Taxonomic Indicators Research Articles

Taxonomic indicators and vital status of Quercus robur L. in different forest conditions of the mouth and middle part of the ravine Yatsevo (Dnipropetrovsk region)

The influence of forest and vegetation conditions on the taxonomic characteristics and vital state of the common oak (Quercus robur L.) was analyzed. The research was conducted on four experimental plots in the Yatsevo tract: in the thalweg (CL3) and on the lower third of the slope (CL2) of the southern exposure of the mouth part and in the thalweg (CL3) and the upper third of the slope (CL1-2) of the same exposure in the middle part of the gully. In the thalweg of the middle part of the gully, a linden-pack oak forest with elm grows, the density of this stand (1700 pcs./ha) is the largest among the studied phytocoenoses. On the rest of the experimental plots, elm-pack oak forests grow with a density of 917 to 1150 pcs./ha. The average values of the main taxonomic parameters (height, diameter, cross-sectional area, and reserve) practically do not differ in Q. robur plants growing in the thalweg (CL3) and the lower third of the slope (CL2) of the mouth part of the tract. These indicators in thalweg plants (CL3) of the middle part of the gully are the highest among all experimental variants, and in individuals of the upper third of the slope (CL1-2) - are the lowest. In all studied hygrotopes, healthy trees prevail, with weakened individuals taking the second place by the number of individuals. The vital status index (Ln) shows that the thalweg stands in both the mouth and middle parts of the gully are healthy (Ln 86.3 and 84.3, respectively). The stands of the lower third of the slope (CL2) of the mouth part of the tract and the upper third of the slope (CL1-2) of the middle part are somewhat weakened (Ln 76.9 and 76.7). The pathologies of the crown and trunk of Q. robur trees in the experimental plots were analyzed. It was found that hygromesophilic conditions (CL3) are preferable for the formation of healthy stands.

Social Responsibility: Opportunities for Integral Assessment and Analysis of Connections with Business Innovation

The paper proposes an approach to the integrated assessment of the social responsibility of EU countries with a combination of data from three international indices most relevant to the monitoring of social responsibility at the macroeconomic level: the Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index, the Sustainable Development Goals Index and the Social Progress Index. Applying the method of taxonomic analysis on the example of index values for EU countries, we assessed the differences and leaders in ensuring social responsibility. The authors do not consider country-level social responsibility only as a consequence of the development of responsible practices at all levels. Taking into account that social responsibility should be a prerequisite for expanding opportunities in all spheres, in particular, in business, the authors conducted a correlational analysis of the relationship between the taxonomic indicator of social responsibility and the development of innovative business. As a result, we confirmed significant connections with “Business sophistication” indicators (as part of the Global Innovation Index) and the share of innovative firms of total SMEs (according to OESD statistics). The obtained results strengthen the grounds for considering social responsibility not only as an important socially oriented concept, but also as a reliable basis for the development of innovative business due to the created comfortable institutional environment of business development.

Gut microbiota and host cytochrome P450 characteristics in the pseudo germ-free model: co-contributors to a diverse metabolic landscape

BackgroundThe pseudo germ-free (PGF) model has been widely used to research the role of intestinal microbiota in drug metabolism and efficacy, while the modelling methods and the utilization of the PGF model are still not standardized and unified. A comprehensive and systematic research of the PGF model on the composition and function of the intestinal microbiota, changes in host cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes expression and intestinal mucosal permeability in four different modelling cycles of the PGF groups are provided in this paper.Results16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was employed to compare and analyze the alpha and beta diversity, taxonomic composition, taxonomic indicators and predicted function of gut microbiota in the control and PGF groups. Bacterial richness and diversity decreased significantly in the PGF group beginning after the first week of establishment of the PGF model with antibiotic exposure. The PGF group exposed to antibiotics for 4-week-modelling possessed the fewest indicator genera. Moreover, increased intestinal mucosal permeability occurred in the second week of PGF model establishment, indicating that one week of antibiotic exposure is an appropriate time to establish the PGF model. The results of immunoblots revealed that CYP1A2, CYP2C19 and CYP2E1 expression was significantly upregulated in the PGF group compared with the control group, implying that the metabolic clearance of related drugs would change accordingly. The abundance of functional pathways predicted in the gut microbiota changed dramatically between the control and PGF groups.ConclusionsThis study provides information concerning the microbial and CYP450 enzyme expression profiles as a reference for evaluating drug metabolism differences co-affected by gut microbiota and host CYP450 enzymes in the PGF model.

