bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In vitro assessment of health-promoting benefits of sheep ‘Testouri’ cheese
Authors: Mahmoudi I. , Telmoudi A. , Chouaibi M. , Hassouna M.
Published: February 2021

This study aimed to produce probiotic ‘Testouri’, traditional Tunisian sheep cheese, by direct-to-vat inoculum of probiotic adjuncts.

The potential of Testouri sheep cheeses was evaluated by an assessment of gross composition and proteolytic, antibacterial, antidiabetic and antioxidant activities during storage at 4 °C for 28 days. Results highlighted that no significant differences were observed in compositional parameters of the samples at day 0. Probiotic counts in cheeses remained at 8 log CFU g−1 during storage. Probiotic cheeses exhibited measurable antibacterial activities with the maximum value (diameter of 12 ± 0.07 mm) on Staphylococcus aureus strain. Also, α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitions ranged from 42 ± 0.77 to 58 ± 0.88% and 20 ± 0.9 to 47 ± 1.3%, respectively, during storage. Additionally, cheeses inoculated with probiotics exhibited significant increases in proteolytic and antioxidant activities compared to the control sample.

Therefore, Testouri cheese can be considered a good carrier of probiotics and can be promoted for commercial uses.
Reduction of graphene oxide and graphene quantum dots using nascent hydrogen: The investigation of morphological and structural changes
Authors: Jovanovic Svetlana , Haenssler Olaf C. , Budimir Milica , Kleut Duška , Prekodravac Jovana , Markovic Biljana Todorovic
Published: February 2021

In order to modify both chemical and electrical properties of graphene-based nanomaterials, we conducted the chemical modification of graphene oxide (GO) and graphene quantum dots (GQDs). The reaction of the reduction with nascent hydrogen was conducted on both materials. The structure and morphology of produced chemically reduced GO and GQDs were analyzed. While the chemical composition of both GQD and GO changed significantly, GO showed also significant changes in morphology as opposite to GQDs where were morphological changes were not observed.
HRTEM image-stitching for measurement of distances
Authors: Radnóczi György Zoltán , Herceg Zoltán , Kiss Tamás Rafael
Published: February 2021

Very accurate measurement of distances in the order of several µm is demonstrated on a single crystal Si sample by counting the lattice fringes on stitched high resolution TEM/STEM images. Stitching of TEM images commonly relies on correspondence points found in the image, however, the nearly perfect periodic nature of a lattice image renders such a procedure very unreliable. To overcome this difficulty artificial correspondence points are created on the sample using the electron beam. An accuracy better than 1% can be reached while measuring distances in the order of 1 µm. A detailed description of the process is provided, and its usability for accurately measuring large distances is discussed in detail.
Investigating World Englishes: Research Methodology and Practical Applications Peter I. De Costa, Dustin Crowther and Jeffrey Maloney (eds) (2019)
Authors: Ugwuanyi Kingsley Oluchi
Published: February 2021

Investigating World Englishes: Research Methodology and Practical Applications Peter I. De Costa, Dustin Crowther and Jeffrey Maloney (eds) (2019) London and New York: Routledge ISBN: 978-1-138-23743-8. Pp. 186
Modelo de optimización de la distribución logística de última milla frente a los bajos indicadores de satisfacción de los clientes de la empresa “Tu Envió Fácil SAS” en la ciudad de Bogotá
Authors: Bermúdez Hernández Erik Yesid , Sarmiento Saavedra Oscar Eduardo
Published: February 2021

This work aims to address the problem presented by the company Tu Envió Fácil SAS, based on the low indicators of customer satisfaction. The main objective is to design a model of optimization of the logistics distribution of "last mile" against the low indicators that customers reveal about the company, mainly in the city of Bogotá, in the period between September 2019 and December 2019 For this, the theories of Supply Chain Management will be taken into account. Which allow to determine that there is a need to design the model to optimize and be able to make an improvement in the factors that are generating customer dissatisfaction and the low effectiveness of operations. It was established that the current indicators are adequate for the management of the last mile logistics distribution of the company and the urgency of the improvement measures to be taken is determined. One of the particular problems that stand out in the investigation is due to the road complexity that some cities have, either in terms of infrastructure, traffic or security that the couriers face, thus leading to the non-fulfillment of their work in relation to delivery of merchandise and customer dissatisfaction. Given this, this proposal intends to implement new methodological ways in the field of logistics as other alternatives in order to shorten the delivery and compliance times of the product and significantly improve the favorable rates of the company.
Aprendizajes sociales de una Comunidad Educativa de la Ciudad de Pereira, en tiempos de pandemia
Authors: Pulgarin Mejía Mauricio Alexander
Published: February 2021

