bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bone fractures in children with celiac disease: analysis of clinical and anthropometric measurements and bone metabolism markers
Authors: Klimov L. Ya. , Kuryaninova V. A. , Cherkasova E. A. , Yagupova A. V. , Dolbnya S. V. , Zakharova I. N. , Abramskaya L. M. , Ivenskaya T. A. , Kashnikova S. N. , Kochneva L. D. , Utkina G. Yu. , Bobryshev D. V. , Karaikozova A. A. , Ermakova E. A.
Published: July 2023

Introduction. Abnormal bone remodelling process is one of the clinical manifestations of celiac disease, which increases the risk of developing osteopenia conditions, including bone fractures. The median age for the first fracture is similar in celiac disease and in the general population, but the incidence is higher in patients with celiac disease.

Aim. To compare clinical and anamnestic characteristics, anthropometric measurements and laboratory test results in celiac children and adolescents with and without bone fractures.

Materials and methods. A total of 151 children aged 1-17 years were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups: those who had fractures in their lifetime - 21 (13.9%) children and those who had no fractures - 130 (86.1%) children. Results. The frequency of fractures among the patients included in the study was 13.9%, while among children with vitamin D deficiency fractures were reported 2.7 times more often than among children with its optimal level (p = 0.019).

Vitamin D deficiency was detected in 20 (95.2%) children with fractures, and levels of 30 ng/ml or higher were found in 1 (4.8%) child. In the group of patients without fractures, the 25(OH)D optimal level was observed in 43 (33.1%) cases.

It was found that patients with fractures had a significantly lower osteocalcin level than children without fractures - 26.9 (15.6; 32.9) ng/ml (p < 0.001), and children with fractures had C-terminal telopeptide level 1.9 times higher than the group of children without fractures (p = 0.01). The median PTH concentration in children with fractures was 34.6 (19.6; 54.7) pg/ml, whereas in children without fractures it was 24.2 (17.1; 39.5) pg/ml (p = 0.1).

Conclusion. Due to elevated PTH level and severe vitamin D deficiency, a predominance of osteoresorption over osteosynthesis was observed in children with celiac disease and fractures of tubular bones. It is important to maintain a 25(OH)D optimal level and monitor biochemical markers of bone metabolism in patients with celiac disease to assess the processes of bone formation and resorption.
Modern concepts of clinical variants and features of hypersensitivity pneumonitis in children
Authors: Lev N. S. , Mizernitskiy Yu. L.
Published: July 2023

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) (J67) is the most common interstitial lung disease in children and adolescents. The disease is immunologically determined, it can be a disease when exposed to various factors that cause harmful effects on the environment. The most significant are thermophilic actinomycetes, antigens of animal and fungal origin. Currently, cases of “two cases of infection” have been identified, when a genetic predisposition has been identified in case of detection of cases of antigen results in the implementation of diseases. Immunological studies in GP are mainly focused on identifying specific IgG to the “guilty” antigen. High-resolution computed tomography is the most sensitive method of visualizing the GP, pathological changes are detected in more than 90% of patients. According to the characteristics of the clinical course and duration of the disease, acute (lasting less than 6 months) and chronic (more than 6 months) variants of the disease are distinguished. The formation of fibrosis of the lung tissue up to the honeycomb lung is observed in approximately 18% of cases. There are variants of HP: with fibrous and non-fibrous (inflammatory) phenotype. The basis of drug therapy so far is systemic and inhaled glucocorticosteroids, the use of which is pathogenetically substantiated and clinically effective. The prospects for therapy are also associated with the use of antifibrotic drugs: pirfenidone and nintedanib, which slow down the decline in lung function and improve patient survival. At the same time, the exclusion of contact with a causally significant allergen plays a key role. Our own observations concern 280 children with GP aged 8 months to 16 years, including 70 patients in the first year of life. Most patients had a hereditary allergic burden (in 74%) and a causal factor was traced. The prognosis, with rare exceptions, was favorable. The main reasons for poor outcomes in GP are continued contact with a causally significant allergen, late diagnosis of the disease, and inadequate therapy.
Functional constipation in preschool and school age children: ways to solve the problem
Authors: Panova L. D.
Published: July 2023