Combined Morphological and Palynological Classification for Hibiscus syriacus L. (Malvaceae): Construction of the Diagnostic Classification Framework and Implications of Pollen Morphological Variation on Fruiting

Identifying useful taxonomic indicators for classifying Hibiscus syriacus L. (Malvaceae) cultivars can help address challenges in their homonymy and synonymy. Moreover, analyzing which pollen traits possibly lead to their successful fruiting can serve to guide the hybridization and breeding of H. syriacus. For the first time, this study classified 24 cultivars of H. syriacus based on 24 morphological and palynological indicators assessed for flowers, leaves, and pollen grains. These indicators were a mixture of quantitative and qualitative traits, measured to contribute to the identification and classification of H. syriacus cultivars. The results showed that the 24 H. syriacus cultivars could be classified into 2–6 clusters according to different taxonomic criteria. The leading diagnostic indicators were eight quantitative and eight qualitative traits, of which two new quantitative traits—the width of the spine base (SW) and average of the pollen grain radius and spine length (D-spine)—and five new qualitative traits—the amount of pollen surface spines (O-SA), whether the petals have the red center (B-RC), whether the pollen surface ruffles strongly (B-RS), the degree of pollen surface ruffling (O-DR), and relationship between calyx and bract (O-CB)—could be used as defining traits for H. syriacus cultivars owing to their robust contribution to the classification. The correlations between indicators for flowers, leaves, and pollen grains were explored, which revealed that the O-SA in H. syriacus was strongly tied to quantitative pollen traits. Furthermore, three qualitative morphological traits—whether the stamens are heterogeneous in terms of inner petals (B-IP), O-CB, and whether the leaf lobing is strong (B-LL)—were correlated with partial quantitative pollen traits. We also found that those H. syriacus cultivars with micro-spines or granulate on the pollen grain surface have higher fruiting rates; additionally, pollen diameter, spine length, and spine spacing might also be potential factors influencing successful breeding. The insights gained from this study could fill a key knowledge gap concerning the taxonomic criteria suitable for distinguishing H. syriacus cultivars. Our findings also provide timely information on how to understand the pollination process, especially those aspects leading to pollinator selection via pollen grain features, which could influence breeding programs and outcomes.

A Taxonomy-Agnostic Approach to Targeted Microbiome Therapeutics-Leveraging Principles of Systems Biology.

The study of human microbiomes has yielded insights into basic science, and applied therapeutics are emerging. However, conflicting definitions of what microbiomes are and how they affect the health of the "host" are less understood. A major impediment towards systematic design, discovery, and implementation of targeted microbiome therapeutics is the continued reliance on taxonomic indicators to define microbiomes in health and disease. Such reliance often confounds analyses, potentially suggesting associations where there are none, and conversely failing to identify significant, causal relationships. This review article discusses recent discoveries pointing towards a molecular understanding of microbiome "dysbiosis" and away from a purely taxonomic approach. We highlight the growing role of systems biological principles in the complex interrelationships between the gut microbiome and host cells, and review current approaches commonly used in targeted microbiome therapeutics, including fecal microbial transplant, bacteriophage therapies, and the use of metabolic toxins to selectively eliminate specific taxa from dysbiotic microbiomes. These approaches, however, remain wholly or partially dependent on the bacterial taxa involved in dysbiosis, and therefore may not capitalize fully on many therapeutic opportunities presented at the bioactive molecular level. New technologies capable of addressing microbiome-associated diseases as molecular problems, if solved, will open possibilities of new classes and categories of targeted microbiome therapeutics aimed, in principle, at all dysbiosis-driven disorders.

