Dostoevsky’s Women: Finding a Voice

In Fyodor Dostoevsky\u27s works Notes from Underground, Crime and Punishment, and The Idiot, the characters of Lisa, Sonya, and Nastasya Filippovna reveal the author\u27s inability to envision an autonomous woman leading a functional life independent of male influence. These three female characters possess distinct levels of credibility, independence, and predictability. In an evaluation of Dostoevsky\u27s female characters, one must not only address whether these characters are well-rounded, but also question whether Dostoevsky\u27s female characters author their own stories with a unique voice or whether male protagonists always overpower them. Both Lisa and Sonya are ultimately defined by the male protagonists in their respective novels and are so idealized that they seem unrealistic. While Lisa and Sonya fail to be either completely credible or well-rounded, Dostoevsky proves with his character of Nastasya Filippovna that he is capable of creating a believable, authentic, and autonomous female character. Nevertheless, it is precisely this independent character who actively seeks her own self-destruction, illustrating that the credible, autonomous cannot properly function in Dostoevsky\u27s literary world

An attempt to obtain Bi_{4}Ti_{3}O_{12}-PVC textured ceramics-polymer composites

Bi_{4}Ti_{3}O_{12}-PVC composites were fabricated. Ceramics powders of bismuth titanate were prepared by the sol-gel method using bismuth nitrate pentahydrate Bi(NO_{3})_{3} \cdot 5H_{2}O and tetrabutyl titanate Ti(CH_{3}(CH_{2})_{3}O)_{4} as precursors. The Bi_{4}Ti_{3}O_{12}-PVC composites were fabricated from ceramics powders and polymer powders by hot-pressing method.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Instrumental and anthropometric studies in physical rehabilitation of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease of unknown etiology, characterised by pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints of the hands and feet, but the disease can also affect other joints. The disease is quite common among rheumatological pathologies and is observed in an average of 1% of the population. A thorough examination of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis, early detection of the main radiological signs of the disease, the level of functional and organic disorders, and the establishment of a rehabilitation diagnosis are essential, which is the basis for building a further personalised physical rehabilitation programme. The purpose of the paper is to determine the severity of the disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis using instrumental and anthropometric methods of research to form an individual approach to rehabilitation. Materials and methods: the study was conducted on the basis of the Rheumatology Department and the Department of Rehabilitation Treatment with Traditional and Alternative Methods of the Rivne Regional Clinical Hospital named after Yuriy Semenyuk. The study involved 216 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, including 178 women (82%) and 38 men (18%). The patients were aged 25 to 59 years (mean age – 46±0.24). The following research methods were used: questionnaire, history taking, objective examination, instrumental methods of research (radiography), anthropometric methods (Ketle index), statistical methods. Results. Clinical and radiological stage I was diagnosed in 50 (23 %) patients, stage II – in 102 (47 %) patients, and stage III – in 64 patients (30 %). It was found that most patients had radiological stage II with characteristic radiological symptoms (periarticular osteoporosis with minor destruction of the subchondral bone; slight narrowing of the joint gaps, single usurps). Average body mass index values indicate that patients are generally overweight, which is a negative factor in the onset and progression of rheumatoid arthritis. Body mass index is an important indicator in determining the indications for treatment and rehabilitation. Conclusion. As a result of the examination, we found that most patients with rheumatoid arthritis were diagnosed with clinical and radiological stage II. The average BMI values indicate that, in general, patients are overweight, which is a negative factor in the progression of rheumatoid arthritis. The above data give grounds for the development and implementation of the concept of physical rehabilitation of patients with rheumatoid arthritis aimed at reducing clinical symptoms of the disease, reducing body mass index and improving the quality of life of patients

The effectiveness of the physical therapy programme on the dynamometry and power index of the upper extremities of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

