Main Groups Research Articles

BARRIERS TO ONLINE PURCHASE: CASE STUDY CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR IN FASHION INDUSTRY E-COMMERCE

The fashion industry e-commerce has witnessed a remarkable increase in market, leading to significant changes in online consumer behaviour. Consequently, research in the field of consumer online behaviour in the fashion industry has become highly relevant for marketers and online retailers. It is essential for fashion-industry e-commerce businesses to gain a deeper understanding of the barriers that hinder customers from making online purchases, comprehend the mechanisms of these barriers, and their role in making purchase decisions. This study aims to provide an overview and analysis of the barriers to online purchase in the fashion industry e-commerce, classify these barriers and determine the role that each barrier plays in making a purchase decision. The research methodology involves both qualitative and quantitative research methods, including the collection of secondary and primary descriptive data. The research approach included empirical and theoretical research levels with the application of abstraction, analysis, synthesis, deduction methods, and consumer surveys. The study identified five main groups of barriers to online purchase in the fashion industry e-commerce, which are technological barriers, privacy and financial risk barriers, barriers related to the limitations of the online shopping process, delivery-related barriers, and barriers linked to difficulties in returning goods. After surveying 147 respondents, mean values, median, standard deviation, skewness, and variance were calculated for each barrier. Additionally, a two-dimensional bar chart was designed to display the barriers and their mean values, organized in the order from the ones with the most negative impact on purchase decisions to the least. The findings revealed that the most significant and common barriers to online purchase in the fashion industry e-commerce are difficulty in searching for products, trial inconvenience, long delivery times, payment difficulties, and delivery costs. This knowledge is useful for e-shops to provide high-quality customer experience and service, predict changes in behaviour and trends, develop marketing tools and strategies to overcome barriers to purchase, and ultimately increase loyalty and sales.

A Comprehensive Review of Syndromic Forms of Obesity: Genetic Etiology, Clinical Features and Molecular Diagnosis.

Syndromic obesity refers to obesity occurring with additional clinical findings, such as intellectual disability/developmental delay, dysmorphic features, and congenital malformations. PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To present a narrative review regarding the genetic etiology, clinical description, and molecular diagnosis of syndromic obesity, which is a rare condition with high phenotypic variability and genetic heterogeneity. The following syndromes are presented in this review: Prader-Willi, Bardet-Biedl, Pseudohypoparathyroidism, Alström, Smith-Magenis, Cohen, Temple, 1p36 deletion, 16p11.2 microdeletion, Kleefstra, SIM1-related, Börjeson-Forssman-Lehmann, WAGRO, Carpenter, MORM, and MYT1L-related syndromes. RECENT FINDINGS: There are three main groups of mechanisms for syndromic obesity: imprinting, transcriptional activity regulation, and cellular cilia function. For molecular diagnostic, methods of genome-wide investigation should be prioritized over sequencing of panels of syndromic obesity genes. In addition, we present novel syndromic conditions that need further delineation, but evidences suggest they have a higher frequency of obesity. The etiology of syndromic obesity tends to be linked to disrupted neurodevelopment (central) and is associated with a diversity of genes and biological pathways. In the genetic investigation of individuals with syndromic obesity, the possibility that the etiology of the syndromic condition is independent of obesity should be considered. The accurate genetic diagnosis impacts medical management, treatment, and prognosis, and allows proper genetic counseling.

Aggregating Synechococcus contributes to particle organic carbon export in coastal estuarine waters: Its lineage features and assembly processes

The release and deposition of phytoplankton-derived particulate organic matter is crucial in marine carbon export, yet the roles of picoplankton in these processes were seldom considered. Therefore, this study aimed to shed light on the matter by investigating the aggregating (AG) lifestyle of Synechococcus, a main group of picoplankton, in the coastal waters of the Yellow River Estuary with ample sediments acting as ballast minerals. We revealed that AG Synechococcus constituted a substantial portion, maximally reaching up to 85.4 %, of the total Synechococcus population. Pearson correlations and random forest (RF) regression analyses found significant connections (p < 0.01) between AG Synechococcus and the content of particulate organic carbon (POC), which emphasized its underlying role in facilitating POC export in this region. Furthermore, by employing high-throughput sequencing of the RNA polymerase gene (rpoC1), it was demonstrated that S5.1 clade I exhibited a significantly higher proportion in the AG fraction than in the free-living (FL) fraction (p < 0.05). This suggests distinct inclinations in the phylogenetic preference for different Synechococcus lineages between different lifestyles in the studied area. Finally, we ascertained “small-world” and higher robustness attributes of aggregates formed through the co-occurrence construction between Synechococcus and heterotrophic bacteria, likely facilitated by the reciprocal exchange of carbon and nitrogen elements. Overall, these findings have implications for our understanding of the role of Synechococcus in the ecology and biogeochemistry of marine ecosystems, and they are significant for more accurately evaluating the contribution of picophytoplankton in ocean carbon export.

