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Mitochondrial forms account approximately 1–2% of all nonsyndromic cases of hearing loss (HL). One of the most common causative variants of mtDNA is the m.1555A > G variant of the MT-RNR1 gene (OMIM 561000). Currently the detection of the m.1555A > G variant of the MT-RNR1 gene is not included in all research protocols. In this study this variant was screened among 165 patients with HL from the Republic of Buryatia, located in the Baikal Lake region of Russia. In our study, the total contribution of the m.1555A > G variant to the etiology of HL was 12.7% (21/165), while the update global prevalence of this variant is 1.8% (863/47,328). The m.1555A > G variant was notably more prevalent in Buryat (20.2%) than in Russian patients (1.3%). Mitogenome analysis in 14 unrelated Buryat families carrying the m.1555A > G variant revealed a predominant lineage: in 13 families, a cluster affiliated with sub-haplogroup A5b (92.9%) was identified, while one family had the D5a2a1 lineage (7.1%). In a Russian family with the m.1555A > G variant the lineage affiliated with sub-haplogroup F1a1d was found. Considering that more than 90% of Buryat families with the m.1555A > G variant belong to the single maternal lineage cluster we conclude that high prevalence of this variant in patients with HL in the Baikal Lake region can be attributed to a founder effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data on suicidality in these patients during the pandemic period remain scarce. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and variables associated with serious suicide risk in Russian inpatients with MDD during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional cohort study with consecutive sampling was conducted from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021. All patients completed the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.) (including the suicidality module), the Beck Depression Inventory, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and underwent a semi-structured interview to collect relevant demographic and clinical data. Effect sizes for all independent variables and covariates were calculated using partial eta-squared (hp2). Results: Of the 6757 patients with non-psychotic mental disorders assessed, 1605 (23.7%) had MDD confirmed by the M.I.N.I., of whom 17.8% were at serious risk for suicide according to theM.I.N.I. suicidality module. Factors independently associated with serious suicide risk in Russian inpatients with MDD during the pandemic were younger age (hp2 = 0.021), greater severity of depression (0.038), higher state anxiety (0.003), and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) (0.066). The same variables, except for state anxiety, were independently associated with suicide risk in the subgroup of MDD patients previously infected with SARS-CoV2. Conclusion: In the COVID-19 pandemic, the proportion of patients with MDD at serious risk of suicide was similar to pre-pandemic data. No associations were found between suicidality in patients with MDD and COVID-related factors. Younger age, greater severity of depression, and especially NSSI were the most significant risk factors for suicide in patients with MDD during the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human-caused anthropogenic greenhouse emissions impact the climate globally. In this pilot study, we aim to reveal the influence of hydrocarbon emissions on pine forests by applying a stable carbon isotope analysis in pine tree rings (δ13Cptrw). Our study was conducted in an industrial giant oil field reservoir (UVRT) and natural reserve (Raifa) sites, the Tatarstan Republic, Russia. Our results show a decreasing δ13Cptrw at the UVRT site in 1943, when oil extraction started, and in 1970, when it reached maximum production. We found that the δ13Cptrw from UVRT indicates developing unfavourable drier conditions and a suppressed tree growth caused by both human-induced oil and deposit infrastructures and natural processes compared to the undisturbed Raifa site. A 5-year running correlation analysis showed a significant difference between the sites in 1965 over the period of 1930 to 2021. The δ13Cptrw values from Raifa are more negative compared to UVRT, which can be explained by a higher forest sensitivity to human-induced impacts. From an eco-physiological point of view, the decreasing of intercellular (ci)-to-ambient (ca) CO2 concentration ratios at the leaf level and the increasing of intrinsic water-use efficiency (iWUE) along with a decreasing of tree-ring widths at the UVRT site (1970–2021) indicate the development of drought conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of amorphous biogenic silica content in marine sediments makes it possible to evaluate changes in the silicon cycle in the world ocean, while periods of intense silicon deposition record changes in the water chemistry and the atmosphere. The technique of sequential leaching of silica with subsequent calculation of the contribution of clay minerals is actively used by researchers for Quaternary deposits. This study used sediments that differ in age (Neogene, Cambrian), composition (clay minerals content from 0 to 27%, quartz content from 9 to 88%), and paleoenvironment (oxic and anoxic conditions, marine and coastal environments). Three rock types were taken for comparison: Miocene siltstones (N1s2, Sarmatian regional stage, Taman, Russia), bituminous limestone, flint, and rocks of the mixed siliceous–clay–carbonate composition of the Inikan Formation of the Lower-Middle Cambrian (Є1-2in), and Middle-Upper Cambrian siltstones of the Evenki Formation (Є2-3ev) (Eastern Siberia, Russia). The alkaline leaching method has been improved to prevent possible changes in the reaction kinetics and to account for the heterogeneity of the sample at low estimated amorphous silica content. As a result of these studies, it has been found that the Si/time and Si/Al are the most optimal among the considered methods for calculating the content of amorphous silica in Neogene and Cambrian rocks with low amorphous silica content. When there is little discrepancy