bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE NOVEL FRAILTY INDEX (NFI) CORRELATES WITH A VALUE OF PHASE ANGLE AND MNA IN HOSPITALISED AND FREELIVING ELDERLY - PRELIMINARY REPORT
Authors: Wernio E. , Dardzinska, J.A. , Kujawska-Danecka H. , Hajduk A. , Zdrojewski Z. , Malgorzewicz S.
Published: December 2021

Introduction: To improve the quality of life and health of the elderly, attention is paid to the early detection of frailty syndrome. Unfortunately, one simple and practical screening tool has not been established yet. Recently came the proposal of the Novel Frailty Index (NFI) created by Yamada and Arai. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between nutritional status and NFI of the elderly. Materials and methods: In a group of 67 elderly patients (27 hospitalised and 40 living in the home environment) we used the NFI and evaluated nutritional status with the use of full-MNA together with SNAQ (appetite questionnaire), manual dynamometry and bioimpedance analysis. Results: Based on the NFI results, frailty syndrome was diagnosed in more than half of hospitalised elderly. The syndrome was significantly less prevalent in free-living older people (15% vs 63%, p<0.001).We found the significant correlations of NFI values with age (r=0.031, p=0.03), co-morbidity(r=0.295, p=0.016), phase angle (r=-0.407, p<0.001), full-MNA score (r=-0.515, p<0.001). Conclusions: Our preliminary results suggest the relevant association between NFI results and age, phase angle as well comorbidity and nutritional status. So further evaluation of NFI as a screening tool for frailty syndrome diagnose is needed.
EARLY RECOGNITION OF COGNITIVE ABILITY AND NUTRITIONAL MARKERS FOR DEMENTIA IN PARKINSON’S DISEASE
Authors: Håglin L. , Bäckman L. , Linder J. , Forsgren L. , Domellöf M.
Published: December 2021

Background: Cognitive decline and dementia are common non-motor problems in Parkinson’s disease (PD). The underlying aetiology is multifaceted and both chronic and reversible causes for cognitive decline are likely to be present. Malnutrition is frequent in the Parkinson population, both early and late in the disease, and nutritional deficiencies could play a role in some cognitive deficits. Objectives: The objective is to study the association between nutritional status with focus on iron intake and homeostasis, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and PD dementia (PDD). Setting and Participants: This study included 73 out of 145 patients with PD participating in a population-based study in northern Sweden. Measurements: Registration of nutritional status by laboratory analyses of blood plasma and neuropsychological assessments at time of diagnosis were performed. MCI and PDD were assessed yearly up to ten years after diagnosis. Mini Nutritional Assessments (Full-MNA score) and plasma variables detecting iron homeostasis were compared between patients with MCI and patients with normal cognition (NC). Motor severity was measured using the Unified Parkinson´s disease rating scale III, (UPDRS III) and Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) staging scale. Cox proportional Hazard model were performed to see if any variables that differed between MCI and NC could predict PDD at follow-up. Results: Patients with MCI at time of diagnosis had lower levels of plasma iron (P-Fe) and albumin (P-Albumin) as well as a lower score on Full-MNA score. Dietary intake of iron was higher in patients with MCI than in patients with NC (p = 0.012). In logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, and UPDRS III, lower levels of P-Fe (p = 0.025) and P-Albumin (p = 0.011) and higher dietary iron intake (p = 0.019) were associated with MCI at baseline. A Cox regression model with dementia as endpoint revealed that lower levels of P-Fe increase the risk of dementia at follow-up with adjustments for age, sex, UPDRS III, and MCI at baseline (HR 95% CI = 0.87 (0.78-0.98), p = 0.021). Conclusions: Low P-Fe was associated with cognitive disturbance at baseline and predicted dementia up to ten years after diagnosis in patients with PD. Low P-Albumin and malnutrition assessed with Full-MNA score were associated with MCI at baseline but did not predict dementia at follow-up.
POOR BODY COMPOSITION IN PATIENTS WITH MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT COMPARED TO HEALTHY OLDER CONTROLS
Authors: Willers J. , Hahn A. , Köbe T. , Gellert S. , Witte V. , Tesky V. , Pantel J. , Flöel A. , Schuchardt J.P.
Published: December 2021

In this cross-sectional study, body composition of fifty-eight mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients (single and multiple domain) and fifty healthy older control subjects by the use of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) was assessed. Measurements were: height, weight, body mass index, BIA: phase angle (PA), total body water (TBW), lean body mass (LBM), body cell mass (BCM), extracellular mass (ECM), body fat mass (BFM), apolipoprotein E4, and physical activity level. Compared to BIA reference values and healthy subjects, MCI patients had significant differences in PA (only female), BCM and ECM/BCM index. Differences were more pronounced in females compared to males. The low levels of BCM and PA suggest that MCI patients, especially of female sex, have a poor nutritional status. BIA-derived PA might be a suitable indicator, that could enhance evaluation of nutritional status in patients with cognitive decline.
Analyzing trend and prediction of precipitation in

