a transitional segment is present. Salvage with a minimum of 4 rods and 4 pelvic fixation points can be successful.
Improved estimates of strength and stiffness in pathologic vertebrae with bone metastases using CT-derived bone density compared with radiographic bone lesion quality classification
Authors: Alkalay Ron N. , Groff Michael W. , Stadelmann Marc A. , Buck Florian M. , Hoppe Sven , Theumann Nicolas , Mektar Umesh , Davis Roger B. , Hackney David B.
Published: September 2021

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare the ability of 1) CT-derived bone lesion quality (classification of vertebral bone metastases [BM]) and 2) computed CT-measured volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) for evaluating the strength and stiffness of cadaver vertebrae from donors with metastatic spinal disease.

METHODS

Forty-five thoracic and lumbar vertebrae were obtained from cadaver spines of 11 donors with breast, esophageal, kidney, lung, or prostate cancer. Each vertebra was imaged using microCT (21.4 μm), vBMD, and bone volume to total volume were computed, and compressive strength and stiffness experimentally measured. The microCT images were reconstructed at 1-mm voxel size to simulate axial and sagittal clinical CT images. Five expert clinicians blindly classified the images according to bone lesion quality (osteolytic, osteoblastic, mixed, or healthy). Fleiss’ kappa test was used to test agreement among 5 clinical raters for classifying bone lesion quality. Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA was used to test the difference in vertebral strength and stiffness based on bone lesion quality. Multivariable regression analysis was used to test the independent contribution of bone lesion quality, computed vBMD, age, gender, and race for predicting vertebral strength and stiffness.

RESULTS

A low interrater agreement was found for bone lesion quality (κ = 0.19). Although the osteoblastic vertebrae showed significantly higher strength than osteolytic vertebrae (p = 0.0148), the multivariable analysis showed that bone lesion quality explained 19% of the variability in vertebral strength and 13% in vertebral stiffness. The computed vBMD explained 75% of vertebral strength (p < 0.0001) and 48% of stiffness (p < 0.0001) variability. The type of BM affected vBMD-based estimates of vertebral strength, explaining 75% of strength variability in osteoblastic vertebrae (R2 = 0.75, p < 0.0001) but only 41% in vertebrae with mixed bone metastasis (R2 = 0.41, p = 0.0168), and 39% in osteolytic vertebrae (R2 = 0.39, p = 0.0381). For vertebral stiffness, vBMD was only associated with that of osteoblastic vertebrae (R2 = 0.44, p = 0.0024). Age and race inconsistently affected the model’s strength and stiffness predictions.

CONCLUSIONS

Pathologic vertebral fracture occurs when the metastatic lesion degrades vertebral strength, rendering it unable to carry daily loads. This study demonstrated the limitation of qualitative clinical classification of bone lesion quality for predicting pathologic vertebral strength and stiffness. Computed CT-derived vBMD more reliably estimated vertebral strength and stiffness. Replacing the qualitative clinical classification with computed vBMD estimates may improve the prediction of vertebral fracture risk.
Freehand screw insertion technique without image guidance for the cortical bone trajectory screw in posterior lumbar interbody fusion: what affects screw misplacement?
Authors: Ishii Masayoshi , Ohnishi Atsunori , Yamagishi Akira , Ohwada Tetsuo
Published: September 2021

OBJECTIVE

Cortical bone trajectory (CBT) screw insertion using a freehand technique is considered less feasible than guided techniques, due to the lack of readily identifiable visual landmarks. However, in posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF), after resection of the posterior anatomy, the pedicles themselves, into which implantation is performed, are palpable from the spinal canal and neural foramen. With the help of pedicle wall probing, the authors have placed CBT screws using a freehand technique without image guidance in PLIF. This technique has advantages of no radiation exposure and no requirement for expensive devices, but the disadvantage of reduced accuracy in screw placement. To address the problem of symptomatic breaches with this freehand technique, variables related to unacceptable screw positioning and need for revisions were investigated.

METHODS

From 2014 to 2020, 182 of 426 patients with single-level PLIF were enrolled according to the combined criteria of L4–5 level, excluding cases of revision and isthmic spondylolisthesis; using screws 5.5 mm in diameter; and operated by right-handed surgeons. We studied the number of misplaced screws found and replaced during initial surgeries. Using multiplanar reconstruction CT postoperatively, 692 screw positions on images were classified using previously reported grading criteria. Details of pedicle breaches requiring revisions were studied. We conducted a statistical analysis of the relationship between unacceptable (perforations > 2 mm) misplacements and four variables: level, laterality, spinal deformity, and experiences of surgeons.

RESULTS

Three screws in L4 and another in L5 were revised during initial surgeries. The total rate of unacceptable screws on CT examinations was 3.3%. Three screws in L4 and another in L5 breached inferomedial pedicle walls in grade 3 and required revisions. The revision rate was 2.2%. The percentage of unacceptable screws was 5.2% in L4 and 1.7% in L5 (p < 0.05), whereas other variables showed no significant differences.

