New Layered Boride NiPtB ( = 0.5) with a Ternary Derivative Structure of MoB.

A novel ternary boride, NiPtB ( = 0.5), was obtained by argon-arc melting of the elements followed by annealing at 750 °C. It exhibits a new structure type with the space group ( = 2.

Empathy During Crises: Investigating Attitudes, Tolerance, and Ingroup-Outgroup Dynamics in Response to Refugee Movements.

Objective: In times of societal crises, it is pivotal to understand and share others' feelings. Yet, the role of empathy in fostering prosocial responses during societal crises has not gained enough attention. Our study uses the onset of Russia's war on Ukraine to examine three key questions: (1) Is empathy related to attitudes toward pro-refugee policies? (2) Does empathy correlate with a higher tolerance for diverse opinions on refugee policies? (3) Is empathy linked to perceived interpersonal closeness toward social in- and outgroups, including refugees?

Methods And Results: Using observational data from online surveys conducted with a largely representative quota sample from Germany (N = 1199-1631) during the initial months of the war, we found that empathy was associated with significantly higher support of pro-refugee policies, driven primarily by empathic concern.

Alternative Role of B/b Knob-Hole Interactions in the Fibrin Assembly.

The self-assembly of fibrin is a vital process in blood clotting, primarily facilitated by the interactions between knobs "A" and "B" in the central E region of one molecule and the corresponding holes "a" and "b" in the peripheral D regions of two other fibrin molecules. However, the precise function of the interactions between knob "B" and hole "b" during fibrin polymerization remains a subject of ongoing debate. The present study focuses on investigating intermolecular interactions between knob "B" and hole "b".

Environmental impacts of restructuring the EU's natural gas supply and consumption: Learnings from the 2022 energy crisis.

In 2022, the European Union put forward the REPowerEU plan in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, aiming at enhancing short-term energy security by diversifying imports and reducing natural gas demand while accelerating the deployment of renewable alternatives in the long term. Here, we quantify the life cycle environmental impacts of both REPowerEU's short-term measures, including the controversial extended coal-fired power plant operations, and how the first year of the crisis was managed in practice. We find that the policy measures' impact on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions would be negligible, although they could have detrimental effects on other environmental categories.

Devonian-Mississippian magmatism related to extensional collapse in Svalbard: implications for radiating dyke swarms.

Background: Despite extensive studies of the Mesozoic-Cenozoic magmatic history of Svalbard, little has been done on the Paleozoic magmatism due to fewer available outcrops.

Methods: 2D seismic reflection data were used to study magmatic intrusions in the subsurface of eastern Svalbard.

Results: This work presents seismic evidence for west-dipping, Middle Devonian-Mississippian sills in eastern Spitsbergen, Svalbard.

Primordial black holes and their gravitational-wave signatures.

In the recent years, primordial black holes (PBHs) have emerged as one of the most interesting and hotly debated topics in cosmology. Among other possibilities, PBHs could explain both some of the signals from binary black hole mergers observed in gravitational-wave detectors and an important component of the dark matter in the Universe. Significant progress has been achieved both on the theory side and from the point of view of observations, including new models and more accurate calculations of PBH formation, evolution, clustering, merger rates, as well as new astrophysical and cosmological probes.

Efficacy of Cevimeline on Xerostomia in Sjögren's Syndrome Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

Background: Xerostomia, or dry mouth, is a common and debilitating symptom in patients with Sjögren's syndrome, affecting their quality of life. Although Cevimeline, a muscarinic agonist, has been investigated as a potential treatment, its efficacy and optimal dosage remain uncertain. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of Cevimeline in relieving xerostomia in patients with Sjögren's syndrome by a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCT).

Healthcare provision for displaced people in transit: Analyses of routinely collected data from INTERSOS clinics at the Ukrainian border with Moldova and Poland.

Background: The Russian military invasion of Ukraine has sparked Europe's largest forced displacement since World War II, bringing about significant health vulnerabilities for migrants and refugees. European health information systems lack comprehensive data coverage, especially in underrepresented migration stages like transit. This study aims to address this gap by analyzing data from INTERSOS clinics at the Moldovan and Polish borders with Ukraine to identify the common health conditions prompting people to seek healthcare services during transit.

