The Impact of COVID-19 on doctors well-being: Results of a web survey during the lockdown in Italy

OBJECTIVE: On March 12, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of a new Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), to be a pandemic. From the be- ginning, Italy (in particular the Northern re- gions) was the first large European country to be hit and one of the most affected coun- tries worldwide. This had a significant impact on the workload and psychological health of health workers. The aim of this web-based cross-sectional study is to assess the con- sequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on Ital- ian doctors’ well-being and psychological dis- tress, in respect of demographic and occu- pational characteristics, lifestyle and habits during the lockdown period.PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a web-based cross-sectional survey based on Google® Forms to collect data. The participa- tion was available during the lockdown period that started in Italy on March 9, 2020 and it was voluntary and anonymous. The question- naire explored demographic and occupational variables, lifestyle and habits during the lock- down, perceived well-being and psychological distress. Multivariate logistic regression models were fitted. RESULTS: Our study reported the very alarm- ing psychological conditions of Italian doctors, especially among those who worked in the most affected regions, where a level of psychological distress of 93.8% and poor well-being of 58.9% were registered. These percentages were even higher in the case of female hospital workers with low job seniority, and those caring for COVID-19 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings reported a sig- nificant psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on Italian doctors, particularly among those working in the most affected regions of the country. Further studies are necessary to better understand the effects of the COVID-1

Pharmacists' mental health during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Italy

OBJECTIVE: The year 2020 was characterized by the outbreak of a new pandemic caused by a novel coronavirus named SARSCoV- 2. To face the pandemic, many countries worldwide imposed general lockdowns, closing all non-essential businesses. As primary care services, pharmacies had to remain open, thus putting pharmacy staff at significant risk of viral infection and overwork. This study aimed to assess the mental health of Italian Pharmacists, considering demographic and occupational characteristics, lifestyle, and habits, during the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak and the subsequent lockdown period (March-May 2020). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A web-based survey was created using Google® Forms to collect data from March 30, 2020, to June 1, 2020. The questionnaire consisted of three sections investigating: (1) demographic and occupational variables, (2) lifestyle and habits variables, (3) psychological distress and perceived well-being. RESULTS: A total of 401 participants completed the questionnaire. Older workers and those with more work experience reported more psychological stress. Older and female workers, who felt lonely at home and reported psychological stress, perceived poor well-being. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that the Sars-CoV-2 outbreak and subsequent lockdown rules affected pharmacists' mental health and that it is important to put in place preventive measures against the occurrence of mental disorders among them

About interdisciplinary connections teaching technical disciplines by selecting the tracks of learning

В статье рассматриваются вопросы преподавания студентам младших курсов следующих дисциплин: сопротивление материалов, физика, гидравлика. Обращение к рассматриваемой теме вызвано присоединением России к Болонской декларации по высшему образованию. С этого начались реформы в отечественной системе образовании. Реформирование происходит как в содержательном, так и в организационном направлениях. В результате введено трехуровневое образование: бакалавр, магистр, аспирант. Были разработаны и утверждены Федеральные государственные стандарты образования нового поколения. Нововведения анализируются на примере преподавания дисциплинстудентам Строительного и Механико-машиностроительного институтов Уральского федерального университета имени первого Президента России Б.Н.Ельцина (УрФУ).This article deals with the teaching of the most important disciplines for undergraduates: strength of materials, physics, hydraulics. Appeal to the topic due to Russia's accession to the Bologna Declaration on Higher Education. This started a reform of our education system. Reforming occurs both in substance and in organizational directions. As a result, introduced a three-level education: Bachelor, Master and PhD student. Federal State Educational Standards of a new generation were developed and approved. Innovations are analyzed as an example of teaching disciplines for students of Institute of Civil Engineering and of Institute of Mechanics and Machine Building of the Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia Boris Yeltsin (UrFU)

Upregulation of IFN-γ and IL-12 is associated with a milder form of hantavirus hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome

