Decadal Time Research Articles

Rojiroti: innovative microfinance in India

Case overview Micro Finance Institution (MFI) named Rojiroti had been doing good work for weaker sections of the society and had brought about significant transformation in the lives of poor people, especially the Scheduled Castes, in villages of Patna district, the capital city of Bihar, India. Rojiroti was run by Centre for Promoting Sustainable Livelihood (CPSL) and had tested successfully a unique innovative model in micro financing which focused on helping the weaker sections by addressing their imminent needs which usually required very small loan amounts. With the various types of benefits people got from buying government subsidized ration to health and education in family to construct home or buy small livelihood assets. The beneficiaries developed high level of respect and trust for the MFI, Rojiroti. Rojiroti had received international recognition from universities such as University of Nottingham, UK; the University was not only researching on the model and its contributions to society, but also had supported it with funding to cater to its audience. Rojiroti did not believe in just providing finance to people like other microfinance institutions (MFI) or corporate social responsibility (CSR) funding by private and public sector organizations; its model focused more on creating capacities in the beneficiaries to sustain their livelihoods. However, after a decades time, Sunil, the protagonist in the case found himself in a situation where he had to decide for the future journey of Rojiroti after having reached a decent stage of growth The case discusses the journey of Rojiroti where the protagonist Sunil had a significant role to play and dwells upon the Rojiroti business model, its beneficiaries and value offerings to them, the changing environment outside and leaves the discussion open on the question of the choice of best road suited for Rojiroti. Teaching objectives The case is intended for the course on Strategic Management with a focus on business models topic. The case introduces the working of social cooperative business model and the nuances around it which is very much pertinent in today’s times where social enterprises have gained space in business and where businesses work around inclusive business models. The case is designed to provide supplemental support or discussion piece while dealing with business model / cooperative enterprise business model. This case provides opportunity to discuss strategic framework for an organization from the promoter’s perspective. The teaching notes is written from the perspective of the entrepreneur (the protagonist in this case, Sunil) who initiated the enterprise, with a learning goal to empathize and develop skills to have strategic decision making for a social enterprise. Leaning objectives The case is designed to provide supplemental support or discussion piece while dealing with business model / cooperative enterprise business model. This case provides opportunity to discuss strategic framework for an organisation from the promoter’s perspective. The teaching notes is written from the perspective of the entrepreneur (the protagonist in this case, Sunil) who initiated the enterprise, with a learning goal to empathize and develop skills to have strategic decision making for a social enterprise. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS: 3 Entrepreneurship.

Futures of the Finnish heating regime: actors’ views on the coexistence of district heating and ground-source heat pumps

ABSTRACT The current Finnish heating regime is characterized by the strong position of district heating (DH). However, in recent years the DH regime has been challenged by the need to decarbonize energy production as well as intensified competition from new forms of heating, especially ground-source heat pumps (GSHPs). For the first time in decades, there is uncertainty about the future of DH. This paper investigates how the Finnish heating regime might change by 2030. Special attention is devoted to the coexistence of DH with GSHPs. Possible futures of the DH regime are examined using qualitative scenarios. The scenarios are based on the views of experts engaged in various heating demand and supply activities, including actors working with GSHPs. Development pathways identified in sustainability transitions studies are used as scenario frames. The research yielded three plausible scenarios for the potential future development of the DH regime in Finland and the role of GSHPs in these futures. In a scenario that was seen as the most probable, DH companies maintain their position but change their operational logic. Heat production shifts from highly centralized to more distributed production, and the role of DH companies changes from being energy producers to administrators of heat flows.

Medicaid and Child Health Insurance Program Improve Child Health and Reduce Poverty But Face Threats.

