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The goal of this article is to conduct comparative and structural-semantic research into belief narratives concerning flying serpents and treasure-bearers in East Slavic (Belarusian, Estonian Russian, other Slavic traditions) and Finno-Ugric (Estonian, Votic, Livonian, Finnish, Vepsian) regions related to Baltic and Scandinavian beliefs. The source material was collected between the 19th and 21st centuries. Based on the available materials, a character profile was created with respect to the following features while describing a flying serpent and a treasure-bringer: description of the origin (how and from whom the supernatural being originates), general forms of appearance, aspects of time and location, as well as the creature’s behaviour (active/passive; rituals) and genre affiliation (the process of storytelling, perception of the character).

Introduction Breast cancer is easily detectable by mammography and many countries run national screening programs for women as a target group. Yet, the majority of these countries have screening participation rates below the recommended level of 70%. Objective The aim of the present article was to examine a connection between existing health practices and a decision to participate during breast cancer screening. Methods Methodologically, this research was a web panel and quantitative telephone survey. The survey was conducted among 1200 Estonian women in the age group 50–69 years. Statistical data analysis was performed with SPSS using a descriptive and logistic regression model. Results The findings revealed that among different background variables, age and existing health practices significantly influenced the decision-making for participating in the screening. Results also highlighted that the possibility to participate in the screening increased with existing supportive health practices and with the increasing age. Other sociodemographic factors did not have a significant influence on the decision-making of participation. Conclusions There is a need to educate people from an early age about the developments in health practices that could support a healthy lifestyle in terms of individual responsibility. Thus, public health campaigns should not only call for action but also focus on health education in terms of the role of preventive medicine and health practices.

Belarusian and Estonian mythological and legendary narratives, especially aetiologies, share a number of similar motifs and characters, despite the fact that Estonian and Belarusian belong to different language families and share no common borders. However, some matches in the motifs are so complete and expressive that they, we believe, cannot be explained by typology or universals. Since the topic of ties between Estonian-Belarusian folklore is relatively unexplored, along with their historical contacts, the aim of this article is to point out the similarities in the motifs of Estonian and Belarusian legends regarding the first people in the context of Slavic and Finno-Ugric legends, as well as to represent some of the original Estonian and Belarusian aetiologies. The motives under examination are the recreation of humans, the skin of the nails, creation of a woman, the death of the first people, the motifs of the snake, eel, and weather loach, the cross of Christ, and others.

Abstract Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2)-induced infection, the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is characterized by acute clinical pathologies, including various coagulopathies that may be accompanied by hypercoagulation and platelet hyperactivation. Recently, a new COVID-19 phenotype has been noted in patients after they have ostensibly recovered from acute COVID-19 symptoms. This new syndrome is commonly termed Long COVID/Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). Here we refer to it as Long COVID/PASC. Lingering symptoms persist for as much as 6 months (or longer) after acute infection, where COVID-19 survivors complain of recurring fatigue or muscle weakness, being out of breath, sleep difficulties, and anxiety or depression. Given that blood clots can block microcapillaries and thereby inhibit oxygen exchange, we here investigate if the lingering symptoms that individuals with Long COVID/PASC manifest might be due to the presence of persistent circulating plasma microclots that are resistant to fibrinolysis. Methods We use techniques including proteomics and fluorescence microscopy to study plasma samples from healthy individuals, individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), with acute COVID-19, and those with Long COVID/PASC symptoms. Results We show that plasma samples from Long COVID/PASC still contain large anomalous (amyloid) deposits (microclots). We also show that these microclots in both acute COVID-19 and Long COVID/PASC plasma samples are resistant to fibrinolysis (compared to plasma from controls and T2DM), even after trypsinisation. After a second trypsinization, the persistent pellet deposits (microclots) were solubilized. We detected various inflammatory molecules that are substantially increased in both the supernatant and trapped in the solubilized pellet deposits of acute COVID-19 and Long COVID/PASC, versus the equivalent volume of fully digested fluid of the control samples and T2DM. Of particular interest was a substantial increase in α(2)-antiplasmin (α2AP), various fibrinogen chains, as well as Serum Amyloid A (SAA) that were trapped in the solubilized fibrinolytic-resistant pellet deposits. Conclusions Clotting pathologies in both acute COVID-19 infection and in Long COVID/PASC might benefit from following a regime of continued anticlotting therapy to support the fibrinolytic system function.

Abstract An electrical resistivity model beneath Azumayama Volcano, NE Japan, is explored using magnetotelluric method to probe the magma/hydrothermal fluid distribution. Azumayama is one of the most concerning active volcanoes capable of producing a potential eruption triggered by the 2011 Tohoku-Oki Earthquake. The three-dimensional resistivity model reveals a conductive magma reservoir (

Abstract We estimate the mass and energy budgets for the 2018 phreatic eruption of Mt. Motoshirane on Kusatsu–Shirane volcano, Japan, based on data obtained from a network of eight tiltmeters and weather radar echoes. The tilt records can be explained by a subvertical crack model. Small craters that were formed by previous eruptions are aligned WNW–ESE, which is consistent with the strike of the crack modeled in this study. The direction of maximum compressive stress in this region is horizontal and oriented WNW–ESE, allowing fluid to intrude from depth through a crack with this orientation. Based on the crack model, hypocenter distribution, and MT resistivity structure, we infer that fluid from a hydrothermal reservoir at a depth of 2 km below Kusatsu–Shirane volcano has repeatedly ascended through a pre-existing subvertical crack. The inflation and deflation volumes during the 2018 eruption are estimated to have been 5.1 × 105 and 3.6 × 105 m3, respectively, meaning that 1.5 × 105 m3 of expanded volume formed underground. The total heat associated with the expanded volume is estimated to have been ≥ 1014 J, similar to or exceeding the annual heat released from Yugama Crater Lake of Mt. Shirane and that from the largest eruption during the past 130 year. Although the ejecta mass of the 2018 phreatic eruption was small, the eruption at Mt. Motoshirane was not negligible in terms of the energy budget of Kusatsu–Shirane volcano. A water mass of 0.1–2.0 × 107 kg was discharged as a volcanic cloud, based on weather radar echoes, which is smaller than the mass associated with the deflation. We suggest that underground water acted as a buffer against the sudden intrusion of hydrothermal fluids, absorbing some of the fluid that ascended through the crack.

Lower respiratory tract secretions (LRTS) like sputum and tracheal aspirates are frequently sent to the microbiology laboratory from patients with various respiratory pathologies. Improper collection techniques can lead to false-positive results, resulting in improper therapy.

