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Background. Przewalski’s horse is included in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the Red Data Book of Ukraine as an endangered species. To confirm the uniqueness and consolidation of rare animal species, cytogenetic and molecular genetic monitoring is necessary. Obtaining biological material (blood) for genetic research is preceded by immobilization of wild ungulates. The successful selection of drugs for the purpose of sedation and analgesia helps to preserve the life and health of the animal. Materials and Methods. Przewalski’s wild horse population (10 heads) of the F. E. Falz-Fein “Askania-Nova” biosphere reserve, immobilization of animals with the Madison drug and the Reverson antidote, cytogenetic and molecular genetic (ISSR-fingerprinting) analysis. Results. The effectiveness indicators of doses of Madison and Reverson were: in horses m = 200 kg – a dose of Madison 20 mL/head, immobilization after 22 min, in horses m = 300 kg, a dose of Madison – 25 mL/head, immobilization in 20–22 min. The Reverson antidote was applied in the following doses: animal m = 200 kg – a dose of Reverson 5–15 mL/goal, cessation of the sedative effect – 12 min; animal m = 300 kg – a dose of Reverson 5–15 mL/goal, cessation of the sedative effect – 18 min. Observation of the effect of the drugs did not reveal any negative side effects. Cytogenetic analysis determined the karyotype norm of somatic cells with 2n = 66 chromosomes. Genomic disorders, aneuploidy, accounted for 6.7%, polyploidy – 1.3 %. Structural violations (chromosomal and chromatid breaks) were not detected. The results of the micronucleus test: the share of lymphocytes with a micronucleus – 3.0 ‰, binuclear lymphocytes – 2.3 ‰, mitotic index – 7.7 ‰. Genetic indicators of the population of Przewalski’s horses according to ISSR markers: when using (GA)9C as a primer, microsatellite repeats of polymorphic loci were not found, and according to primer (GAG)6C – 50 % of polymorphic loci. The main indicators of genetic diversity, with the help of ISSR markers: the share of polymorphic loci was 25 %, the average gene diversity per locus – 0.39, the Shannon–Wiener information index – 2.5. Conclusions. No negative side effects occur when Madison and Reverson drugs are used to immobilize Przewalski’s horses. According to the results of cytogenetic analy­sis, the stability of the karyotype of the studied animals was established. The study of genetic polymorphism of the horse population by ISSR markers (AG)9C and (GAG)6C indicates a high degree of genetic consolidation. All tested animals are relatively safe according to the revealed intra-population genetic diversity.

Leiomyosarcomas of the inferior vena cava (IVC) are uncommon malignancies. There is limited research detailing optimal diagnostic and clinical management. Here, we present 2 unique cases of IVC leiomyosarcoma including one in which the mass was partially ruptured through the vessel at initial presentation. We detail radiologic findings, 2 different transvenous approaches for biopsy of these masses, and subsequent oncological management.

Lactate levels in humans reveal intensity and duration of exertion and provide a critical readout for the severity of life-threatening illnesses such as pediatric sepsis. Using the lactate oxidase enzyme (Lox) from Aerococcus viridians, we demonstrated its functionality for lactate electrochemical sensing in physiological fluids in a lab setting. The structure and dynamics of LOx were validated by crystallography, X-ray scattering, and hydroxyl radical protein footprinting. This provided a validated protein template for understanding and designing an enzyme-based electrochemical sensing elements. Using this template, LOx enzyme variants were generated and compared. Comparison of the variants demonstrates that one exhibits effective lactate sensing at significantly reduced operating voltages. Additionally, we demonstrate that the four hexahistidine-tags on each enzyme tetramer are sufficient for immobilization to create a durable, functional sensor, with no need for a covalent attachment, enabling self-immobilization and eliminating the need for additional immobilization steps. The functionality of the LOx enzyme variants was verified at physiological lactate concentrations in both human serum (0–4 mM) and artificial sweat (0–100 mM) using 3-electrode setups for analysis of the three variants in parallel. Accuracy of measurement in both artificial sweat and human serum were high. Employing a microfluidic flow cell, we successfully monitored varying lactate levels in physiological fluids continuously over a 2h period. Overall, this optimized LOx enzyme, which self-immobilizes onto gold sensing electrodes, facilitates efficient and reliable lactate detection and continuous monitoring at reduced operating voltages suitable for further development towards commercial use.

