bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RESHORING: ITS INFLUENCE ON THE TERRITORIAL AND PRODUCTION STRUCTURE OF THE US MANUFACTURING
Authors:   Institute of Geography, Gorkina Tatiana I.
Published: June 2021

The decline in the share of manufacturing in the US GDP in recent decades due to the rapid growth of the tertiary sector, a sharp increase in imports, outsourcing and offshoring of the industry have led to a change in its territorial-production structure, degradation of a number of industrial complexes, and a partial loss of competitive advantages on the global market. The relocation of industrial facilities outside the country took place for such reasons as the low cost of resources and labor in developing countries. In the course of outsourcing and offshoring, American multinational companies have created a complex network of industrial facilities in many countries of the world, mainly in developing and emerging countries. Deindustrialization led to a decrease in the technological level and industrial infrastructure in the US manufacturing industry, which contributed to the deterioration of the country's trade balance, an increase in the budget deficit, and growing dependence upon the world market conditions. The decline in production occurred primarily in labor-intensive and resource-intensive industries, but it practically did not affect production with high added value. Resource price volatility and rising labor costs in developing countries have contributed to the ‗return‘ of enterprises to the United States. The revival of American industry is in line with industry 4.0, based on the accelerated introduction of breakthrough digital technologies. The new industrialization should provide large-scale structural changes not only in industry, but also in the economy as a whole. Reshoring has an impact on the territorial structure of the economy because the most attractive for new industrial facilities are centers with less than 1 million residents, and not the US largest cities that have a complex territorial-production structure burdened with social and environmental problems.
UNSOLVED THEORETICAL AND METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES IN AESTHETIC ASSESSMENT OF LANDSCAPES
Authors:   Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas of RAS, Gorbunov Roman V. , Tabunshchik Vladimir A. ,   Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas of RAS, Gorbunova Tatiana Yu. ,   Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas of RAS
Published: June 2021

The paper considers the main problems associated with the aesthetic assessment of landscapes: the objectivist and subjectivist approaches to the assessment, the relationship between the concepts ‗landscape‘ and scenery‘, the problem of choosing terrain viewing points and viewing angles from a selected point, etc. For the most part, these issues are not yet resolved and require additional research. The problem of choosing the objectivist and subjectivist approach in aesthetic assessment of landscapes has recently become less pronounced since there is a penetration of statistical methods and the search for the optimal ratio of the final results of each approach and their integration. At the same time, the question of what is actually evaluated – landscape or scenery – has not been resolved. An analysis of most works by various authors shows that it is the scenery and its components that are subject to quantitative assessment, and not the landscape itself, which includes both visible components and those not accessible to vision (rocks, fields of meteorological elements, etc.).
THE LOWER AMUR RIVER HYDROLOGICAL REGIME AND RELATIONS BETWEEN THE SUMMER-AUTUMN RUNOFF AND CIRCULATION INDICES
Authors:   Far Eastern Federal University, Vladivostok, Lisina Irina A. , Vasilevskaya Lubov N. ,   Far Eastern Federal University, Vladivostok, Vasilevsky Denis N. ,   Russian Research Institute for the Integrated Use and Protection of Water Resources, Podverbnaya Ekaterina N. ,   Far East Department of Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring, Ageeva Svetlana V. ,   Far East Department of Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring
Published: June 2021

Long-term forecasting of flood flow in the lower reaches of the Amur is an urgent task of modern hydrometeorology serving the needs of economic sectors. The article analyzes the dependences between the runoff volumes in three sections of the Lower Amur and the amount of precipitation (at 10 representative weather stations for the period 1950−2015) as well as atmospheric circulation indices (9 climatic and 8 regional) at the 95% significance level. Considerable attention is paid to the search for predictors of the flood runoff formation (summer-autumn period). For this, the hydrological regime and flow dynamics in the sections of the lower part of the Amur basin (from 1897 to 2018) are considered. Based on the correlation matrices, the effect of atmospheric circulation and precipitation on the river runoff is analyzed. An assessment of the long-term dynamics of runoff volumes showed a decrease in both annual water content and water content in the warm period of the year against the background of a negative trend of precipitation. For regional indices (compared with climatic ones), the largest number of significant asynchronous relationships between the runoff volume and the state of atmospheric circulation was obtained with a lead time of 1 to 5 months. The results of the study will be further used to develop equations for long-term forecasting of flood flow.
STATIONARY BANDITS AND MOONLIGHTING POLITICIANS: THE REVIEW OF THE RESERCH ON BUSINESS AND POLITICS IN RUSSIAN REGIONS
Authors:   National Research University “Higher School of Economics”, Stremoukhov D. А.
Published: June 2021

Business plays a big role in politics all over the world due to its special interests, possession over autonomous resources, and importance for economic development and social stability. Russia and its regions are not an exception, business actors and the state are connected in a complex system of interactions and neopatrimonial exchange. In many regions, local business is a powerful political actor which is able to lobby its interests and influence regional electoral outcomes. The article reviews the research on business and politics in Russian regions. The research on Russia contributed considerably to our understanding of business actors’ direct political participation. It was made possible by the unique constellation of political and institutional factors. Moreover, the existing body of research demonstrates a complex picture of state-business interdependence that transcends the simplified models of state-business relations in authoritarian regimes.
THE ROLE OF THE STATE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION: PROSPECTS FOR THE INTEGRATION OF TWO THEORIES
Authors:   National Research University “Higher School of Economics”, Serova A. А.
Published: June 2021

