bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of Telehealth for Domiciliary Follow-up After Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Prospective Pilot Study (Preprint)
Authors: Mussetti Alberto , Salas Maria Queralt , Condom Maria , Antonio Maite , Ochoa Cristian , Ivan Iulia , Jimenez Ruiz-De la Torre David , Sanz Linares Gabriela , Ansoleaga Belen , Patiño-Gutierrez Beatriz , Jimenez-Prat Laura , Parody Rocio , Sureda-Balari Ana
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND

Patients who have recently received a hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) are at higher risk of acute complications in the first weeks after discharge, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to test the use of a telehealth platform for the follow-up of HCT patients during the first two weeks after discharge.

METHODS

In total, 21 patients who received autologous or allogeneic HCT for hematological malignancies were screened from April 30, 2020, to July 15, 2020. The telehealth platform assisted in the daily collection of vital signs as well as physical and psychological symptoms for two weeks after hospital discharge. The required medical devices (oximeter and blood pressure monitor) were given to patients and a dedicated smartphone app was developed to collect this data. The data were reviewed daily through web-based software by a hematologist specializing in HCT.

RESULTS

Only 12 of 21 patients were able to join and complete the study. Technological barriers were the most frequent limiting factor in this study. Among the 12 patients who completed the study, adherence to data reporting was high. The patients’ experience of using such a system was considered good. In two cases, the system enabled the early recognition of acute complications.

CONCLUSIONS

This pilot study showed that telehealth systems can be applied in the early posttransplant setting, with evident advantages for physicians and patients for both medical and psychological aspects. Technological issues still represent a challenge for the applicability of such a system, especially for older adult patients. Easier-to-use technologies could help to expand the use of telehealth systems in this setting in the future.
Perceptions and Attitudes Toward the Use of a Mobile Health App for Remote Monitoring of Gingivitis and Willingness to Pay for Mobile Health Apps (Part 3): Mixed Methods Study (Preprint)
Authors: Tobias Guy , Sgan-Cohen Harold , Spanier Assaf B , Mann Jonathan
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND

Gum infection, known as gingivitis, is a global issue. Gingivitis does not cause pain; however, if left untreated, it can worsen, leading to bad breath, bleeding gums, and even tooth loss, as the problem spreads to the underlying structures anchoring the teeth in the jaws. The asymptomatic nature of gingivitis leads people to postpone dental appointments until clinical signs are obvious or pain is evident. The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated social distancing, which has caused many people to postpone dental visits and neglect gingival health. iGAM is a dental mobile health (mHealth) app that remotely monitors gum health, and an observational study demonstrated the ability of iGAM to reduce gingivitis. We found that a weekly dental selfie using the iGAM app reduced the signs of gingivitis and promoted oral health in a home-based setting.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this mixed methods study is to assess perceptions, attitudes, willingness to pay, and willingness to use an mHealth app.

METHODS

The first qualitative phase of the study included eight semistructured interviews, and the second quantitative phase included data collected from responses to 121 questionnaires.

RESULTS

There was a consensus among all interviewees that apps dealing with health-related issues (mHealth apps) can improve health. Three themes emerged from the interviews: the iGAM app is capable of improving health, the lack of use of medical apps, and a contradiction between the objective state of health and the self-definition of being healthy. Participants were grouped according to how they responded to the question about whether they believed that mHealth apps could improve their health. Participants who believed that mHealth apps can enhance health (mean 1.96, SD 1.01) had a higher willingness to pay for the service (depending on price) than those who did not believe in app efficacy (mean 1.31, SD 0.87; t119=−2417; P=.02). A significant positive correlation was found between the amount a participant was willing to pay and the benefits offered by the app (rs=0.185; P=.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Potential mHealth users will be willing to pay for app use depending on their perception of the app’s ability to help them personally, provided they define themselves as currently unhealthy.

CLINICALTRIAL
The societal impact of a biologic treatment of ankylosing spondylitis: a case study based on secukinumab
Authors: Himmler Sebastian , Branner Jennifer C , Ostwald Dennis A
Published: November 2020

Aim:
This study estimates the societal benefits of using biologics like secukinumab (SEC) instead of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for treating patients with ankylosing spondylitis in Germany.
Materials & methods:
A Markov and a population model were used to predict the functional impairment of German ankylosing spondylitis patients using SEC or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This was translated into avoided productivity losses, which were valued according to gross value added.
Results:
The productivity impairment of SEC users was predicted to decrease by 20 percentage points, corresponding to 12.8 and 32.7 million hours in paid and unpaid work and a monetary value of €1.6 billion from 2016 to 2030. Accounting for economic spillover effects increases the societal value to € 3.3 billion.
Conclusion:
The improvements in functional impairment due to biologics could lead to sizable productivity effects.
The fossil record of turtles and tortoises (Testudines) of Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean Islands, with comments on its taxonomy and paleobiogeography: a bibliographic review
Authors: Carbot-Chanona Gerardo , Rivera-Velázquez Gustavo , Jiménez-Hidalgo Eduardo , Reynoso Víctor Hugo
Published: November 2020

