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With the spread of diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy (DR) is becoming a major public health problem (especially in developing countries). The long-term complications resulting from DR have a significant impact on patients. Early diagnosis and subsequent treatment can reduce the damage to health. Predictive analytics can be based on the analysis of human retinal images using convolutional neural networks. In this paper, the research focuses on the development of an efficient method for DR detection based on the EfficientNet convolutional neural network, self-learning technology and data augmentation operations. As a result of the experiments, a neural network classifier based on convolutional neural networks is developed, recommendations for data augmentation operations are given. Experiments were performed on the public dataset and showed that it is possible to achieve the proportion of correctly classified objects equal to 97.14 % on the test set from the public dataset.

An analysis of brucellosis incidence in Russia in 2013–2022 and the data on genetic diversity of Brucella melitensis and Brucella abortus populations isolated in Russia in 1939–2022 are provided in the review. Over the past decade, the epidemiological situation in Russia has been characterized as unstable against the background of persistent unfavorable conditions for brucellosis in cattle and small ruminants. During the period of 2013–2022 (9 months), 4298 epizootic foci as regards brucellosis in cattle (89164 sick animals) and 371 as regards brucellosis in small ruminants (13569) were registered. The largest number of epizootic brucellosis foci was recorded in the North-Caucasian and Southern Federal Districts. In 2013–2022, on average, 327 cases of brucellosis among people were registered annually, the incidence rate per 100 000 of the population was 0.24. Up to 70–90 % of brucellosis cases were detected in the south of the European part of the country. A trend towards deterioration of the situation on brucellosis in Volga (Penza and Samara Regions) and Central (Smolensk, Voronezh and Tula Regions) Federal Districts is observed. There is a connection between the intensity of epidemic manifestations of brucellosis and the level of anthropurgic enzooty of territories. In 2022, 467 cases of brucellosis were reported (0.32 per 100 000 of the population), which is 42.8 % higher than annual average values over 10 years. In 2023, a measure of stability of incidence rates, by 20–25 % above average long-term values, is to be expected. Incidence of brucellosis in humans will be within the range of 380–410 cases (0.26–0.28 per 100 000 of the population). The results of genotyping of B. melitensis strains point to an increase in the proportion of isolates with an MLVA-profile characteristic of strains from enzootic as regards brucellosis countries of Middle East and North Africa over past 20–25 years, which can indicate importation (introduction) of the infection from these territories to Russia through small ruminants and/or biomaterial from them.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most common human neurodegenerative diseases. Belated diagnoses of PD and late treatment are caused by its elongated prodromal phase. Thus, searching for new candidate genes participating in the development of the pathological process in the early stages of the disease in patients who have not yet received therapy is relevant. Changes in mRNA and protein levels have been described both in the peripheral blood and in the brain of patients with PD. Thus, analysis of changes in the mRNA expression in peripheral blood is of great importance in studying the early stages of PD. This work aimed to analyze the changes in MEF2C, SLC22A4, P2RY12, and LRRN3 gene expression in the peripheral blood of patients in the early stages of PD. We found a statistically relevant and PD-specific change in the expression of the LRRN3 gene, indicating a disruption in the processes of neuronal regeneration and the functioning of synapses. The data obtained during the study indicate that this gene can be considered a potential biomarker of the early stages of PD.

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) and Lassa virus (LASV) share many genetic and biological features including subtle differences between pathogenic and apathogenic strains. Despite remarkable genetic similarity, the viscerotropic WE strain of LCMV causes a fatal LASV fever-like hepatitis in non-human primates (NHPs) while the mouse-adapted Armstrong (ARM) strain of LCMV is deeply attenuated in NHPs and can vaccinate against LCMV-WE challenge. Here, we demonstrate that internalization of WE is more sensitive to the depletion of membrane cholesterol than ARM infection while ARM infection is more reliant on endosomal acidification. LCMV-ARM induces robust NF-κB and interferon response factor (IRF) activation while LCMV-WE seems to avoid early innate sensing and failed to induce strong NF-κB and IRF responses in dual-reporter monocyte and epithelial cells. Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR-2) signaling appears to play a critical role in NF-κB activation and the silencing of TLR-2 shuts down IL-6 production in ARM but not in WE-infected cells. Pathogenic LCMV-WE infection is poorly recognized in early endosomes and failed to induce TLR-2/Mal-dependent pro-inflammatory cytokines. Following infection, Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK-1) expression is diminished in LCMV-ARM- but not LCMV-WE-infected cells, which indicates it is likely involved in the LCMV-ARM NF-κB activation. By confocal microscopy, ARM and WE strains have similar intracellular trafficking although LCMV-ARM infection appears to coincide with greater co-localization of early endosome marker EEA1 with TLR-2. Both strains co-localize with Rab-7, a late endosome marker, but the interaction with LCMV-WE seems to be more prolonged. These findings suggest that LCMV-ARM’s intracellular trafficking pathway may facilitate interaction with innate immune sensors, which promotes the induction of effective innate and adaptive immune responses.

