bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does the Socioeconomic Status Predict Health Service Utilization in Persons with Enhanced Health Care Needs? Results from A Population-Based Survey in Persons with Spinal Cord Lesions from Switzerland
Authors: Fekete Christine , Debnar Caroline , Scheel-Sailer Anke , Gemperli Armin
Published: December 2021

Background: Evidence suggests that the socioeconomic status (SES) affects individuals' health service utilization. Spinal cord injury is a condition that often leads to physical impairments and enhanced health care needs. It therefore presents an informative and yet under-researched case in point to investigate social inequalities in health service utilization. This study aims to describe associations between SES and health service utilization in adults with spinal cord injury from Switzerland.Methods: We use cross-sectional data from 1,294 participants of the Swiss Spinal Cord Injury Cohort Study community survey 2017. SES was operationalized with education, household income, perceived financial hardship, subjective status, and granting of supplementary financial benefits. Health service utilization was assessed with information on visits to 13 different health care providers and four health care institutions (inpatient stays, outpatient clinics, emergency departments, specialized spinal cord centers) during the past 12 months. The dichotomized outcomes on service utilization (visited vs. not visited) were regressed on SES indicators, including adjustments for sociodemographics, lesion characteristics, and health status. Results: Persons with higher SES reported higher likelihood for specialist, dentist, and dental hygienist visits and reported utilizing a larger number of different care providers. Further, specific SES indicators were associated with certain care provider visits (i.e., higher education and subjective status: higher odds for pharmacist visits; higher income: higher odds for natural healer visits; higher subjective status: higher odds for chiropractor visits; supplementary benefit granting: higher odds for general practitioner and home care service visits). We found statistically non-significant trends towards lower likelihood for inpatient stays, outpatient clinic and emergency department visits and enhanced likelihood for specialized spinal cord-center visits in higher SES groups. Conclusions: This study generally supports the claim that basic health care provision is guaranteed for all patients with spinal cord injury in Switzerland, independently of their SES. However, social inequalities were still observed for the utilization of specific providers, such as oral health care providers. Given that oral health is key for health maintenance in persons with spinal cord injury, specific interventions to enhance regular dental check-ups in lower SES groups are highly recommended.
Are There Doctors Who Don’t Believe in the Vaccine: Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
Authors: Korchevoi Sergei , Petraikin Alexey
Published: December 2021

This research aims to shed some light on one of the facets of how the information flow including that in the media relates to one’s real vaccine hesitancy. Specifically, we are interested in the possible input of medical experts’ opinions on formation of people’s attitude towards vaccine hesitancy. Phenomenology was chosen as the methodological and epistemological base for the study. The obtained description of the experience and attitudes of medical workers who feel vaccine hesitancy can contribute to further studies of challenges spawned not only by the current COVID-19 pandemic but can also provide hints in other situations of social turmoil.
A740003 Can Reverse Chondrocyte Apoptosis and Prevent Extracellular Matrix Degradation by NF-KB Pathway in Facet Joint Osteoarthritis
Authors: xue pengfei , Wu Guanyin , jin huricha , jiang jiawei , zhang Mo , chen chu , gui chao , bao guofeng , xu guanhua , cui zhiming
Published: December 2021

Facet joint osteoarthritis (FJOA) is one of the common causes of low back pain, but the molecular mechanism is still unclear. Previous studies have found that P2X7 receptor has been proved to play an important role in skeletal and joint diseases. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of A740003, selective P2X7R antagonist, in the development of FJOA. Our study found that A740003 can inhibit the expression of P2X7R in OA chondrocytes. It can lead to anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects in primary chondrocytes by IL-1β/BzATP. Our results imply that decreased P2X7R can reverse chondrocyte apoptosis and prevent extracellular matrix degradation by NF-KB pathway. Moreover, in our present work, we found that A740003 inhibit the abrrently activation of NF-KB pathway by preventing the activated P65 translocation to nucleus. Our results indicate that P2X7R is a therapeutic target for the treatment of FJOA, and that A740003 could be a therapeutic candidate for this clinical application.
Associations of Healthcare Utilization and Costs with Increasing Pain and Treatment Intensity Levels in Osteoarthritis Patients: an 18-Year Retrospective Study
Authors: Graham Jove , Novosat Tonia , Sun Haiyan , Piper Brian J. , Boscarino Joseph A. , Kern Melissa , Hayduk Vanessa , Wright Eric , Beck Craig , Robinson Rebecca , Casey Edward , Hall Jerry , Schepman Patricia
Published: December 2021

