Scientific Institutions Research Articles

Theoretical aspects og the implementation of models of innovative development of Ukrainian tourist enterprises

The purpose of the article is to generalize, systematize, and analyze the leading theoretical approaches to the formation and implementation of innovative models at tourist enterprises, as well as to determine the features of the process of forming the innovation management strategy of a tourist enterprise. The methodological basis of the proposed article is a systematic approach using general scientific and special economic methods of cognition, for example: comparative analysis during research on the need to apply innovative marketing at tourist enterprises. Scientific novely. The current state and directions of innovative development of enterprises in the field of tourism were studied, the main directions of innovative development of enterprises in the field of tourism and recreation were determined. An innovative type of development of tourist enterprises is proposed through the formation of a generalmodel of innovative development, which will make it possible to conduct further research on the example of specific tourist enterprises and offer recommendations for its implementation. Conclusions. Social aspects were analyzed and organizational forms of innovative directions of development of tourist enterprises were identified, which cannot be implemented without ensuring the effective functioning of the relevant organizational forms, including state authorities and local self-government; scientific and educational institutions; local communities and other communities; tourist enterprises and organizations; institutions in the field of service, transport and other networks; technical service institutions, consulting organizations; destinations; mass media, etc. Mechanisms of implementation of administrative and management and informational directions of innovative development of tourism and recreation are considered in detail. It was determined that the main directions of innovation are related to ensuring higher efficiency of management processes, increasing consumer loyalty, brand formation, etc. At the same time, technological innovations come to the fore, which is associated with the rapid development of information and communication technologies and their wide application in this field.

Bibliometric analysis of China's high standard farmland construction research based on CNKI

Carrying out the construction of high-standard farmland is an important way to implement the principle of "storing grain in the land and storing grain in the technology", and it is an important practice to implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's principle of food security. The construction of high-standard farmland can speed up the modernization of agriculture, help urbanization development, and realize the efficient use of arable land, scientific management, and guarantee the increase of farmers' incomes. The construction of high-standard farmland is beneficial to the country and the people. Using CNKI database publication year, institutions, authors, publications, journals, cited frequency, keywords and other elements, we systematically sorted out the overview of the research field of high-standard farmland construction in China from 1996 to 2024, and comprehensively analyzed the research dynamics and hotspots in this field. The results show that: at present, China's high standard farmland construction research mainly focuses on the theoretical policy, implementation effect and engineering technology; the organization with the most publications in this field is the newspaper, and the two documents with the highest total citation frequency are Research on the Construction Standards and Models of High-standard Farmland in Chongqing Municipality and Construction Standards of High-standard Farmland, respectively, and Comprehensive Agricultural Development of China is the periodical that publishes the most related documents; in the future, the research hotspots will gradually tend to be zoning construction and high standard farmland construction. The research hotspot gradually tends to zoning construction, ecological construction and other aspects, need to accelerate the research of scientific research institutions on this aspect of the research and key technology integration.

ОСОБЕННОСТИ ОЦЕНКИ ВЕРОЯТНОСТИ ОБНАРУЖЕНИЯ ПОЖАРА АВТОМАТИЧЕСКИМИ ПОЖАРНЫМИ ИЗВЕЩАТЕЛЯМИ

The purpose of this work is to draw the attention of fire automation specialists to the issue of the lack of a methodology for assessing the probability of timely detection of a fire by automatic fire detectors. At the same time, in regulatory documents on the calculation of fire risks at protection facilities, this parameter appears under the names «probability of effective operation» and «coefficient that takes into account the compliance of the fire alarm system with the requirements of regulatory documents on fire safety». At the same time, their values are fixed without a comprehensive analysis of statistical data on the operation of fire alarm systems on fires and without taking into account the impact of the service life of automatic fire detectors included in the system on the threshold of their operation. With this approach, the calculated values of fire risk values may differ significantly from the real ones. Therefore, the issue of the correct assessment of the probability of a timely fire by automatic fire detectors, and consequently, the fire alarm system formed by them, is relevant and requires a solution. The paper proposes to assess the probability of timely detection of fires by fire alarm systems based on a detailed analysis of statistical data on their work on fires, published annually in the statistical collections of Russian scientific research institute of fire protection of EMERCOM of Russia. In order to be able to conduct a detailed analysis, it is proposed to increase the volume of statistical data provided.