The article is devoted to the study of the state's role in the development of technological innovations. In scientific literature, scientific and technological progress has long been recognized as the most important engine of economic development. However, there are economic and political forces that tend to oppose innovative development and create barriers. The study of the conditions that promote or hinder the development of technological innovation has become one of the mainstream trends in comparative political science. Nevertheless, the constant comprehension of the above-described problem has not yet been completed, and moreover, has led to some contradictions that still remain unresolved. The article analyzes two seemingly competing theoretical approaches to explaining the state's role in the development of technological innovations from the perspective of institutional theory and the theory of "agency relations". The author comes to the conclusion that the two theories do not contradict each other but describe “different” dimensions of the problem. While the institutional perspective emphasizes the resource advantage provided by state ownership, the theory of “agency relations” emphasizes the double agency problem with the allocation and use of resources. Both theoretical logics provide powerful arguments, and therefore, their traditional opposition reduces the explanatory power of each.
FACTORS OF CENTRIFUGAL POLITICAL TENDENCIES IN SPAIN: A QUALITATIVE COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
Authors:   National Research University “Higher School of Economics”, Belous Ju. А. , Tarasov A. S. ,   School of International Studies, University of Trento
Published: June 2021

The purpose of this article is to analyze the centrifugal tendencies in 17 Autonomous Communities of Spain by demonstrating that certain differences in the configurations of factors have led to varying degrees of the loss of autonomy. The main conclusion is that for the configurations leading to less autonomy, there is a low level of economic development, a low volume of EU funding, and an absence of local languages as a factor of identity. The cases of Andalusia, Asturias, and Galicia are of particular importance in these configurations. For the configurations that lead to greater autonomy, two patterns are identified. The first group (Catalonia and the Basque Country) demonstrates a link between centrifugal tendencies and three conditions: the existence of regionalist parties in the parliaments of Autonomous Communities (AC), a high level of economic development and a high level of identification with a regional language. The second group of cases (Valencia and the Canary Islands) demonstrates the added importance of funding under the EU regional policy programs for the period from 2014 to 2020. The scientific novelty of the article lies in its analysis of the dynamics of centrifugal tendencies in Spain via crisp-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (csQCA).
THE INFLUENCE OF ELECTION OBSERVATION ON INCUMBENT’S ELECTORAL RESULTS: THE CASE OF GUBERNATORIAL ELECTIONS IN ST. PETERSBURG
Authors:   National Research University “Higher School of Economics”, Vaysberg A. S.
Published: June 2021

The article includes a literature review on election observation in contemporary Russia and empirical research of the election observation influence on the results of the gubernatorial election in St. Petersburg. In the literature review section, the two approaches towards election observation are distinguished: election observation as a tool of control and participation, and election observation as imitation and legitimation. In the empirical section, due to the lack of systematic data, election observation is operationalized as the share of election committee members nominated by different political forces. The empirical section concludes with the thesis about the limited effect of the electoral monitoring on the incumbent’s results (the results of the acting governor were to a higher extent influenced by the turnout level, the share of voters, who cast their ballots at home, and those who voted against all of the candidates). The results of the analysis support the argument about the existence of two models of election observation: participatory and imitation-legitimizing. In the concluding section the possible directions for further research are suggested: studying of the electoral fraud mechanisms at the level of individual election committees, legitimation of frauded results, and ways in which independent election committee members and election observers combat and prevent electoral fraud.
Enjeux éducatifs et recommandations en santé au travail en période de pandémie
Authors: FANTONI-QUINTON Sophie
Published: June 2021

Dans le contexte de la pandémie à Covid-19, les services de santé au travail ont été sollicités pour répondre au désarroi des organisations de travail qi devaient poursuivre leurs activités. La Société française de Médecine du Travail, dans un contexte scientifique et législatif mouvant, a élaboré une série de recommandations de bonnes pratiques pour accompagner ces services. L’objet de la présente étude est de mettre en perspective en quoi ces recommandations ont participé, non seulement d'une meilleure éducation à la santé des travailleurs et des milieux de travail, mais ont aussi constitué un levier nouveau pour donner les moyens aux employeurs d’agir pour la santé au travail en contribuant à redéfinir leur obligation de sécurité et de prévention au regard de la crise sanitaire. Cela revient à s’interroger sur la façon dont l’éducation et la formation s’ancrent dans le retour aux principes de prévention. Ces recommandations, qui ont également participé d’un renouvellement des relations entre services de santé au travail et entreprises, ont également mis en lumière le rôle prépondérant de l’éducation/la formation dans les transformations attendues du système de santé au travail de demain.
Hacia un itinerario en contabilidad ecológica: actores, racionalidades y sistemas de valoración ecológica
Authors: Macías Orozco William Bernardo , Chavez Palomino Nancy Liliana
Published: June 2021