between the average values of conditionally biogenic silica, the Si/Al method is preferable for terrigenous rocks. The amount of amorphous silica available for extraction in the rocks of the Inikan (Є1-2) and Evenki (Є2-3) formations was estimated at 0–2.0 wt% and 1.6–3.0 wt%, respectively. Research Highlights: Sedimentary rocks of different ages (Neogene, Cambrian), composition (clay minerals content from 0 to 27%, quartz content from 9% to 88%), and paleoenvironment (oxic and anoxic conditions, marine and coastal environments) were studied. The alkaline leaching method has been improved to prevent possible changes in the reaction kinetics and to account for the heterogeneity of the sample at low estimated amorphous silica content. As a result of these studies, it has been found that the Si/time and Si/Al are the most optimal among the considered methods for calculating the content of amorphous silica in Neogene and Cambrian rocks with low amorphous silica content. Methodological issues related to the calculation of the contribution of clay minerals were discussed, as well as the role of catagenetic transformation for Paleozoic rocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 rapidly spread worldwide in late 2021–early 2022, displacing the previously prevalent Delta variant. Before 16 December 2021, community transmission had already been observed in tens of countries globally. However, in Russia, the majority of reported cases at that time had been sporadic and associated with travel. Here, we report an Omicron outbreak at a student dormitory in Saint Petersburg between 16–29 December 2021, which was the earliest known instance of a large-scale community transmission in Russia. Out of the 465 sampled residents of the dormitory, 180 (38.7%) tested PCR-positive. Among the 118 residents for whom the variant had been tested by whole-genome sequencing, 111 (94.1%) were found to carry the Omicron variant. Among these 111 residents, 60 (54.1%) were vaccinated or had reported a previous infection of COVID-19. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that the outbreak was caused by a single introduction of the BA.1.1 sub-lineage of the Omicron variant. The dormitory-derived clade constituted a significant proportion of BA.1.1 samples in Saint Petersburg and has spread to other regions of Russia and even to other countries. The rapid spread of the Omicron variant in a population with preexisting immunity to previous variants underlines its propensity for immune evasion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2020, SARS-CoV-2 has spread rapidly across the globe, with most nations failing to prevent or substantially delay its introduction. While many countries have imposed some limitations on trans-border passenger traffic, the effect of these measures on the global spread of COVID-19 strains remains unclear. Here, we report an analysis of 3206 whole-genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2 samples from 78 regions of Russia covering the period before the spread of variants of concern (between March and November 2020). We describe recurring imports of multiple COVID-19 strains into Russia throughout this period, giving rise to 457 uniquely Russian transmission lineages, as well as repeated cross-border transmissions of local circulating variants out of Russia. While the phylogenetically inferred rate of cross-border transmissions was somewhat reduced during the period of the most stringent border closure, it still remained high, with multiple inferred imports that each led to detectable spread within the country. These results indicate that partial border closure has had little effect on trans-border transmission of variants, which helps explain the rapid global spread of newly arising SARS-CoV-2 variants throughout the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5) and International Classification of Diseases 11th revision (ICD-11) have introduced a new dimensional approach to personality disorder (PD) classification that relies on the global level of PD severity and individual expressions of personality dysfunction in terms of specified trait domains (i.e., negative affectivity, detachment, antagonism, disinhibition, anankastia, and psychoticism). This study sought to evaluate the psychometric qualities of the DSM-5 and ICD-11 trait domains and facets in 570 Russian psychiatric inpatients using the Modified 36-Item Personality Inventory for DSM-5 and ICD-11 Brief Form Plus–Modified (PID5BF+M). The expected six-factor structure of the DSM-5 and ICD-11 trait domains was replicated using exploratory factor analysis. The six domain scores showed expected convergence with normal five-factor model scores, and the 18 subfacets showed acceptable scale reliability. Our findings overall support the psychometric properties of the six PID5BF+M domain scores and 18 subfacet scores covering both the ICD-11 and the DSM-5 trait models. Consequently, clinicians and researchers in Russian-speaking mental health services are now able to perform a combined and facet-level assessment of the DSM-5 and ICD-11 trait models in a feasible and psychometrically sound manner. Public Significance Statement: This study shows that the combined six domains and 18 primary subfacets of the DSM-5 and International Classification of Diseases 11th revision trait models can be measured in Russian mental health care in a psychometrically sound manner using a 36-item patient-reported instrument: Personality Inventory for DSM-5 and ICD-11 Brief Form Plus–Modified (PID5BF+M). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The GJB2 (Cx26) gene pathogenic variants are associated with autosomal recessive deafness type 1A (DFNB1A, OMIM #220290). Direct sequencing of the GJB2 gene among 165 hearing-impaired individuals living in the Baikal Lake region of Russia identified 14 allelic variants: pathogenic/likely pathogenic—nine variants, benign—three variants, unclassified—one variant, and one novel variant. The contribution of the GJB2 gene variants to the etiology of hearing impairment (HI) in the total sample of patients was 15.8% (26 out of 165) and significantly differed in patients of different ethnicity (5.1% in Buryat patients and 28.9% in Russian patients). In patients with DFNB1A (n = 26), HIs were congenital/early onset (92.3%), symmetric (88.5%), sensorineural (100.0%), and variable in severity (moderate—11.6%, severe—26.9% or profound—61.5%). The reconstruction of the SNP haplotypes with three frequent GJB2 pathogenic variants (c.