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The article presents the results of assessing the impact of external shocks imposed against the Russian Federation in 2022 on manufacturing output volumes. External restrictions have affected the majority of segments of manufacturing activity, but in different ways. Six groups of sectors have been identified depending on the forecast estimates of the effect of external shocks from extremely negative to moderately positive impact. Most sectors experienced a significant negative impact, including producers of intermediate goods and a number of segments of mechanical engineering. The factors and conditions that determined the dynamics of the response of individual sectors to external shocks are analyzed. The importance of studying the technological factor for the structural transformation of manufacturing industries is noted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the 19th century, the weighting of silk with metal salts, such as tin, was a common practice to enhance certain properties of silk fabrics and compensate for the weight loss incurred during the degumming process. This technique induces both physical and chemical modifications to the fibres, contributing to their long-term degradation, which requires thorough investigation. This study aims to examine the structural changes in silk fibres caused by the accumulation of metal salts from the tin-weighting process, using mock-up samples prepared through successive loading with weighting agents using a traditional tin-phosphate treatment method. Unweighted and tin-weighted silk samples were compared using scanning electron (SEM) micrographs, which presented the dispersed nanoparticles on the fibres, while through energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) elemental mapping, the presence and uniform distribution of the weighting agents were confirmed. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed structural changes in tin-weighted silk samples compared to untreated ones, including shifts in amide bands, altered water/hydroxyl and skeletal stretching regions, and increased skeletal band intensities suggesting modifications in hydrogen bonding, β-sheet content, and structural disorder without significantly impacting the overall crystallinity index. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of both pristine and tin-weighted silk samples revealed significant alterations, predominantly in the amorphous regions of the silk upon weighting. These structural changes were further examined using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SWAXS), which provided detailed insights into modifications occurring at the nanometre scale. The analyses suggested disruptions in β-sheet crystals and intermolecular packing, especially in the amorphous regions, with increasing amounts of tin-weighting. Contact angle analysis (CA) revealed that the tin-phosphate-weighting process significantly impacted silk surface properties, transforming it from moderately hydrophobic to highly hydrophilic. These changes indicate that the incorporation of tin-phosphate nanoparticles on and within silk fibres could restrict the flexibility of polymer chains, impacting the physical properties and potentially the degradation behaviour of silk textiles. By studying these structural changes, we aim to deepen our understanding of how tin-weighting impacts silk fibre structure, contributing valuable insights into the longevity, conservation, and preservation strategies of silk textiles in the context of cultural heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Alpha‐lactalbumin (α‐LA) is one of the allergens in cow's milk. Glycation modifications can be used to modulate the allergenicity of α‐LA and to clarify the effects of glycation of three reducing sugars (D‐fructose, D‐ribose, and D‐xylose) on the structure and immunoglobulin G (IgG)‐binding capacity of α‐LA. In this study, the colorimetric and spectroscopic methods reflect the degree of glycation. The structural properties of the glycation products were characterised using spectroscopic and chromatographic methods. The IgG‐binding capacity was determined by an indirect competitive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The results showed a decrease in free amino groups content, an increase in molecular weight. The α‐helix content was reduced, but the β‐sheet and irregular coil content increased, resulting in a more loosened protein structure. All three reducing sugar glycation products had higher IgG‐binding capacity, suggesting that glycation has the potential to enhance α‐LA allergenicity. This study provides different perspectives on the allergenicity of cow's milk allergens modified by different sugar glycations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We use a variety of network analysis metrics to measure the Chinese financial sector's closeness and centrality. • The intersectoral structural feedback relationship between the financial sector and other sectors is identified using Causative matrix. • Chinese financial sector has profound push effects in the economy. • The financial sector is becoming less tightly linked to other sectors as resource consumption and production distribution become more diverse. This study examines the intersectoral linkages and evolving role of the Chinese financial sector in the economic network, with a variety of network analysis metrics, and structural changes to its intersectoral structural feedback relationship, with the Causative matrix. Our analysis yields four main results. First, Chinese financial sector (with greater downstream network closeness than upstream closeness) drives growth in its downstream sectors and has significant supply-side effects in economy. Second, the financial sector serves as an important network intermediary, facilitating transactions and interactions among various economic sectors. Third, the more externalized (pre-Global Financial Crisis) financial sector, which received significant feedback from other sectors' final demand, became more internalized after the crisis. Finally, the financial sector is becoming less tightly linked to other sectors, with heterogeneous resource consumption and production distribution, and vulnerability to systemic risks. Policy integration of intersectoral linkages and financial leverage can promote economic growth and manage systemic risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Casein (CN) is the major family of proteins in milk and can cause allergic reactions in some infants and children. This study investigated the regulatory mechanisms of three animal‐derived proteases on allergenic epitopes. The results showed that all three proteases effectively reduced the antigenicity of CN. After hydrolysis, the secondary structure of CN underwent a conformational transition from α‐helix to β‐turn. Based on peptidomics analysis, the allergenic epitopes of αs1‐CN at positions 91–110, 131–151, 166–180 and 188–201 were effectively cleaved by pepsin, and the allergenic epitopes of β‐CN at positions 60–69, 139–158 and 182–194 were effectively cleaved by pancreatic elastase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the influence of wave cycles on major structural changes in the development of natural disasters worldwide from 1900 to 2023. During this period, natural disasters were most common in the latitudinal band between 30° N and 30° S. The results of the analysis show that structural changes in natural disaster types and subtypes coincide with wave cycles, which are characterized by fluctuations in the frequency of natural hazards. Hence, an overall increase in the number of natural disasters linked to solar activity is associated with a rise in the frequency of climatic, hydrological, and biological hazards, while the frequency of geophysical and meteorological hazards gets lower. Conversely, a decrease in the number of natural disasters, such as that from 2001 to 2023, is accompanied by a reduction in climatic, geophysical, and biological hazards, as well as an increase in the frequency of hydrological hazards, but no changes in the frequency of meteorological hazards.

This study aims to test hypothesis of Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) in Algeria using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing methodology. The objectives include examining the long-term relationship between economic growth and CO2 emissions, investigating the impact of structural breaks on this relationship’s stability, and offering policy recommendations informed by the findings. The research utilizes annual data related CO2 emissions and GDP per capita from 1962 to 2014 in Algeria. The data are analyzed through the ARDL bounds test to ascertain the existence of a long-term equilibrium relationship. The study incorporates structural breaks to account for potential changes in the economic-environmental relationship over time. The findings confirm the presence of an EKC pattern in Algeria, showing a reverse U-shaped nexus between economic growth and CO2 emissions. The Inclusion of structural breaks in the analysis led to the stability of the model compared to the case of their absence that led to a variability in the model coefficients. Thus, it provides a more accurate and reliable understanding of this relationship. The threshold at which economic growth starts to decrease CO2 emissions, is identified at a GDP per capita of approximately $4125.58 (constant 2010 $), which Algeria reached in 2005. Furthermore, if disequilibrium between CO2 emissions and economic growth is occurred due to a possible short-term shock, the return toward the steady state requires three years approximately. While the results validate the EKC hypothesis for Algeria, the paper is limited to the period from 1962 to 2014 and may not capture more recent economic and environmental changes. Furthermore, the study aims to enrich the EKC literature in Algeria, which is characterized by scarcity, by using the recent ARDL bounds test methodology and addressing basic assumptions that were violated in previous studies. This study highlights the importance of considering structural breaks in environmental- economic analyses to avoid biased estimations and incorrect policy recommendations. Future research should explore additional determinants of CO2 emissions, such as biofuel use, advanced technologies, environmental awareness, urbanization, foreign direct investment, and employment. Policymakers should promote clean energy and sustainable economic practices to ensure continued environmental improvements alongside economic growth.

