Absence Of Contact Research Articles

Modelling and monitoring multi-relational networks with ordinal information

Network relationships can be widely seen among entities in various fields such as social networks, supply networks and Internet of Things (IoT). Sometimes abnormal events such as cyber-attacks occur to cause an abrupt increase or decrease in the traffic of networks. Many anomaly detection methods have been developed to identify such abnormal events in networks. In recent years, statistical process control (SPC) has attracted more and more attention in network anomaly detection. However, many of the existing statistical models regard the interaction between two nodes in unweighted directed networks as a binary variable, i.e. presence and absence of contacts, which fails to reflect the intensity level of interactions. This article proposes a new model to describe the dyadic interactions with several ordinal levels and introduces special quantities to incorporate the ordinal information into the model. The model can be expressed in a matrix form to enable easy parameter estimation and derivation of a quadratic monitoring statistic. Numerous simulation studies show that the proposed methods detect anomalies in multi-relational networks more quickly than existing monitoring methods. A case study exhibits the implementation and superiority of the proposed method.

Cell wall-mediated maternal control of apical-basal patterning of the kelp Undaria pinnatifida.

The role of maternal tissue in embryogenesis remains enigmatic in many complex organisms. Here, we investigate the contribution of maternal tissue to apical-basal patterning in the kelp embryo. Focussing on Undaria pinnatifida, we studied the effects of detachment from the maternal tissue using microsurgery, staining of cell wall modifications, morphometric measurements, flow cytometry, genotyping and a modified kelp fertilisation protocol synchronising kelp embryogenesis. Detached embryos are rounder and often show aberrant morphologies. When a part of the oogonial cell wall remains attached to the zygote, the apical-basal patterning is rescued. Furthermore, the absence of contact with maternal tissue increases parthenogenesis, highlighting the critical role of maternal signals in the initial stages of development. These results show a key role for the connection to the maternal oogonial cell wall in apical-basal patterning in kelps. This observation is reminiscent of another brown alga, Fucus, where the cell wall directs the cell fate. Our findings suggest a conserved mechanism across phylogenetically distant oogamous lineages, where localised secretion of sulphated F2 fucans mediates the establishment of the apical-basal polarity. In this model, the maternal oogonial cell wall mediates basal cell fate determination by providing an extrinsic patterning cue to the future kelp embryo.

Epidemiological, clinical and biological profile of COVID-19 in patients hospitalized at the Avicenne Military Hospital in Marrakech

In late December 2019, a series of cases of viral pneumonia caused by a novel coronavirus emerged in Wuhan, China, and quickly spread to all continents. This coronavirus, identified in respiratory tract samples, was named SARS-CoV-2 for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 by the ICTV (International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses). The disease it causes was designated COVID-19 for Coronavirus Disease 2019 by the Word Health Organization. Most often, SARS-CoV-2 infection is responsible for a mild or moderate form, with the most typical clinical presentation being that of a febrile respiratory infection with dry cough, dyspnea, fatigue, and myalgia. Approximately 10-15% of cases are severe, and 5% are critical. Cases of reinfection have been described. Treatment for COVID-19 is currently symptomatic, relying on supportive care. The present study aims to investigate the demographic, clinical, and diagnostic aspects, as well as the study of risk factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection among 318 patients admitted to the Avicenne Military Hospital in Marrakech during the first wave of the pandemic. This is a retrospective descriptive and analytical study involving 318 cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection, diagnosed at the microbiology-virology department, and followed up in various non-intensive care units of the Avicenna Military Hospital in Marrakech, during the period of the first wave of the epidemic in Morocco, schematically between March 22, 2020, and July 19, 2020. For patients who developed pneumonia, 20% were diabetic and 13.3% were hypertensive. A quarter of patients with pneumonia experienced desaturation upon admission. In the multivariate logistic regression model, risk factors associated with the development of pneumonia and the various disease outcomes included advanced age and absence of a history of contact with a confirmed case. In the univariate analysis, hyperleukocytosis, neutrophilia, lymphopenia, eosinopenia, anaemia, hyperferritinaemia with elevated aspartate aminotransferase, hyponatraemia and fasting hyperglycaemia were significantly associated with a higher risk of an unfavourable outcome. Patients who presented with pneumonia on admission had an unfavourable outcome during their hospitalisation compared with patients who did not develop pneumonia. The statistically significant risk factors associated with an unfavourable outcome were advanced age (>60 years) with p <0. 001: OR=1.194; 95%IC= [1.114-1.278], absence of contact with a confirmed case (p <0.001 : OR= 43.138; 95%IC= [8.893-209.263]), presence of comorbidity (P<0.001 : OR=11. 503; 95%CI= [3,306-40,028]), mainly diabetes (P<0.001: OR=16,971; 95%CI= [4,267-67,504]) and arterial hypertension (P<0.001: OR=18,812; 95%CI= [3,977-88,954]). The study of the epidemiological, clinical and biological characteristics of COVID 19 at the Avicenne military hospital in Marrakech has enabled us to gain a better understanding of the profile of our patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, and then to detect shortcomings in terms of prophylaxis, diagnosis and management, in order to be able to provide the necessary solutions aimed at further improving the quality of care for this population.