Over the past 20 years, the United States greatly expanded eligibility for public health insurance under the Medicaid and Child Health Insurance Program programs. This expansion improved children's access to health care and their health, ultimately lowering preventable hospitalizations, chronic conditions, and mortality rates in the most vulnerable children at a cost that is 4 times lower than the average per capita cost for the elderly. They also had broader antipoverty effects, increasing economic security, children's educational attainments, and their eventual employment and earnings opportunities. However, in recent years, this progress has been rolled back in many states. Remarkably, although income eligibility cutoffs have remained largely constant, states have reduced child coverage through a number of administrative measures ranging from increased paperwork, to reduced outreach, new parental work requirements, changes to public charge rules for immigrants, and waivers of federal requirements to provide retroactive coverage to new applicants. The number of uninsured children was rising for the first time in decades even prior to the pandemic. With rising numbers who have lost their jobs in the pandemic-induced recession, it is more important than ever to defend and restore and improve access to public health insurance for our children.

Factors of Production and the State: Capital, Labour, Energy

Is state intervention making a comeback in economic policy? Should it make a comeback in economic policy? And, if so, what should this intervention look like? The relations between the state and the economy are a recurring theme throughout modern history, at least since the invention of the nation-state, but in Covid Europe these questions have made the news headlines for the first time in decades. This has been in addition to the strains and challenges posed to the global economy by climate change, which have increasingly put state intervention at the forefront of economic policy. In this context, it is not surprising that state intervention has been the subject of many new books. The ones under review here, all published between 2014 and 2020, add new food for thought to the topic. They raise important questions at a time when ideas around the relations between state, entrepreneurship and resources are beginning to be rediscussed, even in the most conservative economic circles.

Rethinking the Design of English Language Teaching Online Using the Flipped Classroom Approach

Online teaching has been in use for a while, but not many people cared to embrace it as a method of teaching until the COVID-19 pandemic literally forced them into giving it a consideration. The sudden outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic led to the shutting down of schools across the country and several parts of the world. Consequently, many state governments and educational institutions turned to media broadcasts as well as online teaching to keep learners engaged. For the first time in decades, teleconferencing applications and Internet services such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Skype witnessed a surge in their use for teaching and learning as well as for conducting meetings in different spheres of life such as governance and business. Thus, many English language instructors began to teach online without any appreciable time to understand the specialized techniques for the design of online teaching for maximum benefit to learners. Many English language instructors arranged for synchronous online classes that lasted between one to three hours. From personal experiences, the researchers observed that many learners in such classes experienced boredom and disengaged from the live online classes. This prompted the researchers to rethink how online English language teaching can be designed for maximum engagement of learners. This paper proposes the incorporation of the flipped classroom approach into the design of online English language teaching and presents steps that English language instructors need to take to be able to incorporate the flipped classroom approach into online English Language teaching for maximum benefits and learners’ engagement.

Retrospective analysis of Irpin’s city parks of the XX century in the context of historical, socio-cultural, and recreational value

The purpose of the article is to conduct a retrospective analysis and generalize information about the parks of Irpin, including their location, size, historical aspects of establishment and development, planning structure, current state and composition of greenery, importance for the city and the level of socio-cultural needs of modern society; formulating conclusions on the prospects of their preservation and optimization. Methodology. The study of the historical aspects and current state of Irpin parks (retrospective analysis) was established during 2019-2021. Field and analytical methods were used, in particular, most of the historical information about the formation and development of parks was obtained from scientific literature sources and archival materials, and the assessment of the current state was carried out as a result of own route surveys. The scientific novelty is to reveal the need to study the Irpin parks, as important centers of historical, socio-cultural and recreational value, in the context of their protection and preservation under the conditions of powerful modern urban transformation of the city. In addition, for the first time in decades, a retrospective analysis of five Irpin parks was conducted, and the collected material was grouped in one publication, which is important for current and future research. Conclusions. A retrospective analysis of five parks in Irpin was carried out, in particular: Volodymyr Pravyk City Park; Dubky City Park of Culture and Recreation; Victory Park; Mikhail Stelmakh Park; Park of Heroes. The study found that the founding of these parks dates back to the twentieth century, respectively, today they represent a significant historical, socio-cultural and recreational value of the city, continuing to exist fully. However, in the process of adaptation to modern needs of society under the influence of constant urban transformation of the city, currently characterized by significant changes in planning structure and functional zoning, elements of landscaping, the composition of greenery, including cultivated dendroflora. Given these changes, it is extremely important to take care of the preservation of parks (territorial integrity and cultural dendroflora), which can be achieved through the widespread promotion of parks among local residents, reconstruction (fragmentary or complex) to maintain the proper condition of parks and their compliance with the requirements of modern society. It was established that the establishment of these parks was carried out in the twentieth century, so today they are a significant historical, socio-cultural and recreational value of the city, continue to exist fully. However, in the process of adaptation to modern needs of society under the influence of constant urban transformation of the city, now characterized by significant changes in planning structure and functional zoning, elements of landscaping, the composition of greenery, including cultivated dendroflora. Given these changes, it is extremely important to take care of the preservation of parks (territorial integrity and cultural dendroflora), which can be achieved through the widespread promotion of parks among local residents, reconstruction (fragmentary or complex) to maintain the proper condition of parks and their compliance with the requirements of modern society.

