Here, we critically evaluate the communication and integrative mechanisms in ctenophores or comb jellies, the descendants of the earliest animal lineage. Ctenophores convergently evolved their neuro-muscular systems compared to other animals. Besides the canonical neural organization with distinct synapses, recent 3D electron microscopy reconstruction revealed unique syncytial-type connectivity in some neuronal populations, providing additional support for the independent origins of neurons in ctenophores. Furthermore, it was proposed that non-synaptic transmission is the distinct characteristic of ctenophores, in contrast to other metazoans and Cajal’s neuronal doctrine, highlighting Golgi’s reticular theory. However, the astonishing diversity and higher information capacity of classical synapses and volume transmission indicate that chemical signaling is the hallmark of neural and other integrative systems regardless of their origins.

We present an improved algorithm for fast calculation of the inverse square root for single-precision floating-point numbers. The algorithm is much more accurate than the famous fast inverse square root algorithm and has a similar computational cost. The presented modification concern Newton-Raphson corrections and can be applied when the distribution of these corrections is not symmetric (for instance, in our case they are always negative).

Ribosomal proteins (r-proteins) are abundant, highly conserved, and multifaceted cellular proteins in all domains of life. Most r-proteins have RNA-binding properties and are able to form protein-protein contacts. Bacterial r-proteins govern the co-transcriptional rRNA folding during ribosome assembly and participate in formation of the ribosome functional sites such as the mRNA binding site, tRNA binding sites, the peptidyl- transferase center, and the protein exit tunnel. In addition to their primary role in a cell as integral components of the protein synthesis machinery, many of r-proteins can function beyond the ribosome (the phenomenon known as moonlighting), acting either as individual regulatory proteins or in complexes with various cellular components. Extraribosomal activities of r-proteins have been intensively studied over decades (reviewed in [1]). The past decade brought significant advancement in our knowledge of r-protein functions due to expanding studies on ribosomes and gene expression mechanisms not only in model bacteria like Escherichia coli or Bacillus subtilis, but also in previously little-explored bacterial species from various phyla. This review is aimed to update the information on multiple functions of r-proteins in bacteria.

Germanium is an essential microelement, and its deficiency can result in numerous diseases, particularly oncogenic conditions. Consequently, water-soluble germanium compounds, including inorganic and coordination compounds, have attracted significant attention due to their biological activity. The review analyzes the primary research from the last decade related to the anticancer activity of germanium compounds. Furthermore, the review clarifies their actual toxicity, identifies errors and misconceptions that have contributed to the discrediting of their biological activity, and suggests a putative mechanism of germanium-mediated protection from oxidative stress. Finally, the review provides clarifications on the discovery history of water-soluble organic germanium compounds, which was distorted and hushed up for a long time.

The article focuses on the galvanic replacement synthesis of Ti-Ni and Zr-Ni metal systems with the "core-shell" structure which are potential precursors for intermetallics. The authors defined the effective synthesis parameters and the formation features of polymetallic systems character-ized by granulometric, phase and elemental composition. The X-ray fluorescence and X-ray phase analysis methods showed that the deposition of nickel on dispersed titanium and zirconium leads to the production of test samples with phase composition representing a mechanical mixture of Ni and Ti, Ni and Zr. The method of X-ray fluorescence analysis showed that the presence of hy-drofluoric acid with a 0.5-1.5 M concentration results in the formation of fixed quantitative ratios of elements in the precipitate, which allows the quantitative composition of dispersed systems "titanium - nickel", "zirconium - nickel" to be regulated within a relatively wide range. Scanning electron microscopy proved that all synthesized systems are characterized by a highly porous structure that follows the titanium and zirconium particle surface contour and the presence of spherical nanoscale subunits on the formed particle surface.

The possibilities of applying various methods to study Coleoptera give unexpected and original results. The studies were carried out with the help of fermental crown traps in 2018-2020 on the territory of eight regions in the central part of European Russia. The biodiversity of Coleoptera that fall into crown traps includes 294 species from 45 families. The number of species attracted to the fermenting bait is about a third of the total number of species in the traps (this is 97.4% of the number of all caught specimens). The largest number of species that have been found in traps belong to the families Cerambycidae, Elateridae and Curculionidae. The most actively attracted species mainly belong to the families Cerambycidae, Nitidulidae and Scarabaeidae. Species of these families are equally attracted by baits made of beer, white and red wines. To identify the Coleoptera biodiversity of a particular biotope, two-year studies are sufficient, which should be carried out throughout the vegetation season. Especially good results can be obtained from studies of rare species that are actively attracted by such baits. It is possible to study the verti-cal-horizontal distribution of Coleoptera fauna in individual biotopes.

The article describes how atherosclerosis and coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) may affect each other. The features of this comorbid pathogenesis at various levels (vascular, cellular and molecular) are considered. A bidirectional influence of these conditions is described: the presence of cardiovascular diseases affects different individual susceptibility to viral infection. In turn, SARS-CoV-2 can have a negative effect on the endothelium and cardiomyocytes, causing blood clotting, secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and thus exacerbating the development of atherosclerosis. In addition to the established entry into cells via ACE2 принимая во внимание его влияние на, other mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 entry are currently under investigation, for example, through CD147. Pathogenesis of comorbidity can be determined by the influence of the virus on various links which are meaningful for atherogenesis: generation of oxidized forms of LDL, launch of a cytokine storm, damage to the endothelial glycocalyx, and mitochondrial injury. The transformation of a stable plaque into an unstable one plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis complications and can be triggered by COVID-19. The impact of SARS-CoV-2 on large vessels such as aorta is more complex than previously thought considering its impact on vasa vasorum. Current information on the mutual influence of the medicines used in the treatment of atherosclerosis and acute COVID-19 is briefly summarized

We propose an improved earlier described “mirror” method [1] for detecting in cell nuclear extracts mutations that arise in DNA during its replication due to misincorporation of deoxyadenosine-5’-monophosphate (dAMP) opposite 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG). The method is based on the synthesis of a complementary chain (“mirror”) by nuclear extracts of different mice organs on a template containing 8-oxoG inside and dideoxycytidine residue (ddC) at the 3’-end. The “mirror”was amplified by PCR using primers part of which was non-complementary to the template. It allowed obtaining the “framed mirror” products. The misincorporation of dAMP in “framed mirror” products forms an EcoRI restriction site. The restriction analysis of double-stranded “framed mirror” products allows a quantification of the mutation frequency in nuclear extracts. The data obtained showed that the mutagenic potential of 8-oxoG markedly varied in different organs of adult mice and embryos.

When presenting special relativity, it is customary to single out the so-called paradoxes. One of these paradoxes is the formal occurrence of speeds exceeding the speed of light. An essential part of such paradoxes arises from the incompleteness of the relativistic calculus of velocities. In special relativity, the additive group is used for velocities. However, the use of only group operations imposes artificial restrictions on possible computations. Naive expansion to vector space is usually done by using non-relativistic operations. We propose to consider arithmetic operations in the special theory of relativity in the framework of the Cayley–Klein model for projective spaces. We show that such paradoxes do not arise in the framework of the proposed relativistic extension of algebraic operations.

According to global data, there is a male reproductive potential decrease. Pathogenesis of male infertility often is associated with autoimmunity towards sperm antigens essential for fertilization. Antisperm autoantibodies (ASAs) have immobilizing and cytotoxic properties, impairing spermatogenesis, causing sperm agglutination, altering spermatozoa motility and acrosomal reaction, thus preventing ovum fertilization. Infertility diagnosis requires mandatory check for the ASAs. The concept of blood-testis barrier currently is re-formulated with emphasis of informational paracrine and juxtacrine effects, rather than simple anatomical separation. Aetiology of male infertility includes both autoimmune and non-autoimmune diseases, but equally develops through autoimmune links of pathogenesis. Varicocele commonly leads to infertility due to testicular ischemic damage, venous stasis, local hyperthermia, and hypoandrogenism. However, varicocelectomy can alter blood-testis barrier facilitating ASAs production as well. There are contradictory data on the role of ASAs in pathogenesis of varicocele-related infertility. Infection and inflammation both promote ASAs production due to “danger concept” mechanisms and because of antigen mimicry. Systemic pro-autoimmune influences like hyperprolactinemia, hypoandrogenism and hypothyroidism also facilitate ASAs production. Diagnostic value of various ASAs was not yet clearly attributed, and their cut-levels not agreed neither in sera nor in ejaculate. The assessment of the autoimmunity role in pathogenesis of male infertility is ambiguous.

A Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating chronic disease of unknown aetiology under growing interest now in view of the increasingly recognized post-COVID syndrome as a new entity with similar clinical presentation. We performed the first cross-sectional study of ME/CFS in community population in Russia and then described and compared some clinical and pathophysiological characteristics of ME/CFS and post-COVID syndrome as neuroimmune disorders. Of the cohort of 76 individuals who suggested themselves suffering from ME/CFS 56 subsequently were confirmed as having CFS/ME according to ≥1 of the 4 most commonly used case definition. Of the cohort of 14 individuals with post-COVID-19 syndrome 14 met diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS. The prevalence of clinically expressed and subclinical anxiety and depression in ME / CFS and post-COVID ME/CFS did not differ significantly from that in healthy individuals. Severity of anxiety / depressive symptoms did not correlate with the severity of fatigue neigther in ME / CFS nor in post-COVID ME/CFS, but the positive correlation was found between the severity of fatigue and 20 other symptoms of ME / CFS related to the domains of “post-exertional exhaustion”, “immune dysfunction”, “sleep disturbances”, "dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system", "neurological sensory / motor disorders" and "pain syndromes". Immunological abnormalities were identified in 12/12 patients with ME / CFS according to the results of laboratory testing. The prevalence of postural orthostatic tachycardia assessed by the active standing test was 37.5% in ME / CFS and 75.0% in post-COVID ME/CFS (the latter was higher than in healthy controls, p = 0.02) There was a more pronounced increase in heart rate starting from the 6th minute of the test in post-COVID ME/CFS compared with the control group. Assessment of the functional characteristics of microcirculation by laser doppler flowmetry revealed obvious and very similar changes in ME/CFS and post-COVID ME/CFS compared to the healthy controls. The identified pattern corresponded to the hyperemic form of microcirculation disorders, usually observed in acute inflammatory processes or in deficiency of systemic vasoconstriction influences.

Paraffin wax stores energy in the form of latent heat at a nearly constant temperature during melting and releases this energy during solidification. This effect is used in industrial energy storage. An unusual change in the shape of a melted droplet of paraffin wax placed on a relatively cold glass plate is studied. As the droplet solidifies, its upper surface becomes nearly flat and a dimple is formed in the center of this surface, making the droplet look like a fruit (pumpkins are more commonly shaped like this, but the authors prefer apples). A series of experiments, as well as physical and numerical modeling of the droplet's thermal state, taking into account the formation of a mushy zone between liquidus and solidus, made it possible to understand the role of gravity and gradual increase in viscosity and density of paraffin wax on changing the droplet shape and, in particular, to clarify the mechanism of formation of the dimple on its upper.

Waste from fish cutting (heads, swim bladders, fins, skin, bones) is a high-value technological raw material for obtaining substances and products based on them with a wide range of properties. The possibility of using waste from cutting fish of the Gadidae family: the Alaska pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus) and the Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus), processed in the coastal zone, is scientifically substantiated. In this work, a technology has been developed for processing accumulated waste from fish cutting in order to obtain fish gelatin, which is characterized by high protein content (more than 80.0%) and a full set of essential and nonessential amino acids. We studied the quality of fish gelatin obtained from wastes from cutting the fish of the Gadidae family. The possibility of using fish gelatin as a component of fish products is shown; the dose of its introduction into the fish products is substantiated. The data obtained made it possible to recommend the use of fish processing waste products as a gelling component and a source of amino acids in multicomponent food systems.