STATЕ OF NATURAL OAK FORЕSTS OF ZHMERYNSKE FORЕSTRY

The article shows the problems of researching the state of natural oak forests of the branch "Zhmerynske LH", which is in the functional structure of the regional forestry and hunting economy department of Vinnytsia region. In the research material of the article, an analytical review of the specialized enterprise's forest management database is carried out. The result of the analysis of forest management data and visual inspection within the forest areas of the Zhmerynske Forestry Branch is the determination of the taxonomic indicators of oak forest plantations of seed and vegetative origin. The preserved natural oak stands within the forest areas of the branch "Zhmerynske Forestry" grow in optimal forest and vegetation conditions. The vast majority of natural oak stands grow in fresh hornbeam forests and less in wet hornbeam forests. It has been established that natural oak forests within the forest fund of a forestry enterprise are represented by vegetative and seed plantations by origin. Analytical data show that there is a tendency to reduce the share of natural oak forests within the enterprise. It has been determined that the enterprise is dominated by oak forests of natural origin with a share of 9-10 units of oak, mostly 110 years old. The area of these plantations is the maximum and amounts to 159.3 hectares. It was found that the oak stands are characterized mainly by the 2nd class of bonita. The average stock ranges from 310-342 m3/ha. The result of the research is the establishment that in natural oak forests there is almost no sustainable natural regeneration of the main forest-forming species. Also, based on visual inspections, it was found that in the conditions of fresh pile, natural regeneration of oak is not found in the existing forest types.

МЕТОДИ СТАТИСТИЧНОГО МОДЕЛЮВАННЯ ЕКОНОМІЧНИХ ПРОЦЕСІВ: КРИТИЧНИЙ ОГЛЯД

The article discusses various methods of modeling economic processes, in particular methods of multidimensional statistics, such as cluster analysis, multidimensional ranking, taxonomic analysis, multiple regression and correlation, discriminant analysis, multidimensional scaling, etc. Methods of statistical modeling are systematized and visualized. The variety of methods of modeling economic processes requires their systematization and comparative analysis. A critical overview of multidimensional statistical methods and methods used to analyse one-dimensional economic processes helps researchers understand which modeling method to choose and which prerequisites for using the method should be considered. The essence of the methods of multidimensional statistics is briefly described and certain features of these methods, prerequisites for their use, etc. are indicated. An example of the use of one of the methods of statistical modeling, taxonomic analysis at the regional level, is given. The taxonomic indicators of the development of the regions of Ukraine were calculated, as well as the leader regions and outsider regions were selected based on the results of the taxonomic analysis. The article states that taxonomic analysis can also be attributed to the group of classification methods, since in the process of applying the method, elements are not simply ordered, but also search for distances to the standard vector, which is already a sign of clustering. The taxonomic analysis of the regions of Ukraine was carried out according to such indicators as capital investments, foreign trade turnover, the unemployment rate and the number of active business entities. Standardization of indicators was carried out using the range of variation, taking into account stimulating indicators and destimulating indicators. Thus, it can be clearly seen that the leading regions mostly include those regions that are industrially developed, and the outsider regions are those areas that require additional capital investments. The results and recommendations are presented for the year 2021, since in February 2022 a full-scale russian invasion of the territory of Ukraine took place.

The use of taxonomic analysis for the purposes of HR analytics

The article is devoted to the study of the effectiveness of an enterprise’s HR strategy, taking into consideration the conditions of digitalization by applying taxonomic analysis as a component of HR analytics. The research is based on the HR concept of a new type according to the maturity model of HR-analytics, which determines the directions of support for systematic analytics and the implementation of its goals regarding the basis for making effective management decisions. The directions of applying taxonomic analysis in various areas are analyzed, in particular, to determine the level of solvency, to assess a company's development strategy, to study the effectiveness of management of the economic potential of enterprises, to assess the ability of an enterprise to implement an innovative strategy, etc. The expediency of implementing the taxonomic analysis method in the field of HR analytics, taking into account digitalization factors and HR metrics, is substantiated. Nine indicators are chosen for the calculation of the taxonomic indicator, namely: an ICTS subindex of the Global Innovation Index and investments in software and databases in Ukraine, which made it possible to take into account the external factors of digitization; return on capital as an internal factor in digitalization; the staff turnover ratio, the level of working time loss, the average length of service, the average salary at the enterprise, profit per employee. According to the methodology, the researched indicators of the effectiveness of the HR strategy in the conditions of digitalization are divided into stimulators and destimulators. A graphic representation of the dynamics of the taxonomic indicator of the HR strategy effectiveness is given for the period from 2013 to 2022. It is recommended to implement targeted approaches to building a road map of HR digitalization, which will increase the efficiency of personnel management processes.