Extension Services-237: Everything You Need to Know

The Extension Services-237 (ES-237) is a report of University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension that consists of statistics for youth ages 5–18 participating in UF/IFAS Extension youth programs and the volunteers providing service to these programs. Family Nutrition Programs (FNP) are the only youth Extension programs that are exempt from ES-237 reporting. In Florida, an annual ES-237 report is completed for each UF/IFAS Extension County office based off total 4-H enrollments entered into 4-H Online. County reports are compiled into a single state report and submitted to the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Based on the Molecular Mechanism of CiteSpace Sanqi Total Saponin and the Prevention and Treatment of Renal Fibrosis, Hot Spot Visualization Analysis

This study aims to study the current situation, hot spots and development trends of Sanqi total saponins in the prevention and treatment of renal fibrosis through a visual map, in order to provide a direction and trend for the research of traditional Chinese medicine on the prevention and treatment of renal fibrosis. Method: By using CiteSpace visualization software, the relevant literature on the use of Sanqi total saponins in the CNKI database for the treatment of renal fibrosis was visually analyzed, including posting trends, authors, institutions and keywords, and the corresponding knowledge map was generated. Results: From 2005 to 2022, a total of 1,533 documents were included in the research results. From 2008 to 2017, an average of 99 articles were published every year, accounting for 67.5% of the total number of articles published. Among them, the number of articles published in 2010 and 2013 reached 114, the highest in previous years. At the same time, Yang Min is the author who has published the most articles, with a total of 29 papers. Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine is the main research institution in this field. Through cluster analysis of research hotspots, ten clusters were obtained, including rats, left ventricular reconstruction, oxidative stress, drug interaction, astragaloside, apoptosis, matrix metalloproteinase-9,oleoside, lipopolysaccharide, atherosclerosis, etc. Future research focuses include oxidative stress, autophagy process, Sanqi total saponins, inflammatory response, cell proliferation and apoptosis, and pharmacokinetics. Conclusion: The knowledge map reveals the research status and research hotspots of Sanqi total saponins in the prevention and treatment of renal fibrosis, including oxidative stress, inflammation, cell proliferation and apoptosis, which will become the focus of research on the prevention and treatment of renal fibrosis in traditional Chinese medicine in the future. However, the collaboration between research authors and scientific research institutions lacks closeness, lacks core authors, and has not yet formed an influential research organization. The depth and breadth of research need to be further enhanced.

ANALYSIS OF NOVASAR-1 S-BAND DATA IN DEVELOPING AN ALTERNATIVE LAND COVER MAPPING

Abstract. The Advanced Science and Technology Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-ASTI), through its Synthetic Aperture Radar and Automatic Identification System (SARwAIS) Project, has gained access to S-Band SAR images acquired by the NovaSAR-1 satellite of UK’s Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL) To help maximize the utility of these images especially in the aspect of terrain-related applications, their viability as potential alternatives to datasets like optical satellite images and other SAR images in characterizing land cover types was evaluated. Statistical analyses on the backscatter values from the tri-polarization ScanSAR datasets using Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) and its corresponding post-hoc tests showed that there is a significant difference on the mean backscatter values at 0.05 level of significance. Moreover, Tukey’s honestly significant difference (Tukey’s HSD) test determined which pairs contribute to the significant difference. Using the Random Forest algorithm resulted in an accuracy of 66.93% without further optimization and/or reduction in the number of land covers being classified. Despite the relatively unremarkable accuracy score, it still showed potential for data augmentation with optical satellites for land cover mapping and other terrain-related applications.

