bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional Safety Networks and Protocols in the Industrial Internet of Things Era
Authors: Peserico Giovanni , Morato Alberto , Tramarin Federico , Vitturi Stefano
Published: September 2021

Functional safety networks are becoming of paramount importance in industrial systems, due to the progressive innovation introduced by the Industry 4.0 paradigm, characterized by high production flexibility, reliability and scalability. In this context, new and challenging applications have emerged such as hyperautomation, which refers to the combination of machine vision, robotics, communication, and learning, with the explicit involvement of humans. This requires the pervasive and ubiquitous connectivity encompassed by the Industrial Internet of Things, typically achieved via wireless systems. As an example, wireless communications are today fundamental to open up to new categories of autonomous devices that can actively collaborate with human personnel in the production process. This challenging scenario has important implications for safety. Indeed, a reliable coordination among sensors, actuators and computing systems is required to provide satisfactory levels of safety, especially in the case of innovative processes and technologies, such as mobile and collaborative robotics. Hence, it becomes imperative to ensure the correct transfer of safety-critical data via communication networks. In this paper, we address the challenges concerned with functional safety networks and protocols in Industrial Internet of Things ecosystems. We first introduce the design characteristics of functional safety networks and discuss the adoption of safety protocols over wireless networks. Then, we specifically address one of such protocols, namely Fail Safety over EtherCAT (FSoE), and provide the results of an extensive experimental session carried out exploiting a prototype system, implemented using commercial devices based on a WiFi network. Finally, the outcomes of the experiments are used as a basis for a discussion about future trends of functional safety in the Industrial Internet of Things era.
Flexible Ultra-Thin Nanocomposite Based Piezoresistive Pressure Sensors for Foot Pressure Distribution Measurement
Authors: Rajendran Dhivakar , Ramalingame Rajarajan , Palaniyappan Saravanan , Wagner Guntram , Kanoun Olfa
Published: September 2021

Foot pressure measurement plays an essential role in healthcare applications, clinical rehabilitation, sports training and pedestrian navigation. Among various foot pressure measurement techniques, in-shoe sensors are flexible and can measure the pressure distribution accurately. In this paper, we describe the design and characterization of flexible and low-cost multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT)/Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) based pressure sensors for foot pressure monitoring. The sensors have excellent electrical and mechanical properties an show a stable response at constant pressure loadings for over 5000 cycles. They have a high sensitivity of 4.4 kΩ/kPa and the hysteresis effect corresponds to an energy loss of less than 1.7%. The measurement deviation is of maximally 0.13% relative to the maximal relative resistance. The sensors have a measurement range of up to 330 kPa. The experimental investigations show that the sensors have repeatable responses at different pressure loading rates (5 N/s to 50 N/s). In this paper, we focus on the demonstration of the functionality of an in-sole based on MWCNT/PDMS nanocomposite pressure sensors, weighing approx. 9.46 g, by investigating the foot pressure distribution while walking and standing. The foot pressure distribution was investigated by measuring the resistance changes of the pressure sensors for a person while walking and standing. The results show that pressure distribution is higher in the forefoot and the heel while standing in a normal position. The foot pressure distribution is transferred from the heel to the entire foot and further transferred to the forefoot during the first instance of the gait cycle.
Deep Recursive Bayesian Tracking for Fully Automatic Centerline Extraction of Coronary Arteries in CT Images
Authors: Jeon Byunghwan
Published: September 2021

Extraction of coronary arteries in coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography is a prerequisite for the quantification of coronary lesions. In this study, we propose a tracking method combining a deep convolutional neural network (DNN) and particle filtering method to identify the trajectories from the coronary ostium to each distal end from 3D CT images. The particle filter, as a non-linear approximator, is an appropriate tracking framework for such thin and elongated structures; however, the robust ‘vesselness’ measurement is essential for extracting coronary centerlines. Importantly, we employed the DNN to robustly measure the vesselness using patch images, and we integrated softmax values to the likelihood function in our particle filtering framework. Tangent patches represent cross-sections of coronary arteries of circular shapes. Thus, 2D tangent patches are assumed to include enough features of coronary arteries, and the use of 2D patches significantly reduces computational complexity. Because coronary vasculature has multiple bifurcations, we also modeled a method to detect branching sites by clustering the particle locations. The proposed method is compared with three commercial workstations and two conventional methods from the academic literature.
Subgroup Preference Neural Network
Authors: Elgharabawy Ayman , Prasad Mukesh , Lin Chin-Teng
Published: September 2021