Methodological support for forensic science in the USA and Ukraine: A comparative study.

The significant potential of proper methodological support in solving key tasks of forensic expert activity is noted. The procedure for certification and state registration of forensic examination methods introduced in Ukraine is analyzed. The composition and procedure for the activities of the advisory bodies of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine which determine the relevance and priority of forensic examination research are investigated.

Areas of modernization of the system of training and certification of forensic experts in Ukraine based on the adaptation of foreign experience.

Unlabelled: The article is devoted to the study of the existing system of training and certification of forensic experts in Ukraine and to the provision of proposals for its modernization, taking into account the positive experience in the field of forensic science of the USA, UK and some countries of the European Union. In Ukraine, the procedure for the training and certification of forensic experts is determined by ministries and other central executive authorities, which manage state specialized institutions that carry out forensic activities. A study of foreign experience in the training and certification of forensic experts made it possible to identify general and specific elements, sustain the benefits of the implemented measures, and formulate priorities and guidelines.

A Complex Presentation of Multiple Myeloma With Renal Complications in a Young Female: Diagnostic Challenges and Treatment Approach.

A previously healthy 30-year-old woman experienced worsening back pain, fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, and facial puffiness. After 18 months of these symptoms, she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, which was also damaging her kidneys. The treatment involved a combination of medications and blood transfusions, leading to improved kidney function.

Ukrainian Patients' Perspectives on Advanced Pharmaceutical Services Provided by Polish Pharmacists: A Cross-Border Support Initiative.

Introduction: Pharmacists are essential healthcare professionals which play a pivotal role in public health protection by offering diverse pharmacy services. This includes not only serving individuals in Ukraine but also addressing the needs of Ukrainian citizens residing in Poland. An exemplary initiative is the creation of the website , which provides organized and systematic support.

The Current State of Perioperative Chemotherapy in Resectable Colorectal Liver Metastases: A Narrative Review.

Perioperative chemotherapy has emerged as a critical component in managing resectable colorectal liver metastases (CRLM), aiming to improve long-term survival, although data supporting its use remains controversial. This narrative review explores the current state of perioperative chemotherapy in patients with resectable CRLM, focusing on its role in different oncological risk categories. The review highlights ongoing controversies, such as optimal patient selection and the role of post- versus preoperative treatment in specific scenarios.

Stress, resilience and sense of self-efficacy among Ukrainian, Polish, Romanian, and Slovak women during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Objectives: The aim of the current study was to determine the levels of stress, resilience and the sense of self-efficacy, as well as the influence of resilience and the sense of self-efficacy in shaping stress levels, in a sample of women from various countries of origin.

Methods: The study was carried out on a sample of Ukrainian (N = 82), Polish (N = 102), Slovak (N = 79), and Romanian (N = 42) women using the Sense of Stress Questionnaire, the General Self-Efficacy Scale and the Brief Resilience Scale.

Results: Highest total stress levels were found among Ukrainian women, while the lowest were found among Polish women.

Optimization of metal polymer friction pair composition for hydrogen wear reduction through thermal stabilization analysis.

The composition of the metal-polymer friction pair is carefully considered for interacting with water and hydrogen, ensuring the metals electrode process potential remains below waters in a neutral medium. Simultaneously, adherence to defined chemical composition ratios for the metal-polymer materials is crucial. This analysis is conducted under conditions of thermal stabilization, characterized by a minimal temperature gradient across the rim thickness within an equivalent thermal field.

Colorectal cancer detection with enhanced precision using a hybrid supervised and unsupervised learning approach.

The current work introduces the hybrid ensemble framework for the detection and segmentation of colorectal cancer. This framework will incorporate both supervised classification and unsupervised clustering methods to present more understandable and accurate diagnostic results. The method entails several steps with CNN models: ADa-22 and AD-22, transformer networks, and an SVM classifier, all inbuilt.

The activity of indigo carmine against bacteriophages: an edible antiphage agent.

Bacteriophage infections in bacterial cultures pose a significant challenge to industrial bioprocesses, necessitating the development of innovative antiphage solutions. This study explores the antiphage potential of indigo carmine (IC), a common FDA-approved food additive. IC demonstrated selective inactivation of DNA phages (P001, T4, T1, T7, λ) with the EC values ranging from 0.

