Dignity and the Provision of Care and Support in ‘Old Age Homes’ in Tamil Nadu, India: A Qualitative Study

Background: In 2016, Tamil Nadu was the first state in India to develop a set of Minimum Standards for old age homes. The Minimum Standards stipulate that that residents’ dignity and privacy should be respected. However, the concept of dignity is undefined in the Minimum Standards. To date, there has been very little research within aged care facilities exploring the dignity of residents. This study draws on the concepts of (i) status dignity and (ii) central human functional capabilities, to explore whether long term care facilities uphold the dignity of residents. Objectives: The study was designed to obtain insights into human rights issues and experiences of residents, and the article addresses the research question, “to what extent do old age homes in Tamil Nadu support the central human functional capabilities of life, bodily health, bodily integrity and play, and secure dignity for older residents?”Method: A cross-sectional qualitative exploratory study design was utilised. Between January and May 2018 face-to-face interviews were conducted using a semi-structured topic guide with 30 older residents and 11 staff from ten care homes located three southern districts in Tamil Nadu, India. Framework analysis of data was structured around four central human functional capabilities. Results. There was considerable variation in the extent to which the four central human functional capabilities life, bodily integrity, bodily health and play were met,. There was evidence that Articles 3, 13, 25 and 24 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights were contravened in both registered and unregistered facilities. Juxtaposing violations of human rights with good practice demonstrated that old age homes have the potential to protect the dignity of residents.Conclusion: The Government of India needs to strengthen care home policies to protect older residents. A new legislative framework is required to ensure that all old age homes are accountable to the State. Minimum Standards should include expectations for quality of care and dignity in care that meet the basic needs of residents and provide health care, personal support, and opportunities for leisure, and socializing. Standards should include staff-to-resident ratios and staff training requirements.

The diversity and functional capacity of microbes associated with coastal phototrophs

Coastal marine phototrophs exhibit some of the highest rates of primary productivity in the world. They have been found to host a diverse set of microbes, many of which may impact the biology of their phototroph hosts through metabolisms that are unique to microbial taxa. Here we characterized the metabolic functions of phototroph-associated microbial communities using metagenomes collected from 2 species of kelp (Laminaria setchellii and Nereocystis luetkeana) and 3 marine angiosperms (Phyllospadix scouleri, P. serrulatus and Zostera marina), including the rhizomes of two surfgrass species (Phyllospadix spp.) and the seagrass Zostera marina, and the sediments surrounding P. scouleri and Z. marina. Using metagenomic sequencing, we describe 72 metagenome assembled genomes (MAGs) that potentially benefit from being associated with macrophytes and may contribute to macrophyte fitness through their metabolic gene content. All host-associated metagenomes contained genes for the use of dissolved organic matter from hosts and vitamin (B1, B2, B7, B12) biosynthesis. Additionally, we found a range of nitrogen metabolism genes that transform dissolved inorganic nitrogen into forms that may be more available to the host. The rhizosphere of surfgrass and seagrass contained genes for anaerobic microbial metabolisms, including nifH genes associated with nitrogen fixation, despite residing in a well-mixed and oxygenated environment. The range of oxygen environments engineered by macrophytes likely explains the diversity of both oxidizing and reducing microbial metabolisms, and contributes to the functional capabilities of microbes and their influence on carbon and nitrogen cycling in nearshore ecosystems.

Keys to the Survival of the Family Firm

The purpose of this research is to carry out an in-depth exploration of the causes of the family firm's success over short and long term, analysing which capabilities are the most valuable sources of sustainable competitive advantage in every time horizon. The results confirm only functional capabilities have a positive and significant effect on short-term economic performance, whereas dynamic capabilities are the only ones that have a positive and significant impact on long-term economic performance.

The influence of Qazaq Kuresi classes on the management of the level of reserves of the athletes' body

In the Republic of Kazakhstan, specialists in the field of Physical culture and Sports are faced with the problem of increasing interest in practicing folk national sports, based on the creation of both theoretical paradigms and a more evidence-based comprehensive practical database of research in scientific and methodological orientation. The research is aimed at creating a bank of models of bio pedagogical data for coaches and young people engaged in national wrestling, on the influence of Kazakh wrestling classes on the physical fitness of the muscles of the musculoskeletal system of its quality and the cardiac activity of highly qualified wrestlers in the preparatory period of the training process. The research was experimental, and data was analyzed using spss’ correlation coefficient. The results revealed the positive effects of the quality of development management on the level of general and special physical fitness of highly qualified athletes of the national team who constantly train in different teams of the republic. Key words: bio pedagogical data; health orientation; motor and functional capabilities; qazaq kuresi; wrestlers.