Subgroup label ranking aims to rank groups of labels using a single ranking model, is a new problem faced in preference learning. This paper introduces the Subgroup Preference Neural Network (SGPNN) that combines multiple networks have different activation function, learning rate, and output layer into one artificial neural network (ANN) to discover the hidden relation between the subgroups’ multi-labels. The SGPNN is a feedforward (FF), partially connected network that has a single middle layer and uses stairstep (SS) multi-valued activation function to enhance the prediction’s probability and accelerate the ranking convergence. The novel structure of the proposed SGPNN consists of a multi-activation function neuron (MAFN) in the middle layer to rank each subgroup independently. The SGPNN uses gradient ascent to maximize the Spearman ranking correlation between the groups of labels. Each label is represented by an output neuron that has a single SS function. The proposed SGPNN using conjoint dataset outperforms the other label ranking methods which uses each dataset individually. The proposed SGPNN achieves an average accuracy of 91.4% using the conjoint dataset compared to supervised clustering, decision tree, multilayer perceptron label ranking and label ranking forests that achieve an average accuracy of 60%, 84.8%, 69.2% and 73%, respectively, using the individual dataset.
Wearable, Integrated EEG–fNIRS Technologies: A Review
Authors: Uchitel Julie , Vidal-Rosas Ernesto E. , Cooper Robert J. , Zhao Hubin
Published: September 2021

There has been considerable interest in applying electroencephalography (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) simultaneously for multimodal assessment of brain function. EEG–fNIRS can provide a comprehensive picture of brain electrical and hemodynamic function and has been applied across various fields of brain science. The development of wearable, mechanically and electrically integrated EEG–fNIRS technology is a critical next step in the evolution of this field. A suitable system design could significantly increase the data/image quality, the wearability, patient/subject comfort, and capability for long-term monitoring. Here, we present a concise, yet comprehensive, review of the progress that has been made toward achieving a wearable, integrated EEG–fNIRS system. Significant marks of progress include the development of both discrete component-based and microchip-based EEG–fNIRS technologies; modular systems; miniaturized, lightweight form factors; wireless capabilities; and shared analogue-to-digital converter (ADC) architecture between fNIRS and EEG data acquisitions. In describing the attributes, advantages, and disadvantages of current technologies, this review aims to provide a roadmap toward the next generation of wearable, integrated EEG–fNIRS systems.
ZnO Thin Films Growth Optimization for Piezoelectric Application
Authors: Polewczyk Vincent , Magrin Maffei Riccardo , Vinai Giovanni , Lo Cicero Matteo , Prato Stefano , Capaldo Pietro , Dal Zilio Simone , di Bona Alessandro , Paolicelli Guido , Mescola Andrea , D’Addato Sergio , Torelli Piero , Benedetti Stefania
Published: September 2021

The piezoelectric response of ZnO thin films in heterostructure-based devices is strictly related to their structure and morphology. We optimize the fabrication of piezoelectric ZnO to reduce its surface roughness, improving the crystalline quality, taking into consideration the role of the metal electrode underneath. The role of thermal treatments, as well as sputtering gas composition, is investigated by means of atomic force microscopy and x-ray diffraction. The results show an optimal reduction in surface roughness and at the same time a good crystalline quality when 75% O2 is introduced in the sputtering gas and deposition is performed between room temperature and 573 K. Subsequent annealing at 773 K further improves the film quality. The introduction of Ti or Pt as bottom electrode maintains a good surface and crystalline quality. By means of piezoelectric force microscope, we prove a piezoelectric response of the film in accordance with the literature, in spite of the low ZnO thickness and the reduced grain size, with a unipolar orientation and homogenous displacement when deposited on Ti electrode.
Is It Feasible to Conduct Post-Tuberculosis Assessments at the End of Tuberculosis Treatment under Routine Programmatic Conditions in China?
Authors: Lin Yan , Liu Yuqin , Zhang Guanghui , Cai Qinghe , Hu Weihua , Xiao Lixin , Thekkur Pruthu , Golub Jonathan E. , Harries Anthony D.
Published: September 2021

There is growing evidence that a substantial proportion of people who complete anti-tuberculosis treatment experience significant morbidity and mortality which can negatively affect their quality of life. It is suggested that national tuberculosis programs conduct end-of-treatment assessments, but whether this is feasible is currently not known. We therefore assessed whether tuberculosis program staff could assess functional and general health status of patients at the end of treatment in five TB clinics in four provinces in China. There were 115 patients, aged 14–82 years, who completed anti-tuberculosis treatment and a post-TB assessment. There were 54 (47%) patients who continued to have symptoms, the commonest being cough, dyspnea and fatigue. Symptom continuation was significantly more common in the 22 patients with diabetes (p = 0.027) and the 12 patients previously treated for TB (p = 0.008). There were 12 (10%) current smokers, an abnormal chest X-ray was found in 106 (92%) patients and distance walked in the 6-min walking test (6MWT) ranged from 30–750 m (mean 452 ± 120); 24 (21%) patients walked less than 400 m. Time taken to perform the post-TB assessment, including the 6MWT, ranged from 8–45 min (mean 21 ± 8 min). In 98% of the completed questionnaires, health workers stated that conducting post-TB assessments was feasible and useful. This study shows that post-TB assessments can be conducted under routine programmatic conditions and that there is significant morbidity that needs to be addressed.
Ionospheric Response along Meridian for the Certain Storm Using TEC and foF2
Authors: Maltseva Olga , Kharakhashyan Artem , Nikitenko Tatyana
Published: September 2021