The purpose of the paper is to determine the effectiveness of the physical therapy programme on the dynamometry and power index of the upper extremities of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Materials and methods. A total of 188 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were examined, including 156 women (83%) and 32 men (17%), with an average age of 45 years. All patients were randomly assigned to the control (n=92) and intervention (n=96) groups. Patients in the control group underwent rehabilitation in accordance with the recommendations of the regulatory document of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. The subjects of the main group were engaged in the proposed technology of rehabilitation measures with a personalised approach to each patient, in accordance with the domains of the ICF, taking into account the factors influencing the level of functional impairment. Dynamometry was used to determine the strength of the hand flexor muscles of the affected upper extremities. The strength index of the hand muscles (relative strength index) was calculated in percentage, which is important for assessing the functional ability of the affected limb. The difference in means was considered significant at p<0.05. The obtained digital material was processed statistically using the Statistica 10 statistical analysis package (Serial Number: STA999K347150-W). Results. Both standard treatment and physical therapy after 3 months contributed to the improvement of dynamometry and power index in the affected upper limbs of all patients. However, in patients of the main group, the changes were more pronounced than in patients of the control group, where the indicators were lower. After 6 months of physical therapy, there was a significant improvement in muscle strength in patients of the main group: in the right limb it increased from 32.8±3.5 kg to 36.6±4.0 kg, in the left – from 28.5±3.52 kg to 32.2±3.5 kg (p<0.05). Patients in the control group also showed an increase in muscle strength in both limbs (from 30.7±3.3 kg to 33.2±3.1 kg in the right to 25.8±3.7 kg to 28.1±3.6 kg in the left), but the dynamometry values were significantly lower. Accordingly, the power index of the right limb in patients of the main group increased from 42.1% to 48.9%, the left limb – from 36.2% to 42.1%, which is significantly higher than in patients of the control group - from 39.3% to 44.5% (right limb) and from 33.4% to 37.8% (left limb) (p<0.05). Conclusion. Both standard treatment and physical therapy after 3 and 6 months contributed to the improvement of dynamometry and power index in the affected upper extremities of all patients. However, in patients of the main group, the changes were more pronounced than in patients of the control group, where the indicators were significantly lower, which confirms the effectiveness of the implemented rehabilitation measures

Assessment of the functional status of patients with rheumatoid arthritis as a result of the physical therapy programme

Annotation. A differentiated strategy for the rehabilitation treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis is the development and implementation of a comprehensive therapeutic programme that includes the use of non-drug measures in addition to conservative therapy. The purpose of the paper is to evaluate the functional status of patients with rheumatoid arthritis as a result of the proposed physical therapy programme. Materials and methods. A total of 188 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were examined, with an average age of 44.9±7.6 years. All patients were randomly assigned to the control (n=92) and intervention (n=96) groups. Patients in the control group underwent rehabilitation in accordance with the recommendations of the regulatory document of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. The physical therapy programme for patients of the main group is developed in accordance with the domains of the ICF, taking into account the factors that affect the level of functional impairment, health status and quality of life. The effectiveness of the proposed physical therapy programme on the functional status of patients with rheumatoid arthritis was assessed by the results of the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire. Results. At the beginning of the study, the total score for patients in the control group was 6.3±0.7 points and for the intervention group - 6.5±9.5 points. The greatest difficulties arose in getting dressed, including tying laces and fastening buttons, opening and closing a tap, bringing a full cup to the mouth, bending over and picking up an object from the floor. After 3 months, significantly better changes occurred in patients of the main group compared to the control group. So, in the patients of the main group, the total score decreased to 3.9±11.1 points, in the control group this score was worse and amounted to 4.7±2.3 points. After the treatment and physical therapy in 6 months, the functional status of patients in both groups improved, but the total score in the main group was significantly better and closer to normal (1.8±12.2 points) than in patients in the control group (2.9±4.1 points). Significantly better results of functional status indicators in patients of the main group indicate the effectiveness of the proposed physical therapy programme. Conclusion. Increased motor activity in the joints, muscle strength in the affected upper extremities as a result of the proposed physical therapy programme contributed to the improvement of daily activities and functional status of patients in the main group, as evidenced by the results of the Stanford Health Interview. Thus, significantly better changes occurred in the patients of the main group compared to the control group, where conventional rehabilitation treatment was performed

Енергетична складова Російсько-венесуєльського партнерства. (ENERGY COMPONENTS OF RUSSIAN-VENEZUELAN PARTNERSHIP.)

У статті розглянуто основні аспекти російсько-венесуельського співробітництва в енергетичній сфері. Окреслено проблеми, здобутки та сучасні тенденції розвитку двостороннього партнерства в енергетичній галузі. (In the article was considered the main aspects of Russia-Venezuela cooperation in energy sphere. It was identifed problems, achievements and modern tendencies of development of bilateral partnership in energy branch.

Determination of hand functionality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis based on the results of a physical therapy programme

