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In the broader global sense, economic development largely depends on both the overall national development profile and the degree of administrative obstacles for business. Meanwhile, one of the global indicators of stability of a nation's development and its potential is the level of economic openness and investment attractiveness.The paper outlines a review of the literature concerned with the investment climate. Scholarly approaches to interpretations of investment climate are identified. An expert survey is used to determine the constituent factors contributing to the investment climate, the components of the legal regulatory mechanism in investment activities, as well as the directions of further unification and harmonisation of investment legislation across the member states of the EAEU in the area of investment cooperation with third countries.

The purpose of the research was to substantiate feasibility and effectiveness of cultivating promising tomatoes varieties and hybrids in the Lower Volga region to obtain high-quality yields of 150 t/ha and more. It was the first time for chestnut soils, when comprehensive research on resource-saving techniques increasing vegetable crop productivity in an extremely arid climate under drip irrigation by regulating physiological and biological processes was conducted, and a system for applying these techniques was developed. The experiments were carried out according to generally accepted methods. The study revealed that in order to obtain the planned productivity of 110, 130, 150 t/ha in all the tomato varieties and a hybrid (Volgogradsky 5/95, Fokker F1 and Gerkules), differentiated irrigation regime was used. It resulted in yield increase up to 18.8 t/ha (when compared to planned 130 t/ha) and up to 10.2 t/ha (when compared to planned 150 t/ha) in the variants where Energiya-M growth regulator and Rastvorin water-soluble fertilizer were used with complete mineral fertilizer. Hercules tomato variety treated with N285P115K145 + Rastvorin + Energiya-M was the most economically viable for cultivation. According to the variants, a return on production costs of 6.87 rubles of income was achieved.

This paper presents experimental and simulated isobaric heat capacities of the C60(OH)40 fullerenol in the temperature range from T = 0 to 320 K along with the values of standard thermodynamic func...

Background and Objectives: Endoscopic drainage/debridement of symptomatic walled off necrosis (WON) using lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS) is both safe and effective. While endoscopic management of WON is the standard approach to treatment, the ideal concomitant medical therapy remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to further elucidate the effect of proton pump inhibitor (PPIs) therapy on the technical and clinical success of endoscopic treatment of WON. Methods: Two hundred and seventy-two patients in 8 centers with WON managed by endoscopic drainage using LAMS were evaluated. Patients were followed for at least 6 months following treatment. The patients were divided into two groups: Those that used PPIs continuously during the therapy and those not on PPIs continuously during the interval of therapy. Outcomes included but were not limited to technical success, clinical success, number of procedures performed, and adverse events. Results: From 2013 to 2016, 272 patients underwent WON drainage with successful transmural LAMS placement. The two groups were split evenly into PPI users and non-PPI users, and matched in regards to demographics, etiology of pancreatitis, WON size, and location. There was no difference in the technical success between the two groups (100% vs. 98.8%, P = 1), or in clinical success rates (78.7% vs. 77.9%). There was a significant difference in the required number of direct endoscopic necrosectomies to achieve clinical success in the PPI vs. non-PPI group (3.2 vs. 4.6 respectively, P < 0.01). There were significantly more cases of stent occlusion in the non-PPI group vs. PPI group (9.5% vs. 20.1% P = 0.012), but all other documented adverse events were not significantly different. Conclusion: Discontinuing PPIs during endoscopic drainage and necrosectomy of symptomatic WON appears to reduce the number of endoscopic procedures required to achieve resolution. Continuous PPI results in higher rates of early stent occlusion.

The study is devoted to the analysis of the organizational and legal problems of transferring workers to telework in the context of the spread of the new coronavirus infection COVID-19. Currently, it is expected not only to increase the use of telework around the world but also to expand the scope of its application. The purpose is to study the experience of introducing a telework format during the period of isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Several successful examples of remote activities of company employees have been investigated.

