Search

Статья посвящена рассмотрению лексической репрезентации образа российской экономики в англоязычных СМИ за последние пять лет. The article deals with the lexical representation of the image of the Russian economy in the English-language media over the past five years. Using the methods of critical discourse analysis and corpus linguistics tools, the main changes in the description of the economic situation in the Russian Federation in foreign media publications are systematized.

В статье рассматриваются коммуникативные стратегии Д. Байдена в период предвыборной кампании 2020 года. The aim of the work is to carry out an analysis of the communicative strategies of J. Biden's speeches and the linguistic means of their realization during the 2020 election campaign.

BACKGROUND Hypertension, a common clinical problem is considered as an ‘iceberg disease’ because its unknown morbidity far exceeds the known morbidity. In terms of attributable deaths, it is one of the leading behavioural and physiological risk factors amounting to 13% of global deaths. Drug selection is based on efficacy in lowering BP (blood pressure) and in reducing Cardiovascular (CV) endpoints like stroke, myocardial infarction and heart failure. This study was carried out to evaluate the pattern, extent, rationality and frequency of the use of antihypertensive drugs in the treatment of hypertension. The aim of the study is to analyse drug utilisation in the treatment of hypertension in a tertiary care hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was conducted during January 2014 to December 2015 in Medicine OPD (Outpatient Department) in a tertiary care hospital. The sample size was selected as per the WHO recommendations on conducting Drug Utilisation Studies (DUS). Statistical Analysis- The collected data was numerically coded and entered in Microsoft Excel 2007 and analysed by SPSS version 16. Settings and Design- Prospective, cross-sectional, observational study. RESULTS Out of 612 patients, 262 (42.81%) were in the age group of 60 and above. Considering gender distribution, 328 (53.59%) were males and 284 (46.41%) were females. Of these, 274 (44.78%) were prescribed monotherapy, 256 (41.83%) were prescribed two-drug therapy, 72 (11.76%) were prescribed three-drug therapy and 10 (1.63%) were prescribed four-drug therapy. Among 274 (44.78%) patients prescribed with monotherapy, 112 (40.87%) were prescribed with CCB (calcium channel blocker), 76 (27.73%) were given BB (B-blocker), 45 (16.42%) were prescribed ACEI (angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor), 35 (12.77%) were prescribed with ARB (angiotensin receptor blocker) and 6 (2.18%) were prescribed with Diuretics (D). Of the total antihypertensive drugs prescribed, 68.30% were prescribed by generic name, while 25.98% were prescribed as FDCs (fixed drug combination) and 39.05% of antihypertensive drugs were from NLEM (national list of essential medicine). Average number of drugs prescribed per encounter in our study was 2.42, while number of antihypertensive drugs per encounter were 1.34. CONCLUSION The findings of our study suggest that majority of prescriptions had generic names of the drugs. Improving practitioners’ knowledge and attitude in rational prescribing can prove to be a cornerstone in achieving rational use of antihypertensive drugs.

The design, modeling, simulation, and testing of a landing gear system that enables a UAV to perch on an object or surface is presented here. The working principle of the landing gear is inspired by the anatomy of birds that grasp and perch as tendons in their legs and feet are tensioned. In a similar fashion, as the UAV sets down on a structure, its weight tensions a cable which actuates opposing, flexible, multi-segment feet to enclose the target. To analyze the grasping capability of the design, a hybrid empirical–computational model is developed that can be used to simulate the kinematics of the system as it grasps objects of various cross-sectional shapes and sizes. The model relates the curvature of the feet to the displacement and tension of the cable tendon. These quantities are then related to the weight of the UAV through the leg geometry. It also evaluates enclosure and calculates contact forces to quantitatively characterize the grasp. Results demonstrate how the model can be used by designers to determine how a UAV can perch upon a structure of a given shape and size. If perched, the minimum weight required to maintain its position is calculated. A prototype system was fabricated, analyzed, and tested on a radio-controlled hexacopter. Experiments show that the landing gear enables the hexacopter to land, perch, and takeoff from a variety of objects. Finally, we begin to investigate the scalability of the concept with a smaller, lighter design.

A case report of a 73-year-old man admitted in the intensive care unit with acute renal failure and lithium toxicity is reported. Lithium is a gold standard drug for bipolar disorder. It has a narrow therapeutic index and requires blood level monitoring frequently. Hemodialysis is the last resort in management of lithium toxicity but in between high rebound levels during the dialysis result in persistent CNS toxicity.

