Sustainable development of industrial enterprises in the basis of a new form of economic activity organisation

This article examines a new form of economic activity organisation for industrial enterprises in the context of the digital transformation of the economy. The analysis of networking in the cluster and economic approaches has allowed us to identify the guiding principles of interaction between economic actors, and the resulting effects and “values”. The platform education proposed by the author as an organisational and economic activity form is the digital ecosystem component, which is a spatial and temporal environment for the functioning of enterprises. A scheme for assessing data and process management in this ecosystem has been developed using the metrics proposed by the author. This scheme reflects the production-logistics chain formed in the framework of the actors’ integration in the digital ecosystem.

Cardiovascular Manifestations of Behçet Disease among Egyptian Patients

Background Behcet’s disease is an auto immune disease with multisystem affection, the most common manifestations are in the form of oral or genital ulcers, eye affection, recurrent thrombosis . Behcet’s disease is a chronic disease with many sequelae, sometimes fatal, the treatment is by immunosuppressive therapy which also had its implications on the long term, unfortunately it has no sure diagnostic tests and relies mainly on clinical criteria, there are few scores to assess behcet’s disease activity (Behcet's Disease Current Activity Form) BDCAF score is a reliable follow up tool with wide accreditation. BD can virtually involve any organ system, cardiac involvement is variable and sought to occur in the range of 7-46% of patients and may cause myocardial infarction, pericarditis, valve problems, aneurysms or congestive heart failure. Different types of vessels, predominantly veins, can be affected in BD. The frequency of vascular lesions in BD, such as superficial and deep venous thromboses, arterial aneurysms and occlusions, ranges between 7-29%. Aims To assess cardiovascular manifestations for patient diagnosed as Behçet disease (BD) and its correlation to disease activity. Methods This was a cross sectional study which was done on 40 Behcet’s disease patients within the year 2019, it was done for the assessment of cardiovascular manifestations for patient diagnosed as Behçet disease (BD) and its correlation with BDCAF score (Behcet’s disease current activity form). The study group was subjected to full history, clinical examination including activity which was assessed according to BDCAF score (BEHCET'S DISEASE CURRENT ACTIVITY FORM), Assessment of any activity regarding the eyes using fundus examination, routine laboratory investigations including Complete blood count (CBC), Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), Creactive protein (CRP), lipid profile, liver enzymes. Results it was found that there is a positive correlation between BDCAF (behcet's disease current activity form) and cardiovascular affection (especially valvular lesions and vascular venous affection).

COVID-19 in patients with Behçet’s disease: Outcomes and rate of Behçet’s exacerbations in a retrospective cohort

ABSTRACT Objectives The aim of this study is to investigate the outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in our cohort of Behçet’s disease (BD) patients and to reveal the rate of BD exacerbations due to COVID-19. Methods Patients who have been followed with a diagnosis of BD were retrospectively investigated for a positive severe acute respiratory syndrome–coronavirus 2 polymerized chain reaction (PCR) test. Data regarding demographics, clinical features and COVID-19 outcomes were collected from medical records for patients with a positive PCR. PCR-positive patients were reached via phone numbers, and ‘Behçet’s Disease Current Activity Form’ (BDCAF) scores for pre- and post-COVID-19 BD symptoms were calculated. Results Out of a total 648 BD patients, 59 were detected to have a positive PCR test. Three of the 59 patients (5.0%) were found to be hospitalized, none of them was admitted to the ICU or died. An increasing trend in the frequency of comorbid diseases and older age was observed in hospitalized patients. 32.2% of BD patients suffered from exacerbation of at least one symptom related to BD. Conclusions We observed no ICU admission or mortality with COVID-19 in our BD patient cohort. A substantial number of patients suffered from exacerbation of BD symptoms.

