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Abstract A genomic database of all Earth’s eukaryotic species could contribute to many scientific discoveries; however, only a tiny fraction of species have genomic information available. In 2018, scientists across the world united under the Earth BioGenome Project (EBP), aiming to produce a database of high-quality reference genomes containing all ~1.5 million recognized eukaryotic species. As the European node of the EBP, the European Reference Genome Atlas (ERGA) sought to implement a new decentralised, equitable and inclusive model for producing reference genomes. For this, ERGA launched a Pilot Project establishing the first distributed reference genome production infrastructure and testing it on 98 eukaryotic species from 33 European countries. Here we outline the infrastructure and explore its effectiveness for scaling high-quality reference genome production, whilst considering equity and inclusion. The outcomes and lessons learned provide a solid foundation for ERGA while offering key learnings to other transnational, national genomic resource projects and the EBP.

Abstract Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) is a master regulator of melanocyte function, development and plays a significant role in melanoma pathogenesis. MITF genomic amplification promotes melanoma development, and it can facilitate resistance to multiple therapies. Here, we show that MITF regulates a global antioxidant program that increases survival of melanoma cell lines by protecting the cells from reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced damage. In addition, this redox program is correlated with MITF expression in human melanoma cell lines and patient-derived melanoma samples. Using a zebrafish melanoma model, we show that MITF decreases ROS-mediated DNA damage in vivo. Some of the MITF target genes involved, such as IDH1 and NNT, are regulated through direct MITF binding to canonical enhancer box (E-BOX) sequences proximal to their promoters. Utilizing functional experiments, we demonstrate the role of MITF and its target genes in reducing cytosolic and mitochondrial ROS. Collectively, our data identify MITF as a significant driver of the cellular antioxidant state.

Longevity medicine is an emerging and iterative healthcare discipline focusing on early detection, preventive measures, and personalized approaches that aim to extend healthy lifespan and promote healthy aging. This comprehensive review introduces the innovative concept of the “Longevity Pyramid.” This conceptual framework delineates progressive intervention levels, providing a structured approach to understanding the diverse strategies available in longevity medicine. At the base of the Longevity Pyramid lies the level of prevention, emphasizing early detection strategies and advanced diagnostics or timely identification of potential health issues. Moving upwards, the next step involves lifestyle modifications, health-promoting behaviors, and proactive measures to delay the onset of age-related conditions. The Longevity Pyramid further explores the vast range of personalized interventions, highlighting the importance of tailoring medical approaches based on genetic predispositions, lifestyle factors, and unique health profiles, thereby optimizing interventions for maximal efficacy. These interventions aim to extend lifespan and reduce the impact and severity of age-related conditions, ensuring that additional years are characterized by vitality and wellbeing. By outlining these progressive levels of intervention, this review offers valuable insights into the evolving field of longevity medicine. This structured framework guides researchers and practitioners toward a nuanced strategic approach to advancing the science and practice of healthy aging.

Background The applicability of quantitative flow ratio (QFR), a nonhyperemic, invasive coronary angiography‐derived computation of fractional flow reserve (FFR), has not been studied in coronary artery bypass grafts. We sought to explore the correlation and diagnostic agreement between QFR and FFR in saphenous vein grafts (SVGs). Methods and Results A total of 129 prospectively included patients (mean age 73±8 years, 84% male) with prior coronary artery bypass grafting underwent invasive coronary angiography and pressure‐derived functional assessment in 150 nonoccluded SVGs. QFR dedicated angiography images of the SVGs were acquired and used for offline QFR computation. The diagnostic performance of QFR was compared with 2‐dimensional quantitative coronary angiography, using FFR as a reference. A threshold of ≤0.80 was used to define functional significance. QFR was successfully computed in 140 (93%) SVGs. We found a significant correlation between QFR and FFR (r=0.72, P

The main goal of the article is to study the generations that are actively participating in the tourism market at the moment and to examine their attitudes towards domestic tourism. The analyses of the generations’ domestic leisure tourism practices in Bulgaria include two-dimensional frequency distributions and statistical pair-wise hypothesis testing in order to clarify the exact differences amongst the generations studied. The study reveals that the youngest generations travel more than the elders. The top 3 ‘factors’ that burden the travelling intentions amongst the Bulgarians are: lack of financial resources, lack of enough free time and family reasons. The most significant reason for older generations not traveling is lack of enough money and for the younger is mix between lack of finance and lack of enough free time. The generations differ from each other in their travel preferences, behaviour, expectations. However, some similarities are observed between them. It is noteworthy that most respondents, regardless of the generation they belong to, have visited more summer seaside resorts than mountain winter resorts in the last five years.

Introduction: After the introduction of dupilumab as systemic treatment for atopic dermatitis, an increasing number of patients have been successfully treated. However, reports of patients developing psoriasis as a secondary skin condition have been accumulating. The most likely reason is assumed to be an immune shift from Th2- to Th1-mediated auto-inflammatory processes. Case Presentation: Our patient is a 38-year-old male suffering from head-neck type atopic dermatitis since childhood. As one of the first patients in Switzerland, he received dupilumab in 2018 leading to a significant improvement of his skin lesions. One year later he developed progressing circular erythematous-squamous plaques which correlated histologically with psoriasis. In 2021, 3 years after initiating dupilumab, we switched systemic therapy to baricitinib. Three months after initiation, his psoriatic lesions were completely healed, while the atopic lesions remained stable with low inflammatory activity. Conclusion: In patients treated with dupilumab for atopic dermatitis immune shift needs to be considered in case of newly appearing skin lesions. With a growing number of described cases, we conclude that baricitinib is a good alternative treatment for atopic dermatitis in patients suffering from biologic-induced psoriasis.

Abstract The enzymes performing protein post-translational modifications (PTMs) form a critical post-translational regulatory circuitry that orchestrates literally all cellular processes in the organism. In particular, the balance between cellular stemness and differentiation is crucial for the development of multicellular organisms. Importantly, the fine-tuning of this balance on the genetic level is largely mediated by specific PTMs of histones including lysine methylation. Lysine methylation is carried out by special enzymes (lysine methyltransferases) that transfer the methyl group from S-adenosyl-L-methionine to the lysine residues of protein substrates. Set7/9 is one of the exemplary protein methyltransferases that however, has not been fully studied yet. It was originally discovered as histone H3 lysine 4-specific methyltransferase, which later was shown to methylate a number of non-histone proteins that are crucial regulators of stemness and differentiation, including p53, pRb, YAP, DNMT1, SOX2, FOXO3, and others. In this review we summarize the information available to date on the role of Set7/9 in cellular differentiation and tissue development during embryogenesis and in adult organisms. Finally, we highlight and discuss the role of Set7/9 in pathological processes associated with aberrant cellular differentiation and self-renewal, including the formation of cancer stem cells.