BackgroundOsteoarthritis (OA) is a complex disease, and prior studies have documented the health and economic burdens of patients with OA compared to those without OA. Our goal was to use two strategies to further stratify OA patients based on both pain and treatment intensity to examine healthcare utilization and costs using electronic records from 2001-2018 at a large integrated health system. Methods Adult patients with ≥1 pain numerical rating score (NRS) and diagnosis of OA were included. Pain episodes of ≥90 days were defined as mild (0-3), moderate (4-6) or severe (7-10) based on initial NRS. Patients were initially classified as mild and moved to moderate-severe OA if any of eight treatment-based criteria were met. Outpatient visits (OP), emergency department visits (ED), inpatient days, and healthcare costs (both all-cause and OA-specific) were compared among pain levels and OA severity levels as frequencies and per-member-per-year rates, using generalized linear regression models adjusting for age, sex and body mass index, with contrasts of p<0.05 considered significant. ResultsWe identified 127,656 patients, 92,576 with pain scores. Moderate and severe pain were associated with significantly higher rates of OA-related utilization and costs, and all-cause ED visits and pharmacy costs. Moderate-severe OA patients had significantly higher OA-related utilization and costs, and all-cause OP, ED and pharmacy costs. ConclusionsPain and treatment intensity were both strongly associated with OA-related resource utilization but not consistently with all-cause utilization. With better understanding of how OA patients intensify services, thus increasing costs, we can deploy targeted preventative strategies aimed at halting progression into more costly phases of the disease.
Using Ground Reaction Forces To Predict Fatigue In Treadmill Running: A Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Junior Sérgio Baldo , Santos Thiago Faria dos , Tinós Renato , Santiago Paulo Roberto Pereira
Published: December 2021

The analysis of running patterns, especially those associated with fatigue, can help specialists in designing more efficient workouts and preventing injuries in high-performance sports. However, classifying running patterns is not trivial for humans. An interesting alternative is to use Machine Learning methods, such as Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), to classify running patterns. In this work, ground reaction forces are measured by sensors coupled to the base of a low-cost open-source treadmill. ANNs are used to classify the force signals and to indicate the occurrence of fatigue. Different features, extracted from the force signals, are proposed and investigated. A Genetic Algorithm (GA) is used to select the best features. The experimental results indicate that the ANN is able to classify the running patterns with good accuracy. In addition, some features selected by the GA provide important information regarding the identification of fatigue in treadmill running.
Household financial burden associated with health care for older people in Viet Nam: A cross-sectional survey
Authors: Giang Nguyen Hoang , Vinh Nguyen The , Phuong Hoang Thi , Thang Nguyen Thi , Oanh Tran Thi Mai
Published: December 2021

Background Population ageing and the associated increase in the health care needs of older people are putting pressure on the health care system in Viet Nam. The country prioritizes health care for older people and has developed financial protection policies to mitigate financial hardship due to out-of-pocket health expenditures (OOPHEs) borne by their households. This study examines the level and determinants of the financial burden of OOPHE among households with people aged ≥60 years in Viet Nam. Methods A cross-sectional household survey was conducted among a sample of 1536 older people living in 1477 households in three provinces representing the North, Central and South regions of Viet Nam during 2019–2020. The financial outcomes were catastrophic health expenditure (CHE), using the World Health Organization's definition, and financial distress due to OOPHE. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was employed to determine the factors associated with these outcomes. Results OOPHE for older household members accounted for 86.3% of total household health expenditure. Of households with older people, 8.6% (127) faced CHE, and 12.2% (181) experienced financial distress due to OOPHE. Households were at a higher risk of incurring financial burdens related to health expenditures if they had fewer household members; included only older people; were in rural or remote, mountainous areas; and had older members with noncommunicable diseases. There was no significant association between health insurance coverage and financial burden. However, when older people sought tertiary care or private care, the possibility of a household facing CHE increased. Regardless of the type and level of care, health service utilization by older people results in a higher likelihood of a household encountering financial distress. Conclusions This study reveals that OOPHE for older people can impose substantial financial burdens on households, leading them to face CHE and financial distress. This study provides evidence to justify reforming financial protection policies and introducing policy interventions targeted at better protecting older people and their households from the financial consequences of OOPHE. There is also the need to strengthen the grassroots health facilities to provide primary care closer to home at lower costs, particularly for the management of noncommunicable diseases.
Genetic Parameters and Selection in Full-Sib Families of Tall Fescue Using Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) Analysis of Animal Breeding and Genetic
Authors: Pirnajmedin Fatemeh , Majidi Mohammad Mahdi , Taleb Mohammad Hadi , Rostami Davoud
Published: December 2021

Background: Better understanding of genetic structure of economic traits is crucial for identification and selection of superior genotypes in specific breeding programs. Best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) is the most efficient method in this regards, which is poorly used in forage plant breeding. The present study aimed to assess genetic variation, estimate genetic parameters, and predict breeding values of five essential traits in full sib families (recognized by EST-SSR markers) of tall fescue using REML/BLUP procedure. Method: Forty-two full-sib families of tall fescue (included of 120 individual genotypes), recognized by EST-SSR markers’ along with twenty-one their corresponding parental genotypes were assessed for biomass production and agro-morphological traits at three harvests (spring, summer, and autumn) in the field during 4 years (2017-2020). Results: Considerable genotypic variability was observed for all traits. Low narrow-sense heritability (h2n) for dry forage yield (DFY) at three harvest indicates that non-additive gene actions may play an important role in the inheritance of this trait. Higher h2n of yield related traits and flowering time and also significant genetic correlation of these traits with forage yield, suggests that selection based on these traits via developing an index may lead to indirect genetic improvement of DFY. Conclusion: Our results showed the adequacy of REML/BLUP procedure for identification and selection of preferable parental genotypes and progenies with higher breeding values for future breeding programs such as variety development in tall fescue. Parental genotypes 21M, 1M, and 20L were identified as superior and stable genotypes and could also produce the best hybrid combinations when they were mostly used as maternal parent.
Indigenous Lands at Risk: Identifying Global Challenges and Opportunities in the Face of Industrial Development
Authors: Kennedy Christina M. , Fariss Brandie , Oakleaf James R. , Garnett Stephen T. , Fernández-Llamazares Álvaro , Fa Julia E. , Baruch-Mordo Sharon , Kiesecker Joseph
Published: December 2021

