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The climatostratigraphic scale of the Upper Middle Pleistocene in the northwest of the East European Plain contains a number of controversial issues, one of which is the position of the Likhvin (Holstein) Interglacial and lesser warm (interstadial) climatic events. To approach this problem, we have studied two sections of Quaternary deposits, Bolshaya Kosha (a well-known and long-studied natural exposure) and Nazarovo (a new, previously unknown section studied in a borehole), in which warm intervals of the Middle Pleistocene are recognized. In both sections, we performed lithological and paleobiological (carpological, spore-pollen) analyses and luminescence dating. In the Bolshaya Kosha section, seeds of the extinct species Caulinia goretskyi were revealed, which allowed us to attribute the obtained IRSL (ca 250–260 ka) dates to the post-Likhvin Bolshaya Kosha interstadial. The sum of data let us propose that both our IRSL and recently published 230Th/U dates (ca 240–290 ka) underestimate the age by 10–15%, and the post-Likhvin Kosha interstadial deposits were formed in the late MIS 9. In the Nazarovo section, palynological study showed the conditions of a relatively warm interstadial, with a change in the composition of vegetation from northern to middle taiga forests. According to IRSL dating, the section was formed in the MIS 10 late glacial between 330–370 ka. The two studied interstadials bracket the Likhvin (Holstein) Interglacial and sedimentary units in the Bolshaya Kosha section are proposed to have formed in MIS 9e. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Kurai Fault Zone (KFZ) is one of the most hazardous seismogenic structures in the Gorny Altai (Russia), which bounds the largest Kurai and Chuya intermontane basins from the north. Trenching studies, radiocarbon dating of colluvial wedge deposits, and 230Th-U dating of seismogenic travertine of the Meshtuyaryk field showed that the fault scarp in the northwestern part of the Chuya Depression was formed by earthquakes that occurred ca. 9.5, 7.7, 5.8, and 4.8–3.4 ka BP. The last two palaeoearthquakes are younger than 3.2 ka BP. The parameters of seismogenic ruptures, as well as the distances between coeval seismogenic travertines along the KFZ, yielded estimates of the Mw of the four oldest palaeoearthquakes as 6.8–7.6 and ESI 2007 shaking intensities of VIII–XI. The results of 230Th-U dating suggest that deposition of the Meshtuyaryk travertines was triggered by three strong palaeoearthquakes at ca. 9.5, 7.7, and 4.8–3.4 ka BP, which activated faults and caused a rapid rise along them of ambient-temperature bicarbonate groundwaters previously sealed in deep-seated limestone aquifers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Rostov‐Kostroma lowland is a depression stretched between the end‐moraine ridges of the Moscovian (MIS 6) glaciation crossed by the Upper Volga River. According to the theory accepted since the 1970s, in the Last Glacial epoch (MIS 2) this lowland was occupied by a glacially dammed lake that drained about 15 000 years ago, allowing the modern river system of the Upper Volga to appear. In this study, we test this concept using a synthesis of previously published data and new data on geomorphology, structure and age of the Late Quaternary deposits. The results obtained show that the last large lakes existed in this area during deglaciation at the end of MIS 6. By the beginning of the Last Interglacial (MIS 5e), these lakes were drained, and the present‐day Volga valley already existed. Small lakes remained in the deepest glaciodepressions, with few of them surviving until today. These lakes show no signs of depth or area increase in MIS 2. Lacustrine deposits of MIS 2 have not been found elsewhere. Therefore, no evidence of a single large lake in the Rostov‐Kostroma lowland in MIS 2 was found. The total area of the lakes did not differ much from that of modern times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mammal remains preserved in the permafrost zone often bear traces of postmortem transformations, reflecting aspects of the palaeoenvironment and the processes that took place during the accumulation of host sediments. Multidisciplinary studies including radiocarbon dating, infrared spectroscopy, and microfossil analyses and grain size of infilling sediments from remains allow recognition of their stratigraphical and palaeogeographical origins and facilitate reconstructions of taphonomic pathways and the pre‐burial environments. Here, as exemplified by skulls of woolly rhinoceros, cave lion, and ancient bison, some distinct features of postmortem changes such as nonpyrogenic charring and vivianite encrustation indicate that the remains have undergone a complex range of burial processes in aerobic and anaerobic conditions in the Pleistocene landscapes of Arctic northeastern Russia. We hypothesize that these processes were mainly confined to the warmer intervals in the Late Pleistocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inadequate resolution is the principal limitation of radiocarbon dating. However, recent work has shown that exact-year precision is attainable if use can be made of past increases in atmospheric radiocarbon concentration or so-called Miyake events. Here, this nascent method is applied to an