CONCLUSIONS

A freehand technique can be feasible for CBT screw insertion in PLIF, balancing the risks of 3.3% unacceptable misplacements and 2.2% revisions with the benefits of no radiation exposure and no need for expensive devices. Pedicle palpation in L4 is the key to safety, even though it requires deeper and more difficult probing. In the initial surgeries and revisions, 75% of revised screws were observed in L4, and unacceptable screw positions were more likely to be found in L4 than in L5.
Acute, severe traumatic spinal cord injury: improving urinary bladder function by optimizing spinal cord perfusion
Authors: Hogg Florence R. A. , Kearney Siobhan , Solomon Eskinder , Gallagher Mathew J. , Zoumprouli Argyro , Papadopoulos Marios C. , Saadoun Samira
Published: September 2021

OBJECTIVE

The authors sought to investigate the effect of acute, severe traumatic spinal cord injury on the urinary bladder and the hypothesis that increasing the spinal cord perfusion pressure improves bladder function.

METHODS

In 13 adults with traumatic spinal cord injury (American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale grades A–C), a pressure probe and a microdialysis catheter were placed intradurally at the injury site. We varied the spinal cord perfusion pressure and performed filling cystometry. Patients were followed up for 12 months on average.

RESULTS

The 13 patients had 63 fill cycles; 38 cycles had unfavorable urodynamics, i.e., dangerously low compliance (< 20 mL/cmH2O), detrusor overactivity, or dangerously high end-fill pressure (> 40 cmH2O). Unfavorable urodynamics correlated with periods of injury site hypoperfusion (spinal cord perfusion pressure < 60 mm Hg), hyperperfusion (spinal cord perfusion pressure > 100 mm Hg), tissue glucose < 3 mM, and tissue lactate to pyruvate ratio > 30. Increasing spinal cord perfusion pressure from 67.0 ± 2.3 mm Hg (average ± SE) to 92.1 ± 3.0 mm Hg significantly reduced, from 534 to 365 mL, the median bladder volume at which the desire to void was first experienced. All patients with dangerously low average initial bladder compliance (< 20 mL/cmH2O) maintained low compliance at follow-up, whereas all patients with high average initial bladder compliance (> 100 mL/cmH2O) maintained high compliance at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that unfavorable urodynamics develop within days of traumatic spinal cord injury, thus challenging the prevailing notion that the detrusor is initially acontractile. Urodynamic studies performed acutely identify patients with dangerously low bladder compliance likely to benefit from early intervention. At this early stage, bladder function is dynamic and is influenced by fluctuations in the physiology and metabolism at the injury site; therefore, optimizing spinal cord perfusion is likely to improve urological outcome in patients with acute severe traumatic spinal cord injury.
Use of Intravitreal Bevacizumab Injection among Patients Undergoing Surgical Retinal Interventions at Tertiary Eye Hospital: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Shrestha Arjun , Suwal Rinkal , Shrestha Rajan , Suwal Barsha , Khadka Deepak
Published: September 2021

Introduction: Intravitreal Bevacizumab injection has now become a routine procedure for retina specialists throughout the world. Easy availability of this monoclonal antibody molecule even in Nepal has brought a revolution in the management of various retinal diseases. This study aims to find out the prevalence of the use of intravitreal Bevacizumab for retinal diseases at the tertiary eye hospital.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in the retina department at a tertiary care hospital from January 2017 to December 2019 after obtaining ethical clearance from Nepal Health Research Council (Ref: 125/2020P). The sample size was calculated and the study enrolled all patients who received intravitreal Bevacizumab for retinal diseases using convenience sampling technique. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science Version 21. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated, along with frequency and percentage for binary data.
Results: Out of 959 total surgical retinal interventions done 296 (30.86%) at 95% Confidence Interval (27.93-33.78) patients received intravitreal Bevacizumab. Out of total intravitreal Bevacizumab injections, 143 (36.7%) injections were given to retinal vein occlusions patients, 127 (32.6%) injections were given to diabetic retinopathy patients and 66 (17%) injections was given to age-related macular degeneration patients. Males 176 (59.5%) outnumbered the females 120 (40.5%) in receiving intravitreal Bevacizumab. Mean baseline Logarithm of the Minimal Angle of Resolution visual acuity, 1.1, improved to, 0.75, after 3 months of intravitreal Bevacizumab.
Conclusions: Intravitreal Bevacizumab was one of the commonest retinal interventions used. Retinal vein occlusion, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration were the commonest retinal diseases needing intravitreal Bevacizumab.
ЗЛОЧИННІСТЬ ЯК ОСНОВНИЙ НЕГАТИВНИЙ ЧИННИК У ПОБУДОВІ ПРАВОВОЇ ДЕРЖАВИ: ДО ВИЗНАЧЕННЯ ПОНЯТТЯ, СУТНОСТІ ТА ОЗНАК
Authors: КОВАЛЕНКО Андрій
Published: September 2021