The aim of our research is to show the concepts of “professional creativity” and “creativity in the process of professional activity”; to organize the experimental research and to analyze its results; to describe the processes cause a creative reinterpretation of stereotypes – meaning-making – and changes in the entire life process – life-making; to show the results of empirical researches of professional creativity of the head of educational institutions. Methods of the research. The following theoretical methods of the research were used to solve the tasks formulated in the article: a categorical method, structural and functional methods, the methods of the analysis, systematization, modeling and generalization. The experimental method was the method of organizing empirical research. The results of the research. We proved, that if there was no personal meaning in the process of professional activity, for the sake of which professional activity would be carried out, and only the objective orientation of this activity was expressed. Then such activity would not take the form of creative activity, it would not reflect the actual spiritual search on oneself that is meaningful for a person. The internal objective determinants, the objective orientation of the process of professional activity allows the manager to find his/her own personal meaning, and only when the manager clearly understands why he/she will carry out creative activity, its goals and values will be determined. Only in the case when the process of professional creativity acquires a personally significant meaning for the manager, only then this activity can be considered in a creative aspect, in the paradigm of the manager’s acquisition of personal meanings and the formation of his/her creative individuality. Thus, the professional creativity of a manager is understood by us as a conscious, purposeful, active process of the unique activity of its kind, aimed at finding a new, independent, innovative and original way of managing the activities of subordinates with the aim of highly effective creative resolution of managerial tasks and problems. Conclusions. The results of professional creativity are: a new understanding of the subject of activity – the creation of new ideas, programs, concepts, projects, paradigms, aimed at obtaining fundamentally new results, which make it possible to involve a wider social community in creative cooperation; the emergence of new ways of carrying out professional activities, hitherto unknown technologies, activity algorithms, etc. Professional creativity of the manager is accompanied by constant personal development – the need for new, original, non-standard and unique ideas.

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a zoonotic mosquito-transmitted Flavivirus circulating in birds and pigs. In humans, JEV can cause severe viral encephalitis with high mortality. Considering that vector-free direct virus transmission was observed in experimentally infected pigs, JEV introduction into an immunologically naïve pig population could result in a series of direct transmissions disrupting the alternating host cycling between vertebrates and mosquitoes. To assess the potential consequences of such a realistic scenario, we passaged JEV ten times in pigs. This resulted in higher in vivo viral replication, increased shedding, and stronger innate immune responses in pigs. Nevertheless, the viral tissue tropism remained similar, and frequency of direct transmission was not enhanced. Next generation sequencing showed single nucleotide deviations in 10% of the genome during passaging. In total, 25 point mutations were selected to reach a frequency of at least 35% in one of the passages. From these, six mutations resulted in amino acid changes located in the precursor of membrane, the envelope, the non-structural 3 and the non-structural 5 proteins. In a competition experiment with two lines of passaging, the mutation M374L in the envelope protein and N275D in the non-structural protein 5 showed a fitness advantage in pigs. Altogether, the interruption of the alternating host cycle of JEV caused a prominent selection of viral quasispecies as well as selection of de novo mutations associated with fitness gains in pigs, albeit without enhancing direct transmission frequency.

In a world defined by ever-increasing number of goods and services, destination managers and planners are faced with an increasingly difficult task to attract and retain visitors. Understanding the dynamics of the destination decision-making process is crucial for destination, tourism organizations, and businesses to meet the evolving needs and preferences of tourists. In the same vein, it is imperative to study the factors that influence consumer preferences and more specifically, the factors the factors that influence destination choices. The purpose of the research is to explore how all of those factors influence the destination choice decision-making process and identify the most influential ones for the domestic tourism market in Bulgaria. The study is based on a national representative survey which utilizes a two-staged random sample (n=1003) stratified by the Bulgarian districts and the residence place type. The results of the study indicate that friends despite the ever-expanding role of information technologies and Internet, friend and relatives are the most significant influencers over destination choices among the domestic tourists in Bulgaria.

Abstract Background Cases of mpox have been reported worldwide since May 2022. Limited knowledge exists regarding the long-term course of this disease. To assess sequelae in terms of scarring and quality of life (QoL) in mpox patients 4–6 months after initial infection. Methods Prospective observational study on clinical characteristics and symptoms of patients with polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed mpox, including both outpatients and inpatients. Follow-up visits were conducted at 4–6 months, assessing the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS), the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and sexual impairment, using a numeric rating scale (NRS) from 0 to 10. Results Forty-three patients, age range 19–64 years, 41 men (all identifying as MSM) and 2 women, were included. Upon diagnosis, skin or mucosal lesions were present in 93.0% of cases, with 73.3% reporting pain (median intensity: 8, Q1-Q3: 6–10). Anal involvement resulted in a significantly higher frequency of pain than genital lesions (RR: 3.60, 95%-CI: 1.48–8.74). Inpatient treatment due to pain, superinfection, abscess or other indications was required in 20 patients (46.5%). After 4–6 months, most patients did not have significant limitations, scars or pain. However, compared to patients without such complications, patients with superinfection or abscess during the acute phase had significantly more extensive scar formation (median PSAS: 24.0 vs. 11.0, p = 0.039) and experienced a significantly greater impairment of their QoL (median DLQI: 2.0 vs. 0.0, p = 0.036) and sexuality (median NRS: 5.0 vs. 0.0, p = 0.017). Conclusion We observed a wide range of clinical mpox manifestations, with some patients experiencing significant pain and requiring hospitalization. After 4–6 months, most patients recovered without significant sequelae, but those with abscesses or superinfections during the initial infection experienced a significant reduction in QoL and sexuality. Adequate treatment, including antiseptic and antibiotic therapy during the acute phase, may help prevent such complications, and hence, improve long-term outcomes.

Abstract Background Dermatology teaching is fundamental for the promotion of young colleagues in our specialty. However, traditional teaching methods are being scrutinized by students of the ‘Generation Y and Z’, which can pose new challenges for teaching institutions. We therefore aimed to assess the motivational impact and reception of a newly created four-week curriculum containing modernized teaching methods integrated into clinical routine. Methods In this single-center study, 67 medical students completed this curriculum composed of weekly learning objectives including knowledge of morphological terms, 10 common dermatoses, communication and presentation skills. The participants provided information on their level of interest in dermatology each week as well as positive and negative aspects of the curriculum. Results During the curriculum a significant median increase in interest in dermatology was reported with no differences between the genders. Low initial interest could be improved, high initial interest maintained. Participants with an interest in scientific work (20.9%) were more motivated during the curriculum. The variety, quality of teaching and structure were the main aspects rated positively. Suggestions for improvement included the need for more teaching by senior doctors, transfer of responsibility, and a working environment updated to the latest technology standards. Conclusion The presented curriculum was well received by the participants and allowed to better define learning preferences of new generations which can be helpful to modernize traditional teaching methods. Interest in scientific work could be a factor to identify students with a particularly strong interest in dermatology.

20-Hydroxyecdysone (20E) is an arthropod steroid hormone that possesses a number of beneficial pharmacological activities in humans, including anabolic, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, and antineoplastic properties, etc. While several studies have explored the anabolic activity of 20E in muscle cells, they have concentrated on its effects on myofibril size, protein biosynthesis intensity, and myostatin expression, without assessing energy metabolism. In this research, we have demonstrated that 20E boosts both catabolism and anabolism, coupling energy-producing and biosynthetic metabolic processes in mouse myoblasts and fibroblasts in the same way. Using a transcriptomic approach, we identified the 20E-mediated up-regulation of genes involved in different metabolic processes. Further experiments revealed that 20E increased the levels of enzymes involved in glycolysis and one-carbon metabolism. It also increased the uptake of glucose, glycolysis, respiration, the production of ATP, and global protein biosynthesis in mouse myoblasts and fibroblasts. This phenomenon involves the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Taken together, the observed 20E-dependent upregulation of energy metabolism may be the main reason for 20E’s well-known anabolic activity.

