Mature Age Groups Research Articles

The state and structure of beech primaeval forests in the “Zacharovanyi Krai” National Nature Park

The relevance of the study is determined by the need to preserve natural values, which are considered the heritage of all mankind, namely the primaeval forests and old-growth beech forests of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage. The aim of the research was to study the state and structure of the beech primaeval forest in the national nature park “Zacharovanyi Krai”. For the study, a permanent sample plot of 1 ha (100×100 m) was laid down in the prevailing forest type – moist pure beech forest. This plot is located in the optimal forest-growing conditions for European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) within the Vyhorlat-Hutyn volcanic ridge of the Ukrainian Carpathians. It was found that the beech forest stand on the plot is pure in composition and complex in form, characterised by different development phases (age groups by diameter): the first layer stand belongs to the mature age group (senile), the second layer – to the middle-aged group, and the third – to the pole (virginal). It was determined that 95% of the primaeval forest stock is the stock of the first layer, while the share of commercial trees of the first layer is 89% (66% of the total volume of stem wood of trees on the permanent sample plot). The main types of damage in the site are caused by abiotic factors. As a result of such damage, 43 m3‧ha-1 of deadwood was recorded, characterised by all 5 stages of decomposition. Under the canopy of the stand, 10,375 pcs‧ha-1 of undergrowth was recorded, of which the share of beech is 88%. Beech undergrowth is weakly differentiated by age groups: it was recorded only in the group of 7-year-olds and older and well-differentiated by height groups. By age group, undergrowth belongs to the juvenile-immature age state. The herbaceous cover is typical for nemoral forests. The presence of stationary research plots in the National Nature Park “Zakharovanyy Kray” makes it possible to constantly monitor the trends of natural development of the ecosystem – the beech primaeval forest

Source credibility plays the central route: an elaboration likelihood model exploration in social media environment with demographic profile analysis

PurposeThis study aims at building a framework for the electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) response under the social media environment. The elaboration likelihood model was adopted to explain how message source credibility and message appeal jointly influence the eWOM response process, while source credibility provides a central route and message appeal plays a peripheral route for information processing.Design/methodology/approachThis study used a scenario design to test the decision behavior in the Facebook environment through message content manipulation. A convenience sampling method was adopted in this study. We collected 203 valid questionnaires and tested this research model with LISREL 8.8. This study used a two-stage structural equation modeling data analysis method with LISREL 8.8, by which the measurement model was assessed through confirmatory factor analysis for the reliability and validity of the research model, and the causal relationship among factors was assessed through exploratory factor analysis .FindingsThe results showed that 53% variance of eWOM responses could be explained by message source credibility and emotional message appeal from the elaboration likelihood model perspective. Message source credibility plays a central role in the social media environment. The model was further tested with a demographic profile analysis for both gender and age. It is found that a female user is influenced by both source credibility and emotional appeal, but a male user is only influenced by message source credibility. The mature age group is more responsive to eWOM messages.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample might not represent all social networking sites (SNS) users. The participants represent a small segment of the Facebook population around the globe. Secondly, this research design could be improved by using more recreational messages to test the effects of message appeal and message source credibility. Thirdly, the mobile phone is a type of physical product rather than an experiential product. Future studies could try to identify the same eWOM determinants with different SNS functions, for example, the inbox message function. Similarly, Facebook users are allowed to use both text and pictures to disseminate promotional messages.Practical implicationsThis study provides an insight for SNS administrators regarding the determinants of driving more customer responses toward a message. Message source credibility and message appeal are identified as the antecedents for eWOM responses in SNS. Companies could make use of this finding to improve their marketing communication strategy in SNS. The finding can inform administrators of the importance of focusing on both customers’ psychological state and message attributes during the dissemination of promotional messages to improve the efficiency of the promotional effort. Companies aimed at receiving different types of eWOM responses in SNS may need to consider other factors for creating their promotional messages.Originality/valuePrevious studies have mainly identified factors influencing eWOM responses from the people-centered variables such as personal traits and social relationships. This study proposes that the eWOM response is a dual information processing process that can be explained by the ELM. When a user processes information in SNS, he follows both the central route and the peripheral route (i.e. source credibility and message appeal) which can influence the eWOM response. It is the first time that the source credibility is investigated as the central route in ELM model.