Economic inequality is one of the most debated issues in economic science. It is known that politicians have to choose between efficiency and equality, and decisions, which are finally made by them, influence social stability in a state. The factors of income inequality in Great Britain are analyzed in the present article. Regression analysis shows that the main cause of growing market income inequality in the UK in the latest decades is decreasing employment in the British industrial sector. Moreover, shifts in employment in industry directly and indirectly affects other factors of income inequality. Employment in industrial sector is also, in its turn, influenced by technological development and globalization. A combination of factors, having impact on employment in the British secondary sector and, as a consequence, on market income distribution in the UK, is analyzed in the paper.

Background: Myopia significantly decreases the frequency and severity of diabetic retinopathy (DR). The proliferative form of this diabetic complication in the retina is known to be very uncommon in diabetic myopes. The mechanisms of this phenomena are, however, still unclear. Studies on these mechanisms and the clarification of the structural changes in retinal neurons in animal models of both diabetes and myopia are critical to the research of the pathogenesis and further identification of therapeutic and preventive targets for these pathological conditions. Purpose: To examine changes in the retinal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentration and the relationship of the latter with the structure of retinal neuronal cells in rats with induced both diabetes and axial myopia. Material and Methods: Rats (age, 2 to 10 weeks) were assigned to four groups: group 1 (myopia only, n = 15), group 2 (diabetes only, n = 15), group 3 (myopia plus diabetes, n = 15), and group 4 (healthy controls, n = 10). Axial myopia was produced in two-month-old animals by surgically fusing the eyelids of both eyes. Streptozotocin (STZ) (15 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneally consequently for 5 days) was used to induce diabetes. Diabetes was induced in group 3 at 3 weeks after the initiation of the experiment. At 2 months, all rats were euthanized under anesthesia, and their eyes were enucleated. To perform a histomorphological study, serial retinal sections were made and stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and microscopy was performed and images were collected and evaluated on a light microscope Jenamed 2. Rat BDNF enzyme-linked immunosorbent kits (Elabscience, Houston, TX) were used to determine BDNF concentrations in retinal supernatant and plasma. Results: Rats with both diabetes and myopia exhibited smaller reductions in plasma and, especially, retinal BDNF concentrations compared to rats with diabetes only. Retinal BDNF concentrations in rats with both diabetes and myopia were 36.1% higher than in rats with diabetes only. Unlike rats with STZ-induced diabetes only, those with STZ-induced diabetes in the presence of experimental myopia exhibited a rather high neuronal cell density in the retinal ganglion cell layer. No noticeable change in the cell density in the inner nuclear layer and photoreceptor layer was observed in the latter animals. Conclusion: Axial length elongation secondary to experimental myopia in animals facilitates the protection against diabetic changes in the retina, which was confirmed at the molecular and morphological levels, with BDNF being a possible component of this protective mechanism.

Electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is not only a half-reaction of water-splitting to produce hydrogen, but also an important half-reaction of electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction, nitrogen reduction, nitrate reduction, organic small molecule reduction, and metal-air batteries. The OER process is driven by a four-electron mechanism. Due to the slow and complex kinetics of the electrocatalytic OER and its strong oxidation characteristics, studying the oxidative reconstruction rules and catalytic mechanisms of electrode materials in the OER process is of great significance to improve the efficiency of the OER. As a kind of metal-free electrode materials, carbon materials are widely used in electrocatalysis, which has become a potential electrocatalyst for OER due to their low price, abundant reserves, and high activity stability. At present, oxygen-containing functional groups on the surface of carbon materials have been proven to be active sites for OER. However, the deactivation mechanism of carbon materials at higher oxidation potentials during the OER process remains unclear due to a lack of understanding of the active site evolution mechanism. Correctly identifying the active sites of carbon materials under oxygen evolution conditions has become a research hotspot in the field. However, ex-situ characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) are difficult to reflect the catalytic behavior of carbon materials under working conditions. In this study, differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) was used to monitor the structural changes of carbon material during the OER process with graphite as the model material. The effects of applied voltage and pH value of electrolyte on graphite oxidation were investigated respectively. By changing the applied potential and the pH value of the electrolyte, we found that graphite firstly oxidizes itself to form oxygen-containing functional groups under acidic (pH 0), neutral (pH 7), and alkaline (pH 14) conditions. As the potential increases, the graphite begins to produce CO2 and CO at 1.6 V vs. RHE over the full pH value range, and the content of CO2 gradually augments as the potential increases. The generation potential of O2 is higher than that of CO2 under acidic condition, and the opposite is true under alkaline condition. Therefore, graphite can be used as an OER catalyst under alkaline condition in a certain potential range. This work not only reveals the structural transformation rules and corresponding evolution products of carbon materials in the full pH value range under electrochemical oxidation conditions, but also proposes a feasible potential operating range when carbon materials are used as OER catalysts.

The article reveals the relevance and necessity of deep reforms in Ukraine to achieve economic revival and integration with European economic systems. The author analyzes significant institutional and structural reforms aimed at improving the economic environment, attracting investment, developing the private sector, and fighting corruption. These reforms cover important areas, including the banking system, public administration, the judiciary, antitrust regulation, and land relations, creating favorable conditions for financial and economic development and the economy's resilience to external shocks. The article emphasizes that the listed changes have both positive and negative aspects. On the one hand, the reforms contributed to increasing the transparency of management, improving the investment climate, and reducing corruption. On the other hand, the implementation process of some reforms proved to be difficult due to the lack of effective implementation and control mechanisms, as well as external challenges such as military conflict and global economic crises. The author also considers investment risk as an important indicator of institutional and structural changes in the country, pointing to systematic risk caused by country-wide institutional, political, and macro-financial factors, and individual risk determined by specific features of the company's financial condition. The increase in systematic risk due to hostilities has worsened financing conditions for all businesses, but the distribution of individual risk depends on many factors.

The economic policy pursued has turned China into a major trading power. In terms of GDP, the Chinese economy has been the first economy in the world for a number of recent years; China’s rapidly growing trade flows have made it the largest trading partner for many countries. Over the past twenty years there has been rapid growth in exports and imports. The article puts forward a hypothesis about the presence of structural instability in the dynamics of Chinese exports for the period from 2000 to 2020. The hypothesis was confirmed and two periods were identified in the dynamics of exports and imports with different natures of the main development trend: from 2000 to 2008 and from 2009 to 2020. For each stage, trend equations were selected that describe the dynamics of exports and imports and an interval forecast of indexes for 2021 was made. Materials and methods. During the work, dynamic, structural analysis of analytical and statistical information was used; methods of analytical, logical, systemic, correlation and regression analysis were used, as well as analysis of structural changes. The analysis was carried out using the Statistica 10.0 program.Results. A change in the value of the import coverage ratio by exports was revealed before and after structural changes in the dynamics of the main foreign economic indexes and an assessment of their statistical significance was given. An analysis of the influence of export dynamics on GDP dynamics was carried out and it was found that before structural changes, the influence of export dynamics on GDP dynamics was statistically insignificant, and after a structural change, export dynamics began to have a direct impact on changes in China’s GDP. Conclusion. Analysis of official statistical data on the main indexes of China’s foreign economic activity for the period from 2000 to 2020 allowed us to note that the volume of Chinese exports increased over the period 2010-2019 from $1.58 trillion in 2010 (10.34% of global exports), to $2.50 trillion in 2019 (12.81% of global exports). In 2019, China continued to rank first in terms of export value among all countries in the world. Despite the challenging year of 2020, China’s exports reached almost 2.6 trillion US dollars and increased by 4% compared to 2019.China also occupies a leading position in the export of high-tech goods - their volume is 731.9 billion US dollars, the share of exports in the global volume is 25%. At the same time, the dynamics of Chinese exports for the period from 2000 to 2020 was heterogeneous and characterized by structural instability. Two stages can be distinguished with different characteristics of the main development trend: from 2000 to 2008 and from 2009 to 2020. Based on this, the authors came to the conclusion that to describe the main trend in the development of export and import dynamics for the period from 2000 to 2008, the exponential model is best suited. To describe the main trend in the development of export and import dynamics in the period from 2009 to 2020 - logarithmic model. A study of the consistency of changes in export and import volumes showed that in the period from 2009 to 2020 was characterized by greater consistency in China’s main foreign trade flows than the period from 2000 to 2008. In the period before the structural change in the dynamics of exports and imports, the coverage ratio varied from 105.7% to 127.6%; in the period after the structural change, the coverage ratio changed from 108.9% to 135.4%.Checking the statistical significance of the differences in the coefficient of coverage of imports by exports before and after the structural change showed that the differences are not statistically significant. In the period from 2000 to 2008 the dynamics of China’s exports did not have a statistically significant impact on the dynamics of the country’s GDP. From 2009 to 2020 after structural changes in the nature of the dynamics of the main indexes of China’s foreign trade, changes in exports began to have a statistically significant impact on the dynamics of GDP. A 1% increase in China’s exports now results in a 0.25% increase in GDP.The practical significance of the paper is determined by the developed methodology for analyzing structural changes in the dynamics of exports and imports, examined using the example of China.