An efficient approach to the previously unknown furo[2',3':2,3]pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline deriv-atives from readily available 1-R-1-ethynyl-2-vinylisoquinolines is described. The reaction fea-tures a simple procedure, occurs in hexaflouroisopropanol and does not require elevated tem-peratures. It has been found that the addition of glacial acetic acid significantly increases the yields of the target spirolactone products. Using trifluoroethanol instead of hexaflouroisopro-panol results into formation of pyrido[2,1-a]isoquinolines.

Incidence of autoimmune diseases increases. Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) testing is a critical tool for their diagnosis. However, ANA prevalence in health increased over last decades, especially among young people. ANA in health occur in low concentrations, with prevalence up to 50% in some populations, which demands a cutoff revision. The review deals with origin and probable physiological or compensatory function of ANA in health, according to the concept of immunological clearance, theory of autoimmune regulation of cell functions and the concept of functional autoantibodies. Considering ANA titers ≤1:320 as a serological marker of autoimmune diseases seems inappropriate. The role of anti-DFS70/LEDGFp75 autoantibodies is highlighted as possible anti-risk biomarker for autoimmune rheumatic disorders. ANA prevalence in health is different in various regions due to several underlying causes discussed in the review, all influencing in additive combinations according to the concept of the mosaic of autoimmunity. Not only titer, but the HEp-2 IFA staining patterns, like AC-2, is also important. Accepting autoantibodies as a kind of bioregulators, not only upper, but also lower borders of their normal range should be determined. Not only their excess, but also lack of them or “autoimmunodeficiency” could be a reason of disorders.

In post-COVID-19 syndrome, clinical presentation of the nerve fiber dysfunction plays an important role. The possibility of autoantigen cross-mimicry of coronavirus infection and the peripheral nervous system need to be investigated. The bioinformatic analysis was applied to search for possible common protein sequences located in the immunological epitopes. Among the autoantigens of the human nervous system, fibroblast growth factor receptor protein 3, myelin protein P0, myelin protein P2, sodium channel protein type 9, alpha protein subunit, plexin-D1 protein and ubiquitin-carboxyl-terminal hydrolase protein of the L1 isoenzyme were selected. The “Alignmentaj” program was created. The UniProt database, Protein Data Bank and AlphaFold databases were used. The analysis of protein sequence similarities of spike glycoproteins in human coronaviruses revealed common pentapeptides of the MERS-CoV-2 virus with the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 and myelin protein P2. Among seasonal coronaviruses, common peptide sequences were identified in HCoV-HKU-1 virus with sodium channel protein type 9 subunit alpha and Plexin-D1, HCoV-OС43 with Plexin-D1, as well as HCoV-NL63 with Plexin-D1 and Ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase isozyme L1. The data obtained make it possible to identify new potential targets for the development of autoimmune reactions that occur against the background of the activity of highly pathogenic and seasonal coronaviruses.

Carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations in wildfire plumes are easily measured from satellites. This gas can be used as a proxy for carbon dioxide. Forest fires play an important role in the carbon balance and in particular the CO balance. The most likely causes of mega-fires of 2003, 2012, 2021, and 2023 in the Northern hemisphere are heat waves and severe droughts associated with changes in general circulation. Here we analyze satellite data obtained by two different sounders, AIRS and TROPOMI. Different sensitivity to the lowest troposphere allows obtaining information about anthropogenic or pyrogenic contamination of the boundary layer. Shapes of areas polluted by mega-fires in 2019-2020 (Southeastern Australia) and 2021 (Central Siberia) coincide with the areas occupied by coal deposits. The Siberian Lena and Tunguska coal basins are the two largest coal fields in the world. In 2021, their combined area accounted for 90% of fire CO emission from the entire Russian Federation. So strong fires have not observed in this area before. Under- and sub-ground coal combustion may be included into the list of wildfire fuels, at least their role for ignition should be admitted. Further research is needed to assess the importance of coal fires to global climate.

This paper's aim is to extend horizons in symbolic AI. The key to doing so is to establish a scientific basis for knowledge foundations, and specifically for the concept of meaning, and its computation. This led to the creation of the Meaning Computation AI (MCAI). Knowledge structures are at the heart of MCAI. The semantic triple chain, one of such structures, is the subject of this paper. This structure is the core of introducing computational semantic reasoning models across a variety of domains. To efficiently apply knowledge structures to create semantic reasoning applications MCAI contains a development framework consisting of four components. The first component stems from our discovery that knowledge is relational in nature. It can be expressed through implicit relations (which reflect meaning) and semantic relations (which describe how implicit relations act between entities). An algebraical apparatus for relational knowledge, specifically for implicit and semantic relations, represents the first component. Axiomatic models of relational domain ontologies and domain-oriented semantic reasoning models comprise the second and third components. The fourth component contains domain-oriented semantic reasoning engines.

In this three-part paper, we show that gravitational waves (classical and quantum) produce the accelerated de Sitter expansion at the start and by the end of the cosmological evolution of the Universe. In these periods of time, the Universe contains no matter fields but contains classical and quantum metric fluctuations, i.e. it is filled with classical gravitational waves and gravitons. In such gravitational wave and graviton dominated eras of evolution of the Universe, the de Sitter state is the exact solution to the self-consistent equations for gravitational waves and gravitons and background geometry for the empty (with no matter fields) space-time with FLRW metric. In both classical and quantum cases, this solution is of the instanton origin since it is obtained by Wick rotation with the subsequent analytic continuation to real time. The cosmological acceleration from gravitational waves and gravitons provides a transparent physical explanation to the coincidence and threshold paradoxes of dark energy avoiding recourse to the anthropic principle. The cosmological acceleration from gravitons/gravitational waves at the start of the Universe evolution produces inflation which is consistent with the observational data on CMB anisotropy.

Maximum entropy production principle (MEPP) has been formulated in the mid-twentieth century, and today it has acquired the status of an important principle of science, which is extremely effective in considering various non-equilibrium problems. In this study, for the first time, definition of life is based on an easily measurable physical quantity that is entropy production. Life and evolution are discussed from the point of view of MEPP and the Universe, but not a human

In the author's opinion, many global problems that face humanity - in the fields of education, medicine, management etc can be tackled more effectively if the cyclic nature of self-reproducing systems – including living beings – is taken into account. Summarizing the main physiological findings of the last decades on "adaptation reactions", one can very roughly say that the way of action which is effective in the sense of productive activity of people happens at the same time to be healthy, and it gives the participants of the process the feeling of happiness. The present paper represents a very short overview of the contemporary concepts of the adaptation reactions based on the fundamental understanding of their cyclic nature due to general properties of self-reproducing systems. One interesting feature of self-reproduction cycles is its first "phase of orientation" which was not discussed in detail in the past but plays a key role in the whole cycle.

Cloud computing refers to applications delivered as services over the Internet. Cloud systems employ policies that are inherently dynamic in nature and that depend on temporal conditions defined in terms of external events, such as the measurement of bandwidth, use of hosts, intrusion detection or specific time events. In this paper, we investigate an optimized resource management scheme named v-Mapper. The basic premise of v-Mapper is to exploit application-awareness concepts using software-defined networking (SDN) features. This paper makes three key contributions to the field: (1) We propose a virtual machine (VM) placement scheme that can effectively mitigate the VM placement issues for data-intensive applications; (2) We propose a validation scheme that will ensure that a service is entertained only if there are sufficient resources available for its execution and (3) We present a scheduling policy that aims to eliminate network load constraints. An evaluation was carried out with various benchmarks and demonstrated that v-Mapper shows improved performance over other state-of-the-art approaches in terms of average task completion time, service delay time and bandwidth utilization. Given the growing importance of supporting large-scale data processing and analysis in datacentres, the v-Mapper system has the potential to make a positive impact in improving datacentre performance in the future.

Two related tumor suppressor genes, Brca1 and Brca2, attract a lot of attention from both fundamental and clinical points of view. Oncogenic hereditary mutations in these genes are firmly linked to the early onset of breast and ovarian cancers. However, the molecular mechanisms that drive extensive mutagenesis in these genes are not known. In this review we hypothesize that one of the potential mechanisms behind this phenomenon can be mediated by Alu mobile genomic elements. Linking mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes to the general mechanism(s) of genome stability and DNA repair is critical to ensure the rationalized choice of anti-cancer therapy. Accordingly, we review the literature available on mechanisms of DNA damage repair where these proteins are involved in and how the inactivating mutations in these genes (BRCAness) can be exploited in anti-cancer therapy. We also propose a hypothesis that explains why breast and ovarian epithelial tissues are preferentially susceptible to mutations in BRCA genes. Finally, we discuss perspectives of novel therapeutic approaches for treating BRCAness cancers.

Radiation therapy (RT) is one of the main approaches of cancer therapy, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Radiation-induced DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs), single-stranded DNA breaks (SSBs) and oxidized nucleobases cause replication fork stalling, chromosomal instability or point mutagenesis and can lead to cell death. Translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) is one of the DNA damage tolerance (DDT) pathways promoting replication of damaged DNA. Here, we explored the effects of the knockout of primase-polymerase PRIMPOL (PRIMPOL −/−) and TLS polymerase POLI (POLI −/−) genes in two different monoclonal lines derived from human NSCLC A549 cells. Our study aimed to investigate the impact of their absence on the susceptibility of these cells to ionizing radiation (IR)-induced stress. Without IR, cells that do not have PRIMPOL or POLI experience a considerable rise in apoptosis by day 7 of continuous cultivation and a noteworthy decline in cell migration under spatial confinement when compared to the parental wild-type cells. Despite this, we have found that PRIMPOL −/− exhibited higher clonogenic survival compared to wild-type cell lines in response to IR stress. Both of these cell lines demonstrated remarkable resilience to radiation stress, surpassing the survival rate of the original A549 cells. POLI deficiency reduces cellular γH2AX foci accumulation, while the presence of highest number of γH2AX foci in PRIMPOL−/− cells was ATM-independent. We report for the first time that increased post-irradiation clonogenic survival of PRIMPOL −/− A549 cells might be associated with the increase of CD133+ but not CD44+ populations of cancer stem-like cells.

NUSES is a pathfinder satellite project hosting two detectors: Terzina dedicated to the study of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) above 100 PeV and Zirè focused on the study of protons and electrons below 250 MeV and MeV gamma rays. This work concerns mainly the description of the Cherenkov camera, composed of SiPMs, for the Terzina telescope. Cherenkov light produced by extensive air showers induced by Ultra High Energy Cosmic Rays in the atmosphere could be detected from space, thus ensuring huge exposures. The Terzina telescope is being designed to detect such light. It has an effective area of about 0.1 m2 and an equivalent focal length of about 930 mm with a diameter of the circle containing 80% of the photons of less than 1 mm2. The photo-detection plane is composed of 2×5 SiPM arrays with 8×8 channels of 3×3 mm2 pixels each. To increase the data-taking period NUSES orbit will be sun-synchronous (with a height of about 550 km), thus allowing Terzina to point always towards the dark side of the Earth’s limb. The sun-synchronous orbit requires small distances to the poles, and as a consequence the expected dose received by the SiPMs will be 10 Gy during three year of NUSES mission. About 70% of the integral dose is delivered by the electrons and secondary gammas created in the mechanical structure and about 30% from protons. This estimation is done with the Geant4 simulation of the preliminary telescope geometry, without taking into account solar wind protons. We study the SiPM photo sensors under the irradiation received by the 50 MeV protons up to 30 Gy of total integrated dose corresponding to 9 years of the satellite operation.