archaeological site of previously unknown age. We locate the distinctive radiocarbon signal of the year 775 common era (CE) in wood from the base of the Uyghur monument of Por-Bajin in Russia. Our analysis shows that the construction of Por-Bajin started in the summer of 777 CE, a foundation date that resolves decades of debate and allows the origin and purpose of the building to be established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pioneer comprehensive study of several diminutive last‐generation woolly mammoth teeth (M3) found on the coast of the East Siberian Sea between the mouths of the Alazeya and Malaya Kuropatoch'ya rivers was conducted. Two teeth belonged to one individual. These teeth have a similar lamellar frequency and enamel thickness as teeth of Mammuthus primigenius Blumenbach. The molar crowns from the lower Alazeya region are similar in size to those of the small Late Pleistocene–Holocene mammoths from Wrangel Island. However, the number of plates (17–19, excluding talons) is much lower than that in the teeth of typical Late Pleistocene M. primigenius (23–25). The age data of the examined teeth are beyond the limits of the 14C dating method (>45 000 years BP). Nevertheless, palaeobotanical data allow correlation of the enclosing sediments with the warm Kazantsevo Interglacial (Eemian, MIS 5e) and reconstruction of the average annual temperature, which was warmer than present‐day temperatures. These conditions are confirmed by the δ18O isotopes from the structurally bound carbonate in tooth enamel. The ancient landscape was wetter and more forested than modern landscapes. The diminution of M3 size and loss of posterior plates were a result of the overall decrease in body size, likely in response to landscape change and narrowing of resource space. Mammoths from the lower Alazeya region demonstrate a stage of significant size reduction, although the dwarfing was not finalized. Their teeth are the oldest amongst the small teeth found in west Beringia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Biya River valley flowing from Lake Teletskoye, geomorphic and sedimentological evidence of a catastrophic debris flow has been found and assigned to glacier retreat after the last glacial maximum. Here, we report the results of lithological analysis of three sedimentary sections along Lake Teletskoye–the Biya River valley system and optically stimulated luminescence dating of key stratigraphic units that led to a revised model for the geomorphic history of the region. Maximal glacier advance is suggested to have occurred during MIS 4–early MIS 3. It was accompanied by the damming of tributary valleys by ice, by terminal and side moraines, and by the accelerated aggradation of the trunk valley below the glacier front. Formation of Lake Teletskoye, which followed the glacier retreat, occurred between 35 and 40 ka BP, most probably around 37.5 ka BP. Lake formation was shortly followed by a break in the moraine dam, catastrophic debris flow, rapid valley incision, and reduction in the lake level by ~100 m. Subsequently, incision has proceeded at a much lower rate and produced valley deepening and lake lowering of 30–35 m in the last 35–40 ka, or 0.8–0.9 m per thousand years on average. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The results of complex studies of the northeastern fumarole field of the Ebeko Volcano (Paramushir Island) are presented. The geochemical study of the thermal sources and potholes evidences the complex composition of the solutions: the high contents of certain chemical elements in the sources cannot be explained only by leaching from the host rocks. To identify the structural features that can lead to accumulation of elements in the thermal solutions, the geophysical study of the northeastern fumarole field of the volcano is carried out by frequency sounding, electric tomography, and temperature surveying along the profile. As a result, the structure of the subsurface space of the thermal field, the structure of the feeders, and the presence of a phase barrier for fluid separation are revealed. The complex of studies makes it possible to explain some features of the geochemical composition of the thermal sources and to describe the evolution of the fluids in the upper segment of the section. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the Upper Volga has been the focus of extensive research for several decades, its origin and evolution remain uncertain. According to the most popular model, the Upper Volga drainage network formed at the end of the last deglaciation (MIS 2); before that, the river basin was occupied by a large MIS2 proglacial lake. In this study we test this hypothesis by luminescence dating several fluvial terraces in the Upper Volga valley. Despite the expected late-MIS 2 age, our results show that quartz is in saturation, and the feldspar pIRIR 290 signal gives much older dates than expected (∼300–∼500 ka). We argue that, in most sections, feldspar was very likely to be well bleached prior to deposition. Thus, if the ages of sedimentary structures are overestimated, this could only result from sediment transport in darkness. It is widely accepted that the MIS 6 glaciation was the last to cover the Upper Volga basin, and so such conditions would be most easily attributed to a subglacial environment. But this explanation is confounded by the absence of till on top of most sections. The alternative explanation, that the ages accurately reflect last deposition, calls into question the well-established MIS 6 border on the Russian plain, and we conclude that further studies are required to resolve this inconsistency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the study done on the sedimentation settings and the Late Pleistocene–Holocene geochronology in the Vychegda River Valley in Russia. Topics discussed include scale of distribution of glacier-dammed lakes, radiocarbon dating, palynological analysis, and paleochannel analysis used for investigation, and loamy-eat horizons, containing abundant wood remains and wood detritus as the feature of terrace surface.

