Absence Of Direct Contact Research Articles

Compliance Among Healthcare Workers on Hydroxychloroquine Prophylaxis in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital during COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, recommended chemoprophylaxis with Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) for asymptomatic healthcare workers treating patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 disease during the initial period of the pandemic. Compliance remains a major determining factor behind the success of any Community prophylaxis program. Objective: The study aimed to assess the extent of compliance with the Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) prophylaxis schedule as per ICMR guidelines among healthcare workers and to find out the factors associated with compliance. Methods: Informed consent was obtained from the study participants, and a questionnaire on parameters and associated factors affecting compliance were filled out by every study participant upon completion of their HCQ prophylaxis. Results: A total of 160 participants were enrolled in the study. The majority of the staff enrolled was the nursing staff (34%). 66% of the total participants were involved in the care of the suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19. The major source of information about HCQ prophylaxis for COVID- 19 infection among all the participants was from the Institutional circular (56%). 10% of healthcare workers believed that HCQ could give them 100% prevention against COVID-19 infection. 56% of the enrolled healthcare workers consumed the medicine on the same day of collection throughout the schedule. 24% of enrolled healthcare workers completed the full course as per ICMR guidelines. The most motivating factor for compliance was the presence of cases of COVID-19 in the hospital. The most common factor for lack of compliance among enrolled healthcare workers was cited to be no contact with COVID-19-positive patients. Conclusion: In our study, 24% of healthcare workers enrolled for HCQ prophylaxis completed the full course of the prescribed regimen as per ICMR guidelines. The main reason for the lack of compliance was the absence of direct contact with COVID-19-positive patients, followed by fear of ADRs.

Experiment sorting of non‐ferrous metals by new orientation of magnetic disk separator

AbstractEddy‐current technique has been used in several industrial applications, such as non‐destructive testing and characterization, transmission systems, and separation processes. The main advantage of other separation techniques for eddy current separation is the absence of direct contact and do not use other liquid and water. This paper presents a novel configuration for a single‐disk vertical eddy current separator, covered by alternating permanent magnets. Unlike several other works, which employ a horizontal orientation for magnetic disks. The advantage is that it contains one driving motor, few strong permanent magnets, and a small size and simpler construction than the usual eddy‐current separators. In this work, the analysis of an eddy current separator with magnetic single disk using a numerical model based on finite element method, the obtained partial differential equation is done into the numeric solver. The experimental device was realized to separate two kinds of non‐ferrous waste: aluminium and copper. The experiment results show the effect of speed variation, metals size, and kind of metal on ejection distance.

Ukrainian dialects of Northern Pidlasie: historical and cultural context

The article deals with the current sociolinguistic situation in the autochthonous Ukrainian dialects of Northern Podlasie (the territory of Poland) against the background of historical and cultural circumstances in which they have existed, especially in ХХ and early ХХI century. Particular attention is paid to the triad of “confessional – ethnic – linguistic affiliation”; the inculcation of the idea of “Belarusianness” to the population of this dialectal area, which has influenced the modern linguistic and ethnic consciousness of dialect speakers. The peculiarities of language education in Northern Podlasie are also analyzed. The factors that led to the preservation of Northern Podlasie dialects in multicultural conditions and, in fact, in the absence of direct contacts with Ukrainian dialects of the metropolis are identified; and on the other hand, the leveling of ethnic consciousness while preserving the specific language code. The current linguistic situation in the Northern Podlasie dialects is determined by the following main factors: age group of respondents, social status, occupation, family traditions, and, to a large extent, the size of the society, which determines the vitality of the dialect or, conversely, the loss of its prestige. The features of linguistic self-identification by modern speakers of Northern Podlasie dialects are investigated. The role of the idiolect in forming the portrait of the lateral dialect is studied. The tendency to the stability of idiolects in the context of the tangible dynamics of the dialect space is emphasized. The article also examines the written tradition of Northern Podlasie in the dialect, texts in the dialect of various functional styles, and different views on the status of Northern Podlasie dialects, including an attempt to establish a “Podlasie literary micro-language”. Dialectal features in the onomasticon and written microtexts of some other types are analyzed. Keywords: Ukrainian North Podlasie dialects, Ukrainian dialects in a foreign language environment, preservation of lateral dialects, language enclave, Ukrainian dialects of the borderlands.