Intensive fish farming is associated with a high level of stress, causing immunosuppression. Immunomodulators of natural origin, such as probiotics or phytoadditives, represent a promising alternative for increasing the immune function of fish. In this study, we tested the autochthonous trout probiotic strain L. plantarum R2 in a newly developed, low-cost application form ensuring the rapid revitalization of bacteria. We tested continuous and cyclic feeding regimes with regard to their effect on the intestinal immune response and microbiota of rainbow trout. We found that during the continuous application of probiotic feed, the immune system adapts to the immunomodulator and there is no substantial stimulation of the intestinal immune response. During the cyclic treatment, after a 3-week break in probiotic feeding and the reintroduction of probiotics, there was a significant stimulation of the gene expression of molecules associated with both cellular and humoral immunity (CD8, TGF-β, IL8, TLR9), without affecting the gene expression for IL1 and TNF-α. We can conclude that, in aquaculture, this probiotic feed can be used with a continuous application, which does not cause excessive immunostimulation, or with a cyclic application, which provides the opportunity to stimulate the immunity of trout, for example, in periods of stress.

The invasiveness properties of Shigatoxigenic and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (STEC and EPEC) O80:H2 in humans and calves are encoded by genes located on a pS88-like ColV conjugative plasmid. The main objectives of this study in larvae of the Galleria mellonella moth were therefore to compare the virulence of eight bovine STEC and EPEC O80:H2, of two E. coli pS88 plasmid transconjugant and STX2d phage transductant K12 DH10B, of four E. coli O80:non-H2, and of the laboratory E. coli K12 DH10B strains. Thirty larvae per strain were inoculated in the last proleg with 10 μL of tenfold dilutions of each bacterial culture corresponding to 10 to 106 colony-forming units (CFUs). The larvae were kept at 37 °C and their mortality rate was followed daily for four days. The main results were that: (i) not only the STEC and EPEC O80:H2, but also different E. coli O80:non-H2 were lethal for the larvae at high concentrations (from 104 to 106 CFU) with some variation according to the strain; (ii) the Stx2d toxin and partially the pS88 plasmid were responsible for the lethality caused by the E. coli O80:H2; (iii) the virulence factors of E. coli O80:non-H2 were not identified. The general conclusions are that, although the Galleria mellonella larvae represent a useful first-line model to study the virulence of bacterial pathogens, they are more limited in identifying their actual virulence properties.

Abstract Three-dimensional models are considered a powerful tool for improving the concordance between in vitro and in vivo phenotypes. However, the duration of spheroid culture may influence the degree of correlation between these counterparts. When using immortalised cell lines as model systems, the assumption for consistency and reproducibility is often made without adequate characterization or validation. It is therefore essential to define the biology of each spheroid model by investigating proteomic dynamics, which may be altered relative to culture duration. As an example, we assessed the influence of culture duration on the relative proteome abundance of HepG2 cells cultured as spheroids, which are routinely used to model aspects of the liver. Quantitative proteomic profiling of whole cell lysates labelled with tandem-mass tags was conducted using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). In excess of 4800 proteins were confidently identified, which were shared across three consecutive time points over 28 days. The HepG2 spheroid proteome was divergent from the monolayer proteome after 14 days in culture and continued to change over the successive culture time points. Proteins representing the recognised core hepatic proteome, cell junction, extracellular matrix, and cell adhesion proteins were found to be continually modulated.

Abstract Background Internally displaced persons fleeing their homes due to conflict and drought are particularly at risk of morbidity and mortality from diarrhoeal diseases. Regular handwashing with soap (HWWS) could substantially reduce the risk of these infections, but the behaviour is challenging to practice while living in resource-poor, informal settlements. To mitigate these challenges, humanitarian aid organisations distribute hygiene kits, including soap and handwashing infrastructure. Our study aimed to assess the effect of modified hygiene kits on handwashing behaviours among internally displaced persons in Moyale, Ethiopia. Methods The pilot study evaluated three interventions: providing liquid soap; scented soap bar; and the inclusion of a mirror in addition to the standard hygiene kit. The hygiene kits were distributed to four study arms. Three of the arms received one of the interventions in addition to the standard hygiene kit. Three to six weeks after distribution the change in behaviour and perceptions of the interventions were assessed through structured observations, surveys and focus group discussions. Results HWWS was rare at critical times for all study arms. In the liquid soap arm, HWWS was observed for only 20% of critical times. This result was not indicated significantly different from the control arm which had a prevalence of 17% (p-value = 0.348). In the mirror and scented soap bar intervention arms, HWWS prevalence was 11 and 10%, respectively. This was indicated to be significantly different from the control arm. Participants in the focus group discussions indicated that liquid soap, scented soap bar and the mirror made handwashing more desirable. In contrast, participants did not consider the soap bar normally distributed in hygiene kits as nice to use. Conclusion We found no evidence of an increased prevalence of handwashing with soap following distribution of the three modified hygiene kits. However, our study indicates the value in better understanding hygiene product preferences as this may contribute to increased acceptability and use among crisis-affected populations. The challenges of doing research in a conflict-affected region had considerable implications on this study’s design and implementation. Trial registration The trial was registered at www.ClinicalTrials.gov 6 September 2019 (reg no: NCT04078633 ).

Abstract Living near, recreating in, and feeling psychologically connected to, the natural world are all associated with better mental health, but many exposure-related questions remain. Using data from an 18-country survey (n = 16,307) we explored associations between multiple measures of mental health (positive well-being, mental distress, depression/anxiety medication use) and: (a) exposures (residential/recreational visits) to different natural settings (green/inland-blue/coastal-blue spaces); and (b) nature connectedness, across season and country. People who lived in greener/coastal neighbourhoods reported higher positive well-being, but this association largely disappeared when recreational visits were controlled for. Frequency of recreational visits to green, inland-blue, and coastal-blue spaces in the last 4 weeks were all positively associated with positive well-being and negatively associated with mental distress. Associations with green space visits were relatively consistent across seasons and countries but associations with blue space visits showed greater heterogeneity. Nature connectedness was also positively associated with positive well-being and negatively associated with mental distress and was, along with green space visits, associated with a lower likelihood of using medication for depression. By contrast inland-blue space visits were associated with a greater likelihood of using anxiety medication. Results highlight the benefits of multi-exposure, multi-response, multi-country studies in exploring complexity in nature-health associations.