Potential Customer Analysis Based on Gender, Age, Retention, Motivation Using K-Means and Octalysis Gamification Approach

This study aims to analyze the role of gender, age, retention, and motivation on the high and low opportunities of potential customers using the K-means clustering approach and gamification octalysis. This research resulted in several new knowledge contributions. Female customers are the most potential customers in a retail company. On the other hand, male customers are the least potential customers. The motivation to buy is relatively high across all genders and ages, as evidenced by the average "core drive" score, which tends to be high in the customer cluster segment with various age groups. The amount of customer motivation to buy products does not affect purchase retention, which several factors outside this study can cause. Based on customer expectation and customer impression data, low-price offers and product discount offers are dominantly in demand by customers, and this is also in line with the core drive "development" and "scarcity" scores which tend to be high. The age maturity of customers is directly proportional to purchase retention, and this is entirely rational when considering the buying ability of customers where the more mature age group has a higher purchasing power.

Cross-mapping medical records to NANDA-I to identify nursing diagnoses in a vulnerable population.

To assess the association between vulnerable populations and nursing care needs, using NANDA-I diagnostics, in the population of the Canary Islands, Spain. Nursing social epidemiology study. Cross Mapping of Medical Records to NANDA-I to Identify Nursing Diagnoses in a Population usinga medical, epidemiological follow-up study of a cohort of 7,190 people. The level of vulnerability of the participants was assigned, among those who were also assigned nursing diagnoses, using the "ICE index" to calculate the expected associations. The most prevalent nursing diagnosis in our sample was Sedentary lifestyle (60.5%), followed by Ineffective health self-management (33.8%) and Risk-prone health behaviour (28.7%). Significant differences were found by sex, age group and social class, with the nursing diagnoses included in the study being more prevalent among the most socio-economically disadvantaged social class. The cross-mapping method is useful to generate diagnostic information in terms of care needs, using the NANDA-I classification. The expected associations between high social vulnerability and care needs have been verified in a comprehensive and representative sample of the Canarian population (Spain). From an epidemiological perspective, identifying nursing diagnoses at the population level allows us to find the most prevalent needs in the different community groups and to focus appropriate nursing interventions for their implementation and impact assessment.

Association of age and body condition with physical activity of domestic cats (Felis catus)

Physical activity contributes up to 30% of the total daily energy expenditure of domestic cats (Felis catus) and, therefore, can play an important role in the prevention and reduction of obesity and may impact macronutrient digestibility. An age-related decline in physical activity in domestic cats has been observed, however, scientific data is scarce. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between physical activity, cat age and body condition score. A secondary aim was to determine whether physical activity level influenced apparent macronutrient digestibility. Using accelerometers, the physical activity of 138 domestic shorthair cats grouped-housed in identical outdoor pens was measured. Cats were divided into five age groups: kitten (n = 10), junior (n = 37), prime (n = 30), mature (n = 33) or senior (n = 27), and physical activity data was collected from each cat for seven consecutive days. One cat was randomly chosen from each age group as a control and its physical activity was measured for the entire 11-week period. Body condition score of the cats was assessed in the same week that physical activity data was collected. A decline in physical activity with age was found, although this decline was not linear. Cats in the kitten and junior age groups had the highest physical activity. Compared with the younger age groups cats in the prime age group showed a significant reduction physical activity, which then remained constant in the mature and senior age groups. An overall decline in physical activity with an increasing body condition score was found. To investigate whether physical activity influenced apparent macronutrient digestibility, a subset of six cats from the junior and prime age groups were selected at the end of the activity assessment period. Cats were individually housed, fed a commercially available wet canned diet, and had ad libitum access to water. No effect of physical activity on apparent macronutrient digestibility was found.