For a long time, the equivalent ionospheric slab thickness τ has remained in the shadow of ionospheric main parameters: the maximum density, NmF2 (or the critical frequency, foF2), and the total electron content. Empirical global models have been developed for these two parameters. Recently, several global models of τ have appeared concurrently. This paper compares τ of the Neustrelitz equivalent slab thickness model (NSTM), with τ(IRI-Plas) of the IRI-Plas model, and τ(Appr) of the approximation model, constructed along the 30° E meridian using data from several ionosondes. The choice of the model of the best conformity with observational data was made, which was used to study the effects of space weather during several magnetic storms in March 2012. The effects included: (1) a transition from negative disturbances at high latitudes to positive ones at low latitudes, (2) the super-fountain effect, which had been revealed and explained in previous papers, (3) a deepening of the main ionospheric trough. The efficiency of using τ(Appr) and τ(IRI-Plas) models for studying the effects of space weather has been confirmed. The advantage of the τ(Appr) model is its closeness to real data. The advantage of the τ(IRI-Plas) model is the ability to determine foF2 without ionosondes. The efficiency of the NSTM model is insufficient for a role of a global τ model due to the accuracy decreasing with the increasing latitude.
Differential Effect of Vaccine Effectiveness and Safety on COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance across Socioeconomic Groups in an International Sample
Authors: Kerekes Stefania , Ji Mengdi , Shih Shu-Fang , Chang Hao-Yuan , Harapan Harapan , Rajamoorthy Yogambigai , Singh Awnish , Kanwar Shailja , Wagner Abram L.
Published: September 2021

Controlling the spread of SARS-CoV-2 will require high vaccination coverage, but acceptance of the vaccine could be impacted by perceptions of vaccine safety and effectiveness. The aim of this study was to characterize how vaccine safety and effectiveness impact acceptance of a vaccine, and whether this impact varied over time or across socioeconomic and demographic groups. Repeated cross-sectional surveys of an opt-in internet sample were conducted in 2020 in the US, mainland China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, and India. Individuals were randomized into receiving information about a hypothetical COVID-19 vaccine with different safety and effectiveness profiles (risk of fever 5% vs. 20% and vaccine effectiveness 50% vs. 95%). We examined the effect of the vaccine profile on vaccine acceptance in a logistic regression model, and included interaction terms between vaccine profile and socioeconomic/demographic variables to examine the differences in sensitivity to the vaccine profile. In total, 12,915 participants were enrolled in the six-country study, including the US (4054), China (2797), Taiwan (1278), Malaysia (1497), Indonesia (1527), and India (1762). Across time and countries, respondents had stronger preferences for a safer and more effective vaccine. For example, in the US in November 2020, acceptance was 3.10 times higher for a 95% effective vaccine with a 5% risk of fever, vs a vaccine 50% effective, with a 20% risk of fever (95% CI: 2.07, 4.63). Across all countries, there was an increase in the effect of the vaccine profile over time (p < 0.0001), with stronger preferences for a more effective and safer vaccine in November 2020 compared to August 2020. Sensitivity to the vaccine profile was also stronger in August compared to November 2020, in younger age groups, among those with lower income; and in those that are vaccine hesitant. Uptake of COVID-19 vaccines could vary in a country based upon effectiveness and availability. Effective communication tools will need to be developed for certain sensitive groups, including young adults, those with lower income, and those more vaccine hesitant.
Use of Intravaginal Progesterone-Releasing Device Results in Similar Pregnancy Rates and Losses to Long-Acting Progesterone to Synchronize Acyclic Embryo Recipient Mares
Authors: Segabinazzi Lorenzo G. T. M. , Andrade Luiz R. P. , Alvarenga Marco A. , Dell’Aqua Jose A. , Canisso Igor F.
Published: September 2021