Functional constipation is a significant medical problem in pediatrics. Constipation often causes discomfort in children of any age and, in the absence of timely and effective treatment, can lead to chronic intoxication and the development of various complications, ultimately affecting the patient's quality of life. The article presents the definition of functional constipation in children over 4 years of age in accordance with the Rome IV Criteria (2016), etiology, pathophysiological mechanisms, clinic, diagnostic criteria and differential diagnosis of functional and organic constipation in preschool and school age children, possible complications. In accordance with the draft Consensus of the Society of Pediatric Gastroenterologists (2013), for a more objective assessment of the nature of the stool, the Bristol scale of stool forms is given. The physiology of the colon and the role of motor disorders in the occurrence of functional constipation are described. The physiology of the colon and the role of motor disorders in the occurrence of functional constipation are described. In accordance with the recommendations of the National School of Gastroenterology, the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the UK, ESPGHAN and NASPGHAN, the basic principles of constipation therapy in preschool and school age children are given. The main groups of drugs that are used in the treatment of constipation in children of this age are described: stimulating and osmotic laxatives, prokinetics. Numerous foreign studies and clinical recommendations indicate that stimulants are effective and safe for the treatment of functional constipation, including in children's practice and are most in demand. The analysis of the use of one of the main drugs of the group of stimulating laxatives - sodium picosulfate in numerous international and Russian clinical studies is presented. The effectiveness and favorable safety profile of sodium picosulfate, the possibility of individual dose selection in connection with the liquid form of release are shown. A clinical example of the treatment of functional constipation in a 6-year-old child is given.
Trastuzumab deruxtecan heralds new era in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer
Authors: Lubennikova E. V. , Artamonova E. V.
Published: July 2023

Trastuzumab deruxtecan is a new generation Her2-directed antibody-cytostatic conjugate. The unique structure of the molecule, innovative pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of the drug allows its effect to be extended not only to the target cells, but also to nearby tumour cells, causing their death. This phenomenon has become known as the abscopal effect, due to which the drug demonstrates effectiveness regardless of the degree of Her2 expression. In clinical trials, trastuzumab deruxtecan therapy significantly outperformed the standard treatment options in patients with Her2-positive breast cancer. Thus, the median time to progression was 17.8 months in patients who were exposed to multiple lines of therapy, including trastuzumab-emtansine, vs 6.9 months in the control group treated with the combination of capecitabine and anti-Her2 agents (RR 0.36, 95% CI 0.28–0.45), which has resulted in a significant prolongation of patients’ lives. The median overall survival reached 39.2 months, while it remained at the level of 26.5 months in the control group (RR 0.6575; 95% CI 0.5023–0.8605; p = 0.0021). In a direct comparison of treatment, trastuzumab deruxtecan was superior to trastuzumab emtansine, significantly increasing the median progression-free survival by 4 times: 28.8 vs. 6.8 months (RR 0.33, 95% CI 0.26–0.43). It also had advantages in terms of objective response rates, quality of life measures, and overall survival. Trastuzumab deruxtecan demonstrated high efficacy in the treatment of HER2-low tumours (Her2-low mBC), surpassing the standard chemotherapy options in all evaluated parameters in pre-treated patients. This article presents the results ofthe main clinical trials of trastuzumab derukstecan, additionally discusses its efficacy in CNS metastatic lesions, highlights the safety issues of the drug.
Targeted therapy for МЕТ-positive non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Laktionov K. K. , Reutova E. V.
Published: July 2023

Opportunities in the treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are expanding every year. New targets are em erging for molecular-directed antitumor therapy, the so-called targeted therapy. One of such promising targets is damage to the MET gene. Taking into account the large number of active targets in NSCLC, the time factor and the limited amount of tumor material, conducting extensive genomic testing using NGS is preferable to routine diagnostic methods.Mutation in the form of omission of the 14 exon of MET (METex14) occurs with a frequency of 3–4%, amplification of the MET gene – in 2–4% of cases. There is evidence that these disorders correlate with a poor prognosis. At the same time, the METex14 mutation and a high level of copyness are potential predictor markers for the response to capmatinib. For molecular genetic testing, the next-generation sequencing method is optimal, which makes it possible to detect multiple, including rare disorders. Capmatinib is a low molecular weight selective reversible MET inhibitor. In preclinical studies, the drug proved effective against various types of activation of the MET signaling pathway. Clinical studies have confirmed its high antitumor activity. In the GEOMETRY mono1 study, the objective response (OR) in patients with the METex14 mutation as the first line was among 68%, in pretreated patients – 41%, with a median response duration of 12.6 months and 9.7 months, respectively. The drug demonstrated high intracranial activity, regardless of whether radiation therapy was previously performed or not. Objective antitumor response and clinical improvement to targeted therapy with capmatinib are realized fairly quickly. The results obtained during the clinical trial were reproduced in routine practice. The drug has an acceptable toxicity profile. Capmatinib is the first and so far the only drug in the Russian Federation approved for the treatment of patients with a mutation of the MET gene.
A Ferrovia Norte-Sul e sua influência no desempenho econômico dos municípios goianos
Authors: Rezende Campos Flávia , Pereira de Almeida Mota Bruna , Ferreira dos Reis Matheus
Published: July 2023

