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The homeostasis and survival of a plant cell is determined by the stability of its internal environment due to the controlled movement of various molecules and ions into the cell and intercellular space and are provided by the plasma membrane. Aquaporin membrane channel proteins are one of the important components of the plant cells. Plants are characterized by a large number and variety of these proteins, which have different localization, properties, and specificity. The functions of aquaporins are not limited to the transport of water, ions, and individual small molecules; these membrane proteins also play an important role in the development of the reaction-response of plants to the action of biotic and abiotic stress factors. Unfavorable growth conditions cause a change in the activity of aquaporins at transcriptional, translational, and posttranscriptional levels. Modern scientific data on the role of aquaporins in the implementation of the plant's protective response to the action of various abiotic factors that change the osmotic balance and intracellular homeostasis were analyzed in the review. The effect of carbon nanomaterials (graphene, single- and multiwalled nanotubes, fullerene) on the regulation of the functional activity of aquaporins of various subfamilies and the expression of relevant genes under the influence of abiotic stresses on plants were also characterized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantum point contacts with a short (100-nm) channel in a high-mobility two-dimensional electron gas of GaAs/Al(Ga)As heterostructures and a short-channel p-type field-effect transistor in a silicon-on-insulator structure were fabricated and studied experimentally and by modeling at the Rzhanov Institute of Semiconductor Physics, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia, in order to study the response of the samples to weak irradiation by an electromagnetic field with a frequency of ~2 GHz. This response in the tunneling mode at a temperature of 4.2 K turned out to be giant and was observed against the background of features caused by impurity disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles–polymer nanocomposites is an emerging strategy in nanotechnology to improve targeted delivery and reduce the toxicity of nanoparticles. In this study, we report biological effects of previously described hybrid nanocomposites containing dextran-graft-polyacrylamide/zinc oxide nanoparticles (D-PAA/ZnO NPs) prepared from zinc sulfate (D-PAA/ZnONPs(SO42−)) and zinc acetate (D-PAA/ZnONPs(-OAc)) focusing primarily on their antimicrobial activity. D-PAA/ZnONPs(SO42−) and D-PAA/ZnONPs(-OAc) nanosystems were tested in a complex way to assess their antioxidant activity (DPPH assay), antidiabetic potential (α-amylase inhibition), DNA cleavage activity, antimicrobial, and antibiofilm activity. In addition, the toxicity of D-PAA/ZnONPs(SO42−) and D-PAA/ZnONPs(-OAc) nanosystems against primary murine splenocytes was tested using MTT assay. The studied nanosystems inhibited E.coli growth. For all the investigated strains, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of D-PAA/ZnONPs(SO42−) and D-PAA/ZnONPs(-OAc) were in the range of 8 mg/L–128 mg/L and 16 mg/L–128 mg/L, respectively. The nanocomposites demonstrated effective antibiofilm properties as 94.27% and 86.43%. The compounds showed good antioxidant, anti-α-amylase, and DNA cleavage activities. D-PAA/ZnONPs(SO42−) and D-PAA/ZnONPs(-OAc) nanosystems reduced cell viability and promoted cell death of primary murine spleen cells at concentrations higher than those that proved to be antibacterial indicating the presence of therapeutic window. D-PAA/ZnONPs(SO42−) and D-PAA/ZnONPs(-OAc) nanosystems show antioxidant, antidiabetic, DNA cleavage, antimicrobial, and antibiofilm activity against the background of good biocompatibility suggesting the presence of therapeutic potential, which should be further investigated in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Necroptosis is considered a programmed necrosis that requires receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1), receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3), and pore-forming mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) to trigger a regulated cell membrane lysis. Membrane rupture in necroptosis has been shown to fuel innate immune response due to release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). Recently published studies indicate that mature erythrocytes can undergo necroptosis as well. In this review, we provide an outline of multiple cell death modes occurring in erythrocytes, discuss possible immunological aspects of diverse erythrocyte cell deaths, summarize available evidence related to the ability of erythrocytes to undergo necroptosis, outline key involved molecular mechanisms, and discuss the potential implication of erythrocyte necroptosis in the physiology and pathophysiology. Furthermore, we aim to highlight the interplay between necroptosis and eryptosis signaling in erythrocytes, emphasizing specific characteristics of these pathways distinct from their counterparts in nucleated cells. Thus, our review provides a comprehensive summary of the current knowledge of necroptosis in erythrocytes. To reflect critical differences between necroptosis of nucleated cells and necroptosis of erythrocytes, we suggest a term erythronecroptosis for necroptosis of enucleated cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sensitivity and accuracy of identifying volatile organic compounds using mass spectrometric gas analyzers operation in the electron ionization mode can be enhanced by increasing the number of ions formed in the ion source by varying the energy of ionizing electrons. The paper presents a comparison of data obtained by electron impact ionization at electron energy (EE) in the range of 25–105 eV for a number of organic substances belonging to different classes of organic compounds. an analysis using similarity matrices based on various similarity metrics was performed to interpret the dynamics of changes in the intensities of fragment ion peaks, and the influence of EE on the formation probability of the main fragment species of the substances under study and, accordingly, on the resemblance of a recorded mass spectrum to the reference mass spectrum from the database was shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bridges are vital assets of transport infrastructure, systems, and communities. Damage characterization is critical in ensuring safety and planning adaptation measures. Nondestructive methods offer an efficient means towards assessing the condition of bridges, without causing harm or disruption to transport services, and these can deploy measurable evidence of bridge deterioration, e.g., deflections due to tendon loss. This paper presents an enhanced input-doubling