Animal World Research Articles

The human microbiome proofed by the Anthropocene: from correlation to causality and intervention

The deleterious effects of human activities on biodiversity in the vegetal and animal world, and on climate changes are now well-established facts. However, little is yet known on the impact of human activities on microbial diversity on the planet and more specifically on the human microbiota Large implementation of metagenomics allows exaustive microbial cataloguing with broad spatio-temporal resolution of human microbiota. A reduction in bacterial richness and diversity in the human microbiota, particularly in the intestinal tract, is now established and particularly obvious in the most industrialized regions of the planet. Massive, uncontrolled use of antibiotics, drastic changes in traditional food habits and some elements of the "global exposome" that remain to identify are usually considered as stressors accounting for this situation of "missing microbes". As a consequence, a dysbiotic situation develops, a "dysbiosis" being characterized by the erosion of the central core of shared bacterial species across individuals and the development of opportunistic "pathobionts" in response to a weaker barrier capacity of these impoverished microbiota. The current challenge is to establish a causality link between the extension of these dysbiotic situations and the steady emergence of epidemic, non-communicable diseases such as asthma, allergy, obesity, diabetes, autoimmune diseases and some cancers. Experimental animal models combined with controlled, prospective clinical interventions are in demand to consolidate causality links, with the understanding that in the deciphering of the mechanisms of alteration of the human-microbiome symbiosis resides a novel exciting chapter of medicine: "microbial medicine".

Film and Television Animation Production Technology Based on Expression Transfer and Virtual Digital Human

The world of film and TV animation has witnessed a revolutionary transformation with the combination of Expression transfer and digital virtual Human technology. This paper delves into the superior methodologies and technological improvements in the discipline of animation production, especially specializing in how those technology are redefining the requirements and practices of animation in film and television. Expression transfer technology, a groundbreaking approach in animation, entails the transfer of facial expressions from real actors to lively characters. This technique not most effective enhances the realism of lively characters but additionally lets in for a extra nuanced and emotive performance, bridging the space among conventional animation and stay-action performances. Digital Human era, however, entails creating extraordinarily practical virtual representations of people. Those digital humans aren’t mere caricatures or stylized variations however are reasonable in appearance and movement, way to advancements in motion seize, 3-D modeling, and synthetic intelligence. The mixture of those technologies is main to a new technology in animation where characters aren’t only visually stunning however also exhibit a depth of emotion and realism previously unimaginable. This paper explores diverse case research and applications of these technology in current animation, highlighting their effect on storytelling, person improvement, and viewer engagement. It also addresses the demanding situations and moral considerations in employing these technologies, which includes retaining artistic integrity and the capacity for misuse. The research concludes with a forward-searching attitude on how Expression transfer and digital digital Human technologies are set to redefine the future of movie and television animation, presenting new opportunities for creative expression and narrative intensity.

PROBLEMATIC ASPECTS OF THE MAIN COMPONENTS OF CRIMINAL OFFENSES AGAINST AQUATIC BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES

The article examines some issues of legal regulation of criminal offenses against aquatic biological resources. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the problems associated with the qualification of illegal extraction of aquatic biological resources, as well as to consider effective recommendations for improving legislative and law enforcement practice based on the study of fundamental principles. The relevance of the topic is justified by the social value and significance of both the subject and the object of the studied type of environmental criminal offenses. The issue of determining the object of the offense is complicated by the possibility of competition of norms, the article examines the mass destruction of fish resources, considered by articles on illegal fishing of fish, aquatic animals and plants, and non-compliance with the rules for the protection of representatives of the animal world. The work examines some aspects of the objective side of the act with the definition of characteristics that determine the external impact on a natural resource, the environment. In addition, the complexity of the blank dispositions may make it difficult to determine the composition of the offense. Therefore, for the correct application of the articles under study in the law enforcement activities of state bodies, there is a need to consider legislative acts in the field of environmental legislation, since this is the feature manifested in the interaction of environmental tort and criminally punishable encroachment on an environmental object. Various aspects of criminal prosecution for offenses against aquatic biological resources are considered in this article with the opinions of scientists, researchers in both criminal and environmental law; statistical data showing the dynamics of offenses in the studied area compared to last year, as well as places where these offenses were registered.