It is shown that de Sitter accelerated expansion of the Universe (dark energy effect) is an exact solution to the set of self-consistent stochastic nonlinear gravitational waves in the FLRW metric coming to the Universe from “nowhere”.

Biomass burning is an important and changing component of the global and hemispheric carbon cycles. In particular, boreal forest fires in Russia and Canada are important sources of greenhouse gases carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4). The influence of carbon monoxide (CO) on the climate is insignificant: its main absorption bands of 4.6 and 2.3 μm are far away from the climatically important regions of the spectrum. Meanwhile, CO concentrations in fire plumes are closely related to CO2 and CH4 emissions from fires. On the other hand, satellite measurements of CO are much simpler than those for the aforementioned gases. The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) provides a long satellite-based CO data set. This article presents estimates of CO emissions from biomass burning north of 30° N using a simple two-box model. These results correlate closely with independently estimated CO emissions from the GFED4 bottom-up data base. Both ones reported record high emissions in 2021 throughout two decades, double the annual emissions comparing to the previous a few years. There have been several years with extreme emissions, but for the rest of data upward trend with a rate of 3.7 ± 2.3 Tg CO yr-2 (4.4 ± 2.8% per year), was found.

In this paper, we investigate the question of whether the generally accepted interpretation of the supermassive object in M87, investigated by EHT collaboration, is the only possible one. There are grounds for this, in particular, due to the detection of a magnetic field in its vicinity. For this purpose, the stability of self-gravitating objects is investigated based on the correct definition of the energy of gravitation in the framework of the bi-metric approach to the theory.

It is shown that the gravitational mass-energy defect could be the main cause of Big Bang energy and triggering inflation in the newborn Universe.

The paper considers the physical consequences of bimetric geodesically (pro jectively) invariant equations of gravitation. The correct expression for the energy- impulse tensor of the gravitational field is obtained and with its help the key role of the gravitational defect of mass-energy for the energy of the newborn universe is shown..

In this work, we investigated the effects of heat treatment on the microstructure, hydrogen storage characteristics and corrosion rate of a Ti₃₄V₄₀Cr₂₄Fe₂ alloy. The arc melted alloy was divided into three samples, two of which were separately quartz-sealed under vacuum and heated to 1000 °C for 1 h; one of these samples was quenched and the other furnace cooled to ambient temperature. The crystal structures of the samples were studied via X-ray diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy. Absorption/desorption characteristics were investigated using a Sievert apparatus. Potentiostat corrosion tests on the alloys were performed using an AutoLab^® corrosion test apparatus and electrochemical cell. All samples exhibited a mixture of body-center-cubic (BCC) and Laves phase structures. The corrosion rate, maximum absorption, and useful capacities increased after both heat treatments. The annealed sample had the highest absorption and reversible capacity. The plateau pressure of the as-cast alloy increased after quenching. The corrosion rate increased from 0.0004 mm/y in as-cast sample to 0.0009 mm/y after annealing and 0.0017 mm/y after quenching, due to a decrease in the Cr-content of the C14 phase.

The article describes the study of the properties of polytetrafluoroethylene, modified using natural layered silicates—serpentinite. It is shown that the introduction of a small amount of layered silicates significantly increases the tribological characteristics of the material. The additional introduction of magnesium nano-spinels facilitated the formation of an intercalated polymer-silicate nanocomposite.

A pattern of NK cell heterogeneity in each individual determines proliferative and functional responses of NK cells to activating stimuli. Obtaining the progeny of a single cell by cloning original population is one of the ways to study the NK cell heterogeneity. In this work, we used single cell sorting into a plate and stimulation by IL-2 and gene-modified K562 feeder cells expressing membrane-bound IL-21 (K562-mbIL21) that led to generation of phenotypically confirmed and functionally active NK cell clones. We applied two models of clone cultivation, which differently affected their phenotype, lifespan and functional activity. The first model, which included weekly restimulation of clones with K562-mbIL21 and IL-2, resulted in the generation of relatively short-lived (5-7 weeks) clones of highly activated NK cells. HLA-DR expression in the expanded NK cells correlated strongly with IFN-γ production. The second model, in which NK cells were restimulated mainly with IL-2 alone, produced long-lived clones (8-14 weeks) that expanded up to 10⁷ cells with lower ability to produce IFN-γ. Our method is applicable for studying variability in phenotype, proliferative and functional activity of the certain NK cell progeny in response to the stimulation, which may help in selecting NK cells best suited for clinical use.

We use a system biology approach to translate the interaction of Bacillus Calmette-Gurin (BCG) + interleukin 2 (IL-2) for the treatment of bladder cancer into a mathematical model. The model is presented as a system of differential equations with the following variables: number of tumor cells, bacterial cells, immune cells, and cytokines involved in the tumor-immune response. This work investigates the delay effect induced by the proliferation of tumor antigen-specific effector cells after the immune system destroys BCG-infected urothelium cells following BCG and IL-2 immunotherapy in the treatment of bladder cancer. For the proposed model, three equilibrium states are found analytically. The stability of all equilibria is analyzed using the method of Lyapunov functionals construction and the method of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs).

Transcription is carried out in most eukaryotes by three multimeric complexes (RNA polymerases I, II and III). However, plants contain two additional RNA polymerases (IV and V), which have evolved from RNA polymerase II. RNA polymerases II, IV and V contain both common and specific subunits that may specialize some of their functions. In this study, we conducted a search for the genes that putatively code for the specific subunits of RNA polymerases IV and V, as well as the corresponding of RNA polymerase II in olive. Based on the homology with the genes of Arabidopsis thaliana, we identified 13 genes that putatively code for the specific subunits of polymerases IV and V, and 16 genes that code for the corresponding specific subunits of polymerase II in olive. The transcriptomic analysis by RNA-Seq revealed that the expression of the RNA polymerases IV and V genes was induced during the initial stages of fruit development. Given that RNA polymerases IV and V are involved in the transcription of long non-coding RNAs, we investigated their expression and observed relevant changes in the expression of this type of RNAs. Particularly, the expression of the intergenic and intronic long non-coding RNAs tended to increase in the early steps of fruit development, suggesting their potential role in this process. The positive correlation between the expression of RNA polymerases IV and V subunits and the expression of non-coding RNAs supports the hypothesis that RNA polymerases IV and V may play a role in fruit development throughout the synthesis of this type of RNAs.

Photovoltaic modules should pass series of tests and examinations, verifying the electrical and thermal characteristics of the module, before being released to the market, examining the properties of the modules should undergo appropriate durability and efficiency tests under real outdoor conditions with exposure to climatic conditions and under laboratory conditions. The performance of photovoltaic cells depends on many factors, such as solar irradiance, module operating temperature, installation location, weather conditions and module shading. In this paper, three selected photovoltaic modules were examined using a large-scale steady-state solar simulator. The current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of the photovoltaic modules were experimentally tested and analyzed. The next step was to implement a three-layer artificial neural network model (MLP). The experimental data obtained in the previous step coupled with output data from MLP were then used in global sensitivity analysis (GSA). Experiments carried out on a large-scale stationary solar simulator showed differences between the values declared by the manufacturer and the values obtained from measurements of PV modules. The first module tested achieved the maximum power point greater than that specified by the manufacturer, while the other two showed power drops; it was 85-87% for the second module, and 95-98% for the third, respectively. The performed global sensitivity analysis (GSA) for the MLP model showed that the parameters: eff (22.9) and Voc/V (14.19) have the largest effect on the power-voltage relationship, while U (7.29) has the smallest effect. The usefulness of machine learning (ML) methods in the comparative analysis of PV modules has been proved.

In the framework of mean field approximation, we consider a spin system consisting of two interacting sub-ensembles: spins interactions with in each sub-ensemble are ferromagnetic, while the inter-ensemble interactions are antiferromagnetic. We define the effective number of the nearest neighbors, and show that if the two sub-ensembles have the same effective number of the nearest neighbors, the classical form of critical exponents (, , , ) gives way to the non-classical form (, , , ), and the scaling function changes simultaneously. We demonstrate that this system allows for two second-order phase transitions and two first-order phase transitions. We observe that an external magnetic field does not destroy the phase transitions, but only shifts their critical points, allowing for control of the system’s parameters. We discuss the regime when the magnetization as a function of the magnetic field develops a low-magnetization plateau, and show that the height of this plateau abruptly rises to the value of one when the magnetic field reaches a critical value. Our analytical results are supported by a Monte Carlo simulation of a three-dimensional layered model.

The purpose of the study is to control the ratio of programs of different genres when forming the broadcast grid in order to increase and maintain the rating of the channel. In the multichannel environment, television rating control consists of selecting such content, ratings of which are completely restored after advertising. A hybrid approach combining the benefits of semantic training and fuzzy relational equations in simplification of the expert recommendation systems construction is proposed. The problem of retaining the television rating can be attributed to the problems of fuzzy resources control. The increase or decrease trends of the demand and supply are described by primary fuzzy relations. The rule-based solutions of fuzzy relational equations connect significance measures of the primary fuzzy terms. Rules refinement by solving fuzzy relational equations allows avoiding labor-intensive procedures for the generation and selection of expert rules. The solution set generation corresponds to the granulation of the television time, where each solution represents the time slot and the granulated rating of the content. In automated media planning, generation of the weekly TV program in the form of the granular solutions provides the decrease of the time needed for the programming of the channel broadcast grid.

Biomass burning is an important and changing component of the global and hemispheric carbon cycles. Boreal forest fires in Russia and Canada are significant sources of greenhouse gases carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4). The influence of carbon monoxide (CO) on the greenhouse effect is practically absent: its main absorption bands of 4.6 and 2.3 μm are far away from the climatically important spectral regions. Meanwhile, CO concentrations in fire plumes are closely related to CO2 and CH4 emissions from fires. On the other hand, satellite measurements of CO are much simpler than those for the aforementioned gases. The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) provides a satellite-based CO data set since October, 2002 up to now. This communication presents estimates of CO emissions from biomass burning north of 30° N using a simple two-box mass-balance model. These results correlate closely with independently estimated CO emissions from the GFED4 bottom-up data base. Both ones reported record high emissions in 2021 throughout two decades, double the annual emissions comparing to the previous years. There have been two years with extremely high emissions (2003 and 2021), but for the rest of data upward trend with a rate of 3.6 ± 2.2 Tg CO yr-2 (4.8 ± 2.7% yr-1), was found. A similar rate of CO emission follows from the GFED4 data.

The dark energy from virtual gravitons is consistent with observational data on supernova with the same accuracy as the CDM model. The fact that virtual gravitons are capable of producing of a de Sitter accelerated expansion of the FLRW universe was established in 2008 (see references). The combination of conformal non–invariance with zero rest mass of gravitons (unique properties of the gravitational field) leads to the appearance of graviton dark energy in a mater-dominated era. Тhis fact explains the relatively recent appearance of the dark energy and answers the question “Why now?”. The transition redshifts (where deceleration is replaced by acceleration) that follow from the graviton theory are consistent with model independent transition redshifts derived from observational data. Prospects for testing the GCDM model (the graviton model of dark energy where G stands for gravitons) and comparison with the CDM model are discussed.

An idea expressed in the paper [Entropy 2017, 19, 345] about the deductive formulation of a physical theory resting on explicitly- and universally-introduced basic concepts is developed. An entropic measure of time with a number of properties leading to an analog of the Galilei–Einstein relativity principle is considered. Using the introduced measure and a simple model, a kinematic law relating the size, time, and number of particles of a system is obtained. Corollaries of this law are examined. In particular, accelerated increase of the system size and, if the system size remains unchanged, decrease of the number of particles are found. An interesting corollary is the emergence of repulsive and attractive forces inversely proportional to the square of the system size for relatively dense systems and constant for sufficiently rarefied systems.