Common mechanisms explain nitrogen-dependent growth of Arctic shrubs over three decades despite heterogeneous trends and declines in soil nitrogen availability.

Heterogeneity has been observed in the responses of Arctic shrubs to climate variability over recent decades, which may reflect landscape-scale variability in belowground resources. At a northern fringe of tall shrub expansion (Yuribei, Yamal Peninsula, Russia), we sought to determine the mechanisms relating nitrogen (N) limitation to shrub growth over decadal time. We analysed the ratio of 15 N to 14 N isotopes in wood rings of 10 Salix lanata individuals (399 measurements) to reconstruct annual point-based bioavailable N between 1980 and 2013. We applied a model-fitting/model-selection approach with a suite of competing ecological models to assess the most-likely mechanisms that explain each shrub's individual time-series. Shrub δ15 N time-series indicated declining (seven shrubs), increasing (two shrubs) and no trend (one shrub) in N availability. The most appropriate model for all shrubs included N-dependent growth of linear rather than saturating form. Inclusion of plant-soil feedbacks better explained ring width and δ15 N for eight of 10 individuals. Although N trajectories were individualistic, common mechanisms of varying strength confirmed the N-dependency of shrub growth. The linear mechanism may reflect intense scavenging of scarce N; the importance of plant-soil feedbacks suggests that shrubs subvert the microbial bottleneck by actively controlling their environment.

Evidence to Date: Evaluating Pembrolizumab in the Treatment of Extensive-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer.

Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive subtype of lung cancer characterized by a rapid initial response and early development of resistance to systemic therapy and radiation. The management of SCLC significantly changed for the first time in decades with the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Pembrolizumab, a humanized IgG4 isotype antibody, targets the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) pathway to restore anti-tumor immunity. Prospective trials of pembrolizumab in patients with previously treated SCLC showed significant durability of responses. These results led to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granting pembrolizumab accelerated approval as second- or third-line monotherapy for patients with extensive-stage (ES) SCLC. In a recent clinical trial that included patients with previously untreated ES-SCLC, pembrolizumab in combination with platinum/etoposide met its progression-free survival endpoint, but overall survival (OS) did not cross the threshold for superiority. With the therapeutic landscape for SCLC rapidly evolving, we review prior experience and future directions of pembrolizumab in ES-SCLC.

Invasion meltdown and burgeoning threats of invasive fish species in inland waters of India in the era of climate change