-23+1G>A, c.35delG or c.235delC), in comparison with previously published data, supports a major role of the founder effect in the expansion of the c.-23+1G>A and c.35delG variants around the world. Comparative analysis of the haplotypes with c.235delC revealed one major haplotype G A C T (97.5%) in Eastern Asians (Chinese, Japanese and Korean patients) and two haplotypes, G A C T (71.4%) and G A C C (28.6%), in Northern Asians (Altaians, Buryats and Mongols). The variable structure of the c.235delC-haplotypes in Northern Asians requires more studies to expand our knowledge about the origin of this pathogenic variant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, we can solve a wide range of tasks using computer vision algorithms, which reduce manual labor and enable rapid analysis of the environment. The remote sensing domain provides vast amounts of satellite data, but it also poses challenges associated with processing this data. Baseline solutions with intermediate results are available for various tasks, such as forest species classification, infrastructure recognition, and emergency situation analysis using satellite data. Despite these advances, two major issues with high-performing artificial intelligence algorithms remain in the current decade. The first issue relates to the availability of data. To train a robust algorithm, a reasonable amount of well-annotated training data is required. The second issue is the availability of satellite data, which is another concern. Even though there are a number of data providers, high-resolution and up-to-date imagery is extremely expensive. This paper aims to address these challenges by proposing an effective pipeline for building segmentation that utilizes freely available Sentinel-2 data with 10 m spatial resolution. The approach we use combines a super-resolution (SR) component with a semantic segmentation component. As a result, we simultaneously consider and analyze SR and building segmentation tasks to improve the quality of the infrastructure analysis through medium-resolution satellite data. Additionally, we collected and made available a unique dataset for the Russian Federation covering area of 1091.2 square kilometers. The dataset provides Sentinel-2 imagery adjusted to the spatial resolution of 2.5 m and is accompanied by semantic segmentation masks. The building footprints were created using OpenStreetMap data that was manually checked and verified. Several experiments were conducted for the SR task, using advanced image SR methods such as the diffusion-based SR3 model, RCAN, SRGAN, and MCGR. The MCGR network produced the best result, with a PSNR of 27.54 and SSIM of 0.79. The obtained SR images were then used to tackle the building segmentation task with different neural network models, including DeepLabV3 with different encoders, SWIN, and Twins transformers. The SWIN transformer achieved the best results, with an F1-score of 79.60. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work studies the effect of microbiological preparations based on the culture of B. subtilis and B. megaterium on the growth processes, photosynthetic parameters, and grain productivity of oats. Field tests were conducted in 2019 in the conditions of a micro plot experiment in the North-West of Russia. Microbiological preparations were introduced by soaking seeds and treating plants in the third leaf stage with preparations of 1 ml/l. The research finds that the introduction of microbiological preparations leads to a significant increase in growth. In the tillering stage, the leaf surface area of the experimental plants was higher by up to 40.1%, and plants' fresh and dry mass increased by 27.8-58.9%. Introducing microbiological preparations increased the average daily increments and the net productivity of plant photosynthesis by 1.080-2.801 g/m². By the time of harvesting, the mass of the experimental plants remained higher by 13.4-23.3%. The studied preparations increased the grain productivity of oats by up to 16.3% compared to the control. The study indicated a positive effect of microbiological preparations based on B. subtilis and B. megaterium strains on oats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pathogenic variants in the SLC26A4, FOXI1, and KCNJ10 genes are associated with hearing loss (HL) and specific inner ear abnormalities (DFNB4). In the present study, phenotype analyses, including clinical data collection, computed tomography (CT), and audiometric examination, were performed on deaf individuals from the Sakha Republic of Russia (Eastern Siberia). In cases with cochleovestibular malformations, molecular genetic analysis of the coding regions of the SLC26A4, FOXI1, and KCNJ10 genes associated with DFNB4 was completed. In six of the 165 patients (3.6%), CT scans revealed an incomplete partition of the cochlea (IP-1 and IP-2), in isolation or combined with an enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA) anomaly. Sequencing of the SLC26A4, FOXI1, and KCNJ10 genes was performed in these six patients. In the SLC26A4 gene, we identified four variants, namely c.85G>C p.(Glu29Gln), c.757A>G p.(Ile253Val), c.2027T>A p.(Leu676Gln), and c.2089+1G>A (IVS18+1G>A), which are known as pathogenic, as well as c.441G>A p.