En las últimas décadas, lo ambiental se posiciona en campos disciplinares heterogéneos, debido a las realidades de la crisis ambiental contemporánea. En las ciencias económicas prima la visión de la economía ambiental centrada en la valoración monetaria de la naturaleza como premisa para la solución de los problemas ambientales; subsidiaria de tal visión, la contabilidad ambiental se orienta en el mismo sentido. Sin embargo, la imposición de sistemas de valoración ajenos a la racionalidad de los actores involucrados en un contexto determinado profundiza los problemas y conflictos ambientales. Se propone, entonces, la construcción conceptual de la contabilidad ecológica centrada en reconocer y comprender las formas plurales de racionalidad ambiental que sustentan diversos actores. Esto permitirá comprender formas de representación y valoración de la naturaleza diferentes y en algunos casos contradictorios. Para ejemplificar este itinerario teórico-metodológico se aborda el estudio de las racionalidades subyacentes a los actores que confluyen en el Macizo Colombiano, región altamente biodiversa, identificando tres posibles formas de representación y valoración, diferentes e irreductibles.
AUTHENTIC ASSESSMENT FOR AFFECTIVE DOMAIN THROUGH STUDENT PARTICIPANT IN COMMUNITY SERVICES
Authors: Hussin Masnida , Said Mohamad Syahmi , Mohd Norowi Noris , Husin Nor Azura , Mustaffa Mas Rina
Published: June 2021

An authentic assessment is expected to have a positive impact on students' learning and motivation. One strategy to provide practical assessment for authentic tasks is by engaging the students to the community where they are familiar and comfortable. The students� involvement in community services is able to effectively provide vibrant existence information for improving the sense of responsibility among students before they become part of the community. However, evidence from the community services� activities complicated the assessment process where many documents need to be checked and verified. In our work, we designed an online authentic assessment framework of students� involvement in the community activities in terms of the affective domain. The affective domain addresses the grasp of attitudes and values that fuels teaching and learning (T&L) processes. Our assessment tool aims to provide a clear assessment guideline to evaluate the students� ability on analyzing real issues. It also makes the assessment process easier where the evaluation materials can be assembled, previewed, edited and published instantly through online. We hope that the incorporation of student involvement in community services into course assessment shall make the learning process more inspiring.
Algebra of Technological Process
Authors:   N. P. Ogarev Mordovia State University, Saransk, 430005, Russian Federation, Shchekin A. V.
Published: June 2021

A formal apparatus for modeling the structure of the technological process of mechanical processing based on the algebra of design and technological elements is presented. Design and technological element (manufacturing feature) is considered as a set of geometric processing area and the tool trajectory applied to it, set by a set of technological parameters. Algebra includes an addition operation (adding an element to the process structure) and a multiplication operation (merging elements). The set of processing elements forms an associative and generally noncommutative algebraic group. The possibility of using algebra for analysis and synthesis of technological process structures is shown
Long-Distance Travel and the Urban Environment: Results from a Qualitative Study in Reykjavik
Authors: Raudsepp Johanna , Árnadóttir Áróra , Czepkiewicz Michał , Heinonen Jukka
Published: June 2021

A compact urban form has shown many benefits in efficiency. Yet multiple studies have found that residents of urban, dense, and centrally located areas travel more frequently than those living in suburbs, small towns, or the countryside. As air travel is already causing more emissions than ground transport in many affluent urban locations and is predicted to increase, this pattern could undermine efforts in climate change mitigation. Explanations of these patterns and motivations for long-distance travel connected to the built environment have been examined quantitatively before, but with inconclusive answers. We studied this topic qualitatively in Reykjavik, Iceland, offering an in-depth perspective through semi-structured interviews. Results showed various links between the urban environment and long-distance travel. Some indications of compensatory travel behavior emerged, particularly connected to a lack of quality green areas, hectic urban life, and commuting stress. Compensatory trips were typically domestic. Furthermore, residential preferences seemed connected to leisure travel preferences—living in green neighborhoods was connected to more domestic travel to nature. The results show there are more factors for ‘escape’ trips than urban density and lack of green spaces. Examples of car-free lifestyles hindering domestic leisure travel were also found. Our study shows how a qualitative approach offers nuanced insight into the travel motivations of urbanites. Considering our results and travel motivation literature, the compensation hypothesis appears to be an overly narrow theoretical framing. Our study supports the conclusion that planning policies should aim at reducing car-dependence. Further research is needed for specific policy recommendations.
PSİKOLOJİK İYİ OLUŞUN YORDAYICILARI OLARAK BİLİŞSEL ESNEKLİK, BİLİNÇLİ FARKINDALIK VE UMUT
Authors: İmiroğlu Ayşegül , Demir Ramazan , Murat Mehmet
Published: June 2021