Adjuvant and post-surgical treatment in non-epithelial ovarian cancer.

Non-epithelial cancers arising from the ovary are uncommon malignancies. Germ cell tumors of the ovary arise from primordial germ cells, and sex cord-stromal tumors of the ovary represent a cluster of tumors arising from the sex cord and stromal compartment. Most patients diagnosed with germ cell tumors are young adults and adolescent females. In contrast, ovarian sex cord-stromal tumors more commonly occur in a mature age group. Advances in the adjuvant management of non-epithelial ovarian cancer following optimal surgical and pathological staging have improved patient survival outcomes. In addition, active surveillance is preferentially assigned to patients diagnosed with stage I germ cell tumor, stage 1A grade 1 immature teratoma, stage 1A yolk sac tumor, and stage 1AI sex cord-stromal tumors. This article discusses the importance of selecting the adjuvant treatment approach most suitable to the patients' surgical and pathological stages, thereby safeguarding patient outcomes.

COVID-19 affected the food behavior of different age groups in Chinese households.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought profound changes to all corners of society and affected people in every aspect of their lives. This survey-based study investigated how household food related matters such as food sourcing and consumption behaviors of 2,126 Chinese consumers in different age groups changed approximately two months into the COVID-19 quarantine. A new food sourcing mechanism, community-based online group grocery-ordering (CoGGO), was widely adopted by households, particularly among the youngest group studied (18–24 years of age). The same group showed a higher confidence in the food supply system during the quarantine and a greater propensity for weight gain while staying-at-home. The more mature age group (≥35 years of age) showed heightened vigilance and awareness, with fewer grocery-shopping trips, a higher tendency for purchasing extra food, and less tendency to waste food. Survey findings of the new food-sourcing mechanism, attitudes to food, and changes in behavior among different age groups provide valuable insights to guide policies and management interventions to address matters pertaining to food supply and distribution, food access and household food security, and food waste reduction.

Relación entre el cambio meteorológico y el dolor articular en un grupo de individuos

Introduction: Joint pain can be influenced by obesity, sedentary lifestyle, rheumatic conditions, or previous joint surgeries, but many people often attribute increased joint pain to changing weather patterns. There are even individuals who claim that they can predict weather changes by their symptoms. Materials and method: observational, cross-sectional, analytical study. A survey documenting clinical variables (i.e. age, pathological history) and data related to pain and meteorological changes that could be associated with pain were documented. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed. The association between the presence of pain prior to or during the meteorological change and associated factors, was evaluated by nX2 test and the OR with its respective CI. Values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: 147 individuals were included, 59.9% (88/147) of the respondents were female. The respondents were divided into two groups, young adult and mature adult, according to an age range. Forty six percent belonged to the young adult group and 53.74% to the ma- ture adult group. A total of 39.46% (58/147) reported pain before a meteorological change. Of the patients who reported pain, 55.5% (32/58)reported the knee as the most frequent area of pain. There was no statistically significant association between the presence of pain prior to a specific meteorological change(i.e. temperature variation or the presence of rain). However, an association was observed between the presence of pain prior to temperature change and mature adult age group (p=0.008, OR=0.398 CI= 0.20-0.79). No association was found between the presence of pain and other clinical characteristics reported by the respondents.Conclusion: The majority of respondents in the older adult group perceived joint pain prior to a change in the weather. The mature adult group manifested some pain more frequently. The young adult group mostly did not report pain prior to weather change.

Философские проблемы процесса урбанизации социума

Philosophical problems of social life and activity, relationships in ethnic groups and associations that have historically lived in certain territories, are one of the most topical and superficially studied problems in the circles of scientists and practitioners of the Humanities. The traditional system of generally accepted principles and values of diverse ethnic associations has a tendency to transform against the background of the development of the historical period of time. Among individuals of diverse nationalities, the vision of the essential conditions for creative activity is an explicable characteristic of groups that are distinguished by the prevalence of the younger generation, peoples who are more literate, highly qualified and civilized. In the older generation of the Mature age group, orientations predominate in favor of the value of marriage and family relations.