Здійснено аналіз поняття, сутності та ознак злочинності як деструктивного фактора в розбудові правової Української держави. Установлено, що поняття «правова держава» охоплює обов’язкове гарантування визначених законом прав і свобод людини та громадянина на основі принципу верховенства права виключно в інтересах громадян. Додатково аргументовано обов’язок держави (у вигляді її інституцій) створювати належні умови для рівного використання всіма громадянами своїх прав і свобод. Наголошено, що детермінанти злочинності, які одночасно виступають її ознаками, деструктивно впливають на основи державності, що негативно відображається як на функціонуванні всіх державних інститутів, так і на можливості їх подальшого розвитку в умовах боротьби із зовнішніми руйнівними факторами. Серед найбільш точних і детальних ознак злочинності визначено такі, як протиправність, систематичність і масовість. З’ясовано, що взаємопов’язаність деструктивного впливу злочинності як соціального прояву з процесом розбудови правової держави обумовлена тим, що основний об’єкт злочинних посягань – базова характеристика правової держави, а це обумовлює дуалістичний характер такого явища: потребує, з одного боку, належного забезпечення, а з іншого – протидії деструктивним факторам. Акцентовано, що злочинність на сучасному етапі, з урахуванням особливостей її структури, обсягів зростання та елементів системи, а також інших поточних характеристик, формує основну загрозу для стабільного та послідовного розвитку інституту демократії в Україні, який є запорукою та однією з необхідних умов утвердження правової держави, створення стандартів дотримання прав і свобод людини та громадянина. Перспектива подальшого наукового опрацювання зазначеної тематики полягає у визначенні заходів оптимізації механізму реагування на злочинність у контексті забезпечення правової державності.
ПРАЦЯ ЯК ЗАСІБ ВИПРАВЛЕННЯ ЗАСУДЖЕНИХ В МІСЦЯХ ПОЗБАВЛЕННЯ ВОЛІ: АКТУАЛЬНИЙ ДОСВІД ЗАРУБІЖНИХ КРАЇН
Authors: НІКОЛАЄНКО Тетяна
Published: September 2021

На основі аналізу практики та правових позицій вчених розглянуто особливості виконання покарань у вигляді позбавлення волі у Німеччині, Норвегії, США, Франції в частині ефективності досягнення мети виправлення засуджених крізь призму залучення їх до праці. Розглянута можливість застосування досвіду цих країн у вітчизняному правовому полі. Окреслено сучасний стан ефективності праці як засобу досягнення виправлення засуджених у зарубіжних країнах, сформульовані пропозиції щодо упровадження кращих результатів в українську пенітенціарну систему та визначені шляхи їх вирішення.
ПОРІВНЯЛЬНО-ПРАВОВА ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКА ДЕЯКИХ ПОДАТКОВИХ ЗЛОЧИНІВ У РЕСПУБЛІЦІ КАЗАХСТАН ТА УКРАЇНІ
Authors: САНАКОЕВ Дмитро , СЕИТОВ Багдат
Published: September 2021

У роботі проведено порівняльно-правовий аналіз ряду податкових злочинів за кримінальним законодавством Республіки Казахстан та України. Автори зазначають, що на відміну від загальнокримінальної злочинності, особливістю податкових злочинів є їх висока латентність, розширення засобів їх здійснення, що збільшує суспільну небезпеку і ефективність протидії їм, впливає на стан економічної безпеки, зменшуючи економічні можливості суспільства через ненадходжень до бюджету коштів на державні потреби. Вивчення системних зв’язків податкових злочинів залишається актуальною сферою наукових досліджень, оскільки саме їх розуміння як складової економічної злочинності відкриває дієві шляхи забезпечення економічної безпеки. До сфери компаративної розвідки увійшли положення статті 212 Кримінального кодексу України та статей 244, 245 Кримінального кодексу Республіки Казахстан. Зокрема, акцентовано увагу на положеннях диспозиції ст. 212 КК України, а також зосереджено увагу на санкціях цієї статті з урахуванням системних змін податкового законодавства. Досліджено особливості притягнення особи до кримінальної відповідальності та звільнення від неї за умов укладення компромісу. Автори дійшли висновку про те, що сьогодні не можна говорити про наявність якогось єдиного підходу до питання складу протиправних дій у сфері оподаткування, що вимагали б притягнення винного до кримінальної відповідальності. Автори вважають, що з метою захисту економіки і забезпечення економічної безпеки держав в частині достатнього поповнення бюджету за рахунок податкових надходжень необхідна подальша модернізація кримінального закону і пропонують авторську редакцію статей 244, 245 Кримінального кодексу Республіки Казахстан.
НЕКОТОРЫЕ ЭЛЕМЕНТЫ КРИМИНАЛИСТИЧЕСКОЙ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКИ ВЗЯТОЧНИЧЕСТВА
Authors: КАСИМОВА Мадіна , КАРИПОВА Айнагуль
Published: September 2021