technique and the Artificial Neural Network (ANN)-based cascade ensemble method for bridge damage state identification and is exclusively relying on small datasets, that are common in structural assessments. A new data augmentation scheme rooted in the principles of linearizing response surfaces is introduced, which significantly boosts the efficiency of intelligent data analysis when faced with limited volumes of data. Furthermore, improvements to a two-step ANN-based ensemble method, designed for solving the stated task, are presented. By adding the improved input-doubling methods as simple predictors in the first part of the cascade ensemble and optimizing it, we significantly boost accuracy (7%, 0.5%, and 8% based on R2 in predicting tendon losses for three critical zones that were defined across the deck of a real deteriorated prestressed balanced cantilever bridge). This improvement is strong evidence of the accuracy of the proposed method for the task at hand that is proven to be more accurate than other methods available in the international literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The study aimed to assess the accumulation levels, spatial distribution, and sources of the potentially toxic elements (PTEs), such as Zn, As, Cd, Pb, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Sb, Mo, V, W, Sr, Mn, Bi, Sn, Fe, Cs, Be, and Ba, in urban soils, road dust and their PM10 fractions in Yalta, a seaside resort town of the Crimean Peninsula. Materials and methods: The concentrations of the PTEs were measured in the urban topsoil (0–10 cm), road dust, and their fine particles, < 10 μm in diameter (PM10), using ICP-MS and ICP-AES methods. The soil and road dust samples were collected in 2018 in various functional zones of Yalta and on different types of roads. In total, 69 soil samples and 57 road-dust samples were taken. The PM10 fraction was isolated by sedimentation method according to Stokes' law. Results and discussion: The urban soils and the road dust were contaminated by Pb, Sb, Zn, Sn, Cd, Cu, Bi, Mo, and Mn. The finer particles (PM10) separated from the urban soils and the road dust showed higher accumulation of the PTEs than the bulk samples. The contribution of the PM10 fraction to the total amount of the pollutants in the bulk soil and road-dust samples accounted for 50–80%. The strongest contamination of the urban soils was found in the residential areas, while the road dust was mostly contaminated on the major highways. Conclusion: According to the results of the principal component analysis, most of the pollutants can be attributed to anthropogenic sources − non-exhaust and exhaust vehicle emissions. The other important sources of the PTEs are soil parent materials and the resuspension of soil particles. The contents of PTEs in the bulk soil and road-dust samples correspond to low and medium pollution levels. The elevated levels of the PTEs in the PM10 fraction pose the greatest environmental hazard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new adaptive method is proposed for holographic processing of broadband hydroacoustic signals using vector-scalar receivers. The method allows underwater sources to be detected and localized by their noise field when information on the transfer function of the propagation environment is unavailable. It is simpler in implementation and more disturbance immune compared to earlier proposed adaptive algorithms. The results are presented that have been obtained in the numerical experiment on the stability of the method in the presence of intensive internal waves causing interaction of sound field modes of the noise source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electric discharge nitrogen lasers are popular sources of UV radiation commonly used in many scientific and practical applications. Up-to-date commercial nitrogen lasers should meet several requirements, such as small overall dimensions, high pulse-to-pulse stability, and long service life. In this work, a nitrogen laser excited by a pulsed longitudinal inductive-electric discharge which meets these criteria is suggested. As a result of the experimental studies, lasing at the wavelengths λ1 = 337.1 and λ2 = 357.7 nm is obtained. The generation energy attains 0.67 mJ at a pulse duration of 20 ns (FWHM) and a nitrogen pressure of 7–8 Torr. Nitrogen pumping only by a longitudinal discharge in an experimental setup with similar parameters decreases the lasing energy to 0.4 mJ (at the same pulse duration) at a nitrogen pressure of no higher than 5 Torr. Nitrogen lasers with these radiation parameters can be used in treatment of ophthalmic diseases and tuberculosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laser radiation in the yellow wavelength range is widely used in ophthalmology due to its effectiveness and unique properties. Commercial medical laser systems existing today have low pulse power and other disadvantages. A yellow neon laser with a wavelength of 585.3 nm can be suggested as alternative. We experimentally study a neon laser pumped by a pulsed inductive longitudinal discharge; a Ne–H2 gas mixture with various ratios is used as the active medium. The shape and duration of the lasing pulses strongly depend on the ratio Ne : H2, providing both single and double pulses with a total duration of 30 to 100 ns (FWHM). The generation energy attains 20 μJ, which corresponds to a pulse power of 200 W. The laser beam cross section is close to a circle in shape; the beam divergence is lower than 2 mrad. In future, an inductive neon laser operating in a pulse-periodic mode with a pulse repetition rate of up to 100 Hz can be used for various applications, including in medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of flyer acceleration up to the velocity of 10 km/s at the Angara-5-1 facility at the current of 5 MA by the magnetic field pressure are presented. 1D and 2D simulation of aluminum flyer acceleration is performed. The simulation results agree with each other and with the experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Holographic processing of hydroacoustic noise signals in randomly inhomogeneous ocean environment is presented. A method of hologram purification from a perturbed field is described. An algorithm of resolving signals using a single detector is presented. Focusing of signal spectral density on a hologram is considered. Criteria of signal resolution are proposed. Results of numerical simulation of the resolution of two hydroacoustic signals against the background of intense internal waves, conditioning coupling of sound field modes, are shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rotation of the Milky Way halo in the solar vicinity is studied using kinematic data of the GAIA DR3 catalog for RR Lyrae variable stars with parallax errors of less than 20%. Two criteria were used for selecting halo stars: kinematic and spatial. In both approaches, we