Comparative research of empathy among Russian and Chinese students

The aim of this work is the study of the universal and specific characteristics of empathy of students from Russia and China.Methods. The methods involve the analysis and generalization of literature on the concept and structure of empathy, the influence of cultural factors on this phenomenon. The research is performed in line with the cross-cultural approach. Data are obtained using two methods: «Diagnostics of the level of poly-communications empathy» by I. M. Yusupov and «Diagnostics of the level of empathic abilities» by V. V. Boyko (in the modification of V. V. Boyko and O. A. Klitsenko).Results. The influence of cultural factor the formation of the components of empathy and the severity of the empathy towards various social objects are analyzed. Specific characteristics of empathy of students from Russia (generalization, association, high severity emotional component of empathy) and from China (differentiation and selective empathy) are detected. Two universal characteristics are founded: empathy to the parents to be stronger than for other social objects, and also equally expressed the cognitive component of empathy.Scientific novelty. The study has proved that it is not enough to examine only the level of development of empathy. It is necessary to study its emotional and cognitive components, as well as orientation towards various social objects.Practical significance. Recommendations for creation of more comfortable and safe educational environment in Russian Higher educational institutions for students from China are proposed.Целью публикации является изложение результатов исследования универсальных и специфических особенностей эмпатии у студентов из России и Китая. Методы. В работе использовались анализ и обобщение литературы о понятии и структуре эмпатии, влиянии культурного фактора на этот феномен. Исследование выполнено в русле кросс-культурного подхода. Данные были получены с помощью методик «Диагностика уровня поликоммуникативной эмпатии» И. М. Юсупова и «Диагностика уровня эмпатических способностей» В. В. Бойко (в модификации В. В. Бойко и О. А. Клиценко). Результаты. Проанализировано влияние культурного фактора на формирование компонентов эмпатии и ее выраженность по отношению к различным социальным объектам. Выявлены специфические особенности эмпатии студентов из России (генерализованность, интегрированность, высокая выраженность эмоционального компонента эмпатии) и Китая (дифференцированность и избирательность эмпатии). Также были обнаружены две универсальные особенности: эмпатия к родителям выражена у студентов обеих стран сильнее, чем к другим социальным объектам, а также одинаково представлен когнитивный компонент эмпатии. Научная новизна. Автор статьи доказывает, что недостаточно изучить только уровень развития эмпатии. Необходимо исследование ее эмоционального и когнитивного компонентов, а также направленности на различные социальные объекты. Практическая значимость. Сформулированы рекомендации для создания в российских высших учебных заведениях более комфортной и безопасной образовательной среды для студентов из Кита

Sentinel headache as a warning symptom of ischemic stroke

Background: There are no previous controlled studies of sentinel headache in ischemic stroke. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the presence of such headache, its characteristics and possible risk factors as compared to a simultaneous control group. Methods: Eligible patients (n = 550) had first-ever acute ischemic stroke with presence of new infarction on magnetic resonance imaging with diffusion-weighted imaging (n = 469) or on computed tomography (n = 81). As a control group we studied in parallel patients (n = 192) who were admitted to the emergency room without acute neurological deficits or serious neurological or somatic disorders. Consecutive patients with stroke and a simultaneous control group were extensively interviewed soon after admission using validated neurologist conducted semi-structured interview forms. Based on our previous study of sentinel headache in transient ischemic attacks we defined sentinel headache as a new type of headache or a previous kind of headache with altered characteristics (severe intensity, increased frequency, absence of effect of drugs) within seven days before stroke. Results: Among 550 patients with stroke 94 patients (17.1%) had headache during seven days before stroke and 12 (6.2%) controls (p < 0.001; OR 3.9; 95% CI 1.7-5.8). Totally 81 patients (14.7%) had sentinel headache within the last week before stroke and one control. Attacks of arrythmia during seven days before stroke were significantly associated with sentinel headache (p = 0.04, OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.1-4.8). Conclusions: A new type of headache and a previous kind of headache with altered characteristics during one week before stroke are significantly more prevalent than in controls. These headaches represent sentinel headaches. Sudden onset of such headaches should alarm about stroke. © 2020 The Author(s)