Testudines is the crown-group that includes all living forms of turtles and their closest relatives. This group is known from the late Triassic and persists to this day. The fossil record of Testudines in Mexico is scarce and has been previously compiled in several papers. Here we present an update including all osteological and ichnological records from México and Central America. In Mexico, the Testudines fossil record extends from the Late Triassic to the Pleistocene, being widely abundant during the Pleistocene. Kinosternon and Gopherus are the best represented taxa, known from the late Miocene (Hemphillian) to the late Pleistocene (Rancholabrean). Fossil turtles are well represented in Mexico, excluding the states of Campeche, Mexico City, Colima, Guerrero, Queretaro, Quintana Roo and Sinaloa. On the contrary, the ichnological records are only known in Coahuila, Puebla and Zacatecas. In Central America there are records of fossil turtles in El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica and Panama, the latter being the country holding most records. Finally, nine new species have been described in the region, six for Mexico (Notoemys tlaxiacoensis, Yelmochelys rosarioae, Mexichelys coahuilaensis, Gopherus donlaloi, G. auffenbergi and G. pargensis, of which G. auffenbergi is synonymous with G. berlandieri and G. pargensis is considered a nomen vanum) and three in Central America (Rhinoclemmys nicoyama from Costa Rica, and Rhinoclemmys panamaensis and Staurotypus moschus from Panama).
Feasibility of urban waste for constructing Technosols for plant growth
Authors: Prado Blanca , Mora Lucy , Abbruzzini Thalita , Flores Sebastián , Cram Silke , Ortega Pilar , Navarrete Armando , Siebe Christina
Published: November 2020

An alternative for sustainable urban development is to revegetate cities with the construction of planters as well as to recover degraded sites. The objective of this work was to characterize urban waste materials produced in Mexico City and to evaluate their potential for constructing Technosols for plant growth, as an alternative to use in revegetating the city without affecting natural landscapes. Construction and demolition waste materials amended with different application rates of compost made out of gardening wastes from Mexico City green areas were tested. Nine mixtures were prepared; three based on concrete, three based on demolition waste and three based on excavation waste. Changes on physical, chemical and physicochemical properties of these mixtures, namely nutrient contents, water retention and aeration capacity, were monitored in a twelve-month experiment. The mineralogy and the risk regarding the release of heavy metals and trace elements were also evaluated in the soluble fraction. The constructed Technosols were appropriate, to a greater or lesser extent, for tomato plant growth. Soil pH and soil electrical conductivity (EC) were the main factors defining their suitability; both parameters changed over time due to the washing of salts. The particle size of the mineral materials as well as the application rates of compost used in the construction of the Technosols resulted in adequate water holding capacity and soil aeration for plant growth. The type of parental materials defined the majority of the Technosol characteristics as well as their ability to function as a plant support. The concentrations of readily available heavy and trace metals were not a limitation for plant growth. However, potential co-transport of these elements with soluble organic matter should be considered in further research.
Gestão da qualidade nos serviços de hemoterapia do interior do Rio Grande do Norte: análise dos efeitos de um ciclo de melhoria
Authors:   Subcoordenadoria de Vigilância Sanitária, Secretaria de Estado da Saúde Pública do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brasil, Costa de Medeiros Ana Virgínia , Davidson Santiago Fernandes Pimenta Isac ,   Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, RN, Brasil, Newton Bezerra Machado Isaac ,   Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, RN, Brasil, Oliveira Lima Macedo Larissa ,   Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, RN, Brasil, Euzébia Pereira Santos Vivivane ,   Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, RN, Brasil, Peçanha Sharapin Alves Tamara ,   Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, RN, Brasil, de Medeiros Rodrigue Jane s ,   Subcoordenadoria de Vigilância Sanitária, Secretaria de Estado da Saúde Pública do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brasil, Rodrigues Medeiros Wilton ,   Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, RN, Brasil, Nayana Sousa Mata Ádala ,   Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, RN, Brasil, Piuvezam Grasiela ,   Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, RN, Brasil
Published: November 2020

