Integral Index Research Articles

Ecological health assessment using zooplankton index of biotic integrity (Z-IBI) in urban rivers in Hainan Island, China.

The Changwang, Meishe, and Wuyuan are urban rivers in Haikou City, Hainan Island. They are vital water sources, serving various purposes, from farmland irrigation to domestic and industrial use. Unfortunately, anthropogenic activities have influenced these "rivers," negatively impacting water quality and ecological functions; however, there is limited research on their ecological status. Thus, this study assessed the zooplankton community structure and developed the zooplankton index of biotic integrity (Z-IBI) to evaluate the ecological status. Samples were collected and analyzed seasonally in 2019. Generally, 159 zooplankton species belonging to 85 genera, 55 families, and 3 phyla were identified, dominated by Rotifer and Protozoa, followed by Arthropoda (groups of Copepod and Cladocera). The zooplankton density varied from 0.00 to 126.04 ind L-1, with averages of 19.49 ind L-1, 31.40 ind L-1, and 20.38 ind L-1 in Changwang, Meishe, and Wuyuan, respectively. The zooplankton density varied seasonally as summer > spring > winter > autumn. Analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) indicated a significant seasonal difference (R = 0.070, p < 0.001) in zooplankton community but not spatially (R = 0.004, p = 0.413). Thus, SIMPER revealed that Brachionus forficula, Didinium nasutum, Keratella valga, Nauplius, and Polyarthra vulgaris contributed to the seasonal differences. The redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed environmental factors, including total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), chemical oxygen demand (CODMn), dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, pH, Chl-a, and electrical conductivity (EC) influenced zooplankton species. The Z-IBI was established using Zooplankton abundance, Protozoa abundance, Copepod abundance, Cladoceran biomass %, and Shannon-Wiener diversity index. Based on Z-IBI evaluation, ecological status was "moderate" in Changwang and Wuyuan, while it was "low" in Meishe. Seasonally, the ecological status in autumn was better than in summer and spring. The Z-IBI showed that parameters, including pH, EC, CODMn, TN, TP, and Chl-a, decreased with improving water quality, while water transparency increased with improved water quality. Thus, the "rivers" ecological status could be adequately assessed using the Z-IBI to guide their water quality monitoring and management.

Medium-term forecast of the dynamics of life attitudes of Russians

The article presents a method for forecasting trends in changes in mass consciousness in terms of life attitudes, i.e. those values according to which people try to build their lives. Modern applied sociology successfully uses the forecast of electoral and consumer behaviour of citizens. The time lag of forecast reliability: for electoral behaviour - 4-5 weeks, for consumer behaviour - up to a year. Forecasting for 10-20 years is practiced mainly in demography. It is more difficult to forecast changes in mass consciousness based on value attitudes of citizens. If we assume that the development of the state is evolutionary, then the combination of heuristic and mathematical methods allows us to forecast trends in the attitudes of the population aged 40 and older, as basic for the economic and political functioning of the state. In methodological terms, the article proposes a procedure for forecasting trends only, without claiming high accuracy of numerical indicators, with mandatory consideration of weak variability of basic numerical indicators measured as of 2024. To forecast trends, there were used data from an all-Russian representative sociological study, accumulated in integral indices, as well as in verbal constructs using factor analysis. The combination of these methods allowed to make a generally stable 20-year forecast of trends in changes in the life attitudes of Russians. As a tool for a detailed forecast indices as integrated indicators of the intensity and direction of a trend were used, and for a generalised forecast - verbal constructs formed on the basis of factor analysis. The choice of the subject of the forecast is based on the hypothesis that the &amp;amp;quot;catalyst&amp;amp;quot; of life attitudes are three components of life activity: the life trajectory chosen by the individual, including the preferred types of life activity; the identification of the individual with reference groups as a contact environment, a mechanism of value communication and self-realisation; the choice of forms of social behaviour by the individual based on the basic moral principles of people's life activity. These three aspects of the population's life activity are not only socially (phylogenetically), but also to a large extent biologically (ontogenetically) determined, therefore they are highly stable, that allows us to talk about the stability of the medium-term forecast of trends in the interval of up to 20 years. Thus, the article proposes the tested in an applied sociological study combined method of medium-term forecast of social groups' attitudes in a situation where repeated studies are not conducted to build a dynamic series of empirical indicators. The forecast presented in the article operates with indicators that are important for consideration in the practice of medium-term planning of the state’s social policy.