Methodical provision of assessment of the efficiency of the use of the enterprise’s export-import potential

The military conditions of the enterprises caused a review of the content of methodical support of many management functions, in particular evaluation. The importance of such assessment characteristics as urgency, timeliness, objectivity, scientific justification, effectiveness is increasing. The article is devoted to the formation of updated methodical support for evaluating the efficiency of using the export-import potential of the enterprise (EIPE), the advantages of which are its specified characteristics. The content of the information and analytical support for the evaluation of the effectiveness of the use of the export-import potential of the enterprise is considered. The subject of the study is the assessment of the efficiency of using the export-import potential of the enterprise. The goal is to substantiate the logic of the stages of evaluating the efficiency of using the export-import potential of the enterprise, methods of solving evaluation tasks, specifying expected results. The task: to develop methodological support for assessing the efficiency of using the export-import potential of the enterprise. General scientific methods are used: system analysis to determine the meaningful essence of the efficiency of using the export-import potential; methods of constructing a taxonomic indicator of development and an indicator of structural dynamics - to determine the levels of efficiency of the use of the EIPE; regression analysis, canonical analysis - to identify cause-and-effect relationships in EIPE processes. The following results were obtained: on the basis of the conducted generalization and systematization, processing of information regarding the effectiveness of the use of EIPE, a methodical support for its evaluation was formed. Conclusion: the developed structural and logical sequence of assessment implementation stages contributes to the timely identification and elimination of problems in the management of export-import potential in difficult conditions of limited enterprise activity.

Framing a Regional Spatial Development Perspective: The Relation between Health and Regional Performance

The article describes the step-by-step process of testing the hypothesis about the importance of the health factor in the regions’ economic growth, which determines their competitive positions. Calculations of the health development level in 22 regions of Ukraine were carried out, according to which those regions were divided into four clusters. The regions’ integrated index of competitiveness was evaluated. The obtained taxonomic indicator allowed dividing the analysed regions into four groups according to their integral values of competitiveness. At the next stage, there were used several criteria for checking the data by groups for normality of distribution using the Shapiro-Wilk test and the Levin method, which made it possible to confirm the presence of the heteroscedasticity phenomenon of the variances of the compared groups of regions. To confirm a connection between the level of regions’ health development and their competitiveness, a one-factor parametric ANOVA analysis, supported by Tukey's post hoc test, was carried out, which revealed a dependence between almost all groups of the regions compared. The Granger test made it possible to confirm the hypothesis of a unidirectional causal relationship between the health factor and the competitive positions of a region based on the integrated level of competitiveness. The obtained results prove the need for an active work in the direction of strengthening the regional health care system and the maximum involvement of stakeholders of various levels in the strategy issues of improving the territories and supporting the system of medical and social care of the population at the level of cities and regions. The authors emphasize that for implementing an effective regional health policy, it is important to take into account the influence of factors that can restrain health development, as well as those groups of determinants capable of stimulating this development: financial and budgetary mechanisms, involvement of marketing and information tools, taking into account behavioural and institutional factors.

Оцінювання траєкторії соціально-економічного розвитку України в умовах впливу зовнішніх шоків останнього десятиліття