Introdução: A gestão da qualidade em serviços de hemoterapia é um elemento crucial para a segurança transfusional. A implementação das atividades de gerenciamento da qualidade é um desafio no contexto brasileiro. Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito de um ciclo de melhoria nos serviços de hemoterapia do interior do Rio Grande do Norte, na conformidade com os critérios de gestão da qualidade, elaborados com base no Método de Avaliação de Risco Potencial em Serviços de Hemoterapia (MARPSH). Método: Estudo quase-experimental,antes e depois, que avaliou 13 critérios de qualidade, elaborados com base no MARPSH da Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária. Participaram do estudo oito serviços de hemoterapia do interior do estado do Rio Grande do Norte, sendo quatro Agências Transfusionais, duas Unidades de Coleta e Transfusão e dois Hemocentros Regionais. Estatísticas descritivas e gráficos de Pareto foram utilizados. Resultados: Observou-se redução de 36,4% dos problemas de qualidade após a realização do ciclo de melhoria. Na análise por serviço, houve um aumento no cumprimento dos critérios variando entre 7,0% e 50,0%. A implementação de protocolos, os procedimentos de auditoria interna e o monitoramento da qualidade foram os critérios que registraram relativamente uma maior adesão após a intervenção, todavia permaneceram como as principais causas de não conformidades, tanto antes quanto após a intervenção. Conclusões: O ciclo de melhoria demonstrou ser uma intervenção válida no aumento da adesão dos serviços às atividades de gestão da qualidade preconizadas pela legislação sanitária, tendo a Vigilância Sanitária um importante papel para alcance dos padrões estabelecidos.
Desafios e oportunidades de repensar o processo de trabalho em Vigilância Sanitária: um relato de experiência
Authors:   Escola de Saúde Pública do Estado de Minas Gerais, MG, Brasil, Cosme Ribeiro Milton , Oquendo Bedoya Sandra ,   Faculdade de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Diamantina, MG, Brasil, Alves Ferreira Vanessa ,   Departamento de Nutrição. Escola de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil, Caldeira Oliveira Ana Maria ,   Escola de Saúde Pública do Estado de Minas Gerais, MG, Brasil
Published: November 2020

Introdução: Trata-se de um relato de experiência pautado no processo de aprendizagem no trabalho como ferramenta para superação de dificuldades vivenciadas por trabalhadores da área de vigilância sanitária. Objetivo: Elencar os desafios e as possibilidades para o aprimoramento das ações de vigilância sanitária, a partir da reflexão crítica do próprio processo de trabalho. Método: O relato foi elaborado a partir de registros e observações de debates realizados em reuniões realizadas entre os trabalhadores. Resultados: As reuniões em grupo criaram um espaço dialógico dentro do espaço cotidiano de trabalho permitindo discussões enriquecedoras sobre os processos de trabalho em vigilância sanitária. Conclusões: Os espaços de diálogos possibilitaram uma reflexão crítica do processo de trabalho e fizeram com que os trabalhadores de vigilância sanitária fossem capazes de reconhecer os desafios e propor alternativas para a sua própria atuação profissional.
Processo de autoavaliação nacional das práticas de segurança do paciente em serviço de saúde, de 2016 a 2019: uma análise sob a óptica da vigilância sanitária
Authors:   Departamento de Farmácia da Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, DF, Brasil, Tsai Jessica , Cristina de Faria Pontes Ludmylla ,   Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade d, Carneiro Capucho Helaine ,   Departamento de Farmácia da Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, DF, Brasil / Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, DF, Brasil
Published: November 2020

Introdução: O preenchimento do Formulário da Autoavaliação das Práticas de Segurança do Paciente elaborado pela Anvisa é realizado de forma voluntária e anual serviços de saúde com leitos de UTI e envolve a avaliação de indicadores de estrutura e processo, baseada na Resolução da Diretoria Colegiada da Anvisa nº 36, de 25 de julho de 2013. Objetivo: Analisar o processo de autoavaliação nacional realizado pela Anvisa sob a óptica da vigilância, no período de 2016 a 2019. Método: Realizou-se um estudo retrospectivo, de análise documental no qual foram analisadas e comparadas as informações que eram comuns em quatro Relatórios da Autoavaliação das Práticas de Segurança do Paciente em Serviços de Saúde. Resultados: Observou-se que houve aumento da participação dos hospitais da autoavaliação ao longo dos anos; que a meta prevista no Plano Integrado não foi alcançada; e que os indicadores de processo apresentaram menor conformidade que os de estrutura. Conclusões: Urge a necessidade de implementação de estratégias do Sistema Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária tanto para sensibilizar os gestores sobre a importância da autoavaliação das práticas de segurança do paciente, quanto para a implementação de melhorias nos serviços, bem como de políticas públicas consistentes que visem garantir assistência à saúde de qualidade para a população brasileira.
Competências para atuação em vigilância sanitária: abordagem metodológica
Authors:   Núcleo de Estudos de Saúde Pública (NESP), Centro de Estudos Avançados Multidisciplinares (Ceam), Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, DF, Brasil, Maria da Silva Marques Cláudia , Passos Guimarães Rabelo Claudia ,   Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (Anvisa), Brasília, DF, Brasil
Published: November 2020

