bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Band Selection for Dehazing Algorithms Applied to Hyperspectral Images in the Visible Range
Authors: Fernández-Carvelo Sol , Martínez-Domingo Miguel Ángel , Valero Eva M. , Romero Javier , Nieves Juan Luis , Hernández-Andrés Javier
Published: September 2021

Images captured under bad weather conditions (e.g., fog, haze, mist, dust, etc.), suffer from poor contrast and visibility, and color distortions. The severity of this degradation depends on the distance, the density of the atmospheric particles and the wavelength. We analyzed eight single image dehazing algorithms representative of different strategies and originally developed for RGB images, over a database of hazy spectral images in the visible range. We carried out a brute force search to find the optimum three wavelengths according to a new combined image quality metric. The optimal triplet of monochromatic bands depends on the dehazing algorithm used and, in most cases, the different bands are quite close to each other. According to our proposed combined metric, the best method is the artificial multiple exposure image fusion (AMEF). If all wavelengths within the range 450–720 nm are used to build a sRGB renderization of the imagaes, the two best-performing methods are AMEF and the contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization (CLAHE), with very similar quality of the dehazed images. Our results show that the performance of the algorithms critically depends on the signal balance and the information present in the three channels of the input image. The capture time can be considerably shortened, and the capture device simplified by using a triplet of bands instead of the full wavelength range for dehazing purposes, although the selection of the bands must be performed specifically for a given algorithm.
Monitoring of Gait Parameters in Post-Stroke Individuals: A Feasibility Study Using RGB-D Sensors
Authors: Ferraris Claudia , Cimolin Veronica , Vismara Luca , Votta Valerio , Amprimo Gianluca , Cremascoli Riccardo , Galli Manuela , Nerino Roberto , Mauro Alessandro , Priano Lorenzo
Published: September 2021

Stroke is one of the most significant causes of permanent functional impairment and severe motor disability. Hemiplegia or hemiparesis are common consequences of the acute event, which negatively impacts daily life and requires continuous rehabilitation treatments to favor partial or complete recovery and, consequently, to regain autonomy, independence, and safety in daily activities. Gait impairments are frequent in stroke survivors. The accurate assessment of gait anomalies is therefore crucial and a major focus of neurorehabilitation programs to prevent falls or injuries. This study aims to estimate, using a single RGB-D sensor, gait patterns and parameters on a short walkway. This solution may be suitable for monitoring the improvement or worsening of gait disorders, including in domestic and unsupervised scenarios. For this purpose, some of the most relevant spatiotemporal parameters, estimated by the proposed solution on a cohort of post-stroke individuals, were compared with those estimated by a gold standard system for a simultaneous instrumented 3D gait analysis. Preliminary results indicate good agreement, accuracy, and correlation between the gait parameters estimated by the two systems. This suggests that the proposed solution may be employed as an intermediate tool for gait analysis in environments where gold standard systems are impractical, such as home and ecological settings in real-life contexts.
An Internet of Things Platform Based on Microservices and Cloud Paradigms for Livestock
Authors: Mateo-Fornés Jordi , Pagès-Bernaus Adela , Plà-Aragonés Lluís Miquel , Castells-Gasia Joan Pau , Babot-Gaspa Daniel
Published: September 2021

With the growing adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) technology in the agricultural sector, smart devices are becoming more prevalent. The availability of new, timely, and precise data offers a great opportunity to develop advanced analytical models. Therefore, the platform used to deliver new developments to the final user is a key enabler for adopting IoT technology. This work presents a generic design of a software platform based on the cloud and implemented using microservices to facilitate the use of predictive or prescriptive analytics under different IoT scenarios. Several technologies are combined to comply with the essential features—scalability, portability, interoperability, and usability—that the platform must consider to assist decision-making in agricultural 4.0 contexts. The platform is prepared to integrate new sensor devices, perform data operations, integrate several data sources, transfer complex statistical model developments seamlessly, and provide a user-friendly graphical interface. The proposed software architecture is implemented with open-source technologies and validated in a smart farming scenario. The growth of a batch of pigs at the fattening stage is estimated from the data provided by a level sensor installed in the silo that stores the feed from which the animals are fed. With this application, we demonstrate how farmers can monitor the weight distribution and receive alarms when high deviations happen.
Identification of Movements and Postures Using Wearable Sensors for Implementation in a Bi-Hormonal Artificial Pancreas System
Authors: Sawaryn Ben , Klaassen Michel , van Beijnum Bert-Jan , Zwart Hans , Veltink Peter H.
Published: September 2021

Background: Closed loop bi-hormonal artificial pancreas systems, such as the artificial pancreas (AP™) developed by Inreda Diabetic B.V., control blood glucose levels of type 1 diabetes mellitus patients via closed loop regulation. As the AP™ currently does not classify postures and movements to estimate metabolic energy consumption to correct hormone administration levels, considerable improvements to the system can be made. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate the possibility to use the current system to identify several postures and movements. Methods: seven healthy participants took part in an experiment where sequences of postures and movements were performed to train and assess a computationally sparing algorithm. Results: Using accelerometers, one on the hip and two on the abdomen, user-specific models achieved classification accuracies of 86.5% using only the hip sensor and 87.3% when including the abdomen sensors. With additional accelerometers on the sternum and upper leg for identification, 90.0% of the classified postures and movements were correct. Conclusions: The current hardware configuration of the AP™ poses no limitation to the identification of postures and movements. If future research shows that identification can still be done accurately in a daily life setting, this algorithm may be an improvement for the AP™ to sense physical activity.
A Tutorial on Hardware-Implemented Fault Injection and Online Fault Diagnosis for High-Speed Trains
Authors: Yang Xiaoyue , Qiao Xinyu , Cheng Chao , Zhong Kai , Chen Hongtian
Published: September 2021