Folklorist Elmar Daniel Päss (1901–1970) was one of the first researchers who was educated in folklore at the University of Tartu: the Chair of Folklore started work in the autumn of 1919, and Elmar Päss entered university in the autumn of 1922. Already as a student, he attracted the attention of folklore professor Walter Anderson with his study about drinking in Estonian proverbs and folk songs, submitted for a students’ competition in 1924. There was no unified folklore archive in Tartu at the time (it was established in 1927). The study by Päss testified to his diligence (he examined collections of Estonian folklore both in Tartu and in Helsinki) as well as his ability to systematise and analyse voluminous material. He elaborated this study and defended it as his master’s degree in 1926. After a year in military service, he started work as a folklore assistant at the University of Tartu. In 1933 he became a scientific grantee, to work on a dissertation about Estonian and Ingrian Martinmas songs. Although the first version of the manuscript was completed in 1935, he did not defend the thesis. On the one hand, new material on Martinmas customs was constantly piling up, on the other hand, the defence seemed to be postponed due to economic difficulties. The establishment of the Soviet rule in 1940 and the following war further distanced Päss from research work. In 1947 the Institute of Estonian Language and Literature was founded at the Academy of Sciences, and for three years he worked there as a folklore researcher. However, his main occupation was a schoolteacher. So his most fertile scientific career remained in the 1920s–1930s. Three different intertwining directions can be distinguished in Päss’ scientific work: a comparative study of songs, customs related to calendar, wedding, and work, and the lore of border regions. Against the more general background of folkloristics, Päss’ research approaches are up to date: on the one hand, comparative and international research prevailing in the first decades of the century, on the other hand, considering the syncretic and functionalist viewpoint of lore that emerged in the late 1920s and in the 1930s. His studies of the customs and songs of Shrovetide and Martinmas could be part of classical Estonian folkloristics.

Tudor Parvanescu,1 Andrei Vitel,1 Ioan Sporea,2 Ruxandra Mare,2 Bogdan Buz,1 Diana Aurora Bordejevic,1 Mirela Cleopatra Tomescu,1 Sergiu Florin Arnautu,3 Vlad Ioan Morariu,1 Ioana Mihaela Citu1 1Cardiology Department, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania; 2Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania; 3Department of Neurology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, RomaniaCorrespondence: Diana Aurora BordejevicCardiology Department, Victor Babe” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Square, Timisoara, RomaniaTel +40 734600550Fax +40 256220636Email aurora.bordejevic@umft.roBogdan BuzCardiology Department, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Square, Timisoara, RomaniaTel +40 756346910Email buzbogdan93@gmail.comPurpose: The constitutive elements of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) are linked with both non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cardiovascular disease. Controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), and vibration controlled transient elastography (VCTE), are able to detect and quantify NAFLD, while conventional and two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) is capable to identify subclinical changes in cardiac function. We wanted to evaluate whether there is any correspondence between left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction and different degrees of liver steatosis and fibrosis in MetS subjects with NAFLD.Patients and Methods: A total of 150 adult subjects having MetS and a normal left ventricular (LV) systolic function were recorded in the study, while 150 age- and sex- matched adults without MetS were enrolled as controls. NAFLD was established by VCTE and CAP. The left heart systolic and diastolic function was evaluated by conventional and 2D-ST echocardiography. Left atrial (LA) stiffness was calculated as the ratio between the E/A ratio and the LA reservoir-strain.Results: In univariate regression analysis, the variables associated with LV diastolic dysfunction in MetS patients were: liver steatosis grade ≥ 2, liver fibrosis grade ≥ 2, the longitudinal LA peak strain during the reservoir phase, the LA strain rate during ventricular contraction and the LA stiffness. In multivariate logistic regression, two variables were selected as independent predictors of LV diastolic dysfunction, namely the liver stiffness (P=0.0003) and the LA stiffness (P< 0.0001). LA stiffness predicted subclinical LV diastolic dysfunction in MetS patients with a sensitivity of 45% and a specificity of 96% when using a cut-off value > 0.38, and was significantly correlated with liver steatosis stage ≥ 2 and liver fibrosis stage ≥ 2.Conclusion: The present study confirms the association between liver stiffness, LA stiffness and LV diastolic dysfunction in MetS patients. Our study suggests that liver elastography and 2D-STE should become habitual assessments in MetS patients.Keywords: metabolic syndrome, strain and strain‑rate imaging, left atrial stiffness, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, liver elastography, liver steatosis and fibrosis

Artiklis kirjeldatakse tegevusuuringut, mille käigus viidi kolmanda klassi vähemotiveeritud ja nõrga keeleoskustasemega õpperühmaga läbi 30-tunnine eesti keele kui teise keele mängustatud õppe programm. Programm oli koostatud vastavuses riikliku õppekava ja kooli ainekavaga, kuid kõik õppetegevused (soojendus-, sõnavara- ja grammatika- ning vaba rääkimise ülesanded) olid mängustatud. Tulemused näitasid, et mängustatud programmi mõjul muutus vähemotiveeritud ja nõrk õpperühm teistsuguseks: õpilased osalesid eesti keele tunnis aktiivselt ja rõõmuga ning olid rääkides enesekindlamad, nende sõnavara ja grammatikatunnetus arenesid ning nad suutsid kaaslastega paremini suhelda. *** The effect of gamified learning on the use of Estonian as a second language by third grade pupils Despite the continuous study of Estonian as a second language at school, the language skills of some students are still low. The reason for this is usually considered to be the low motivation of pupils to learn, which comes from the home and society, i.e. the cultural environment (see Metslang et al. 2013; Gardner 2007). At the same time, the impact of the educational environment on pupils’ motivation is often underestimated. This article deals with action research in which a 30-hour gamified Estonian language learning program was conducted with a less motivated third-grade study group with low Estonian language skills. The program was in accordance with the school’s syllabus and included gamified warm-up tasks, linguistic tasks (focused on vocabulary and grammar) and free speaking tasks. The teacher who taught the gamified lessons is one of the authors of this article. She recorded the course of the program in the researcher’s diary. After the program, the teacher's notes were categorized according to the following categories: pupils’ motivation (analyzed on the basis of pupils’ activity and joy), pupils’ Estonian language skills (self-confidence to use Estonian, conversation skills, vocabulary and grammar development). Before and after the program, pupils were also given a two-minute picture description test, the data of which (pupils’ vocabulary and grammatical forms) were analyzed quantitatively. The results of the survey showed that pupils’ motivation to learn Estonian increased during the program and their Estonian language skills improved. The increase in motivation was shown by the significant increase in pupils’activity and joy in Estonian language lessons. The increase in Estonian language skills was shown by the increased vocabulary, the development of grammar skills, the courage to use the Estonian language and the ability to express one’s thoughts and communicate with peers. The primary limitation of the study is a certain subjectivity – several research results are based on teachers’ opinion. Another limitation is the lack of a control group, so it is not known how the aspects studied would have changed using another teaching method. However, the study group before the program was taught with another method, so the pupils’initial level before the program showed the effect of this method. In the future, however, it would be worthwhile to repeat a similar experiment with a control group and also to add some more objective measures to the analysis of the teacher’s notes. In conclusion, there are no unmotivated and weak pupils. When a teacher finds a suitable teaching methodology for students, they want to learn and their language skills develop. Gamification is a promising way to make language lessons more motivating and effective.