Abstract Cyprinus carpio, Oreochromis niloticus and Clarias gariepinus are the most abundantly captured invasive fish species in the mid-stretch of the Ganga river. Fish yield and biomass data based on mean abundance by weight was calculated using algorithms and spatio-temporal population dynamics model for future prediction of these invasive fish species. Temporal biomass forecast based on mean abundance by wieght for the period from 2020 to 2029 was determined. The findings of this study predicted fish yield of 176 ± 16.33 kg km-1 day-1C. carpio and 55.43 ± 6.4 kg km-1 day-1 O. niloticus during 2029 which might result into 117.87% and 116.9% rise in temporal biomass of Common Carp and Tilapia respectively in a decade's time while 139.2% rise in temporal biomass was predicted for the invasive African catfish. The yield of invasive Common Carp, Tilapia and African Catfish was correlated with rainfall and temperature data using ANOVA and we found that variance was F = 1.36; p = 0.263 for C. carpio; F = 1.60; p = 0.326 for O. niloticus and F = 1.63; p = 0.101 for C. gariepinus, indicating that variance was very close for Tilapia and African Catfish. The observed values of variance indicated that climatic changes had more impact to these two species than to the Common Carp. The concrete and forecast values were calculated considering 95% lower and upper level of confidence, which was significant (p <0.05) and the annual regression was found to be p < 0.464, p < 0.419 and p < 0.499 for C. carpio, O. niloticus and C. gariepinus, respectively. Further, interactive performance of invaded C. carpio, O. niloticus and C. gariepinus was also assessed for understanding invasion meltdown. The results of mean abundance by weight based yield forecast of invaded Tilapia, Common Carp and African Catfish for the period of 2020 to 2029 suggest a stable production in the Ganga River in years to come. It also manifests a positive pattern of invasion in the times of climate change displaying invasion meltdown. This suggests increased pressures of fish invasions on temporal and spatial scales, and imposing new management challenges for freshwater ecosystems.

Healthcare and Terrorism: The Lebanese Experience.

Due to the common instability caused by political and security issues, Lebanese hospitals have experienced acts of terrorism multiple times. The most recent Beirut Explosion even forced several hospitals to cease operations for the first time in decades-but studies show the preparedness levels for such attacks in similar countries are low. The aim of this study is to explore the experience of Lebanese hospitals with terrorist attacks. This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews with various stakeholders to assess their experience with terrorist bombings. Data was analyzed using the thematic analysis method. The researchers found that Lebanese hospitals vary greatly in their structures and procedures. Those differences are a function of 3 contextual factors: location, culture, and accreditation status. Hospitals found near 'dangerous zones' were more likely to be aware and to have better response to such events. A severe lack of communication, unity of command, and collaboration between stakeholders has made the process fragmented. The researchers recommend a larger role for the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) in this process, and the creation of a platform where Lebanese organizations can share their experiences to improve preparedness and resilience of the Lebanese healthcare system in the face of terrorism.

Pain Management in Trauma: Maximizing Multimodals to Minimize Opioids

The US has been challenged with an opioid crisis, as these medications account for a substantial number of fatal and nonfatal overdoses. Surgeons are on the front lines of this epidemic, balancing the treatment of pain, while confronting the risks of opioids, such as gastrointestinal effects, respiratory distress, delirium, increased hospital length of stay, and potential misuse or diversion. 1 Yorkgitis B.K. Brat G.A. Postoperative opioid prescribing: Getting it RIGHTT. Am J Surg. 2018; 215: 707-711 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (21) Google Scholar ,2 American College of Surgeons Quality ProgramsBest practices guidelines for acute pain management in trauma patients. Nov 2020. https://www.facs.org/-/media/files/quality-programs/trauma/tqip/acute_pain_guidelines.ashxDate accessed: December 22, 2020 Google Scholar Recently, progress has been made in this battle, as opioid-related deaths fell in 2018 for the first time in decades. 3 Centers for Disease Control and PreventionDrug overdose deaths in the United States, 1999-2018. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db356.htmDate accessed: December 21, 2020 Google Scholar The decrease in opioid-related deaths mirrors opioid prescribing rates, as they have been declining over the recent years. 4 Centers for Disease Control and PreventionPrescribing practices. https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/data/prescribing/prescribing-practices.htmlDate accessed: December 21, 2020 Google Scholar Multi-Modal Analgesic Strategy for Trauma: A Pragmatic Randomized Clinical TrialJournal of the American College of SurgeonsVol. 232Issue 3PreviewAn effective strategy to manage acute pain and minimize opioid exposure is needed for injured patients. In this trial, we aimed to compare 2 multimodal pain regimens (MMPRs) for minimizing opioid exposure and relieving acute pain in a busy, urban trauma center. Full-Text PDF

