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The dynamics of a bilayer system filling a rectangular cuvette subjected to external heating is studied. The influence of two types of thermal exposure on the flow pattern and on the dynamic contact angle is analyzed. In particular, the cases of local heating from below and distributed thermal load from the lateral walls are considered. The simulation is carried out within the frame of a two-sided evaporative convection model based on the Boussinesq approximation. A benzine–air system is considered as reference system. The variation in time of the contact angle is described for both heating modes. Under lateral heating, near-wall boundary layers emerge together with strong convection, whereas the local thermal load from the lower wall results in the formation of multicellular motion in the entire volume of the fluids and the appearance of transition regimes followed by a steady-state mode. The results of the present study can aid the design of equipment for thermal coating or drying and the development of methods for the formation of patterns with required structure and morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of the moisture content on the CO2 emission from peat soils of palsa mires in the discontinuous permafrost area was studied in the north of Western Siberia (Nadym region). The СО2 flux was measured in Histic Cryosols of permafrost peatlands (palsas) and Fibric Histosols of surrounding bog using the closed chamber method for four years at the peak of the growing season (August). Despite a significant difference in the soil moisture (34.8 ± 13.2 and 56.2 ± 2.1% on average), no significant difference in the CO2 emission from these ecosystems was found in any of the observation years; the rates of emission averaged 199.1 ± 90.1 and 182.1 ± 85.1 mg CO2 m–2 × h–1, respectively. Experimental wetting or drying (with a twofold difference in the moisture content) of peat soils at the two sites via their transplantation to a different position showed no significant effect on the CO2 emission even three years after the beginning of the experiment. The absence of significant differences in the CO2 flux between the two different ecosystems was explained by the presence of permafrost and the influence of many multidirectional factors mitigating changes in the CO2 production by soils. An increased CO2 emission from the peat soils of bogs was possible due to the additional contribution of the methanotrophic barrier and the lateral runoff of dissolved CO2 over the permafrost table from the palsa toward the surrounding bog. The absence of response of the CO2 emission to a significant change in the soil moisture content may be indicative of a wide optimum of this characteristic for the microbiological activity of peat soils in the studied region. The obtained data suggest that, while studying CO2 fluxes in cryogenic soils of hydromorphic landscapes, it is necessary to take into account not only biogenic sources, but also other factors, often of a physical nature, affecting the balance of CO2 fluxes and CO2 emission from soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Although today primary hyperparathyroidism and cancers are considered the main factors of hypercalcemia (HC), the latter is quite often detected in various endocrinopathies. According to modern data, ionized calcium (Ca2+) is an intracellular mediator in the functioning of enzymes and hormones. All this determines the importance of finding out the features of the associations between HC and biochemical indicators in various endocrine disorders, which was the purpose of this study. Materials and methods. Retrospectively, according to the medical histories of 537 patients with detected HC, who were treated at the endocrinology clinic of the V. Danilevsky Institute for the Endocrine Pathology Problems in 2020–2021, we have analyzed the features of correlations between HC (by the content of Ca2+) and the levels of phosphorus (P), total protein (TP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in various endocrine pathologies. Results. A significant difference between the spectrum and degree of probability of associations was found even within the limits of one type of pathological conditions. In the group with hypothyroidism, there was an inverse correlation of HC with P (p < 0.01) and a highly probable correlation with AST (p < 0.001). At the same time, a direct association with P (p < 0.01) and an inverse correlation with TP (p < 0.001), AST (p < 0.001) and ALT (p < 0.01) was revealed in case of Graves’ disease. The following data were obtained for tumors of endocrine organs: nontoxic multinodular goiter — direct with P (p < 0.001) and inverse with TP (p < 0.001) and ALT (p < 0.01); thyroid cancer — direct correlation with P (p < 0.01) and inverse highly probable with TP (p < 0.001) and ALT (p < 0.001); nodular pathology of the adrenal glands — direct correlation with TP (p < 0.01) and inverse with AST (p < 0.01) and ALT (p < 0.001). In diabetes mellitus, only an inverse correlation with P was found (p < 0.01). There was an inverse correlation with P (p < 0.01) and TP (p < 0.001), and a direct one with ALT (p < 0.001) in primary hyperparathyroidism. Conclusions. Metabolic disorders in the presence of hypercalcemia in patients with various endocrine pathologies have their own characteristics. The nature of revealed correlations between ionized calcium and biochemical parameters in terms of various endocrine diseases must be taken into account when developing a therapeutic strategy for patients with hypercalcemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article contains a list of introduced specimens of the genus Lonicera L. in the collection fund of the Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden-Institute. The PABSI collection includes 50 specimens of introduced plants of the genus Lonicera, belonging to 16 species, 8 intraspecific taxa and 2 hybrids. The age of collection honeysuckles is from 8 to 82 years. Most of the samples of honeysuckle surveyed are viable and are distinguished by high decorative qualities, winter-hardy and retain their vital form. The most viable, promising for introduction and have high decorative qualities are L. involucratа and L. caerulea. The study is one of the stages of a comprehensive description of plants states when introduced into the conditions of the Far North.