The characteristics of reflexivity of younger and middle adolescents

The article is devoted to the problem of development of reflection in the adolescence at the age 11–12 and 13–14. It is shown that there are differences in development of reflexivity of younger and middle adolescents. The structure of relations between reflexivity and locus of control and empathy is investigated by means of factor analysis. The specific of reflexivity of younger and middle adolescents is analyzed. Data are given is used for adaptation of program aimed for development of younger and middle adolescents’ reflexivity by means of debate technology.В статье рассматривается проблема развития рефлексии у подростков 11–12 и 13–14 лет. Выявлены различия в развитии рефлексивности у младших и средних подростков. Посредством факторного анализа и учена структура связей рефлексивности с локусом контроля и эмпатией, проанализирована специфика рефлексивности младших и средних подростков. Полученные результаты используются для адаптации программы по развитию рефлексивности у данных возрастных групп с помощью технологии «Дебаты»

Use Of Plants To Remediate Soil Polluted With Oil

In the present investigation the growing and development ability of various annual and perennial plants to grow on model peat substrate artificially polluted with oil products in the range of concentrations from 1 to 5% was evaluated. The highest tolerance towards peat contamination by oil products has been demonstrated by three annual crops (maize, oat and lupine). These plants were tested for phytoremediation of polluted black soil from the area of oil refinery plant (Mazeikiai, Lithuania), which was treated by association of oil oxidizing bacteria up to residual concentration of the oil products of 4.5 %. The maize plants revealed the highest remediation ability: oil content in the soil decreased by ~ 1.5 times in one month plant vegetation

Galactic Rotation Parameters from Data on Open Star Clusters

Currently available data on the field of velocities Vr, Vl, Vb for open star clusters are used to perform a kinematic analysis of various samples that differ by heliocentric distance, age, and membership in individual structures (the Orion, Carina--Sagittarius, and Perseus arms). Based on 375 clusters located within 5 kpc of the Sun with ages up to 1 Gyr, we have determined the Galactic rotation parameters Wo =-26.0+-0.3 km/s/kpc, W'o = 4.18+-0.17 km/s/kpc^2, W''o=-0.45+-0.06 km/s/kpc^3, the system contraction parameter K = -2.4+-0.1 km/s/kpc, and the parameters of the kinematic center Ro =7.4+-0.3 kpc and lo = 0+-1 degrees. The Galactocentric distance Ro in the model used has been found to depend significantly on the sample age. Thus, for example, it is 9.5+-0.7 kpc and 5.6+-0.3 kpc for the samples of young (50 Myr) clusters, respectively. Our study of the kinematics of young open star clusters in various spiral arms has shown that the kinematic parameters are similar to the parameters obtained from the entire sample for the Carina-Sagittarius and Perseus arms and differ significantly from them for the Orion arm. The contraction effect is shown to be typical of star clusters with various ages. It is most pronounced for clusters with a mean age of 100 Myr, with the contraction velocity being Kr = -4.3+-1.0 km/s.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figures, 2 table

Migraine before rupture of intracranial aneurysms

BACKGROUND: Rupture of a saccular intracranial aneurysm (SIA) causes thunderclap headache but it remains unclear whether headache in general and migraine in particular are more prevalent in patients with unruptured SIA. METHODS: In a prospective case–control study 199 consecutive patients with SIA (103 females and 96 males, mean age: 43.2 years) received a semistructured face to face interview focusing on past headaches. All were admitted to hospital mostly because of rupture (177) or for unruptured aneurysm (22). In parallel we interviewed 194 blood donors (86 females, 108 males, mean age: 38.4 years). Diagnoses were made according to the International Headache Society criteria. Aneurysms were diagnosed by conventional cerebral angiography. RESULTS: During the year before rupture, 124 (62.3%) had one or more types of headache. These headaches included: migraine without aura (MO): 78 (39.2%), migraine with aura (MA): 2 (1%), probable migraine (PM): 4 (2%), tension-type headache (TTH): 39 (19.6%), cluster headache (CH): 2 (1%), posttraumatic headaches (PH): 2 (1%). 1-year prevalence of headaches in controls was 32.5% (63 patients out of 194), they included: TTH: 45 (23.1%), MO: 17(8.8%), PH: 1(0.5%). Only the prevalence of MO was significantly higher in patients with SIA (OR 6.7, 95% CI 3.8-11.9, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Unruptured SIA cause a marked increase in the prevalence of migraine without aura but not in the prevalence of other types of headache