To assess the trajectory of the socio-economic development of Ukraine, a sample of ten indicators was formed for the period 2012-2021: nominal GDP of Ukraine; GDP per capita; direct foreign investment; index of industrial production; consumer price index; foreign trade balance; freight and passenger traffic; average monthly salary; salary arrears. In 2012-2013, the Ukrainian economy was still in a state of long-term recession after the global financial and economic crisis of 2008-2009. And already in 2014, there was a sharp deterioration of socio-economic indicators due to the annexation of Crimea and the resolution of the war in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions 2015-2019 are characterized by an improvement in the level of social and economic development of Ukraine. However, the "COVID19" pandemic has become another shock for the economy of Ukraine. Based on the formed sample, the taxonomic indicator of the level of development was calculated. According to the algorithm for calculating the taxonomic indicator of the level of development, all input indicators are divided into stimulators (high values increase the integral assessment) and destimulators (high values worsen the integral assessment). Among the indicators selected for the study, the consumer price index and salary arrears are classified as disincentives. All other indicators are stimulants. Standardized values of indicators were calculated on the basis of average values and standard deviations. Taking into account the taxonomic indicator of the level of development, the trajectory of the socio- economic development of Ukraine was evaluated and the years were ordered, in particular, the following ratings were assigned to them: 2013; 2019; 2018; 2017; 2021; 2012; 2016; 2020; 2015; 2014. The difference between the indicators of the taxonomic level of development of the best in the year 2013 and the worst in 2014 is 0.477 and indicates an almost one hundred percent decrease in the integral indicator of socio-economic development as a result of the war that began in the east of Ukraine in 2014. The deviation of the taxonomic level of development in 2020 from 2013 is equal to 0.312, which also characterizes the significant negative impact of the "COVID19" pandemic.

Impact of Cultivation and Origin on the Fruit Microbiome of Apples and Blueberries and Implications for the Exposome

Vegetables and fruits are a crucial part of the planetary health diet, directly affecting human health and the gut microbiome. The objective of our study was to understand the variability of the fruit (apple and blueberry) microbiome in the frame of the exposome concept. The study covered two fruit-bearing woody species, apple and blueberry, two countries of origin (Austria and Finland), and two fruit production methods (naturally grown and horticultural). Microbial abundance, diversity, and community structures were significantly different for apples and blueberries and strongly influenced by the growing system (naturally grown or horticultural) and country of origin (Austria or Finland). Our results indicated that bacterial communities are more responsive towards these factors than fungal communities. We found that fruits grown in the wild and within home gardens generally carry a higher microbial diversity, while commercial horticulture homogenized the microbiome independent of the country of origin. This can be explained by horticultural management, including pesticide use and post-harvest treatments. Specific taxonomic indicators were identified for each group, i.e., for horticultural apples: Pseudomonas, Ralstonia, and Stenotrophomonas. Interestingly, Ralstonia was also found to be enriched in horticultural blueberries in comparison to such that were home and wildly grown. Our study showed that the origin of fruits can strongly influence the diversity and composition of their microbiome, which means that we are exposed to different microorganisms by eating fruits from different origins. Thus, the fruit microbiome needs to be considered an important but relatively unexplored external exposomic factor.

МОДЕЛЮВАННЯ ТА ПРОГНОЗУВАННЯ ЕФЕКТИВНОСТІ ДІЯЛЬНОСТІ ПІДПРИЄМСТВА ЕЛЕКТРОЕНЕРГЕТИЧНОЇ ГАЛУЗІ

In the article, based on the content analysis of theoretical approaches to determining the efficiency category of the enterprise, the directions of the development of the theory of efficiency are visualized according to the time vector of scientific evolution. Taking into account the scientific works and theoretical views of various researchers, it is justified that for the formation of the author's definition of the efficiency of the enterprise, it is advisable to integrate the existing approaches to the essence of efficiency. On the basis of a comparative analysis of literary sources, the essential characteristics of "management of the efficiency of the enterprise" were determined. Conceptual principles were formed and a management system for the efficiency of the electric power industry enterprise was developed. One of the blocks of the company's efficiency management system is a model toolkit that will allow forecasting the level of efficiency. It is recommended to implement the model toolkit of integrated assessment of the enterprise's performance through the algorithm of the classic version of the taxonomic indicator construction in the following stages: standardization of indicator values, formation of a benchmark and calculation of a general indicator. The algorithm of the model toolkit was implemented according to the data of the enterprise of the electric power industry – JSC Khmelnytskoblenergo in the MS Excel software environment. A comparative analysis of the initial trend line of the enterprise's activity efficiency and the line of its forecast was carried out using the model toolkit. The results of the calculation of the forecast values of the performance indicator of the electric power industry enterprise and the upper and lower limits of the confidence intervals for the forecast period are presented.