The objectives of this study were: (1) to assess uterine features and serum progesterone concentrations of acyclic mares synchronized and resynchronized with intravaginal progesterone release device (IPRD), and (2) to compare pregnancy rates and losses of cyclic and acyclic embryo recipient mares treated with different synchronization protocols. In Experiment 1, mares (n = 12) received estradiol for 3 days (E2-3d), and then 24 h after the last injection, an IPRD was inserted and kept in place for 9 days. Three days after IPRD removal, mares were treated with E2-3d, and then a new IPRD was inserted and maintained for three days. Serum progesterone concentrations were assessed 2, 6, and 12 h after insertion and removal of IPRD, and then daily from the insertion of the first IPRD to one day after removal of the second IPRD. Experiment 2 was conducted with embryo recipient mares randomly assigned to four groups: (1) Cyclic: mares (n = 75) had ovulation confirmed after receiving a single dose of histrelin when a periovulatory follicle was first detected, (2) LAP4: acyclic mares (n = 92) were treated with E2-3d and then administered a single dose of LAP4 24 h after the last estradiol injection, (3) IPRD: acyclic mares (n = 130) were treated with E2-3d and an IPRD for 4–8 days, and (4) RE-IPRD: acyclic mares (n = 32) were synchronized as in the IPRD group but not used for embryo transfer (ET), then 8 to 15 days later, the mares were resynchronized with E2-3d and an IPRD for 4–8 days. In vivo-produced Day-8 embryos were collected and transferred 4–8 days after ovulation or progesterone treatments. Mares in IPRD and RE-IPRD groups had the intravaginal device removed immediately before ET, and then a new IPRD was inserted right after ET. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed at 5, 30, and 60 days after ET. Once pregnancy was confirmed, mares in the three acyclic groups received weekly injections of LAP4 (1.5 g) until 120 days of pregnancy. Mares in IPRD and RE-IPRD groups had the device removed three days after the first pregnancy diagnosis. In Experiment 1, progesterone concentrations increased rapidly starting 2 h after insertion of IPRD (p < 0.05); then, concentrations plateaued well above pregnancy maintenance until removal on days 9 and 3, respectively. Progesterone concentrations were reduced to baseline 24 h after IPRD removal (p < 0.05). For experiment 2, there was no difference in pregnancy rates across groups (65–74%) or pregnancy losses by 60 days of gestation (7–12%) (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the IPRD used herein resulted in a rapid increase and a sharp decline in progesterone concentrations upon its insertion and removal, respectively. Finally, our results demonstrated that IPRD could be a compatible alternative to LAP4 to synchronize and resynchronize acyclic embryo recipient mares.
THE IDEA OF AN «IDEAL TEACHER» IN THE LIFE AND CREATIVITY OF THE ACADEMICIAN I. A. ZIAZIUN (1938-2014)
Authors: Lavrinenko Oleksandr
Published: September 2021

The article deals with the scientific approaches of the outstanding Ukrainian educator, philosopher, organizer of pedagogical education I. A. Ziaziun (1938-2014) on the essence and content of the «ideal teacher» training; the academic work of the scientist in the domain of author’s ideas about the formation of the future teachers personality in the system of professional training, the development of leading universal values, humanistic principles of education and upbringing have been analyzed. Creative approaches to the formation of a high level of pedagogical activity-action – a dominant component of pedagogical skills have been elaborated.The scientific-theoretical approaches of I. A. Ziaziun to consideration the preparation specifics of an «ideal teacher» at pedagogical institutions of education, the formation of leading values, which should become a pledge of professional and pedagogical activities have been revealed.I. A. Ziaziun’s beliefs that an «ideal teacher» should be picked up from the school desk have been distinguished. «Ideal teacher» is first and foremost a person who provides a high level of communicative interaction, because all problems of learning and education are associated with ineffective communication, which is based on the lack of trust in the creative ability of the student’s personality and disrespect for his personality spontaneity motivated search for interest and meanings. It has been determined that the specificity of the «Ideal Teacher» personality as a subject of pedagogical action, according to I. A. Ziaziun consists of his personal qualities, experience, appearance, manners, behavior.It is proved that humanistic orientation of the teacher’s personality influence on the student’s behavior for the purpose of his subsequent change. Teacher’s actions are subordinated to the real interests of the individual. In this sense, the humanist orientation fully corresponds to the main tasks of personality-oriented pedagogy – to help a person in determining the relation to himself, other people, the world around him and his professional activities.As an unsurpassed  aesthete and theorist  of pedagogical skill,  I. A. Ziaziun defended the most up-to-date value of teacher profession – the beauty of pedagogical action. The scientist convinced that the basis of human life is a feeling. Teachers, regardless of specialty, should be saturated with positive feelings of the environment of their students.
CONVERGENCE OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF EDUCATION OF STUDENTS OF THE FACULTY OF PSYCHOLOGY AND PEDAGOGY OF POLTAVA V.G. KOROLENKO NATIONAL PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY
Authors: Sulaieva Nataliia
Published: September 2021

The article highlights the main aspects of the convergence of formal education of students of the Faculty of Psychology and Pedagogy of Poltava V. G. Korolenko National Pedagogical University with non-formal artistic education. It has been indicated that such a combination is possible due to the existence of an extensive network of artistic and creative groups at the faculty where non-formal artistic and educational activities are carried out. It has been emphasized that an important ground for the realization of this convergence was created by outstanding scientists, artists and public figures who worked at the university since its foundation. It has been determined that a new key point in the artistic education of the students of the Poltava pedagogical University is the period of the rectorate of the philosopher and the teacher I. Ziaziun. It has been stressed that during his leadership an overwhelming majority of artistic and creative groups were organized, which together with the newly formed nowadays are the centers of convergence of formal education of future specialists with non-formal artistic education. It has been noted that the activities of the participants of these groups influence the improvement of teacher training for the New Ukrainian School.The article describes the key competencies that are developed in the context of non-formal education: awareness and expression in the field of culture, social and civic competence, communication in the state language, etc. It has been noted that the artistic and educational activity of students in artistic and creative groups contributes to the development of the orientation of future specialists for the needs of each individual and the awareness of future educators of the through-all process of education, aimed at the formation of universal, national and personal values of the younger generation.
SCIENTIFIC SCHOOL OF ACADEMICIAN I. A. ZIAZIUN: AXIOLOGICAL ACTUALITIES OF DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Vovk Myroslava , Gryshchenko Julia
Published: September 2021