Introdução: A adoção do modelo de competências no mundo do trabalho está relacionada ao uso, ao controle, à formação e à avaliação do desempenho da força de trabalho, o que, a partir da Lei de Diretrizes e Bases da Educação Nacional (LDB), reorientou a prática pedagógica organizada em disciplinas para uma prática voltada para a construção de competências. Na saúde, o novo referencial da educação tem sido alinhado às demandas das práticas profissionais, à concepção de saúde definida pelo Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) e à qualidade requerida nas ações de saúde prestadas aos indivíduos e à sociedade, que incluem os cuidados sob responsabilidade da vigilância sanitária. Objetivo: Apresentar a abordagem metodológica utilizada para elaborar o referencial de competências profissionais específicas para atuação em vigilância sanitária e apontar possibilidades de aplicação do material produzido. Método: O método utilizado é constituído por seis etapas: as quatro primeiras etapas realizadas por meio de análise documental; a quinta etapa por meio de cinco oficinas de trabalho; e a sexta etapa, validação. Resultados: Foi apontado um conjunto de sete competências profissionais específicas para atuação nas áreas da vigilância sanitária definidas para a proposta do referencial. Foram identificados, para cada competência, as ações e os saberes que devem ser desenvolvidos pelos profissionais. Conclusões: A metodologia possibilitou maior visibilidade das práticas desenvolvidas pelos profissionais da vigilância sanitária, a conformação de um referencial de competência sintonizado com a missão da vigilância sanitária, estratégias e macroescolhas, valores e princípios levantados como transversais às competências. O referencial de competências apresentado alinha-se às do perfil de competência do gestor da vigilância sanitária e, após validado, subsidiará a organização de programas de educação permanente e continuada para os profissionais.
Histórico do desenvolvimento e implementação de um sistema nacional de gerenciamento de amostras de produtos em Vigilância Sanitária
Authors:   Instituto Nacional de Controle de Qualidade em Saúde (INCQS), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil, Lamim da Silva Adalberto , Gomes Alves Lopes Rosane ,   Instituto Nacional de Controle de Qualidade em Saúde (INCQS), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil, Maria Carvalho Pereira Araújo Romão Célia ,   Instituto Nacional de Controle de Qualidade em Saúde (INCQS), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil, Eugênio Castro Cardoso de Almeida Antônio ,   Instituto Nacional de Controle de Qualidade em Saúde (INCQS), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil, Cézar de Aquino Nélio ,   Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (Anvisa), Brasília, DF, Brasil
Published: November 2020

Introdução: A informação é instrumento essencial para a tomada de decisões, e contribui para o processo “informação-decisão-ação”. Objetivo: Relatar a experiência do Instituto Nacional de Controle de Qualidade em Saúde no desenvolvimento e na implantação de um sistema de informação nacional para o gerenciamento de amostras de produtos de interesse à saúde – do recebimento no laboratório até a emissão dos laudos analíticos – e apresentar a possibilidade de sua contribuição ao Sistema Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (SNVS). Método: Trata-se de um estudo de análise documental sobre o desenvolvimento e implantação do Harpya, suas evoluções e avanços de 1986 até 2020. O acesso ao sistema pelos usuários, a existência de base de dados centralizada, a implantação na Rede Nacional de Laboratórios de Vigilância Sanitária (RNLVISA) e a criação e utilização de catálogos padronizados nacionalmente foram discutidas. Resultados: Os dados e informações gerados pela RNLVISA sobre a qualidade de produtos podem gerar evidências científicas para a identificação do risco, sendo fundamentais para a tomada de decisões dos gestores. Além disso, contribuem para avaliação dos laboratórios e para o monitoramento dos produtos do mercado, subsidiando as ações de vigilância sanitária. Conclusões: Destaca-se a possibilidade de acesso aos dados em nível nacional por diferentes áreas técnicas da Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária, subsidiando a coordenação do SNVS e, ainda, que as informações do Harpya podem contribuir com outros sistemas de informação na resolução dos problemas de saúde pública existentes no país.
Vigilância Sanitária e segurança da atenção materna e neonatal: proposta de modelo lógico
Authors:   Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa (UEPG), Ponta Grossa, PR, Brasil, Bourguignon Ana Maria , Hartz Zulmira ,   Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal, Moreira Dirceia ,   Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa (UEPG), Ponta Grossa, PR, Brasil
Published: November 2020

Introdução: A promoção da segurança do paciente em serviços de atenção materna e neonatal constitui área prioritária para a política de saúde no Brasil, porque contribui para a redução da morbimortalidade de mulheres e recém-nascidos. Objetivo: Elaborar um modelo lógico com base no manual Serviços de Atenção Materna e Neonatal: Segurança e Qualidade, no qual a Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária compila recomendações específicas para os serviços cujo público-alvo são mulheres em estado gravídico e puerperal, bem como seus filhos e filhas. Método: Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo, descritivo, que utilizou como procedimento metodológico a análise documental. A avaliação normativa procurou responder a um roteiro com doze questões elaboradas por Bezerra et al. para modelização de programas. Resultados: Foi evidenciada a necessidade de integração entre Vigilância Sanitária e os serviços de assistência obstétrica e neonatal, para que os efeitos almejados sejam alcançados. Conclusões: O modelo lógico proposto pode ser uma ferramenta útil, tanto para a organização e permanente monitoramento dos serviços, como para os profissionais que atuam na Vigilância Sanitária. Além de potencializar o reconhecimento da contribuição da vigilância sanitária para a promoção da saúde materno-infantil.
Fast optimization of parametrized quantum optical circuits
Authors: Miatto Filippo M. , Quesada Nicolás
Published: November 2020