Accelerated corrosion tests of a contact pair austenitic stainless steel – titanium alloy

The results of accelerated corrosion tests of a pair of austenitic stainless steel — titanium alloy under conditions of elevated temperatures and high concentrations of corrosive agents are presented, conditions for the developing the mechanism of local corrosion being the same. The proposed approach included provoking the appearance of microstress concentrators by three-point loading of test samples with subsequent forced development of local types of corrosion through simultaneous exposure to an increased concentration of corrosive agents and temperatures at a fixed exposure in an autoclave. The results of modeling the corrosion process in a titanium alloy being in contact with stainless steel are assessed proceeding from the data obtained from metallographic studies of the state of surface layers of the metal and the morphology of corrosion products on prepared sections of the surface of templates cut from the samples under study. We considred a pair of steel 08Kh18N10T — titanium alloy VT-5. It is shown that the contact of samples under conditions of accelerated corrosion tests does not lead to a significant development of local types of corrosion of the titanium alloy. On the contrary, analysis of the state of the surface layers of the samples of stainless steel revealed the presence of deep corrosion pits, triggering the intergranular corrosion. In this case, corrosion of austenitic steel, both in the presence and in the absence of contact with titanium, proceeded in three stages: the initiation and fusion of pitting; formation of knife corrosion ulcers; propagation of intergranular cracks into the depth of steel. The proposed methodology of corrosion testing can be used to predict the possible nature of the development of metal corrosion under operating conditions that form local zones of static stresses in structural materials, and for prompt response to extend the design life of the equipment at thermal and nuclear power facilities.

Patterns and correlates of health service contact prior to serious offences by people with severe mental illness.

Contact with health services prior to offences committed by people with mental illness is an opportunity for intervention and prevention. This study examines the pattern and correlates of health service contact by people with severe mental illness before a serious offence. Linkage of a cohort of 477 Forensic Patients found not guilty due to mental illness between 1990 and 2016, and statewide databases of contact with emergency departments, hospital admission and outpatient mental health services in the state of New South Wales, Australia. A total of 84% of the sample had contact with any health service and 76% had contact with an outpatient mental health service prior to the index offence. About two-thirds of the sample had contact with a mental health service in the year before the offence. Factors independently associated with the absence of contact at any point prior to the index offence were non-English-speaking background, being engaged in employment or study, and an absence of childhood abuse or neglect. Although nearly every Forensic Patient had a psychotic illness at the time of the index offence, psychosis was not diagnosed at the time of 61/106 (57.5%) emergency department presentations, in 54/174 (31.0%) hospital admissions and 149/222 (67.1%) attendances at outpatient mental health services prior to the offence. Most Forensic Patients had contact with health services prior to their offences but many were not identified as having a psychotic illness. Although the symptoms of psychosis may have emerged in the period between contact and the offence, the findings suggest that emerging or underlying psychosis were missed or attributed to other conditions.

