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Abstract Adventure tourism is a popular and growing segment within the tourism industry that involves, but is not limited to, hiking, running, and climbing activities. These activities attract investment from foreign travelers interested in practicing sports while exploring other countries. As a result, many software companies started developing Artificial Intelligence solutions to enhance tourists’ outdoor adventure experience. One of the leading technologies in this field is recommender systems, which provide personalized recommendations to tourists based on their preferences. While this topic is actively being researched in some sports (running and hiking), other adventure sports disciplines have yet to be fully explored. To standardize the development of intelligence-based recommender systems, we conducted a systematic literature review on more than a thousand scientific papers published in decision support system applications in three outdoor adventure sports, such as running, hiking, and sport climbing. Hence, the main focus of this work is, firstly, to summarize the state-of-the-art methods and techniques being researched and developed by scientists in recommender systems in adventure tourism, secondly, to provide a unified methodology for software solutions designed in this domain, and thirdly, to give further insights into open possibilities in this topic. This literature survey serves as a unified framework for the future development of technologies in adventure tourism. Moreover, this paper seeks to guide the development of more effective and personalized recommendation systems.

Factors influencing the geochemical migration of elements during the development of artificial phytocenoses on industrially polluted peat soil with a high level of copper and nickel content using serpentine-containing materials are considered. Monitoring of the remediation sites during a four-year field experiment showed that the grass cover is capable of sustainable functioning by neutralizing the acidity of peat soil, reducing the toxicity of soil solutions, and eliminating the imbalance of macronutrients. Serpentine minerals act as an alkaline barrier, reducing the intensity of migration of copper and nickel compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study presents the analysis of δ13C and δ15N values in the hair of several Carnivora species (brown bear, Eurasian lynx, wolf, red fox, European pine marten, least weasel, European polecat, stoat, otter) from the Vologda region (North-West of the Russian Federation). The value of δ13C varies from -27.9‰ to -20.4‰, δ15N – from 3.5‰ to 15.3‰. This study shows that the trophic specialization of animals explains the width of variability in the isotopic ratios of carbon and nitrogen. The hair of semi-aquatic predator (otter) is depleted of the heavy carbon isotope compared to terrestrial carnivores. The ratio of heavy carbon isotopes in animal tissues is directly proportional to body weight and metabolic rate. Species with a narrow trophic specialization (Eurasian lynx, stoat, least weasel, otter) contain less 13C than species with a wider food spectrum (wolf, red fox, European pine marten, European polecat, brown bear). Animals with high motor activity (least weasel, stoat, European pine marten) contain less 13C in comparison with less mobile European polecat. When compared with data from museum collections, the value of δ13C in the hair of carnivorans from the southern and middle taiga has decreased by an average of 2.4 ‰ over the past 100 years. The hair of animals that feed on aquatic prey (otter, European polecat) is enriched with a heavy nitrogen isotopes compared to predators that feed on phytophages (Eurasian lynx) and mainly plant food (brown bear). The hair of omnivorous species (European pine marten, red fox, wolf) and species that feed on small mammals (least weasel, stoat) are in an average position according to the δ15N value. The ability of animals to accumulate fat reserves to overcome long periods of food deficiency may be the reason for an increase in 13C (brown bear, European polecat) in tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tiger sharks are apex predators with a circumglobal tropical and warm-temperate distribution, with a general lack of population data for the central Indian Ocean. In Fuvahmulah, Maldives, tiger sharks display frequent use of the harbour area, attracted by discarded fish waste. Here, we document the population structure, residency, and reproductive characteristics of the world's largest known tiger shark aggregation in a geographically-restricted area. Using non-invasive methods, photo identification and laser photogrammetry, we identified 239 individual tiger sharks over a 7-year study period. The aggregation was female-dominated (84.5%), with both large juveniles and adults present. Adult females were resighted over the entire study period displaying strong inter- and intra-annual site fidelity. Modelled residency using maximum likelihood methods suggests they spent 60.7 ± S.E. 7.5 days in Fuvahmulah, with a larger aggregation size, shorter residence periods and longer absence periods compared to juvenile females. Prolonged abdominal distensions of adult females indicate they likely stay near Fuvahmulah during gestation and reproduce biennially. Fuvahmulah seems to provide suitable conditions for gestation given the year-round provision of food and warm waters, exhibited by strong site fidelity and temporal residency. Our results show indications of a thriving population within the confines of protected waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) offers a viable solution to reduce the carbon footprint in the petroleum industry, and foam injection presents a promising method to achieve this while simultaneously increasing oil recovery. In this work, we studied the feasibility of CO2 foam for co-optimizing enhanced oil recovery and CO2 storage in a high-salinity carbonate formation. The simulated hydrodynamic model is a depleted formation containing 30% residual oil, with three mechanisms for CO2 storage: solubility, residual, and mineralization trapping mechanisms. The results showed that after 20 years, oil recovery during foam injection was 2.7 times higher than CO2 injection, and the CO2 stored during foam flooding was 38% higher than CO2 injection. Notably, foam injection also increased CO2 storage capacity by 2.6 times, indicating the potential to store around 2 gigatons of CO2 in the simulated model. This was attributed to the ability of foam to significantly reduce gas mobility and thus form isolated bubbles through its Jamin effect. Residual trapping was the dominant trapping mechanism, contributing to over 70% of the total CO2 trapped, attributed to the reduction in the dissolution of CO2 in brine due to the high salinity of the aqueous medium. CO2 mineralization was also studied, showing the least trapping efficiency and the dissolution trend of all the carbonate minerals. This study illustrates a novel CO2 utilization and storage technique in which CO2 is concurrently sequestered while enhancing oil recovery in a depleted oil reservoir by injecting CO2 as foam. The relevance of this study lies in its potential to provide a dual benefit of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and boosting oil production, offering a sustainable approach for the petroleum industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the holomorphic functions in a polycylindrical domain which are rational in some of the variables for the arbitrary fixed values of other variables, we prove that