Functional Model Research Articles

Rancang Bangun SPK Kualitas Air Sungai Metode Fuzzy Tsukamoto (Studi Kasus: 4 Kecamatan Karawang)

Research reveals that the Citarum River in West Java is seriously polluted, causing problems for humans and the environment, so monitoring of river water quality is necessary. This research proposes the development of a web-based Decision Support System with the SDLC Waterfall model, using the Fuzzy Tsukamoto method based on seven water parameters (EC, TDS, Salinity, pH, ORP, SG, Temperature) to simplify the determination of water quality. This research uses the Research and Development methodology with the SDLC Waterfall model software development approach, which includes the stages of analyzing data requirements and fuzzy logic systems, designing system architecture and features, implementing technology and process results, functional manual testing and model accuracy, and maintenance in the form of documentation and storage. The results showed that the developed DSS can classify water quality based on 7 parameters with a value scale divided into five categories, namely Good, Poor, Medium, Good, and Very Good. Testing was conducted using data from 8 river points in 4 sub-districts in Karawang Regency on April 1, 2024. The accuracy of the DSS model reached 80%. The development of this DSS is expected to provide an initial overview of water quality in a location without requiring an in-depth technical understanding of the water parameters used. This data can also be an initial indicator to determine whether further action or further investigation is required. Suggestions for future research are to integrate the system with IoT to improve its performance and benefits.

Inhibiting interferon-γ induced cancer intrinsic TNFRSF14 elevation restrains the malignant progression of glioblastoma

BackgroundProlonged interferon-γ signaling activation induces cancer resistance to therapeutics, especially immunotherapy. However, the detailed mechanisms are not well characterized. In present study, we explored cancer intrinsic resistant mechanisms employing for evading immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) and searched for key immune checkpoints contributing to the constitution of suppressive immune microenvironment of glioblastoma (GBM).MethodsWe screened key immune checkpoint (IC) associated with IFN signaling activation in GBM according to integrated transcriptomic profiling on the ICs. Expression analysis and functional assays revealed that malignant cells elevated the key IC, TNFRSF14 expression under IFN-γ stimulation, which enhanced their proliferation and in vivo tumorigenicity. Therapeutic efficiency of TNFRSF14 disruption in GBM was evaluated with in vitro and in vivo functional assays, including immunofluorescence, transwell, RT-qPCR, flow cytometry, mass cytometry, and mice preclinical GBM models. Moreover, the improvement of TNFRSF14 blockade on the efficacy of PD-L1 treatment was examined in mice intracranial xenograft bearing models.ResultsTNFRSF14, a previously poorly characterized IC, was disclosed as a checkpoint with malignant intrinsic elevation closely associated with type II not type I IFN signaling activation in GBM. Anti-PD-L1 treatment induces compensatory TNFRSF14 elevation, while enhancing IFN-γ production. TNFRSF14 phosphorylates FAK at Y397 and consequently activates NF-κB, which not only strengthens the tumorigenicity of GBM cells, but also enhances TAMs recruitment through elevating CXCL1/CXCL5 secretion from GBM cells. TNFRSF14 ablation reduces the tumorigenicity of GBM cells, reshapes the immunosuppressive microenvironment, and enhances therapeutic efficacy of anti-PD-L1 in mouse orthotopic GBM model.ConclusionOur findings highlight a malignant TNFRSF14/FAK axis as a potential target to blunt cancer-intrinsic resistance to ICB treatment, which may help improve the therapeutic efficiency of immunotherapy in malignancies.

Структурно-функциональная модель подготовки будущих педагогов к воспитанию основ социально-экологической ответственности у детей дошкольного возраста

The article examines the problem of preparing future teachers to instill the fundamentals of social and environmental responsibility in preschool children. The research aims to theoretically justify and develop a structural-functional model of teacher training for instilling the fundamentals of social and environmental responsibility in preschool children. The article defines the concept of “education of social and environmental responsibility in preschool children”, describes the structural and functional model of preparing future teachers for instilling the fundamentals of social and environmental responsibility in preschool children, and its component composition. The model integrates fundamental theoretical aspects with practical orientation and systematicity as key components of professional education for specialists in the designated field. It is assumed that students acquire not only theoretical knowledge in pedagogy and methods of teaching and nurturing preschoolers but also have opportunities to apply them both in solving cases and during pedagogical practice. Conclusions are drawn from the study's findings on this issue.