This work analyzes the influence and efficiency of BYOD for learning students and academic perfection. The relevance of mobile technologies for learning has been substantiated. The influence of BYOD on academic performance of undergraduate students in terms of their test scores and final course marks, as well as on quality of work on selected course projects and on level of satisfaction with the BYOD course, has been experimentally studied. It has been proved that BYOD exerts positive influence on learning and academic achievements of students measured by their academic test scores, by their final marks and quality of their classroom work, as well as that the implementation of BYOD will stimulate and motivate students, thus affecting their level of involvement and creation of independent learning. The experimental results should be used as a guide for persons making decisions as well as for practical specialists in the field of education, especially in the area of BYOD and mobile learning, which will save significant expenses for stationary learning (for instance, concerning desktop computers, projectors, etc.). Scientific novelty of the studies is that the influence of BYOD on academic performance of students in terms of their test scores and final course marks, as well as on quality of students’ work on selected course projects and on level of satisfaction with the BYOD course, has been comprehensively analyzed.

Background and Objective: EUS-guided pancreatic drainage (EUS-PD) is an efficacious, acceptable risk option for patients with pancreatic duct obstruction who fail conventional ERCP. The aim of this study was to define the learning curve (LC) for EUS-PD. Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing EUS-PD by a single operator were included from a dedicated registry. Demographics, procedural info, adverse events, and follow-up data were collected. Nonlinear regression and cumulative sum (CUSUM) analyses were conducted for the LC. Results: Fifty-six patients were included (54% of male, with a mean age of 58 years). Technical success was achieved in 47 patients (84%). Stent placement was antegrade in 36 patients (77%) and retrograde in 11 (23%). Clinical success was achieved in 46/47 (98%) patients who achieved technical success. Adverse events were seen in 13 patients (6 of whom did not achieve technical success) and included bleeding requiring embolization (n = 5), bleeding treated with clips peri-procedurally (n = 1), pancreatitis (n = 5), and a pancreatic fluid collection drained via EUS-drainage (n = 2). The median procedural time was 80 min (range 49–159 min). The CUSUM chart showed that 80-min procedural time was achieved at the 27th procedure. Durations further reduced 40th procedure onward, reaching a plateau indicating proficiency (nonlinear regression P < 0.0001). Conclusion: Endoscopists experienced in EUS-PD are expected to achieve a reduction in procedural time over successive cases, with efficiency reached at 80 min and a learning rate of 27 cases. Continued improvement is demonstrated with additional experience, with plateau indicating mastery suggested at the 40th case. EUS-PD is probably one of the hardest therapeutic endosonographic procedures to learn.

espanolLa respuesta del sistema de educacion superior a los desafios de hoy es el surgimiento y desarrollo de nuevas formas de actividad universitaria, que se correspondan mas adecuadamente con las realidades modernas. Una de estas formas son las universidades emprendedoras. Asi, este estudio tiene como objetivo determinar las caracteristicas de la transformacion de las universidades en organizaciones emprendedoras. El articulo revisa la literatura cientifica sobre el problema en estudio y presenta opciones para definir una universidad emprendedora. A partir de una encuesta a expertos, se determinan las areas de actividad emprendedora universitaria. Los autores senalan las caracteristicas de las universidades emprendedoras y establecen y analizan metodos para transformar las universidades en la direccion del emprendimiento. El estudio llevo a la conclusion de que el cambio transformacional en las universidades es un requisito previo para su transformacion efectiva en universidades emprendedoras. EnglishThe response of the higher education system to the challenges of today is the emergence and development of new forms of university activity, which more adequately correspond to modern realities. One of these forms is entrepreneurial universities. Thus, this study aims to determine the features of the transformation of universities into entrepreneurial organizations. The article reviews the scientific literature on the problem under study and presents options for defining an entrepreneurial university. Based on an expert survey, the areas of university entrepreneurial activity are determined. The authors indicate the features of entrepreneurial universities and establish and analyze methods for transforming universities in the direction of entrepreneurship. The study led to the conclusion that transformational change in universities is a prerequisite for their effective transformation into entrepreneurial universities. portuguesA resposta do sistema de ensino superior aos desafios da atualidade e o surgimento e o desenvolvimento de novas formas de atividade universitaria, que correspondam mais adequadamente as realidades modernas. Uma dessas formas sao as universidades empreendedoras. Assim, este estudo tem como objetivo determinar as caracteristicas da transformacao das universidades em organizacoes empreendedoras. O artigo faz uma revisao da producao cientifica sobre o problema em estudo e apresenta opcoes para definir uma universidade empreendedora. Com base na pesquisa de especialistas, sao determinadas as areas de atividade empreendedora universitaria. Os autores indicam as caracteristicas das universidades empreendedoras e estabelecem e analisam metodos para transformar as universidades na direcao doempreendedorismo. O estudo levou a conclusao de que a mudanca transformacional nas universidades e um pre-requisito para sua transformacao efetiva em universidades empreendedoras.

