bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR DETECTING METAMORPHIC VIRUSES BASED ON THE ANALYSIS OF THE BEHAVIOR OF APPLICATIONS IN THE CORPORATE NETWORK
Authors:   Khmelnytskyi National University, NICHEPORUK A. , NICHEPORUK A. ,   Khmelnytskyi National University, NEGA I. ,   Khmelnytskyi National University, NICHEPORUK Y. ,   Khmelnytskyi National University, KAZANTSEV A. ,   Khmelnytskyi National University
Published: February 2021

The problem of cybercrime is one of the greatest threats to the modern information world. Among a wide range of different types of malware, the leading place is occupied by viral programs that use mutations of their own software code, ie polymorphic and metamorphic viruses. The purpose of transforming your own code is for attackers to try to make their previous malware different (in terms of syntax, not in terms of semantics) with each new infection. According to a study conducted by Webroot in 2018, about 94% of all malware performs mutations in their software code. In addition, the problem of the prevalence of mutated software is complicated by the availability of free access to metamorphic generators, which allows you to import into malware metamorphic component. Therefore, the relevance of the development of new methods and information technologies focused on the detection of polymorphic and metamorphic software leaves no doubt. The paper proposed the information technology for detecting metamorphic viruses based on the analysis of the behavior of applications in the corporate network. The detection process is based on the analysis of API calls that describe the potentially dangerous behavior of the software application. After establishing the fact of suspicious behavior of the application, the disassembled code of the functional blocks of the suspicious application is compared with the code of the functional blocks of its modified version. Modified emulators are installed on network hosts to create a modified version of the software application. In order to increase the overall efficiency of detection of metamorphic viruses, information technology involves searching a match between the functional blocks of the metamorphic virus and its modified version. A fuzzy inference system is used to form a conclusion about the similarity of a suspicious program to a metamorphic virus. In case of insufficient manifestation of harmful behavior and in order to increase the level of reliability for the detection of metamorphic virus, other network hosts are involved.
APPROACHES TO THE CREATION OF INFORMATION AND ANALYTICAL SYSTEM FOR EVALUATION OF EFFICIENCY OF MATHEMATICAL MODELS
Authors:   The National Academy of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine named after Bohdan Khmelnytskyi, BOROVYK O. , BOROVYK L. ,   The National Academy of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine named after Bohdan Khmelnytskyi, HODOVANETS S. ,   Khmelnytskyi National University
Published: February 2021

The article is devoted to the substantiation of the choice of the basic technique of estimation of efficiency of mathematical models which could be accepted as the basic model at the development of the corresponding information-analytical system, and also the definition of those provisions which need to be considered in the specified basic technique. The study found that as a basic method of evaluating the effectiveness of mathematical models, it is advisable to adopt a methodology based on a combination of existing approaches to evaluating efficiency, the first of which concerns the implementation of stages of evaluating the feasibility of modeling, comparative evaluation of models, the second is the quantitative assessment of significant requirements for mathematical models of phenomena, processes, and systems. These approaches should complement each other at the macro and micro levels by implementing the properties of additivity and superposition of important provisions for modeling, which are different in different approaches. In this case, the main aspects that determine the necessary areas for improvement of the basic methodology are aspects related to the creation of instrumental methods for estimating the speed and material costs of creating a model and evaluating the research result obtained using modeling, as well as substantiation of analytical dependencies. to determine the average criterion assessment of the model, integrated assessment of incremental effects, reliability of modeling, relative average values of error introduced into model calculations due to generalized consideration of parameters and factors, dependence for absolute assessment of modeling completeness.
METHOD FOR RESILIENCE FORECASTING OF THE CALAUD-ORIENTED CYBERPHYSICAL SYSTEMS
Authors:   Khmelnytskyi National University, LYSENKO S. , KONDRATIUK V. ,   Khmelnytskyi National University
Published: February 2021

Cyberphysical system is the integration of physical space (equipment, devices and people) with computing, communication and control systems (cyberspace). The National Institute of Standards and Terminology (NIST) has defined CFS as cyberphysical systems (CFS), which are designed systems built on the continuous integration of computational algorithms and physical components. Improving the CFS provides greater opportunities for performance, adaptability, scalability, stability, security and usability, far exceeding today's simple embedded systems. CFS technology will transform the interaction of people with the engineering system [1, 2]. Today, cyberphysical systems exist in various fields, such as automotive, aerospace, civil, railway, medical. Large productions seek to increase the availability of the asset, while reducing maintenance costs through cyberphysical systems. With the development of the industry and the use of systems in production, the proposed maintenance is used constantly to avoid failures. CFS maintenance is performed when certain indicators signal that the condition of the system has deteriorated. One way to solve this problem is to provide systems with resistance properties. Such systems are able to recover quickly and continue to function in changing conditions [3-9]. Therefore, the urgent task is to develop approaches that will predict the resilience of cyberphysical systems based on cloud computing. It is necessary to build methods and tools that will monitor the condition of the CFS and predict the timely replacement of their components that may fail. The application of the process of predicting the resilience of cyberphysical systems using cloud-oriented increases the effective reliability and availability of cyberphysical systems in its life cycle by identifying future failures and reducing unscheduled maintenance. The forecasting process involves the assessment of the useful life, and the implementation of a post-forecast decision on maintenance measures in accordance with the rules. The method of predicting the resilience of cloud-oriented cyberphysical systems allows to determine the state of the cyberphysical systems using cloud computing. The mechanism used to reduce the cost of maintenance and detailed planning of maintenance operations, the apparatus of genetic algorithms.
WEB TECHNOLOGY OF USING VIDEO CAPTURE PROGRAMS IN THE PREPARATION OF EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS FOR DISTANCE LEARNING
Authors:   Khmelnitskyi National University, IVANOV O. , KOROLCHUK V. ,   Khmelnitskyi National University
Published: February 2021