When the high-speed elevator is running, the air in the hoistway is rapidly compressed and released to form the piston effect. Especially when the car and counterweight intersect, the piston effect makes the aerodynamic force of the car and counterweight change sharply, affecting the stability of elevator operation. In this study, a three-dimensional car counterweight intersection model is constructed, and a multi-region dynamic layered method is proposed to calculate the aerodynamic flow field in the whole moving process, the changes of aerodynamic drag force and aerodynamic lateral force of the car and the counterweight under different length ratio, blockage ratio and spacing are analyzed and simulated, and the influence of structural changes in the hoistway on the aerodynamic flow field is studied. Furthermore, the accuracy of the numerical results is verified by the real elevator test. Finally, the results show that when the car intersects the counterweight in the hoistway, the interaction between the car and the counterweight is enhanced, and the drag force coefficient and lateral force coefficient of the car suddenly change, and return to the normal state after the intersection, with the decrease of length ratio and spacing and the increase of blockage ratio, the sudden change degree of drag force also increases, and the sudden change of lateral force of the car is mainly affected by the car counterweight spacing, and increases with the decrease of spacing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is not only a half-reaction of watersplitting to produce hydrogen, but also an important half-reaction of electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction, nitrogen reduction, nitrate reduction, organic small molecule reduction, and metal-air batteries. The OER process is driven by a four-electron mechanism. Due to the slow and complex kinetics of the electrocatalytic OER and its strong oxidation characteristics, studying the oxidative reconstruction rules and catalytic mechanisms of electrode materials in the OER process is of great significance to improve the efficiency of the OER. As a kind of metal-free electrode materials, carbon materials are widely used in electrocatalysis, which has become a potential electrocatalyst for OER due to their low price, abundant reserves, and high activity stability. At present, oxygen-containing functional groups on the surface of carbon materials have been proven to be active sites for OER. However, the deactivation mechanism of carbon materials at higher oxidation potentials during the OER process remains unclear due to a lack of understanding of the active site evolution mechanism. Correctly identifying the active sites of carbon materials under oxygen evolution conditions has become a research hotspot in the field. However, ex-situ characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) are difficult to reflect the catalytic behavior of carbon materials under working conditions. In this study, differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) was used to monitor the structural changes of carbon material during the OER process with graphite as the model material. The effects of applied voltage and pH value of electrolyte on graphite oxidation were investigated respectively. By changing the applied potential and the pH value of the electrolyte, we found that graphite firstly oxidizes itself to form oxygencontaining functional groups under acidic (pH 0), neutral (pH 7), and alkaline (pH 14) conditions. As the potential increases, the graphite begins to produce CO2 and CO at 1.6 V vs. RHE over the full pH value range, and the content of CO2 gradually augments as the potential increases. The generation potential of O2 is higher than that of CO2 under acidic condition, and the opposite is true under alkaline condition. Therefore, graphite can be used as an OER catalyst under alkaline condition in a certain potential range. This work not only reveals the structural transformation rules and corresponding evolution products of carbon materials in the full pH value range under electrochemical oxidation conditions, but also proposes a feasible potential operating range when carbon materials are used as OER catalysts.kinetics of the electrocatalytic OER and its strong oxidation characteristics, studying the oxidative reconstruction rules and catalytic mechanisms of electrode materials in the OER process is of great significance to improve the efficiency of the OER. As a kind of metal-free electrode materials, carbon materials are widely used in electrocatalysis, which has become a potential electrocatalyst for OER due to their low price, abundant reserves, and high activity stability. At present, oxygen-containing functional groups on the surface of carbon materials have been proven to be active sites for OER. However, the deactivation mechanism of carbon materials at higher oxidation potentials during the OER process remains unclear due to a lack of understanding of the active site evolution mechanism. Correctly identifying the active sites of carbon materials under oxygen evolution conditions has become a research hotspot in the field. However, ex-situ characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) are difficult to reflect the catalytic behavior of carbon materials under working conditions. In this study, differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) was used to monitor the structural changes of carbon material during the OER process with graphite as the model material. The effects of applied voltage and pH value of electrolyte on graphite oxidation were investigated respectively. By changing the applied potential and the pH value of the electrolyte, we found that graphite firstly oxidizes itself to form oxygencontaining functional groups under acidic (pH 0), neutral (pH 7), and alkaline (pH 14) conditions. As the potential increases, the graphite begins to produce CO2 and CO at 1.6 V vs. RHE over the full pH value range, and the content of CO2 gradually augments as the potential increases. The generation potential of O2 is higher than that of CO2 under acidic condition, and the opposite is true under alkaline condition. Therefore, graphite can be used as an OER catalyst under alkaline condition in a certain potential range. This work not only reveals the structural transformation rules and corresponding evolution products of carbon materials in the full pH value range under electrochemical oxidation conditions, but also proposes a feasible potential operating range when carbon materials are used as OER catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the long-term structural changes of the anterior chamber (AC) angle following gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT). Methods: The AC angle of 10 eyes that underwent GATT at least 6 years previously was assessed for structural changes. A detailed gonioscopy was performed to determine the state of the cleft and the position of the trabecular flap. An anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) examination was performed on the corresponding areas on gonioscopy. Results: The typical finding of the angle following GATT was an open cleft with a visible trabecular flap. However, the gonioscopy of our patients revealed three different cleft appearances: open, closed, and segmentally open cleft. In the long-term, the trabecular flap re-approximated the incision site in some areas resulting in the appearance of a closed cleft on gonioscopy. On AS-OCT the cleft was identified when the lumen of Schlemm's canal was connected to the AC, while the position of the flap differed. The cleft was observed as open in median 4.0 (IQR: 2.8-6.0) clock hours. The cleft was found open mostly in the superior quadrants of the angle (nine eyes). No correlation was found between the extent of open cleft and the percentage of IOP reduction. Conclusion: AS-OCT, when used in conjunction with gonioscopy, was found helpful to evaluate the structural changes following GATT. As observed in the study, the cleft tended to close in some areas. It was found preserved mostly in the superior half of the angle in the long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The article explores how foreign capital inflows affect employment structures in host countries, focusing on the impact of Nordic multinational corporations (MNCs) in Lithuania. Topics discussed include the correlation between sectorial foreign direct investment (FDI) and sectorial employment, the application of the Clark-Fisher model to analyze employment changes, and the interaction between MNC expansion and sectorial employment dynamics.