the functions are representable as a ratio of polynomials in these variables whose coefficients are holomorphic in the remaining variables. We use the Kronecker method for establishing some criterion for the rationality of a holomorphic function of one complex variable in a neighborhood of zero by using the properties of Hankel matrices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transformation of radioactive contamination of agricultural lands with 137Cs isotope is one of the evidences of soil erosion. Changes in the radionuclide content and the corresponding rates of soil loss can be assessed quantitatively by repeated soil sampling at key sites over long time intervals. Being highly labor-consuming, such studies are few in number; they have not been conducted previously in the zone of intense Chernobyl contamination in the Central Russia. The method of repeated sampling (resampling) was used in 2023 within the plowed slopes of a small catchment in the southern part of Tula region, 26 years after the first sampling in 1997. The changes in 137Cs deposits (kBq/m2) that occurred during this period turned out to be statistically significant, with an average reduction of more than 10%. According to a proportional erosion conversion model based on relative changes in 137Cs deposits, the average annual rate of washing off was estimated at 11.7 t /ha. Such values of soil loss are comparable in general with the previously published results of independent mathematical modeling for this area. Thus, the use of resampling method, including that at new sites, appears to be promising for assessing the rate of soil loss. In addition, it permits us to verify the existing erosion models and to trace long-term trends in the spatial transformation of radioactive contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The issue of the age of rare-metal granites of the Zashikhinskoye field is discussed. To obtain U–Pb (ID TIMS) geochronological data, a modified "chemical abrasion" technique with preliminary high-temperature annealing was used for metamictic zircon. Estimates of the age of alkaline leucogranites and albitites coincide and correspond to the age of formation of rare-metal granites of the Zashikhinskoye field 267 ± 1 Ma. Within East Sayan, igneous rocks with close ages are not yet known. The closest area of magmatic activity of this time was the large zonal Khangai magmatic range, which arose under the influence of the mantle plume and is characterized by widespread development in its peripheral part of alkaline and bimodal associations, including rare-metal magmatic ones. The Zashikhinskoye field is more than 350 km from the edge of its range. Nevertheless, on the basis of geochronological and geochemical data, it was assumed that this field was associated with the activity of the Khangai plume. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic, inflammatory, immune-mediated rheumatic disease that comprises two subsets, non-radiographic and radiographic axSpA, and belongs to a heterogeneous group of spondyloarthritides (SpA). Over the years, the concept of SpA has evolved significantly, as reflected in the existing classification criteria. Considerable progress has been made in understanding the genetic and immunological basis of axSpA, in studying the processes of chronic inflammation and pathological new bone formation, which are pathognomonic for the disease. As a result, new medication therapies were developed, which bring more effective ways for disease control. This review presents a brief overview of the literature related to these aspects of disease after summarising the available information on the topic that we considered relevant. Specifically, it delves into recent research illuminating the primary pathological processes of enthesitis and associated osteitis in the context of inflammation in axSpA. The exploration extends to discussion of inflammatory pathways, with a particular focus on Th1/Th17-mediated immunity and molecular signaling pathways of syndesmophyte formation. Additionally, the review sheds light on the pivotal role of cytokine dysregulation, highlighting the significance of the IL-23/17 axis and TNF-α in this intricate network of immune responses which is decisive for therapeutic approaches in the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on the development of energy in Russia's eastern regions, taking into account the trends in the technological development of the country's fuel and energy complex, is both difficult and complex. In the context of new challenges related to the geopolitical situation and sanctions pressure on Russia, the eastern regions play a particular and important role. The requirements for decarbonization of the economy put forward by the international community and supported by the Russian Federation Government make their adjustments for assessing the development of the fuel and energy complex and its constituent energy systems. This article analyzes the regional features in the functioning of energy systems in Russia's East to identify significant factors influencing development of the territorial-production structure of the fuel and energy complex, energy consumption, the formation of transport infrastructure in the eastern regions, the export of energy resources to countries of the Asia-Pacific Region, and the efficiency of energy supply consumers in isolated and hard-to-reach areas. As a result of the analysis, several categories of features of the energy systems of the eastern regions were identified: socioeconomic, infrastructural, sectoral, fuel and energy balance, and environmental–climatic. All these characteristics are interrelated and must be taken into account when formulating energy development scenarios given the transition to low-carbon technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the features of accumulation of eroded soil material at the foot of the plowed slope and further to the side of the valley in the presence of a lynchet resulting from mechanical tillage on the lower border of arable land. A small catchment area in the area of intense Chernobyl pollution has been studied, where the position of the lower boundary of the arable land coincides with the upper boundary of the side of the valley over the past few decades. This made it possible to trace the spatial patterns of distribution of eroded material under conditions of stable functioning of the lynchet as an important lithodynamic boundary that accumulates and redistributes the slope runoff of sediments. The volume of material from arable slopes was determined using mathematical modeling of erosion based on a high-precision digital terrain model, climate data, soil erodibility, and crop rotations. The intensity of accumulation was estimated using 137Cs of Chernobyl origin as a reliable tracer. The bulk of the eroded material enters the valley network through a system of slope hollows that concentrate the slope runoff and cut through the valleys. In areas of the valley sides outside the runoff concentration zones, the redeposition of the material generally depends on the morphology of the arable slope, occurs locally, and is associated with episodic overflows as a result of the gradual filling of the depression before the lynchet. Under the existing conditions, the proportion of sediments accumulated on the sides of the valley is relatively low in the total sediment balance of the studied catchment area. Significant changes may occur due to a gradual reduction of the barrier role of the lynchet as a result of accumulation of sediments and climate changes that contribute to an increase in erosion rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mineral with the composition Pd(Bi0.53Sb0.47), intermediate between sobolevskite, ideally PdBi, and sudburyite, PdSb, from the Chineiskii Deposit (Transbaikal region, Russia), was studied by the SEM and XRD methods. Its crystal structure was solved and refined (R = 3.02%) based on single crystal X-ray diffraction data. The structure is orthorhombic, and the space group is Cmcm. The unit-cell parameters are a = 4.1465(4) Å, b = 7.1782(6) Å, c = 5.6843(4) Å, V = 169.19(2) Å3, Z = 2. The series of the structures β-PdBi–Pd(Bi0.53Sb0.47)–PdSb and sobolevskite–sudburyite are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Late Antiquity Dalmatia was a time and place of political unrest in the Roman Empire that influenced the lives of those in that region. The Late Antique burial site of Hvar – Radošević, spanning the 3rd to 5th centuries CE, is located on the Croatian Dalmatian island of Hvar. Given the time frame and location on a busy marine trade route, the study of this burial site offers us a glimpse into the lives of the Late Antique population living on this island. It comprises 33 individuals, with 17 buried within a confined grave tomb and the remaining individuals buried in separate locations in the tomb's proximity. The study aims to provide a new perspective on the lives of people on the island during those times by studying ancestry, population structure, possible differences within the buried population, dietary habits, and general health. The genetic analysis of the ancestral origins of the individuals buried at Hvar – Radošević revealed a diverse population reflective of the era's genetic variability. The identification of genetic outliers suggests a range of ancestries from distinct regions of the Roman Empire, possibly linked to trade routes associated with the Late Antique port in ancient Hvar. Stable isotope ratio analysis (δ13C and δ15N) indicated a diet mainly consisting of C3 plants, with minimal consumption of marine foods. High childhood mortality rates, physiological stress markers, and dental diseases suggest a low quality of life in the population. Assessment of kinship and dietary patterns revealed no discernible distinctions between individuals buried within the tomb and those buried outside, indicative of an absence of differential burial practices based on social status and familial ties among this specific buried population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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More than 10 million people suffer from lung diseases caused by the pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. Azole antifungals represent first-line therapeutics for most of these infections but resistance is rising, therefore the identification of antifungal targets whose inhibition synergises with the azoles could improve therapeutic outcomes. Here, we generate a library of 111 genetically barcoded null mutants of Aspergillus fumigatus in genes encoding protein kinases, and show that loss of function of kinase YakA results in hypersensitivity to the azoles and reduced pathogenicity. YakA is an orthologue of Candida albicans Yak1, a TOR signalling pathway kinase involved in modulation of stress responsive transcriptional regulators. We show that YakA has been repurposed in A. fumigatus to regulate blocking of the septal pore upon exposure to stress. Loss of YakA function reduces the ability of A. fumigatus to penetrate solid media and to grow in mouse lung tissue. We also show that 1-ethoxycarbonyl-beta-carboline (1-ECBC), a compound previously shown to inhibit C. albicans Yak1, prevents stress-mediated septal spore blocking and synergises with the azoles to inhibit A. fumigatus growth. Azole antifungals are used to treat lung diseases caused by the pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus, but resistance is rising. Here, the authors generate a library of >100 protein kinase mutants of A. fumigatus, and show that loss of function or pharmacological inhibition of kinase YakA results in hypersensitivity to azoles and reduced pathogenicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the long research history on the genus Coelastrella, its species diversity and biotechnological potential have not been fully explored. For the first time, cluster analysis of morphological characteristics was done in the representatives of the said genus. The results obtained have shown that morphological similarity does not necessarily indicate a molecular genetic relationship. It the light of it, the taxonomic status of species can reliably be determined using specific DNA region, such as 18S–ITS1–5.8S–ITS2. The V4 and V9 regions of gene 18S rRNA are relatively conservative fragments which are not suitable for species identification. The ITS2 can be used as a "short barcode". Among the advanced machine methods for delimitation species, the most effective algorithm for distinguishing Coelastrella species was the Generalized Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC) method. This paper represented for the first time our comprehensive review of the works devoted to the analysis of the biotechnological potential of representatives of the genus Coelastrella and shows that fatty acid composition of the three main chemogroups within the studied genus differs. In the future, this may form the basis for predicting the composition of the fatty acid profile of new strains, which is important while searching for organisms with specified biotechnological properties. In conclusion, an integrative approach was employed to describe Coelastrella affinis sp. nov., a new species of the genus Coelastrella with high biotechnological potential. Also, a new description of C. thermophila var. astaxanthina comb. nov. was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple and affordable in situ synthesis of a carbon fiber@magnetite hybrid for use as a filler in shielding polymer materials is proposed. The presence of magnetic particles on the carbon fiber was confirmed by X-ray diffraction, and the effect of modification on the structural properties of the components and the magnetic properties of the system was analyzed. The analysis of the structural characteristics and the magnetic properties of the components obtained during the synthesis process was carried out. The modification of the surface of the carbon fiber with magnetite made it possible to obtain for the resulting hybrid a magnetic moment value that is three times higher than that of a mechanical mixture of carbon fiber and magnetite with the same composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overall, 34 local floras of vascular plants were analyzed at testing sites in the Middle Volga region with an area of 400 km2. Noticeable differences were revealed in the nature of correlations between the number of species of adventitious and native flora fractions and environmental factors: climate and relief. In the region, the number of native species is negatively related to air temperature, evaporation rates, and water deficit, while adventive species show a positive relationship with these characteristics. Adventive species are more often found in gently sloping lowlands in polygons characterized by increased elevation differences and drainage area. In general, adventitious species are more associated with semi-arid conditions in sites with relatively high ranges of environmental factors and standard deviation. Multiple regression showed that adventive species are more closely related to environmental factors than native species. In the region, adventive species are distributed predominantly