The article presents the analysis of axiological foundations in the development of the scientific school of academician I. A. Ziaziun. It covers the conceptual idea of the scientific school of the scholar, based on ethical and aesthetic orientations of the pedagogical activity of a teacher, philosophical principles of the "pedagogy of good", value priorities of reforming the modern education and science. There are outlined basic directions of pedagogical studies of the scientific school: theoretical and methodological foundations in the development of pedagogical education, functioning of the system of postgraduate education, theory and practice of art education, professional training for teachers of art disciplines, personological aspect in the development of educational thought, foreign experience in training teachers, art studies in the course of defining the pedagogical potential of art, psychological and pedagogical aspects of in the development of children and young adults, retrospective of forming the national education, etc.Axiological actualities in the heritage of academician I. A. Ziaziun determine leading directions in the development of his scientific school of theory and practice of pedagogical skills, known in Ukraine and abroad. Perspective ideas of the academician, which contribute to the effectiveness of reformational changes in the educational and scientific development of the Ukrainian society, are being developed by scholars of the Institute of Pedagogical  and Adult Education  of the National Academy  of  Educational  Sciences  of  Ukraine,  where  under  the  mentorship  of I. A. Ziaziun formed a brilliant group of contemporary scholars, individuals with high methodological culture, fundamental training, and the humanistic style of scientific thinking. The heritage of the academician and ideas of his scientific school will be complemented by the generation of students, professors, teachers, scholars, and will always find the creative potential of research works, as well as the powerful resource for personal and professional growth.
WOMEN'S CHARITY IN EDUCATION OF UKRAINE THROUGH THE ASSESSMENT OF THE XXI CENTURY
Authors: Ilchenko Olena
Published: September 2021

The article deals with the historical and pedagogical assessment of women's charitable experience in education of Ukraine in the 17th century – the last quarter of the 18th century. The parameters of the assessment of women’s charity are chosen: a) the expansion of the network of schools, improving their material base; b) the ability of schools to provide high-quality training of students; c) the level of financial security of the educational institution; d) education of spiritual and moral values of the person, the formation of their internal needs and beliefs to develop education industry is based on the principles of charity and humanity.The determining of parameters and factors has an impact on their formation when the data are taken into account. They are: the level of development of the society, socio-political conditions, the state of the economy in the country, the identified priorities in education policy, the place of the state on the international arena. In the context of the stated, the modern assessment of the experience of the charitable activities of women in Ukrainian education in the 17th century – the last quarter of the 18th century is made from positions of comprehension: 1) the spiritually-moral phenomenon; 2) the historical-pedagogical phenomenon; 3) social- public phenomenon; 4) socio-economic phenomenon.The study highlights the fact of the historical existence of women’s charitable activities as an effective tool of the development of education in Ukraine testifies to the vitality and sustainability of this phenomenon, its ability to evolve, develop adequately updated and flexibly respond to dynamic changes in the socio-economic, cultural and spiritual life of the society.According to the prognostic-projective potential of women's charity, we believe in modern conditions of entering of Ukraine into the global educational dimension, it is the charity as a socio-civic, socio-economic and professionally organized force (along with the public programs support) has become an important means of building and development of the educational sector, which provides the personal well-being of the person, the economic prosperity of the state, its power and authority.
AUGMENTED REALITY PROJECT CREATION USING THE AUGMENTEDCLASS MOBILE APPLICATION FOR THE PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS’ GRAPHIC COMPETENCE FORMATION
Authors: Poliakov S. , Hrytsenko L.
Published: September 2021

The article analyzes the new possibilities of using information and technical means in the educational processes of labor education in a secondary educational institution, in particular, in the process of primary school students’ graphic competence formation. The multimedia application AugmentedClass is defined as an effective means of constructing labor training lessons with drawing elements, which provides step-by-step visualization of complex and simple constructions.

The aim of the study is a comprehensive analysis of the augmented reality technology introduction in the educational process of forming primary school students’ graphic competence, as well as studying the features of the technology adaptation in future labor education and technology teacher training.

It has been found that the AugmentedClass application is specially designed for the use of augmented and virtual reality projects in the educational process. The authors describe a set of functions and capabilities for creating multimedia content using mobile and computer devices based on the Android operating system, which is available to teachers and pupils.