No Impact of Contact Between the Medial Collar of a Hydroxyapatite-Coated Triple-Tapered Stem and the Femoral Neck on Periprosthetic Bone Mineral Density

BackgroundHydroxyapatite-coated, triple-tapered, shorter-length stems with a medial collar have been reported with good results for a few years. We investigated whether contact between the medial collar and femoral neck affects clinical outcomes and changes in bone mineral density (BMD) in patients who have this type of stem in their total hip arthroplasty construct. MethodsThis was a retrospective, single-center study involving 62 patients scheduled for unilateral total hip arthroplasty using a hydroxyapatite-coated, triple-tapered, shorter-length stem who were followed for at least 1 year postoperatively. All patients had a Dorr type B femoral canal shape. Contact between the medial collar and the femoral neck was evaluated by computed tomography at the third postoperative month, and patients were classified into 2 groups. Postoperative clinical outcomes were investigated by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores; radiological evaluation included stem fixation, spot welds and cortical hypertrophy, postoperative 3-dimensional stem alignment, and periprosthetic BMD changes. ResultsThere were 51 patients in the Contact + group (collar and neck contact) and 11 in the Contact-group (no contact). There were no differences between the 2 groups in the improvement of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index and Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores, stem fixation, occurrence of cortical hypertrophy, or 3-dimensional stem alignment. Radiolucent lines were present in zones 3, 4, and 5 in 6 patients (12%) in the Contact + group only, who had no statistical difference between the 2 groups. Bone mineral density (BMD) decreased most in zone 7 in both groups, with no difference between the 2 groups. ConclusionsThe presence or absence of contact between the medial collar and femoral neck did not affect postoperative BMD changes or radiological or clinical results. Level of EvidenceTherapeutic Level III.

Enhancing rumen microbial diversity and its impact on energy and protein metabolism in forage-fed goats.

This study explores if promoting a complex rumen microbiota represents an advantage or a handicap in the current dairy production systems in which ruminants are artificially reared in absence of contact with adult animals and fed preserved monophyte forage. In order to promote a different rumen microbial diversity, a total of 36 newborn goat kids were artificially reared, divided in 4 groups and daily inoculated during 10 weeks with autoclaved rumen fluid (AUT), fresh rumen fluid from adult goats adapted to forage (RFF) or concentrate (RFC) diets, or absence of inoculation (CTL). At 6 months of age all animals were shifted to an oats hay diet to determine their ability to digest a low quality forage. Early life inoculation with fresh rumen fluid promoted an increase in the rumen overall microbial diversity which was detected later in life. As a result, at 6 months of age RFF and RFC animals had higher bacterial (+50 OTUs) and methanogens diversity (+4 OTUs) and the presence of a complex rumen protozoal community (+32 OTUs), whereas CTL animals remained protozoa-free. This superior rumen diversity and presence of rumen protozoa had beneficial effects on the energy metabolism allowing a faster adaptation to the forage diet, a higher forage digestion (+21% NDF digestibility) and an energetically favourable shift of the rumen fermentation pattern from acetate to butyrate (+92%) and propionate (+19%) production. These effects were associated with the presence of certain rumen bacterial taxa and a diverse protozoal community. On the contrary, the presence of rumen protozoa (mostly Entodinium) had a negative impact on the N metabolism leading to a higher bacterial protein breakdown in the rumen and lower microbial protein flow to the host based on purine derivatives urinary excretion (-17% to -54%). The inoculation with autoclaved rumen fluid, as source of fermentation products but not viable microbes, had smaller effects than using fresh inoculum. These findings suggest that enhancing rumen microbial diversity represents a desirable attribute when ruminants are fed forages in which the N supply does not represent a limiting factor for the rumen microbiota.

Association Between Social Isolation and Mental Well-Being in Later Life. What is the Role of Loneliness?