A functional aged human iPSC-cortical neuron model recapitulates Alzheimer's disease, senescence, and the response to therapeutics.

The degeneration of cortical layers is associated with cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Current therapies for AD are not disease-modifying, and, despite substantial efforts, research and development for AD has faced formidable challenges. In addition, cellular senescence has emerged as a significant contributor to therapy resistance. Human iPSC-derived cortical neurons were cultured on microelectrode arrays to measure long-term potentiation (LTP) noninvasively. Neurons were treated with pathogenic amyloid-β (Aβ) to analyze senescence and response to therapeutic molecules. Microphysiological recordings revealed Aβ dampened cortical LTP activity and accelerated neuronal senescence. Aging neurons secreted inflammatory factors previously detected in brain, plasma, and cerebral spinal fluid of AD patients, in which drugs modulated senescence-related factors. This platform measures and records neuronal LTP activity in response to Aβ and therapeutic molecules in real-time. Efficacy data from similar platforms have been accepted by the FDA for neurodegenerative diseases, expediting regulatory submissions. This work developed a progerontic model of amyloid-β (Aβ)-driven cortical degeneration. This work measured neuronal LTP and correlated function with aging biomarkers. Aβ is a driver of neuronal senescence and cortical degeneration. Molecules rescued neuronal function but did not halt Aβ-driven senescence. Therapeutic molecules modulated secretion of inflammatory factors by aging neurons.

A Brief Discussion of the Impact of Service- Learning Experience on Physicians´ Manner of Practice

Background: Service-learning combines student education with volunteer activities which benefit the community. The authors examined how service-learning through a Canadian medical student-run clinic for refugee newcomers shapes the subsequent practice style of physicians. The clinic (known as “The Gateway Program”) aims to improve access to medical care for refugees in the urban center in which the medical schoolis located, while teaching students about cross-cultural medicine. The connection between current practice styles and prior service-learning has not been well documented in the literature, despite value existing in examining the impact this educational tool has on physicians. The research question was: How does participation in service-learning shape the manner in which physicians subsequently deliver healthcare? Methods: The study qualitatively examines the experiences of former student coordinators of The Gateway Program who are now practicing Canadian physicians. Eight participants were interviewed. Data was subjected to thematic analysis. Results: Three key themes were identified: Advocacy, Social Determinants of Health, and Transferable Skills for Underserved Populations. Conclusion: Time served in the clinic is reported to have had a profound impact on participants’ current style of practice. The clinic exposed students early in their medical education to a functional model of care for the underserved which valued physician advocacy. As practicing professionals, they were able to draw upon this learning to inform their professional morals and style of practice.

Patent Invalidation Procedures in the WTO Member BRICS Countries: India Provides a Model Legislation

Eighty percent of the world’s population lives in emerging markets, and a significant portion of this population is not receiving healthcare or at least is not receiving the healthcare they need. This is an issue experienced in all of the BRICS countries as well. The BRICS countries particularly need drugs for the treatment and management of infectious and communicable diseases. The affordability of healthcare is one of the key priorities of the BRICS countries. These goals may not necessarily be in line with the patent laws of the BRICS countries which are also members of the World Trade Organization (WTO). This article examines the patent invalidation procedures of the four WTO member BRICS countries, namely India, China, Brazil, and South Africa with the aim of evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of their procedural safeguards and learning from their experiences. The presence of a functional patent opposition model is of utmost importance for the BRICS countries, since this allows for the invalidation or opposition of patents that have been granted in their respective jurisdictions. However, except for India, none of the other WTO member BRICS countries have developed a well-thought-out patent opposition model. This study argues that the BRICS group provides a viable forum for India to promote its distinguished patent invalidation model. In turn, the WTO member BRICS countries can learn from India’s pro-health patent opposition model and reform their national patent laws to align with their public health priorities. This is especially important in the context of the pandemic like COVID-19, for example.