Parametrized quantum optical circuits are a class of quantum circuits in which the carriers of quantum information are photons and the gates are optical transformations. Classically optimizing these circuits is challenging due to the infinite dimensionality of the photon number vector space that is associated to each optical mode. Truncating the space dimension is unavoidable, and it can lead to incorrect results if the gates populate photon number states beyond the cutoff. To tackle this issue, we present an algorithm that is orders of magnitude faster than the current state of the art, to recursively compute the exact matrix elements of Gaussian operators and their gradient with respect to a parametrization. These operators, when augmented with a non-Gaussian transformation such as the Kerr gate, achieve universal quantum computation. Our approach brings two advantages: first, by computing the matrix elements of Gaussian operators directly, we don't need to construct them by combining several other operators; second, we can use any variant of the gradient descent algorithm by plugging our gradients into an automatic differentiation framework such as TensorFlow or PyTorch. Our results will find applications in quantum optical hardware research, quantum machine learning, optical data processing, device discovery and device design.
Local texture analysis of structure non-uniformity in low carbon high-strength steel after direct quenching
Authors: Zisman A. A. , Zolotorevsky N. Yu. , Petrov S. N. , Khlusova E. I. , Yashina E. A.
Published: November 2020

The direct quenching of high-strength steels after hot rolling, which enables discard of the reheating operation, is economically efficient but necessitates a careful analysis of corresponding structural features. In particular, this treatment sometimes results in extended domains of coarse bainite decreasing the fracture toughness of steel. To reveal dependence of such effects on ausforming conditions, local textures of the parent γ-phase have been reconstructed from EBSD orientation data with allowance for the inter-phase orientation relationship. According to the obtained results, the unfavorable structural non-uniformity appears in the direct quenching due to excessive work hardening of austenite at the finish rolling stage; however, the structure and properties of steel can be improved by the reheating and subsequent quenching.
Effects of structural inhomogeneities on the steel balls resistance to loading
Authors: Berdnik O. B. , Tsareva I. N. , Krivina L. A. , Kirikov S. V. , Gerasimov S. I. , Erofeev V. I. , Chegurov M. K.
Published: November 2020

When conducting impact tests of protective glasses, nonunique cases of destruction of balls made of bearing steel ShKh15 were recorded. The causes of their destruction were determined. The state of the material was studied by fractographic and metallographic analysis, hardness and microhardness measurement. In the structure of the metal of all the balls, no critical defects were found such as flockens, shells and microcracks, but adverse factors were detected in the microstructure of the material, namely, the presence of fineneedle martensite with excessive carbides. It is established that the detected structural factors lead to liability to brittle fracture, an increase in the hardness of the material, a decrease in plasticity. To prevent brittle fracture of the balls and provide a reserve of plasticity of steel ShKh15 at high shock loads assessment calculations of ductility coefficient were made; and it was recommended to limit the maximum hardness of the material critical value HV=5.70 HPa (54 HRC), with the corresponding plasticity coefficient equal to 0.8.
High-temperature carbon plastics based on thermoreactive polyimide binder
Authors: Valueva M. I. , Zelenina I. V. , Zharinov M. A. , Khaskov M. A.
Published: November 2020

The article presents results of studies of experimental carbon plastics based on thermosetting PMRpolyimide binder. Сarbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRPs) are made from prepregs prepared by melt and mortar technologies, so the rheological properties of the polyimide binder were investigated. The heat resistance of carbon plastics was researched and its elastic-strength characteristics were determined at temperatures up to 320°С. The fundamental possibility of manufacturing carbon fiber from prepregs based on polyimide binder, obtained both by melt and mortar technologies, is shown. CFRPs made from two types of prepregs have a high glass transition temperature: 364°C (melt) and 367°C (solution), with this temperature remaining at the 97% level after boiling, and also at approximately the same (86–97%) level of conservation of elastic strength properties at temperature 300°С.
Adaptation of a Teacher Training Programme for Character Education to the Latvian Context
Authors:   University of Latvia, González Manuel Joaquín Fernández , Surikova Svetlana ,   University of Latvia, Pigozne Tamara ,   University of Latvia
Published: November 2020