Ресурсный потенциал сферы облачных инфокоммуникационных услуг в российских регионах: сравнительная оценка

The purpose of the study is to develop a methodological approach to comparative assessment of the resource potential of the cloud infocommunication services sphere in Russian regions in order to determine the state and development prospects of regional resources. The approach is based on the construction of integral indices of human and infrastruc-ture resources of the regions. The choice of statistical indicators included in the named indices was substantiated. The assessments of the level of development of the resource potential of the cloud infocommunication services sphere in Russian regions were constructed based on the current Rosstat data for 2022 and 2023. The regions were grouped by analogy with the groupings of the BCG matrix and the Gartner quadrant. Each region is assessed by two indices: «hu-man resources» and «infrastructure resources». Four groups of regions were defined, corresponding to the four quad-rants: with high scores for both indices; with high scores only for the infrastructure resources indicator; with high scores only for the human resources indicator; with low scores for both indicators. The prospects for the development of re-gional resources were determined, taking into account the identified specificity of regional resources and the share of costs for the implementation and use of digital technologies in the gross regional product. The results can be used to justify strategic directions for the development of the resource potential of the infocommunication sphere of Russian regions.

Multiphase flow modelling of gas migration from a hypothetical integrity-compromised petroleum well in the peace region of North-eastern British Columbia, Canada

Well-integrity failure occurs in a small subset of petroleum wells, resulting in release of fugitive gas into intersected geologic formations. Released fugitive gas from geoenergy systems is a growing environmental concern that can contaminate groundwater aquifers and emit greenhouse gases (GHGs) to atmosphere. Currently, the roles of well-cement quality and properties of intersected geologic formations on the environmental outcomes of well-integrity failure is poorly understood. To advance understanding, we numerically modelled a hypothetical fugitive methane release from a petroleum well intersecting the Sunset Paleovalley aquifer system in Northeast British Columbia, Canada. We simulate a 10-year release and migration of fugitive gas into a two dimensional, two-phase, two-component advective flow field with the subsurface properties informed by field and laboratory data. We evaluate the effects of cement quality, gas release depth, and geologic heterogeneity on fugitive-gas containment or emission by defining and/or evaluating three key numbers: a) emission-retention ratio (ERR), b) well integrity index (WII), and c) fugitive gas mobility ratio (MR) over relevant spatiotemporal scales. We show that ERR and WII capture the bifurcated impacts of fugitive gas from petroleum wells, including groundwater contamination and atmospheric emissions. A WII close to one reduces vertical fugitive-gas migration along the well bore, fosters lateral migration into intersected geologic materials and significantly limits GHG emissions to atmosphere. MR and ERR values show fugitive-gas migration and fate are primarily controlled by the casing annulus cement quality, particularly when fugitive gas is released at shallow depths. We conclude that the quality of petroleum-well cement is among the parameters controlling the migration pathways, impacts, and fate of fugitive-gas release.

Local Time Distribution and Activity Dependence of Extreme Electron Densities in the Auroral D‐Region as an Image of Energy‐Dependent Energetic Electron Precipitation

AbstractStudying the episodes with the most elevated electron density (Ne) values provides valuable information about spatial distribution and drivers of intense energetic electron (EE) precipitation, which has important space weather implications. By combining EISCAT‐Tromso UHF observations in different modes made in 2001–2021, we survey Ne occurrences and study statistical properties of EE precipitation, producing the highest 10% and 1% of Ne values at the altitudes between 100 and 75 km (corresponding to EE energies of ∼20–∼200 keV). We found that the highest Ne values occur in the nightside‐morning local time sector at the altitudes 90–100 km and in the morning‐noon sector at low altitudes (75–85 km). Although this bimodal pattern could partly be contributed by the suppressed Ne in the dark ionosphere, by analyzing measurements in the twilight conditions at all MLTs together with published patterns of EE precipitation, we argue that a dominance of pre‐noon maximum at low altitudes reflects the enhanced precipitation of &gt;100 keV electrons in this local time sector. At all altitudes (especially below 90 km), the appearance of the highest Ne values favors enhanced auroral activity and shows a strong correlation with fast solar wind (V &gt; 550 km/s) events. These properties mimic the well‐known driving characteristics of energetic electrons. From the correlation of Ne with integral magnetic activity indexes we found that the memory of preceding magnetic activity increases with decreasing altitude, reaching roughly one day at H = 75 km. We discuss the advantages of exploring Ne data at specific altitudes (compared to direct measurements of EE precipitation) to investigate statistically the effects of specific precipitated energy components and the evolution of EE energy spectra.