The midface is a key area in facial aesthetics, highly susceptible to age-related changes such as fat pad absorption, bone resorption, and loss of skin elasticity. These changes lead to the formation of prominent folds, such as the nasolabial fold. In addition, critical vascular structures and non-vascular components, such as the facial artery, angular artery, and parotid gland, make this region prone to complications during filler injections. High-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) offers real-time, radiation-free visualization of facial anatomy, enabling injectors to accurately target the desired treatment planes and avoid critical structures. This article is the second in a series of articles on ultrasound-guided facial injections and focuses on the midface. It provides a detailed overview of the sonographic anatomy of key areas, including the nose, tear trough, nasolabial fold, zygomatic, and preauricular regions. Step-by-step techniques for ultrasound-guided filler injections are described, emphasizing the importance of scanning both before and during injections to ensure safe filler placement. By using ultrasound in this area, injectors can possibly minimize risks such as vascular occlusion and other complications, such as the Tyndall effect and intra-parotid injection. With ongoing advancements, ultrasound-guided injections are expected to become more refined, enhancing both aesthetic outcomes and patient safety.

Ongoing outbreaks and often rapid spread of infections caused by coronaviruses, influenza, Nipah, Dengue, Marburg, monkeypox, and other viruses are a concern for health authorities in most countries. Therefore, the search for and study of new antiviral compounds are in great demand today. Since almost all viruses with pandemic potential have immunotoxic properties of various origins, particular attention is paid to the search and development of immunomodulatory drugs. We have synthesised a new compound related to indole-3-carboxylic acid derivatives (hereinafter referred to as the XXV) that has antiviral and interferon-inducing activity. The purpose of this work is to study the effect of the XXV on the stimulation of the expression of toll-like receptor genes, interferons, and immunoregulatory cytokines in a macrophage-like cell model. In this study, real-time PCR methods were used to obtain data on the transcriptional activity of genes in macrophage-like cells. Stimulation of the genes of toll-like receptors TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9 was detected. A high-fold increase in stimulation (from 6.5 to 16,000) of the expression of the TLR3 and TLR4 genes was detected after 4 h of exposure to the XXV. Increased activity of interferon (IFNA1, IFNA2, IFNB1, IFNK, and IFNλ1) genes with simultaneous stimulation of the expression of interferon receptor (IFNAR1 and IFNAR2) genes and signalling molecule (JAK1 and ISG15) genes was detected. Increased fold stimulation of the expression of the cytokine genes IL6, TNFA, IL12A, and IL12B was also observed. Thus, it is shown that the XXV is an activator of TLR genes of innate immunity, which trigger signalling mechanisms of pathogen “recognition” and lead to stimulation of the expression of genes of proinflammatory cytokines and interferons.

Abstract is missing (Quiz)

A limestone relief fragment with a figure in a winged disk from the fifth-century BCE Hall of 100 Columns at Persepolis in southwestern Iran that entered the Harvard Art Museums’ collections in 1943 preserves significant traces of its original coloration and has played a key role in the rediscovery of polychromy at the Achaemenid Persian capital. After tracing the fragment’s journey to Cambridge, MA, this article presents the results of recent technical studies of its pigment remains, including visible light-induced infrared luminescence (VIL) imaging, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy, and the analysis of micro samples by Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and polarizing light microscopy (PLM). The new scientific data is compared to the findings of ongoing investigations of polychromies at Persepolis and other Achaemenid Persian sites and evaluated for the information it can and cannot provide on the original appearance of the figure in the winged disk, likely the Zoroastrian god Ahuramazda. The article reviews past attempts at reconstructing the relief’s coloration and the assumptions that guided them, recounts the experience of creating a tangible three-dimensional color reconstruction for an exhibition, and concludes with some general thoughts on the valuation of colorfulness.

The aim of our article is: to explain manager’s professional creativity as a practice-oriented level of performing professional activities, taking into attention measurement of creative abilities, intellectual initiative, a cognitive-motivational component of professional creativity, the reflective aspect of self-awareness, the processes of reflection of the activity, transcendence, self-identification and other self-transforming processes. Methods of the research. The following theoretical methods of the research were used to solve the tasks formulated in the article: a categorical method, structural and functional methods, the methods of the analysis, systematization, modeling, generalization. The results of the research. The systematic solution of the problem of professional creativity allows us to define it as an expedient, purposeful theoretical and practical activity of the manager, which is distinguished by novelty, originality, non-standardity in general social, group or individual plans. In the process of professional creativity the realization of the bioenergetic, intellectual, emotional, and physical forces of a person directly leads to a socially significant result. This content of the concept of “professional creativity” can be considered as a starting point for clarifying the essence of the professional creativity of a manager in any field of his/her activity. In contrast to the existing definitions of professional creativity, it fixes the main, basic feature – professional activity that is the most appropriate for a person, which is characterized by novelty both in terms of the content of the activity and in the relation to its results. Conclusions. Therefore, the development of professional creativity as a process of qualitatively new creation becomes possible if a person as a bearer of creative intentions is transformed to the status of a self-creative, self-competent individual. In other words, professional creativity requires the use of considerable personal potential and the ability to fully utilize it. Professional creativity, embedded in the process of professional innovations, innovations in any spheres of professional activity, is realized in the processes of reflection of activity, transcendence, self-identification and other self-transforming processes.

Analysis of the white blood cell differential as part of a flow cytometry-based approach is a common routine diagnostic tool used in clinics and research. For human blood, the methodological approach, suitable markers, and gating strategies are well-established. However, there is a lack of information regarding the mouse blood count. In this article, we deliver a fast and easy protocol for reprocessing mouse blood for the purpose of flow cytometric analysis, as well as suitable markers and gating strategies. We also present two possible applications: for the analysis of the whole blood count, with blood from a cardiac puncture, and for the analysis of a certain leukocyte subset at multiple time points in the framework of a mouse experiment, using blood from the facial vein. Additionally, we provide orientation values by applying the method to 3-month-old and 24-month-old male and female C57BL/6J mice. Our analyses demonstrate differences in the leukocyte fractions depending on age and sex. We discuss the influencing factors and limitations that can affect the results and that, therefore, need to be considered when applying this method. The present study fills the gap in the knowledge related to the rare information on flow cytometric analysis of mouse blood and, thus, lays the foundation for further investigations in this area.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represent major medical and socio-economic challenges worldwide. There is substantial evidence that CVD is closely linked to inflammatory changes triggered by a complex cytokine network. In this context, interleukin 10 (IL-10) plays an important role as a pleiotropic cytokine with an anti-inflammatory capacity. In this study (a substudy of ClinTrials.gov, identifier: NCT01045070), the prognostic relevance of IL-10 levels and IL-10 haplotypes (rs1800896/rs1800871/rs1800872) was assessed regarding adverse cardiovascular outcomes (combined endpoint: myocardial infarction, stroke/transient ischemic attack, cardiac death and death according to stroke) within a 10-year follow-up. Patients and methods: At baseline, 1002 in-patients with CVD were enrolled. Serum levels of IL-10 were evaluated utilizing flow cytometry (BD™ Cytometric Bead Array). Haplotype analyses were carried out by polymerase chain reactions with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP). Results: In a survival analysis, IL-10 haplotypes were not proven to be cardiovascular prognostic factors in a 10-year follow-up (Breslow test: p = 0.423). However, a higher IL-10 level was associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes (Breslow test: p = 0.047). A survival analysis considering adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) could not confirm this correlation (Cox regression: adjusted HR = 1.26, p = 0.168). Conclusion: In the present study, an elevated IL-10 level but not IL-10 haplotypes was linked to adverse cardiovascular outcomes (10-year follow-up) in a cohort of CVD patients.