Promising areas for improving the education system, and with the advent of coronavirus online mode has become critical in education, in this regard are at home. Schools have started using Zoom software, and the role of the modular learning environment has grown significantly. At the same time, many problems were identified, such as the lack of Internet access for students from rural areas or disadvantaged families, which has become an obstacle to learning and access to educational materials. In response, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has made a number of recommendations for distance learning. Modern distance education is an extensive system of knowledge transfer at a distance using various tools and technologies, the result of which is the receipt by users of the necessary information for its successful implementation in practice. There are a variety of ways to disseminate knowledge today: mailing books, writing assignments, audio and video discs, telephone consultations, and virtually limitless possibilities of the World Wide Web. The use of distance learning methods allows to provide educational services of various kinds in remote areas, to teach without interruption from the main activity, to teach people with disabilities, to have access to educational resources of the world through the use of modern electronic communications. In today's world, education plays a key role in people's lives, which makes it necessary to constantly develop teaching methods, including distance learning. The coronavirus pandemic has revealed many shortcomings of distance education, as well as the absolute unpreparedness of students and educational institutions for this form of education. That is why it is important to develop this industry now in order to further provide comfortable education for both Ukrainian and foreign students and to ensure that in the future the education system will be ready for situations similar to the coronavirus pandemic. The article is written to assess the advantages and disadvantages of distance learning, its necessity, analysis of the requirements for distance learning materials. Prospects of technologies of multimedia representation of researched objects, processes, phenomena, adequate modeling of the subject area, and their realization.
ON THE NECESSITY OF IMPROVING THE METHOD OF CLUSTERIZATION OF VESSEL ROUTES AS A PROCEDURAL MODULE OF THE AUTOMATED DATA PRODUCTION PROCESSING SYSTEM IN SUN
Authors:   The National Academy of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine named after Bohdan Khmelnytskyi, BOROVYK O. , BOROVYK D. ,   Khmelnitskyi National University, KOSTELNA T. ,   Khmelnytskyi National University
Published: February 2021

The article is devoted to the analysis of the existing method of clustering of ship routes within the exclusive sea (economic) zone from the standpoint of substantiation of its application or identification of ways to improve it for use in the surface lighting system in the interests of national security at the state border. The study found that the existing method of clustering ship routes can not be explicitly applicable for use in the surface lighting system as a procedural module of the automated data processing system, which would provide a sufficient level of reliability to detect signs of violations of border legislation within the exclusive maritime ( economic) zone. It is also established that the improvement of the method of clustering of routes of ships should address the following issues: definition of such types of approximation for the formation of continuous routes of individual ships, which would provide a sufficient level of reliability of the results on given experimental data sets. time; justification for the choice of such a number of experimental points of location of ships and directly a combination of points that would ensure a sufficient level of reliability of the conclusions formed; study of different metrics to establish the similarity of arbitrary routes of ships from the standpoint of ensuring unambiguous conclusions; adaptation of the proposed tools to the boundary initial conditions of the studied problem; adaptation of the method for the case of arbitrary complexity of the route of vessels; formation of such a method of constructing a reference route within the desired cluster, which would ensure the reproduction of the route in the form of a continuous trajectory
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR COMPARING DISTANCE LEARNING SERVICES
Authors:   Khmelnitskyi National University, KYSIL T. , NECHUYVITER M. ,   Khmelnitskyi National University
Published: February 2021

We will remember 2020 with the coronavirus pandemic. This terrible disease has caused a long-term quarantine and therefore the whole planet, including Ukraine, has switched to distance learning. In the age of the Internet, there are many different services for distance learning, so all schools, universities, and other educational institutions have begun to use a variety of services. But after long use, it became clear that all services have their drawbacks and do not cover all the needs of teachers or students. The distance form of education opens access to education for a wide range of people who for some reason cannot study traditionally. However, in distance learning, there is a problem of lack of communication with teachers and classmates, which is the most important information channel in the learning process. Not all distance learning services are the same. An important issue for both teachers and students is the choice of a distance learning service. The article provides a brief overview of the functional features of the most popular educational tools that use the power of social media to help students in the learning process, and teachers to interact with each other, and students who are able to minimize the lack of direct communication with their social group. The article proposes an approach to the assessment of the integrated indicator, which would take into account the needs of both parties to the educational process. According to the proposed method, a comparison of the most used services that support distance learning.
Analysis of project organization specifics in small-scale LNG production
Authors: Tsvetkov Pavel , Fedoseev S.
Published: February 2021