In this study, we evaluate whether the association between three types of social isolation (SI) and mental well-being (MWB) is mediated by loneliness. We include a pooled sample (N = 8,525) of people aged 65 or older, participating in the 2016 European Quality of Life Survey (EQLS). MWB is assessed with the World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5), and SI is operationalised as living alone, having no or little contact with family members, or having no or little contact with friends and neighbours. We assess a full mediation model with loneliness as a mediator between each type of SI and MWB, which we compare with a partial mediation model and control for age, gender, urbanity, and subjective income. Estimates for the full mediation model indicate that each type of SI is associated with enhanced loneliness, which in turn is negatively associated with MWB. In addition, the total effect of each type of SI on MWB is negative, with the strongest negative path from living alone to MWB. However, when including the direct effects of each type of SI on MWB in the partial mediating model, the total effect of contact with family members on MWB loses statistical significance. The specific indirect effects of the three facets of SI on MWB remain significant and negative. These findings suggest that different aspects of SI have distinct relationships with MWB, and that absence of contact with family members influences MWB only if they activate the feeling of loneliness.

Multisensory and biomechanical influences on postural control in children

Children’s ability to maintain balance requires effective integration of multisensory and biomechanical information. The current project examined the interaction between such sensory inputs, manipulating visual input (presence vs. absence), haptic (somatosensory) input (presence vs. absence of contact with a stable or unstable finger support surface), and biomechanical (sensorimotor) input (varying stance widths). Analyses of mean velocity of the center of pressure and the percentage stability gain highlighted the role of varying multisensory inputs in postural control. Developmentally, older children (6–11 years) showed a multisensory integration advantage compared with their younger counterparts (3–5.9 years), with the impact of varying sensory inputs more closely akin to that seen in adults. Subsequent analyses of the impact of anthropometric individual difference parameters (e.g., height, leg length, weight, areas of base of support) revealed a shifting pattern across development. For younger children, these parameters were positively related to postural stability across experimental conditions (i.e., increasing body size was related to increasing postural control). This pattern transitioned for older children, who showed a nonsignificant relation between body size and balance. Interestingly, because adults show a negative relation between anthropometric factors and stability (i.e., increasing body size is related to decreasing postural control), this shift for the older children can be seen as a developmental transition from child-like to adult-like balance control.

Research on the application of microwave synthesis to obtain aluminum-containing coagulant

The extensive way of industrial development and the rate of population growth determine the increase in the amount of drinking water consumed and the requirements for water treatment. Known and applied technologies for the industrial production of aluminum oxychloride coagulant used in reagent water purifi cation are based on high-temperature processes that require complex hardware design. The paper presents the results of studies on the production of basic aluminum chlorides by the microwave method. The experiments were carried out on a designed laboratory setup based on a microwave oven; data were obtained on the yield of aluminum polyoxychloride depending on the change in process parameters, duration, coeffi cient of effi ciency, and 36% concentration of hydrochloric acid solution. Studies of the use of microwave technologies in inorganic synthesis have shown the eff ectiveness of such technologies, a decrease in the reaction time, an increase in the effi ciency of the installation, and the absence of contact between the heating elements and the reaction mixture. The infl uence of sulfuric acid as a process activator substance, which positively aff ects the productivity of aluminum polyoxychlorides, has been established. The results of physicochemical studies of the synthesized samples and their coagulation properties are presented, which indicates the possibility of using microwave technologies in the inorganic synthesis of aluminum polyoxychloride coagulants.

Analysis of Registered Cases of Acute Flaccid Paralysis in Stara Zagora District as a Part of Polio Eradication Strategy