It is concluded that the use of augmented reality using AugmentedClass in the process of forming primary school students’ graphic competence provides the following opportunities: to increase children’s interest in educational information through interactive content, to form components of competence with the help of augmented reality technology, and diversifies the educational process with innovative forms of work. It increases primary school students’ motivation to independent educational and cognitive activities through the implementation of game, competitive and cognitive stimuli, allows developing innovative types of visual learning tasks of generalizing and systematizing nature, which intensify primary school students’ educational work. The educational content development takes such an organizational form that is attractive to children, provides conditions for personal qualities development, and leads to increased independence and self-esteem of their academic achievements.
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGNING THE CONTENT OF PROFESSIONALLY-ORIENTED INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION FUTURE VOCATIONAL EDUCATION TEACHER TRAINING
Authors: Onipko V. , Maksymenko N. , Lytvyn V.
Published: September 2021

The article substantiates the theoretical and methodological principles of vocational education and training content modernization. It describes the modern principles of vocational education content designing for future vocational education teacher in the field of agricultural production training. Based on theoretical analysis and taking into account the features and requirements for information and communication future vocational education teacher in the field of agricultural production training, criteria for selection and construction of content-oriented information and communication teacher training are selected. They are the following: determination of this content by the structure of professional activity and object (subject) study; functional completeness; minimum required content; interdisciplinary support and professional expediency; compliance of the complexity of the time allotted for mastering the content with the established methods; typicality; the effectiveness of the elements of the organized training process to motivate future professionals to use ICT in future professional activities; relevance; compliance with the content of the existing educational and methodological support of classes. The necessity of using the offered criteria as a tool for evaluation and selection of content, which ensures the implementation of the training goals, information literacy, and professionalism of modern vocational education, which can be considered through the synthesis of competencies containing visual-methodical, psychological-pedagogical and ICT components.
THEORETICAL BASES OF PUPILS’ KEY COMPETENCES FORMATION AT LABOR EDUCATION LESSONS
Authors: Hrytsenko L. , Liashenko S.
Published: September 2021

The article, taking into account the modern social order for the education system for the upbringing of a person capable of self-realization and self-awareness in the realities of modern life, describes human competencies as indicators that determine a pupil’s readiness to participate in society and school labor education in this aspect. Key competencies are interpreted as a set of personal qualities combined into a complex of a certain level of knowledge, skills, attitudes that affect a wide range of activities (learning skills, general culture, citizenship, information and communication technologies, the desire to preserve health, etc.).

The importance of developing pupils’ holistic thinking at labor education lessons in secondary school is described as the ability to see each problem as a whole, imagine its scale and significance, connect a large number of small details, and contextualize knowledge. Relevant pupils’ skills are defined, in particular the ability to work in a team, use information technology, think critically, and resolve conflicts. For teachers these skills are the ability to direct the arsenal of pedagogical influences on students, and to form key competencies.

The factors of pupils’ key competencies formation at labor education lessons are singled out. They are the following: the attention of the pedagogical community to the issue; construction of a balanced content of the subject; development of pupils’ cognitive interests in labor training and technology.
SPECIFIC FEATURES OF THE FORMATION OF THE MICROSTRUCTURE OF GRANULAR AGGREGATES ON DIFFERENT BINDING COMPOSITIONS (PART 3)
Authors: Zagorodnyuk L. , Ryzhih V. , Mahortov D. , Sinebok D.
Published: September 2021

This article represents a logical continuation of the research results presented in the previous publication and reflects the results of studies of the effect of the binder composition No. 3 (BC-3) on the formation of the microstructure and physical and mechanical properties of granular aggregates. The experimental results demonstrate that the best indicators of the strength of granular aggregates are provided with the adding of BC-3 in an amount of 15%, regardless of the fractional composition of quartz sand. In addition, the density of crystalline formations reflecting the microstructure of the samples directly affects the physical and mechanical properties of the composites. On dispersed micro fillers, as on a base plate, a dense microcrystalline structure of new formations of hydrated calcium silicates is formed. The addition of 15% binder composition No. 3 (BC-3) to the component composition of granular aggregates ensures the stability of physical and mechanical properties. Thus, they can be recommended for use as coarse aggregates in the preparation of special-purpose mortar mixtures
Diet of the introduced Gough Moorhen Gallinula comeri on Tristan da Cunha
Authors: Bond Alexander L , McClelland Gregory
Published: September 2021

Gough Moorhens Gallinula comeri were introduced to Tristan da Cunha in the 1950s, and are now numerous in lowland habitat, filling the ecological niche of the extinct Tristan Moorhen G. nesiotis. On their native Gough Island, moorhens have a varied diet, ranging from vegetation and fruits to scavenging and even predatory behaviour. Here, we examined the stomach contents of four birds on Tristan da Cunha to provide insight into their diet. Moorhens mostly ate vegetation, but we also recorded spiders (Arthropoda: Aranea), earthworms (Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae), remains of introduced rodents (Mus musculus), and anthropogenic debris. As on Gough Island, moorhens on Tristan have a generalist diet, and the impact of ecosystem restoration (and of the moorhens themselves) should be considered.
Universal Health Coverage for Non-communicable Diseases and Health Equity: Reflections on the Role of Ideas and Democratic Decision-Making; Comment on "Universal Health Coverage for Non-Communicable Diseases and Health Equity: Lessons from Australian Primary Healthcare"
Authors: Paremoer Lauren
Published: September 2021

