Main Part Research Articles

INTERETHNIC INTERACTION IN THE YOUTH ENVIRONMENT AT PRESENT STAGE: HISTORICAL AND SOCIOLOGICAL ASPECT

In the 1990s, after the USSR collapse, during a period of spiritual vacuum, the Russian society turned out to be open and unprotected from the challenges connected with global problems of humanity. During this period, the rise of ethno-cultural traditions takes place in the regions of the country. Post-Soviet Russia becomes involved in intensive migration processes as well. All this actively affected the formation of new interethnic relations, in which the younger generation of the Russian Federation citizens became active participants.
 
 In this regard, the aim of the work is to study interethnic interaction among young people in various regions of Russia in order to prevent possible conflicts and to take preventive measures.
 
 Materials and methods. The article is prepared on the basis of sociological surveys conducted in 2022–2023 in the territory of 5 subjects of the Russian Federation, as well as on the basis of research literature. The survey was conducted among young people aged 18–30 years, taking into account the sociological sample and focus groups (anonymous survey, N = 1624).
 
 Results. Among the main results of the study, the main trends that have emerged should be singled out: the process of assimilation influence from the Russian ethnic group is observed in the regions; when describing their nationality, in some cases there are mixed answers, which indicates a complex identity of young people; for the majority of respondents, national identity is a fairly significant factor in life; most respondents are tolerant to marriage with representatives of various ethnic groups; the main part of the surveyed youth is familiar with their national culture. Given a favorable interethnic situation, the expert community expressed concern about preserving ethnic culture among young people. According to expert opinion, young people know their national roots quite superficially; for the new generation national languages are becoming colloquial with significant mixing with the Russian language; ignorance of their history among young people leads to a large amount of falsification of facts, including in the field of ethnography.
 
 Conclusions. The obtained information of a historical and sociological nature made it possible to study interethnic interaction among young people in the territory of 5 republics of Russia. Among the main results of the conducted research, the main trends that have emerged should be singled out: the process of assimilation influence from the Russian ethnic group is observed in the regions; for the majority of respondents, national identity is a fairly significant factor in life; most of the respondents are familiar with their national culture, etc. Given a favorable interethnic situation, the expert community expressed concern about preserving ethnic culture among young people.

Wound healing after therapy of oral potentially malignant disorders with a 445-nm semiconductor laser: a randomized clinical trial

ObjectivesOral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) are the most clinically relevant precursor lesions of the oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). OSCC is one of the 15 most common cancers worldwide. OSCC is with its high rate of mortality an important cause of death worldwide. The diagnosis and therapy of clinically relevant precursor lesions of the OSCC is one of the main parts of prevention of this malignant disease. Targeted therapy is one of the main challenges concerning an oncologically safe tissue removal without overwhelming functional and aesthetic impairment.Materials and methodsIn this randomized controlled trial, a newly introduced intraoral 445-nm semiconductor laser (2W; cw-mode; SIROLaser Blue, Dentsply Sirona, Bensheim, Germany) was used in the therapy of OPMDs. Duration and course of wound healing, pain, and scar tissue formation were compared to classical cold blade removal with primary suture by measuring remaining wound area, tissue colorimetry, and visual analogue scale. The study includes 40 patients randomized using a random spreadsheet sequence in two groups (n1 = 20; n2 = 20).ResultsThis comparative analysis revealed a significantly reduced remaining wound area after 1, 2, and 4 weeks in the laser group compared to the cold blade group (p < 0.05). In the laser group, a significantly reduced postoperative pain after 1 week was measured (p < 0.05).ConclusionLaser coagulation of OPMDs with the investigated 445-nm semiconductor laser is a safe, gentle, and predictable surgical procedure with beneficial wound healing and reduced postoperative discomfort.Clinical relevanceCompared to the more invasive and bloody cold blade removal with scalpel, the 445-nm semiconductor laser could be a new functional less traumatic tool in the therapy of OPMDs. The method should be further investigated with regard to the identification of further possible indications.Trail registrationGerman Clinical Trials Register No: DRKS00032626.