Cytokine imbalance as a factor of postoperative complications of third mandibular molar extraction

Background. Tooth extraction is considered the most frequently performed operation in surgical dentistry, which can often cause inflammatory complications. Modern research has come a long way in terms of developing methods for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of these complications, but the search for their early laboratory markers remains an urgent task to this day.The aim of the study. To determine prognostic laboratory criteria for the development of local inflammatory complications of third mandibular molar extraction.Methods. The study included 35 people who underwent extraction of a third mandibular (semi-impacted) molar. Before the surgery, immediately after the surgery, 1, 2, 3 and 4 days after the surgery, we assessed the objective status of the patients and collected oral fluid from the oral cavity, in which we determined the concentrations of cytokines using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. After the surgery, patients were divided into a control group and a group with complications with determination of their cytokine status.Results. Immediately after the surgery, patients from the group with complications, compared with patients from the control group, had significantly higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines – interleukin (IL) 1, IL-8 and comparable levels of tumor necrosis factor α and anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-10. Integral cytokine indices in both groups showed a sharp shift towards pro-inflammatory direction in patients with complications. This fact determines the protracted or progressive nature of the inflammatory process after the surgery.Conclusion. Determining the level of individual cytokines and cytokine indices in the oral fluid after the extraction of a third mandibular molar allows us to identify early markers for the chronicity of the inflammatory process, to predict its further course and to take appropriate measures to prevent the development of expected complications.

Features of the functional state of the endothelium and the hemocoagulation system in the formation of placental insufficiency in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus without insulin requirement

Background. There is a lot of data in the literature showing the state of the hemostatic system and endothelium separately in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and placental insufficiency (PI). However, with the combination of the above complications of pregnancy, there is very little research, therefore, the problem requires detailed study.Objective. To determine the contribution of the functional state of the endothelium and the hemocoagulation system to the formation of placental insufficiency in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus without insulin requirement.Materials and methods. A longitudinal cohort comparative study was conducted. The study included 120 patients in the II-III trimester of pregnancy with GDM without insulin requirement. The main group consisted of 70 women whose pregnancy was complicated by sub- and decompensated forms of PN. The comparison group included 50 pregnant women without pathology of the fetoplacental complex. The hemostasis system was studied using clotting tests and thromboelastometry. The concentrations of VEGF-A, total nitrite (NO2 total), endogenous nitrite (NO2 endogenous), nitric oxide (NO) in peripheral blood were determined by ELISA. Comparison of continuous quantitative data was carried out using the Mann-Whitney test, which was calculated using the MedCalc 15.8 application program. The null hypothesis was rejected at p&lt;0.05.Result. The value of the integral index of coagulation, onset time and initial speed of clot formation in the main group was statistically significantly higher than in patients in the comparison group, p&lt;0.05. The level of VEGF-A in pregnant women of the main group was statistically significantly lower than that in the comparison group, p&lt;0.05. The indicator of total NO2 and NO in the main group was statistically significantly lower than in the comparison group, p&lt;0.05. The endogenous NO2 indicator did not differ statistically significantly between groups.Conclusion. In patients with GDM on diet therapy and PN, endothelial dysfunction and, as a consequence, hypercoagulation occur.

Respiratory muscle strength and oxygenation as predictors of length of hospital stay in patients with COVID-19

The aim was to analyze the prognostic value of ventilation/ gas exchange dissociation markers to predict the treatment length in patients with the acute phase of COVID-19.Materials and methods: The analysis was performed using a database of 384 randomly selected patients from December 2021 to May 2022 with a confirmed diagnosis of the acute phase of COVID-19, aged 61±16 years. Spirometry of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) was performed on 2,2±0,2 day of hospitalization with a portable MicroRPM device (CareFusion, UK) and measurement of surrogate oxygenation index (SpO2/FiO2), ROX index (SpO2/ FiO2)/respiratory rate) was carried out in all patients. Log-regression models were used (STATISTICA 10) to determine cutoff values for these functional variables and their ability to predict the patients length of hospital stay from the date of examination (≤ 7 vs &gt; 7 days).Results: The lowest sensitivity (SE) and specificity (SP) were shown in models using only the respiratory muscle strength markers MIP (SE=54%, SP=70%) and MEP (SE=73%, SP=47%), that were the same in the combination of MIP and MEP (SE=65%, SP=58%). The areas under ROC were equal to 0.6 in all three models. The models based on hypoxia markers had a higher classification power (AUC 0,7) compared to the previous three, and the sensitivity value was higher in the model using the ROX index (SE = 58% and SP = 78%), but the specificity was better in the surrogate oxygenation index model (SE = 48% and SP = 88%). A complex model based on a combination of the two integral hypoxia indices, as well as a diaphragm strength marker (SpO2/FiO2+MIP*ROX+MIP) had the best sensitivity (67%) and specificity (84%), and the area under ROC reached 0.8.Conclusion: Indicators of respiratory muscle strength and oxygenation are suitable markers for combined models and algorithms for predicting hospital length of stay in COVID-19 patients.