O objetivo deste artigo é analisar a influência da Ferrovia Norte-Sul (FNS) no desempenho dos municípios goianos entre os anos de 2007-2017 a partir da hipótese de que pode existir uma relação positiva entre a rede de transportes e o desenvolvimento econômico regional e local. Para tanto, a metodologia utilizada envolveu o estudo da bibliografia teórica e empírica com um resgate histórico da infraestrutura de transporte na região central do país, com destaque para a FNS, sua localização e influência na logística do Estado de Goiás. Também foram realizadas análises econométricas com o objetivo de verificar as modificações nas variáveis municipais: PIB per capita, remuneração média do trabalhador, emprego formal e receita tributária, a partir da construção e operação da FNS no território goiano. O resultado empírico indicou que, apesar de as ferrovias promoverem um melhor desempenho para a economia, somente a sua construção não é suficiente para a promoção do crescimento econômico dos municípios, inclusive os goianos, como apontaram os resultados dos modelos estimados. Concluiu-se, portanto, que se faz necessária também a ação articulada dos modais de transporte, operadores, clientes e das políticas públicas para a efetivação dos propósitos de integração e desenvolvimento que a FNS poderia proporcionar.
Аппаратно-программный комплекс для проведения тензотреморометрических измерений в психофизиологических исследованиях
Authors: Белинский Артём В. , Девишвили Важа М. , Черноризов Александр М. , Лобин Михаил А.
Published: July 2023

Introduction. One of the methods of assessing human psychoemotional reactions (PER) is measuring motor system activity. Traditionally, to register involuntary components of PER methods of measuring physiological tremor are used. This paper presents comparative analysis of different methods for tremor registration and also presents a description of a new pen-shaped device outfitted with tensometric sensors to assess severity of stress PER.
Methods. The device includes tensometric sensors connected to analog-digital conversion device and microcontroller in order to translate the signal to administrator’s terminal. The signal contains tensotremorometric data from three fingers, corrected according to maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) of the subject. Said signal is then divided into overlapping segments which are then filtered for the frequency of physiological tremor and analyzed using Epps-Singleton criteria.
Results. A plan of study that allows to assess severity of stress reaction using presented device is tested. It is shown that if a stressor is introduced, then changes of the background tensotremorogram coincides with the moment of stressor introduction. A prototype for software-hardware complex for assessing PER based on tensotremometry registration and analysis is introduced.
Discussion. Hypotheses regarding the specifics of connection between tensotremorogram changes and stressor characteristics are formulated. Further developments of technology are discussed.
Особенности совладающего поведения юношей и девушек с разным уровнем здоровья
Authors: Ельникова Оксана Е. , Фаустова Ирина В. , Комлик Любовь Ю.
Published: July 2023

Introduction. This paper addresses health issues of the modern young generation and introduces new experimental designs to examine the relationship between health and the most preferred coping strategies of young people, which can enable a broader study of the issue of health protection through the development of conscious and rational behaviors, including in stressful situations. The paper presents an analysis of the concept of health from the interdisciplinary perspective. The focus is on the necessity of considering a single sociopsychological aspect of health, including its somatic, social, and personal levels. Stress affects human health and stress resistance helps maintain mental and physical health.
Methods. The experimental study aimed to identify the characteristics of coping behaviors of young men and women with different health levels. The study sample comprised male and female students of Bunin Yelets State University (N = 540, mean age of 20 ± 2.3 years). The study used (a) the questionnaire to identify the level of health and (b) the Ways of Coping Questionnaire by R. Lazarus modified by T. L. Kryukova, E. V. Kuftyak, and M. S. Zamyshlyaeva. The statistical analysis of the results was carried out using descriptive statistics (frequency analysis, analysis of ingroup mean values and standard deviations), Pearson’s chi-square test, and non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test.
Results. The results of the study indicated that young men and women with different health levels use different coping forms. Young women with health problems use productive coping more often than young men. The higher the level of health of young men, the more likely they are to use productive coping.
Discussion. The study shows that the negative experiences of young women associated with the symptoms of chronic diseases enabled female respondents to adapt better to stressful situations associated with health losses. At the same time, health losses as stress factors affect the level of constructiveness in choosing models of behavior for young men and women.
Личностные предикторы стрессоустойчивости медицинских работников
Authors: Ясько Бэла А. , Скрипниченко Людмила С. , Стриханов Сергей Н. , Тедорадзе Диана Д.
Published: July 2023