As a result of the evaluation, the plants’ inventory metrics were determined, a visual diagnosis of the trees’ condition was performed, and recommendations for further measures were formulated.

The authors of the article invite readers to discuss issues related to the success of intercultural communication, and also make their additions to the very concept of “intercultural communication”, pointing out the need to consider it not only and not so much as the interaction of representatives of different countries, but also representatives of different cultures within one country, based on a comparison of their geographical, linguistic, educational, sociological and psychological characteristics. The article also talks about the increasingly dense presence of artificial intelligence systems in the education system and the role it can play in the development of successful communication skills. The authors of the article argue that the best way to acquire communication skills is to train in a simulated environment, since such complex skills are best acquired through experiential learning using conversational systems or chatbots, since artificial intelligence-enabled tools can listen to conversations and provide the missing information. or useful information. The authors of the article conclude that the potential of using artificial intelligence to improve intercultural communication and business communication has not yet been fully realized and believe that carefully designed research and development in this area can lead to the creation of new tools that promote more effective and harmonious intercultural communication in educational environment.

This paper analyzes an important and urgent problem that is the relationship between investments in nature, represented by environmental capital and economic growth. In the context of sustainable development and environmental conservation, interest in this topic is becoming increasingly significant. The paper examines the main theoretical concepts related to the impact of environmental capital on the economy, as well as presents the results of empirical studies confirming or refuting hypotheses about the positive impact of investments in nature on economic growth. This analysis allows us to identify key aspects of the interaction between environmental capital and economic development, which can serve as a basis for the development of effective strategies and policies in the field of sustainable development. The article also analyzes various approaches to measuring environmental capital and its impact on economic growth, taking into account the specifics of different regions and countries. Examples of successful investment strategies in nature are discussed, as well as obstacles and challenges facing the adoption of such measures.

The article contains a list of introduced specimens of the genus Sorbus L. - mountain ash in the Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden-Institute located above the Arctic Circle. The collection fund contains 56 samples of introduced plants of the genus Sorbus, belonging to 22 species and 1 subspecies. The article gives a comprehensive assessment of the viability and decorativeness of introduced plants of the genus Sorbus in the conditions of the Kola Subarctic. 75 % of the studied samples retain and are able to restore the growth shape. In half of the samples, the seeds ripen not annually, for reproduction in the culture it is necessary to attract seeds from other regions. Rowans with the highest vitality scores also have higher ornamental qualities. Evaluation of the viability and decorativeness of introduced plants of the genus Sorbus made it possible to divide the studied samples into groups: quite promising highly decorative, viable high and medium decorative, less and unpromising low and medium decorative, unviable medium and low decorative. In the conditions of the Kola Peninsula, the most viable and decorative S. aucuparia, S. aucuparia subsp. sibirica, S. sambucifolia, S. hybrida, S. commixta, S. tianschanica. The introduction of the species S. albovii, S. buschiana, S. fedorovii, S. subfusca, S. turkestanica is not promising, the plants are of interest for scientific collections.

