Levels In Different Categories Research Articles

Potential profiling of self-management skills in older co-morbid patients

BackgroundUnder the general trend of global aging, geriatric comorbidity is increasingly common, which may have some impact on the quality of life of the older people. Self-management can effectively improve patient compliance, subjective initiative, and improve patient quality of life. However, the present situation of self-management in different old people is different. Therefore, this study classifies older co-morbid patients through potential profiling analysis, understands the category characteristics of self-management level of older co-morbid patients, and discusses the influencing factors of self-management level of different categories of older co-morbid patients, which can provide reference for personalized intervention programs for different comorbidity characteristics of elderly people in the future. MethodThrough a cross-sectional study, 616 cases of older co-morbid patients in three districts of Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, were selected as survey subjects by using the whole cluster sampling method. The General Information Questionnaire, Chronic Disease Self-Management Scale, Health Literacy Scale, Electronic Health Literacy Scale, Collaborative Social Support Scale, and Health Empowerment Scale were used to conduct the survey.ResultsThe result of LPA shows that the self-management characteristics of older co-morbid patients should be classified into 3 categories: good self-management (19.4%), medium self-management(27.9%), and low self-management (52.7%). The results of multivariate logistic regression analyses show that literacy, religiosity, health literacy, e-health literacy, appreciative social support, and health empowerment are influential factors for self-management among older co-morbid patients (p < 0.05).ConclusionThere is obvious heterogeneity in the self-management level of older co-morbid patients. It is recommended that healthcare professionals give targeted interventions for their weaknesses according to the self-management characteristics of different categories of patients in order to enhance the self-management level of this population and improve their quality of life.

Food consumption by NOVA food classification, metabolic outcomes, and barriers to healthy food consumption among university students.

The NOVA food classification system is a simple tool that can be used to assess the consumption levels of different categories of foods based on their level of processing. The degree to which food is processed has a significant impact on health outcomes. In Ghana, no study exists on the consumption of the different NOVA food groups among tertiary students and how it relates to their metabolic outcomes. This study assessed the frequency of food intake according to the NOVA classification and how they relate to body mass index, waist circumference, and blood pressure. The barriers to the consumption of healthy foods among students were also assessed. This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 352 students of the Takoradi Technical University. Questionnaire was used to obtain sociodemographic information as well as data on perceived barriers to healthy food consumption. Food frequency questionnaire was used to obtain data on dietary intake. The weight, height, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and blood pressure of all participants were measured. Chi-square was used to compare categorical variables between males and females and to determine the association between the frequency of food intake according to the NOVA classification and metabolic indicators. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 23.8%. More than half (51.1%) of the students had elevated blood pressure. The majority of study participants (54.2%) had a high frequency of consumption of both unprocessed and ultra-processed foods. Male students who frequently consumed ultra-processed foods (1-6 times/day) had significantly high blood pressure. High consumption of both ultra-processed and unprocessed foods was also associated with elevated blood pressure among male students. Limited time to prepare healthy meals and the high cost of unprocessed foods were among barriers to which most students strongly agreed to. Establishment of canteens that provide affordable healthy foods, teaching students time management, and nutrition education can mitigate barriers to healthy food consumption.

Representativeness of the measurement sample in the determination of the long-term noise indicators of traffic noise

This paper concerns the representativeness of a measurement sample for traffic noise measurements. On the basis of data coming from a fourteen-year-long constant noise monitoring in Kraków, there are statistically significant differences between noise levels of different categories across the year with regard to seasons, days of the week, months and working days vs. holidays and Sundays. These differences were proven to be substantive. When the measurement sample is drawn from a group of the days with an average sound level even slightly different from the global average, the coverage probability decreases by several to several dozen percent; the larger the sample size, the larger the decrease. Therefore, the commonly used methods, such as taking measurements for a few subsequent days or drawing the measuring days from a short time interval, result in a failure to meet the legal requirement for covering the actual value with a 95% uncertainty interval.

