Gaze During Turning in Older Adults

To navigate complex environments, our gaze needs to attenuate to locomotor tasks, such as walking and turning. Shifting gaze (i.e., rotation of the eyes and head), is important when moving through different environments. The aim of this study was to compare gaze anticipation during clinical tests and complex real-world locomotion. I hypothesized that older adults would shift their gaze in a new heading direction in anticipation of turns. I further predicted increased gaze anticipation in tasks that have a high demand for spatial orientation. Participants were asked to complete clinical tasks consisting of a 2-minute walk, figure-8, and 360-turning in place, and to navigate along a hallway consisting of a variety of turns to the left and right. Eye-tracking glasses were worn by the participant to collect horizontal head and eye movements. My findings highlight the importance of eye and head coordination for locomotion. Moreover, gaze attenuation was highly task specific. Real-world situations required increased spatial orientation, and in turn, increased eye and head movements to complete the task. This suggests different tasks require different levels of spatial orientation and clinical tests should be adequately complex to produce ecologically valid results

Income inequality and house prices - the case of Bulgaria

During the years of the global crisis in Bulgaria a housing bubble were developed and at the same time our country shows the highest income inequality among the EU countries. The purpouse of the research is to take part on the current debate about the link between income inequality and housing prices and to examine this relationship for Bulgaria. The Gini coefficient and Palma ratio were used as a measure of income inequality, and housing prices are presented in nominal and real terms for the period 2006-2019. The results of the regression analysis show a positive relationship between income inequality and housing prices in all cases, and for the period after the crisis the correlation coefficient is positive and extremely high and equal to 0.9

Catching-up countries - lessons for Bulgaria

The data show that nowadays Bulgaria is lagging far behind in its development than other countries in the European Union. That is why catching up with developed countries is a key task for bulgarian economy. The article explores the causes that accelerate economic growth. For this purpose, five countries with the highest average annual GDP per capita growth rates for the period 1870-2016 are identified. Data used comes from the Maddison Project Database. By selecting and analyzing theoretical and empirical literature examining the success of these five countries, it is concluded that catching up is possible, but a unique, economic model is needed. At the same time, those factors, without which rapid development is impossible are determined

Income inequality and health during the Covid-19 pandemic – Bulgaria compared to some European countries

The paper analyzes the relationship between income inequality and health with a focus on the years of the Covid-19 pandemic. Income inequality is measured by the Gini coefficient of income, and health is measured by Excess deaths in 2020 per 100,000 population, relative to the 2017-2019 average. Data of both variables are from the World Happiness Report 2021. The number of European countries covered are 36 including the United States and Israel. The calculated correlation coefficient (0.37) shows a significant positive correlation between the Gini index and excess deaths in 2020. The conclusion is made that too high income inequality is at least part of the explanation why Bulgaria is hit harder by the COVID-19 pandemic than all other countries in the world

The labor share of income and income inequality

The paper aims to explore the link between the labor share and income inequality. Ten of the most advanced market economies are being studied. OECD statistics are used as the information basis for the labor share. The income inequality is measured by the Gini index and the Frederic Solt database is used. It is found that in 80% of the countries surveyed the decrease in the labor share increases the income inequality. This relationship is most pronounced in the countries following the Anglo-Saxon liberal market model of development

INCIDENCE OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS: LOCAL STUDY IN UKRAINE