Integrative plant area index retrieval and spatiotemporal analysis in Taihu Lake Basin via synergistic active-passive remote sensing techniques

ABSTRACT The Taihu Lake basin is one of the fastest-growing regions in China, where the natural environment has been seriously affected by humans. The plant area index (PAI) is an important parameter reflecting the change in vegetation growth, which plays a crucial role in studying vegetation growth and protecting the ecological environment. Advancements in remote sensing technology, complemented by machine learning techniques, have facilitated the accurate and efficient acquisition of PAI over large areas. In this study, the Taihu Lake Basin vegetation area was taken as the research object. Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) point cloud data and Landsat-8 remote sensing images were the primary information sources. MODIS land cover types were utilized to classify the vegetation into six categories. Three classical machine learning models, namely, Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Regression (SVR), and Back Propagation Neural Network (BPNN), were used to estimate the PAI in the Taihu Lake Basin. It was found that the RF model showed the best performance. The determination coefficients (R2) for grassland, evergreen forest, mixed forest, deciduous forest, farmland, and wetland were 0.71, 0.67, 0.69, 0.66, 0.65, and 0.69, respectively. Over 2000-2022, the PAI exhibited an absolute change rate of 0.035, with an overall increasing trend. The area of improved and degraded vegetation accounted for 58.33% and 41.67% of the total area, respectively. The study also revealed that PAI was positively correlated with precipitation (R = 0.64, P < 0.05) and negatively correlated with temperature (R = -0.58, P < 0.05). Different land types’ effects on PAI were also analyzed, with wetland PAI having the smallest mean value and evergreen forest PAI having the most considerable mean value. This research underscores the effectiveness of integrating GEDI data and Landsat-8 imagery in PAI assessment, providing valuable insights for environmental monitoring and analysis in the Taihu Lake Basin.

Morphofunctional indicators of the body students of the medical university

Introduction. The period of adolescence accounts for the completion of the growth processes of the body, and the beginning of stabilization of functional indicators, which, as more plastic factors, are more sensitive to environmental conditions. Measuring, evaluating, and predicting morphofunctional parameters of the body of medical university students, taking into account regional standards of physical development, is one of the priorities of modern medicine and scientific research in general.The aim of the study is to study the features of anthropometric and functional characteristics, vegetotype of medical university students in comparison with the current regional standard.Materials and methods. Anthropometric and functional parameters were measured in 300 medical students (77 males, 223 females), aged 19,1±0,88 years.Results. It is shown that anthropometric characteristics of students significantly exceed the regional standard, in boys it is body length (p&lt;0,01), and weight-height ratio (p&lt;0,05), in girls it is body length, chest circumference and weight-height ratio (p&lt;0,01). Cardiointervalography parameters revealed 4,01 % vagotonics, 88,33 % eutonics and 7,62 % sympathotonics, a significant difference (p&lt;0,01) was also found in linear cardiointervalogram parameters in cohorts of these vegetotypes. Functional indices in absolute terms revealed compliance with the regional standard only in vital capacity of lungs, carpal dynamometry is significantly lower than the standard, in girls (p&lt;0,01), boys (p&lt;0,05), haemodynamics in terms of diastolic blood pressure and heart rate significantly (p&lt;0,01) exceeds the reference values. Integral functional indices: vital index, vegetative index, minute volume of respiration differ significantly by sex (p&lt;0,05); Kerdo index, minute volume of blood circulation showed a significant difference by vegetotype (p&lt;0,05); pulse pressure showed a significant difference by sex and vegetotype (p&lt;0,01).Conclusion. The studies showed statistically significant excesses relative to the regional standard in young men in body length (p&lt;0,01) and mass-height ratio (p&lt;0,05), in chest circumference in girls (p&lt;0,01); in diastolic blood pressure and heart rate in boys and girls (p&lt;0,01). Absolute and integral indices of cardio-respiratory system are significantly higher in sympathotonics than in vagotonics. Young men, relative to girls, demonstrate higher absolute, linear values of cardiointervalogram (p&lt;0,01), in the whole population these indices are within the range of norm of the regional standard. Among students the majority 88,33 % have normotonic type of ANS. The obtained results, in our opinion, show the need for systematic monitoring of objective morphofunctional state of modern youth.