Bu çalışmada yetişkinlik dönemindeki bireylerin psikolojik iyi oluş düzeylerini yordamada bilişsel esneklik, bilinçli farkındalık ve umut değişkenlerinin rolü araştırılmıştır. Araştırmada ilişkisel tarama modeli kullanılmıştır. Araştırmanın örneklemini kolay örnekleme yöntemiyle belirlenen ve Google Formlar aracılığıyla ulaşılan 354 kadın, 165 erkek olmak üzere 519 yetişkin birey oluşturmaktadır. Katılımcılara veri toplama aracı olarak “Psikolojik İyi Oluş Ölçeği”, “Bilişsel Esneklik Envanteri”, “Sürekli Umut Ölçeği”, “Bilinçli Farkındalık Ölçeği” ve “Kişisel Bilgi Formu” uygulanmıştır. Elde edilen veriler SPSS 22 istatistiksel analiz programı aracılığıyla Bağımsız Örneklem t Testi, Kruskall- Wallis Testi, Mann Whitney U Testi, Pearson Korelasyon Analizi ve Çoklu Doğrusal Regresyon Analizi kullanılarak test edilmiştir. Yapılan analizler sonucunda psikolojik iyi oluş puanlarının cinsiyet, medeni durum, çocuk sahibi olma durumu, çalışma durumu değişkenlerine göre anlamlı olarak farklılık gösterdiği bulgusuna ulaşılmıştır. Pearson Korelasyon Analizinden elde edilen bulgulara göre, psikolojik iyi oluş ile bilişsel esneklik, bilinçli farkındalık, umut arasında pozitif yönde anlamlı ilişkiler bulunmuştur. Regresyon analizi sonucunda umut ve bilinçli farkındalığın psikolojik iyi oluşun anlamlı yordayıcıları olduğu fakat bilişsel esnekliğin anlamlı yordayıcı olmadığı sonucu elde edilmiştir. Söz konusu bu değişkenlerin ortak etkilerinin psikolojik iyi oluş puanına ilişkin toplam varyansın %47’sini açıkladıkları tespit edilmiştir.
Moratín en su teatro
Authors: Lázaro Carreter Fernando
Published: June 2021

SIN RESUMEN
Endpoints selection in registration clinical trials and the needs of real-world clinical practice with the example of anti-VEGF therapy in neovascular age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Astakhov Sergey Y. , Plavinskii Svyatoslav L.
Published: June 2021

The issues of endpoints selection for regulatory requirements and real-world clinical practice using the example of anti-VEGF therapy in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) are discussed in the article. New technologies (optical coherent tomography) introduction are shown to change clinical practice but not regulatory requirements on the endpoints. In the same time for regulatory purpose clinical trials design is changed from superiority to non-inferiority. The changes in the approach to primary endpoint selection are not anticipated due to regulators conservatism but there is a requirement to the comparison with best treatment alternative (i.e. same class comparator in case of anti-VEGF therapy) due to ethical reasons. To satisfy real-world clinicians need, the secondary endpoints are analyzed, but multiple testing problem appears. Statistical methods developed in recent years allow using specified comparison to be made without inflating Type I error. HAWK and HARRIER clinical trials demonstrated an example how superiority of brolucizumab over aflibercet on anatomical endpoints was reliably found.
Central serous chorioretinopathy and vitelliform dystrophies occurring in adults: predictors of differential diagnosis
Authors: Matcko Nataliia V. , Gatsu Marina V.
Published: June 2021

AIM: To study predictors in order to optimize the differential diagnosis of persistent central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) and different forms of vitelliform dystrophies occurring in adults.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety eyes of 61 patients with long-term serous retinal detachments were recruited in study. All patients underwent ophthalmologic examination including family history, best corrected visual acuity, biomicroscopy, and multimodal imaging including fundus photo, SD-OCT, OCT-A, BAF, FA, ICGA. After the studies, the patients were divided into two groups: with vitelliform dystrophies 30 eyes of 30 patients and with CSCR 31 eyes of 31 patients. Diagnostic predictors found in both groups were scrutinized, mathematical models were obtained, and their recognition quality was assessed by the area under ROC curve. The criteria for all types of research were studied and the predictive value was assessed with the use of ROC analysis.
RESULTS: The most informative non-invasive predictors for the diagnosis of vitelliform dystrophies occurring in adults are the following: a positive family history of the disease, brightness and gradient of hyperautofluorescence (hyperAF), typical hyperAF in the form of a crescent and beads, the presence of massive subretinal deposits and deposits in the form of stalactites. The most informative non-invasive predictors for the diagnosis of persistent CSCR are the following: additional hypoAF or hyperAF points or areas outside the main focus, hyperreflective dots in the neurosensory retina and an increase in choroidal thickness, irregular pigment epithelial detachments, presence of CNV. The highest predictive value for both groups was determined for BAF studies.
CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained make it possible to optimize the differential diagnosis of persistent CSCR and different forms of vitelliform dystrophies occurring in adults.
Director Nikolai Vasilyevich Koshkin: the Institute has become Chemical and Pharmaceutical again
Authors: Narkevich Igor A. , Stepanov Stanislav V. , Volgusheva Alla O. , Zvyagin Yuri Yu. , Vorobeva Svetlana A. , Perelygin Vladimir V.
Published: June 2021

By the end of the 1940s, it was necessary to intensify the engineering personnel training and development in the medical industry. Pharmaceutical institutes were chosen by the Soviet Healthcare Authorities to hold training sessions. For this purpose, the Leningrad Pharmaceutical Institute was transferred from the Ministry of Health of the RSFSR to the Main Medical Directorate of the Ministry of Health of the USSR to be further specialized in the training of chemical engineering technologists, chemical engineers for chemical and pharmaceutical plants and microbiological engineers for antibiotic production plants. At the same time, the historical name Chemistry and Pharmacy was returned to the institute.
The paper reconstructs the biography of Nikolay V. Koshkin, a chemist, the Director of the Leningrad Institute of Pharmacy (Chemistry and Pharmacy) from 1947 to 1952 (now Saint Petersburg State Chemical and Pharmaceutical University, SPCPU) based on unpublished materials from Saint Petersburg archives. N. Koshkin, a graduate of the Leningrad State University and a student of Academician V.E. Tishchenko, made a notable contribution to the establishment of chemical engineering technologists program in the pharmaceutical institute. He also returned the priority of chemical disciplines in the pharmaceutical training, both for pharmacy and chemical-pharmaceutical production. N. Koshkin initiated the training of microbiological engineers. During his administration, there was an attempt to establish a publishing house at the institute. Many textbooks were published, later on used by generations of students.
HAK DİNİ KUR’AN DİLİ TEFSİRİNDE MANTIK İLMİNİN YORUMA KATKISI
Authors: DEMİRBAŞ Servet
Published: June 2021

