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Aim. To show the relevance of teaching the academic discipline of students’ choice “Fundamentals of Quantitative Calculations in Pharmacy” at the National University of Pharmacy. Materials and methods. Analytical, systematic, logical teaching methods, as well as scientific publications of Ukrainian and foreign authors were used. Results. The relevance of teaching the academic discipline of students’ choice “Fundamentals of Quantitative Calculations in Pharmacy” at the Department of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry, NUPh (Kharkiv) is considered. The structure of the educational process is presented, and the peculiarities of teaching the discipline have been analyzed. The relevance of knowledge of basic algorithms of chemical calculations underlying the practical tasks of a modern pharmacist and the formation of a complex of knowledge, skills and abilities on theoretical foundations and practical application of stoichiometric laws in chemistry to solve practical calculation problems is shown. Conclusions. The interest of higher education students in the selective discipline and high results of modular knowledge tests have proven good mastery of the basic algorithms of chemical calculations, which are the basis of the special practical tasks of a modern pharmacist and a future scientist. As a result of studying the academic discipline, students learn to solve typical and complicated specialized tasks, critically comprehend the results obtained, solve practical problems of professional pharmaceutical and/or research and innovation activities using the provisions, theories and methods of fundamental, chemical, technological, biomedical and socio-economic sciences; integrate knowledge and solve applied problems, formulate judgments with insufficient or limited information; clearly and unambiguously communicate the own knowledge, conclusions and their validity to the audience.

Processes of the excitation and quenching of electronically excited state $${{{\text{A}}}^{{\text{3}}}}\Sigma _{{\text{u}}}^{ + }$$ of molecular oxygen in the Earth’s atmosphere at the altitudes of nightglow are considered. The calculated integrated intensities of Herzberg I bands are compared to experimental data obtained from space shuttle Discovery (STS-53). It is shown that the best agreement is observed upon adjusting quantum yields obtained earlier for the production of vibrational levels of the state $${{{\text{A}}}^{{\text{3}}}}\Sigma _{{\text{u}}}^{ + }$$ in three-body collisions.

Drosophila melanogaster is one of the popular model organisms in DNA replication studies. Since the 1960s, DNA replication of polytene chromosomes has been extensively studied by cytological methods. In the recent two decades, the progress in our understanding of DNA replication was associated with new techniques. Use of fluorescent dyes increased the resolution of cytological methods significantly. High-throughput methods allowed analysis of DNA replication on a genome scale, as well as its correlation with chromatin structure and gene activi ty. Precise mapping of the cytological structures of polytene chromosomes to the genome assembly allowed comparison of replication between polytene chromosomes and chromosomes of diploid cells. New features of replication characteristic for D. melanogaster were described for both diploid and polytene chromosomes. Comparison of genomic replication profiles revealed a significant similarity between Drosophila and other well-studi ed eukaryotic species, such as human. Early replication is often confined to intensely transcribed gene-dense regions characterized by multiple replication initiation sites. Features of DNA replication in Drosophila might be explained by a compact genome. The organization of replication in polytene chromosomes has much in common with the organization of replication in chromosomes in diploid cells. The most important feature of replication in polytene chromosomes is its low rate and the dependence of S-phase duration on many factors: external and internal, local and global. The speed of replication forks in D. melanogaster polytene chromosomes is affected by SUUR and Rif1 proteins. It is not known yet how universal the mechanisms associated with these factors are, but their study is very promising.

Recently, we developed a bioinformatic algorithm dividing drosophila genome into 4 types of chromatin which differ in protein composition. This allows us to propose a model of structural and functional organization of interphase chromosomes which postulates an existence of correlation between the chromatin types and morphological structures of polytene chromosomes. So, constantly and everywhere open chromatin type named «aquamarine» is characteristic of interbands, while the combinations of the other three types («lazurite», «malachite» and «ruby») form the bands. In this study, we characterized protein composition, genetic organization and morphological features of 39 «lazurite»-chromatin regions in polytene chromosomes. We found out that «lazurite»-chromatin usually form thin «grey» bands and more rarely — boundary portions of large bands. This type of chromatin contains coding parts and 3R-ends of genes and is enriched with proteins and histone modifications associated with active transcription at the stage of elongation. The expression patterns of these genes differ greatly depending on the type of chromatin in their 5R-regions.