Stimulating domestic tourism is a priority in the development of the tourism industry in Bulgaria. The share of the population's expenditure on travel within the country averages 69% of total travel expenditure. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to analyse the attractiveness, effectiveness, and significance of the national Black Sea resorts for domestic tourism. The data used in the present paper are published and accessible at the web site of the National Statistical Institute of Republic of Bulgaria. To examine the main tendencies in the yearly time series, concerning the Bulgarian Black Sea resorts, we have used statistical analysis of the trend cycle. The selected indicators used for analyses are bed-places in the accommodation establishments in the Bulgarian national Black Sea resorts, arrivals in accommodation establishments, nights spent, revenue from the nights spent and average daily rate per person. The results of the present analysis confirm some trends regarding tourists' attitudes towards domestic tourism and that the resorts offer a pricing policy to attract Bulgarian tourists. The analysis shows the potential of domestic tourism to recover the tourism industry in crises.

The aim of our article is to analyze the problem of professional creativity from the point of view of the acquisition of professional competence by specialists in the process of their professional formation and personal growth; to single out a content and semantic components of professional creativity; to present the author’s theoretical model of professional creativity. Methods of the research. The following theoretical methods of the research were used to solve the tasks formulated in the article: a categorical method, structural and functional methods, the methods of the analysis, systematization, modeling, generalization. The results of the research. We proved, that the actual concept of professional creativity can be presented in the form of a rather simplified model, which includes the following components: personal, its socio-biological, psycho-physiological, psychological and pedagogical, acmeological, axiological and intellectual characteristics; professional problems, professional tasks, situations, their varieties (semi-creative, creative, etc.), theories and methodology of problem formulation and consideration of various approaches to its solution; professional activity, environment, social environment, psychological conditions for adaptation and professional creativity, aspects of social interaction and influence on the effectiveness of the creative process; the creative process itself, its theoretical and methodological foundations of professional creativity. Conclusions. The study of professional creativity was carried out in the paradigm of two directions. The first one was related to the question of whether the level of formation of professional creativity depends on intelligence, and whether the subject is oriented towards the formation of cognitive processes in the connection with the acquired professional creativity. The second direction has the aim at finding out what the psychological features and aspects of professional creativity are. Among the latter, the attention of the individual, his/her personal and motivational characteristics was singled out.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to evaluate age, sex, body weight, breed, neuter status, and age at neutering as risk factors for diagnosis of osteoarthritis in companion dogs.AnimalsDogs seen as patients at Banfield Pet Hospital in the United States from 1998 to 2019 with a date of death in 2019. The final cohort consisted of 131,140 dogs.MethodsIn this retrospective cohort study, Cox proportional hazard models were used to test for associations between osteoarthritis incidence and age at baseline, sex, maximum body weight, maximum body condition score, neuter status, and age at neutering. The same model was used to test these associations in 12 representative breeds, chosen based on breed weight and sample size.ResultsOlder age, higher adult body weight, gonadectomy, and younger age at gonadectomy were significantly associated with higher risks of osteoarthritis in the total cohort and in all 12 breeds evaluated. Higher body condition scores and sex were also significantly associated with osteoarthritis but with minimal effect sizes in the overall cohort, and these risk factors were not consistently significant in all breeds tested.Clinical relevanceThese results will assist veterinarians in identifying dogs at higher risk for osteoarthritis and applying appropriate diagnostic, preventative, and treatment interventions. An understanding of potentially modifiable risk factors, such as body condition and neutering, will support evidence-based discussions with dog owners about risk management in individual patients.

Existen varias metodologías para determinar la condición corporal del caballo deportivo, siendo unas más objetivas que otras; sin embargo, la escala de condición corporal es la más usada para estimar las reservas corporales de animales en actividad atlética. El objetivo del estudio fue estimar, por métodos no invasivos, el espesor de grasa subcutánea y desarrollo muscular de caballos deportivos, de una academia de Cundinamarca y calcular algunos índices que definen la composición corporal. Se escogieron 29 caballos adultos (9 hembras, 20 machos), de cuatro tipos raciales; caballo deporte colombiano, criollo, polo argentino, Pura sangre inglés. Para evaluar la grasa subcutánea se usó el puntaje de condición corporal (PCC) escala Henneke, el ultrasonido en tiempo real UTR, midiendo espesor de grasa dorsal y de cadera. La musculatura se determinó usando UTR a nivel dorsal, midiendo el ojo del lomo y el glúteo medio. Se tomaron pesos y medidas morfométricas: altura de cruz, longitud corporal, perímetro torácico. Con estas medidas corporales o ecográficas se calcularon índices de desempeño o composición corporal: índice corporal (IC), índice de carga al paso-1 y al trote-2 (IC1 y IC2), % de grasa corporal (%GC), Índice de masa corporal (IMC), relación perímetro torácico–altura cruz (PT:AC), índice muscular (IM) e índice musculoesquelético (IME). Los índices de carga y de composición corporal indicaron diferencias entre tipos raciales (p

У роботі досліджено інтеграцію штучного інтелекту (ШІ) в ІТ-сектор України, який швидко змінюється, з урахуванням трансформаційних можливостей, властивих розвиткові технологій ШІ. Дослідження спрямоване передусім на сферу обліку та фінансової звітності, обґрунтовується вплив ШІ на точність оцінювання й розрахунків, особливо в контексті складної внутрішньої та міжнародної геополітичної ситуації. Використовуючи техніки байєсівського моделювання, автори оцінюють ефективність ШІ в підвищенні точності фінансової звітності, у тому числі з огляду на кризові умови. Емпіричні результати переконливо підтверджують надзвичайно позитивний вплив ШІ, демонструючи його здатність підвищувати точність розрахунків та ефективно пом'якшувати руйнівні наслідки криз. Крім того, розглянуто наслідки впливу ШІ на процеси ухвалення рішень. За допомогою детально розробленого факторного експерименту 2x2x2 розкрито складні взаємозв'язки між різними атрибутами ШІ та змінними ухвалення рішень, спеціально розробленими для унікального українського контексту. За допомогою аналізу трьохфакторного повтореного виміру ANOVA виявлено, що продуктивність, ціль та процес ШІ складно впливають на психологічні показники учасників, такі як підтримка, упевненість, ставлення та довіра до рекомендацій ШІ. Підсилюючи роль ШІ в підвищенні впевненості в ухваленні рішень та збільшенні точності звітності, автори підкреслюють його потенціал критичного інструмента для пом'якшення наслідків кризи. З огляду на швидкість обробки даних, надання передбачуваних висновків та сприяння виявленню помилок, ШІ є незамінним активом для забезпечення точності даних в умовах підвищеної нестабільності та криз. Український ІТ-сектор швидко зростає, і ШІ є важливим союзником, який підтримує фінансову стабільність та секторальне відновлення. Одержані результати мають глибокий зв'язок із широким спектром зацікавлених сторін, підкреслюючи реальні переваги, які ШІ додає до сфери обліку та фінансової звітності в ІТ-секторі України.