Introduction.The structure of incidence of sexually transmitted infections is changing constantly. Information on such changes supports correct planning of clinical and diagnostic activities of institutions providing specialized medical care by qualified specialists.Objective:to investigate the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections with pathogens clinically significant to the genitourinary system in Ukraine and at the local level.Materials and methods. Polymerase chain reaction was used to test the biological material obtained from the genitourinary clinical specimens from subjects with sexually transmitted infections, who underwent clinical and laboratory examinations in Oleksandrivsk Clinical Hospital (Kyiv, Ukraine) for Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma hominis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Trichomonas vaginalis, Human papillomavirus, and Neisseria gonorrhoea. During 2017, 607 subjects of both genders, including 295 (48.6%) females and 312 (51.4%) males, were examined. Their mean age was 32±3.5.Findings. Chlamydia trachomatis was found in 159 (26.2%) of 607 examined subjects – 85 males and 74 females. Mycoplasma hominis was found in 122 of 585 (21.1%) examined subjects – 64 males and 58 females. Mycoplasma genitalium, respectively, in 17 (6.62%) of 258 subjects – 6 males and 11 females. Ureaplasma urealyticum was found in the largest number of subjects (305, i.e. in 48.77% of 601 examined subjects) – 157 males and 148 females. Trichomonas vaginalis was found in 28 (5.23%) of 535 subjects – 15 males and 13 females. Human papillomavirus was found in 158 of 297 (53.2%) examined subjects – 88 males and 70 females. Neisseria gonorrhea was found in 33 of 297 (8.45%) subjects – 8 males and 25 females.Conclusions. As suggested by the local study of the sexually transmitted infections incidence in Ukraine, the most clinically significant for the genitourinary system are Human papillomavirus (53.2%), Ureaplasma urealyticum (48.77%), Chlamydia trachomatis (26.2%) and Mycoplasma hominis (21.1%). Therefore, tests for these pathogens in the specified region is currently the most appropriate during diagnostic examinations and counselling of subjects with genitourinary infections.Introduction.The structure of incidence of sexually transmitted infections is changing constantly. Information on such changes supports correct planning of clinical and diagnostic activities of institutions providing specialized medical care by qualified specialists.Objective:to investigate the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections with pathogens clinically significant to the genitourinary system in Ukraine and at the local level.Materials and methods. Polymerase chain reaction was used to test the biological material obtained from the genitourinary clinical specimens from subjects with sexually transmitted infections, who underwent clinical and laboratory examinations in Oleksandrivsk Clinical Hospital (Kyiv, Ukraine) for Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma hominis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Trichomonas vaginalis, Human papillomavirus, and Neisseria gonorrhoea. During 2017, 607 subjects of both genders, including 295 (48.6%) females and 312 (51.4%) males, were examined. Their mean age was 32±3.5.Findings. Chlamydia trachomatis was found in 159 (26.2%) of 607 examined subjects – 85 males and 74 females. Mycoplasma hominis was found in 122 of 585 (21.1%) examined subjects – 64 males and 58 females. Mycoplasma genitalium, respectively, in 17 (6.62%) of 258 subjects – 6 males and 11 females. Ureaplasma urealyticum was found in the largest number of subjects (305, i.e. in 48.77% of 601 examined subjects) – 157 males and 148 females. Trichomonas vaginalis was found in 28 (5.23%) of 535 subjects – 15 males and 13 females. Human papillomavirus was found in 158 of 297 (53.2%) examined subjects – 88 males and 70 females. Neisseria gonorrhea was found in 33 of 297 (8.45%) subjects – 8 males and 25 females.Conclusions. As suggested by the local study of the sexually transmitted infections incidence in Ukraine, the most clinically significant for the genitourinary system are Human papillomavirus (53.2%), Ureaplasma urealyticum (48.77%), Chlamydia trachomatis (26.2%) and Mycoplasma hominis (21.1%). Therefore, tests for these pathogens in the specified region is currently the most appropriate during diagnostic examinations and counselling of subjects with genitourinary infections

Medico-legal and obstetric challenges of recent demographic increases in Malta

The southern Mediterranean island of Malta, strategically located between North Africa and Europe and a full member of the European Union, offers an excellent European standard obstetric service. Yet, this obstetric service, like all other medical disciplines, is undergoing a severe evolutionary challenge imposed by rapid demographic shifts. It also finds itself without significant and relevant medico-legal legislation which is likely to lead to serious acute needs at the interface between the rapidly changing nature and number of foreigners residing in Malta and their medical needs, especially in the obstetric sector.The article looks at several factors, which argue for the immediate need of implementation of such legislation. One aspect of crucial importance is the demographic fact of rapidly changing profile of the patients making use of the Maltese Obstetric Service (MOS). This is the result of an influx of both EU nationals as well as irregular migrants, mostly of sub-Saharan origin. Both provide their own form of challenges to the MOS. In both, albeit more likely in the case of EU nationals, these challenges may easily find expression and resolution in eventual medico-legal action.