Mapping the Evolution of Nutrition Education: A Scientometric Review from 1970 to 2023, Unveiling Insights Over Half a Century

This scientometric review aims to systematically analyse and document the development and transformation of nutrition education research over more than fifty years. The study seeks to identify key themes, trends, and shifts in the field, offering a comprehensive overview of its historical trajectory and current state. A thorough visual analysis of the Web of Science Core Collection literature, including publication, institution, country/region, author, journal, keywords, and reference in nutrition education from 1970 to 2023, was carried out using Citespace 5.8.R1 (64-bit). The study employs advanced data mining techniques and network analysis to identify citation bursts, major research themes, and influential works in the field. The analysis reveals several significant trends and shifts in nutrition education research. Key themes such as obesity, nutrition literacy, evidence-based strategies, and localised interventions emerged as focal points of academic discourse. The study noted increasing citation bursts related to these themes, indicating a field responsive to emerging health challenges and societal needs. The research landscape evolved from foundational principles in the early years to an era of interdisciplinary approaches and the integration of advanced technologies. The review concludes that nutrition education research has undergone substantial growth and transformation over the past fifty years. It has evolved to address complex nutritional challenges through informed, evidence-based strategies, reflecting its adaptability and responsiveness to changing public health concerns and scientific evidence. This scientometric review maps the field's historical development. It serves as a guidepost for future research directions, underscoring the ongoing importance of nutrition education in enhancing global health and well-being.

Russian Scientific Diaspora in Germany in 1990s-2010s: Formation Paths and Development Features

This article examines the process of formation and transformations of the Russian scientific diaspora in Germany in the 1990s-2010s. It raises questions about the reasons and paths of creating a large community of scientific workers and researchers who moved from Russia to Germany. An approximate estimate of the number of members of the group under study at the turn of the XX-XXI centuries is provided. Special attention is paid to the analysis of forms and types of association among Russian compatriot scientists in Germany. Sources include data from Russian and German state statistical agencies, documents from the German Academic Exchange Service, a transcript of the German government’s report to the Bundestag, and others. An overview of the tools used by the German authorities to attract scientific personnel from Russia in the 1990s-2010s is conducted. The policy of Russian authorities regarding interaction with the scientific diaspora during the period under review is analyzed. It is shown how Moscow increased contacts with the scientific diaspora in Germany in the early 2010s amid intensified competition for highly qualified personnel. It is noted that although these initiatives contributed to the development of new formats of cooperation between scientists of Russian origin in Germany and Russian scientific institutions, they were later suspended and did not lead to a systemic activation of interaction.

Noninvasive cardiac-specific biomarkers for the diagnosis and prevention of vascular stenosis in cardiovascular disorder.

The most frequent lesion in the blood vessels feeding the myocardium is vascular stenosis, a condition that develops slowly but can prove to be deadly in a long run. Non-invasive biomarkers could play a significant role in timely diagnosis, detection and management for vascular stenosis events associated with cardiovascular disorders. The study aimed to investigate high sensitivity troponin I (hs-TnI), cardiac troponin I (c-TnI) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) that may be used solely or in combination in detecting the extent of vascular stenosis in CVD patients. 274 patients with dyspnea/orthopnea complaints visiting the cardiologists were enrolled in this study. Angiographic study was conducted on the enrolled patients to examine the extent of stenosis in the five prominent vessels (LDA, LCX, PDA/PLV, RCA, and OM) connected to the myocardium. Samples from all the cases suspected to be having coronary artery stenosis were collected, and subjected to biochemical evaluation of certain cardiac inflammatory biomarkers (c-TnI, hsTn-I and hs-CRP) to check their sensitivity with the level of vascular stenosis. The extent of mild and culprit stenosis was detected during angiographic examination and the same was reported in the form significant (≥50% stenosis in the vessels) and non-significant (<50% stenosis in the vessels) Carotid Stenosis. Ethical Clearance for the study was provided by Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences Institutional Ethical Committee. Informed consent was obtained from all the participants enrolled in the study. We observed that 85% of the total population enrolled in this study was suffering from hypertension followed by 62.40% detected with sporadic episodes of chest pain. Most of the subjects (42% of the total population) had stenosis in their LAD followed by 38% who had stenosis in their RCA. Almost 23% patients were reported to have stenosis in their LCX followed by OM (18% patients), PDA/PLV (13%) and only 10% patients had blockage problem in their diagonal. 24% of the subjects were found to have stenosis in a single vessel and hence were categorized in the Single Vessel Disease (SVD) group while 76% were having stenosis in two or more than two arteries (Multiple Vessel Disease). hs-TnI level was found to be correlated with the levels of stenosis and was higher in the MVD group as compared to the SVD group. hs-TnI could be used as a novel marker as it shows prominence in detecting the level of stenosis quite earlier as compared to c-TnI which gets detected only after a long duration in the CVD patients admitted for angiography. hs- CRP gets readily detected as inflammation marker in these patients and hence could be used in combination with hs-TnI to detect the risk of developing coronary artery disease.