The aim of our article is to show conative, personality-based, cognitive and competence approaches in the semantic sphere of the individual’s creativity, to determine their characteristics, valuable and unique qualities. Methods of the research. The following theoretical methods of the research were used to solve the tasks formulated in the article: the categorical method, structural and functional methods, the methods of the analysis, systematization, modeling, generalization. The results of the research. We think that leading to the development of the person’s creative imagination is metaphorical imagination (personal approach). The latter is able to create new images of objects, ideas, meanings and emotional-sensual experiences, appealing to the imagination of the respondent who perceives. Metaphorical imagination is manifested as a person’s ability to independent creative metaphors, creatively interpret complex metaphors, creatively and originally apply existing metaphorical expressions depending on the context of a certain situation. Realizing the connection between the sensual and the rational, the construction of a creative metaphorical image activates the subject’s sensory-perceptual and emotional imagination on a creative level, thereby contributing to a new and deeper understanding of their essence. Conclusions. We showed that psychological researches in a great degree emphasized such creative personality traits as productive ones, creative thinking, the implementation of creative characteristics, transformative human activity, the need for self-affirmation, material well-being, the transformation of the surrounding natural and social world, the implementation of doping strategies in the context of life achievements of the individual (a conative approach); intellectual activity, psychological flexibility, creative motivation, multivariate vision of the surrounding world, originality, divergence; personal achievements (integrative approach); mental structures, mental representations, mental experience, intellectual abilities – speed, originality, sensitivity, metaphoricality, formulation and original solution of a problem, actualization of the concept of a creative act (a cognitive approach); motivation to carry out creative activities, motivation to achieve success, situational self-actualization (a motivational approach); a high level of professionalism, professional and creative semantics, creative explication of the situation, professional and creative social perception, creative aspects of communication (competence approach).

Abstract For effective soil remediation, it is vital to apply environmentally friendly and cost-effective technologies following the notion of green sustainable development. In the context of recycling waste and preserving nutrients in the soil, biochar production and utilization have become widespread. There is an urgent need to develop high-efficiency biochar-based sorbents for pollution removal from soil. This research examined the efficacy of soil remediation using biochar made from three distinct sources: wood, and agricultural residues (sunflower and rice husks). The generated biochars were characterized by SEM/SCEM, XRF, XRD, FTIR, BET Specific Surface Area, and elemental compositions. The presence of hydroxyl and phenolic functional groups and esters in wood, sunflower and rice husk biochar were noted. The total volume of pores was in the following descending order: rice husk > wood > sunflower husk. However, wood biochar had more thermally stable, heterogeneous, irregular-shaped pores than other samples. Adsorption of soil-heavy metals into biochars differed depending on the type of adsorbent, according to data derived from distribution coefficients, sorption degree, Freundlich, and Langmuir adsorption models. The input of biochars to Calcaric Fluvic Arenosol increased its adsorption ability under contamination by Cu(II), Zn(II), and Pb(II) in the following order: wood > rice husk > sunflower husk. The addition of sunflower husk, wood, and rice husk biochar to the soil led to an increase in the removal efficiency of metals in all cases (more than 77%). The increase in the percentage adsorption of Cu and Pb was 9–19%, of Zn was 11–21%. The present results indicated that all biochars functioned well as an absorbent for removing heavy metals from soils. The tailor-made surface chemistry properties and the high sorption efficiency of the biochar from sunflower and rice husks could potentially be used for soil remediation.

Los aportes ambientales de los pueblos ancestrales son relevantes en las sociedades actuales regidas por el capitalismo, su contradicción Capital-ambiente y las relaciones que imprime el imperialismo ecológico. En ese sentido rescatar otras maneras que planteen alternativas al capitalismo y al “desarrollo” como lo son los saberes ancestrales, motiva el interés de realizar el proyecto de grado entorno a los aportes de la comunidad Muysqa del municipio de Cota-Cundinamarca a un grupo de jóvenes “occidentales” llamado Tribu Gualí. Adicionalmente a partir de lo anterior contribuir a la reflexiones sobre la relaciones socioambientales hegemónicas.

The demand for high-strength aluminum alloys for the laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) process is still growing. However, to date, the crack susceptibility of conventional alloys as well as the high prices for specially developed alloys are the main obstacles for the use of high-strength aluminum alloys for LPBF. In this paper, crack-free LPBF samples with a relative density >99.9% were processed from AlMgSi1Zr (6182 series alloy) powder, to which 0.5 wt.-% Zr and 0.5 wt.-% Ti were added via mechanical mixing. No hot cracks were found in the µCT scans. Moreover, a fully equiaxed microstructure with a mean size of the α-Al grains of 1.2 µm was observed in the as-built parts. Al3(Zr,Ti) particles were observed, acting as efficient heterogeneous grain refiners for α-Al by building a semi-coherent interface. Unmolten Ti and Zr particles with sizes up to 80 µm were found in the α-Al phase. The resulting fine-grained microstructure led to a tensile strength of 329 ± 4 MPa and a total elongation at a break of 11.4 ± 0.9% after solution heat treatment, quenching in water, and subsequent artificial ageing.

The aim of our article is to show the role of aesthetic experience, artistic and creative activities as the components of creative potential of the person in the paradigm of two dominant approaches – in the sphere of integrative and conative approaches. Methods of the research. The following theoretical methods of the research were used to solve the tasks formulated in the article: a categorical method, structural and functional methods, the methods of the analysis, systematization, modeling, generalization. The results of the research. In the paradigm of the integrative approach we found that in the mind of an adult the following principles are transformed: motivational and goal components integrate into a holistic motivational goal, creatively focus on learning. In the paradigm of the conative approach, there were proposed such structural components of subjective activity of the person: the formation and the achievement of personally significant goals; motivation for learning and self-development; intellectual initiation; reflection and introspection, determination of thinking and dominance of other metacognitions; independence; social activity; freedom of creative choice and responsibility for it; initiative; self-realization; communicativeness; predictability. Conclusions. Summarizing the views of current psychological researches, it can be noted that they in a great degree emphasize such creative personality traits as productive ones, creative thinking, the implementation of creative characteristics, transformative human activity, the need for self-affirmation, material well-being, the transformation of the surrounding natural and social world, the implementation of doping strategies in the context of life achievements of the individual (a conative approach); intellectual activity, psychological flexibility, creative motivation, multivariate vision of the surrounding world, originality, divergence; personal achievements (integrative approach).

Abstract Background This study examined whether the effects of a sit-stand desk (SSD) intervention on employees’ musculoskeletal complaints (i.e., intensity and prevalence) and activation (i.e., vigilance and vitality) persist or fade out and whether velocity and acceleration of health improvements can predict medium-term (six-month) and long-term (24-month) improvements. Drawing from dynamic models of self-regulation, as well as the psychological momentum theory, we hypothesized that velocity and acceleration of health improvements in the early stages of the intervention would predict medium-term health improvements, which sustain long-term. Methods We used data from a six-month seven-wave randomized controlled trial with employees in mostly sedentary occupations and supplemented this by follow-up data from the same participants 18 months later, resulting in eight waves. Results Bayesian structural equational modeling revealed no significant intervention effect after 24 months implying a fade-out. But more importantly, velocity and, partially, acceleration of health improvements at earlier stages predicted medium-term improvements in musculoskeletal complaints and long-term improvements in vigilance. Conclusion The findings of this study suggest that positive intervention effects fade out over time and health effects benefit from prompt progresses at the beginning of the intervention, warranting exploration in prolonged longitudinal studies.