confirm the existence of weak rotation of the halo in the direction opposite to the rotation of the Galactic disk with velocities of km/s for the kinematic criterion and km/s for the spatial criterion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A set of magnetic coils used to correct the error fields at the Globus-M2 spherical tokamak, which appear due to the imperfections of the production and assembly of the tokamak magnetic system, is described. The magnetic sensors that are used to monitor the locked helical MHD modes are also described. The results of experiments on detecting the locked modes in the discharges with plasma heating by neutral beam injection are presented. A correlation is found between the appearance of the locked modes accompanied by the loss of fast ions and the confinement of the main plasma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In experiments with neutral beam injection on the Globus-M2 spherical tokamak, sequences of long-lasting harmonics of toroidal Alfvén modes were discovered, equidistant from each other in frequency and shifted from zero by a constant value. Using microwave Doppler backscattering diagnostics, the central localization of toroidal modes was determined. In this work, the possibility of "splitting" of toroidal harmonics due to the Doppler shift caused by the toroidal rotation of the plasma is being discussed. It is found that the unshifted frequency of the toroidal Alfvén mode obtained from the spectrum of the magnetic probe signal is in good agreement with the frequency of the mode calculated at the mode location radius, and the toroidal rotation frequency, also determined from the spectrum of the magnetic probe signal, correlates well with the rotation frequency measured using charge exchange spectroscopy diagnostics, but differs by a constant amount. Possible reasons for the discrepancies are being discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, numerous associations between genetic polymorphisms and various diseases have been characterized through the Genome-Wide Association Studies. Majority of the clinically significant polymorphisms are localized in non-coding regions of the genome. While modern bioinformatic resources make it possible to predict molecular mechanisms that explain influence of the non-coding polymorphisms on gene expression, such hypotheses require experimental verification. This review discusses the methods for elucidating molecular mechanisms underlying dependence of the disease pathogenesis on specific genetic variants within the non-coding sequences. A particular focus is on the methods for identification of transcription factors with binding efficiency dependent on polymorphic variations. Despite remarkable progress in bioinformatic resources enabling prediction of the impact of polymorphisms on the disease pathogenesis, there is still the need for experimental approaches to investigate this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magneto-optical measurements are fundamental research tools that allow for studying the hitherto unexplored optical transitions and the related applications of topological two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). A theoretical model is developed for the first-order magneto-resonant Raman scattering in a monolayer of TMD. A significant number of avoided crossing points involving optical phonons in the magneto-polaron (MP) spectrum, a superposition of the electron and hole states in the excitation branches, and their manifestations in optical transitions at various light scattering configurations are unique features for these 2D structures. The Raman intensity reveals three resonant splittings of double avoided-crossing levels. The three excitation branches are present in the MP spectrum provoked by the coupling of the Landau levels in the conduction and valence bands via an out-of-plane A 1 -optical phonon mode. The energy gaps at the anticrossing points in the MP scattering spectrum are revealed as a function of the electron and hole optical deformation potential constants. The resonant MP Raman scattering efficiency profile allows for quantifying the relative contribution of the conduction and valence bands in the formation of MPs. The results obtained are a guideline for controlling MP effects on the magneto-optical properties of TMD semiconductors, which open pathways to novel optoelectronic devices based on 2D TMDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim In the current study, hemocompatibility of three major commercially available types of carrageenans (ι, κ and λ) was investigated focusing on eryptosis. Materials and methods: Carrageenans of ι-, κ- and λ-types were incubated with washed erythrocytes (hematocrit 0.4%) at 0–1–5–10 g/L for either 24 h or 48 h. Incubation was followed by flow cytometry-based quantitative analysis of eryptosis parameters, including cell volume, cell membrane scrambling and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, lipid peroxidation markers and confocal microscopy-based evaluation of intracellular Ca2+ levels, assessment of lipid order in cell membranes and the glutathione antioxidant system. Confocal microscopy was used to assess carrageenan cellular internalization using rhodamine B isothiocyanate-conjugated carrageenans. Results: All three types of carrageenans were found to trigger eryptosis. Pro-eryptotic properties were type-dependent and λ-carrageenan had the strongest impact inducing phosphatidylserine membrane asymmetry, changes in cell volume, Ca2+ signaling and oxidative stress characterized by ROS overproduction, activation of lipid peroxidation and severe glutathione system depletion. Eryptosis induction by carrageenans does not require their uptake by erythrocytes. Changes in physicochemical properties of cell membrane were also type-dependent. No carrageenan-induced generation of superoxide and hydroxyl radicals was observed in cell-free milieu. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that ι-, κ- and λ-types trigger eryptosis in a type-dependent manner and indicate that carrageenans can be further investigated as potential eryptosis-regulating therapeutic agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of a high-frequency experiment to detect and determine the bearing of a small-sized underwater noise sound source, carried out in shallow waters of the Black Sea coast. Noise emission from the source was received by three single vector–scalar receivers located at the bottom. Holographic processing was used to detect and determine the bearing of a moving underwater source against a background of heavy shipping in the water area of the experiment. Estimates of the input signal/noise ratio are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanocomposite materials based on palladium, copper(I) oxide, and magnetite nanoparticles embedded in a nanocellulose matrix by precipitation and coprecipitation methods were obtained in situ and ex situ from solutions of the salts of the corresponding metals. Studies of the characteristics of the resulting composites using Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, SEM, and TEM showed that the encapsulated nanoparticles have an insignificant effect on the morphology and structure of nanofibrillar cellulose. The catalytic properties of the nanocomposites were tested in the hydrogenation of nitrobenzene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to evaluate psychophysiological predictors of the quality of monotonous activity performance against the background of partial sleep deprivation. Fourteen subjects aged 18–22 years with partial sleep deprivation participated in the experiments. Each subject participated in four experimental sessions with a computer driving simulator: 1—without sleep deprivation, 2—with sleep deprivation, 3—with sleep deprivation and periodic exposure to a massage vibration seat cover, 4—with sleep deprivation and periodic spraying of peppermint oil from an aroma diffuser. Periodically, the subject was required to respond to two types of stimuli. Driving simulator data, 19-channel electroencephalogram (EEG), electrocardiogram (ECG) and videotape of the subject's face were recorded. Subjects took questionnaires for drowsiness and general well-being, and their reaction time was also tested before the experiment. A statistically significant increase in eye closure percentage and heart rate variability spectral features were detected before the driving errors. High-stress levels and chronic sleep deprivation were detected in the subjects. Against this background, peppermint oil and massage vibration seat cover had no statistically significant effect on the number of errors. The values of physiological indices before errors indicate different causes of errors in experiments. Neither peppermint oil or massage vibration sit cover were effective in preventing errors in case of high stress and chronic sleep deprivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to detect changes in a functional state during the performance of monotonous psychomotor test. We propose that these changes represent the repeated episodes of short sleep and spontaneous awakenings from them. We also argue that spontaneous awakenings from sleep stage 2 are accompanied by high-amplitude slow oscillations (SO). 20 subjects participated in 27 experiments during daytime. They performed continuous psychomotor test in a supine position with eyes closed for 1 h. Expert scoring of SOs in the EEG, including K-complexes and other single slow waves, was performed in sleep episodes reaching sleep stage 2, defined as pauses in task performance longer than 3 s. 248 episodes with SOs occurred in time intervals without activity lasting from 3 s to 10 min. In 195 cases, at least one SO was recorded before the test performance was resumed. 248 sleep episodes with 1255 SOs were taken into analysis. It was shown that SOs occur much more frequently just before awakenings (SO1, 12 or less seconds before awakening) than within sleep episodes (12 of more seconds before awakening, SO2). Some SOs were recorded within a few seconds after behavioral awakening (SO3), which has not been previously reported. We propose the hypothesis that SOs which occurred just before resuming performance (SO1) are associated with the unconscious episodic memory that triggers awakening followed by recovery of conscious activity performed prior to falling asleep. We also describe the novel type of SO (SO3) which occurs just after awakening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Awakening is a transitional process from sleep to wakefulness. There is a certain restructuring in the work of brain structures during this period, which further allows a person to perform conscious activity. The study of interhemispheric asymmetry of amplitude–amplitude couplings of EEG rhythms was carried out. A psychomotor test was used in experiments. This test allows us to observe the moments of falling asleep and waking up when performing monotonous work. Multichannel EEG was recorded simultaneously with the test. The data of 14 subjects who reached the second stage of sleep during the experiment were analyzed. The selected 20 s EEG segments prior to awakening were processed using a continuous wavelet transform based on the "mother" complex Morlet wavelet. The Kendall correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the measure of EEG rhythms coupling. Quantitative changes in the couplings of EEG rhythms were revealed as the moment of awakening approached: in the two most distant time intervals, the total number of asymmetric connections was five to three, and in the two closest segments, there was only one coupling of EEG rhythms. This is not just a decrease in the number of connections, but also a change of EEG rhythms coupling throughout the entire 20-s segment. The dynamic nature of the EEG rhythms coupling in the hemispheres before awakening to resume the task is shown, which may indicate the dynamic relationship of structural and functional associations of the brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conversion of isopropanol under supercritical conditions (400 °C, 11.0 MPa) on calcium and magnesium stannates MSnO3 (M = Ca, Mg) was studied. The main direction of the process is dehydrogenation of isopropanol to acetone, which then enters into the aldol condensation with selective formation of isomeric mesityl oxides. Products of hydrogenation of the C=C and C=0 bonds in mesityl oxide as well as products of isopropanol dehydration were also obtained. Under the experimental conditions, isopropanol is both a supercritical solvent and a source of hydrogen for hydrogenation of the multiple bonds. According to the results of diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy study using deuterated chloroform as a probe molecule, basic oxygen sites of the catalysts are of medium strength. During the conversion of isopropanol the more active catalyst MgSnO3 completely decomposes into the oxides MgO and SnO2 and the latter is then reduced to metallic tin, while the less active catalyst CaSnO3 is reduced slightly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extractants diphenyl-N,N-dioctylcarbamoylmethylphosphine oxide and diphenyl-N,N-diisobutylcarbamoylmethylphosphine oxide for the SNF reprocessing were tested. The conditions for extraction and separation of uranium and TPE–REE were determined. A flowsheet was proposed for reprocessing SNF from high-temperature gas-cooled reactors. Upon dynamic testing, at least 99.9% of uranium and plutonium and at least 99.5% of americium and rare earth elements were separated. The TPE + REE and U + Pu fractions were recovered. The U + Pu fraction contained approximately 5% Am, while the TPE + REE fraction had less than 0.1% U and Pu. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complement inhibitor CD55/DAF is expressed on many cell types. Dysregulation of CD55 expression is associated with increased disease severity in influenza A infection and vascular complications in pathologies that involve excessive activation of the complement system. A luciferase reporter system was used to functionally analyze the single nucleotide polymorphism rs2564978 in the U937 human promonocytic cell line. The polymorphism is in the promoter of the CD55 gene, and its minor allele T is associated with a severe course of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09. A decreased activity of the CD55 promoter carrying the minor rs2564978(T) allele was observed in activated U937 cells, which provide a cell model of human macrophages. Using bioinformatics resources, PU.1 was identified as a potential transcription factor that may bind to the CD55 promoter at the rs2564978 site in an allele-specific manner. The involvement of PU.1 in modulating CD55 promoter activity was verified by a PU.1 genetic knockdown with small interfering RNAs under specific monocyte activation conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eryptosis is a regulated cell death (RCD) of mature erythrocytes initially described as a counterpart of apoptosis for enucleated cells. However, over the recent years, a growing number of studies have emphasized certain differences between both cell death modalities. In this review paper, we underline the hallmarks of eryptosis and apoptosis and highlight resemblances and dissimilarities between both RCDs. We summarize and critically discuss differences in the impact of caspase-3, Ca2+ signaling, ROS signaling pathways, opposing roles of casein kinase 1α, protein kinase C, Janus kinase 3, cyclin-dependent kinase 4, and AMP-activated protein kinase to highlight a certain degree of divergence between apoptosis and eryptosis. This review emphasizes the crucial importance of further studies that focus on deepening our knowledge of cell death machinery and identifying novel differences between cell death of nucleated and enucleated cells. This might provide evidence that erythrocytes can be defined as viable entities capable of programmed cell destruction. Additionally, the revealed cell type-specific patterns in cell death can facilitate the development of cell death-modulating therapeutic agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thomson scattering of the core edge and divertor plasma regions of a tokamak with reactor technologies is discussed. The rationale and choice of technical solutions are given, the composition of the Thomson scattering diagnostic complex is discussed, as well as an estimate of the accuracy of measuring both electron temperature and density. Particular attention is paid to ensuring the functionality of the proposed diagnostics in the reactor mode of the tokamak operation and the results of testing diagnostic equipment in the experiments on Globus-M2 tokamak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the growing demand for energy, there is a need to find sources of additional types of fuel. A possible solution to this problem is the use of mixtures of diesel fuel with light gas oil, which requires compliance with cetane number standards. The process of ring opening of cyclic hydrocarbons seems promising for solving this problem. In this work, rhodium-based catalysts with zirconium supports doped with additives of other oxides that stabilize the surface of zirconia (SiO2, TiO2, WO3,Y2O3, La2O3) are synthesized and characterized by nitrogen low-temperature adsorption-desorption, X-ray phase analysis, energy dispersive scanning electron microscopy, and diffuse reflectance IR spectroscopy with CD3CN as a test molecule, and catalytic studies are carried out in the reaction of cyclohexane ring opening. Catalyst Rh/ZrO2-TiO2 is most selective for n-hexane (77%) at a temperature of 300°C. Rh/ZrO2-SiO2 has the greatest productivity for n‑hexane: the achieved yield is 6.6 mmoln-hexane g h−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The second part of the article (started in No. 11, 2023) presents engineering publication data on features, new production regimes, including heat treatment, and the advantages of semi-finished products of ultralight aluminum-lithium alloys and new aluminum-polymer composite materials of the SIAL class based upon them. The article also discusses prospects for development of aluminum alloys for additive technologies, which make it possible to manufacture components of complex configuration directly from 3D digital models by direct or layer-by-layer material supply (selective laser alloying). Information is provided for properties of new aluminum alloys used to prepare components by a selective laser alloying method, and special requirements for their manufacturing capacity in additive production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first part of this article provides an overview of domestic and foreign scientific and technical literature in the field of structural aluminium alloys of traditional alloying systems used in aircraft products. The main areas of work are carried out both to improve compositions of the most popular traditional alloys of the Al–Cu–Mg, Al–Zn–Mg–Cu systems (with additives of transitional, rare and rare-earth metals), and to develop new production regimes, including heat treatment (homogenization, stepwise aging), in order to provide modern aircraft structures with materials that have the required set of properties, i.e., high strength, corrosion resistance and fracture toughness, manufacturing capacity in preparation and heat treatment of semi-finished products and components. This will allow aluminum alloys to meet the increasing requirements of designers for reliability, weight efficiency, service life, economy of aircraft, and maintain a dominant position in aircraft applications under conditions of recent active development of non-metallic and hybrid composite materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of (p)ppGpp alarmones plays a vital role in the regulation of metabolism suppression, growth rate control, virulence, bacterial persistence, and biofilm formation. The (p)ppGpp alarmones are synthesized by proteins of the RelA/SpoT homolog (RSH) superfamily, including long bifunctional RSH proteins and small alarmone synthetases. Here, we investigated enzyme kinetics and dose-dependent enzyme inhibition to elucidate the mechanism of 4-(4,7-dimethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-1-yl)pentanoic acid (DMNP) action on the (p)ppGpp synthetases RelMsm and RelZ from Mycolicibacterium smegmatis and RelMtb from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. DMNP was found to inhibit the activity of RelMtb. According to the enzyme kinetics analysis, DMNP acts as a noncompetitive inhibitor of RelMsm and RelZ. Based on the results of molecular docking, the DMNP-binding site is located