Identification of bioactive compounds of Bacillus velezensis HNA3 that contribute to its dual effects as plant growth promoter and biocontrol against post-harvested fungi.

Bacillus velezensis HNA3 displayed dual bioactivities as a plant growth promoter and a biocontrol agent against five isolated post-harvest phytopathogens: Alternaria alternata, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Penicillium expansum, Monilinia fructicola, and Fusarium oxysporum. Moreover, the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by HNA3 exhibited remarkable efficacy, achieving 100% fungal inhibition against Alternaria alternata and Cladosporium cladosporioides. This is the initial study to demonstrate the HNA3-emitted VOCs effect on enhancing soybean seedling growth and seed germination by breaking seed dormancy and improving root construction. Semi-VOCs and emitted VOCs were identified by two methods of extraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A total of 14 main VOCs were detected; phenol,2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl) and 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid are the most abundant semi-VOCs, both are known to have anti-fungal and plant growth-promoting properties. 9-Octadecenoic acid (z)-, methyl ester is the most common volatile compound emitted by HNA3 followed by hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester and heptadecanoic acid, methyl ester. It is noteworthy that heptadecanoic acid, methyl ester has not been previously detected in Bacillus spp. Pure 9-octadecenoic acid (z)-, methyl ester, as well as heptadecanoic acid, methyl ester, exhibited inhibitory effects on the fungal growth of all isolated phytopathogens. Interestingly, when combined, these compounds synergistically eradicated fungal growth. Indole acetic acid and serotonin, both classified as plant growth-promoting indoles, have been identified within HNA3. Moreover, during the phytopathogen inhibition stage, HNA3 demonstrated upregulation in gene expression associated with non-VOCs, including bacillibactin, bacillomycin, bacilysin, and surfactin. This study publicized an extensive variety of bioactive compounds produced by HNA3 liable for its bioactivities.IMPORTANCEThe current study is an extension to our previous work on the plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) Bacillus velezensis HNA3 strain, which comes to confirm and reveals the huge stock of active secondary metabolites produced by HNA3. HNA3-emitted volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have demonstrated the capacity to impede the growth of phytopathogens affecting some fruits and vegetables, even in the absence of direct contact. Additionally, these volatiles enhanced soybean seed germination by breaking seed dormancy and inducing root system development. Furthermore, they promoted seedling growth, giving it prominence in soybean cultivation. The relevance of active volatiles derives from the fact that they can be developed as natural-safe biocontrol agents and plant promoters. This research validates the remarkable bioactivities exhibited by the Bacillus velezensis HNA3 and their potential applications in agriculture as an inoculant, encompassing biocontrol, plant growth promotion, and seed germination activities, thereby offering a safer alternative to hazardous chemicals.

Heat extraction through conductive proppants

The absence of direct contact between the working fluid and the geothermal formation in closed-loop geothermal system (CLGS) limits its application to direct heating. Enhancing the CLGS heat extraction performance could lead to an effective utilization of CLGS for power generation purposes. Optimizing CLGS performance is still an active area of research. In this paper, we propose a fractured closed-loop geothermal system (FCLGS) with a conductive plug installed downhole and a fracture propped with conductive proppants to improve heat exchange performance of CLGS. Using an integrated numerical approach, we first explore the potential to improve the thermal conductivity of common types of proppants by applying metallic coatings. Applying a thick layer of copper coating to Aluminum Nitride proppants yields a thermal conductivity of 44.91 W/(mK), 24 times larger than that of uncoated sand. The proppant/coating with largest thermal conductivity is used for field-scale simulations. Heat extraction performance of FCLGS is evaluated at the field-scale under different parameter combinations. Numerical results show that incorporating a conductive plug into a fractured CLGS improves net power output by 30.60 %. Conductive plug shape and size play an important role in heat extraction in FCGLS. In addition, a circulation velocity of 2 m/s is observed to yield the highest increase in net power output.

