The features of changes in adrenal hormones content in mariners during a voyage to different climatic and geographical areas

The hard-working conditions of mariners require a high degree of adaptation of the regulatory systems of the organism. In ensuring adaptation, one of the leading ones is the endocrine system (especially the pituitary-adrenal axis.The aim of the study is to investigate changes in hormonal parameters in mariners during a voyage to various climatic and geographical regions.Materials and methods: Russian seamen were examined during the dynamics of the voyage to various climatogeographic regions. They have determined the levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol four times (before the voyage, at the beginning, in the middle and at the end).The results of the study and their discussion: at the beginning of the voyage, the level of ACTH and cortisol were increased; by the middle of the voyage, ACTH decreased but cortisol remained at the same values; by the end of the voyage, the levels of both hormones decreased and reached values much lower than before the voyage. Considering the dynamics of hormonal levels, the normal course of the general adaptation process occurs in the first half of the voyage. A significant decrease in ACTH and cortisol levels in the second half of the voyage may be a sign of breakdown of adaptive capacity.

FEATURES OF MORPHOLOGICAL REARRANGEMENTS OF STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS IN THE RAT PINEAL GLAND UNDER THE IMPACT OF HEAVY METAL SALTS

The development of the pathology of individual organs and systems undoubtedly depends on adverse environmental factors. Particular attention of researchers attracts heavy metal salts. Epiphyseal hormones play a key role in regulating and maintaining basic body functions. The article presents the results of the study on morphological and morphometric rearrangements of structural changes in the rat pineal gland influence for 30 days of heavy metal salts (sulfates of zinc, copper, iron, manganese, plumbers’ nitrite and chrome oxide). The selected concentration of salts in the mixture was due to the presence of similar concentrations of these salts in the soil and drinking water in some regions of Ukraine according to literature sources. General morphological and statistical research methods were used (histological, morphometric and variational statistics methods). The 30-days impact of the heavy metal salts combination on the rat body caused in the pineal gland morphological changes of nonspecific polymorphic nature, which were expressed in the increased vascular area, active glial response, hypertrophy of pinealocyte nuclei and increase of their optical density. Cytological signs in most pinealocytes indicated the predominance of indolamine synthesis over polypeptides. The main pathogenetic mechanisms of the influence of heavy metal salts on the organ have been established: change in the vascular lumen area, blood rheological properties impairment, tissue hypoxia, nucleus hypertrophy and change in their optical density. Morphological changes in the gland comply with the stress phase of the general adaptation syndrome. The above morphological changes negatively affected the processes of hormones evacuation into the blood, the course of the general adaptation syndrome and the homeostasis restoration in the organ.

Social stress drives the multi-wave dynamics of COVID-19 outbreaks

The dynamics of epidemics depend on how people's behavior changes during an outbreak. At the beginning of the epidemic, people do not know about the virus, then, after the outbreak of epidemics and alarm, they begin to comply with the restrictions and the spreading of epidemics may decline. Over time, some people get tired/frustrated by the restrictions and stop following them (exhaustion), especially if the number of new cases drops down. After resting for a while, they can follow the restrictions again. But during this pause the second wave can come and become even stronger then the first one. Studies based on SIR models do not predict the observed quick exit from the first wave of epidemics. Social dynamics should be considered. The appearance of the second wave also depends on social factors. Many generalizations of the SIR model have been developed that take into account the weakening of immunity over time, the evolution of the virus, vaccination and other medical and biological details. However, these more sophisticated models do not explain the apparent differences in outbreak profiles between countries with different intrinsic socio-cultural features. In our work, a system of models of the COVID-19 pandemic is proposed, combining the dynamics of social stress with classical epidemic models. Social stress is described by the tools of sociophysics. The combination of a dynamic SIR-type model with the classical triad of stages of the general adaptation syndrome, alarm-resistance-exhaustion, makes it possible to describe with high accuracy the available statistical data for 13 countries. The sets of kinetic constants corresponding to optimal fit of model to data were found. These constants characterize the ability of society to mobilize efforts against epidemics and maintain this concentration over time and can further help in the development of management strategies specific to a particular society.