Gas industry plays an important role in the global energy sector, and in the coming decades amountsof natural gas production will only increase. One of the fastest growing trends in gas industry is the production of liquefiednatural gas (LNG), which is associated with the necessity to organize flexible systems of gas supply to the regions,remote from gas extraction sites. Industrial structure of LNG production includes projects, belonging to several different groups depending to their scale, in particular, small-scale production (SSLNG), cumulative production capacityof which is approximately 10 % from the industry-wide one. Economic aspects of implementing such projects remainunderexplored, which does not allow to draw objective conclusions regarding the prospects of their implementationin particular regions.This paper contains a review of publications, devoted to SSLNG project studies, aimed at identifying specifics oftheir organization compared to projects of greater scale. The results demonstrate that the majority of internationalcompanies classify projects as SSLNG, if their annual production capacity is below 0.5 million tonnes per annum.Specific capital costs, as well as implementation timelines of such projects, are several times lower than those of projects with greater production capacity, which reduces their risks and minimizes barriers to market entry. Furthermore,SSLNG is the most decentralized subsector in gas industry, aiming to cover the market due to a growing numberof projects, not their specific production capacity. These specific features define significant prospects of SSLNGdevelopment in Russia, both in the context of energy supply to remote regions and diversification of export deliveries.
Method for calculating dynamic loads and energy consumption of a sucker rod installation with an automatic balancing system
Authors: Urazakov Kamil , Molchanova Veronika , Tugunov Pavel
Published: February 2021

The efficiency of sucker rod pump installations, which have become widespread in mechanized lift practice, is largely determined by the balance of the drive. During the operation of sucker rod installations, the balance of loads acting on the rod string and the drive can change significantly due to changes in the dynamic fluid level, which leads to a decrease in balance and an increase in loads on the pumping equipment units. The increase and decrease in the dynamic level in accordance with the pumping and accumulation cycle occurs in wells operating in the periodic pumping mode.

It is shown that during the operation of equipment in a periodic mode, fluctuations in the dynamic level and, accordingly, in the loads acting on the nodes occur. This leads to the need for dynamic adjustment of the balancing weights to ensure the balance of the pumping unit. A system for automatic balancing of the rod drive has been developed, including a balancing counterweight, an electric motor that moves the load along the balance beam, a propeller and a computing unit.

To study the effectiveness of the proposed device, a complex mathematical model of the joint operation of the reservoir - well - sucker rod pump - rod string – pumping unit has been developed. It is shown that due to the dynamic adjustment of the balance counterweight position, the automatic balancing system makes it possible to significantly reduce the amplitude value of the torque on the crank shaft (in comparison with the traditional rod installation) and provide a more uniform load of the electric motor. Equalization of torque and motor load reduces the power consumption of the unit.
Improving the efficiency of terrigenous oil-saturated reservoir development by the system of oriented selective slotted channels
Authors: CHERNYSHOV Sergei , Repina Vera , Krysin Nikolay , Macdonald David
Published: February 2021

A comparative assessment of variation in the flow rate of oil production wells was performed taking into account increasing of perforated area of the productive part of the rocks, as well as recover of reservoir rocks permeability due to their unloading by creating slotted channels with the method of oriented slotted hydro-sandblast perforation. Different orientation directions and slotting intervals were analyzed, taking into account water encroachment of individual interlayers and azimuth direction of the majority of remaining reserves in separate blocks of the examined formation.

In order to estimate development efficiency of terrigenous oil-saturated porous-type reservoirs by means of oriented slotted hydro-sandblast perforation, calculations were performed on a full-scale geological and hydrodynamic model of an oil field in the Perm Region. The object of modeling was a Visean terrigenous productive formation.

The modeling of implementing oriented slotted hydro-sandblast perforation was carried out on a 3D filtration model for fourteen marginal wells, located in the zone with excessive density of remaining recoverable reserves and heterogeneous reserve recovery along the section. An optimal layout of slotted channels along the depth of the productive part of the well section was developed. Selective formation of 24 slotted channels was carried out considering the intervals of increased oil saturation. Comparative analysis of estimated flow rate of the wells was performed for cumulative perforation of the examined productive formation and the developed method of slotted perforation. As a result of modeling, an increase in the oil average flow rate of 2.25 t/day was obtained. With oriented slotted hydro-sandblast perforation, incremental cumulative production for two years of prediction calculations per one well reached 0.5 thousand t.
The Effect of Work Environment, Work Facilities and Work Motivation on Employee Performance at the DPRD Secretariat Bondowoso Regency
Authors: Wahet Abdul , Widagdo Suwignyo , Prastyowati Agustin Hari
Published: February 2021