in places (ecotopes) with increased environmental heterogeneity. An analysis of the relationships with environmental factors of the studied fractions may indicate that their distribution on the test sites is consistent, as a result of which they do not show opposition, which is also confirmed by the weak positive relationship between the richness of their species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The consequences of a catastrophic windthrow in a old-growth hemiboreal stands of the Kologrivsky Forest Reserve were investigated. The degree of damage to tree stands was assessed by interpretation of the Sentinel-2 satellite images. Data from the GBIF portal, SRTM global terrain height models, and tree stand heights were used for the quantitative analysis of factors affecting the presence of wind damage. It was found that tree stands on an area of 277.9 hectares (40.5% of the entire massif) were damaged by windthrow. The results of the analysis of height models and regression models showed that spruce stands are more vulnerable to wind damage, as well as stands of greater height or those growing at higher elevation on the ground. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of the microscopic anatomy of the larvae of Entoprocta is interesting in the context of determining the phylogenetic position of this group. It is assumed that the comparison of the organization of larval stages of entoprocts with different life cycle stages of other taxa (bryozoans, cycliophorans, mollusks) may help to find common features in their organization, indicating possible close relationships of these groups. There are few data on the microscopic anatomy of the larvae of entoprocts. The fine structure of larvae of only two solitary species, Loxosomella murmanica and Loxosoma pectinaricola, has been described in detail. Here we described the ultrastructure of the swimming larva of colonial species Barentsia gracilis. Our data clarify some details of the structure of entoproct larvae. The cuticle of larval stages is similar to that of adults. The prototroch is represented by two rows of ciliated cells. The apical and frontal ganglia are devoid of a central neuropil, which distinguishes them from the ganglion of adults. Ganglia include not only nerve cells but also muscle cells. The digestive tract of larvae and adults is similar not only at the histological level but also at the ultrastructural level. Three pairs of pedal glands include cells with electron-dense granules and cells with vacuoles with granular contents. These glands probably secrete different components of mucus. Each of the protonephridia consists of two terminal cells that pass into their own canals, which then fuse together and open by the nephropore on the hyposphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ubiquitination, one of the most common posttranslational modifications of proteins, has a significant impact on their functions, such as stability, activity, and cellular localization. Disorders in the ubiquitination and deubiquitination processes are associated with various oncological and neurodegenerative diseases. The complexity of ubiquitin signaling, specifically monoubiquitination and polyubiquitination with different lengths and types of ubiquitin– ubiquitin linkages determines their versatility and ability to regulate hundreds of different cellular processes. Advanced biochemical, mass spectrometric, and computational studies are required for in-depth understanding of the mechanisms of assembly and disassembly, as well as detection of ubiquitin chains and their signal transmission. Recent scientific achievements make it possible to identify protein ubiquitination and the structure of ubiquitin chains, but there are a lot of issues in this area to be clarified. The present review provides a detailed analysis of the current understanding of the architectonics of ubiquitin chains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method for the preparation of a hybrid material by modifying the surface of carbon fiber with barium hexaferrite particles using ultrasonic treatment was proposed. Scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction were used to identify the barium hexaferrite and to reveal the structural specific features, degree of ordering and homogeneity of the carbon fibers modified with barium hexaferrite. A vibrating magnetometer was used to determine the specific magnetic moment of the obtained hybrid, which was found to be equal to ∼2.03 A m2 kg−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A numerical model for the POX steam-oxygen conversion of methane to synthesis gas in a reversed flow nonpremixed filtration combustion reactor with a reversed flow of a steam-methane mixture and a continuous supply of oxygen to the center of the reactor is carried out. The calculations were performed for the oxygen/methane molar ratio of 0.47 and steam/methane molar ratio of 0.5, in the parametric region close to the limit for the feasibility of the scheme. Various modes of initiation and control of flow reversal are considered, and dependences of the combustion temperature and the composition of products on the characteristics of the process are obtained. A comparison of the established cyclic mode of conversion with the predictions of the equilibrium model shows that the kinetic constraints lead to a higher combustion temperature and incomplete conversion of methane. At high temperatures, the conversion proceeds via the initial soot formation during the pyrolysis of methane and the subsequent reaction of soot with steam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Film heterostructures of compositions Ag/Au/Ti and Ag/Au/CFR-PEEK are obtained by thermal evaporation with subsequent deposition of metallic gold sublayers and silver nanostructures on modern biomaterials (Ti-6Al-4V alloy, polyether ether ketone CFR-PEEK). Silver concentration is varied within 2.1-20.8 µg/cm2 by changing the initial metal portion (1.2-5 mg) and the number of successive depositions (1–3). According to SEM data, Ag nanofilms with a thickness up to 10-15 nm are formed on the surface of gold sublayers. According to XPS results, gold is present in the metallic state on the surface of biomaterials whereas along with metal, the Ag2O oxide phase is detected for silver. The dynamics of silver dissolution from the Ag/Au surface is analyzed by ICP-AES (2-48 h). It is found that regardless of the silver concentration, the samples demonstrate moderate dynamics of releasing metal ions; some amount of gold is detected together with silver in the solution. The absence of cytotoxicity of the synthesized film heterostructures in vitro (L-929 cells, viability >95-98%) is shown. Heterostructures completely suppress the growth of colonies of Gram-negative (P. aeruginosa) and Gram-positive (S. aureus) bacteria after 6 h and 24 h action respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The NOvA experiment, aimed at studying the neutrino oscillations in the muon neutrino and antineutrinos beam, uses two segmented liquid scintillator detectors, with masses of 300 tons and 14 kilotons, respectively. The large size and high segmentation of the NOvA detectors, as well as a flexible system of software triggers and data acquisition, make it possible to solve additional physical problems, in particular, to detect and study the atmospheric neutrino flux. This paper presents simulating events from interactions of the atmospheric neutrinos in the far detector of the NOvA experiment, as well as a preliminary evaluation of the efficiency of signal event selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This