Abstract We present one of the first studies on source location determination for volcanic earthquakes and characterization of volcanic subsurfaces using data from a distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) system. Using the arrival time difference estimated from well-correlated waveforms and a dense spatial distribution of seismic amplitudes recorded along the fiber-optic cable, we determine the hypocenters of volcanic earthquakes recorded at Azuma volcano, Japan. The sources are located at a shallow depth beneath active volcanic areas with a range of approximately 1 km. Spatial distribution of the site amplification factors determined from coda waves of regional tectonic earthquakes are well correlated with old lava flow distributions and volcano topography. Since DAS observation can be performed remotely and buried fiber-optic cables are not damaged by volcanic ash or bombs during eruptions, this new observation system is suitable for monitoring of volcanoes without risk of system damage and for evaluating volcanic structures.

Video games represent a rapidly growing media form that is a daily activity for many youths. So far, only a little attention has been paid to the portrayal of mental illnesses and psychiatric intervention within them. In our research, we explored the best-selling video games released between 2002–2021 in order to analyse these representations. We came to the conclusion that approximately 1 out of 10 popular games attempts to portray symptoms of mental illness – with a majority of 75% of them in a negative and stereotypical way. Despite the majority of mental illness depiction in popular video games being negative, there are mounting reports that certain representations have a positive impact on their player bases. Further studies are required, as to how much videogames influence the player's attitude toward this topic.

Teaching is a part of socialization: both in society and for society. In this paper, the focus is on the university level. The responsibility of higher education is significant: a new generation receives the possibility to influence society over many decades. When talking about the quality of education, different factors are important. One aspect which influences teaching and learning is the size of study groups. For example – there are 8.4 students per one academic staff member at the top ten universities, according to the World University Rankings. In Tallinn University, where I have been teaching since 1997, this figure is 27.2. After a quarter of a century of teaching experience, it is reasonable to reflect on the situation and ways of coping. In my classes, there have always been 35 or more students. One way to handle big groups is the optimal use of energy, but optimality depends on developments in society: different times predict specific behaviours and styles of teaching. Here, the research method was a reflective approach to teaching. Teachers’ self-reflection supports education, because the readiness to analyse processes both inside and outside the school increases objectivity. The aim of this article is to analyse long-term experiences of teaching in the context of changing norms: How can one keep both students and teachers as happy as possible when there is no manual on how to deal with post-Soviet and/or other influences in society? This article concludes that, in my case, teaching began through an approach of trial and error. Later, I started to be proactive: my style of teaching changed in parallel with developments in society, and readiness to reflect become a teaching method.

Abstract The linearity and load insensitivity of the end-systolic pressure–volume-relationship (ESPVR), a parameter that describes the ventricular contractile state, are controversial. We hypothesize that linearity is influenced by a variable overlay of the intrinsic mechanism of autoregulation to afterload (shortening deactivation) and preload (Frank-Starling mechanism). To study the effect of different short-term loading alterations on the shape of the ESPVR, experiments on twenty-four healthy pigs were executed. Preload reductions, afterload increases and preload reductions while the afterload level was increased were performed. The ESPVR was described either by a linear or a bilinear regression through the end-systolic pressure volume (ES-PV) points. Increases in afterload caused a biphasic course of the ES-PV points, which led to a better fit of the bilinear ESPVRs (r2 0.929 linear ESPVR vs. r2 0.96 and 0.943 bilinear ESPVR). ES-PV points of a preload reduction on a normal and augmented afterload level could be well described by a linear regression (r2 0.974 linear ESPVR vs. r2 0.976 and 0.975 bilinear ESPVR). The intercept of the second ESPVR (V0) but not the slope demonstrated a significant linear correlation with the reached afterload level (effective arterial elastance Ea). Thus, the early response to load could be described by the fixed slope of the ESPVR and variable V0, which was determined by the actual afterload. The ESPVR is only apparently nonlinear, as its course over several heartbeats was affected by an overlay of SDA and FSM. These findings could be easily transferred to cardiovascular simulation models to improve their accuracy.

This paper presents the finding of a new bird species in the fauna of Serbia - American golden plover Pluvialis dominica that was recorded at the Ečka fishpond near Zrenjanin city (UTM 34T DR51). Furthermore, a provided morphological description of the observed individual is accompanied by a brief comparative diagnostic analysis of the identification of species from the genus Pluvialis.

Alternative, folk, and state medicine services intersect in the spheres of voluntary assistance and joint financing, donation medicine, charity movement, and solidary charity. Voluntary activity involves many people in different age groups and with different opportunities, and is wider than changes in lifestyle and an inherent turn to local activities and stances. The global trend remains in the transitional area of different domains, yet its deeply humane message, joint assistance to people in an emergency situation, constitutes the continuation of traditional means of assistance in today’s society. Charity medicine has opened up new topics for humanitarian studies. The article discusses the state and local institutions’ supportive activities for health care and, for example, for the coping strategies of people with severe health damage, as well as the support provided by different media channels for people with health issues, and voluntary help based on personal free will. The article focuses on the following questions: What is the status of solidarity in today’s medicine and welfare services? What are the characteristics, approaches, and results of charity medicine in Estonia? What questions are raised by charity? Do we deal with only medical and health issues or with human fractals?

The paper compares changes in the celebration of holidays in the period from 1992 to 2018. The data originate from large Estonian children’s lore corpora from 1992, 2007, and 2018. The first collections are preserved at the Estonian Folklore Archives of the Estonian Literary Museum (ELM) in Tartu, Estonia, and the 2018 collection as well as the digitized data of the earlier campaigns are available in the digital archives EFITA – the Research Archives of the Department of Folkloristics of the ELM. The calendar corpus allows us to monitor changes in the structure and essence of folk/ethnographic/local traditions, feasts celebrated at home, church feasts, and public holidays at school. The authors indicate that endeavours to establish national public holidays to accompany traditional agrarian ones began in the early 20th century. During the 20th century, the system of holidays changed three times (1918, 1940, 1991) due to political changes: the establishment of an independent state in Estonia, the loss of independence and continuation as the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic, and restoration of independence in 1991. In addition to state, church, and folk holidays different ways to introduce novel international holidays (Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Halloween, Mother Tongue Day), and a search for new forms of celebration were also noteworthy during this period. As students, youngsters participate in the celebrations of their school as well as in the celebrations of public holidays, and at the same time they are involved in maintaining their family traditions.