This article considers the formation and implementation of a policy in relation to intellectual property in the activities of a higher education institution. Nowadays the creation, protection and commercialization of intellectual property objects are especially relevant for universities. The comprehensive solution of such issues stipulates the need for the development, adoption and implementation of university policies in relation to intellectual property objects as local regulatory acts. This study aims at analyzing intellectual property management policies in higher education institutions. The authors of the article have highlighted the key aspects of an intellectual property object as an object of management. To prove the relationship between intellectual property law and regulation that allows a university to own and freely dispose of its intangible assets, the article dwells on the best practices of European and US universities in terms of issuing local legal acts. The authors have concluded that it is inexpedient to copy the US university policy in Russia due to different approaches to intellectual property. They have developed the concept of strategic management of intellectual property based on the national legislation on the protection and disposal of intellectual property and local regulations of higher education institutions.

Introduction of the full-thickness resection device (FTRD) has allowed endoscopic resection of difficult lesions such as those with deep wall origin/infiltration or those located in difficult anatomic locations. The aim of this study is to assess the outcomes of the FTRD among its early users in the USA. Patients who underwent endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) for lower gastrointestinal tract lesions using the FTRD at 26 US tertiary care centers between 10/2017 and 12/2018 were included. Primary outcome was R0 resection rate. Secondary outcomes included rate of technical success (en bloc resection), achievement of histologic full-thickness resection (FTR), and adverse events (AE). A total of 95 patients (mean age 65.5 ± 12.6 year, 38.9% F) were included. The most common indication, for use of FTRD, was resection of difficult adenomas (non-lifting, recurrent, residual, or involving appendiceal orifice/diverticular opening) (66.3%), followed by adenocarcinomas (22.1%), and subepithelial tumors (SET) (11.6%). Lesions were located in the proximal colon (61.1%), distal colon (18.9%), or rectum (20%). Mean lesion diameter was 15.5 ± 6.4 mm and 61.1% had a prior resection attempt. The mean total procedure time was 59.7 ± 31.8 min. R0 resection was achieved in 82.7% while technical success was achieved in 84.2%. Histologically FTR was demonstrated in 88.1% of patients. There were five clinical AE (5.3%) with 2 (2.1%) requiring surgical intervention. Results from this first US multicenter study suggest that EFTR with the FTRD is a technically feasible, safe, and effective technique for resecting difficult colonic lesions.

Background and study aims Fully covered self-expanding metal stents (FCSEMS) have been used to treat refractory pancreatic duct strictures. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of FCSEMS in chronic pancreatitis with refractory pancreatic duct strictures. Patients and methods This was a retrospective multicenter cases series of patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with FCSEMS placement in the main pancreatic duct (MPD) at five tertiary care centers between February 2010 and June 2016. Primary endpoints were technical success, clinical success, and procedure-related morbidity. Secondary endpoints were pain relief at the end of follow-up and resolution of the pancreatic stricture on ERCP. Results Thirty-three patients with previously drained stents, 76 % of whom were male, underwent ERCP with FCSEMS placement. Mean duration of follow-up was 14 months. All of the patients had prior therapy. The technical success rate for FCSEMS placement was 100 % (n = 33) and the clinical success rate was 93 % (was n = 31). Stents were removed after a median duration of 14.4 weeks. After stent removal, the diameter of the narrowest MPD stricture had increased significantly from 1 mm to 4.5 mm (P Conclusion FCSEMS appeared to be a feasible, safe, and potentially effective Intervention in patients who had not responded to endoscopic therapy with plastic stents.