Spectrophotometric method for determining the quantity and quality of DNA in animal breeding

In animal breeding, genetic methods have become the basis of breeding work and veterinary diagnostics. Therefore, their development and improvement is an actual direction of modern science. The aim of the presented work was to study the concentration and quality of nucleic acids obtained from venous blood of cattle for further genetic studies. For this purpose, a modified method of phenolchloroform extraction, adapted for DNA extraction from blood, with subsequent spectrometric determination of DNA concentration and assessment of its quality were applied. As a result of this research, it was found that the average concentration of genetic material isolated from animal blood was 146.5±14.98 ng/µl. The main part of samples – more than 93% contained concentration of nucleic acids in the range from 50 to 200 ng/µl. At the same time, the time interval between DNA extraction and its spectrometric determination of concentration and quality of genetic material by the ratio of optical density at A260/A280 wavelengths during a year did not have significant changes on its parameters. The used method of nucleic acid extraction in 94% allowed obtaining samples of good quality suitable for further genetic studies. A correlation of 43% (P&lt;0.001) was obtained between the concentration of genetic material and its quality. The coefficients of repetition of intra-laboratory studies of the results of extraction and spectrometric analysis were at the level of 97% (P&lt;0.001), which indicates that this method of obtaining nucleic acids is adapted for its use in animal husbandry. The use of this method of DNA extraction allows obtaining quality material from animals with minimal economic costs for its further use in genetic research

Кавказско-Каспийский регион в политике Российской империи в первой трети XVIII в.

The article focuses on the latest findings of the study on the Caspian foreign policy direction of the Russian Empire under Peter the Great. The heuristic work in the federal and regional archives of Russia helped to identify and introduce to academia over 300 original documents that allow to study the Russian policy in the south-western areas of the Caspian Sea in the first third of the 18th century, which became Russian territories after the Persian campaign. Detailed analysis of sources on the Persian campaign and stationing of Russian troops in the Caspian region, first in historiography, revealed the most unrenowned subjects and allowed to study those using newly discovered documented data with the application of new methodological approaches.&#x0D; The author studies the administrative practice in the Russian Empire in the Caspian region in 1722–1735, showing the challenges of governing the region associated with the natural and geographical aspects, the remoteness of the region from the main part of the state and the ethno-political structure of the annexed territories. The Persian campaign of Peter the Great resulted in the emergence of a Russian-Turkish frontier in the eastern Transcaucasia,&#x0D; which separated the historically developed Caucasian and Persian communities disregardi­ng their economic traditions and ethnocultural contacts, leading to a complex and volatile frontier situation in the region. The study of the behavioural actions of various actors in the frontier region allowed to determine their attitude to the emergence of the Russian and Ottoman empires in the Western Caspian region. The author analyses the specifics of the dual administrative system established in Derbent after it was annexed to Russia in 1722, where both a representative of the local authority via the naib and the imperial commandant performed administrative functions. For the first time in Caucasian studies, the article reconstructs the image of Peter the Great in the historical memory of Dagestanis of the present and of the time of the campaign.&#x0D; As a result of the project, two these and a collection of archive documents and materials have been published.

FEATURES OF DISTANCE LEARNING IN MEDICINE

Abstract. The issue of the use of distance learning in medical educational institutions remains debatable. The advantages of distance education include the ability to educate a large number of students simultaneously. Considering a competency-based approach to professional training, the new role of the higher education instructor in the educational process is determined by us. Instead of being a passive consumer of knowledge, they need to become an active participant who thinks critically, plans their independent work, shows initiative, and can formulate questions and find solutions. The acquisition of practical skills is the main component during the training of future dentists. Unfortunately, this task cannot be solved in this way. In our article, we tried to review research on the use of remote technologies and their effectiveness in medical education in general and dentistry in particular.&#x0D; The aim of this study is to analyze the possibilities and prospects of the use of distance learning in medical education.&#x0D; Main part. Features of modern medical education are the following: an increase in the percentage of independent work of students in the learning process, the wide use of interactive forms. A deep understanding of the subject matter necessitates the application of modern digital technologies, which grant students full and unrestricted access to a vast volume of material. The primary advantages of distance learning encompass flexibility, modularity, parallelism, asynchrony, scalability, cost-effectiveness, social integration, and international reach. Incorporating both traditional and distance learning components contributes to the enhancement of the professional competence of both educators and students. This transition leads to the creative and professional development of future healthcare professionals, fundamentally shifting the paradigm of conventional education, where students become active participants in the learning process.&#x0D; Conclusions. The introduction of new innovative approaches with elements of distance learning allows to transfer the learning process to a qualitatively new level, increase the level of students’ competence and promote their active participation in the educational process. It should be emphasized that the process of wide introduction of distance learning technologies is more appropriate at the stage of postgraduate education of medical workers. And in the structure of undergraduate education, this form can be an addition to practical classes.