This paper investigates the long-run equilibrium relationship between economic growth and income inequality while documenting the structural transformation of the Romanian economy over the period 1990–2020. First, we examine the structural changes that have accompanied economic development and the historical trend of income inequality to better understand the mechanism connecting inequality and growth. Second, we study the long-term relationship between income inequality and economic development in the framework of the Kuznets hypothesis, using the ARDL bounds testing procedure for cointegration. Data for income inequality come from the most recent revisions of the World Inequality Database. The empirical findings support a nonlinear long-run relationship between income inequality and GDP per capita. The left half of an inverted U-shaped curve is revealed by the data, but the right half is not yet clearly outlined. We also find that the service-driven structural transformation experienced by Romania underlies this pattern. There is an inverted U-shaped relationship between inequality measures and services employment share. Overall, several stylized empirical facts are pointed out regarding the structural changes and the level of development of the Romanian economy, which can be seen as prerequisites of the transition to the right half of the inverted U-shaped curve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Doping plays a crucial role in modulating and enhancing the performance of organic semiconductor (OSC) devices. In this study, the critical role of dopants is underscored in shaping the morphology and structure of OSC films, which in turn profoundly influences their properties. Two dopants, trityl tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl) (TrTPFB) and N,N‐dimethylanilinium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate (DMA‐TPFB), are examined for their doping effects on poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and PBBT‐2T host OSCs. It is found that although TrTPFB exhibits higher doping efficiency, OSCs doped with DMA‐TPFB achieve comparable or even enhanced electrical conductivity. Indeed, the electrical conductivity of DMA‐TPFB‐doped P3HT reaches over 67 S cm−1, which is a record‐high value for mixed‐solution‐doped P3HT. This can be attributed to DMA‐TPFB inducing a higher degree of crystallinity and reduced structural disorder. Moreover, the beneficial impact of DMA‐TPFB on the OSC films' morphology and structure results in superior thermoelectric performance in the doped OSCs. These findings highlight the significance of dopant‐induced morphological and structural considerations in enhancing the film characteristics of OSCs, opening up a new avenue for optimization of dopant performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been established that due to the peculiarities of the recrystallization process, the structure of welded joints of steam lines made of heat-resistant pearlite steels 15Kh1M1F and 12Kh1MF under creep conditions of more than 270 thousand hours undergoes recovery processes. The process of resting with an increasing service life of welded joints accelerates after their service life exceeds 270 thousand hours and begins to transition to recrystallization. During the recrystallization process, individual grain boundaries gradually crumble, which leads to an increase in their size and a change in shape. The speed of recrystallization processes in welded joints' heat-affected zone (HAZ) differs significantly. The recrystallization processes in the heat-affected zone areas' structure are more intense compared to the base metal of welded joints that have not been exposed to welding heat. When a common boundary between two contacting grains is crumbled, a single grain is formed, eventually acquiring the same crystallographic orientation. In the area of overheating of the zone of thermal influence of welded joints made of 12Kh1MF steel, the average initial grain size corresponded to the 9th point (DSTU 8972:2019). After 280 thousand hours of operation (about 40 years), it is the 7th. Such processes are accompanied by a decrease in the density of dislocations in a-phase grains and along their boundaries, which does not significantly affect the decrease in mechanical properties. The dependence of the recrystallization on the self-diffusion of alloying elements, the distribution of dislocations in the grains of the a-phase, and the coagulating carbides was established. In this case, the recrystallization process results in a decrease in the mechanical properties of welded joints. Recrystallization in incomplete recrystallization, overheating, and fusion of the filler material is more intense than in the weld metal and the base metal of the welded joints. Recrystallization contributes to damage to welded joints by creep and fatigue mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we propose a cointegration test in which structural changes are modeled gradually through the Fourier approach and the nonlinear structure is modeled with an exponential smooth transition autoregressive (ESTAR) model. In the traditional tests, structural changes are mostly modeled by dummy variables. However, the extended literature supposes that the flexible Fourier approach is an alternative approach to dummy variables since there is no need to know the form, date, and number of breaks with the Fourier approach. The lack of a cointegration test to combine the ESTAR model and Fourier approach in the literature constitutes the motivation of this study. Monte Carlo simulation results demonstrate that the size properties are close to the nominal size and the power of the test shows good performance even in the small sample simulation experiment. Results also indicate that the proposed test shows better power performance compared to the ESTAR cointegration test ignoring breaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Myopia significantly decreases the frequency and severity of diabetic retinopathy (DR). The proliferative form of this diabetic complication in the retina is known to be very uncommon in diabetic myopes. The mechanisms of this phenomena are, however, still unclear. Studies on these mechanisms and the clarification of the structural changes in retinal neurons in animal models of both diabetes and myopia are critical to the research of the pathogenesis and further identification of therapeutic and preventive targets for these pathological conditions. Purpose: To examine changes in the retinal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentration and the relationship of the latter with the structure of retinal neuronal cells in rats with induced both diabetes and axial myopia. Material and Methods: Rats (age, 2 to 10 weeks) were assigned to four groups: group 1 (myopia only, n = 15), group 2 (diabetes only, n = 15), group 3 (myopia plus diabetes, n = 15), and group 4 (healthy controls, n = 10). Axial myopia was produced in two-month-old animals by surgically fusing the eyelids of both eyes. Streptozotocin (STZ) (15 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneally consequently for 5 days) was used to induce diabetes. Diabetes was induced in group 3 at 3 weeks after the initiation of the experiment. At 2 months, all rats were euthanized under anesthesia, and their eyes were enucleated. To perform a histomorphological study, serial retinal sections were made and stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and microscopy was performed and images were collected and evaluated on a light microscope Jenamed 2. Rat BDNF enzyme-linked immunosorbent kits (Elabscience, Houston, TX) were used to determine BDNF concentrations in retinal supernatant and plasma. Results: Rats with both diabetes and myopia exhibited smaller reductions in plasma and, especially, retinal BDNF concentrations compared to rats with diabetes only. Retinal BDNF concentrations in rats with both diabetes and myopia were 36.1% higher than in rats with diabetes only. Unlike rats with STZ-induced diabetes only, those with STZ-induced diabetes in the presence of experimental myopia exhibited a rather high neuronal cell density in the retinal ganglion cell layer. No noticeable change in the cell density in the inner nuclear layer and photoreceptor layer was observed in the latter animals. Conclusion: Axial length elongation secondary to experimental myopia in animals facilitates the protection against diabetic changes in the retina, which was confirmed at the molecular and morphological levels, with BDNF being a possible component of this protective mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the process of digitalisation of the economy, economic integration occurs at the micro, meso and macro levels. There is a need to change the model of industrial development with consideration to the ongoing changes in the economic structure. The article proposes the author’s model for development of the building materials industry, reflecting a new approach to the use of resources and formation of resource potential by a set of enterprises. An attempt has been made to present options for increasing production capacity of industrial enterprises based on the developed scale which allows determining the need to reserve production capacity when enterprises conduct activities in a single ecosystem. The article determined the features of the developed model and its advantages for the building materials industry and related industries, the importance of interaction processes in the formation of economic relations and results. The presented results are of an applied nature, reflect the specifics and directions of development of economics of ecosystems in relation to the industrial sector, determine the role of the building materials industry in the structural transformation of the economy and its purpose in the reproduction process. The search for ways of sustainable industrial development is defined on the basis of the presented development model and opportunities created as a result of the emergence of a new version of industry interaction between economic entities. The essence of reproduction processes in the ecosystem is reflected, considering the functional purpose of economic entities and characteristics of reproduction of fixed assets in industry.

