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Vocal plasticity due to changes of social context is well documented in passerine birds. In other bird species, the impact of social environment changes on the whole vocal structure and on individual specific signatures remains largely unexplored. Here, we assessed inter- and intra-season stability of specific features of individual signatures in advertising calls of crested auklet (Aethia cristatella) males and tested the effects of pair mate and territory changes on the stability of the calls. The crested auklet is a highly social seabird of the North Pacific that breeds in dense colonies, and its individuals switch pair mates and territories with probability of 25–54%. During summer 2008–2010, we recorded 464 trumpet calls from 21 individually marked males and determined their pair mates and positions of their displaying places on a breeding colony of Talan Island, Sea of Okhotsk. We found that strong individual specific features of crested auklet trumpet calls stay stable not only during one season but also from year to year. However, we failed to find any effects of pair mate or territory changes on individual signatures of crested auklet trumpet calls. Our results suggest that crested auklets can potentially use their individually specific trumpet calls to form long-term social bonds both between pair mates and between neighbors; however, future experimental studies should test whether this is indeed the case.

Crested auklet is a unique representative of the family Alcidae with a complex social behavior nesting in dense colonies with a size of up to one million individuals. Here we study specific individual features in their trumpet calls, loud vocalizations used by auklets as an advertising display. In 2008 and 2009, we recorded 231 calls of 24 individually marked male crested auklets from the Talan Island (Sea of Okhotsk). According to a stepwise discriminant function analysis based on seven variables in the call introduction, the rate of correct call assignment to an individual was 84.8% and that in the case of seven variables of the main part of the call was 82.3%, which considerably exceeds a random classification. Thus, a single introduction or a single main part of the call is sufficient for a reliable individual identification of a calling bird. We assume that such redundancy of information for individual recognition can enhance identification of calls of a large number of auklet conspecifics in dense colonies with a nesting density of several tens of pairs per 1 m2.

Indicators of individual quality in ornamentation or in vocalizations have been reported for different animal species. However, no studies have jointly investigated ornamentation and vocalizations in one species. The crested auklet (Aethia cristatella, Alcidae) is a small colonial seabird of the North Pacific and is unusual for a bird in using optical, vocal, and olfactory signals. We estimated the potential for coding individual quality in vocalizations and plumage ornamentation and the relationship between vocal and optical traits in crested auklets. During the summer seasons of 2008–2009, we recorded 359 trumpet calls from 28 individually marked males and measured indices of body size, condition, and plumage patterns of 58 male and 48 female crested auklets from a breeding colony on Talan Island, Sea of Okhotsk. We found strong interindividual differences in trumpet call characteristics. Furthermore, we found that the maximum fundamental frequency of the loudest notes of the trumpet call is negatively correlated with body condition, and head crest length is positively correlated with body size. However, we found no relationship between vocal and ornamental traits. The results suggest that advertising calls of crested auklets signal caller individuality and quality, but future experimental studies should test whether or not this is indeed case.

The crested auklet, a highly social planktivorous bird species of the Northern Pacific, is an important component of marine ecosystems. Although visual and acoustic modalities play a major role in the communication of these birds, the available data on the repertoire of their vocal signals and postures are scarce and lack quantitative analysis. This study deals with visual and acoustic displays of crested auklets on their breeding grounds and the occurrence frequencies of certain forms of social behavior in male and female birds. The data were collected on Talan Island (the Sea of Okhotsk) in 1987–1991 and 2008. They show that the rate of contacts between birds is very high and sex-specific: on average, males initiate 1.13 contacts/min, compared to 0.65 contacts/min initiated by females. Directionality of ruff-sniff displays differs depending on the posture of the recipient bird. The duration of the trumpeting display in males depends on their social surroundings. However, the duration of either the trumpeting display or the mutual cackling display during courtship is independent of the behavioral context. Vocalization of crested auklets is characterized by two independent basic frequencies occurring either sequentially or simultaneously. The role of different communicative modalities in the behavior of the crested auklet is discussed.