Розглянуто криміналістичний аспект корупційного злочину на прикладі хабарницт4 способів учинення хабарництва. Зроблено висновок, що характер механізму в кожному конкретному випадку безпосередньо пов'язаний зі способом учинення злочинів і особистістю учасників, а їхня заінтересованість в приховуванні факту незаконних дій і високе посадове становище завжди є чинником відсутності слідової інформації.
ПРЕДПОСЫЛКИ ФОРМИРОВАНИЯ КРИМИНАЛИСТИЧЕСКОЙ АЛГОРИТМИЗАЦИИ
Authors: АМАНБАЕВА Алтынай
Published: September 2021

В статті проведено ретроспективний аналіз праць вчених, що вплинули на становлення криміналістичної методики в юриспунденції. Наголошено, що мануфактуризація та міграція спричинили зріст рівня злочинності. Проаналізовано структурні елементи загальних положень криміналістичної методики розслідування окремих видів злочинів. Автор пропонує з метою вдосконалення і розвитку теорії криміналістичної алгоритмізації діяльності з розслідування злочинів проти статевої недоторканності розробити її концепцію, в якій буде відображена суть, наукові основи, порядок формування і найбільш важливі аспекти, що в подальшому послужить відмінною підмогою в практичній діяльності. Наголошено, що в працях, які стосуються розробки криміналістичних алгоритмів і програм розслідування, основними особливостями представлених категорій повинні бути простота в змісті і доступність у використанні. Визначено, що ряд вчених також вивчав проблеми криміналістичної алгоритмізації і програмування розслідування в загальному і окремих груп (видів) зокрема, проте, дані дослідження в силу часу застаріли, так як наука не стоїть на місці і будь-яке явище може зазнавати зміни. Крім того, до цього дня будь-якого системного, грунтовного підходу може бути застосовано до розслідування злочинів проти статевої недоторканності неповнолітніх і зовсім не проводилося, хоча зазначена проблема завжди актуальна. У зв'язку з чим, з метою вдосконалення та розвитку теорії криміналістичної алгоритмізації діяльності з розслідування злочинів проти статевої недоторканності, автором розроблено її концепцію, в якій відображена суть, наукові основи, порядок формування і найбільш важливі аспекти, що в подальшому послужить відмінною підмогою в практичній діяльності.
К ВОПРОСУ ОБ ЭЛЕМЕНТАХ КРИМИНАЛИСТИЧЕСКОЙ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКИ СОВЕРШЕНИЯ КОРРУПЦИОННЫХ ПРЕСТУПЛЕНИЙ В СФЕРЕ ЗАКУПОК
Authors: КАЗБЕКОВА Айсулу , АЛИМКУЛОВ Нур-Ахмет , КАРИПОВА Айнагуль
Published: September 2021

Одним из основных факторов формирования устойчивого развития экономики любой страны на современном этапе являются государственные закупки, через которые размещаются внушительная часть заказов государственных органов за счет республиканского и местного бюджетов (в 2019 году 70 % бюджетных средств). Процесс осуществления закупок регламентирован Законом «О государственных закупках», порядка 23 приказами МФ и постановлениями Правительства. Около трети норм Закона (32,7 %) продублированы в Правилах осуществления закупок. Более того разработан аналог указанного закона – проект Закона «О закупках отдельных субъектов квазигосударственного сектора». Множественность правовых актов усложняет процесс закупок, возможности камерального контроля законности процедур, что порождает высокие коррупционные риски. Как показала практика, основными криминальными схемами остается лоббирование интересов «своих поставщиков», завышение цены, аффилированность поставщиков, незаконная «маржа», махинация с техспецификацией, подписание фиктивных актов, завышение цены. В статье даны элементы криминалистической характеристики коррупционных правонарушений в сфере государственных закупок: механизм совершения, следовая картина, причины и условия.
CONDITION OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH INVOLVEMENT OF EMPLOYEES OF THE EXPERT SERVICE OF THE MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS OF UKRAINE TO THE PRE-TRIAL INVESTIGATION
Authors: SHARAI Yehor
Published: September 2021

The author analyzes some scientific studies carried out in the form of doctoral, candidate dissertations, monographs, a number of scientific articles, teaching materials, which gives grounds to conclude that the interaction of experts with investigators, operatives, defenders, their use of special knowledge in Many domestic and foreign scientists and practitioners are of interest to their activities, as well as the involvement of employees of the Expert Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine in the pre-trial investigation in the context of modern adversarial criminal proceedings. In addition, the author states that the versatility of the issue, the breadth of user interests in the development of scientific thought and scientific and technological progress, the importance of tasks performed by employees of the Expert Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs indicate the urgency of this problem and provide grounds for further research.
The Problem of Energy Transition in Japan and Its Solution
Authors: Emelyanova Olesya
Published: September 2021

