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Smartphones are mobile technology cutting-edge. Daily, the amount of time spent on a phone increases. Excessive smartphone use and addiction have developed into big social issues. Addiction to smartphones is a negative and pathological concept that is assessed by a set of subjective and behavioral symptoms including fixation, loss of control, and withdrawal symptoms. Teachers in STEM fields have a higher degree of involvement with their students in the use of digital tools. STEM teacher candidates must demonstrate an understanding of how to incorporate technology successfully into classroom activities. Determine the incidence of smartphone addiction among prospective STEM educators to justify future awareness training. The association between pre-service STEM instructors' smartphone addiction was studied. The research included 242 persons, 180 of whom were females and 62 males. The SAI is self-administered and scored independently for each dimension. Data is analyzed using machine learning techniques. Cluster analysis is used to analyze the inventory's dimensions. The k-means technique is used for cluster analysis. The library's SHAP (SHapley additive explanations) approach was used to evaluate the classification result and assess the impact of attributes on the classification result. According to the findings, the highest level was judged to be 30 participants. Approximately 3%4 participants are deemed moderate (high and very high). Also, 48 people are at a low level. In terms of the overall group, it is modest. Being in the lowest cluster is linked to 100+ uses, whereas being in the highest cluster is linked to 6-10 uses. The exact degree of smartphone use linked to smartphone addiction is unknown. Females inversely correlate with the highest and lowest clusters.

The research objective is to reveal and analyze the problems in developing the informational environment of a university. The authors applied theoretical and empirical methods, such as observation, polling, composing a Likert scale, calculation of Spearman ranking correlation coefficients, tabular and diagram techniques of data visualization, etc., which enabled to achieve the set goal. The score method based on Likert scale enabled to reveal the problem aspects of forming the informational and digital environment of a university. Also, these techniques enabled to quantitatively assess each problem, assess their significance and reveal the degree of each factor's relation to each problem of using the information and communication technologies at a university. University professors were polled about using innovative information technologies in order to both enhance the education efficiency and apply new pedagogical concepts and techniques. The poll revealed the problem aspects impeding the development of the informational environment. The research results are presented as a series of diagrams, reliably characterizing the issues which the university professors face when implementing the educational process. Besides, a number of indicators were calculated to determine the correlation coefficients, which enabled to quantitatively assess the degree of correlation between the two series of the compared quantitative indicators. The research revealed the factors impeding the development of the informational environment of a university. Awareness of these factors by the university administration and teaching staff would allow overcoming them, with a view of increasing the quality of educational services. The authors are making a substantiated conclusion that, despite certain difficulties, the informational technologies integrated into the educational process comply with the modern requirements of the society and enhance the competencies of both the students and professors participating in the educational process.