Equilibrium Portfolio Selection for Smooth Ambiguity Preferences

This paper investigates the equilibrium portfolio selection for smooth ambiguity preferences in a continuous-time market. The investor is uncertain about the risky asset’s drift term and updates the subjective belief according to the Bayesian rule. A verification theorem is established, and an equilibrium strategy can be decomposed into a myopic demand and two hedging demands. When the prior is Gaussian, we provide an equilibrium solution in closed form. Moreover, a puzzle in the numerical results is interpreted via an alternative representation of the smooth ambiguity preferences. Funding: This work was supported by the National Key R&amp;D Program of China [Grant 2020YFA0712700], the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grants 11871036, 11901574, 12071146, 12271290, and 12371477], and the MOE Project of Key Research Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences [Grant 22JJD910003].

A comparison of the effectiveness of intralesional tranexamic acid against platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of melasma

Background: Melasma, derived from the Greek word "melas" meaning "black", manifests as an acquired, more or less symmetrical hypermelanosis of sun-exposed skin. This study aimed to compare and evaluate the efficacy and safety of intradermal injection of tranexamic acid and platelet-rich plasma in treating various types of melasma. Methods: Conducted from June 2022 to December 2023 at the outpatient department of dermatology, Sri Lakshmi Narayana institute of medical sciences, Puducherry, this split-face prospective study involved 40 melasma cases. Tranexamic acid (4 mg/ml) was intradermally injected into the right side of the face, while PRP was injected into the left side. Improvement was assessed using the modified Melasma area severity index (MASI) grading system and dermoscopy, measuring disease severity and percentage of improvement before and after therapy on both sides of the face. Results: The study comprised predominantly females (80%) aged 20 to 30 years (50%), followed by those aged 30 to 40 years (35%). Most cases (93%) exhibited a gradual onset, with centrofacial (52.5%) and malar (37.5%) patterns being predominant. Mixed pattern (67.5%) was common. Pre-treatment mean MASI scores for tranexamic acid and PRP sides were 7.54 and 6.92, respectively, with post-treatment scores of 4.6 and 2.83, respectively. Conclusions: Intradermal PRP demonstrated significantly superior efficacy over intradermal tranexamic acid in managing melasma, particularly in the longer term. Thus, PRP, coupled with good compliance, may substantially reduce the disease burden compared to conventional tranexamic acid treatment.

Insulin:Glucagon Bipolar Axis in Obesity With a Glimpse Into Its Association With Insulin Resistance in Different Glucose Tolerance States.

Dysregulation of insulin and glucagon secretion alters the normal insulin:glucagon ratio (IGR) in type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. This study explores the scope of construing the role of these two diametrically opposing hormones on the glucose level not just in obesity but in different glucose tolerance states by looking at the hormone levels and at the insulin glucagon bipolar axis itself. This is an analytical cross-sectional study of 60 healthy adults consisting of an equal number of adults who are lean and adults who are obese. It was conducted at North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), located in Shillong City, Meghalaya, India. Fasting glucose, insulin, glucagon, and lipids were estimated. Postprandial estimation of glucose was done two hours after oral administration of 75 grams of glucose solution. The study demonstrated a state of hyperinsulinemia and hyperglucagonemia prevailing in obesity and all sub-categories of the group of persons who are obese. The study showed a higher fasting IGRin the group consisting of adults who were obese (with a mean of 4.11) when compared with the group of adults who are lean (with a mean of 2.24). Fasting IGRwas seen to increase with increasing levels of insulin resistance and increasing impairment in glucose tolerance. IGR showed a positive correlation with the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in the impaired fasting glucose (IFG) category and strongly in the impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) category. Hyperglucagonemia in the group of adult persons who are obese indicates a decreased sensitivity of alpha cells to insulin failing insulin to adequately suppress the secretion of glucagon. The study also demonstrated a positive correlation between IGR and HOMA-IR in obesity and all glucose tolerance states of the group of adults who are obese. It is telltale that the sturdier the insulin resistance, the higher the IGR.