Introduction. The article explores the problem of personal predictors of stress resistance of medical workers - subjects of clinical activity, insufficiently studied in the context of the predictor role of personal potential and its significant psychological education – dispositional optimism. The purpose of the study: to identify the relationships of optimism, properties that form personality adaptability, and neuropsychiatric resistance to determine the predictor role of the components of personal potential in the stress resistance of subjects of clinical activity.
Methods. Applied: "Boston Stress Resistance Test", C. Scheyer and M. Carver optimism test, personality social adaptability questionnaire. Sample: doctors and nurses of medical and preventive institutions in Krasnodar (85 people). Statistical analysis was performed using methods of parametric, multifunctional and multivariate statistics in the SPSS-26 environment.
Results. Subjects have a medium-high level of stress resistance, with high stress resistance prevailing among nurses (p < 0.05), and normal (medium) - in physicians (p < 0.01). The «positive expectations» indicator at the "high" and "above average" levels is set at 67,0%, and the «negative expectations» indicator is set at 33,0% of subjects. Adaptability is based on reduced creativity with an average level of conformity and lability. K-mean cluster analysis with inclusion of analysis of variance identified three clusters of different volumes. The first is the largest (55,3% of respondents); stress resistance corresponds to the normal range, and optimism is based on positive expectations. In the other two clusters, weak and very weak stress resistance is recorded during activity in the structure of optimism of the «negative expectations» disposition. The properties of social adaptability remain unchanged under different manifestations of stress resistance.
Discussion. Three types of stress resistance caused by different disposition indicators of optimism are statistically justified among healthcare professionals. The first type – "Optimistic stress resistance", is based on the predominance of positive expectations. The phenomenon of reduced optimism established in two other clusters acts as a predictor of weak stress resistance of medical professionals and can be generalized as the "Type of alarming negative expectations".
Типологические варианты развития детей, рожденных с помощью вспомогательных репродуктивных технологий, и характеристики их семейной среды
Authors: Бохан Татьяна Г. , Лещинская Светлана Б. , Терехина Ольга В. , Силаева Анна В. , Шабаловская Марина В.
Published: July 2023

Introduction. Due to the increased number of children born as a result of assisted reproductive technology (ART), there are contradictory data on their health and development. This underlines the need to identify the developmental trajectories of these children and the system of factors that contribute to them, specific for each developmental stage. Aim: To identify the variants of physical and psychological development of children born after ART, as well as the characteristics of their family environment during the early preschool age.
Methods. The participants were 220 families (mothers, fathers and 4-year-old children): 80 families with induced conception (ART), 130 families with natural (spontaneous) conception (NC). Methods were based on the questionnaires used in TEDS and QLSCD, translated into Russian: Parent-Administered and Parent-Reported PARCA; short version of the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventory; assessment of preschool children’s behaviour BEH; «Your Child at Home»; «Your Child’s Health»; «Scale of Lack of Money for Essentials»; short version of the «Household Food Security Scale»; «Job Satisfaction»; assessment of stress and fatigue; assessment of anxiety; assessment of the relationship with the child»; short version of the Dyadic Adjustment Scale.
Results. In ART and NC families 3 developmental variants were identified: «Balanced» (ART: 33%, NC: 41%), «Risk of imbalance» (ART: 42%, NC: 19%), «Risk of developmental and behavioural problems» (ART: 24%, NC: 40%). For ART group, these variants were different only in mothers’ relationship with the child, for the NC group – in all types of family characteristics.
Discussion. In NC families most aspects of family functioning are related to children’s behaviour and development, in ART families – only maternal attitude to the child. The results underline the need for individual psychological support and correction.
Особенности стиля руководства курсантов в зависимости от выбранной ролевой модели командира
Authors: Иванов Василий И. , Перевозкина Юлия М. , Федоришин Михаил И.
Published: July 2023

Introduction. Purpose of the article involves determining effective role models in solving military-professional tasks and identifying the features of the management style with the expression of various role models of the commander. 
Methods. Research design included solving by cadets (N = 150, at age 21 to 27 years) 9 service and combat tasks, distributed in three blocks. In the process of solving the introductory task, the cadet had to choose a role model out of 10 possible ones, with which he identifies himself as a commander. For each block, the most frequently encountered roles of the cadet commander were identified, which were presented as dominant. All cadets were tested on the questionnaire "Management style" using the program "Psychologist-BB", on the basis of which the cadet was awarded points in three management styles. To determine the dependence of the management style on the leading role model, a one-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed.
Results. Analysis showed a statistically significant influence of the chosen role model of the commander of the authoritarian and liberal management style when performing tasks aimed at stabilizing interpersonal relations during the organization of service and combat activities and making decisions in an unusual situation.
Discussion. The results obtained indicate that cadets, when solving military-professional tasks related to the normalization of interpersonal relations during the organization of service and combat activities, personnel injuries and non-standard situations, choose mainly three role models of the commander as the role of the commander, which correspond to: role model 1 with a democratic management style, role model 2 with an authoritarian management style and role model 3, with two management styles – active and passive.
Процесс сравнения изображений эмоциональных экспрессий
Authors: Жегалло Александр В. , Басюл Иван А.
Published: July 2023

