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Sprite activity in the middle latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere is analyzed, with the example of the territory of Russia, aiming to facilitate the planning of observational campaigns in the region. The global model previously proposed by the authors is applied, using data from the WWLLN lightning detection network for 2015–2021. It is shown that the total number of sprites per year varies widely, from 394 in 2019 to 2354 in 2015. The most intense sprite activity almost always occurs in July, but in some years, there may be a shift to June (2015) and August (2021). The highest frequency of sprite initiation is observed in the Krasnodar Territory, Altai, and the Far East. Altai shows a high intensity of sprite activity every year, which is caused by the relief and underlying surface, while Krasnodar Territory and the Far East demonstrate sprites developed by incoming convective systems, which leads to high year-to-year variability.

Abstract Coronamoeba villafranca gen. nov. sp. nov. is a small amoeba isolated from the surface planktonic biotope in the Bay of Villefranche (Mediterranean Sea). It has a confusing set of morphological and molecular characters. Its locomotive form is subcylindrical and monopodial with monoaxial cytoplasmic flow and occasional hyaline bulging at the anterior edge (a monotactic morphotype). Based on this set of characters, this amoeba is most similar to members of the genus Nolandella (Tubulinea, Euamoebida). However, molecular phylogenetic analysis based on only the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene and on two concatenated markers (SSU rRNA gene and actin) robustly places this species in the Discosea, specifically, in a clade with Dermamoeba and Paradermamoeba (Dermamoebida) as the closest described relatives, and several SSU rRNA clones from environmental DNA. A unique glycocalyx of the studied amoeba consisting of complex separate units with pentameric symmetry may be considered a unifying character of this species with other dermamoebids. The monotactic morphotype demonstrated by these amoebae primarily occurs in Tubulinea but was recently confirmed in other clades of Amoebozoa (e.g. Dactylopodida and Variosea). This morphotype may be the plesiomorphic mode of cell organization in Amoebozoa that might have evolved in the last amoebozoan common ancestor (LACA) and conserved in several lineages of this group. It may reflect basic characteristics of the cytoskeletal structure and functions in Amoebozoa.

Population-based data on coronavirus disease in Russia and on the immunogenicity of the Sputnik V vaccine are sparse. In a survey of 1,080 residents of Arkhangelsk 40–75 years of age, 65% were seropositive for IgG. Fifteen percent of participants had been vaccinated; of those, 97% were seropositive.

Aims Strain artefacts are known to hamper the correct interpretation of segmental strain and strain-rate (S/SR). Defining the normal ranges of myocardial segmental deformation is important in clinical studies and routine echocardiographic practice. In order to define artefact-free normal ranges for segmental longitudinal S/SR parameters, we investigated the extent to which different types of artefacts and their segmental localisation in the three different myocardial layers created a bias in the results of echocardiographic strain measurements.Methods The study included echocardiograms from men and women aged 40–69 years from two population-based studies, namely the Know Your Heart study (Russia) and the Tromsø Study (Norway). Of the 2207 individuals from these studies, 840 had normal results, defined as the absence of hypertension or indicators of any cardiovascular disease. Two-dimensional (2D) global and segmental S/SR of the three myocardial layers were analysed using speckle tracking echocardiography. Artefacts were assessed with two different methods: visual identification of image-artefacts and a novel conceptual approach of ‘curve-artefacts’ or unphysiological strain-curve formation.Results Segmental strain values were found to have significantly reduced in the presence of strain-curve artefacts (14.9%±5.8% towards −20.7%±4.9%), and increased with the foreshortening of the 2D image. However, the individual global strain values were not substantially altered by discarding segmental artefacts. Reduction due to artefacts was observed in all segments, layers, systolic and diastolic strain, and SR. Thus, we presented normal ranges for basal-septal, basal, medial and apical segment groups after excluding artefacts.Conclusion Strain-curve artefacts introduce systematic errors, resulting in reduced segmental S/SR values. In terms of artefact-robust global longitudinal strain, the detection of curve-artefacts is crucial for the correct interpretation of segmental S/SR patterns. Intersegmental S/SR gradients and artefacts need to be considered for the correct definition of normalcy and pathology.