La suspensión de la presencialidad en las escuelas debido a la crisis actual provocada por la propagación del virus Covid-19 obligó a la comunidad educativa a usar diferentes medios de comunicación interactivos, para continuar con los procesos de enseñanza y aprendizaje escolar remoto desde casa. Estos usos, comenzaron a revelar nuevos aprendizajes, socializados en los diferentes encuentros virtuales con los maestros, y observados en la nueva cotidianidad escolar desde cada una de las familias, razón por la cual una institución educativa pública de la ciudad de Pereira, decidió implementar un proceso de investigación que permitiera reconocer los aprendizajes sociales,  aquellos que no son adquiridos en lugares y momentos específicos, ni contemplados en el plan de estudios desde el inicio del año escolar, sino que emergen a partir del intercambio e interacción en diferentes contextos, y que hacen parte de la formación del ser humano, con proyección a incluirlos dentro  del currículo escolar, dado que han sido claves dentro del proceso institucional.

Para evidenciar estos aprendizajes, se hizo uso de la investigación cualitativa con el método netnográfico, a partir de la observación participante y no participante, en Redes Sociales como Facebook y grupos de WhatsApp, en interacción constante con los integrantes de la comunidad educativa, para recoger expresiones, imágenes y acciones en el ciberespacio; además, se implementó   la encuesta cualitativa, que permitió explorar significados y experiencias durante la pandemia, que no solo deja consecuencias en términos patológicos, y detrimento económico, sino también una serie de aprendizajes sociales, producto del distanciamiento físico, y las posibilidades de interacción a través de la virtualidad.
BY-PRODUCTS OF PROCESSING CAROB MOLASSES AS SOURCES OF DIETARY FIBRE AND POLYPHENOLS
Authors: Ozyurt Vasfiye-Hazal , Otles Semih
Published: February 2021

Dietary fibre and polyphenols have been widely used to increase the functionality of some foods because of their potential  effects on human health. In this study, extraction of dietary fibre and polyphenols from pomace obtained as a by-product of processing carob molasses has been studied. The dietary fibre and polyphenol extracts were prepared separately. The amount of dietary fibre in the carob molasses pomace was evaluated with two assays: the Association of Official  Analytical Chemists’ enzymatic-gravimetric method and the enzymatic-chemical method. The methods were compared, each having been preceded by conventional extraction and ultrasound-assisted extraction of carob  molasses pomace. It has been found that when the enzymatic-gravimetric method and the ultrasound-assisted extraction method were used, the total dietary fibre contents were significantly higher than after using the enzymatic-chemical method and the conventional extraction method. Conventional extraction of polyphenols from carob molasses pomace has shown a relatively higher polyphenol content and antioxidant activity than ultrasound-assisted extraction. Ultrasound-assisted extraction  took  less time than conventional extraction did. The polyphenol profile was characterised by means of a high-performance liquid-chromatography diode array detector using 10 phenolic standards. Six compounds, i.e. caffeic, syringic, -epicatechin, trans-cinnamic  acid,  myricetin,  and naringin were determined with the high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector using both conventional extraction and the ultrasound-assisted extraction. Our results suggest that carob molasses pomace can be used to prepare low-calorie, high-fibre, and antioxidant-rich foods, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals.
THE USE OF RICE IN THE TECHNOLOGY OF GLUTEN-FREE FERMENTED NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
Authors: Dulka O. S. , Prybylskiy V. L. , Кuts A. M. , Oliinyk S. I. , Dong Nguyen Phuong , Vitriak O. P.
Published: February 2021

Drinks are important in the human diet. The most promising ones include fermented beverages enriched with bioactive substances of their raw materials and with products of their fermentation. Gluten-free foods, too, are becoming popular as there are more and more people worldwide suffering from coeliac disease. The paper presents the results of theoretical and experimental research on developing a technology of a fermented soft drink based on rice as a gluten-free raw material. The domestic cultivars of husked and unhusked rice described in the paper are Agat, Prestizh, and Premium. Their physical, biological, and physicochemical parameters have been studied, and their amino acid and vitamin composition, the content of macronutrients and trace elements have been determined. According to the research results, it is practical to use rice of the Agat variety in the technology of fermented beverages. Compared with the samples of Premium and Prestizh, the extractivity of Agat is higher by 2–5%, and as to the soundness of its kernels and the husk content, it exceeds them, respectively, by 2.5 and 5.5%. The fat content, which reduces the amount of esters formed during fermentation and adversely affects the foam retention of a drink, was lower in Agat by 28–37%. The content of protein compounds, vitamins, macronutrients and trace elements in grain is essential for the technology of fermented beverages. It has been established that Agat is higher in amino acids than other varieties are: by 5.7% (husked) and by 18% (unhusked). The highest content of vitamins has been found in Agat rice (on average, by 9.4% more of them). Compared with the other cultivars, unhusked Agat rice is higher in the macronutrients and trace elements that are vital for yeast activity: calcium – by 28%, magnesium – by 24%, iron – by 10–18%, copper – by 16.6%. The optimal initial concentration of yeast cells in the wort is 3–5 million/cm3. When using husked rice, the acidity of the wort at the end of fermentation was higher by 7.6% than it was in the wort made with unhusked rice. When comparing different varieties of rice, the acidity values of the fermented wort did not differ significantly. All samples had high sensory qualities characteristic of fermented beverages.
IMPROVEMENT OF THE METHOD OF BOTANICAL IDENTIFICATION OF HONEY
Authors: Adamchuk L. O.
Published: February 2021