This paper presents an analysis of the quality of the adaptation of the transnational teacher training programme for character education “Arete catalyst” to the socio-cultural context of Latvia. Based on the theory of cultural adaptation of educational programmes, and on a qualitative analysis of documentary sources, the quality of the adaptation was discussed by comparing the features of the adapted programme with Latvian societal needs and policy makers’ guidelines for character education (research question 1), and with the legal and institutional requirement for teacher training (research question 2). The findings revealed that the adapted Latvian programme responds widely to the needs of Latvian society and of the educational sector regarding character and virtue education, and addresses values and virtue education, as foreseen in the governmental guidelines for upbringing at school. It also complies with the Law of Education and the regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers regarding the professional development of teachers, and with the rules for approval and implementation of teacher training programmes at the University of Latvia. The adaptation process described can be useful for academics adapting existing programs to new socio-cultural contexts. This work should be continued by piloting and refining the adapted programme.
Inclusion of a Child With a Hearing Impairment in a Mainstream School, Single Case Study
Authors:   University of Latvia, Nīmante Dita , Ekša Liene ,   University of Latvia
Published: November 2020

Inclusive education means that all pupils, regardless of their ability, gender and race, can study with their peers in the school closest to their place of residence. When enrolling students with special needs in a school, the quality of the student’s academic and social inclusion is equally important. The study aims to analyze the single case of inclusion of a boy with a hearing impairment in a mainstream school X to answer the research questions: how do teachers deal with a pupil with hearing impairment and his needs in the classroom, what are the peculiarities of a hearing-impaired child’s learning, what support (academic and social) is provided to the boy to promote his inclusion in school and the classroom? In the qualitative study, semi structured interviews were conducted with the boy with a hearing impairment and 5 teachers of school X and the boy’s father, they were analyzed using content analysis. Three main categories emerged from the data: (1) support provided by teachers/school; (2) social participation in the classroom, school, friendships, (3) barriers for inclusion. There were two time periods in the first category suggested: (a) before the boy was identified as a child with special needs and (b) after the statement on special needs were received. There were several sub-categories that emerged from the transcripts: support measures provided to a child with a hearing impairment in the classroom, organizational response of the school to a child with a hearing impairment, the visible and invisible aspects in social participation of a child with hearing impairment in a mainstream school. The study highlighted that the academic and social inclusion experience of a child with a hearing impairment in a mainstream school may differ before and after receiving the statement from the Pedagogical Medical Commission on the child’s special needs. The study discusses whether the statement of a pupil’s special needs may become a new barrier to inclusive education that encourages schools to develop new exclusionary practices.
Smart Learning of Future English Language Teachers: Students’ Time Management and Performance in an Online Course
Authors:   University of Latvia, Auziņa Anita
Published: November 2020

An online course can offer limitless opportunities to expand one’s knowledge, develop skills and competences and, meanwhile, combine one’s online learning journey with a real-world activity, also studies in the case of university students. To manage all, the use of time for the productivity and achievement is crucial. The paper discusses the time management and performance of university students, future English language teachers in particular, taking an online course. A case study was carried out, and teacher education students, who participated in an online course on Learning Technologies and Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL), were questionnaired to explore their time management strategies and performance during their five-month online study period. The reflections of the online course moderators were collected to triangulate the data and find out their opinion on students’ time management habits and performance quality; besides, the differences between their expectations and reality were examined. Findings suggest that students’ time management was considerably challenged, and the set amount of time, i.e. one week to accomplish one module and its related assignments, required advanced planning and change of study habits to achieve the aims and objectives of their online learning process.
Students’ Readiness to Implement Inclusive Education in Preschools
Authors:   University of Latvia, Šūmane Ilze , Āboltiņa Līga ,   University of Latvia
Published: November 2020

Inclusive education (also known as inclusion) is an important principle in modern education. However, it is also a great challenge for the whole education system, beginning with the education policy and ending with activities promoting each child’s development. Researchers have pointed out that professional teachers are the key to the success of implementing inclusion; therefore, all teacher education programmes have paid close attention not only to topical issues of the specific specialization methodology, but also to topics that form teachers’ professional competence in the field of inclusion. In an analysis of research studies on inclusive teachers’ professional profiles, it is important to assess the core values and competencies that teachers need to acquire in order to prepare all teachers for work in inclusive education. The aim of the research is to evaluate the future pre-school teachers’ attitudes and readiness to implement the principles of inclusion in their teaching. We used the survey and statistical data processing methods in a descriptive empirical study. The study concludes that future pre-school teachers’ attitudes are generally positive about the implementation of inclusion into pre-schools; however, a greater understanding of the essence of an inclusive approach is needed in the study process, as most students consider their knowledge and skills to be insufficient.
Problems of Group Management in Preschool Music Lessons and Possible Solutions
Authors:   University of Latvia, Daliņa Dace , Ozoliņa Vēsma ,   University of Latvia
Published: November 2020