Walking fingerprinting

Abstract We consider the problem of predicting an individual’s identity from accelerometry data collected during walking. In a previous paper, we transformed the accelerometry time series into an image by constructing the joint distribution of the acceleration and lagged acceleration for a vector of lags. Predictors derived by partitioning this image into grid cells were used in logistic regression to predict individuals. Here, we (a) implement machine learning methods for prediction using the grid cell-derived predictors; (b) derive inferential methods to screen for the most predictive grid cells while adjusting for correlation and multiple comparisons; and (c) develop a novel multivariate functional regression model that avoids partitioning the predictor space. Prediction methods are compared on two open source acceleometry data sets collected from: (a) 32 individuals walking on a 1.06 km path; and (b) six repetitions of walking on a 20 m path on two occasions at least 1 week apart for 153 study participants. In the 32-individual study, all methods achieve at least 95% rank-1 accuracy, while in the 153-individual study, accuracy varies from 41% to 98%, depending on the method and prediction task. Methods provide insights into why some individuals are easier to predict than others.

Mapping the Influence of Light Intensity on the Transgenerational Genetic Architecture of Arabidopsis thaliana.

Light is a crucial environmental factor that influences the phenotypic development of plants. Despite extensive studies on the physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms of the impact of light on phenotypes, genetic investigations regarding light-induced transgenerational plasticity in Arabidopsis thaliana remain incomplete. In this study, we used thaliana as the material, then gathered phenotypic data regarding leaf number and plant height under high- and low-light conditions from two generations. In addition to the developed genotype data, a functional mapping model was used to locate a series of significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Under low-light conditions, a noticeable adaptive change in the phenotype of leaf number in the second generation suggests the presence of transgenerational genetic effects in thaliana under environmental stress. Under different lighting treatments, 33 and 13 significant genes associated with transgenerational inheritance were identified, respectively. These genes are largely involved in signal transduction, technical hormone pathways, light responses, and the regulation of organ development. Notably, genes identified under high-light conditions more significantly influence plant development, whereas those identified under low-light conditions focus more on responding to external environmental stimuli.

A high-dimensional omnibus test for set-based association analysis.

Set-based association analysis is a valuable tool in studying the etiology of complex diseases in genome-wide association studies, as it allows for the joint testing of variants in a region or group. Two common types of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-disease functional models are recognized when evaluating the joint function of a set of SNP: the cumulative weak signal model, in which multiple functional variants with small effects contribute to disease risk, and the dominating strong signal model, in which a few functional variants with large effects contribute to disease risk. However, existing methods have two main limitations that reduce their power. Firstly, they typically only consider one disease-SNP association model, which can result in significant power loss if the model is misspecified. Secondly, they do not account for the high-dimensional nature of SNPs, leading to low power or high false positives. In this study, we propose a solution to these challenges by using a high-dimensional inference procedure that involves simultaneously fitting many SNPs in a regression model. We also propose an omnibus testing procedure that employs a robust and powerful P-value combination method to enhance the power of SNP-set association. Our results from extensive simulation studies and a real data analysis demonstrate that our set-based high-dimensional inference strategy is both flexible and computationally efficient and can substantially improve the power of SNP-set association analysis. Application to a real dataset further demonstrates the utility of the testing strategy.