Germany using non-parametrical tests and machine

learning algorithms
Authors: Talukder Minhaz Rahman
Published: December 2021

The study explores analyzes the temporal changes in precipitation using the data from 1881 to 2020 across Germany at the regional level. Man-Kendall and Hamad-Rao modification tests were employed to analyze the precipitation trend,while Pettit test was used for detecting the change point in the time frame. Machine learning methods like k-nearest neighbour, Support vector machine and Random forest algorithms were applied for prediction. Most of the regions showed an increasing trend annually and seasonally in 0.05 significance level while some negative can be seen in summer. Furthermore, Based on Pettit test, most of the change points were detected after 1940 in several regions. In the prediction of precipitation, k-NN algorithm showed better performance in terms of mean absolute error rather than Support vector machine and Random forest algorithms.
Role of Wide-Area Transepithelial Sampling With 3D Computer-Assisted Analysis in the Diagnosis and Management of Barrett's Esophagus
Authors: Odze Robert D. , Goldblum John , Kaul Vivek
Published: December 2021

Barrett's esophagus (BE) is a premalignant condition in which cancer prevention is performed by endoscopic surveillance combined with Seattle protocol mucosal biopsies. The Seattle protocol has significant limitations, including a high rate of sampling error due to the focality of dysplasia/carcinoma, low endoscopist adherence to the protocol, and a high degree of variability in pathologic interpretation. These factors all contribute to a high incidence of cancers missed within 1 year of surveillance endoscopy. Wide-area transepithelial sampling with computer-assisted three-dimensional analysis (WATS3D) is a relatively new technique that minimizes sampling error by using a brush biopsy device that extensively samples “at risk” mucosa and helps pathologists diagnose dysplasia/neoplasia by generating three-dimensional images of whole crypts using a neural network-based software program. Several large prospective trials (involving both academic and community practices) have shown significantly increased rates of detection of dysplasia and intestinal metaplasia in both screening and surveillance in patients with BE when used as an adjunct to Seattle protocol-based forceps biopsies. The WATS3D diagnostic platform was included in the most recent American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Barrett's guideline as an adjunct to forceps biopsies (conditional recommendation and low quality of evidence). This review summarizes the scientific and pathologic basis of WATS3D technology, its potential impact on BE surveillance and management, and its limitations and future directions.
Estimación estadística de áreas quemadas en La Primavera (México) de 2003 a 2016 utilizando series de tiempo de imágenes Landsat-7
Authors: Tecuapetla-Gómez Inder , Villamil-Cortez Gabriela , Cruz-López Isabel
Published: December 2021

Presentamos los resultados de un análisis para determinar áreas quemadas en el área de protección de flora y fauna La Primavera (APFFLP) durante el periodo 2003 a 2016 utilizando series de tiempo de imágenes Landsat-7 del Índice de Vegetación de Diferencia Normalizada y de la Tasa Normalizada de Zona Quemada, NDVI y NBR (por sus siglas en inglés), respectivamente. Para determinar áreas quemadas en el APFFLP, primero estimamos fechas de cambios abruptos en la tendencia de la serie de tiempo de NDVI con el algoritmo Breaks For Additive Season and Trend (BFAST). Posteriormente, con las fechas estimadas como referencia de un incendio plausible, realizamos un típico análisis pre-post incendio con los valores del NBR. La frecuencia de áreas quemadas estimadas con nuestro método está en correspondencia con los resultados de estudios efectuados in-situ por otros grupos de investigadores durante el periodo 2003-2016. De acuerdo con nuestro análisis, la severidad de la mayoría de estas quemas es baja. Para validar nuestra estimación de área quemada empleamos imágenes de alta resolución (RapidEye) calculando matrices de errores de omisión y comisión de donde se deduce que independientemente del método de interpolación empleado para rellenar huecos en las imágenes y el valor del parámetro ancho de banda de BFAST, empleado para detectar cambios abruptos, la exactitud de nuestro mapa de área quemada va de 70% (con datos de baja calidad) a 92% (con datos de calidad moderada).
Jak w Czechosłowacji pojmowano filmy Munka i Wajdy, czyli film w kontekście zawikłanej historii
Authors: Hučková Jadwiga , Hučko Tomáš
Published: December 2021

Films of Polish Film School, the most signifi cant formation in post-war history of Polish cinema, appeared in Czechoslovakia with several years of delay. Power feared that their message will be dangerous for spectators. Meanwhile – for viewers they remain unknown or diffi cult to understand and only a few critics and fi lm historians could read them in accordance with the intentions of the directors Andrzej Munk and Andrzej Wajda, being the main representatives of the stream.
Filmowcy amatorzy w Polsce przed rokiem 1939
Authors: Hendrykowska Małgorzata
Published: December 2021