Electrical drive systems are the core of high-speed trains, providing energy transmission from electric power to traction force. Therefore, their safety and reliability topics are always active in practice. Among the current research, fault injection (FI) and fault diagnosis (FD) are representative techniques, where FI is an important way to recur faults, and FD ensures the recurring faults can be successfully detected as soon as possible. In this paper, a tutorial on a hardware-implemented (HIL) platform that blends FI and FD techniques is given for electrical drive systems of high-speed trains. The main contributions of this work are fourfold: (1) An HIL platform is elaborated for realistic simulation of faults, which provides the test and verification environment for FD tasks. (2) Basics of both the static and dynamic FD methods are reviewed, whose purpose is to guide the engineers and researchers. (3) Multiple performance indexes are defined for comprehensively evaluating the FD approaches from the application viewpoints. (4) It is an integrated platform making the FI and FD work together. Finally, a summary of FD research based on the HIL platform is made.
Multi-Excitation Infrared Fusion for Impact Evaluation of Aluminium-BFRP/GFRP Hybrid Composites
Authors: Hu Jue , Zhang Hai , Sfarra Stefano , Perilli Stefano , Sergi Claudia , Sarasini Fabrizio , Maldague Xavier
Published: September 2021

Fibre metal laminates are widely implemented in the aerospace industry owing to the merits of fatigue resistance and plastic properties. An effective defect assessment technique needs to be investigated for this type of composite materials. In order to achieve accurate impact-induced damage evaluation, a multi-excitation infrared fusion method is introduced in this study. Optical excitation thermography with high performance on revealing surface and subsurface defects is combined with vibro-thermography to improve the capability of detection on defects. Quantitative analysis is carried out on the temperature curve to assess the impact-induced deformation. A new image fusion framework including feature extraction, feature selection and fusion steps is proposed to fully utilize the information from two excitation modalities. Six fibre metal laminates which contain aluminium-basalt fibre reinforced plastic and aluminium-glass fibre reinforced plastic are investigated. Features from different perspectives are compared and selected via intensity contrast on deformation area for fusion imaging. Both types of defects (i.e., surface and sub-surface) and the internal deformation situation of these six samples are characterized clearly and intuitively.
Analysis of Selected Mycotoxins in Maize from North-West South Africa Using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Other Analytical Techniques
Authors: Ekwomadu Theodora Ijeoma , Dada Toluwase Adeseye , Akinola Stephen Abiola , Nleya Nancy , Mwanza Mulunda
Published: September 2021

Contamination of foods by mycotoxins is linked to various health and economic implications. This study evaluated the incidence of mycotoxins in commercial and small-scale maize and evaluated potential health risks for consumers based on South African and international regulations. The sensitivity/specificity of HPLC over other analytical methods used was also ascertained. In total, 100 maize samples were analyzed using immuno-affinity column for extraction and clean-up, thin layer chromatography (TLC), HPLC, and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for quantification. Results revealed that fumonisinB1 was the most contaminant mycotoxin in both small-scale and commercial samples with incidence rates of 100% and 98.6%, respectively. Aflatoxins contamination occurred at incidences of 26.7% in small-scale and 25.0% in commercial samples. Furthermore, ochratoxin A had high incidence rates of 97.8% and 93.0% and ranged from 3.60–19.44 µg/kg and 1.60–9.89 µg/kg, respectively, in small-scale and commercial samples, while ZEA occurred in 50% and 55% of small-scale and commercial samples, respectively. Results demonstrate that maize, especially from small-scale farmers, may contribute to dietary exposure to mycotoxins. Farmers and consumers should be alerted to the dangers of mycotoxins contamination in maize with resultant health risks. Additionally, HPLC method was also found to be more specific for mycotoxin detection than ELISA.
The Exceptional Becomes Everyday: Border Control, Attrition and Exclusion from Within
Authors: Serpa Regina C.
Published: September 2021

This article examines processes of migration and border control, illustrating the ways by which everyday housing and welfare services function as mechanisms of exclusion in both direct and indirect ways. Using the thesis of crimmigration, the article demonstrates how border controls have become deeply implicated in systems claiming to offer welfare support—and how a global public health emergency has intensified exclusionary processes and normalised restrictive practices. The article compares border controls in two localities—under the UK government’s coercive ‘hostile environment’ policies (based on technologies of surveillance) and a more indirect ‘programme of discouragement’ in The Netherlands (based on technologies of attrition). The study demonstrates the role of contemporary welfare states in entrenching inequality and social exclusion (from within), arguing that the exceptional circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic have facilitated the differential everyday treatment of migrants, revealing a hierarchy of human worth through strategies of surveillance and attrition.
A Novel Use of Cyclobenzaprine and Hyoscyamine (BLAVACARE TM) Impregnated Vaginal Suppositories for the Symptomatic Treatment of Interstitial Cystitis, Bladder Spasms, and Painful Bladder Syndrome
Authors: Williams Cheau , Smith Kirby , Weeks Woodwin , Baker Arian , Yarbrough Stephen , Leggio Samantha , Jamal Ummar
Published: September 2021