Exploring microbial diversity and functional gene dynamics associated with the microbiome of Sof Umer cave, Ethiopia

Sof Umer Cave is the largest cave in East Africa and located in southeastern Ethiopia, is an unexplored extreme environment harboring novel microbes and potential genetic resources. However, the microbial ecology and their potential genetic resource, remain undiscovered. The purpose of this study was to employ high-throughput shotgun sequencing to explore the microbial diversity and functional gene dynamics within the microbiomes of Sof Umer Cave. High-molecular-weight DNA was extracted from homogenized sample using the GeneAll DNA Soil Mini Kit and 1% CTAB-SDS method. Purified environmental DNA was sequenced using a NovaSeq PE150. Microbial gene analysis revealed that Sof Umer Cave is primarily inhabited by Protobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidota, Verrucomicrobiota, Acidobacteiota, and Cyanobacteria, according to the Micro-RN database. The functional genes identified through the KEGG, eggNOG, and CAZy databases included 44,780 genes involved in metabolism and the biosynthesis of bioactive compounds. However, 34,716 genes related to metabolic processes remained unidentified, suggesting the presence of potentially novel genes for the discovery of natural bioactive compounds. Additionally, functional gene modeling using the FBA-built metabolic model, Model seed and MS2-prokaryotic metabolic model revealed 1,742 reactions, 1,542 compounds, and the addition of 302 new reactions during gap filling. Finally, the results revealed that the Sof Umer Cave is a reservoir for novel microbes and diverse functional genes, offering potential for the discovery of natural bioactive compounds.

Modelling seasonal variation of sediment connectivity and its interplay with river forms

Functional connectivity refers to the system dynamics and sediment transfer in a geomorphological system. It is usually quantified through digital elevation models of difference at two time-steps but measuring and quantifying sediment connectivity variation between the time-steps remains a challenge. In this study we utilised a combined approach of morphodynamic model and field observation for assessing seasonal spatio-temporal variation of longitudinal functional connectivity over a 6-kilometre sub-arctic river reach. Comprehensive field datasets including sediment sampling, monitoring of morphological change and continuous discharge and water level measurements, were collected multiple times during the year to calibrate and validate the model for one year. The results revealed that connectivity inside the reach is episodical and not all the morphological adjustment was tied to discharge. Connectivity varied spatio-temporally inside the reach and sediment source and sink areas could be detected. Outside of the hydrological controlled episodes, meander evolutional stage and grain size had notable role in sediment connectivity in the short-term, and therefore underlaying morphological adjustment in the long-term. This approach can contribute to enhancing already existing connectivity indices towards a functional model considering the seasonality and periodicity of connectivity in more detail and would therefore enhance river management and prediction of geomorphic systems functioning.

The Parkinson's Disease Composite of Executive Functioning: A Measure for Detecting Cognitive Decline in Clinical Trials.

Executive functioning is one of the first domains to be impaired in Parkinson disease (PD), and the majority of patients with PD eventually develop dementia. Thus, developing a cognitive endpoint measure specifically assessing executive functioning is critical for PD clinical trials. The objective of this study was to develop a cognitive composite measure that is sensitive to decline in executive functioning for use in PD clinical trials. We used cross-sectional and longitudinal follow-up data from PD participants enrolled in the PD Cognitive Genetics Consortium, a multicenter setting focused on PD. All PD participants with Trail Making Test, Digit Symbol, Letter-Number Sequencing, Semantic Fluency, and Phonemic Fluency neuropsychological data collected from March 2010 to February 2020 were included. Baseline executive functioning data were used to create the Parkinson's Disease Composite of Executive Functioning (PaCEF) through confirmatory factor analysis. We examined the changes in the PaCEF over time, how well baseline PaCEF predicts time to cognitive progression, and the required sample size estimates for PD clinical trials. PaCEF results were compared with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), individual tests forming the PaCEF, and tests of visuospatial, language, and memory functioning. A total of 841 participants (251 no cognitive impairment [NCI], 480 mild cognitive impairment [MCI], and 110 dementia) with baseline data were included, of which the mean (SD) age was 67.1 (8.9) years and 270 were women (32%). Five hundred forty five PD participants had longitudinal neuropsychological data spanning 9 years (mean [SD] 4.5 [2.2] years) and were included in analyses examining cognitive decline. A 1-factor model of executive functioning with excellent fit (comparative fit index = 0.993, Tucker-Lewis index = 0.989, and root mean square error of approximation = 0.044) was used to calculate the PaCEF. The average annual change in PaCEF ranged from 0.246 points per year for PD-NCI participants who remained cognitively unimpaired to -0.821 points per year for PD-MCI participants who progressed to dementia. For PD-MCI, baseline PaCEF, but not baseline MoCA, significantly predicted time to dementia. Sample size estimates were 69%-73% smaller for PD-NCI trials and 16%-19% smaller for PD-MCI trials when using the PaCEF rather than MoCA as the endpoint. The PaCEF is a sensitive measure of executive functioning decline in PD and will be especially beneficial for PD clinical trials.

Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor improves erectile function in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.

Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) serves as a pro-angiogenic factor; however, there is to our knowledge currently no reported research on the relationship between HB-EGF and diabetic erectile dysfunction (ED). In this study we aimed to determine whether HB-EGF can improve the erectile function of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice and to explore the related mechanisms. Eight-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were used for diabetes induction. Diabetes mellitus (DM) was induced by low-dose injections of streptozotocin (50mg/kg) for 5 consecutive days. Eight weeks after streptozotocin injections, DM was determined by measuring blood glucose and body weight. Diabetic mice were treated with two intracavernous administrations of phosphate-buffered saline (20μL) or various doses of HB-EGF (days -3 and 0; 1, 5, and 10μg in 20μL of phosphate-buffered saline). The angiogenesis effect of HB-EGF was confirmed by tube formation and migration assays in mouse cavernous endothelial cells and mouse cavernous pericytes under high-glucose conditions. Erectile function was measured by electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerve, as well as histological examination and Western blot analysis for mechanism assessment. In vitro angiogenesis, cell proliferation, in vivo intracavernous pressure, neurovascular regeneration, cavernous permeability, and survival signaling were the outcomes measured. Expression of HB-EGF was reduced under diabetic conditions. Exogenous HB-EGF induced angiogenesis in mouse cavernous endothelial cells and mouse cavernous pericytes under high-glucose conditions. Erectile function was decreased in the DM group, whereas administration of HB-EGF resulted in a significant improvement of erectile function (91% of the age-matched control group) in association with increased neurovascular content, including cavernous endothelial cells, pericytes, and neuronal cells. Histological and Western blot analyses revealed a significant increase in the permeability of the corpus cavernosum in DM mice, which was attenuated by HB-EGF treatment. The protein expression of phospho-Akt Ser473 and phosphorylated endothelial nitric oxide synthase Ser1177 increased after HB-EGF treatment. The use of HB-EGF may be an effective strategy to treat ED associated with DM or other neurovascular diseases. Similarly to other pro-angiogenic factors, HB-EGF has dual roles in vascular and neuronal development. Our study focused on broadly evaluating the role of HB-EGF in diabetic ED. In view of the properties of HB-EGF as an angiogenic factor, its dose concentration should be strictly controlled to avoid potential side effects. In the diabetic ED mouse model in this study erectile function was improved by HB-EGF, which may provide new treatment strategies for patients with ED who do not respond to phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors.

Resilience mechanisms of Trichopria drosophilae (Hymenoptera: Diapriinae) under global extreme cooling: insights into parasitic response and physiological adaptation.

Global climate warming and frequent extreme low-temperature events have made it essential to investigate the impact of low temperatures on parasitic wasps to protect and strengthen farmland biodiversity, which in turn enhances the biological control potential of natural enemies such as parasitic wasps. We systematically examined how low-temperature stress affects the parasitic functional response of Trichopria drosophilae to Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) pupae. Our findings indicate that the parasitic behavior of T. drosophilae towards D. suzukii pupae aligns with the Holling II functional response model following exposure to different temperatures. Within the temperature range of 8 °C to -8 °C, lower temperatures correlated decreased instantaneous attack rate of T. drosophilae and an increase in processing time. The search constant Q initially increased and then decreased with declining temperatures. Short-term low-temperature stress negatively impacted the parasitic and searching abilities of T. drosophilae but did not alter its parasitic functional response model. Notably, short-term low-temperature stress had minimal effects on the water content, protein content, and total sugar content of male and female T. drosophilae adults. However, as temperatures decreased, the activities of key enzymes, including GAPDH, SOD, T-AOC, and malondialdehyde (MDA), exhibited an initial increase followed by a decrease. Conversely, the activities of LDH and HOAD decreased, while the activities of CAT and POD increased. Further study on the effect of short-term low temperature on T. drosophilae can provide a research basis for the large-scale production and low-temperature refrigeration technology of T. drosophilae, and provide a scientific basis for its efficient use in the field.