Background and study aims First-generation optical coherence tomography (OCT) has been shown to increase diagnostic sensitivity for malignant biliary and pancreatic-duct strictures. A newer OCT imaging system, NVision Volumetric Laser Endomicroscopy (VLE), allows for in vivo cross-sectional imaging of the ductal wall at the microstructure level during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The aim of this study was to identify and evaluate characteristics on OCT that are predictive of benign and malignant strictures. Patients and methods Consecutive patients from six centers who underwent OCT between September 2016 and September 2017 were included in a dedicated registry. OCT images were analyzed, and nine recurring characteristics were further assessed. Final diagnosis was based on histology and/or surgical pathology. Results 86 patients were included (49 % male, mean age 64.7). OCT was performed in the bile duct in 79 patients and the pancreatic duct in seven. Nine OCT characteristics were identified: dilated hypo-reflective structures (n = 7), onion-skin layering (n = 8), intact layering (n = 17), layering effacement (n = 25), scalloping (n = 20), thickened epithelium (n = 42), hyper-glandular mucosa (n = 13), prominent blood vessels (n = 6), and a hyper-reflective surface (n = 20). Presence of hyper-glandular mucosa, hyper-reflective surface and scalloping significantly increased the odds of malignancy diagnosis by 6 times more (P = 0.0203; 95 % CI 1.3 to 26.5), 4.7 times more (P = 0.0255; 95 % CI 1.2 to 18.0) and 7.9 times more (P = 0.0035; 95 % CI 1.97 to 31.8) respectively. Conclusion By providing in-vivo cross-sectional imaging of the pancreatic and biliary duct wall, OCT technology may improve sensitivity in diagnosing malignant strictures and provide standardizable criteria predictive of malignancy.

Indeterminate biliary strictures pose a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Although underlying malignancy is a primary concern, biliary strictures may result from benign processes. An accurate diagnosis is paramount to define the treatment strategy and minimize morbidity. The limitations of traditional endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography-based tissue acquisition with cytology brushings are well-documented. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is generally unable to determine a stricture's etiology. Complementary advanced endoscopic imaging and multimodal tissue acquisition have evolved. Careful consideration of the clinical presentation, location of the stricture, and interpretation of imaging constitute the most optimal approach for diagnosis and management.

The Orbera intragastric balloon (OIB) is a single fluid-filled intragastric balloon approved for the induction of weight loss and treatment of obesity. However, little is known about the effectiveness and safety of the OIB outside clinical trials, and since approval, the Food and Drug Administration has issued warnings to health care providers about risk of balloon hyperinflation requiring early removal, pancreatitis, and death. We analyzed data on patients who have received the OIB since its approval to determine its safety, effectiveness, and tolerance in real-world clinical settings.We performed a postregulatory approval study of the safety and efficacy of the OIB, and factors associated with intolerance and response. We collected data from the Mayo Clinic's database of patient demographics, outcomes of OIB placement (weight loss, weight-related comorbidities), technical aspects of insertion and removal, and adverse events associated with the device and/or procedure, from 8 centers (3 academic, 5 private, 4 surgeons, and 4 gastroenterologists). Our final analysis comprised 321 patients (mean age, 48.1 ± 11.9 y; 80% female; baseline body mass index, 37.6 ± 6.9). Exploratory multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of success and early balloon removal. Primary effectiveness outcomes were percentage of total body weight lost at 3, 6, and 9 months. Primary and secondary safety outcomes were rates of early balloon removal, periprocedural complications, dehydration episodes requiring intravenous infusion, balloon migration, balloon deflation or hyperinflation, pancreatitis, or other complications.Four patients had contraindications for placement at the time of endoscopy. The balloon was safely removed in all instances with an early removal rate (before 6 months) in 16.7% of patients, at a median of 8 weeks after placement (range, 1-6 mo). Use of selective serotonin or serotonin-norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitors at the time of balloon placement was associated with increased odds of removal before 6 months (odds ratio, 3.92; 95% CI, 1.24-12.41). Total body weight lost at 3 months was 8.5% ± 4.9% (n = 204), at 6 months was 11.8% ± 7.5% (n = 199), and at 9 months was 13.3% ± 10% (n = 47). At 6 months, total body weight losses of 5%, 10%, and 15% were achieved by 88%, 62%, and 31% of patients, respectively. Number of follow-up visits and weight loss at 3 months were associated with increased weight loss at 6 months (β = 0.5 and 1.2, respectively) (P.05). Mean levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, and hemoglobin A1c, as well as systolic and diastolic blood pressure, were significantly improved at 6 months after OIB placement (P.05).In an analysis of a database of patients who received endoscopic placement of the OIB, we found it to be safe, effective at inducing weight loss, and to reduce obesity-related comorbidities in a real-world clinical population. Rates of early removal (before 8 weeks) did not differ significantly between clinical trials and the real-world population, but were affected by use of medications.