Abstract Background The study aims at identifying long-term trends and patterns of current smoking by age, gender, and education in Russia, including the most recent period from 2008 during which tobacco control policies were implemented, and to estimate the impact on mortality of any reductions in prevalence. We present an in-depth analysis based on an unprecedentedly large array of survey data. Methods We examined pooled micro-data on smoking from 17 rounds of the Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Study of 1996–2016, 11 other surveys conducted in Russia in 1975–2017, and two comparator surveys from England and the USA. Standardization by age and education, regression and meta-analysis were used to estimate trends in the prevalence of current smoking by gender, age, and educational patterns. Results From the mid-1970s to the mid-2000s smoking prevalence among men was relatively stable at around 60%, after which time prevalence declined in every age and educational group. Among women, trends in smoking were more heterogeneous. Prevalence more than doubled above the age of 55 years from very low levels (

N. S. Khrushchev's speech of 1954 took the professional architectural society by surprise. It was urgently necessary to absorb the abroad experience of the modern architecture, there were no teachers, no study texts. The Union of Architects appealed to assist the young architects, yesterday alumni. A year after the “historical” decree on architectural excesses appeared. More than half a century has passed but its harmful impact is felt even now.

The article reviews the most significant projects and realizations of the given period. It describes how quickly Russian architects entered the international professional community and features their achievements and technical and stylistic peculiarities of Russian architectural projects of the second half of the 20th century. It is pointed out that the creativity of the Soviet architecture stands out against the poor material resources and the strictness of architectural practice standards.

The article describes designing of public and cultural buildings in the USSR with the participation of the author. It points out the influence of prominent western architects on the ideas of Soviet architects. The article features the town-planning background of the Musical Theatre in Irkutsk and the significance of the activity of Irkutsk architects, V. Voronezhsky and V. A. Pavlov in the work on the master plan for the city center. It presents the principles serving as the basis for the architectural concept of the Musical Theatre.

In this study, the effect of three promising feed additives (chelated compounds of trace elements, butyric acid, lycopene) on changes in the culturable microbiota and histological parameters of two sections of the intestines of Danio rerio (zebrafish) was studied. The use of these feed additives can help to eliminate the deficiency of trace elements, modulate the composition of the microbiota due to the postbiotic properties of butyric acid, and reduce oxidative stress when using lycopene. Incorporation of the investigated supplements in the feed resulted in a significant change in the relative abundance of certain groups of microorganisms. The taxonomic diversity of cultured microorganisms did not differ in the anterior and posterior intestines, while there were differences in the relative abundance of these microorganisms. The most sensitive groups of microorganisms were the genera Bacillus and Serratia. A significant effect on the composition of the cultured microbiota was caused by lycopene (in all studied concentrations), leading to a significant increase in the relative abundance of Firmicutes in the anterior gut. Studies of the histological structure of the anterior and posterior guts have shown the relationship between the barrier and secretory functions of the gut and the composition of the microbiota while using butyric acid (1 and 2 g kg−1) and trace element chelated compounds (2 mg kg−1). This culture-dependent method of studying the microbiome makes it possible to assess changes in some representatives of the main groups of microorganisms (Firmicutes and Proteobacteria). Despite the incompleteness of the data obtained by the culture-dependent method, its application makes it possible to assess the bioactive properties of feed and feed additives and their impact on the microbiota involved in digestive processes.

The most prominent and rapidly increasing source of electrical power generation, wind energy conversion systems (WECS), can significantly improve the situation with regard to remote communities’ power supply. The main constituting elements of a WECS are a wind turbine, a mechanical transmission system, a doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG), a rotor side converter (RSC), a common DC-link capacitor, and a grid-side converter. Vector control is center for RSC and GSC control techniques. Because of direct and quadrature components, the active and reactive power can also be controller precisely. This study tracks the maximum power point (MPP) using a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller strategy. The MPPT technique provides a voltage reference to control the maximum power conversion at the turbine end. The performance and efficiency of the suggested control strategy are validated by WECS simulation under fluctuating wind speed. The MATLAB/Simulink environment using simpower system toolbox is used to simulate the proposed control strategy. The results reveal the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy under fluctuating wind speed and provides good dynamic performance. The total harmonic distortions are also within the IEEE 519 standard’s permissible limits which is also an advantage of the proposed control approach.