Introduction. We conducted an experiment in the paradigm of direct comparison of images of strong and weakly expressed emotional expressions with a detailed justification of the assessment made and registration of eye movements.
Methods. Photo images from the VEPEL database (video images of natural transient facial expressions: joy, sadness, fear, surprise, anger, disgust, calm face) were used as stimulus material. The subjects were students of Moscow universities (72 people, of which 10 men, 62 women; age from 18 to 39 years, average age = 22.0, standard deviation = 4.0. Exposure time is unlimited, until the justification is completed. Research objective: image comparison (rank scale of similarity between images from 1 to 9) with registration of eye movements.
Results. Based on individual assessments of similarity between images of emotional expressions, the reconstruction of the two-dimensional space was performed using the multidimensional scaling method. The reconstruction is described by Core Affect model by J. Russell. The presence of individual variability of similarity scores (the tendency to select a certain range of scores) is shown. The following individual indicators were singled out for further search of possible predictors: the average similarity score between images, the standard deviation of the similarity score between images, and the average individual duration of fixations. The presence of variability of estimates for different pairs of compared images is shown. The minimum variability of similarity estimates is achieved for the next pairs: fear–fear weak, joy – joy weak; anger – anger weak; disgust weak – anger; neutral – sadness weak. The maximum variability of similarity estimates is achieved for pairs of joy weak – fear weak; joy – fear weak; sadness – joy weak; joy weak – anger weak; neutral – joy weak. The analysis of the duration of visual fixations during the similarity assessment was carried out. It is shown that different similarity scores correspond to different distribution patterns of fixation durations in the evaluation process.
Discussion. Based on our results, we can conclude that there are several convergent evaluation justification processes based on an initial similarity score between images.
Решение задачи по поиску различий в иллюзорном контексте
Authors: Карпинская Валерия Ю. , Андриянова Наталья В. , Филиппова Маргарита Г.
Published: July 2023

Introduction. There are two opposite theoretical descriptions of visual perception: constructivist and ecological. To solve the issue of whether the perception of visual illusions is the result of a decision or whether such perception is natural and can be described using an ecological approach, an experiment was conducted to find differences in an illusory and nonillusory context, which reflects the novelty of this study. Methods. The subjects were offered a series of paired images in which it was necessary to find the difference as quickly as possible. The images could be the same: One picture could be 10 % larger than another, or, due to the illusory context, one picture could seem larger than another, and the image size was subjectively distorted due to the illusion of Ponzo and Delboeuf. According to the instructions, the size difference (real or apparent) should be ignored, and it was necessary to look for other differences. The time and precision of the response were measured for each option. Results and Discussion. Significant differences in visual field search time were found for images with an illusory difference, a real difference in size, and identical ones. For the first time, it was found that the problem is solved more efficiently (faster and more accurately) in the presence of two exact images, and the lowest efficiency is observed when solving a problem with an illusory difference in the size of images. It is concluded that the illusory context has an additional inhibitory effect on the process of solving the problem of finding differences. The advantage of describing the perception of visual illusions using a constructivist approach is experimentally shown.
POR UM MODELO TAXIONÔMICO DA MODALIZAÇÃO DO FAZER
Authors: Lins Demócrito de Oliveira , Beividas Waldir
Published: July 2023

A semiótica propôs um esquema narrativo canônico segmentado em três grandes nichos: semiótica da manipulação, semiótica da ação e semiótica da sanção. Os estudos e as análises em cada um destes nichos têm avançado muito, embora Greimas desejasse que, paralelamente a estes, uma teoria que assimilasse estudos consoantes entre lógicos e semioticistas pudesse enfim surgir: uma teoria da competência. Considerando que toda performance pressupõe uma competência do sujeito de fazer, o presente trabalho procura responder à seguinte questão: quais as possibilidades de articulação da estrutura modal do sujeito de fazer em relação a um ato performável? Para tal, nos fundamentamos nas propostas de Barros (2005), Bertrand (2003), Fiorin (2000), Greimas e Courtés (2008) e Greimas (2014 [1980]), revisitamos os conceitos de modalidade, modalização, fazer, performance, competência e, finalmente, propomos um modelo taxionômico tanto para a modalização do fazer quanto para a competência modal do sujeito de fazer, assim como para o ato, entendido como execução, ou seja, a performance em sua dimensão pragmática. Observamos que, havendo-se produzido um ato, haveria, no mínimo, três possibilidades de organização da estrutura modal da competência pragmática do sujeito, o que nos conduziria a três tipos de atos: coercitivos, voluntários e involuntários.
Echocardiography Coupled with Strain Method in the Screening for
Cardiac Involvement in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Brahem Mouna , Amor Hassen Ibn Hadj , Sarraj Rihab , Touil Imen , Kraiem Salma , Rouabhia Ramzi , Hmaier Ella , Mbarek Ghassen Haj , Salem Ameni Ben , Mlouki Imen , Mhamdi Sana , Hachfi Haifa , Younes Mohamed
Published: July 2023

Objective:

In this study, the usefulness of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in systematic screening was assessed for various cardiac abnormalities in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods:

We performed a comparative cross-sectional study from July 2020 to February 2021. Each patient underwent a TTE coupled with the strain technique.