in the proximity of the synthetase domain active site. This study might help in the development of alarmone synthetase inhibitors, which includes relacin and its derivatives, as well as DMNP – a synthetic analog of the marine coral metabolite erogorgiaene. Unlike conventional antibiotics, alarmone synthetase inhibitors target metabolic pathways linked to the bacterial stringent response. Although these pathways are not essential for bacteria, they regulate the development of adaptation mechanisms. Combining conventional antibiotics that target actively growing cells with compounds that impede bacterial adaptation may address challenges associated with antimicrobial resistance and bacterial persistence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of measuring the electron temperature and density spatial distributions in plasma of the Globus-M2 tokamak using the Thomson scattering diagnostics are presented. The diagnostics provides measurements throughout the entire tokamak discharge, starting from time of gas breakdown. The Thomson scattering data were analyzed in order to determine the positions of the last closed flux surface, the plasma magnetic axis, and the radius of inversion during the saw-tooth oscillations. The results of measurements performed during the internal reconnection of magnetic field lines are presents, as well as the dynamics of spatial distributions of electron temperature, density and pressure during the plasma transition to the H-mode. The results of measuring the electron temperature distribution in the scrape-off layer using the Thomson scattering diagnostics are also presented for distances up to 4 cm outside the last closed flux surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The temperature dependence of the magnetization of rapidly quenched amorphous Fe–Ni–Si–B alloys was studied by the magnetometry method. The Curie temperatures were determined, and the exchange interaction parameters were calculated: the constants of spin-wave stiffness and exchange stiffness, the root mean-square range of the exchange interaction. The nearest neighboring distance between transition metal atoms was estimated based on the magnetic characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was the comparative analysis of the parasite communities of new populations of invasive pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) in western Ukraine with pumpkinseed from Czechia, where populations have rapidly expanded over the last two decades. Methods: Sampling took place at three localities in the western part of Ukraine (i.e. Dobrotvir Reservoir (Vistula basin), Burshtyn Reservoir (Dniester basin), Mynai Pond (Danube basin)) and four in Czechia (i.e. Oxbow D2, Heršpický Pond (Danube basin), and Kolín oxbow and Římov Reservoir (Elbe basin). Results: In total, 11 parasite taxa were recorded in Ukraine and 17 in Czechia. Four species were co-introduced from North America with their host, i.e. the myxosporean Myxobolus dechtiari, the monogeneans Onchocleidus dispar and Onchocleidus similis, and metacercariae of a trematode Posthodiplostomum centrarchi. High dominance indices were related to a high abundance of co-introduced parasites, i.e. O. similis in Mynai pond and P. centrarchi in Dobrotvir Reservoir. Overall abundance of acquired parasites was generally low. Conclusion: This study shows that parasite communities in recently established pumpkinseed populations in the western part of Ukraine and Czechia are less diverse than those established in Europe for decades. The generally low parasite load in these new populations may play an important role in their ability to successfully establish and create strong populations by providing a competitive advantage over local species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid increase of publicly available chemical structures and associated experimental data presents a valuable opportunity to build robust QSAR models for applications in different fields. However, the common concern is the quality of both the chemical structure information and associated experimental data. This is especially true when those data are collected from multiple sources as chemical substance mappings can contain many duplicate structures and molecular inconsistencies. Such issues can impact the resulting molecular descriptors and their mappings to experimental data and, subsequently, the quality of the derived models in terms of accuracy, repeatability, and reliability. Herein we describe the development of an automated workflow to standardize chemical structures according to a set of standard rules and generate two and/or three-dimensional "QSAR-ready" forms prior to the calculation of molecular descriptors. The workflow was designed in the KNIME workflow environment and consists of three high-level steps. First, a structure encoding is read, and then the resulting in-memory representation is cross-referenced with any existing identifiers for consistency. Finally, the structure is standardized using a series of operations including desalting, stripping of stereochemistry (for two-dimensional structures), standardization of tautomers and nitro groups, valence correction, neutralization when possible, and then removal of duplicates. This workflow was initially developed to support collaborative modeling QSAR projects to ensure consistency of the results from the different participants. It was then updated and generalized for other modeling applications. This included modification of the "QSAR-ready" workflow to generate "MS-ready structures" to support the generation of substance mappings and searches for software applications related to non-targeted analysis mass spectrometry. Both QSAR and MS-ready workflows are freely available in KNIME, via standalone versions on GitHub, and as docker container resources for the scientific community. Scientific contribution: This work pioneers an automated workflow in KNIME, systematically standardizing chemical structures to ensure their readiness for QSAR modeling and broader scientific applications. By addressing data quality concerns through desalting, stereochemistry stripping, and normalization, it optimizes molecular descriptors' accuracy and reliability. The freely available resources in KNIME, GitHub, and docker containers democratize access, benefiting collaborative research and advancing diverse modeling endeavors in chemistry and mass spectrometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cyclization of 5,6-diarylpyrrolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-2,4-diones containing a halogen atom in the ortho-position of one of the aryl rings, proceeding as intramolecular C–H arylation catalyzed by Ru(II) complexes, was studied. It was found that complexes Ru(NHC)(cymene)Cl2, where NHC = IPr [1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene], IMes [1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene], and