Objective The aim of the study is to assess changes in heart structure and function associated with heavy alcohol use by comparing echocardiographic indices in a population-based sample to those in patients admitted to an inpatient facility with severe alcohol problems.Methods and results We used data from the Know Your Heart study (2015–2017) which is a cross-sectional study that recruited 2479 participants aged 35–69 years from the general population of the city of Arkhangelsk in Northwest Russia and 278 patients from the Arkhangelsk Regional Psychiatric Hospital with a primary diagnosis related to chronic alcohol use (narcology clinic subsample). The drinking patterns of the population-based sample were characterised in detail. We used regression models controlling for age, sex, smoking, education and waist to hip ratio to evaluate the differences in echocardiographic indices in participants with different drinking patterns. The means of left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and indexed left atrial systolic diameter were increased among heavy drinkers (narcology clinic subsample), while mean left ventricular ejection fraction was decreased in this group compared with the population-based sample. In contrast, the harmful and hazardous drinkers in the population-based sample did not differ from non-problem drinkers with respect to echocardiographic indices of systolic and diastolic function.Conclusions Extremely heavy drinking is associated with a specific set of structural and functional abnormalities of the heart that may be regarded as precursors of alcohol-related dilated cardiomyopathy.

The presence of an architecture school is an important indicator of the level of the socio-economic and cultural development of the region. It is a permanent source of highly-qualified specialists – architects and urban planners. It is also a ground for studies of local problematics in the context of academic professional knowledge, which is a factor of sustainable development. In the natural process of mutual interaction between the achievements of a real practice and an educational institution, a unique regional school of Russian architecture can be created.

The significance of the small historical towns is still rather important in the system of settlement of Russia, its culture and history as well, its population is yet great. But the process of commercial urbanization stopped their development. Beginning from the 1990s, the RAACS has been investigating the issue, considering participation of all layers of citizens, improving the management and the juridical basis of these activities to be the key directions of their renaissance. Different examples of practices dealing with this kind of settlements are given.

National cultural heritage is a key element of the social, economic and intellectual potential of Russia. The masterpieces of the historical and material culture are symbols of the nation. The existing legislative and regulatory basis ensures preservation of the cultural heritage. However, it is hard to overcome the negative dynamics of the irreparable loss of the cultural heritage sites – the wooden architecture, the works of the avant-garde, the 1930-1950s, the Soviet Modernism. The historical environment disappears in small and medium towns. The article gives several positive examples of dealing with the historical heritage, including the alternative methods of economical management of cultural heritage properties. The leading role in heritage preservation belongs to the town-planning factor in the system of preservation, the rise of the authorities’ responsibility, and cooperation between the state and the civil society.

In this paper we explore the prospects of virtualization technologies being applied to x64-based high performance systems. The main reasons for performance overhead when running parallel programs inside multiple virtual machines are discussed. We consider KVM/QEMU and Palacios systems and use HPC Challenge and NASA Advanced Supercomputing Parallel Benchmarks packages as a test suite. All tests are performed using high performance cluster with high-speed Infiniband interconnect.Gathered results show feasibility of applying virtualization to a big class of high performance applications. We use huge memory pages to decrease number of TLB cache misses and NUMA emulation mechanism to provide the description of memory topology of real system to virtual machine. Such optimizations decrease virtualization overhead from 10-60% to 1-5% for most tests from HPC Challenge and NASA Advanced Supercomputing Parallel Benchmarks suites. The main bottlenecks of virtualization systems are decreased memory system performance (critical only for a narrow class of applications), device virtualization overhead, and increased noise level caused by the host operating system and hypervisor. Noise may affect performance and scalability of fine-grained applications (those with frequent communications of small size). While the number of nodes in the system grows, the noise influence substantially increases.