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The current body of scholarly literature highlights the increasing importance of Mixed Reality (MR) in the field of education since it provides an alternative way through visual stimuli inside an immersive environment. In recent years, the possibility for educators to use Mixed Reality as an additional pedagogical instrument has witnessed notable growth. Furthermore, the implementation of MR technology enhances the perceived benefits of employing it as a solution to the challenges encountered in educating and acquiring sign language skills among children who have hearing impairments or are deaf. The development and testing of deaf-friendly techniques for teaching sign language to Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing (DHH) pupils utilizing modern MR technology is the key endeavor of our research. In light of the specific aspects of the pilot study and the suggestions and preferences expressed by the participants, as outlined in previous attempts, we have endeavored to develop a series of instructional modules on the topic of animals. These modules employ various methods of sign demonstration and incorporate visual representations and concise encyclopedic descriptions. To achieve our research objectives, a total of 21 deaf students, ranging in age from 9 to 14 years, were selected for this study. These students study in a mainstream school that have inclusive educational programs. The participants have been offered two options for evaluation: a laptop and the application specifically designed for the HoloLens 2.

The following paper discusses the potential of digital solutions in controlling remote work at Kazakhstan Railways, focusing on the example of implementing the “Dilau Tracker” application. This research was conducted to investigate how effectively this digital tool managed employee locations and working hours, among related metrics. Descriptive statistics and qualitative analysis are combined in this methodology to provide a general assessment of the application’s impact. Data from a specific application developed for the purpose was analyzed. The methods used combined descriptive statistics and qualitative analysis. Results depict that the “Dilau Tracker” immensely enhances remote work management through real-time monitoring, operational efficiency, and data accuracy. In that context, the research indicates proper appraisal requires integrating the application with existing railway systems. Other significant recommendations of this study will be to reduce manual errors through the application, optimize resource allocation, and help improve overall organizational productivity· However, the research also points out that some challenges—such as those with user adoption and technical integration—remain open for further study. The paper concludes by mentioning some recommendations for future research and practical implications for the transport sector regarding the role of digital solutions in coping with challenges brought about by emerging remote work management.

Abstract Introduction Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children worldwide. Aetiologic virus and bacteria vary geographically. To date, no systematic data on RTI aetiologies have been published from Kyrgyzstan, a country with a high under-five mortality from lower RTIs and a widespread overuse of antibiotics. We aimed to identify the aetiologies of RTI in children in Kyrgyzstan and to assess the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) vaccination rate and the correlation with the detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae in our population. Methods We collected samples from children aged 6 months to 12 years presenting with symptoms of acute RTI for outpatients or diagnosed with pneumonia for inpatients. Samples were collected from November 2022 to June 2023 and were analysed using standard culture methods and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to identify bacterial, viral, and atypical bacterial pathogens. We obtained the vaccination status through vaccination records and parents’ recollections. Results Positive bacteriologic cultures were found for 294 (25.0%) of 1174 outpatients and 83 (27.7%) of 300 inpatients. S. pneumoniae was the most commonly found bacterial pathogen in both groups, making up 44.8% of all cultured bacteria. Furthermore, 445 (64.1%) of 694 outpatients with RT-PCR performed had one or more viral pathogens identified, while this was the case for 162 (54.7%) of 296 inpatients. Mycoplasma pneumoniae was identified in 15.8% of inpatients possibly representing an epidemic in the spring of 2023. Approximately 20% of both in- and outpatients had a viral-bacterial simultaneous detection. 87.1% of outpatients and 75.9% of inpatients had been vaccinated with PCV. We found a higher proportion of unvaccinated children among those under five years of age and a higher carriage rate of S. pneumoniae among unvaccinated inpatients. Conclusion In this study, we found a high prevalence of viral infections and viral-bacterial simultaneous detections among Kyrgyz children with respiratory tract infections (RTI). The findings from this study can inform new clinical guidelines for local health workers and lead to more targeted use of antibiotics and improved health outcomes for children in Kyrgyzstan. Clinical Trial Not applicable.