The research was implemented within the framework of the University of Latvia master’s study program “Pedagogy” course “Effective classroom management”. During the action research, the researchers identified group management problems in music lessons at educational institution X, in group Y. Key problem identified was the insufficient attention of children at the beginning of the lesson. The research proceeded to also look for possible solutions. The aim is to analyse current methods of delivering effective music classes in a pre-school setting, and propose and validate new strategies to improve the beginning of a music lesson. The study involved 17 preschool children (11 boys and 6 girls), a music teacher, and two group teachers, and an observer. The study was conducted from October 2019 to March 2020. The first results of the action research show that as the teacher changed her classroom activities, introduced certain group management techniques, such as signalling and acoustic counting, and repeating these as a routine activity in each lesson, children’s attention improved significantly at the beginning of the music lesson and became more sustained.
Research of Youth Sports in the Russian Federation as a Factor of Human Capital Formation Using Neural Networks
Authors:   Lobachevsky State University of Nizhni Novgorod, Letiagina Elena N. , Perova Valentina I. ,   Lobachevsky State University of Nizhni Novgorod, Gutko Alexander V. ,   Lobachevsky State University of Nizhni Novgorod, Orlova Elena A. ,   Lobachevsky State University of Nizhni Novgorod
Published: November 2020

With the use of neural network modeling, the authors analyzed the current state of youth sports in rural areas of Russian regions, which characterizes human capital. The simulation uses neural networks implemented in the Deductor package – self-organizing Kohonen maps. As a result of the analysis, the authors obtained a distribution of regions in five clusters. The composition and characteristics of each cluster are presented. The regions with the highest indicators of sports development in rural areas have been identified. This paper shows the influence of the indicators considered on human capital, which is one of the dominant internal factors of socio-economic potential of territories. The results of the research are of practical significance for a comparative analysis of the development of children’s and youth sports in the regions of Russia and can be taken into account in the strategic planning of the development of the sports industry in the context of increasing the quality of human capital.
Emotional Leadership: The Relationship of Level of Education and Emotional Intelligence
Authors: Platonova N. S. , Tulupieva T. V.
Published: November 2020

The article proposes the formulation of the problem of the correlation of the level and direction of education with emotional intelligence and leadership potential. Leadership is seen as the ability to influence individuals and groups to achieve company’s goals, based on emotional intelligence. The conceptual basis of the study of emotional leadership is proposed as the basis for the success of an organization at all levels and the need for leadership development. The basic approaches for understanding emotional intelligence and its basic models are given. The author describes the relevance of the research topic for the modern world. The results of an empirical study are presented, during which interconnections of three main components were established: emotional intelligence, educational level and leadership potential. The necessity of modern educational programs of managerial education for managers is substantiated. The prospect of further research on the problem of the development of emotional leadership is determined.
Official Reporting of Religious Organizations as a Source of Empirical Data on the Activities of the Church: Some Questions of Theory and Practice of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Sweden
Authors: Balabeikina O. A. , Mezhevich N. M. , Iankovskaia A. A.
Published: November 2020

The relevance of any material offered to the scientific and expert community depends on many factors. Objectively, the presence of this or that issue in the center of public attention has a positive effect on the actualization of this or that article. However, there is an obvious danger. Academic approaches that accidentally find themselves in resonance with global trends can fall victim to political conjuncture. Relevance in this case can fall victim to the political moment. Moreover, this or that topic, being in the center of public discussion, negatively affects the academic understanding of the problem. All this fully relates to the question of the relationship between the state and the church in modern Europe and Russia.

A few words about global trends. Their essence boils down to the growing confrontation between supporters of new ideological approaches and traditionalists, among whom are many adherents.

The relationship between religion and the state testifies to the fact that states and societies have not yet learned to draw an effective line between their interests and those of adherents. This fact presupposes careful state and public participation in the affairs of the church. However, acknowledging this circumstance is not enough. The state must clearly know what, where and how is happening in the church sphere of the life of society in cases where church affairs can affect public and state security.

It is also known that almost all the leading churches, to a greater or lesser extent, provide official reporting to the state. However, working with this reporting, its scientific analysis is not always representative.

Objective. The presented article is aimed at a partial solution of the problem of increasing the effectiveness of academic research of the church` activities. Moreover, it is made based on official church statistics.

The author’s position is the following. States and societies have no right to let go of this vital sphere of life. The functions of the state, in this case, are at least controlling. The ineffective execution of its functions by the state can be revealed in many countries of the world. The situation in France is nothing more than a reference case of a problem that, to one degree or another, exists in most of the countries of the world, which are distinguished by ethnic and confessional heterogeneity.
Russian School during the Great Patriotic War (Features of Management and Development of the Educational System)
Authors: Gurkina N. K.
Published: November 2020

The Features of state management of secondary schools during the great Patriotic war were determined by the focus on solving two major problems: the preservation of the school system and its reconstruction in accordance with the requirements of wartime, and the continuation of work on the formation of the school model. The main source for studying the directions, forms and methods of the state’s school policy is the directives and resolutions of the party and government, resolutions, orders, instructions, resolutions, etc. Of the people’s Commissariat of the RSFSR lamp led lighting, performances by the people’s Commissar of education of RSFSR V. P. Potemkin.
Properties of Cryptocurrency as Antifiduciary Money as a Tool for Measuring Public Confidence in Power
Authors: Antoncheva O. A. , Apanasenko T. E.
Published: November 2020