Interstitial Cystitis and Painful Bladder Syndrome are chronic conditions that are associated with urinary frequency, urgency, pain, and nocturia. The etiology of IC/PBS is not clearly understood, therefore diagnosis and treatment can be challenging. IC/PBS greatly affects the quality of life in several ways. In this report, we present the case of a patient with longstanding interstitial cystitis symptoms who was successfully treated with a novel approach after failing treatment established by the current guidelines in the management of IC/PBS. This case illustrates the complex nature of this syndrome and offers a new treatment approach that can potentially change the way IC/PBS are medically managed.
Labor book as an object of electronic personnel document management
Authors: Lomakina L.A.
Published: September 2021

This article considers what measures employers should take in connection with the transition to electronic personnel document management, what issues remained unresolved as a result of this innovation.
İşitme cihazı kullanan çocuklarda gürültüde konuşmayı anlama becerisinin değerlendirilmesi: Preliminer sonuçlar
Authors: KARTAL ÖZCAN Ecem , ÖZBAL BATUK Merve , KAYA Şule , SENNAROĞLU Gonca
Published: September 2021

Assessment of speech perception in noise in children with hearing aids: Preliminary results* Objective: Noisy environments are a part of the daily life of children, just like adults. Children with hearing loss who wear hearing aids are more susceptible to the negative effects of noise than their normal-hearing peers. This study aims to evaluate the speech recognition in noise performance of hearing aid users and compare them with their normal-hearing peers. Material and Method: Five children aged 6-12 years with bilateral moderate to severe symmetrical sensorineural hearing loss and using bilateral behind-the-ear hearing aids were included in the study. 4 different conditions of the Turkish HINT-C were applied, and a speech recognition threshold (SRT) is determined for each condition. Results: Regardless of their age, the SRT needed by children with hearing aids to achieve equal performance with their normal-hearing peers was found to be higher for all test conditions. As seen in children with normal hearing in general, the mean noise front score of the children with hearing loss was higher than the mean noise right and noise left scores. Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that children with bilaterally symmetrical moderate to severe hearing loss achieved poor speech recognition scores in environments similar to the classroom environment, compared to their normal-hearing peers. Our results guided appropriate rehabilitation and follow-up. Keywords: noise, speech recognition in noise, hearing loss, hearing aid, pediatric audiology, HINT, HINT-C
A Green Synthesis of Ru Modified g-C
3
N
4
Nanosheets for Enhanced Photocatalytic Ammonia Synthesis
Authors: Hao Derek , Ren Jiawei , Wang Ying , Arandiyan Hamidreza , Garbrecht Magnus , Bai Xiaojuan , Shon Ho Kyong , Wei Wei , Ni Bing-Jie
Published: September 2021

Nitrate is a crucial environmental pollutant, and its risk on ecosystem keeps increasing. Photocatalytic conversion of nitrate to ammonia can simultaneously achieve the commercialization of environmental hazards and recovery of valuable ammonia, which is green and sustainable for the planet. However, due to the thermodynamic and kinetic energy barriers, photocatalytic nitrate reduction usually involves a higher selectivity of the formation of nitrogen that largely limits the ammonia synthesis activity. In this work, we reported a green and facile synthesis of novel metallic ruthenium particle modified graphitic carbon nitride photocatalysts. Compare with bulk graphitic carbon nitride, the optimal sample had 2.93-fold photocatalytic nitrate reduction to ammonia activity (2.627 mg/h/g
cat
), and the NH
3
selectivity increased from 50.77% to 77.9%. According to the experimental and calculated results, the enhanced photocatalytic performance is attributed to the stronger light absorption, nitrate adsorption, and lower energy barrier for the generation of ammonia. This work may provide a facile way to prepare metal modified photocatalysts to achieve highly efficient nitrate reduction to ammonia.
Detecting Electronic Banking Fraud on Highly Imbalanced Data using Hidden Markov Models
Authors: Danaa Abukari Abdul Aziz , Daabo Mohammed Ibrahim , Abdul-Barik Alhassan
Published: September 2021

Recent researches have revealed the capability of Machine Learning (ML) techniques to effectively detect fraud in electronic banking transactions since they have the potential to detect new and unknown intrusions. A major challenge in the application of ML to fraud detection is the presence of highly imbalanced data sets. In many available datasets, majority of transactions are genuine with an extremely small percentage of fraudulent ones. Designing an accurate and efficient fraud detection system that is low on false positives but detects fraudulent activity effectively is a significant challenge for researchers. In this paper, a framework based on Hidden Markov Models (HMM), modified Density Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN) and Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique Techniques (SMOTE) is proposed to effectively detect fraud in a highly imbalanced electronic banking dataset. The various transaction types, transaction amounts and the frequency of transactions are taken into consideration by the proposed model to enable effective detection. With different number of hidden states for the proposed HMMs, simulations are performed for four (4) different approaches and their performances compared using precision, recall rate and F1-Score as the evaluation metrics. The study revealed that, our proposed approach is able to detect fraudulent transactions more effectively with reasonably low number of false positives.
MORPHOMETRIC CHARACTERISTIC OF HISTOARCHITECTONICS OF THE HUMAN SPLEEN
Authors: Федоровская Н. С. , Железнов Л. М. , Зайцев В. Б. , Дьяконов Д. А. , Коледаева Е. В.
Published: September 2021