Cross-sectional direct and indirect relationships between the corrupted feared self and obsessive-compulsive symptoms in a clinical sample: The role of mental contamination.

There is a significant relationship between a general feared self and contact contamination concerns in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), especially when the influence of mental contamination is considered a part of this relationship. However, these associations have not been explored in a clinical OCD sample when using each dimension of the multidimensional conceptualization of the feared self as the predictor (i.e., the corrupted, culpable, and malformed feared selves). We tested these associations using a cross-sectional design. Specifically, a sample of patients diagnosed with OCD (N = 417) completed a series of self-report measures of OCD symptoms and its related constructs. We also explored these associations with unacceptable thoughts as the outcome, rather than contamination concerns, due to unacceptable thoughts having evidenced strong associations with the feared self and mental contamination. After controlling for relevant cognitive (i.e., obsessive beliefs) and affective (i.e., depressive symptoms) constructs and comorbidity, the corrupted feared self was found to have a direct link, along with an indirect link through mental contamination, with symptoms of contact contamination and unacceptable thoughts. The fear of being corrupted may be associated with feelings of contamination in the absence of direct contact with a contaminant, which may then predict OCD symptoms of repugnant obsessional thoughts and contact contamination concerns. The corrupted feared self and mental contamination should therefore be targeted in treatments for repugnant obsessions and contamination-related OCD.

A metal object detection system for electric vehicle wireless charging with quadrupole detection coils

In the practical application of magnetic coupling wireless charging technology, the absence of direct contact between the receiver and transmitter usually leads to metal objects (MOs) entering the charging area. The strong magnetic field between the receiver and transmitter causes eddy current effects and generates large amounts of heat in MOs, which may lead to serious hazards such as fires, so it is necessary to detect accidental entry of MOs. In this paper, a novel detection coil layout suitable for wireless charging of electric vehicles (EVs) has been proposed, which consists of multiple quadrupole coils arranged to achieve decoupling from the receiver and the transmitter to minimize the effect on the system efficiency. The influence of the presence of MOs on the equivalent inductance and equivalent resistance of the quadrupole detection coil has been deduced. The simulation results show that the maximum self-inductance change rate of the proposed detection coil reaches 28.11%, and a high self-inductance variation rate is also achieved at the edge of the detection coil.

Extracts of Ulva lactuca Induce Responses against Penicillium digitatum on Oranges

Penicillium digitatum causes severe damage to postharvest and stored citrus fruits, making it necessary to seek acceptable solutions limiting environmental and sanitary impacts. The seaweed liquid extracts (SLEs) obtained from the green macroalgae Ulva lactuca have previously shown anti-fungal activities towards postharvest green mold due to P. digitatum. Moreover, treatment with aqueous and ethanolic extracts had an influence on disease incidence and lesion severity on wounded oranges “Valentia late”. Therefore, we studied the abilities of the U. lactuca extracts and chlorophyll a (as a standard) to activate defense mechanisms in oranges. The analyses showed modifications in the protein concentrations and activities of β-1,3-glucanase and peroxidase in orange tissues, with a maximum activity level reached at 72 h after treatments. It appears that the SLEs were able to fight P. digitatum infections in the absence of direct contact with the pathogen, reflecting that the induction of host resistance is also a probable mode of action. Ulva lactuca fractions are rich in chlorophyll a, polyphenols, organic acids and ulvans, which might be the key molecules involved in the defense mechanism of oranges’ albedo. The use of these natural substances could be an alternative way to control postharvest citrus rot.