Indigenous Peoples’ (IP) stewardship has helped conserve biodiversity and maintain healthy ecosystems worldwide. Among many challenges to this role are mounting pressures from industrial development. By assessing the current ecological condition of Indigenous lands with their potential for future industrial development, we show that the ecological integrity of 22% (8.6 million km2) of Indigenous lands is highly threatened across five continents and 37 countries. We further find that the risk to Indigenous lands is greatest across West and Central Africa because of their high ecological threat and greater obstacles for Indigenous Peoples to realize self-determined and culturally-responsive development outcomes. Using a novel national-level framework that examines the security of IP’ rights and authority over their lands, their capacity to engage in decision-making, and support for facilitating sustainable development, we highlight potential challenges and opportunities for strategic investments and interventions to help IP safeguard their futures and rights, as well as the ecological integrity of their lands.
A trial patch to the extracurricular perspective of sustainable development program in elementary schools of Turkey
Authors: ŞEKER Fatih , AYDINLI BAHATTIN
Published: December 2021

Sustainable development (SD) and science education have become interwoven categorical issues under the name of science education for sustainable development (SESD). Education can play a crucial role in merging the dimensions of SD as ecology, economy, and energy, along with society in a united holistic goal. Furthermore, it can provide the necessary motivation and self-fulfillment for individuals and communities. Extracurricular activities should also be implemented along with formal ones in courses that are related to socio-scientific issues like SD. In line with this perspective, this study mainly aims to find new means of developing an extracurricular module program based on the principles of SD, in order to address the defects, deficiencies, and needs in science education around the world. For the sake of these, the module program was constructed kneading concepts of energy transformations, biodiversity, and narrating socio-scientific problems that would foster positive student decision-making on SD issues. The study also aims to examine whether the SESD module program would have a significant effect on the academic success and opinions regarding SD of primary school students in science lessons. The study sample comprised 92 Turkish fifth-grade students. A mixed method was handled by allowing qualitative and quantitative research methods in the same context. Qualitative and quantitative data analysis revealed that the SESD module program significantly affected fifth-grade students in terms of their knowledge and opinions to increase their willingness to take action and responsibility.
Urbanization, Electromagnetic Radiation and Sparrows: A Case Study from Guwahati, India
Authors: Nath Anukul , Singha Hilloljyoti , Lahkar Bibhuti Prasad
Published: December 2021

The persisting growth of wireless telecommunication technology causes increased electrosmog. Exposure to wide-ranging radiofrequency electromagnetic fields is thought to be a concern for all the living species across the globe. Studies have shown possible effects of electromagnetic radiation on various organisms including electromagnetic radiation risk on birds, but the outcomes were inconsistent. Here, we investigated if there is any impact of electromagnetic radiation on the abundance and habitat use of sympatric House Sparrow and Tree Sparrow in Guwahati City, India. In addition, we did a comparative analysis of previous work that had been conducted on possible effects of EMR on wild birds in field condition. We collected sparrow abundance in selected urbanization gradients temporally over a period of two years in 45 locations and spatially covering 168 locations in the eastern part of Guwahati City. Point counts were carried out, and successively we measured the electromagnetic radiation along with other ecological covariates. It was observed that ecological variables contributed significant variation to explain the habitat use of sparrows in Guwahati City compared to electromagnetic radiation. We observed that House Sparrow had quadratic relationship and Tree sparrow had negative association with increasing urbanization. Studies carried out in the past on the impacts of electromagnetic radiation on birds outside the lab condition had not considered other ecological covariates, which could also influence the life history needs of the bird species. Our study emphasized that the ecological covariates should be taken into consideration while studying the effect of electromagnetic radiation on wild organisms.
New Extended Topsis Method Based On The Entropy Measure And Picture Fuzzy Rough Set Information And Their Application In Decision Support System
Authors: Khan Muhammad Ali , Abdullah Saleem , Qadir Abbas
Published: December 2021

