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Dianthus × belkinii is an intersectional hybrid newly described from the Republic of Altai (Talduair massif). This taxon was also noted in Mongolia (Bayan-Ulegei aimag). The article describes the morphological features of the new taxon and discusses its relationship with parental species. The described hybrid has intermediate morphological features between the parental species, most notable are the fringed corollas. The stems are sparsely branched, relatively tall and similar to those of D.superbus. The calyx lobes and bracts are transitional between D. superbus and D. versicolor. The limb of the corolla is cut for ⅓–¼ of its length into a few lobes. Cytometry data showed an identical ploidy level of the new taxon and its putative parent species. The average value of the relative DNA content is almost intermediate, however, somewhat closer to D. versicolor. The ITS sequences of D. × belkinii show characteristic double peaks, which may point to a hybridogeneous origin of the plants. Identical chloroplast DNA sequences with D. versicolor but differences to D. superbus suggests that D. versicolor may be the maternal parent of this hybrid. Based on these polymorphisms, it is possible to state that the ITS sequence and D. versicolor × superbus itself are of a hybrid nature, where D. versicolor and D. superbus are the parent forms., Dianthus × belkinii – межсекционный гибрид, описанный как новый из Республики Алтай (массив Талдуаир). Отмечено произрастание данного таксона и в Монголии (Баян-Улэгэйский аймак). В статье описаны морфологические признаки нового таксона и обсуждены его взаимоотношения с родительскими видами. Новый, описываемый гибрид, с бахромчатым венчиком, габитуально имеет промежуточные морфологические признаки между родительскими видами. Стебли ветвятся малообильно, относительно высокие, чем похожи на таковые у D. superbus. Доли чашечки и прицветные листья носят переходный характер между D. superbus и D. versicolor. Отгиб венчика рассечен на ⅓–¼ на немногочисленные доли. Данные цитометрии показали идентичную плоидность у нового таксона и родительских видов, а среднее значение относительного содержания ДНК занимает практически промежуточное значение, ближе к D.versicolor. Последовательности фрагментов ITS D. × belkinii содержат двойные пики, что говорит о гибридной природе этого растения. Последовательности хлоропластных маркеров D. × belkinii, идентичные D. versicolor, но отличные от D. superbus, подтверждают, что D. versicolor может быть материнским родителем данного гибрида. На основе данных полиморфизмов возможно утверждать гибридную природу последовательности ITS изученного таксона и собственно D. versicolor × superbus, где родительскими формами выступают D. versicolor и D.superbus.

The paper presents the results of applying a new method, previously developed by the authors, based on precalculated sets of 3D distributions of a matter density. The method is designed to recognize the spatial 3D distributions of the synthesized intermetallic compounds in the volume of a nanoparticle. A set of 3D distributions of a matter density in the volume of a cubic Ti@Al core — shell nanoparticle corresponds to a set of successive time points. It is calculated based on the results of the computer molecular dynamics simulation of self-propagating high temperature synthesis in the nanoparticle. Computational experiments are performed using the LAMMPS software package. Based on the obtained results, thermal and microstructural analyses are performed, confirming the multistage mechanism for the formation of intermetallic phases during the SHS reaction in the Ti-Al reaction medium. The sets of 3D distributions of the matter density and 3D distributions of synthesized intermetallic compounds in the volume of a nanoparticle corresponding to the sequence of time points are calculated. The paper shows the advantage of the method for recognizing 3D distributions of synthesized intermetallic compounds, proposed by the authors, over the methods of similar analysis built into the OVITO software package., Представлены результаты применения ранее разработанного авторами нового метода, предназначенного для распознавания пространственных 3D-распределений синтезируемых интерметаллидов в объеме наночастицы на основе предварительно вычисленных наборов 3D-распределений плотности вещества. Набор 3D-распределений плотности вещества в объеме кубической наночастицы со структурой Ti@Al «ядро — оболочка» соответствует набору последовательных моментов времени и рассчитывается на основе результатов компьютерного молекулярно-динамического моделирования саморас-пространяющегося высокотемпературного синтеза в наночастице. По результатам вычислительных экспериментов, проведенных с помощью программного пакета LAMMPS, выполнены термический и микро-структурный анализы с подтверждением многоста-дийности механизма образования интерметаллических фаз по ходу реакции СВС в реакционной среде Ti-Al. Рассчитаны наборы 3D-распределений плотности вещества и 3D-распределений синтезируемых интерметаллидов в объеме наночастицы, соответствующие последовательности моментов времени. В статье показано преимущество метода распознавания 3D-распределений синтезируемых интерме-таллидов, предложенного авторами, над методами подобного анализа, встроенными в программный пакет OVITO.