To achieve organizational goals requires a good performance from its employees. Employee performance factors are strongly influenced by the work environment, work facilities and employee motivation. The purpose of this study was to determine how much influence the Work Environment, Work facilities and Work Motivation on Employee Performance in the Secretariat of the Bondowoso Regency DPRD either partially or simultaneously. Respondents in this study were 65 civil servants with civil servant status in the Secretariat of the DPRD Bondowoso Regency as many as 65 people who were determined using saturated sampling techniques, where all populations were sampled. The data analysis used in this study is multiple linear regression analysis to determine the level of influence of the independent variable on the dependent variable with the help of the SPSS for Windows program. The partial test results for the influence of work environment variables on employee performance, it is known that there is a significant influence of work environment on employee performance. For the influence of work facilities variables on employee performance, it is known that there is a significant effect of work facilities on employee performance. And for the influence of work motivation variables on employee performance, it is known that there is a significant effect of work motivation on employee performance. Simultaneous testing results, it can be concluded that the work environment, work facilities, and work motivation are proven to have a significant effect simultaneously on employee performance in the Secretariat of the DPRD Bondowoso Regency.

Keywords: Work Environment; Work Facilities; Work Motivation; Employee Performance
Pengaruh Perencanaan Serta Pelaksanaan dan Penatausahaan Terhadap Pertanggungjawaban Keuangan BUMDes
Authors: Widodo Teguh , Suharyono Suharyono
Published: February 2021

This study aims to determine the effect of planning (X1), implementation and administration (X2) variables on accountability (Y). The object of this research is BUMDes in Bengkalis Regency, Riau. The method of determining the sample in this study using purposive sampling with a total sample of 32 BUMDes. The results of the study prove that the planning (X1), implementation and administration (X2) variables for accountability (Y) are partially or simultaneously. This proves that in BUMDes management, planning and implementation as well as administration in accordance with regulations and standard operating procedures will have an impact on optimal BUMDes management accountability.

Keywords: Planning, Implementation, Administration, Accountability, BUMDes.
DPR Sebagai Pemediasi Antara CAONS, DTAR, Dan GCG Pada Harga Saham
Authors: Jariah Ainun
Published: February 2021

The company's performance projections are the focus of investors, especially investment decisions, funding decisions, and dividend policies, plus GCG which contribute to stock price volatility. The purpose of his research to detect the influence of CAONS, DTAR, and GCG individually and simultaneously on DPR and share prices, with DPR as a mediator. The number of samples 37 industry company registered on the BEI during 5 years since 2012. Analysis of data is path analysis and sobel tests for mediation variables. The research results explain that partially DTAR and GCG have a significant effect on DPR. but the share prices all three variables have no significant impact . Simultaneously CAONS, DTAR, and GCG have a significant impact on DPR and than no significant on share price. DPR has an effect and significant on share prices. Partially and simultaneously CAONS, DTAR, and GCG have no relationship to stock prices through DPR, and DPR is only able to mediate CAONS to stock prices.

Keyword: CAONS, DTAR, GCG, DPR, and Stock Prices.
Consumidores supermercadistas no e-commerce
Authors: Cristina Guerra Luana , Regina Lopes Costa Barbara , Medeiros de Araújo Richard
Published: February 2021

O presente trabalho propõe conhecer um pouco mais sobre o consumidor supermercadista que utiliza o e-commerce para suas compras, identificando se este consumidor opta por receber os produtos em casa, via entrega a domicílio, ou prefere retirar no local físico, utilizando o sistema drive-thru. Considerando os procedimentos metodológicos a pesquisa caracteriza-se como exploratória e descritiva, dada a contemporaneidade do tema e por expor características de determinada população. O levantamento de campo, utilizou um questionário on-line que continha questões de múltiplas escolhas e geraram dados tratados de forma quantitativa. Os resultados principais foram que o setor supermercadista ainda não tem relevância no e-commerce, pois as pessoas preferem realizar tais compras de alimentos presencialmente. Já em relação às opções de entregas de diferentes produtos citados no questionário além do setor supermercadista, a maioria prefere o sistema de entrega a domicílio ao invés do sistema de entrega drive-thru, usufruindo dos principais benefícios: conforto de poder comprar sem sair de casa, economia de tempo e praticidade. Conclui-se que o setor supermercadista ainda vem se adaptando para este novo formato de vendas, enquanto o serviço de entrega a domicílio é o mais utilizado e escolhido pelos participantes após efetuar uma compra on-line. Assim, empresas que optam somente pelo sistema de entrega via drive-thru, não conseguirá atender as expectativas da maioria dos clientes, a não ser que passem a oferecer ambos os serviços, deixando a critério de cada cliente o tipo de entrega na qual deseja receber seus produtos.
Consequências do neoconstitucionalismo
Authors: Silva Mota Deborah
Published: February 2021

Após a Segunda Guerra Mundial houve grandes mudanças no cenário constitucional, surgindo o neoconstitucionalismo. Com o novo modelo as constituições passaram a aderir o padrão americano tendo como base a supremacia da constituição e havendo obrigação dos legisladores darem efetividade a ela (a constituição). Assim sendo, o Judiciário passou a tratar de certos temas que antes não eram levados até ele, dando maior poder à função jurisdicional ao adotar o mecanismo do controle de constitucionalidade. A escolha do presente tema se deu em razão de haver inúmeras decisões do Supremo Tribunal Federal que não fazem jus à função de guardião da constituição e sim atuando com legislador, denotando um ativismo judicial não previsto em suas competências. Desta forma é que o judiciário se torna o monarca contemporâneo, no qual a população deposita seus problemas e passam anos esperando por uma solução.