Abstract Scanning trajectories are essential and important components of trajectory-based scanning and imaging systems such as laser scanning confocal microscopes, atomic force microscopes (AFM), laser scanning systems for aerial surveying (LiDAR), micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), medical imaging and 2D/3D printing. Previous study has demonstrated that Sinusoidal Lissajous is the optimal scanning trajectory and proposed that increasing the scanning repetition could further enhance image quality. However, it is challenging to pinpoint the essential elements needed to enhance the quality of the reconstructed images since there is currently no comprehensive analysis of how the scanning trajectory resolution and scanning time affect the reconstructed image quality. The purpose of this work is to look into the influence of scanning resolution and scanning time on the quality of magnetic particle imaging (MPI)-reconstructed images across a variety of scanning trajectories. This study offers a comprehensive analysis of how scanning repetition and scanning time affect the reconstructed images’ quality at the individual pixel in the field of view (FOV) as well as throughout the entire FOV. The impacts of the scanning time were investigated both before and after image reconstruction. In the pre-reconstruction phase, the minimum and maximum distances to the closest neighboring points in the FOV and their distribution in different regions of the FOV were analyzed in order to investigate the density, homogeneity, and time spent on each pixel. Here, we demonstrated that the image resolution for any scanning trajectory is scale invariance, meaning that for a fixed frequency ratio $$\:{N}_{P}$$ , the ratio of pixel size to image FOV size remains constant. Peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), structural similarity index measure (SSIM), normalized root mean square error (NRMSE), and normalized sum of squared error (NSSE) are used to evaluate and compare the reconstructed images’ quality in the post-reconstruction stage. It is found that the Sinusoidal Lissajous scanning trajectory is the best in terms of accuracy, structural similarity, and signal-to-noise. We showed that only the image quality for bidirectional Cartesian and sinusoidal Lissajous trajectories are sensitive to scanning time, particularly at the pixel scale. Furthermore, contrary to expectations, we discovered that optimizing the scanning repetition did not enhance the MPI-reconstructed image quality. Nevertheless, the image quality would be enhanced by extending the scanning duration through decreasing the scanning frequency. The optimal scanning frequency is half of the frequently used 25 kHz for the chosen $$\:{N}_{P}$$ ratio of 100.

Influence of the sulfur doping on the structural, optical, electrical and magnetic properties of ZnMnO thin films fabricated using the ultrasonic spray pyrolysis technique was investigated. Our study reveals that increasing sulfur content leads to a noticeable shift in the band gap energy towards the red spectrum, an indicator of altered electronic states and potential for enhanced spintronic functionalities. The strong reduction in the band gap for the sulfur doped ZnMnO alloys is the result of the upward shift of the valence-band edge. As a result, the room temperature bandgap of ZnMnO1-xSx alloys can be tuned from 3.2 eV to 2.97 eV for x ≤ 0.2. The observed large bowing in the composition dependence of the energy bandgap arises from the anticrossing interactions between the valence-band of ZnO and the localized sulfur level above the ZnMnO valence-band maximum. The doping process significantly modifies the ferromagnetic properties, with an observed increase in Curie temperature correlating with higher sulfur concentrations. These changes are attributed to the increased free holes concentration, which facilitates a more robust exchange interaction between the magnetic ions. Additionally, the structural assessments via scanning electron microscopy confirm the uniform integration of sulfur into the ZnMnO matrix, resulting in distinct nanocrystalline formations. This study contributes to the understanding of doping mechanisms in semiconductor materials, especially for highly mismatched alloys, where the anions are partially substituted with isovalent atoms of considerably different size and/or electronegativity, offering insights into the tunability of their magnetic and electronic properties for potential future applications in spintronic devices.