Diagnostic Criteria for Acute Headache Attributed to Ischemic Stroke and for Sentinel Headache Before Ischemic Stroke

Background: Defining the relationship between a headache and stroke is essential. The current diagnostic criteria of the ICHD-3 for acute headache attributed to ischemic stroke are based primarily on the opinion of experts rather than on published clinical evidence based on extensive case-control studies in patients with first-ever stroke. Diagnostic criteria for sentinel headache before ischemic stroke do not exist. The present study aimed to develop explicit diagnostic criteria for headache attributed to ischemic stroke and for sentinel headache. Methods: This prospective case-control study included 550 patients (mean age 63.1, 54% males) with first-ever ischemic stroke and 192 control patients (mean age 58.7, 36% males) admitted to the emergency room without any acute neurological deficits or severe disorders. Standardized semi-structured interview forms were used to evaluate past and present headaches during face-to-face interviews by a neurologist on admission to the emergency room in both groups of patients. All headaches were diagnosed according to the ICHD-3. We tabulated the onset of different headaches before a first-ever ischemic stroke and at the time of onset of stroke. We divided them into three groups: a new type of headache, the previous headache with altered characteristics and previous unaltered headaches. The same was done for headaches in control patients within one week before admission to the hospital and at the time of entry. These data were used to create and test diagnostic criteria for acute headache attributed to stroke and sentinel headache. Results: Our previous studies showed that headache at onset of ischemic stroke was present in 82 (14.9%) of 550 patients, and 81 (14.7%) patients had sentinel headache within the last week before a stroke. Only 60% of the headaches at stroke onset fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of ICHD-3. Therefore, we proposed alternative criteria with a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 97%. Besides, we developed diagnostic criteria for sentinel headache for the first time with a specificity of 98% and a sensitivity of 100%. Conclusions: We suggest alternative diagnostic criteria for acute headache attributed to ischemic stroke and new diagnostic criteria for sentinel headache with high sensitivity and specificity. © 2022, The Author(s)

Persistent headache after first-ever ischemic stroke: clinical characteristics and factors associated with its development

Background: It is poorly described how often headache attributed to stroke continues for more than 3 months, i.e. fulfils the criteria for persistent headache attributed to ischemic stroke. Our aims were: 1) to determine the incidence of persistent headache attributed to past first-ever ischemic stroke (International headache society categories 6.1.1.2); 2) to describe their characteristics and acute treatment; 3) to analyse the prevalence of medication overuse headache in patients with persistent headache after stroke; 4) to evaluate factors associated with the development of persistent headache after stroke. Methods: The study population consisted of 550 patients (mean age 63.1, 54% males) with first-ever ischemic stroke, among them 529 patients were followed up at least three months after stroke. Standardized semi-structured interview forms were used to evaluate these headaches during professional face-to-face interviews at stroke onset and telephone interviews at 3 months. Results: At three months, 61 patients (30 women and 31 men, the mean age 60.0) of 529 (11.5%) follow-up patients had a headache after stroke: 34 had a new type of headache, 21 had a headache with altered characteristics and 6 patients had a headache without any changes. Therefore 55 (10.4%) patients had a persistent headache attributed to ischemic stroke. Their clinical features included: less severity of accompanying symptoms, slowly decreasing frequency and development of medication overuse headache in one-third of the patients. The following factors were associated with these headaches: lack of sleep (29.1%, p = 0.009; OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.2–4.3), infarct in cerebellum (18.2%, p = 0.003; OR 3.0; 95% CI 1.4–6.6), stroke of undetermined etiology (50.9%, p = 0.003; OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.3–4.1), less than 8 points by NIHSS score (90.9%, p = 0.007; OR 3.4; 95% CI 1.4–8.6) and low prevalence of large-artery atherosclerosis (12.7%, p = 0.006; OR 0.3; 95% CI 0.2–0.80). Conclusion: Persistent headache attributed to ischemic stroke is not rare and frequently leads to medication overuse. The problem is often neglected because of other serious consequences of stroke but actually, it has a considerable impact on quality of life. It should be a focus of interest in the follow-up of stroke patients. © 2022, The Author(s).We thank Tatiana S. Tsypushkina and Polina A. Philimonova for the help with data collection. None