At present, there is a significant increase in the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis, which significantly affects the patient's quality of life and leads to a permanent loss of their ability to work, which is an important medical and social problem in Ukraine. The purpose of the paper is to determine the functional capabilities of the hand in patients with rheumatoid arthritis according to the results of the physical therapy programme. Materials and methods. The study examined 188 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, whose average age was 44.9±7.6 years. All patients were randomly assigned to the control (n=92) and intervention (n=96) groups. Patients in the control group underwent rehabilitation in accordance with the recommendations of the regulatory document of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. For the patients of the main group, a rehabilitation intervention technology was scientifically substantiated and developed, including physical therapy means with a personalised approach to each patient, taking into account the factors affecting the level of functional impairment and quality of life. The physical therapy programme included the following elements: therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, orthotics, kinesiotaping of the upper extremities, mechanotherapy and psychological support. The Sollerman hand function test was used to determine the functional capabilities of the hand. Results. Increased mobility in the joints of the upper extremities and muscle strength 3 months after both standard treatment and physical therapy contributed to the improvement of manipulative function and activity of the hand in everyday life, as evidenced by the Sollerman test. However, significantly better changes occurred in patients of the main group compared to the control group. Thus, in patients of the main group, after 3 months, the average Sollerman test scores increased to 65.1±5.3 points, in the control group this figure was significantly lower than 61.8±3.6 points (±S) (р<0,05). Accordingly, the average Sollerman test score in patients of the main group increased from 65.1±5.3 points to 70.2±6.3 points, which is significantly higher than in patients of the control group – from 61.8±3.6 points to 65.1±3.8 points (±S) (р<0,05). Conclusion. After a 6-month course of physical therapy, patients in the main group showed better results in the Sollerman test than in the control group, which indicates the effectiveness of the proposed technology of rehabilitation measures. Consequently, the functional capacity of the hands significantly increased in the patients of the main group, which improved self-care, performance, daily activity and quality of life

Main provisions of the concept of physical therapy for patients with rheumatoid arthritis

The purpose, main tasks and principles of the author's concept are defined, conceptual approaches to the problems of physical therapy of patients with rheumatoid arthritis are analyzed. The main approaches to the prerequisites for the development of the author's concept of restoring the quality of life of patients with rheumatoid arthritis are considered, which include: biological, social and personal prerequisites. A system of restoration and improvement of the quality of life of patients with rheumatoid arthritis has been developed, which consists in the integrated application of rehabilitation measures, taking into account the individual and interdisciplinary approach to each patient in each of the recovery periods. The methodological approaches in accordance with the domains of the International classification of functioning, taking into account the factors that affect the level of functional impairment and quality of life of the patient, are taken into account. It is emphasised that the proposed concept was holistic in nature, based on the targeted use of a comprehensive psychological, pedagogical, medical and rehabilitation approach, physical therapy programmes were individually selected for each patient, taking into account functional joint disability, rheumatoid arthritis activity, quality of life and health status of patients. The article presents the technology of rehabilitation measures to improve the effectiveness of rehabilitation treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, achieve clinical remission, reduce pain, improve joint motor function, prevent deformities and contractures, maintain performance and improve quality of life. It was noted that the realization of the restorative effect in accordance with the tasks of physical therapy varied. Each patient was given a personalized approach to rehabilitation intervention, taking into account the degree of functional joint disability, participation in work life and psychosocial issues

Changes in functional disorders of the wrist and hand as a marker of the effectiveness of a physical therapy programme for patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Annotation. Rheumatoid arthritis is regarded worldwide as one of the most common pathologies and is one of the most significant medical, social and economic problems of modern society. According to modern concepts, along with drug therapy, physical therapy plays an important role in the system of health recovery for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The purpose of the paper is to determine the effectiveness of a physical therapy programme based on the results of wrist and hand function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Materials and methods. A total of 188 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were examined, including 156 women (83%) and 32 men (17%). All patients were randomly assigned to the control (n=92) and intervention (n=96) groups. Patients in the control group underwent physical therapy in accordance with the recommendations of the regulatory document of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. Patients in the main group were engaged in a developed physical therapy programme, taking into account factors affecting the level of functional impairment and quality of life. Rehabilitation measures were developed with a personalised approach to each patient, for a long-term period of 6 months. The main section of the DASH (Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Outcome Measure) questionnaire was used to assess functional impairment of the wrist and hand in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Results. Both standard treatment and physical therapy after 3 months contributed to the recovery and improvement of the DASH questionnaire scores in both groups, but the changes in the intervention group were more pronounced than in the control group, where the scores were lower. Thus, the number of people in the main group who had a good result increased – 27.1%, in the control group only 17.5% of patients had a good result; 52.1% of patients in the main group had a satisfactory result, 50.0% in the control group; 20.8% of patients in the main group and 32.5% of patients in the control group still had an unsatisfactory result. The analysis of the results after 6 months of physical therapy showed a significant improvement in the examined patients of the main group: a good result was noted by 49.0% of patients, which is 25.0% more than in the control group – 24.0% of patients. A satisfactory result was found in 39.6% of patients in the main group and in 57.6% of patients in the control group, which is 18.0% more than in the control group. Conclusion. The above results of the DASH questionnaire in the main group, which are significantly better than those of the control group, indicate the justification of a new marker of the effectiveness of the proposed physical therapy programme for patients in the main group