Abstract: This study is an attempt to use closely related inter-complementary paleo-archives of a local landscape to access understanding of Late Pleistocene–Holocene environmental changes in the region. The study site is a small intermountain basin in the Sayan-Tuva Upland, 51°N., 97°E., 1300ma.s.l. Paleo-archives covering about 13,000yrs were studied: paleosol-sedimentary sequences on a delta-alluvial fan of a small river, lacustrine sediments in bottom cores and on palsa-islands and soils of palsa-islands. The following sequence of environmental changes was established. The fluvial activity in the basin reached its maximum at the end of the Late Pleistocene. The sharp decrease of the fluvial activity is terminated by two successive paleosols of Pleistocene–Holocene transition. The older paleosol indicates meadow-steppe (or tundra-steppe) conditions with a shallow permafrost table and impeded drainage. The younger paleosol testifies on sharp aridization, biological activity suppression, contrasting water regime, and warming. Dammed lake appeared in the midst of the trough about 11,000cal yr BP. Sedimentation on delta-alluvial fan was fairly inconsiderable in Holocene. The first part of Holocene (before 4000cal yr BP) was most balanced in annual distribution of precipitation. Runoff, even being prominently enhanced in a fluvial and relatively warm sub-phase 8000–6250cal yr BP, was canalized, without giving seasonal floods. Sub-phase 6250–3800 is characterized by increased continentality and relative aridization caused reduction of runoff, lowering of the lake level, and enhancement of cryogenic processes. The next phase 3800–2000cal yr BP was more humid. It caused slight revival of fluvial processes and rise of lake level. The last 2000years climate was more continental and the most arid within the studied period. The lake level and runoff values dropped again, and fluvial activity totally decreased. In contemporary soils aridization is reflected in widely spread Natric features and progressive salinization. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The main objective of this study is to recover the initial geometry of earthen walls from the shape of wall remains. The original parameters of the walls have been estimated by fitting the field-measured profiles with the theoretical shape predicted by the model. We estimate: (i) the initial wall height (between 2 and 3 m); (ii) their shape (vertical or nearly vertical); and (iii) the time for complete degradation (between 250 and 400 years, depending on wall orientation). We show that this approach yields the best results when the main degradation factor is the temperature gradient, as it is for south-oriented wall faces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field training is seen as a central component of the discipline of Physical Geography and an essential part of the undergraduate curriculum. This paper explores the structure and relationships between fieldwork and theoretical courses and the abundant experiences of field training in the undergraduate curriculum of 37 Russian universities. It details a case study of the Faculty of Geography, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Russia's largest center of geographical scholarship and training with 860 employees, which admits about 1000 undergraduates and 180 PhD students annually. Here, the total duration of field training extends up to 18 weeks annually and involves 14 (11 Physical Geography) specialist departments. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The paper is based on a box model of heat and mass exchange with the incorporation of a block for calculating latent heat flux, supplemented by parameterization of heat and mass exchange between shallow water area and the atmosphere. The results of calculation of evaporation from the water area of the Ivankovo Reservoir, with allowance made for more intense evaporation from shallows, are given. The latent heat fluxes from shallow and deep-water zones of the water body are shown to differ, depending on weather conditions and water level; the increase in the evaporated-water volume due to taking into account the shallow-water effect is evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three strong earthquakes that occurred since the end of 8th century have been identified by archeoseismic data in the southwestern part of the Tere Khol' Depression. The dates for these events are the 9th, 12th, and first two-thirds of 19th century, and the average recurrence interval is 500 years. The relative seismic passivity of the