Fisher et al have published a thought-provoking article exploring the complex relationship between universal health coverage (UHC) and equity. This commentary builds on two of the lessons they highlight: the importance of ideas in determining how exactly UHC advances equity, and the political difficulties of addressing the commercial determinants of health. I argue that equity in UHC can be advanced through interventions that address popular prejudices against public health systems, greater emphasis on structural and commercial drivers of ill-health in health professionals’ training, and by ensuring meaningful public participation in decision-making about the institutionalisation and management of UHC. These strategies are important for ensuring that the political, power-laden nature of concepts such as "universality", "health" and "care" are explicitly acknowledged and publicly debated – rather than continuing the current trend of allowing technocrats to reduce UHC to a matter of efficiently and expeditiously financing curative healthcare services.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Outpatient Service in Primary Healthcare Institutions: An Inspiration From Yinchuan of China
Authors: Xu Lu , Zhuo Lin , Zhang Jie , Yang Wu , Liu Guozhen , Zhan Siyan , Wang Shengfeng , Xiao Huijie
Published: September 2021

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has posed a great challenge to the healthcare system. This study evaluated the impact of the pandemic on the utilization of primary healthcare (PHC). Methods: The outpatient data from 158 PHC institutions in Yinchuan from May 1, 2017 to April 30, 2020 were used. The difference in difference (DID) model was used to analyze the difference in the number of outpatient visits per day, total outpatient expenditure per day, and outpatient expenditure per visit between December 2019 and February 2020 compared with the same periods in two previous years. The autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) modelling was used to investigate the association between the outpatient volume and the number of the last week’s new COVID-19 cases in Yinchuan, Ningxia, and China. Results: From December 2019 to February 2020, the decline in the number of outpatient visits per day (DID: -367.21 times, P=.004) was larger than that in two previous years, and a similar trend can be seen in the outpatient expenditure per day. However, the rise in the outpatient expenditure per visit (DID: 19.06 thousand yuan, P=.003) was larger than that in two previous years. In 2020, the outpatient visits for most types of diseases decreased from week 3 and rebounded after week 5. The decline and rebound of outpatient visits in the population aged 45 years and older were steeper than in those younger. The outpatient volume was negatively associated with the number of the last week’s new COVID-19 cases. Conclusion: This study indicated a significant impact of the pandemic on PHC service utilization. Since PHC service is the foundation of the healthcare system in most developing countries, measures should be taken to make PHC help cope with the crisis and relieve the burden of hospital care.
Financial Assistance for Health Security: Effects of International Financial Assistance on Capacities for Preventing, Detecting, and Responding to Public Health Emergencies
Authors: Boyce Matthew R. , Meyer Mark J. , Kraemer John D. , Katz Rebecca
Published: September 2021

Background: Health security funding is intended to improve capacities for preventing, detecting, and responding to public health emergencies. Recent years have witnessed substantial increases in the amounts of donor financial assistance to health security from countries, philanthropies, and other development partners. To date, no work has examined the effects of assistance on health security capacity development over time. This paper presents an analysis of the time-lagged effects of assistance for health security (AHS) on levels of capacity. Methods: We collected publicly available health security assessment scores published between 2010 and 2019 and data relating to financial AHS. Using validated methods, we rescaled assessment scores on analogous scales to enable comparison and binned them in quartiles. We then used a distributed lag model (DLM) in a Bayesian ordinal regression framework to assess the effects of AHS on capacity development over time. Results: Strong evidence exists for associations between financial assistance and select capacities on a variety of lagged time intervals. Financial assistance had positive effects on zoonotic disease capacities in the year it was disbursed, and positive effects on legislation, laboratory, workforce, and risk communication capacities one year after disbursal. Financial assistance had negative effects on laboratory and emergency response capacities two years after it was disbursed. Financial assistance did not have measurable effects on coordination, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), food safety, biosafety, surveillance, or response preparedness capacities over the timeframe considered. Conclusion: Financial AHS is associated with positive effects for several core health security capacities. However, for the majority of capacities, levels of funding were not significantly associated with capacity level, though we cannot fully exclude endogeneity. Future work should continue to investigate these relationships in different contexts and examine other factors that may contribute to capacity development.
Individual and Contextual Factors Associated With Maternal and Child Health Essential Health Services Indicators: A Multilevel Analysis of Universal Health Coverage in 58 Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Authors: Anjorin Seun S. , Ayorinde Abimbola A. , Oyebode Oyinlola , Uthman Olalekan A.
Published: September 2021