Ukrainian civil society institutions and organisations activities under special legal regimes

The activity of state institutions and civil society under special legal regimes differs from the general procedure for exercising their powers to some extent. This is due to both the conditions in which they operate and the regulatory and legal changes that are mainly aimed at regulating social relations in accordance with the realities of public life. Given the above, the purpose of the study was to determine the peculiarities of the activities of institutions and organisations of civil society in Ukraine under emergency legal regimes, in particular during martial law and the state of emergency.&#x0D; It has been found that the main part of the legal framework for the establishment and development of civil society, which is the basis for the operation of its institutions and organisations under special legal regimes, is made up of constitutional provisions, but some of them may be limited for a certain period of time. Therefore, the doctrinal component of the development and functioning of civil society remains unchanged, but the substantive components of the fundamental, human rights, functional and institutional components are modified.&#x0D; It has been determined that for the period of introduction of special legal regimes, some laws expand the scope of competence of public authorities in terms of their interaction with civil society institutions, as well as in terms of regulation of the latter's activities.&#x0D; The main measures taken to ensure national security in 2022-2023 under the legal regime of martial law and aimed at regulating the activities of civil society institutions and organisations include: regulating the grounds and procedure for terminating the activities of public associations, religious organisations, trade unions, and their associations; enshrining at the legislative level the areas of volunteer activity, simplifying the procedure for registering volunteers for the anti-terrorist operation and/or measures to ensure national security and defence, repulse and deter the armed aggression of the russian federation; the procedure for the activities of these institutions; adopting the Law of Ukraine "On media" to stimulate a competitive environment, equality and independence of the media and to protect the national interests of Ukraine and the rights of users of media services, etc. At the same time, some of the provisions formulated and adopted are not exemplary, as some of them contradict each other, which requires further research to eliminate legal conflicts and ultimately improve the activities of civil society institutions and institutions under special legal regimes.

Исторический обзор русских биографий Аристотеля (вторая половина XVIII – начало XX в.)

The article reviews some multi-genre texts of Russian intellectual literature (the 18th – early 20th centuries), containing structured biographies of Aristotle: dictionaries and encyclopedias, textbooks, educational and scientifi c publications. The author singles out seven main chronological periods in the history of the philosopher’s biographies’ creation, as well as their features and source base, with special attention to the authors’ personalities. A separate block examines the key biographies of Aristotle written in the Soviet era. In the main part of the article the author describes each of the selected periods chronologically in every detail, and considers the history of the individual biographical works’ creation. It is noted that the content of the studied texts varies from full-fl edged biographical sketches to brief notes, listing only the main facts or stages of Aristotle’s life. The conclusion is made about the auxiliary nature of these works, where the philosopher’s biography was often referred to when compiling thematic encyclopedic and dictionary articles, or historical references for educational purposes. At the same time, this information was borrowed mainly from foreign encyclopedic publications and popular science works devoted to Aristotle. The above features of the content of the studied texts allow us to call them Russian biographies of Aristotle only conditionally. Among the designated authors there are scientists from various fi elds, philosophers, publicists, theologians and popularizers of science. However, among them there were no professional researchers who purposefully studied the biography of Aristotle. The most signifi cant for the Russian culture of the studied period are the works of S. Ya. Nechaev, G. Voskresensky, S. S. Gogotsky, S. G. Kovner, E. F. Litvinova, S. N. Trubetskoy.

Оценка потенциала импортозамещения электронной компонентной базы в Российской Федерации на основе анализа патентных документов