Цель - определить характерные особенности гистоархитектоники селезенки человека в сопоставлении с основными этапами иммунного ответа. Материал и методы. Работа выполнена на аутопсийном материале селезенок 20 человек, не имевших в анамнезе патологии системы кроветворения. Медиана возраста составила 39 (27; 65) лет. С помощью гистологических, иммуногистохимических и морфометрических методик изучали площади красной и белой пульпы на срезе, а также клеточный состав в ткани селезенки на разных этапах иммунного ответа. Результаты. Установлено, что изменения морфометрических параметров белой и красной пульпы, а также ее составляющих зависят от степени активности иммунных процессов, происходящих в тканевых компартментах селезенки на различных этапах иммунного ответа. Выявлены различия в содержании клеточных элементов в изученных функциональных зонах органа. Выводы. Для исследования гистоархитектоники селезенки важно учитывать особенности миграции клеточных элементов, динамику и численность их распределения в белой пульпе и красной пульпе на основных этапах иммунного ответа, что, несомненно, влияет на массу органа и, соответственно, его функциональных компартментов. Полученные результаты могут быть использованы для анализа гистоархитектоники селезенки и изучения ее клеточного состава при диагностике заболеваний с поражением органов иммунной системы.

Objective - to determine the characteristic features of the human spleen histoarchitectonics in correlation with the main stages of the immune response. Material and methods. The work was performed on the autopsy material of spleen taken from 20 people, who had no history of the pathology of the hematopoietic system. The median age was 39 (27; 65) years. Histological, immunohistochemical, and morphometric study of white and red pulp areas and cellular composition of spleen at different stages of immune response was carried out. Results. It was found that changes in the morphometric para­meters of white and red pulp, as well as its components, depended on the degree of activity of the immune processes that occur in tissue compartments of the spleen at various stages of the immune response. Differences in the content of cellular elements in the functional zones of the organ were revealed. Conclusions. To study the histoarchitectonics of the spleen, it is important to take into account the specifics of the migration of cellular elements, the dynamics and abundance of their distribution in white and red pulp at the main stages of the immune response, which undoubtedly affects the mass of the organ and, accordingly, its functional compartments. The results can be used to analyze the histoarchitectonics of the spleen and study its cellular composition in the diagnosis of diseases causing damage to the organs of the immune system.
HEAT SHOCK PROTEIN 90 (90) IN AGE-DEPENDENT CHANGES IN THE NUMBER OF FIBROBLASTS IN HUMAN SKIN
Authors: Гунин А. Г. , Голубцова Н. Н. , Корнилова Н. К.
Published: September 2021

Целью работы стало исследование содержания белка теплового шока 90 ( HSP 90) в фибробластах дермы человека от эмбрионального развития и до глубокой старости (от 20 нед беременности до 85 лет), а также определение значения HSP 90 для возрастных изменений численности фибробластов в дерме человека. HSP 90, ядерный антиген пролиферирующих клеток ( PCNA ) выявляли в срезах кожи непрямым иммуногистохимическим методом. Результаты показали, что в коже человека от 20 нед беременности до 20 лет доля фибробластов дермы с положительной окраской на HSP 90 остается постоянной. С 21 года до 60 лет наблюдают планомерное уменьшение доли фибробластов дермы, имеющих положительную окраску на HSP 90. У людей 61-85 лет происходит резкое увеличение доли фибробластов дермы с положительной окраской на HSP 90. Возрастные изменения содержания HSP 90 положительных фибробластов в дерме статистически не связаны с возрастным уменьшением общего количества и доли PCNA -положительных фибробластов в дерме.

The aim of this work was to examine the content of heat shock protein 90 ( HSP 90) in ﬁbroblasts of human dermis from the development until deep aging (from 20 weeks of pregnancy until 85 years old), and deﬁning of a role of HSP 90 in age-dependent changes in the number of ﬁbroblasts in the dermis. HSP 90, proliferating cells nuclear antigen ( PCNA ) were detected with indirect immunohistochemical technique. Results showed that a portion of ﬁbroblasts with positive staining for HSP 90 in the dermis is not changed from 20 weeks of development to 20 years old. Percent of HSP 90 positive ﬁbroblasts in dermis is decreased from 21 to 60 years old. From 61 year, the number of HSP 90 positive ﬁbroblasts in dermis is increased. Age-related changes in the number of HSP 90 positive ﬁbroblasts is not statistically associated with an age-related decrease in a total number and percent of PCNA positive ﬁbroblasts the dermis.
THE INFORMATION CONTENT AND PREDICTIVE VALUE OF CARDIAC MARKERS IN MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION IN THE ELDERLY
Authors: Агарков Н. М. , Маркелов М. Ю. , Маркелова Е. А. , Лутай Ю. А. , Волков П. С.
Published: September 2021