Results:

Seventy-two RA patients and 72 controls were included. Abnormalities detected by TTE were more frequent in RA patients (80.6% vs. 36.1%; p < 0.01), and they were asymptomatic in 65.5% of cases. Valvular involvement was found in 45.8% of RA patients, with a significant differ-ence (p < 0.01). Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction was also more frequent in the RA group (36.1% vs. 13.9%; p < 0.01). Left ventricular systolic dysfunction was absent in our study, but sub-clinical left ventricular myocardial damage assessed by Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS) method was found in 37.5% of RA patients and 16.6% of controls (p < 0.01). The mean GLS in RA patients was -17.8 ± 2.9 [-22 to -10.7] vs. -19.4 ± 1.9 [-24.7 to -15.7] in controls. Left ventricular hypertrophy was detected in 22.2% of RA patients and in 6.9% of controls (p < 0.01). Pericardial effusion and pulmonary arterial hypertension were present only in the RA group (2.8% of cases). We found a significant relationship between echocardiographic damage and disease activity (p < 0.01), number of painful joints (p < 0.01), functional impact (HAQ) (p = 0.01), CRP level (p < 0.01) and the use and dose of Corticosteroids (p = 0.02; p = 0.01).

Conclusion:

Echocardiographic damage in RA is frequent and often asymptomatic, hence there has been an increased interest in systematic screening in order to improve the quality of life and vital prognosis of patients. Early management of RA can reduce the risk of occurrence of cardiac in-volvement.
Evaluation of Staphylococcus aureus Infections in Children
Authors: Alkan Gülsüm , Türk Dağı Hatice , Emiroğlu Melike , İpteş Rumeysa , Tüter Öz Şadiye Kübra , Kıymaz Meltem , Körez Muslu Kazım
Published: July 2023

Aim: Staphylococcus aureus is the most common infectious agent worldwide which leads to morbidity and mortality. Community and hospital acquired infections can range to skin infections to life-threatening infections. In our study, we attempted to evaluate demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters and the prognosis of children with S. aureus infection.
Methods: Children infected with S. aureus at the Department of Paediatric Infectious Disease, Selcuk University Faculty of Medicine, from 2014 to 2022 were analysed retrospectively. Patients were evaluated for MRSA, MSSA, and community or hospital-acquired infections.
Results: A total of 116 children's detected specimens were collected; 31.9% contained MRSA and 68.1% contained MSSA. The proportion of community-acquired (CA) infections was 88.8%, while hospital-acquired (HA) infections were 11.2%. MSSA was more common in the CA-S. aureus group, while MRSA was more common in the HA-S. aureus group (p=.025). The most common clinical manifestations included soft tissue infection, lymphadenitis, cutaneous infection, osteomyelitis, and septic arthritis. Each patient was treated with antibiotics, 77.59% of patients was required hospitalization. In 62.9% of the patients, surgical intervention (drainage or debridement) was performed. Despite 86.2% of the patients were cured, infection persisted in nine patients with epidermolysis bullosa, CIPA syndrome, and bone implants. One patient with shunt meningitis died.
Conclusions: S. aureus cause both CA and HA superficial or invasive infections, in children. Especially in life-threatening infections, appropriate antibiotic therapy is critical for preventing mortality until an antibiogram culture result is obtained. The patient's clinical condition and regional antibiotic resistance should be considered when prescribing antibiotics empirically.
Assessment of ship position probability in the geometrical figure of position lines errors
Authors: Loginovsky V. A.
Published: July 2023

Accurate and reliable determination of the ship position coordinates is one of the most important tasks for ensuring the safety of navigation at sea. A significant condition that contributes to the effective solution of this task is the use of redundancy in measurements of navigation parameters. The implementation of this redundancy allows the navigator or automatic navigation aid to control the trueness of measurements; eliminate gross and systematic errors; reduce the effect of random errors; apply various methods of analysis and algorithms for processing information in order to obtain the most accurate and reliable ship position. Adequate redundancy of navigation measurements makes it possible to obtain asymptotically unbiased estimates of coordinates, as well as to solve other navigation tasks based on redundant data. The results of a study on the probability of finding the true coordinates of the ship’s position in a geometric figure formed by random measurement errors are presented. It has been shown in the study that a single redundancy of measurements is not enough to achieve the required level of probability. Elements of classical combinatorics based on the Bernoulli scheme and including Newton’s binomial and Pascal’s triangle as tools are used as a mathematical apparatus for the study. These tools allow us to effectively analyze combinations of mathematical signs, such as plus and minus, of random measurement errors, reducing them into binary sequences, which are described by binomial coefficients. It has been argued in the paper that the low level of probability of finding the true values of the coordinates in the geometrical figure of measurement errors is a strong signal that any method of averaging the measurement results can lead to asymptotically biased estimates of the ship position coordinates. This is analogous to the influence of systematic errors on the coordinates within a certain time interval. From the point of view of navigational safety, a low probability can be qualified as a near-miss situation, which can lead to incorrect control of the ship position. The probabilistic criteria for the necessary redundancy of measurements to approach asymptotically unbiased estimates of ship position are presented in the paper.
Simulation of the harmful emissions formation in the exhaust gases of marine diesel of multi-fuel systems
Authors: Pokusaev M. N. , Grabarchuk A. Yu. , Khomenko T. V.
Published: July 2023