Chernevaya taiga of Western Siberia, Russia, is a unique ecosystem characterized by fertile soil, exceptionally large herbaceous plant sizes, and extraordinarily rapid rates of plant residue degradation. We expected that growing crops on soil collected from Chernevaya taiga, which has never been used for agricultural purposes before, would result in a distinct rhizospheric fungal community. This community could potentially yield novel, potent biostimulators and biocontrol fungi for modern agriculture. To check this idea, we used high-throughput ITS sequencing to examine the microbial communities in the rhizosphere of spring wheat and radish grown in greenhouse experiments on Chernevaya and control soils. Additionally, representative fungal strains were isolated and assessed for their ability to promote growth in wheat seedlings. The study revealed that the most abundant phyla in the rhizospheric fungal community were Mortierellomycota, primarily consisting of Mortierella species, and Ascomycota. Mucor and Umbelopsis comprised the majority of Mucoromycota in the control soils. Fusarium and Oidiodendron, two potentially plant-pathogenic fungi, were only found in the rhizosphere of crops grown in the control soil. Conversely, Chernevaya soil contained a diverse range of potential biocontrol fungi for plants. Tested novel fungal isolates showed a stimulating effect on the development of wheat seedlings and positively affected their rate of biomass accumulation. The results of the study demonstrate that the soil of Chernevaya taiga do indeed contain fungi with prominent potential to stimulate agricultural plants growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chernevaya taiga is a unique ecosystem formed under the influence of a complex of geogenic and bioclimatic factors located in the foothill border of the southeastern part of Western Siberia. The combination of local climatic conditions and the composition of parent material led to the formation of specific soil conditions on the territory of these habitats. The soils of the Chernevaya taiga have unique morphogenesis. They have a thick podzolized horizon and are fertile, unlike the typical soils of the oligotrophic pine forests of Siberia; however, the microstructure of these soils is poorly studied. The purpose of the research is to analyze the micromorphological organization and microstructure of three types of soils in Western Siberia (two typical soils from the Chernevaya taiga (Greyzemic Phaeozem (Albic) and Albic Stagnic Luvisol (Ochric)) and one from oligotrophic pine stand (Eutric Protoargic Arenosol)). It was found that the soils of the Chernevaya taiga differ greatly from the background (zonal) soils of the region on both the macro- and microlevels. In the Phaeozems and Luvisols of the Chernevaya taiga, there are actively formed organomineral aggregates and the quantity of porous media is more than 50%. At the bottom of the podzolized part of the soil profiles, we noted illuvial processes and a sharp change in the type of microstructure. The presence of pyrogenic materials (charcoal) and coprolitic (vermicular) materials in the humus-accumulative horizon indicates a high rate of material transformation and high biological activity and bioturbation in the soil. The skeleton part of the Chernevaya taiga soils is represented by a quartz–feldspar base with an admixture of sericite; augite; biotite; and a minimal admixture of tourmaline, zircon, and glauconite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The boreal forests of Russia are one of the largest forest areas on the planet. As a result of climate change, the rate of carbon sequestration and stabilization of organic matter are important indicators of environmental conservation. To understand mechanisms of stabilization and the structure of soil organic carbon, the molecular-weight (MW) distribution of humic acids (HAs) in soils of the central deciduous-forest zone of boreal forests (Chernevaya taiga, transitional ecotone forest, coniferous forest) was studied. Analysis of the MW distribution of HAs was conducted using size-exclusion chromatography. This approach allowed us to obtain the distribution of high-, medium-, and low-molecular fractions of HAs. It has been revealed that the content of the low-MW fraction prevails over the content of the medium- and high-MW fractions of HAs, which indicates the process of stabilization in soil organic matter. The accumulation of low-molecular-weight fraction occurs with the aromaticity increase in HAs, which indicates that HAs with a relatively high proportion of aromatic fragments have smaller hydrodynamic radius and a lower MW. It has been statistically substantiated that the low-molecular-weight fraction correlates with the content of aromatic compounds and carboxyl structural fragments of HAs, which indicates the resistance of the soil organic matter of Chernevaya taiga to biodegradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers use of plant biomass as a potential renewable raw material for production of CO2-neutral fuel that does not affect the carbon dioxide balance in the atmosphere. Evaluation of biomass characteristics will enable determination of the potential for its integration into modern processes of petrochemistry and biochemistry. The most common types of plant biomass in Russia, namely, wood wastes, peat, and microalgae, were investigated. The main characteristics of biomass and its structural and elemental composition are described. An estimation was made of the amount and energy value of some types of plant biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent years have witnessed active construction of multi-storey residential buildings. The scale of construction, its timing and limitations in financing contribute to the emergence of risk factors affecting the key parameters of cost and duration of projects. The purpose of this research is to develop the most effective mathematical model to reveal, study and estimate in a timely manner the influence of risk factors on stable implementation of a construction project during its life cycle. The mathematical model of the study is based on the theory of fuzzy sets, including 25 rules used to estimate the influence of a risk factor. An expert survey of leading specialists in the construction industry was performed and risk factors distributed over the stages of the life cycle were listed. Risk factors affecting the sustainability of the life cycle of a multi-storey residential building were identified and ranked. The result of the study shows that the application of the mathematical model will significantly increase the success of construction projects by identifying the critical risk factors in the phases of their life cycle. Since the proposed model is relatively new in Russia, it should be considered as a starting point for a new assessment of the impact of risk factors on projects. The methodology can be improved, and many aspects are still to be analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The generative potential of kerogenous shale sequences in the Caucasus Maykopian series, the southern part of European Russia, is evaluated. The Khadum and Batalpashin sediments in the Eastern and Central Fore-Caucasus include three types of kerogen: I, II and III. The Khadum sediments are dominated by a more "noble" type II kerogen, mixed humic-sapropelic organic matter (OM). The Maykopian series may be attributed to the category of "rich" and "very rich" ("outstanding") oil source rocks. The maturity extent of the subject sediments within the region varies between the grades of protokatagenesis (maximum pyrolysis temperature (Tmax) = 390 °C) and MC4 (Tmax = 471 °C). Based on the pyrolytic studies, the Khadum and Batalpashin sediments are distinct from other pelitic rocks in rather high generative potential values. The average value of the total generative potential (S1 + S2) in the studied samples from the Khadum and Batalpashin Formations is 4.83 mg HC/g rock. The quantitative estimate of the hydrocarbon generative potential of the Khadum and Batalpashin sediments in this region was conducted for the first time. The total initial generative hydrocarbon potential of the sediments is 133.4 BT, being 92.7 BT for the Khadum Formation, and 40.7 BT for the Batalpashin Formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A political scientist discusses the content and sources of Russian elite perspectives on international affairs. The "color revolutions," the perceived specter of Islamic radicalism, contestation over Russian identity, and evolving perceptions of Russia's international leverage are examined for their impact on elite attitudes. Discussion of the crisis in relations between Russia and Georgia illustrates the article's theme about the relationship between insecurity and assertiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the new processes in gas chemistry and the necessity of developing them for oil production in Russia. Calls for the overall state of the Russian Federation fuel and energy complex to consider problems in gas chemistry; Level of production volume of oil across the country; Characterization of the development of the feedstock base and chemical product production.

