Vanadzor State University

The present study investigates the antifungal activity of plant-derived extracts obtained from species growing in the Armenian Highlands against micromycete biodeteriorators isolated from the surface of manuscript and early printed book collections of the Matenadaran. The test organisms included Penicillium cyclopium Westling, Aspergillus niger Tiegh., Aspergillus ochraceus G. Wilh., and Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissl. (syn. A. tenuis Nees), identified through microbiological analysis of contaminated materials. Under experimental conditions, the effects of aqueous solutions of essential oils (n = 8) on the growth and development of the studied micromycetes were evaluated. The results demonstrated that several tested essential oils exhibited pronounced antifungal activity. The strongest inhibitory effect was observed for essential oils derived from Tanacetum argyrophyllum (C. Koch) Tzvel., Ziziphora tenuior L. and Thymus ararati-minoris Klokov & Des. -Shost. The findings indicate the potential of plant-based biocides as environmentally friendly alternatives to synthetic fungicides for the prevention and control of biodeterioration of library and archival materials.

The article assesses the fiscal potential and structural characteristics of Armenia's SME sector under regional disparities based on 2024 data. Using share analysis, the real contribution of small business to key budget tax revenues is determined. A deep spatial asymmetry in the distribution of SMEs, employment, and average wages between Yerevan and the regions is revealed. The negative impact of low regional incomes on the local income tax base, which restrains fiscal decentralization, is quantitatively evaluated. The paradox of Syunik's "dual economy," where large industry masks SME weakness, is justified. The scientific novelty lies in developing a regionally differentiated tax policy model, proposing the elimination of the flat turnover tax and linking incentives to regional SME wage deviations from the national average to mitigate center-region polarization

BackgroundCreativity represents a crucial psychological resource that supports adaptive performance and professional growth in dynamically changing environments. Despite its recognized importance, comparative analyses of creativity across different occupational groups remain limited.MethodsThe present study examines variations in creativity levels among three professional categories—students, university faculty, and managers—representing different stages of professional development. A comparative quantitative design was employed to assess creativity indicators, including flexibility, originality, curiosity, and risk-taking.ResultsThe findings revealed that students demonstrated the highest overall creativity levels, followed by university faculty, whereas managers exhibited the lowest. Group differences were explained by the dynamic interaction of contextual barriers and facilitators. For students, creativity was stimulated by self-expression and intrinsic motivation but hindered by fear of mistakes and conformity pressure. Faculty members benefited from academic autonomy and intellectual challenge, yet faced constraints due to administrative load and conservative institutional culture. Managers experienced the strongest inhibiting factors, such as risk avoidance and rigid thinking, although supportive leadership and self-confidence served as facilitating resources.ConclusionThese results highlight the contextual and developmental determinants of creative potential and emphasize the need for targeted interventions to strengthen creativity-fostering environments within educational and organizational systems. The study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of creativity as a resource for effective educational management and leadership development.

The paper demonstrates that in the Earth’s troposphere, where air particles are largely uncharged and the atmosphere behaves as a dielectric with negligible absorption and a refractive index close to unity, the dependence of the refractive index of air on altitude can be approximated by a linear function. An equation is derived for the trajectories of light rays in a medium with a variable refractive index. The solution to this equation shows that in an atmosphere with a linearly varying refractive index, light rays are continuously refracted and propagate along parabolic trajectories, resulting in atmospheric refraction and optical mirages. When the refractive index of air decreases with altitude, objects located at a large distance from the observer appear elevated (sometimes inverted) above the Earth’s surface (superior mirages). When the refractive index increases with altitude (as is often the case in deserts), objects appear to be located on the Earth’s surface (inferior mirages).

The aim of the following article is to examine how combat experiences shape individual value systems, perceptions of life meaning, and psychological attitudes toward death. This research is relevant because the search for life meaning and formation of attitudes toward death play a critical role in combatants’ mental well-being and post-war social integration. It also helps identify effective methods of psychological support, contributing to adaptation and improved quality of life. The study objectives are to identify the features of meaningful life orientations among combatants, examine their attitudes toward death and related psychological factors, analyze the interaction between life meaning and attitudes toward death in the context of combat experience. The research employed psychological testing as well as qualitative and quantitative analyses. Key instruments included D. Leontiev’s “Meaningful Life Orientations” methodology and Templer’s “Death Anxiety” scale. The findings indicate that combat experience often leads to a reevaluation of life meaning, while attitudes toward death vary from acceptance to fear or indifference. Understanding these processes can support faster post-traumatic recovery and promote personal growth by transforming traumatic experiences into constructive insights.