source apportionment research was one of the first attempts to quantify the contributions of pollution sources to ambient particulate matter (PM2.5) in the urban area of Skopje. The sampling was conducted at two locations in the city of Skopje, with permanent, year-round coverage. The elemental composition of PM2.5 aerosols was analyzed with non-destructive energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, water-soluble ions were analyzed photometrically, and black carbon was assessed with an optical transmissometer. Positive Matrix Factorization was used for data modelling, and the contribution of each source to total particulate mass (PM2.5) was calculated. Seven main pollution sources were identified for both sites including biomass burning, open fire burning, traffic, fuel/residual oil burning, industry, and soil/mineral dust. Biomass combustion continues to be the largest single source of ambient air pollution and, due to its particular temporal distribution, is most likely the primary cause of extreme wintertime pollution episodes. Despite being fully seasonal, biomass burning provides the greatest annual relative contribution, reaching 32% for the Novo Lisiche site and 33% for the Karposh site, and during the winter months, this source alone contributes beyond the annual PM2.5 limit levels. Traffic is the second most important source. The annual relative contribution of traffic to the total particle mass at the Novo Lisiche site was 23%, and at the Karposh site, it was 18%. Other notable sources include the combustion of fuel/residual oil, soil dust, and open fires burning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Signal transduction governs cellular behavior, and its dysregulation often leads to human disease. To understand this process, we can use network models based on prior knowledge, where nodes represent biomolecules, usually proteins, and edges indicate interactions between them. Several computational methods combine untargeted omics data with prior knowledge to estimate the state of signaling networks in specific biological scenarios. Here, we review, compare, and classify recent network approaches according to their characteristics in terms of input omics data, prior knowledge and underlying methodologies. We highlight existing challenges in the field, such as the general lack of ground truth and the limitations of prior knowledge. We also point out new omics developments that may have a profound impact, such as single‐cell proteomics or large‐scale profiling of protein conformational changes. We provide both an introduction for interested users seeking strategies to study cell signaling on a large scale and an update for seasoned modelers.

This document is a letter published in the Annals of Hematology. The authors conducted a systematic analysis of copper, zinc, and selenium levels in patients with JAK2 V617F-positive myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). They found that the presence of the JAK2 V617F mutation was associated with higher copper and zinc levels but lower selenium levels. Additionally, they observed that copper levels were higher in essential thrombocythemia (ET) and polycythemia vera (PV) patients, while zinc levels were higher in all three MPN entities. However, selenium levels were lower in all three entities compared to healthy controls. The authors suggest that these findings provide testable hypotheses for the role of copper, zinc, and selenium in MPNs and raise questions about the potential clinical justification for nutritional supplementation with these elements in JAK2 V617F-positive MPNs. [Extracted from the article]

This study aims to obtain a composite index characterizing Bulgarian districts about their creativity by presenting results for the pre-pandemic. The composite index developed by Rodrigues and Franco (2019), use of quantitative method and multivariate statistical techniques have been used to answer this objective. From the data gathered primarily from NSI- The National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria, the results show that creativity is one of the pillars of economic growth, and financial resources and local and foreign investment for its development are still very limited. The government and cultural organisations supported initiatives to showcase the country's cultural diversity and historical significance. The creative sector, including design, arts, media, and technology started to be seen as a driving force for the country's economic growth. Startups and creative entrepreneurs are increasingly gaining weight, which has led to the creation of creative centers, and co-working spaces. Therefore, this study contributes to the intelligent application of creative cities' ideas in the creative industries and contemporary cities' management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular sensors are a new and rapidly developing tool in biochemical research. They enable the exploration of biochemical reaction mechanisms and the prompt diagnosis of pathological conditions. Fluorescent dyes based on boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) complexes are widely used as molecular sensors. This study demonstrates the potential for characterizing processes occurring in the blood plasma coagulation system across different age groups, including patients with acute myocardial infarction. In elderly individuals, compared to younger people, the blood clotting process begins earlier, the formation of fibrin slows down, and thrombin activity decreases. This technique can detect an increase in thrombin activity accompanied by a higher concentration of fibrinogen in patients with heart pathology. In such cases, blood clotting starts later and lasts longer. These changes in indicators can be attributed to the emergency administration of heparin. On the one hand, heparin prevents the enlargement of a blood clot; on the other, it reduces the activity of the prothrombinase complex, which is beneficial for patients with myocardial infarction. Further observation of blood clotting reveals alterations in fibrin structure, leading to a lengthened stabilization time. Thus, the results obtained in this study are consistent with the literature. The presented method is applicable both for physiological studies of the coagulation process and in clinical practice. Additionally, this method can be used for the kinetic evaluation of anticoagulants' effects on hemostasis factor activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An average laser power of 0.975 W is obtained from a small-bore copper vapor laser with an active volume of 0.377 cm3, i.e. a record specific average power of 2.6 W.cm− 3 is achieved for copper lasers of any type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aggregation of the human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) contributes to the development and progression of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). hIAPP aggregates within a few hours at few micromolar concentration in vitro but exists at millimolar concentrations in vivo. Natively occurring inhibitors of hIAPP aggregation might therefore provide a model for drug design against amyloid formation associated with T2D. Here, we describe the combined ability of low pH, zinc, and insulin to inhibit hIAPP fibrillation. Insulin dose-dependently slows hIAPP aggregation near neutral pH but had less effect on the aggregation kinetics at acidic pH. We determine that insulin alters hIAPP aggregation in two manners. First, insulin diverts the aggregation pathway to large nonfibrillar aggregates with ThT-positive molecular