DISTRIBUTION AND FORMATION OF UNDERGROUND IN THE PINE FORESTS OF SHEPETIVSKY POLISSY

The forestry and taxonomic indicators of 56-90-year-old pine stands growing in the conditions of fresh and moist sogruds and subors were analyzed and 10 species were found in their undergrowth. Among the understory species, the most common are mountain ash, buckthorn and hazel, which occur in 78.6-100.0 % of plots. Other understory species occur in 7.1-42.9 % of stands. It is established that the total amount of undergrowth in forest stands varies between 13.67-76.67 specimens • ha-1 and does not depend on the type of forest or forest vegetation conditions. 2-3 stands of undergrowth mainly occur in stands of stands, and 4-7 undergrowth species in stands. Dominant in the forests are the common humpback and the brittle buckthorn, and in some areas the European buckthorn. In the stands of sogruds, in addition to rowan and buckthorn, hazel is also significantly represented, and in some areas barberry is common. Dominant in the forests are the common humpback and the brittle buckthorn, and in some areas the European buckthorn. In the stands of sogruds, in addition to rowan and buckthorn, hazel is also significantly represented, and in some areas barberry is common. The least in the undergrowth are prickly thorns and prickly hawthorn. It is established that the occurrence of undergrowth in the vast majority of research sites is more than 80 %. Rowan, buckthorn and hazel are characterized by high rates of occurrence in a significant number of areas, and in some stands – European cowberry and barberry. The highest average height in the stands is reached by hazel (58-403 cm), rowan (55-263 cm), buckthorn (51-225 cm) and barberry (50-207 cm) and significant elder (43-210 cm) and bird cherry (125-170 cm). Hazel, mountain ash and barberry are characterized by a predominance of large undergrowth, the share of which is 50-100 %.

Habitat-builders complexity boosts associated fauna functional trait richness (Zostera marina meadows, Baltic Sea)

Seagrass has been widely recognized as ecosystem engineers and habitat-builders increasing biodiversity and abundance of associated fauna. However, seagrass habitats are being degraded globally due to modification of coastline, terrestrial inputs, and climate change. While the effects of seagrass meadows vegetation density on associated macrofauna standing stocks and taxonomic richness have been widely investigated, the relationships with functional diversity aspects remain poorly understood. Here, we investigate if macrofauna standing stocks and richness indicators (both taxonomic and functional) are related to the habitat-builders presence and structural characteristics (density, biomass, diversity) in temperate Zostera marina Linnaeus, 1753 meadows (Baltic Sea). Relationships between faunal (density, biomass, species and functional trait composition and diversity), vegetation and sediment indicators were tested based on materials collected by scuba divers. Macrofauna density (ranging from 587.6 ± 188.2 to 4514.1 ± 977.8 ind. 0.1 m−2), biomass (ranging from 43.1 ± 28.3 to 13.6 ± 30.8 g 0.1 m−2) and species richness (ranging from 7 ± 1.4 to 20 ± 1.4) responded positively to seagrass presence regardless of meadows characteristics. Functional trait richness ranged from 203.7 ± 64.3 to 44.7 ± 41.1 and was enhanced only in presence of the greatest macrophyte diversity. Therefore, it is the diversity of meadows that boosts the functional richness of associated fauna. This implies that 1) monospecies seagrass meadows do not necessarily provide a higher number of functions than neighboring bare sediments in systems with low diversity such as Baltic Sea, 2) both taxonomic and functional indicators should be used to describe macrofauna communities. This result is an important message for conservation planning for systems with low diversity, as restoration of at least a few macrophytes species not only the dominant seagrass species could be considered to secure greater taxonomic and functional richness.