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) is a novel endobariatric procedure. Initial studies demonstrated an association of ESG with weight loss and improvement of obesity-related comorbidities. Our aim was to compare ESG to laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB). We included 278 obese (BMI > 30) patients who underwent ESG (n = 91), LSG (n = 120), or LAGB (n = 67) at our tertiary care academic center. Primary outcome was percent total body weight loss (%TBWL) at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Secondary outcome measures included adverse events (AE), length of stay (LOS), and readmission rate. At 12-month follow-up, LSG achieved the greatest %TBWL compared to LAGB and ESG (29.28 vs 13.30 vs 17.57%, respectively; p

The research paper considers the problem of studying parasocial relationships in the modern Russian society. In particular, the importance of such an analysis in the context of sociological, philosophical and psychological studies of the region population it postulated. Parasocial relationships are an important socio-cultural factor and their study can significantly enrich the idea of such socio-cultural phenomena as identity of the region residents. The research paper substantiates the necessity of an interdisciplinary approach to the subject of parasocial relationships and reveals the specific character of sociological focus of the phenomenon consideration В статье рассмотрена проблема изучения парасоциальных отношений в современном российском обществе. В частности, постулируется значимость такого анализа в контексте социологических, философских и психологических исследований населения региона. Парасоциальные отношения являются важным социокультурным фактором, а их исследования могут существенно обогатить представление о таком социокультурном феномене, как идентичность жителей региона. В статье обоснована необходимость междисциплинарного подхода к тематике парасоциальных отношений, а также раскрыта специфика социологического фокуса рассмотрения данного феномена

The results testify to the fact that CO2 is a powerful inhibitor of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by cells (blood phagocytes and alveolar macrophages of 96 people and cells of inner organs and tissue phagocytes (of liver, brain, myocardium, lungs, kidneys, stomach, and skeleton muscles), as well as by mitochondria of the liver of 186 white mice and human tissues. Generation of ROS was determined using various methods with CO2 directly acting on the cells and bioptates and indirectly on the organism as a whole. CO2 in the concentration of 5.1% (P = 37.5 mmHg), 8.2% (P = 60.0 mmHg), and 20% (P = 146.0 mmHg) in a mixture with air (total pressure = 730 mmHg) inhibits the basal ROS generation by phagocytes on the average by 3.52, 5.69, and 10.03 times, respectively (p < 0.05), and the stimulated by corpuscular particles: (a) zymosan by 3.24, 4.43, and 7.95 times; (b)SiO2: by 2.99, 3.24, and 5.76 times (p < 0.05). This is confirmed by the feet that CO2, along with inhibiting the O2 (-) generation by cells of the various organs, including the liver, as a rule, by 2.19-4.7 times, p < 0.01 or

Neuromuscular respiratory failure is a rare complication of systemic immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis. We describe a case of a 70-year-old Caucasian man with multiple myeloma who presented with worsening dyspnea. The patient was diagnosed with and treated for congestive heart failure but continued to suffer from hypercapnic respiratory insufficiency. He had restrictive physiology on pulmonary function tests and abnormal phrenic nerve conduction studies, consistent with neuromuscular respiratory failure. The diagnosis of systemic immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis was made based on the clinical context and a cardiac biopsy. Despite treatment attempts, the patient passed away in the intensive care unit from hypercapnic respiratory failure. Autopsy revealed dense diaphragmatic amyloid deposits without phrenic nerve infiltration or demyelination or lung parenchymal involvement. Only 5 cases of neuromuscular respiratory failure due to amyloid infiltration of the diaphragm have been described. All cases, including this, were characterized by rapid progression and high mortality. Therefore, diaphragmatic amyloidosis should be on the differential for progressive neuromuscular respiratory failure in patients with multiple myeloma or any other monoclonal gammopathy. Given its poor prognosis, early recognition of this condition is essential in order to address goals of care and encourage pursuit of palliative measures.