In the article, a one-year energy analysis of 4 on-grid solar stations with capacities of 49.5kW, 53.76kW, 39.6kW and 52.8kW installed on the roof of the building was carried out. It is important to know the efficiency of the use of such solar plants in the world, gradually abandoning the amount of traditional fuel and switching to green energy. Payback periods and CUF coefficients of the station were calculated using the annual energy production. An average payback period of 4.24 years was found for the stations. The best result for CUF belongs to IV station equal to 17.4%, and the smallest value is equal to 8.21% for II station. The annual amounts of energy produced were 58.79MWh, 38.76MWh, 50.05MWh and 80.67MWh, respectively. Despite the high temperature and pollution, the stations had their best energy production in June. In the future, such solar plants on the roof are considered promising projects, because they do not require additional space and are the reason for the cheapest initial investment.

The use of solar energy, which is one of the renewable energy sources, is increasing every year. And the installed capacity of solar plants is also increasing all over the world. This shows that the transition to green energy is accelerating. It will be beneficial to monitor the useful working capacities of such solar plants installed in the world, and in our country, the amount of energy produced, and the performance of months and seasons. In the article, the annual amount of energy produced by an on-grid solar plant with a capacity of 200.75kW is equal to 198.32MWh, and calculations give the payback period is 5.6 years. The maximum value of the installed capacity utilization coefficient was 19.57% in June, the minimum value was 5.41% in January, and the average annual value was 11.25%. In addition, the specific energy coefficient peaked at 4.7 kWh/kW in June. During the winter months, it reached its lowest values, with 1.53 kWh/kW in December, 1.3 kWh/kW in January, and 1.54 kWh/kW in February.

Background. The importance of studying spatial environmental asymmetry determines not only the prospects for the placement of "nature-dependent" activities, but also the need for balanced spatial development of the country's regions, taking into account the uneven allocation of ecosystem benefits. Goal. Substantiation of the critical influence of the space factor on the environmental parameters of the development of the regions of Southern Russia. Methods. The study is based on a systematic methodology and a spatial approach that constitute the South of Russia as a meso-level environmental management formation within the borders of adjacent subjects of the Southern and North Caucasian Federal Districts. Results. The complex orography of the terrain, the diversity of climatic factors and the variety of landscape characteristics in the South of Russia form the natural prerequisites for a high fragmentation and mosaic of the natural space. Thus, the difference in the provision of ecosystem goods between the southern regions is 18.1 times in the share of protected areas, 23 times in the density of the river network, 56.9 times in the number of deposits and mineral manifestations, 111.2 and 162.1 times in the availability of water resources and agricultural land, respectively, 183.5 times in the forested area, 329.4 times in the density of watercourses. Equally, the reasons for the high environmental interregional asymmetry are sectoral specialization and the architectonics of economic activity, concentrated in the most developed regions of the South of the Russian Federation, such as Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories, Volgograd and Rostov regions, which account for 71.1% of emissions and 79.0% of discharges of pollutants, 75.9% of production and consumption waste, 50.3% of sampling, 66.6% use and 50.0% of water losses, 80.4% of production and 69.5% of electricity consumption, 60.6% of farmland, 81.9% of arable land. Conclusions. The main factors of high fragmentation, interregional asymmetry of the natural resource space of the South of Russia are the mosaic of landscape characteristics that affect the spatial distribution and typological polymorphism of ecosystem goods, as well as the industry specifics of the economy and the explication of the economic landscape on the southern borders of the country, which determine the parameters of regional nature management.