AUGMENTING THE PHILIPPINES’ DOST-ASTI’S POTENTIAL FLOOD EXTENTS MAPPING SERVICE WITH S-BAND NOVASAR-1 IMAGES

Abstract. The Philippines’ Advanced Science and Technology Institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-ASTI) has developed an AI-based and near real-time flood extent mapping service that utilizes C-Band Sentinel-1 SAR images. However, this method is limited by the availability of the Sentinel-1 images during flooding events. To address this issue, the institute, through its SARwAIS Project, utilized the S-Band NovaSAR-1 satellite, which was designed and launched by Surrey Satellite Technology, Ltd. With a 10% share to NovaSAR-1’s imaging capacity, the country can task image acquisitions that could help augment the Sentinel-1 datasets. Successfully captured images are prepared using the institute’s developed pre-processing workflow. Afterwards, a thresholding method, adopted from UN-SPIDER’s recommended practices for flood mapping, is employed to identify potentially flooded areas from these images. Generated products are then assessed to determine their relative accuracy in detecting potential floods. Satisfactory products are then distributed to relevant disaster management agencies and are also published in the agency’s social media page for further information dissemination. Python scripts were then developed to automate the established workflows, which were initially done manually. These scripts also help expedite the generation of flood maps especially when processing multiple SAR images. The acquisition and utilization of NovaSAR-1 images substantially help the country address the gaps on the availability of workable data for a more informative disaster response especially during flooding events.

Effect of Soil and Foliar Applications on Growth and Productivity of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.)

The field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season (Nov - Jan) of 2023-2024 in the experimental farm of Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. To study “Effect of soil and foliar applications on growth and productivity of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L).” Factorial Randomized Block Design was used with two factors and 3 replications. The treatment combination consists of 10 treatments viz., T1- 100 percent RDF+ Nano-DAP, T2 - 100 percent RDF + Nano-Urea foliar sprays at 30 and 45 DAS, T3 – 100 percent RDF + FYM at 10 t ha-1 + Nano-DAP foliar sprays at 30 and 45 DAS, T4 – 100 percent RDF + FYM at 10 t ha-1 + Nano-Urea foliar sprays at 30 and 45 DAS, T5 – 100 percent RDF + VC at 5 t ha-1 + Nano-DAP foliar sprays at 30 and 45 DAS, T6 - 100 percent RDF + VC at 5 t ha-1 + Nano-Urea foliar sprays at 30 and 45 DAS, T7 – 75 percent RDF + FYM at 10 t ha-1 + Nano-DAP foliar sprays at 30 and 45 DAS, T8 - 75 percent RDF + FYM at 10 t ha-1 + Nano-Urea foliar sprays at 30 and 45 DAS, T9 - 75 percent RDF + VC at 5 t ha-1 + Nano-DAP foliar sprays at 30 and 45 DAS, T10- 75 percent RDF + VC at 5 t ha-1 + Nano-Urea foliar sprays at 30 and 45 DAS.The results indicated that the application of 75 percent RDF + Vermicompost at 5 t ha-1 + Nano-Urea increased the growth parameters (plant height and Leaf Area Index), physiological parameters (Crop Growth Rate and Chlorophyll Index) and yield (grain and stover yield) of pearl millet.

Impact of Combining Microbial Enriched Organic Manures with Inorganic Nutrients on Physiological Characteristics and Productivity of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.)