Delayed vs. immediate placement of restorative materials over Biodentine and RetroMTA: a micro-shear bond strength study

BackgroundThe aim of the present study was to investigate the micro-shear bond strength (µSBS) of various restorative materials applied on two different fast-setting calcium silicate-based materials and to evaluate the effect of restoration time on µSBS.MethodsA total of 180 acrylic blocks with a cavity in the center were randomly divided into 2 main groups according to the capping material to be used (Biodentine or RetroMTA). The specimens were also randomly divided into 3 groups according to the restoration time (3 min, 12 min, 24 h). After the specified waiting periods, glass hybrid material (EQUIA Forte HT), resin composite (Filtek Z550) and light-cured calcium silicate material (Theracal LC) were placed on the specimens with tygon tubes. The specimens were kept for 24 h and then subjected to µSBS test. Statistical analysis was performed by 3-way ANOVA followed by Tukey test for pairwise comparisons (α = 0.05).ResultsThere is a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) between the µSBS values obtained by applying resin composite on RetroMTA after different setting times (24 h > 12 min > 3 min). The µSBS obtained for the Biodentine-resin composite at the end of the 3 min setting time is significantly lower (p < 0.05) than the µSBS values at 12 min and 24 h. For both calcium silicate cements, at the end of all time periods, the µSBS obtained when resin composite was applied at the end was higher than the other materials (p < 0.05).ConclusionsFor Biodentine-resin composite bonding, the manufacturer’s recommendation of 12 min can be considered an appropriate time, whereas for RetroMTA-resin composite bonding, the µSBS increased as the waiting time increased. Regardless of the waiting time, it is recommended to prefer direct composite resin restoration over Biodentine and RetroMTA.

Antiphospholipid antibodies as a potential factor of tumor progression

Introduction. Current generally accepted clinical and laboratory criteria for antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) have been clearly determined, which include vascular thrombosis and pregnancy complications in patients with circulating antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs). However, in the last several years, aPLs have become a common finding in patients with malignancies. Accumulating data provide strong evidence for such association and suggests that thrombosis in cancer patients may be related to aPLs activity. According to global publications, aPLs circulation in cancer patients varies from 15 to 74 %, which may be due to differences in clinical characteristics of cancer patients examined as well as distinct interpretations on aPLs diagnostic tests.Aim: to determine aPLs profile in patients with malignant neoplasms of the female reproductive system, identify an association between aPLs and thrombosis as well as degree of disease progression and outcome.Materials and Methods. A single-center observational study was conducted with 130 women, among which 70 subjects had adenocarcinoma of the uterine body, cervix and ovaries. 60 age-matched apparently healthy women lacking thrombotic complications were included into control group. All study participants were examined for circulating lupus anticoagulantas well as anti-cardiolipin antibodies (aCLs), anti-β2-glycoprotein 1 antibodies (anti-β2-GР1), annexin V antibodies, and anti-phosphatidylserine-prothrombin complex antibodies (anti-PS-PT) IgG and IgM by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results. Moderate or low aPLs titers were found in 34.2 % of patients with uterine, cervical and ovarian cancer. Ten (14.2 %) of 70 women in main study group had thrombosis so that aPLs were detected only in 5 of 10 women with thrombosis. No significant differences between patients with thrombosis and without thrombotic complications in gynecological cancer were observed. In addition, assessed parameters had no impact on relapse-free survival in cancer patients. However, a significant relation was found between circulating aCLs (IgG, IgM) and anti-PS-PT (IgG, IgM) as well as degree of oncological process. In addition, a significant association was found between aCLs isotype IgG (p = 0.017) and disease relapse.Conclusion. Although thrombosis along with acute thrombosis is a hallmark of APS patients, they demonstrate other non-thrombotic manifestations, one of which is the impact on tumor growth invasion and progression.