노인들의 미디어 리터러시가 자기효능감과 삶의 만족도에 미치는 영향: 미디어에 대한 접근 · 통제능력과 사회적 소통능력을 중심으로 장년층과의 비교 연구

노인들의 미디어 리터러시가 자기효능감과 삶의 만족도에 미치는 영향: 미디어에 대한 접근 · 통제능력과 사회적 소통능력을 중심으로 장년층과의 비교 연구

Serological and Epidemiological Studies of Helicobacter Pylori Infection at District Mardan Based on Gender and Different Age Groups

The current study was aimed to observe the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection at District Mardan with respect to their gender and age groups. The blood samples were collected from all the subjects who attended the OPD at Mardan Medical Complex. All these samples were screened for the presence of antibodies against H. pylori through a rapid antibody assay. Positive and negative cases were recorded based on the test results and prevalence was measured keeping in mind the selected parameters in individuals of each group. A total of 4312 people was included in the study, out of which 2586 were males and 1726 were females. Majority of the patients were in the mature age group. Based on our results, there were 125 males demonstrating a prevalence of 4.83% which is slightly higher than 4.66% prevalence of 77 females infected. Comparisons were made based on gender and age groups and data presented in the form of figures and tables. Monthly wise prevalence has also been shown. Moreover, prevalence was higher in the people aged 19-44 and lowest in immature ones. However, the overall prevalence in the subjects was 4.68% for the span of 4 months.

Canine transmissible venereal tumor: A review

Canine Transmissible Venereal tumor (TVT) is one of the most commonly occurring benign reticulo-endothelial tumor of dogs affecting both the sexes. It is mostly transmitted by coitus with incidence rates ranging from 2 to 43% of all tumors prevalent in temperate climate and both young and sexually mature age groups are affected. Such tumor presents abnormal numbers of chromosomes ranging from 57 to 64 and averaging 59 (58 ± 5), in contrast to the normal 78 chromosome found in the species and is the only proven example of tumor that is transplanted as an allograft during cell transplantation. Metastases cases are uncommon but puppies and immune-compromised dogs are at greater risk. The etiology appears to be tumoral cell transplantation from affected host to healthy animals. Prevalence of this tumour was reported to be 23.5% to 28.6% in Punjab 28.6% in Andhra Pradesh and 42.8% in the state of Assam. Clinical cases are usually presented with tumor localized in the shaft of penis in males and along the vestibule of vagina in females. Small nodular lesions that bleed easily are the most consistent clinical finding. Cytological studies of smears made from such tumor reveals round cells with clear cytoplasmic vacuoles, mitotic figures with chromatin clumping and presence of one or two prominent nucleoli. The tumor is self-limiting and vincristine sulfate is currently the most effective therapy. Immune modulation therapy is yet to be validated for treatment purposes. The present review throws a light and narrates some of the critical aspects such as incidence, prevalence, transmission pattern, gross and microscopic findings and the treatment regime of dogs affected with TVT.

Histologic comparison of inflammatory cells in the penile and preputial epithelium of young vs mature beef bulls

There is evidence supporting clearance of the Tritrichomonas foetus in young bulls. The reasons for mature bulls becoming chronic carriers and resolution of venereal infections in young bulls have not been illuminated. It has been hypothesized that there is variation in the inflammatory response in the reproductive tract as the bull ages. Hence, the objectives of this study were to evaluate the immune cell population in the normal bovine penile and preputial epithelium and to examine any differences in cell populations between young and mature age groups. Our hypothesis was that there are significant differences in immune cell types within the penile and preputial epithelium and dermis of young versus mature bulls.