The current state of research in the field of nuclear and thermonuclear power aimed at creating power generation plants makes it possible to predict the further development of modern power industry in the direction hybrid reactor power plants. Such hybrid systems include a tokamak with reactor technologies, worked out in detail in Russia, and systems with an additional source of neutrons. Power generation plants using tokamaks and accelerators with the required level of proton energy will be of exceptionally large size and power, which will postpone their construction on an industrial scale to the distant future. The ongoing research is aimed at the development of small generation and has the prospect of entering the field of energy use in a shorter period. The hybrid reactor facility under study consists of an axisymmetric assembly of fuel blocks of a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor and a linear plasma source of additional neutrons. The paper demonstrates the results of optimization plasma-physical, thermophysical and gas-dynamic studies, the purpose of which is to level the distortions of the power density field, which are formed in the volume of the multiplicating part of the facility due to the pulsed operation of the plasma source of D-T-neutrons. The studies on increasing the “brightness” of the source and modeling its operating modes were carried out using the DOL and PRIZMA programs. The thermophysical optimization and gas-dynamic calculations were performed using the verified SERPENT and FloEFD software codes. The calculations were made on a high-performance cluster of the Tomsk Polytechnic University.

Authors discuss the problem of influenza in pregnant, the risk of severe influenza infection with an increase in gestational age, the effect of infection on the fetus, which leads to premature birth, stillbirth. A review of the literature on the development of the vaccination program for pregnant worldwide since the end of the 20th century is given focusing on the effectiveness and safety of influenza vaccination for the pregnant and the fetus.

Aim To study intracardiac hemodynamics in healthy men in supine and prone positions.Material and methods This echocardiography study included 14 apparently healthy men at a mean age of 38 years.Results In a prone position, the heart configuration and location in the chest changed, the heart rate increased by 7.3 %, and the transaortic flow velocity decreased by 13.7 %. Also, early and late right ventricular diastolic filling velocities and the pulmonary artery flow velocity were increased by 31.7, 11.4, and 5.6 %, respectively. In the intact tricuspid valve, the velocity and regurgitation pressure gradient were reduced by 7 % and 14.2 %, respectively.Conclusion In a prone position, spatial changes in the location of the heart and its structures influence velocities of intracardiac blood flow, which may initiate the development of heart failure if the prone position is long-lasting.

The determining factor of socio-cultural transformation is industrial and economic modernization, which changes the structure of the world economy as a whole. The leading trend in the development of civilization is the desire for uniformity, which leads to the need to analyze the combination, correlation, interaction of “modernized” and “traditional” forms of development of local communities. The aim of the study is to analyze the impact of the processes of production and economic modernization on the modification of sociocultural development, to determine the relationships and interdependencies of the economy, culture and sociality, to identify cause-and-effect relationships and trends in the evolution of the sociocultural sphere. Materials and methods. The study of the processes of production, economic and socio-cultural transformation within the framework of a polyparadigm approach allows using a set of research paradigms, within which various aspects of modernization are considered. The civilizational approach makes it possible to explain the problem of correlation, interaction of general civilizational universals and local specifics. Results. The article shows that the main trends in the production, economic and socio-cultural development of local communities are formed under the influence of internal and external factors. Modification of the production and economic sphere contributes to the evolution of culture and sociality, determines the structure of the life of local communities, forms a new system of diverse processes of activity. There are destructive tendencies leading to the disintegration of the integrity of the socio-cultural space, a decrease in the stabilizing potential of the traditional way of local communities, followed by pauperization and marginalization of a significant part of the population. The diversification of production and economic activities contributes to the modification of the socio-cultural way of life, the transition from the paradigm of maintaining the stability of traditions to the paradigm of innovative changes. Practical implications. The results can be used for further research into the processes of sociocultural development and in the process of teaching social disciplines.

Corruption is one of the global problems of humanity, it is the reason for a significant decrease in the efficiency of economic systems. Anti-corruption measures are an important task for any state. However, in practice the anti-corruption policies based on the models of classical law and economics are not effective enough. Using the methodology of behavioral economics, we have made an attempt to improve the classical approach to combating corruption. This article provides an analysis of the factors of corruption, methods of combating corruption, reasons for the low effectiveness of anti-corruption policies on the example of educational organizations. The authors suggest using behavioral economics to improve the classical methods of combating corruption. It is necessary to introduce the concept of hyperbolic discounting and the "present bias" into classical law and economics in order to better understand the impact of anti-corruption policies. We assume that using nudges in practice may enable governments to increase the effectiveness of classical anti-corruption measures.