In this article, we shall introduce a novel technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS)-based methodology to resolve multicriteria group decision-making problems within picture fuzzy environment, where the weights information of both the decision makers (DMs) and criteria are completely unknown. First, we briefly review the definition of picture fuzzy sets (PFS), score function and accuracy function of PFRSs and their basic operational laws. In addition, defined the generalized distance measure for PFRSs based on picture fuzzy rough entropy measure to compute the unknown weights information. Secondly, the picture fuzzy information based decision-making technique for multiple attribute group decision making (MAGDM) is established and all computing steps are simply depicted. In our presented model, it's more accuracy and effective for considering the conflicting attributes. Finally, an illustrative example with robot selection is provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed picture fuzzy decision support approaches, together with comparison results discussion, proving that its results are feasible and credible.
Silicon Embolization Syndrome - A Diagnostic and Therapeutic Dilemma: A Case Series and Review of the Literature
Authors: Mumtaz Aqsa , Farrukh Larabe , Dar Tawseef , Naveed Hamza , Siddique Saad , Saeed Subhan , Shahid Aneeqa , Javaid Risham , Khan Sehrish Sohail
Published: December 2021

In scientific literature, silicone embolization syndrome has been well described and multiple presentations have been delineated. The use of non-medical injections of silicone has become very popular with the public in general, in particular with certain groups that are highly focused on their physical image. Local effects including tissue necrosis, foreign body giant cell reaction, and community-acquired infection have been commonly recorded. Distal effects suggesting an embolic phenomenon can present as regional lymphadenopathy, granulomatous hepatitis, interstitial nephritis, and other acute systemic illnesses. But pulmonary and neurologic sequelae especially warrant emergency attention and can be fatal, if not identified immediately. Pulmonary manifestation can sometimes easily mimic bilateral pneumonia, especially if there is no suspicion for illicit silicone use, which was the case with our patients. The injected subcutaneous silicone migrated rapidly from the interstitial subcutaneous tissue into the general bloodstream resulting in systemic silicone embolization. An analysis of the presented case in conjunction with a review of the pertinent medical literature, including relevant case reports revealed the common clinicopathological manifestations of silicon embolism.
Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 3 Subunit B Promotes Head And Neck Cancer Via CEBPB Translation
Authors: Xu Chengzhi , Shen Yupeng , Shi Yong , Zhang Ming , Zhou Liang
Published: December 2021

Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer type worldwide. Deregulation of mRNA translation is a frequent feature of cancer. Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 3 Subunit B (EIF3B) has reported as oncogenes in cancer. However, the role of EIF3B in HNSCC remains unclear. Methods: In this study, the clinical significance of EIF3B expression in TCGA was analyzed. Then the expression of EIF3B was knockdown, and its role in HNSC was revealed. To explore the molecular mechanism of EIF3B, we applied RNA sequencing and proteomics, and deregulated pathways were acquired. RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) sequencing was conducted to uncover the targeting mRNAs of EIF3B. Potential targets of EIF3B were validated with TCGA datasets.Results: EIF3B serves a hazardous prognostic marker in HNSCC. Besides, EIF3B promotes HNSCC proliferation and progression in vitro and in vivo. EIF3B promotes CEBPB translation and activate MAPK pathway. IL6R and CCNG2 is a target of EIF3B regulated CEBPB translation. Conclusion: In sum, this study reveals EIF3B as a novel oncogene in HNSCC, by promoting CEBPB translation and IL6R expression.
Intracellular Drug Targets In Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Revealed By A Chemo-Genetic Approach
Authors: Tsui Clement K.M. , Sorrentino Flavia , Gagandeep Narula , Losanna Alfonso Mendoza , Rio Ruben Gonzalez , Herrán Esther Pérez , Lopez Abraham , Bojang Adama , Zheng Xingji , Remuinan-Blanco Modesto Jesus , Av-Gay Yossef
Published: December 2021

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the etiological agent of tuberculosis, is one of the most devastating infectious agents in the world. It causes chronic lung diseases to one third of the world’s population. Chemo-genetic characterization through in vitro evolution combined with whole genome sequencing analysis can identify novel drug targets and drug resistance genes in Mtb. We performed a genome analysis of 53 Mtb mutants resistant to 15 different hit compounds. We found nonsynonymous mutations/indels in 30 genes that may be associated with drug resistance acquisitions. Beyond confirming previously identified drug resistance mechanisms such as rpoB and lead targets reported in novel anti-tuberculosis drug screenings such as mmpL3, ethA, mbtA, we discovered several unrecognized candidate drug targets including prrB and TB18.5. The exploration of the M. tuberculosis chemical mutant genomes could help novel drug discovery and structural biology of compounds and asscoiated mechanisms of action relevant to tuberculosis treatment.
Laudatio zu Michaela Kramers «Visuelle Biografiearbeit. Eine rekonstruktive Triangulationsstudie über Smartphone-Fotopraktiken in der Adoleszenz»
Authors: Aufenanger Stefan , Moser Heinz
Published: December 2021

Laudatio zu

Kramer, Michaela. 2020. Visuelle Biografiearbeit: Smartphone-Fotografie in der Adoleszenz aus medienpädagogischer Perspektive. Lebensweltbezogene Medienforschung, Band 8. Baden-Baden: Nomos.
INDEKS KEPUASAN MASYARAKAT TERHADAP PROGRAM TANGGUNG JAWAB SOSIAL DAN LINGKUNGAN PT KILANG PERTAMINA INTERNASIONAL REFINERY UNIT II DUMAI
Authors: Mulyani Iwed , Raditya Lukas , Fatkhullah Mukhammad
Published: December 2021