The present investigation was undertaken to validate the integrated use of inorganic fertilizers and biofertilizers inoculated in organic manures on the physiological attributes and of pearl millet in the School of Agricultural Science, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore, India. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications, during the rabi season of 2023-24. Results outlined that the integrated nutrient management practice of applying Azospirillum &amp; PSB enriched vermicompost @ 6 t ha-1 + 100% Recommended dose of N, P2O5 &amp; K2O has significantly increased the physiological attributes (leaf area index, crop growth rate, chlorophyll index), and yield (grain yield and stover yield) of pearl millet. This was statistically on par with the treatment Azospirillum &amp; PSB enriched FYM @12.5 t ha-1 + 100% RDF dose of N, P2O5 &amp; K2O.

A systematic literature review of crisis management in online public opinion: evolutionary path and implications for China

PurposeThis study aims to explore the dissemination and evolutionary path of online public opinion from a crisis management perspective. By clarifying the influencing factors and dynamic mechanisms of online public opinion dissemination, this study provides insights into attenuating the negative impact of online public opinion and creating a favorable ecological space for online public opinion.Design/methodology/approachThis research employs bibliometric analysis and CiteSpace software to analyze 302 Chinese articles published from 2006 to 2023 in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database and 276 English articles published from 1994 to 2023 in the Web of Science core set database. Through literature keyword clustering, co-citation analysis and burst terms analysis, this paper summarizes the core scientific research institutions, scholars, hot topics and evolutionary paths of online public opinion crisis management research from both Chinese and international academic communities.FindingsThe results show that the study of online public opinion crisis management in China and internationally is centered on the life cycle theory, which integrates knowledge from information, computer and system sciences. Although there are differences in political interaction and stage evolution, the overall evolutionary path is similar, and it develops dynamically in the “benign conflict” between the expansion of the research perspective and the gradual refinement of research granularity.Originality/valueThis study summarizes the research results of online public opinion crisis management from China and the international academic community and identifies current research hotspots and theoretical evolution paths. Future research can focus on deepening the basic theories of public opinion crisis management under the influence of frontier technologies, exploring the subjectivity and emotionality of web users using fine algorithms and promoting the international development of network public opinion crisis management theory through transnational comparison and international cooperation.

Comparison of the effect of propolis and Gluma desensitizer on the management of dentin hypersensitivity: A randomized controlled trial.

To compare the effect of propolis and gluma desensitisers on the management of dentin hypersensitivity. The single-blind, randomised controlled trial was conducted at the Department of Operative Dentistry, Dr Ishrat ul Ebad Khan Institute of Oral Health Sciences, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, from October 2020 to September 2021, and comprised patients with dentin hypersensitivity who had pain scores of at least 2 on the visual analogue scale. The teeth were randomised into propolis group A and Gluma group B. Baseline pain scores were assessed using visual analogue scale and Schiff's sensitivity scores and compared with scores immediately after the intervention, and then after one week and one month of the intervention. Data was analysed using SPSS 23. Of the 22 patients, 12(54.5%) were females and 10(45.4%) were males. Of the 80 teeth, there were 40(50%) in each of the 2 groups. Significant reduction was observed in dentin hypersensitivity immediately after the application of the desensitising agents (p<0.05). However, after one month, Gluma was more effective than propolis (p<0.05). Both Gluma and propolis were found to be effective desensitising agents, but the effectiveness of propolis decreased over one month. Clinical Trials.gov: NCT04819867.

The effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on maternal and childhood health services in Meru County, Kenya