For the set of probability measures ${\sf I}(X)$, where $X$ is a compact Hausdorff space, we propose a new way to introduce the topology by using open subsets of the space $X$. Then, among other things, we give a new proof that for a compact Hausdorff space $X$ the space ${\sf I}(X)$ is also a compact Hausdorff space. For a Tychonoff space $X$, we consider the topological space ${\sf I_{\tau}}(X)$ of $\tau$-smooth idempotent probability measures on $X$,and show that the space ${\sf I_{\tau}}(X)$ is \v{C}ech-complete if and only if the given space $X$ is \v{C}ech-complete.

The response of the Cold-Electron Bolometers (CEBs), integrated into a 2-D array of dipole antennas, has been measured by irradiation from YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-\delta}$ (YBCO) 50 $\mu$m long Josephson junction into the THz region at frequencies from 0.1 to 0.8 THz. The possibility of controlling the amplitude-frequency characteristic is demonstrated by the external magnetic field in the traveling wave regime of a long Josephson junction. YBCO junction has been formed on the bicrystal Zr$_{1-x}$Y$_x$O$_2$ (YSZ) substrate by magnetron sputtering and etching of the film. CEBs have been fabricated using an Al multilayer structure by a self-aligned shadow evaporation technique on Si substrate. Both receiver and oscillator have been located inside the same cryostat at 0.3K and 2.7K plates, respectively.

The article presents a new scalable iterative method for linear programming called the “apex method”. The key feature of this method is constructing a path close to optimal on the surface of the feasible region from a certain starting point to the exact solution of linear programming problem. The optimal path refers to a path of minimum length according to the Euclidean metric. The apex method is based on the predictor-corrector framework and proceeds in two stages: quest (predictor) and target (corrector). The quest stage calculates a rough initial approximation of linear programming problem. The target stage refines the initial approximation with a given precision. The main operation used in the apex method is an operation that calculates the pseudoprojection, which is a generalization of the metric projection to a convex closed set. This operation is used both in the quest stage and in the target stage. A parallel algorithm using a Fejér mapping to compute the pseudoprojection is presented. An analytical estimation of the parallelism degree of this algorithm is obtained. Also, an algorithm implementing the target stage is given. The convergence of this algorithm is proven. An experimental study of the scalability of the apex method on a cluster computing system is described. The results of applying the apex method to solve problems from the Netlib-LP repository are presented.

This paper presents a two-dimensional mathematical model of compound eye vision. Such a model is useful for solving navigation issues for autonomous mobile robots on the ground plane. The model is inspired by the insect compound eye that consists of ommatidia, which are tiny independent photoreception units, each of which combines a cornea, lens, and rhabdom. The model describes the planar binocular compound eye vision, focusing on measuring distance and azimuth to a circular feature with an arbitrary size. The model provides a necessary and sufficient condition for the visibility of a circular feature by each ommatidium. On this basis, an algorithm is built for generating a training data set to create two deep neural networks (DNN): the first detects the distance, and the second detects the azimuth to a circular feature. The hyperparameter tuning and the configurations of both networks are described. Experimental results showed that the proposed method could effectively and accurately detect the distance and azimuth to objects.

The transmission of light is one of the key optical processes in the terrestrial environment (the atmosphere and underlying surfaces). The dependence of light transmittance on the illumination/observation conditions and optical properties of the atmosphere–underlying system can be studied using the integro-differential radiative transfer equation. However, for numerous applications a set of analytical equations is needed to describe the transmitted light intensity and flux. In this paper, we describe various analytical techniques to study light transmittance through light scattering and absorbing media. A physical significance and improved mathematical accuracy of approximations are provided using the analytical models for the diffusion exponent, average cosine of the light field, spherical and plane albedos. The accuracy of various approximations is studied using exact radiative transfer calculations with various scattering phase functions, single-scattering albedos, observational conditions, and optical depths.

Molecular mimicry between human and microbial/viral/parasite peptides is common and for a long time is associated with the etiology of autoimmune disorders provoked by exogenous pathogens. Increasing evidence accumulated from the past years suggests a strong correlation between the SARS-CoV-2 infection and autoimmunity. The article analyzes the immunogenic potential of the peptides shared between SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein (S-protein and antigens of human endocrinocytes involved in most common autoimmune endocrinopathies. Totally the study revealed 14 pentapeptides shared by S-protein of SARS-CoV-2 and autoantigens of thyroid, pituitary, adrenal cortex and Langerhans’ islets beta-cells, 12 of them belong to immunoreactive epitopes of SARS-CoV-2. The discussion of the data links the results with clinical correlates of COVID-associated autoimmune endocrinopathies. Most common of them is an autoimmune thyroid disease, so the majority of shared pentapeptides belong to marker autoantigens of this disease. Most important in pathogenesis of severe COVID-19, according authors’ opinion, can be autoimmunity against adrenals, because their adequate response prevents from excessive systemic action of inflammatory mediators which cause cytokine storm and hemodynamic shock. The criticism of antigen mimicry concept is given with a statement that peptide sharing is not a guarantee, but just a prerequisite of autoimmunity excess provocation. The last event occurs in carriers of certain HLA haplotypes and in case when shared peptide is used in antigen processing only [1 figure, 5 tables, bibliography 38 references].

The classical Lotka-Volterra predator-prey model is globally stable and uniformly persistent. However, in real-life biosystems extinction of species due to stochastic effects is possible. In this paper, we consider the classical Lotka-Volterra predator-prey model under stochastic perturbations. For this model, using an analytical technique based on the direct Lyapunov method and a development of the ideas of R.Z. Khasminskii, we find the precise sufficient conditions for the stochastic extinction of one and both species and the precise necessary conditions for the stochastic system persistence. The stochastic extinction occurs via a process known as the stabilization by noise of the Khasminskii type, and, in order to establish the sufficient conditions for extinction, we found the conditions for the stabilization. The analytical results are illustrated by numerical simulations. {\bf Keywords:} stochastic perturbations, white noise, Ito's stochastic differential equation, the Lyapunov functions method, stability in probability, stabilization by noise, stochastic extinction, persistence.

The medicinal herb Centaurium erythraea is well-known for its natural ability to treat digestive issues like dyspepsia and liver insufficiency by promoting the secretions of the liver and esophagus. This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of Centaurium erythraea extracts in treating diabetes. Decoction and Soxhlet procedures were used to examine the extracts, with water serving as the solvent. The extracts were tested for antioxidant capacity, antimicrobial effects, and inhibitory effects on alpha-amylase activity. In comparison to the aqueous extract, the decocted extract had higher levels of polyphenols, total tannins, and anthocyanins, as well as more effective antioxidant capacities. Due to its reduction of alpha-amylase activity and enteric absorption of glucose, Centaurium erythraea has also shown considerable anti-hyperglycemic action.

Recent studies have shown that the endogenous cannabinoid system (ECS) of the brain is essentially involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD), influencing its symptoms by regulating the level of endogenous cannabinoids and altering the activation of cannabinoid receptors (CBR). Therefore, modulation of ECS with new drugs developed for this purpose may prove to be a promising strategy in the treatment of PD. However, fine regulation of ECS is quite a challenge due to the functional diversity of CBR in the basal ganglia. Our review analyses the effects of ECS modulators on experimental PD models and in patients with PD, as well as presents the outlooks for the development of new cannabinoid drugs for the treatment of motor and non-motor symptoms in PD.

(1) Background: Heart rate variability (HRV) has emerged as a potential prognostic tool in cardiovascular diseases, offering individualized insights into autonomic nervous system activity. However, real-time HRV data during the acute phase of STEMI, particularly during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), was not previously explored. (2) Methods: This single-center, observational cohort study included 104 STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). HRV parameters were measured using a wearable device (CE marked) during PCI, capturing dynamic responses. The association between HRV parameters and adverse outcomes, including in-hospital mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), were assessed. (3) Results: HRV parameters significantly decreased after myocardial revascularization, particularly SDNN, RMSSD, pNN50, HF, SD1, and SD2/SD1 ratio. Significant associations were found between reduced SD2/SD1 ratio, approximate entropy, and adverse outcomes, including increased in-hospital mortality and MACE. The SD2/SD1 ratio was significantly lower in patients who died during the hospital stay (p = 0.008) compared to survivors. Approximate entropy was also significantly lower in deceased patients (p = 0.019). (4) Conclusions: Real-time HRV monitoring using wearable technology offers valuable data regarding dynamic physiological changes during primary PCI. The integration of HRV into routine clinical practice, facilitated by wearable devices, could improve the risk stratification and event prediction in STEMI patients.

The influence of various energetic particles and electron injection on transport of minority carriers and non-equilibrium carrier recombination in Ga₂O₃ is summarized in this review. In Ga₂O₃ semiconductor, if robust p-type material and bipolar structures become available, diffusion length of minority carriers will be of critical significance. Diffusion length of minority carriers dictates functionality of such electronic devices as diodes, transistors, and detectors. One of the problems in ultra-wide band gap materials technology, is the short carrier diffusion length, due to scattering on extended defects. Electron injection in n- and p-type Gallium Oxide results in a significant increase of the diffusion length, even after its deterioration due to exposure to alpha- and proton-irradiation. Furthermore, post electron injection diffusion length in irradiated material exceeds that in Ga₂O₃ prior to irradiation and injection. The root cause of the electron injection-induced effect is attributed to the increase of minority carrier lifetime in the material due to trapping of non-equilibrium electrons on native point defects. It is, therefore, concluded that the electron injection is capable of “healing” the adverse impact of radiation in Ga₂O₃ and can be used for control of minority carrier transport and, therefore, device performance.

Lyme disease, the leading vector-borne ailment in the U.S., annually affects an estimated 476,000 individuals, predominantly in the Northeast and Upper Midwest. Despite its increasing incidence, the evaluation of risk within U.S. cities, including natural public lands, remains inadequate. This study focuses on blacklegged tick occurrences and Borrelia burgdorferi infection prevalence in 24 Staten Island parks, aiming to assess Lyme disease exposure risk. Monthly acarological risk index (ARI) calculations from 2019 to 2022 revealed elevated values (0.16-0.53) in specific parks, notably Wolfe’s Pond Park, High Rock Park, Clay Pit Pond Park, Clove Lake Park, and Fair View Park. June (0.36) and November (0.21) consistently exhibited heightened ARIs, aligning with peak tick collection months. Despite stable yearly infection rates at 28.97%, tick densities varied significantly between parks and years. Identifying a high transmission risk in specific parks in Staten Island, a highly urbanized part of New York City, emphasizes the continuous necessity for Lyme disease risk management, even within the greenspaces of large cities.

The effectiveness of a hybrid technique for identifying seismic damage in planar, multistory, steel X or V-braced frames is demonstrated here through an example of a six-story frame. This proposed technique, referred to as “M and P”, combines the instrumental Monitoring (M) with Pushover analysis (P). According to the methodology, the diagram of stepping eigenfrequencies of the frame in the inelastic region is initially plotted against seismic roof displacement. The fundamental natural frequency detected via the monitoring process is then utilized in this key diagram to reveal the inelastic roof displacement that corresponds to the damage state of the steel braced frame. This displacement is subsequently used as the target in the pushover analysis, facilitating the identification of seismic damage in the existing steel braced frame. Finally, the damage image is correlated with the damage stiffness matrix of the frame at the same inelastic roof displacement. The investigation results indicate that combining instrumental monitoring with pushover analysis enables accurate identification of seismic damage potential in existing steel braced frames.