THE LINGUISTIC PICTURE OF THE WORLD IN THE KAZAKH FAIRY TALE: THE CONCEPT OF GOOD AND EVIL

The article considers the concept of «good» in Kazakh fairy tales. Revealing the worldview, behavior, and general character of a people means identifying the most important socio-psychological characteristics that have historically developed from the socio-economic system, way of life, existence, living conditions, etc. The formation of people’s national way of life is influenced by natural conditions, the world of plants and animals, which, in turn, determines the type of work they do, the system of traditions and customs. The linguistic picture of the world is a holistic, systematic reflection of reality, carried out using various linguistic means. The article examines the reflection of the fable «Good follows good, evil follows evil» in fairy tales, which was formed in the Kazakh worldview. It is studied as the basis of knowledge accumulated from the life experience of the people, and is subjected to scientific analysis based on the data of the fairy tale. When we study good and evil together, no matter what folk tale we take, there is no hero who gets his way by doing bad things. There will never be such a hero. It is believed that the opposition of good and evil is present in every language, in the linguistic image of every world. In the texts of folk tales there are sometimes multiple variations. This is natural, since folk tales have many different versions. In this case, one of the most important factors is that the fairy tale is easy to read and easily perceived. The difference between good and evil, which is still considered relevant today in the linguistic picture of the world in Kazakh fairy tales, and its definition through simple reflections of everyday life is easily illustrated with visual and specific data. Keywords: literature, fairy tale, national peculiarity, culture, folklore, opposition, concept.

Advancements in breeding for high oil content in maize (Zea mays. L)

Maize is one of the world’s most important food crops, supplying>5% deity energy. Due to its wider adaptability, high yield potential, maize is widely utilized as food and animals world worldwide. It enriched with caloric starch and the high energy in its oil. The kernel oil content in commercial high-oil maize hybrids averages ∼8%, far lower than that in developed high-oil maize lines (as high as 20%). The maize seed/kernel consisted of endosperm (82%) and the germ (embryo and scutellum) (12%). The germ region makes up 80–84% of kernel oil, with the aleurone and endosperm making up 12% and 5%, respectively. High-oil maize may serve as a valuable forage maize germplasm for breeding. Maize oil is also considered as high-quality oil for human health due to the high proportion of polyun-saturated fatty acids. Selection for high oil increases the proportion of germ and further content of germ oil. The problems that over-shadow the successful production of high-oil corn are low grain yield potential, physiological cost of oil synthesis, low seed vigor, low kernel weight, shorter seed longevity, and poor germination of high-oil corn lines. It is necessary to make efforts to generate nested populations or use marker-assisted recurrent selection (MARS) to accumulate the advantageous quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in the pa-rental lines. The oil content of maize inbreeds and hybrids could be further improved with the use of transgenes, genomics, and metabolic engineering technologies in new insight for the development of high oil maize breeding and strategies.

Call of the wildWhy Animals Talk: The New Science of Animal Communication Arik Kershenbaum Penguin, 2024. 288 pp.

A zoologist probes the origins of complex communication in the animal world.

Design as a learning opportunity in biology lessons—a cross-domain STEM approach and its impact on biological subject knowledge

There is a broad consensus in politics, economy and science about the importance of promoting STEM competences. To promote STEM skills in the classroom, we propose a cross-domain approach combining the STEM sub-domains of Biology and Technology/Engineering. Therefore, we have developed a model that illustrates how the STEM sub-domains of Biology and Technology/Engineering can complement each other in a cognitive process. Both sub-domains show similarities in working methods and consider structural and functional relationships. These synergies can be brought together in a design process. This approach leads to the question of the extent to which a cross-domain approach utilising a design process can be a learning opportunity for biological subject knowledge. Based on this model, we have created a learning arrangement on the topic of the ‘locomotor system’. Learners should use a design process to build a feeding machine inspired by structural-functional relationships in different locomotor systems. In a quasi-experimental study, we compared this Design approach with two alternative teaching approaches (a Reconstruction approach and a Biology approach). In the Reconstruction approach, students receive the same input on structural-functional relationships in locomotor systems but build their feeding machine according to a predetermined plan. In the Biology approach, no feeding machine is built; instead, structural-function relationships in locomotor systems are modelled using further examples from the animal world. 413 pupils (age: M = 12.53, SD = 0.818) took part in the study. Longitudinal and cross-sectional analyses emphasise the potential of the Design approach compared to the other methods and show significant differences in long-term learning outcomes. Path models illustrate that cognitive abilities (IQ) and participation in the ‘Design’-intervention group are decisive prerequisites for learning success. The results also show that students following the Design-approach develop a significantly improved understanding of concepts related to the musculoskeletal system. Using a design process combining biology and engineering presents a learning opportunity for students to develop long-term robust biological knowledge and understanding of biological concepts. Thus, using a design approach can be a cross-domain bridge for integrated STEM instruction in order to foster pupils’ knowledge acquisition and competences.