Currently, the world community is increasingly struggling with harmful effects on the environment, the biosphere and the atmosphere in various fields of industry. One of the pollutants is marine transport. The main type of environmental pollution from marine power plants is harmful emissions of CO, CO2, NO sulfur compounds and other components contained in diesel exhaust gases. The main regulatory document determining the compliance of marine power plants with international environmental requirements is the international convention MARPOL 73/78, developed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). One of the ways to solve this problem is the use of additional components for fuels on ships, such as water, hydrogen, natural gas, biodiesel, dimethyl ether, ethyl alcohol, etc. In order to pre-calculate the effectiveness of any of the methods for reducing harmful emissions, a simulation of combustion processes in a marine diesel engine when running on diesel fuel with and without the addition of dimethyl ether is carried out. In this study, the AVL Fire program, which is included in the AVL software package and allows you to get visual results on the formation of combustion products in the diesel cylinder, the distribution of temperature flows, soot formation, etc., is used. The 3NVD24 marine diesel engine, which is equipped with the necessary measuring complex for conducting practical research with the possibility of experimental confirmation of the computer modeling results, is used as a prototype for the analysis. Based on the model calculations, various factors of the harmful compounds formation during combustion are analyzed.
Algorithm for automation of the method of testing statistical hypotheses according to the Pearson criterion by the means of MATLAB
Authors: Chertkov A. A.
Published: July 2023

The purpose of the work is to develop and improve the methods of computer modeling and digitalization of procedures for testing statistical hypotheses according to consent criteria for use in high-tech software and measuring complexes of automated control systems. In most cases that are important for practice, the analysis of the statistical properties of distributions requires multiple checks performed using numerical methods, which require the tools of powerful software and computing environments. Examples of such cases are the procedures for finding information subsets of features in regression and statistical analysis, as well as identifying parameter deviations in automated control systems. It is noted that the tasks of processing experimental data do not always fit into the framework of the theory of normal processes and have exclusively such hypotheses. To test such hypotheses, modern mathematical statistics has developed criteria based on specially developed probabilistic rules that distinguish between zero and alternative hypotheses. Moreover, if for the testable (zero) hypothesis the distribution of statistics is known exactly or approximately, then for the alternative it has a greater degree of uncertainty and it (the alternative) itself is not a complete negation of the null hypothesis. As the zero and alternative hypotheses move away from each other, the statistics of the consent criterion begins to take a larger absolute value than with the null hypothesis, which allows us to build a critical area on the basis of estimating the set of this statistics values. However, the use of analytical methods for statistical analysis to determine the discrepancy between empirical and hypothetical statistics in practice is associated with the use, as a rule, of complex computational calculation algorithms and the implementation of high requirements for the assessment accuracy, which they cannot provide. To solve this problem, it is proposed to use numerical methods of computer modeling and integration of probability density of distribution according to the Simpson algorithm using the tools of built-in functions of the Statistics Toolbox of the MATLAB environment. The proposed method for automation of statistical analysis of zero and alternative hypotheses is implemented on the example of applying the Pearson criterion to verify compliance with the normal distribution of two random data samples, one of which meets the normal distribution law. The obtained graphic and numerical results of computer modeling confirm the correspondence of one of the testable distributions to a given normal distribution according to the null hypothesis.
Challenges faced by bamboo furniture makers during the COVID-19 pandemic: An examination of problems and profile attributes
Authors: De Julian Jr. Jimmy F.
Published: July 2023

The global furniture business faced a grim outlook during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly affecting the livelihoods of bamboo furniture makers (BFMs) in Barangay Arante, Sara, Iloilo, Philippines. This study aimed to identify the problems and profile attributes experienced by BFMs during the pandemic, with the objective of addressing and ameliorating their predicaments. Employing Maslow's Theory of Needs and employing a descriptive survey research design, the study carefully examined the challenges faced by BFMs. Twenty purposively chosen respondents participated in completing questionnaires, and the data were analyzed using frequency count, percentage, and rank for variable characterization. The findings highlighted two major problems faced by BFMs during the pandemic: An inconsistent and low supply of bamboo and a lack of sufficient business capital. Socio-demographic and livelihood data revealed that most BFMs were married males with over a decade of experience in the industry, and they initiated their businesses with a capital of less than 25,000.00 Philippine pesos (PhP). These revelations underscore the pressing need for financial and technical assistance to support BFMs during these challenging times. Consequently, positive and immediate action from national and local government units/agencies, NGOs, and academic institutions is crucial to safeguard the welfare of BFMs. Notably, this study diverged from previous works that primarily focused on furniture business operators' perspectives, instead centering on the viewpoints of the BFMs themselves. The study contributes to the existing body of knowledge on bamboo, specifically regarding the unique challenges confronted by rural BFMs during a pandemic. By recognizing and addressing these issues, the study aims to pave the way for meaningful extension work to assist and uplift the bamboo furniture industry in this difficult period.
Evaluating the Benefit of Hearing Aid Using Paired Words in Tamil
Authors: Praveena Jayakumar , Priya Vincent Churchill Soundaraj
Published: July 2023