Dari berbagai program Tanggung Jawab Sosial yang dilaksanakan PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional Refinery Unit II Dumai, Program Desa Wisata Gambut Sejahtera (DEWIGATRA) menjadi program unggulan yang menyita perhatian. Program ini mewakili kebutuhan masyarakat untuk meminimalisir kerentanan, khususnya kebakaran hutan dan lahan yang terjadi setiap tahunnya. Penelitian ini bermaksud untuk mengukur Indeks Kepuasan Masyarakat terhadap Program TJSL PT KPI RU II DUMAI melalui Program DEWIGATRA. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif deskriptif. Populasi dalam kajian ini adalah anggota kelompok pengelola DEWIGATRA. Adapun teknik pengambilan sampel pada peneitian ini adalah purposive sampling. Teknik pengambilan sampel pada peneitian ini adalah purposive sampling. Dari 14 indikator, 12 aspek mendapatkan penilaian yang memuaskan. Hanya Indikator tentang kemampuan masyarakat untuk melanjutkan program secara mandiri mendapat penilaian “KURANG BAIK”. Namun kinerja program DEWIGATRA mendapatkan predikat "SANGAT BAIK" dengan nilai indeks sebesar 3,5 atau 8,75 setelah dikonversi.
Assessing the level of competitiveness of the insurance sector during economic crises: The example of Ukraine
Authors: Tsymbaliuk Iryna , Pavlikha Nataliia , Zelinska Olena , Ventsuryk Alisa , Radko Anna
Published: December 2021

In the context of the crisis in Ukraine, it is important to increase the competitiveness of the insurance sector as a measure of its stability and dynamism under various scenarios of economic development. The purpose of this paper is to assess the competitiveness of the insurance sector and determine the impact on its level of factors caused by economic crises. Using the method of integrated analysis, the index of competitiveness of the insurance industry is built, which considers the number of businesses, employment, sales, capital investment in the industry, insurance sector performance, share of profitable enterprises, and profitability of the insurance sector in Ukraine for 2012–2020. The results showed that the impact of the 2014–2015 crisis due to endogenous factors, namely political instability in the country and the devaluation of the hryvnia, led to a significant reduction in the competitiveness index of the insurance sector. At the same time, during the pandemic, the insurance sector is stabilized, as evidenced by the growth of sales and the share of profitable enterprises, as well as increasing profitability of insurance activities. The competitiveness index did not change significantly during the pandemic. To analyze the dependence of the integrated indicator of the competitiveness of the insurance sector on economic fluctuations during the crisis, regression equations are constructed. It is proved that the greatest impact on the competitiveness index of the insurance sector in times of crisis is exerted by changes in employment and the amount of capital investment.
The impact of marketing agility on crisis management stages at five and four-star hotels in Jordan
Authors: Khraim Hamza , AL Afaishat Tayseer
Published: December 2021

This paper aims to examine the impact of marketing agility on decision-making during crisis management stages in five-star and four-star hotels in Jordan. The study included 71 top management staff members from Jordan’s five- and four-star hotels. A questionnaire was designed and utilized to collect the data on marketing agility and crisis management at four and five-star hotels in Jordan. A total of 213 questionnaires were distributed, and 187 useable responses were returned, which resulted in an 86% response rate. Results show that marketing agility plays a significant role in decision-making during crisis management stages. The analysis revealed that marketing agility affected the five stages of crisis management with mixed levels. The findings show that accessibility, decisiveness, swiftness, and flexibility have an immense impact on crisis management stages, while the alertness dimension result shows a weak impact on crisis management stages except for containment. Hotel managers are recommended to emphasize enhancing coordination and integration internally with different managerial levels and units and with external partners to boost information exchange. In addition, it will help promote learning orientation amongst hotel staff to handle the fast-changing environment.
Consideration of the contribution of the natural background component during individual control of radiation doses to personnel
Authors: Bazhin S. Yu. , Kaidanovsky G. N.
Published: December 2021