Purpose of the study. The article is devoted to the consideration of the most important tools of economic and statistical analysis - indexes of structural changes by Ryabtsev, Gatev and Salai. The relevance of such work is due to the significant value of using indexes of structural changes that allow making an interconnected analysis of the composition and structure of a phenomenon, taking into account its dynamics. The purpose of the study is to develop a scale for assessing the significance of structural changes for economic phenomena. Materials and methods. Foreign trade statistics were used as the database for the empirical study: exports and imports for the Russian Federation as a whole, exports and imports of food by participating countries, imports of certain types of food by countries. The development of a scale for assessing the indexes of structural changes included: firstly, a comparison of the assessment results using the Ryabtsev, Gatev and Salai indexes based on observation data; secondly, the construction of aligned values (trends) for ranked series according to the Ryabtsev, Gatev, Salai indexes; thirdly, comparison of the alignment results and construction of the required scale for assessing measures of the significance of structural changes. An exponential function was used for alignment. Research results. Based on the results of the study, evaluation scales for the Gatev and Salai indexes were proposed, preserving the verbal characteristics of the Ryabtsev index. The implementation of a methodology based on the alignment of ranked series of values of structural changes indexes made it possible not only to compare different indexes for the same structures of economic phenomena, but also to identify some patterns and features of the use of each of the studied indexes for assessing economic phenomena. With the same range of variation from 0 to 1, the Gatev index is slightly higher than the Ryabtsev index, and the Salai index occupies an intermediate position between the Ryabtsev and Gatev indexes. The author warns against erroneous values of the Salai index, found in some structures. To assess economic structures, which are usually very inertial, the author recommends using the Gatev index, in contrast to the very common Ryabtsev index. With the same components, the Gatev index takes on larger values, the scale “stretches”, and it is more convenient to mark the results of calculations on it. Conclusion. The use of indexes of structural changes by Ryabtsev, Gatev and Salai, supplemented by a developed scale for assessing the significance of these changes, not only complements the traditionally established procedures of economic analysis, but also deepens it, allows us to find changes in the composition and structure of the phenomenon, determine the direction and significance of these changes.

The article describes the state of the modern port industry on the sea coast of the People's Republic of China, highlighting its features and characteristics. The author analyzes the form ation and development of large-scale, intensive and modern groups of seaports in China, whose economic structure, volume, cargo flows and turnover are significantly differentiated. The article discusses the strategic role of the government in developing the modern transport and logistics systems of the PRC, creating an effective institutional system and improving the regulatory framework. The author comes to the conclusion that Chinese seaports are developing in the direction of increasing scale, intensif ication and modernization, enhancing the efficiency of transportation and creating a modern logistics system that meets the requirements of sustainable and rapid development.

The study of the resource base impact on the development of building materials industry economy is presented. The proposed analysis showed the need to synchronise intersectoral interactions aimed at the progressive development of the construction industry. The suggested approach to the formation of a mechanism for sustainable development predetermines the business model within the framework of sustainable development concept and the opportunities, the emergence of which is due to digitalisation of industrial relations. In the study, the author defines the contexts that form the approach to sustainability of development. It is offered to consider the given phenomenon in the economic context through the reproduction component. The offer made it possible to formulate an approach to the creation of a mechanism for this occurrence based on the resource potential formation, the use of which should lead to increasing returns when changing a business model of a set of enterprises. The mentioned model of interaction between enterprises is oriented towards sustainable industrial development, contributes to application of new approaches to reproduction of basic funds, distribution of resources and resource base formation. The usage of the ecosystem approach while considering the issue of sustainable economic development of building materials industry stipulated interaction of related sectors as the main priority. This is done to increase competitiveness and provide the strategy of building materials industry development.

Abstract Objective Neuroimaging studies reveal frontal lobe (FL) contributions to memory encoding. Accordingly, memory impairments are documented in frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE). Still, little is known about the structural or functional correlates of such impairments. Particularly, material specificity of functional changes in cerebral activity during memory encoding in FLE is unclear. Methods We compared 24 FLE patients (15 right‐sided) undergoing presurgical evaluation with 30 healthy controls on a memory fMRI‐paradigm of learning scenes, faces, and words followed by an out‐of‐scanner recognition task as well as regarding their mesial temporal lobe (mTL) volumes. We also addressed effects of FLE lateralization and performance level (normal vs. low). Results FLE patients had poorer memory performance and larger left hippocampal volumes than controls. Volume increase seemed, however, irrelevant or even dysfunctional for memory performance. Further, functional changes in FLE patients were right‐sided for scenes and faces and bilateral for words. In detail, during face encoding, FLE patients had, regardless of their performance level, decreased mTL activation, while during scene and word encoding only low performing FLE patients had decreased mTL along with decreased FL activation. Intact verbal memory performance was associated with higher right frontal activation in FLE patients but not in controls. Significance Pharmacoresistant FLE has a distinct functional and structural impact on the mTL. Effects vary with the encoded material and patients' performance levels. Thus, in addition to the direct effect of the FL, memory impairment in FLE is presumably to a large part due to functional mTL changes triggered by disrupted FL networks. Plain Language Summary Frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE) patients may suffer from memory impairment. Therefore, we asked patients to perform a memory task while their brain was scanned by MRI in order to investigate possible changes in brain activation during learning. FLE patients showed changes in brain activation during learning and also structural changes in the mesial temporal lobe, which is a brain region especially relevant for learning but not the origin of the seizures in FLE. We conclude that FLE leads to widespread changes that contribute to FLE patients’ memory impairment.

This research investigated the effects of mosambi peel extract (MPE) on the stability of protein and textural characteristics of silver carp surimi during frozen storage at −20 °C. The findings revealed that surimi fortified with 0.75 % MPE displayed upgraded protein solubility (PS), water holding capacity (WHC), Ca2+-ATPase activity, and sulfhydryl (SH) content. It also exhibited reduced levels of total carbonyls and surface hydrophobicity, along with higher overall acceptability compared to surimi treated with synthetic cryoprotectants (control) throughout storage. Additionally, MPE slowed down the increase in total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN) and protein degradation index (PI), as evidenced by SDS-PAGE showing higher intensities of myosin heavy chain (MHC) and actin over the storage period. Moreover, the incorporation of MPE effectively mitigated lipid oxidation as peroxide value (PV), and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) were lesser than control. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) peaks specified that the relative content of α-helix and β-sheet structures remained more stable in the MPE-treated group compared to the control, along with the improved gel and textural properties of surimi. Hence, this study suggests that 0.75 % MPE could serve as a natural alternative to synthetic cryoprotectants, ensuring the oxidative stability of silver carp surimi during frozen storage while enriching it with beneficial bioactive compounds.

Two different low molecular cryoprotectants were analyzed in silver carp surimi proteins during different frozen storage conditions (FTC), and a comparison was performed with a conventional cryoprotectant mixture of sucrose (4%) and sorbitol (4%) as positive control (PC). The results showed that a significant decline was noted in sulfhydryl contents (SH), an increase in carbonyl groups, and a surface hydrophobicity due to myosin and protein oxidation. Meanwhile, FTC also altered the stability of secondary and tertiary structures due to the denaturative changes in myofibrillar proteins (MP). Meanwhile, samples that incorporated KC (3%), KOG (3%), and PC showed significant stability in MP against FTC induced changes. This is due to their strong hydrophilic and hydrogen interactions. MP samples containing KOG (3%) demonstrated improved cryoprotective abilities against oxidative and structural changes. Thus, we can recommend KOG as a potential cryoprotectant for maintaining the shelf-life of fish and related products on an industrial scale.

Protein hydrolysates have attracted much attention for their high biological activity and are a crucial product form for the utilization of foxtail millet bran by-products. In this study, changes in the structure, functionality, activity and peptide profile of foxtail millet bran protein hydrolysates (FMBPHs) at different ultrasound powers (0 – 600 W) were investigated. The results showed that ultrasound promoted the transformation of α-helix and β-sheet to random coils and β-turn, and the exposure of hydrophobic groups and sulfhydryl groups in FMBPHs. The average particle size of the samples decreased, and the absolute value of the ζ-potential increased significantly. Simultaneously, smaller porous particles and loose fragments appeared on the surface of FMBPHs when the ultrasonic power was increased to 450 W. Additionally, 450 W ultrasound treatment improved solubility, foaming properties, emulsifying properties, thermal stability of FMBPHs. The DPPH, ABTS and hydroxyl radical scavenging ability (IC50, 2.65, 1.06 and 3.02 mg/mL), Fe2+ chelating activity (IC50, 2.62 mg/mL), and reducing power of the samples were also enhanced. The peptidomics results demonstrated that ultrasonication increased the number of active peptides in the hydrolysate, and the relative abundance of 17 active peptides was obviously elevated at 450 W. Peptide map analysis showed that ultrasound-induced structural modifications affected the peptide profiles of Ubiquitin-like domain-containing protein, Cupin type-1 domain-containing protein, 40S ribosomal protein S19, and Oleosin 1, showing changes in the abundance of certain peptides, which may be related to changes in the characterization of FMBPHs.