Palavras-chave: Neoconstitucionalismo. Ativismo Judicial. Supremo Tribunal Federal.Constituição.
O impacto da crise pelo Covid-19 nas micro e pequenas empresas
Authors: Schreiber Dusan , Moraes Margareth Aparecida , Stasiak Ligia
Published: February 2021

A crise que afeta o Brasil decorrente da pandemia relacionada ao Covid-19, tem grande reflexo em todos os segmentos empresariais. Com o objetivo de identificar os impactos financeiros e econômicos causados pela pandemia de COVID-19 nas micro e pequenas empresas localizadas na região metropolitana de Porto Alegre – RS foram analisadas 21 empresas tributadas pelo Simples Nacional. Os aspectos metodológicos utilizados consistem em revisão bibliográfica acerca dos assuntos pertinentes ao tema, fornecendo subsídios para a coleta de dados empíricos da pesquisa, que pode ser considerada exploratória e descritiva, suportadas por análises quantitativas, estudo de casos múltiplos com dados de natureza documental. Diante dos resultados obtidos foi possível constatar que dezesseis das vinte e uma empresas analisadas já sofreram com redução em seus faturamentos nos primeiros meses da pandemia, e onze empresas realizaram redução do quadro de funcionários através de demissões, apenas quatro utilizaram-se das reduções e suspensões disponibilizadas pelo governo.
Em busca de perspectivas contra-hegemônicas dos direitos humanos
Authors: Jorge Araújo Gabriela
Published: February 2021

O presente artigo tem como objetivo propor a revisitação das narrativas de Direitos Humanos como hoje concebidas pelo Direito Internacional dos Direitos Humanos, em busca de novas possibilidades e gramáticas sociais que valorizem a multiculturalidade e não silenciem ou excluam as subjetividades de grupos vulneráveis em nome da pretensão de universalidade utópica que consolida a desigualdade das narrativas hegemônicas de poder decorrentes do capitalismo neoliberal, eurocêntrico e patriarcal. Para tanto, utiliza-se a decisão do Supremo Tribunal Federal em controle de constitucionalidade concentrado que criminalizou a LGBTFOBIA como paradigma para sustentar a urgente discussão sobre a importância da eficácia vinculante e social do sistema de precedentes brasileiro, dando ênfase a seus reflexos na busca pelo reconhecimento de direitos fundamentais e pela criação de novas gramáticas jurídico-sociais capazes de promover a efetiva representação e ocupação dos espaços de poder democráticos dentro de uma sociedade multicultural e pluridiversa.
A (des)industrialização brasileira em tempos de pandemia
Authors: Amaral Oliveira Talita
Published: February 2021

RESUMO

 

O presente trabalho é classificado como explicativo, na medida em que buscar expor causa e efeito da revogação pela lei 13.874, de 20 de setembro de 2019 por meio do seu artigo 19, I. O método de abordagem é o hipotético-dedutivo, devido ao levantamento de conjecturas que foram testadas, objetivando uma melhor resposta ao problema: a revogação pela lei de Liberdade Econômica – 13.874, de 20 de setembro de 2019 –, por meio do seu artigo 19, I, corrobora para o desenvolvimento econômico através da saúde em tempos de pandemia? O referencial usado foi o Complexo Econômico Industrial da Saúde (CEIS) e a ideologia constitucionalmente adotada do professor  Washington Albino Peluso de Souza. A técnica de pesquisa usada foi à documentação indireta; documental e bibliográfica.
Spectrum of FGFR2/3 Alterations in Cell-Free DNA of Patients with Advanced Urothelial Carcinoma
Authors: Grivas Petros , Kiedrowski Lesli A. , Sonpavde Guru P. , Gupta Sumati V. , Thomas Roby A. , Gourdin Theodore S. , Hardin Aaron I. , Hamann Kimberly M. , Faltas Bishoy M. , Vogelzang Nicholas J.
Published: February 2021