When ensuring radiation safety in the Russian Federation, there is a principle of separate independent assessment of doses from natural, medical, emergency and technogenic exposure. In practice, it is not always possible to comply with this principled approach. The established dose limits are related only to man-made radiation during normal operation of sources of ionizing radiation. However, during the formation of regional and federal databases on individual doses of personnel exposure, information is entered not on technogenic exposure, but on industrial exposure, that is, without subtracting the natural radiation background. The natural component of the individual dose at low radiation doses is quite significant. Failure to its subtraction leads to an overestimation of the individual dose of external exposure of personnel. Difficulties arise in the implementation of the subtraction of the natural radiation background: 1) in what cases it is necessary to subtract the background, 2) what value to choose for the subtracted background, 3) what method to measure the background, 4) at what stage of processing the measurement information to subtract the background. This article proposes a method for solving the problem of subtracting the natural background radiation from the values of individual doses of external exposure to personnel based on results of individual dosimetric control. Using the example of the city of St. Petersburg, the natural background radiation was measured by the thermoluminescent method of individual dosimetry at 50 control points for three consecutive years (2018-2020). To measure the natural background, we used individual thermoluminescent dosimeters of the same type as those used to measure individual equivalents of external radiation doses to personnel. The choice of using the thermoluminescent method as a predominant one for adjusting the average doses of external radiation from technogenic sources of ionizing radiation when subtracting the natural component of the dose has been substantiated. Comparison of official data on personnel exposure doses with the data obtained as a result of our own measurements is made. Recommendations are given on the use of the obtained values of the average natural radiation background in the formation of regional and federal databases on individual doses of personnel exposure.
On the 125th anniversary of the discovery of radioactivity: history of development and current state of regulation of the provision of the radiation safety of the public
Authors: Onischenko G. G. , Romanovich I. K. , Istorik O. A. , Vodovatov A. V. , Biblin A. M. , Kormanovskaya T. A.
Published: December 2021

This paper is focused on the history of development and current state of regulation of the provision of radiation safety of the public. It includes data on the history of discovery of the X-rays, radioactivity and development of the atomic industry in the USSR and in the world as well as the issues of evaluation of the radiobiological effects of the ionizing radiation on the human and history of the development of regulations. It is indicated, that the principles of the radiation safety, norms and approaches to the provision of the radiation protection presented in the Federal state Law № 3-FZ “On the radiation safety of the public” and NRB 99/2009 fully comply with the ICRP Publication 60 (1990) and International Basic Safety Standard (IAEA, 1997). For decades, FZ-3 and NRB 99/2009 have allowed provisioning the high level of radiation safety of the personnel and the public.
The impact of product quality and service quality on consumer loyalty (case study of Bandeng Rozal in Bandengan village, Kendal district, Kendal regency)
Authors: Murtiawati Mawadah , Fataron Zuhdan Ady
Published: December 2021

Purpose - The purpose of this research is to test the quality of products and quality of service to consumer loyalty of small business, Bandeng Rozal.Method - Data were obtained from distributing questionnaires to 100 consumers using simple random sampling and measured by the scale of Likert. Quantitative analysis included validity and reliability test, classic assumption test, multiple linear regression analysis, hypothesis testing through t-test and F test, and analysis of the coefficient of determination (R2), while data processing is run used SPSS 16.Result - The result showed the variables in this research had a significant effect on consumer loyalty. Based on the F test, it showed that variables in this study in which they were product quality and service quality simultaneously or jointly have a significant effect on consumer loyalty.Implication - This result can assist small business in increasing their consumer loyalty.Originality - This research focuses on small business adaptability in competing in the industry with a marketing perspective.
The effect of Sharia bank knowledge, promotion, and facilities on savings decisions at Sharia banks with savings interest as mediation variables
Authors: Utamy Oriesta Dhea Budi , Widhiastuti Ratieh
Published: December 2021

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to explain the effect of Sharia bank knowledge, promotion, and facility on saving decisions in Shariah bank both directly and through saving interest.Method - The population in this study is the students of Sharia banking department at Islamic Business and Economics Faculty of IAIN Purwokerto Batch 2016/2017 of 106 students. All populations in this study were used as the sample. The technique of data collection in this study used questionnaires. Techniques of data analysis used descriptive statistic analysis and path analysis. Result - The results showed that Sharia bank knowledge, promotion, and facility give a positive and significant effect on saving decisions in Sharia Bank. Saving interest can mediate Sharia bank knowledge, promotion, and facility on saving decisions in Sharia Bank.Implication - Suggestion from this study are expected that Sharia Bank can fix the facility and improve promotions so that the customer candidate can know what kind of product offered so that saving interest and saving decision in Sharia Bank can be improved.Originality - This study adds Islamic bank knowledge and saving interest variable as the intervening variable.
Improving Digital Image Quality for Convolution Neural Network Based Computer-Aided Diagnosis (CNN-CAD) of Skin Cancer
Authors: YALÇIN Tolga , TANDİROVİC GÜRSEL Amira
Published: December 2021

The practice of detecting skin cancer is based primarily on a visual examination by a dermatologist, followed by a series of tests for a more accurate diagnosis. The concept “the earlier cancer is detected in its natural history, the more effective the treatment is likely to be" is also valid for skin cancer. Hence, any delayed or missed diagnosis can lead to a more severe clinical stage or, what's worse, death. On the other hand, the lack of biomarkers in clinical use brings about overdiagnosis and unnecessary biopsies.