Under high-frequency operating conditions, the high-speed solenoid valve (HSV) experiences energy loss and heat generation, which significantly impact its operational lifetime. Reducing the energy loss of HSV without compromising its opening response characteristics poses a significant challenge. To address this issue, a finite element simulation model of HSV coupled with a current feedback model is constructed to investigate the synergistic effects of dynamic response and energy loss. Predictive models for the opening response time, HSV driving energy, and Joule energy using Back Propagation neural network (BPNN) are established. Furthermore, a multi-objective optimization study on the current driving strategy using Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II) is conducted. After optimization, although there was a 6.24% increase in the opening response time, both HSV drive energy and Joule energy were significantly reduced by 15.67% and 22.49%, respectively. The proposed multi-objective optimization method for HSV driving strategy holds great significance in improving its working durability.

In this study, the term dimension is introduced on fuzzy(neutrosophic) graphs. The classes of these specific graphs are chosen to obtain some results based on dimension. The types of crisp notions and fuzzy(neutrosophic) notions are used to make sense about the material of this study and the outline of this study uses some new notions which are crisp and fuzzy(neutrosophic).

The prevailing interpretations of physics are based on deeply entrenched assumptions, rooted in classical mechanics. Logical implications include: the denial of entropy as a fundamental physical property, and the inability to explain irreversible change, random quantum measurements, or nonlocality without untestable and implausible metaphysical implications. We propose a conceptual model that is based on empirically justifiable assumptions and consistent with observations. The WYSIWYG Conceptual Model (WCM) assumes no hidden properties: “What You can See Is What You Get.” The WCM contextually defines a system’s state with respect to its actual ambient background, and it extends existing models of physical reality by defining entropy and exergy as objective contextual properties of state. The WCM establishes the irreversible dissipation of exergy and the Second law of thermodynamics as a fundamental law of physics, it recognizes physical randomness, and it provides a physical explanation for nonlocality, consistent with Special Relativity, without hidden variables, superdeterminism, or “spooky action.”

Fractal array antennas are multiband arrays having ultra wide band and space filling facility. But Side lobe levels and large number of antenna elements are the major designing challenges of these arrays. In this paper, design and analysis of octagonal fractal array antenna is investigated with Morse-Thue fractal density tapering technique (MTFDT). Due to the proposed technique, a remarkable improvement has observed in Side lobe levels and thinning of the elements can also be attained at the various iterations of octagonal fractal array antenna. These arrays are analyzed and simulated by MATLAB-15 programming.

We present a new analytical method to find the asymptotic stable equilibria states based on the Markov chain technique. We reveal this method on the SIR-type epidemiological model that we developed for viral diseases with long-term immunity memory pandemic. This is a large-scale model containing 15 nonlinear ODE equations, and classical methods have failed to analytically obtain its equilibria. The proposed method is used to conduct a comprehensive analysis by a stochastic representation of the dynamics of the model, followed by finding all asymptotic stable equilibrium states of the model for any values of parameters and initial conditions.

Patients with COVID-19 demonstrate higher rates of cardiovascular complications, including thromboses and thromboembolism. One may suppose that the action of SARS-CoV-2 transforms stable atherosclerotic plaques into unstable status. Cardiovascular complications in COVID-19 may be caused by progressive viral alteration the blood vessels, including vasa vasorum. A lethal case of ischemic brain disease caused by cerebral atherosclerosis and exacerbated with a stroke during COVID-19 infection is briefly described. The results of autopsy showed perivascular lymphocytic infiltration and signs of vasa vasorum vasculitis with thrombi of adventitial microvasculature. The data discussed in the article are interpreted in context of the concept giving the important role in atherogenesis to vasa vasorum.

The contribution aims to bring forth a novel synthesis route in developing transparent UV-LED curable coatings accounting various exposure options. A selection of perfluoropolyether (PFPE)-urethane methacrylate and acrylate resins, free-radical photo-initiator Omnirad 2100, and two distinct silane based crosslinking agents were blended under a weight ratio of 75:20:5 (without crosslinker) and 70:15:5:10, respectively. The coatings were cured under a UV-LED 4 x 3 matrix light emitting source, in a chamber under controlled atmosphere, by means of an in-house developed conveyor belt type platform, at different conveyor belt speed (5, 50, 150, 250, and 500 mm/s). The morphologies of fabricated coatings were characterized by FTIR revealing high conversion rates (e.g., from 98 to 100%) for increased exposure time as resulted from the 5 or 50 mm/s values, on all combinations. Dynamic-mechanical and optical properties of UV-LED cured transparent coatings were also investigated. A negative shift of a glass transition temperature values with a decrease in exposure time, in all combinations, from about 60 °C to 30 °C, along with storage moduli lowering in the glassy plateau further favor on higher exposure times for curing. The refractive indices of polymers were from 1.38 to 1.40, whereas the thermo-optic coefficients are showing minor changes around value of 2.55∙10-4 K-1.

The study of the impact of polyQ expansion driven proteotoxicity on cell metabolism has evi-denced NAD molecule as a central player in regulating metabolic response and cell repair in neurodegeneration. The decline in NAD intracellular levels represents a hallmark of ageing aris-ing from a dysregulation between NAD-consuming and biosynthetic enzymatic reactions in which NMNAT plays a key role. By an integrated bioanalytical and proteomic experimental design, the derangement of NAD metabolism deriving from the accumulation of polyQ-Htt protein has been analysed in Saccha-romices cerevisiae harbouring a 103Q-Htt and compared with wild-type Htt, in absence and in presence of a phenolic extract from EVOO, as a source of antioxidant bioactive compounds. Quantification of NAD and its precursors and proteomic analysis of the differential protein ex-pression has been performed by LC-DAD-MS. Chronological lifespan and NAD homeostasis was strongly impaired by proteotoxic polyQ-Htt, eliciting a depletion of NAD levels and accumulation of NaMN. In parallel a downregulation of Sirt2 expression levels has been observed. Phenolic extract administration had no meaningful ef-fects on NAD replenishment to prevent proteotoxicity. NaMN can represent a biomarker of accel-erated aging, and/or a signaling molecule for cell repair.

The aim of this work is to introduce new ways to model the I-V characteristic of a PV cell or PV module using straight lines and Bézier curves. This is a complete novel approach, Bézier curves being previously used mainly for computer graphics. The I-V characteristic is divided in three sections, modeled with lines and a quadratic Bézier curve in the first case and with three cubic Bézier curves in the second case. The result proves to be accurate and relies on the fundamental points usually present in the PV cell datasheets: Voc (the open circuit voltage), Isc (the short circuit current), Vmp (the maximum power corresponding voltage) and Imp (the maximum power corresponding current) and the parasitic resistances Rsh0 (shunt resistance at Isc) and Rs0 (series resistance at Voc). The proposed algorithm completely defines all the implied control points and the error is analyzed. The temperature and irradiance influence is also analyzed. The model is also compared using the least squares fitting method. The final validation shows how to use Bézier cubic curves to accurately represent the I-V curves of an extensive range of PV cells and arrays.

BACKGROUNDː The so-called Low Cardiac Output Syndrome (LCOS) is one of the most common complications in pediatric patients with congenital heart disease undergoing corrective surgery. LCOS requires high concentrations of inotropes to support cardiac contractility and improve cardiac output, allowing for a better systemic perfusion. To date, serum lactate concentrations and central venous oxygen saturation (ScVO2) are the most commonly used perfusion markers, but they are not completely reliable to identify a state of global tissue hypoxia. The study aims to evaluate whether the venoarterial carbon dioxide difference/arterial-venous oxygen difference ratio [P(v-a)CO2/C(a-v)O2] can be a good index to predict the development of LCOS in the aforemen-tioned patients, so as to treat it promptly. METHODSː This study followed a population of 98 children undergoing corrective cardiac surgery from June 2018 to October 2020 at the Department of Cardiac Surgery of University Hospital Inte-grated Trust and their subsequent admission at the Postoperative Cardiothoracic Surgery Intensive Care Unit. During the study, central arterial and venous blood gas analysis were carried out before and after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) (pre-CPB and post-CPB), at admission to intensive care unit, before and after extubation and at any time of instability or modification of the patient’s clinical and therapeutic conditions. RESULTSː The data analysis shows that 46.9% of the children developed a LCOS (in line with the current literature) but that there is no statistically significant association between the P(v-a)CO2/C(a-v)O2 ratio and LCOS onset. Despite the limits of statistical significance, however, a 31% increase in the ratio emerged from the pre-CPB phase to the post-CPB phase when LCOS is present. CONCLUSIONSː This study confirms a statistically significant association between the most used markers in adult patients (serum lactate concentration, ScVO2 and oxygen extraction ratio-ERO2) measured in the pre-CPB phase and the incidence of LCOS onset, especially in patients with he-modynamic instability before surgery.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC), alternative term for kidney cancer, is becoming more common worldwide each year, and there are many different contributing factors. Among all cancers, RCC is the 14th most prevalent; and it ranks as the 14th and 9th most prevalent cancer overall for women and men respectively. RCC cases increased by more than 430,000 in 2020. While disease burdens are highest in Eastern Europe (Belarus and Russia) and North America (Canada and the United States), Africa, Asia, and Latin America are predicted to report increase in prevalence as these regions embrace change in lifestyle. The majority of RCC cases are accidentally found on imaging, and survival is greatly impacted by the disease stage at diagnosis, with a metastatic cancer having a 5-year survival rate of 12%. As a consequence of early discovery and more improved treatments, RCC mortality has declined. The key epidemiologic variables of RCC include vast regional and geographical heterogeneity in prevalence rates, and the cause is largely unclear. Recognized risk factors include smoking, being overweight, having previous episodes of hypertension, and suffering chronic renal illness. Unexpectedly swift, RCC diagnosis and therapy have advanced. RCC prevalence continues to rise although survival rates have sharply improved. Cancer survival and treatment have improved, and more gains are projected as a result of clinical and translational research. In this review, kidney cancer statistics and recent literatures are examined on a global scale. It covered aspects of kidney cancer, including its epidemiology, causes, risk factors, current immunotherapy, chances for prevention, and future planning.

Control over the composition of III-V ternary nanowires grown by the vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) method is essential for bandgap engineering in such nanomaterials and fabrication of functional nanowire heterostructures for a variety of applications. From the fundamental viewpoint, III-V ternary nanowires based on group V intermix (InSbxAs1-x, InPxAs1-x, GaPxAs1-x and many others) present the most difficult case, because the concentrations of highly volatile group V atoms in a catalyst droplet are beyond the detection limit of any characterization technique and therefore principally unknown. Here, we present a model for the vapor-solid distribution of such nanowires, which fully circumvents the uncertainties that remained in the theory so far, and link the nanowire composition to the well-controlled parameters of vapor. The unknown concentrations of group V atoms in the droplet do not enter the distribution, despite of the fact that a growing solid is surrounded by the liquid phase. The model fits quite well the available data on the vapor-solid distributions of VLS InSbxAs1-x, InPxAs1-x and GaPxAs1-x nanowires grown with different catalyst. Even more importantly, it provides a basis for the compositional control of III-V ternary nanowires based on group V intermix, and can be extended over other material systems where two highly volatile elements enter a ternary solid alloy through a liquid phase.

A polymer inclusion membrane (PIM) composed of 50 wt% poly(vinylidenefluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) as its base polymer, 40 wt% Aliquat® 336 as its extractant and 10 wt% dibutyl phthalate (DBP) as plasticizer provided efficient extraction of vanadium(V) from its sulfate solutions adjusted to pH 2.5. It was suggested that V(V) was extracted as VO2SO4− via an anion exchange mechanism. Quantitative back-extraction was achieved in a sulfuric acid solution (6 mol L-1) containing 1 v/v% of hydrogen peroxide. It was assumed that the back-extraction process involved the oxidation of VO2+ to VO(O2)+ by hydrogen peroxide. The newly developed PIM with the optimized composition mentioned above exhibited excellent selectivity for V(V) in the presence of metallic species present in digests of spent alumina hydrodesulfurization catalysts (i.e., Al(III), Co(II), Cu(II), Fe(III), Mn(II), and Ni(II)). The co-extraction of Mo(VI) with V(V) was eliminated by its selective extraction at pH 1.1. The optimized PIM was characterized by contact angle measurements, atomic-force microscopy (AFM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)/derivatives thermogravimetric analysis (DTGA), and the stress-strain measurements.