(Met147Ile), reported previously as a variant with uncertain significance. Using the AlphaFold algorithm, we found in silico evidence of the pathogenicity of this variant. We did not find any causative variants in the FOXI1 and KCNJ10 genes, nor did we find any evidence of digenic inheritance associated with double heterozygosity for these genes with monoallelic SLC26A4 variants. The contribution of biallelic SLC26A4 variants in patients with IP-1, IP-2, IP-2+EVA, and isolated EVA was 66.7% (DFNB4 in three patients, Pendred syndrome in one patient). Seventy-five percent of SLC26A4-biallelic patients had severe or profound HL. The morphology of the inner ear anomalies demonstrated that, among SLC26A4-biallelic patients, all types of incomplete partition of the cochlea are possible, from IP-1 and IP-2, to a normal cochlea. However, the dominant type of anomaly was IP-2+EVA (50.0%). This finding is very important for cochlear implantation, since the IP-2 anomaly does not have an increased risk of "gushers" and recurrent meningitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of the institute of human rights and civil freedoms in any state indicates the level of its own development, while the proper mechanism for implementing the norms that enshrine human rights and civil freedoms testifies to democracy, law and order, the legality and legal level of this state. The article aims at studying the legal mechanism for implementing and protecting human rights and freedoms in modern conditions. The authors of the article have revealed that the Russian society grows aware of human rights and freedoms, which can be regarded as the beginning of the spiritual revival of the Russian Federation. The ideology of rights is now generally recognized and required by both government and society. From the viewpoint of this ideology, the Soviet and post-Soviet views should be reassessed and projected onto the near and distant future. The authors have proved that the realization of individual rights is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that includes not only the activities of law enforcement agencies but also the activities of individuals. They have also established that the individual‟s activity in such implementation depends on the level of legal consciousness, legal culture and legal awareness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic was characterized by global spread of several lineages with evidence for increased transmissibility. Throughout the pandemic, Russia has remained among the countries with the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, making it a potential hotspot for emergence of novel variants. Here, we show that among the globally significant variants of concern that have spread globally by late 2020, alpha (B.1.1.7), beta (B.1.351) or gamma (P.1), none have been sampled in Russia before the end of 2020. Instead, between summer 2020 and spring 2021, the epidemic in Russia has been characterized by the spread of two lineages that were rare in most other countries: B.1.1.317 and a sublineage of B.1.1 including B.1.1.397 (hereafter, B.1.1.397+). Their frequency has increased concordantly in different parts of Russia. On top of these lineages, in late December 2020, alpha (B.1.1.7) emerged in Russia, reaching a frequency of 17.4% (95% C.I.: 12.0%-24.4%) in March 2021. Additionally, we identify three novel distinct lineages, AT.1, B.1.1.524 and B.1.1.525, that have started to spread, together reaching the frequency of 11.8% (95% C.I.: 7.5%-18.1%) in March 2021. These lineages carry combinations of several notable mutations, including the S:E484K mutation of concern, deletions at a recurrent deletion region of the spike glycoprotein (S:Δ140–142, S:Δ144 or S:Δ136–144), and nsp6:Δ106–108 (also known as ORF1a:Δ3675–3677). Community-based PCR testing indicates that these variants have continued to spread in April 2021, with the frequency of B.1.1.7 reaching 21.7% (95% C.I.: 12.3%-35.6%), and the joint frequency of B.1.1.524 and B.1.1.525, 15.2% (95% C.I.: 7.6%-28.2%). Although these variants have been displaced by the onset of delta variant in May-June 2021, lineages B.1.1.317, B.1.1.397+, AT.1, B.1.1.524 and B.1.1.525 and the combinations of mutations comprising them that are found in other lineages merit monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Russia is growing, with approximately 100,000 people infected annually. Molecular epidemiology can provide insight into the structure and dynamics of the epidemic. However, its applicability in Russia is limited by the weakness of genetic surveillance, as viral genetic data are only available for <1 per cent of cases. Here, we provide a detailed description of the HIV-1 epidemic for one geographic region of Russia, Oryol Oblast, by collecting and sequencing viral samples from about a third of its known HIV-positive population (768 out of 2,157 patients). We identify multiple introductions of HIV-1 into Oryol Oblast, resulting in eighty-two transmission lineages that together comprise 66 per cent of the samples. Most introductions are of subtype A (315/332), the predominant HIV-1 subtype in Russia, followed by CRF63 and subtype B. Bayesian analysis estimates the effective reproduction number Re for subtype A at 2.8 [1.7–4.4], in line with a growing epidemic. The frequency of CRF63 has been growing more rapidly, with the median Re of 11.8 [4.6–28.7], in agreement with recent reports of this variant rising in frequency in some regions of Russia. In contrast to the patterns described previously in European and North American countries, we see no overrepresentation of males in transmission lineages; meanwhile, injecting drug users are overrepresented in transmission lineages. This likely reflects the structure of the HIV-1 epidemic in Russia dominated by heterosexual and, to a smaller extent, people who inject drugs transmission. Samples attributed to men who have sex with men (MSM) transmission are associated with subtype B and are less prevalent than expected from the male-to-female ratio for this subtype, suggesting underreporting of the MSM transmission route. Together, our results provide a high-resolution description of the HIV-1 epidemic in Oryol Oblast, Russia, characterized by frequent interregional transmission, rapid growth of the epidemic, and rapid displacement of subtype A with the recombinant CRF63 variant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Interictal dysphoric disorder (IDD) has been regarded as an affective disorder occurring only in people with epilepsy (PWE). Data showing similar characteristics and similar prevalence of IDD in patients with migraine and with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures question the epilepsy‐specific nature of IDD. The