Introduction The advancement of surgery is set against a backdrop of continuous development and surgical innovations have transformed the way clinical care is delivered. Revision surgery might be required to address complications of primary arthroplasty. The first stage of revision arthroplasty would involve removal of an implant and placement of an antibiotic-impregnated cement spacer to maintain the joint space and stability, prevent soft tissue retraction, provide local antibiotic release and preserve bone tissue for revision implantation at the final stage of revision. Custom-made articulating spacers are a promising tool for optimizing the first stage of revision arthroplasty. The objective was to summarize the current data and present comprehensive information about spacers used in two-stage revision arthroplasty including manufacturing techniques, physical and chemical properties, clinical applications, the possibility of customization within the first stage of revision arthroplasty, current and promising directions for research. Material and methods The original literature search was conducted on key resources including Scientific Electronic Library (www.elibrary.ru), the National Library of Medicine (www.pubmed.org), the Cochraine Library (www.cochranelibrary.com) between 2018 and 2023 using search words and phrases: total arthroplasty, complications, revision arthroplasty, articulating spacer, periprosthetic joint infection, additive manufacturing, 3D printing. Results A comparative analysis of factory supplied, home-made, dynamic and static spacer models showed that the choice of articulating spacers for revision arthroplasty of major joints is of great relevance. Advantages of factory-made spacers include standardized range of sizes, the reliability and availability for medical institutions. They are characterized by limited use in repair of severe bone defects. Discussion Custom-made articulating spacers enable specific tailoring to accommodate individual defects. Despite high expectations from custom-made spacers, development of optimal technologies for rapid prototyping is essential. Investments in research and development in this area have the potential to create innovative solutions that can significantly improve the results of revision arthroplasty. Conclusion The paper explores the importance of systemization of knowledge about spacers and the role of new research in improving the design and functionality. Progress in the field of materials science, additive technologies and a personalized approach to spacer manufacturing can expand possibilities of revision arthroplasty and the effectiveness. Personalized approaches and improved methods of local drug delivery that provide controlled release of antibiotics can improve the results of treatment of periprosthetic joint infections.

Whether university support is meaningful in increasing students' entrepreneurial intentions (EI) remains largely under-investigated, especially in the context of Central Asian countries. In this study, we attempted to address this question by examining the effects of university support (comprised of educational support, concept development support, and business development support) on students' EI. We employed a structured questionnaire to collect data from 793 student respondents enrolled in 13 universities in Kyrgyzstan and performed descriptive and inferential statistical analyses. Our analyses indicated that participants' perceptions of EI and university support differed significantly according to their demographic backgrounds. Only educational support had a significant positive influence on EI. Moreover, our results indicated segmental differences in students' perceptions of university support. We argue that universities in Kyrgyzstan should re-evaluate the entrepreneurial support they provide to students, consider their segmental differences, and engage them in more efficient activities. Additionally, we urge policymakers to emphasise the establishment of an effective entrepreneurial ecosystem within the university setting.

The water cycle is an important component of the earth system and it plays a key role in many facets of society, including energy production, agriculture, and human health and safety. In this study, the Energy Exascale Earth System Model version 1 (E3SMv1) is run with low-resolution (roughly 110 km) and high-resolution (roughly 25 km) configurations—as established by the High Resolution Model Intercomparison Project protocol—to evaluate the atmospheric and terrestrial water budgets over the conterminous United States (CONUS) at the large watershed scale. The warm season water cycle slows down in the HR experiment relative to the LR, with decreasing fluxes of precipitation, evapotranspiration, atmospheric moisture convergence, and runoff. The reductions in these terms exacerbate biases for some watersheds, while reducing them in others. For example, precipitation biases are exacerbated at HR over the Eastern and Central CONUS watersheds, while precipitation biases are reduced at HR over the Western CONUS watersheds. The most pronounced changes with resolution to the water cycle come from reductions in precipitation and evapotranspiration. The reduction in evapotranspiration reduces the biases across nearly all of the CONUS. Additional exploratory metrics show improvements to water cycle extremes (both in precipitation and streamflow), fractional contributions of different storm types to total precipitation, and mountain snowpack.