Relationships between tree survival, stand structure and age in trembling aspen dominated stands

Canopy openings resulting from tree death provide opportunities for shade intolerant species such as aspen to establish and grow in the understory leading to development of aspen stands with multiple canopy layers and multiple cohorts. Stand structure is likely to influence survival probability since it will lead to differences in competition intensity and in resource utilization. We examined relationships among stand age (years after stand establishment), age structure (age diversity), and tree size diversity (i.e., diversity of diameter classes), using cores collected from 531 aspen trees in 18 stands distributed across the province of Alberta, Canada. Results show positive relationships between stand age, age diversity, and tree size diversity. Logistic mixed effects survival probability models were developed using data from 199 remeasured permanent sample plots. Results show an inverted U-shaped relationship between survival probability and tree diameter. Survival probability trends varied between young (≤60), mature (>60 and ≤ 100), and old (>100) age groups in relation to differences in competition intensity and stand structure. Intraspecific competition (deciduous basal area larger) was negatively related to tree survival and the magnitude of the negative impact was stronger in the young age group. Negative effects of structural diversity (tree size diversity) on survival probability were strongest in the mature age group. We suggest that effects of tree size diversity relate to environmental stresses and competition at the stand level while the influence of deciduous basal area larger serves as a measure of competition experienced by individual trees. The significance of mean annual temperature in our models indicates that, under warmer conditions, competition variables (e.g., deciduous basal area larger and tree size diversity) had stronger effects on tree mortality with the magnitude of effects varying between age groups.

Optimum Sample Size in Group Comparisons in Animal Breeding Researches with Simulation Study

The power analysis performed prior to the study is intended to calculate the required sample size directly. On the other hand, the number of subjects using post hoc power analysis shows the power of working according to the effect size and the accepted type I error level. This research was conducted to determine the optimal sample size in Animal breeding surveys. Especially, it was done to evaluate the level of significance varying with the increase in sample size. In the study, the breeding rate data of 37201 kid goats were used. Gender and two Mature goat age groups were compared with independent two sample t-test in terms of an effect on the growth rate of kids. The mean, standard deviation, common standard deviation, mean difference (effect size, d), standardized effect size (SES) and p-value for the groups were calculated. When the Type I error is 0.05; optimum sample size and the power of the test are calculated in the specified scenarios. In general, it has been determined that the power of the test is appropriate for the optimum range of influence sample size and degree of freedom. Required sample sizes are shown. The contribution to the sample size of the changes in effect size is quite large. Researchers can calculate the strength of the test by taking advantage of the sample size suggested in the study before setting up the trial setups. Keywords : Goat; breeding; effect size; sample size DOI : 10.7176/JSTR/5-2-33

The bioelectric type of the visual area of the cerebral cortex of rats of all ages and sexes

In the ontogenesis process, the cerebral cortex undergoes age-related changes. So far as, unlike practically all other systems of mammalian organs, the brain continues to develop and receive new functionality in the postnatal period. Thus with age, there are changes in the bioelectric characteristics of the neocortex. The purpose of the research is to determine the age and sex changes in the bioelectric activity of the cerebral visual cortex of male and female rats of different ages. In the article, we examined changes in absolute (μV2) and normalized (%) indicators of electrical activity of the visual area of rats of different sexes in four age groups: juvenile, young, mature, and presenile age. The research was carried out by the method of registration of bioelectric activity of electrocorticograms (ECoG). Results of multifactorial dispersion analysis of absolute and normalized ECoG indicators of the visual area of the cerebral cortex of rats of all ages showed that there were reliable changes in the frequency-amplitude characteristics of bioelectric activity related to age. At a young age, males have probably lower absolute and normalized power of the delta-rhythm and the normalized beta-like rhythm rate. There was a tendency of decrease in the theta-rhythm. As a result of this redistribution of rhythms a desynchronization of the electrical activity of young males was observed. Mature males have lower absolute power indicators than younger age groups. According to normalized indicators, a synchronization of rhythms of males in the mature age group was observed, which together with values of absolute power can indicate a decrease of the functional activity level of the neocortex and an increase of the influence of endogenous mechanisms on neuronal activity of the visual area of the cerebral cortex. In the presenile age, there was a desynchronization of rhythms. The indicators of an absolute and normalized power of females in the young age group pointed to the synchronization of the bioecoactivity of the neocortex. Among the low-frequency waves, theta-rhythm rhythm dominated in the females of young age. In the mature and presenile age females, there was a probable increase in the percentage of normalized parameters of high-frequency beta waves. The predominance of this rhythm may indicate an increase of cortical tone. The correlation of values of absolute and normalized indicators of bioelectric activity affirmed the desynchronization of the ECoG rhythms of females of mature and presenile age. Sex differences are expressed by a decrease in the absolute power of all ECoG rhythms of the visual area of the cerebral cortex of females relative to males. The age-related changes occurred in a different way in rats of different sex. At a young age, males had desynchronization of rhythms, and females had synchronization, in the mature age it was vice versa. The age changes of the electric activity of the cerebral visual cortex of rats in our opinion may be largely associated with involutional changes of various neurotransmitter and hormonal systems.