Analysis of Lanping County Circle Dance Culture and its Function of Casting the Consciousness of the Chinese Nation Community

The research is based on Lanping Bai and Pumi Autonomous County in Yunnan Province. It is now affiliated to Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture. It was subordinate to Lijiang Prefecture in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.According to the records of ' Lijiang Fuzhi Road ' and ' Chinese Southwest Folk Literature ', ' Chinese Local Chronicles Literature Collection:Southwest Volume', there was a mixed situation of various ethnic groups in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.The main native ethnic groups were Bai, Pumi, Lisu, Han, Nu and Yi. Under the restriction of terrain, all ethnic groups carry out trade, singing and dancing activities in a closed area. Dance is accepted and shared in cultural practice, which makes it a good observation point to explore the coexistence and co-dancing of mixed ethnic groups. Starting from the sharing of ethnic traces of Chinese culture, this paper explores the promotion effect of circle dance culture in Lanping County on the interconnection of regional multi-ethnic cultures and the formation of common ' cultural memory ', which is an important manifestation of the cultural identity of the Chinese nation. Taking the circle dance culture of Lanping County as a case, exploring the circle dance culture is conducive to increasing the recognition of the Chinese national culture and the Chinese nation, is conducive to the cohesion of the national spirit with patriotism as the core, and is of great significance for the new era to cast a strong sense of the Chinese national community.

Clinical and neurological aspects of endocrine disorders in Down syndrome in children

BACKGROUND: Down syndrome is a common genetic pathology in which multiple defects are observed, including endocrine disorders of varying severity. Hypothyroidism occupies a leading position among all hormonal disorders in such children. However, the significance of hypofunction of the thyroid gland in the development and progression of cerebral dysfunction in children with trisomy 21 has not been sufficiently studied.&#x0D; AIM: Assessment of the impact of endocrine pathology in children with Down syndrome on the state of neurological functions.&#x0D; MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined 50 children aged 3–5 years with complete trisomy of chromosome 21. At the same time, the number of boys was 13 (32%), girls — 27 (68%). Children of the main group had verified endocrine disorders associated with Down syndrome. Children in the control group had a confirmed diagnosis of Down syndrome, but did not have endocrine pathology, and their number was 10 people — 8 girls (80%) and 2 boys (20). Everyone underwent speech therapy and neuropsychological examination. Children of the main and control groups, in addition to standard biochemical and general blood tests, underwent a detailed laboratory study with determination of T3, T4, TSH levels. An advisory examination and dynamic observation by a speech therapist for 6 months. All children were assessed by a neurologist according to generally accepted methods.&#x0D; RESULTS: Data have been obtained indicating a fairly widespread prevalence of thyroid dysfunction among patients with Down syndrome. However, clinical symptoms may not be specific due to their similarity to the phenotypic manifestations of a genetic disease. Thus, patients with clinically significant hypothyroidism had more severe cognitive impairment. There was a significantly lower level of psycho-speech development in 95.3±3.1% of cases (p 0.001) according to the results of comprehensive neuropsychological and speech therapy examinations. In the group of children with severe hypothyroidism, significantly more severe disorders of mental functions were encountered. At the same time, as thyroxine was prescribed in age-appropriate dosages for 3 months, the child’s condition improved, mnestic functions and voluntary attention improved in 60% of patients in the main group. In 70% of cases, there was an improvement in the evacuation function of the gastrointestinal tract, in 65% there was a normalization of the humidity and temperature of the skin.&#x0D; CONCLUSION: Timely diagnosis of thyroid gland dysfunction is an important preventive measure for genetic abnormalities associated with multiple comorbid pathologies, such as trisomy 21, Down syndrome. Timely correction of existing disorders can improve the quality of life of such children and their relatives and can contribute to their adequate socialization and adaptation in modern society.