Since 2014, the Russian Federation has been actively supporting import substitution of pro-ducts and technologies in various areas of production. There is no doubt that the technological development and the state security base on electronic technologies primarily. This is due to the fact that they have penetrated into all spheres of our life. For example, computer equipment, control and navigation systems, mobile communications, intelligent energy, telemedicine, electric vehicles and unmanned vehicles, electronic banking transactions are just a short list of industries where electronic components are used. At the same time, the main part of the electronic component base production is currently located abroad, in China, India, Taiwan, etc. Also foreign companies located in China, the USA, India, the UK, Israel, its., own the most of the patents for devices and technologies related to the electronic component base. A significant dependence of the availability of the electronic component base on political factors were revealed by the sanctions restrictions in 2022. And this highlight the urgency of creating and developing national production of various elements of the electronic component base. The number of patents is the objective indicator of the import substitution results. In this paper, the analysis of published patent documents on the most popular passive elements of the electronic component base (resistors, capacitors, inductors) is carried out using the tools of modern patent databases. The dynamics of paten¬ting for passive electronic components in the Russian Federation over 30 years is shown. It was found that import substitution measures had practically no effect on patenting in the production of passive electronic components. The comparison of the number of Russian patent owned by domestic patent holders and by foreign companies is carried out. High potential technology domains for development have been identified. It is established that Russian manufacturers of passive electronic components have a significant potential for patenting their developments.

Development of a Contact Glass-Break Detector for the Highest Security Level.

The main object of this research was to develop a security system to evaluate the intrusion into an object through a glass pane. More specifically, this study deals with sensing and evaluating signals from a contact glass-break detector, which is part of an intruder alarm system. Each alarm detector in an alarm system must accomplish certain security level requirements that strictly describe the requirements for the area of use and the detector's reliability. To date, no contact glass-break detector has been developed and fully tested to meet the stringent requirements of the highest security level. A contact glass-break detector was developed whose main part is an accelerometer that transmits signals from the glass pane. These signals were evaluated according to the developed methodology. It was verified that the proposed system can distinguish at the highest security level between false alarms and situations where the building has been intruded.

A review of microfabrication approaches for the development of thin, flattened heat pipes and vapor chambers for passive electronic cooling applications

With the rapid development of microelectronics and the telecommunication industry, a variety of high performance, portable and slim electronic devices have become available. Miniaturization of devices and increased packing density of electronics can generate “hot spots” i.e. a high heat flux on a small area. Thus, in such devices the heat management requirements go beyond the limits of typical approaches and the development of miniaturized, high-performance thermal management concepts to cool high-performance, compact electronic devices is urgently required. To this direction, micro and nanofabrication methods can provide solutions in both miniaturizing existing concepts of passive cooling as well as in improving their performance. In this review, we start by introducing the most commonly used metrics used to evaluate the performance of passive cooling devices (i.e. vapor chambers and flattened heat pipes) together with the most prominent performance limitations. Then, in the main part, we present state of the art examples of microfabricated, thin vapor chambers and flattened heat pipes on rigid substrates (i.e. using metals and silicon), but also vapor chambers on thin and flexible polymeric or composite materials. Finally, the main conclusions and the steps which should be followed to further enhance the performance of such devices are summarized in the conclusions and future perspectives section.

One-Dimensional Subspaces of the SL(n,mathbb {R}) Chiral Equations

In this work we find solutions of the (n+2)-dimensional Einstein Field Equations (EFE) with n commuting Killing vectors in vacuum. In the presence of n Killing vectors, the EFE can be separated into blocks of equations. The main part can be summarized in the chiral equation (alpha g_{, bar{z}} g^{-1})_{, z} + (alpha g_{, z} g^{-1})_{, bar{z}} = 0 with gin SL(n,mathbb {R}). The other block reduces to the differential equation , (ln f alpha ^{1-1/n})_{, z} = 1/2 , alpha ,{textrm{tr}}( g_{, z} g^{-1})^2 and its complex conjugate. We use the ansatz g = g(xi ) , where xi satisfies a generalized Laplace equation, so the chiral equation reduces to a matrix equation that can be solved using algebraic methods, turning the problem of obtaining exact solutions for these complicated differential equations into an algebraic problem. The different EFE solutions can be chosen with desired physical properties in a simple way.

FILSAFAT PENDIDIKAN ISLAM PERSPEKTIFONTOLOGI EPISTEMOLOGI DAN AKSIOLOGI

Abstract. In general, Islamic educational philosophy is an effort to guide humans in depth, both physically and spiritually, based on the Islamic religion so that the main personality is formed in accordance with Islamic teachings. Philosophy is an attitude or view of life and an applied field to help individuals evaluate their existence in a way that is more satisfying. Philosophy brings us to understanding and understanding brings us to appropriate action. Philosophy needs understanding for someone who is involved in the world of education because it determines one's thoughts and directs one's actions to achieve goals. In general, systematic philosophy has three main discussions or parts, namely; epistemology or theory of knowledge which discusses how we obtain knowledge, ontology or theory of nature which discusses the nature of everything that gives rise to knowledge, and axiology or theory of values ​​which discusses the use of knowledge.