A Preliminary Degradation Pathology of Rangeland Declines Near Opuwo in the Kunene, Namibia: The Tragedy of Disrupting Traditional Commons Management

The Kunene in far north-western Namibia is widely recognised as having amongst the most widely and severely degraded rangelands (de Klerk, 2004; Joubert et al., 2008), yet this was not always the case. In many communal areas, major episodes of degradation have only occurred for the first time in recent decades. The degradation is not many decades old and yet it is seen as obvious support for the concept of the tragedy of the commons (Hardin, 1968). This simplistic, convenient interpretation of change is strongly dissonant with what I have observed first hand. What has gone wrong and can this inform us about rangeland rehydration and repair? I draw on experiences from a small number of communities with whom I worked and learnt to piece together what has gone wrong. I also suggest cause for optimism of rangeland revival in the Kunene when the fundamental, root causes are addressed with clear community ownership and leadership based on local, people-centred problem solving. The major challenges are cultural, social, administrative and perhaps economic. They are not lack of knowledge regarding scientific rangeland management although the latter needs adaptive attention in a new, socially engineered human context.

De-Mythologizing Magnuson-Moss: Reviving Section 18 Rulemaking at the FTC

America faces twin crises of metastasizing corporate power and foundering government capacity to respond. Cries for economic justice grow louder as corporate consolidation has reached record levels and “informational capitalism” has systematically shifted power from individuals to large, data-rich firms. Americans are left vulnerable to “dark patterns” that extract customers’ wealth, to gig work companies that siphon customer tips away from workers, and to algorithmic decisionmaking that exhibits racial and gender bias. Yet, many rightfully doubt that America’s elected branches of government remain functional enough to handle these emerging challenges, and the Supreme Court continues to impede efforts that Congress and the President do undertake. The Federal Trade Commission is well-positioned to step into this breach. Section 18 of the FTC Act grants the agency the authority to issue new consumer protection rules to police against unfair or deceptive business tactics, backed by tough penalties and consumer redress. Yet, this power has sat virtually dormant for the past thirty-seven years after a “Reagan Revolution” at the agency decisively ended its rulemaking activity. For the first time in decades, a majority of FTC Commissioners supports using this tool, but long-unchallenged received wisdom stands in the way. This common narrative holds that Congress saddled the agency with almost impossibly onerous “Magnuson-Moss” procedural requirements for rulemaking in reaction to overbroad and politically unpopular FTC regulation. This paper argues that the conventional story is mistaken. A review of the history, statutory text, and judicial constructions of section 18 show that this pessimistic view confuses a historical decline in rulemaking—which was driven by non-statutory factors including an ascendant corporate lobby, changing congressional pressures, and a deregulatory ideological moment—with supposed flaws in section 18. Puncturing the mythology that has grown up around the Magnuson-Moss Act provides a more clear-eyed view of the FTC’s authorities. Doing so makes apparent that the Commission can—and should—pick back up its powerful tool of consumer protection rulemaking. Future rules can rein in marketplace misconduct such as deceptive online “drip pricing,” unfair privacy abuses, and much more. Reinvigorating the FTC’s regulatory program can restore the agency as a champion of American consumers and a cornerstone of an administrative state that is able to counterbalance dominant corporations and establish a more just economy.

Exploring the Economic Slowdown of India

The GDP growth rate of India has been shrinking after 2016-17. Unemployment reached a 45-year high. The industrial output from the eight core sectors at the end of 2019 fell by 5.2 per cent, which was the worst in 14 years. Private sector investment had been stagnant for several years and declining in recent times, and consumption expenditure had also been falling, for the first time in several decades. Now, COVID-19 pandemic has added fuel to the fire by contracting growth rate of India to -23.9 per cent for the first quarter of the financial year 2020-21 as compared to that of the same quarter of last year. The COVID-19 pandemic has badly affected the manufacturing and services sectors. The agricultural sector remains the sole bright spot which recorded a growth rate of 3.37 per cent in the first quarter of 2020-21 against 2.97 per cent in the same quarter of last year.