VALUE-NORMATIVE DIMENSIONS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS IN THE CONDITIONS OF WAR

The article is devoted to the study of the ethical and value dimensions of the ecological crisis in the situation caused by war, and to the clarification of the significance of human responsibility for one’s actions in relation to nature. It is shown that the observance of moral and ethical norms and orientation to the values vital to man are a necessary condition for the preservation of human life and nature. The analysis of the tasks set in the article is carried out on the basis of the use of ideas of communicative philosophy and discursive ethics, which allows to form knowledge about the ecologically constructive relations of man with nature, to assess the scale of environmental problems in the conditions of war, and to search for ways to mitigate the consequences of the ecological crisis for man and nature.It is substantiated that the ecological crisis has value and cultural origins, therefore the awareness of the need to adhere to universal human values and the correlation of human actions in relation to nature with the norms of cultural and historical universalism becomes especially relevant. Attention is focused on the fact that in the conditions of war, barbaric expansion into the natural world, soullessness, merciless treatment of the plant and animal world, man and humanity must be guided in their actions by humanistic consciousness and moral principles, determine their actions by understanding responsibility for life. It has been established that modern man’s recognition of the importance of moral and ethical norms and humanistic values is an alternative to a lifestyle built on an unlimited, aggressive, exploitative attitude towards nature. Despite the difference between the types of culture and different cultural systems, the dominance of different value systems, people must equally ensure equal rights and bear joint responsibility for life. The most promising development strategy for humanity in a war situation should be the preservation of human life in unity with nature.

Animals as Intentional Political Agents and God’s Warriors in Sign-Themed Qurʾānic Narratives

Abstract Taking its cue from the Islamic Ecological Paradigm, deeply rooted in Islamic religious traditions, which emerged more than 1400 years ago, this paper reimagines the human-nonhuman relationship against the backdrop of the arguably assumed superiority of mankind in (Islamic) theological discourses. Using Qurʾānic narratives as a key point of divergence in the natural superiority of man within the idea of vicegerency, we argue that the Qurʾān’s egalitarian ethos presents animals as ‘intentional political agents’ (Pepper 2021: 30) independent of human intercession. This agency enables them to be key players in deciding the outcomes of political conundrums; in so doing, it also rebuts and destabilises arrogant anthropocentric presuppositions associated with the idea of vicegerency. We particularly read, in ‘signs themed’ Qurʾānic narratives, a dynamic relationship between humans and animals through the animal’s role as Allah’s warriors and agents against human oppressors and transgressors. Drawing on the Islamic Ecological Paradigm, Angie Pepper’s idea of intentional political agency and Sarra Tlili’s de-anthropocentric reading of the Qurʾān, we suggest that the Qurʾān robustly invites humans to reflect on the animal world by foregrounding animals as political agents while epitomising human accountability and responsibility towards them instead of establishing a relationship of dominance.