Composer's video for his own work: time parallels, dotted lines, perpendiculars

Relevance of the study is related to the problem of composers' self-illustrations in the YouTube presentations. The novelty of this topic is conditioned by new practice to illustrate music in YouTube. Graphic representation of music leads to the problem of correspondence between music and video. We selected only two Ukrainian composers to compare: Yuri Ishchenko and Sviatoslav Luniov.&#x0D; The main objective of the study is the determination of main principles of similarity or dissimilarity of time structures in music and images. The methodology is based on methods of comparison and analogy in the context of phenomenological approach to the Event in the Being Time (by late Heidegger). How the study was done: time structures of selected compositions were compared, through analogies, with the illustrating graphic events as phenomena of existential time. Thereby a number of similarities and dissimilarities were detected.&#x0D; Composer Y. Ishchenko preferred to illustrate his music by static images. Such a situation is a paradoxical because of the dynamic essence of his music. It establishes the problem of co-existent two time situations: in the first of them there is an integral and quasi-timeless image of music; but in the other situation there is a running stream of music structures. This approach becomes very and very fruitful because Music is able to use both the continuity, integrity of musical image as well as fluid sound events. The Y. Ishchenko's "Watercolors" for violin and piano are illustrated by several images; this approach makes it possible to mark different parts of total design (i.e. different movements or stages). Another solution one can hear and see in his "Small partita" for violin and harp. I helped him to accompany this design with fragments of animation about baroque époque. There are several GIFs - the periodically repeating images, which creates a cross-rhythm constellation with music. The significant crossfade is present in the video by Ishchenko's 3rd Violin sonata: ruined house through cross-like gap transforms in an abandoned church. The final fade of it lasts a minute. Thus, the minimal graphic processes are extremely expressive. S. Luniov mastered advanced skills in electronic music and its visual presentation. In his video "POST” he combines fragments of his own Panta Rhei for orchestra with sounds of the war. The intensity of the music development is essentially higher than that of graphic illustration, but at the end of the project the situation is opposite. In the video accompanying his Panta Rhei for orchestra S. Luniov synchronized main events and stages of the sound score with more intensive changes of the video stream and its thematic.&#x0D; Findings and conclusions. For the composer Y. Ishchenko, the graphic self-illustration on YouTube was mostly the outer necessity. He often limited his projects with static images for the total score or its main parts. Thus, he reinforced the integrity pole of events with the graphic ingredient of YouTube projects. Thereby, the dramaturgic tense of his compositions is concentrated in music. Such an approach was called time perpendicular strategy or time dotted line strategy. For the composer S. Luniov, the graphic self-illustration on YouTube is mostly the parallel stream of events. However, the tempo and intensity of visual and sound streams can be unequal. Such an approach is called time parallel strategy. Significance of the study follows from its conclusions, leading to more skillful and exact solutions within composers' self-illustration, i.e. in clarifying the semantic and structure design in music.

Experimental Analysis of Thermal Runaway Energy Release of an Automotive Li-Ion Battery Cell

Thermal runaway (TR) reactions of lithium ion cells pose a particular risk to the safety of battery systems. Beside the energy remaining in the cell body, particles and gases exiting the cell during the venting process cause major thermal load for adjacent cells and further system components [1]. In addition, high energy particles can act as an ignition source in the presence of ignitable venting gases and oxygen [2]. Therefore, measurements minimizing the risk of thermal propagation (TP) caused by venting ejecta material and the ignition of combustible gases are introduced on system level. For the dimensioning of the measures, the energy transported by venting particles and gases is identified as a crucial parameter. Depending on the amount of transported energy, the gas cooling distance as well as the complexity of the particle separation structure differ. Simulation methods are used to evaluate the effectiveness of such system measures. More information is needed regarding energy release to accurately predict the system behavior in simulations and to use them as a tool for design.Introducing a novel approach for TR tests enables the determination of the energy remaining in the cell body, separated from the energy transported by venting ejecta. The test setup combines a calorimeter combined with a cyclone separator placed inside an autoclave reactor. The TR energy release of 156 Ah prismatic lithium ion cells have been analyzed using the setup. Venting particles and gases transported a main part of the released energy out of the cell during the TR. Using an analytical approach, the energy transferred to the calorimeter is calculated. The obtained data can be used for validating simulation models for predicting the impact of venting reactions on TP.