aim of the study was to investigate the nature of IDD in people with prevalent epilepsy with mood disorders and people with mood disorders who are free of neurological disease. Methods: This is a case–control study, with 142 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of epilepsy and major depressive disorder (MDD; cases) and 222 patients with MDD only (controls). MDD diagnosis was confirmed by a structured clinical interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (SCID‐I‐RV). We used the Beck Depression Inventory and the Beck Anxiety Inventory to estimate anxiety and depression levels and the Interictal Dysphoric Disorder Inventory (IDDI) to confirm the presence of IDD. Mann–Whitney U test, Pearson chi‐squared, Spearman correlation, and logistic regression were used. Results: No differences were found in the prevalence of IDD between PWE with MDD and people with MDD alone (88.73% vs. 85.13%, χ2 =.96, p =.32). There were no differences between the groups overall or for any IDDI subscales (all p >.05). In both groups, IDD symptoms were grouped with the same incidence and had the same duration and periodicity. IDD was not associated with epilepsy (odds ratio =.84, 95% confidence interval =.40–1.98, p =.72). No significant correlation was found between epilepsy, demographic characteristics, and all IDDI subscales (all p >.05). Notably, patients with IDD suffered from affective disorders longer (6.68 ± 6.82 years vs. 3.7 ± 3.97 years, p =.001) and also received higher scores on all psychometric scales (all p <.05). Significance: This study does not confirm the specificity of IDD for epilepsy. The presence of IDD symptoms may be associated with a more severe course of MDD and significant anxiety distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ongoing pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 presents novel challenges and opportunities for the use of phylogenetics to understand and control its spread. Here, we analyze the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in Russia in March and April 2020. Combining phylogeographic analysis with travel history data, we estimate that the sampled viral diversity has originated from at least 67 closely timed introductions into Russia, mostly in late February to early March. All but one of these introductions were not from China, suggesting that border closure with China has helped delay establishment of SARS-CoV-2 in Russia. These introductions resulted in at least 9 distinct Russian lineages corresponding to domestic transmission. A notable transmission cluster corresponded to a nosocomial outbreak at the Vreden hospital in Saint Petersburg; phylodynamic analysis of this cluster reveals multiple (2-3) introductions each giving rise to a large number of cases, with a high initial effective reproduction number of 3.0 [1.9, 4.3]. The COVID-19 epidemic began later in Russia than many European countries, possibly due to restrictions on travel from China. Here, the authors analyze whole genome sequences sampled early in the epidemic in Russia, and find that most strains were not linked to China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The absence of comparable epidemiological data challenges the correct estimation of the prevalence of congenital hearing loss (HL) around the world. Sign language (SL) is known as the main type of communication of deaf people. We suggest that the distribution of SL can be interpreted as an indirect indicator of the prevalence of congenital HL. Since a significant part of congenital HL is due to genetic causes, an assessment of the distribution of SL users can reveal regions with an extensive accumulation of hereditary HL. For the first time, we analyzed the data on the distribution of SL users that became available for the total population of Russia by the 2010 census. Seventy-three out of 85 federal regions of Russia were ranked into three groups by the 25th and 75th percentiles of the proportion of SL users: 14 regions—"low proportion"; 48 regions—"average proportion"; and 11 regions—"high proportion". We consider that the observed uneven prevalence of SL users can reflect underlying hereditary forms of congenital HL accumulated in certain populations by specific genetic background and population structure. At least, the data from this study indicate that the highest proportions of SL users detected in some Siberian regions are consistent with the reported accumulation of specific hereditary HL forms in indigenous Yakut, Tuvinian and Altaian populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Active land disturbance of soil and environments appears even in remote landscapes of tundra and forest tundra. Wildfires become a frequent factor of soil degradation and intensification of permafrost degradation, also affecting the global balance of carbon, especially content and distribution of polycyclic aromatic compounds. Mature unaffected by fire sandy-textured podzols soils were investigated in comparison with the same soil strongly affected by surface fire in the end of August 2016 in surroundings of the Pangody settlement, Nadym district, Yamal region. Data obtained showed an intensive morphological transformation of the topsoil layers, decreasing total organic matter and apparently increasing the humus enrichment by nitrogen. Wildfires also result in complete transformation of the fractional composition of the polycyclic aromatic compounds. The sum of PAHs increases intensively as well as benzo(a)pyrene content in soils. Therefore, soils of the cryolithozone become more faced to the wildfires during the last decades. Even one-time fire effect results in serious transformation of soil geochemical state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pathogenic variants in the GJB2 gene, encoding connexin 26, are known to be a major cause of hearing impairment (HI). More than 300 allelic variants have been identified in the GJB2 gene. Spectrum and allelic frequencies of the GJB2 gene vary significantly among different ethnic groups worldwide. Until now, the spectrum and frequency of the pathogenic variants in exon 1, exon 2 and the flanking intronic regions of the GJB2 gene have not been described thoroughly in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia), which is located in a subarctic region in Russia. The complete sequencing of the non-coding and coding regions of the GJB2 gene was performed in 393 patients with HI (Yakuts—296, Russians—51, mixed and other ethnicities—46) and in 187 normal hearing individuals of Yakut (n = 107) and Russian (n = 80) populations. In the total sample (n = 580), we revealed 12 allelic variants of the GJB2 gene, 8 of which were recessive pathogenic variants. Ten genotypes with biallelic recessive pathogenic variants in the GJB2 gene (in a homozygous or a compound heterozygous state) were found in 192 out of 393 patients (48.85%). We found that the most frequent GJB2 pathogenic variant in the Yakut patients was c.