Aphid DNA detection by molecular gut content analysis in a natural enemy consuming honeydew

AbstractIn agroecosystems, understanding of predator–prey interactions are a prerequisite for the use of natural enemies of pest arthropods. Molecular gut content analyses using prey‐specific primers for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) have been widely developed to identify the essential natural enemies of pests. However, these techniques may include uncertainties: interactions other than predation between the studied organisms and pests could result in the detection of the pest DNA in the gut of a supposed predator. Here, we tested whether the DNA of aphids was detectable in their honeydew and in gut content samples of a natural enemy that had consumed honeydew but had never contacted the aphids. We used the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae), and larvae of the green lacewing Mallada desjardinsi (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) that prey on aphids and suck honeydew. By using specific primers for the aphid, we detected that 79.2% of honeydew samples tested positive for the aphid DNA. Aphid DNA was detected in 36.7% of lacewing larvae that had consumed honeydew, in the absence of direct contact between lacewing larvae and aphids. Evaluation of aphid predation by DNA‐based gut content analysis, therefore, carries the risk of determining that an arthropod has preyed on aphids when, in fact, it has not. We believe that PCR results should be interpreted with caution when estimating predation.

The position during urine sample collection from young precontinent children through a bag does not limit contamination rates: Results from a randomized controlled trial: Does infant position influence quality of urine collection?

AimDespite its limitation, bag collection is still widely used for a preliminary urine screening test in non-toilet-trained children suspected of febrile urinary tract infection. A previous study conducted by our group raised the hypothesis that the absence of direct contact between urine and the perinea during urine collection could limit urine contamination by perineal flora. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the patient's position during urine collection (upright standing position versus free position) on the rate of contaminated urine samples in non-toilet-trained children with suspected febrile urinary tract infection. MethodsThis prospective, randomized, controlled study took place in seven pediatric emergency departments. Two groups were compared: the intervention group (infants held in an upright standing position during urination) and the control group (free position during urination). ResultsAmong the 800 pediatric patients randomized to the study, 124 had a urine culture, 60 in the intervention group and 64 in the control group. Among the 124 urine cultures, 12 (9.7%) were contaminated: eight (13.3%) in the intervention group and four (6.3%) in the control group (p = 0.1824). ConclusionThe results show that the patient's position does not have a significant impact on the quality of urine samples collected by bag.

Reef Sediments Can Act As a Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease Vector

Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) was first observed in 2014 near Virginia Key in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Field sampling, lab experiments, and modeling approaches have suggested that reef sediments may play a role in SCTLD transmission, though a positive link has not been tested experimentally. We conducted an ex situ transmission assay using a statistically-independent disease apparatus to test whether reef sediments can transmit SCTLD in the absence of direct contact between diseased and healthy coral tissue. We evaluated two methods of sediment inoculation: batch inoculation of sediments collected from southeast Florida using whole colonies of diseased Montastraea cavernosa, and individual inoculations of sediments following independent, secondary infections of ∼5 cm2 coral fragments. Healthy fragments of the coral species Orbicella faveolata and M. cavernosa were exposed to these diseased sediment treatments, as well as direct disease contact and healthy sediment controls. SCTLD transmission was observed for both batch and individual diseased sediment inoculation treatments, albeit with lower proportions of infected individuals as compared to disease contact controls. The time to onset of lesions was significantly different between species and among disease treatments, with the most striking infections occurring in the individual diseased sediment treatment in under 24 h. Following infection, tissue samples were confirmed for the presence of SCTLD signs via histological examination, and sediment subsamples were analyzed for microbial community variation between treatments, identifying 16 SCTLD indicator taxa in sediments associated with corals experiencing tissue loss. This study demonstrated that reef sediments can indeed transmit SCTLD through indirect exposure between diseased and healthy corals, and adds credence to the assertion that SCTLD transmission occurs via an infectious agent or agents. This study emphasizes the critical need to understand the roles that sediment microbial communities and coastal development activities may have on the persistence of SCTLD throughout the endemic zone, especially in the context of management and conservation strategies in Florida and the wider Caribbean.