Инфаркт миокарда в пожилом возрасте является ведущей патологией и причиной смертельных случаев. Цель исследования - оценка прогностической значимости и информативности кардиомаркеров крови у пожилых больных с инфарктом миокарда. Исследованы кардиомаркеры у 107 больных 65-75 лет с инфарктом миокарда и у 83 больных 50-60 лет иммунохроматографическим, биолюминесцентным методами и с помощью электрофореза на ацетате целлюлозы с последующим расчётом информативности и прогностических коэффициентов. Контрольную группу составили 95 человек 65-75 лет без инфаркта миокарда. Наибольшей информативностью и прогностической значимостью у пожилых пациентов с инфарктом миокарда обладают тропонин Т , мозговой натрийуретический пептид, глюкозо-6-фосфатдегидрогеназа и лактатдегидрогеназа-1. Применение данных кардиомаркеров улучшит диагностику и выделение пациентов с инфарктом миокарда в группу высокого риска.

Myocardial infarction in old age is the leading pathology and cause of deaths. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prognostic signiﬁcance and informative value of cardiac markers of blood in elderly patients with myocardial infarction. The study of cardiac markers in 107 patients with myocardial infarction at the age of 65-75 years and in 83 patients with myocardial infarction at the age of 50-60 years was carried out by immunochromatographic, bioluminescent methods and by electrophoresis on cellulose acetate, followed by the calculation of informativeness and prognostic coefﬁcients. 95 persons aged 65-75 years without myocardial infarction served as control. Troponin T , brain natriuretic peptide, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase-1 have the most informative and prognostic signiﬁcance in elderly patients with myocardial infarction. The use of these cardiac markers will improve the diagnosis and isolation of patients with myocardial infarction at high risk.
AGE FEATURES OF BIOREGULATORY THERAPY OF DENTAL DISEASES
Authors: Пинелис И. С. , Пинелис Ю. И. , Кузник Б. И. , Иорданишвили А. К. , Васильев М. А.
Published: September 2021

В статье представлены данные по применению пептидных биорегуляторов клеточного гомеостаза и защитных функций организма при различных стоматологических заболеваниях и патологии органов и тканей челюстно-лицевой области. Рассмотрены вопросы, связанные с иммунофармакологическим действием и эффективностью клинического применения природных и синтетических пептидных тимомиметиков (Тималина, Тимогена, Вилона, Эпиталамина, Кортексина) и пептидных биорегуляторов из хрящевой (Сигумир, Хондролюкс) и других тканей при травме, а также воспалительных, дистрофических, онкологических и других патологических процессах тканей полости рта и челюстнолицевой области. Особое внимание уделено их использованию в комплексном лечении стоматологических заболеваний у лиц пожилого и старческого возраста.

The article presents data on the use of peptide bioregulators of cell homeostasis and the protective functions of the body in various dental diseases and pathology of organs and tissues of the maxillofacial region. Issues related to the immunopharmacological effect and clinical use of natural and synthetic peptide thymomimetics (thymalin, thymogen, vilon, epithalamin, cortexin) and peptide bioregulators from cartilaginous (sigumir, chondrolux) and other tissues in case of trauma, as well as inﬂ ammatory, inﬂammatory and other pathological processes of tissues of the oral cavity and maxillofacial region. Particular attention is paid to their use in the complex treatment of dental diseases in the elderly.
ОЦЕНКА ПРИГОДНОСТИ СРЕДЫ, СОЗДАННОЙ НА УРОВНЕ СООБЩЕСТВА, ДЛЯ ЛЮДЕЙ ПОЖИЛОГО ВОЗРАСТА, ВЕДУЩИХ АКТИВНЫЙ ОБРАЗ ЖИЗНИ: ОСНОВНЫЕ РЕЗУЛЬТАТЫ ПСИХОМЕТРИЧЕСКОГО ТЕСТА
Authors: Asiamah N. , Kouveliotis K. , Eduafo R. , Borkey R.
Published: September 2021

The community development approach to healthy active aging advocates constant availability of relevant built environment factors in the community as a requirement for active behaviors. In this paper, scores from a new scale measuring these factors are interpreted to guide future assessment of active built environments in the community. Participants were 515 older adults in Accra aged 60 years or more who met some inclusion criteria. Principal component analysis (with varimax rotation) and conﬁrmatory factor analysis were used to select relevant items and assess the psychometric properties of the ﬁnal scale. Principal component analysis produced a six-factor solution with 33 items, and the ﬁnal scale had a good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α=0,96; factor loading ≥0,50). The minimum and maximum scores of the scale are 33 and 99 respectively, and the scale indicates low maturity, moderate maturity and high maturity of walkable built environments with scores of 1-30, 34-66 and 67- 99 respectively. The ﬁnal scale, hereby called ACTIVE COMMUNITY, can be used to assess the maturity of active built environments to understand how community design projects are impacting active behaviors over time.