© 2014, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. Hantavirus hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is a zoonotic disease characterized by acute onset, fever, malaise, and back pain. As the disease progresses, hemorrhagic disturbances and kidney dysfunctions predominate. The examination of tissue collected postmortem supports the premise that virus replication is not responsible for this pathology; therefore, it is widely believed that virus-induced immune responses lead to the clinical manifestations associated with HFRS. The overproduction of inflammatory cytokines is commonly reported in subjects with HFRS and has given rise to the hypothesis that a so-called “cytokine storm” may play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of this disease. Currently, supportive care remains the only effective treatment for HFRS. Our data show that serum levels of interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-10, CCL2, and IL-12 are upregulated in HFRS cases when compared to healthy controls and the level of upregulation is dependent on the phase and severity of the disease. Furthermore, we observed an association between the mild form of the disease and elevated serum levels of IFN-γ and IL-12. Collectively, these observations suggest that the administration of exogenous IFN-γ and IL-12 may provide antiviral benefits for the treatment of HFRS and, thus, warrants further investigations

APPLICATION OF EDDY-CURRENT SEPARATORS FOR PRE-METALLURGICAL PREPARATION OF SCRAP AND NON-FERROUS METALS WASTE

The paper substantiates the need to develop technologies for the collection and processing of non-ferrous scrap. The possibility of using eddy-current separators for these purposes is shown. Examples of experimental data that confirm this possibility are given.В работе обоснована необходимость разработки технологий сбора и обработки лома цветных металлов. Показана возможность использования для этих целей электродинамических сепараторов. Приведены примеры экспериментальных данных, подтверждающих такую возможность

Remote technologies in teaching of technical disciplines

It is considered the tasks of distance learning for a course of technical disciplines and its introduction in educational process.В настоящей статье рассматриваются вопросы дистанционного обучения для курса технических дисциплин и его внедрение в образовательный процесс

МАТЕМАТИЧЕСКОЕ МОДЕЛИРОВАНИЕ ПРОЦЕССА ОДНОВРЕМЕННОЙ ДВУСТОРОННЕЙ ОБРАБОТКИ ЛИНЗ

The purpose of the paper is to modernize technology for obtaining high-accuracy lenses with fine centre. Presently their operating surfaces are fixed  to an accessory with the help of adhesive substance that leads to elastic deformation in glass and causes local errors in lens parts.A mathematical model for concurrent two-sided processing of high-accuracy optical parts with spherical surfaces has been developed in the paper. The paper presents analytical expressions that permit to calculate sliding speed at any point on the processed spherical surface depending on type and value of technological equipment settings. Calculation of parameter Q = Pv in a diametric section of the convexo-concave lens has been carried out while using these expressions together with functional dependence of pressure on contact zone еarea of tool and part bedding surfaces.Theoretical and experimental investigations have been carried out with the purpose to study changes in Q parameter according to the processed lens surface for various setting parameters of the technological equipment and their optimum values ensuring preferential stock removal in the central or boundary part zone or uniform distribution of the removal along the whole processed surface have been determined in the paper.The paper proposes a machine tool scheme for concurrent two-sided grinding and polishing of lenses while fixing their side (cylindrical) surface. Machine tool kinematics makes it possible flexibly and within wide limits to change its setting parameters  that significantly facilitates the control of form-building process of parts with highly-precise spherical surfaces.Methodology for investigations presupposes the following: mathematical simulation of highly-precise spherical surface form-building process under conditions of forced closing, execution of numerical and experimental studies.  Цель статьи – совершенствование технологии получения высокоточных линз с тонким центром, при обработке которых в настоящее время их закрепляют на приспособление за исполнительные поверхности посредством наклеечного вещества, что вызывает упругие деформации в стекле и является источником локальных погрешностей на деталях.Разработана математическая модель процесса одновременной двусторонней обработки высокоточных оптических деталей со сферическими поверхностями. В результате получены аналитические выражения, позволяющие рассчитать скорость скольжения в произвольной точке на обрабатываемой сферической поверхности в зависимости от вида и величины наладочных параметров технологического оборудования. Используя эти выражения совместно с функциональной зависимостью of pressure давления от величины зоны контакта притирающихся поверхностей инструмента и детали, выполнен расчет параметра Q = Pv в диаметральном сечении линзы с выпукло-вогнутой поверхностью.Проведены теоретико-экспериментальные исследования характера изменения параметра Q по обрабатываемой поверхности линзы для различных наладочных параметров технологического оборудования и выявлены оптимальные их значения, обеспечивающие преимущественный съем припуска в центральной или краевой зоне детали, или равномерное распределение съема по всей обрабатываемой поверхности.Предложена схема станка для одновременного двустороннего шлифования и полирования линз при закреплении их за боковую (цилиндрическую) поверхность. Кинематика станка позволяет гибко и в широких пределах изменять его наладочные параметры, что существенно облегчает управление процессом формообразования деталей с высокоточными сферическими поверхностями.Методика проведения исследований: математическое моделирование процесса формообразования высокоточных сферических поверхностей в условиях силового замыкания, проведение численных и экспериментальных исследований