DL-CAD system seems to be an excellent candidate for improving diagnostic accuracy and reducing unnecessary treatments. However, the vast majority of conventional CADs manipulate dermoscopic images, which require not only costly equipment but also time-consuming processing. Despite the difficulties with precision, state-of-the-art DL-CAD systems provide an interpretation using digital images, requiring no expertise in cost-effective dermoscopic image capture and interpretation. Pre-processing methods play a crucial role in solving this problem. This study presents results with regard to pre-processing steps to improve the images to be used in the diagnosis of the 5 most common skin cancer types for the proposed CNN based ResNet50 deep learning model. To the best of our knowledge it is the first time that ResNet50 deep-learning model has been utilized in diagnosis of skin cancer.
GENÇ YETİŞKİNLERDE POSTÜRÜN SAĞLIKLA İLGİLİ YAŞAM KALİTESİ ÜZERİNE ETKİSİNİN ARAŞTIRILMASI
Authors: YAGCI Gözde , BEK Nilgün
Published: December 2021

Amaç: Postür, fiziksel ve psikososyal iyilik hali ile ilişkilendirilmektedir. Postüral sapmalar çoğu zaman asemptomatik olduğu için göz ardı edilebilmekle beraber, uzun dönemde kas iskelet sistemi problemlerine yol açabilir. Bu retrospektif çalışmanın amacı, genç yetişkin bireylerde postürün sağlıkla ilgili yaşam kalitesi üzerine etkisini araştırmaktı.

Yöntem: Yaşları 18-34 yıl arasında değişen 90 sağlıklı birey, postür ve yaşam kalitesi açısından değerlendirildi. Postür, postüral dizilim açısından Reedco Postür Skoru (RPS) ve postüral simetri açısından posterior gövde simetri indeksi (POTSI) ile değerlendirildi. Bireylere yaşam kalitesini değerlendirmek için SF-36 Kısa Form uygulandı.

Sonuçlar: Sonuçlar, POTSI gövde simetri indeksi ile SF-36 Kısa Form Anketinin fiziksel fonksiyon (r=-0,317), mental sağlık (r=-0,425), zindelik (r=-0,296), ağrı (r=-0,358), genel sağlık algılaması (r=-0,284) puanları arasında negatif yönlü ve düşük-orta şiddette ilişki olduğunu gösterdi (p
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SITTING POSTURE, SITTING BALANCE AND UPPER EXTREMITY FUNCTIONS IN CHILDREN WITH SPINA BIFIDA
Authors: ATALAY Güler , ACAR Gönül
Published: December 2021

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between the sitting posture, sitting balance and upper extremity functions of children with Spina Bifida (SB).

Methods: Thirty-one children with SB, and aged 5-18 years, were included the study. Their physical and clinical characteristics were recorded. Seated Postural Control Measure (SPCM), Pedalo® Balance Measurement System, Sitting Assessment for Children with Neuromotor Dysfunction (SACND), Modified Functional Reach Test (MFRT) and Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT) were used.

Results: There was a significant correlation between JTHFT results and the other test results, i.e. Pedalo® (r = -0.478, p=0.007), SACND (r=0.399, p=0.026) and MFRT (r = -0.598, p
Monstros que assustam, atraem e fascinam
Authors: Silva João Paulo de Lorena , Alves Paraíso Marlucy
Published: December 2021

Como vivem as crianças queer? Que infâncias são essas que, habitando o “entre”, buscam escapar de toda e qualquer definição? O que marca essas infâncias? Que modos de vida estão produzindo? Este artigo faz um mapa dos rastros de infâncias que chamamos aqui de monstruosas e desenvolve o argumento de que há, na contemporaneidade, a insurgência de infâncias queer, desidentificadas dos atributos universais de gênero instituídos historicamente sobre os infantis. Mostramos neste artigo que essas infâncias são atravessadas e constituídas pelas linhas da precariedade, da estética e da política, que se movimentam para produzir, por um lado, a normalização, o controle, a disciplina, a diferenciação e, por outro lado, o escape, as resistências e a produção de modos de vida outros. Mostramos, por fim, que essas infâncias, investigadas na pesquisa que subsidia este artigo, são obrigadas a conviver com a dor, a tristeza e a exclusão desde muito cedo, mas também povoam a vida de possibilidades múltiplas, cambiantes e alegres.
Strength and life estimation for assigning the useful life of wheelpairs of high-speed flat wagons
Authors: Volokhov G. M. , Oganian E. S. , Gajimetov G. I. , Knyazev D. A. , Chunin V. V. , Timakov M. V.
Published: December 2021