Abstract Poliomyelitis is the infection that, after smallpox, is a “serious candidate” for eradication worldwide. In accordance with the WHO strategy for 2022-2026, epidemiological surveillance of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) is carried out with the aim of poliomyelitis eradication. The aim of the study is to determine the risk factors for the occurrence of AFP in children up to 15 years of age and to analyze the effectiveness of the established system for epidemiological surveillance of AFP, in Bulgaria. Materials and methods. All cases of AFP for the monitoring period 2012-2021, in Stara Zagora district, were studied. A questionnaire (34 questions) for sociodemographic and lifestyle possible risk factors for developing of AFP was also completed. Retrospective, descriptive and analytic cross-sectional epidemiological methods were applied. The data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics, Version 25.0 (IBM Corp. Armonk, NY, USA) (with Fisher’s exact test). Results. There were 81 cases of Facial paralysis only, registered in the Web based system for surveillance of AFP, for Stara Zagora region, and 11 – AFP (without facial paralysis), for the period 2012-2021, in Stara Zagora district (92 in total). The protective factors for developing of AFP from our study were significantly associated to: having no history of paresis or paralysis in the past; absence of trauma; presence of central sewage near the home; absence of contact with animals; absence of consumption of unwashed fruits and vegetables. Conclusion. It is very important to carry out systematic surveillance of AFP, in children up to 15 years, with the aim of investigating all cases as part of the Global strategy for the eradication of poliomyelitis; monitoring of the immunization coverage with polio vaccine to maintain a high level; surveillance of the waste and sewage waters, twice during the year in 6 months.

Can the Position of the Impacted Third Molars Be an Early Risk Indicator of Pathological Conditions? A Retrospective Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Study.

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the prevalence of pathologies associated with impacted third molars in relation to tooth position on cone-beam computed tomography images. In 348 cone-beam computed tomography images, the position of 640 impacted third molars (mesiodistal angulation, buccolingual inclination, impaction depth, and contact point localization) and the presence of pathologies (distal caries, external root resorption, marginal bone loss, and pathological follicular space) were evaluated. The data were analysed statistically with a significance level set at P < 0.05. Distal caries was mostly detected in relation to Class A (20.4%) and contact point at (12.5%) and above (10.5%) the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) (P = 0.000; P < 0.05). External root resorption and marginal bone loss were more common in mesioangular angulation (52.3% and 80.1%, respectively), Class C (53% and 73.8%, respectively), and contact point below the CEJ (53.2% and 73.3%, respectively) (P = 0.000; P < 0.05). Lingual inclination was identified as a new risk factor for associated pathologies (P < 0.05). Pathological follicular space was significantly more likely to occur in those with inverted angulation (100%) and absence of contact (31.5%) (P = 0.000 and P = 0.010, respectively; P < 0.05). Pathologies arising in second molars in relation to impacted third molars are significantly associated with the three-dimensional position of impacted third molars, and watchful monitoring or prophylactic removal of impacted third molars should be considered, taking into account the relevant risk parameters for the related pathologies.

MORPHO-FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TESTICLES OF MEN WITH DIFFERENT FORMS OF PATHOSPERMIA

The most difficult form of male infertility to treat is azoospermia. It is identified as a complete absence of sperm in the ejaculate. Depending on the nature and causes of impaired spermatogenesis, azoospermia is divided into obstructive (excretory, OA) and non-obstructive (secretory, NOA). Testicular biopsy is the most effective method of diagnosis and a component of possible treatment for azoospermia. It is the only objective method of differential diagnosis between non-obstructive and obstructive forms of azoospermia.&#x0D; The aim: histological analysis of testicular biopsies of men with various forms of azoospermia.&#x0D; Мaterials and Methods. 78 infertile men with azoospermia were examined. They were divided into two groups: the first group, men with NOA (n = 28); the second group, men with OA (n = 50). The biopsy was preceded by a mandatory ultrasound diagnosis of the portal system. The biopsy was performed using the method of open operative access. Biopsies were mostly taken from the more palpable testicle or from both testicles. Biopsies were fixed in buffered 10% formalin (pH 7.2). After 1 day, they were dehydrated in 70% ethanol and embedded in paraffin. For histological studies, sections with a thickness of 5 μm were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Biopsies were evaluated in accordance with previously described methods.&#x0D; Results. Histological analysis of testicular biopsies from 28.7% of patients with a non-obstructive form of azoospermia showed swelling of the testicular stroma, destructive changes in testosterone-producing cells, disruption of the structure of the syncytial complexes of the spermatogenic epithelium, and the complete absence of the process of spermatogenesis in individual tortuous seminiferous tubules, the absence of contacts between sustentocytes, and in erythrocyte sludge in the lumen of vessels. 42.8% of patients had fibrosis of the testicular stroma, stroma swelling, thinning of the wall of convoluted seminiferous tubules, violation of the structure of the syncytial complexes of the spermatogenic epithelium, proliferation of the wall of the convoluted seminiferous tubules into their lumen, and infiltration of the testicular stroma with lymphocytes. In 54.0% of patients with preserved spermatogenesis and an obstructive form of azoospermia, it was possible to find a history of orchoepididymitis in the anamnesis; one patient (2.0%) underwent bilateral orchopexy at the age of 5 years due to cryptorchidism; 6.0% recalled the trauma calculi in the anamnesis; and 38.0% denied any factors affecting fecundity in the anamnesis.&#x0D; Conclusions. The non-obstructive form of azoospermia is characterized by the following parameters: mostly a violation of the structure of the spermatogenic epithelium, a complete absence of the process of spermatogenesis in individual convoluted seminiferous tubules, a violation of the structure of the hematotesticular barrier, and a violation of blood microcirculation. The histological picture of preserved spermatogenesis is of the same type in 88.0% of patients with an obstructive form of azoospermia. In most tubules, a fixed number of cell rows is preserved, and cells of various stages of spermatogenesis are determined in them: spermatogonies, spermatocytes, a moderate number of spermatids.&#x0D; In the lumen of the tubules, exfoliated cells and a moderate number of spermatozoa are found.