The pollen spectrum of honey reflects the regional crops, forest plantations, all the diversity of the plant species near the apiary. That is why the use, adaptation, and improvement of various methods of pollen analysis and interpretation of its results are topical questions in the countries which produce original varieties of honey on the international market. Ukraine is a leader in manufacturing and exporting honey in Europe and worldwide. Usually, Ukrainian honey is exported not as a finished food product, but as a raw material. This is because the pollen spectrum of Ukrainian honeys is provided with no description characterising their botanical and geographical origin, which, in turn, is because there are no pollen analysis methods implemented in  production laboratories. The purpose of this study was improving the pollen analysis method to identify the botanical origin of Ukrainian honeys. The research was conducted in the laboratory of the Department of Standardisation and Certification of Agricultural Products in the National University of Life and Environmental Science of Ukraine, and in the production laboratory of Ascania-Pack Company. The analysis of harmonised methods of melissopalynology and standardised pollen detection methods has allowed developing a botanical method of honey identification adapted to be introduced in Ukrainian laboratories. The method suggested is a complex of individual procedures, operations,  and techniques. It has been detailed how to prepare solution to fix and stain pollen preparations obtained from honey. The method of preparing a suspension of pollen grains from honey has been improved: extra dissolution of crystals and a lower speed of the centrifuge reduce the time of making the preparation and improve its quality. The method of obtaining preparations of pollen grains from honey has been adapted to harmonised international melissopalynological methods. New methods have been developed to count pollen grains in prepared monofloral and polyfloral honey samples. It has been detailed how to identify step-by- step the botanical origin of honey by pollen grains using international databases. The method has been implemented in the production laboratories of leading enterprises in Ukraine and Belarus.
IMPROVEMENT OF THE RECIPE COMPOSITION OF SPECIAL-PURPOSE GLUTEN-FREE CHOCOLATE MUFFINS
Authors: Shapovalenko O. , Pavliuchenko O. , Furmanova Y. , Sharan L. , Kuzmin O.
Published: February 2021

The paper considers how gluten-free flours, in particular, those made from coconuts and brown rice, can be used in  the  technology of gluten-free chocolate muffins in order to expand the  range of special purpose products. Studies by domestic and foreign authors dedicated to using different flour types in today’s gluten-free technologies have been analysed. It has been proved that wheat  flour  can be fully replaced with gluten-free flour mixtures in the recipe of chocolate muffins. Analysis of the chemical composition of  coconut flour has shown its higher fat content, compared with wheat flour, and twice as much protein and dietary fibre (18%). Coconut flour exceeds wheat flour not only in the main macronutrients, but also in the content of the main minerals. Brown rice flour, too, contains more fats and vitamins of the B-group than wheat flour does, and is a source of sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, silicon, and sulphur. It contains up to 80% of starch and, like coconut flour, is gluten-free. Replacing wheat flour in the classical muffin recipe with mixtures of coconut and brown rice flours in the ratios 30:70, 40:60, and 50:50 reduces the moisture content and density of the dough. The moisture content in the finished muffins, too, is lower by 0.7, 1.2, and 1.5% respectively. It has been confirmed that if the gluten-free flour mixture contains over 50% of coconut flour, it reduces the specific volume of resulting muffins and worsens their quality parameters. The Harrington method was used to estimate the comprehensive quality index of the chocolate muffins. This has shown that full substitution of wheat flour for a mixture of gluten- free flours in the ratio 40:60 (coconut flour:brown rice flour) allows achieving the best-balanced sensory characteristics. Gluten-free muffins have a pleasant brown colour of the crust, their crumb is quite soft, homogeneous, and porous, with a balanced taste and an aroma of cocoa combined with light coconut notes.
RESEARCH AND OPTIMISATION OF THE QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF GRAIN SHIPLOAD LOTS IN GRAIN TERMINALS
Authors: Stankevich G. M. , Kats A. , Shpak V.
Published: February 2021