The article discusses the features of the search for optimal solutions for balanced development and minimizing the negative impact on nature. According to the authors, economics and environmental protection should go hand in hand in the modern world, since modern eco-friendly technologies will allow entrepreneurs not only to preserve natural resources, but also to increase financial results and increase the level of business reputation, which will increase the degree of consumer loyalty to the products that such a company produces. Accordingly, it should be concluded that the prospects for interaction between ecology and the economy are extremely wide, their implementation will enable the modern economy to receive a significant incentive for growth and development.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of an electronic system for managing individuals with drug-sensitive pulmonary tuberculosis in the Kyrgyz Republic. This cohort study used programmatic data. The study included people registered on the paper-based system in 2019 and 302 people registered on both the electronic and the paper-based systems between June 2021 and May 2022. The data from the 302 individuals were used to assess the completeness of each form of record and the concordance of the electronic record with the paper-based system. This study showed that for most variables, the completeness and concordance were 85.3-93.0% and were lowest for nonmandatory fields such as medication side effects (26.8% vs. 13.6%). No significant difference was observed in the time taken from symptom onset to diagnosis and treatment initiation between the two systems. However, the electronic system had a significantly higher percentage of subjects who initiated treatment on the day of diagnosis (80.3% vs. 57.1%). The proportion with successful outcomes was similar in both groups, but the electronic system had a significantly lower proportion of individuals with outcomes that were not evaluated or recorded (4.8% vs. 14.3%, p < 0.001). This study highlights the potential advantages and gaps associated with implementing an electronic TB register system for improving records.

Migrants are at increased risk of developing tuberculosis (TB) and have poor treatment outcomes. The National TB program (NTP) of the Kyrgyz Republic recognizes two types of migrants: internal (intra-country) and external (inter-country) migrants. This cohort study compared the characteristics, timeliness of diagnosis and treatment initiation, and treatment outcomes of TB patients (internal migrant vs. external migrant vs. non-migrant) identified during treatment in the country in 2021. The TB treatment register and treatment cards of 5114 patients (156 internal, 430 external, and 4528 non-migrants) were reviewed. Risk factors (unemployment, smoking, alcohol use, and homelessness) were higher ( p -value < 0.001) in internal (84%) than in external migrants (66%) and non-migrants (43%). The median delay in seeking care post-symptom onset was longer ( p -value= 0.03) in external (30 days) than in internal migrants (21 days) and non-migrants (25 days). Successful treatment outcomes for drug-sensitive TB were higher in internal (89%, p -value = 0.012) and external migrants (86%, p -value = 0.001) than in non-migrants (78%). Internal and external migrants should be separately considered with respect to TB care and monitoring under the NTP. Success rates seem to be high in migrants, but our findings may be biased, as migrants with poor healthcare access may remain undetected and untreated and have undocumented poor outcomes.

Surgery has played an important role in managing complicated tuberculosis in former Soviet Union countries, including the Kyrgyz Republic. However, published information is limited. This study aimed to document the trend, characteristics and outcomes of tuberculosis patients who underwent thoracic surgery, using routinely collected data. Between 2017 and 2021, 4-7% of tuberculosis patients in the Kyrgyz Republic underwent thoracic surgery in two centres in Bishkek and Osh. In 2021, case records were retrieved in 264 (78%) of 340 patients undergoing thoracic surgery in the country. The most common indications for surgery were pleural exudate/empyema in 127 (44%) and tuberculoma in 83 (32%). Most patients (73%) underwent surgery within 30 days of starting TB treatment. Two-thirds of patients underwent radical surgery, and surgical outcomes were excellent in 99% of patients with one death. Post-operatively, 63 (23%) patients had no TB detected by the histology, with the two most common specified conditions being lung cancer and pulmonary hydatid disease. TB treatment was stopped in these patients. Of the 201 patients with confirmed TB after surgery, TB-treatment success was documented in 163 (81%), died/failure/lost to follow-up in 10 (5%) and not evaluated in 28 (14%). This study shows that thoracic surgery is feasible, safe and effective in the routine programme setting. Recommendations are made to strengthen referral and monitoring systems., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