Modulation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Enhanced Therapeutic Utility in Ischemic Vascular Diseases

Mesenchymal stem cells are multipotent stem cells isolated from various tissue sources, including but not limited to bone marrow, adipose, umbilical cord, and Wharton Jelly. Although cell-mediated mechanisms have been reported, the therapeutic effect of MSCs is now recognized to be primarily mediated via paracrine effects through the secretion of bioactive molecules, known as the “secretome”. The regenerative benefit of the secretome has been attributed to trophic factors and cytokines that play neuroprotective, anti-angiogenic/pro-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory, and immune-modulatory roles. The advancement of autologous MSCs therapy can be hindered when introduced back into a hostile/disease environment. Barriers include impaired endogenous MSCs function, limited post-transplantation cell viability, and altered immune-modulatory efficiency. Although secretome-based therapeutics have gained popularity, many translational hurdles, including the heterogeneity of MSCs, limited proliferation potential, and the complex nature of the secretome, have impeded the progress. This review will discuss the experimental and clinical impact of restoring the functional capabilities of MSCs prior to transplantation and the progress in secretome therapies involving extracellular vesicles. Modulation and utilization of MSCs–secretome are most likely to serve as an effective strategy for promoting their ultimate success as therapeutic modulators.

ANALYSIS OF THE FUNCTIONALITY OF FREELY DISTRIBUTED SOFTWARE PACKAGES FOR AUTOMATIZATION OF ENGINEERING CALCULATIONS

The functional capabilities of modern freely distributed engineering analysis tools are considered on the example of the most common software packages. The analysis of their main features, advantages and disadvantages is carried out.

Possibilities of rehabilitation treatment of children with lymphoblastic leukemia (literary review)

According to nowaday protocols of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment, the percentage of recovering patients has increased significantly. This determines the necessity for comlex long-term rehabilitation, as chemotherapeutic drugs are highly toxic and contribute to the development of comorbid diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, nervous and musculosceletal systems. The purpose of the study was to review and analyze data from foreign and domestic literature concerning possibilities for rehabilitative treatment of children with ALL and to reveal informative methods assessing the effectiveness of rehabilitation. Important elements of rehabilitation goals and assessment of its the effectiveness are the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health of Children and Adolescents, and the Quality of Childrens’ Life. Rehabilitation begins at the hospital and includes psychological support for the child with the involvement of psychotherapists and family, as well as the performance of certain physical exercises lasting for 15-30 minutes, which are selected individually, taking into account the functional capabilities and motivation of the child. After the acute period, physical activity is carried out in accordance with an individual plan, which takes into account the peculiarities of the disease and includes active video games, cycling and other activities. Rehabilitation treatment on the basis of sanatorium-resort institutions with the participation of a multidisciplinary team is actual. Such treatment, in addition to physical exercises, includes the use of natural and preformed physical factors in order to influence the manifestations of comorbid pathology, and also contributes to an increase of the social activity and independence of the child. However, the number of such studies is limited, which determines the necessity to develop clear practical recommendations regarding methods of exposure, their duration and intensity.

UNIFICATION OF DATA FORMATS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ANALYTICAL COMPONENT OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN THE FIELD OF COMMUNICATIONS AND BROADCASTING

Представлены результаты исследовательской работы по унификации форматов данных,которые требуются при реализации аналитической составляющей в структуре информационных систем, предназначенных для решения экспертно-прогностических задач в сфере связи и вещания. По результатам анализа существующих в отрасли основных автоматизированных систем, их функциональных возможностей обоснована необходимость введения в действующие и перспективные системы аналитической составляющей и унификации форматов данных как непременного условия их взаимодействия. Рассматривается набор унифицированных форматов данных, разработанный для перспективного макета аналитической системы развития связи и вещания. The results of research work on unifying the data formats that are required for the implementation of the analytical component in the structure of information systems intended for the solution of expert predictive problems in the sphere of communications and broadcasting are presented. Based on the results of the analysis of the main automated systems and their functional capabilities the necessity of introducing an analytical component into existing and future systems as well as unifying data formats as an indispensable condition for their interaction is substantiated. A set of unified data formats developed for a promising layout of an analytical system for the development of communications and broadcasting is considered.

Investigation of the effectiveness of the differential diagnostic approach to the use of adaptive biofeedback in martial artists

The effectiveness of the use of biofeedback in the prevention and correction of overtraining, psychophysiological disfunctions, disruption of adaptation processes in young and highly qualified athletes engaged in martial arts is shown. The selection of individual recovery programs using biofeedback allowed to optimize the functional work of the body's systems and increase efficiency. All athletes who have completed a targeted biofeedback course have shown high results at competitions for the first time. Key words: biofeedback, neurotraining, combat readiness, functional capabilities, taekwondo, judo, boxing, free-style wrestling.