Background. The mitochondrial electron transport chain, in particular the respiratory complex I, is one of the main sources of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in living cells. Suppression of the complex I activity in human cells through chemical inhibition or mutations that disrupt the functionality of this complex leads to a significant increase in the content of ROS. The complex I mutants are also known for plants; however, it is still not clear whether the suppression of the activity of this complex leads to an increase in the level of ROS and the development of oxidative stress. Purpose. To study the level of superoxide, hydrogen peroxide and sensitivity to prooxidants in Arabidopsis ndufs4 cells with complex I inactivated by insertional mutagenesis. Materials and methods. A suspension culture of wild-type Arabidopsis cells and a line with knockout the NDUFS4 complex I subunit was used. The level of hydrogen peroxide in the cells was determined using dichlorofluorescein. The superoxide content was estimated by cell staining in the presence of nitroblue tetrazolium. Results. It has been shown that inactivation of the NADH-dehydrogenase complex in Arabidopsis cells due to the absence of one of its subunits leads to a decrease in the content of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide. It was also shown that the level of ROS in cells treated with the menadione and hydrogen peroxide increased several times in wild-type cells, but remained almost unchanged in ndufs4 cells. Conclusion. Suppression of the activity of the NADH dehydrogenase complex in plant cells, but not in animal cells, leads to a decrease in the content of both hydrogen peroxide and superoxide. Cells of ndufs4 line have an increased ability to detoxify ROS, possibly associated with the constant mobilization of antioxidant defense systems.

The paper presents the results of experimental studies of scenarios of diffusion combustion of a microjet of hydrogen flowing out of a cylindrical micronozzle with a diameter of 200 μm. The hydrogen microjet is ignited near the nozzle exit and at a distance. The experimental data are compared with the data previously obtained, and the results are expressed in dimensionless parameters (in terms of Reynolds numbers). It is established that the stabilization of flame during the outflow of a circular micro jet of hydrogen is associated with the presence of heating of the nozzle by a spherical flame region covering the nozzle section. The hysteresis of the diffusion combustion process of circular hydrogen microjets is shown depending on the ignition location of the microjet (near or far from the nozzle exit) and the change in the flow rate (growth or decrease).

The article presents first data of the work on DNA barcoding of type specimens of ALTB Herbarium (Barnaul, Russia). Obtained sequences of ITS and trnL-trnF, trnH-psbA markers of DNA were deposited in NCBI GenBank, and corresponding dataset was published in the GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility)., В статье представлены первые результаты работы по ДНК-штрихкодированию типовых образцов, хранящихся в гербарии Алтайского государственного университета (ALTB, г. Барнаул, Россия). Полученные нуклеотидные последовательности маркерных фрагментов ДНК (ITS, trnL-trnF, trnH-psbA) внесены в базу данных NCBI GenBank, и соответствующий датасет опубликован в GBIF.

The article deals with the problems of methodology for studying the dynamics of socio-cultural processes of local communities in the context of globalization. The purpose of the study is a methodological analysis of the problem of competition, from the point of view of global and local specifics of the development of culture and sociality. Modernization processes generate a paradigm of socio-cultural development that fixes the scale of action, methods and means of interrelation and existence of elements and subsys­tems that influence the formation of evolution models of the socio-cultural space. The emerging models of socio-cultural development have a high degree of dynamism, maintaining a certain level of locality in the sphere of socio-cultural life. The use of the coherence principle makes it possible to ensure the iden­tification of all components and modifications of the socio-cultural system.

Heat and moisture exchange filters create additional dead space, comparable in volume to physiological, in premature newborns. It makes carbon dioxide remove difficultу. Reducing the dead space volume by increasing the flow in the ventilator circuit can lead to the hypocapnia. Aim of the study was to determine the safety and efficiency of gas flow boost in the ventilator circuit to hypercapnia compensation created by the additional dead space. Material and methods. The effect of the additional dead space created by a heat and moisture exchange filter on hemoglobin saturation and partial pressure of carbon dioxide at the end of expiration in premature newborns at flows of 5 and 6 l/min was studied. Results and discussion. It has been demonstrated that flows of 5–6 l/min satisfactorily compensate for the effect of additional deadspace without hypocapnia. Conclusions. It is possible to recommend the widespread use of heat and moisture exchange filters in newborn weighing at least 1.0 kg during long-term transportation.