Currently, the socio-economic development of the leading countries, which are developing today in the paradigm of the capitalist industrial system, is undergoing a structural crisis. At the same time, global environmental problems are seriously rising, meanwhile electricity consumption is rapidly increasing, which in traditional modern paradigm means an increase in demand for non-renewable energy sources. Japan in this situation is no exception. Moreover, the structural crisis of the existing economic structure has manifested itself in Japan since 1991, when the so-called "Bubble crisis" occurred, after which the country could not return to sustainable economic growth during its industrial heyday Today, Western countries and Japan see "energy transition" as a comprehensive solution to these problems, to this end, measures are being developed for the transition to renewable energy sources (RES), including hydrogen fuel, which in the future can become the most important resource for a successful transition to the digital age.
The main document that today regulates the strategy of Japan's energy transition is the "Basic Energy Plan" of 2003, the latest 5th addition of which was adopted in 2018. The main goal of the strategy is to significantly reduce hydrocarbon emissions into the atmosphere. The document presents a roadmap for the country's gradual movement towards achieving carbon neutrality and contains development recommendations until 2030 and 2050. Another important document is the "Green Growth Strategy through Achieving Carbon Neutrality in2050" (2020).
This article aims to identify the main factors, as well as to analyze the perspectives for Japan's energy transition in the short term.
Language Diversity of China and National Security
Authors: Zavyalova Olga
Published: September 2021

China with its dozens of languages of national minorities and numerous Chinese dialects is still a linguistically very diverse country, and this diversity regularly finds its reflection during the events in various regions. In 2020, medical teams sent to Wuhan during the coronavirus outbreak faced difficulties with understanding the patients speaking local Mandarin dialects. Later on, language problems in Wuhan were urgently solved by the local administration. Starting from 2019, language confrontation became more visible during the protests in Hong Kong. Already in 2021, a volume devoted to the complicated language situation in the recently created economic cluster of the Greater Bay Area, which is to combine Hong Kong and Macau with nine cities across the Pearl River Delta, was published in the series of the annual reports of the State Language Commission. According to the model proposed by the linguists, Standard Chinese is to become the main spoken language both within the Greater Bay area and in contacts with other regions of China. Cantonese is to be used only as an additional local means of communication, while English and partially Portuguese in Macao are to be preserved as the languages of contacts with foreign countries. To solve various problems of the economic cluster, new structures are to be created with the help of the latest information technologies and participation of the linguists. Language unity as a whole is considered to be a key guarantee of the national security of China.
Association Between Anxiety and Cognitive Decline Over 12 Years in a Population-Based Cohort
Authors: Kootar Scherazad , Huque Md Hamidul , Arthur Richard , Mortby Moyra , Anstey Kaarin J.
Published: September 2021

Background: Findings on the associations between anxiety and cognitive decline are mixed and often confounded. Objective: We studied whether anxiety symptoms were associated with the risk of cognitive decline after adequate adjustment of confounding factors. Methods: Our study consists of 2,551 community-dwelling older adults recruited between the ages of 60–64 years and followed up for 12 years in the PATH Through Life cohort study. Anxiety symptoms were measured using the Goldberg Anxiety Scale (GAS; range 0–9). General cognitive function, episodic memory, working memory, verbal intelligence, processing speed, and psychomotor speed were measured. Multilevel analyses were carried out to investigate the association between anxiety symptoms and cognitive decline over 12 years, taking into account confounding variables. Results: We did not find a significant association between baseline anxiety symptoms and cognitive decline over 12 years. Although some associations between anxiety symptoms with psychomotor speed (β= –0.04, 99% CI: –0.08, 0.00) and processing speed (β= –0.27, 99% CI: –0.48, –0.07) were found, these were attenuated after adjusting for depression. We also did not find an association between cumulative anxiety and decline in cognitive performance. Conclusion: In this sample of cognitively healthy men and women aged 60 years and above, anxiety symptoms were not associated with the risk of cognitive decline. Long follow-up study time, appropriate selection of confounding factors, and estimating the effect of cumulative anxiety are important to establish the association between anxiety and cognitive symptoms.
Differential Lipid Mediator Involvement in the Different Forms of Genetic Frontotemporal Dementia: Novel Insights into Neuroinflammation
Authors: Sogorb-Esteve Aitana , Colas Romain A. , Dalli Jesmond , Rohrer Jonathan D.
Published: September 2021

Background: The pathophysiology of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is poorly understood but recent studies implicate neuroinflammation as an important factor. However, little is known so far about the role of the resolution pathway, the response to inflammation that allows tissue to return to a homeostatic state. Objective: We aimed to measure the concentrations of lipid mediators including specialized proresolving mediators (SPMs) and proinflammatory eicosanoids in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of people with FTD. Methods: 15 people with genetic FTD (5 with C9orf72 expansions, 5 with GRN mutations, and 5 with MAPT mutations) were recruited to the study along with 15 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Targeted liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry techniques were used to measure the CSF concentrations of lipid mediators in the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), n-3 docosapentaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and arachidonic acid (AA) metabolomes. Results: Only the C9orf72 expansion carriers had higher concentrations of SPMs (DHA-derived maresins and DHA-derived resolvins) compared with controls. In contrast, GRN and MAPT mutation carriers had normal concentrations of SPMs but significantly higher concentrations of the proinflammatory AA-derived leukotrienes and AA-derived thromboxane compared with controls. Additionally, the C9orf72 expansion carriers also had significantly higher concentrations of AA-derived leukotrienes. Conclusion: This initial pilot study of lipid mediators provides a window into a novel biological pathway not previously investigated in FTD, showing differential patterns of alterations between those with C9orf72 expansions (where SPMs are higher) and GRN and MAPT mutations (where only proinflammatory eicosanoids are higher).
Mindfulness-Based Training Does Not Improve Neuropsychological Outcomes in Mild Cognitive Impairment More Than Spontaneous Reversion Rates: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Doshi Kinjal , Henderson Stacey L. , Fan Qianqian , Wong Kian F. , Lim Julian
Published: September 2021