Aim. The most vital unit of railway rolling stock is a wheelpair, as a broken wheel or axle may have catastrophic consequences. Therefore, before the production of a highspeed flat wagon designed for operation at speeds of up to 140 km/h, which is unique for the 1520 mm gauge space, could commence, it was required to research the applicability of the standard wheelpair for high-speed movement. Ensuring the safe operation of a wheelpair involves compliance with the requirements that are to be confirmed by means of assessment of strength and durability parameters [1]. Product conformity assessment may be based on the requirements of standards, whose voluntary fulfilment ensures compliance with [1], or other documents. Methods. The paper describes the computational and experimental methods used for confirming the strength and estimating the life (durability) of wheelpair elements in the probabilistic setting. As experimental data, the authors used the results of full-scale bench testing of wheelpairs for fatigue using the method of rotational bending as it best approximates the loading conditions in operation. The results confirmed the endurance limits of the axle and wheel as parts of an assembled wheelpair. Using design analysis, the authors examined the stress-strain state of the wheelpair caused by installation and operational loads in various running modes. Results. The conducted studies confirmed the wheelpair’s compliance with the requirements of [1–3] in terms of safety factors of fatigue strength and endurance, which eliminates the possibility of hazardous situations in the course of high-speed flat wagon operation. The time to fatigue crack nucleation in wheelpair components was evaluated using the fatigue resistance figures of the parts and equivalent amplitudes of dynamic stress caused by operational loads. It appears that this assessment allows establishing – with the assumed probability of destruction – the assigned useful life of a wheelpair axle at 32 years, which corresponds to the assigned useful life of the flat wagon according to the combined criterion. Corresponding standards and regulations required for developing the container-carrying flat wagon are being updated and a new State Standard is being developed. Conclusion. The conducted conformity assessment established that the flat wagon wheelpair meets the safety requirements of [1] and ensures the absence of unacceptable risks associated with harm to life and health of people, animals and plants, the environment and property of individuals and companies in the course of flat wagon operation.
Typology of Municipalities to Monitor Their Socio-Economic Development
Authors: Kuznetsova O. V. , Babkin R. A.
Published: December 2021

One of the urgent tasks of the state policy of spatial development is the introduction of a permanent system for monitoring the socio-economic development of municipalities (at least at the level of municipal and districts), for which, as stated in the article, it is necessary to develop typologies of municipalities. It is advisable to generalize and analyze statistical information on municipalities on the basis of its automatic processing for different types of territories. The article analyzes the existing experience of the EU and the OECD in the typology of regions comparable to Russian municipal districts, and also summarizes the experience accumulated in Russia in the typologization of territories – municipalities in general, cities. It is shown that the basic typology can and should be based on an assessment of the settlement system – the ratio of urban and rural population, population density, the presence of a large urban center or proximity to it. Additionally, it is also important to take into account natural and climatic conditions, geographical location, sustainable economic specialization, and administrative status.
Impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on Labor Market
Authors: Laikam K. E. , Bikbaeva A. R. , Pavlova E. K.
Published: December 2021

The coronavirus pandemic has affected all spheres of society, including a significant impact on labor markets. The article presents a statistical analysis of trends in the Russian labor market in the context of the spread of coronavirus infection in 2020 and in the first half of 2021. On average, in 2020, the number of people employed in the economy field decreased by almost 2%, respectively, the number of unemployed increased by 25%. Within 2020, the peak of unemployment growth occurred in the third quarter of 2020, when the decline in the number of employed reached 1,9 million people, and the increase in the number of unemployed – 1,5 million people. At the same time, the unemployment rate increased to 6,4%, i.e. by almost a half compared to the corresponding period of 2019. Starting from the fourth quarter of 2020, the recovery of the Russian labor market began. By July 2021, the unemployment rate had dropped to 4,8%. Such serious transformations of the Russian labor market required an analysis of the dynamics and structure of employment in various sections: by type of economic activity, by subjects of the Russian Federation, by gender, by age groups, by place of residence. Along with this, the authors compared the indicators of the unemployment rate, which was calculated using two methods used in Russian statistical practice. An international comparison of the unemployment rate for 2020–2021 was carried out. The indicators characterizing the underutilization of labor, including the number and level of potential labor, are considered. The dynamics of wages in 2019–2021 is considered. Special attention is paid to the analysis of the situation with workers’ wages at the most acute moment of the crisis – in April 2020.
Development of Urban Agglomerations in the European North of Russia
Authors: Voroshilov N. V.
Published: December 2021

At present, in Russia, the development of urban agglomerations is designated as one of the priorities of the country’s spatial development. At the same time, there is still no common understanding of how many agglomerations there are in Russia, what is their composition; unified approaches to organizing a management system for the development of agglomerations have not been formed either. The main idea of this article is that not only the largest and largest agglomerations (with a population of more than 500 thousand people – they are indicated in the Spatial Development Strategy of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2025), but also agglomerations with a population of less than 500 thousand people. people play an important role in the development of regions and the country as a whole, and therefore require state support and the formation of a management system for their development, which will increase the positive agglomeration effects. The article presents a methodological approach to the analysis and assessment of the main parameters of the development of urban agglomerations (a formula for calculating the indicator of the economic power of an agglomeration and a methodology for assessing the level of socio-economic development of agglomerations). On the basis of this approach, the identification of 10 agglomerations in the European North of Russia has been substantiated. The calculation of the agglomeration development coefficient showed that 9 agglomerations (Apatitskaya, Arkhangelskaya, Vologodskaya, Vorkutinskaya, Kotlasskaya, Petrozavodskaya, Syktyvkarskaya, Ukhtinskaya, Cherepovetskaya) belong to the least developed (emerging or promising), and Murmanskaya – to the category of underdeveloped. Taking into account the analysis of successful foreign and domestic experience, the key elements of the mechanism for managing the development of urban agglomeration are substantiated. The results obtained will be interesting and useful to the state authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation and local governments in the development of management decisions in the implementation of regional and local socio-economic policies, as well as serve as a basis for further research on this topic.