The Impact of Coronal Flaring Files on Pericervical Dentin Thickness in Mandibular Molars

IntroductionThis study aimed to assess the influence of different coronal flaring files on dentin removal in mandibular teeth using cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) images. MethodsCBCT images of 48 mandibular molar teeth were acquired and randomly divided into 2 main groups, with each main group further divided into 3 subgroups. In the first main group, root canal preparation was performed using TruNatomy (Dentsply Sirona, Ballaigues, Switzerland), ProTaper Gold (Dentsply Sirona), and One Curve (Micro-Mega, Besancon, France) files without the use of coronal flaring files. In the second main group, root canal preparation was performed using the same files with the use of coronal flaring files. After the completion of root canal preparation, a second set of CBCT images was obtained. Subsequently, the dentin removal and remaining critical dentin were assessed by measuring at 4 distinct points below the furcation level. Data were compared between groups using the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests with alpha set at 5%. ResultsThe ProTaper Gold files demonstrated higher dentin removal compared with the TruNatomy files. In the no-flaring groups, the One Curve files exhibited greater dentin removal than the TruNatomy files at specific levels. The use of coronal flaring files generally did not significantly impact dentin removal, except for certain cases in the TruNatomy and ProTaper Gold groups. ConclusionsThe TruNatomy instrument group was more effective in preserving pericervical dentin compared with the other instrument groups. Coronal flaring files can be confidently used to preserve critical dentin during root canal treatment.

Inherited bone marrow failure syndromes: phenotype as a tool for early diagnostic suspicion at a major reference center in Mexico.

Introduction: The inherited bone marrow failure syndromes (IBMFSs) are a group of rare disorders characterized by bone marrow failure (BMF), physical abnormalities, and an increased risk of neoplasia. The National Institute of Pediatrics (INP) is a major medical institution in Mexico, where patients with BMF receive a complete approach that includes paraclinical tests. Readily recognizable features, such as the hematological and distinctive physical phenotypes, identified by clinical dysmorphologists, remain crucial for the diagnosis and management of these patients, particularly in circumstances where next-generation sequencing (NGS) is not easily available. Here, we describe a group of Mexican patients with a high clinical suspicion of an IBMFS. Methods: We performed a systematic retrospective analysis of the medical records of patients who had a high IBMFS suspicion at our institution from January 2018 to July 2021. An initial assessment included first ruling out acquired causes of BMF by the Hematology Department and referral of the patient to the Department of Human Genetics for physical examination to search for specific phenotypes suggesting an IBMFS. Patients with high suspicion of having an IBMFS were classified into two main groups: 1) specific IBMFS, including dyskeratosis congenita (DC), Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA), Shwachman-Diamond syndrome (SDS), thrombocytopenia with absent radii (TAR), and severe congenital neutropenia (SCN); 2) undefined IBMFS (UI). Results: We established a high suspicion of having an IBMFS in 48 patients. At initial evaluation, the most common hematologic features were bicytopenia (20%) and aplastic anemia (16%); three patients received hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Among patients with a suspicion of an IBMFS, the most common physical abnormality was minor craniofacial features in 83% of patients and neurodevelopmental disorders in 52%. The specific suspicions that we built were DBA (31%), SDS (18%), DC (14%), TAR (4%), and SCN (4%), whereas 27% of cases remained as undefined IBMFS. SDS, TAR, and SCN were more commonly suspected at an earlier age (<1year), followed by DBA (2years) and DC (5years). Conclusions: Thorough examination of reported clinical data allowed us to highly suspect a specific IBMFS in approximately 70% of patients; however, an important number of patients remained with suspicion of an undefined IBMFS. Implementation of NGS and telomere length measurement are forthcoming measures to improve IBMFS diagnosis in Mexico.

PROBLEMS OF HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AT INDUSTRIAL ENTERPRISES IN THE POST-WAR PERIOD

The article examines the issues of personnel policy of industrial enterprises in the post-war period. The quantitative and qualitative composition of the personnel in the industrial sector, the number of permanent employees, and the business’s innovative activities have been investigated. It is noted that personnel serves as the foundation for enterprise development, ensuring the stability of industrial enterprises. It has been found that the number of permanent employees in the industrial sector is constantly decreasing, and factors such as the implementation of automated systems and robots replacing human labor, reduction of staff positions by transferring some production to external enterprises, periods of economic crisis, changes in the enterprise’s activities, cost reduction, changes in consumer demand, and demographic decline affect the outflow of personnel. The dependence of industrial workforce on the country’s population is determined. The demographic situation of Ukraine’s population is considered, and the main indicators are calculated, namely: the index of the population’s numerical strength of Ukraine; the index of the working-age population of Ukraine; the index of the number of permanent employees in the industry. The level of workforce turnover is analyzed, the main groups are investigated, and their main reasons for the high level of workforce turnover are identified, based on components such as personnel needs, employer requirements, external factors, aspects, and factors for investigating the quantitative and qualitative composition of employees. The main consequences of high workforce turnover are determined. It is substantiated that in order to prevent a critical situation with personnel issues in the future, a series of preventive measures have been formulated, which need to be implemented soon for each individual industrial enterprise.