Robust-PID controller design for magnetic levitation system using parameter space approach

Recently, implementation of air magnetic suspension systems has become more challenging due to the growing demand for lightweight technologies, comfortable cabins, vehicle safety stability, and pollution control. Magnetic levitation, or Maglev, is the method of propelling a target into the air by adjusting different magnetic forces. The absence of contact and the avoidance of wear and friction phenomena are key considerations in the applications of magnetic levitation technology. Due to the high nonlinearity in the modelling process of such kind of systems, the stabilizing of magnetic levitation has been considered as a challenging task for many researchers in control engineering sector. The computation of all stabilizing PID gains controllers for the magnetic levitation benchmark ED-4810 (Maglev) is demonstrated in this paper using two different scenarios. In the first one, the tuning parameters of the classical PID controller (KP, KI, and KD) are assumed to be the uncertain parameters. The second scenario demonstrates the uncertainty in the transfer function of the system by using the resistance and the inductance as uncertain parameters. The characteristic polynomial of the linearized uncertain model is shown to be an unstable affine polynomial using the Zero Exclusion Theorem and the singular frequencies technique. The parameter space approach is used to illustrate the values of all PID parameters in order to achieve robust stability in the two scenarios. The effectiveness of the presented graphical technique has been verified through MATLAB simulation to obtain robust stability for magnetic levitation systems.