The structure of loading different crops onto vessels at the company Ukrelevatorprom’s grain terminal has been considered. The total grain shipped in 2012–2015 was comprised of 33.7–41.5% of maize, 19.7– 32.2% of wheat, 14.4–26.0% of rapeseed, 6.7–14.2% of barley, and 5.4– 11.0% of soya beans. When forming a 35,000-tonne grain shipload, grain  lots stored in silos are sometimes of lower quality than contracts require: the protein and gluten contents can be inappropriate, or there can be smut grains or those damaged by sunn pests. The accepted technology of grain shipload formation does not guarantee that the grain quality will be uniform throughout the whole period of loading a vessel, especially in the beginning. In the first 1,000 tonnes of a grain shipload formed, the weight content of  wet gluten was found to be 22.6% instead of 23%, the Falling Number was 145–180 s instead of 230s, and the content of smut grains was not the tolerable 5%, but 6.95–7.8%. The subsequent 2,000–3,000 tonnes of wheat, too, had the Falling Number lower than the contract prescribed (142–215 s), and only further on, its value achieved the required range 295–356 s. In the wheat sample formed from 5,000 tonnes, only the test values of the Falling Number (176s) and the content of smut grains (5.1%) were different from what the contract required. The calculated arithmetic means of the quality parameters of the 5,000-tonne wheat samples formed were practically the same as those determined experimentally, except for the values of the Falling Number and the smut grain content. The values of the coefficient of variation obtained showed that the grain lot was of non-uniform quality: it varied in such parameters as the foreign material (20.82–50.93%), sunn pest-damaged grains (7.41–25.76%), Falling Number (8.76–36.36%), and smut grain content (35.88–78.34%). Application of linear programming methods to optimise the shipload composition has allowed all the quality parameters to meet the contract requirements. Loading grain from all silos simultaneously, with the optimum flow ratio, will result in its even distribution in a shipload, and the grain lot will be of higher quality by all  the parameters the contract specifies.
REGULATION OF THE STRUCTURE OF HONEY DURING ITS LONG-TERM STORAGE
Authors: Kurta S. , Khatsevich O. , Solonytska I. , Povarova N.
Published: February 2021

The article describes a new method of treating crystallised honey and the characteristics of the obtained liquid honey stored for a long period of at least 1 year. It has been shown that a new method of low- temperature isothermal accelerated processing in a microwave reactor MWR-SPR allows melting crystallised honey to the liquid state. This accelerates its decrystallisation by 250 times compared to the known method that involves heat transfer. The properties of crystals of solid and liquid honey have been investigated and their structures have been compared after rapid low-temperature, isothermal treatment with the help of the microwave technology of ultrahigh frequencies at 50°C, for 60s.  The number  and size of pollen particle in honey are reduced by 10 times, and the size of glucose and sucrose crystals after processing is 5 times as small. The method of angular distribution of the laser beam has shown that the average size  of sugar macromolecules in the treated honey decreases by 2 times  as compared with crystallised honey. It has been proved that the suggested low-temperature, isothermal, accelerated treatment in a microwave reactor preserves a high diastase number in Gothe units (10–11), and the content of hydroxymethylfurfural does not exceed 3–6mg/kg honey. The results of X- ray fluorescence spectroscopy have confirmed that the chemical and elemental and oxide composition of honey after treatment is almost unchanged. Analysis of chemical and biological oxygen consumption shows that in the liquid honey samples, after melting by the suggested method, the biochemical activity of honey only reduced twofold, but it is far less than when honey is dissolved by the traditional heat transfer method. All this has a positive effect on stabilising liquid honey after its dissolution and on its stability during long-term (up to 1 year) storage. Based on dissolved, liquid, caramelised honey, a chewing gum has been developed to prevent and treat periodontal disease in dentistry. The chewing gum has been clinically tested and has proved highly effective in 72% of patients with gingivitis, gum disease, and periodontitis.
EXPERTISE OF POTATO SNACKS BY OPTICAL MICROSCOPY, FTIR - SPECTROSCOPY, SPECTROFLUORIMETRY AND THIN LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHY
Authors: Malynka O. , Malynka Y. , Antipina O. , Gural L. , Stepanova G. , Kryganovska A.
Published: February 2021

Expertise of four samples of potato snacks with  the flavours Barbecue, Ketchup, Cheese, Sour Cream and Onion has been carried out with the use of analytical physicochemical methods. It has been found that the mass fraction of moisture in the samples under study ranges 4.4 to 4.7%, and the mass fraction of chlorides does not exceed 2.5%. The mass fraction of starch, which was determined polarimetrically, varies from 66.1% (Sample 2) to 66.7% (Sample 3). The mass fraction of sugars in the potato snack samples does not exceed 1.9%. None of the samples contains foreign material and mineral impurities. The product’s physicochemical quality parameters established by the tests conform to the manufacturer’s indication that the product contains such ingredients as starch and potatoes (starch and proteins are part of potatoes), oil, maltodextrin, sugars, salt, proteins. Based on characteristic absorption bands in the composition of snacks, FTIR has allowed detecting the presence of the two main components: triglycerides of fatty acids (oils)  and polysaccharides (the latter include starches and maltodextrins). Optical microscopy has revealed that the samples have a porous (cellular) structure, with pores distributed throughout the whole mass, which is typical of snacks. Heat treatment of the snacks in the course of extrusion and frying changes the structure of starch to the glassy state: only single whole starch grains are found in the samples. The dietary supplement monosodium glutamate E621 has been identified by thin-layer chromatography on chromatographic plates Sorbfil AF-A-UV. The mobile phases were mixtures of ethanol and distilled water in the ratio 7:3, and n- butanol, acetic acid, and water mixed in the ratio 3:1:1. It has been shown that the turmeric extract E100(i), a natural yellow food colourant, being adsorbed on potato snacks, can be identified in them by its own spectra of diffuse reflection and luminescence spectra, without destroying the samples.
USING SUMFLOWER PROTEIN AS A COMPONENT OF FORCEMEATS FOR FROZEN SEMI-PROCESSED MINCED MEAT PRODUCTS
Authors: Zhelieva T. , Kamsulinа N. , Pavlova O.
Published: February 2021