Analysis of the influence of living conditions, as a collection of social factors within the environment, on mortality rates among the rural and urban populations of the Nenets autonomous okrug from 2000 to 2019

BACKGROUND: Currently, in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation (AZRF), there are evident indications of a deterioration in the medical and demographic situation amidst a lack of adequate social infrastructure development. For the first time, we attempted to analyze the impact of living conditions, which encompass various social factors within the habitat, shaped by the social infrastructure, on the mortality rates of the population of one of the regions within AZRF. AIM: To assess the impact of living conditions, as a set of social factors within the environment, on the mortality rates among the rural and urban populations of the Nenets autonomous okrug (NAO) in the period from 2000 to 2019. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The databases “Housing and communal services and social infrastructure in NAO in 2000-2019” and “Death cases in NAO in 2000–2019” including information on the population number and age and gender structure of the NAO population across individual settlements have been collected. Using the scoring system for assessing living conditions, a ranking with subsequent division into tertiles of all rural NAO settlements was carried out according to the value of the integral index of living conditions (IILC). A comparative analysis (tertiles with the city, and tertiles with each other) of average annual age-standardized rates of overall mortality, mortality from the main causes and structural components of external causes (EC) of mortality was performed. Relative risks were calculated as the ratio of mortality rates in each tertile to the corresponding indicator for the urban population. RESULTS: Average annual standardized rates and relative risks of mortality (total, EC, drowning, freezing, alcohol poisoning and transport accidents) of the NAO population demonstrated a “step by step” increase in the sequence “city — highest tertile — middle tertile — lowest tertile”, i.e. as living conditions worsen and as the IILC decreases. Statistically significant differences were identified between the city and tertiles, as well as between the highest (“favorable” living conditions) and lowest (“unfavorable” living conditions) tertiles in terms of total mortality, mortality from EC, drowning and freezing. Mortality rates from alcohol poisoning and transport accidents also increased as living conditions worsened, although the associations did reach the level of statistical significance. With the exception of suicides, the relative risks of mortality for individual EC reached maximum values in the lowest tertile of living conditions. CONCLUSION: Statistically significant inverse associations between total mortality, mortality from external causes and its main structural components, and the values of the integral index of living conditions have been identified among the rural population of NAO. A decrease in living conditions was significantly associated with an increase in mortality rates and relative risks.

The functional state of the body in workers engaged in mining in the Arctic zone

Introduction. The functional state and adaptive potential in workers employed at mining enterprises in the Arctic territories are influenced both harmful environmental factors and specific climatic conditions, age and work experience in contact with harmful working conditions. Assessing the impact of work experience on the health in employees to reduce occupational risks and prospects for preserving and strengthening the health of workers at mining enterprises remains an extremely relevant and timely task. Materials and methods. A cross-sectional study of workers was based on a mining and processing plant for the extraction of loparite ore in the Murmansk region. Two hundred one male employee participated in the study. Cardiohemodynamic and somatometric indices were evaluated, on the basis of which integrative indices for assessing functional changes were calculated. The subjects were ranked into groups by work time and age. Results. The analysis of somatometric indicеs, depending on work experience, revealed significant intergroup differences in body mass index, index of physical changes, blood pressure and heart rate. The analysis of heart rate variability showed that with an increase in work experience, there is a unidirectional, negative change in time indices and the wave structure of the heart rhythm towards suppressing the activity of the autonomous regulation circuit with an increased contribution of sympathetic influences on the heart rate. Limitations. Difficult access to medical information and employees’ fears of participating in the study due to fear of dismissal for health reasons. Conclusion. With an increase in work experience, negative changes in the functional state of the body of mining workers in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation are comprehensively manifested (overweight, an increase in the index of functional changes, an increase in blood pressure). The increased influence of sympathetic influences on the heart rhythm, with the suppression of self-regulation processes, is reflected in the tension of regulatory mechanisms leading to a decrease in adaptive potential and the development of a premorbid state.