Stereotypes-images and symbols-signs of a bee in the projection of the conceptual plane of linguistic consciousness

This article has several purposes: 1. analyse and identify stereotypical images of the entomological concept of bee in the Russian national linguistic consciousness; 2. reveal the symbolic content of linguistic consciousness by extracting semantic and symbolic signs attached to the stereotypical images of the entomological concept of bee; 3. establish the dynamic invariance (stability) and temporal relevance of the identified stereotypical images in the Russian linguistic picture of the world; 4. confirm the archetypal nature of bee images as universal “products” of the collective unconsciousness and indicators of being structure. According to the study results, stereotypical images of the concept of bee and its symbolic signs were revealed: the stereotype image «hard worker»: ‘hard work’, ‘painstaking’, ‘indefatigability’, ‘distinctness’, ‘purposefulness’, ‘endurance’, ‘perseverance’, ‘fruitfulness’, ‘diligence’, ‘organization’, ‘persistence’, ‘perseverance’, ‘concentration’; The stereotype image «social being»: ‘communism / collectivism’, ‘socialism’, ‘justice’, ‘equality’, ‘teamwork’ / ‘camaraderie’, ‘unity’, ‘autocracy / power’, ‘hierarchy’, ‘self-sacrifice’, ‘fearlessness / bravery’; the stereotype image «deity / divine creation»: ‘pleasing in goodness’, ‘divine love’, ‘divine message’, ‘divine gift’, ‘Last Judgment’, ‘suffering of Christ’, ‘purity (of the soul)’, ‘chastity’, ‘faithfulness’, ‘righteousness’, ‘punishment (of sinners)’, ‘God’, ‘immortality’, ‘power’, ‘divine blessing’, ‘abundance’, ‘prosperity’, ‘intuition’; stereotype image «female person / goddess»: ‘mother’, ‘care (warmth)’, ‘woman’, ‘meekness’, ‘virtue’, ‘diligence’, ‘chastity’, ‘motherhood’, ‘matriarchy’, ‘primacy’, ‘offspring / fertility’; the stereotype image «wise creature»: ‘eloquence’, ‘prudence’, ‘wisdom’, ‘morality’, ‘mathematical thinking / mind’, ‘expediency’, ‘(life) experience / knowledge’, ‘temptation’ / ‘self-control’. Symbolic signs reflect the idea of understanding God as the supreme being and mainly appeal to the anthropomorphic moral sphere. The time span of the illustrative material (from Ancient Russia to Modern times) testifies to the archetypality, temporal relevance and dynamic invariance of the highlighted stereotypical images of concept of bee in the linguistic consciousness of native Russian speakers and in the Russian language picture of the world. This demonstrates both ethnic and socio-cultural affiliation and kinship in the innate and instinctive perception of the being structure between human race representatives and the animal world.

Искусственный интеллект как посредник между животным и человеком

The development of technology has changed the position of animals in the modern world in various aspects. However, only the achievements of artificial intelligence in the field of natural languages indicated the possibility of reaching a new level of understanding and relationship with animals. Modern technologies have made it possible to isolate and fi x animal sounds and collect a huge array of audio and video data, and the experience of translation, even in the absence of parallel texts, has indicated the potential for using artificial intelligence to analyze animal sounds. Despite numerous difficulties, including those associated with the difference in the worldview of animals and humans, there are already precedents for translation from the language of animals. The article analyzes the possibilities of using artificial intelligence in conditions of limited data and its current use in the field of animal communication. If for domestic and farm animals, researchers rely on the interpretation of meanings or emotions, then for wild animals, scientists compare sounds and behavior, and rely on the potential of artificial intelligence in solving unstructured problems. Although a number of recent studies report high reliability of “translation” from the language of animals, the very possibility of testing the effectiveness is difficult. Nevertheless, the accelerating emergence of new solutions that facilitate the recognition of the voices of specific animals, the classification of sounds and actions of different animals, etc., indicate the possibility of a qualitative leap in the understanding of animals in the near future. Success in the field of interpretation of animal sounds can lead not only to progress in a large number of areas related to the animal world, but also to a change in the status and position of the animal. At the same time, the achievements raise ethical questions related to the possibility of using new technologies to the detriment of animals and people.