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the main side effects of diabetes, which causes severe effects, including blindness. The main challenge is the early diagnosis of this disease for timely and effective treatment. Diabetic retinopathy can be detected much faster and more accurately by using machine learning methods for image analyzing of the human retina. The development of methods and algorithms for the detection and classification of this disease, the automation of this process are the actual and costeffective goals.The article focuses on the classification of the stages of diabetic retinopathy using neural networks based on human retinal images. Classification problem of diabetic retinopathy stages is described.The architecture of deep neural networks based on VGG16 and VGG19 with the addition of custom layers is proposed. Recommendations for the selection of the size of the initial retinal images and the preprocessing stage (cropping) are given As a result of the performed experimental research. Analysis of the dataset was performed. Neural network models were trained and results were evaluated with class imbalance taken into account.

Machine learning techniques have made significant advances and expanded application sphere over the past decade to include problems of port operations. This happened due to the growing amount of data available cargo ports. We review the literature on models and methods of machine learning and their application to optimization of port operations. A special attention is paid to the port planning and development a wide range of topics in port operations, including port planning and development, their safety and security, water and land port operations.

The study of white lupine samples of grain-forage direction developed by the All-Russian Research Institute of Lupine were carried out for three years (2019–2021) on the fields of the collection farm of the of the department of plant production, breeding and olericulture of the Belgorod State Agrarian University named after V.Ya. Gorin. There have been studied 4 varieties and 26 lines, the variety ‘Michurinsky’ was the standard in the trial. According to the seed productivity in all years of study, most varieties and lines significantly exceeded the standard. On average for 3 years, the most productive lines were ‘SN 17-14’, ‘SN 54-08’ and ‘SN 12–13’, which increase ranged from 43 to 48 % in comparison with the standard variety. Productivity increase from 34 to 39 % was given by the lines ‘SN 816-09’, ‘SN 1735-10’, ‘SN 35-13’ and ‘SN 77-17’. The increase of the varieties ‘Pilgrim’ and ‘Aliy parus’ and four lines ‘SN 18-13’, ‘SN 15-13’, ‘SN 55-14’, ‘SN 138-16’ varied from 21 to 26 % compared to the standard. The variety ‘Timiryazevsky’ and lines ‘SN 1397-10’, ‘SN 78-16’ and ‘SN 25-11’ exceeded the standard on 13–18 %. At the same time, the lines ‘SN 76-16’ and ‘SN 1022-09’ produced the lowest yields, significantly inferior to the standard. The calculation of the adaptability coefficient has shown that the varieties and lines that provided high and stable seed productivity over the years are also highly adaptive to the arid conditions of the region, since this coefficient has exceeded 100 %. The protein percentge in seeds on average for 3 years ranged from 29.55 to 36.45 % with 32.27 % for the standard. Its percentage exceeded 35.0 % among 7 lines and the variety ‘Pilgrim’. The oil content in seeds of the white lupine varieties and lines on average for 3 years ranged from 10.00 to 11.54 %. Most varieties and lines in the trial according to the content of alkaloids in seeds belong to the group of low alkaloids (up to 0.099 %) and medium alkaloids (up to 0.299 %).

Reduction of the systematic error when determining the characteristics of the reference X-ray radiation fields is an essential task according to the ISO 4037-1:2019 standard. This task is especially important in dosimetry laboratories when establishing the qualities of reference photon fields. The aim of the study was to develop a method that allows taking into account the contribution of radiation scattered on the filter when determining the half-value layer of the photon field generated by the X-ray unit. Another goal was to reduce the computational cost of determining this contribution.One of the major contributors to the systematic error in measuring the half-value layer is the radiation scattered on the filter material. The standard recommends that this error should be taken into account in the measurement. But it does not provide any methodology that would do this.The study investigated the possibility of reducing the contribution of scattered radiation to the ionization chamber readings when assessing the radiation quality of the X-ray unit by the means of half-value layer. The study utilized the (N, H, L) quality series as reference fields according to ISO 4037-1:2019.Contribution of the scattered radiation to the half-value layer was compensated with the correction coefficients; they were calculated with the FLUKA Monte Carlo software according to the zero-aperture approximation method. Unlike other similar methods, the proposed approach employs kinetic energy released to matter (kerma), to air in this case, as the main value, which, when utilized instead of deposited energy, reduces the program’s runtime several fold.Correctness of the results obtained in this work was verified by comparing the calculated values of the half-value layer with the tabulated ones provided in the ISO 4037-1:2019 standard. The deviation of calculated values from those specified in the standard does not exceed 2 %.Calculation results showed that the error contributed by scattered radiation to the magnitude of the halfvalue layer in direct measurements does not exceed 5 %. The use of the air kerma allowed us to significantly reduce the time for calculating the correction coefficients by the factor of 6–16 times with respect to other methods, depending on the radiation quality series. This made it possible to calculate correction factors for the source-detector distance equal to 2.5 meters.