Bu makale, Osmanlı eğitim sistemi içinde köklü medrese eğitiminin yanında kendi şahsî çabalarıyla çok yönlü bir alim olarak yetişen, siyasî ve ilmî açıdan temsil yönü güçlü bir müfessir olan Elmalılı Muhammed Hamdi Yazır’ın (öl. 1942) Hak Dini Kur’an Dili isimli Türkçe tefsirinde klasik mantık ilminin tefsir ilmine katkılarını ve yoruma etkisini araştırmaktadır. Kur’an’ı anlama faaliyetlerinin bütününü ifade eden tefsir, aklî ve naklî ilimlerin bir arada kolektif bir şekilde işbirliğiyle yürütülen bir ilim olduğu için birçok ilmî disiplinden yararlanır. Tercümeler yoluyla İslam ilim ve kültür medeniyetinde kendine yer edinen mantık ilmi, ilk dönemlerde savunmacı bir takım tepkilerle reddedilse de zaman içerisinde varlığını kabul ettirerek dil bilimleri, fıkıh ve kelam gibi ilmî disiplinlerin yararlandığı ilimlerden bir olmayı başarmıştır. Mantık ilminden istifade eden ilim dallarından biri de tefsirdir. Özellikle dirayet ağırlıklı tefsirlerin bir kısmında zaman zaman mantıkî kavramların ve yorumların yansımaları müşahede edilmektedir. Hak Dini Kur’an Dili’de mantıkî yorumlar açısından zengin bir içeriğe sahiptir. Bu tefsirdeki mantıkî yorumların bilinmesi tefsirin daha iyi anlaşılmasına katkı sunacağı gibi tefsirin ilmî kaynaklarının tespitine de yardımcı olacaktır. Sınırlı sayıda incelediğimiz ayetlerde tefsire farklı bir mahiyet ve zenginlik kazandıran mantıkî yorumlar, bu konuda Hak Dini Kur’an Dili tefsirini anlamaya da ışık tutacaktır.
Peritoneal dialysis associated-peritonitis: a preventable complication
Authors: De Miguel-Ibañez Regina , Ramirez-Ramirez Carlos Alberto , Sanchez-Gonzalez Marcos Daniel , Ortiz-Bello Angel Cesar
Published: June 2021

Peritoneal dialysis is useful renal replacement therapy for patients with end-stage chronic kidney disease. Latin America has 30% of the world population in peritoneal dialysis and within these countries Mexico covers 73% of them. In our country, the Mexican institute of social security (IMSS by its Spanish acronym) serves more than half of the Mexican population that requires renal replacement therapy. In 2014 it represented 15% of total annual cost of the institution. Peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis is the main complication seen in this renal replacement therapy with morbidity and mortality from 2 to 6%. The epidemiology of peritonitis associated with peritoneal dialysis varies according to the continent, country and dialysis center. The rate of peritonitis per year of each center reflects their quality of care. The prevention, diagnosis and treatment of peritonitis impact in the quality of life of the patient, the success of renal replacement therapy, public health costs and associated mortality. This review addresses the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and preventive measures of peritonitis, focused on the procedures for improving the standards of care.
Correlation of transcutaneous bilirubin with total serum bilirubin in neonates with hyperbilirubinemia
Authors: Venkatesan Mohanram , Russelian Arulraj , Velimuthu Palpandi
Published: June 2021

Background: For determining hyperbilirubinemia in a neonate, clinical evaluation, serum bilirubin estimation and trans cutaneous bilirubin estimation are the modalities available. Transcutaneous bilirubinometry (TcB) is routinely used to monitor jaundice in term and near-term infants. Literature shows a positive correlation observed between TcB and total serum bilirubin (TSB). The present study was conducted determine the correlation of TcB with TSB in neonates with hyperbilirubinemia admitted at a tertiary care hospital, ChennaiMethods: A cross sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital, Chennai where 350 neonates who have clinical jaundice and require estimation of serum bilirubin who are admitted to the tertiary care centre, Chennai during December 2020-March 2021 were included in the study. The ROCHE INTEGRA-e 411+ autoanalyzer was used to estimate TSB (mg/dl) using a modified diazo method. The Jaundice Meter JM-103 to measure TcB, (Manufactured by Draeger medical systems, Germany). Pearson corelation coefficient was used to find the correlation between the two variables. P<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.Results: Out of 350 neonates admitted to the tertiary care centre, term deliveries were 57.1% and pre term were 42.9%. 83.1% were in the age group of 3-7 days. The mean weight of the study population was 2.16±0.60 kg. In term babies, Pearson corelation between TSB and TcB shows a statistically significant positive correlation, r=0.90 with p≤0.0001. Among pre term babies, Pearson corelation between TSB and TcB shows a statistically significant positive correlation, r=0.96 with p≤0.0001.Conclusions: This study's findings support the use of a TcB metre as a screening tool for clinically significant hyperbilirubinemia.
Enhancing the health coverage in India by empowering the corona warriors through educational intervention
Authors: Rastogi Aayushi , Syed Sabin , Sharma Tarika , Ahwal Sarita , Ponnappan T. Karthik , Kumar Arpit , Kumar Vinay , Bansal Akanksha
Published: June 2021