On 12 March 2020, the Government of the Republic of Estonia announced emergency situation in Estonia until 1 May and imposed special measures to hinder the spread of COVID-19. Although public gatherings had already been banned, the international conference under the heading “Between individual and collective trauma”, with Liisi Laineste, senior research fellow of the Department of Folkloristics of the Estonian Literary Museum (ELM), as the main organizer, continued with presentations also on 13 March. Conference participants from St. Petersburg were the last ones to cross the border at the Narva border checkpoint in a coach. Truth to tell, the coach did not cross the border anymore; the passengers had to switch to another one on the Russian side.

Õpilasele mõjuvad teise keele tunnis alati mitmesugused seotud tegurid. Kui need on positiivse mõjuga, siis motiveerivad nad õpilast õppima. Kui mõju on aga vastupidine, siis mõjuvad nad õpilasele demotiveerivalt ehk kahandavad tema õppimissoovi. Artiklis vaadeldakse üheksanda klassi eesti keele kui teise keele tundides õpilastele mõjuda võivaid demotiveerivaid tegureid. Artikli aluseks olevas uuringus on viidud läbi suulised individuaalsed poolstruktureeritud intervjuud 20 üheksanda klassi õpilasega neljast Tallinna vene õppekeelega koolist ja nende õpilaste eesti keele õpetajatega. Intervjuude analüüsil on selgunud 16 peamist demotiveerivat tegurit, mis jagunevad kolme suurde rühma: õpetajaga seotud, õppeteemade ja -tegevustega seotud ning .pperühmaga seotud tegurid. Õpetajatel oleks kasulik õpilasi demotiveerivaid tegureid paremini tunda, mis võimaldaks neil teha õppetöös vajalikke muudatusi.

Andrei Vitel,1,* Ioan Sporea,2 Ruxandra Mare,2 Christian Banciu,2 Diana-Aurora Bordejevic,1,* Tudor Parvanescu,1 Ioana Mihaela Citu,1 Mirela Cleopatra Tomescu1 1Cardiology Department, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania; 2Gastroenterology Department, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Ioana Mihaela CituCardiology Department, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2 nd Eftimie Murgu Square, Timisoara, RomaniaTel +40 724353666Fax +40 256220636Email ioanamihaela2010@gmail.comPurpose: The components of metabolic syndrome (MS) are risk factors for developing both cardiovascular disease (CVD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Strain (SI) and strain‑rate imaging (SRI) are able to recognize early changes in cardiac function. Vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) detect and quantify liver fibrosis and steatosis. We aimed to assess whether there is any correlation between liver fibrosis and steatosis and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in MS patients.Patients and Methods: A total of 150 adults with MS were registered in the study. They were compared with a control group of 150 age- and sex-matched adults without MS. After the classic echocardiographic assessment of LV function, two-dimensional speckle echocardiography (2D-STE) was used to evaluate LV peak systolic strain (S) and peak systolic strain rate (SR), while liver steatosis and fibrosis were evaluated by VCTE and CAP.Results: LV diastolic dysfunction was significantly more frequent among the patients with MS. We found significant differences between the two groups regarding the presence of subtle LV systolic dysfunction, detected by reduced values of S and SR. The risk for LV diastolic dysfunction was 3.6 times higher in MS with severe steatosis and 8 times higher in patients with severe fibrosis, P< 0.0001. The risk for LV systolic dysfunction was double in MS with severe steatosis and 1.7 times higher in MS with severe fibrosis, P< 0.0001.Conclusion: In MS patients with normal LV ejection fraction, conventional echocardiography parameters identified diastolic LV dysfunction, while SI and SRI identified subtle impairment of systolic LV dysfunction. The presence of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis increases significantly the risk for cardiac dysfunction in MS patients (P< 0.0001).Keywords: metabolic syndrome, left ventricular function, strain and strain‑rate imaging, liver steatosis and fibrosis, liver elastography

Abstract Background Vascular surgery patients have reduced tissues` blood supply, which may lead to mitochondrial dysfunction and accumulation of acylcarnitines (ACs). It has been suggested that remote ischaemic preconditioning (RIPC) has its organ protective effect via promoting mitochondrial function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of RIPC on the profile of ACs in the vascular surgery patients. Methods This is a randomised, sham-controlled, double-blinded, single-centre study. Patients undergoing open surgical repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm, surgical lower limb revascularisation surgery or carotid endarterectomy were recruited non-consecutively. The RIPC protocol consisting of 4 cycles of 5 min of ischaemia, followed by 5 min of reperfusion, was applied. A blood pressure cuff was used for RIPC or a sham procedure. Blood was collected preoperatively and approximately 24 h postoperatively. The profile of ACs was analysed using the AbsoluteIDQp180 kit (Biocrates Life Sciences AG, Innsbruck, Austria). Results Ninety-eight patients were recruited and randomised into the study groups and 45 patients from the RIPC group and 47 patients from the sham group were included in final analysis. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups regarding the changes in C3-OH (p = 0.023)—there was a decrease (− 0.007 µmol/L, ± 0.020 µmol/L, p = 0.0233) in the RIPC group and increase (0.002 µmol/L, ± 0.015 µmol/L, p = 0.481) in the sham group. Additionally, a decrease from baseline to 24 h after surgery (p