The effect of philopatry on the formation of the intrapopulation structure in the crested auklet colony of the Talan Island, Taui Bay of the Sea of Okhotsk, was examined. The nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial DNA control region fragment (408 bp) and five microsatellite loci (Apy03, Apy04, Apy06, Apy07, Apy10) in individuals from two study plots of the colony were examined. A high genetic diversity (h = 0.999 ± 0.003) and the absence of intrapopulation genetic differentiation was observed at both types of markers. Thus, despite the high level of nest-area fidelity in breeding adults, no genetic isolation was revealed for crested auklets from different parts of the Talan Island colony.

In this paper authors propose the technique, which decreases average forecast error of regression based models. The main idea of the method is to use the weighted sum of several regression equations, which satisfy Ordinary Least Squares prerequisites and have independent residuals, instead of only one. It is shown that if all method requirements are met, it is possible to decrease Mean Squared Error almost by half, using just three equations. This technique allows deriving equations which contain more predictors than the number of observations. Additionally, this method proves to be more consistent in time than any of regressions, used in it, separately. It is also illustrated, that the proposed method outperforms the regression equation, computed with the same independent variables, and, thus, it gives more accurate estimators of regression coefficients. Empirical results are provided as well.

This article deals with the morpho- and lithodynamic role of ice in shaping the Arctic coasts. Taking the Pechora Sea as an example, the direct and indirect impact of ice on the sea floor and shores is described. Active gouging by ice floes, ice-rafting of sedimentary material, formation of strudel scour depressions and frozen rocks on shallows are all direct impacts. The indirect impact of ice that arrests the coastal zone for most of the year is a considerable reduction of the overall energy of waves and currents. Based on the performed analysis, we plot a schematic zonation of the Pechora Sea according to the probable impact of ice on the shores and seafloor.

This is the third paper on the breeding biology of the whiskered auklet on Buldyr' Island (Aleutian Islands) based on material collected in 1993. Unlike other alcid birds, both adult and young whiskered auklets returned to the colony the night after the end of the breeding season. From the end of July until the third ten-day period of August, the number of adult birds that returned to the island was at approximately the same level, and then decreased, while the number of young birds that returned to the islands markedly varied, and peaks were noted every 5–8 nights. Adult birds continued to visit all the nest habitats, but not all nest chambers were visited equally frequently. In the first and third ten-day periods of August, the auklets visited 61% and 19.8% of the nest chambers, respectively. It remains unclear whether they were their hosts, or other birds used their nests for the next year. The return of adult and young birds to the colony to sleep after the breeding season appears to be related to the settled mode of life of the whiskered auklet and its feeding near the islands in water perturbations caused by tidal currents.

Summary As the operation process moves on to the advanced stages of field development, the increase in water cut is observed; that makes it necessary to apply technologies to reduce water onset. Timely prevention of problems associated with water onset is possible due to equipment ensuring continuous monitoring and high accuracy of measured values. Modern water-cut meters based on near-infrared absorption spectroscopy can distinguish oil, water, natural gas, and gas-hydrate inhibitors such as methanol. Field testing of water-cut meters was performed by Samotlorneftegaz OJSC and Verkhnechonskneftegaz OJSC. Water-cut metes were mounted into Group Measuring Stations (GMS); the readings were displayed on the upper level of Automatic Process Control system of the company what enabled real time water-cut monitoring. Measurement accuracy was evaluated by means of comparative testing with the laboratory testing results of oil well fluid samples. To ensure stable accurate performance of the water-cut meter within the rated tolerances and ability to compare the measured values with the laboratory sample test results, it is important to maintain turbulent flow conditions: vertical velocity of min. 0.6 m/s, and horizontal velocity of 1.2 m/s. It will ensure adequate mixing. Besides, other methodological aspects are important, such as mutual alignment of the water-cut meter and sampling port, sampling frequency, mixer availability, group measuring station operating mode, etc. The economic effect of high-quality dynamic water-cut measurements (taking into account synergetic effect of other technologies) is achieved due to various factors: fewer inefficient well interventions; improving of decision-making; timely prevention of water onset; reduction of operational costs for manual sampling and laboratory analysis; incremental oil production by eliminating of premature well conversion to non-commercial stock due to poor quality measurements, and improved safety.