The article is devoted to the activities of Polish amateur filmmakers from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries to 1939. The development of amateur filmmaking was closely tied to advancements in the production of cameras and film. The first attempts to create an organized amateur filmmaking movement were made in the 1930s, when clubs and associations began to be formed. During this period, Polish amateur filmmakers had their first successes at European and international film festivals and events. The author discusses the most valuable extant pre-war amateur documentaries, and follows the discovery of new films dating back to before 1939. She also relates the “second life” of the oldest amateur films, which have been incorporated into contemporary documentaries.
Pierwsza ekranizacja Pana Twardowskiego
Authors: Hendrykowska Małgorzata , Hendrykowski Marek
Published: December 2021

The article discusses the oldest recorded film adaptation of the legend of Pan Twardowski, found in the archives of the George Eastman House in Rochester, New York. The two-part feature film was filmed in Russia between 1916 and 1917, and its creator was the famed Polish filmmaker Władysław Starewicz.
Asphalt Fume Generation-Enrichment Device Development and Fume Production Estimation Model
Authors: Li Ping , Wang Meng , Nian Tengfei , Mao Yu , Lin Mei
Published: December 2021

Although indoor asphalt fume production tests are widely used because of their convenient operation, good controllability, and high reliability, because of differences in asphalt morphology during heating, the experimental data from an indoor test cannot accurately reflect outdoor conditions. This article proposes an asphalt fume generation-enrichment system that can correlate indoor and outdoor fume production results. At the same time, we develop a reliable detection process, which is used to analyze the correlation between asphalt fume production and its heating temperature, heating time, and exposure area. We then summarize the applicable rules for asphalt-mixture fume production research. The present study shows that the conversion link between indoor asphalt fume production and asphalt mixture fume production is the rate of fume production, which is affected by the heating temperature, heating time, and exposed area of the asphalt. Because of differences in the threshold of the asphalt’s volatile organic compounds and the chemical reaction’s starting temperature, the asphalt fume production rate has a multiple function relationship with temperature, and because of the difference in the size of the fume generation channel, it has a linear function relationship with the asphalt’s exposed area. Thus, this study proposes prediction models for the fume production of two asphalts under different heating environments and provides a reference for calculating fume production of the asphalt and asphalt mixtures.
Barriers and Facilitators to Participation in Long-Acting Injectable PrEP Research Trials for MSM, Transgender Women, and Gender-Nonconforming People of Color
Authors: Azhar Sameena , Tao Xiangyu , Jokhakar Vaidehi , Fisher Celia B.
Published: December 2021

We collected 216 responses from sexually active MSM, transgender women, and gender-nonconforming (GNC) people of color through a web-based survey to understand the facilitators and barriers to research participation in a hypothetical LAI PrEP trial. In adjusted models, these items were found to be significantly associated with research participation likelihood: ever participated in HIV research study; comfort with taking daily pill; comfort with providing urine sample; and concerns over potential side effects of shot. Asian participants were more concerned about others knowing they were being recruited than were Black and Latinx respondents F(2, 216) = 3.98; p < .05. Asian respondents were also less comfortable with being recruited at organizations serving communities of color than Black and Latinx respondents, F(2, 216) = 5.10; p < .05. Cisgender respondents were more comfortable with being recruited by a friend or colleague than were transgender/GNC respondents, F(1, 215) = 4.8; p < .05.
Responsive Medical Providers and Recent HIV Medical Services Engagement Among Transgender Women and Cisgender Men Who Have Sex With Men in the Philippines
Authors: Guigayoma John , Bermudez Amiel Nazer , Palatino Maylin , Nazareno Jennifer , Cu-Uvin Susan , Operario Don , Restar Arjee
Published: December 2021

Transgender women and cisgender men who have sex with men (trans-WSM and cis-MSM) comprise the majority of new HIV infections in the Philippines. There is limited research in the Philippines on the relationship between having a provider responsive to the needs of these populations and recent engagement in HIV medical services such as HIV testing and treatment. We used multivariate logistic regression to examine the relationship between having a responsive medical provider and engagement in HIV medical services in the past 12 months among an online sample of 318 trans-WSM and cis-MSM in the Philippines. Participants without a responsive medical provider had lower adjusted odds of recent HIV medical service engagement than those who did (aOR = 0.32, 95% CI [0.16, 0.62], p = .00). In stratified analyses, this relationship was significant for trans-WSM but not cis-MSM. Increasing access to responsive providers in the Philippines could bolster recent engagement with HIV medical services.
Men Who Have Sex With Men and HIV Risk Behavior: Exploring the Influence of Masculinity Within the Social Ecological Model
Authors: Hergenrather Kenneth C. , Emmanuel Diona , Zeglin Robert J. , Ruda David J. , Rhodes Scott D.
Published: December 2021