Unravelling Virtual Realities—Gamers’ Perceptions of the Metaverse

In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, the Metaverse emerges as a transformative force, integrating augmented reality, virtual reality, and the internet, to redefine online interactions. This collective virtual shared space promises to revolutionise global collaboration, communication, and information engagement. Our study consisted of the application, through an online form builder, of a questionnaire to Portuguese adult gamers, analysing the results with descriptive statistics. Our research question was the following: how is the Metaverse perceived and represented by gamers? In this context, we trace four objectives: (1) verify the representations of the Metaverse; (2) verify the representations of immersion; (3) verify the representations of the multiverse; and (4) verify the importance of these concepts in daily reality. Our findings explored the Metaverse, immersion, and multiverse concepts, uncovering gamers’ perceptions with emphasis on animation, gaming, and virtual worlds as foundational elements. The Metaverse arises as an evolving force that bridges emotional experiences, offering limitless possibilities for experimentation and exploration.

The Role and Place of Art in Waldorf School

The relevance of the study is determined by the need to analyse the humanistic Waldorf experience and insufficient coverage of the issues of teaching painting in Waldorf school in Ukrainian scientific sources. The purpose of the study is to reveal the role and place of art in Waldorf school. The research tasks are the following: to highlight R. Steiner’s views on the role and place of art in the education of the younger generation; to characterize the process of teaching painting to schoolchildren at different levels of Waldorf education. The characteristic features of 12-year Waldorf art education are highlighted. They are: increasing the role of subjects of the artistic and aesthetic cycle to the level of academic (general education) and craft-applied branches; a wide range of arts (painting, drawing, sculpting, declamation, recitation, eurhythmy, singing, playing musical instruments, participation in the choir and orchestra, dramatic performances, etc.); art integration into the academic cycle (especially at the initial stage); artistic and aesthetic design of the entire educational space and school environment (in particular, school architectonics, premises interior, etc.). It has been found that teaching painting covers all children and is aimed at forming abilities, which promotes child’s harmonious development and revelation of their natural talents. Painting classes correspond to schoolchildren’s age characteristics and are connected with other subjects (native language, mathematics, zoology, botany, history, geography, physics). The content of teaching painting is characterized: from drawing, based on colour, and understanding the emotional and moral impact of colours through the search for colour forms for the mineral, plant, animal and human worlds, the transformation of a “black and white” image into a colour one, copying masterpieces of painting art, to implementation of significant artistic projects, in particular, in wall painting, painting scenery for theatrical performances, etc.). The various types (watercolour painting, oil and pastel painting) and techniques (liquid paints, lasering) of artistic activity are highlighted. The authors reveal the pedagogical expediency of studying, creatively comprehending and using Waldorf school experience to solve the current problems of the modern national school – person’s holistic development, their mental, volitional, emotional and sensual abilities, moral and social qualities, overcoming age-related and individual problems.

СHERNOZEM SCIENCE - THE SCIENCE ABOIT CHERNOZEM

The article outlines views on the modern scientific and practical significance of chernozem, emphasizing its special role in the history of science and humanity. The main attention is paid to the issues of geographical distribution, genesis, composition, structure, properties, rational use, restoration, preservation and protection. Problems related to the manifestation of degradation processes are considered: erosion, deflation, compaction, dehumification, destructuring, etc. Emphasis is placed on the role and importance of chernozems in the world of soils as a phenomenon of nature, ideal soil, feeder and means of work. In the Cenozoic period, three events stand out - not destructive, but creating, large in their progressive consequence. In the world of plants, this is the development of angiosperm families and genera, and among them cereals, which played a prominent role in the composition of specific herbaceous and cereal phytocenoses, and later in the food base of humans and domestic animals. Mammals began to predominate in the animal world, primates appeared, as a result of their long evolution, the first humanoids appeared already in the anthropogenic period. In the world of soils, the formation of chernozems began. The initial stage is the expansion of cereals and the formation on extensive, but mainly loess plains of meadow and grass-cereal steppes, under which chernozems began to form - soils of the "gathering" type, in contrast to the already existing podzolic and feralitic soils of the "dispersive" type, which are characterized by weak accumulation humus and dispersion - removal of chemical elements - biogens and many trace elements. Based on the analysis of extensive scientific research and publications about chernozem and its importance in society, it is expedient to develop a doctrine about chernozem and to single out a separate direction in the development of the science of soil science - chernozemology. Black geology is a field of soil science that studies the formation (genesis), structure, composition and properties, patterns of geographical distribution, processes of interaction with the external environment, which determine the formation and development of the main property - fertility, ecological and social functions, aesthetic value, ways of rational use, reproduction, preservation and protection. The question of chernozem and its degradation in the modern world is not only agronomic, ecological, economic, legal, aesthetic, but also political. Radical and tough decisions are needed so that the quiet crisis of the planet does not turn into a loud one in the foreseeable future. Evaluating the global importance of chernozem in the world of soils, it is advisable to develop a special course "Chernozem Science" for students of natural and agricultural specialties of higher educational institutions of Ukraine. Key words: chernozem, natural phenomenon, degradation, erosion, morphology, properties, ideal of perfection, aesthetic value.