Õpilaste eesti keele kui teise keele ebapiisava oskuse peapõhjuseks peetakse sageli madalat õpimotivatsiooni, mis arvatakse tulenevat kodust ja ühiskonnast ehk kultuurikontekstist. Samal ajal saab vähem tähelepanu hariduskonteksti, sh õppetundides toimuva mõju õpimotivatsioonile. Artiklis antakse ülevaade eksperimendist, mille käigus uuriti, kas ja kuidas mõjutavad õppetegevused õpilaste suhtumist eesti keele tundidesse, mis on oluline õpimotivatsiooni komponent. Kuuele üheksanda klassi .pperühmale õpetati kord nädalas eesti keelt ainult mängustatud õppetegevuste abil. Enne eksperimenti täitsid õpilased kirjaliku ankeetküsitluse, milles hindasid eesti keele tavatunde kümne teguri osas ja vastasid ka avatud küsimustele. Pärast eksperimenti täitsid õpilased küsimustiku, milles hindasid mängustatud tunde samade tegurite osas. Selgus, et õppetegevuste muutmine muutis õpilaste keskmist suhtumist eesti keele tundidesse. Mängustatud tunde peeti kokkuvõttes tavatundidest märgatavalt lõbusamaks ja kergemaks, samas aga vähem kasulikuks ja vajalikuks. Hinnangud mängustatud tundide mitmele aspektile varieerusid rühmiti üsna palju. Seejuures oli märgata seost hea tunniõhustiku ja tundidesse positiivse suhtumise vahel. *** "The effect of gamified learning activities on the attitudes of 9th grade pupils towards lessons of Estonian as a second language" Learning motivation and attitudes towards studying are considered to be among the essential factors influencing academic results. Despite this, teachers often underrate the part that learning activities, methods and materials play in forming pupils’ motivations and attitudes (Metslang et al. 2013). Both Gardner (2007) and Dörnyei (1994, 2001) consider the specific learning situation, or events happening in the classroom, as an important factor of learning motivation. This article focuses on teachers’ options to affect pupils’ attitudes towards Estonian lessons via gamified learning activities. The term gamification is generally defined “the use of game design elements in a nongame context” (Deterding et al. 2011). This study involved an experiment with 9th graders in a Russian-language school in Tallinn, Estonia. During the three-month experiment, six learning groups had a weekly Estonian language lesson, where the language was exclusively studied with gamified learning activities. The teacher in their first year at the school prepared and taught these lessons using a variety of materials. The other Estonian lessons were taught by other teachers in a more traditional manner. The pupils were instructed to answer a questionnaire both at the beginning and the end of the experiment. Before the experiment, 67 pupils commented on and evaluated their experiences of Estonian lessons taken during a period of eight years. After the experiment, 77 pupils commented on and evaluated their experiences of gamified Estonian lessons. The pupils evaluated the lessons in a Likert scale (1–7) according to ten factors (usefulness, necessity, interest, activeness, variance, modernity, fun, energy, atmosphere, ease) and commented the learning activities. The pupils evaluated the traditional lessons of Estonian language as the second language rather highly. The usefulness (6 on average) and necessity (5.6) were evaluated the highest. Modernity (4.9.), interest (4.6), atmosphere (4.6), variance (4.4), activity (4.3) were also rated above average. Two factors had ratings beyond the average: energy (3.7) and fun (3.5). In the gamified lessons, compared to the traditional lessons of eight years, the factor of fun increased the most (from 3.5 to 5.5, an increase of two). The ratings of energy and ease (1.3) were also higher. However, the evaluations of usefulness and necessity of gamified lessons were lower. The average ratings of usefulness fell respectively by one (from 5.6 of the traditional lessons to 4.6) and 0.7 (from 6 to 5.3). The average evaluations of other factors did not show notable differences. Notably, evaluations varied both by groups and individually.

Abstract Background Monogenea van Beneden, 1858 is a group of parasitic flatworms, commonly found infecting bony fish. Several genera, such as Cichlidogyrus Paperna, 1960, are reported to include potential pathogenic species that can negatively impact aquaculture fish stocks. They can switch from introduced to native fish and vice versa. In Africa (and all over the world), fish species belonging to Cichlidae are often kept in aquaculture and represent a major source of food. Thus, research on the biodiversity and occurrence of monogenean species on these fish is of importance for aquaculture and conservation. The present study is a survey of the diversity of species of Cichlidogyrus in the south of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on three cichlid species: Orthochromis sp. ‘Lomami’, Serranochromis cf. macrocephalus, and Tilapia sparrmanii Smith, 1840. Methods Specimens of Cichlidogyrus were isolated from the gills and mounted on glass slides with Hoyer’s medium. The genital and haptoral hard parts were measured and drawn using interference contrast. Results In total, six species of Cichlidogyrus were found, all new to science: C. bulbophallus n. sp. and C. pseudozambezensis n. sp. on S. cf. macrocephalus, C. flagellum n. sp. and C. lobus n. sp. on T. sparrmanii, C. ranula n. sp. on S. cf. macrocephalus and Orthochromis sp. ‘Lomami’, and C. maeander n. sp. found on Orthochromis sp. ‘Lomami’ and T. sparrmanii. The first four species are considered to be strict specialists, C. ranula n. sp. an intermediate generalist and C. maeander n. sp. a generalist. These parasite species show morphological similarities to species found in the Lower Guinea and Zambezi ichthyofaunal provinces, which might be explained by past river capture events between river systems of the Congo Province and both these regions. Conclusions Serranochromis cf. macrocephalus and Orthochromis sp. ‘Lomami’ can harbour respectively three and two species of Cichlidogyrus, all described in this study. Tilapia sparrmanii can harbour seven species, of which three are described in the present study. These results highlight the species diversity of this parasite genus in the Congo Basin.

Artikkel annab ülevaate Eesti Parlamendi – Riigikogu – istungite stenogrammide pilootuuringust. Esmalt esitatakse arutelude üldine struktuur dialoogiaktide kaudu. Seejärel keskendutakse läbirääkimistele ja neis esitatavate argumentide ülesehitusele. Uurimuse kaugem eesmärk on luua vahendid struktuuri automaatseks tuvastamiseks ning parlamendiläbirääkimiste ja poliitiliste argumentide sisu analüüsimiseks. *** "Dialogue acts and arguments in records of the Estonian parliament: A preliminary study" In this paper a preliminary study on verbatim records of sittings held in the Estonian Parliament is carried out. The structure of the discussions is represented by using the dialogue acts of a custom-made typology. The premises and claims of arguments used in negotiations and their relations are annotated. The further aim is to create means for automatic recognition of the structure as well as analysis of contents of parliamentary negotiations and political arguments.

The amyloid-β precursor protein (APP) undergoes proteolysis by β- and γ-secretases to form amyloid-β peptides (Aβ), which is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Recent findings suggest a possible role of O-glycosylation on APP’s proteolytic processing and subsequent fate for AD-related pathology. We have previously reported that Tyr681-O-glycosylation and the Swedish mutation accelerate cleavage of APP model glycopeptides by β-secretase (amyloidogenic pathway) more than α-secretase (non-amyloidogenic pathway). Therefore, to further our studies, we have synthesized additional native and Swedish-mutated (glyco)peptides with O-GalNAc moiety on Thr663 and/or Ser667 to explore the role of glycosylation on conformation, secretase activity, and aggregation kinetics of Aβ40. Our results show that conformation is strongly dependent on external conditions such as buffer ions and solvent polarity as well as internal modifications of (glyco)peptides such as length, O-glycosylation, and Swedish mutation. Furthermore, the level of β-secretase activity significantly increases for the glycopeptides containing the Swedish mutation compared to their nonglycosylated and native counterparts. Lastly, the glycopeptides impact the kinetics of Aβ40 aggregation by significantly increasing the lag phase and delaying aggregation onset, however, this effect is less pronounced for its Swedish-mutated counterparts. In conclusion, our results confirm that the Swedish mutation and/or O-glycosylation can render APP model glycopeptides more susceptible to cleavage by β-secretase. In addition, this study sheds new light on the possible role of glycosylation and/or glycan density on the rate of Aβ40 aggregation.