• Turbulent times exacerbate financial instability and climate risks. • Amplifying effect of financial instability on climate policy uncertainty. • Climate policy uncertainty contributes to worsening financial instability. • Findings support climate fragility hypothesis from a macro-perspective. • Implications for integrating climate factors into decision-making. This study presents a novel investigation of the reciprocal relationship between financial instability and climate risks, focusing on the influence of climate policy uncertainty within the US financial system from a macroeconomic perspective. By adopting the bootstrap rolling-window causality method, the analysis captures structural changes over an extended period between January 2000 and March 2021. Importantly, this method provides a robust data-driven approach, avoiding ad hoc assumptions about temporal breakpoints. The results support the climate fragility hypothesis, highlighting the amplifying effect of financial instability on climate risks. The study reveals that periods of economic and political turbulence exacerbate these effects by generating substantial financial turbulence, which, in turn, influences climate policy. The results also indicate that climate policy uncertainty contributes to worsening financial instability during critical events such as sudden changes in interest rates and major financial crises. The implications of this research extend to policymakers and investors, encouraging them to integrate climate factors into decision-making processes and adopt sustainable practices to promote financial stability and mitigate climate-related risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the mutual influence of the AZN/RUB and USD/RUB exchange rates against the backdrop of increasing sanctions against Russia in the period from January 2, 2023, to September 6, 2023, (five-day indicators, 178 observations) using the error correction mechanism (ECM) and autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) models taking into account structural shifts. Exact specifications of regression models have been determined, confirming that changes in the exchange rate of the US dollar to the Russian ruble have a statistically weakly significant codirectional effect on the exchange rate of the Azerbaijani manat to the Russian ruble. The rates of restoration of equilibrium after shock changes between the dependent and independent variables have been determined, as well as relationships with positive cointegrating coefficients, at which the trajectory of these rates leaves the equilibrium position and does not return to it after the influence of the shock in the previous period. The results obtained for different specifications show that due to the devaluation of the Russian ruble against the US dollar, there is currently no threat to the exchange rate of the Azerbaijani manat against the Russian ruble. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article outlines findings from a comparative analysis of the effectiveness of doping CeO2 ceramics with a stabilizing additive Y2O3 on alterations in the strength and thermophysical parameters of ceramics under high-temperature irradiation with heavy ions comparable in energy to fission fragments of nuclear fuel, which allows, during high-temperature irradiation, to simulate radiation damage that is as similar as possible to the fission processes of nuclear fuel. During the studies, it was found that the addition of a stabilizing additive Y2O3 to the composition of CeO2 ceramics in the case of high-temperature irradiation causes an increase in stability to swelling and softening because of a decrease in the thermal expansion of the crystal lattice by 3–8 times in comparison with unstabilized CeO2 ceramics. It has been determined that the addition of a stabilizing additive Y2O3 leads not only to a rise in the resistance of the crystal structure to deformation distortions and swelling, but also to a decrease in the effect of thermal expansion of the crystal structure, which has an adverse effect on the structural ordering of CeO2 ceramics exposed to irradiation at high temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In the 21st century, there have already been a series of economic downturns, particularly the Subprime Crisis 2007–2009 and the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. All those events triggered changes in productivity, economic performance and structure. The main objective of this study is to identify the regions left behind in the Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries and to analyse the structural and productivity changes taking place within them. In our analysis, we aim to verify the research hypothesis that all left-behind regions in CEE have similar economic structures with a high share of agriculture. The research period covers the years from 2010 until 2020 using data from the Eurostat database. In the first phase of our analysis, we analysed employment, Gross Value Added (GVA) and productivity data for 11 CEE countries. Then, we analysed the Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics at level 3 (NUTS3) regions, and Poland, which is a NUTS2 region. Left-behind regions are defined as those with low productivity and low growth rates. We provide a detailed analysis of the best and worst performing regions in terms of productivity for each country using productivity data and shift-share decomposition of productivity growth rate. Left-behind regions for each CEE country have been identified, and these are BG333, BG342, CZ080, EE004, HR023, HU332, LT027, LV005, PL72, RO216, RO312, SI032, SI035, SI038 and SK032. In our analysis, our hypothesis analysing the relationship between agriculture share in total employment and the productivity level of the region was not confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need for the study is justified by the fact that scientists and policy makers around the world are trying to identify the potential threat of digitalisation, looking for ways to adapt to new changes and take advantage of the opportunities offered by the information society and the knowledge economy and to mitigate risks. Digitalisation also changes the labour market – using information and communication technology (ICT) in the working process opens up new opportunities. Moving from a traditional office to another environment, combining work with private life and recreation more effectively, while remote work deals with costly jobs, spaces and congestion on the city streets. The study aims to assess the development of remote work in the European Union (EU) and Latvia, assessing its effectiveness and the possibilities for long-term use by analysing its impact on the transformational directions of the economy. During the analysis, the following findings were made: identified the potential and problems of the deployment of remote work in Latvia, determined the main challenges of remote work and policies to improve the situation. The analysis employs theoretical and empirical research methods. The theoretical method of analysis and deduction provides information on its impact on the economy from the scientific literature on remote work and its diverse aspects. The comparative method is widely used to identify aspects of remote work distribution and economic development and their interaction. Practical implications of research – to make recommendations on policy directions to improve the situation, which would promote the further development of remote work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study extends the literature on the permanent or transitory nature of shocks to per capita tourist arrivals along several dimensions. First, the study evaluates the nature of shocks to per capita tourist arrivals for a global panel of 129 countries. Second, unlike previous studies, we jointly estimate structural changes that represent either abrupt breaks or as a Fourier approximation of smooth breaks along with introducing a factor structure to test for the presence of unit roots in per capita tourist arrivals. Third, contrary to previous studies, our results show that rejection of the null hypothesis of a unit root in per capita tourist arrivals is quite limited compared to other unit root tests that fail to account for cross-correlations. Policy implications of the findings are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of angle between growth-ring orientation and loading force on mechanical performance such as compressive strength, deformation and compression set-recovery of wood has not been fully understood. The specimens, with growth-ring orientations of 0° (G-0°, parallel to tangential direction), 15° (G-15°, angle between growth-ring and tangential direction) and 40° (G-40°), were compressed using a universal testing machine; meanwhile, strain distribution was recorded using digital image correlation (DIC). One specimen from each growth-ring orientation was scanned with X-ray computed tomography (X-ray CT) before and after compression test. Their micro-structure after compression test was imaged using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results show that compressive strength decreases and compression set-recovery increases as increasing the growth-ring orientation. In G-0° specimens, strain is easily accumulated in small regions in earlywood, resulting in structural compaction and collapse. The effect of latewood on compressive strength is small, resulting in a poor correlation between strain distribution and density profile. For G-40° specimens, strain is almost homogenously distributed in every layer of earlywood. Both earlywood and latewood restrain the specimen from deformation and failure. Hence, strain accumulates according to the 'layers' of earlywood. Strain distribution and structural changes in G-15° specimens were in between of G-0° and G-40° specimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Neuroimaging studies reveal frontal lobe (FL) contributions to memory encoding. Accordingly, memory impairments are documented in frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE). Still, little is known about the structural or functional correlates of such impairments. Particularly, material specificity of functional changes in cerebral activity during memory encoding in FLE is unclear. Methods: We compared 24 FLE patients (15 right‐sided) undergoing presurgical evaluation with 30 healthy controls on a memory fMRI‐paradigm of learning scenes, faces, and words followed by an out‐of‐scanner recognition task as well as regarding their mesial temporal lobe (mTL) volumes. We also addressed effects of FLE lateralization and performance level (normal vs. low). Results: FLE patients had poorer memory performance and larger left hippocampal volumes than controls. Volume increase seemed, however, irrelevant or even dysfunctional for memory performance. Further, functional changes in FLE patients were right‐sided for scenes and faces and bilateral for words. In detail, during face encoding, FLE patients had, regardless of their performance level, decreased mTL activation, while during scene and word encoding only low performing FLE patients had decreased mTL along with decreased FL activation. Intact verbal memory performance was associated with higher right frontal activation in FLE patients but not in controls. Significance: Pharmacoresistant FLE has a distinct functional and structural impact on the mTL. Effects vary with the encoded material and patients' performance levels. Thus, in addition to the direct effect of the FL, memory impairment in FLE is presumably to a large part due to functional mTL changes triggered by disrupted FL networks. Plain Language Summary: Frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE) patients may suffer from memory impairment. Therefore, we asked patients to perform a memory task while their brain was scanned by MRI in order to investigate possible changes in brain activation during learning. FLE patients showed changes in brain activation during learning and also structural changes in the mesial temporal lobe, which is a brain region especially relevant for learning but not the origin of the seizures in FLE. We conclude that FLE leads to widespread changes that contribute to FLE patients' memory impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyzes the characteristics of the labor market in Croatia, the changes in the demographic potential of the working-age population, and the structural determinants of the labor system. The movement of the number of able-bodied, active and inactive population from 2013 until today, points to a trend of decreasing the able-bodied contingent, economic activity and unemployment of the population, and an increase in employment. The analysis showed that the structural problems on the labor market in Croatia are an insufficiency of educational staff, structural unemployment, youth unemployment, and the mismatch between the supply and demand of jobs. Such characteristics of the work system influenced the movement of the determinants of external migration in Croatia, especially after 2013. Simultaneously with the strengthening of emigration, the number of immigrated persons also increases, so that from 2013 to 2022, their number amounted to about 195 thousand of mostly foreign citizens. We can establish that we are talking about free economic migrations and an increased inflow of labor, mostly unskilled workers, which makes up for the lack of domicile workforce. Structural-selective unemployment in Croatia can be analyzed on a general level according to age groups and according to education, and on a specific level, through indicators of the skills mismatch on the labor market. The total unemployment rate in Croatia has experienced a significant decline since 2013, and current unemployment is the lowest in the youngest working age, and the highest in the age over 40. Compared to 2013, the share of unemployed persons with primary and lower secondary education in Croatia is continuously decreasing, the share of unemployed persons with upper secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary education levels is slightly falling (with frequent oscillations), while the share of unemployed persons with tertiary education is increasing. Problems on the labor market in Croatia have been noticeable after the global economic crisis of 2008 and its high unemployment, and in the last ten years also in the areas with a low level of economic activity of the population and a lack of domestic labor for the functionality of certain sectors of activity. On the other hand, the structure of the emigrant contingent, in which the young and able-bodied population predominates, points to the outflow of labor force of medium and high qualification levels. The review of research on recent emigration confirms the complex conditionality of leaving Croatia, and among the main factors a group of economic ones arising from the macroeconomic situation and structural deficiencies in the labor market stands out. In addition to economic factors, other types of factors are strengthening, which is why the continuation of the emigration of the Croatian population and the immigration of the foreign population are likely to be expected. The isolated and presented indicators and trends point to the complexity of the relationship between economic and labor factors, contemporary migration patterns and demographic characteristics of the resident population, in accordance with previous theoretical and empirical knowledge.