Free Papers Compiled

IntroductionTransformation obsessions denote an under-reported symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), characterised by an excessive fear of turning into another person/object/animal or acquiring unwanted characteristics. Relative to other OCD symptoms, little is known about its clinical presentation. This case report attempts to add information on clinical presentation.Case summaryA 28-year-old male of suburban area of West-Bengal with hypothyroidism for 10 years presented in 2021 with chief complaints of repeated washing and bathing since 2011, repeated thoughts that he has become someone else since 2013, repeated thoughts that his penis is replaced by his brother’s penis since 2020.Patient avoided meeting, touching, uttering name or using any items touched by his brother due to the fear of turning into his brother. Illness has insidious onset, continuous course deteriorating progress. The patient had normal speech productivity, obsessive thought of dirt and compulsive acts of washing, obsessive thoughts of turning into his brother, obsessive thoughts of his penis being changed, mental and proxy compulsions. These symptoms failed to respond to Tab. Fluvoxamine 200mg, Tab. Clomipramine 75mg, Tab. Risperidone 3mg.Patient was started on Fluoxetine 60mg, Tab. Clomipramine 100 mg and Tab. Aripiprazole 20mg.This regime being continued for last 1 year has shown significant improvement in his psychopathology as noted on the clinical rating scales and subjective report.DiscussionThis case highlights ‘fear of morphing/ transformation obsessions’ in adults. There occurs psychological dirtiness and urges to wash which arise in the absence of direct contact with a noxious substance, or following contact with something others would not deem contaminating leading to this obsession.

Achieving stomal continence with an ileal pouch and a percutaneous implant

In this study, a soft-tissue-anchored, percutaneous port used as a mechanical continence-preserving valve in reservoir ileo- and urostomies was functionally and morphologically evaluated in eight dogs. During follow-up, the skin failed to attach to the implant, but the intestine inside the stoma port appeared to be attached to the mesh. After reaching adequate reservoir volume, the urostomies were rendered continent by attaching a lid to the implant. The experiments were ended at different time intervals due to implant-related adverse events. In only one case did the histological evaluation reveal integration at both the implant-intestine and implant-skin interfaces, with a low degree of inflammation and the absence of bacterial colonisation. In the remaining cases, integration was not obtained and instead mucosal downgrowth and biofilm formation were observed. The skin-implant junction was characterised by the absence of direct contact between the epidermis and the implant. Varying degrees of epidermal downgrowth, granulation tissue formation, inflammatory cell infiltration and bacterial growth and biofilm formation were prominent findings. In contrast, the subcutaneously located anchor part of the titanium port was well integrated and encapsulated by fibrous tissue. These results demonstrate the opportunity to achieve integration between a soft-tissue-anchored titanium port, skin and intestine. However, predictable long-term function could not be achieved in these animal models due to implant- and non-implant-related adverse events. Unless barriers at both the implant-skin and implant-intestine junctions are created, epidermal and mucosal downward migration and biofilm formation will jeopardise implant performance.

I genitori, educatori naturali

This paper focuses on the experience in ECEC services during the Covid-19 pandemic. Educational work changed following disruption of its conventional forms. Implemented at a distance, it dematerialized and migrated to space-time coordinates that were far removed from the previously known and established. One key challenge for educators was managing the absence of direct contact with children and parents, now become faces with whom to dialogue via a screen. Despite the frightening, inhibiting, even intimidating nature of these developments, many educators and teachers have valued the role of parents as “natural educators”, meanwhile meeting the challenge by working with renewed commitment, within novel, and mutable, boundaries.

Vibrio vulnificus infection attributed to bee sting: a case report

ABSTRACT Vibrio vulnificus is a pathogenic marine bacteria associated with high mortality. Changes in climate and the global seafood trade have increased the prevalence of marine and freshwater systems affected by V. vulnificus. As a result, the incidence of land animals, plants, and insects contacting V. vulnificus and acting as disease vectors is on the rise. We report the case of a 53-year-old male who was infected with V. vulnificus as the result of a bee sting. The patient had no history of contact with the sea or fresh water or aquatic organisms or products. Due to bacterial pathogenicity and the patient’s underlying diseases, his condition deteriorated rapidly and eventually resulted in death. Here, we review the pathogenic mechanisms and treatment of V. vulnificus. We determined that V. vulnificus has spread from seawater to freshwater and that individuals may become infected from insects, even in the absence of direct contact with infected water. This case report will inform clinicians about the possible sources of V. vulnificus infection and indicates the possibility that more insects may transmit V. vulnificus in the future.