Sex and circadian regulation of metabolic demands in the rat kidney: A modeling analysis.

Renal hemodynamics, renal transporter expression levels, and urine excretion exhibit circadian variations. Disruption of these diurnal patterns is associated with the pathophysiology of hypertension and chronic kidney disease. Renal hemodynamics determines oxygen delivery, whereas renal transport and metabolism determines oxygen consumption; the balance between them yields renal oxygenation which also demonstrates 24-h periodicity. Another notable modulator of kidney function is sex, which has impacts on renal hemodynamics and transport function that are regulated by as well as independent of the circadian clock. The goal of this study was to investigate the diurnal and sexual variations in renal oxygen consumption and oxygenation. For this purpose, we developed computational models of rat kidney function that represent sexual dimorphism and circadian variation in renal hemodynamics and transporter activities. Model simulations predicted substantial differences in tubular Na+ transport and oxygen consumption among different nephron segments. We also simulated the effect of loop diuretics, which are used in the treatment of renal hypoxia, on medullary oxygen tension. Our model predicted a significantly higher effect of loop diuretics on medullary oxygenation in female rats compared to male rats and when administered during the active phase.

DFT2FEFFIT: a density-functional-theory-based structural toolkit to analyze EXAFS spectra.

This article presents a Python-based program, DFT2FEFFIT, to regress theoretical extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectra calculated from density functional theory structure models against experimental EXAFS spectra. To showcase its application, Ce-doped fluorapatite [Ca10(PO4)6F2] is revisited as a representative of a material difficult to analyze by conventional multi-shell least-squares fitting of EXAFS spectra. The software is open source and publicly available.

Effects of Muddy Water Infiltration on the Hydraulic Conductivity of Soils

Despite the high sand content of Yellow River water in arid Northwest China, locals in the region opt to use muddy water to meet the demand for agricultural irrigation. Muddy water irrigation is a complex process and is still poorly understood. In this study, six sets of saturated soil column infiltration tests were designed, considering soil texture (silt loam, sandy loam, and sand) and muddy water sand content (3%, 6%, 9%, and 12%) as the influencing factors, with two sets of validation tests. Change in hydraulic conductivity (Kh), the average change rate of hydraulic conductivity (ΔK), and cumulative infiltration volume (I) were experimentally studied in the context of muddy water infiltration to respectively establish the separate functional models and developed to fit their relationship with time. The study results indicated that the hydraulic conductivity (Kh) decreased with increasing muddy water infiltration time. For silt loam and sandy loam, Kh stabilized at 0.0030 and 0.0109 cm/min, respectively, after 70 min of infiltration. In contrast, Kh in the saturated sandy soil column significantly declined throughout the muddy water infiltration, showing a 90.84% reduction after 90 min compared to the saturated hydraulic conductivity of the sandy soil. As the sand content of the muddy water increased from 3% to 12%, Kh decreased by 83.99%, 90.90%, 91.92%, and 92.21% for 3%, 6%, 9%, and 12% sand content, respectively, in the saturated sandy soil columns at the end of the infiltration period. The I values were 21.20, 9.29, 7.90, and 6.25 cm for 3%, 6%, 9%, and 12% sand content, respectively. The ΔK values were 0.0037, 0.0041, 0.0043, and 0.0044 cm/min2 for the respective sand contents, at an infiltration time of 80 min. The validation test demonstrated that the segmented function model accurately emulated the changes in hydraulic conductivity of sandy soil textures throughout the infiltration period. Results from this study provide a significant basis for understanding the mechanisms to hinder muddy water infiltration and to efficiently utilize muddy water for irrigation.