DIGITAL MARKETS ACT: A NEW PHILOSOPHY OF COMPETITION REGULATION IN THE EU

The EU competition policy is on the verge of significant reform. The main provisions of the reform are set out in the draft legislative document, the Digital Markets Act, initiated by the European Commission. However, its content goes beyond this Act. The project is subject to detailed and multilateral discussion in the EU. In view of the direct link between the economies of the EU and Ukraine and the prospects of Ukraine’s membership in the EU, there is an ongoing general adaptation of Ukrainian legislation and technical regulations to EU requirements and standards. Naturally, this reform will soon become part of the harmonization process. Given the complexity and multifaceted nature of this reform, not only its coverage of legislation, but also changes in the modality of relations between competition authorities and the largest players in the digital economy, it is advisable to initiate such a discussion today while the bill is under development. With this in mind, as well as the general novelty of this process, the three main components of the reform are analyzed. The external preconditions that prompted the European Commission to take such innovative (and rather controversial) legislative steps are considered, and the context and driving forces are described. The main procedural elements of the bill are highlighted, the original formula of selection among the subjects of the digital economy exclusively of its largest system participants and imposing on them a wide range of obligations to protect and encourage competition in the EU digital markets is shown. The material side of the new responsibilities envisaged by the reform is described, the importance of its adoption or at least an in-depth analysis for Ukraine is emphasized.

PROJECTIVE APPROACH TO THE SOCIAL ADAPTABILITY RESEARCH

Purpose: the article is devoted to theoretical research and proof of social adaptability existence as a personality property, its connection with adaptation and disadaptation, its research from the point of psychological approach, as well as empirical ways of searching quick recognition of adaptive ability decrease of young organism and psyche. Objectives: 1) to research theoretical approaches to social adaptability existence as a personality property, its connection with adaptation and disadaptation, 2) to explore scientific views on adaptability within the integrity paradigm, 3) to show emirically options to study adaptability using projective methods. Methods: theoretical methods were used, such as average qualitative indicators analysis, correlation analysis, namely, quantitative and qualitative analysis of adaptability indicators and projective methodology markers. Results: theoretical analysis of different approaches to personality social adaptability and its links to adaptation and disadaptation was carried out. As a diagnostic tool, projective diagnostic methods were used, which allowed to quickly reflect the level and social adaptability indicators of the first-year student. Average values of general social adaptability were researched and their correlation with other adaptation disorders markers was confirmed. Quantitative and qualitative analysis between adaptability indicators and projective markers was performed. As a conclusion, we built up a model of fifteen factors, this research indicated that the predominance of some bright colours in the drawings corresponds to general adaptation increasing, orientation in society and reducing depression, as well as increasing emotionality. In its turn, the presence of monochrome colours shows an emotional increase and the state of health decrease. If a person uses hatching in drawings, this indicates a rigidity decrease. Some compositional figures highlight an increase in general adaptation and accuracy of social expectations orientation. The presence of such compositional principles like center, rhythm and proportions in the figures indicate an increase in general adaptation and satisfaction and decrease in disadaptation and depression. Conclusions: according to the research, we identified the role of social adaptability of a young person, investigated the phenomenon of adaptability using theoretical methods, and practically performed an experiment, using a projective technique. References Babenko,P. (2013). Beseda o kompozicii s kinooperatorom V.P. Babenko, chlenom Sojuza kinematografistov SSSR i Ukrainy [Conversation about composition with the cameraman V.P. Babenko, the member of the Cinematographers Union of the USSR and Ukraine]. Odessa : Grin [in Russian]. Berezin, F.B. (1988). Psihicheskaja i psihofiziologicheskaja adaptacija cheloveka [Mental and psychophysiological adaptation of a person]. Leningrad : Nauka [in Russian]. Ershova-Babenko, I.V., Madinova Y.I. (2013). Innovacionnyj diagnosticheskij i korrekcionnyj instrument dlja psihologov: simptomokompleks kompozicionnoj organizacii risunka [The innovative diagnostic and correctional tool for psychologists: Symptomo-complex of the composite organization of the picture], Proceedings from Mezhdunarodnaya nauchno-prakticheskaya konferentsiya “Innovatsii i sovremennyie tehnologii v sisteme obrazovaniya” – International Scientific and Practical Conference “Innovations and Modern Technologies in Education” (Prague, February 20–21th, 2013). (pp. 204–206). Prague : Sociosféra-CZ [in Russian]. Ershova-Babenko, I.V. (1992). Metodologija issledovanija psihiki kak sinergeticheskogo objekta [Methodology of mentality research as synergetic object]. Odessa : ODЕKOM [in Russian]. Ershova-Babenko, I.V. (2005). Psihosinergeticheskie strategii chelovecheskoj dejatel’nosti. (Konceptual’naja model’) [Psycho-synergetic strategies of human activity. (Conceptual model)]. Odessa: NOVA KNYHA [in Russian]. Kaznacheev, V.P. (1986). Adaptacija i konstitucija cheloveka [Human adaptation and constitution]. Novosibirsk : Nauka [in Russian]. Madinova, Y.I. (2016). Osoblyvosti dezaptatsii studentiv-medykiv. [Particular qualities of disadaptation of students]. Candidate’s thesis. Odesa [in Ukrainian]. Melnikova, N.N. (2006). Adaptivnye svojstva lichnosti: problemy izuchenija [Adaptive traits of personality: problems of study], Proceedings from Materialy mezhvuzovskoj nauchno-prakticheskoj konferencii «Social’naja psihologija segodnja: nauka i praktika» – Materials of the International Scientific and Practical Conference “Social psychology today: science and practice” (St. Petersburg, June 15th, 2006). Saint Petersburg : SPbGUP [in Russian]. Nikiforov, G.S. (2003). 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Open Journal of Medical Psychology, 10(1). https://DOI.org/10.4236/ojmp.2021.101001