Background: Fullerenes and metallofullerenes can be considered promising nanopharmaceuticals themselves and as a basis for chemical modification. As reactive oxygen species homeostasis plays a vital role in cells, the study of their effect on genes involved in oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory response is of particular importance. Methods: Human fetal lung fibroblasts were incubated with aqueous dispersions of C60, C70, and Gd@C82 in concentrations of 5 nM and 1.5 µM for 1, 3, 24, and 72 hours. Cell viability, intracellular ROS, NOX4, NFκB, PRAR-γ, NRF2, heme oxygenase 1, and NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 expression have been studied. Results & conclusion: The aqueous dispersions of C60, C70, and Gd@C82 fullerenes are active participants in ROS homeostasis. Low and high concentrations of AFDs have similar effects. C70 was the most inert substance, C60 was the most active substance. All AFDs have both a “prooxidant” and “antioxidant” effect, but with a different balance. Gd@C82 was a substance with more pronounced antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, while C70 had more pronounced “prooxidant” properties.

Ground penetrating radar (georadar, GPR), widely used in geology, archeology and road construction, is an efficient tool for searching and studying subsurface objects and structures. When planning GPR missions, it is necessary to predict the resolution of the device and the achievable probing depth. The article discusses the methods and results of assessing these characteristics of the Loza-V and Loza-N radars obtained in the course of archaeological and geographical expedition works.

In this paper, we define a (p,v)-extension of Hurwitz-Lerch Zeta function by considering an extension of beta function defined by Parmar et al. [J. Classical Anal. 11 (2017) 81–106]. We obtain its basic properties which include integral representations, Mellin transformation, derivative formulas and certain generating relations. Also, we establish the special cases of the main results.

A novel low-power MOS-only voltage reference is presented. The Enz-Krummenacher-Vittoz (EKV) model is adopted to provide a new perspective on the operating principle. The normalized charge density, introduced as a new variable, serves as an indicator when trimming the output temperature coefficient. The proposed voltage reference consists of a specific current generator and a 5-bit trimmable load. Thanks to the well-match between the current source stage and the output stage, the non-linear temperature dependence of carrier mobility is automatically canceled out. The circuit is designed in 55 nm COMS technology. The operating temperature ranges from -40 ∘C to 120 ∘C. The average temperature coefficient of the output voltage can be reduced to 21.7 ppm/∘C by trimming. The power consumption is only 23.2 nW with a supply voltage of 0.8 V. The line sensitivity and the power supply rejection ratio at 100 Hz are 0.011 %/V and -89 dB respectively.

The review analyzes a possible role of autoimmune processes in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia and evolution of concepts on this issue from its origin to present. Risks of autoimmune processes causing schizophrenia are associated with several factors: an impaired functioning of dopaminergic and glutamatergic systems in the brain, kynurenine pathway disorder with overproduction of quinolinic, anthranilic and kynurenic acids (possibly altering both neurons and T-regulators), increased intestinal permeability, as well as food antigens’ effects, stress and infections with various pathogens at different stages of ontogenesis. An increase in the levels of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines as well as a decrease in the levels of anti-inflammatory ones also may contribute to schizophrenia risks. Schizophrenia often occurs in those patients having various autoimmune diseases and their first-degree relatives. Cases of schizophrenia resulted from autoimmune pathogenesis (including autoimmune encephalitis caused by autoantibodies against various neuronal antigens) are characterized by quite severe cognitive and psychotic symptoms and less favorable prognosis. This severe course may result from the chronic immune damage of the neuronal receptors such as NMDA, GABA, and others and depend on hyperprolactinemia, induced by antipsychotics, but aggravating autoimmune processes [with 2 tables, 4 figures, bibliography: 99 references].

Bats are natural hosts for a wide variety of viruses and could therefore be the reservoir, source and spillover for several mammalian viruses, including adenoviruses. We examined faecal samples from 12 bats (five species of the family Vespertilionidae) from central Russia (Moscow Region) and found that two of them (16%) were positive for mastadenoviruses. One of the identified viruses was isolated from faeces of Nyctalis noctule and named BatAdV/MOW15-Nn19. The genome of the BatAdV/MOW15-Nn19 was 37,915 bp in length. Comparative studies have shown significant divergence of the nucleotide sequence of the BatAdV/MOW15-Nn19 genome from European mastadenoviruses, the highest genome sequence similarity was to isolate WA3301 from an Australian bat. Phylogenetic analysis, as well as a comparative analysis of the protein coding genes to homologous available from public database, showed evidence of novel species within Mastadenovirus genus (preliminary named «K»). Analysis of the short part of the DNA polymerase gene of BatAdV/MOW15-Nn19 reveals few NCBI records from Europe with high identity to the new virus, i.e. mastadenoviruses related to the new species are circulating in European bats. The partial genome of another mastadenovirus from Pipistrellus nathusii was identified, it represented bat adenovirus species B, which is widely distributed in European Vespertilionidae bats. New data on the genetic diversity of bat adenoviruses may help to better understand how they evolved in mammals and spread across Europe.

This paper thoroughly assesses the ARM and RISC-V architectures in the context of High-Performance Computing (HPC). It includes an analysis of Docker, Kubernetes, and KVM virtualization integration. Our study aims to evaluate and compare these systems' performance, scalability, and practicality in a general context and then assess the impact that might have on special use cases, like HPC. ARM-based systems exhibited better performance and seamless integration with Docker and Kubernetes, underscoring their advanced development and effectiveness in managing high-performance computing workloads. On the other hand, despite their open-source architecture, RISC-V platforms presented considerable intricacy and difficulties in coordinating with Kubernetes, which hurt their overall effectiveness and ease of management. The results of our study offer valuable insights into the practical consequences of implementing these architectures for HPC, highlighting ARM's preparedness and the potential of RISC-V while acknowledging the increased complexity involved and significant trade-offs at this point.

We report cyclic growth/retraction phenomena observed for saline droplets placed on the cured PDMS membrane with the thickness of 7.8±0.1 µm floating on pure water surface. Osmotic mass transport across the micro-scaled floating PDMS membrane provided the growth of the sessile saline droplets followed by evaporation of the saline droplets. The observed growth/retraction cycle was reversible. The model of the osmotic mass transfer across the cured PDMS membrane is suggested. The model explains semi-quantitatively the time evolution of a droplet.

A novel type of phosphazene containing additive that act both as catalyst and as flame retardant for benzoxazine binders is presented in this study. The synthesis of a derivative of hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene (HCP) and meta-toluidine was carried out in the medium of the latter, which made it possible to achieve complete substitution of chlorine atoms in the initial HCP. Thermal and flammability characteristics of modified compositions are revealed. The modifier catalyzes the process of curing and shifts the beginning of reaction from 222.0 C for pure benzoxazine to 205.9 C for composition with 10 phr of modifier. The additive decreases the glass transition temperature of compositions. Achievement of the highest category of flame resistance (V-0 in accordance with UL-94) is ensured both by increasing the content of phenyl residues in the composition and by the synergistic effect of phosphorus and nitrogen. Brief research of the curing kinetics disclosed the complex nature of the reaction. An accurate two-step model is obtained using extended Prout-Tompkins equation for both steps.

As the demand of heating and air conditioning is increasing day by day due to getting a comfortable life, for that reason, the market for heat pump and air conditioning systems or both, is seeing a steady increase in low global warming potential. All researchers on heat pump and air conditioning systems are searching for environmentally friendly refrigerants. However, a significant number of contemporary refrigerants (HCFCs) have the potential to cause global warming and ozone depletion, such as those found in heat pump air conditioning systems. Using more environmentally friendly refrigerants, including hydrocarbon and blend refrigerant mixtures, is one way to lower GWP and Ozone depletion potential. This study examines the performance of several alternative refrigerants, including R32, R134A, R410A, R22, and R290. In order to examine the performance of R290, theoretical and simulation results are compared on various refrigerants while taking into account a number of performance parameters, including the refrigerant energy efficiency ratio, mass flow rate, coefficient of performance, cooling capacity, and compressor work for one ton of refrigeration (1TR) air conditioners. One player with a very low GWP is R290. However, the only drawback is that it can catch fire and is hazardous to use in split-type commercial heat pump air conditioning applications. The environmental and thermo physical properties of HC-290 are significantly better than those of other materials, according to theoretical and simulation studies utilizing Cool Pack software, hence it is a viable replacement.

The review analyzes the studies published mainly in the last 10-15 years, on the synthesis, structure, and sensor properties of semiconductor nanocomposites. Particular attention is paid to the interaction between nanoparticles of the sensitive layer and its effect on the structure, sensitivity, and selectivity of semiconductor sensor systems. Various mechanisms are considered of interaction between nanoparticles in metal oxide composites including incorporation of metal ions of one component into the structure of another, heterocontacts between different nanoparticles, and core-shell systems, as well as their influence on the characteristics of gas sensors. The experimental data and studies on the modeling of charge distribution in semiconductor nanoparticles, which determine the conductivity and sensor effect in one- and two-component systems, are also discussed. It is shown that the model which considers the interactions of nanoparticles best describes the experimental results. Some mechanisms of detection selectivity are considered in the conclusion.

Conventional farming relies on large-scale, intensive crop production using mechanical tillage and synthetic inputs like chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which, despite being economically beneficial, can be environmentally destructive, whereas organic cropping system offers a more sustainable alternative with less harmful environmental impact. But is organic system more beneficial for soil health than conventional? In this study, we focused on evaluating the functional potential of soil for the conversion of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur, as well as measuring the actual activity of enzymes involved in these cycles. We used Chernozem soil samples from fields that were managed using organic (OCS) and conventional (CCS) methods as the objects of our study. Another objective of the study was to compare two methods: profiling of functional genes of the microbial community and measurement of actual enzyme activity. The comparison of OCS versus CCS indicates that functional gene profiling and enzymatic activity measurements similarly capture qualitative differences between these systems, but diverge in how they assess quantitative differences. A combination of these two methods for assessing soil conditions appears to be promising. Overall, the study demonstrated that the agronomic practices used in the conventional cropping system not only preserved the functional properties of the soil microbiome but also significantly enhanced its microbiological activity for nutrient bioconversion compared to the organic cropping system. However, the question remains as to how long the conventional system can sustain its high potential.

The present paper discusses the importance of economic externality and the economic phenomena involved. Section 1 draws on the framework of weak force theory in physics, we propose a new approach of dynamic analysis for economic externality. From a mesoscopic (intermediate scale) perspective, no distinction is made between the macro-demand and individual micro-buyers nor between the macro-supply and individual micro-sellers. Section 2 applies the isospin modeling method to construct two economic isospin models. One is between the achieving impulse and the fear-of-failure impulse, under the effect of economic externality. The other is between the market behavior and market residues, namely, market aftertaste. Section 3 discusses the microstructural properties of the market, including Dirac's equation and the market, Dirac -matrix notation, and the chirality and spin structure of market components. Section 4 discusses the helical structural characteristics of supply chains, including CPT theorems, Penrose zigzag helical processes, and several modeling directions of economic externality and buyer-seller interactions (weak interactions). Section 5 discusses the economic externality and the electroweak model, including extensive externality, externality mediations with Weinberg rotations, and economic analysis using lepton weak currents, including the analysis of lepton neutral weak currents. Finally, Section 6 provides a general discussion on the standard model of economic dynamics.