The composition of centenarians’ gut microbiota has consistently been used as a model for healthy aging studies. However, there is an incomplete understanding of how childhood living conditions and eating habits affect the development and composition of gastrointestinal microbiota in centenarians with good cognitive functions. We compared the gut microbiota as well as the living and eating habits of the oldest-old group and the young people group. The richness and diversity of microbiota and the abundance of hereditary and environmental microbes were higher in people with longevity than young people. People with longevity ate more potatoes and cereal products. In their childhood, they had more exposure to farm animals and did not have sewers compared with young people. Young people’s gut microbiota contained more butyrate-producing bacteria and bacteria that characterized an animal-based Western diet. These results expand our understanding of the effects of childhood environment and diet on the development and stability of the microbiota in people with longevity.

• Issues perceived to be the most controversial were topics from the 20th century. • Teachers’ views on history are often not reflective; epistemic cognition is influenced by epistemic aims and is also topic specific. • It is important to concentrate on more complex epistemological interpretation schemata concerning history and learning and the connections between them in teacher training. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to discover topics in history education in Estonia that are perceived to be controversial, and to analyse how teachers’ epistemic cognition is reflected in the teaching of issues perceived to be controversial. Design/methodology/approach: Qualitative research based on group and individual interviews with 12 teachers, plus data from lesson observations among 10 participants. Findings: Issues perceived to be the most controversial are topics from the 20th century. The reflection of epistemic cognition in practice is a result of a complex interplay between knowledge and knowing related beliefs and processes. Research limitations: The small number of participants (12). Developed categories must be considered with caution as exploratory findings

Phosphorylated inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) is a naturally occurring carbohydrate, and its parent compound, myoinositol (Ins), is abundantly present in plants, particularly in certain high-fiber diets, but also in mammalian cells, where they regulate essential cellular functions. IP6 has profound modulation effects on macrophages, which warrants further research on the therapeutic benefits of IP6 for inflammatory diseases. Here, we review IP6 as a promising compound that has the potential to be used in various areas of dentistry, including endodontics, restorative dentistry, implantology, and oral hygiene products, due to its unique structure and characteristic properties. Available as a dietary supplement, IP6 + Ins has been shown to enhance the anti-inflammatory effect associated with preventing and suppressing the progression of chronic dental inflammatory diseases. IP6 in dentistry is now substantial, and this narrative review presents and discusses the different applications proposed in the literature and gives insights into future use of IP6 in the fields of orthodontics, periodontics, implants, and pediatric dentistry.

Objectives We aim to quantify the cost difference between patients with incisional cerebrospinal fluid (iCSF) leakage and those without after intradural cranial surgery. Second, the potential cost savings per patient when a decrease in iCSF leakage rate would be achieved with and without added costs for preventative measures of various price and efficacy are modelled.Design Health economic assessment from a hospital perspective based on a retrospective cohort study.Setting Dutch tertiary referral centre.Participants We included 616 consecutive patients who underwent intradural cranial surgery between 1 September 2017 and 1 September 2018. Patients undergoing burr hole surgery or transsphenoidal surgery, or who died within 1 month after surgery or were lost to follow-up were excluded.Primary and secondary outcome measures Outcomes of the cost analysis include a detailed breakdown of mean costs per patient for patients with postoperative iCSF leakage and patients without, and the mean cost difference. For the scenario analyses the outcomes are the potential cost savings per 1000 patients when a decrease in iCSF leakage would be achieved.Results Mean cost difference between patients with and without iCSF leakage was €9665 (95%CI, €5125 to €14 205). The main cost driver was hospital stay with a difference of 8.5 days. A 25% incidence reduction would result in a mean cost saving of −€94 039 (95% CI, −€218 258 to −€7077) per 1000 patients. A maximum cost reduction of −€653 025 (95% CI, −€1 204 243 to −€169 120) per 1000 patients could be achieved if iCSF leakage would be reduced with 75% in all patients, with 72 cases of iCSF leakage avoided.Conclusions Postoperative iCSF leakage after intradural cranial surgery increases healthcare costs significantly and substantially. From a health economic perspective preventative measures to avoid iCSF leakage should be pursued.

Air pollution is one of the most important topics as it can cause various reactions of the organisms, such as mental health disorders, respiratory problems or various cardiovascular despises. Many of the side effects of pollution are caused by particulate matter (PM). Therefore air pollution, especially the concentration of PM is monitored in many European countries. In the past years, Skopje has been one of the top-ranked cities in the world concerning the concentration of PM. This paper investigates the effect of the pandemic with COVID-19 and the restriction measures on air quality. The data collected before the pandemic (May 2018), during the global pandemic (May 2020 and May 2021), and after the period with restriction measures (May 2022) are analyzed. The measurement parameters are collected at the technical campus of the Ss Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, North Macedonia, in May 2018, May 2020, May 2021, and May 2022. In this research, it can be confirmed that the restriction measures had a significant positive impact on air pollution.

Abstract Objective This article provides insights into the democratic character of local enactments of welfare reforms by analysing narrative interactions about changes in care. We analyse processes of storytelling that are part of the interactions between citizens giving, receiving and organizing care and the policymakers governing welfare reforms. We also study how narrative interactions shape understandings about changing care practices and what types of narrative interactions support democracy in care. Background Stories about recent welfare reforms include messages about citizens’ care, citizen participation, citizens’ powers and revitalization of democracy. However, researchers have cast doubt on their emancipatory and democratic character. Research setting and methodology We conducted research of four initiatives and municipal policy settings in the city of Maastricht that organized social care in lifeworlds connected to arts, crafts, farming and entrepreneurship during welfare reforms. Using narrative ethnography, we analyse narrative interactions between the master narrative of welfare reforms about ‘lifeworld care’ and ‘citizen powers’, and small stories told by participants in new care practices. Results We identified two types of narrative interaction: idealizing and pragmatizing. Idealizing narrative interactions were strategic for care initiatives in finding support and for policymakers in proving that a so‐called ‘participation society’ works. Pragmatizing narrative interactions gave expression to insights into the everyday practices of social care experiments and included a greater variety of stories. Conclusions We conclude that pragmatizing narrative interactions adjust the master narrative about welfare reforms and replace ideals of independency with ideals of active participation in webs of dependency and care.