Detecting genomic alterations (GAs) in advanced urothelial carcinoma (aUC) can expand treatment options by identifying candidates for targeted therapies. Erdafitinib is FDA-approved for patients with platinum-refractory aUC with activating mutation or fusion in FGFR2/3. We explored the prevalence and spectrum of FGFR2/3 GAs identified with plasma cfDNA NGS testing (Guardant360) in 997 patients with aUC. FGFR2/3 GAs were detected in 201 patients (20%) with characterized activating GAs in 141 (14%). Our results indicate the Guardant360-based FGFR2/3 GA detection rate is similar to those described from previous studies employing tumor tissue testing, suggesting that plasma-based cfDNA NGS may non-invasively identify candidates for anti-FGFR targeted therapies.
Are the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire and Oswestry Disability Index interchangeable in patients after lumbar spinal fusion?
Authors: Kersten R.F.M.R. , Fikkers J. , Wolterbeek N. , Öner F.C. , van Gaalen S.M.
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND: Low back pain is a common health problem for which there are several treatment options. For optimizing clinical decision making, evaluation of treatments and research purposes it is important that health care professionals are able to evaluate the functional status of patients. Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) are widely accepted and recommended. The Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) are the two mainly used condition-specific patient reported outcomes. Concerns regarding the content and structural validity and also the different scoring systems of these outcome measures makes comparison of treatment results difficult. OBJECTIVE: Aim of this study was to determine if the RMDQ and ODI could be used exchangeable by assessing the correlation and comparing different measurement properties between the questionnaires. METHODS: Clinical data from patients who participated in a multicenter RCT with 2 year follow-up after lumbar spinal fusion were used. Outcome measures were the RMDQ, ODI, Short Form 36 – Health Survey (SF-36), leg pain and back pain measured on a 0–100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS). Cronbach’s alpha coefficients, Spearman correlation coefficients, multiple regression analysis and Bland-Altman plots were calculated. RESULTS: three hundred and seventy-six completed questionnaires filled out by 87 patients were used. The ODI and RMDQ had both a good level of internal consistency. There was a very strong correlation between the RMDQ and the ODI (r= 0.87; p< 0.001), and between the VAS and both the ODI and RMDQ. However, the Bland-Altman plot indicated bad agreement between the ODI and RMDQ. CONCLUSIONS: The RMDQ and ODI cannot be used interchangeably, nor is there a possibility of converting the score from one questionnaire to the other. However, leg pain and back pain seemed to be predictors for both the ODI and the RMDQ.
Plasma Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor Levels Are Associated with Aging and Smoking But Not with Future Dementia in the Rotterdam Study
Authors: Galle Sara , Licher Silvan , Milders Maarten , Deijen Jan Berend , Scherder Erik , Drent Madeleine , Ikram Arfan , van Duijn Cornelia M.
Published: February 2021

Background:

Brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) plays a vital role in neuronal survival and plasticity and facilitates long-term potentiation, essential for memory. Alterations in BDNF signaling have been associated with cognitive impairment, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. Although peripheral BDNF levels are reduced in dementia patients, it is unclear whether changes in BDNF levels precede or follow dementia onset.

Objective:

In the present study, we examined the association between BDNF plasma levels and dementia risk over a follow-up period of up to 16 years.

Methods:

Plasma BDNF levels were assessed in 758 participants of the Rotterdam Study. Dementia was assessed from baseline (1997–1999) to follow-up until January 2016. Associations of plasma BDNF and incident dementia were assessed with Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for age and sex. Associations between plasma BDNF and lifestyle and metabolic factors are investigated using linear regression.

Results:

During a follow up of 3,286 person-years, 131 participants developed dementia, of whom 104 had Alzheimer’s disease. We did not find an association between plasma BDNF and risk of dementia (adjusted hazard ratio 0.99; 95%CI 0.84–1.16). BDNF levels were positively associated with age (B = 0.003, SD = 0.001, p = 0.002), smoking (B = 0.08, SE = 0.01, p = < 0.001), and female sex (B = 0.03, SE = 0.01, p = 0.03), but not with physical activity level (B = –0.01, SE = 0.01, p = 0.06).

Conclusion:

The findings suggest that peripheral BDNF levels are not associated with an increased risk of dementia.
Low Doses of Ionizing Radiation as a Treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease: A Pilot Study
Authors: Cuttler Jerry M. , Abdellah Eslam , Goldberg Yael , Al-Shamaa Sarmad , Symons Sean P. , Black Sandra E. , Freedman Morris
Published: February 2021

Background:

In 2015, a patient in hospice with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) was treated with ionizing radiation to her brain using repeated CT scans. Improvement in cognition, speech, movement, and appetite was observed. These improvements were so momentous that she was discharged from the hospice to a long-term care home. Based on this case, we conducted a pilot clinical trial to examine the effect of low-dose ionizing radiation (LDIR) in severe AD.

Objective:

To determine whether the previously reported benefits of LDIR in a single case with AD could be observed again in other cases with AD when the same treatments are given.

Methods:

In this single-arm study, four patients were treated with three consecutive treatments of LDIR, each spaced two weeks apart. Qualitative changes in communication and behavior with close relatives were observed and recorded. Quantitative measures of cognition and behavior were administered pre and post LDIR treatments.

Results:

Minor improvements on quantitative measures were noted in three of the four patients following treatment. However, the qualitative observations of cognition and behavior suggested remarkable improvements within days post-treatment, including greater overall alertness. One patient showed no change.