The problem of how to remediate protein deficiency in the human diet can be solved by using new raw material sources or by consuming vegetable proteins, in particular, sunflower protein, more efficiently. Sunflower is high in biologically complete proteins with a wide range of functional properties. This makes it practical to use sunflower protein as a component of forcemeats for frozen semi- processed minced meat products. As this task is highly topical and promising, it has determined the direction of further research. The purpose of the research is to establish how sunflower protein affects the qualitative characteristics of forcemeat for frozen semi-processed minced meat products, and to specify the rational norms of using it in their composition. It has been studied how sunflower protein effects on the moisture-holding capacity of forcemeat. The results have shown a sharp increase in this parameter after introducing sunflower protein. It has been established that sunflower protein affects the processes of freezing and defrosting in forcemeat systems. However, it has no pronounced cryoprotective properties independent of  its concentration in a system, and the loss in weight during freezing the samples is but insignificant. Studying the effect of sunflower protein powder on the sensory, functional, and technological properties of forcemeat reveals positive dynamics and direct relationship between these characteristics and the concentration of sunflower protein. The losses in the weight of the semi-processed products during heat treatment have been analysed. The   data   obtained  have  shown  that   this   parameter   decreases   by 1.9 times when sunflower protein is used. Sensory evaluation of the samples has allowed establishing that the rational norm for sunflower protein as a forcemeat component is up to 10%. Thus, the research conducted prove that it is practical to use sunflower proteins as components of forcemeats for frozen semi-processed minced meat products. This will make the products more nutritious, allow controlling their amino acid composition, curtail the expenditure of raw meat, help control the rheological parameters, and expand the range of products.
Transition of Adolescents with Chronic Kidney Disease to Adult Health Service: Scoping Review
Authors: Kulakova Elena N. , Nastausheva Tatjana L. , Kondratjeva Inna V. , Zvyagina Tatjana G. , Koltakova Maria P.
Published: February 2021

Background. The transition of adolescents with chronic diseases from pediatric to adult health service is often accompanied by a decrease in adherence to the recommendations, non-regular scheduled medical consultations, disease course monitoring violation. All together it can lead to exacerbation and progression of the chronic disease and a decrease in quality of life. Programs for patients with nephrological diseases that optimize the process of their transition to adult service can improve the course of chronic kidney disease (according to international experts). Objective. The aim of the study was to systematize data from the published literature on the transition of adolescents with chronic kidney disease to adult health service; identify gaps in scientific knowledge; and determine areas for future research. Methods. Scoping review was performed by searching for articles in the databases: PubMed, eLIBRARY.RU, The Cochrane Library, via Google Scholar and in reference lists of selected articles. We have selected articles published in Russian or English with no publication date limitation and corresponding to inclusion criteria. Results. 185 (8.5%) out of 2,184 identified literature sources were included in the study. The results of 25 works were included in the analysis of transition programs efficacy. There were no Russian-language articles matching the inclusion criteria. The majority of publications types were original scientific studies (retrospective observational studies, questionnaire surveys, qualitative and mixed methods studies with interviewing) and narrative reviews. It was shown that both complex programs and narrow-focus interventions have been implemented to improve the transition process. It has been noted that the efficacy of such initiatives still remains insufficiently studied, including among experimental studies. Conclusion. Formation of the scientific knowledge system on the transition of patients with chronic kidney disease to adult health service requires high-level evidence. Further researches are needed in this field in the Russian health system as well.
Generic Constraint-based Block Modeling using Constraint Programming
Authors: Mattenet Alex , Davidson Ian , Nijssen Siegfried , Schaus Pierre
Published: February 2021