We analyse recent contradictory results and conclusions about the spectrum of the screened Coulomb potential $V(r)=-r^{-1}e^{-C/r}$. The well known Hellmann-Feynman theorem shows that all the bound states of the Coulomb potential ($C=0$) remain bounded as $C$ increases. We derive a simple approximate analytical expression for the eigenvalues for sufficiently small values of the screening parameter $C$ and an approximate asymptotic expression for the asymptotic behaviour of the s-state eigenvalues when $C\rightarrow \infty $. Present results are expected to resolve the discrepancy about the spectrum of the quantum-mechanical model just mentioned.

Background There is a considerable overlap between clinical presentation of post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) . Many of their common symptoms can be linked to dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system (dysautonomia). This study aimed to objectively assess autonomic function in patients with PCC and in patients with ME/CFS whose disease was not related to COVID-19. Methods Synchronous recordings of an electrocardiogram, continuous dynamics of blood pressure in the digital artery using the Penaz method and ultrasound pneumotachography with the spirography function were obtained with spiroarteriocardiorhythmography method in 34 patients diagnosed with ME/CFS, in whom the onset of the disease was not associated with COVID-19, 29 patients meeting PCC definition and 32 healthy controls. Heart rate variability (HRV), systolic and diastolic blood pressure variability (RV), respiration variability were assessed at rest and in tests with fixed respiratory rates. At rest, indicators of baroreflex regulation were additionally determined (baroreflex effectiveness index and baroreflex sensitivity). Results The total power, power of very low frequency, low-frequency and high-frequency of RR interval variability at rest as well as baroreflex effectiveness index in up-ramps of arterial blood pressure and baroreflex sensitivity were significantly lower both in PCC and ME/CFS patients compared to HC. Several diagnostic prediction models for ME/CFS were developed based on HRV parameters. During slow breathing HRV parameters return to normal in PCC, but not in ME/CFS. Correlation analysis revealed a close relationship of HRV, RV parameters and baroreflex sensitivity with fatigue, but not with HADS depressive/anxiety symptoms in ME/CFS and PCC. Conclusion A similar pattern of HRV and baroreflex failure with signs of a pathological acceleration of age-dependant dysautonomia was identified in ME/CFS and PCC. The clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic implications of these findings are discussed, in light of previously described relationship between inflammation, vascular pathology, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and autonomic dysfunction.

Transketolase (TKT) is an essential thiamine diphosphate (ThDP)-dependent enzyme of the non-oxidative branch of pentose phosphate pathway, with the glucose-6P flux through the pathway regulated in various medically important conditions. Here, we characterize the brain TKT regulation by acylation in rats with perturbed thiamine-dependent metabolism, known to occur in neurodegenerative diseases. The perturbations are modelled by administration of oxythiamine inhibiting ThDP-dependent enzymes in vivo, or by reduced thiamine availability in the presence of metformin and amprolium, inhibiting intracellular thiamine transporters. Compared to control rats, chronic administration of oxythiamine does not significantly change the modification level of the two detected TKT acetylation sites (K6 and K102), but doubles malonylation of TKT K499, concomitantly decreasing 1.7-fold the level of demalonylase sirtuin 5. The inhibitors of thiamine transporters do not change average levels of TKT acylation or sirtuin 5. TKT structures indicate that the acylated residues are distant from the active sites. The acylations-perturbed electrostatic interactions may be involved in conformational shifts and/or formation of TKT complexes with other proteins or nucleic acids. Acetylation of K102 may affect the active site entrance/exit and subunit interactions. Correlation analysis reveals that the action of oxythiamine is characterized by significant negative correlations of K499 malonylation or K6 acetylation with TKT activity, not observed upon the action of the inhibitors of thiamine transport. However, the transport inhibitors induce significant negative correlations between the TKT activity and K102 acetylation or TKT expression, absent in the oxythiamine group. Thus, perturbations in the ThDP-dependent catalysis or thiamine transport manifest in the insult-specific patterns of the brain TKT malonylation and acetylations.

We used LA-ICP-MS U-Pb data for detrital zircon to constrain the Maximum Depositional Age (MDA) and provenance of clastic sedimentary rocks of the Volyn-Orsha sedimentary basin, which filled an elongated (~625×250 km) depression in SW Baltica and attained ~900 m in thickness. Eighty-six zircons out of one hundred and three yielded concordant dates, with most of them (86 %) falling in the time interval between 1655 ± 3 and 1044 ± 16 Ma and clustering in two peaks at ca. 1630 and 1230 Ma. The remaining zircons yielded dates older than 1800 Ma. The MDA is defined by a tight group of three zircons with a weighted average age of 1079 ± 8 Ma. This age corresponds to the time of a clockwise ~90° rotation of Baltica and the formation of the Grenvillian – Sveconorwegian – Sunsas orogenic belts. Subsidence was facilitated by the presence of eclogites derived from subducted oceanic crust. The sediments of the Orsha sub-basin in the northeastern part of the basin were derived from the local crystalline basement, whereas the sediments in the Volyn sub-basin, extending to the margin of Baltica, were transported from the orogen between Laurentia, Baltica, and Amazonia.

This review summarizes the most recent developments of research on protozoan parasite infections ac-quired through food and drinking water and is aimed at gathering updated knowledge on the risk factors, illnesses caused, and measures for prevention. Reports included dated from 2019 to the present and regarded recent outbreaks and cases of severe infec-tions, prevalence in different population segments and food handlers, and occurrence in food and drinking water. Cryptosporidium spp., Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia intestinalis, Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii were the microorganisms most frequently involved in large outbreaks and/or severe infections, while Cyclospora cayetanensis was most frequently involved in single case reports. Cystoisospora belli was implied in severe infections in immunocompromised patients, while Blastocystis homi-nis, Sarcocystis spp., Dientamoeba fragilis, Endolimax nana and Pentatrichomonas hominis appeared to be less relevant for number of symptomatic infections and pathogenic potential. A progressive improvement in surveillance of protozoan infections and infection sources was highlighted, especially in developed countries. The apparent increase in cases was concomitant with the implementa-tion of reporting systems and the application of molecular diagnostic methods that represent valuable in-struments for establishing epidemiological links and preventing or limiting outbreaks. The pathogenic role and sources of infection should be better elucidated for some species.

Thanks to several Vitis vinifera backcrosses with an initial V. vinifera L. × V. rotundifolia (previously Muscadinia rotundifolia) interspecific cross, the MrRUN1/MrRPV1 locus (resistance to downy and powdery mildews) was introgressed in genotypes phenotypically close to V. vinifera varieties. To check the consequences of introgressing parts of the V. rotundifolia genome on gene expression during fruit development, we conducted a comparative RNA-seq study on single berries from different V. vinifera cultivars and V. vinifera × V. rotundifolia hybrids, including ‘G5’ and two derivative microvine lines, ‘MV102’ (resistant) and ‘MV32’ (susceptible) segregating for the MrRUN1/RPV1 locus. RNA-Seq profiles were analyzed on a comprehensive set of single berries from the end of the herbaceous plateau to the ripe stage. Pair-end reads were aligned both on V. vinifera PN40024.v4 reference genome, V. rotundifolia cv ‘Trayshed’ and cv ‘Carlos’, and to the few resistance genes from the original V. rotundifolia cv ‘52’ parent available at NCBI. Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) led to classifying the differentially expressed genes into 15 modules either preferentially correlated with resistance or berry phenology and composition. Resistance positively correlated transcripts predominantly mapped on the 4-5 Mb distal region of V. rotundifolia chromosome 12 beginning with the MrRUN1/MrRPV1 locus, while the negatively correlated ones mapped on the orthologous V. vinifera region, showing this large extremity of LG12 remained recalcitrant to internal recombination during the successive backcrosses. Some constitutively expressed V. rotundifolia genes were also observed at lower density outside this region. Genes overexpressed in developing berries from resistant accessions, either introgressed from V. rotundifolia, or triggered by these in the vinifera genome, spanned various functional groups, encompassing calcium signal transduction, hormone signaling, transcription factors, plant–pathogen-associated interactions, disease resistance proteins, ROS and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. This transcriptomic insight provides a foundation for understanding the disease resistance inherent in these hybrid cultivars and suggests a constitutive expression of NIR NBS LRR triggering calcium signaling. Moreover, these results illustrate the magnitude of transcriptomic changes caused by the introgressed V. rotundifolia background in backcrossed hybrids, on a large number of functions largely exceeding the ones constitutively expressed in single resistant gene transformants.

A new method for the synthesis of azido-propargyloxy derivatives of 1,3,5-triazine has been developed. The antibacterial activity against E. coli bacteria of propargyloxy substituted 1,3,5-triazines - 2,4,6-trispropargyloxy-1,3,5-triazine, 2-azido-4,6-bispropargyloxy-1,3,5-triazine and 2,4-diazido-6-propargyloxy-1,3,5-triazine and their hyperbranched polymers. It has been shown that the presence of an azide group in the compound directly affects the antibacterial activity. The cytotoxicity of these compounds against the M-HeLa, FetMSC and Vero cell lines was studied. The IC50 value was determined for low molecular weight compounds. It has been shown that hyperbranched polymers without azide groups don’t exhibit pronounced cytotoxicity and can be used in biomedical applications.

Practically important properties of real liquids, including seawater, are their nonlinear properties, which include a nonlinear acoustic parameter, as well as cavitation strength – a rupture of the continuity of a liquid at high intensities in an acoustic wave. The manifestation of nonlinear effects is greatly facilitated by the presence of various nuclei in the liquid – gas bubbles, foreign particles, and other inclusions of various origins. For practical applications, it is important to study the properties of real liquids with inclusions in them. Due to the difficulties of measuring cavitation strength by acoustic methods, other methods are being sought. It is proposed to use an optoacoustic method associated with the use of laser radiation that causes optical breakdown - optical cavitation, that accompanied by a strong sound generation effect. The connection between optical breakdown thresholds and acoustic cavitation thresholds has been established, which can later be used to identify cavitation thresholds at high static pressures (at great depths in the sea), where the use of acoustic emitters is extremely difficult. The paper studies the bubble size distribution function in seawater, combined with studies of the acoustic nonlinearity parameter and cavitation strength at various depths. The interrelation of these characteristics for seawater is shown.

Abstract: Two novel low-dimensional molecular magnetic materials were prepared by a self-assembling of 3d- and 5d-metal complexes. These are the first neutral heterobimetallic cyanobridged compounds involving one anisotropic Mn(III) Schiff base complex and one octacyanotungstate(V) per molecular unit. A slow diffusion of the constituents’ solutions leads to a formation of the 0D crystalline complex 1 due to coordination of a water molecule to the Mn center prevents a polymer formation. A rapid mixing of reagents results in a precipitation of the microcrystalline powder of the complex 2, which on a totality of experimental data possess 1D polymeric structure. The magnetic studies have shown that antiferromagnetic exchange interactions are dominating in 1 J/k_B= -13.1(7) K, D=-3.0(1.3) K, zJ'= -0.16(20) K and g_av=2.00(1); while the presence of the significant intramolecular Mn(III)–W(V) ferromagnetic couplings through cyanide bridges is characteristic for 2 (J/k_B = 46.1(5) K g_Mn = 2.11(3), fixed g_W = 2.0). Due to the weak interchain interactions, zJ'/k_B = –0.8(2) K, compound 2 is a metamagnet with the Néel temperature of 9.5 K undergoing a spin-flip transition at 2 kOe. The slow magnetization dynamics of 2 was investigated at DС field of 0 and 2 kOe, giving the values of τ₀ 32(15) and 36(15) ps respectively, well within the range typical for SCMs. The respective ∆_τ/k_B values were 48.4(1.2) and 44.9(1.0) K.