Для здорового активного старения необходимы соответствующие условия среды обитания, которые способствуют активному поведению. Новая шкала, характеризующая данные факторы, позволяет оценивать активность созданной человеком среды в обществе. Участниками исследования были 515 человек пожилого возраста (60 лет и старше) из Аккры. Для выбора соответствующих элементов и оценки психометрических свойств окончательной шкалы был использован анализ основных компонентов (с вращением факторов методом Varimax) и подтверждающий факторный анализ. Анализ основных компонентов позволил получить шестифакторное решение с 33 пунктами, а итоговая шкала имела хорошую внутреннюю согласованность (α-коэффициент Кронбаха 0,96; коэффициент нагрузки ≥0,50). Минимальные и максимальные оценки по шкале составили 33 и 99 соответственно; шкала показывает низкую, умеренную и высокую пригодность для прогулок в урбанизированной среде с оценками 1-30, 34-66 и 67-99 соответственно. Шкалу, характеризующую АКТИВНОЕ ОБЩЕСТВО, можно использовать для оценки пригодности активной созданной человеком среды, чтобы понять, как разработки общества влияют на активное поведение с течением времени.
AGE-RELATED SPECIFICS OR DISEASES AND DISABILITY CAUSED BY DIGESTIVE DISORDERS AMONG ADULTS IN SAINT-PETERSBURG IN 2013-2017
Authors: Кантемирова Р. К. , Сердюков С. В. , Фидарова З. Д. , Чернякина Т. С. , Кузнецова Ю. И.
Published: September 2021

В статье проведен ретроспективный анализ структуры и динамики заболеваемости и инвалидности при болезнях органов пищеварения у жителей Санкт-Петербурга. Представлены данные сравнительного анализа показателей инвалидности у лиц трудоспособного и пенсионного возраста Санкт-Петербурга в сопоставлении со средними российскими показателями в динамике за 2013- 2017 гг. Выявлены закономерности и различия в структуре и динамике болезней органов пищеварения у лиц 18 лет и старше, проявившиеся послеоперационными осложнениями, показателями смертности и инвалидизации. Результаты могут быть использованы для принятия управленческих решений на государственном уровне - как федеральном, так и региональном - по развитию системы профилактики, ранней диагностики болезней органов пищеварения и комплексной реабилитации инвалидов.

The paper presents the retrospective analysis of the structure and dynamics of diseases and disability caused by digestive disorders in Saint Petersburg citizens. The paper presents the results of the comparative analysis of disability among people of active working and pension ages living in Saint Petersburg, versus Russia’s average 2013-2018 data. As a result, regularities and differences in the structure and dynamics of digestive disorders in people 18 years old and older, which manifested themselves in after-surgery complications, death rate, and disability rate. The results may be used as reference for making federal or regional-level decisions on developing the system for preventing and early diagnosis of digestive disorders and integrated rehabilitation of disabled persons.
DIVERSITY OF LIFE SPANS ACROSS THE ANIMAL WORLD
Authors: Попов И.Ю. , Вашурина М.А.
Published: September 2021

Животный мир является источником информации о старении и продолжительности жизни. Ряд видов животных используется в качестве моделей исследования эволюции старения и способов увеличения продолжительности жизни человека. Однако в соответствующих обзорах упоминается не более /основных типов животных, а обычно значительно меньше. Мы проанализировали весь животный мир в контексте исследования продолжительности жизни, выбрав для анализа одну из наиболее универсальных её характеристик - пределы изменчивости продолжительности в основных группах животных. Выполнили систематический обзор источников о группах животных уровня класса и метаанализ показателей продолжительности жизни.

Animal world is one of the main sources of information on ageing and longevity. Several animal species are used to explore the evolution of ageing and to ﬁ nd the remedies to extend human longevity. However, about a third of animal phyla, and usually less, are mentioned in the relevant reviews. We analysed the entire animal world in context of longevity studies choosing for the analysis one of its most general characteristics - the limits of variation of life spans within the main groups. We performed a systematic review of the sources on all groups of animals of the class level and meta-analysis of the values of life spans within them.
AN OLDER WOMAN IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY IN RUSSIA: THE NEIGHBORHOOD, NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS AND THE PUBLIC UTILITIES SECTOR
Authors: Григорьева И. А. , Келасьев О. В.
Published: September 2021

В статье рассматривается становление низовой самоорганизации женщин пенсионного возраста, активно участвующих в решении жилищнокоммунальных вопросов по месту жительства в Санкт-Петербурге. В качестве теоретической рамки взят социально-пространственный подход к старению, который также обозначается как «старение на месте / в сообществе». Такой тип старения требует активного отношения к привычной среде проживания пожилых и возможностям их поддержки. Именно из среды пожилых женщин выдвигаются активистки, располагающие свободным временем и необходимыми компетенциями, готовые представлять интересы всех жителей сообществ многоквартирного дома, двора, квартала. Поэтому эмпирической базой статьи послужили, в основном, материалы интервью с женщинами-активистками. В насыщенной запутанными полузаконными схемами жилищно-коммунальной сфере, закрытой и непонятной для большинства рядовых граждан, им не всегда удаётся добиться равноправного диалога с контролирующими органами и управленцами жилищно-коммунальной сферы. Достижение подчас незначительных изменений требует огромных усилий и приобретения новых компетенций пожилыми активистками для преодоления возникающих барьеров и отстаивания коллективных интересов.