Tere Khol' Depression at present may be related to the relatively recent discharge of stress in seismogenerating sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The geomorphological and altitudinal positions of occupational layers corresponding to 1224 colonization epochs at 870 archaeological sites in river valleys and lake depressions in southwestern Tver province. A series of alternating low-water (low levels of seasonal peaks, many-year periods without inundation of floodplains) and high-water (high spring floods, regular inundation of floodplains) intervals of various hierarchical rank was identified. In low-water epoch, an increase was recorded in the share of settlements on low elevations, including river and lake floodplains now subject to inundation. The archaeological epochs 2–3 Ky in length were found to form the following series from high-water to low-water: Mesolithic (11.8–8.0 Ky ago)-Iron age (2.8–0.3)-Neolithic (8.0–5.0)-Bronze epoch (5.0–2.8). The first half of the Iron age (2.8–1.8 Ky ago) was extremely water-abundant, while its second half (middle ages) was dry (relative to the present time). A correlation between the hydrological and temperature regimes was identified: low-water epochs closely correlate with warm epochs, while high-water ones correlate with cold epochs. This can be associated with the specific features of the present-day type of water regime with dominating spring flood; this regime is supposed to have existed during the most part of the Holocene: the runoff and the levels of floods decline during warming epochs and increase during cooling epochs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Morphology of the large palaeochannels over the entire periglacial belt of the Northern Hemisphere shows distinct evidence of high surface runoff at the Late Glacial time. Channel width and meander wavelength of 73 well-preserved fragments of large palaeochannels were measured in the Volga River basin (East European Plain). Palynological studies of palaeo-Moskva River alluvium make it possible to locate the climatic and hydrological region-analogues of the Late Glacial landscapes. These analogues allowed reconstruction of the former surface runoff of the Late Glacial rivers, as well as the total volume of flow to the Caspian Sea, using the transform functions. These reconstructions support the ‘climatic’ hypothesis of the Khvalyn transgression of the Caspian Sea and explain high water levels during this transgression without melt water inflow from the receding Scandinavian ice-sheet. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The specific geomorphic structure (a combination of flat or gentle watersheds with short steep valley sides) and the high resistance of surface material in the case study area in the centre of the Russian Plain are responsible for the specific pattern of Holocene erosion: no or minor sheet erosion, the occasional appearance of new gullies on the valley sides (four out of 19 studied), and a concentration of erosion activity in old gullies that had existed since pre-Holocene times (15 out of 19 studied). The erosion activity is studied using radiocarbon dating of gully sediments. Summed probability density distribution (SPDD) of 65 radiocarbon dates is applied to detect changes of erosion rates over the last five millennia. Three millennium-scale phases of erosion activity are distinguished: Phase 1 — 1200 years BP to the present (intensive erosion), Phase 2 — 2800 to 1200 years BP (weak erosion), and Phase 3 — >4800 to 2800 years BP (intensive erosion). Short episodes, or single events of relatively strong erosion, have been found at around 4700, 3800, 3000, 2200, 1800, and 900 years BP. Erosion during Phase 3 coincided with the Holocene lowest population density in the whole region, and the start of Phase 1 coincided with a population gap at the case study area, which suggests other than anthropogenic causes for changing erosion regimes. These may be climatic factors because changes between millennium-scale phases of erosion activity coincide with pronounced climatic changes: the Subboreal–Subatlantic transition, and the start of the Medieval Warm period. However, a direct correlation between erosion activity and climatic parameters (warmer/cooler, wetter/drier) has not been found, presumably because the available palaeoclimatic reconstructions do not contain enough information on changing frequencies and magnitudes of hydrological extremes. According to population dynamics, charcoal frequency in erosion-derived sediments and pollen data, a human impact on erosion is suggested to have occurred from the 11th century AD, and more confidently from the 14th–16th centuries. This contributed to erosion acceleration that began some two centuries earlier, apparently for climatic reasons. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article focuses on the changes in population composition and migration pattern in Stavropol' Kray, Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. It explores the rural to urban migration, with an emphasis on Krasnogvardcyskiy and its population trends, and the conflicts in the ethnic republics of Caucasus and Transcaucasus. An analysis of a December 2005 survey on past and future population mobility, and economic and gender factors that affect the decision to move is also presented.