CAEP Position Statement: Emergency department management of people with opioid use disorder.

Deaths due to opioid overdose have reached unprecedented levels in Canada; over 12,800 opioid-related deaths occurred between January 2016 and March 2019, and overdose death rates increased by approximately 50% from 2016 to 2018.1 In 2016, Health Canada declared the opioid epidemic a national public health crisis,2 and life expectancy increases have halted in Canada for the first time in decades.3 Children are not exempt from this crisis, and the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada has recently prioritized the prevention of problematic substance use among Canadian youth.4.

Immunotherapy for extensive stage small cell lung cancer.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive malignancy. Until recently the standard of care for newly diagnosed patients with extensive-stage disease was chemotherapy consisting of etoposide plus a platinum (EP). The median overall survival (OS) was only about 10 months with this systemic therapy. Immune checkpoint inhibitors were first evaluated as second or subsequent line treatments in extensive stage disease and later in combination with EP in the first-line setting. Recently two randomized phase III trials have demonstrated statistically improved OS with addition of a programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) inhibitor to EP. As a result, the standard of care for newly diagnosed patients with extensive-stage SCLC has changed for the first time in decades. However, many patients do not derive benefit from the addition of a PD-L1 inhibitor to EP. In this review we discuss first-line trials of chemoimmunotherapy in extensive stage SCLC and summarize data on second and subsequent line treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors in immunotherapy-naïve patients. Additionally, we discuss potential biomarkers that could be utilized to select for which patients derive benefit from addition of a PD-L1 inhibitor to EP and propose ways to improve on first-line chemoimmunotherapy.

Modified Commercial Fish Trap to Help Eliminate Salmonid Bycatch Mortality

AbstractThe utility of commercial salmonid Oncorhynchus spp. traps in the U.S. Pacific Northwest was recently revisited for the first time in decades to enable selective harvesting of hatchery‐origin salmonids while reducing mortality of Endangered Species Act (ESA)‐listed salmonids. Modifications to historical gear designs resulted in dramatic improvements in salmonid bycatch survival rates relative to conventional commercial gears in the lower Columbia River. Expanding upon this work, an experimental commercial fish trap was further modified to largely eliminate net contact, air exposure, handling, and crowding of fish. Studies were conducted from May to November 2019 in the lower Columbia River to estimate survival of bycatch and evaluate potential benefits from the modified passive capture design. Analyzed through two separate survival estimation techniques, the modified trap demonstrated no detectable effect on salmon release survival and a significant improvement over the previous prototype design. Estimated through a paired release–recapture methodology, the relative survival effect of catch and release compared to controls over a 400‐km migration was 1.017 ( = 0.032) for adult Sockeye Salmon O. nerka. For adult Coho Salmon O. kisutch that were held captive for a 48‐h postrelease period, estimated survival (S) was 1.000 (lower 95% confidence limit: S ≥ 0.978). These results suggest that trap modifications can be made to significantly reduce bycatch mortality of ESA‐listed salmonids and provide increased opportunity for harvest of hatchery‐origin salmonids.

Influence of Nomenclature Changes on Trends in Papillary Thyroid Cancer Incidence in the United States, 2000 to 2017.

US papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) incidence recently declined for the first time in decades, for reasons that remain unclear. This work aims to evaluate PTC incidence trends, including by histologic subtype and size, and noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP). This descriptive study uses US Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-18 cancer registry data (2000-2017). Participants included individuals diagnosed with PTC (2000-2017) or NIFTP (2016-2017). During 2000 to 2015, PTC incidence increased an average 7.3% per year, (95% CI, 6.9% to 7.8%) during 2000 to 2009, and 3.7% per year (95% CI, 0.2% to 7.3%) during 2009 to 2012, before stabilizing in 2012 to 2015 (annual percentage change [APC] = 1.4% per year, 95% CI, -1.8% to 4.7%) and declining in 2015 to 2017 (APC = -4.6% per year, 95% CI, -7.6% to -1.4%). The recent declines were observed for all sizes of PTC at diagnosis. Incidence of follicular variant of PTC (FVPTC) sharply declined in 2015 to 2017, overall (APC = -21.1% per year; 95% CI, -26.5% to -15.2%) and for all tumor sizes. Observed increases in encapsulated papillary carcinoma (classical PTC subtype) and NIFTP each accounted for 10% of the decline in FVPTC. Classical PTC incidence continuously increased (2000-2009, APC = 8.7% per year, 95% CI, 8.1% to 9.4%; 2009-2017, APC = 1.0% per year, 95% CI, 0.4% to 1.5%), overall and for all sizes except smaller than 1 cm, as did incidence of other PTC variants combined (2000-2017, APC = 5.9% per year, 95% CI, 4.0% to 7.9%). The reasons underlying PTC incidence trends were multifactorial. Sharp declines in FVPTC incidence during 2015 to 2017 coincided with clinical practice and diagnostic coding changes, including reclassification of noninvasive encapsulated FVPTC from a malignant to in situ neoplasm (NIFTP). Observed increases in NIFTP accounted for 10% of the decline in FVPTC.

Diagnostic and Treatment Strategies for COVID-19.

The world is facing lockdown for the first time in decades due to the novel coronavirus COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. This has led to massive global economic disruption, placed additional strain on local and global public health resources and, above all, threatened human health. We conducted a review of peer-reviewed and unpublished data, written in English, reporting on the current COVID-19 pandemic. This data includes previously used strategies against infectious disease, recent clinical trials and FDA-approved diagnostic and treatment strategies. The literature was obtained through a systematic search using PubMed, Web of Sciences, and FDA, NIH and WHO websites. Of the 98 references included in the review, the majority focused on pathogen and host targeting, symptomatic treatment and convalescent plasma utilization. Other sources investigated vaccinations in the pipeline for the possible prevention of COVID-19 infection. The results demonstrate various conventional as well as potentially advanced in vitro diagnostic approaches (IVD) for the diagnosis of COVID-19. Mixed results have been observed so far when utilising these approaches for the treatment of COVID-19 infection. Some treatments have been found highly effective in specific regions of the world while others have not altered the disease process. The responsiveness of currently available options is not conclusive. The novelty of this disease, the rapidity of its global outbreak and the unavailability of vaccines have contributed to the global public’s fear. It is concluded that the exploration of a range of diagnostic and treatment strategies for the management of COVID-19 is the need of the hour.

Legal Regulation of the Artificial Intelligence Application for Combatting the Spread of COVID-19: Problems and Prospects based on World Experience

Today, humanity has witnessed an extremely complex historical event. The head of the world health organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, stated that the spread of the new coronavirus was of a pandemic nature, which happened for the first time in several decades. "In the days and weeks ahead, we expect to see the number of cases, the number of deaths, and the number of affected countries climb even higher," the organization’s CEO said. Humanity has faced coronavirus infection that has developed into a rare and dangerous phenomenon — a pandemic. The latest threat that the entire planet is fighting against has given each country, without exception, special tasks to find and develop new methods to combat the spread of the virus and effective ways to treat it. New legal norms are necessary for the introduction of innovative technologies — creating conditions for the most effective use of the capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) to combat the spread of COVID-19. World experience also shows us the need to use the latest technologies to defeat a new infection. This is the only way the fight can be effective. This paper broadly presents and classifies the world experience in the use of AI to combat coronavirus, as well as analyzes strategies for innovative legal regulation in the context of a pandemic. This is a valuable platform for constructive research of the identified problem in the field of law, and contributes to the creation of reliable legal conditions for the use of artificial intelligence technologies to resolve the situation with coronavirus infection.