In the United States, gay, bisexual men, and men who have sex with men (MSM) represent 86% of new HIV infections among males. Approximately 1 in 7 men with HIV are unaware of their HIV status (CDC, 2017, 2019a, 2020a). To explore influences on MSM HIV risk behavior, the authors performed a systematic review of quantitative studies conducted in the U.S. assessing what is purported as masculinity. From 30 identified studies, significant findings were framed within the Social Ecological Model (SEM) levels (e.g., Individual, Relationship, Community). SEM level themes were applied to create the Masculinity 10, a preliminary 10-item assessment to explore the influence of masculinity on MSM HIV risk behavior. To increase MSM engagement in HIV prevention and treatment, the influences of masculinity (e.g., attitude toward sexual minorities, appearance, emotion, temperament, substance use, sexual activity, social support, intimate relationships, health care) on HIV risk behavior should be further explored.
Integrating Buddhist-Informed Interventions Into Narrative Family Therapy
Authors: Eppler Christie , Cobb Rebecca A. , Bien Sarah , Wright Perry Thomas
Published: December 2021

Culturally responsive couples and family therapy requires incorporating spirituality into clinical practice at the clients’ request. Researchers led a focus group with Buddhist practitioners who work in clinical care settings to better understand the degree of fit between Buddhist practices and narrative family therapy interventions. Compatible practices included mindfulness, externalization, and self of therapist work. While narrative family therapy's model of change has points of divergence from Buddhism, there are ways to incorporate Buddhist beliefs into narrative practices.
Slowing Economic Growth and Falling Production in EU
Authors:   Institute of Europe, Russian Academy of Sciences, Bazhan Anatoliy
Published: December 2021

The author examines the problems of economic growth of the EU in the period before the coronavirus pandemic, as well as during the 2020 economic crisis and gradual recovery. It is argued that the decrease in 2017‒2019 was caused by a number of long-term reasons, i.e. slow technological renewal of production base and narrowing of trade surplus due to loss of competitive advantages over producers from Southeast Asia. The author analyses the mechanics of pandemic’s impact on EU production volume, caused by decline in general demand and supply of goods and services. The EU economic policy is viewed as an appropriate instrument to protect citizens and companies from bankruptcy. It is outlined that the recovery will stem not from the economic policy, but from countering the pandemic with vaccines and sanitary restrictions. The author forecasts that economic growth rates in the region will slow down due to the reasons that emerged before the pandemic. Moreover, the growth will be negatively affected by the current EU policy of greater use of clean energy and technologies that preserve the environment, but inflate the production costs.
To the History of the Third Ukrainian Republic
Authors:   Institute of Europe, Russian Academy of Sciences, Mironenko Viktor
Published: December 2021

The article describes the transformation of the political regime of the Third Ukrainian Republic. The author holds that this big European country deserves attention not only as part of its recent history and that of Europe, but also as a manifestation of some European and global political processes. Using the methods of historical analysis and periodization, an attempt is made to place the last 30 years of the Ukrainian Republic in the general context of the recent history of Ukraine, to identify the reasons for the incomplete «Ukrainian project», the difficulties of its external perception and international positioning. The scientific novelty of the proposed analysis is that the political regimes that have existed in the Ukrainian Republic since its proclamation are considered as interrelated in the process of its evolution, and the latest of them ‒ in the light of the hypothesis of two transformations ‒ as its last phase. The main conclusion is that Ukraine’s difficult path of political self-identification is not complete and it faces necessity to find a new internal and external political paradigm and another reboot of the political regime.
Chancellor A. Merkel's “Secret of Power”: Genesis (2005 ‒ 2013)
Authors:   Institute of Europe, Russian Academy of Sciences, Timoshenkova Ekaterina
Published: December 2021

The article is a study of the political phenomenon of German Chancellor A. Merkel, her special style of governance, objective factors and personal qualities that contributed to the construction of a long and successful career. The author analyzes in detail the period of governmental coalitions of the CDU/CSU with the SPD (2005‒2009) and the FDP (2009‒2013). It was the experience that had the greatest influence on the shaping of her image as a first female Chancellor of Germany. The theory of the difference between women's leadership and men's leadership is used in this paper. Through the prism of this theory we analyze the ways of struggle for leadership. The beginning of Merkel's career and the period of her ministerial activity were characterized by a harsh treatment of her rivals. Later she learned to do it in a softer way. The image of a consensual, supraparty leader, who knows how to find a compromise, is the result of Merkel's conscious work on herself. The need to be chancellor of a “grand coalition” and to cooperate with the SPD, an almost equal partner in terms of strength, contributed greatly to such a leadership style. The second legislative period helped A. Merkel to acquire the qualities of a “crisis manager”. In the conclusion of the article it is concluded that the basis of A. Merkel's political survival was the ability to learn quickly and adapt during various difficulties. From this point of view, the Frau Chancellor's main “teacher” was her first rival, the Social Democrat H. Schroeder. It was his political fate that allowed Merkel to come to a conclusion about the need to combine the post of chancellor and party leadership, which allowed her to stay in power for 16 years.
Issue of Anti-Semitism in the Relationship between Italy and the Holy See During the Pontificate of Pius XI
Authors:   MGIMO University, Terentiev Kirill
Published: December 2021