The energy dissipation topology and characteristics of GaInSn liquid metal and ZnO resistors based on high-voltage DC circuit breakers

High voltage direct current (HVDC) circuit breakers play a very crucial role in HVDC transmission systems. Energy dissipation circuit branches are the main part of the HVDC breaker. The volume and size of energy dissipation branches are the bottlenecks of the HVDC breaker, and the existing energy dissipation schemes can not meet the lightweight requirements. In this work, a combined energy dissipation scheme based on gallium indium tin (GaInSn) liquid metal and ZnO resistors is proposed for the energy dissipation branch of a circuit breaker. Firstly, the self-shrinking of GaInSn liquid metal mechanism is analyzed and the energy dissipation characteristics at different stages are investigated. The variation patterns of short circuit current, arc voltage, resistance and other parameters in the process of liquid metal arcing and energy dissipation are obtained. Secondly, the circuit model of liquid metal in arcing and energy dissipation process is established. The equivalent nonlinear time-varying conductance of the arcing process of the liquid metal dissipative element is simulated by combining the volt-ampere characteristic curves of the liquid metal dissipative module. Finally, the topology of energy dissipation circuit branches combined by GaInSn liquid metal and ZnO resistors is proposed. At the same time, the HVDC breaker model combined by a hybrid DC circuit breaker and energy dissipation circuit branches is constructed. The energy dissipation ratio and distribution law of GaInSn liquid metal and ZnO resistors in the composite type of circuit breaker are verified. The composite dissipation improves the overall energy dissipation density of the circuit breaker compared to the conventional ZnO resistors energy dissipation.

(Invited) Accelerating Electrocatalysts’ Activity and Stability Assessments

The standard approach to new electrocatalysts development and testing is prohibitively slow. Moreover, it fails to meet the complexity of real devices. As a rule, it consists of routinely repeated steps, including synthesis, physicochemical characterization, and electrochemical measurements. The latter is typically based on the application of rotating disk electrodes (RDE) as conductive solid support to carry electrocatalysts and bulk electrochemical cells with liquid electrolytes as the reaction media.The current work will contain two main parts presenting our recent approaches to tackling the abovementioned limitations of the classical electrochemical test systems. As a representative example, oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysis in electrolytes of different pH is taken. It will be shown that bearing in mind the intrinsic limitations of the aqueous mode systems (AMSs), significant acceleration of electrocatalysts’ activity and stability measurements can be achieved by using coupled techniques based on different scanning flow cells.1, 2 This approach is ideal for quick multidimensional parameter space screening. However, further tests in real systems are necessary after identifying promising candidates. It will be shown that also this step can be accelerated using model gas diffusion electrode (GDE)-based setups.3, 4 Moreover, qualitatively different information, e.g. electrocatalyst dissolution assessment, can be achieved using GDE setups coupled to external analytics like inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (on-line ICP-MS). While it will be shown that using two approaches, facile screening and real-device level proof tests, are feasible, limitations and challenges will also be discussed, together with further directions to develop these techniques.

Immunogenicity and safety of a second heterologous booster dose of NVX-CoV2373 (TAK-019) in healthy Japanese adults who had previously received a primary series of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine: Interim analysis report of a phase 3 open-label trial

BackgroundThe phase 3, single-arm, open-label TAK-019-3001 study assessed two heterologous booster doses of NVX-CoV2373 administered 5 months apart in healthy Japanese adults who had completed a primary series of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine 6–12 months previously. In the main part of this study, a first booster induced rapid and robust anti-SARS-CoV-2 immune responses, addressing waning immunity in participants. MethodsThis interim analysis evaluated the immunogenicity and safety of a second booster in the extension part of this study including comparisons with the first booster. Immunogenicity was assessed on extension day (ED) 1 (before vaccination) and ED15. Solicited and unsolicited adverse events occurring in the 7 and 28 days, respectively, after vaccination were assessed. ResultsOf the 150 participants who received a first NVX-CoV2373 booster, 129 were administered a second booster on ED1. Participant characteristics were consistent between the main and extension parts of the study. Titres of anti-SARS-CoV-2 rS serum immunoglobulin G and serum neutralizing antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 ancestral strain at ED15 were 4.0- and 3.0-fold higher, respectively, than those observed 5 months after the first booster on ED1, and 3.0- and 1.4-fold higher, respectively, than those observed 14 days after the first booster on day 15. The proportions of participants who experienced solicited local and systemic adverse events (AEs) in the 7 days after the second booster were 73.6 % and 51.2 %, respectively: most were of grade 2 severity or lower. Seven percent of participants experienced unsolicited AEs in the 28 days after the second booster: all were unrelated to the treatment. There were no deaths or AEs leading to study discontinuation. DiscussionA second heterologous NVX-CoV2373 booster in healthy Japanese adults induced more robust anti-SARS-CoV-2 immune responses than the first booster. The second booster was well tolerated. No new safety concerns were identified.