Single-dose, immunogenic DNA (iDNA) vaccines coding for whole live-attenuated viruses are reviewed. This platform, sometimes called immunization DNA, has been used for vaccine development for flavi- and alphaviruses. An iDNA vaccine uses plasmid DNA to launch live-attenuated virus vaccines in vitro or in vivo. When iDNA is injected into mammalian cells in vitro or in vivo, the RNA genome of an attenuated virus is transcribed, which starts replication of a defined, live-attenuated vaccine virus in cell culture or the cells of a vaccine recipient. In the latter case, an immune response to the live virus vaccine is elicited, which protects against the pathogenic virus. Unlike other nucleic acid vaccines, such as mRNA and standard DNA vaccines, iDNA vaccines elicit protection with a single dose, thus providing major improvement to epidemic preparedness. Still, iDNA vaccines retain the advantages of other nucleic acid vaccines. In summary, the iDNA platform combines the advantages of reverse genetics and DNA immunization with the high immunogenicity of live-attenuated vaccines, resulting in enhanced safety and immunogenicity. This vaccine platform has expanded the field of genetic DNA and RNA vaccines with a novel type of immunogenic DNA vaccines that encode entire live-attenuated viruses.

The article discusses the main stages of the emergence and awareness of the need for global measures to combat excess greenhouse gas emissions. The main emphasis is placed on the legislative and regulatory aspect, taking into account the opinions of official and interested organizations. The analysis of the materials of publications on the sources of greenhouse gas emissions and the volume of their entry into the atmosphere is carried out. In the Russian Federation, there is a noticeable change in attitude to the situation, both at the level of basic concepts and in the applied aspect. The historical and modern understanding of the greenhouse gas problem has been partially traced. The timber industry is becoming an important component of a set of measures to harmonize the performance of emission producers and carbon depositing companies. The possibility of economic regulation of emissions has the greatest potential in the hands of both the European Union and the Government of the Russian Federation. The quota trading system should become an effective fine-tuned tool in the field of regulating greenhouse gas emissions. The existing quota trading systems in the world are briefly described. Some indicators of the quota trading system for Russian companies are given. The possibilities of the timber industry and the forest fund to compensate for the consequences of the introduction of the “green tax” are presented. The main dangers from the introduction of a “green tax” for the industry of the Russian Federation are assessed. The results of emission calculations for a number of enterprises supplying products for export are analyzed. The main ways of minimizing the consequences of the introduction of a “green tax” for the economy are substantiated.

The problems of modeling the formation and propagation of cracks are relevant in a variety of applied fields: dynamics and strength of machines and mechanisms, mechanics of structural materials and structures, etc. When describing the fracture process, in addition to the fracture criteria, it is also important to correctly take into account changes in the rheology of the destroyed material, including the contact interaction between the surfaces of the cracks and fragments formed. This paper proposes a technique for calculating the stress-strain state of cracked bodies taking into account the contact interaction of crack banks in the normal direction. The technique is based on the transformation of a finite element grid with the introduction of double nodes, as well as an iterative algorithm for determining the contact zones of the crack banks. An example of calculating deformations of a shaft with a crack under the action of body weight at different angular positions of the shaft is given.

In February 2019, following the annual taxon ratification vote, the order Bunyavirales was amended by creation of two new families, four new subfamilies, 11 new genera and 77 new species, merging of two species, and deletion of one species. This article presents the updated taxonomy of the order Bunyavirales now accepted by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV).

In October 2018, the order Bunyavirales was amended by inclusion of the family Arenaviridae, abolishment of three families, creation of three new families, 19 new genera, and 14 new species, and renaming of three genera and 22 species. This article presents the updated taxonomy of the order Bunyavirales as now accepted by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV).