Abstract: The spatial and temporal dynamics of stream net density (SND) within the Central and Southern parts of the Russian Plain during the last two centuries are studied by comparison of historical cartographic sources. A significant decrease of SND is observed in the forest–steppe and steppe zones. The maximum SND decrease is detected at the northern edge of the steppe zone, where SND values in the middle of the 20th century were only 50–60% of those at the beginning of the 19th century. Two stages of permanent stream disappearance were found within the study area: (1) The end of the 18th century to the first half of the 19th century, where the SND decrease was associated with a high frequency of droughts, that coincided with an expansion of the area of arable land, and (2) the last quarter of the 19th century, where the SND decrease can be explained by the extreme erosion rates resulting from the expansion of cultivation over steep slopes during the expansion of arable cultivation after the 1861 land reform. The roles of regional climate dynamics and land use change are confirmed by hydrological and meteorological data coupled with data on anthropogenic gully formation. Detailed studies of SND dynamics in a number of key basins provide a basis for understanding the mechanisms of SND reduction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Focuses on revised concept and manpower recruitment in military reform of the Russia. Effect of adopting the Federal Law on Defense on the Defense Ministry; Features of the regulation; Grounds and procedures of discharge of personnel; Proposal of provisions to be included in the regulation.

This article focuses on the International Conference and Young Scientists School CITES-2005 that was held on March 13-23, 2005 on Novosibirsk, Russia. The themes of the conference sessions were subdivided into the following sections: 1. Data and Metadata; 2. Physics of Climate System; 3. Data Assimilation in Climate Modeling and Weather Forecast; 4. Basic and Applied Computation-Informational Systems; 5. Urban and Regional Atmosphere: From Modeling to Monitoring and Risk Estimation. This conference was useful for both young and older scientists. Further, it represented an educational and scientific forum.

Background and Aim: The main purpose of a national bioresource center is to standardize, centralize, preserve, and ensure accessibility of microbial bioresources that accumulate there because of state research programs. The establishment of national bioresource centers for antibiotic-resistant microorganisms allows to solve practical problems in the field of veterinary service, as well as to develop effective chemotherapeutic and disinfectant drugs to overcome the mechanisms of resistance. This study aimed to outline the process of forming a national culture collection of antibiotic-resistant strains of zoonotic bacteria in the Russian Federation using two microbial strains. Materials and Methods: The object of research was isolates of Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp., Campylobacter spp., Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus spp., all of which were obtained from biomaterials of farm animals, feed samples, bedding, water from livestock buildings, washouts from environmental objects, and food products. The resistance of bacterial isolates was determined using microbiological and molecular-genetic research methods. Results: During monitoring studies, 1489 bacterial isolates were isolated. In total, 408 bacterial isolates were tested for sensitivity to antimicrobial agents, including E. coli (47.6%), Salmonella spp. (30.4%), Enterococcus spp. (11.3%), and Campylobacter spp. (10.8%). For genetic characterization, 95 isolates of Salmonella enterica, E. coli, Campylobacter spp., L. monocytogenes, Staphylococcus spp., Enterococcus spp. were chosen from the research collection, which was formed as part of the monitoring program for antibiotic resistance. Conclusion: Deposited isolates that underwent whole-genome analysis can be used as positive control samples both in the development and use of methods or test systems for the detection of various resistance genes in zoonotic bacteria. In addition, such isolates can also be used for microbiological studies related to determining the sensitivity of microorganisms to antibacterial drugs, for phenotypic studies in the diagnosis of various bacterial infections in animals and birds, and retrospective analysis of strains from numerous collections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study