The article probes into the development of local self-organization of retired women, actively involved in resolving housing issues at their place of residence in Saint-Petersburg. The socio-spatial approach to aging, also referred to as «aging in a place / in a community» serves the theoretical framework. This type of aging requires an active approach to the habitual environment of the elderly and their support. It is the groups of older women that generate activists who have free time and the necessary competencies and who are ready to promote the interests of all the residents of an apartment building, a neighborhood or a district. Therefore, the empirical basis of the article was mainly the materials of interviews with women activists. In the public utilities system full of intricate semi-legal schemes, invisible and incomprehensible to the majority of ordinary citizens, activists are not always able to enter into an equitable dialogue with the controlling bodies and public utilities managers. In order to make insigniﬁcant changes, older activists are sometimes required to take tremendous efforts and develop new competencies which help to overcome barriers and to defend the collective interests.
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE: EXPERIMENTAL AND CLINICAL RESEARCHES OF CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE NEUROBIOLOGICAL EFFECTS (A REVIEW)
Authors: Березуцкий М. А. , Дурнова Н. А. , Андронова Т. А. , Синичкина О. В.
Published: September 2021

В обзоре представлен анализ экспериментальных и клинических данных по исследованию нейробиологических эффектов сборов лекарственных веществ, которые используют в терапии болезни Альцгеймера в китайской медицине. В качестве экспериментальных моделей болезни Альцгеймера использовали крыс, которым вводили пептиды A β1-42 или A β25-35, иботеновую кислоту, стрептозотоцин, а также естественную линию мышей SAMP 8 с фенотипом ускоренного старения и др. Природные вещества, входящие в сборы, продемонстрировали разные нейробиологические эффекты в клетках гиппокампа - ингибировали отложения бета-амилоида, увеличивали число нейронов с относительно регулярной морфологией клеток и уменьшали число апоптозных клеток, уменьшали продукцию индуцибельной NO -синтазы ( iNOS ), снижали уровень реактивной экспрессии RAGE и повышали уровень реактивной экспрессии LRP -1, снижали фосфорилирование τ-белка на участках Thr 231 и Ser 422, ингибировали экспрессию τ-протеинкиназ GSK -3βи CDK -5, уменьшали процессы активации и воспаления микроглии, продуцировали в церебральных кортикальных слоях 15 видов N -гликанов, которые у экспериментальных животных отсутствовали. Было отмечено также улучшение процессов запоминания и обучения.

The analysis of experiments and clinical data about research of neurobiological effects of chinese herbal medicine, which is used by Alzheimer`s disease treatment, was presented in given overview. The rats with injection of A β1-42 or A β25-35 peptides, or ibotenic acid, or streptozotocin as well as the natural line of mice SAMP 8 with the phenotype of accelerated aging and other were used as the experimental models of Alzheimer`s disease. Various neurobiological effects of various herbal decoctions in the cells of hippocampus were demonstrated - the inhibition of amyloid β peptides aggregation, increasing of neurons quantity with normal morphology and decreasing of apoptotic cells, decreasing of inducible nitric oxide synthase ( iNOS ) production, decreasing of reactive expression level of RAGE and increasing reactive expression level of LRP -1, decreasing of tau protein phosphorylation at Thr 231 and Ser 422, inhibition of expression of GSK -3β and CDK -5, decreasing of activation and inﬂammation of microglia, production of 15 types of N -glycans in the cerebral cortex layers, which are absent in experimental animals. The improvement of memorization and training abilities was established.
NEUROPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF PEPTIDES
Authors: Миронова Е. С. , Линькова Н. С. , Попович И. Г. , Козина Л. С. , Хавинсон В. Х.
Published: September 2021

Нейродегенеративные заболевания представляют собой гетерогенную группу патологии нервной системы и встречаются преимущественно у людей старшей возрастной группы. Частота встречаемости нейродегенеративных заболеваний непрерывно растет в связи с увеличением средней продолжительности жизни населения. В настоящее время лечение нейродегенеративных заболеваний является малоэффективным. Большинство применяемых препаратов действует лишь симптоматически. В обзоре проанализированы данные и приведены сведения о перспективности применения пептидных биорегуляторов в качестве нейропротекторов, обладающих высокой физиологической активностью и низкой иммуногенностью.

Neurodegenerative diseases are a heterogeneous group of nervous system pathologies. They are found mainly in people of an older age group. The incidence of neurodegenerative diseases is continuously growing due to an increase in the average life expectancy of the population. At the moment, there are no effective and safe treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, which are most often diagnosed at the stage of decompensation, when therapy is ineffective and does not bring positive outcomes. Most of the currently used drugs act only symptomatically. The review provides analyzed data and information about the prospects of using peptide bioregulators as neuroprotectors with high physiological activity and low immunogenicity.
STATUS AND PROSPECTS OF GERONTOLOGY AND GERIATRICS IN THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
Authors: Маматов С. М. , Арстанбекова М. А. , Иманалиева Ф. Э. , Канат Кызы Базира
Published: September 2021

В статье проанализирована ситуация, сложившаяся с развитием геронтологии в Кыргызской Республике. Подробно описывается долговременный процесс становления геронтологической службы в стране и ее достижения. Позитивным считается тот факт, что на проблему пожилых людей стали обращать внимание не только международные организации, но и государство, и само общество. Несмотря на определенные достигнутые успехи в развитии службы, указываются проблемы, которые требуют неотлагательных мер для решения, особенно это касается развития гериатрической службы, которая сегодня не соответствует современному состоянию постарения населения. Подчеркнута важная роль создания института геронтологии как координирующего органа в подготовке специализированных кадров, в развитии и выполнении скооперированных научных исследований и внедрения их результатов в практику здравоохранения.