The paper considers the peculiarities of creating digital copies of objects using reverse engineering technology. The main process used in reverse engineering is the processing of digital copies of objects, which is called photogrammetry. The reverse engineering process consists of the following stages. First, a 3D scan of the product and scan data processing is performed. The received digital data (polygonal mesh) is converted into a CAD file, which can be used to change the shape and topology of the model in accordance with the project. Based on this, an analysis of the two main technologies on which photogrammetry is based was performed: 1) laser triangulation method (laser scanners are used), 2) structured light method (optical scanners are used). The main disadvantages of using laser triangulation when scanning machine parts and methods of reducing their negative impact on the final result are given. The process of determining the position of a point when scanning parts by the laser triangulation method is considered in detail. Equations for normalizing the position of the point and equations that remove the distortion of the point due to the aberration of the camera lens are given. An equation for determining the width of a laser beam is presented, on the basis of which its main geometric characteristics are determined. A general diagram of the influence of the main factors on the quality of the process of scanning parts by the method of laser triangulation is constructed. One of the varieties of scanning objects using structured light is the range imaging (SfM) technique. The SfM technique is a process of estimating a three-dimensional structure from a sequence of two-dimensional images that can be associated with local traffic signals. The position of the camera in space is used to find the x,y,z coordinates of each pixel. An overview of the main software for creating and editing a structured polygonal mesh based on scan data is carried out. As a study of the process of reverse engineering technology, a connecting rod of a car engine was scanned by the SfM method and its digital model was created.

Purpose: The photopic negative response (PhNR) is an electrophysiological method that provides retinal ganglion cell function assessment using full-field stimulation that does not require clear optics or refractive correction. The purpose of this study was to assess ganglion cell function by PhNR in affected and asymptomatic carriers from Brazilian families with LHON. Methods: Individuals either under suspicion or previously diagnosed with LHON and their family members were invited to participate in this cross-sectional study. Screening for the most frequent LHON mtDNA mutations was performed. Visual acuity, color discrimination, visual fields, pattern-reversal visual evoked potentials (PRVEP), full-field electroretinography and PhNR were tested. A control group of healthy subjects was included. Full-field ERG PhNR were recorded using red (640 nm) flashes at 1 cd.s/m2, on blue (470 nm) rod saturating background. PhNR amplitude (μV) was measured using baseline-to-trough (BT). Optical coherence tomography scans of both the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell complex (GCC) were measured. PhNR amplitudes among affected, carriers and controls were compared by Kruskal-Wallis test followed by post-hoc Dunn test. The associations between PhNR amplitude and OCT parameters were analyzed by Spearman rank correlation. Results: Participants were 24 LHON affected patients (23 males, mean age=30.5 ± 11.4 yrs) from 19 families with the following genotype: m.11778G>A [N = 15 (62%), 14 males]; m.14484T>C [N = 5 (21%), all males] and m.3460G>A [N = 4 (17%), all males] and 14 carriers [13 females, mean age: 43.2 ± 13.3 yrs; m.11778G>A (N = 11); m.3460G>A (N = 2) and m.14484T>C (N = 1)]. Controls were eight females and seven males (mean age: 32.6 ± 11.5 yrs). PhNR amplitudes were significantly reduced (p = 0.0001) in LHON affected (-5.96 ± 3.37 μV) compared to carriers (-16.53 ± 3.40 μV) and controls (-23.91 ± 4.83; p < 0.0001) and in carriers compared to controls (p = 0.01). A significant negative correlation was found between PhNR amplitude and total macular ganglion cell thickness (r = -0.62, p < 0.05). Severe abnormalities in color discrimination, visual fields and PRVEPs were found in affected and subclinical abnormalities in carriers. Conclusions: In this cohort of Brazilian families with LHON the photopic negative response was severely reduced in affected patients and mildly reduced in asymptomatic carriers suggesting possible subclinical abnormalities in the latter. These findings were similar among pathogenic mutations.