Abstract Production scalability, efficiency, and stability challenges continue to impede the commercial viability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In this study, a multifunctional passivation technique is introduced, designed to enhance the efficiency and stability of printable, air‐processed PSCs with laminated carbon electrodes. This findings indicate that tin(II) phthalocyanine (SnPC) molecules act as an interfacial layer between the absorber and the hole‐transporting layer (HTL), effectively passivating surface trap states and facilitating hole extraction. Optimal SnPC surface treatment reduces the trap density in the perovskite layer from 2.1 × 1015 to 1.5 × 1015 cm−3, increases carrier mobility (from 2.7 × 10−3 to 2.8 × 10−3 cm2 Vs−1), and extends carrier lifetime. SEM, AFM, EDS, and XPS analyses confirm the presence of SnPC on the perovskite layer surface and its influence on surface morphology. Devices treated with an optimal SnPC concentration exhibit significant efficiency improvements, from 6.4% to 8.5%, along with a threefold increase in photo‐stability. Thus, SnPC may serve as a passivating buffer layer for the perovskite surface, offering protection against photo‐degradation.

BACKGROUND: Drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) remains a major public health threat. In 2022, Uzbekistan reported 2,117 cases of DR-TB, with 69% tested for fluoroquinolone resistance. Limited information is available on the prevalence of resistance to bedaquiline, linezolid, and fluoroquinolone, which are key components of the all-oral treatment regimen for rifampicin-resistant TB in Uzbekistan. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted using extensive programmatic data from 2019 to 2023 in Uzbekistan. We assessed second-line drug-resistant TB (SLDR-TB) rates using phenotypic drug susceptibility testing (pDST). Demographic and clinical characteristics associated with SLDR-TB were analysed using multivariable logistic regression models based on the Allen-Cady approach. RESULTS: In total, 2,405 patients with TB who had undergone pDST were included (median age 40 years, 47% female). The overall SLDR-TB resistance rate was 24% (95% CI 22–26). Prevalence of resistance to bedaquiline, linezolid, moxifloxacin, levofloxacin, and amikacin were respectively 3.1%, 0.8%, 15%, 13%, and 12%. Risk factors for SLDR-TB were resistance to rifampicin and/or isoniazid, exposure to clofazimine, retreatment status, contact with drug-susceptible TB case or DR-TB case, and diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of SLDR-TB is of major concern, emphasising the need for baseline pDST in RR-TB treatment. Identified risk factors can aid early detection of at-risk individuals and inform clinical practice.

BACKGROUND: Isoniazid (INH, H) resistance is the most common drug-resistant TB pattern, with treatment success rates lower than those in drug-susceptible TB. The WHO recommends a 6-month regimen of rifampicin (RIF, R), ethambutol (EMB, E), pyrazinamide (PZA, Z), and levofloxacin (Lfx) (6REZLfx) for INH-resistant, RIF-susceptible TB (HRRS-TB). Uzbekistan has a high burden of TB (62/100,000 population) and multidrug-resistant TB (12/100,000 population). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, descriptive study of microbiologically confirmed HRRS-TB using routinely collected programmatic data from 2009 to 2020. RESULTS: We included 854 HRRS-TB cases. Treatment success was 80.2% overall. For REZLfx, the treatment success rate was 92.0% over a short treatment duration, with no amplifications to RIF or second-line anti-TB drug resistance. We documented 46 regimens with REZLfx plus linezolid (success 87.0%) and 539 regimens using kanamycin or capreomycin (success 76.6%). We identified 37 treatment failures (4.3%), 30 deaths (3.5%), 25 resistance amplifications (2.9%), including eight to RIF (0.9%), and 99 lost to follow-up (LTFU) cases (11.6%). Unsuccessful outcomes were more common with older age, diabetes, chest X-ray cavities, smear positivity, smear-positive persistence, and male sex. LTFU was more common with injection-containing regimens. CONCLUSIONS: REZLfx is a safe and effective first-line treatment for INH-resistant, RIF-susceptible TB. Treatment success was lower and LTFU was higher for injection-containing regimens.