structure, rather than to amyloid fibrils. Second, soluble insulin suppresses hIAPP dimer formation, which is an important early aggregation event. Further, we observe that zinc significantly modulates the inhibition of hIAPP aggregation by insulin. We hypothesize that this effect arose from controlling the oligomeric state of insulin and show that hIAPP interacts more strongly with monomeric than oligomeric insulin. Authors describe the combined ability of low pH, zinc, and insulin to inhibit fibrillation of islet amyloid peptide and find that insulin mediates this effect in two ways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ovarian cancer often develops resistance to conventional therapies, hampering their effectiveness. Here, using ex vivo paired ovarian cancer ascites obtained before and after chemotherapy and in vitro therapy-induced secretomes, we show that molecules secreted by ovarian cancer cells upon therapy promote cisplatin resistance and enhance DNA damage repair in recipient cancer cells. Even a short-term incubation of chemonaive ovarian cancer cells with therapy-induced secretomes induces changes resembling those that are observed in chemoresistant patient-derived tumor cells after long-term therapy. Using integrative omics techniques, we find that both ex vivo and in vitro therapy-induced secretomes are enriched with spliceosomal components, which relocalize from the nucleus to the cytoplasm and subsequently into the extracellular vesicles upon treatment. We demonstrate that these molecules substantially contribute to the phenotypic effects of therapy-induced secretomes. Thus, SNU13 and SYNCRIP spliceosomal proteins promote therapy resistance, while the exogenous U12 and U6atac snRNAs stimulate tumor growth. These findings demonstrate the significance of spliceosomal network perturbation during therapy and further highlight that extracellular signaling might be a key factor contributing to the emergence of ovarian cancer therapy resistance. Ovarian cancers frequently develop resistance to therapy. Here, using transcriptomics, proteomics, and preclinical models to analyse paired ascitic fluids before and after chemotherapy in ovarian cancer patients, the authors discover that extracellular secretion and spliceosomal components contribute to therapy resistance, enhancing the DNA damage response in recipient cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three samples of a quasi-one-dimensional conductor NbS3 from the same growth batch are studied at room temperature by transmission electron microscopy. Less defective sample no. 1 and more defective sample no. 2 have been identified as known polytypes. Sample no. 3 is an unknown polytype with the lattice parameter c larger than that in all known polytypes. Electron diffraction patterns of the new polytype demonstrate four systems of satellite reflections, which indicates the formation of four charge density waves in the sample. The possibility of the formation of polytypes with a more complex structure is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The review is compiled according to the results of the total ozone (TO) monitoring system operation for the CIS and Baltic countries. The system functions in operational mode at the Central Aerological Observatory (CAO). The monitoring system uses the data from the national network equipped with the M-124 filter ozonometers, being under the methodological supervision of the Main Geophysical Observatory. The quality of the entire system functioning is operationally controlled in CAO by comparison with the OMI satellite equipment observations (NASA, USA). Basic TO observation data are generalized for each month of the first quarter of 2024 and for the first quarter as a whole. The data of routine surface ozone observations in the Moscow region are also summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While the Randomized Intervention for Children with Vesicoureteral Reflux (RIVUR) trial found that long-term antimicrobial prophylaxis reduced the risk of urinary tract infection (UTI) recurrences by 50%, 10 children had to be treated for one to benefit (i.e., observed number needed to treat (NNT) of 10). Accordingly, we re-analyzed RIVUR data to systematically identify subgroups of children with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) with a smaller NNT. Methods: Using patient-level data from the RIVUR trial, we applied penalized regression methods including the baseline age, VUR grade, type of index UTI, and bowel-bladder dysfunction (BBD) as covariates to identify subgroups. Results: We identified four relevant subgroups of children that appear to benefit from long-term antimicrobial prophylaxis, all with observed NNTs smaller than or equal to 5: children with grade IV VUR, BBD, and febrile index UTI (1% of the sample), children with BBD and febrile index UTI (7% of the sample), children with BBD (12% of the sample), and children with grade IV VUR (8% of the sample). Conclusions: Use of long-term antimicrobial prophylaxis appears to be particularly relevant for children with BBD (and any grade of VUR) and those with grade IV VUR (regardless of BBD status). However, because details regarding the treatment of BBD are not available, further studies are needed to fully determine the role of prophylactic antimicrobials in the management of children with VUR who have BBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The study of highly conserved mechanosensitive proteins, such as zyxin, is essential due to their role in shaping embryos of all animals during embryogenesis through coordinated morphogenetic processes and controlled cell differentiation. This study aims to identify endogenous zyxin isoforms in Xenopus laevis and investigate changes in their abundance and intracellular localization during embryogenesis. Methods: Endogenous proteins were primarily detected using specific antibodies. Polyclonal antibodies targeting the C-terminal region of zyxin containing the NES and three LIM domains (438–663 aa), as well as antibodies against the N-terminal proline-rich region of Zyxin (1–373 aa) crucial for interactions with actinin and cytoskeletal proteins, were employed. Western blotting with these antibodies was conducted on Xenopus laevis embryo cell samples after fractionation into nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions. Results and Discussion: The study revealed multiple isoforms of zyxin in Xenopus laevis, including a full-length modified protein (105 kDa), an unmodified form (70 kDa), and two truncated forms of 45 and 37 kDa. The number and subcellular distribution of the truncated forms were found to vary based on the developmental stage, with increased levels of the 45 and 37 kDa isoforms observed in the early stages. Conclusions: This work provides novel insights into changes in the abundance and localization of zyxin isoforms during embryonic development, shedding light on the dynamics of this mechanosensitive protein in the embryo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents data on the miaskite syenites of the Lovozero massif, pulaskites of the Khibiny massif, rocks of the larvikite–lardalite series of the Kurga massif, and subalkaline volcanics, which are preserved as remnants in the roof of the massifs. The studied rocks are characterized by a low agpaitic coefficient of <1, the absence of minerals typical of peralkaline rocks (eudialyte, aenigmatite, etc.), and the presence of zircon. The morphological features and chemical composition of zircon from miaskite of the Lovozero massif syenite indicate that the mineral is of magmatic nature. The crystallization age of the