Block modeling has been used extensively in many domains including social science, spatial temporal data analysis and even medical imaging. Original formulations of the problem modeled it as a mixed integer programming problem, but were not scalable. Subsequent work relaxed the discrete optimization requirement, and showed that adding constraints is not straightforward in existing approaches. In this work, we present a new approach based on constraint programming, allowing discrete optimization of block modeling in a manner that is not only scalable, but also allows the easy incorporation of constraints. We introduce a new constraint filtering algorithm that outperforms earlier approaches, in both constrained and unconstrained settings, for an exhaustive search and for a type of local search called Large Neighborhood Search. We show its use in the analysis of real datasets. Finally, we show an application of the CP framework for model selection using the Minimum Description Length principle.
Failure to Advance Access to Kidney Transplantation over Two Decades in the United States
Authors: Schold Jesse D. , Mohan Sumit , Huml Anne , Buccini Laura D. , Sedor John R. , Augustine Joshua J. , Poggio Emilio D.
Published: February 2021

Significance Statement

There have been numerous research studies and policies developed to improve access to kidney transplantation among patients with ESKD over past decades. In this retrospective cohort study, the authors evaluated the longitudinal pattern of rates of placement on the transplant waiting list and transplantation among the ESKD population, as well as whether patterns were consistent in the population or varied among patient groups with historically low rates of access to transplantation. The study’s primary findings indicated no improvement in the incidence of placement on the transplant waiting list over a two-decade period from 1997 to 2016. In addition, rates of wait list placement and transplantation were consistently reduced among vulnerable populations. These results indicate that more effective interventions are needed to improve access to transplantation in the United States.

Background

Extensive research and policies have been developed to improve access to kidney transplantation among patients with ESKD. Despite this, wide variation in transplant referral rates exists between dialysis facilities.

Methods

To evaluate the longitudinal pattern of access to kidney transplantation over the past two decades, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult patients with ESKD initiating ESKD or placed on a transplant waiting list from 1997 to 2016 in the United States Renal Data System. We used cumulative incidence models accounting for competing risks and multivariable Cox models to evaluate time to waiting list placement or transplantation (WLT) from ESKD onset.

Results

Among the study population of 1,309,998 adult patients, cumulative 4-year WLT was 29.7%, which was unchanged over five eras. Preemptive WLT (prior to dialysis) increased by era (5.2% in 1997–2000 to 9.8% in 2013–2016), as did 4-year WLT incidence among patients aged 60–70 (13.4% in 1997–2000 to 19.8% in 2013–2016). Four-year WLT incidence diminished among patients aged 18–39 (55.8%–48.8%). Incidence of WLT was substantially lower among patients in lower-income communities, with no improvement over time. Likelihood of WLT after dialysis significantly declined over time (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% confidence interval, 0.79 to 0.82) in 2013–2016 relative to 1997–2000.

Conclusions

Despite wide recognition, policy reforms, and extensive research, rates of WLT following ESKD onset did not seem to improve in more than two decades and were consistently reduced among vulnerable populations. Improving access to transplantation may require more substantial interventions.
Preventing Corruption in the Judicial System of the Russian Federation: Opportunities for Corruption Connected with the Discretionary Powers of the Court Chairperson
Authors: Petukhov Nikolai , Ryabtseva Ekaterina , Tuganov Yuri , Aulov Vladimir
Published: February 2021

At the present moment, corruption crimes committed by civil service employees not only interfere with the work of public officials endowed with authority, but they also undermine the credibility of state power, the trust and respect of people for state institutions and, primarily, for equitable justice. The article describes the experience of counteracting corruption in the practice of courts and judicial bodies, including the High Qualification Board of Judges, the Councils of Judges of the Russian Federation and of its regions. Adhering to the requirements of international law and taking into consideration the national law systems, the authors based their research on the inter-disciplinary systemic approach, which is necessary for the effective prevention of corruption in the court system. The theoretical results of the research were reflected in determining both the general regularities of combating corruption in the court system and the specific characteristics that take into consideration the structural and functional features of court power and the legal status of public officials. The practical results include suggestions on optimizing the organization of corruption prevention in the court system, the cooperation of courts and judicial bodies with other state bodies and public institutions on counteracting corruption while preserving the independence of the judicial power. The practical conclusions could be used for optimizing the work of courts and judicial bodies connected with the organization and implementation of anti-corruption measures.
Involvement of Migrants in Prostitution: Problems of Legal Remedies
Authors: Bezruchko Evgeny , Millerov Evgeny , Nebratenko Gennady
Published: February 2021

The authors examine the possible combination of criminal law and administrative measures of counteracting migrant prostitution, and the involvement of migrants into such activities. It is concluded that topical problems in Russia include the counteraction to situations when not only migrants coming from abroad, but also citizens of the Russian Federation who leave for other countries are involved in prostitution. Migrants get involved in prostitution both voluntarily and as a result of deceit, threats, and use of violence. These people are more vulnerable than those with a citizenship, and they require closer attention to repress unlawful actions, including prostitution. The study of the problems in this sphere makes it possible to identify the economic reasons of women’s labor migration, which include, among others, the goal to become a sex worker in the country of residence. Involvement of women migrants in prostitution in their country of residence often leads to far more serious consequences for them than they would face if they were sex workers in their own country because they do not have a Russian citizenship and quite often violate migration legislation. The authors analyze the criminal and administrative measures that could be used to counteract the involvement of migrants in prostitution. This analysis allowed the authors to see the effectiveness of using a complex of measures aimed at the identification of criminal and administrative offences at the same time, both directly and indirectly connected with migrant prostitution. The authors formulate and present their ideas on improving the norms of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation and the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offences that provide liability for offences and actions connected with prostitution with the goal of improving the counteraction to migrant prostitution and the involvement of migrants into these activities.
The Use of Special Knowledge in the Investigation of Computer Crimes
Authors: Lantukh Eduard , Ishigeev Vladimir , Gribunov Oleg
Published: February 2021