Background: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of the training program on knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) related to prevention and management of COVID-19.Methods: A pre-post study was conducted among healthcare workers (HCWs) attending ten-days online training program from 29 April to 30 November, 2020. A 37-item questionnaire assessing knowledge (26-items), attitude (6-items) and practice (5-itmes) was administered to the participants before and after the training program. Total score of knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) was 27, 12 and 20 respectively. Paired t test was used to assess the effect of training on KAP. Association of pre-training KAP with demographic variables was performed using SPSSv-22.Results: A total of 1428 HCWs were trained across 25 states through nine trainings; however, the data was analysed for only 1167 HCWs (response rate: 82%). Mean age of participants was 30.96±6.62 years and 77.29% were females. Mean KAP scores in pre-training were found to be 17.46±3.24 out of 27, 9.94±1.56 out of 12 and 19.01±1.76 out of 20 respectively which significantly increased to 21.28±3.65, 10.35±1.48 and 19.37±1.49 after attending training program. Pre-knowledge score was found to be associated with age, years of experience, geographical location, type of facility, presence of COVID-19 related facilities in the place of working.Conclusions: Comprehensively designed training program enhanced the knowledge about prevention and management of COVID-19 in HCWs and also motivated them to maintain an optimistic attitude and good practices while managing the patients.
Dos nuevas especies de Macropsychanthus (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae) de Colombia
Authors: Fonseca-Cortés Andrés
Published: June 2021