miaskites was dated on zircon at 373 ± 5 Мa. The isotope-geochemical characteristics of rocks of the subalkaline series indicate that the miaskites of the Lovozero massif are of mantle origin, show no indications of their crustal contamination, and were produced during the evolution of ankaramite melt. The pulaskites of the Khibiny massif were formed according to an analogous scenario, except their assimilation with crustal material, whose proportion did not exceed, according to model calculations, 10%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute nociceptive pain in mice caused by subcutaneous (intraplantar) injection of TRPV1 ion channel agonist capsaicin (1.6 μg/mouse) and the effects of protein kinase A inhibitor H-89 (0.05 mg/mouse, intraplantar injection) and NMDA receptor channel antagonists MK-801 (7.5 and 15 μg/mouse, topical application) and hemantane (0.5 mg/mouse, topical application) on the pain were assessed. MK-801 and hemantane were found to reduce the duration of the pain response. H-89 did not significantly affect the pain in animals, but preliminary administration of this drug abolished the antinociceptive effect of MK-801 (7.5 μg/mouse) and weakens the effect of hemantane (0.5 mg/mouse). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the results of trajectory analysis of long-term measurements of organic (OC) and elemental (EC) carbon in aerosols sampled on quartz filters at an altitude of 300 m at ZOTTO station. The EC and OC concentrations were determined by the thermo-optical method. The resulted time series were supplemented with the HYSPLIT backward trajectories, and CWT and PSCF functions were calculated on a grid of 150 × 250 cells, which covered the geographical area of 30° × 20° centered at Zotino. These functions characterize the intensity of potential sources of carbon-containing aerosols in a cell. The results make it possible to identify the regions with the strongest organic and elemental carbon emissions and to estimate the seasonal variability of these emissions. In particular, in summer, the main sources of OC and EC are located to the east of Zotino, in the Podkamennaya Tunguska River region, and are most likely associated with wildfires. In cold seasons, most sources of carbonaceous aerosols are in the southwestern part of the geographical region under study, where large cities are located and the bulk of the population is concentrated. The regression analysis of CWT functions of organic and elemental carbon is shown to enable determining the dominant type of carbonaceous aerosol sources in some cases. Our results can be used for estimation of aerosol radiative forcing in Siberia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the areas for increasing energy efficiency in the production of electrical and thermal energy is the use of cogeneration units (CGU), which is due to an increase in the share of useful heat output to heat supply systems. Large combined heat and power plants (CHPs), as a rule, use steam turbine units, which serve as sources of thermal energy for heating and hot water supply in cities with a high concentration of heat load. In small and medium-sized cities, the main sources of thermal energy are boiler houses. With the advent of modern gas piston and gas turbine units on the market, it is possible to predict the creation of mini-CHPs based on them. To increase their fuel efficiency, it is advisable to use seasonal thermal storage (TS) as part of the municipal energy infrastructure in order to reduce the volume of thermal emissions during the nonheating period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ipsum vinum est potestas et possession (wine itself is power and possession). Wine is a complex system that triggers multisensory cognitive stimuli. Wine and its consumption are thoroughly intertwined with the development of human society. The beverage was appreciated in many ancient mythologies and plays an essential part in Christianity and rituals to this day. Wine has been said to enlighten and inspire artists and has even been prohibited by law and some religions, but has nevertheless played a role in human civilizations since the beginning. Winemaking is also a prospering and economically important industry and a longtime symbol of status and luxury. In winemaking, the formation of the final product is influenced by several factors that contribute to the chemical and sensory complexity often associated with quality vintages. Factors such as terroir, climatic conditions, variety of the grape, all aspects of the winemaking process to the smallest details, including metabolic processes carried out by yeast and malolactic bacteria, and the conditions for the maturation and storage of the final product, up to, and even beyond the point of deciding to open the bottle and enjoy the wine. In conjunction with the empiric and scientific process of winemaking, different molecules with antibacterial activity can be identified in wine during the production process, and several of them are clearly present in the final product. Some of these antibacterial components are phytochemicals, such as flavonoids and phenolic compounds, that may be delivered to the final product (wine) as a part of the grape, a variety of potential additive compounds, or from the oak barrels or clay amphoras used during the maturation process. Others are produced by yeasts and malolactic bacteria and play a role not only in the moderation of the fermentation process but contributing to the microbiological safety and beneficial properties spectra of the final product. Lactic acid bacteria, responsible for conducting malolactic fermentation, contribute to the final balance of the wine but are also directly involved in the production of different compounds exhibiting antibacterial activity. Some examples of these compounds include bacteriocins (antibacterial peptides), diacetyl, organic acids, reuterin, hydrogen peroxide, and carbon dioxide. Major aspects of these different beneficial metabolites are the subject of discussion in this review with the aim of highlighting their beneficial functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spin probe electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy was applied to estimate release kinetic patterns from globules formed in solutions of thermoresponsive polymers poly-N-isopropylacrylamide (PNIPAM) and graft copolymer based on N-isopropylacrylamide and oligolactide (P(NIPAM-g-PLA)) containing (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl (TEMPO) spin probe as a drug model. It is shown that the main mechanism of TEMPO release from globules of thermoresponsive polymers in aqueous solutions above LSCT is Brownian diffusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquatic flora of Dagestan, the diverse region connecting the Caucasian and Aralo-Caspian floristic provinces, received little research effort. Therefore, we conducted two expeditions across aquatic and wetland habitats of Dagestan in June and September 2021 and analyzed public records of aquatic plants from the GBIF database. We report new data on distribution of 35 aquatic vascular plants taxa in Dagestan. A hybrid between Ranunculus peltatus and R. trichophyllus was firstly reported in Russia, although no occurrences of R. peltatus are known in the country. Najas major and hybrid Potamogeton × salicifolius (P. lucens × P. perfoliatus) are new to the Caucasus, and five more species are new to Dagestan (Myriophyllum sibiricum, Najas graminea, Potamogeton pusillus, Typha domingensis, Utricularia minor). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Families and genera of bacteria that predominate in chernozems of the forest-steppe zone have been identified. Microbiological profiling of samples of plowed and unplowed chernozems is performed, using the 16S rRNA gene sequencing, at different phases of the growing period: in June and August. Changes in the proportion of individual bacterial families, depending on land use and time, are shown. Correlations between the occurrence of bacterial families and chemical parameters of soil have been revealed. The predominant role of nitrates in the formation of the community structure and the important contribution of the organic carbon content, soil moisture, and pH in this process are shown. Despite the revealed differences in the proportions of the studied families, depending on land use and the sampling period, the set of dominant bacterial families in the studied samples remains stable. The first six dominant families comprise about 1/4 of the entire community, and the first 20 ones make up about 40%. The obtained results create prerequisites for further study of the variability of the taxonomic composition of the bacterial community in chernozems under various biotic and agrochemical conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the paper, the effect of natural dust deposited from the air on the evaporation rate from the water surface is experimentally investigated. Experiments were conducted for stationary liquid without wind blowing across the surface and with mild wind that does not deform the surface, at a constant rate of particle deposition. It is shown that the evaporation rate is a linear function of the difference in the saturated vapor pressure at the water surface and the partial pressure of the air mixture at the temperature and relative humidity in the laboratory at the beginning of the deposition process, when the proportion of the surface covered with dust is small. With the increase in deposition time, hydrophobic particles gather into conglomerates, reducing the proportion of the exposed surface and the evaporation rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proper descriptions of Topologically Closed-Packed (TCP) phases in thermodynamic databases are essential to adequately design new alloys. Thus, the recently introduced Effective Bond Energy Formalism (EBEF) is used in this work to describe the sigma (σ) phase in the Co-Cr-Ni-Re system. The EBEF is applied to a five-sublattice (5-SL) thermodynamic model consistent with its crystal structure and its implementation was supported by new data from Density Functional Theory (DFT). The Matrix Inversion Method is described and used to automate the generation of the EBEF parameters. Good descriptions of the ternary systems are obtained even without any ternary parameters for any of the phases. This is the first time that an EBEF description of a quaternary TCP phase is established using the SGTE descriptions for the pure elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the problems of company growth, which are of particular relevance in the modern geopolitical environment. Analysis of the interactions of companies with the external environment that forms the local production system was carried out. Interactions are considered as prerequisites and conditions for growth. The main analyzed growth factors are the size of the company, its industry affiliation, the presence of agglomeration effects, affiliation with large integration entities, innovative focus, customer focus, competitive environment and investment activity. The focus is on high-tech enterprises. The empirical basis of the study was the results of a questionnaire survey of managers of 55 companies operating in the Siberian Federal District. The relationships between the identified factors and their impact on growth was studied by cluster analysis, as a result of which three clusters were formed. The first included high-tech growing companies located primarily in large cities, the second included nongrowing companies, and the third included growing low-tech companies. The sectoral specifics, size, and customer focus of the company turned out to be significant in clustering. State support is important for the development of high-tech companies; however, they do not count on direct financing, highly appreciating assistance in organizing external interactions. The results can be used to determine priorities and formulate measures for state industrial and innovation policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virtual reality (VR) can enhance mental health care. In particular, the effectiveness of VR-based exposure therapy (VRET) has been well-demonstrated for treatment of anxiety disorders. However, most applications of VRET remain localized to clinic spaces. We aimed to explore mental health therapists’ perceptions of telehealth-based VRET (tele-VRET) by conducting semi-structured, qualitative interviews with 18 telemental health therapists between October and December 2022. Interview topics included telehealth experiences, exposure therapy over telehealth, previous experiences with VR, and perspectives on tele-VRET. Therapists described how telehealth reduced barriers (88.9%, 16/18), enhanced therapy (61.1%, 11/18), and improved access to clients (38.9%, 7/18), but entailed problems with technology (61.1%, 11/18), uncontrolled settings (55.6%, 10/18), and communication difficulties (50%, 9/18). Therapists adapted exposure therapy to telehealth by using online resources (66.7%, 12/18), preparing client expectations (55.6%, 10/18), and adjusting workflows (27.8%, 5/18). Most therapists had used VR before (72.2%, 13/18) and had positive impressions of VR (55.6%, 10/18), but none had used VR clinically. In response to tele-VRET, therapists requested interactive session activities (77.8%, 14/18) and customizable interventions components (55.6%, 10/18). Concerns about tele-VRET included risks with certain clients (77.8%, 14/18), costs (50%, 9/18), side effects and privacy (22.2%, 4/18), and inappropriateness for specific forms of exposure therapy (16.7%, 3/18). These results reveal how combining telehealth and VRET may expand therapeutic options for mental healthcare providers and can help inform collaborative development of immersive health technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The self-assembly and gelation processes in low-concentrated aqueous solutions of L-cysteine and silver nitrate (cysteine–silver solution, CSS); low-molecular-weight water-soluble chitosan (CS); and a gelation initiator, CuSO4, have been studied by various physicochemical methods, namely, UV spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, pH-metry, viscometry, and scanning electron microscopy. It has been found that the gelation of CSS, which is used as a gel precursor, under the action of chitosan (CS) and copper sulfate occurs in a narrow concentration range: CCH = 0.0100–0.0150 mg/mL, = 0.4–0.6 mМ, CL-cys = 3.00 mМ, and = 3.75 mM, when Ag+/Cys molar ratio is 1.27. Hydrogels of various CSS–CS and CSS–CS–CuSO4 compositions possess no high mechanical strength; however, they are stable in the course time. The structural elements of CSS, i.e., cluster chains of silver merchaptide (SM) zwitterions, are positively charged; therefore, no polyelectrolyte complexation occurs in CSS–CS and CSS–CS–CuSO4 hydrogels, because the pH of CSS is 2.6. Addition of CuSO4 to CSS–CS samples promotes the formation of a more strong hydrogel due to the association of SM clusters and CS molecules with sulfate anions and the coordination of Cu(II) ions with deprotonated carboxyl groups of different clusters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]