Signatures of self-organized dynamics in rapidly driven critical sandpiles.

We study two prototypical models of self-organized criticality, namely sandpile automata with deterministic (Bak-Tang-Wiesenfeld) and probabilistic (Manna model) dynamical rules, focusing on the nature of stress fluctuations induced by driving-adding grains during avalanche propagation, and dissipation through avalanches that hit the system boundary. Our analysis of stress evolution time series reveals robust cyclical trends modulated by collective fluctuations with dissipative avalanches. These modulated cycles attain higher harmonics, characterized by multifractal measures within a broad range of timescales.

Comparing prediction efficiency in the BTW and Manna sandpiles.

The state-of-the-art in the theory of self-organized criticality reveals that a certain inactivity precedes extreme events, which are located on the tail of the event probability distribution with respect to their sizes. The existence of the inactivity allows for the prediction of these events in advance. In this work, we explore the predictability of the Bak-Tang-Wiesenfeld (BTW) and Manna models on the square lattice as a function of the lattice length.

Explanation of flicker noise with the Bak-Tang-Wiesenfeld model of self-organized criticality.

With the original Bak-Tang-Wisenefeld (BTW) sandpile we uncover the 1/φ noise in the mechanism maintaining self-organized criticality (SOC)-the question raised together with the concept of SOC. The BTW sandpile and the phenomenon of SOC in general are built on the slow time scale at which the system is loaded and the fast time scale at which the stress is transported outward from overloaded locations. Exploring the dynamics of stress in the slow time in the BTW sandpile, we posit that it follows cycles of gradual stress accumulation that end up with an abrupt stress release and the drop of the system to subcritical state.

Uptake and Persistent Use of HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis Among Key Populations: Results From Ukraine's Scaled National Preexposure Prophylaxis Program.

Background: Ukraine has implemented ambitious HIV-prevention programs since 1999 and began offering preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in 2017. Little is known about PrEP uptake and persistence in this setting.

Setting: We analyzed data from 40 facilities providing PrEP in 11 oblasts (regions) of Ukraine between October 2020 and February 2022.

Impact of war on HIV-related healthcare services and health workers in eastern Ukraine: a qualitative study.

The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused serious challenges for healthcare workers (HCWs) and HIV-related healthcare services. This study assessed the effects of the invasion on HCWs wellbeing and on continuity of HIV services, using in-depth interviews with HCWs from facilities offering HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) services in the Donetsk region of Eastern Ukraine. A directed content analysis, with both inductive and deductive approaches, was conducted.

Does HIV index testing bring patients into treatment at earlier stages of HIV disease? Results from a retrospective study in Ukraine.

Background: Over one-third of people living with HIV (PLH) in Ukraine are not on treatment. Index testing services, which link potentially exposed partners (named partners) of known PLH (index patients) with testing and treatment services, are being scaled in Ukraine and could potentially close this gap.

Methods: This retrospective study included patient data from 14,554 adult PLH who initiated antiretroviral treatment (ART) between October 2018 and May 2021 at one of 35 facilities participating in an intervention to strengthen index testing services.

Distinctive model for HIV index testing (IT) in Eastern Europe: results of Ukraine's physician-led, integrated IT programme.

Objectives: The effectiveness of HIV index testing (IT) in Eastern Europe has not been described. This study reports the performance of a scaled IT programme in Ukraine.

Design: This observational study included clients enrolled in IT services in 2020, and used routinely collected data from programme registers and the national electronic health record system.

Asymmetry in the Kuramoto model with nonidentical coupling.

Synchronization and desynchronization of coupled oscillators appear to be the key property of many physical systems. It is believed that to predict a synchronization (or desynchronization) event, the knowledge on the exact structure of the oscillatory network is required. However, natural sciences often deal with observations where the coupling coefficients are not available.

Profile of partners who completed HIV testing and received a new HIV diagnosis in Ukraine's HIV index testing program: a retrospective cohort study to inform program improvement.

Background: Approximately one-third of people living with HIV in Ukraine are unaware of their HIV status. Index testing (IT) is an evidence-based HIV testing strategy that supports voluntary notification of partners with HIV risk, so they can receive HIV testing, prevention, and treatment services.

Methods: Ukraine scaled up IT services in 2019.

Comparative Clinical Outcomes With Scale-up of Dolutegravir as First-Line Antiretroviral Therapy in Ukraine.

Background: Achievement of the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets requires ARV regimens that are easy to use, well-tolerated, and cost-effective. Dolutegravir (DTG)-based regimens are efficacious and less costly than other common first-line regimens. This study assessed real-world effectiveness of DTG regimens in treatment-naive people living with HIV in Ukraine.

Comparing COVID-19 physical distancing policies: results from a physical distancing intensity coding framework for Botswana, India, Jamaica, Mozambique, Namibia, Ukraine, and the United States.

Background: Understanding the differences in timing and composition of physical distancing policies is important to evaluate the early global response to COVID-19. A physical distancing intensity monitoring framework comprising 16 domains was recently published to compare physical distancing approaches across 12 U.S.

1/x power-law in a close proximity of the Bak-Tang-Wiesenfeld sandpile.

A cellular automaton constructed by Bak, Tang, and Wiesenfeld (BTW) in 1987 to explain the 1/f noise was recognized by the community for the theoretical foundations of self-organized criticality (SOC). Their conceptual work gave rise to various scientific areas in statistical physics, mathematics, and applied fields. The BTW core principles are based on steady slow loading and an instant huge stress-release.