Allosteric regulation plays an important role in many biological processes, such as signal transduction, transcriptional regulation, and metabolism. Allostery is rooted in the fundamental physical properties of macromolecular systems, but its underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. A collection of contributions to a recent interdisciplinary CECAM (Center Européen de Calcul Atomique et Moléculaire) workshop is used here to provide an overview of the progress and remaining limitations in the understanding of the mechanistic foundations of allostery gained from computational and experimental analyses of real protein systems and model systems. The main conceptual frameworks instrumental in driving the field are discussed. We illustrate the role of these frameworks in illuminating molecular mechanisms and explaining cellular processes, and describe some of their promising practical applications in engineering molecular sensors and informing drug design efforts.

We combine micromagnetic simulations and nitrogen-vacancy (NV) defect center spin relaxometry measurements to study magnon modes in inhomogeneous spin textures. A thin, micrometer-scale ferromagnetic disk is magnetized in a vortex state in which the magnetization curls around a central core. Micromagnetic simulations show that at zero applied field, the magnetization dynamics of the disk consist of a low frequency gyrotropic mode and higher frequency azimuthal magnon modes, all far detuned from the NV spin transition frequencies. An in-plane static magnetic field breaks the azimuthal symmetry of the vortex state, resulting in the magnon modes transforming in frequency and spatial profile as the field increases. Experimentally, we probe the dynamics of vortex magnetization as a function of applied in-plane static field and ac driving frequency by optically monitoring a nearby NV defect center spin. At certain values of the applied magnetic field, we observe enhanced spin relaxation when driving at twice the frequency of the NV ground state spin transition in optically detected magnetic resonance measurements. We attribute this effect to parallel pumping of a magnon mode in the disk producing magnons at half the excitation frequency. Micromagnetic simulations support this finding, showing spatial and spectral overlap of a confined magnon mode and an NV spin transition, with sufficient interaction strength to explain the observed signal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estudiar el paisaje de la ciudad. Metodología para catálogos de paisaje urbano Lucas Períes y Silvina Barraud. 2023. Nobuko/Diseño. 176 páginas. Idioma español. ISBN 9781643607412

In the field of remote sensing (RS), image super-resolution (SR) techniques play a crucial role across various applications. Traditional SR methods face challenges when applied to long-term coverage datasets with limited spatial resolution. However, recent advancements in deep learning have opened up new possibilities for improving the spatial resolution of RS data. While many convolutional neural network (CNN)- based approaches have achieved excellent performance in developing efficient end-to-end SR models for natural images, they have been less frequently applied to satellite image upscaling with high scale factors. This paper introduces a novel CNN block that enhances the performance of SRGAN-based models. Experimental results show that these architectures benefit from additional data, especially when low-resolution images provide insufficient feature information.

See the retraction notice BIO Web of Conferences 84, 00001 (2024), https://doi.org/10.1051/bioconf/20248400001

Agriculture industry in Russia is an important part of the economy. Therefore, this industry must be highly efficient and profitable. The usage of remote sensing data for field monitoring makes it possible to simplify the process of collecting information on sown areas and increase the efficiency of this economic sector. Agricultural crops show up well on satellite images and are relatively easy to decipher both in terms of texture and spectral characteristics. However, even for deciphering well-distinguishable objects, large labor costs and high qualification of the performer are required. Recently, active work has been carried out to automate monitoring performed on satellite images, however, these methods are at the initial stage of development and are mostly created for narrowly focused individual areas of activity. The aim of the study is the development of a methodology for automated processing of spatial data of agricultural designation. The novelty of the research lies in the absence of methods for automated decoding in this area. The article describes a study of the possibilities of automated image processing, the analysis of the necessary spectral characteristics and vegetation indices, and the application of the machine learning algorithm used in the methodology. The development of software and hardware implementation of the methodology in Python programming language for geographic information system QGIS is presented. The software and hardware implementation of this methodology allowed to perform automated processing of images of agricultural designation and to identify the objects displayed on them.