Background: The outbreak of coronavirus put unprecedented burden on healthcare systems, governments and health professionals worldwide. It caused a global crisis of unequalled magnitude on service delivery and accessibility of essential health services. Women and children in poor countries were most affected. In view of the foregoing, it became necessary to examine the effects of COVID -19 outbreak on Maternal Child Health (MCH) in Meru County Kenya, to recommend mitigation strategies and safeguard the gains previously made in MCH indicators. Methods: Ethical clearance for the study was sought from Meru University of Science and Technology Institute Research Ethics and Review Committee (MIRERC). Data were gathered through focus group discussions, key informant interviews and review of health records in Meru County. A period of one year before and one year after COVID-19 pandemic were compared in the nine sub-counties. Analysis was done using SPSS computer package and statistical tests carried out using 2t test. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to summarize the data. Results: There were no significant changes in the overall BCG coverage (p=.30), FIC (p=.098), proportion of pregnant adolescents 10-19 years (p=.83), pregnant women attending at least one ANC visit (p=.41) and the number of WRA who received FP commodities (p=.66). Nevertheless, the proportion of women with 4th antenatal care visit and adolescents 10 - 14 years pregnant at the first ANC visit had lower and higher mean scores during the pandemic with significant changes at p=.05 of (p=0.011) and (p=0.003) respectively. Conclusions: COVID- 19 pandemic did not fundamentally affect MCH services during the first year of the sickness in Meru County. However, the proportion of teenage pregnancies increased significantly, while the proportion of women with 4th antenatal care visit decreased.

Proton and muon beam tests for ultra-fast MCP-PMT detectors

In collaboration with the North Night Vision Science and Technology (Nanjing) Research Institute Co. Ltd, researchers at the Institute of High Energy of Physics in China have successfully developed the 20-inch micro-channel-plate photomultiplier tube (MCP-PMT) that exhibits high detection efficiency (DE) for use in the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO). Due to the long drift path of electrons from photocathode to MCP, the 20-inch MCP-PMT has a time resolution on the order of nanoseconds. Recently, the team has made advancements in ultra-fast MCP-PMTs (FPMTs), achieving picosecond-level time resolution with both 1-inch and 2-inch types. By now, prototypes featuring single-anode, 2 × 2 anodes, 4 × 4 anodes, and 8 × 8 anodes have been successfully manufactured and tested. The 8 × 8 anode FPMT, in particular, demonstrates a transit time spread (TTS) of 36 ps (Sigma) in single photon mode, thanks to its meticulously engineered structure. To assess the FPMT’s time performance under beam conditions, two beam tests were conducted at Fermi Lab and CERN. In these tests, the 8 × 8 pixel arrays of four distinct radiators, including LYSO, BGO, Pb glass and quartz glass, were paired with the 8 × 8 anodes FPMT. This setup involved the use of two radiator-coupled FPMT detectors for particle detection. The best coincidence time resolution recorded was 64 ps (Sigma) with a 120 GeV proton beam and 56 ps (Sigma) with a 108 GeV muon beam.

Modern technologies of early diagnosis of wound infection

The article presents an analysis of the data of modern literature devoted to the study of early diagnosis of wound infection. It is well known that wound healing is a very complex and dynamic mechanism of wound re-epithelialization. At the same time, the normal microflora of the skin plays an important function for maintaining homeostasis and the formation of the skin. There are about 1000 species of microorganisms belonging to the normal flora of human skin and do not cause any harm to healthy people. At the same time, there are microorganisms that, when they enter the wound, lead to the development of infectious complications of wounds as a result of a violation of the integrity of the skin. They include both gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis) and gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter spp., Morganella spp., etc.). Early detection of these microorganisms will contribute to timely and high-quality treatment of wound infection. Currently, there are certain conditions that limit the use of microbiological research methods used to establish a clinical diagnosis of wound infection (long duration, labor intensity, required level of qualification of specialists, etc.). This dictates the need to develop new, fast and easy-to-use methods for diagnosing wound infection. To this end, a group of researchers from Russia (Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology) and the USA (University of Texas at Austin) have recently developed wearable sensors for the diagnosis of wound infection. These sensors can be embedded in wound dressings and are able to detect certain biomarkers indicating the presence of wound infection. Among these biomarkers, pH and uric acid are the most commonly used, but there are many others (lactic acid, oxygenation, inflammatory mediators, bacterial metabolites or the bacteria themselves). Currently, the development of microelectronics, the emergence of biochemical sensors, active microfluidics and painless microneedles have led to the creation of new generations of wearable biosensors that provide completely new opportunities in the fight against wound infection.