COVID-19 SALGINI ZAMANINDA YABANCI DİL OLARAK İNGİLİZCE ÖĞRENEN LİSANS SEVİYESİNDEKİ TÜRK ÖĞRENCİLERİNİN ÇEVRİMİÇİ DİL DERSLERİNDEKİ AKIŞ DENEYİMLERİ

The aim of this study is to investigate the flow experiences of foreign language (EFL) learners in online classes during Covid-19 pandemic outbreak. The participants were 84 university students as EFL learners. Data were collected by a perception survey, a background questionnaire and open-ended questions to provide triangulation. The results showed that participants had flow experiences with different levels of different categories of flow. The results also showed that there was no significant difference in terms of gender. Additionally, the findings proved that participants’ flow experiences were partially interrupted by some problems they faced during their online classes.

POSSIBLE WAYS OF IMPROVING COMPLEX OF TRANSPORT SECURITY OF METRO

The article describes the possible directions of improving the complex to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Federal law «On transport security» of 09.02.2007 № 16‑FZ on the transport infrastructure of the metro. The new decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated April 5, 2017 No. 410 «On approval of requirements for transport security, including requirements for anti‑terrorist security of metro facilities» includes requirements for anti‑terrorist security of facilities (territories), which take into account the security levels of different categories of subways» specifies the basic requirements for technically equipped technical means of transport security. In order to implement the requirements set out in the regulatory documents to ensure the requirements of transport security, in the presence of a sufficient number of restrictions (lack of opportunities for the installation of technical means of transport security at the facilities of early construction, the requirements for maintaining the level of passenger traffic, etc.), the approach outlined in the article is proposed.

The implications of high-speed rail for Chinese cities: Connectivity and accessibility

Based on China’s latest national railway network planning proposal, the connectivity and accessibility indices of China’s high-speed railway network (CHSRN) in different time periods are computed to evaluate the implications of high-speed rail (HSR) for Chinese cities. An overall index for measuring the connectivity-accessibility of cities on the HSR network is proposed based on three indicators: (a) the Beta index, to reflect the connectivity of the HSR, (b) the number of reachable counties by HSR within the 500-km domain of a city, to reflect the location-based accessibility of the HSR, and (c) the population of the reachable places by HSR within the 500-km domain of a city, to reflect the potential-based accessibility of the HSR. Finally, the differences in the normalized connectivity-accessibility levels of different categories of cities are qualified to measure the impact of China’s future national HSR network on the potential development of cities. It is found that “Mid-to-Long-Term Railway Network Plan (Revised in 2016)”, if fully realized, would profoundly change the HSR connectivity/accessibility of different cities. Most notably, cities in the Yangtze River Delta would suffer the most whereas cities of the central and western regions would gain the most. This could potentially contribute to, or bring about new changes in, the socioeconomic landscapes in China. The methodological contribution of this paper is twofold. Firstly, an overall index to evaluate the comprehensive connectivity and accessibility levels of the HSR network is designed. Secondly, this paper investigates how to qualify the impact of the future HSR network on different tiers of cities in different time periods according to the change of the overall connectivity/accessibility index.

Optimal Fiscal Policy at Disaggregated Level

It may be deem that no society reaped towering echelon of economic opulence without the intervention of government. The optimal design of government spending is an issue that has long flummoxed economic policy makers and captivated economic theorists. This research is intended to find out the optimal level for different categories of government spending like total government expenditures, current expenditures, development expenditures, and defense expenditures in Pakistan covering the time period of 1984–2015. The Scully model is applied to investigate the optimal level of different categories of public spending so that economy may gain the maximum level of economic growth.