From the Socio-Psychological Aspects of Digitalization to the Reflection of the Nature of the Word Phenomenon

In connection with the ongoing processes of social transformation, informatization and digitalization, there is a tendency to increase emotional tension and anxiety in society. Studies of the impact of digitalization on the security of the individual and society, analysis of the positive and negative aspects of digitalization are relevant. Part of the population is afraid of depersonalization, replacing the name with a digital code. Against this background, the search for a philosophical understanding of the word, as well as the name, is actualized in a comparative analysis with a digit and a digital designation, the problem of attention to the word as a spiritual phenomenon and cultural historical value is posed. Thus, the process of digitalization is a complex cultural, historical and socio-psychological phenomenon. At the personal level, the realization of personal freedom and responsibility in choosing worldview values and aspirations contributes to reducing frustration in an era of change, at the social level it is important to maintain the priority of spiritual values and meanings, where the word should remain as the highest ability that distinguishes a person from the world of animals and things.

Evaluation of in vitro anthelmintic activity of crude extract and synthesized green silver nanoparticles of the leaves of Mammea americana L.

One of the most severe parasite infections to ever plague animals, paramphistomosis is particularly devastating in tropical and subtropical areas and causes significant economic losses to the world's food industry and poor animal health. In the present study potency of the crude extract and green synthesized silver nanoparticles from fresh and matureMammea americanaL.leaves was evaluated on trematodeParamphistomum cervi, collected from the infected rumen of the cow(Bos indicus) in 0.9% phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). The crude extract at five dose levels (1mL, 2mL, 3mL 4mL, and 5ml), and silver nanoparticles (AgNps) at the five dose levels (10mg/mL, 30mg/mL, 50mg/mL, 70 and 90mg/mL) were applied. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized using UV-VIS spectrophotometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. Characterization studies of AgNPs revealed the synthesis of stable, crystalline AgNPs measuring an average size of 20-50nm. The efficacy was evaluated based on the spontaneous movement reduction and death ofP. cervi. Maximum anthelmintic activity was found at the dose of 5mL of crude extract and 90mg/mL of AgNPs ofM. americanaleaves. The scanning electron micrograph study of treated helminths of crude and AgNps revealed conspicuous distortion on the surface architecture. It also showed shrinkage of the whole body and severe damage on both suckers (anterior and posterior). AgNPs caused more shredded and torn tegumental surfaces with loss of tegumental papillae compared to untreated. Thus, this study confirmed that theM. americanaleaves extract and synthesized AgNPs can be a potential alternative herbal drug in traditional folklore medicine against serious helminth infections in our livestock industry.

Realization of planar and surface conformal mappings through stress-free growth of hyperelastic plates: Analytical formulas and numerical calculations

Conformal mapping is a well-known concept and has a long research history in mathematics. Accompanying the developments of computational science and 3D digital scanning technology, conformal mapping has also found wide applications in geometric modeling, computer graphics, medical imaging and other fields. In the virtual image or animation world, conformal mapping offers a convenient approach to achieve various shape changes of planar regions and 3D surfaces. In this work, we propose a promising approach, i.e., through the stress-free growth of hyperelastic plates, to realize arbitrary planar and surface conformal mappings in the physical world. The growth field in a hyperelastic plate can be represented by a symmetric tensor field. For any given planar or surface conformal mappings with explicit analytical expressions, the formulas of growth functions in the growth tensor are derived. In the case that the target surfaces of conformal mappings have no explicit analytical expressions, we further propose a numerical scheme to determine the growth data in the hyperelastic plates. The efficiency of the approach proposed in the current work is validated through several typical examples, where the 3D finite element simulations are conducted. The results demonstrate that, by incorporating the obtained growth functions or growth data, the target surfaces can be generated accurately through growth deformations of hyperelastic plates. As an application of the current work, we further propose an approach of shape-control for double-layer grid structures with plate forms. According to any given target shapes, the values of elongation or contraction of the bar elements are determined, then the desired deformations of the grid structures can be realized.