Histological changes in the uterine and ovarian walls in pyometra

In recent years, the number of small domestic animals, which have become cohabitants of people both in cities and in rural areas, has increased significantly. Keeping cats indoors with the use of artificial lighting has led to the fact that anestrus falls out of their sexual cycle, and the stages of arousal are manifested in them throughout the year. This phenomenon is the cause of various inflammatory processes in the uterus. The most common gynecological diseases in cats are pyometra, endometritis, and vaginitis. Violation of the hormonal status in the hypothalamus-pituitary chain in the absence of contact with natural partners is accompanied by a disorder of the function of the ovaries and uterus. A change in the hormonal balance, manifested by a violation of the ratio of estradiol and progesterone concentrations in the blood, affects the function of the endometrium and provokes an increase in the secretory activity of the uterine glands. Initiated in the arousal stage of the sexual cycle, it does not fade away but progresses even more. This is how the conditions for the emergence of an inflammatory process in the uterus are created and maintained. The course of the disease is accompanied by persistent morphological changes in the state of the uterus and all organs and their systems. Diagnosis of the disease is well-developed and does not present any difficulties in veterinary clinical practice. However, the approaches to substantiating the etiology and pathogenesis of the disease and the effectiveness and expediency of a conservative or operative treatment method are controversial. There are also limited reports on the histostructure of certain areas of the fallopian tubes and uterus, depending on the functional state of the cat’s body. The research aimed to investigate the histological structure of the uterus and ovaries of cats with pyometra. Ten explanted uteri and ovaries were subjected to histological examination in 10 cases of surgical treatment of cats with pyometra. In this research, it has been established that the pathohistological changes of the uterine wall due to pyometra are characterized by endometrial hypertrophy, the basis of which is hyperplasia with the formation of various forms of outgrowths covered with epithelium, followed by their dystrophy and the formation of detritus, which locally sticks to the endometrium and fills the uterine cavity, local desquamation of the serous mesothelium membrane, compaction of the muscular membrane, loosening of the vascular membrane, and dilatation of veins. The surface parts of the endometrial glands undergo dystrophic changes and cystic degeneration, manifested by hyperplasia of their walls and the formation of cavities filled with detritus of desquamated epithelium and cavities of “empty cysts” filled with remnants of detritus. Deep sections of the endometrial glands are reduced, but their histostructure is not transformed. Changes in the ovaries are manifested by focal desquamation of the mesothelium, the formation in the depth of the cortical substance of mainly one voluminous corpus luteum, atresia of follicles, and the presence of full-fledged tertiary follicles.

The current status of mental contamination in obsessive compulsive disorder: A systematic review

Background and objectivesOver the past 25 years Mental Contamination (MC) has become recognised as a distinct construct, particularly in relation to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). MC is defined as feelings of contamination, often located internally, that arise in the absence of contact with a contaminant, with the source proposed to be human. Despite considerable interest from researchers and clinicians, there has not been a systematic review on the relationship between MC and OCD. Therefore, a systematic review was conducted to summarise and synthesise the current status of phenomenological and experimental evidence, mechanisms, assessment, measurement, and treatment of MC in OCD (PROSPERO: CRD42021223119). MethodsAll study designs were eligible provided the focus of the study was on MC and the implications of the study were linked to OCD. We searched PsychINFO, Embase, Medline, Ethos, ProQuest, conference abstracts and trial registries between 1990 and 2021. The Mixed Methods Appraisal tool was used to assess methodological quality of included studies. ResultsWe found 58 reports with a total of 67 studies that met criteria for inclusion in the review. Twenty-three of these studies used clinical samples, 28 were experimental, 12 focused on phenomenology and 8 addressed treatment. The quality of the studies was variable. LimitationsGrey literature was not included, thus there may be further unpublished MC studies that have not been included in the review.Conclusions: Based on the findings, mental contamination is a robust clinical construct within OCD that has important implications for understanding and treating the disorder.

Factors that influence deformation properties of heavy concretes containing alkali-activated cements

Introduction. In the process of structurization, development of properties, and operation concrete structural elements undergo various linear and volumetric changes, triggered by material deformations. Therefore, it is the deformation properties that are taken into account when design documentation is drafted at the stage of making design solutions with regard for the influence of this factor on physical and mechanical characteristics of a final reinforced concrete product or a monolithic structure as a whole. Of particular interest are causes of deformations that emerge during the curing of concrete composites.&#x0D; &#x0D; Materials and methods. Deformation properties of heavy concretes, having binders that contain alkaline mixes, were studied in accordance with GOST 24452–80 Concrete. Methods for determining prism strength, modulus of elasticity and Poisson’s ratio, and GOST 17624–87 Concrete. Ultrasonic method for determining strength.&#x0D; &#x0D; Results. The paper presents studies focused on deformation-triggered changes. The results showed that the development of deformations was observed during the hardening of concrete prisms, and shrinkage deformations were characteristic of concrete compositions that contained the micro-filler made of opoka malmstone, while compositions, having a dune powder additive, demonstrated slight expansion.&#x0D; &#x0D; Conclusions. Deformations of concrete, containing such binders as mineral powders of aluminosilicate origin and activated by an alkaline solution, were studied to identify the nature of ongoing deformations. Hence, in case of the surface contact between concrete and the environment, shrinkage deformations are caused by moisture, carbonization and some contraction processes that manifest their characteristic features. In the absence of contact with the gas-air medium, deformations caused by contraction processes are clearly manifested. It is noteworthy that numerical values of shrinkage deformations are below the standard values for Portland cement heavy concrete.