ХІМІЧНЕ РІЗНОСТУПЕНЕВЕ ТРАВЛЕННЯ ПОВЕРХНІ ТОНКИХ ПЛІВОК СРІБЛА

Thin-film metal coatings are an important element of optoelectronic devices. In particular, such metal coatings are a defining component of the sensitive layer of various sensors in which the specified surface morphology of the metal coating determines the necessary optoelectronic properties, as is observed, for example, in the case of substrates for SERS (Enhanced Surface Raman Scattering) or SPR (Surface Plasmon Resonance). The highest technological interest for optoelectronic applications is caused by thin silver films due to their well-known remarkable properties, in particular, due to the high value of the extinction coefficient in such a film, as well as due to the presence of an intense narrow absorption band of surface plasmon resonance. In the presented publication original approaches to surface treatment of thin silver films with etching solutions containing compounds characterized by specific oxidative-reductive and complexative property as to silver have been considered. Comparative analysis of the obtained results concerning changes in mass and topography of silver electrodes allowed grounding the mixture choice for microstructural profiling (etching solution M) and nanopolishing (etching solution N) of thin silver film. The physicochemical mechanisms which cause the observed processes have been considered. The etching nature is shown to depend on the oxidation level of redox element involved to the etching solution. Also, it depends on the presence of water-soluble complexation ligands in the solution. The conception that etching composition contained component with intermediate oxidation level in redox element exposes a "softer" effect on the etching topography in thin silver film has been proposed. The considered condition determines the possibility for chemical nanopolishing of thin silver film. The study in surface structural changes has been an integral part of nanoscale research, therefore, the obtained results have a practical value in the nanostructure formation which is the main part in modern acoustics and optoelectronics.

Assessing deep learning: a work program for the humanities in the age of artificial intelligence

AbstractFollowing the success of deep learning (DL) in research, we are now witnessing the fast and widespread adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in daily life, influencing the way we act, think, and organize our lives. However, much still remains a mystery when it comes to how these systems achieve such high performance and why they reach the outputs they do. This presents us with an unusual combination: of technical mastery on the one hand, and a striking degree of mystery on the other. This conjunction is not only fascinating, but it also poses considerable risks, which urgently require our attention. Awareness of the need to analyze ethical implications, such as fairness, equality, and sustainability, is growing. However, other dimensions of inquiry receive less attention, including the subtle but pervasive ways in which our dealings with AI shape our way of living and thinking, transforming our culture and human self-understanding. If we want to deploy AI positively in the long term, a broader and more holistic assessment of the technology is vital, involving not only scientific and technical perspectives, but also those from the humanities. To this end, we present outlines of awork programfor the humanities that aim to contribute to assessing and guiding the potential, opportunities, and risks of further developing and deploying DL systems. This paper contains a thematic introduction (Sect. 1), an introduction to the workings of DL for non-technical readers (Sect. 2), and a main part, containing the outlines of a work program for the humanities (Sect. 3). Readers familiar with DL might want to ignore 2 and instead directly read 3 after 1.

The use of 3D printing and growth factor in cosmetics medicine

The equipment we have designed consists of two main parts: the outer part and the inner part. The outer part features a 3D printed nose bridge made from Polylactic acid (PLA) and collagen. This combination of materials serves a dual purpose: the PLA aids in replacing dead skin cells and supports blood clotting, which facilitates faster post-operative recovery. Meanwhile, the inner part is filled with autologous fat infused with connective tissue growth factor. This choice is grounded in the fact that cartilage, a key component in this context, belongs to the connective tissue category. Under optimal conditions, this innovative equipment demonstrates promising efficacy.