An experimental investigation on surface integrity and wire wear in rough and trim cut modes of WEDM for hybrid composite

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the surface integrity features, including surface roughness (SR), recast layer (RL), material migration, topography and wire wear pattern in rough and trim-cut wire electric discharge machine (WEDM) of hybrid composite (Al6061-90%/SiC-2.5%/TiB2-7.5%).Design/methodology/approachEffects of four important factors, namely, rough-cut history (RCH), pulse on time (Ton), peak current (IP) and wire offset (WO) have been assessed on the responses of interest for trim-cut WEDM. Box–Behnken design (RSM) was used to formulate the experimentation plan. Quantitative indices of surface integrity, namely, SR and RL, and selected samples have been investigated for qualitative analysis, namely, surface topography, material migration and wire wear pattern.FindingsTon and IP are found to be most significant, whereas RCH and WO are found insignificant for SR. Ton and WO were found to be the most significant factors affecting RL. After trim cut, an RL of thickness 8.26 µm is observed if the initial rough cut has been accomplished at high discharge energy setting. Whereas the best value of RL thickness, i.e. 5.36 µm, can be realized with low level of RCH. A significant decrease in the presence of foreign materials is recorded, indicating its strong correlation with the discharge energy used during machining.Originality/valueInvestigation on surface integrity features for machining of hybrid composite through rough and trim-cut WEDM has been reported by only a limited number of researchers in the past. This study is attempted at fulfilling few vital gaps by addressing the issues such as evaluation of the efficacy of trim cutting under different discharge energy conditions (using RCH), analysis of wire wear pattern in both rough and trim-cut modes and investigation of the wire breakage phenomenon during machining.

Correlation between mammal track abundance and Forest Landscape Integrity Index validates actual forest ecological integrity

Human disturbance compromises the ecological integrity of forests, negatively affecting associated species. Assessing the impact of forest integrity on biodiversity is complex due to the interplay of various human activities, ecological factors, and their interactions. Current large-scale indices assess forest integrity but often lack a direct connection to the biotic environment. We tested the effectiveness of the global Forest Landscape Integrity Index (FLII) in evaluating aspects of anthropogenic forest degradation on the biotic community. We analyzed the relationship between changes in the ecological integrity of Finnish forests and variations in mammal species abundance, using the number of tracks from 17 different species collected during the winter seasons between 2016 and 2020 in south-central Finland. Beyond the FLII, we analyzed forest and canopy cover to enhance the accuracy of habitat preference assessments. We found that the FLII captures the varying degrees of forest integrity, as reflected by the correlation between the abundance of winter tracks and the FLII for most mammals. Species that were positively associated with forest integrity were all native to the boreal forest, while mammals that adapt well to human-disturbed environments including two invasive species were more common in lower FLII forests. Significant differences in habitat preferences were also observed in relation to forest and canopy cover, revealing additional nuances that the FLII alone did not capture. This study demonstrates that the FLII, when combined with a comprehensive dataset and supplemented with region-specific factors, can assess species' adaptability to human-modified forests, aiding in the development of conservation strategies.

Management of sustainable land use projects in accordance with EU requirements

The purpose of the study was to conduct a comparative analysis of the management of sustainable land use development projects in Ukraine and the EU countries and to develop recommendations for improving Ukrainian practices in accordance with the requirements of the European Union. The methodology was based on a systematic approach and included the analysis of statistical data, an expert survey, and the calculation of an integral index of compliance with EU requirements. The study focused on three key aspects: restoration of degraded land, introduction of organic farming, and water management. The results revealed that Ukraine is lagging behind in all the parameters under study. In the area of restoration of degraded land, it was found that the area of restored land in Ukraine (8.4% of the total area of degraded land) is almost twice less than the average of the EU countries studied (16.8%). Investments in land restoration in Ukraine (310 EUR/ha) are only 39% of the EU average (792 EUR/ha). The analysis of the development of organic farming showed that the share of organic land in Ukraine (1.1% of the total agricultural area) is almost 6 times lower than the average for the EU countries under study (6.7%). The number of certified organic producers in Ukraine (3.2 per 100,000 population) is 6.4 times lower than the average for EU countries. In the field of water management, it was found that the irrigation efficiency in Ukraine (60%) is significantly lower than the EU average (77.4%), and the share of land with drip irrigation in Ukraine (5.2%) is 3.5 times lower than the EU average (18%). The calculation of the integral index of compliance with EU requirements showed that Ukraine (56 points) significantly lags behind the average of the EU countries studied (82.4 points). Based on the identified differences and successful practices of EU countries, a set of recommendations has been developed to improve the management of sustainable land use projects in Ukraine. Key recommendations include the development of a comprehensive national strategy, the creation of specialised financing funds, the introduction of economic incentives, the modernisation of monitoring systems, the harmonisation of standards with the EU, and large-scale educational campaigns. The study emphasises the need to significantly improve approaches to managing sustainable land use projects in Ukraine to bring them closer to EU standards and ensure efficient use of land resources

Evolutionary selection and morphological integration in the hand of modern humans.