In this work, we report evidence of pressure-induced changes in the crystal structure of Sr(IO3)2HIO3 connected to changes the coordination of the iodine atom and the of the configuration of HIO3 and IO3 units. The changes favor iodine hypercoordination and happen in two steps on sample compression. Firstly, at 2.5 GPa, [HIO3]·[IO3] complexes are formed, and secondly, at 4.5 GPa, these complexes form dimers of [HIO3]·[IO3]·[IO3]·[HIO3]. The evidence is obtained from a combined experimental and theoretical study performed up to 20 GPa. Synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and optical-absorption experiments have been complemented with density-functional theory calculations, including the study of the topology of the electron density. The changes observed in the crystal structure are related to the transformation of secondary (halogen) bonds into electron-deficient multicenter bonds. The paper also discusses the effect of pressure on the compressibility of the Sr(IO3)2HIO3 crystal structure, its phonons, the electronic band gap, and the refractive index. Sr(IO3)2HIO3 was found to be highly compressible with an anisotropic compressibility. The softening of the internal I–O vibrations of IO3 units was also observed, together with a decrease of the band-gap energy (from 4.1 eV at 0 GPa to 3.7 eV at 20 GPa), a band-gap crossing, and a change in the topology of the band structure, with Sr(IO3)2HIO3 transforming from a direct gap semiconductor at 0 GPa to an indirect gap semiconductor beyond 6 GPa.

The article researches the competitiveness of the national economy in conditions of structural changes, the article’s further aim is to define the strengths and weaknesses of the national economy. Based on the carried out analysis of the Global competitiveness index, it is determined that in 2021, in terms of global competitiveness, Ukraine returned to the level of 2013 and took the 54th position among 64 countries. During the period of 2015–2018, the relative stability of Ukraine’s position at the 59th place is observed, in 2019 and 2021 the country demonstrates an increase in rating positions. The analysis of the rating’s components of the ranking indicates that Ukraine’s low position in the global competitiveness ranking in 2021 is due to insufficient economic development. After all, Ukraine occupies the 54th position according to the element «economic indicators». At this, the highest-rated indicator corresponds to the element «business efficiency» (the 50th position in the ranking). It should be noted that it was possible to improve the position regarding the element «infrastructure», according to which Ukraine took the 51st place, while in 2020 it was the 54th position. It is determined that the modern global environment is characterized by a significant level of digitization of all spheres of life activities. The analysis of the country’s competitiveness from the point of view of the use of information and communication technologies is carried out on the basis of the Index of digital competitiveness of countries, which consists of three sub-indices: knowledge; technologies; readiness for the future. It is revealed that for the period 2012–2021, Ukraine had the highest ranking position on the «knowledge» indicator compared to other components and in 2021 took the 37th position, thus improving its ranking compared to the previous period. At the same time, according to the components «technology» and «readiness for the future», the positions in the ranking are approximately the same. The weaknesses and strengths of Ukraine’s competitiveness are highlighted. Among the weaknesses that do not allow Ukraine to take a leading place in the international ranking of digital competitiveness are significant investment risks, an insufficient level of intellectual property protection and the present level of cyber security. Strengths include: providing opportunities to start and develop one’s own business, relatively high Internet speed, e-democracy and high quality of education.