Background : Improving tuberculosis (TB) care in key populations is an operational research priority in the Kyrgyz Republic. Here, we describe the characteristics of TB/HIV co-infected individuals, their affiliations with key country-wide population groups, and their TB treatment outcomes. Methods: This was a cohort study using national programmatic data (2018-2022). The key population groups included people with increased exposure to TB, limited access to TB services, and increased risk of acquiring TB. Results: Among 693 individuals with TB/HIV co-infection, the majority (58%) of individuals were from two regions of the Kyrgyz Republic (Chui and Bishkek). Eighty-four percent (84%) individuals had one or more affiliations to eight key population groups, with 49% of the individuals affiliated to ≥2 groups and 92% of the individuals were on both antiretroviral treatment and cotrimoxazole preventive therapy. Overall, 406 (59%) of the individuals had successful outcomes and 287 (41%) of the individuals had unsuccessful outcomes. Unsuccessful outcomes increased from 36% (n-39) with TB/HIV alone to 47% (n-86) with affiliations to ≥3 key population groups ( P -0.03). Unsuccessful outcomes were associated with co-morbidities (diabetes mellitus and hepatitis B/C), migration, alcohol use, and extrapulmonary TB. Conclusions: For a long time, people with TB/HIV co-infection have been recognized as a "double priority". Affiliation to key populations accentuates their status to "triple priority". We advocate for increased attention and equity towards these populations.

Patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) who have comorbidities, complications, and experience serious adverse events (SAEs) are at substantial risk of having unfavorable hospital outcomes. We assessed characteristics and discharge outcomes of 138 MDR-TB patients hospitalized in the National Referral Center of Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, from January 2020 to August 2022. The main clinical characteristics included pulmonary complications (23%), malnutrition (33%), severe anemia (17%), diabetes mellitus (13%), viral hepatitis B and C (5%), and HIV infection (3%). Of those patients, 95% were successfully managed and discharged from hospital. Seven patients had unfavorable discharge outcomes (three patients died and four had a worsened clinical condition). Comorbidities (diabetes, and/or HIV), severe anemia, pulmonary complications, cardiovascular disorders, alcohol abuse, and SAEs were associated with unfavorable discharge outcomes. Sixty-five percent of the patients had SAEs, with electrolyte imbalance (25%), gastrointestinal disease (18%), hepatotoxicity (16%), and anemia (14%) being the most frequent. Successful resolution occurred in 91% of patients with SAEs. In summary, our study documented that sick patients who were hospitalized with MDR-TB were well managed and had good hospital discharge outcomes, despite the fact that they had comorbidities, complications, and SAEs. This information should assist in the referral and management of such patients in the future.

Early identification, screening and investigation for tuberculosis (TB), and provision of TB preventive therapy (TPT), reduces risk of TB among child household contacts of pulmonary TB patients (index patients). A cohort study was conducted to describe the care cascade and timeliness of contact tracing and TPT initiation among child household contacts (aged < 15 years) of index patients initiated on TB treatment in Bishkek, the Kyrgyz Republic during October 2021-September 2022. In the register, information on the number of child household contacts was available for 153 (18%) of 873 index patients. Of 297 child household contacts identified, data were available for 285, of whom 261 (92%) were screened for TB. More than 50% were screened after 1 month of the index patient initiating TB treatment. TB was diagnosed in 23/285 (9%, 95% CI: 6-13%) children. Of 238 TB-free children, 130 (55%) were eligible for TPT. Of the latter, 64 (49%) were initiated on TPT, of whom 52 (81%) completed TPT. While TPT completion was excellent, there was deficiency in contact identification, timely screening and TPT initiation. Thus, healthcare providers should diligently request and record details of child household contacts, adhere to contact tracing timelines and counsel caregivers regarding TPT.