Patient-Reported Treatment Satisfaction and Quality of Life Among People Living with HIV Following the Introduction of Dolutegravir-Based ART Regimens in Ukraine.

In 2017, the government of Ukraine initiated its ART Optimization Initiative, revising its national antiretroviral therapy (ART) guidelines and embracing Dolutegravir (DTG) as a backbone of first-line ART regimens. A cross-sectional survey of 464 ART patients from 22 large ART clinics was carried out in mid-2019. The survey assessed patient-reported outcomes (PROS) including treatment satisfaction, physical health, mental health, depression, side effects of ART, and adherence.

Dynamics of Phase Synchronization between Solar Polar Magnetic Fields Assessed with Van Der Pol and Kuramoto Models.

We establish the similarity in two model-based reconstructions of the coupling between the polar magnetic fields of the Sun represented by the solar faculae time series. The reconstructions are inferred from the pair of the coupled oscillators modelled with the Van der Pol and Kuramoto equations. They are associated with the substantial simplification of solar dynamo models and, respectively, a simple ad hoc model reproducing the phenomenon of synchronization.

Geographic origin and migration phenology of European red admirals () as revealed by stable isotopes.

Background: Long-distance migration has evolved multiple times in different animal taxa. For insect migrants, the complete annual migration cycle covering several thousand kilometres, may be performed by several generations, each migrating part of the distance and reproducing. Different life-cycle stages and preferred orientation may thus, be found along the migration route.

US e-learning course adaptation to the Ukrainian context: lessons learned and way forward.

Background: Access to continuing education opportunities is limited for Ukrainian healthcare workers, and the need is acute in order to support healthcare reform efforts currently underway in Ukraine. Online learning is a cost-effective mechanism for continuing education since healthcare workers can remain on the job during training. It also provides a means of keeping health professionals up to date on their knowledge and skills in rapidly changing and increasingly complex healthcare environments.

Cytogenetic Characterization of Eight Odonata Species Originating from the Curonian Spit (the Baltic Sea, Russia) Using C-Banding and FISH with 18S rDNA and Telomeric (TTAGG)n Probes.

We studied the karyotypes of 8 dragonfly species originating from the Curonian Spit (the Baltic Sea, Russia) using C-banding and FISH with 18S rDNA and "insect" telomeric (TTAGG)n probes. Our results show that Leucorrhinia rubicunda, Libellula depressa, L. quadrimaculata, Orthetrum cancellatum, Sympetrum danae, and S.

Image quality method as a possible way of in situ monitoring of in-vessel mirrors in a fusion reactor.

The plasma-facing (first) mirrors in ITER will be subject to sputtering and/or contamination with rates that will depend on the precise mirror locations. The resulting influence of both these factors can reduce the mirror reflectance (R) and worsen the transmitted image quality (IQ). This implies that monitoring the mirror quality in situ is an actual desire, and the present work is an attempt towards a solution.

Design of multichord Hα detector arrays for the U-3M torsatron and identification of rotating plasma perturbations.

An Hα camera has been designed and installed in the U-3M torsatron for spatially and temporally resolved measurements. This device provides fast measurements of the emission brightness profile in the noisy environment of the radio frequency (RF) heated plasma. Unusual topology of diagnostics and the data acquisition system are applied.

Acute myonecrosis on MRI: etiologies in an oncological cohort and assessment of interobserver variability.

Objective: To determine the etiologies of myonecrosis in oncology patients and to assess interobserver variability in interpreting its MRI features.

Materials And Methods: Pathology records in our tertiary cancer hospital were searched for proven myonecrosis, and MRIs of affected regions in those patients were identified. MRI reports that suggested myonecrosis were also identified.

Plasmodium spp.: an experimental study on vertebrate host susceptibility to avian malaria.

The interest in experimental studies on avian malaria caused by Plasmodium species has increased recently due to the need of direct information about host-parasite interactions. Numerous important issues (host susceptibility, development of infection, the resistance and tolerance to avian malaria) can be answered using experimental infections. However, specificity of genetically different lineages of malaria parasites and their isolates is largely unknown.

Marrow visualization on renal scintigraphy: an often-overlooked finding in azotemic patients.

Unlabelled: Delayed perfusion and enhanced hepatobiliary uptake are recognized findings on (99m)Tc-mercaptoacetyltriglycine ((99m)Tc-MAG3) scintigraphy in patients with renal insufficiency. Less well appreciated is the finding of bone marrow visualization. This study was performed to determine the frequency of this sign and to try to determine its association with laboratory parameters.

[Surgical treatment of sacrococcygeal epithelial fistula and dermoid cysts].

The results of surgical treatment of 246 patients in Department of Proctology of Ivano-Frankivsk regional clinical hospital in 2000-2008 yrs were analyzed. There were 232 men and 14 women ageing 18-46 years old. There were admitted to the hospital 38 (15.

Cardiac-targeted transgenic mutant mitochondrial enzymes: mtDNA defects, antiretroviral toxicity and cardiomyopathy.

Mitochondrial (mt) DNA biogenesis is critical to cardiac contractility. DNA polymerase gamma (Pol gamma) replicates mtDNA, whereas thymidine kinase 2 (TK2) monophosphorylates pyrimidines intramitochondrially. Point mutations in POLG and TK2 result in clinical diseases associated with mtDNA depletion and organ dysfunction.