To enhance our understanding of the evolutionary dynamics of the modern human hand by analyzing the degree of integration and ability to respond to selection pressures of each phalanx and metacarpal bone. The sample comprised 96 adult individuals, both female and male, from Euro-American, Afro-American, and European populations. We collected 10 linear measurements from the 19 metacarpals and proximal, middle, and distal phalanges that constitute the five digits of the hand. Using these data, we constructed variance/covariance matrices to quantify the degree of integration and assess the hand ability to respond to selective pressures. Distal phalanges are the most evolvable and flexible elements, while being the least integrated and constrained. The thumb is similarly integrated as the second and third rays, while medial rays (fourth and fifth digits) are more integrated. However, the thumb presents different integration and response to selection patterns. No significant relationship was found between functionality and the indices of selection and integration. Finally, the correlation between hand and foot indices yielded significant results for conditional evolvability and flexibility. The findings suggest different evolutionary trajectories for the metacarpal and distal phalanx in the modern human thumb, likely reflecting varying functional and developmental pressures. The first metacarpal, characterized by high flexibility and low evolvability, appears to have reached a stable, optimal morphology, under stabilizing selection. In contrast, the distal phalanx seems to have undergone directional evolution, suggesting specialization for a specific function. Comparisons between hands and feet suggest that these structures evolve differently under directional selection but similarly under stabilizing selection.

Ecological risk assessment of heavy metals from application of sewage sludge on agricultural soils in Europe

AbstractThe present European Union (EU) Sewage Sludge Directive (86/278/EEC) is undergoing modifications aimed at enhancing its applicability in the agricultural sector. The Directive's existing limit values for heavy metal concentrations in soils are in the process of being revised. However, to comprehensively understand their effects on EU agricultural lands, additional evaluations are necessary. This is particularly important given that ecological risk assessments are often performed on a site‐specific basis, potentially overlooking broader regional implications. The main objective of the current work is to introduce a methodological approach to quantify the impact of sewage sludge (SS) application on agricultural soils in the EU and the United Kingdom. Concentrations of heavy metals (HMs) (Cd, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) in agricultural land from Land Use/Land Cover Area Frame Survey (LUCAS) 2009 topsoil database were used as a baseline. Maximum quantities of SS that can be safely applied to agricultural lands were obtained by a modeling procedure was used to determine the maximum safe quantities of SS that can be applied to agricultural lands for each country within the European Member States and the United Kingdom. Accumulation of HMs in soils was modelled by using a representative SS composition, distributed over 10 successive years at 5 Mg ha−1 year−1 rate. Ecological risk impact was assessed by using both the single ecological risk index (Er) and the integrated potential ecological risk index (RI). Maximum quantities of SS applied on agricultural soils in EU + UK were estimated to be 45 Mg ha−1 at the country level. We found that 19% of agricultural land (around 28,471,900 ha) in the EU + UK shows a higher RI than moderate risk after long time application of the representative SS. We show that the combination of the HM concentrations from the LUCAS topsoil survey and assumptions on the SS composition and soil HM partitioning can be used to define the actual and potential soil pollution rate in EU + UK. We demonstrate that the proposed methodology can be used by policymakers, farmers, regional authorities and other stakeholders, with possible adaptions based on local in‐depth soil and SS knowledge.

Odonata in the brazilian Cerrado: Influence of environmental and spatial factors on dragonfly and damselfly assemblages