Background: Current pharmacological and behavioral treatment options for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are limited, motivating a search for alternative therapies that might slow the progression of cognitive decline. Objective: We investigated the effectiveness of a cognition-focused mindfulness-based intervention. Methods: An open-label, three arm randomized controlled trial was conducted at a public tertiary medical center. Older persons (ages 45–75; N = 76) diagnosed with MCI were recruited and randomized into either mindfulness-based training (MBT), cognitive rehabilitation therapy (CRT), or treatment as usual (TAU). Participants in the intervention arms received 8 weekly 2-h sessions delivered in a group setting and engaged in home practice. Primary outcomes measures included changes in index scores for attention, immediate memory, and delayed memory as measured using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). Depression was a secondary outcome. Results: Using intent-to-treat analysis, we found that participants receiving MBT showed significant improvements in global cognition (d = 0.26; [95%CI 0.03–0.56]) and delayed memory (d = 0.36; [95%CI 0.17–0.57]), with significantly greater improvements in delayed memory than CRT (ηp2 = 0.10). However, there was no benefit of MBT over TAU. No change in depression was observed in the MBT group. Reductions in depression were associated with improvements in cognitive functioning in the MBT group only. Conclusion: Our results suggest that a cognition-focused MBT did not improve cognitive functioning in MCI patients substantially more than spontaneous reversion rates, possibly as mood symptoms were not significantly alleviated in this group.
Robust voice user interface for internet-of-things
Authors: Abdelhamid Abdelaziz A. , Alotaibi Sultan R.
Published: September 2021

Internet of things (IoT) plays significant role in the fourth industrial revolution and attracts an increasing interest due to the rapid development of smart devices. IoT comprises factors of twofold. Firstly, a set of things (i.e., appliances, devices, vehicles, etc.) connected together via network. Secondly, human-device interaction to communicate with these things. Speech is the most natural methodology of interaction that can enrich user experience. In this paper, we propose a novel and effective approach for building customized voice interaction for controlling smart devices in IoT environments (i.e., Smart home). The proposed approach is based on extracting customized tiny decoding graph from a large graph constructed using weighted finite sates transducers. Experimental results showed that tiny decoding graphs are very efficient in terms of computational resources and recognition accuracy in clean and noisy conditions. To emphasize the effectiveness of the proposed approach, the standard Resources Management (RM1) dataset was employed and promising results were achieved when compared with four competitive approaches.
Treatment practices and implementation of guidelines for hyperbilirubinemia and rebound hyperbilirubinemia
Authors: So Vincent , Khurshid Faiza
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND: Hyperbilirubinemia (HB), defined as elevated total serum bilirubin (TSB) levels, commonly affects neonates and requires prompt treatment to prevent neurological complications. Up to 10%of neonates experience rebound hyperbilirubinemia (RHB), requiring re-initiation of treatment. Unfortunately, treatment guidelines lack practical recommendations surrounding subthreshold phototherapy, treatment termination, and RHB investigations. We examined local management practices for HB and RHB treatment in a well newborn nursery. As a secondary aim, we investigated the association between treatment practices and RHB rates. METHODS: Retrospective chart review identified neonates treated for hyperbilirubinemia between January 2015 and December 2019 during their birth hospitalization at a tertiary care centre. Standardized data collection sheets were used to record treatment parameters. RESULTS: Over the 5-year period, there were 9683 births and 305 (3.15%) neonates received phototherapy. Of the treated cases, 20–25%were subthreshold to practice guideline values. Upon treatment termination 25–55%of cases had TSB levels within 3 mg/dL, which may increase the risk of RHB. In our cohort, 20.3%of treated cases experienced one episode of RHB and 3.9%experienced two episodes of RHB. Although clinicians evaluated neonates for RHB 0–12 hours following treatment termination prior to discharge, many cases were identified in outpatient settings and required re-admission for phototherapy. CONCLUSION: When managing HB and RHB, treatment practices such as when to terminate treatment in relation to threshold values, and timing of RHB investigations, are largely inconsistent amongst clinicians. Future studies are required to better understand the landscape of hyperbilirubinemia treatment beyond initiation of phototherapy.
Preterm neonate delivered to COVID-19 positive mother on ECMO support
Authors: Balasundaram P. , Louis S. , Thompson-Branch A.
Published: September 2021