-23+1G>A (51.82%) and that the second most frequent was c.109G>A (2.37%), followed by c.35delG (1.64%). Pathogenic variants с.35delG (22.34%), c.-23+1G>A (5.31%), and c.313_326del14 (2.12%) were found to be the most frequent among the Russian patients. The carrier frequencies of the c.-23+1G>A and с.109G>A pathogenic variants in the Yakut control group were 10.20% and 2.80%, respectively. The carrier frequencies of с.35delG and c.101T>C were identical (2.5%) in the Russian control group. We found that the contribution of the GJB2 gene pathogenic variants in HI in the population of the Sakha Republic (48.85%) was the highest among all of the previously studied regions of Asia. We suggest that extensive accumulation of the c.-23+1G>A pathogenic variant in the indigenous Yakut population (92.20% of all mutant chromosomes in patients) and an extremely high (10.20%) carrier frequency in the control group may indicate a possible selective advantage for the c.-23+1G>A carriers living in subarctic climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sergey I. Ognev (1886-1951), one of Russia's most famous biologists, was both a theoretical scientist and a great field researcher. Ognev's 'Fauna Mosquensis' (1913) is the most comprehensive study of the mammals of European Russia after Pallas. Throughout his life, Ognev's work involved two important components: biological observation in nature and study of geographical distribution. His combination of excellent knowledge of natural habitats and morphology created a unique insight. This effort resulted in seven volumes of 'Mammals of Eastern Europe and Northern Asia' and 'Mammals of the USSR and Adjacent Countries,' published from 1928 to 1950. This work included comprehensive taxonomic accounts, detailed morphological descriptions, geographical ranges and natural history data for 264 mammalian species and 635 forms. 4879 pages were illustrated, including almost 2000 photographs and drawings of skulls and dentition, a huge number of distributional maps made by the author and 56 color figures drawn by famous animal painters. The taxonomic position of a surprisingly large portion of forms classified by Ognev have been confirmed by modern molecular genetic approaches. Ognev also authored significant books on ecology and field photography. It is impossible to overestimate the significance of Ognev's contribution to mammal studies; his 'Mammals of the USSR...' volumes remain one of the most cited works in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scientific instrumental complex of the Optik-É AN-30 aircraft laboratory developed at the Institute of Atmospheric Optics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences is described in detail. Specifications of the main units of the instrumental complex are presented. Special attention is given to the metrological support of measurements of the atmospheric parameters. Experimental capabilities of the aircraft laboratory are illustrated by the results obtained in recent flights over various regions of the Russian Federation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are very few large-scale observations of the chemical composition of the Siberian airshed. The Airborne Extensive Regional Observations in Siberia (YAK-AEROSIB) French-Russian research program aims to fill this gap by collecting repeated aircraft high-precision measurements of the vertical distribution of CO2, CO, O3, and aerosol size distribution in the Siberian troposphere on a transect of 4,000 km during campaigns lasting approximately one week. This manuscript gives an overview of the results from five campaigns executed in April 2006, September 2006, August 2007, and early and late July 2008. The dense set of CO2 vertical profiles, consisting of some 50 profiles in each campaign, is shown to constrain large-scale models of CO2 synoptic transport, in particular frontal transport processes. The observed seasonal cycle of CO2 in altitude reduces uncertainty on the seasonal covariance between vegetation fluxes and vertical mixing, known as the 'seasonal rectifier effect.' Regarding carbon dioxide, we illustrate the potential of the YAK-AEROSIB data to cross-validate a global CO2 transport model. When compared to the CO2 data, the model is likely to be biased toward too-weak mixing in winter, as it overestimates the CO2 vertical gradient compared to the observation. Regarding pollutants, we illustrate through case studies the occurence of CO enhancements of 30-50 ppb above background values, coincident with high O3. These high CO values correspond to large-scale transport of anthropogenic emissions from Europe, and to wildfires in the Caspian Sea area, over much cleaner Arctic air (September 2006). An occurence of extremely high CO values above 5,000 km in eastern Siberia is found to be related to the very fast transport and uplift of Chinese anthropogenic emissions caused by a cold front (April 2006). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article comments on the deputy head of the Kremlin administration in Russia, Vladislav Surkov, and his speech "Russian Political Culture: The View from Utopia" which was presented at the Presidium of the Academy of Sciences. The author questions the logic in Surkov's argument for a strong centralized state and in the context of social institutions for discussing centralization and decentralization of government.