Conclusion:

LDIR may be a promising, albeit controversial therapy for AD. Trials of patients with less severe AD, double-blind and placebo-controlled, should be carried out to determine the benefits of LDIR. Quantitative measures are needed that are sensitive to the remarkable changes induced by LDIR, such as biological markers of oxidative stress that are associated with AD.
Distinct Profile Differences in Subjective Cognitive Decline in the General Public Are Associated with Metacognition, Negative Affective Symptoms, Neuroticism, Stress, and Poor Quality of Life
Authors: Jenkins Amy , Tree Jeremy , Tales Andrea
Published: February 2021

Background:

Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is increasingly recognized in both the clinical and research arenas as a risk factor for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. Although SCD is etiologically heterogeneous and potentially treatable, in comparison to MCI and Alzheimer’s disease, SCD remains poorly characterized with its clinical relevance often questioned.

Objective:

This study’s aim was to improve the characterization of SCD within the general public.

Methods:

Individuals with SCD were compared to those without via a battery of measures.

Results:

Both the SCD and the non-SCD group correlational analysis identified significant relationships between worse SCD, worse metacognitive dysfunction, negative affective symptoms, and greater levels of stress. The SCD group displayed additional correlational relationships between Cognitive Change Index (Self report) (CCI-S) scores, higher neuroticism scores, and poorer quality of life (QoL). Partial correlation analysis in the SCD group suggests CCI-S scores, anxiety, depression, and metacognition are intercorrelated. Ad hoc analyses using metacognition as the grouping variable found that those experiencing worse metacognitive dysfunction were significantly more likely to experience poorer SCD, psychological and social QoL, greater levels of anxiety, depression, stress, and neuroticism.

Conclusion:

The emerging pattern from the analysis indicates that SCD appears associated with sub-clinical negative affective difficulties, metacognitive, and other psycho-social issues, and poorer QoL. Dysfunctional cognitive control at a meta-level may impact someone’s ability to rationally identify cognitive changes, increase worry about cognitive changes, and allow such changes to impact their lives more than those with superior metacognitive control. Findings could impact SCD assessment, monitoring, early intervention, and ultimately reducing risk of further decline.
Olfactory Impairment Is Related to Tau Pathology and Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Klein Julia , Yan Xinyu , Johnson Aubrey , Tomljanovic Zeljko , Zou James , Polly Krista , Honig Lawrence S. , Brickman Adam M. , Stern Yaakov , Devanand D.P. , Lee Seonjoo , Kreisl William C.
Published: February 2021

Background:

Olfactory impairment is evident in Alzheimer’s disease (AD); however, its precise relationships with clinical biomarker measures of tau pathology and neuroinflammation are not well understood.

Objective:

To determine if odor identification performance measured with the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) is related to in vivo measures of tau pathology and neuroinflammation.

Methods:

Cognitively normal and cognitively impaired participants were selected from an established research cohort of adults aged 50 and older who underwent neuropsychological testing, brain MRI, and amyloid PET. Fifty-four participants were administered the UPSIT. Forty-one underwent 18F-MK-6240 PET (measuring tau pathology) and fifty-three underwent 11C-PBR28 PET (measuring TSPO, present in activated microglia). Twenty-three participants had lumbar puncture to measure CSF concentrations of total tau (t-tau), phosphorylated tau (p-tau), and amyloid-β (Aβ42).

Results:

Low UPSIT performance was associated with greater18F-MK-6240 binding in medial temporal cortex, hippocampus, middle/inferior temporal gyri, inferior parietal cortex, and posterior cingulate cortex ( p < 0.05). Similar relationships were seen for 11C-PBR28. These relationships were primarily driven by amyloid-positive participants. Lower UPSIT performance was associated with greater CSF concentrations of t-tau and p-tau ( p < 0.05). Amyloid status and cognitive status exhibited independent effects on UPSIT performance ( p < 0.01).

Conclusion:

Olfactory identification deficits are related to extent of tau pathology and neuroinflammation, particularly in those with amyloid pathophysiology. The independent association of amyloid-positivity and cognitive impairment with odor identification suggests that low UPSIT performance may be a marker for AD pathophysiology in cognitive normal individuals, although impaired odor identification is associated with both AD and non-AD related neurodegeneration. NCT Registration Numbers: NCT03373604; NCT02831283
Cigarette Smoking Status, Cigarette Exposure, and Duration of Abstinence Predicting Incident Dementia and Death: A Multistate Model Approach
Authors: Johnson Adrienne L. , Nystrom Naomi C. , Piper Megan E. , Cook Jessica , Norton Derek L. , Zuelsdorff Megan , Wyman Mary F. , Flowers Benton Susan , Lambrou Nickolas H. , O’Hara John , Chin Nathaniel A. , Asthana Sanjay , Carlsson Cynthia , Gleason Carey E.
Published: February 2021

Background:

To fully characterize the risk for dementia associated with cigarette smoking, studies must consider competing risks that hinder the observation of dementia or modify the chance that dementia occurs (i.e., death). Extant research examining the competing risks fails to account for the occurrence of death following dementia, limiting our understanding of the relation between smoking and dementia.