Photocatalytic Nanofiber Membranes for the Degradation of Micropollutants and Their Antimicrobial Activity: Recent Advances and Future Prospects

This review paper systematically evaluates current progress on the development and performance of photocatalytic nanofiber membranes often used in the removal of micropollutants from water systems. It is demonstrated that nanofiber membranes serve as excellent support materials for photocatalytic nanoparticles, leading to nanofiber membranes with enhanced optical properties, as well as improved recovery, recyclability, and reusability. The tremendous performance of photocatalytic membranes is attributed to the photogenerated reactive oxygen species such as hydroxyl radicals, singlet oxygen, and superoxide anion radicals introduced by catalytic nanoparticles such as TiO2 and ZnO upon light irradiation. Hydroxyl radicals are the most reactive species responsible for most of the photodegradation processes of these unwanted pollutants. The review also demonstrates that self-cleaning and antimicrobial nanofiber membranes are useful in the removal of microbial species in water. These unique materials are also applicable in other fields such as wound dressing since the membrane allows for oxygen flow in wounds to heal while antimicrobial agents protect wounds against infections. It is demonstrated that antimicrobial activities against bacteria and photocatalytic degradation of micropollutants significantly reduce membrane fouling. Therefore, the review demonstrates that electrospun photocatalytic nanofiber membranes with antimicrobial activity form efficient cost-effective multifunctional composite materials for the removal of unwanted species in water and for use in various other applications such as filtration, adsorption and electrocatalysis.

ANALYSIS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY STATES OF STUDENTS BETWEEN 7-16 AGE GROUP DURING COVID-19 PROCESS

Covid-19 virus, which entered our lives in the last period of 2019, has caused radical changes in our lives. After the pandemic was declared, the threat of the epidemic that affected the whole world caused us to change a large number of our habits. In particular, the periods when people were closed at home, which led to a decrease in physical activity levels. In our study, an international physical activity form was given to 278 students between the ages of 7 and 16. Physical activity levels of the students in the past week and what activities they did were found. 162 male students and 116 female students participated in the study. 28 of these students were in primary education, 154 were in secondary education and 96 were in high school. While 7 of the students who participated in the study had barriers to doing sports, it was found that 271 students did not have any. As a result of the analyses conducted about the prevalence of physical activity, it was found that the students were moderately active. It was found that 8.8% of the students were highly active, 23.8% were very active, 30.74% were moderately active, 19.11% were slightly active and 17.57% were inactive (sedentary). In terms of the ways of doing activity in general, it can be seen that during the pandemic, individuals preferred activities which were easy to do at home and on the street and also which were less risky. It can be said that sports branches performed as a team are generally avoided. Activities that are easy to do and less risky, such as running and walking for exercise, have come to the fore during the pandemic process. <p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0874/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

A descriptive and exploratory study of factors contributing to augmented feedback duration in professional Australian football practice

Augmented feedback supplements or replaces task-intrinsic feedback and is common in team sports, however, no studies have reported on augmented feedback provision in professional Australian Football (AF) practice. This study investigated the effects of practice characteristics (feedback intervention frequency, practice time, practice type, season phase, practice activity form and competitive match result) on the duration of feedback provided by professional AF coaches. Two linear mixed-effects models were constructed. The first examined the collective associations between these practice characteristics and feedback durations while the second model investigated the associations between the same practice characteristics and previous match result. Results showed the feedback intervention frequency, practice time and a practice time*feedback intervention frequency interaction explained 65% of feedback duration whenever feedback was provided. Additionally, practice time, feedback intervention frequency, a practice time*match result interaction and a match result*feedback intervention frequency interaction explained 99% of feedback duration in-season. Important factors that were hypothesised to affect feedback durations in AF such as practice type, practice activity form or season phase did not contribute any explanatory power. This study provides information on how professional AF coaches provide augmented feedback in-situ and provides opportunities for skill acquisition specialists to aid coaches when delivering augmented feedback.