The use of the cryptocurrency share indicator in the total money supply as a tool for measuring public confidence in authority, allowing you to conduct an objective analysis using economic, financial indicators in order to give them a sociological assessment and develop recommendations for creating confidence management technologies. Cryptocurrency properties as antifiduciary money are considered. It is proved why an increase in the share of cryptocurrency in the money supply can be considered as a sign of a decrease in public confidence in the state. The prospects of statistics that allow tracking the dynamics of the cryptocurrency share in the money supply are analyzed. The advantages of the proposed confidence measurement tool compared to sociological survey, sociological experiment and introduction of indirect institutional indicators are demonstrated. Properties of Cryptocurrency as Antifiduciary Money as a Tool for Measuring Public Confidence in Power
Integrasi forecasting pada rantai pasok manufaktur komponen otomotif Jepang di Indonesia dengan penerapan metode classic dan regresi
Authors: Patria Rio , Sudarto Sumarsono
Published: November 2020

The need of spark plugs as a replacement component has a potential demand, especially for a Company from Japan which establish in the last 40 year ago as manufacture of spark plugs in Indonesia. Sales forecast of spark plugs that develop by Company for aftermarket class has big error. It makes a question ‘how to improve the accuracy of forecasting spark plugs in the aftermarket class to reduce losses in the supply chain process’, such as loss due to inventory, production and transportation. In this study, it was found that using ARIMA and MLR methods could increase level of accuracy than current forecasting method by Company. It was found that the increment in forecasting accuracy by using ARIMA and MLR was able to reduce operational costs up to 25.05% per year in overtime costs and 40.21% per year in finished goods inventory costs. In addition, reducing the cost of shipping materials by 24.90% per year, and reducing inventory costs on suppliers by 25.74% per year.
Seasonal Spatial Dynamics of Butterfly Migration
Authors: Chowdhury Shawan , Zalucki Myron , Amano Tatsuya , Woodworth Bradley , Venegas-Li Ruben , Fuller Rich
Published: November 2020

Understanding the seasonal movements of migratory species underpins
ecological studies. Nearly 600 butterfly species show migratory
behaviour, yet the spatial pattern of these migrations is poorly
understood. We developed climatic niche models for 405 migratory
butterfly species globally to estimate patterns of seasonal movement and
the distribution of seasonal habitat suitability. We discover strong
seasonal variation in habitat suitability for most of the migratory
butterflies with >75% of pixels showing seasonal change in
predicted occupancy for 85% of species. In contrast to bird migrations,
the greatest rate of seasonal switching occurs in the tropics. Several
species showed extreme range fluctuations, exceeding 10-fold for 53
species (13%) and more than 100-fold for nine species (2%); such
species may be at elevated extinction risk. Our results can be used to
search for the ecological processes that underpin migration in insects,
as well as to design conservation interventions for declining migratory
insects.
Primary Cardiac Rhabdomyosarcoma in a child -- A case report
Authors: MARAM KRISHNA PRASAD , Kudumula Vikram , Ratti Dilip
Published: November 2020

Primary cardiac tumors are rare in children, usually consist of benign
tumors like rhabdomyomas and fibromas that may spontaneously regress.
Primary malignant tumors are extremely rare even in adults and very few
paediatric cases were reported in literature. Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare
primary malignant tumor in children and most of the reported cases occur
in right ventricle, left atrium and right atrium. We report a 15 month
old child with primary rhabdomyosarcoma of left ventricle presenting in
cardiac tamponade and circulatory failure.
Health-related quality of life questionnaires used in primary biliary cholangitis: a systematic review
Authors: Ai Xin , Yang Xian , Xu Jia-min , Yang Wen-xia , Tang Ying-Mei
Published: November 2020

Objective The purpose of this systematic review was to assess the
suitability of HRQOL questionnaires in patients with primary biliary
cholangitis. Methods Five electronic databases were searched. The
validity of translated questionnaires, floor and ceiling effects,
internal consistency and test-retest reliability were investigated.
Results Forty-four studies were included, of which fifteen HRQOL
questionnaires were identified. The instruments used most frequently
were the PBC-40 (n = 22), followed by the SF-36 (n = 19), PBC-27(n=4),
CLDQ (n = 3) and NIDDK-QA(n=2), the remaining instruments were uesd only
once. Tweenty-six studies used a translated HRQOL questionnaire and only
six reported or referenced a validation of the translated questionnaire.
Conclusions PBC-specific HRQOL questionnaires used in primary biliary
cholangitis have generally good psychometric properties. But lots of
studies directly applied the HRQOL tools without verifying the HRQOL
tools validity and reliability in PBC patients. Thus, it is better for
clinicians and researchers to test the measurement properties of HRQOL
questionnaires before use it.
Branching Brownian motion and its applications
Authors: Saly Riyaz
Published: November 2020

In this article we explore a new family originating from Brownian
motions, the branching brownian motion.