Приводятся результаты исследования связи черт личности зрителей кинофильмов с оцениванием ими фильмов, содержащих и не содержащих сцены насилия. На основании психосемантического исследования обнаружена связь личностных черт с особенностями психосемантического оценивания кинофильмов со сценами насилия. В частности, установлена отрицательная связь психосемантической оценки фильма с нейротизмом и положительная связь нейротизма, психотизма и склонности к поиску ощущений – с психосемантической силой кинофильма, содержащего сцены насилия. При этом психотизм был отрицательно связан с психосемантической силой кинофильма со сценами насилия. Установлено, что характеристики нейротизма зрителей и психосемантическое оценивание ими кинофильмов без сцен и со сценами насилия соотносятся. The results of psychosemantic evaluation of movies with scenes of violence and its links with personality traits of spectators-students were conducted. It was found that the psychosemantic evaluation of movies with violence scenes and personality traits correlated. Neuroticism was negatively correlated with “psychosemantic evaluation” and positively correlated “psychosemantic potency” of movies with violence scenes. Psychoticism and sensation seeking were positively correlated with “psychosemantic evaluation” of movies with violence scenes. Also psychoticism was negatively correlated with “psychosemantic potency” of movies with violence scenes. The psychosemantic evaluation of movies with scenes of violence and neuroticism measures interacted.. Дорфман Леонид Яковлевич, профессор, заведующий кафедрой психологии и педагогики, Пермский государственный институт искусства и культуры, dorfman07@yandex.ru. Зубакин Максим Владимирович, ассистент кафедры психологии развития философско-социологического факультета, Пермский государственный национальный исследовательский университет, maxzubakinpsy@rambler.ru. Leonid Ya. Dorfman, D.Sc., professor, the head of Psychology and Pedagogy Department, Perm State Institute of Art and Culture. Maxim V. Zubakin, assistant, Department of Development Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy and Sociology, Perm State National Research University

Natural habitat preservation, i.e. the creation and management of Protected Natural Areas (PNAs), is one of the most important forms of biodiversity conservation. The most widespread types of PNAs in Russia are Zakazniks (State Nature Refuges) and Natural Monuments, but unlike Zapovedniks (State Nature Reserves) these types of Russian PNAs are little-known to foreign ecologists. Thus the main attention of this article is given to the problems of Zakazniks and Natural Monuments while other types of Russian PNAs are mentioned briefly. In many regions of Russia, Zakazniks and Natural Monuments are considered to be the core components for the regional protection of biodiversity. Non-Governmental Organizations play an important role in the creation and management of PNAs. The recent sudden change of circumstances in Russia have given rise to many problems which threaten the existence of Zakazniks and Natural Monuments. Possible means of saving these PNAs include: (i) promoting the interest of local people in protecting biodiversity; and (ii) supporting local authorities, and public initiatives and regional programmes in the creation of local PNA networks.

Приводятся результаты исследования психосемантических оценок сцен насилия в художественном кинофильме у зрителей-студентов и выраженности у них состояния депрессии. Было установлено, что кинофильм со сценами насилия по сравнению с кинофильмом без таковых оценивается в семантически негативном ключе, но как «активный» и «сильный». При этом у зрителей снижалась выраженность симптомов депрессии. Результатами дисперсионного анализа установлено, что психосемантические оценки зрителями сцен насилия в кинофильме и выраженность у них состояния депрессии изменяются совместно. We present the results of the study psychosemantic assessments of violence in the feature film, the audience of students and their severity of depression. It was found that a film with scenes of violence compared to those estimated in the motion picture is semantically a negative way, but as “active” and “strong”. At the same time the audience was reduced the severity of depression. The results of analysis of variance revealed that the audience psychosemantic assessment of violence in the movie and the severity of their state of depression vary together. Дорфман Леонид Яковлевич. Доктор психологических наук, профессор, заведующий кафедрой психологии и педагогики, Пермский государственный институт искусства и культуры. E-mail: dorfman07@yandex.ru Leonid Ya. Dorfman. Doctor of psychology, professor, the head of psychology and pedagogy department, Perm State Institute of Art and Culture. E-mail: dorfman07@yandex.ru Зубакин Максим Владимирович. Ассистент кафедры психологии разви- тия, Пермский государственный национальный исследовательский университет. E-mail: maxzubakinpsy@rambler.ru Maxim V. Zubakin. Assistant of development psychology department, Perm State National Research University. E-mail: maxzubakinpsy@rambler.ru