Bone mineral density of human ear ossicles: An assessment of structure in relation to function.

Human ear ossicles are essential for normal sound conduction from the external environment to the inner ear. These bones are subjected to high biomechanical loads due to the sustained vibrations which occur with reception of sound. It is expected that the bones would undergo a significant amount of remodeling and change in bone mineral density during the lifespan of an individual. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the possible changes in bone mineral density of regions of the ossicular chain during postnatal life. Forty four left and 36 right sets of human ear ossicles, ranging from a sub-adult age group to a mature adult age group, were sourced from the School of Anatomical Sciences, University of Witwatersrand. The ear ossicles were scanned using a micro-focus CT X-ray. A three-dimensional reconstruction of each ossicle was created from the CT scan. Bone mineral density was then determined at specific sites on the ossicles. There was no statistically significant variation found in the bone mineral density in relation to the age of the specimens. However, the handle of the malleus, the incudo-stapedial joint and the insertion site for the tendon of stapedius had lower bone mineral densities when compared to adjacent articulation and nonattachment sites on the ossicular chain. This is possibly due to biomechanical stress in response to sound conduction rather than ageing. Lower bone mineral density may be indicative of regions that experience the highest biomechanical force, thus, resulting in increased remodeling. Clin. Anat. 31:1158-1166, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

КОМПЛЕКСНАЯ ОЦЕНКА ФАКТИЧЕСКОГО ВОЗРАСТА НАСЕЛЕНИЯ В СРЕДНИХ И СТАРШИХ ВОЗРАСТНЫХ ГРУППАХ

The article is concerned with substantiation of a complex index of the actual age for per-sons of mature and elderly age groups (over 50 years old). The complex index of the actual age is offered to prove taking into account the functional age, a pathological age and a psychologi-cal age. As a result the limiting indicator is chosen which determines the biotic forecast of an individual and priorities of preventive efforts to increase life expectancy. There were examined 77 people aged 90 and over. The morbidity, functional state and psychosocial functions were studied. It has been established that for persons of a senile age the psychological age is the limit-ing indicator.

ОСОБЛИВОСТІ ПРОСТОРОВИХ РОЗМІРІВ ВЕРХНЬОЩЕЛЕПНИХ ПАЗУХ У ОСІБ ЧОЛОВІЧОЇ ТА ЖІНОЧОЇ СТАТІ ЗРІЛОГО ВІКУ ЗГІДНО З РЕКОНСТРУЙОВАНИМИ 3Д МОДЕЛЯМИ