In a characteristically brilliant essay, the political analyst Vitaliy Tretyakov argues that the Duma elected on December 7, 2003, is a perfect "mirror of Russian society." All four parties represented in it are, he writes, "great-power parties, since great-power longings are the absolutely dominant ideology in today's Russia." In light of all this, one might be tempted to conclude that the election outcome also reflects a surge in the fortunes of the political forces often labeled the "siloviki" or the "chekisty," and that these forces would by now be gaining new top posts and riding high. However, this does not appear, so far at least, to be the case-although the situation could change after President Vladmir Putin's anticipated re-election in March 2004.

Examines Russian President Vladimir Putin's political backing behind the U.S. anti-terrorist campaign. Description on Putin's representations of the Chechen war; Allegations of Chechen links with terrorism.

Summarizes both domestic and international factors pushing for and against regional separatism from the Russian Federation. Influence of the further devolution of authority from central to regional officials; Types of issues affecting conflict in center-periphery relations; Impact of the August 1998 financial crisis on trends and prospects for the future of Russia.

Six senior specialists on Soviet and post-Soviet affairs reflect on economic and political developments in the two years since the collapse of the USSR. Presentations, formulated in November 1993, but updated through January 1994, focus on evaluation of the political situation, assessment of Boris Yel'tsin's leadership, the progress of economic reforms, developments in local government, conditions for foreign private investment, and criteria for evaluating the utility of US assistance. Coverage of economic issues also includes discussion of overall performance, stabilization of currency, price decontrol, privatization, regulatory measures, banking, and resource allocation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Desulfurococcus fermentans is the first known cellulolytic archaeon. This hyperthermophilic and strictly anaerobic crenarchaeon produces hydrogen from fermentation of various carbohydrates and peptides without inhibition by accumulating hydrogen. The complete genome sequence reported here suggested that D. fermentans employs membrane-bound hydrogenases and novel glycohydrolases for hydrogen production from cellulose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article analyzes an experience with the organization of autodonation of blood and its components in surgical treatment of 305 patients with congenital and acquired defects and ischemic heart disease. Methods of plasmacytapheresis and cryopreservation used at the terms from 3 days to 12 months before operation allowed storage of the autologous components of blood in 41.2% of the patients having indications for autodonation. In 29.1% of the observations the autotransfusion media were reserved under the outpatient clinic conditions which resulted in shorter terms of treatment at the hospital. The number of unfavorable reactions during the donation in patients did not exceed analogous parameters in regular donors. Autohemotransfusions 3-5 times reduced the volume of transfusions of the allogenic blood components and they were completely avoided in 20.1% of the patients.