Purpose: Subjective measurements, such as speech audiometry, are essential to determine the perception of speech as it provides insight regarding perceptual abilities. The present study aimed to develop paired word test stimuli in Tamil and evaluate their utility for assessing the benefits of a hearing aid. Methods: The stimuli were 30 paired words which were paired to rhythm containing almost all vowels and consonants of the Tamil language differing in one or more distinctive features, such as place, manner, voicing features of consonants, and height, duration, and rounding features of vowels. The paired words test was administered to 60 participants with normal hearing and 60 participants with hearing impairment. The correct identification scores and their percentage were computed to notice the benefit provided by their hearing aids. Results: The overall performance of individuals with normal hearing on the paired identification was high, suggesting that these paired word test materials could be used for individuals with hearing impairment to assess hearing aid benefit. A greater improvement in recognition scores for paired words was obtained after being fitted with a hearing aid in individuals with hearing impairment. It was noticed that due to hearing loss, the audibility of perception reduces, yielding lower scores in paired word identification. Conclusion: When the proper fitting was done, the percentage of identification scores was increased. Therefore, the present study concludes that speech perception abilities can be evaluated and quantified using these paired word tests.
Effectiveness of Group Communication Strategy Program for Individuals with Hearing Loss
Authors: Han Soo Jung , Han Jae Ho , Oh Soo Hee
Published: July 2023

Purpose: The use of communication strategy facilitates successful communication by reducing communication breakdowns for people with hearing loss. The purpose of this study is to develop a group communication training program that can be implemented in hearing aid centers in Korea and assess its impact on individuals with hearing loss. Methods: The study involved a total of eight adults, comprising five hearing aid users and three bimodal cochlear implant users. The group communication strategy program was conducted for 2 hours per week continuously over a span of 3 weeks. The effectiveness of the group communication strategy program was measured in Korean version of hearing handicap inventory for the elderly (K-HHIE), Communication and Acceptance Questionnaire, International Outcome Inventory-Alternative Interventions (IOI-AI), Modified Client Oriented Scale of Improvement (Modified-COSI) and subjective feedbacks. Results: Following the group comunication strategy program, participants presented improvements in K-HHIE, CAQ, and Modified-COSI after group communication strategy program. Additionally, the results of the IOI-AI and subjective feedback indicated overall satisfaction and positive feedbacks on the group communication strategy program. Conclusion: Group communication strategies program in this study showed positive effects on communications for people with hearing loss by learning communication strategies and practicing in their daily lives. To further promote the domestic group communication strategy program, further research is needed to develop various program contents considering the daily life of individuals with hearing loss.
Investigation of Tinnitus Counseling Requirements and Derivation of Counseling Topics through Focus Group Interviews with Tinnitus Patients
Authors: Jin Tae-Jun , Sim YeonWoo , Jin In-Ki
Published: July 2023

Purpose: This study investigated the understanding of tinnitus, counseling requirements, and reduced quality of life of tinnitus patients to derive topics and collect data that can be used to counsel these patients. Methods: Out of 79 tinnitus patients recruited to complete the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory questionnaire, 74 who met the score criteria were selected for evaluation. These patients were separated into groups according to the degree of tinnitus (mild, moderate, severe, or catastrophic) and their scores. Each group of patients participated in a focus group interview consisting of three to six individuals with the same degree of tinnitus. The interview consisted of three questions to obtain basic data regarding tinnitus counseling and five questions to identify experiences related to the decreasing quality of life attributable to tinnitus. Results: A total of 68 main themes were identified through the focus group interviews. The main themes with the highest frequencies for each question were as follows: of the 827 responses, 151 (18.3%) were treatments and relief methods; 126 (15.2%), information each participant want to know; 121 (14.6%), information each participant already know and emotional difficulties, respectively; 97 (11.7%), concentration difficulties; 91 (11.0%), hearing difficulties; 90 (10.9%), sleeping difficulties; and 30 (3.6%), other difficulties. Conclusion: This study collected information regarding tinnitus patients' understanding of their condition, their counseling requirements, and the difficulties they experience because of tinnitus. Therefore, it provides specific guidelines for counseling topics that hearing professionals can refer to when providing information about tinnitus and providing counseling to address these patients' problems effectively.