their derivatives containing substituents at positions 4 and 5 of the imidazole ring, exhibit high catalytic activity. Based on the reaction studied, new representatives of pyrimido[5',4':3,4]pyrrolo[1,2-f]phenanthridine were obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Search for new antimicrobial agents is of great significance due to the issue of antimicrobial resistance, which nowadays has become more important than many diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity and biological effects of a dextran-graft-polyacrylamide (D-PAA) polymer-nanocarrier with/without silver or gold nanoparticles (AgNPs/D-PAA and AuNPs/D-PAA, respectively) to analyze their potential to replace or supplement conventional antibiotic therapy. The toxicity of nanocomplexes against eukaryotic cells was assessed on primary dermal fibroblasts using scratch, micronucleus and proliferation assays. DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazylradical) assay was used to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of D-PAA, AgNPs/D-PAA and AuNPs/D-PAA. DNA cleavage, antimicrobial and biofilm inhibition effects of nanocomplexes were investigated. Nanocomplexes were found to be of moderate toxicity against fibroblasts with no genotoxicity observed. AgNPs/D-PAA reduced motility and proliferation at lower concentrations compared with the other studied nanomaterials. AgNPs/D-PAA and AuNPs/D-PAA showed radical scavenging capacities in a dose-dependent manner. The antimicrobial activity of AgNPs/D-PAA against various bacteria was found to be much higher compared to D-PAA and AuNPs/D-PAA, especially against E. hirae, E. faecalis and S. aureus, respectively. D-PAA, AgNPs/D-PAA and AuNPs/D-PAA showed DNA-cleaving and biofilm inhibitory activity, while AgNPs/D-PAA displayed the highest anti-biofilm activity. AgNPs/D-PAA and AuNPs/D-PAA were characterized by good antimicrobial activity. According to the findings of the study, AgNPs/D-PAA and AuNPs/D-PAA can be evaluated as alternatives for the preparation of new antimicrobial agents, the fight against biofilms, sterilization and disinfection processes. Our findings confirm the versatility of nanosystems based on dextran–polyacrylamide polymers and indicate that AgNPs/D-PAA and AuNPs/D-PAA can be evaluated as alternatives for the preparation of novel antimicrobial agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies of light-induced demagnetization started with the experiment performed by Beaupaire et al. on Ni. Here, we present theoretical predictions for X-ray induced demagnetization of nickel, with X-ray photon energies tuned to its M 3 and L 3 absorption edges. We show that the specific feature in the density of states in the d-band of Ni, i.e., a sharp peak located just above the Fermi level, strongly influences the change of the predicted magnetic signal, making it stronger than in the previously studied case of X-ray demagnetized cobalt. It impacts also the value of Curie temperature for Ni. We believe that this finding will inspire dedicated experiments investigating magnetic processes in X-ray irradiated nickel and cobalt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is shown that the radial profile of the electron temperature in the Globus-M2 spherical tokamak is related to the radial profile of the electron density by a power law . An analytical model of the density attractor, assuming the dependence of on the specific poloidal volume v, previously tested on the TCV and JET tokamaks with a large aspect ratio, holds on the spherical tokamak, and the approximation of 162 experimental profiles has resulted in . The proposed model makes it possible to calculate the spatial distribution and according to a known magnetic configuration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In 2016, the US Food and Drug Administration banned the use of specific microbicides in some household and personal wash products due to concerns that these chemicals might induce antibiotic resistance or disrupt human microbial communities. Triclosan and triclocarban (referred to as TCs) are the most common antimicrobials in household and personal care products, but the extent to which TC exposure perturbs microbial communities in humans, particularly during infant development, was unknown. We conducted a randomized intervention of TC‐containing household and personal care products during the first year following birth to characterize whether TC exposure from wash products perturbs microbial communities in mothers and their infants. Longitudinal survey of the gut microbiota using 16S ribosomal RNA amplicon sequencing showed that TC exposure from wash products did not induce global reconstruction or loss of microbial diversity of either infant or maternal gut microbiotas. Broadly antibiotic‐resistant species from the phylum Proteobacteria, however, were enriched in stool samples from mothers in TC households after the introduction of triclosan‐containing toothpaste. When compared by urinary triclosan level, agnostic to treatment arm, infants with higher triclosan levels also showed an enrichment of Proteobacteria species. Despite the minimal effects of TC exposure from wash products on the gut microbial community of infants and adults, detected taxonomic differences highlight the need for consumer safety testing of antimicrobial self‐care products on the human microbiome and on antibiotic resistance.

Abstract—The Amur leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilura Elliot 1871) in the southern part of the Russian Far East mainly lives in flat and foothill landscapes, which have now been mostly transformed by man. The data were collected in the period 1987–2022 in southern Amur oblast (the left bank of the Amur River in the southern part of the Jewish Autonomous Oblast (JAO) and the right bank of the Amur River (the right bank of the estuary of the Ussuri River), Khabarovsk krai). Tracks of cats and dead animals were recorded, and camera traps were used. The data of 4560 diaries of employees of the Department of Protection of the Bolshekhekhtsirskii Reserve, located in the research area, for the period 1964–2009 were used. At present on the left bank of the Amur River in the southern part of the JAO, the Amur leopard cat lives constantly, although in the 2010s it was believed that it rarely entered this territory. The number of sightings of cat tracks in the study area on the right bank of the Amur in the years 2011–2021 compared to the period 2000–2010 increased about two times. It has populated areas within the range where it had never been noted previously. The increase in the number and the process of settlement of the Amur leopard cat, both on the left bank and on the right bank of the Amur River began in the 2000s, and since the beginning of the 2010s it has been observed constantly. Currently, the cat lives in a sedentary manner in southern Amur oblast, which is confirmed by the