In the first half of the 20thcentury, with the growth of anti-semitic sentiments, the ItaloVatican agenda was supplemented by the so-called Jewish question, which affected the position of the community of this ancient race in Europe, in particular Italy. The fascist leadership and the Catholic clergy perceived the situation around Italian Jews each in its own way: they had different perceptions of the representatives of this ethnic minority and, therefore, different approaches to a dialogue with them. However, Italy and the Vatican were allied at least by the geographic space and the citizens living within it. The Church, far more alarmed by political extremism on the left than on the right, made friendly overtures toward Mussolini’s regime. In spite of this in 1938, Mussolini, without regard to the aspirations of the Holy See, approved openly discriminatory laws against Jews, which looked more and more like a copy of Hitler's policy. The article attempts to explore Jewish issues in the context of a cooperation between the fascist regime and the clerical elite of the Roman Catholic Church in order to determine the place and role of this topic in the relationship of the secular and ecclesiastical authorities of that period.
Global Horizons of the Atlantic Alliance: the Biden “Vaccine”
Authors:   Institute of Europe, Russian Academy of Sciences, Danilov Dmitriy
Published: December 2021

The article examines the conceptual issues of the transatlantic relations under the American administration in 2021 and the renewal of the NATO strategy. The NATO summit in Brussels on June 14, 2021, which was attended by US President Joe Biden, was initially seen as a US “coming back” to Europe after a turbulent “trumpism” period in transatlantic relations. The summit communiqué defines the main lines of the alliance transformation in response to the growing challenges to Euro-Atlantic security, considering the main ones incoming from Russia and China, while also imposed by international terrorism. The analysis of the Summit decisions and the follow-up of Joe Biden's European meetings proves the alliance globalization trend, both in geopolitical and functional terms. The summit, while having adopted the NATO 2030 Agenda, decided to adopt a new strategic concept at the next meeting in Spain in 2022. The author argues that the unresolved transatlantic problems and the allies’ disagreements internally challenge the alliance “global” strategy. The “trusted leadership” the Biden administration sets against the “Trump Doctrine” undermines the allies’ ability to step up the European strategic autonomy project, including in relations with Russia and China, as well as in after-Brexit Euro-Atlantic rebalancing.
The EU’s Discourse on Sovereignty: Content and Consequences
Authors:   Saint Petersburg State University, Romanova Tatyana
Published: December 2021

Emmanuel Macron‟s 2017 speeches gave start to the discourse on the European Union‟s (EU‟s) sovereignty. This discourse has been advanced by the national and supranational elite of the EU as well as by its expert community. The article identifies key characteristics of this discourse and its potential consequences for the EU and its relations with Russia. The four ways (attributes) in which sovereignty has been used as identified by Stephen Krasner are used as the theoretical basis of the analysis. With the help of discourse analysis, the author identifies three dimensions in the EU‟s discourse on sovereignty: these are Westphalian, interdependence and domestic sovereignties. The first and the second manifest themselves in the economic field (in particular, in the regulation of the digital sphere), the third one is linked to the discussion on cooperation in the field of security and defence. The discussion on strengthening of the supranational level in the field of security and defence substitutes the absence of the discussion on citizens as holders of domestic sovereignty; it limits the potential of the EU‟s sovereignty. De facto, the discourse on the EU‟s sovereignty is a response to global processes, where the EU finds challenges and threats for itself. References to values and to the EU as its agent form an important component of the discourse on the EU‟s sovereignty. Externally the EU as a result demonstrates both its wish for more independence from external players and its determination to maintain its participation in the globalization processes. The rhetoric of sovereignty also conceptually means the EU‟s refusal of ambitions to be a normative power. Sovereignty has also been an integral part of EU-Russian discussions. Yet the EU‟s discourse on sovereignty does not create any prospects for improving this relationship.
On the Legal Consequences of Brexit (on the example of personal data protection)
Authors:   MGIMO University, Entin Mark , Galushko Dmitriy ,   Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation
Published: December 2021

The article explores the legal consequences of the UK's withdrawal from the European Union. The scope of personal data protection was taken as an example. The purpose of the article is to study and analyze the legal aspects of the termination of the UK's membership in the European Union, its impact on the cross-border transfer of personal data between the parties, as well as the development of legal regulation in this area. The article shows that, despite the signing of the Withdrawal Agreement, as well as the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, there is a complication of legal regulation, as well as the emergence of potential contradictions and threats to the interests of interested parties. The sphere of personal data protection clearly demonstrates that despite the desire for the sovereignization of legal regulation on the part of the UK, its legal system remains dependent on the legal order of the European Union. The UK's national regulation on personal data will be under constant monitoring by the competent EU authorities, which indirectly confirms the failure to achieve the goals of the full return of the UK's delegated sovereign powers. It is concluded that the EU Court of Justice still retains its jurisdiction over the United Kingdom, in particular, in connection with possibility to challenge decisions on adequacy, as well as through the adoption of its own practice on issues related to personal data protection.
Macron's “European Project”: Four Years Later (French Plans and the Realities of the European Union)
Authors:   Institute of Europe, Russian Academy of Sciences, Fedorov Sergey
Published: December 2021