This study includes work related to the analysis of satellite telemetry data. Prior to that, the focus is on investigating various ways of finding anomalies in telemetry data. Both traditional statistical approaches, such as outlier analysis and process control, and modern machine learning techniques, such as deep learning algorithms and anomaly detection techniques, are covered in this. It is seeking to decide on a machine learning model that can identify anomalies in telemetry data. This requires the analysis of several machine learning algorithms, their comparison, and evaluation using a small spacecraft telemetry dataset. This work needs to identify the most suitable and effective methods for detecting anomalies in satellite telemetry data.

The system presented in the study is designed to increase the share of automation in the process of interaction with small spacecraft (SSС) at all stages of operation. Automatic operation of the system will reduce the cost of human resources, the number of errors in management, and increase the time of uninterrupted and continuous operation. The system independently calculates the time of all possible sessions of a group of small spacecrafts with a ground station; forms on its basis a schedule for the operation of a ground station, taking into account historical and future calculation sessions; implements control of the rotary antenna according to the compiled session schedule; decodes telemetry data, writes it to the database, carries out preprocessing and visualization. The system was developed taking into account possible scaling to several receiving stations.

The paper considers the use of chelated forms of micronutrients for feeding broilers. The study aims to investigate the chemical composition of broiler meat in the case of broiler chickens of Cobb-500 cross, provided Zn, Cu, and Mn chelated forms are supplied to the diet. Experimental studies were conducted in 2020 on broiler chickens of Cobb-500 cross. Two groups of 20 birds were formed to study the chemical composition of poultry meat. The birds of the control group received an essential diet supplied with sulfates of Zn, Cu, and Mn. The birds of the experimental group received a diet enriched with chelated compounds of Zn, Cu, and Mn. The study has shown that introducing Zn, Cu, and Mn chelated compounds into the diet of broiler chickens has no adverse effect on the chemical composition of meat. It has also been determined that the meat of broilers eating feed supplied with chelated micronutrients contains significantly less cholesterin but more Ca, Zn, Cu, and Mn, and several essential amino acids. These indicators prove an increase in the health benefits of chicken meat.

Purpose. To investigate the efficacy of the prevention and treatment of post-diplostomatosis in carp using Brovadazole-20 and to provide recommendations for its use in aquaculture. Methodology. The study was conducted during 2015-2021 in pond farms of Vinnytsia region. The object of the study were age-1+ carps. The disinvasive properties of different concentrations of Brovadazole-20 were studied at the Research Laboratory of Ichthyopathology of Vasyl Stus Donetsk National University. Brovadazole-20 was used in 10 experimental groups as a part of a medicated feed mixture (MFM) containing from 0.1% to 1.0% of the product by making a granular feed. The daily dose of MFM for treatment was 2.5% by weight of fish. Subjects were clinically observed for 56 days after drug administration with an interval of two weeks. On the 14th day, samples were taken again and examined, as in the diagnosis. Examinations of skin scrapings for postodiplostomosis metacercariae in age-0+ fish were performed until the disappearance of clinical signs of the disease. The efficacy of Brovadazole-20 was determined as changes in black spots of different sizes on the body and the results of microscopy of skin scrapings for metacercariae in age-0+ fish. Findings. The study showed that administration of Brovadazole-20 at low concentrations as a part of a therapeutic feed mixture for fish in the spring and summer did not affect the presence of detected metacercariae in the study objects. The highest content of metacercariae (68.7%) was observed on the 56th day of the experiment at a concentration of 0.1%. At the same exposure regime, but at a concentration of 0.5%, the content of metacercariae of digenean trematode Posthodiplostomum cuticola in the sample was only 18.7%, and clinical signs of the disease were absent at a concentration of 0.6%. Originality. For the first time in the Vinnytsia region, a study was conducted on the use of prophylactic and therapeutic product Brovadazole-20 in postdiplostomosis in carp reared in pond conditions. Practical value. The results of this work provide recommendations on the use of prophylactic and therapeutic product Brovadazole-20 for the treatment and prevention of postodiplostomosis in carp.