The discovery of transposable elements (TEs) has raised the question of their role in host genomes. The experimental data accumulated over the last three decades has allowed scientists to draw conclusions on the role and behavior of TEs in genomes. It is currently known that the spontaneous rate of TE insertions in drosophila is 10−4–10−5 events per site per genome per generation, which is one to two orders of magnitude higher than the rate of spontaneous recessive mutations. It is believed that most oligogenic (majorgenic) mutations result from TE insertion. Moreover, TEs can regulate the function and activity of major and minor genes, because they contain control system motifs and enhancers, which consist of several modules, and thus can bind to various transcription factors. Crossover between long terminal repeats can result in various types of chromosomal rearrangements: deletions, duplications, and inversions. Transposable elements can fill chromosome telomeres and take part in horizontal gene transfer. Various stress factors acting on genomes create transposition explosions as a response. In this work we estimate the TE transposition induction rates in response to various external stress factors: cold and heat shock, ethanol vapor, and γ irradiation. We show that external stress factors increase the TE transposition rate to 10−2–10−3 events per site per genome per generation, which is one to two orders of magnitude greater than the spontaneous transposition rate. Also, TE patterns are significantly influenced by genetic factors: outbreeding, inbreeding, and selection. Thus, we conclude that the system of transposable elements in genomes is as substantial and universal as the SOS reparation and hormonal control systems. It is reasonable to suggest that TEs act as receptors of stress signals, which initiate explosions of transpositional variation during critical phases of population evolution. This may cause a rapid adjustment of the specific homeostatic norm and, probably, speciation. We can thus state that the presence of TEs, in particular in eukaryotic genomes, allows a population to survive under dramatically altered environmental conditions. Therefore, we can suggest that TEs are directly involved in the expression of genes encoding traits in the course of selection and evolution.

The effect of treatment of males from an isogenic Drosophila melanogaster strain by limiting doses of ethanol fumes on transpositions of MGE412 was examined. Validity of the phenomenon of transposition induction was demonstrated. We estimated rates of induced transposition (∼10–2 events per site, per sperm, per generation versus

Effects of temperature treatment (heavy heat shock, HHS; heat shock, HS; and cold shock, CS) on the daily productivity of treated males in different spermatogenesis stages have been studied in isogenic line 51 of Drosophila melanogaster. The average productivity was shown to substantially decrease in all cases. The sum of the HS and CS contributions to this decrease was nearly equal to the HHS (the combined HS and CS) contribution, i.e., these contributions were almost additive. The temperature treatments did not kill mature sperm. In the control, mating productivity of day 1 exceeded that of the next day at least by 10–20%. Each day, most sperm in matings was new, i.e., matured during that day. Transposition induction of MGE 412was studied at four spermatogenesis stages after HS and CS. Both temperature treatments were effective but CS had a more pronounced inducing effect. Most temperature-induced transpositions occurred at stage III (meiosis) and IV (spermiogenesis). The day rates of transpositions at different stages were estimated. After HS at the meiosis stage, λ = 0.11 events per initial MGE copy per sperm per day of mating, which is approximately equal to the previous estimates after HHS. After CS at the meiosis stage, λ = 0.51. The transposition hot sites (including the previously known 43B and 97DE as well as a number of new sites) were detected. The lists of transpositions after CS completely included the corresponding lists after HS, which suggests similarity of induction mechanisms underlying CS and HS.

The effect of selection for radius vein length on the distribution of hybridization sites of the P and hobo transposons and the mdgl and mdg2 retrotransposons on polytene chromosomes of Drosophila melanogaster salivary glands was studied. The patterns of these transposable elements (TEs) distribution were polymorphic in both the parental strain and selected strains. The similarity in mdg1 and mdg2 patterns between strains selected in one direction was closer than between strains selected in opposite directions, but the selected strains were closer to each other than to the parental strain regardless of selection direction. No mdg2 hybridization sites that would be absent in the control were found in the selected strains. There were more mdg2 and hobo hybridization sites in the strains selected in the (+) direction than in the (-) direction. The mobility of hobo copies in the strains studied correlated with the presence of its full-sized copy in the genome. The polymorphism of all TEs studied except for mdgl was greater for strains selected in the (+) direction that in the (-) direction. These facts suggest that some TEs migrate over the genome independently of selection, and others are markers of evolutionary events rather than their causes.

The results of four selection-genetic experiments aimed at the genetic transformation of the quantitative trait controlled by the radius incompletus gene of Drosophila melanogaster are given. Directional (s+) and (s-)-selection was conducted. At the of end all the experiments, in (s+)-selection the radial vein of the wing was restored to the wild phenotype, in (s-)-selection complete elimination of the radial vein took place. In four variants of selection, different TE412 pattern was formed under (s+)-selection and (s-)-selection in final generations. Correlation coefficient between (s+)-selection and (s-)-selection is -0.576, p0.001. At the same time, correlation coefficient between two independent replications of (s+)-selection is 0.912, p0.001, and of (s-)-selection, 0.946, p0.001. Thus, the availability of associated response to the selection of a quantitative trait and to the TE412 pattern is experimentally proved. Three hypotheses of the possible TE behaviour under selection are discussed.