Due to wholesale market institutionalization in the Russian power sector, the generating companies become the key players on the wholesale electricity market. Pricing mechanism transformation in favor of marginal principles cause new risks for market participants. Risks, which influence market participants behavior and their classification are well-known. In our article we would pay special attention for studying risks, which origin is based on new market rules and their changes establishment, which cause changes in hydro power station's operational, financial and investment strategies.In Russian Federation the larger HPP has a huge installed capacity (Siberia, Far East and Middle Volga region), cascade allocation and very difficult interference aspects. These technological features define principals to be laid in the base for HPP pricing and bidding problem solving. The optimal generation planning problem in respect to hydro power plants settled on one river cascade might be solved using a risk minimization function and a method of spare corridors.

This is the third paper on the breeding biology of the whiskered auklet on Buldir Island (Aleutian Islands) based on material collected in 1993. Unlike other alcid birds, both adult and young whiskered auklets returned to the colony the night after the end of the breeding season. From the end of July until the third ten-day period of August, the number of adult birds that returned to the island was at approximately the same level, and then decreased, while the number of young birds that returned to the islands markedly varied, and peaks were noted every 5-8 nights. Adult birds continued to visit all the nest habitats, but not all nest chambers were visited equally frequently. In the first and third ten-day periods of August, the auklets visited 61% and 19.8% of the nest chambers, respectively. It remains unclear whether they were their hosts, or other birds used their nests for the next year. The return of adult and young birds to the colony to sleep after the breeding season appears to be related to the settled mode of life of the whiskered auklet and its feeding near the islands in water perturbations caused by tidal currents.

This is the second publication on the results of studies of the whiskered auklet breeding biology on Buldir Island. In 1993, according to the time of chick hatching the egg-laying period began in late April-early May. The single egg was incubated by both parents, which relieved each other once a day, usually at early night. Among the chicks under observation, the first hatched on June 11; the median of hatching was on June 17. After hatching, the egg shell usually remained in the nest. The chick was continuously brooded by one of parents for the first several days but since the age of 7-9 days, it stayed in the nest by itself during the daytime. Each parent fed the chick once a day, at early night, although occasional feedings were recorded also during daytime and at dawn. A newly hatched chick was covered by typical embryonal (natal) down. The remiges, rectrices, their coverts, and large feathers on pteryla humeralis had a mesoptile stage during their growth (the second down generation). The juvenile plumage consisted of semiplumes of types I and II and contour feathers of type I and, possibly, type II. In fledglings, the ornamental feathers were underdeveloped: the crest was absent and facial plumes only began growing. By reaching 100 g, the chicks left their nests at the age of about 37 days. A longer nesting period than in other Aethia auklets appears to be related to a low feeding rate due to the nocturnal activity in the colony.

This paper discusses a method of constructing television cameras that use image stabilization based on a direct method of measuring the image displacement relative to a photodetector array by means of two supplementary orthogonal linear photodetectors. It is shown that the proposed approach makes it possible in the parabolic approximation of the correlation function to substantially expand the range of velocities of the viewing axis for which motion distortions are masked by noise.

The relevance of the study is due to the need to study the feasibility of replacing traditional fuel with alternative types (generator gas) when using a household power plant. The purpose of the study is to obtain the value of a small-displacement engine GG-2700 with a working volume of 1563 cm3 when it works on commercial fuel (gasoline) and generator gas. For this purpose, the authors developed an experimental setup on the basis of a small-sized household power station with fixation of variable parameters on a personal computer and a graphical representation of the measurement results. The records of the indicator diagrams allowed determining the burning time of various fuels. As a result, for the first time, there were obtained quantitative indicators of fuel efficiency and toxicity of exhaust gases of the small-displacement engine GG-2700 with a working volume of 1563 cm3 when using commercial fuel (gasoline) and generator gas. The analysis of the data showed an increase in the specific consumption of generator gas in comparison with gasoline from 34.6% to 50.4% and a decrease in the content of toxic components in the exhaust gases: carbon monoxide (CO) – in 1.05 ... 1.25 times, hydrocarbons (CxHy ) - in 1,1 ... 1,39 times, nitrogen oxides (NOх) - in 3,9 ... 5,7 times. The obtained results prove the expediency of using generator gas as an alternative fuel for the engine of a household power plant.