The subject of research: the methodological and functional capabilities of specialized software packages of free access LAMMPS and OVITO and author's programs used for simulation of SHS-microkinetics in heterogeneous systems. Purpose of research: to increase information content, 3D-visualization, and adequate interpretation of the processes of structural-phase transformations at interfaces of the layered, layered-block nanoscale Ni-Al and Ti-Al systems. Methods and objects of redearch: the molecular dynamics simulation method implemented in the basis of the LAMMPS software package simulates the process of initiation and propagation of the SHS combustion wave in the systems under study, and using the OVITO package, 3D-visualization of the processes of dissolution, diffusion, and motion of the SHS combustion wave front is carried out. Main results of research: it is shown that the development by the author of software modules for calculating one-dimensional temperature and density profiles of the synthesized material along the direction of combustion wave motion, as well as for calculating and visualizing the 3D-structure of the distribution of synthesized intermetallic interlayers at the interface in nanoparticles with the Ni-Al "core-shell" structure (and similarly for Ti-Al) allows, in contrast to the OVITO package, to detect heterophase intermetallic structures in such systems. As a result of a large series of computational experiments on simulation of microkinetics in the studied nanoscale Ni-Al and Ti-Al systems, it has been established that the software package created by the author with support for parallel computing, which, in addition to the licensed packages LAMMPS and OVITO, integrates author's software modules, has new broader functionality in the methodological aspect of the study of the problems of physical chemistry of the SHS process and is a vivid example of the created software engineering tools in this area of research.

An information about 410 type and original specimens of taxa (65 published names) described as part of the genus Potentilla L. based on collections from Central Asia and Kazakhstan and stored in the Herbarium of the Komarov Botanical Institute RAS (LE) is provided. Considering data from other collections (DR, PR, MW, TK, JE, KFTA, KW, L, M, MO and P), the total amount of type material presented in the article is 509 samples. They include 33 lectotypes (27 in LE), 19 isolectotypes (8 in LE), 24 holotypes (23 in LE), 23 isotypes (20 in LE), 76 paratypes (75 in LE), 133 syntypes (91 in LE), and 203 specimens (168 in LE) which belong to original material (“original specimens”). The lectotypes of the names of 25 taxa (P. algida, P. approximata, P. biflora var. stenopetala, P. bifurca var. canescens, P. desertorum, P. desertorum var. arnavatensis, P. fedtschenkoana, P.fedtschenkoana var. digitata, P. flabellata, P. fruticosa var. angustifolia, P. hololeuca var. calvescens and var. subtrijuga, P. komaroviana, P. lipskyana, P. malacotricha, P. multifida var. nubigena, P. nivea var. cano-tomentosa, P. schrenkiana, P. sibirica, P. soongorica, P. soongorica var. viridescens, P. tephroleuca, P.transcaspia, P. turczaninowiana, P. turgaica) are designated in this work. The images of type specimens of P.ferganensis and P. × jakovlevii, local endemics of Asia, known only from locus classicus, which were not collected after the original description, are presented., Приводится информация о 410 типовых и оригинальных образцах таксонов (65 обнародованных названий), описанных в составе рода Potentilla L. по сборам из Средней Азии и Казахстана и хранящихся в Гербарии Ботанического института им. В. Л. Комарова РАН (LE). С учетом данных из других коллекций (DR, PR, MW, TK, JE, KFTA, KW, L, M, MO и P) общий объем типового материала, представленного в статье, составляет 509 образцов. В их числе 33 лектотипа (27 в LE), 19 изолектотипов (8 в LE), 24 голотипов (23 в LE), 23 изотипа (20 в LE), 76 паратипов (75 в LE), 131 синтип (89 в LE) и 203 образца (168 в LE), которые относятся к элементам первоначального материала (original specimens). Лектотипы обозначены в настоящей работе для 25 таксонов: P. algida, P. approximata, P. biflora var. stenopetala, P. bifurca var. canescens, P. desertorum, P. desertorum var. arnavatensis, P. fedtschenkoana, P.fedtschenkoana var. digitata, P. flabellata, P. fruticosa var.angustifolia, P. hololeuca var. calvescens и var. subtrijuga, P. komaroviana, P. lipskyana, P. malacotricha, P. multifida var. nubigena, P. nivea var. cano-tomentosa, P. schrenkiana, P. sibirica, P. soongorica, P. soongorica var. viridescens, P. tephroleuca, P.transcaspia, P. turczaninowiana, P. turgaica. Приводятся изображения типовых образцов P. ferganensis и P.× jakovlevii – узколокальных эндемиков Азии, известных только из locus classicus, сборы которых после первоописания пока никем не были повторены.