Environmental and spatial variables can act as filters in species distribution, thereby structuring biological communities. Our study aims to analyze the effects of environmental and spatial factors on the structuring of Odonata assemblages in Cerrado. Testing the hypotheses: (1) the structuring of Odonata larvae and adult assemblages is more influenced by the environment than by space; and (2) the structuring of larvae and adult assemblages of the suborder Anisoptera is more influenced by the environment, while Zygoptera is more influenced by space. We measured physicochemical variables (dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity and temperature) and Habitat Integrity Index. Data analysis involved the coverage-based rarefaction and extrapolation method, Partial Redundancy Analysis (RDAp), and Principal Coordinates of Neighbor Matrices. Thirteen streams were sampled, collecting 1204 specimens. The sampling effort for larvae showed an efficiency of 98 %, and for adults, 85 %. According to RDAp, the composition for larvae was explained solely by environmental factors, while for adults, there was an explanation by the environment for Anisoptera and by both environmental and spatial factors for the order and Zygoptera. The results highlight the joint influence of environmental and spatial factors on the configuration of adult and larval Odonata assemblages in Cerrado streams. A variety of responses, each corresponding to the specific object of analysis, is evident, driven by divergent eco-physiological characteristics among suborders. These nuances reflect the inherent complexity of the ecology of these aquatic insects, emphasizing the importance of considering both environmental and spatial factors when investigating the dynamics of Odonata communities at different developmental stages.

Peculiarities of tolerance to uncertainty in students at different stages of education: the contribution of dispositional hope and optimism

Introduction. The rapidly changing conditions of modern society are characterized by a certain degree of unpredictability. A person's success and well-being depend on his ability to accept challenges and adapt to a transforming world. Modern research focuses on the study of various factors influencing an individual’s tolerance to uncertainty. However, not enough attention is paid to the consideration of dispositional hope and optimism as predictors of this phenomenon. The purpose of the study is to study the characteristics of dispositional hope and optimism as predictors of tolerance to uncertainty in students and to establish the direction of connections between the studied characteristics, taking into account age and gender. Materials and methods. The study involved 191 1st and 5th year students of the St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering (Russian Federation). Methods: «Uncertainty Tolerance Scale, MSTAT-I» by D. McLane, adapted by E. G. Lukovitskaya, E. N. Osina, «Dispositional Hope Scale (ADHS)» adapted by K. Muzdybaev, «Optimism and Activity» questionnaire (Arousability and Optimism Scale, AOS) Schuller, A. Comunian adapted by N. E. Vodopyanova. Results. It was found that 1st year students show a higher level of tolerance to uncertainty (46,2±11,4) than 5th year students (42,3±11,0). 1st and 5th year boys have a higher tolerance for uncertainty than 1st and 5th year girls. Among 1st and 5th year boys, «activity» (B=1,55; p ≤ 0,001, respectively B=1,24; p≤0,01) and «optimism» (В=1,81; р≤0,03, respectively B=1,62; p≤0,001). The greatest predictors of tolerance to uncertainty among first-year girls are the «integral index of hope» (B=0,84; p≤0,01), «ability to find ways» (B=0,59; p≤0,01) and «activity» (B=2,16; p≤0,001) By the 5th year, girls’ tolerance to situations of uncertainty decreases and hope for a better future disappears. Conclusion. The results of the study contribute to the understanding of the influence of hope and optimism on the development of tolerance to uncertainty. Integration into the educational process of programs aimed at developing tolerance to uncertainty using positive thinking methods can have a positive impact on the future professional activities of future specialists.

THE LATEST ASPECT OF ASSESSING THE LEVEL OF CURRENCY SECURITY OF UKRAINE

The level of currency exchange security is an important indicator of the effective functioning of the currency exchange market. An imbalance in the domestic currency exchange market intensifies financial instability and makes it impossible to maintain an adequate level of currency security. The purpose of the research is to estimate the level of currency security of Ukraine in the conditions of currency market imbalance to determine the main reasons for its inadequate level and to make proposals for improving the methodology of calculation of the integral index of currency security.The article offers the author's interpretation of the essence of the concept of "currency security". The integral index of currency security during 2008 - 2022 was calculated in accordance with the "Methodical recommendations for calculating the level of economic security of Ukraine" and recommendations were suggested for improving this methodology in order to improve the situation on the currency market.It was proved that certain indicators make an impact on the level of currency security of Ukraine: movement of capital, negative trade balance, sufficient level of international reserves, dollarization of the economy, and high level of public debt. Ways to ensure an adequate level of currency security were proposed. Macroeconomic indicators that can act as indicators of currency security are considered and the correlation between them and the level of currency security was investigated. The expediency of introducing an additional indicator for the integral assessment of currency security is substantiated: the ratio of state and state-guaranteed debt to GDP. It allows to calculate the level of currency security more reliably. It is well-founded that the proposed indicator has a close stochastic connection with the exchange rate, therefore, if it is used with existing indicators of currency security calculation, it allows to detect negative trends of decreasing of the level of currency security.