Esrar Kullanım Bozukluğu Tedavisinde Kullanılan İnternet Tabanlı Psikososyal Müdahale Programları: Bu Programların Etkinlikleri ve Sınırlılıkları

This review focuses on the internet-based psychosocial intervention methods used in the treatment of cannabis use disorder, reviewing their effectiveness and limitations in light of the available information. Cannabis use disorder contributes to both physical and mental health issues, as well as high healthcare costs. In recent years, various internet-based psychosocial interventions have been developed for treating this condition. These interventions can be categorized into three main groups: self-help and educational programs, mobile applications and gamified interventions, and peer support with community-based platforms. Studies indicate that these internet-based psychosocial interventions could be an effective alternative for the treatment of cannabis use disorder. Their strengths include the potential to reduce the frequency and amount of cannabis use, their flexible and accessible nature, and the ability to reach a broad user base. However, limitations such as technological access and digital literacy issues, data security and privacy concerns, discrepancies in demographic and cultural diversity, and challenges in long-term follow-up and sustainability are evident, particularly in cases of severe psychological disorders or situations requiring immediate intervention. While the results of relevant research are promising, there have been a limited number of randomized controlled trials conducted. Keywords: Cannabis, Cannabis use disorder, Internet-based psychosocial interventions.

Data-Driven Process Monitoring and Fault Diagnosis: A Comprehensive Survey

This paper presents a comprehensive review of the historical development, the current state of the art, and prospects of data-driven approaches for industrial process monitoring. The subject covers a vast and diverse range of works, which are compiled and critically evaluated based on the different perspectives they provide. Data-driven modeling techniques are surveyed and categorized into two main groups: multivariate statistics and machine learning. Representative models, namely principal component analysis, partial least squares and artificial neural networks, are detailed in a didactic manner. Topics not typically covered by other reviews, such as process data exploration and treatment, software and benchmarks availability, and real-world industrial implementations, are thoroughly analyzed. Finally, future research perspectives are discussed, covering aspects related to system performance, the significance and usefulness of the approaches, and the development environment. This work aims to be a reference for practitioners and researchers navigating the extensive literature on data-driven industrial process monitoring.

Clustering residents of a spanish mining site: when attitudes towards tourism are not linked to perceptions

is study uses a segmentation framework to categorize the residents of Minas de Riotinto, a mining town in Andalusia, Spain, based on their perceptions of the personal and community effects of tourism. ese segments were then classified according to their tourism attitudes, utilizing a three-dimensional approach encompassing affective, cognitive, and behavioral elements. For this purpose, a cluster analysis and the Kruskal-Wallis test were successively applied to the responses of 346 residents. The results revealed three main groups of residents: "interested and enthusiastic supporters", "disinterested and moderate supporters" and "incongruous and impulsive residents". Contrary to our expectations, all groups showed favorable affective attitudes towards tourism development in their region. However, significant differences emerged between groups concerning the cognitive and behavioral dimensions of their attitudes.

Spectrophotometric analysis of the effectiveness of different dentin tubule occlusion techniques in preventing discoloration caused by photosensitizers used in photodynamic therapy

AimThe efficacy of Copal Varnish (CV), dentin bonding agent (DBA), Nd:YAG laser and Er:YAG laser, which occludes dentin tubules by different mechanisms, was investigated in order to prevent unwanted coloration caused by methylene blue (MB) and phthalocyanine used in photodynamic therapy (PDT). Materials and methods165 upper incisors included in the study. Root canals were prepared up to 30/0.6 size for all teeth using Protaper Next rotary files. Then the teeth were randomly divided into 2 main groups (n = 60); MB and phthalocyanine. Each main group was randomly divided into 5 subgroups (n = 15); Positive control, DBA, CV, Er:YAG and Nd:YAG. Root canals were filled with photosensitizers (PS) and activated after the dentin tubule occlusion method was applied to all teeth. Then, the residual PSs were removed by irrigation. Color measurements of the samples were carried out 5 different time periods. ResultsClinically detectable color change was observed in all groups except for the negative control (ΔE≥3.3). It was determined that the positive control using MB caused more unwanted coloration in the CV on the 30th and 90th days compared to the phthalocyanine used in the 90th day (p < 0.05). While none of the dentin tubule occlusion methods were superior to each other in preventing undesirable coloration caused by phthalocyanine, Er:YAG caused less unwanetd coloration than CV only on the 90th day in preventing unwanted coloration caused by MB (p < 0.05). ConclusionsAll dentin tubule occlusion methods used in the present study were effective in preventing some degree of unwanted discoloration. However, it was found that no technique could completely prevent unwanted coloration.