Laser welding of polyethylene films

Currently, the scope of application of laser welding is constantly expanding, in particular for the connection of polymer films of different types. This method of welding successfully competes with traditional methods, such as welding with heated tools and ultrasound in the light, medical, food and packaging industries. Advantages of laser welding are the absence of direct contact between the energy source and the heated surfaces and the ability to vary the intensity of heating by adjusting the temperature of the radiator and the distance to it. Currently, the most common laser welding technology is the transmission (permeable) method for overhead joints, which uses the effect of transparency of some polymeric materials for the laser beam. The transmission welding of low-power short-focus laser of polyethylene films of different types is carried out in the work. Knee welding was performed using a diode laser with a power of 1 W with a wavelength of 532 nm (green color of the visible light range). The laser on the clamping platform was moved along the connection line by means of a mechanical trolley. During welding, a 0.8–1 mm wide seam was formed and a slight convexity to the outside due to the expansion of the molten polymer material. Experimental studies of the influence of the main parameters of the laser welding process on the morphology of joints of polyethylene films of grades T and H. It is shown that welding laser films in the range of 0.015–0.1 mm does not require expensive laser equipment. A laser with a power of no more than 1 watt is enough to make a good connection. The quality of the welded joints of the films was evaluated by visual inspection, examination under a microscope and tear tests. Studies of experimental welds have shown their strength at the level of the base material.

Reducing Stigma Among College Students Toward People With Schizophrenia: A Randomized Controlled Trial Grounded on Intergroup Contact Theory

Abstract Objective Public stigma has been shown to have multidimensional negative impacts on people with schizophrenia (PWS). A new 1-day intervention grounded on the intergroup contact theory was developed and implemented in the current study to reduce college students’ stigma toward PWS. We hypothesized that intergroup contact could better alleviate the stigmatizing situation compared with absence of direct contact and different levels of contact may have different functions on stigma reduction. Methods To examine the effectiveness of the intervention, a randomized controlled trial was conducted in Hong Kong with 37 college students participating the intervention. Different levels of contact (zero, moderate, and intimate) with PWS were organized in the intervention group while no direct contact with PWS was introduced in the control group. Participants’ knowledge of schizophrenia, stigmatizing attitudes and social distance toward PWS were measured at pre-, post, 1-month and 3-month after the intervention. Results Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed significant changes in all outcome variables in the intervention group with moderate-to-high effect sizes. The results indicated that different levels of contact with PWS had different functions in stigma reduction. Knowledge session without direct contact contributed most to participants’ knowledge improvement, and moderate and intimate level of contact led to an obvious improvement in participants’ stigmatizing attitudes and social distance changes. Also, psychoeducation and direct contact should be combined to tackle with the 3 components of stigma. Conclusions The current study provided evidence supporting the efficacy of the new intervention based on intergroup contact theory and practical experience for future research design regarding stigma reduction.

Computer system for metrological testing of location sensors used to monitor the patient's condition in magnetotherapy