Objective:

Examine the impact of smoking status, lifetime smoking exposure, and duration of abstinence on incident dementia, death following dementia, and death without dementia.

Methods:

Multi-state models estimated hazard ratios (HR) for 95% confidence interval (CI) of 10,681 cognitively healthy adults for transition from baseline to dementia, baseline to death, and dementia to death based on smoking status, lifetime cigarette exposure, and abstinence duration.

Results:

Compared to never smokers, current smokers had increased risk of dementia (HR = 1.66; 95% CI 1.18– 2.32; p = 0.004), and death from baseline (HR = 2.98; 95% CI 2.24– 3.98; p < 0.001) and incident dementia (HR = 1.88; 95% CI 1.08– 3.27; p = 0.03). Pack years increased risk of death from baseline (HR = 1.01; 95% CI 1.00– 1.01; p < 0.001), but not dementia risk (HR = 1.00; 95% CI 1.00– 1.00; p = 0.78) or death following dementia (HR = 1.01; 95% CI 1.00– 1.01; p = 0.05). Recent quitters (quit < 10 years), compared to never smokers, had increased risk of death after baseline (HR = 2.31; 95% CI 1.55– 3.43; p < 0.001), but not dementia (HR = 1.17; 95% CI 0.73– 1.88; p = 0.52) or death following dementia (HR = 1.01; 95% CI 0.42– 2.41; p = 0.99).

Conclusion:

Current smoking increases the risk for dementia and death, but dementia is better attributed to smoking recency than lifetime exposure. Smoking cessation at any age might reduce these risks for cognitively healthy individuals.
Upregulation of Cortical A2A Adenosine Receptors Is Reflected in Platelets of Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Merighi Stefania , Battistello Enrica , Casetta Ilaria , Gragnaniello Daniela , Poloni Tino Emanuele , Medici Valentina , Cirrincione Alice , Varani Katia , Vincenzi Fabrizio , Borea Pier Andrea , Gessi Stefania
Published: February 2021

Background:

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative pathology covering about 70%of all cases of dementia. Adenosine, a ubiquitous nucleoside, plays a key role in neurodegeneration, through interaction with four receptor subtypes. The A2A receptor is upregulated in peripheral blood cells of patients affected by Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases, reflecting the same alteration found in brain tissues. However, whether these changes are also present in AD pathology has not been determined.

Objective:

In this study we verified any significant difference between AD cases and controls in both brain and platelets and we evaluated whether peripheral A2A receptors may reflect the status of neuronal A2A receptors.

Methods:

We evaluated the expression of A2A receptors in frontal white matter, frontal gray matter, and hippocampus/entorhinal cortex, in postmortem AD patients and control subjects, through [3H]ZM 241385 binding experiments. The same analysis was performed in peripheral platelets from AD patients versus controls.

Results:

The expression of A2A receptors in frontal white matter, frontal gray matter, and hippocampus/entorhinal cortex, revealed a density (Bmax) of 174±29, 219±33, and 358±84 fmol/mg of proteins, respectively, in postmortem AD patients in comparison to 104±16, 103±19, and 121±20 fmol/mg of proteins in controls ( p < 0.01). The same trend was observed in peripheral platelets from AD patients versus controls (Bmax of 214±17 versus 95±4 fmol/mg of proteins, respectively, p < 0.01).

Conclusion:

AD subjects show significantly higher A2A receptor density than controls. Values on platelets seem to correlate with those in the brain supporting a role for A2A receptor as a possible marker of AD pathology and drug target for novel therapies able to modify the progression of dementia.
Deep Learning and Risk Score Classification of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Nagaraj Sanjay , Duong Tim Q.
Published: February 2021

Background:

Many neurocognitive and neuropsychological tests are used to classify early mild cognitive impairment (EMCI), late mild cognitive impairment (LMCI), and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) from cognitive normal (CN). This can make it challenging for clinicians to make efficient and objective clinical diagnoses. It is possible to reduce the number of variables needed to make a reasonably accurate classification using machine learning.

Objective:

The goal of this study was to develop a deep learning algorithm to identify a few significant neurocognitive tests that can accurately classify these four groups. We also derived a simplified risk-stratification score model for diagnosis.

Methods:

Over 100 variables that included neuropsychological/neurocognitive tests, demographics, genetic factors, and blood biomarkers were collected from 383 EMCI, 644 LMCI, 394 AD patients, and 516 cognitive normal from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative database. A neural network algorithm was trained on data split 90% for training and 10% testing using 10-fold cross-validation. Prediction performance used area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic analysis. We also evaluated five different feature selection methods.

Results:

The five feature selection methods consistently yielded the top classifiers to be the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale - Sum of Boxes, Delayed total recall, Modified Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite with Trails test, Modified Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite with Digit test, and Mini-Mental State Examination. The best classification model yielded an AUC of 0.984, and the simplified risk-stratification score yielded an AUC of 0.963 on the test dataset.

Conclusion:

The deep-learning algorithm and simplified risk score accurately classifies EMCI, LMCI, AD and CN patients using a few common neurocognitive tests.