presents data on the geochemical composition of boiling mud pools at the Mutnovsky volcano. The physicochemical characteristics of the pools and the concentrations of major, minor and trace elements in pool solutions vary widely. A comparison of the geochemical compositions of host rocks and solutions indicates that leaching from rocks is not the only source of chemicals in thermal solutions. Geophysical studies reveal the inner structure of thermal fields, which reflect the shapes of the underground reservoirs and feed channels. Using geophysical methods (electrical resistivity tomography and frequency domain investigations), it was shown that the vertical structure and complex geochemical zonation of the feed channels leads to a high contrast in the compositions of the mud solutions. These findings answer questions about the origin and composition of surface manifestations. To elucidate the mechanisms of solution formation, an attempt was made to describe the magmatic fluid evolution and the resulting mixing of waters by physical and mathematical models. The model illustrates fluid migration from a magma chamber to the surface. It is shown that the formation of brines corresponding to the mud pool composition is possible during secondary boiling. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Loess-palaeosol exposures along Taganrog Bay, Sea of Azov, in southern Russia, reveal a complex succession of Quaternary palaeoenvironments over the past 0.7 million years. The deposits overlie marine sediments of Tiraspolian (Cromerian) age. At the key section of Semibalki-1, four palaeosol complexes are identified within the series. The earliest palaeosol complex in the Semibalki-1 section is correlated with the late Muchkap Interglacial (the Vorona palaeosol). The soil type resembled modern subtropical Mediterranean region soils. The later Middle Pleistocene palaeosols bear evidence of soil-forming processes typical of various temperate zone environments, with a gradual transition to increasingly cooler, drier conditions. Soils suggesting transitional development between kastenozems and chernozems developed during the Likhvin Interglacial (Inzhavino PC). PC 2 (Kamenka Interglacial) is typified by eluviated Luvic Chernozemic soils, possibly formed under prairie parkland conditions. Finally, the Mikulino Integlacial of the Late Pleistocene (Mezin PC) is represented by chernozems similar to the modern (Holocene) soils of the region, but showing enhanced podzolization and fewer seasonal frost features. A succession of environmental changes has been traced in the study region, from semi-humid subtropical environments at the end of the Early Pleistocene to prairie environments, then to boreal-mild temperate during the Middle Pleistocene, and finally towards landscapes with typical steppe soils in the Late Pleistocene and Holocene. The sequence indicates that moisture supply and temperatures during successive interglacials shifted progressively towards increasingly cooler, somewhat drier climates, influencing soil formation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Kurai Fault Zone has generated five M w = 6.6–7.6 earthquakes for the past 6.5 ka. • Kurai Range is stepping over the basins along the main north-dipping reverse faults. • Paleoseismic slip occurred as backthrusting on south-dipping pinnate reverse faults. • The backthrusting maintains the growth of forebergs in front of the Kurai Range. • Geoelectrical data made it possible to trace faults to a depth of 50 m. The Kurai Fault Zone (KFZ) is one of the most hazardous seismogenic structures in the Gorny Altai (Russia). The KFZ have generated five paleoearthquakes with M w = 6.6–7.6 and ESI 2007 shaking intensities of VIII to XI. The ultimate event, presumably in the second half of the 18th century, was preceded by four paleoearthquakes approximately 1.3, 3.2, 5.8, and 6.3 ka ago. The morphology of fault scarps, trenching results, deformation features in Neogene sediments, as well as electric resistivity surveys, reveal reverse slip mechanisms. All earthquakes were sourced by south-dipping backthrusts with respect to the main north-dipping reverse and thrust faults along which the Kurai Range is stepping over the two basins. The backthrusting maintains the growth of forebergs in front of the Kurai Range. Narrow basins limited by reverse faults separate forebergs from the Chuya and Kurai basins. Joint interpretation of geological (including trenching) and geophysical (ERT and GPR) data reveals the resistivity structure of the area with seismogenic