Analysis of in vitro fertilization programs in patients with functual ovarian cysts and anovulatory infertility

Background. There are different opinions about the effect of functional ovarian cysts on the duration of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, the dose of gonadotropins, the number and quality of collected oocytes and produced embryos, and the frequency of pregnancy.Aim. To analyze in vitro fertilization (IVF) programs in women with anovulatory infertility and ovarian retention.Materials and methods. A prospective study included 71 women aged 18–44 years. The main group (I) included patients (n = 38) with anovulatory infertility and functional ovarian cysts (FOC) diagnosed by ultrasound before enrollment in the IFV program. Patients of this group underwent ultrasound-guided transvaginal puncture of ovarian cyst followed by cytology. The comparison group (II) (n = 33) encompassed patients with anovulatory infertility without FOC, who went through the IVF program. The control group (III) included apparently healthy individuals (n = 15). The study algorithm included collection of clinical and anamnestic data of the patients, data of laboratory and instrumental studies, parameters of a stimulated IVF cycle, characteristics of oogenesis and early embryogenesis, and assessment of IVF program effectiveness.Conclusion. It was established that in FOC and anovulatory infertility, the number of collected oocytes was smaller; however, the number of the best quality embryos and the frequency of pregnancy did not differ.

Seed dispersal by frugivores without seed swallowing: Evaluating the contributions of stomatochoric seed dispersers

Abstract The process of seed dispersal that underpins ecosystem maintenance is performed by diverse arrays of fruit‐eating animals. However, seed dispersal studies are primarily focused on a subset of these animal communities that disperse seeds by endozoochory. Stomatochory (seed dispersal in which seeds are carried externally and are not swallowed) is rarely considered to be effective, despite an increasing number of taxa‐focused studies that indicate otherwise. We collated the available information on stomatochory to provide a quantitative overview of the dispersal mechanism, including plant types and fruit traits dispersed, dispersal distances and germination potential for all available taxa. We compared seed sizes dispersed, dispersal distances and germination potential with corresponding data on endozoochory for bats and primates. We also identified the main taxa dispersing seeds by stomatochory and assessed what factors influenced the distances that they carried seeds to. Stomatochoric dispersers can displace large quantities of seeds, including large seeds and those of large fruits, and over short to long distances (&gt;1 km). Compared with similar‐sized endozoochoric dispersers, they can disperse larger seeds, but over shorter distances, on average. Similar to endozoochory, seed handling by stomatochory also improves the germination potential of dispersed seeds. Dispersal distances achieved by stomatochory were influenced by body mass, daily path length, seed width, fruit type and seed handling techniques. Five main taxonomic groups of stomatochoric dispersers were identified: bats, parrots, squirrels, corvids and Old World monkeys (cercopithecines). Parrots perform dispersal services for the largest fruits and over the longest distances. However, given the lack of research on stomatochory, it is likely other taxa are also important stomatochoric dispersers but have not been identified yet. More research attention must be directed towards seed dispersal services that are not provided by endozoochory. Many stomatochoric dispersers are common animals within communities and could be playing dominant seed dispersal roles, even without swallowing seeds. Community‐wide studies should incorporate all seed dispersal interactions, rather than focusing solely on endozoochory. This will ensure a more robust understanding of community‐wide patterns. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

The impact of the frequency content of far-field earthquakes on the optimum parameters and performance of tuned mass damper inerter