VirB4- and VirD4-like ATPases, components of a putative type 4C secretion system in Clostridioides difficile

The type 4 secretion system (T4SS) represents a bacterial nanomachine capable of trans-cell wall transportation of proteins and DNA and which has attracted intense interest due to its roles in the pathogenesis of infectious diseases. During the current investigation we uncovered three distinct gene clusters in Clostridioides difficile strain 630 coding for proteins structurally related to components of the VirB4/D4 type 4C secretion system from Streptococcus suis strain 05ZYH33 and located within sequences of conjugative transposons (CTn). Phylogenic analysis shows that VirB4- and VirD4-like proteins of CTn4 locus, on one hand, and those of CTn2 and CTn5 loci, on the other hand, fit into separate clades, suggesting specific roles of identified secretion system variants in physiology of C. difficile. Our further study on VirB4- and VirD4-like products coded by CTn4 revealed that both proteins possess Mg2+-dependent ATPase activity, form oligomers (most probably, hexamers) in water solutions, and rely on potassium but not sodium ions for the highest catalytic rate. VirD4 binds nonspecifically to DNA and RNA. Its DNA binding activity strongly decreased with the W241A variant. Mutations in the nucleotide sequences coding for presumable Walker A and Walker B motifs decreased stability of the oligomers and significantly but not completely attenuated enzymatic activity of VirB4. In VirD4, substitutions of amino acid residues in the peptides reminiscent of Walker structural motifs resulted neither in attenuation of enzymatic activity of the protein nor influenced the oligomerization state of the ATPase.

L’utilizzo dei media digitali in un campione di bambini e adolescenti attraverso il questionario Media Activity Form

Background - Several studies have investigated the use of digital media in developmental age, mainly focusing on Internet or video games addiction in adolescence. However, few studies have investigated the time spent by children and young people on different types of digital media and their impact on adaptive behaviour. Objectives - On the base of parent and child reports the current study aimed to investigate the use of different digital media in Italian children and adolescents, aged six to eighteen, and their impact on adaptive behaviour as well, and to assess its association with socio-demographic factors. Material and methods - 901 parents and 574 children were recruited in ten schools in Northern Italy. The parents filled in a socio-demographic form and the “Media Activity Form” (MAF-G), while adolescents filled in a youth version of the “Media Activity Form” (MAF-R). Results - Overall, the activities carried out by children (6-11 years old) are mainly focused on viewing films/TV series and using video games, while those of adolescents are mainly related to listening to music and messaging. Parents estimated a lower amount of time spent on digital media by their children compared to that reported by their children. Finally, significant differences emerged in relation to male gender, preadolescence, low socio-economic level, low maternal education and divorced/separated parents, showing that participants belonging to such categories spent longer time on different digital media. Conclusions - The results contributed to improve the knowledge on the use of digital media in children and adolescents, with useful clinical implications for interventions.

Modelling behavioural change from sea-based ‘helicopter latrines’ to land-based shared improved latrines in the Demaan, Jepara, Indonesia

The government of Indonesia pursued a slum-upgrading programme from 2011 to 2018 which included replacing ‘helicopter latrines’ with shared improved latrines. However, these latrines have not been fully utilised by slum dwellers yet. This study aimed to construct a model of behaviour change to urge people to switch from using helicopter latrines to using shared improved latrines through the process of community empowerment. A qualitative research method was conducted. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were deployed to select study participants. Data were collected through interviews and focus group discussions. The results showed that the challenge in improving communities' sanitation behaviour can be answered with a bottom-up approach that integrates tangible and intangible elements. These elements have the dimensions of form, meaning and activity. Form is a tangible element namely shared improved latrine building that is physically acceptable to the community. Meaning and activity are intangible elements. Meaning involves the cognitive aspects to create a sense of ownership and action from affective aspects involves the activity of using the latrines. To improve the sanitation conditions, governments should involve the community in every activity, empower the community through education campaigns, and conduct supervision until the community can be independent.