Excessive use and abuse of disinfectants over the past century has created problems associated with the emergence of resistant microorganisms. In addition, there is always a potential risk to human and animal health, as the use of aggressive disinfectants can lead to diseases. The purpose of the study was to investigate the toxicity of an ex perimental disinfectant to determine the possibility of its use in the presence of humans and animals. Study material – an experimental product (water-soluble disinfection powder). Experimental studies were conducted at the premises of a certified vivarium of the ECOMEDCHIM regional centre of Sumy State University and Sumy National Agrarian University. Acute toxicity of the preparation was studied on 30 white mice weighing 19.5±1.0 and 15 white rats weighing 200±15.0 g. Determination of toxicity by prolonged oral administration was studied in two analogous groups of white rats, 6 animals each with a bodyweight of 185±10.0 g. The effect of the preparation on the state of internal organs was evaluated by comparing relative mass coefficients. The local irritating effect of the preparation was determined by skin applications on 10 rabbits weighing 2.97±0.3 kg. The disinfectant, when administered orally once at doses of 1,250, 2,500, and 5,000 mg/kg of body weight, did not cause the death of experimental mice and rats. When administered orally for 30 days at a dose of 2,500 mg/kg of body weight, the disinfectant did not cause any negative and toxic effects on the body of experimental rats, did not affect the growth and development of rats, and did not cause changes in the relative mass of internal organs. It was found that the average manifestation of erythema in rabbits is 2.46. According to the study results, it was found that the disinfectant can be classified as Hazard Class 4 according to the international standard GOST 12.1.007-76, or Category 5 according to the international global classification Global Harmonised System (GHS) (LD50 with oral administration exceeds 5,000 mg/kg of body weight). The results obtained give grounds to assert the possibility of using an experimental disinfectant in the presence of humans and animals

Abstract Recently, it has been recommended that population-based studies report not only frequencies of vision impairment and blindness but also any ocular abnormalities that might lead an individual to seek for eyecare services. The current study aimed to determine prevalence of ocular findings regardless of visual acuity (VA) status in older adults from the Brazilian Amazon Region. Disturbances were grouped into: Eyelids; Anterior Segment; Posterior Segment; Increased intraocular pressure; and Overall Globe. The presence of an ocular finding was considered positive when any abnormality was noted, regardless of VA. Refractive errors were not considered. A total 2384 eligible persons were enumerated and 2041 (85.6%) examined. The prevalence of ocular disturbances in either eye was 87.0% and was associated with male gender, older age, lower education, and rural residence. Overall, main findings were pterygium, cataract, and pinguecula, occurring in 58.8%, 45.4% and 17.4%, respectively. Among individuals with 20/20 VA in both eyes, the most frequent findings were pterygium, pinguecula, and glaucoma cupping, occurring in 47.4%, 31.2% and 6.5%, respectively. The high prevalence of ocular findings observed in this population reinforces that different conditions might not immediately decrease VA but can indicate risk and/or discomfort symptoms and should be considered when planning public health ophthalmic services.

Antiparasitic treatment and prophylactic measures in dairy cattle breeding are often not carried out on time due to the opposition of managers and owners of farms. The rejection of the necessary treatments for dairy cows is caused by the forced disposal of a significant amount of milk during the withdrawal period of a particular preparation, during which milk contains residues of active substances and cannot be eaten by humans. The research aimed to determine new native Eprin® endectocide's (Brovafarma LLC) nematode and insecticidal effect during the cattle treatment. The active ingredient of Eprin® is eprinomectin (20mg/ml) from the genus of avermectins, it is not excreted in milk and even requires a 1-day withdrawal. Two experiments were carried out: in the first, the anthelmintic effect of the drug was tested; in the second, the effect on ixodid ticks and cutaneous parasites. The experimental groups consisted of black-speckled cows, 2–6 years old, weighing 450–550 kg. The drug was used at a dose of 1 cm3 /100 kg of body weight, subcutaneous injection, once. Laboratory parasitological studies were carried out using standard methods of scatological diagnostics and identification of cutaneous parasites. No local reaction in animals to drug administration was observed. As a result of the injection of Eprin®, five cows, affected to varying degrees by the nematodes Bunostomum phlebotum, Trichostrongylus spp., Trichuris spp., Dictyocaulus viviparus, Nematodirus spathiger, the eggs of these helminths after 10 days were completely eliminated from animal faeces, which indicates 100 % intensity and the extensibility of the drug. Likewise, three days after the treatment of seven cows whose bodies were originally found to have lice (Bovicola bovis), lice (Haematopinus eurysternus) and ticks (Dermacentor reticulatus/Ixodes ricinus), no more arthropod parasites were identified. Consequently, Eprin® has a lethal effect on typical bovine parasites, including gastrointestinal and pulmonary nematodes, lice, lice and ticks, without causing any side effects in the body of animals.