The initiatives of large-scale reforms of the European Union to accelerate European integration and to achieve “European sovereignty” were one of the main topics of the presidential program of E. Macron. For the first time in the political history of the Fifth Republic, the future head of state synchronized the implementation of internal reforms in France with an ambitious “European project”. The article analyzes the progress of the implementation of the European program of Macron and examines the reasons which have not allowed to achieve the implementation of the plans. The author summarizes the preliminary results of the European policy of Paris, holding that the French leader's European initiatives were unrealistic since they did not sufficiently take into account the current complex realities and contradictions of the European Union, as well as the past negative experience of France in promoting the idea of creating a “Europe-Power”. A forecast is made about a possible new version of Macron's “E
The Covid-19 Pandemic and the Political Situation in France before 2022 Elections
Authors:   Saint-Petersburg State University, Chikhachev Alexey
Published: December 2021

The article explores the political situation in modern France the year before the next presidential election. It is revealed that during Emmanuel Macron’s presidency, a social divide between wealthy and poor social groups has taken root in the country manifested in the “yellow vests” movement and a wide-range public disagreement with the reforms proposed by the government. The negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, which overlapped with the previous contradictions and aggravated them, is discussed. The article also shows that, apart from the “National Rally”, no other political forces now represent a real opposition to Macron’s policy, thus helping him to keep relatively high chances for re-election. This is especially true in case of two traditional parties – the Republicans and the Socialists – which have suffered from a profound internal crisis. In conclusion, regarding a likely contest between Macron and Le Pen in 2022, prospects of changes in domestic and foreign policy of France after the election are formulated. The author concludes that even in the “Le Pen wins” scenario, any innovations will have a limited impact, taking into account the role of continuity in the French state policy and the growing moderation of the far right platform.
Тhe Russian Federation's Chairmanship at the Arctic Council
Authors:   Institute of Europe, Russian Academy of Sciences, Zhuravel Valery
Published: December 2021

The article focuses on status, structure and organization of the Arctic Council (AC, Council). It is noted that the AC is an international, regional structure, which is designed to promote cooperation in the Arctic in the field of environmental protection and sustainable development of the circumpolar regions. In the activities of the countries chaired by the Arctic Council, special attention is paid to the continuity of the Arctic agenda. The importance of the Strategic Plan of the Arctic Council for 2021‒2030 adopted in 2021 for the further improvement of AC activities is highlighted. The central part of the study is devoted to Russia's approaches to international cooperation in the AC and an analysis of the content of the Programme of the Russian Federation's 2021 to 2023 Chairmanship of the Arctic Council. The aforementioned includes such priorities as the population of the Arctic and the indigenous small-numbered peoples of the North; environmental protection and climate change; social and economic development in the region; strengthening the Arctic Council. The study also deals with the Main Action Plan, which covers all the countries of the AC and areas of its activities. The article draws attention to the risks and threats that may arise during the period of the Russian Chairmanship. It is concluded that the urgent problems of this region can be solved only through balanced and mutually beneficial international cooperation in the economic and social fields, in the field of ecology, development of indigenous peoples, cooperation in scientific research, Arctic tourism, emergencies in the region.
The Impact of US and China on ROK–DPRK Relations, 1993–2019
Authors: Chung Alec , Ryu Ki Eun
Published: December 2021

The relationship between the ROK and DPRK is bound to be affected by the two great powers—the US and China. Especially in recent decades, the power gap between the two great powers has continued to narrow. Given this, how is the geopolitical situation surrounding the Korean Peninsula shaping inter-Korean relations? This study uses event data and statistical analysis to explore the geopolitical factors that shaped inter-Korean relations from 1993 to 2019. We find that DPRK–ROK relations deteriorated as the power gap between the US and China narrowed. Also, inter-Korean relations were positive when DPRK–US relations were positive. In short, we conclude that during the shift in the US–China power distribution, maintaining positive DPRK–US relations while also managing inter-Korean relations peacefully is necessary for peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Synoviolin inhibits the inflammatory cytokine secretion of Müller cells by reducing NLRP3
Authors: Zhang Jiayu , Chen Chengwei , Wu Liang , Wang Qiang , Chen Jiawei , Zhang Sifang , Chen Zhenguo
Published: December 2021