A search and analysis has been carried out of English-language 2005–2020 scientific literature devoted to methods of obtaining branched (co)polymers of acrylamide, acrylic acid and (met)acrylates in order to obtain novel materials with valuable properties. It has been found that modern methods of controlled radical polymerization are mainly used for this purpose, namely, atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT) and group transfer polymerization (GTP). In most cases, original synthesized compounds were the chain transfer agents in RAFT. Depending on the order of synthesis, a distinction is made between the “core–arms” and “arms–core” approaches. The prospects of using branched polymers of acrylamide, acrylic acid and (met)acrylates for bioconjugation, surface immobilization, tissue engineering, oil production enhancement, and flocculation are estimated.

The search of alternative fuels is one of the most important issues. Hydrogen is the most attractive one since its combustion products include only water. However, due to its specific properties wide implementation of hydrogen is not possible. There is an idea to use chemical carriers of hydrogen, for example, ammonia. The addition of hydrogen, which is the product of ammonia cracking, can improve the combustion characteristics of ammonia. The work presents experimental data on the structure of NH3/H2/O2/Ar flames at 4 atm. Equivalence ratio values were 0.8, 1.0 and 1.2, NH3/H2ratio – 1/1. Flame structure was measured with molecular beam mass spectrometry with soft electron impact ionization. In the experiments, flames were stabilized on the flat burner. Temperature profiles were measured with thin S-type thermocouples. Numerical simulations were performed with PREMIX code from CHEMKIN package. The comparison of the experimental and numerical data enabled to reveal the mechanism of NH3/H2oxidation showing the best predictive capability. Experimental and numerical data showed that the nitrogen-containing species which are present in the post-flame zone are N2and NO whereas concentration of N2O and NO2is negligible. It was revealed that in terms of NO reduction slightly rich conditions are more effective. In addition, the effect of equivalence ratio on the peak concentration of NO, N2O and NO2was analyzed. Rich conditions appeared to be more effective to reduce peak concentrations of NO, N2O and NO2.

Pregnancy in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) patients has historically been a high-risk situation. The combination of chronic complement-mediated hemolysis caused by the disease and physiological activation of the complement system during pregnancy, significantly worsened the prognosis for the life. For a long time, there were no effective methods for the PNH treatment, and pregnancy in patients seemed to be extremely risky, as it significantly increased the risk of life-threatening complications. The advent of targeted therapy with eculizumab turned the prognosis of this disease upside down: patients began not only to survive, but also to live comparable to healthy people. A comparative analysis of the course and outcomes of pregnancy in patients with PNH treated with eculizumab and in patients without targeted therapy was carried out.The study was to evaluate the course and outcomes of pregnancy in patients with PNH, depending on the therapeutic approach.We analyzed data from 57 pregnancies in 49 women (31 used eculizumab, 26 with supportive care only) observed at the Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology or with remote consultation (23 clinics from 19 cities of Russia).The high probability of pregnancy complications and its adverse outcomes outside of targeted therapy indicates the vital need for its use: all observations were accompanied by complications of varying severity. The course of pregnancy with the eculizumab is generally more favorable: an apparently higher rate of live births and a lower likelihood of complications are registered. Without increasing the incidence of complications, eculizumab significantly improves pregnancy outcomes for both mother and fetus, and does not adversely affect the health of newborns.Thus, eculizumab allows not only to increase the survival rate of patients with PNH, but also to comprehensively improve their quality of life, including the possibility of safe childbirth.Обоснование. Беременность при пароксизмальной ночной гемоглобинурии (ПНГ) исторически является ситуацией высокого риска: сочетание хронического комплемент-опосредованного гемолиза, обусловленного самим заболеванием, с физиологической активацией системы комплемента во время беременности значительно ухудшало прогноз для жизни больных. Долгое время не существовало эффективных методов лечения ПНГ и беременность у больных представлялась чрезвычайно рискованной, так как значительно повышала риск жизнеугрожающих осложнений. Появление таргетной терапии экулизумабом перевернуло прогноз при данном заболевании: пациентки стали не только выживать, но и жить сопоставимо со здоровыми людьми. Проведен сравнительный анализ течения и исходов беременности у больных ПНГ, которые проходили терапию экулизумабом, и у больных вне таргетной терапии. Цель. Оценка особенности течения и исходов беременности у больных ПНГ в зависимости от терапевтического подхода. Материалы и методы. Проанализированы данные 57 беременностей у 49 женщин (31 применяла экулизумаб, 26 вне таргетной терапии), наблюдавшихся в ФГБУ НМИЦ акушерства, гинекологии и перинатологии им. акад. В.И. Кулакова или в других городах России с удаленным консультированием (23 клиники из 19 городов России). Результаты. Высокая вероятность осложнений беременности и ее неблагоприятных исходов вне таргетной терапии свидетельствует о жизненной необходимости ее применения: все наблюдения сопровождались осложнениями различной степени выраженности. Течение беременности с применением экулизумаба в целом более благоприятное: зарегистрирована очевидно более высокая частота живорождения и меньшая вероятность осложнений. Не повышая частоту осложнений, экулизумаб значительно улучшает исходы беременности как для матери, так и для плода, и не оказывает негативного влияния на здоровье новорожденных. Заключение. Экулизумаб позволяет не только повысить выживаемость больных ПНГ, но и всесторонне улучшить качество их жизни, включая возможность безопасного рождения детей.