Optimization of intravascular volume determination in patients with acute decompensated heart failure

Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is based on multilevel pathological pathways, which include hemodynamic overload and venous stasis. Determination of the volemic status is one of the most important tasks in managing such patients. Despite the availability of modern diagnostic markers (physical examination, chest x-ray, and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) assessment), they do not accurately assess the degree of fluid overload, and therefore there remains a need to find a new, accurate and simple technology for assessing pulmonary congestion. The urgency of this problem has led to the development of a novel non-invasive remote dielectric sensing (ReDS) technology, which is a quantitative method for measuring the total volume of lung fluid by determining the tissue dielectric properties. The use of this technology makes it possible to quickly, non-invasively and quantitatively measure the fluid content in the lungs, makes it possible to optimize the treatment regimen and reduces the number of readmissions. This article presents the results of studies on the efficacy, safety and prospects for using a ReDS technology for the quantitative measurement of total lung fluid in patients with ADHF

Моделирование геометрических и кинематических связей технологического оборудования для двусторонней обработки линз

A kinematic scheme of the machine for simultaneous bilateral processing of lenses is provided and a mathematical description of its working zone is executed. The mathematical model of geometrical and kinematic relationship of input and output links of the executive mechanism of the mentioned machine is developed Analytical expressions for the figurative speed of the top and lower tools are obtamed and a method of calculation of laws of their returnable rotary motion is offered.Приведена кинематическая схема станка для одновременной двусторонней обработки линз и выполнено математическое описание его рабочей зоны. Разработана математическая модель геометрических и кинематических связей входного и выходного звеньев исполнительного механизма упомянутого станка. Получены аналитические выражения для переносной скорости верхнего и нижнего инструментов и предложена методика расчета законов их возвратно-вращательного движения

Long-term results of infertility treatment in patients with peritoneal endometriosis based on gene polymorphism of N-acetyltransferase 2

It is known that almost every fourth patient combined with endometriosis infertility. Despite numerous studies, the role of the disease in the mechanisms of fertility decline has not yet been established. Polymorphism of detoxification genes, determine the phenotypic characteristics of patients and affects the efficiency of the treatment of infertility. Found that patients with infertility , peritoneal endometriosis and NAT2 gene mutations have a number of clinical and anamnestic features, and that had become pregnant as a result of treatment, patients frequency of allelic polymorphism NAT2 ( S.341T > С, c.481C> T, c.590G> A and c.803A> G) is 3 times lower than nezaberemenevshih. The data obtained are several ideas about expanding the etiopathogenesis of endometriosis and infertility, and will be the basis for improving the efficiency of methods of diagnosis, prevention and treatment of endometriosis and infertility.Известно, что почти у каждой четвертой пациентки эндометриоз сочетается с бесплодием. Несмотря на многочисленные исследования, роль зтого заболевания в механизмах снижения фертильности до настоящего времени не установлена. Результаты проведенного исследования показали, что полиморфизм системы генов детоксикации (NAT2), определяет фенотипические особенности пациенток и влияет на эффективность лечения бесплодия. Доказано, что у забеременевших в результате лечения пациенток частота встречаемости аллельного полиморфизма гена NAT2 (с.341Т>С, с.481С>Т, c.590G>A и c.803A>G) в 3 раза ниже, чем у незабеременевших. Полученные данные несколько расширяют представления об этиопатогенезе зндометриоза и бесплодия и являются основанием для повышение эффективности методов диагностики, профилактики и лечения