Understanding the complexity of a stroke care system through functional modelling and analysis

Stroke is a leading cause of disability and death worldwide. Care of stroke patients is both complex and resource-intensive. Understanding this complexity is crucial for improving healthcare delivery. This study aimed to model and analyze the complexity of a stroke care system. Data were gathered through document review and interviews with 17 healthcare professionals in a city in eastern Canada. The Functional Resonance Analysis Method (FRAM) was employed to model the stroke care system, identify the sources of variability, and propose solutions to improve the stroke care system. The study identified 73 interconnected functions that constitute a functional model of the stroke care system spanning from preadmission to discharge. The functional model illustrates how stroke patients enter the system, receive treatment, and transition after discharge. The results of this study revealed that 1) staffing ratio, 2) health staff training, 3) scheduling, 4) documentation, and 5) equipment and space are significant sources of variability in the stroke care system. These findings enable healthcare professionals to focus on managing significant changes and enhancing their ability to navigate the complexity of the stroke care effectively.

Hormonal and cycle phase predictors of within-women shifts in self-perceived attractiveness: Tests of alternative functional models

Prior research has produced mixed findings regarding whether women feel more attractive during the fertile phase of the menstrual cycle. Here, we analyzed cycle phase and hormonal predictors of women's self-perceived attractiveness (SPA) assessed within a daily diary study. Forty-three women indicated their SPA, sexual desire, and interest in their own partners or other potential mates each day across 1–2 menstrual cycles; saliva samples collected on corresponding days were assayed for estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone; and photos of the women taken at weekly intervals were rated for attractiveness. Contrary to some prior studies, we did not find a significant increase in SPA within the estimated fertile window (i.e., cycle days when conception is possible). However, within-cycle fluctuations in progesterone were significantly negatively associated with shifts in SPA, with a visible nadir in SPA in the mid-luteal phase. Women's sexual desire and SPA were positively associated, and the two variables fluctuated in very similar ways across the cycle. Third-party ratings of women's photos provided no evidence that women's SPA simply tracked actual changes in their visible attractiveness. Finally, for partnered women, changes in SPA correlated with shifts in attraction to own partners at least as strongly as it did with shifts in fantasy about extra-pair partners. Our findings provide preliminary evidence for the idea that SPA is a component of women's sexual motivation that may change in ways similar to other hormonally regulated shifts in motivational priorities. Additional large-scale studies are necessary to test replication of these preliminary findings.

SEMANTIC DYNAMICS OF BUSINESS IN STYLISTICS OF SOCIAL COMMUNICATION

The article is devoted to the linguistic and stylistic motivation of the "business" nature in the time and space of culture. The research idea regarding the need for professional analysis of the evolution of business is formulated and argued: from the primary meaning of the word to the modern one, which reflects the values and priorities of the development of the modern world, verbalized as a result of active processes of literary language development. The functioning of "business" concept in heterogeneous communicative fragments — in the structure of word combinations and fixed expressions — is studied, which explains the nature and scope of its application and the effective expediency of its use in multilingual contexts. The status of business in the language consciousness of society and the general state of business activity are considered through a diachronic comparison of the semantics of the term "business" in general language dictionaries of different editions. Therefore, attention is focused on common and professional definitions of the concept of business, their features and differences. For the dynamics of the objectivity of stylistic studies of business communication, it is determined that it is relevant to characterize the nature of business as a phenomenon, its strategies and tactics, which appear as systematized communicative intentions of speakers and determine effective models of their verbal interaction in this area. At this stage, we consider such tasks to be promising for further research, since business linguistics aspectology is projected onto the system of current issues that determine the vectors of development of national linguistics. Taking into account the development of multimedia technologies, which today actively affect all spheres of public communication, determine the dynamic nature of their functional and stylistic adaptation to the priorities and values of the mass audience, the task of the research perspective of creating and implementing an effective functional model of business communication, in particular, in the media space, was formulated.