Se describen e ilustran Macropsychanthus emberarum y Macropsychanthus obscurus, dos nuevas especies para la flora de Colombia, y se discuten sus relaciones morfológicas con las especies afines.Macropsychanthus emberarum se caracteriza por sus folíolos membranáceos, oblongos, con 12–14 pares de nervios secundarios, flores de 2,0–2,3 cm de longitud, estandartes de 1,4–1,5 × 1,4–1,5 cm, alas de 1,9–2,2 × 1,0–1,2 cm y quillas de 1,7–1,9 × 0,8–1,0 cm. Macropsychanthus obscurus presenta folíolos con 13–15 pares de nervios secundarios, quillas de ápices bicuspidados y legumbres comprimidas lateralmente. Macropsychanthus emberarum es una especie endémica del Pacífico y Macropsychanthus obscurus de las cordilleras Central y Occidental de los Andes colombianos. Se presenta una clave para determinar los subgéneros de Macropsychanthus y una para las especies de Macropsychanthus presentes en Colombia.
Effectiveness of Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia - A Prospective Cohort Study from Guntur, Andhra Pradesh
Authors: Mandadi Santosh Reddy , Kilaru Krishna Rajesh , G Venkateswara Rao
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a genetically determined disorder characterized by the gradual conversion of terminal hairs into indeterminate, and finally into vellus hairs. It is the most common cause of hair loss affecting more men and occasionally women. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is one of the newer treatment options and has shown promising results. We wanted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of PRP in the treatment of AGA. METHODS A prospective cohort study was done on thirty patients of AGA. The stage of alopecia was evaluated according to the Hamilton-Norwood scale (males) and the Ludwig scale (females). All patients were treated with six intradermal PRP sittings with an interval of 4 weeks between each sitting and were evaluated at the end of 6 months using global photography, hair pull test, patient’s satisfaction rating and hair density. RESULTS Out of 30 patients, majority were in the age group of 21 - 25 years (40 %). 23 were males and 7 were females. Among male patients, maximum number of patients (39.13 %) were having grade 4 AGA followed by grade 3 (30.43 %). Among females, maximum number of patients (57.14 %) were having grade 1 AGA. At baseline, 66.67 % patients showed positive hair pull test whereas all patients showed negative hair pull test at the end of study. Baseline mean hair density was 78.96 ± 9.66 hairs / cm2 and at the end of study it was 105. 46 ± 9.21 hairs / cm2 . On an analogue scale ranging from 0 to 10, the overall mean change in the clinical rating of patient satisfaction was 6.83, which denoted satisfactory for most patients. CONCLUSIONS All patients treated with PRP showed increase in hair density in dermoscopic photomicrographs at the end of the study. PRP is a simple, effective and safe treatment for AGA. KEYWORDS Androgenetic Alopecia, Platelet-Rich Plasma
A Randomised Controlled Study to Evaluate Efficacy of the Landmark Guided Erector Spinae Plane Block for Postoperative Pain in Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Surgeries in Kolhapur District in Western Maharashtra
Authors: Chavan Rashmee Vijay , Patil Archita Rajaram , Sahasrabudhe Anupama Deepak , Jadhav Aarati Bhaskar , Prabhakaran Prithiv Rishardhan
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND Post-operative pain and discomfort is a common side effect of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) surgery. The study intended to evaluate the efficacy of landmark guided erector spinae plane block (ESPB) in early post-operative pain relief following (PCNL) surgery. METHODS In this randomised prospective, single blind, interventional study, 70 patients aged 20 - 60 years of ASA grade I and II, scheduled for elective percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) surgery under general anaesthesia were included. Patients were randomly allotted into two groups of 35 each. Group 1 was the control group and received parenteral analgesia according to institutional protocol for postoperative pain relief. Group 2 was the study group and received landmark guided erector spinae plane block (ESPB) with 20 cc of 0.25 % bupivacaine for postoperative pain relief. Post-operatively patients were monitored for pain and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score was noted at 2nd, 4th and 6th hr and was maintained below 4 by providing them with additional analgesics if required. Time and doses of analgesics required were recorded. RESULTS All the statistical analysis was done using R-Studio 1.2.5001 software. MannWhitney-U test was used for quantitative variables of pain score. Proportion test was used for qualitative demographic data and for post-operative analgesics requirement. Both the groups were comparable on demographic variables. The average VAS score at 2nd and 4th hr was significantly lower in the study group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The VAS score at 6th hr was comparable in both the groups. The analgesic requirement was significantly lower in study group as compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS The landmark guided ESPB is an effective and simple method to alleviate immediate postoperative pain in PCNL surgeries under general anaesthesia. KEYWORDS Erector Spinae Plane Block, Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Surgery, Postoperative Pain
Thyroid Abnormality in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus - A Cross-Sectional Study from Mumbai
Authors: Athawale Ajay Dnyaneshwar , Pednekar Jayant L. , Pednekar Sangeeta J.
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and thyroid dysfunction have long term sequalae on cardiovascular health. The present study was conducted to assess the spectrum of abnormalities in patients of type 2 DM with thyroid disorders. METHODS This case-control study included 52 patients of type 2 DM with thyroid dysfunction (cases) and 52 patients of type 2 DM without thyroid dysfunction (controls). Laboratory investigations like thyroid profile, lipid profile and glycosylated haemoglobin were measured for all the patients. RESULTS Subclinical hypothyroidism was the most common thyroid abnormality. Mean body mass index (BMI) was found to be similar in the two patient groups. We observed a higher mean HbA1c levels in patients with thyroid dysfunction as compared to those without thyroid dysfunction (8.75% vs 7.16%, P value < 0.01). Among the lipid profile parameters, mean triglyceride levels and total cholesterol levels were also found to be significantly higher in patients with thyroid dysfunction as compared to those without thyroid dysfunction. Urine Protein Creatinine Ratio (UPCR) was also found to be significantly higher among patients with thyroid dysfunction. Furthermore, we observed mean BMI, HbA1c, mean total cholesterol and UPCR to be significantly higher among cases with hypothyroidism as compared to those with hyperthyroidism. Mean triglyceride levels were similar in the two patient groups. CONCLUSIONS We recommend that all type 2 DM patients should have a baseline evaluation of thyroid function. KEYWORDS Diabetes Mellitus, Dyslipidaemia, Hypothyroidism
Correlation of Robinson’s Cytological Grading of Breast Carcinoma with Bloom Richardson’s Histological Grading – A Teaching Institutional Experience in Mandya, Karnataka
Authors: Nagaraju Kusuma Kodihalli , Nagendra Chandana , Shetty Shilpa Madhav