INTRODUCTION. The leading role in the water and electrolyte balance in critical conditions belongs to infusion therapy. Hemodynamic stabilization is achieved by fluid bolus with risk of hypervolemia. Non-invasive monitoring in ICU is relevant in children. Cardiointervalography is characterized by nosological non-specificity and high sensitivity to neurohumoral changes. The stress index and spectral analysis allow the assessment of therapeutic efficacy. OBJECTIVES. To study the features of the electrophysiological response to the emergency rehydrate volume in children upon admission to the intensive care unit. MATERIALS AND METHODS. A prospective comparative study was conducted with the participation of 172 patients, the age from 0 to 15 years. There were 71 newborns in the first group (21 surgical cases, 50 somatic ones). The second group enrolled children aged 1 to 15 years, in 40 % of all underwent surgical treatment. The characteristic of the electrophysiological response to the hydration was carried out in an intergroup and interstage comparison in different age and nosological groups. DISCUSSION. The autonomic nervous system response to infusion therapy has not been studied in children of different ages. The stress index and frequency analysis reflect the degree of regulatory systems tension and are promising in intensive care monitoring. RESULTS. In newborns with sensory block, it was expressed by tachycardia (p = 0.02); without block — arterial hypotension (p = 0.000) without chronotropic component. The implementation of sympathetic reactions was suppressed in children in the early postoperative period. In children without surgical treatment, the volume of infusion had a sympatholytic effect. CONCLUSIONS. In the early postoperative period, the electrophysiological response in children was limited. Age-related features of reactions to hydration in children with somatic pathology were revealed. In children, infusion therapy contributed to a cardiovascular economical work; in newborns, it was associated with a breakdown in sympathetic adaptation.

Waves in the oceans are one of the most significant renewable energy sources and are an excellent resource to tackle climate challenges through decarbonizing energy generation. Lowering the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) for energy generation from ocean waves is critical for competitiveness with other forms of clean energy like wind and solar. It requires complex controllers to maximize efficiency for state-of-the-art multi-generator industrial Wave Energy Converters (WEC), which optimizes the reactive forces of the generators on multiple legs of WEC. This paper introduces Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning controller (MARL) architectures that can handle these various objectives for LCOE. MARL can help increase energy capture efficiency to boost revenue, reduce structural stress to limit maintenance cost, and adaptively and proactively protect the wave energy converter from catastrophic weather events preserving investments and lowering effective capital cost. These architectures include 2-agent and 3-agent MARL implementing proximal policy optimization (PPO) with various optimizations to help sustain the training convergence in the complex hyperplane without falling off the cliff. Also, the design for trust assures the operation of WEC within a safe zone of mechanical compliance. As a part of this design, reward shaping for multiple objectives of energy capture and penalty for harmful motions minimizes stress and lowers the cost of maintenance. We achieved double-digit gains in energy capture efficiency across the waves of different principal frequencies over the baseline Spring Damper controller with the proposed MARL controllers.