The analysis of 102 Cone-beam Computed Tomography of the nose and paranasal sinuses was performed. Spatial dimensions of the maxillary sinuses according to the 3D models, their symmetry, as well as natural ostiums openings passability in relation to the forms of maxillary sinuses (MS) have been determined. Analysis of the 3D models of MS results. 102 examined subjects of different periods of mature age males and females showed, that the volume of sinuses varies from 9.7 cm3 (min) to 33.2 cm3 (max) and has a pronounced age and gender dependence. In the first age group, namely in the early mature age (from the age of 21 to 35), the spatial volumes are higher in men – 22.8 ± 2.09 cm³ and 23.06 ± 1.93 cm³ respectively, on the left and right sides, and in women, the scores are lower – 18 ± 1.91 cm³ for the left sinus and 17.06 ± 1.8 cm for the right sinus. In the case of the late mature age group (36 to 60 years), the average volume of MS in men is 21 ± 2,09 cm³ and 22,13 ± 2,4 cm³, whereas in women it is 21,42 ± 2 , 42 cm³ and 20.78 ± 2.28 cm³ respectively for the left and right sides. Gender comparison of individual indicators of the size of the left MS in early mature age showed, that the volume of the left MS in men is bigger than in women of this age group. In the late mature age, the volume of the left MS is higher in females than in males. The analysis of individual indicators of the size of the right MS in early mature age showed, that the volume of the right MS, as well as left, in men is bigger than in women of this age group. In the late mature age, the volume of the right MS, unlike the left, is larger in men than in women. The conducted analysis of age dynamics of the volume of maxillary sinuses in individuals of different periods of mature age has shown that the researched indicator in both women and men in both age groups is asymmetrical. At the same time, the volume of both maxillary sinuses in men with age decreases, and in women – increases. It was also established that the volume of the left MS in persons of the first age group and the right MS in both age groups is higher than in men, and the volume of the left MS in the second age group is slightly higher among the female population. The analysis of symmetry of sinuses has shown, that maxillary sinuses symmetry was observed in 34 patients (33% of the total number of all surveyed), and asymmetry – in 68 patients (67%). The analysis of the symmetry of the MS in women and men made it possible to establish that in women the difference between the investigated parameter is insignificant – the symmetry of the indicator of the MS volume was established in 55% of the examined women, asymmetry – in 45%. Unlike women, in men the asymmetry of the MS is found to be much higher – 81% of asymmetric indices with 19% of the symmetrical total of the examined male population. The analysis of computed tomographies allowed to determine the influence of the form of maxillary sinuses on the passability of their natural ostium openings. According to the results, we often see the passage of the natural ostiums of the sinuses in the circular form of the MS, in particular, in the horizontal projection – in 100% of the examined. Also, often natural ostiums openings are passable in rectangular, triangular and oval forms of sinuses. In the square form, the passability of natural ostiums of the MS observed the least – only in 25% of cases.

Tree-ring formation as an indicator of forest capacity to adapt to the main threats of environmental changes in Lithuania

Global changes occurring under different environmental conditions have changed stand competition, as well as nutrient and light availability, which has resulted in changes in productivity. Therefore, in the present study, the characteristics of tree-ring width formation of the prevailing Lithuanian tree species, Norway spruce, Scots pine and silver and downy birch, and key factors resulting in their differences during the last 36-year period were investigated at forest sites located on poor mineral oligotrophic and on nutrient-rich organic mesoeutrophic soils. The aim of the study was as follows: first, to separately detect the maximum possible seasonal effect of three groups of variables - meteorology, acidifying pollutants and surface ozone on the stem basal area increment (BAI) of the evaluated tree species; second, to assess the significance of each group of variables affecting the BAI of these tree species integrally with the remaining groups of variables. Norway spruce was found to be well adapted to recent environmental changes, which makes it one of the most favourable tree species for silviculture in the northeastern part of Europe. The rapid increases recorded in growth intensity since 1980 were attributed to the increase in air temperature, precipitation amount, nitrogen deposition during the vegetative stage and reductions in SO2 concentrations and S deposition. Scots pine demonstrated the highest level of resilience and capacity to adapt to recent global changes because its reaction to both negative and favourable environmental factors was best expressed. Silver and downy birch tree reactions to the effects of air concentrations of acidifying compounds, their deposition and surface ozone concentrations were the least expressed; however, a significant decline in growth intensity indicated that these tree species experienced a reduced resistance to recent changes in environmental conditions in the mature and over-mature age groups.