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND Breast cancer is increasing in developing countries and the management options are wide; therefore, providing the surgeon with accurate prognostic information on which mode of therapy will be chosen becomes important. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a routinely used initial investigation of choice for rapid diagnosis of breast cancer. Apart from diagnosis of cancer, it also has the ability to predict the grade on smears which will add its diagnostic value without any additional morbidity or expense for the patients. Among various cytological grading systems, Robinson grading is most commonly used for breast carcinoma in fine needle aspirates. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the correlation between Robinson’s cytological grading and Bloom Richardson’s histological grading. METHODS This is a 3 - year retrospective analytical study. 40 cases of infiltrating duct carcinoma (IDC) of breast diagnosed on cytology were included in the study. Cytological grading was done using Robinson’s grading and corresponding histopathology slides were taken, and histological grading using Bloom Richardson’s system was done. Finally, correlation between cytological and histological grading was done using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) software. RESULTS Age of the patients varied between 32 and 70 yrs. Cytologically, 32.5 % cases were grade I, 40 % were grade II and 27.5 % cases were grade III respectively. Histologically 22.5 %, 47.5 % and 30 % cases were grade I, grade II, and grade III, respectively. Concordance rate between grade I tumours in cytology and histology was 53.84 %, for grade II tumours it was 75 %, and for grade III tumours it was 63.63 %. The absolute concordance rate was 65 %. CONCLUSIONS Robinson’s cytological grading (RCG) of breast carcinoma correlates well with Bloom - Richardson’s histological grading system and could be a helpful parameter in selecting a neoadjuvant treatment for the breast cancer patients on fine needle aspiration cytology alone. KEYWORDS Breast Carcinoma, Robinson’s Cytological Grading, Bloom Richardson’s Histological Grading
Clinical Profile and Susceptibility Patterns of Infections by Elizabethkingia Species in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Authors: Mishra Preety , Pattnaik Dipti , Mund Kalpana , Panda Subhra Snigdha , Sahoo Smrutilata , Jena Jagadananda
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND Elizabethkingia meningoseptica is an emerging pathogen causing meningitis, pneumonia, endocarditis, bacteremia, sepsis, wound & soft tissue infections, abdominal, respiratory and ocular infections, dialysis associated peritonitis and prosthesis associated septic arthritis, especially in immunodeficient hosts of various age groups. The prevalence of nosocomial infection by E. meningoseptica has increased, predominantly in patients with invasive procedures, prior use of broad-spectrum antimicrobial and co-morbid conditions. We wanted to determine the prevalence of Elizabethkingia meningoseptica among the clinical samples processed in our laboratory and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. METHODS This observational study was conducted in patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital, from October 2017 to October 2020. The study subjects were selected on positive bacterial culture reports after excluding patients of less than 18 years of age and their demographic and clinical features were obtained from their medical records. Blood samples were processed by BacT/Alert. VITEK-2 system was used to identify the bacteria and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. RESULTS Among the 3532 clinical samples processed, 16 (0.45 %) bacterial isolates were Elizabethkingia meningoseptica. Out of them, 5 (31.25 %) were from blood and 11 (68.75 %) were from endotracheal tubes. More number of cases 6 (38 %) were seen in the age group of 61 - 70 years. Most of the patients were on mechanical ventilation with common co-morbid condition associated was cardiovascular diseases 11 (68 %). E. meningoseptica was most often sensitive to nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin (50 %), tigecycline 4 (30 %), minocycline 3 (18 %), cotrimoxazole 2 (15 %), piperacillin-tazobactam 1 (13 %) and minocyclin (18.75 %). CONCLUSIONS Infection with E. meningoseptica is clinically important as the organism causes nosocomial infection and is intrinsically resistant to multiple antibiotics, such as βlactams, aminoglycosides, tetracycline, tigecycline, colistin, chloramphenicol and carbapenems. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment is required to prevent the morbidity and mortality. KEYWORDS Elizabethkingia Meningoseptica, Antimicrobial Susceptibility, Clinical Profile
Assessment of Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease on Maintenance Haemodialysis with Regard to Anaemia - A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study at a Tertiary Hospital in Kuppam
Authors: M.A Uma , K.V Nagakiran , K Ashwin , R Lakshmi Visruja
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND Anaemia is common among chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Quality of life (QOL) is a broad multidimensional concept and many factors affect QOL in CKD patients. This study attempted to measure QOL with varying levels of haemoglobin in CKD patients. METHODS The present study was a descriptive cross-sectional study done on CKD patients on maintenance haemodialysis (MHD) after ethical committee approval. All patients aged more than 18 years on MHD for at least 3 months were enrolled in the study. Patients were categorised into 4 separate groups as Hb 4 to < 6 g/dl, 6 to < 8 g/dl, 8 to < 10 g/dl and 10 - 12 g/dl. After obtaining informed consent, participants were given the study questionnaire - kidney disease quality of life (KDQOL) short form (SF - 36) TM V1 .2. RESULTS At different Hb levels, there were significant differences in the kidney symptom/ problem scores (P = 0.000),the burden of kidney disease scores (P = 0.000), the work satisfaction scores (P = 0.014) and the cognitive function scores (P = 0.000). About SF - 36, all of the physical domains were significantly different: physical function scores (P = 0.000), role physical scores (P = 0.045), pain scores (P = 0.000) and general health component scores (P = 0.004) at different Hb levels. For mental domain components, the differences between four groups of Hb levels were significant in the variety of quality of life domains: emotional wellbeing score (P = 0.006), role emotion scores (0.000), social function scores (P = 0.000) and energy/fatigue scores (0.026). CONCLUSIONS KDQOL, SF - 36 showed that the QOL scores are strongly related to Hb concentrations. The higher scores in various quality of life domains were mostly associated with higher Hb levels in the KDQOL - SF scores. Efforts to optimize haemoglobin in CKD patients may show QOL improvement. KEYWORDS Chronic Kidney Disease, Haemodialysis, Anaemia, Quality of Life
DILEMAS ÉTICOS VIVENCIADOS PELA EQUIPE DE SAÚDE NO CUIDADO À PESSOA EM TRATAMENTO ONCOLÓGICO
Authors: Ferreira Maryana Carneiro de Queiroz , Oliveira Marluce Alves Nunes , Assis Thamara Arianny Ventin Amorim Oliveira de , Fontoura Elaine Guedes , Oliveira Manuela Bezerra Pina , Gonçalves Keccya Dos Santos Nunes , Gois Joselice Almeida
Published: June 2021

Objetivo: Conhecer os dilemas éticos vivenciados na prática da equipe de saúde no cuidado à pessoa em tratamento oncológico. Métodos: Trata-se de estudo qualitativo realizado em unidades de assistência de alta complexidade em oncologia no município de Feira de Santana-Bahia. Foi realizada uma entrevista semiestruturada, que contou com a participação de onze profissionais da área da saúde. A análise dos dados ocorreu através Análise de Conteúdo proposta por Bardin. Resultados: O estudo apontou que os profissionais de saúde que lidam com pessoas em tratamento oncológico vivenciam dilemas éticos na prática, frente a: cuidados paliativos; não revelar o diagnóstico a pessoa com câncer; dúvida quanto as manobras para reanimar ou não; negação/depressão da pessoa com diagnóstico de câncer e seus familiares. Conclusão: Os profissionais de saúde vivenciam dilemas éticos cotidianamente, entretanto muitas vezes não os reconhecem, bem como ficam na dúvida para tomar decisões.