Despite ongoing research and recent discoveries, there remains a paucity of data regarding COVID-19 and its implications for pregnant women, particularly its effects on the developing fetus. To date, there are a limited number of articles available regarding the utility of Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) for cardio-respiratory support of pregnant women during the perinatal period. Additionally, there are only a few case reports detailing the delivery management of a baby born to a mother on ECMO support. Here, we report a case of a premature, low birth weight neonate delivered by a 32-year-old woman while on ECMO due to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome resulting from COVID-19 infection.
Effects of prolonged peri-neural bupivacaine infusion in rat sciatic nerves (axon and myelin)
Authors: Butler John T. , Robinson Tobias J. , Edwards Jared R. , Grafe Marjorie R. , Kirsch Jeffrey R.
Published: September 2021

Background/Objective:

Peripheral-nerve blocks (PNBs) using continuous-infusion of local anesthetics are used to provide perioperative analgesia. Yet little research exists to characterize the histopathological effects of continuous long-duration PNBs. Herein we test the hypothesis that continuous peri-neural bupivacaine infusion (3-day vs. 7-day infusion) contributes to histologic injury in a duration-dependent manner using an in vivo model of rat sciatic nerves.

Methods:

We placed indwelling catheters in 22 rats for infusion with low-dose (0.5mg/kg/hr) bupivacaine or normal saline proximal to the right sciatic nerves for 3 or 7 consecutive days. Hind-limb analgesia was measured using Von-Frey nociceptive testing. At infusion end, rats were sacrificed, bilateral nerves were sectioned and stained with hematoxylin and eosin and CD68 for evaluation of inflammatory response, and eriochrome to assess damage to myelin.

Results:

Animals receiving continuous infusion of bupivacaine maintained analgesia as demonstrated by significant decrease (50% on average) in nociceptive response in bupivacaine-infused limbs across time points. Both 7-day saline and bupivacaine-infused sciatic nerves showed significantly-increased inflammation by H&E staining compared to untreated native nerve controls ( P = 0.0001, P < 0.0001). Extent of inflammation did not vary significantly based on infusate (7-day saline vs. 7-day bupivacaine P > 0.99) or duration (3-day bupivacaine vs 7-day bupivacaine P > 0.99). No significant change in sciatic nerve myelin was found in bupivacaine-infused animals compared to saline-infused controls, regardless of duration.

Conclusions:

Long-duration (7-day) bupivacaine infusion provided durable post-operative analgesia, yet contributed to equivalent neural inflammation as short duration (3-day) infusion of bupivacaine or saline with no evidence of demyelination.
An electromyographic assessment pilot study on the reliability of the forearm muscles during multi-planar maximum voluntary contraction grip and wrist articulation in young males
Authors: Hunter Henry H. , Sorbie Graeme G. , Grace Fergal M. , Gu Yaodong , Lam Wing-Kai , Baker Julien S. , Dutheil Frédéric , Dias Tilak , Ugbolue Ukadike C.
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND: Electromyographic systems are widely used in scientific and clinical practice. The reproducibility and reliability of these measures are crucial when conducting scientific research and collecting experimental data. OBJECTIVE: To test the reliability of surface electromyography signals from both the Flexor Digitorum Superficialis (FDS) and Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis (ECRB) muscles of both the left and right arms during an individual, static multi-planar maximum voluntary contraction handgrip task using the Myon 320 system (Myon AG, Switzerland). METHODS: Eight right-handed male participants performed two maximal handgrip tests in five separate wrist positions using both hands. Muscle activity was recorded from both forearms. Reliability was measured using the Standard Error of Measurement (SEM), Coefficient of Variation (CV) and Intra-class correlation coefficients. Wrist joint position correlations within and between the FDS and ECRB muscle activities were also analysed. RESULTS: Absolute reliability was shown across all positions for both hands with CV and SEM recorded at below 10%. The output measures indicate that the Myon 320 system (Myon AG, Switzerland) produces good to fair reliability when assessing forearm muscle activity. Correlations in the left FDS muscles were negative. Correlations between the left ECRB and left FDS muscles were variable but positive between the right ECRB and right FDS muscles. CONCLUSIONS: The data sets retrieved from all participants were reliably evaluated. Wrist position correlations within and between the FDS and ECRB muscles may have been influenced by hand dominance. The findings demonstrate that the methods and systems outlined in this study can be used reliably in future research.
Phytochemistry of Allium cepa L. (Onion): Its Nutritional and Pharmacological Importance
Authors: Mahmood Nida , Muazzam Muazzam Ali , Ahmad Muhammad , Hussain Shabbir , Javed Warda
Published: September 2021

The present study was conducted to review the phytochemical composition, nutritional and pharmacological values of Allium cepa L. (Onion). Attempts have been made to compile the findings of 75 articles into a single manuscript. Onion is cultivated all over the world. The onion bulbs are comprised of polysaccharides including peptides, fructans, flavonoids (mostly quercetin), saccharose and organosulfur compounds having salutary effects on human health. The onion in the diet gives us a positive response in nutritional manner. The nutritional contents of onion bulb are crude oil, vitamin E, sodium, potassium, and zinc. The onion bulb has the potential to reduce the problem of stomach cancer, osteoporosis, and brain cancer in human beings. In addition, onion is antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-scar, antispasmodic, antiseptic, anti-genotoxic, anti-mutagenic, diuretic,anti-parasitic, antimicrobial, antipyretic, and Analgesic.
Evaluation of Herbal Extract of Gentiana diffusa for Antianxiety Activity
Authors: Dakua Sudipta , Gawaly Rakesh , Jain Pratyush , Jain Alok Pal
Published: September 2021