Here, the authors present a rare example of sympatric homoploid hybrid speciation, without ploidy changes, in the Midas cichlid fishes from Nicaragua. Midas cichlid hybrids occupy a different ecological niche, likely facilitated by body shape adaptations.

Abstract Representation of one-dimensional (1D) signals as surfaces and higher-dimensional manifolds reveals geometric structures that can enhance assessment of signal similarity and classification of large sets of signals. Motivated by this observation, we propose a novel robust algorithm for extraction of geometric features, by mapping the obtained geometric objects into a reference domain. This yields a set of highly descriptive features that are instrumental in feature engineering and in analysis of 1D signals. Two examples illustrate applications of our approach to well-structured audio signals: Lung sounds were chosen because of the interest in respiratory pathologies caused by the coronavirus and environmental conditions; accent detection was selected as a challenging speech analysis problem. Our approach outperformed baseline models under all measured metrics. It can be further extended by considering higher-dimensional distortion measures. We provide access to the code for those who are interested in other applications and different setups (Code: https://github.com/jeremy-levy/Classification-of-audio-signals-using-spectrogram-surfaces-and-extrinsic-distortion-measures ).

We investigate the Ly α and Lyman continuum (LyC) properties of the Sunburst Arc, a z = 2.37 gravitationally lensed galaxy with a multiply imaged, compact region leaking LyC and a triple-peaked Ly α profile indicating direct Ly α escape. Non-LyC-leaking regions show a redshifted Ly α peak, a redshifted and central Ly α peak, or a triple-peaked Ly α profile. We measure the properties of the Ly α profile from different regions of the galaxy using R ∼ 5000 Magellan/Magellan Echellette spectra. We compare the Ly α spectral properties to LyC and narrowband Ly α maps from Hubble Space Telescope imaging to explore the subgalactic Ly α −LyC connection. We find strong correlations (Pearson correlation coefficient r > 0.6) between the LyC escape fraction ( ${f}_{\mathrm{esc}}^{\mathrm{LyC}}$ ) and Ly α (1) peak separation v _sep , (2) ratio of the minimum flux density between the redshifted and blueshifted Ly α peaks to continuum flux density ${f}_{\min }/{f}_{\mathrm{cont}}$ , and (3) equivalent width. We favor a complex H i geometry to explain the Ly α profiles from non-LyC-leaking regions and suggest two H i geometries that could diffuse and/or rescatter the central Ly α peak from the LyC-leaking region into our sight line across transverse distances of several hundred parsecs. Our results emphasize the complexity of Ly α radiative transfer and its sensitivity to the anisotropies of H i gas on subgalactic scales. Large differences in the physical scales on which we observe spatially variable direct-escape Ly α , blueshifted Ly α , and escaping LyC photons in the Sunburst Arc underscore the importance of resolving the physical scales that govern Ly α and LyC escape.

We present JWST and Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) imaging for the lensing system SPT0418−47, which includes a strongly lensed, dusty, star-forming galaxy at redshift z = 4.225 and an associated multiply imaged companion. The JWST NIRCam and MIRI imaging observations presented in this paper were acquired as part of the Early Release Science program Targeting Extremely Magnified Panchromatic Lensed Arcs and Their Extended Star formation (TEMPLATES). This data set provides robust mutiwavelength detections of stellar light in both the main (SPT0418A) and companion (SPT0418B) galaxies, while the ALMA detection of [C ii ] emission confirms that SPT0418B lies at the same redshift as SPT0418A. We infer that the projected physical separation of the two galaxies is 4.42 ± 0.05 kpc. We derive total magnifications of μ = 29 ± 1 and μ = 4.1 ± 0.7 for SPT0418A and SPT0418B, respectively. We use both prospector and cigale to derive stellar masses. We find that SPT0418A has a stellar mass of ${M}_{* }={3.4}_{-0.6}^{+1.1}\times {10}^{10}{M}_{\odot }$ from prospector or M _* = 1.5 ± 0.3 × 10 ^10 M _⊙ from cigale . The stellar mass ratio of SPT0418A and SPT0418B is roughly between 4 and 7 ( ${4.2}_{-1.6}^{+1.9}$ for prospector and 7.5 ± 3.7 for cigale ). We see evidence of extended structure associated with SPT0418A that is suggestive of a tidal feature. These features, along with the close projected proximity, imply that the system is interacting. Interestingly, the star formation rates and stellar masses of both galaxies are consistent with the main sequence of star-forming galaxies at this epoch, indicating that this ongoing interaction has not noticeably elevated the star formation levels.

In 2022/2023, Europe experienced its third consecutive season of high-pathogenicity avian influenza. During this period, the Czech Republic was again severely affected. For the first time, the number of culled birds approached one million, which was three times higher than in previous seasons. In parallel to the outbreaks in poultry, mass die-offs of gulls were also observed. In the present study, we performed whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of 137 H5N1 strains collected in the Czech Republic in 2022/2023 (94.6% of all outbreaks or locations). The analysis revealed four distinct genotypes: AB, CH, BB and AF. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that the AF genotype persisted from the previous H5N1 season without reassortment. In addition, the genotype BB, which was detected mainly in gulls, showed a noticeable strain diversity at the local level. This virus was also responsible for a single outbreak in commercially bred turkeys. Finally, an interesting spatio-temporal cluster with three co-circulating H5N1 genotypes, AB, CH and AF, was identified with no evidence of intrasubtype reassortment. Highly sensitive molecular surveillance and the timely sharing of genomic sequences and associated metadata could greatly assist in tracking the spread and detecting molecular changes associated with the increased virulence of this potentially zoonotic pathogen.

We present six strongly gravitationally lensed Ly α emitters (LAEs) at z ∼ 4–5 with Hubble Space Telescope (HST) narrowband imaging isolating Ly α . Through complex radiative transfer Ly α encodes information about the spatial distribution and kinematics of the neutral hydrogen upon which it scatters. We investigate the galaxy properties and Ly α morphologies of our sample. Many previous studies of high-redshift LAEs have been limited in Ly α spatial resolution. In this work we take advantage of high-resolution Ly α imaging boosted by lensing magnification, allowing us to probe subgalactic scales that are otherwise inaccessible at these redshifts. We use broadband imaging from HST (rest-frame UV) and Spitzer (rest-frame optical) in spectral energy distribution fitting, providing estimates of the stellar masses (∼10 ^8 –10 ^9 M _⊙ ), stellar population ages ( t _50 < 40 Myr), and amounts of dust ( A _V ∼ 0.1–0.6, statistically consistent with zero). We employ nonparametric star formation histories to probe the young stellar populations which create the Ly α . We also examine the offsets between the Ly α and stellar continuum, finding small upper limits of offsets (

The aim of our research is to study dominant areas of theoretical and empirical researches in the paradigm of Creative Psychology, to describe the theory of lateral thinking and the development of informational scripts within it. Methods of the research. The following theoretical methods of the research were used to solve the tasks formulated in the article: the categorical method, structural and functional methods, the methods of the analysis, systematization, modeling, generalization. The results of the research. It is showed that the main ways to change and develop information scripts in the paradigm of the theory of lateral thinking are: free, unmotivated regrouping of elements; gaining of information; expansion of the information field, inclusion of random “extra” information in the already known individual of the frame; an abrupt way of developing a certain idea. The principles of lateral thinking are: postponement of the assessment; the accident; the information which jumps in any direction; doubts; future; the opposite of absolute confidence. Conclusions. So, distinguishing between vertical and lateral thinking, we emphasize two cardinal, opposite and interrelated areas of the creative process: the association and dissociation of information elements, the creation of stereotypes and their destruction. It is also substantiated the possibility of creating a system of technologies and methods of creative transformation. It is proved that all these were of fundamental importance for the prospects of developing psycho- correctional and developmental programs in the Psychology of Creativity. Some current issues of Creative Psychology (CREATIVE PROCESS – RESULT – PERSONALITY OF THE CREATOR) are identified, the scientific context of personality is determined, the presupposition and dominant guidelines for further search and implementation of our own empirical researches are showed.