Investigating the reliability of metapodials as taxonomic Indicators for Beringian horses

The metapodials of extinct horses have long been regarded as one of the most useful skeletal elements to determine taxonomic identity. However, recent research on both extant and extinct horses has revealed the possibility for plasticity in metapodial morphology, leading to notable variability within taxa. This calls into question the reliability of metapodials in species identification, particularly for species identified from fragmentary remains. Here, we use ten measurements of metapodials from 203 specimens of four Pleistocene horse species from eastern Beringia to test whether there are significant differences in metapodial morphology that support the presence of multiple species. We then reconstruct the body masses for every specimen to assess the range in body size within each species and determine whether species differ significantly from one another in mean body mass. We find that that taxonomic groups are based largely on the overall size of the metapodial, and that all metapodial measurements are highly autocorrelated. We also find that mean body mass differs significantly among most, but not all, species. We suggest that metapodial measurements are unreliable taxonomic indicators for Beringian horses given evidence for plasticity in metapodial morphology and their clear reflection of differences in body mass. We recommend future studies use more reliable indicators of taxonomy to identify Beringian horse species, particularly from localities from which fossils of several species have been recovered.

Zooplankton assemblage structure and diversity since pre‐industrial times in relation to land use

AbstractAimWhile it is now well accepted that human activities are having pronounced effects on natural ecosystems, regional variation in the rate and magnitude of various human impacts is unclear. Moreover, the effects of land use change on natural aquatic communities have only relatively recently begun to be explored. Our goal was to understand how and where assemblages of a central food web component of freshwater lakes have changed over the course of industrialization in relation to land use.LocationCanada.Time periodPre‐1880 AD to present.Major taxa studiedCladoceran zooplankton.MethodsAs part of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Canadian Lake Pulse Network, we selected 101 lakes across Canada along a gradient of human impact to analyse subfossil cladoceran assemblages from sediment cores. We examined relationships between taxonomic and functional indicators of cladoceran assemblage change among lakes and through time.ResultsContemporary assemblages were taxonomically and functionally less diverse locally relative to pre‐industrial assemblages (α‐diversity) and were structured by the degree of human impact in watersheds. Local α‐diversity losses were greatest in highly impacted lakes where agriculture and pasture are prevalent. While spatial homogenization (spatial β‐diversity) did not increase since pre‐industrial times as expected, temporal turnover (temporal β‐diversity) showed a non‐significant but increasing trend in highly impacted lakes, especially in urbanized watersheds.Main conclusionsCladoceran assemblages have changed significantly over the course of the Industrial period, and especially in more highly impacted watersheds, underscoring the important role of watershed land use in shaping diversity. However, indicators of cladoceran function have remained relatively conserved over time and land use change showed little impact on β‐diversity, despite important environmental variation. Overall, this research furthers our understanding of the health status of Canadian lakes and the consequences of human activities, especially agriculture and urbanization, on lake zooplankton.

One Genus or Two? Evaluating Whether Gracile and Robust Capuchin Monkeys are Validly Classified as Separate Genera Based on Craniofacial Shape

Assessments of whether closely related species should be classified into more than one genus have been a longstanding source of controversy in primatology. For example, researchers hold differing opinions about whether cebine species should be classified into one or two genera. In this study, we investigated whether craniofacial shape is a reliable taxonomic indicator among cebines and statistically evaluated whether the magnitude of craniofacial shape differences observed among gracile and robust capuchin species is consistent with a two-genus taxonomic framework. We quantify craniofacial shape using 3D landmark data taken from 72 surface models, representing five cebine species (Cebus albifrons, C. capucinus, C. olivaceus, C. (Sapajus) libidinosus, and C. (S.) macrocephalus). We find that although statistically significant shape differences exist between gracile and robust capuchins in all four craniofacial regions investigated (face and palate, basicranium, calvarium, and frontal region of the calvarium), the magnitude of shape differences between species pairs does not support gracile and robust species being classified into separate genera. The shape of the frontal region of the calvarium and the face and palate show the highest magnitude of shape differences between the gracile and robust capuchin groups, and both regions are good taxonomic predictors, showing correct classification rates of 97% and 96%, respectively. At the species-level, face and palate shape is the only craniofacial measure that consistently shows high classification rates among species (84-97% for combined-sex analyses). Our findings suggest that robust capuchin species that are often assigned to Sapajus may be more appropriately considered as Cebus under a single-genus framework for cebines based on craniofacial shape evidence.