The article analyzes the situation with the development of gerontology in the Kyrgyz Republic. The long-term process of the formation of the gerontological service in the country and its achievements are described in detail. The positive fact is that not only international organizations, but also the state and society itself began to pay attention to the problem of older people. Despite the certain and achieved successes in the development of the service, problems are indicated that require urgent measures to resolve, especially the development of the geriatric service, which today does not meet the modern challenges of aging. The important role of creating the gerontology institute, as a coordinating body in the training of specialized personnel, in the development and implementation of cooperated scientiﬁc research and the implementation of their results in healthcare practice was emphasized.
THE ROLE OF TRANSPOSABLE ELEMENTS IN ENDOCRINE CHANGES DURING AGING
Authors: Мустафин Р. Н. , Хуснутдинова Э. К.
Published: September 2021

Одним из ключевых механизмов старения является изменение гормональной регуляции, для эффективного воздействия на которую с целью продления жизни необходимо определение первопричины данных процессов. В качестве молекулярных драйверов, управляющих динамикой уровня гормонов, могут служить транспозоны. Это связано с их использованием в качестве источников нуклеотидных последовательностей, воспринимающих специфические сигналы рибозимов, транскрипционных факторов, гормонов и их мессенджеров. В то же время, в эволюции транспозоны являются источниками рибозимов и белков, обладающих ДНК-связывающими доменами. Начиная с деления зиготы, видоспецифический состав и распределение транспозонов в геноме могут использоваться как биологическая кодировка, необходимая для последовательной и специфической для типов клеток экспрессии генов. Сделано предположение, что гормональная регуляция является одним из компонентов сложной системы управления онтогенезом под влиянием мобильных элементов. В качестве подтверждения приведены работы о роли транспозонов в управлении генами эндокринной системы, а также о влиянии гормонов на активность транспозонов. Исследование этих взаимосвязей может иметь перспективы для разработки методов продления жизни, так как эпигенетические изменения под влиянием транспозонов носят обратимый характер.

Species-speciﬁc changes in the endocrine system are key factors in aging. Therefore, to prolong life, it is necessary to ﬁnd regulators of the highest level, the changes of which lead to physiological aging. The molecular drivers that control dynamics of hormone levels can be transposons. This is due to the use of nucleotide sequences of transposons as binding sites that perceive speciﬁc signals of ribozymes, transcription factors, hormones and their messengers. At the same time, transposons are evolutionary sources of ribozymes and proteins that have DNA-binding domains. Starting from zygote division, the species-speciﬁc composition and distribution of transposons in the genome serves as a biological coding, which is necessary for the sequential expression of genes speciﬁc to cell types and stage of development. We suggest that hormonal regulation is one of the components of this complex system of regulation of ontogenesis under the control of transposons. To conﬁrm our hypothesis, this review contains articles that prove the importance of transposons for species-speciﬁc control of endocrine system genes, as well as the effect of hormones on transposon activity. The research of these relationships is promising for the development of methods for the effective prolongation of life, since epigenetic changes under the inﬂuence of transposons are reversible.
PEPTIDE REGULATES HUMAN CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS GENES EXPRESSION DURING PINEAL GLAND ACCELERATED AGING
Authors: Ивко О. М. , Линькова Н. С. , Ильина А. Р. , Шарова А. А. , Рыжак Г. А.
Published: September 2021

Ночная работа приводит к десинхронизации биоритмов, нарушению мелатонинобразующей функции и ускоренному старению эпифиза человека. Одним из перспективных геропротекторов, восстанавливающих синтез эпифизарного мелатонина, является пептид AEDG ( Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly ). Последний в 1,7 раза повышает экскрецию 6-сульфатоксимелатонина в моче людей среднего возраста, у которых этот показатель исходно снижен. Кроме того, у людей со сниженной мелатонинобразующей функцией эпифиза, пептид AEDG нормализует повышенную экспрессию циркадных генов Clock и Csnk 1 e в лейкоцитах и в 2 раза повышает сниженную экспрессию гена Cry 2 в лимфоцитах крови. В основе геропротекторного эффекта пептида AEDG лежит его способность восстанавливать мелатонинобразующую функцию эпифиза через регуляцию экспрессии часовых генов человека.

Night work provides biorhythms desynchronization, disorder of melatonin-producing function and accelerated pineal gland aging. One of the promising geroprotectors restoring the pineal melatonin synthesis is the AEDG ( Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly ) peptide. AEDG peptide increases in 1,7 times the 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (6-SOMT) excretion in the urine of middle-aged people. Moreover, AEDG peptide normalized circadian Clock and Csnk1e genes hyper expression in leukocytes in 1,9-2,1 times and increases the Cry 2 gene hypo expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes in 2 times in people with reduced melatonin-producing epiphysis function. The geroprotective effect of the AEDG peptide is based on its ability to restore the epiphysis melatonin-producing function by means regulation of human circadian genes expression.