Objetivo: Diseñar un procedimiento metodológico para armonizar los instrumentos financieros utilizados en Cuba, con los estándares internacionales. Métodos y técnicas: Revisión documental, lógico abstracto, cuestionario, criterio de expertos. Principales resultados: Se aporta un procedimiento metodológico que concibe la armonización de los instrumentos financieros mediante tres etapas: organización y análisis de los estándares internacionales, la evaluación de la correspondencia entre las normas de contabilidad internacionales y nacionales, y se diseñó una norma cubana de contabilidad sobre instrumentos financieros y su estrategia de capacitación. Conclusiones: Se elabora el enfoque teórico sobre la contabilidad de los instrumentos financieros, al interpretar la combinación de las características cualitativas fundamentales del marco conceptual, con las etapas del proceso contable que comprende el reconocimiento, edición, presentación y revelación de los hechos económicos. Se diseña un procedimiento para la armonización de los instrumentos financieros en el contexto cubano, el cual responde a la necesidad de una norma cubana de contabilidad sobre instrumentos financieros.

IntroductionThe extent of the hemodynamic benefit from AV-synchronous pacing in patients with sinus rhythm and AV block is not completely understood. Thus, we systematically investigated the association of an array of echocardiographic and epidemiological parameters with the change in cardiac output depending on the stimulation mode (AV-synchronous or AV-asynchronous pacing).MethodsPatients in sinus rhythm after previous dual chamber pacemaker implantation underwent a thorough basic echocardiographic assessment of diastolic and systolic left ventricular function, and atrial function (26 echo parameters, including novel speckle tracking strain measurements). Then, stroke volume was measured with AV-synchronous (DDD) and AV-asynchronous (VVI) pacing. Each patient represented their own control, and the sequence of stroke volume measurements was randomized.ResultsIn this prospective single-center study (NCT04068233, registration August 22nd 2019), we recruited 40 individuals. The stroke volume was higher in all patients when applying AV-synchronous DDD pacing [median increase 12.8 ml (16.9%), P

Increased spontaneous gamma (30–100 Hz) activity (SGA) has been reported in the auditory cortex in schizophrenia. This phenomenon has been correlated with psychotic symptoms such as auditory hallucinations and could reflect the dysfunction of NMDA receptors on parvalbumin-expressing inhibitory interneurons. Previous findings are from time-averaged spectra, so it is unknown whether increased spontaneous gamma occurs at a constant level, or rather in bursts. To better understand the dynamical nature of spontaneous gamma activity in schizophrenia, here we examined the contribution of gamma bursting and the slope of the EEG spectrum to this phenomenon. The main results from this data set were previously reported. Participants were 24 healthy control participants (HC) and 24 matched participants with schizophrenia (SZ). The data were from EEG recordings during auditory steady-state stimulation, which were localized to bilateral pairs of dipoles in auditory cortex. Time-frequency analysis was performed using Morlet wavelets. Oscillation bursts in the gamma range were defined as periods during which power exceeded 2 standard deviations above the trial-wide average value for at least one cycle. We extracted the burst parameters power, count, and area, as well as non-burst trial power and spectral slope. Gamma burst power and non-burst trial power were greater in SZ than HC, but burst count and area did not differ. Spectral slope was less negative in SZ than HC. Regression modeling found that gamma burst power alone best predicted SGA for both HC and SZ (> = 90% of variance), while spectral slope made a small contribution and non-burst trial power did not influence SGA. Increased SGA in the auditory cortex in schizophrenia is accounted for by increased power within gamma bursts, rather than a tonic increase in gamma-range activity, or a shift in spectral slope. Further research will be necessary to determine if these measures reflect different network mechanisms. We propose that increased gamma burst power is the main component of increased SGA in SZ and could reflect abnormally increased plasticity in cortical circuits due to enhanced plasticity of synapses on parvalbumin-expressing inhibitory interneurons. Thus, increased gamma burst power may be involved in producing psychotic symptoms and cognitive dysfunction.

The aim of our research is to study different theories of developing persons’ creativity in the paradigm of Gestalt Psychology, which differentiates between creative, productive thinking and reproductive, based on memorization, repetition and reproduction; to show the main concepts of Compensatory theory, by which people develop Science, Art and other areas of culture largely to compensate their shortcomings; to present another theory of creativity – a Cognitive one, by which a researcher who actively interprets the world, processes of gaining the information, the ability to predict effectively and, at the same time, to interact creatively with the surrounding world; to display the problem of creativity in Humanistic Psychology. Methods of the research. The following theoretical methods of the research were used to solve the tasks formulated in the article: a categorical method, structural and functional methods, the methods of the analysis, systematization, modeling, generalization. The results of the research. The most important for the theory of creativity is the question of motivation, which A. Maslow described in terms of the hierarchy of needs according to the principles of priority and dominance. At the heart of the creative activity of the individual there are the highest personal needs. They are the need for self-realization, personal growth and development. Satisfying the needs that are fixed from the bottom of this hierarchy makes it possible to understand the needs at the top of the creative paradigm and according to the participation of actors in the creation of motivational domains. The higher a person is able to rise in the paradigm of this hierarchy, the more he/she is able to demonstrate individuality, human qualities, mental health and creativity. Conclusions. It is significant, from the standpoint of the Psychology of Creativity, A. Maslow’s (1982) hypothesis about the existence of deficient motives related to biological needs and meta-needs (highest values, motives for personal growth), such as truth, beauty, perfection, justice. Based on our empirical research (Nabochuk, 2021), we concluded that people who lived fully (individuals who were self-actualizing) had the following characteristics: the effective perception of the reality; the acceptance of oneself, other people and the surrounding nature; a desire for self-realization; focusing on the problem, absorbing one’s business as an actualization of one’s vocation; authenticity – open, understandable behavior in relations to themselves and to other people; the emphasis on the simplicity and naturalness of their behavior; the independence, the autonomy in judgments; self-confidence, adequacy of self-esteem, the ability to actualize peak experiences; public interests; deep interpersonal relationships; initiative and flexibility in the process of decision making; democratic nature of the person’s own activity; the ability to distinguish between means and goals; philosophical sense of humor; criticality and a high degree of personal reflection; direct susceptibility to a new information.