faults traceable to depths of 40–50 m. The KFZ model, with the reconstructed relationships between the intramontane basins and the flanking mountains, as well as the structural control of large earthquakes, makes good reference for other worldwide regions of current and past seismicity in compressional settings. Assessment of probable magnitudes and recurrence of earthquakes within the KFZ is of special importance in view of the future deployment of the gas pipeline from Russia to China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Findings from the comparative study of the immunobiological properties of live brucellosis vaccines in guinea pigs are presented in the article. Vaccines from strains Brucella abortus 19 (U.S.) and 82 (Russia), in the S and SR forms, respectively, exhibited the highest and most pronounced immunological efficacy, while vaccines from strains B. abortus 82-PS (in the RS form) and B. abortus RB-51 and 75/79-AB (in the R forms) exhibited the lowest. The live vaccine from strain B. abortus 82, together with a high immunological activity, possesses inagglutinogenic properties. The great advantage of this vaccine over the vaccine from strain B. abortus 19 is that after its use in animals the problem of the differential diagnosis of brucellosis becomes much simpler. The live vaccine from strain B. abortus 82 was adopted in veterinary practice in the Russian Federation; it is widely used for the targeted prevention of bovine brucellosis, but can also be used successfully for wild animals such as bison, deer, elk, and others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of Salmonella on raw retail chicken meat in Russia. Broiler chicken carcasses (n = 698) were collected from three regions of Russia: central (i.e., Moscow area), northwest (i.e., St. Petersburg area), and southern (i.e., Krasnodar area). In each region, samples were collected to represent various cities and districts, as well as different types of retail stores and carcass storage temperatures (i.e., chilled and frozen). All chicken samples were analyzed for the presence of Salmonella using a whole-carcass rinse method. The overall Salmonella prevalence was 31.5%. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) in Salmonella prevalence by (i) region-29.3% (n = 464) in Moscow, 38.5% (n = 192) in St. Petersburg, and 23.8% (n = 42) in Krasnodar; (ii) retail store type-28.8% (n = 236) in hypermarkets, 31.9% (n = 260) in supermarkets (part of chain stores), 44.3% (n = 61) in independent supermarkets, 42.9% (n = 28) in independent minimarkets, and 26.6% (n = 113) in wet markets; and (iii) poultry company-34.3% (n = 545) on chickens produced by integrated companies compared with 22.9% (n = 118) on chickens produced by nonintegrated companies. Strategies such as good agriculture and management practices should be enhanced to reduce Salmonella prevalence on raw poultry in Russia and therefore increase the safety of chicken products.

Little information currently exists regarding the small-scale spatial variability of Chernobyl radiocaesium fallout and associated inventories. This contribution reports the results of a study of the variability of 137Cs inventories within the 2.18-km2 Lapki balka catchment located near Tula in central Russia. The local area was characterized by 137Cs inventories in excess of 200 kBq m-2 immediately after the Chernobyl accident and pre-existing bomb-derived inventories can be ignored in view of their very low magnitude. Field sampling and measurements included both collection of soil cores for subsequent laboratory analysis and in situ field measurements using a CORAD portable detector. The results obtained show evidence of a systematic south-north increase in the reference inventory across the basin, which must be taken into account when interpreting subsequent radiocaesium redistribution within the basin. Random spatial variability of 137Cs inventories of a similar magnitude to that reported for bomb-derived fallout was also documented. The extent of random spatial variability varied between different geomorphological units. Maximum variability, with coefficients of variation up to 20%, was associated with areas of sediment accumulation within the balka bottoms. Substantial variability (cv. typically ca. 15%) was found within flat cultivated areas and undisturbed areas both on the interfluves and on the balka sides, all of which could serve as reference sites. Minimum variability (cv. typically ca. 12%) was associated with the cultivated slopes with no evidence of sediment accumulation.