PP.24.27] RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASES MMP-9,MMP-7, THEIR INHIBITORS, HS CRP AND SEVERITY OF ATHEROSCLEROTIC CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

Objective: To describe the enzymatic profile of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-7 and -9) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP-1 and -2) and the relationship with hs-CRP serum levels in different categories of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) Design and method: Consecutive patients who underwent coronary angiography were randomly included. Serum concentrations of MMP-9,MMP-7 TIMP-1,2 and hs CRP were determined in 112 patients divided into 5 groups:stable angina pectoris(SAP) n = 47,unstable angina pectoris(UAP) n = 32,acute myocardial infarction(AMI), n = 16 and Conrols(C), n = 17 with ELISA method using Quantikine Human MMP-9 and MMP7 (total) ELISA (R&D Systems) and Quantikine Human TIMP-1,2 (R&D Systems;for hs CRP determination was used hs CRP ELISA assays(DRG Int.INC.USA), Results: High levels of MMP-9, TIMP-1 and hs-CRP were obtained in SAP, UAP and AMI groups versus controls probably because acute coronary syndromes are associated with an important inflammatory status. Levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 tend to have a parallel evolution, and are associated with the evolution of SAP into an UAP and AMI. Total lMMP-7 and its ratio with TIMPcorrelated with parameters of LV systolic even in patients with normal LVEF. Baseline serum MMP-9, TIMP-1 and hs-CRP concentrations increased significantly in patients with CAD, compared to healthy controls. MMP-9, MMP-7,TIMP-1,2 and hs-CRP reflects the presence of inflammation and the evolution of stable atherosclerotic plaques into unstable ones and developing of acute coronary syndromes Conclusions: Inflammatory mechanisms play a significant role in atheromatous plaque vulnerability and rapid CAD progression. hs-CRP levels predict future cardiovascular events independently of CAD severity. Therefore, hs-CRP levels may be considered as marker of atheromatous plaque vulnerability and CAD activity.

DNA damage levels in electronics workers in Southern China: A micro-whole blood comet assay

We evaluated DNA damage levels of different categories of workers exposed to hazards inside electronics factories in Southern China. To find out the most dangerous risk factor, a cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 584 exposed subjects and 138 controls in an electronics factory in Southern China, where the electronics industry is prevalent. The exposed hazards included isopropanol (IPO), lead, noise, video display terminals (VDT), lead in a high-temperature (high-temp) environment, and IPO in a high-temp environment. DNA damage detection was performed by the micro-whole blood comet assay using peripheral blood. DNA damage levels were estimated by percent tail DNA (%T). Linear regression models were used to test DNA damage differences between exposed groups and control group with adjustments for potential confounding factors. The level of DNA damage was more significant in both lead in a high-temp and IPO in a high-temp environment groups than in that of the controls (p<0.05). The differences remained significant after stratifying by smoking status (p<0.05). There were no significant differences between groups exposed to IPO, lead, noise, VDT environment and controls. In conclusion, we identified potential risk factors for DNA damage to electronics workers. Special attention should be paid to workers exposed to IPO and lead in a high-temp environment.

Method of determination the level of the state critical infrastructure importance in the civil aviation

The process of rapid development of information and communication technologies caused considerable and sometimes revolutionary changes in all life spheres of most countries. It significantly increased the vulnerability of different networks, systems and facilities and was much complicated the ensuring of their reliable protection and security. All these factors led the fact that leading countries began to devote great attention to the protection of the most important means for the security of its citizens, society and the state; objects, systems and resources, and processes of critical objects identification, calculation of their criticality level and the assessment of the effects of possible interruptions. In this paper the formalize method of determination the level of the state critical infrastructure importance in the field of civil aviation is proposed that by introducing a basic set of system and sets of subsystems, components, functions, continuity disturbances (interruptions, functional loss), their characteristics and effects, and constructing a three-dimensional matrix of criticality and calculation of the additional weight criticality factors, makes it possible to assess (determine) the importance level and rank critical aviation information systems both by both quantitative and qualitative parameters. In further research study based on this method special software will allow for experimental research and confirm the possibility of determining the importance level of different categories of critical aviation information systems.