Background: Antimicrobials are most commonly prescribed drugs worldwide. Around 50% of the prescriptions of antimicrobial drugs are either not needed, inappropriate or in wrong doses. With the widespread use of antimicrobial agents (AMAs), the prevalence of resistance has increased. To evaluate the prescription pattern and utilization of AMA in ear, nose, throat (ENT) outpatient department (OPD) of Tertiary Care Hospital, Nanded. Methods: This prospective study was conducted in ENT OPD of Dr. Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College, Nanded over a period of 3 months. During this period, approximately 1100 patients visited ENT OPD and 600 prescriptions were evaluated. The excluded patients were of post-operative follow-up and of patients undergoing medical examination for fitness and handicap certificate. Data were collected by using specially designed case report form. Appropriateness of AMA was assessed by Kunin’s modified criteria. Results: Total 600 prescriptions were analyzed out of which (91%) consist of AMA. Most of them reported with upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) (30.4%), chronic suppurative otitis media (21.4%), acute suppurative otitis media (10.4%), tonsillitis (3.3%), sinusitis (2.7%), and others (15%). Amoxicillin (43.9%) was preferred AMA followed by ciprofloxacin (30.6%), cotrimoxazole (5.8%), azithromycin (3.2%), doxycycline (3.2%) cefixime + clavulanate (3.2%), and amoxicillin + clavulanate (1.8%). Single antibiotic was preferred in all prescriptions. In the concomitant medications, antihistaminics were prescribed in 97.22% of patients, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in 94.96% of patients, and antacids in 87.76% of patients. Fixed-dose combinations were used in 10% of prescriptions. Brand names of AMA were used in 10% of prescriptions. As per the Kunin’s modified criteria, 83% of patients received AMA therapy appropriately, while 17% patients inappropriately. Conclusions: Amoxicillin is the most common AMA prescribed and URTI is the most common diagnosis made. All AMAs should be prescribed only when needed and should be used in proper dose and for proper duration. Institution wise antibiotic policy should be used to contain resistance. Proper training and regular orientation programs of the juniors’ doctors for judicial use of AMAs will foster the habit of rational prescribing of AMA.

Understanding how damage progresses in engineering materials is of the utmost importance for ensuring safety and reliability. Mechanical components and structures must often perform safely and reliably for much longer than can be reasonably tested, or the components must operate in severe environments that are difficult to reproduce. The capability to perform real-time, real-scenario testing is not always present or attainable however, and failure to adequately test components can lead to catastrophic consequences or high preventative-maintenance costs resulting from the use of weaker presumptive models. As a solution, a criterion for ductile metals for equating high-stress single shock damage, to periodic, low-stress, multiple shock damage is presented. The correspondence in damage, exhibited as an equivalency in deformation, is derived and experimentally validated. To accomplish this process, we relate the plastic deformation a test coupon experiences under a shock input, to the shock parameters under both single shock and multiple shock regimes. We then compare the proposed theoretical damage model against the experimental data.

The purpose of this study was to determine student perceptions of the methods used to teach pharmacology via problem-based learning (PBL). To improve problem solving skills and link basic sciences to clinical practice, medical educators have turned to problem based learning as a partial replacement for traditional didactic lectures approach. PBL is an instructional method that uses cases or problems as vehicles for students to acquire critical thinking and problem-solving skills. In problem-based learning, new knowledge is acquired in the context of some meaningful problems or situation. Using likert scale we assessed the students' perceptions of pharmacology education and learning of pharmacology concepts through PBL. Survey responses were anonymous, and results were reported as aggregate data. The survey statements were answered on a five- point Likert scale with 1 indicating strong disagreement and 5 indicating strong agreement. Via a ten-question MCQ instrument, students performance was assessed. In our study there was significant increase in performance of students after PBL sessions. Student's feedback shown that PBL enhanced their understanding in Pharmacology, motivated them to read more as well as developed self directed and problem solving attitude in them. Most of students suggested to continue PBL sessions but don't want to replace all didactic lectures by PBL sessions.

Background: Acne and scabies are significant skin diseases and treatment of which carries major economic burden in Indian scenario. We planned study to compare safety, efficacy, and economy of treatment modalities of scabies for permethrin, benzyl benzoate, and ivermectin and acne for doxycycline and azithromycin. Hence, we can provide better treatment option for acne and scabies based on cost-effectiveness, efficacy, and safety. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to study therapeutic efficacy and cost-effective analysis of treatment in acne vulgaris and scabies. Materials and Methods: A multicentric, prospective observational study was carried out with patients attending the outpatient department of 32 health-care centers of Wardha district. One hundred and forty-eight patients of acne and 124 patients were screened, of which 108 patients of acne and 120 patients of scabies were analyzed for therapeutic efficacy. Of 120 scabies patients, 52 patients took benzyl benzoate lotion, 48 patients received permethrin cream, and 20 patients received tablet ivermectin. In acne, 60 patients received tablet azithromycin and 48 patients received tablet doxycycline. Cost-effective analysis was done. Results: In scabies, efficacy was near 93% for all therapeutic agents, but benzyl benzoate (INR 15.01 per case) and ivermectin (INR 16.07 per case) are more cost effective than permethrin (INR 21.55 per case). In acne, azithromycin (62.2%) and doxycycline (60%) showed similar efficacy, but doxycycline (INR 112 per case) is more cost effective than azithromycin (INR 216 per case). Conclusion: Therapeutic efficacy was similar for all therapeutic agents in both acne and scabies. Benzyl benzoate and ivermectin are more cost effective than permethrin in scabies. In acne, doxycycline is more cost effective than azithromycin.