The article focuses on the evolution of Russian literature in the commercial realities of post-Soviet Russia. It is argued that the chief problem of contemporary literature and criticism is not found in the writer's psychology or in the status of the literary marketplace. It is suggested that the way of understanding the evolution of Russian literature in the commercial realities of post-Soviet Russia should be developed and adjusted in accordance to high culture.

An interview with historian and erstwhile leader Iurii Afanas'ev is presented. When asked about the causes of Russia's centuries of misfortune, Afanas'ev refers to the values and institutions extending back in time to the thirteenth century. He believes that the main cause of all the misfortunes is the drive to expand and to exploit the human and natural resources. He concludes that Russia's crises fall on the moral and spiritual aspects, rather than political or economic.

The article reports on the vigilance of the Central Archive of the Ministry of Defense (TsAMO) in Russia. Whether the legally archivist uses the concepts of information in any ways as to political report, correspondence on the conferral of a military honor or a military personnel record, still reveals negative data. The TsAMO management prohibits the distribution to researchers of material to prevent the possibility of disseminating the information about the collective farms.

Discusses the presence of nervous and psychological illnesses among the prisoners in Russia. Level of aggressiveness; Tendency toward conflict; Creation of psychotherapeutic theater.

Focuses on the role of Russia in the effort to bring North Korea out of isolation and develop peaceful coexistence and fruitful economic cooperation on the Korean peninsula and the entire northeastern Asia. Causes of the crisis in the Korean peninsula; Characteristics of the development of a system of relations toward the Korean peninsula in the 1990s; Factor that enhanced the role of the U.S. in Korean affairs.

• Global tool for rapid screening of major depression in patients with epilepsy (PWE) is strongly required. • Neurologic Depression Disorders Inventory in Epilepsy (NDDI-E) is the only depression screening tool designed specifically for epilepsy. • Here we demonstrate the NDDI-E reliability and validity in Russian-speaking PWE. • Further validation studies of the NDDI-E along with its use in different healthcare settings should follow. To translate and validate the English version of the Neurologic Depression Disorders Inventory in Epilepsy (NDDI-E) into the Russian language as an instrument for rapid detection of major depressive episodes (MDE) for patients with epilepsy (PWE) from Russian Federation. One hundred and 75 consecutive PWE were included in the study. All patients were assessed with Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI 6.0.0), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Russian version of NDDI-E. Chi-square, Fisher's exact and Mann-Whitney tests were used to compare PWE with and without MDE. We analyzed internal structural validity, external validity, and receiver operator characteristics. None of the participants had any difficulties in understanding the questions of NDDI-E. The internal consistency of the inventory was satisfactory (Cronbach's ά = 0.856). Correlation between the NDDI-E and the HADS scores was moderate (r = 0.64, P < 0.001), indicating acceptable external validity. NDDI showed good capacity to detect MDE, with area under the curve of 0.919 (95% CI = 0.868–0.955; standard error: 0.019; P < 0.001). An optimal cut-off point with the highest Yuden's index (J = 0.699) was > 12. At this point NDDI-E showed sensitivity of 88.16% (95% CI = 78.7%–94.4%), specificity of 81.82% (95% CI = 72.8%–88.9%), positive predictive value of 59.3% (95% CI = 48.8%–69.0%), negative predictive value of 95.8% (95% CI = 92.5%–97.7%). Russian version of NDDI-E is an affordable and fast screening tool with a good combination of sensitivity and specificity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sr-chemostratigraphy of carbonate and phosphate marine sediments of different ages is one of the important directions in isotope geochemistry of strontium, including carbonate sediments, devoid of organic residues suitable for paleontological studies. The small scale of variations in the 87Sr / 86Sr ratio in carbonate rocks of marine origin determines high requirements for Sr isotopic analysis, first of all, for the accuracy and correctness of the results obtained. Taking into account these requirements, a methodology was developed in the Geothermochronology center of Kazan University. At the stage of chemical preparation, the problem of obtaining pure analytical preparations of strontium was solved. For this purpose, a set of chemical procedures has been implemented. This ensures a low level of background contamination of samples (less than 0.2 ng) of foreign strontium at all stages of chemical preparation, as well as high efficiency of separation of Sr from the matrix elements of the sample, including Rb. Certification of the method using carbonate samples showed that the Sr loss of the sample does not exceed 10%, and the Rb / Sr ratio in analytical preparations is less than 0.000002. The main tasks in the formulation of high-precision measurements of the Sr isotope composition were to select the optimal operating modes of the mass spectrometer, at which the maximum sensitivity of the device and the