When designing the parameters for the development of oil and gas field at significant depths, crucial to comprehend how certain factors affect the behavior of reservoir rocks and host rocks. These factors include the high level of rock stress, the ambient temperature field, and the hydro- and gas-dynamic processes within the mass. The impact of one or a combination of these factors can result in alterations to the construction, structure, composition, and properties of the rock mass and, ultimately leading to a mismatch between the design solutions and the actual conditions. The purpose of the research is to establish a methodology for conducting laboratory studies that investigate the impact of the mode of occurrence of oil and gas field reservoirs at great depths on the properties of rock samples. The research objectives encompass a theoretical analysis and the identification of the principal factors influencing rock behavior and changes in internal structure. Additionally, the objectives include developing laboratory research methods that comprehensively simulate these factors and conducting trial experiments to assess their effects. As part of the project, tests were conducted on sandstone samples collected from depth ranging from 3.5 to 4 km within the hydrocarbon field. These studies were performed while simulating thermobaric reservoir conditions, which include temperature, rock pressure, and reservoir pressure. The results of these experiments, aimed at examining the behavior of rock samples as closely as possible to their natural reservoir occurrence at depth of 3.5–4 km, are presented. It has been observed that rock samples of the same lithology, collected from nearly identical depths, can exhibit significant differences in deformation characteristics, both in the pre- and off-limit regions of loading. The findings from these studies provide the initial data for the development and refinement of geomechanical model behavior for materials that take into account not only fracture strength criteria but also dilatancy processes at various stages of rock deformation. Increasing lateral pressure within the range of 0 to to 55 MPa causes relatively minor change in ultrasonic vibration velocities, typically ranging from 1 to 10%. This makes it challenging to determine the necessity of utilizing these results for indirectly assessing changes in rock properties within the mass. Nevertheless, within the context of geophysical studies, considering variations in velocity values enhances the quality of result interpretation, especially given the substantial geometric dimensions of the rock masses under investigation. Research into the acoustic emissions of rocks in a complex stressed state enables the monitoring of spatial micro- and macrofracturing processes throughout the entire loading phase of samples. This provides a more comprehensive understanding of changes in their internal structure. The article delves into the factors that impact structural changes in oil and gas field rocks, particularly as their development extends to greater depths. The study outlines methodological approaches that facilitate the investigation of physical and mechanical properties of rock samples, while accurately modeling complex thermobaric conditions. Additionally, the it describes the technical specifications of the testing equipment, ensuring the closest possible replication of the actual conditions of reservoir rock occurrences. Lastly, the study reveals key features related to the deformation and fracture of rock samples during testing under lateral pressures of 55 MPa and pore pressures of 30 MPa, along with the creation of temperature fields up to 100 °C.

The research aims to analyse the structural changes in Lithuanian economic sectors from 1995 to 2022. Structural changes in this research are understood as changes in gross value added by an economic sector during the period analysed. The greatest decreases in GDP happened in 1999, 2009, and 2020. During this period, economic crises in Lithuania were recorded practically every 10 years. The economic recession of 1999 is partly related to the Russian economic crisis. The negative growth in GDP in 2009 is related to the global financial crisis. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, Lithuania recorded zero GDP growth. The analysis of the period 1995-2022 reveals that the Lithuanian economy was constantly affected by short-term external turbulence but remained resistant to serious shocks. During these fluctuations, changes were formed in the structure of the economy. Some sectors of the economy expanded more, others - less. In 2004, compared to 1995, the share of agriculture in the structure of the economy decreased by almost 60 per cent. The share of financial intermediation decreased by 13.6 per cent, and other sectors decreased by almost 23 per cent. Between 1995 and 2004, the most intense structural changes were in agriculture, trade, and other sectors. In 2009, compared to 2004, the share of agriculture in the structure of the economy decreased by almost 39 per cent. The share of manufacturing decreased by 16.8 per cent, and construction decreased by almost 9.6 per cent. From 2004 to 2008, the fastest development of the construction sector was recorded, which is related to the active development of real estate. In 2004-2009, the most intense structural changes were in the agriculture, industry, and financial intermediary sectors. In 2019, compared to 2009, the share of industry in the structure of the economy decreased by almost 2 per cent, the financial sector decreased by 12 per cent, and other sectors decreased by 6 per cent. In 2009-2019, the most intense structural changes were in the agriculture, construction, and financial sectors. From 2019 to 2022, the most intense structural changes were in industry and financial sectors. In the ideal case, the positive result of structural changes is economic progress. During economic progress, there is an even and long-term development of all economic sectors. Because the structure of the economy is a complex mechanism, changes in it must not be too speedy and not chaotic. Only then could economic progress be the result of structural changes.

In the 19th century, the weighting of silk with metal salts, such as tin, was a common practice to enhance certain properties of silk fabrics and compensate for the weight loss incurred during the degumming process. This technique induces both physical and chemical modifications to the fibres, contributing to their long-term degradation, which requires thorough investigation. This study aims to examine the structural changes in silk fibres caused by the accumulation of metal salts from the tin-weighting process, using mock-up samples prepared through successive loading with weighting agents using a traditional tin-phosphate treatment method. Unweighted and tin-weighted silk samples were compared using scanning electron (SEM) micrographs, which presented the dispersed nanoparticles on the fibres, while through energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) elemental mapping, the presence and uniform distribution of the weighting agents were confirmed. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed structural changes in tin-weighted silk samples compared to untreated ones, including shifts in amide bands, altered water/hydroxyl and skeletal stretching regions, and increased skeletal band intensities suggesting modifications in hydrogen bonding, β-sheet content, and structural disorder without significantly impacting the overall crystallinity index. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of both pristine and tin-weighted silk samples revealed significant alterations, predominantly in the amorphous regions of the silk upon weighting. These structural changes were further examined using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SWAXS), which provided detailed insights into modifications occurring at the nanometre scale. The analyses suggested disruptions in β-sheet crystals and intermolecular packing, especially in the amorphous regions, with increasing amounts of tin-weighting. Contact angle analysis (CA) revealed that the tin-phosphate-weighting process significantly impacted silk surface properties, transforming it from moderately hydrophobic to highly hydrophilic. These changes indicate that the incorporation of tin-phosphate nanoparticles on and within silk fibres could restrict the flexibility of polymer chains, impacting the physical properties and potentially the degradation behaviour of silk textiles. By studying these structural changes, we aim to deepen our understanding of how tin-weighting impacts silk fibre structure, contributing valuable insights into the longevity, conservation, and preservation strategies of silk textiles in the context of cultural heritage.

Polyisobutylene (PIB) is commonly used as a primary sealant in multi-layer insulating glazing elements, where temperatures often exceed 100 °C. At such conditions, PIB undergoes structural changes, causing different relaxation dynamics and leading to decreased lifetime of the material. Understanding thermal behavior is therefore imperative for achieving effective insulation of these materials for long-term use in insulating application. The present study was focused on the temperature dependence of viscoelastic behavior of two commercially available polyisobutylene (PIB) materials, which are commonly used as primary sealants for energy-efficient multi-layer glazing units. The long-term viscoelastic behavior of the materials before and after thermal treatment at high temperatures was studied by using time–temperature superposition (tTS). Van-Gurp–Palmen plots were obtained directly from experimental data and enabled the study of thermally induced changes, while the relaxation time spectra were calculated from master curves and enabled the calculation of molecular weight distribution. The results showed that, after thermal treatment, the structure of PIB materials changes from linear to branched, while the molecular weight distributions transition from monomodal to bimodal. The untreated samples exhibited viscous-like behavior, while the thermally stabilized samples exhibited solid-like behavior, extending the material response for ~6 decades towards a longer timescale. Moreover, the presented results can be directly used to simulate the mechanical responses of the sealants using currently available FEM software packages to predict their functional and structural lifetime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glutathione transferases (GSTs) are a superfamily of dimeric proteins associated with the detoxification of various reactive electrophiles and responsive to a multitude of stressors. We individually substituted Lys64 and Glu78 with Ala using site-directed mutagenesis to understand the role of subunit interactions in the structure and enzymatic properties of a rice GST (OsGSTU17). The wild-type OsGSTU17 lost the conserved hydrogen bond between subunits in tau class GSTs due to conserved Tyr92 replaced with Phe92, but still exhibited high substrate activities, and thermal stability remained in its dimeric structure. The significant decrease in thermal stability and obvious changes in the structure of mutant K64A implied that conserved Lys64 might play an essential role in the structural stability of tau class GSTs. The mutant E78A, supposed to be deprived of hydrogen and salt bonds between subunits, appeared in the soluble form of dimers, even though its tertiary structure altered and stability declined dramatically. These results suggest that the hydrogen and ionic bonds provided by conserved residues are not as important for OsGSTU17 dimerization and enzymatic properties. These results further supplement our understanding of the relationship between the structure and function of GSTs and provide a theoretical basis for improving crop resistance through targeted modification of GSTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]