Unlike antibiotics and heavy metals, nucleic acids exist in the aquatic environment as a part of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, etc.) rather than in a free form. In this regard, the most important primary stage of sample preparation of an object for the quantitative analysis of DNA and RNA in natural and wastewaters includes membrane ultrafiltration of an aqueous sample, followed by its sorption preconcentration on a solid phase carrier. The efficiency of ultrafiltration and subsequent sorption of nucleic acids from natural and wastewaters largely depends on the material of filters, membranes, and sorbents. Polymeric materials are widely used due to their special properties: the affinity of polymers for biological objects, the ability to create pores of any required size, good mechanical properties and resistance to the extraction of microorganisms captured. The paper reviews the 15-year-old scientific literature on filtering, membrane and sorption polymeric materials used to extract nucleic acids from aqueous media and preserve them. Polymeric sorbents for collecting and concentrating DNA and RNA from the liquid phase, as well as storing nucleic acids, are covered. It has been found that ultrafiltration is used at a relatively low concentration of the analyzed object, followed by extraction of the substance using commercially available kits, including cartridges. Sorption (solid-phase concentration) is used to extract nucleic acids at their relatively high concentration in the analyte. The main polymeric materials used include cellulose and its derivatives (nitrocellulose, cellulose acetate, mixed cellulose nitrate–acetate, diethylaminoethylcellulose, polyethyleneiminocellulose), agarose, dextran, polyestersulfone, polycarbonate, fluoroplasts, polyacrylates and polymethacrylates, polyaramids, polyamides, polyvinyl alcohol, polyaniline, polycaprolactone, polyacrylamide and polymethacrylamide, polystyrene. Chitosan, modified polycaprolactone, and magnetic particles coated with polydopamine, polyethyleneimine, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polystyrene, or polyamidoamine dendrimer are considered as promising polymers for further research in this field.

The article deals with the problem of the transformation of socio-cultural development of Russia in the context of globalization changes in the world development. The search for the possibility of combining the universalization and localization of the transformation processes of geocultural space, actualizing the problems of intercultural interaction, influencing the content and forms of transformation. The main attention is paid to the analysis of the most significant approaches to the problem of understanding geoculture, local conditions of transformation of socio-cultural space. From a methodological point of view, the use of the civilizational approach makes it possible to identify the specifics of the socio-cultural development of local communities, to trace the interrelationships, the relationship of general civilizational universals and local identity. The use of the geocultural paradigm of explaining and understanding the state of the world socio-cultural development contributes to solving the problem of the correlation of locality and globality, achieving a balance of trust and cooperation in international relations based on a respectful dialogue. As a basic conclusion, we note that two trends are being formed, two multidirectional vectors of movement in the development of the geocultural situation are being established. On the one hand, there is a process of forming models of socio-cultural behavior depending on the resources and technologies available to the community, expressed in an attempt to preserve the traditional way of life. On the other hand, in their development, local communities are subject to the general laws of transformation in the context of global and regional restructuring. These models of socio-cultural behavior unite communities in a specific socio-territorial location.

The article presents data on phylogeny, genome size, and ploidy of species of the genus Kalidium Moq. in the flora of Kazakhstan. Genus Kalidium belongs to the tribe Salicornieae of the subfamily Salicornioideae of the family Chenopodiaceae and unites 8 species, the main range of which covers the Iranian-Turanian and Central Asian deserts. There are 4 species in the flora of Kazakhstan: K. foliatum, K. caspicum, K. schrenkianum and the recently described K. juniperinum. Populations of species of the genus Kalidium in the saline deserts of Kazakhstan occupy large areas, often forming monodominant communities. Sometimes there is a joint growth of 2 and very rarely 3 species of the genus. During the period of fieldwork (2021-2022), populations were identified in which these species grew together with a predominance, in most cases, of K. caspicum. Samples of representatives from 15 populations were collected for research. Selected plant samples were studied by flow cytometry to determine plant ploidy. Sequencing of nrITS and two chloroplast fragments were used to build a phylogenetic tree, including sequences from the NCBI database., A phylogenetic tree of species of the genus Kalidium was compiled which considers previously published data. In the valley of the middle reaches of the Syrdarya River tetraploid populations of K. caspicum were found. A hybrid between K. foliatum and K. caspicum was found in the Ili River valley (Almaty region, Uigur district). To identify phylogenetic processes at the intraspecific level, the SCoT (Start codon targeted) fingerprinting method was used.