Coprolites (fossil faeces) constitute a group of soft sediment trace fossils that provide useful palaeoecological and sedimentological information, but have generally low preservational potential. In this paper we report abundant occurrence and high diversity of small faecal pellets preserved inside different shelly fossils from Middle and Upper Ordovician carbonates of the Baltoscandian palaeobasin. The material contains ca 180 body fossils with faecal pellets from 40 localities, corresponding to a range of shallow-marine environments from cool-water carbonate ramp to tropical open shelf settings. Stratigraphically the finds range from the Volkhov to Pirgu regional stages (Dapingian to uppermost Katian). The pellets are elliptical or rod-shaped, 0.1–1.8 mm long and 0.08–0.75 mm in diameter, with the length/diameter ratio ranging from less than 2 to ca 6. They occur in shells of gastropods, bivalves, cephalopods, brachiopods, echinoderms and trilobites and represent two ichnospecies, Coprulus oblongus and Coprulus bacilliformis, and some intermediate forms belonging to the same ichnogenus. Additionally, two compound traces were identified: Tubularina (pellets inside small burrows with circular cross section) and Alcyonidiopsis (pellets inside ribbon-shaped burrows). The pellets were produced when the empty shells were located on the seafloor, or possibly during shallow burial in the oxic zone. The preservation of faecal pellets is due to an interaction of several factors, notably protection by the shells and rapid mineralization. The origin of trace makers remains speculative, but polychaete worms having compatible size and body plan and living representatives who produce similar faecal pellets are among the most likely groups. Possibly organisms with different feeding strategies were involved in producing the faecal pellets. Systematic examination of shelly fossils from selected localities showed that up to about half of the shells may contain pellets, which indicates great abundance and diversity of pellet-producing organisms in the Ordovician Baltoscandian basin. Our material also shows that the trace maker of Arachnostega was not related to the faecal pellets inside the shells.

The article elaborates on Dunn’s views on cosmopolitan medicine and broadens the term by applying it to a neighbouring field – cosmopolitan hereditary medicine. An overview is given of the movement’s contemporary trends, including esoteric teachings, homoeopathy, yoga, Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, music therapy, flower and aroma therapy as well as herbal medicine making use of new herbs – all of which have been introduced to Estonia via cultural cosmopolitanism. An outstanding feature is the attention given to a person’s holistic aspect, development of mentality and health behaviour. There is ongoing institutionalisation of traditional and complementary medicine practice, while educational courses and healing seances have moved from the city to rural health and tourism centres. One of the key values attributed to knowledge is its age, its ancient nature enabling the combination of different trends. Opportunities offered by local (vernacular) medicine are emphasised and new cultural interpretations are added. Mainstream trends are as follows: a) local complementary or alternative medicine as a segment of local folk medicine; b) health behaviour, lifestyle preventing or warding off disease (sauna culture, herbal medicine, release from city stress in natural surroundings, original music therapy, etc.); and c) introduction into the alternative worldview, mental self-development, and pluralistic folk belief.

Deep-level mining is under severe financial pressure from several unique challenges. One of these is maintaining acceptable underground temperatures for humans to work in while achieving demanding production targets. As mines regularly reach new depths, additional heat is added to the system, contributing to this problem. Accurate mine heat load studies are therefore required to ensure that heat sources are actively evaluated, managed, and mitigated through adequate cooling practices. However, present heat load models are based on design parameters that cater for worst-case scenarios. Most of these models are also based on outdated empirical data taken at a time when mining differed from the present. Industry 4.0 technologies provide potential optimisation benefits when integrated with new heat load models to ensure effective monitoring, and consequently dynamic management, of heat sources. The roll-out strategy presented in this article will serve as a real alternative to earlier and outdated heat load prediction models.

Internet memes represent a new vernacular genre, items of which are created and also distributed digitally. Every day, ever new information keeps flowing through the feeds of social media sites. Internet memes, unlike traditional folklore, are not meant to be conveyed from generation to generation, and rarely would one expect a recurrence of a meme that has already been seen and passed forward. New memes are being created constantly, representing every conceivable aspect of physical as well as virtual reality. The external world is represented through a seemingly anything-goes game of combining shapes and forms. Already in the current stage of development of the genre, we can notice that memes correspond to their users’ subcultural and other group-related preferences. Age-group specific meme use is also discernible. This paper focuses on the meme repertoire of schoolchildren in the Tartu region, which is published on special Facebook or Instagram pages. The empirical work consisted in observing the meme sites and interviewing those generating the memes. School memes are presented as depiction of the life in a particular school and used for generating a feeling of belonging within that school. By memeing, schoolchildren apply a certain kind of cultural knowledge, a memetic code, which is not necessarily accessible to adults – indeed, they might not even have encountered it. William Corsaro characterises peer group culture with keywords such as autonomy, control, conflict, and differentiation; the challenge is to make fun of the authority of adults. In school memes, we are witnessing not only a peer group counterculture, but also an endeavour by the group to create a certain distinct world of its own. The novel and youthful memetic form suits well for this project.

Snake venoms are aqueous solutions containing peptides and proteins with various biochemical, physiological, and pathophysiological effects. Several snake venom components are used as lead molecules in the development of new active substances for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, clotting disorders, cancer or pain.

The main problems in wireless sensor technologies are the constrained energy resources (e. g., battery capacity, processing consumption), and their long-lasting operational capacity in the environment while collecting and sending data to the central station. So, in the design and development of wireless sensor networks, one of the main challenges is to achieve maximal battery life. Real time monitoring by implementation of wireless sensor networks contributes to minimization of potential production risks, emerging mainly from environmental influences and human actions. The main goal in this paper is to obtain minimal energy consumption of wireless sensor nodes while collecting distributed data in environmental parameters monitoring. The communication module and the controller should be in idle state as long as possible when they are not active. Energy consumption changes with the frequency of the transmitted measurement data by the sensors and send/receive configuration of the radio frequency modules. Therefore, all of these parameters should be chosen carefully in order to create an optimal environmental monitoring system. In this contribution the stochastic optimization method-genetic algorithm is used to minimize the energy consumption of the wireless sensor nodes depending on the frequency of the transmitted data and the period of the transmission process. The optimization method is implemented for different scenarios while the frequency of the transmitted data is increasing and the period of transmission of all the active components in a sensor node is increasing.