GOOD GOVERNANCE AS A TOOL OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Growing concern about environmental degradation, disappointment with development efforts to reduce poverty and inequality on a global scale together with economic and socio-political instability has shifted focus from the model of economic growth to the new model of sustainable development. Despite the new orientation of development economics, the question on how to achieve sustainable development goals still remains. In order to avoid failure of the neoliberal agenda, the revised version of Washington Consensus focusing on good governance has taken the leading role in development policy. The aim of this research is to test the links between a fuzzy concept of good governance and very heterogonous dimensions of sustainable development. Our research aims to analyze the effects of good governance on particular indicators of sustainable development, especially of socio-economic development, at the level of different categories of countries. This study reveals that statistical significance, direction and intensity of the effects of good governance dimensions vary in relation to the selected indicator of sustainable development and affiliation to the particular category of countries. These results suggest that there is no “one size fits all” model of good governance promoted as a universal mantra of sustainable development putting into question the principles of post-Washington consensus as the key response to modern developmental challenges. Keywords: good governance, sustainable development

Representing small business web presence content: the web presence pyramid model

This article investigates ‘stage’ models that have been developed for researchers, practitioners and policymakers to explain how small businesses move from a basic to a sophisticated online presence and/or provide advice as to how they could do this. The main problem of these models is that small businesses do not necessarily develop their online presence in this manner. In addition, they do not consider that the online presence of most small businesses extends beyond their own website to the use of third party web portals, business directories and more recently social media websites. A new model, the web presence pyramid model, is thus proposed. The model represents the adoption levels of different categories of website features and does this in a non-linear manner, overcoming a limitation of stage models. A further contribution of the article is the classification of the web presence of small business industry sectors into new categories: Basic Web Presence; Added Value Websites; Online Database Websites and Payment Web Presence. A survey approach was used to conduct an online content analysis of the web presence of Australian small businesses, with the different types of web presences across industry sectors presented using the web presence pyramid model.

Contemporary educational techniques of studying finance and financial markets

The article is dealing with modern techniques of teaching students as well as interested parties of various courses in economic disciplines. The article covers new approaches to studying finance and financial markets. The article shows the necessity of studying finance and financial markets. The authors come up with the proposals how to improve the educational level of different categories of society. The article considers the methods of distant learning when working on the financial markets.

Are we afraid of different categories of stimuli in identical ways? Evidence from skin conductance responses.

Studies have shown that emotional pictures attract more attention than neutral pictures, and pictures of living stimuli have similar advantage in driving attention (vs. nonliving). However, factors of emotion, category and picture context are usually mixed so that whether living and nonliving categories elicit different skin conductance (SC) responses, in both conscious and unconscious conditions, remains to be clarified. In this study, participants were presented with negative and neutral pictures denoting different living and nonliving concepts in conscious (Experiments 1 and 2) and unconscious conditions (40ms, Experiment 3) when their SC responses were measured. The picture context was manipulated in Experiments 2 and 3 as half including human-related information. In three experiments, the emotional levels of different categories were matched in different and identical cohorts of participants. The results showed that living pictures in a negative, high-arousing dimension elicited stronger SC responses than nonliving pictures. When nonhuman animals and inanimate objects were compared, the increased SC responses to animals was obtained only for negative pictures without human contexts in the conscious condition, but regardless of human context in the unconscious condition. These results suggested that contextual information and level of conscious awareness are important to modulate the animate advantage in emotional processing.

Conjugated polyamines and hydroxycinnamic acids in grape berries during Botrytis cinerea disease development: differences between ‘noble rot’ and ‘grey mould’

ata are provided on contrasting levels of different categories of polyamines and hydroxycinnamic acids during the course of disease development due to Botrytis cinerea on ripe grape berries that led to either noble rot or to grey mould. Noble rot development was mainly characterised by a greater accumulation of wall-bound polyamines at the beginning of infection, whereas the disease process that led to grey mould was marked by an increase of conjugated polyamines. During grey mould infection, coumaric acid was the predominant hydroxycinnamic acid present in both healthy and infected grape berries regardless of infection stage, whereas ferulic acid was present at lower concentrations than the other hydroxycinnamic acids identified. Moreover, changes in the relative proportions of each of the three hydroxycinnamic acids considered showed contrasting patterns according to the sort of rot which developed. The different roles of these compounds (hydroxycinnamic acids and polyamines) and their involvement in the interaction between Botrytis cinerea and grapevines is discussed. During development of grey mould, coumaric acid was the predominant hydroxycinnamic acid at the beginning and the end of infection, whereas caffeic acid predominated during mid stage.