stability of ion currents are achieved, as well as to the evaluation of factors influencing the accuracy and accuracy of the analysis results, and in their accounting. Experiments with supporting single-element Sr solutions made it possible to determine the main parameters of operation of the MS NEPTUNE PLUS units equipped with a Jet-interface and to develop an analytical procedure for isotope analysis. It includes, inter alia, taking into account the influence of the effect of instrument mass discrimination, as well as isobaric interference overlays on the analyzed mass lines of Sr. isotopes. On the basis of the long-term reproducibility of the results of the analysis of the international standard sample of the isotopic composition Sr SRM 987, the accuracy and correctness were evaluated. For a series of parallel analyzes (n = 14) SRM 987, the average value of the ratio 87Sr / 86Sr = 0.710250 was obtained, which within the error coincides with the value of 0.710248 ± 11 adopted for this standard (Thirlwall, 1991). At the same time, in terms of the accuracy (0.0013%, ± 2SD) of the Sr analysis, the developed technique is similar to both the classical TIMS method and the methods implemented on the basis of the MC-ICP-MS method in other laboratories around the world. The effectiveness of the technique for the purposes of Sr-chemostratigraphy of carbonate rocks is confirmed by the results of the analysis of samples, for which coinciding results of parallel analyzes were obtained using the TIMS and MC-ICP-MS methods. The work was supported by the Ministry of Science and High Education of the Russian Federation contract No. 14.Y26.31.0029 in the framework of the Resolution No.220 of the Government of the Russian Federation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors reflect on the future of Russian science. They note an announcement by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who addressed members of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), about plans to overhaul Russia's science and innovation agenda and structure to improve the Russia's economy and global competitiveness. Topics include a discussion regarding the role of RAS in projects outlined by Putin.

Presents a letter to the editor commenting on the Kyoto protocol, published in the October 2004 issue of the periodical "Nature".

The authors clarify that under policy studies in Russia, they mean studies of government and political processes including its modelling. So in this connection such scientific organizations like Institute for System Studies, Central Institute for Economic and Mathematical Studies and the Institute for Sociological Studies, could be mentioned. Policy studies are offered by many universities and study centres of the Moscow and Leningrad state universities. The Soviet Political Science Association is coordinator of political studies in Russia. The committee on system analysis is the coordinator in system policy studies.

The origin of the Lake Bolshoe Miassovo, Chelyabinsk region, Russia (55°09.3'N, 060°17.1'E) is tectonic. Seismoacoustic investigations were carried out for choose the best places for coring with continuous sedimentation and avoid gas saturated sediments. 5 long cores of sediments (up to 5 meters) were collected with using special hydraulic corer. Sediments consist of small grained sands, silty sand and organic matter.To study the sediments, a set of methods was used, including petromagnetic studies, the study of mineralogical and elemental composition. According radiocarbon dating the maximum age of samples 13.5 thousand year. The age of samples increases with depth naturally, which means we have continuous sedimentation without hiatus. The average accumulation rate is 0.35 m / thousand years/Measurements of magnetic susceptibility (MS), hysteresis parameters and thermomagnetic analysis were carried out to determine changes in magnetic mineralogy and sedimentation conditions. Thermomagnetic curves measured on Curie express balance, coercitive parameters on J-coercivity spectrometer and magnetic susceptibility on multi-function kappabridge MFK1-FA (AGICO). Changes in magnetic susceptibility in first 4.5 meters are very low, but never the less could be used for cores correlation. Coercivity spectra decomposition has been demonstrated existing several magnetic components in the sediment, one of the components could be biogenic, produced by activity of magnetotactic bacteria. The elemental composition was studied on an S8 Tiger X-ray fluorescence wave dispersion spectrometer. X-ray diffraction was performed on a Bruker D2 Phaser for studying mineralogical composition. Elemental and mineralogical composition of sediments Obtained data from all methods (magnetic properties, minerology, elemental composition) used for preliminary paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental reconstructions of South Ural region for last 13.5 kyr. All the data show a dramatic change in the properties of the sediment, this occurs around 4.2-4.5 meters. At this time, there is a sharp change in the conditions of sedimentation. The contribution of coarse material decreases, the level of the lake rises. On the basis of geochemical data, the lower part of the core, to a depth of 4.2 meters was deposited under colder and drier conditions, while middle and upper part in warmer conditions.This work was funded by the Russian Science Foundation under grant № 18-17-00251. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]