The evolution of the concept of stress and the framework of the stress system

Stress is a central concept in biology and has now been widely used in psychological, physiological, social, and even environmental fields. However, the concept of stress was cross-utilized to refer to different elements of the stress system including stressful stimulus, stressor, stress response, and stress effect. Here, we summarized the evolution of the concept of stress and the framework of the stress system. We find although the concept of stress is developed from Selye’s “general adaptation syndrome”, it has now expanded and evolved significantly. Stress is now defined as a state of homeostasis being challenged, including both system stress and local stress. A specific stressor may potentially bring about specific local stress, while the intensity of stress beyond a threshold may commonly activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and result in a systematic stress response. The framework of the stress system indicates that stress includes three types: sustress (inadequate stress), eustress (good stress), and distress (bad stress). Both sustress and distress might impair normal physiological functions and even lead to pathological conditions, while eustress might benefit health through hormesis-induced optimization of homeostasis. Therefore, an optimal stress level is essential for building biological shields to guarantee normal life processes.

Investigation of the Turkish Cultural Adaptation of International Students Living in Turkey

In this study, the cultural adaptations of international students studying in Samsun in acculturation processes were examined. The cultural problems that international students inevitably face affect their adaptation to the countries they host. To investigate the effects of the international students' some variables on the cultural adaptation in the context of Turkey constitutes the main objective of this study. In the study, it was examined whether the cultural adaptation levels of international students vary according to gender, place of residence, academic achievement level, education level, faculty they attend, and their age. Within the scope of the research, 670 foreign students participated in this study. According to the research results, the general adaptation level of the students is medium. While the participants' age is a factor affecting cultural adaptation, the students' cultural adaptation does not change according to their gender, place of residence, level of education, academic performance, and the faculties they attend.

The cost of evolved constitutive lac gene expression is usually, but not always, maintained during evolution of generalist populations

Beneficial mutations can become costly following an environmental change. Compensatory mutations can relieve these costs, while not affecting the selected function, so that the benefits are retained if the environment shifts back to be similar to the one in which the beneficial mutation was originally selected. Compensatory mutations have been extensively studied in the context of antibiotic resistance, responses to specific genetic perturbations and in the determination of interacting gene network components. Few studies have focused on the role of compensatory mutations during more general adaptation, especially as the result of selection in fluctuating environments where adaptations to different environment components may often involve tradeoffs. We examine if costs of a mutation in lacI, which deregulated expression of the lac operon in evolving populations of Escherichia coli bacteria, was compensated. This mutation occurred in multiple replicate populations selected in environments that fluctuated between growth on lactose, where the mutation was beneficial, and on glucose, where it was deleterious. We found that compensation for the cost of the lacI mutation was rare, but, when it did occur, it did not negatively affect the selected benefit. Compensation was not more likely to occur in a particular evolution environment. Compensation has the potential to remove pleiotropic costs of adaptation, but its rarity indicates that the circumstances to bring about the phenomenon may be peculiar to each individual or impeded by other selected mutations.