The pro-inflammatory cytokines secreted by Müller cells aggregate retinal cell loss and vascularization in diabetic retinopathy (DR). The deubiquitinase BRCA1–BRCA2-containing complex subunit 3 (BRCC3)-mediated nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat receptor containing a pyrin domain 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation participate in this progress. This study aims to clarify whether the E3 ubiquitin ligase synoviolin (SYVN1) relieves DR via regulating the BRCC3/NLRP3 axis. The DR model was established using streptozotocin-induced mice. Immunofluorescence staining with anti-CD31, anti-glutamine synthetase, and anti-vimentin was performed to identify DR and Müller cells. Levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-6, and IL-18, in murine serum and Müller cell supernatants were determined. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and ubiquitination assays were used to clarify the interactions among SYVN1, BRCC3, and NLRP3. SYVN1 was reduced and BRCC3 was increased in DR retina and high glucose (HG)-induced Müller cells. Overexpressing 1 promoted the ubiquitination and degradation of BRCC3 and reduced the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in HG-induced Müller cells. The simultaneous overexpression of 1 and Brcc3 restored the reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines caused by the overexpression of 1 alone. Co-IP experiments confirmed the interaction between BRCC3 and NLRP3. SYVN1-mediated BRCC3 downregulation promoted NLRP3 ubiquitination and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion. 1 overexpression reduced retinal vascularization and inflammatory cytokine secretion in DR mice. SYVN1 has a protective effect on DR, whose molecular mechanisms are partly through SYVN1-mediated ubiquitination of BRCC3 and the subsequent downregulation of NLRP3.
HIF1A-induced heme oxygenase 1 promotes the survival of decidual stromal cells against excess heme-mediated oxidative stress
Authors: Shen Hui-Hui , Wang Cheng-Jie , Zhang Xin-Yan , Sheng Yan-Ran , Yang Shao-Liang , Zheng Zi-Meng , Shi Jia-Lu , Qiu Xue-Min , Xie Feng , Li Ming-Qing
Published: December 2021

Heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1, encoded by the HMOX1 gene) is the rate-limiting enzyme that catalyzes heme degradation, and it has been reported to exert antioxidative effects. Recently, decidualization has been reported to confer resistance to environmental stress signals, protecting against oxidative stress. However, the effects and regulatory mechanism of HO-1 in decidual stromal cells (DSCs) during early pregnancy remain unknown. Here, we verified that the levels of HO-1 and heme in DSCs are increased compared with those in endometrial stromal cells. Additionally, the upregulation of HIF1A expression led to increased HMOX1 expression in DSCs possibly via nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (encoded by the NFE2L2 gene). However, addition of the competitive HO-1 inhibitor zinc protoporphyrin IX resulted in an increase in HIF1A expression. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) induced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), decreased the cell viability of DSCs in vitro, and upregulated the level of heme. As an HO-1 inducer, cobalt protoporphyrin IX decreased ROS production and significantly reversed the inhibitory effect of H2O2 on cell viability. More importantly, patients with unexplained spontaneous abortion had low levels of HO-1 that were insufficient to protect against oxidative stress. This study suggests that the upregulation of HO-1 expression via HIF1A protects DSCs against excessive heme-mediated oxidative stress. Furthermore, the excessive oxidative stress injury and impaired viability of DSCs associated with decreased HO-1 expression should be associated with the occurrence and/or development of spontaneous abortion.
Analysis of mergers and acquisitions between 2009 and 2020
Authors: Chernenko Natalya , Moiseienko Tetiana , Korohodova Olena , Hlushchenko Yaroslava
Published: December 2021

This paper studies the dynamics and trends in processes of mergers and acquisitions in a highly competitive and global economic environment. The aim of this study is to analyse and divide into periods M&A agreements in the global economy. The study produces a precise definition and discusses benefits and drawbacks of such horizontal and vertical agreements. The authors discuss historical waves of mergers and acquisitions processes and present 11 individual periods containing special aspects and description of types of the agreements, as well as supplement the periods with COVID-19 pandemic flow for 2020-2021. A polynomial regression analysis is used to predict the mechanism, results and magnitude of mergers and acquisitions. Furthermore, a discrete time model enables studying behaviour pattern of mergers and acquisitions happened during 2009-2020. The results demonstrate that transnational companies are greatly attributed to economic growth through mergers and acquisitions despite their rather high preparation and implementation costs. It may be expected an escalation of capital redistribution among pharmaceutical and bioengineering companies in a post-pandemic period due to increased M&A agreements.
THE LEGAL SUPPORT OF ORGANIZATIONAL AND ECONOMIC PROCESSES OF MUNICIPAL WASTE MANAGEMENT IN THE EUROPEAN UNION AND UKRAINE
Authors:   National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”, Kyiv, Ukraine, Elrabay’a D.T.D. , Marchenko V.M. ,   National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”, Kyiv, Ukraine
Published: December 2021