findings of its broods. The cat mainly lives on agricultural land, which is due to its ability to adapt well to anthropogenic changes in the habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can be used to increase plant growth rates in natural field conditions, as well as in micropropagation of plants in vitro and in substrate-free aero/hydroponic systems. This study demonstrates the ability of rhizobacteria Azospirillum baldaniorum Sp245 and Kocuria rosea T1Ks19 to stimulate the cultivation of potato microplants of the 'Nevsky' and 'Kondor' cultivars in in vitro culture, to increase the rate of adaptation of microplants to unsterile conditions of aeroponics ex vitro, and also to increase the productivity of minitubers. The conclusions obtained are based on the results of morphometric analysis of microplants, cytological analysis of stomata and biochemical assessment of the content of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase), as well as hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde in the leaves. The presence of bacteria on plant roots was monitored using enzyme immunoassay and CFU counting methods. It has been established that inoculation with the used combination of rhizobacteria stimulates the synthesis of antioxidant enzymes in microplants under stressful conditions, which leads to a decrease in the level of hydrogen peroxide. As a result, the adaptation efficiency, growth rates and productivity of micro-plants increase. It is recommended to inoculate potato microplants with A. baldaniorum Sp245 and K. rosea T1Ks19 strains at the stage of in vitro cultivation in the production of healthy seed material based on aeroponics in the potato seed production system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of formation a reproducible spatially-uniform alignment of smectic С* ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLCs) in liquid-crystal (LC) cells has not been completely solved yet. We investigated aligning layers (anisotropic coatings) of different types (island and continuous). These layers contact with FLC in LC cells and form a selected direction for molecular orientation. It was investigated the influence of mechanical cycles numbers of rubbing polymer alignment layers made of polyvinyl alcohol and polyamide 66 on the optical quality of FLC cells to which electric field was not applied. It is shown that there is an optimal number of rubbing cycles for obtaining the best optical quality of FLC cells; the number of cycles is individual for each polymer alignment layer and coating type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The seasonal diet of the sable (Martes zibellina L. 1758) was studied based on material collected in the years 1987–1996, 1998–2002, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2014, mainly in the Bolʼshekhekhtsirskii Nature Reserve. The sable population of the Khekhtsir Mountain Ridge, the western part of which is occupied by the nature reserve, was artificially restored, and it presently lives in isolation from the species' main distribution area in the Sikhote-Alin Mountains. The main food items of the sable at any time of the year are mammals (frequency of occurrence (fo) = 94.1%, feed ratio (F) = 84.8%), voles in particular. It chases voles a little more often in winter (December to February) (fo = 84.9%, F = 80.9%) and spring (March to May) (fo = 82.0%, F = 80.0%) than in summer (June to August) (fo = 81.6%, F = 71.3%) or autumn (September to November) (fo = 90.6%, F = 74.8%). Plants are the next most important food in the diet of the sable following mammals: (fo = 26%, F = 12.4%). Sables eat seeds and fruits of ten plant species in all seasons of the year, but those of only three plants are decisive: the Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis), the Actinidia kolomikta (Actinidia kolomikta), and the Korean mistletoe (Viscum coloratum). At the same time, actinidia fruits are the main vegetable food for the sable in summer (fo = 18.4%, F = 12.2%); Korean pine seeds, in autumn (fo = 25.2%, F = 11.1%); and mistletoe fruits, in winter (fo = 8.5%, F = 7.5%). Birds are only minor among sable prey (fo = 1.5%, F = 0.9%). The proportion of birds in the diet of the sable is slightly increased in summer. Insects, mollusks, and honey are the only additional food items in the sable diet, all being seasonal. Only insects (ground beetles, carrion beetles) play significant roles in the diet in summer. Small shares of mollusks are recorded in the sable diet in summer, and some honey in winter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work describes the real-time application of the Thomson scattering diagnostics. The upgraded data acquisition system of the Globus-M2 spherical tokamak provides real-time data processing with the delay <2.4 ms for 128 scattering signals from 11 spatial points. The achieved processing performance meets the requirements for Thomson scattering diagnostics of modern thermonuclear facilities and ITER in particular. The paper demonstrates the possibility of plasma electron density control, using Thomson scattering data in the feedback loop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

diagnostics of the plasma electron component by the metho d of Thomson scattering Te(R, t) of laser radiation makes it possible to reliably measure the spatial distributions of the electron temperature and density. One of the obstacles to the implementation of TS diagnostics in thermonuclear reactors is the distortion of the spectral characteristics of the optical system due to radiation-induced absorption and contamination of optical elements with erosion products of the first wall. As a consequence, the reliability of measurements by the TS method will decrease over time. The paper describes the method of multi-laser Thomson scattering, which will solve this problem. The results of the first experiments on the Globus-M2 tokamak are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermal energy stored in plasma , normalized internal plasma inductance and current beta are calculated via the free-boundary equilibrium PET code. The equilibrium reconstruction algorithm is iterative method of minimizing two parameters, the distance between the reconstructed plasma boundary and that simulated by the PET code, as well as the difference between the plasma diamagnetic flux from PET and the experimental one. The discharges from the Globus-M2 tokamak with a toroidal magnetic field up to 0.9 T and a plasma current of 0.3–0.4 MA in a mode with auxiliary heating by two atomic injectors are analyzed. The possibility of using approximate formulas for estimating and is considered. The measured diamagnetic flux is used to determine and then to calculate . The normalized internal plasma inductance is additionally determined from the measured vertical magnetic field under the assumption that . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]