Psychological burden in Portuguese university students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

University students are a risk population for mental health problems. This study aims to evaluate the psychological burden of the COVID-19 pandemic in Portuguese university students and to uncover factors associated with worse psychological indicators. We used an online survey to perform a cross-sectional study that evaluated students' perceptions, lifestyle, and psychological well-being during the pandemic. Depression symptoms and risk were measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and resilience levels were quantified by the 9-item Resilience Evaluation Scale. Self-perceived levels of anxiety and current mental health status were evaluated. From a population of around 30,000 students invited to participate, 1751 responses were obtained and 1447 were included. Most students were female (72.3%) and were taking a master's degree (58.4%). The course with more responses was engineering (25.5%), followed by medicine (13.2%). The prevalence rates for higher anxiety levels, depression risk, and low resilience levels were 66.7%, 37.3%, and 24.9%, respectively. The factors associated with better psychological outcomes were being male, spending more time studying, having a job, performing extracurricular activities, physical exercise, and relaxing activities. By contrast, spending more time watching news, difficulty accessing online lectures, and absence of contact with family or friends were associated with worse psychological indicators. Although all courses presented substantial levels of depressive symptoms, architectures/arts, sciences, and humanities scored significantly more in the depression scale. Medicine students had significantly higher resilience levels compared with other courses. Our findings identify factors associated with worse psychological outcomes and can be used to create protective measures for the mental health of university students during current and future pandemics.

SUPPLY CHAIN MARKETING MANAGEMENT

The article explores the work of scientists in organizing marketing activities in a company, specifically in managing the distribution policy that involves organizing distribution channels, forming a portfolio of contractual obligations within the product portfolio, and developing a supply plan for each contractor. It is noted that the organization of distribution channels in a company must ensure: the creation of a system for delivering products to the point of sale or operation at an exactly specified time and with the highest level of service; minimizing costs for organizing the movement of goods, which should in no case affect the level of service. It has been proven that the advantages of including a wholesale intermediary in the distribution system are: ensuring product distribution in the absence of contact with the consumer; bulk purchasing reduces supply costs; reducing the risk of unsold products; favorable pre-payment conditions, etc. However, the negative factors that arise as a result of the inclusion of intermediaries in the product distribution channels are: a large number of intermediaries significantly reduces market control and complicates the interaction process with the consumer; dependence on a small number of intermediaries in the future can cause serious commercial losses. Therefore, in practice, in order to reduce risk, mixed forms of product movement organization should be used, which in turn requires the development of new methods and approaches to this process. As a result of the analysis, it was determined that the need for re-organization of the existing distribution channel system arises when the company's production capacities are not fully supported by the capacity of the trade network. To diagnose such a situation, graph theory, in particular the adapted maximum flow problem, is used within the framework of this research. The authors stated that the result of applying the proposed models and methods is optimization of the existing distribution channel structure and development of further management methods for the company's distribution policy, including formation of its portfolio of contractual obligations and construction of a map of competitive advantages.

A new species of Corydoras (Siluriformes: Callichthyidae) from the rio Madre de Dios basin, Peruvian Amazon, with comments on Corydoras aeneus identity

Abstract A new species of Corydoras is described from tributaries to the rio Araza, an affluent of the rio Inambari, itself a tributary to the rio Madre de Dios, rio Madeira basin in the Peruvian Amazon. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by the following features: (I) absence of contact between the posterior process of the parieto-supraoccipital and the nuchal plate, (II) a single, large conspicuous dark brown or black blotch on anterodorsal portion of flank; blotch somewhat rounded to roughly diamond shaped, and (III) absence of dark blotches on fins. General comments on the identity of Corydoras aeneus are also provided.