The effect of treatment of males from an isogenic Drosophila melanogaster strain by limiting doses of ethanol fumes on transpositions of MGE 412 was examined. Validity of the phenomenon of transposition induction was demonstrated. We estimated rates of induced transposition (approximately 10(-2) events per site, per sperm, per generation versus10(-3) in control) and showed dose dependence of the rate on the exposure time of the males to ethanol fumes. Experiments with alcohol treatment at limiting doses must end either in death of the individuals or bursts of genetic variability in their progeny. In terms of genetics of an individual, this may mean loss of vital hereditary basis followed by mass degradation of the progeny of the "hard drinkers." In terms of populations genetics, this mode of MGE transposition induction can rapidly create a burst of novel genetic variation, which, apart of great losses, may generate a number of advantageous individuals, i.e., be significant for population survival in new, stressful environments.

Effects of temperature treatment (heavy heat shock, HHS; heat shock, HS; and cold shock, CS) on the daily productivity of treated males in different spermatogenesis stages have been studied in isogenic line 51 of Drosophila melanogaster. The average productivity was shown to substantially decrease in all cases. The sum of the HS and CS contributions to this decrease was nearly equal to the HHS (the combined HS and CS) contribution, i.e., these contributions were almost additive. The temperature treatments did not kill mature sperm. In the control, mating productivity of day 1 exceeded that of the next day at least by 10-20%. Each day, most sperm in matings was new, i.e., matured during that day. Transposition induction of MGE 412 was studied at four spermatogenesis stages after HS and CS. Both temperature treatments were effective but CS had a more pronounced inducing effect. Most temperature-induced transpositions occurred at stage 3 (meiosis) and 4 (spermiogenesis). The day rates of transpositions at different stages were estimated. After HS at the meiosis stage, lambda = 0.11 events per initial MGE copy per sperm per day of mating, which is approximately equal to the previous estimates after HHS. After CS at the meiosis stage, lambda = 0.51. The transposition hot sites (including the previously known 43B and 97DE as well as a number of new sites) were detected. The lists of transpositions after CS completely included the corresponding lists after HS, which suggests similarity of induction mechanisms underlying CS and HS.

1285 At present, presses produced by the Odessa Press mash plant are mainly used for the disassembly of wheel pairs. These presses require strong foundations and take up considerable space. In disassembly, the wheel pair is suspended from a support in the wheel hub. In practice, the disassembly force for seamlessly rolled wheels is 6000 kN or more, in contrast to the assembly forces, which are no more than 80–100 kN. This indicates considerable additional forces due to skewing, jamming, and other consequences of visual basing of the wheel. This results in skewing, scratch ing, and fracture of the wheel pair’s axle. At OAO ENIMS in 2005, the URK1 unit was man ufactured for the disassembly of freight car wheel pairs at Troitsk Refrigerator Depot [1]. It includes a system with a floating foundation plate, so that the wheel pair may be based at the surface of the axle, without suspension. This equipment has significant benefits over the Pressmash presses: smaller size, lower drive power, and lower cost. Production measurements (more than 1000) show that the disassembly forces in the URK1 unit are considerable less than in the Pressmash presses (Fig. 1), thanks to the increased basing precision and the reduced dependence on operator skill. The large scale introduction of disk brakes on the wheel pairs of high speed trains has increased the requirements on the disassembly systems. As an exam ple, consider a wheel pair of GP200 type (Fig. 2). As is evident from Fig. 2, the space for the founda tion plate on the inside of the wheel hub is very limited (on account of the braking disk or gear). This entails the search for new designs. The table presents the dimensions of the wheel pair: D, the diameter of the brake disk; h1, the distance between the wheel hubs and the braking disk; h2, the width of the braking disk; and l, the distance between the braking disks. The URK1 unit provides the starting point for the development of the URKT1 unit (Fig. 3) [2]. The URKT1 unit includes the power system of a hydraulic press: two plates 2 and 4 connected by four pins 3. The pins are attached by external nuts. The main power cylinder 5 is mounted at rear plate 4. In front plate 2, there is a cutout for the introduction of the wheel pair, as well as two holes (in the plane of the axle) for the attachment of secondary cylinders 1. This fundamentally new configuration permits a hybrid approach to disassembly. All the hydraulic cyl inders act at once, in opposing directions. The rod of Universal Equipment for Wheel Pair Disassembly

Positive and negative selection on the total length of two fragments of an interrupted longitudinal wing vein in an isogenic line of Drosophila melanogaster was accompanied by changes in the genomic localization pattern of MGE 412. Strong truncation selection was conducted in the population of effective size Ne = 160 for 50 generations. Twenty-six out of 35 polymorphic HHS-induced segments of MGE localization behaved as independent copies and markers, whereas 9 segments proved to be selective. The second group included "hot" segments of HHS transposition induction (43B, 97E, etc.). Thus, final consensus patterns of induced MGE transpositions have a random and an adaptive component in generation 50 of positive and negative selection. Selective patterns probably include modifier MGEs, which generate induced genetic regulatory variation of polygenes controlling the selected quantitative trait in the isogenic line after HHS.