The authors come to the conclusion that it is necessary to involve specia­lists in computer equipment in the process of investigation because the investigation and detection of computer crimes requires the analysis of computer information and its carriers. The characteristic features of examined objects determine, first of all, special rules for obtaining and registering them, as well as taking into consideration research methodology when ordering and conducting computer forensic examinations. Confiscation, examination, recording of computer information of evidential significance requires specialist knowledge. In this connection, it is necessary to involve specialists and (or) experts in the process of investigation, detection and prevention of computer crimes. The latent character of computer crimes, a wide use of remote assess, the absence of visual perception of virtual objects and other factors hinder the collection of computer information. Thus, ordering and conducting different types of computer forensic examination play a special role in the investigation, detection and prevention of crimes. A modern and high-quality examination conducted by specialists with expert knowledge in the sphere of hi tech during the investigation of computer technology-related criminal cases offers considerable support to the law enforcement bodies in combating not only these crimes, but also a whole range of crimes where information technology acts as a partial platform for criminal activities. When law enforcement bodies thus influence one of the components of regional and international criminal activities, they raise the level of both physical and information security of citizens. The authors also stress that the more actively information technologies enter the life of a society, the more vulnerable this society is to the criminals who use these technologies for their own purposes.
Construção e validação de instrumento de avaliação da qualidade da assistência hospitalar no puerpério: um estudo medotológico
Authors: Rodrigues Wilma Ferreira Guedes , De Oliveira Sylvia Silva , De Sales José Renato Paulino , Dantas Rodrigo de Assis Neves , Dantas Daniele Vieira , De Carvalho Jovanka Bittencourt Leite
Published: February 2021

OBJETIVO: construir e validar um instrumento para avaliaçãoda qualidade da assistência hospitalar prestada no puerpério. MÉTODO: trata-se de um estudo metodológico, para construção e validação de instrumento de avaliação da qualidade da assistência no puerpério, que será analisado por juízes (peritos) e por puérperas (público alvo) para verificar a adequação dos itens.Além do anteposto, o supracitado também passará por uma correção léxica e gramatical. Validação teórica, essa se dará a partir da análise da concordância dos juízes com uso do índice Kappa (K) e Índice de Validade de Conteúdo (IVC), considerando K≥0,80 e IVC>0,80. RESULTADOS ESPERADOS: acredita-se que a construção e validação de instrumento especifico para avaliar o puerpério seja capaz de elucidar a incorporação de boas práticas na assistência à saúde da mulher no puerpério, bem como para proporcionar à mulher e profissionais, novas possibilidades para o puerpério dentro do modelo assistencial humanizado.
Hybrid approach of arterial allograft application in reconstructive surgery of the great arteries
Authors: Kalinin R E , Suchkov I A , Karpov V V , Solianik N A , Pshennikov A S , Egorov A A
Published: February 2021

The article presents a case of a hybrid intervention using an arterial allograft on the great arteries of the lower extremities in a patient with chronic limb threatening ischemia and prosthetic infection. The patient has a history of repeated operations using synthetic polytetrafluoroethylene and dacron prostheses. In the early postoperative period, a clinical presentation of the prosthesis bed suppuration developed. The article shows the main phases of patient treatment: removal of synthetic prostheses, transplantation of the donor femoral artery, and balloon angioplasty of the popliteal and anterolateral arteries. In the postoperative period, blood circulation in the lower limb is fully compensated, and the dorsal pedis artery pulse is determined. Wounds were healed by primary intention. At the control visit after 6 months, no adverse events were revealed; according to the data of duplex scanning, the main blood flow in the arteries of the leg was recorded, the blood circulation was fully compensated. Thus, hybrid intervention using arterial allograft and balloon angioplasty of the popliteal and anterolateral tibial arteries proved to be an effective method of treatment in the current clinical situation.
Efficiency of wound dressing made of powder cotton cellulose
Authors: Ksembaev S S , Nesterov O V , Khafizova L N
Published: February 2021

Aim. To study the effectiveness of a wound dressing made of powdered cotton cellulose for open surgical wounds in the oral cavity.