Tuned mass damper inerter is a passive control device that is proven to be effective in mitigating structural responses under earthquake excitations, however, its efficiency highly depends on its design parameters. This paper aims to investigate how the optimum parameters of TMDI change with the frequency content of far-field earthquakes to minimize the need for repeatedly optimizing these parameters for varying far-field earthquakes and structural characteristics. To achieve this objective, the ratio of the earthquake's frequency to the structure's frequency is defined as an index to simultaneously represent the structure and the earthquake. Case studies of 5, 10, 15, and 20-story building structures are analyzed under twenty-three far-field earthquakes which are categorized into three main groups based on their frequency (PGA/PGV) including “Low”, “Intermediate”, and “High”. Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is employed to obtain the optimum parameters of TMDI including the damping and the frequency ratio to minimize two distinct objective functions: (1) the peak displacement and (2) the peak acceleration of the top story in a time domain analysis. To validate the applicability of the proposed method in determining the optimal parameters of TMDI regardless of the earthquake and structure frequency, a 10-story benchmark building is employed. Moreover, this study demonstrates the effectiveness of TMDI in minimizing the objective functions concerning the frequency content of the earthquake. It also illustrates the trend of the PSO optimization process. The results show that the index provides a discernible pattern for the variation of the optimum parameters of TMDI. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the difference in the structural response between tuning the TMDI with the PSO algorithm and the suggested method is less than 3 % when the index is greater than 1. As the ratio of earthquake frequency to the frequency of structure increases, the objective functions will correspondingly increase. The results also indicate that, an increment in the inertance ratio leads to an increase in the value of optimum parameters of TMDI. Furthermore, among all structures analyzed, those subjected to intermediate frequency earthquakes exhibit the most significant reduction in both objective functions.

Domain Archaea – system overview, metabolism, biotechnological potential

An overview of Archaea, the most ancient domain of life, was carried out. The phylogenetic relationship of Archaea with bacteria and eukaryotes are considered, and the morpho-physiological characteristics of their main groups are given. The biotechnological potential of Archaea is discussed. Cost-effective products of Archaeal biosynthesis are bacterioruberin, squalene, bacteriorhodopsin and diester/tetraether lipids. The production of other metabolic products of Archaea, such as carotenoids, hydrogen, polyhydroxyalkanoates and methane, are in advanced stages of development. While the biological production of methane and hydrogen currently lags behind the profitability of petrochemical plants, research aimed at enhancing the efficiency of this process with the involvement of Archaea holds strategic significance. Archaea also represent a promising target for application in nanotechnology and bioengineering. The aim of the present review is to unveil the biotechnological potential of Archaea, provide an overview of the main groups within this domain, their morphophysiological characteristics, present a generalized metabolite profile of these groups, and outline the spectrum of productions involving these intriguing microorganisms.

Analysis of risk factors and hypoxic-ischemic damage consequences to central nervous system in newborns

Perinatal damage to the central nervous system (CNS) is currently a pressing issue within the structure of neonatal pathology, leading to the development of various neurological complications and causing disability and death.The purpose. Identifying risk factors contributing to perinatal third-degree hypoxic-ischemic damage of the CNS in newborns and to examine the data of clinical, laboratory and instrumental studies.Results. In the course of this study, it was revealed that the leading syndromes at the birth of the majority of infants from the main group were the suppression syndrome and the syndrome of muscular hypotension. The highest proportion among extragenital pathologies was represented by infectious diseases of various etiologies, which the newborns’ mothers had suffered during pregnancy and childbirth. Most commonly reported pregnancy complications in mothers of the main group were anemia, fetal bladder abnormality and premature rupture of fetal membranes. Neurosonography revealed subependymal cysts, signs of cerebral ischemia and ventriculomegaly as most сommonly visualized abnormalities.Conclusions. It was established during the study that the primary risk factors for the development of hypoxic-ischemic damage to the CNS were complications during pregnancy and infectious diseases of various etiologies, which the mothers had suffered during pregnancy and childbirth.

Belt and Road Initiatives &amp; Mongolia: Expert Survey Results

Since 1990, Mongolia has been moving from a planned economy to a market economy for more than 30 years, revolutionizing the social order and adopting democratic methods. Over the past few years, Mongolia's social, economic and political development studies have produced specific assessments and conclusions. These articles explore Mongolia's development, characteristics, participation in the Belt and Road Initiative launched by the People's Republic of China, its benefits, its impact on the present state of Mongolia's society and the obstacles it faces. The paper presents the results of research into four main groups: common reasons, cause-effect, solution-effect and conclusions.