This file contains the supplementary material for the"Widespread CRISPR-derived RNA regulatory elements in CRISPR-Cas systems" manuscript. See materials and methods and supplementary legends for complete information regarding the files.

CRISPR-casloci typically contain CRISPR arrays with unique spacers separating direct repeats. Spacers along with portions of adjacent repeats are transcribed and processed into CRISPR(cr) RNAs that target complementary sequences (protospacers) in mobile genetic elements, resulting in cleavage of the target DNA or RNA. Additional, standalone repeats in some CRISPR-casloci produce distinct cr-like RNAs implicated in regulatory or other functions. We developed a computational pipeline to systematically predict crRNA-like elements by scanning for standalone repeat sequences that are conserved in closely related CRISPR-casloci. Numerous crRNA-like elements were detected in diverse CRISPR-Cas systems, mostly, of type I, but also subtype V-A. Standalone repeats often form mini-arrays containing two repeat-like sequence separated by a spacer that is partially complementary to promoter regions ofcasgenes, in particularcas8, or cargo genes located within CRISPR-Cas loci, such as toxins-antitoxins. We show experimentally that a mini-array from a type I-F1 CRISPR-Cas system functions as a regulatory guide. We also identified mini-arrays in bacteriophages that could abrogate CRISPR immunity by inhibiting effector expression. Thus, recruitment of CRISPR effectors for regulatory functions via spacers with partial complementarity to the target is a common feature of diverse CRISPR-Cas systems.

Introduction. Pregnancy is one of the most frequent triggers of congenital and acquired forms of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).Aim — to develop tactics for the treatment of pregnant women with TTP.Results. TTP was associated with pregnancy in 55.5 % of all cases of TTP in women. In 5 pregnancies in which the diagnosis of TTP was known before pregnancy, or established in the early stages, TTP was treated throughout the pregnancy. In the congenital form, plasma transfusions were performed once every two weeks until the 20th week of pregnancy, or weekly, if thrombocytopenia < 150 × 109 /L persisted. Plasma transfusions were performed weekly after the 20th week with the goal of achieving clinical remission. With acquired TTP, glucocorticosteroids and plasma exchanges were used as treatment, in 1 case — rituximab, with the aim of achieving a clinical remission and an ADAMTS13 activity > 20 %. In this group of pregnant women, 1 caesarean section was performed and there were 4 cases of vaginal deliveries, with a total of 5 children being born with an average Apgar score of 7.5. In 7 pregnancies in which TTP fi rst manifested late, leading to a delayed diagnosis, preventive and curative measures were not carried out before delivery. In this group there were 2 abortions of pregnancy, 5 surgical deliveries, 3 cases of preeclampsia, 3 acute cerebral circulatory disorders, 1 intraabdominal bleeding, 1 case of acute renal failure, with two women undergoing mechanical ventilation. There was 1 case of antenatal fetal death, with a total of 4 children being born, who were assessed on the Apgar scale with an average of 5 points.Conclusion. Timely diagnosis as well as ongoing therapeutic and preventive measures help to avoid complications during childbirth in pregnant women with TTP.

The study investigates mechanical, thermal, chemical, electromagnetic, and nuclear types of energy from the standpoint of organization of matter in order to establish a connection between them. In this regard, a calculation and comparison of the energy potentials for various levels of matter organization were performed. For mechanical energy, the potential energy and the energy of a steel disk at a rotation frequency of 100,000 rpm were considered. The potential of thermal energy was discussed using the example of a steel sample heated from 20 to 1,400C. For chemical energy, the most common combustible element in technology – carbon – was considered. The energy potential of electromagnetic energy was estimated by determining the total charge of all electrons in 1 kg of iron. For nuclear energy, a calculation of the energy released during the decay of 1 kg of U235 was carried out. A dependence of the energy potential degree on the level of matter organization was established. The possibility of using the energy potential of the next level of matter organization was considered. Patterns of the levels of matter organization were revealed. Despite the fundamental nature of the material presented in this article, it is aimed at a specific practical application in a device developed as part of a doctoral dissertation by one of the authors on the topic “Cogeneration thermal and power complex combining the principles of energy transformation”. A classification of energy forms in accordance with the levels of matter organization was carried out in the framework of identifying the general principles and patterns of using low-potential sources of various energy forms. This classification allows a new thermal transformer and a thermal and power complex to be created. The initial theoretical studies carried out by the authors will subsequently form a basis for the creation of various energy transformers capable of operating with several types of energy in one device.