Aims: Pesticides are actively used in agriculture to protect crops from pests, and accurate determination of the concentration of their active ingredient is critical to ensuring their efficacy and safety. The research aims to develop a methodology that will enable the accurate determination of the mass concentration of diflubenzuron, a widely used active ingredient in pesticide formulations. This is achieved through the use of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Methods: The proposed method for determining the mass concentration of diflubenzuron using HPLC was developed through a series of experiments and optimisation steps. The sample preparation procedure was optimised to extract the maximum amount of diflubenzuron from the pesticide formulation. Result: The chromatography conditions were optimised to separate diflubenzuron from other components in the sample matrix. A calibration approach was established for accurate quantification of diflubenzuron in the sample based on peak area measurements. The developed method can be widely used in agriculture, where accurate determination of diflubenzuron concentrations in pesticide formulations is critical for proper application and regulatory compliance. Both regulatory organizations and pesticide manufacturers can use it for batch-release testing and quality control to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pesticide products. In addition, the method can serve as a valuable tool for researchers and analysts working with pesticide residues in crops and environmental monitoring studies. Conclusion: The optimised sample preparation, chromatography conditions, and calibration approach provide reliable and reproducible results.

The emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens in clinical settings has intensified the search for new probiotic strains with both health benefits and technological utility. This study aims to identify and characterize promising antimicrobial cultures derived from milk and dairy products, capable of inhibiting opportunistic pathogens. The samples of dairy products were collected from various markets across Kazakhstan. Microorganisms isolated from these samples underwent identification through 16S rRNA and ITS gene sequencing, using the BLAST algorithm. Their antimicrobial activity was assessed using the delayed antagonism method against pathogenic microorganisms including E. coli, S. aureus, Pseudomonas sp., Candida sp., and B. subtilis. Additionally, the isolates were evaluated for resistance to environmental stress factors such as temperature, pH, salt, ethanol, glucose, and peroxide. From 24 distinct samples, 33 isolates were purified, with 15 demonstrating high viability (108–109 CFU/mL) and stress resistance. Notably, Lacticaseibacillus casei AK and Enterococcus faecium KS exhibited resistance to all tested stress conditions. Antimicrobial screening revealed strong activity by strains LP, LB, and S-2 against multiple pathogens. Genotyping and carbohydrate fermentation tests identified these effective isolates as belonging to the genera Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Enterococcus, Lactiplantibacillus, Streptococcus, and the yeast genus Pichia. This study underscores the industrial and health potential of the identified microorganisms. Prominent among the strains, Lactiplantibacillus pentosus LP, Lacticaseibacillus casei AK, Lactiplantibacillus argentoratensis LB, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum S-2, and Enterococcus faecium KS have been recognized as potent probiotics. These strains exhibit broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity coupled with robust stress tolerance, making them suitable candidates for probiotic applications.

Summary: Background: Addressing the global antibacterial resistance crisis and aligning with the Kyrgyz Ministry of Health’s research priorities, this study assesses the efficacy and safety of C-reactive protein (CRP) testing to guide antibiotic prescriptions in children with acute respiratory tract infections (ARTI) in Kyrgyzstan. Methods: In this open label individually randomised controlled trial, children aged 6 months to 12 years with ARTI in primary care settings were assigned to receive either standard care or standard care plus CRP testing. The study measured two primary outcomes: total antibiotic usage over a 14-day follow-up and caregiver-reported time to recovery. Follow-up assessments (days 3, 7, 14) were blinded. Trial registration: NCT05195866. Findings: A total of 1204 patients were randomised. Antibiotic use was lower in the CRP group (216/601, 36%) compared to the control group (362/603, 60%; Risk difference: 24 percentage points; 95% confidence interval (CI): 15–34). There was no significant difference in time to recovery (log-rank test p = 0.090) and the prespecified non-inferiority margin of one day was not exceeded. Hospital admissions were similar in both groups (CRP: 31 (5%), control: 26 (4%); odds ratio (OR) 1.20, 95% CI 0.69–2.10), but the CRP group re-consulted more often (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.01–1.71) during the 14 days of follow-up. Interpretation: Implementing CRP testing in primary care for paediatric ARTI in Kyrgyzstan significantly reduced antibiotic use without negative effects on safety, supporting its role in national antimicrobial stewardship strategies. Funding: International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions (ICARS).