Human Metapneumovirus: an emerging respiratory pathogen and the urgent need for improved Diagnostics, surveillance, and vaccine development.

Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a re-emerging respiratory pathogen causing significant morbidity and mortality, particularly among young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. First identified in 2001, HMPV has since been recognised as a leading cause of acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) worldwide. Its transmission occurs through droplets, direct contact, and surface contamination, with crowded spaces and healthcare facilities serving as key environmental amplifiers.

Phenolic Compounds and Pharmacological Potential of Extracts for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases.

The search for neuroprotective compounds in lavender is driven by its traditional use for brain health, with antioxidant activity serving as a key mechanism in reducing oxidative stress and supporting cognitive function. Lavender's potential to protect neurons is based on its calming, anti-stress properties, which increase the brain's resistance to neurodegeneration. Although lavender is not a traditional medicinal plant in Ukraine, it is increasingly recognised for its medicinal properties and is widely cultivated in the country.

L. Herb Extracts: Phytochemical Composition and Pharmacological Activity Screening.

The genus (Lamiaceae family) comprises approximately 300 species, which are widely used in traditional medicine for their diaphoretic, antiseptic, hemostatic, and anti-inflammatory properties, but scarcely in official ones. Therefore, the study of holds promise for developing new medicinal products. In aqueous and aqueous-alcoholic soft extracts of the herb, 16 amino acids, 20 phenolics, and 10 volatile substances were identified by HPLC and GC/MS.

Brassinosteroids Render Cell Walls Softer but Less Extensible in Growing Arabidopsis Hypocotyls.

Cell wall extensibility is a key biophysical characteristic that defines the rate of plant cell growth. It depends on the wall structure and is controlled by numerous proteins that cut and/or (re)form links between the wall constituents. Cell wall extensibility is currently estimated by different in vitro biomechanical tests.

Possibility of Using NO Modulators for Pharmacocorrection of Endothelial Dysfunction After Prenatal Hypoxia.

Prenatal hypoxia (PH) is a key factor in the development of long-term cardiovascular disorders, which are caused by various mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction (ED), including those associated with NO deficiency. This emphasizes the potential of therapeutic agents with NO modulator properties, such as Thiotriazoline, Angiolin, Mildronate, and L-arginine, in the treatment of PH. Pregnant female rats were given a daily intraperitoneal dose of 50 mg/kg of sodium nitrite starting on the 16th day of pregnancy.

Antistaphylococcal Triazole-Based Molecular Hybrids: Design, Synthesis and Activity.

Background: In the era of resistance, the design and search for new "small" molecules with a narrow spectrum of activity that target a protein or enzyme specific to a certain bacterium with high selectivity and minimal side effects remains an urgent problem of medicinal chemistry. In this regard, we developed and successfully implemented a strategy for the search for new hybrid molecules, namely, the not broadly known [2-(3-R-1-[1,2,4]-triazol-5-yl)phenyl]amines. They can act as "building blocks" and allow for the introduction of certain structural motifs into the desired final products in order to enhance the antistaphylococcal effect.

The Application of Supervised Machine Learning Algorithms for Image Alignment in Multi-Channel Imaging Systems.

This study presents a method for aligning the geometric parameters of images in multi-channel imaging systems based on the application of pre-processing methods, machine learning algorithms, and a calibration setup using an array of orderly markers at the nodes of an imaginary grid. According to the proposed method, one channel of the system is used as a reference. The images from the calibration setup in each channel determine the coordinates of the markers, and the displacements of the marker centers in the system's channels relative to the coordinates of the centers in the reference channel are then determined.

Structural, Morphological, and Antibacterial Attributes of Graphene Oxide Prepared by Hummers' and Brodie's Methods.

Graphite oxidation to graphene oxide (GO) is carried out using methods developed by Brodie (GO-B) and Hummers (GO-H). However, a comparison of the antibacterial properties based on the physicochemical properties has not been performed. Therefore, this paper outlines a comparative analysis of GO-H and GO-B on antibacterial efficacy against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial cultures and biofilms in an aqueous environment and discusses which of the properties of these GO nanomaterials have the most significant impact on the antibacterial activity of these materials.