The paper deals with Bahachansky type breeding that has been carried out in “Ukraine” farm business, Velyka Bahachka Region, Poltava District. The studies evaluated breeding boars that represent the most numerous interbreed type lines. The breeding boars were evaluated by the quality of the offspring by fattening performance test and estimates based on probit indices. The findings evaluation of the boars according to the fattening and meat qualities of the offspring showed that the descendants of Yola 30581 and Kyuukka 30077 boars had the lowest fat depth (-2.15%, compared to the average level by the groups). At the same time, the offspring of boars Gültor 29997 and Denny 30939 distinguished themselves with the highest live weight at the age of 7 months (+2.4% and +1.92% compared to the average level of the group). It was found that there is a moderate correlation between the signs of fat depth and the average daily gain: -0.31 ± 0.137 (p

We investigate the critical phenomena emerging from a statistical mechanics model of musical harmony on a three-dimensional (3D) lattice, and the resulting structure of the ordered phase. In this model, each lattice site represents a tone, with nearest neighbors interacting via the perception of dissonance between them. With dissonance assumed to be an octave-wise periodic function of pitch difference, this model is a 3D XY system with the same symmetry and dimensionality as superfluid helium and models of the cosmological axion field. We use numerical simulation to observe a phase transition from disordered sound to ordered arrangements of musical pitches as a parameter analogous to the temperature is quenched towards zero. We observe the divergence of correlation length and relaxation time at the phase boundary, consistent with the critical exponents in similar systems. Furthermore, the quenched low-temperature phase of these systems displays topological defects in the form of vortex strings that thread throughout the system volume. We observe the formation of these vortex strings in accordance with the Kibble-Zurek mechanism, and discuss the structure of these vortex strings in the context of the theory of musical harmony, finding both similarities to established music theory, and uncovering new avenues to explore.

Thermal conductivity factor and specific isobaric heat capacity of food products are currently the most important parameters in the development of mathematical models for food freezing and thawing and in improving production technology. There is significant variance among the existing experimental data for the thermal conductivity factor in meat. Most of the modern calculated relationships are based on the nutritional approach, which favorably differs by the ability to calculate the thermophysical characteristics of any food products. However, the calculation error at the subcryoscopic temperatures may be 15% to 20%. The development of superchilling as a way of storing meat requires high accuracy of freezing time calculation, including vacuumpacked boneless meat. In the presented article, the authors investigated hydrogen index, cryoscopic temperature, frozen moisture proportion and thermal conductivity factor for beef M. longissimus dorsi samples of NOR and DFD grades. It was found that DFD beef is characterized by 10% to 12% higher values of thermal conductivity factor in comparison with NOR grade. Using the method of regression analysis, the authors developed empirical relationships for calculating the thermal conductivity factor of meat depending on its temperature and pH level. Unlike cryoscopic temperature and frozen moisture proportion, pH is easy to measure and may be easily used on a conveyor belt for more accurate assessment of meat thermophysical properties. With an increase in pH from 5.3 to 7, an increase in cryoscopic temperature is observed from minus 0.94 °C to minus 0.72 °C. It has been shown that one of the factors for the higher cryoscopic temperature and higher pH level of DFD beef is higher water-holding capacity with less strongly bound moisture.