A LUENBERGER OBSERVER FOR AN INFINITE DIMENSIONAL BILINEAR SYSTEM: A UV DISINFECTION EXAMPLE

Abstract: Inspired by the UV disinfection processes in food and water treatment industry, we design a Luenberger observer which works at the boundary of the infinite dimensional bilinear system. Existence of a solution, stability and some observer design issues are shown. Simulations of a disinfection process and its observer illustrate the results

НОВІТНІ МЕТОДИ СТРИМУВАННЯ ІНФЕКЦІЙ, ЩО ПЕРЕДАЮТЬСЯ СТАТЕВИМ ШЛЯХОМ

Every day, more than 1 million people are infected with sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which constitute a significant part of human morbidity and increase the risk of acquiring human immuno­deficiency virus (HIV). Existing strategies for controlling and preventing STIs, including behavioral interventions, condom distribution and timely treatment, did not result in a significant reduction, indicating the need for new strategies. The aim of this review is to synthesize new biomedical approaches to STI prevention, including multi-purpose technologies, as well as to identify the scientific and organizational obstacles that need to be addressed. For the period from 1990 to 2018, the results of their own researches, articles found in the PubMed database, UNAIDS global reports (UNAIDS), the United Nations AIDS Action Agencies, country reports, World Health Organization (WHO) materials, were analyzed. A systematic analysis of clinical studies of female condoms, local gel-based microbicides, vaginal rings, tablets, films and nanofibers was conducted. The state of chemical prophylaxis of genital herpes, trichomonas was analyzed. The principles of multi-purpose prevention technology (MPT) and prospects of research was presented. Conclusion. HIV and other STIs are part of global health crises. At the present time, new MPT are being developed for protection against HIV and STIs, taking into account mechanisms of infection, cultural and social factors.Кожен день більше 1 млн осіб заражаються на інфекції, що передаються статевим шляхом (ІПСШ), які становлять значну частину захворюваності людства, а також підвищують ризик придбання вірусу імунодефіциту людини (ВІЛ). Існуючі стратегії профілактики та запобігання ІПСШ, включаючи зміну поведінки, розповсюдження презервативів і своєчасну терапію, не привели до їх суттєвого скорочення, що вказує на необхідність пошуку нових стратегій. Мета цього огляду – узагальнити нові біомедичні підходи до профілактики ІПСШ, включаючи багатоцільові технології, а також виявити наукові та організаційні перешкоди, які необхідно подолати. Матеріали і методи. За період 1990-2018 рр. аналізувалися результати власних досліджень, статті, знайдені в базі даних PubMed, глобальні звіти UNAIDS (ЮНЕЙДС) – агентства об’єднаних націй з боротьби зі СНІДом, звіти окремих країн, матеріали Всесвітньої організації охорони здоров’я (ВООЗ). Результати. Проведено систематичний аналіз клінічних досліджень жіночих презервативів, місцевих мікробіцидів на основі гелю, вагінальних кілець, таблеток, плівок та нановолокон. Проаналізовано стан хімічної профілактики генітального герпесу, трихомонозу. Наведено принципи багатоцільової технології профілактики (БТП) та перспективи досліджень. Висновок. ВІЛ та інші ІПСШ є частиною глобальної кризи охорони здоров’я. В даний час розробляються нові БТП для захисту від ВІЛ й ІПСШ з урахуванням механізмів зараження та культурних і соціальних чинників