Computerized visualization of seeds of Sepa subgenus (Allium L., Alliaceae – an effective tool to assess their quality

The authors presented the results of a study of the morphology of Allium seeds from the subgenus Cepa: Cepa section (Mill.) Prokh. A. fistulosum L., A. altaiсum Pall., A. galanthum Kar. & Kir., A. oschaninii O. Fedtsch., A. pskemense B. Fedtsch.; Schoenoprasum Dum. – A. altyncoliсum, A. ledebourianum, A. oliganthum, A. schoenoprasum L.; Condensatum N. Friesen – A. condensatum, from the biocollection of All-Russian Research Institute of Vegetable Growing – Branch of the Federal State Budgetary «Scientific Institution Federal Scientific Centre for Vegetable Growing») (Moscow region). Seeds were 2.74 – 3.50 mm long and 1.33 – 2.14 mm wide. The morphological characteristics of the seeds can be used as additional taxonomic indicators in the identification and classification of taxa within the Cepa subgenus of the genus Allium. The authors measured the morphometric and optical parameters of the seeds by image analysis using VideoTest-Morphology software developed at Argus Bio Ltd. (St. Petersburg). Seed digital images were obtained using an HP Scanjet 200 digital flatbed scanner, 600 dpi resolution, and JPG file format. Morphometric parameters of seeds were determined, including projection area (cm2), length, width, perimeter, average size (mm), average diameter Fere, factors of roundness, elongation, ellipse, rugosity (relative units), parameters of brightness, tonality, color saturation (relative units). Based on the results of the study, a series of distributions of species was compiled in descending order of each of the characters studied. Within the Cepa section, the seeds of A. pskemense had the maximum linear size, perimeter, and cross-sectional area. Within the Schoenoprasum section, the seeds of A. altyncolium had the maximum length. The maximum width, perimeter, cross-sectional area, and average diameter of Fere seeds were recorded for A. ledebourianum. In the Cepa section, the average RGB value in descending order was as follows: A. pskemense > A. galanthum > A. fistulosum > A. altaiсum > A. oschaninii. In the Schoenoprasum section, this series is as follows. A. schoenoprasum > A. ledebourianum > A. altyncoliсum > A. oliganthum.

Електронна комерція як інструмент забезпечення безперервності бізнесу в умовах пандемії «COVID19»

The COVID19 pandemic in 2019 dealt a severe blow to the economy of every country in the world. As a result of the closure of many businesses and stores, many consumers switched to online shopping – 84 % made online purchases during the pandemic. Shoppers began shopping outside their home country, which intensified online competition. In the first half of 2020, cross-border e-commerce grew by 21 %. SOLMAR LLC, which is a leader in the Ukrainian market for the production and sale of basic women’s clothing, was chosen to study e-commerce business processes. The main types of e-commerce of the researched enterprise are B2C and B2B. The company has 8 offline stores, a web-site, Instagram with more than 600 thousand subscribers, went to Rozetka and Amazon. The consumers of the enterprise include women aged 14–50. Turksell and Akademi Textile are the key suppliers that ensure timely delivery of materials and orders. Among the main competitors of SOLMAR LLC are FAMO, VOVK, Fashionista, ByOn. The main partners of the company are: SKYUP, PrivatBank, Nova Poshta, Avivi, ROZETKA, Amazon. According to the B2B form, the company cooperates with the following corporate clients: «SkyUP»; AstraDent; BROOKLYN. According to the NPS survey, the level of consumer loyalty to the brand is 86%. According to the pricing policy, the company is middle-class and offers high quality at a fairly low price on the market compared to competitors. The business process of e-commerce of SOLMAR LLC was evaluated. It is established that ecommerce B2C LLC «SOLMAR» in the peak period of sales has a high profitability. The financial and economic condition of the enterprise in 2017-2020 is estimated by a number of indicators and on their basis the taxonomic indicator of the level of development is calculated. The taxonomic indicator of the level of development in 2020 deviates from its value in 2019 by only 0.002 points. It was concluded that the introduction of e-commerce allowed SOLMAR LLC not only to continue economic activity in the COVID19 pandemic, but also to increase profits from sales of goods, increase its market share and increase the value of its product to consumers.