Methods. The effectiveness of a wound dressing made of powdered cotton cellulose during vestibuloplasty was assessed based on clinical indicators. The study included 197 children aged 812 years (boys 91, girls 106), divided into 2 groups the main group (100 children treated with powdered cotton cellulose wound dressing) and the comparison group (97 children, treated with a surgical gauze dressing). The number of children in clinical groups was determined by the copy-pair method. The dynamics of the postoperative period was assessed according to traditional clinical indicators (the presence of pain, inflammatory edema, hematomas, healing time, etc.). The severity of general and local clinical signs was determined by using the system of its assessment in points developed by us. Differences were considered significant at p 0.05.

Results. In the postoperative period, the patients of the main group had no complications in contrast to the patients of the comparison group, who had pronounced edema and hematomas of the soft tissues of the chin, edema and hyperemia of the displaced flap. Changes in clinical signs severity in points also prevailed in the comparison group (p 0.001). The surgical wound showed complete epithelialization after 11.40.7 days in the main group and after 13.50.9 days in the comparison group. The reduction in the duration of treatment was 2.10.8 days.

Conclusion. When using a wound dressing made of powdered cotton cellulose, the wound is protected from the aggressive environment of the mouth, including microflora, food debris, etc., which excludes the possibility of its secondary infection; there is no pain, postoperative inflammatory edema and hematomas; the surgical wound healing time is reduced; there are no contraindications, no side and allergic reactions.
Age-related characteristic of human intervertebral discs from normal anatomy’s point of view
Authors: Makarova V V , Volchihin M V
Published: February 2021

Aim. To compare morphological characteristics between anterior and posterior parts of human intervertebral discs, taking into account age.

Methods. Fragments of 36 intervertebral discs C5C6, D5D6, L5S1 anterior parts taken from deceased persons aged 34 to 94 years, median age 61.0 (50.5; 71.8) years were examined. The comparison group consists of histopathological material obtained from 12 patients with radicular syndrome during planned L5S1 microdiscectomies aged 3577 years, median age 48.5 (43.0; 58.8) years. There were no statistically significant differences in age between the studied groups (p=0.126023). All materials were divided into subgroups depending on the age of the deceased/operated: 3452 and 6094 years for material obtained from the deceased; 3551 and 5877 years for material obtained after surgery. The differences between the three groups were examined by the KruskalWallis test, and quantitative indicators in the two groups were compared by MannWhitney U-test.

Results. In the anterior part of the intervertebral discs, signs of degenerative-dystrophic changes were noted in all studied samples. All samples of nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus were fibrocartilage with no inflammation. Statistically significant differences (р=0.0283) were obtained in the number of isogenous groups of chondrocytes in intervertebral discs C5C6 anterior part compared with D5D6, L5S1 in individuals aged 3452. Age subgroups (3452 and 6094 years old) differed significantly (р=0.0219) in the number of single chondrocytes according to results of morphometry of anterior part of intervertebral discs L5S1. Anterior and posterior parts of intervertebral discs L5S1 differed statistically significant in the number of isogenous groups of chondrocytes when comparing the subgroup of operated patients aged 3551 years (р=0.008475) with the subgroup of deceased persons aged 3452 years and the subgroup of operated patients aged 5877 years (р=0.033753) with the subgroup of deceased aged 6094 years.

Conclusion. Anterior and posterior part of intervertebral discs L5S1 had similar qualitative histological characteristics; however, the number of isogenous groups of chondrocytes in the posterior part of intervertebral discs L5S1 samples indicated a greater effect of compression loading compared to anterior part of the same spinal motion segment.
COVID-19: Political challenges for public health
Authors: Mukharyamova L M , Zalyaev A R , Shammazova E Yu
Published: February 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has become not only an epidemiological and medical problem but also a challenge for all systems of society, a test for political institutions. The real threats to public health and the enormous pressure on public health systems have shaped the unprecedented coercive measures to limit mobility and social exclusion that governments have adopted to control the situation. The effectiveness of political institutions in the implementation of anti-epidemiological measures was different. The review considers interdisciplinary approaches to analy-zing a systemic crisis in a pandemic, which has revealed a close relationship between social and economic equality, health equity and population health. The disproportionately high correlation of mortality from new infection with structural inequality at the intersection of status, class, racial/ethnic minority, and profession is shown. The problems of politicization of the pandemic and social polarization, the influence of confidence in the state, the health care system, and healthcare professionals on compliance with recommended behaviors by various social groups are considered. The speed with which new scientific information is generated during a pandemic and the need for a quick response enhance the likelihood of misinformation appearing in the information environment. The article shows the danger of infodemic for the unity of society against the backdrop of the growing role of the media and social networks in supporting the population. Approaches to the problem of vaccine mistrust are examined, the need to develop a policy of equitable distribution of vaccines, educate the population to increase adherence to vaccination is shown. A post-coronavirus strategy for the development of public health has been proposed, which includes increasing investment in health systems, overcoming health inequities, caring for healthcare professionals, and developing biomedical science.