The aim of our research is to study different theories of developing pupils' creativity as a way to personal growth of the teacher, as well as to propose the theory to define creativity as intellectual and spiritual processes. Methods of the research. The following theoretical methods of the research were used to solve the tasks formulated in the article: a categorical method, structural and functional methods, the methods of the analysis, systematization, modeling, generalization, the experimental methods of observation and the method of conducting ascertaining research. The participants of our research were 47 pupils of the 8th-B form of school 15 of Rivne (Ukraine). The experiment lasted during 2020-2021 years. The results of the research. We proposed the theory to define creativity as intellectual and spiritual processes. It is showed, that creativity was largely relevant in the intellectual and spiritual activities of a man. Intelligence presents creative products in a new way, as new organized information. At the same time, spiritual activity appears as a process of generating thoughts. Therefore, at all stages of personality development someone should stimulate and organize its intellectual and spiritual activities. It is believed that a narrow professional specialization restrains the incentives of the individual to creativity in the field of technology and the humanities. As a result, both are somewhat leveled. Therefore, contemporary scholars often argue that universal education is needed, but one that does not preclude the formation of special skills of the personality. Conclusions. The creator (a teacher) and the subject of creativity (a pupil) form a holistic, harmonious system in which they direct and feedback connections are clearly fixed. The object of creativity can be any phenomenon of the ecosphere, everything that participates in the evolution of the world, including itself creativity and one's own thinking. The tool of cognition and transformation is a person who can also be the object of creativity. We differentiate between creative, productive thinking and reproductive, based on memorization, repetition and reproduction. Creative thinking is a paradigm of restructuring a holistic, complete situation, the starting point of which is the creative formulation and presentation of the problem. This stage of a creative process is considered to be extremely important. The formulation of a productive question is sometimes a greater achievement than solving the task set before the personality. At the second stage of a creative process there is the construction of a holistic image of the situation (gestalt), the essential point of which is the centering, the transition from superficial and incorrect structuring of the problem to an adequate and correctly centered structure. Finally, the third stage of a creative process is a central link of creative thinking, which involves the emergence of the idea of solving a problem, unexpected insight. That is why the creative process concentrates in its structure the moments of transition from "understanding" to "creative mastery". The fourth stage of a creative process is the implementation of the solution of the problem, a deeper understanding of how to solve a particular problem in general.

Bimetallic nanoparticles (BMNPs) combine unique and synergistic properties of two metals, allowing new specific applications. In this study, bimetallic AuFe nanoparticles and their conjugates with methotrexate (MTX) were obtained with an environmentally safe method of metal-vapor synthesis. The composition and electronic structure of the particles were investigated with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectrum and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XANES and EXAFS). The effects of BMNP-MTX conjugates on human primary cells and tumor cell lines were evaluated with neutral red uptake and MTT in vitro cytotoxicity assays. Bright-field microscopy analyses of tumor spheroid size and evaluations of tumor spheroid vitality based on SFDA AM staining were carried out. In vitro assays for an antibacterial activity evaluation of the generated samples were performed. The influence of BMNP-MTX on cytokine production with normal leukocytes was assessed using ELISA. X-ray analyses of the samples demonstrated that gold was in the ground state Au0 as well as Au+ and Au3+ states are present in small quantities, whereas iron existed as a mixture of non-histometric oxides with states close to Fe2+ and Fe3+. The modification of the AuFe system with MTX is accompanied by a threefold increase in the relative proportion of the Au+ state. BMNP-MTX conjugates demonstrated significant antitumor activity compared to the drug alone, which proves the ability of the generated nanoconjugates to improve the effectiveness of MTX therapy. This was confirmed by a marked reduction in the size and vitality of AuFe-MTX-treated 3D tumor spheroids. In addition to their selective antitumor activity, AuFe-MTX exhibited moderate antibacterial activity and induced sample-specific cytokine production with normal human leukocytes—which points to an immunostimulatory potential. The present findings indicate important and diverse biological properties of BMNP-MTX conjugates and thus highlight perspectives for their biomedical applications and new immune-specific abilities.

Under current pledges, greenhouse gas emissions between 1991 and 2030 from the five largest emitters—China, the US, EU-27, India and Russia—will substantially increase the number of countries frequently experiencing extremely hot years, according to a suite of Earth System model emulators.

Roughly one in ten Midas cichlid fishes loses their characteristic dark coloration and transforms into a gold morph. Here, the authors describe a transposon insertion in the gene goldentouch likely constitute the genetic basis of this polymorphism.

BackgroundPsoriasis is one of the most frequent inflammatory skin conditions and could be treated via tele-dermatology, provided that the current lack of reliable tools for objective severity assessments is overcome. Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) has a prominent level of subjectivity and is rarely used in real practice, although it is the most widely accepted metric for measuring psoriasis severity currently. ObjectiveThis study aimed to develop an image–artificial intelligence (AI)–based validated system for severity assessment with the explicit intention of facilitating long-term management of patients with psoriasis. MethodsA deep learning system was trained to estimate the PASI score by using 14,096 images from 2367 patients with psoriasis. We used 1962 patients from January 2015 to April 2021 to train the model and the other 405 patients from May 2021 to July 2021 to validate it. A multiview feature enhancement block was designed to combine vision features from different perspectives to better simulate the visual diagnostic method in clinical practice. A classification header along with a regression header was simultaneously applied to generate PASI scores, and an extra cross-teacher header after these 2 headers was designed to revise their output. The mean average error (MAE) was used as the metric to evaluate the accuracy of the predicted PASI score. By making the model minimize the MAE value, the model becomes closer to the target value. Then, the proposed model was compared with 43 experienced dermatologists. Finally, the proposed model was deployed into an app named SkinTeller on the WeChat platform. ResultsThe proposed image-AI–based PASI-estimating model outperformed the average performance of 43 experienced dermatologists with a 33.2% performance gain in the overall PASI score. The model achieved the smallest MAE of 2.05 at 3 input images by the ablation experiment. In other words, for the task of psoriasis severity assessment, the severity score predicted by our model was close to the PASI score diagnosed by experienced dermatologists. The SkinTeller app has been used 3369 times for PASI scoring in 1497 patients from 18 hospitals, and its excellent performance was confirmed by a feedback survey of 43 dermatologist users. ConclusionsAn image-AI–based psoriasis severity assessment model has been proposed to automatically calculate PASI scores in an efficient, objective, and accurate manner. The SkinTeller app may be a promising alternative for dermatologists’ accurate assessment in the real world and chronic disease self-management in patients with psoriasis.

This 8-week study was designed to explore any correlation between a passive data collection approach using a wearable device (i.e., digital phenotyping), active data collection (patient’s questionnaires), and a traditional clinical evaluation [Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)] in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) treated with trazodone once a day (OAD). Overall, 11 out of 30 planned patients were enrolled. Passive parameters measured by the wearable device included number of steps, distance walked, calories burned, and sleep quality. A relationship between the sleep score (derived from passively measured data) and MADRS score was observed, as was a relationship between data collected actively (assessing depression, sleep, anxiety, and warning signs) and MADRS score. Despite the limited sample size, the efficacy and safety results were consistent with those previously reported for trazodone. The small population in this study limits the conclusions that can be drawn about the correlation between the digital phenotyping approach and traditional clinical evaluation; however, the positive trends observed suggest the need to increase synergies among clinicians, patients, and researchers to overcome the cultural barriers toward implementation of digital tools in the clinical setting. This study is a step toward the use of digital data in monitoring symptoms of depression, and the preliminary data obtained encourage further investigations of a larger population of patients monitored over a longer period of time.