The removal of harmful arsenic(V) from aqueous solutions using Cyanex 923 (solvation extractant) was investigated under various experimental variables: equilibration time, acidity of the aqueous phase, temperature, extractant and arsenic concentrations, and O/A ratio. Cyanex 923 extracted As(V) (and sulphuric acid) from acidic solutions, thus, its use to remove the metal from slightly acid or neutral solutions it is not possible. Extraction of arsenic is exothermic, and responded to the formation of H3AsO4·nL species in the organic phase (L represented the extractant and the stoichiometric factor n: 1 or 2, depends on the acidity of the aqueous phase). Extraction isotherms are derived from experimental results. Both arsenic and sulphuric acid loaded onto the organic phase can be stripped with water, and stripping isotherms are also derived from the experimental results. The selectivity of the system against the presence of other metals (Cu(II), Ni(II), Bi(III), Sb(III)) are investigated, and also it is investigated the ability of Cyanex 923 to extract As(V) and sulphuric acid against the use of other P=O based solvation reagents, such dibutyl butylphosphonate (DBBP) and tri-butyl phosphate (TBP).

The bimetallic (Ta/(Ti, V, Co, Nb) mesoporous MCM-41 nanoparticles were obtained by direct synthesis and hydrothermal treatment. The obtained mesoporous materials were characterized by XRD, XRF, N2 adsorption/desorption, SEM, TEM, XPS, Raman, UV-Vis, PL spectroscopy. A more significant effect was observed on mesoporous structure, typi-cally for MCM-41, and optic properties if the second metal (Ti, Co) does not belong to the same Vb group with Ta as V, Nb. The obtained new nanoparticles were used as catalysts for oxidation with H2O2 of olefinic compounds (1,4 cyclohexadiene, cyclohexene, styrene) and photodegradation of organic pollutants (phenol, methyl orange) from water. The re-sults showed improving of activity and selectivity in oxidation reactions by addition of the second metal to Ta-MCM-41 catalyst. The slow addition of H2O2 was also be benefit for the selectivity in epoxide products and stability of the catalysts. The band gap energy values decrease in the presence of the second metal and the band edge diagram evidenced posi-tive potential for all the conduction band of the bimetallic samples except TaTi-MCM-41. The higher photocatalytic degradation was obtained for samples with TaTi and TaV.

Atmospheric correction is a necessary step in image processing data and spectra recorded by spaceborne sensors for pure cloudless atmosphere, primarily in the visible and near-IR spectral range. We have present a fast and sufficiently accurate method of atmospheric correction based on the proposed analytical solutions describing with high accuracy the spectrum of outgoing radiation at the top boundary of the cloudless atmosphere. This technique includes the model of the atmosphere and its optical parameters that are important in terms of radiation transfer. The solution of the inverse problem for finding unknown parameters of the model is carried out by the method of non-linear least squares (Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm) for an individual selected pixel of the image (its spectrum), taking into account the adjacency effects. Using the found parameters of the atmosphere and the average surface albedo, assuming homogeneity of the atmosphere within a certain area of the hyperspectral image (or the whole frame), the spectral albedo at the Earth's surface is calculated for all other pixels. It is essential that the procedure of the numerical simulation with non-linear least squares of the direct transfer problem is based on using analytical solutions, which provides a very short calculation time of the atmospheric parameters (seconds or less) and the ability to perform atmospheric correction "on-fly." Testing methods of atmospheric correction was performed using the synthetic outgoing radiation spectra at the top of the atmosphere (TOA), obtained by numerical simulation in the LibRadTran code, as well as spectra of real space images of the Hyperion hyperspectrometer. A comparison with the results of atmospheric correction in module FLAASH of ENVI package has been performed. Finally, to validate our data obtained by the SHARK method, a comparative analysis with ground-based measurements of Radiometric Calibration Network (RadCalNet) was carried out.

Elevated antimony concentrations in aqueous environments from anthropogenic sources is becoming of global concern, here iron oxides are known to strongly adsorb aqueous antimony species with different oxidation states, but the effect of silica on the removal characteristics is not well understood despite being a common component in the environment. In this study, ferrihydrite was synthesized at various Si/Fe molar ratios to investigate its adsorption and co-precipitation behaviors with aqueous antimony anionic species, Sb(III) and Sb(V). The XRD analyses of the precipitates showed two broad diffraction features at approximately 35° and 62° 2θ, which are characteristic of 2-line ferrihydrite, no significant shifts in peak positions in the ferrihydrite regardless of the Si/Fe ratios. The infrared spectra showed a sharp band at ~990 cm⁻¹, corresponding to asymmetric stretching vibrations of Si-O-Fe bonds which increased in intensity with increasing Si/Fe molar ratios. Further, the surface charge on the precipitates became more negative with increasing Si/Fe molar ratios. The adsorption experiments indicated that Sb(V) was preferentially adsorbed at acidic conditions and decreased dramatically with increasing pH while the adsorption rate of Sb(III) ions was independent of pH, however, the presence of silica suppressed the adsorption of both Sb(III) and Sb(V) ions. The results showed that Sb(III) and Sb(V) ions were significantly inhibited by co-precipitation with ferrihydrite even in the presence of silica by isomorphous substitution in the ferrihydrite crystal structure.

We prove an analog of the removable singularity theorem for bounded harmonic functions on stratified sets. The harmonic functions are understood in the sense of the soft Laplacian. The result can become one of the main technical components for extending the well-known Poincaré–Perron’s method of proving the solvability of the Dirichlet problem for the soft Laplacian.

Background and objectives: Since 2013, highly effective direct-acting (DAA) chronic hepatitis C (CHC) antiviral therapy became available, which has cure rates of over 95%. For choice of optimal CHC treatment, assessment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype (GT) and liver fibrosis stage are necessary. Information about distribution of these parameters among CHC patients in Baltic states and especially in Ukraine is scarce. This study was performed to obtain epidemiological data regarding CHC GT and fibrosis stage distribution for better planning of resources and prioritization of patients for DAA drug treatment according to disease severity in high-income (Baltic states) and lower-middle income (Ukraine) countries. Materials and Methods: This was an epidemiological, retrospective, cross-sectional study that included 1451 CHC patients. Demographic and disease information from medical charts was collected for each patient during a single visit. Results: Most frequent suspected mode of viral transmission was blood transfusions (17.8%), followed by injection drug use (15.7%); however, in 50.9% of patients exact mode of transmission was not clarified. In Ukraine (18.4%) and Estonia (26%) transmission by the injection drug use was higher than in Lithuania (5%) and Latvia (5.3%). Distribution of HCV GT among patients with CHC was as follows: GT1 - 66.4%; GT3 - 28.1; and GT2 - 4.1%. The prevalence of GT1 was the highest in Latvia (84%), and the lowest in Ukraine (63%, p<0.001). Liver fibrosis stages were distributed as follows: F0 - 12.2%, F1 - 26.3%, F2 - 23.5%, F3 – 17.1% and F4 - 20.9%. Cirrhosis (F4) was more prevalent in Lithuanian patients (30.1%) than in Estonians (8.1%, p <0.001). Conclusions: This study contributes to the knowledge of epidemiological characteristics of HCV infection in the Baltic states and Ukraine. The data regarding the patterns of HCV GT and fibrosis stage distribution will be helpful for the development of national strategies to control HCV infection in the era of DAA therapy.

Vertical III-V semiconductor nanowires have shown promising absorption of light for solar cell and photodetector applications. The absorption properties can be tuned through the choice of III-V materials and geometry of the nanowires. Here, we review recent progress in the design of the absorption properties of both individual nanowires and nanowire arrays. Future directions for the research field are proposed.

Metal hyperaccumulating plants should have extremely efficient defence mechanisms, enabling growth and development in a polluted environment. Brassica species are known to display hyperaccumulation capability. Brassica juncea (Indiana mustard) v. Malopolska plants were exposed to trace elements, i.e., cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn), at a concentration of 50 M and were then harvested after 96 hours for analysis. We observed a high index of tolerance (IT), higher than 90%, for all B. juncea plants treated with the four metals, and we showed that Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn accumulation was higher in the above-ground parts than in the roots. We estimated the metal effects on the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the levels of protein oxidation as well as on the activity and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). The obtained results indicate that organo-specific ROS generation was higher in plants exposed to essential metal elements (i.e., Cu and Zn), compared with non-essential ones (i.e., Cd and Pb), in conjunction with SOD, CAT and APX activity and expression at the level of encoding mRNAs and existing proteins. In addition to the potential usefulness of B. juncea in the phytoremediation process, the data provide important information concerning plant response to the presence of trace metals.

Iron metabolism plays a crucial role in the management of hemoglobinopathies, particularly in conditions such as β-thalassemia and sickle cell anemia (SCA). This paper describes the mechanisms of iron overload in patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT), non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia (NTDT), and SCA, highlighting the distinct paths leading to iron accumulation in each condition. The primary focus of this review article is on the role of genetic modifiers influencing iron metabolism and the variability in iron overload presentation among patients. Genetic mutations in genes such as HFE, HAMP, TFR2, SLC40A1, and others significantly impact iron regulation. These modifiers can exacerbate or ameliorate iron overload, and understanding these genetic factors is important for explaining the diverse disease severity and differences in the mechanism and clinical presentation of iron overload in these patients. The ongoing INHERENT study aims to further elucidate the influence of these genetic modifiers through a comprehensive genome-wide association study, potentially leading to novel therapeutic interventions for managing iron homeostasis in hemoglobinopathy patients.

The natural flavonoid epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) has a wide range of biological activities including binding to nucleic acids; however, mechanisms of interaction of EGCG with DNA organized in chromatin have not been systematically studied. In this work, interaction of EGCG with chromatin in cells, and with nucleosomes and chromatosomes in vitro was studied using fluorescent microscopy and single particle Förster resonance energy transfer approaches, respectively. EGCG effectively penetrates into the nuclei of living cells and binds to DNA there. Interaction of EGCG with nucleosomes in vitro induces large-scale, reversible uncoiling of nucleosomal DNA that occurs without dissociation of DNA or core histones at sub- and low-micromolar concentrations of EGCG. EGCG does not reduce the catalytic activity of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1), but causes modulation of the structure of the PARP1-nucleosome complex. EGCG significantly changes the structure of chromatosomes, but does not cause dissociation of the linker histone. Reorganization of nucleosomes and chromatosomes by EGCG might facilitate access of protein factors involved in DNA repair, replication and transcription to DNA and thus might contribute to the modulation of gene expression by EGCG that was reported earlier.

The incremental sheet forming represents a relatively recent technology that guarantees high customization, thanks to the layered manufacturing principle typical of rapid prototyping, and cost-effectiveness, because it does not require dedicated equipment. Research has initially shown that this process is effective in metal materials capable of withstanding plastic deformation but, in recent years, the interest in this technique has been increasing for the manufacture of complex polymer sheet components as an alternative to the conventional technologies, based on heating-shaping-cooling manufacturing routes. Conversely, incremental formed polymer sheets can suffer from some peculiar defects, for example twisting. To reduce the risk of this phenomenon and the occurrence of failures, a viable way is to choose toolpath strategies that make the tool/sheet contact conditions less severe, and this represents the main goal of the present research. Polycarbonate sheets were worked by incremental forming; in detail, cone frusta with a fixed wall angle were manufactured with a reference and a stair toolpath strategy, and both the forming forces and the twist angle were monitored. The analysis of the results highlighted that a stair toolpath involving an alternation of diagonal up and vertical down steps represents a useful strategy to mitigate the forming forces and, with them, the occurrence of the twisting phenomenon in incremental formed thermoplastic sheets.