INTERPRETATION OF PHYTONYMIC IMAGES IN UZBEK LITERATURE

The poet expresses his feelings born in his heart through poetry. He is inspired by nature, the world of animals and plants, and transfers it to his poetry. Among literary people, flower names - phytonyms rise to the level of an artistic image. This article interprets floristic images used in Uzbek literature. The nature images found in Uzbek classic and modern poetry are discussed.

Animal Images in Shamanic Cult and Attributes in Traditional Yakut Culture

The purpose of this article is to systematize and define the role of the animal world in the mythology of Yakut shamanism and its attributes. The topic of shamanism was studied earlier mainly from an anthropocentric point of view. At present, it is interesting to consider the role of animal images in the shamanic cult and the way their communication with the shaman takes place. The sources of the study were archival and published ethnographic and folklore materials on traditional Yakut beliefs. With their help the plots in which animals appear as patron spirits, spirit-helpers and symbolic images were revealed. The animal image of the shamanic patron spirit – “iye-kyyl” (mother-beast) which participates in the “birth” of the shaman was considered. We also paid attention to animals acting as helper spirits directly in contact with the shaman: they ensure his mobility in supernatural spaces and share their powers and abilities with him. The material use of animal images for magical and apotropaic purposes in the shaman’s paraphernalia is touched upon. The methodological basis of the study is the actor-network theory and the symbolic approach. As a result of the study, we conclude that in Yakut shamanism animal images play a significant role of intermediaries between shamans and supernatural spaces. The study reveals the ideas that spirits act in an active capacity: they do not simply carry functional roles, but are themselves the initiators of the supernatural spaces.

Molecular Characterization of the Chicken Parvovirus Based on VP1 Gene Circulating in Brazilian Chicken Flocks.

Parvovirus infection affects several animal species, especially young animals. In birds, parvovirus infection has been described in Muscovy ducks, turkeys, and chickens, all of which had enteric diseases characterized by diarrhea. Chicken parvovirus (ChPV) has been detected in poultry around the world in animals affected by enteric problems, showing dwarfism, cloacal pasting, and diarrhea. In Brazil, ChPV was detected in chickens affected by diarrhea fifteen years ago. However, the genetic characteristics of ChPV circulating in chicken flocks were not determined. Therefore, the aim of the present investigation was to determine the genetic characteristics of the VP1 gene from ChPV detected in chickens affected by enteric diseases in Brazil. For this purpose, a molecular approach was used. Specific primers were designed to flank the complete VP1 gene of ChPV and amplify it using PCR. The amplified products from samples of chickens with enteric diseases were sequenced, and 22 complete CDs of the VP1 gene were obtained. These samples, compared to the ABU-P1 sequence, showed 17 sequences with high nucleotide (NT) similarity of 92.7-97.4% and amino acid (AA) similarity of 94.8-99.5% associated with Runting and Stunting syndrome (RSS); there were also five samples associated with hens with diarrhea with unusual jejunal dilatation (JD) that had less similarity than the RSS sequences (NT of 86.5% and AA of 93-93.1%). The phylogenetic analysis determined four groups. Group I had sequences from Korea. The second group included sequences from Korea, China, and Brazil (not included in this work). The third group had studied RSS sequences grouped with the ABU-P1 strain and sequences from China and the United States. Finally, the sequences from JD were clustered in a separate group with a bootstrap of 100%, a group that was denoted as group IV, and included sequences from China. RDP4 and SimPlot analysis showed one point of recombination with the sequences of group III ChPV in the JD sequences. Herein, we show that circulating strains of ChPV exhibit genetic differences in the VP1 gene in Brazilian chicken flocks. Nevertheless, more studies are needed to determine the probability of a new genetic group of ChPV based on the analysis of the complete genome.