The article clarifies the substantial organizational and economic risks ahead, on the way for Ukraine to meet its committed targets to transform waste management system to become in full accordance with those implemented in the European Union. Both, European and Ukrainian legislation in this regard are analyzed, categorized, and compared to highlight the core differences and identify the gaps in the ones that are implemented in Ukraine. The environmental and economic results of waste management in Germany and Ukraine revealed, that Ukraine is not demonstrating satisfactory improvement during the last 7 years since the association agreement was signed. The article identifies 5 key recommendations, that would allow Ukraine to match up with European countries in municipal waste management (household waste management according to Ukrainian classification system), these recommendation are summarized as follows: centralized legislation approach, where all essential regulations are approved by the central government and unified for all regions; promptness, and operative attitude to take all necessary actions related to waste management; guaranteeing measurability and control over each waste management stage, that should lead to creating fully informative digital database; implementing “Peeling away method” to ensure that all potential secondary raw material and high calorific value waste is reused of converted into alternative energy resources; and finally, creating comprehensive and cohesive legislative package that works all together as integrated system. Centralized/local legislative distribution analysis, and structure of public information on waste in the official portal are provided for the first time in a scientific research, to the best knowledge of the authors. “The peeling away method”, described in this article, is used for the first time as well, to explain in simple way, the European strategy to minimize the amount of waste that is sent to landfill.
DETERMINATION OF NECESSARY CONDITIONS FOR EFFICIENT PURIFICATION OF DRINKING WATER WITH HIGH CHLOROFORM CONTENT BY PLASMA TREATMENT IN AEROSOL
Authors:   State Institution «The Institute of Environmental Geochemistry of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine», Zabulonov Yu. , Charny D. , Odukalec L. , Yaroshchuk D. , Puhach A. , Arkhypenko O. , Chernova N.
Published: December 2021

Sustainable development of any country is possible only if the stable supply of its population with drinking water in accordance with their needs, quantity and regulatory quality. This issue is extremely relevant for Ukraine as a low-water state, especially with the further negative impact of climatic and anthropogenic factors on the quality of source water. This is especially true of surface water sources in general and the Dnieper cascade of reservoirs in particular. The regulation of the Dnieper River, global warming and the increase in anthropogenic pressure in the form of a significant (at times) increase in polyphosphates and nitrogen compounds in the effluents entering the Dnieper River provokes catastrophic cyanide growth for four to five months a year. Outdated water treatment technologies are unable to combat this factor and use the only possible technological method for them to combat high organic matter of any genesis – increase the dose of chlorine and coagulants. This usually does not improve the quality of water purification, but leads to the sustainable formation of organochlorine compounds in the process of water purification and transportation. Chloroform is a constant marker of trihalogen methanes and its concentration is determined by water supply laboratories. Accordingly, we investigated the possibilities of oxidation of chloroform by means of complex oxides formed by corona discharge in a water-air medium in the mixing chamber of the ejector. The influence of medium pH on the process of chloroform destruction was studied. It has been experimentally established that even a weakly acidic environment does not allow the efficient oxidation of chloroform and leads to its recombination and even increases its concentration. At the same time, in an alkaline environment, the oxidation process is intense and with lower energy consumption.
INFLUENCE OF HEMOLITOTROPHIC MICROBIOTA ON THE EFFICIENCY OF ANTICORROSIVE TREATMENT OF STEEL PIPELINES WITH ORTHO-POLYPHOSPHATE REAGENTS ON THE EXAMPLE OF “SEA QUEST LIQUID”
Authors:   Institute of Water Problems and Land Reclamation NAAS, Matelyuk E. , Charny D. , Kovalenko O. , Onanko Yu. , Marysyk S.
Published: December 2021

It is noted that the overwhelming majority of water supply systems operating in Ukraine are made of steel or cast iron, which are subject to corrosion. It has been established that/ one of the ways to reduce the corrosiveness of drinking water is the use of an orthopolyphosphate preparation “SeaQuest Liquid” (TU U 20.5-V 0502222-001:2017). The results of studies of the effect of the “SeaQuest Liquid” preparation on organoleptic and physicochemical indicators of drinking water are presented. It was determined that the treatment of tap drinking water with the “SeaQuest Liquid” preparation does not affect organoleptic indicators, the average levels of which practically did not undergo significant changes during 5 months of observation and were within the hygienic standards. In water samples, the levels of substances that make up the “SeaQuest Liquid” preparation (polyphosphates, orthophosphates) were within the normative values. The quality of water treated with the “SeaQuest Liquid” orthophosphate preparation, according to the main sanitary and chemical indicators, except for iron, meets the requirements of the hygienic standards DSanPiN 2.2.4.171-10. In some water samples, the iron content in water exceeded the hygienic standard (0.2 mg/dm3) and went beyond the maximum permissible level (1.0 mg/dm3). Under the action of “SeaQuest Liquid” in water treated with sodium hypochlorite, a decrease in the Langelier index was observed: from -2,23 to -2,08 and from -1,79 to -1,70, which indicates a decrease in its corrosivity. In water untreated with sodium hypochlorite under the influence of the “SeaQuest Liquid” preparation, a slight increase in the Langelier index was observed: from -1,80 to -1,95 and from -1,85 to -2,78, from -2,01 to -2,13, which indicates an increase in its corrosiveness. In the presence of sulphate-reducing and thiobacteria in water, the “SeaQuest Liquid” preparation increases the corrosion rate of steel by 2,9-7,2 times; subject to additional disinfection of water with sodium hypochlorite, it reduces this indicator by 1,4-2,7 times.