Results are presented which demonstrate the feasibility and performance of two concepts of biologically-inspired landing-gear systems that enable bird-sized, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV’s) to land, perch, and take-off from branchlike structures and/or ledges. The first concept follows the anatomy of birds that can grasp ahold of a branch and perch as tendons in their legs are tensioned. This design involves a gravity-activated, cable-driven, underactuated, graspingfoot mechanism. As the UAV lands, its weight collapses a four-bar linkage pulling a cable which curls two opposing, multi-segmented feet to grasp the landing target. Each foot is a single, compliant mechanism fabricated by simultaneouly 3D-printing a flexible thermo-plastic and a stiffer ABS plastic. The design is optimized to grasp structures over a range of shapes and sizes. Quasi-static and flight tests of this landing gear affixed to RC rotorcraft (24 cm to 550 cm in diameter) demonstrate that the aircraft can land, perch, and take-off from a tree branch, rectangular wood board, PVC pipe, metal hand rail, chair armrest, and in addition, a stone wall ledge. Stability tests show that perching is maintained under base and wind disturbances. The second design concept, inspired by roosting bats, is a two-material, 3D-printed hooking mechanism that enables the UAV to stably suspend itself from a wire or small-diameter branch. The design balances structural stiffness for support and flexibility for the perching process. A flight-test demonstrates the attaching and dis-engaging of a small, RC quadcopter from a suspended line.

Abiotic stress halts the physiological and developmental process of plant. During stress condition, CBL-CIPK complex is identified as a primary element of calcium sensor to perceive environmental signals. Recent studies established that this complex regulates downstream targets like ion channels and transporters in adverse stages conditions. Crosstalks between the CBL-CIPK complex and different abiotic stresses can extend our research area, which can improve and increase the production of genetically modified crops in response to abiotic stresses. How this complex links with environmental signals and creates adjustable circumstances under unfavorable conditions is now one of the burning issues. Diverse studies are already underway to delineate this signalling mechanism underlying different interactions. Therefore, up to date experimental results should be concisely published, thus paving the way for further research. The present review will concisely recapitulate the recent and ongoing research progress of positive ions (Mg2+, Na+, and K+), negative ions (NO3-, PO4-), and hormonal signalling, which are evolving from accumulating results of analyses of CBL and CIPK loss- or gain-of-function experiments in different species along with some progress and perspectives of our works. In a word, this review will give one step forward direction for more functional studies in this area.

To determine the sensitivity and specificity of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) for significant prostate cancer with transperineal sector biopsy (TPSB) as the reference standard.The study included consecutive patients who presented for TPSB between July 2012 and November 2013 after mpMRI (T2- and diffusion-weighted images, 1.5 Tesla scanner, 8-channel body coil). A specialist uro-radiologist, blinded to clinical details, assigned qualitative prostate imaging reporting and data system (PI-RADS) scores on a Likert-type scale, denoting the likelihood of significant prostate cancer as follows: 1, highly unlikely; 3, equivocal; and 5, highly likely. TPSBs sampled 24-40 cores (depending on prostate size) per patient. Significant prostate cancer was defined as the presence of Gleason pattern 4 or cancer core length ≥6 mm.A total of 201 patients were included in the analysis. Indications were: a previous negative transrectal biopsy with continued suspicion of prostate cancer (n = 103); primary biopsy (n = 83); and active surveillance (n = 15). Patients' mean (±sd) age, prostate-specific antigen and prostate volumes were 65 (±7) years, 12.8 (±12.4) ng/mL and 62 (±36) mL, respectively. Overall, biopsies were benign, clinically insignificant and clinically significant in 124 (62%), 20 (10%) and 57 (28%) patients, respectively. Two of 88 men with a PI-RADS score of 1 or 2 had significant prostate cancer, giving a sensitivity of 97% (95% confidence interval [CI] 87-99) and a specificity of 60% (95% CI 51-68) at this threshold. Receiver-operator curve analysis gave an area under the curve of 0.89 (95% CI 0.82-0.92). The negative predictive value of a PI-RADS score of ≤2 for clinically significant prostate cancer was 97.7%We found that PI-RADS scoring performs well as a predictor for biopsy outcome and could be used in the decision-making process for prostate biopsy.

An application of aminoacetaldehyde dialkoxy acetal to introduce an amino fuctionality in the 6 and/or 11 position of the naphthacenetrione ring system, resulting in key intermediates to aminated anthracyclines, is described.