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system. Now 2.8 million people in the world suffer from MS, since 2000 every 5 years there has been an increase in the number of MS patients by 10%. At the same time, the number of cases with highly active MS (HAMS) is increasing, i.e. cases of MS with two or more exacerbations without taking specific pathogenetic therapy or one exacerbation during taking MS disease-modifying therapies (DMTsMS), which is accompanied by the corresponding MRI data of the brain and spinal cord (presence of new or active lesions). Previously, there were no studies of quality of life (QoL) in this subgroup of patients in the world.Objective: to compare the QoL indicators of patients with HAMS with those of healthy people and patients with a typical course of relapsingremitting MS (RRMS).Patients and methods. The study included data on 518 patients from 14 regions of the Russian Federation for 2020–2021 years, in whom HAMS was confirmed during a second examination. We used the results of the analysis of clinical data from neurologists and data from questionnaires filled out by patients with HAMS. Two questionnaires were used in the work – the general (non-specific) Questionnaire for assessing the QoL, SF-36 (The MOS 36-item Short-Form Health Survey) and a special questionnaire for MS patients – MusiQoL (Multiple sclerosis Quality of Life).Results and discussion. Almost all indicators of QoL in HAMS were below the control. When compared with the typical course of RRMS, a more pronounced decrease in daily activity indicators, a significant impact of clinical symptoms on QoL, a negative attitude of patients towards the healthcare system, and a low overall health index were noted. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a stronger effect on QoL parameters of the frequency of exacerbations in HAMS than in RRMS.Conclusion. The data obtained in the study indicate the need for more active management of patients with HAMS using second-line DMTsMS.

An analysis of trends in the development of situation on brucellosis in the world over past decade and the data on the main risk factors for the occurrence of epidemiological complications regarding this infection in various regions of the world are provided in the paper. An expert assessment of the current epizootiological and epidemiological situation on brucellosis, the coverage of population and animals with immunization in the Russian Federation is given. Over 9 months of 2021, 210 potentially hazardous as regards brucellosis in cattle areas and 24 sites – as regards brucellosis in small ruminants – were registered in Russia. Compared to the same period in 2020, there was a decrease in the number of newly identified hazardous sites for bovine brucellosis by 35.8 % (117 areas). However, long-term upward trend in epizootiological adversity for bovine brucellosis in Russia persists. The epidemiological situation on brucellosis in the country for the period of 2012–2021 is characterized as unfavorable. Decrease in the number of newly detected human brucellosis cases (by 25.1 % of long-term average values) is observed against the background of persistent unfavorable epizootic conditions for brucellosis among epidemiologically significant species of small ruminants and cattle in regions with developed animal husbandry. In 2021, clusters of human cases were registered in the Republic of Dagestan and Penza Region. In the Republic of Dagestan, against the background of aggravation of epizootiological and epidemiological situation on brucellosis, there was also an alarming trend towards prevalence of a relatively high incidence among minors. The proportion of cases of brucellosis among children under the age of 17 in the Republic amounted to 60.3 % of the total number of minors with newly diagnosed brucellosis in Russia over the past 10 years. Taking into account current epizootic, epidemic situations and the long-term dynamics of the development of situation on brucellosis in the Russian Federation, the incidence of brucellosis among the population is predicted to be 10–15 % lower than the average long-term values – 0.18–0.20 per 100000 of the population – in 2022. The number of human cases of brucellosis can range from 250 to 300.

The article presents a generalised portrait of civil governors of the Belarusian-Lithuanian Region under Paul I in 1796–1801. The social characteristics (origin, religion, age, educational level, career, awards) of eight Lithuanian, Belarusian and Minsk civil governors are analysed. The conditions and motives for the appointment and dismissal of these officials are established. It is noted that the governor corps of the Belarusian-Lithuanian Region under Paul I was characterised by both all-Russian tendencies (frequent turnover, a higher rank according to the Table of Ranks, the absence of a clearly established amount of pensions), and some features (regional and confessional affiliation, elderly age (50 years on average)). It is concluded that in the personnel policy, Paul I continued Catherine’s practice of appointing former military governors, which was explained both by political (disloyalty of part of the population) and ethno-confessional (Jews, Catholics, Uniates, Orthodox) features of the region. The daily life of governors is reconstructed on the basis of socio-cultural characteristics (number of duties, perception of time, personal qualities, material support, marital status and interests). It is concluded that the origin, patronage and military experience played an important role in the appointment. However, the duration of tenure under Paul I depended on the business qualities of the governors. It is noted that some bosses, having no managerial experience, made numerous mistakes. They led to dissatisfaction with the emperor and, as a result, to premature resignations. At the same time, the reign of Paul I turned out to be quite effective in the Belarusian-Lithuanian Region in terms of achieving managerial results.

Viruses can significantly influence the biogeochemical cycling of major nutrients through the infection and lysis of cyanobacteria, a globally important primary producer [...]