The present study was designed to authenticate the anti-anxiety activity (by using elevated plus maze model) of methanolic extract of the leaves of Gentiana diffusa. by authors Swiss Albino mice were treated with different doses of the leaf extracts (200 mg / kg p.o.) and Diazepam (2mg/ kg, p.o) was used as a positive control. Results of study show that methanolic extract in higher doses (200 mg/kg) possesses marked anti-anxiety activity and was comparable to the effect produced by diazepam. The plant can be developed as a commercial source of anxiolytic agent. Further studies are in process to isolate the active constituent responsible for this activity and mechanism of action.

Keywords: Leaves, Methanol, Anxiety, Diazepam
Методологія оцінки допустимих товщин елементів трубопроводів АЕС із вуглецевих сталей в умовах ерозійно-корозійного зносу
Authors: Ageiev S.
Published: September 2021

У статті описано підхід до оцінки ступеня небезпеки ерозійно-корозійного зносу елементів трубопроводів АЕС із вуглецевих сталей. З метою апробації запропонованого підходу проведено комплекс розрахунково-аналітичних робіт, зокрема: а) проаналізовано існуючий підхід до оцінки ступеня небезпеки ерозійно-корозійного зносу на АЕС України; встановлено його недоліки; б) розроблено алгоритм оцінки ступеня небезпеки ерозійно-корозійного зносу з використанням експрес-оцінки та уточненої процедури; в) верифіковано розрахункові моделі співставленням з іншими існуючими розрахунковими моделями та експериментальними даними з метою демонстрації їх коректності; г) за розробленим підходом виконано оцінку ступеня небезпеки ерозійно-корозійного зносу систем трубопроводів енергоблоків №№ 1 та 4 Відокремленого підрозділу «Запорізька атомна електростанція», виявлених у період експлуатації з 2012 року по 2016 рік.

Розроблений підхід дозволяє: 1) оцінювати ступінь небезпеки ерозійно-корозійного зносу не тільки в окружному напрямку поперечного перерізу труби внаслідок дії внутрішнього тиску (підхід, що базується на вимогах ПНАЭ Г-7-002-86, щодо визначення допустимої товщини стінки бездефектного трубопроводу), але й уздовж осі трубопроводу від одночасної дії внутрішнього тиску, осьового зусилля та моментів згину. Такий підхід особливо актуальний для трубопровідних систем, які, переважно, мають складну просторову конфігурацію, що призводить до виникнення в них осьових зусиль та моментів згину внаслідок дії масових характеристик трубопроводів та арматури, температурних, сейсмічних впливів тощо; 2) оцінювати ступінь небезпеки ерозійно-корозійного зносу не тільки за його глибиною (підхід ИН-Т.0.03.190-14), а й з урахуванням довжини та ширини ерозійно-корозійного зносу. На відміну від існуючого підходу, це дозволяє коректніше оцінювати ступінь небезпеки ерозійно-корозійного зносу.
Основні результати аналізу подій на АЕС України, пов’язаних із захисною оболонкою
Authors: Shugailo O-i , Ligotskyy O. , Serafyn R. , Pecherytsia O. , Panchenko А.
Published: September 2021

У цій статті наведені основні результати аналізу експлуатаційних подій на АЕС України та світу, пов’язаних з захисною оболонкою та системами, які забезпечують її працездатність.

Основною метою цього аналізу було здобуття загальних та конкретних уроків, які дозволять запобігти повторенню подій у майбутньому. Обсяги аналізу охоплюють структурні елементи споруди захисної оболонки та інші системи, необхідні для забезпечення її функціонування. Під час проведення аналізу розглянуті експлуатаційні події розділено на категорії (ті, що впливають або можуть вплинути на виконання захисною оболонкою своїх локалізуючих функцій, і ті, що не впливають). Встановлено, що до категорії подій, що впливають на виконання захисною оболонкою проєктних функцій, належать випадки відмови арматурних канатів  системи переднапруження захисної оболонки і ці випадки розглянуто детально, починаючи з 1980 року з урахуванням історії та причин зміни проєктних значень зусиль натягу арматурних канатів.
Monitoring Mad Mothers: Unmasking Violent Institutional Sanism
Authors: Dycke Celina
Published: September 2021

This qualitative research study explores the experiences, thoughts and feelings of mothers who have been given a mental health diagnosis. Using a narrative inquiry approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with two mothers from Toronto. The study uncovers how sanist beliefs intersect with other sites of oppression, and the affect this has on mothers and their Mothering practices. Particular attention is paid to asking what the effects are on women who are assumed to be violent towards their children, due to a mental health diagnosis. It asks what this type of sanism and mental health profiling does to their sense of self, resilience and hope for their families and their futures.