Background: Universal health coverage (UHC) is part of the global health agenda to tackle the lack of access to essential health services (EHS). This study developed and tested models to examine the individual, neighbourhood and country-level determinants associated with access to coverage of EHS under the UHC agenda in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods: We used datasets from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHSs) of 58 LMICs. Suboptimal and optimal access to EHS were computed using nine indicators. Descriptive and multilevel multinomial regression analyses were performed using R and STATA. Results: The prevalence of suboptimal and optimal access to EHS varies across the countries, the former ranging from 5.55% to 100%, and the latter ranging from 0% to 90.36% both in Honduras and Colombia, respectively. In the fully adjusted model, children of mothers with lower educational attainment (relative risk ratio [RRR] 2.11, 95% credible interval [CrI] 1.92 to 2.32) and those from poor households (RRR 1.79, 95% CrI 1.61 to 2.00) were more likely to have suboptimal access to EHS. Also, those with health insurance (RRR 0.72, 95% CrI 0.59 to 0.85) and access to media (RRR 0.59, 95% CrI 0.51 to 0.67) were at lesser risk of having suboptimal EHS. Similar trends, although in the opposite direction, were observed in the analysis involving optimal access. The intra-neighbourhood and intra-country correlation coefficients were estimated using the intercept component variance; 57.50%% and 27.70% of variances in suboptimal access to EHS are attributable to the neighbourhood and country-level factors. Conclusion: Neighbourhood-level poverty, illiteracy, and rurality modify access to EHS coverage in LMICs. Interventions aimed at achieving the 2030 UHC goals should consider integrating socioeconomic and living conditions of people.
Research in Hard-to-Reach Populations: Challenges and Strategies for Conducting Sexual Violence Studies in Applicants for International Protection Beyond the European General Data Protection Regulation
Authors: De Schrijver Lotte , Cismaru Inescu Adina , Hahaut Bastien , Vandeviver Christophe , Nisen Laurent , Keygnaert Ines
Published: September 2021

Background: Conducting research in hard-to-reach populations such as applicants for international protection (AIPs) brings along a number of research challenges. This is especially true for sexual violence (SV) research. Methods: We developed a study design with the intent to reach AIPs in a randomized and anonymous manner including potential illiterate respondents as well, while avoiding as much bias as possible. However, this method was developed just before the entry into force of the new European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), upon which important new research challenges emerged. Results: This paper describes the original study design developed to estimate SV prevalence in AIPs in Belgium. We discuss the impact of the GDPR on the recruitment strategy applied to conduct a survey on SV in a randomly selected sample of AIPs, the adapted approach to conduct the study beyond GDPR and lessons learned for future research on sensitive topics in hard-to-reach populations such as AIPs. Conclusion: To achieve reliable prevalence numbers and provide high-quality data on SV in AIPs while respecting the GDPR regulations, studies will require an approach that has become significantly more time consuming and resource-intensive to implement.
The effect of hemoperfusion on the recovery of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients; case series and review study
Authors: Hajian Sepideh , Rastgoo Nafiseh
Published: September 2021

Hemoperfusion is an effective modality in removing certain toxins from the blood, especially those that bind to proteins in the body. Hemoperfusion has shown a therapeutic effect on COVID-19 patients. In this case series, we report four patients without effective results following the use of hemoperfusion on the recovery of COVID-19 patients. This study is a case series which carried out on four patients referred to COVID-19 ward of Velayat hospital in Qazvin, Iran. The mean age of the COVID-19 patients was 52.75 ± 18 years. The mean stay at the hospital was 21.5 ± 15.15 days. This study showed that hemoperfusion cannot show a significant therapeutic effect on COVID-19.
Identification of etiologic agents of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis in patients from Isfahan, Iran
Authors: Shirani Kiana , Allameh Zahra , Moshtzan Azadeh
Published: September 2021

Introduction: Occurrence of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), as a common condition in women of childbearing age, is increasing all over the world as a result of extensive use of antibiotics and antifungal drugs. Objectives: In the present study to gain the up-to-date information on involved species and the prevalence of the recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) in Isfahan, Iran, we assessed the etiologic agents of aforementioned disease in women referred to the Al-Zahra hospital (Isfahan, Iran). Furthermore, we surveyed the possible relationship between age, education and marital status with prevalence of albicans and non-albicans candidiasis. Patients and Methods: Our study was conducted on subjects who were admitted to the gynecology and midwifery clinic between September 2017 and August 2018 and had clinical presentations of vulvovaginitis. Sampling of 100 women was done using sterile swab. Samples were transferred to the hospital laboratory for cellular and molecular investigations. Results:Candida albicans was the main pathogen involved in the pathogenesis of RVVC and Candida glabrata is the second most common pathogen. Moreover, none of the 100 cases that we tested were infected with Candida krusei. We found a meaningful relationship between age and RVVC triggered by Candida albicans (P<0.05) but there was no significant relationship between age and RVVC that triggered by non-albicans fungi. There was no meaningful correlation between levels of education, number of children and types of delivery with RVVC that infected by various albicans and non-albicans candidiasis (P>0.05). Conclusion:Candidaalbicans was the main pathogen involved in the pathogenesis of RVVC in Isfahan while Candida glabrata is the second most common pathogen. Despite their high cost, molecular methods have high value in accurate diagnosis of the RVVC.