Non-contact monitoring of vital signs of a person is a reliable and safe way of promptly obtaining objective diagnostic information about the current physiological state of a patient during surgical operations, physiotherapeutic procedures or during sleep. The absence of direct contact of the sensors with the patient's body makes it possible to exclude the influence of a number of interfering factors, such as a violation or weakening of contact, which can lead to a deterioration in the quality of signals from the output of the sensors, a long-term location of the sensors on the body can have a psychological effect on the patient, changing his condition and thereby distorting the treatment method, etc. In order for the results of monitoring and diagnostics to be reliable and guaranteed accurate, it is necessary to carry out periodic metrological certification of location sensors, especially since many of them are of foreign production and their characteristics are either not standardized or do not meet the requirements of their operating conditions. Therefore, the tasks of developing methods and means for carrying out metrological tests of non-contact sensors for medical purposes are becoming urgent. Purpose – to show the possibility of implementing automated metrological tests of location sensors for medical use based on a personal computer and publicly available standard hardware and software. A method has been developed and implemented for conducting metrological tests of location sensors based on a personal computer, a digital dynamic measure of linear displacement, virtual measuring instruments, laser and ultrasonic sensors, as well as determining conversion errors in the LabVIEW environment. As an exemplary measuring instrument, it is proposed to use a webcam with a virtual device for recording the law of displacement in the LabVIEW Vison Development application. Full-scale experiments have been carried out, in which, using a digital measure of linear displacement, it is possible to reproduce with high accuracy almost any law of displacement and to regulate its informative parameters. Real movement signals were received with the help of virtual devices, recorded by two location sensors and a web camera. The errors of the means of registration are determined in comparison with the given digital method and analytically the law of movement. Introduction of the developed method and hardware and software for metrological certification of sensors of diagnostic channels of the systems of complex magnetotherapy «Multimag» and «Relaxmag». Carrying out automated metrological tests of sensors will ensure prompt, reliable and objective control of their actual characteristics, which means it will increase the effectiveness of treatment due to the prompt and continuous monitoring of the patient's functional state and an objective assessment of a number of important indicators.

Educational software “Virtual laboratory works on the course of “Heat supply of forest enterprises”

One of the key factors in providing a crisis-resistant form of performing laboratory classes in universities in distance mode is educational computer programs in the form of virtual laboratory works. Such software provides students to get proper practical experience working with technological equipment in absence of direct contact with the teacher and real laboratory units. They are also an alternative to real physical laboratory units and can be used by students in event of physical wear and tear of laboratory equipment or its complete absence. The article presents an educational computer program designed for laboratory works on five virtual laboratory units to the discipline “Heat supply of forest enterprises” for students to master materials on the following topics: “Determination of fuel humidity”; “Determination of the yield of volatile substances and coke”; “Determination of fuel ash content”; “Determination of the heat of combustion of solid fuel”; “Analysis of flue gases”. The authors showed the principle of performing all virtual laboratory works on the example of one laboratory work, identified the advantages of presented computer program and indicated high significance and efficiency of its use. The developed program is successfully used by students of Reshetnev Siberian State University of Science and Technology, allows you to hold laboratory works in distance mode and reduce the time for their implementation by accelerating the simulated processes.

“Was I asking for it?”: An experimental investigation of perceived responsibility, mental contamination and workplace sexual harassment

Background and objectivesMental contamination (i.e., contamination concerns that arise in the absence of direct contact with a contaminant) is a common symptom in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Cognitive theories suggest that it results from individuals’ misinterpretations of perceived violations. Cognitive theories of OCD also highlight the importance of appraisals of inflated responsibility in the maintenance of other OCD symptoms. However, the role of responsibility in mental contamination has not yet been examined experimentally. The present study examined the role of perceived responsibility and violation in the relationship between workplace sexual harassment imagery and subsequent mental contamination. MethodsOne hundred and forty-nine participants listened to a workplace sexual harassment imagery task, wherein responsibility was manipulated. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions (high responsibility (HR), low responsibility (LR), no responsibility (NR)). Participants completed questionnaires assessing mental contamination and completed a hand washing task. ResultsThose in the NR condition reported significantly lower levels of responsibility than those in the LR or HR conditions. Accordingly, those in the NR condition also reported significantly lower levels of anxiety and dirtiness than in the LR condition. There were no significant differences between the LR and HR condition on variables of interest. LimitationsThe nature of the victim blaming used for the responsibility induction may have elicited compensatory responses from participants. ConclusionsFindings may highlight the central role of perceptions of violation in the understanding and treatment of mental contamination.