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Bostrycoidin is one of the pigments produced by the Fusarium genus of fungi. On the one hand, it has significant pharmacological importance, while on the other hand, it serves as a presence marker of Fusarium infection in useful grain crops, fruits, and soils. In this regard, the structural and optical properties of the bostrycoidin molecule were studied in the framework of density functional theory (DFT). The most stable geometry as well as higher-energy conformers and tautomers were investigated. The lowest-energy tautomer was found to be about 3 kcal/mol higher in energy than the most stable structure, resulting in relatively low population of this state. The obtained conformational rotamers associated with the rotation of the OMe group possess similar energy. The vibrational spectrum was modeled for the most stable conformer, and the most active peaks in the IR absorbance spectrum were assigned. Moreover, the electronic absorption spectrum was simulated within the time-dependent DFT approach. The obtained theoretical spectrum is in good agreement with the experimental data and the theoretically calculated longest-wavelength transition (HOMO–LUMO) was about 498 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Fluctuations of physiological characteristics play an important role in a living organisms' normal existence and adaptation to environmental conditions. An important feature of oscillations in living systems is their ability to form (synchronization) or break links (desynchronization) with each other. For example, synchronization/desynchronization in the brain's electrical activity plays a role in memory and learning; synchronization changes cause epilepsy and other diseases. The task of quantifying the synchronization of signaling events in cells is currently unsolved. No universal, informative and accurate method has been found for assessing the synchronization of large cell groups. For the first time, we have tested the possibility of applying a mathematical method called bispectral analysis (applied earlier on the whole organism) to assess the coupling of signaling molecules and the level of fluctuations in cells. This method allows for a highly accurate estimation of the connection of oscillations between all pairs of cells in a studied population, the magnitude and frequency of these coupled oscillations, and which cells create and receive a "signal to form a connection of oscillations". We have shown that stress (overheating and excessive glucose concentration) changes the synchronization of oscillations of signaling molecules in cells. The obtained data can be applied in medicine and human economic activity. The oscillation synchronization analysis in biological systems will expand our knowledge about the response of living systems to changes in environmental conditions. This knowledge can be used in medicine (diagnosis, therapy, monitoring) and agriculture (increasing productivity, resistance to adverse effects). Currently, the search is underway for an informative, accurate and sensitive method for analyzing the synchronization of oscillatory processes in cell biology. It is especially pronounced in analyzing the concentration oscillations of intracellular signaling molecules in electrically nonexcitable cells. The bispectral analysis method could be applied to assess the characteristics of synchronized oscillations of intracellular mediators. We chose endothelial cells from mouse microvessels as model cells. Concentrations of well-studied calcium and nitric oxide (NO) were selected for study in control conditions and well-described stress: heating to 40 °C and hyperglycemia. The bispectral analysis allows us to accurately evaluate the proportion of synchronized cells, their synchronization degree, and the amplitude and frequency of synchronized calcium and NO oscillations. Heating to 40 °C increased cell synchronization for calcium but decreased for NO oscillations. Hyperglycemia abolished this effect. Heating to 40 °C changed the frequencies and increased the amplitudes of synchronized oscillations of calcium concentration and the NO synthesis rate. The first part of this paper describes the principles of the bispectral analysis method and equations and modifications of the method we propose. In the second part of this paper, specific examples of the application of bispectral analysis to assess the synchronization of living cells in vitro are presented. The discussion compares the capabilities of bispectral analysis with other analytical methods in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents the results of studying dilute aqueous solutions of commercial Ln(NO3)3 · xH2O salts with Ln = Ce-Lu using X-ray diffraction (XRD), IR spectroscopy, X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS: EXAFS/XANES), and pH measurements. As a reference point, XRD and XAS measurements for characterized Ln(NO3)3 · xH2O microcrystalline powder samples were performed. The local structure of Ln-nitrate complexes in 20 mM Ln(NO3)3 · xH2O aqueous solution was studied under total external reflection conditions and EXAFS geometry was applied to obtain high-quality EXAFS data for solutions with low concentrations of Ln3+ ions. Results obtained by EXAFS spectroscopy showed significant contraction of the first coordination sphere during the dissolution process for metal ions located in the middle of the lanthanide series. It was established that in Ln(NO3)3 · xH2O solutions with Ln = Ce, Sm, Gd, Yb (c = 134, 100, 50 and 20 mM) there are coordinated and, to a greater extent, non-coordinated nitrate groups with bidentate and predominantly monodentate bonds with Ln ions, the number of which increases upon transition from cerium to ytterbium. For the first time, the antibacterial and antifungal activity of Ln(NO3)3 · xH2O Ln = Ce, Sm, Gd, Tb, Yb solutions with different concentrations and pH was presented. Cross-relationships between the concentration of solutions and antimicrobial activity with the type of Ln = Ce, Sm, Gd, Tb, Yb were established, as well as the absence of biocidal properties of solutions with a concentration of 20 mM, except for Ln = Yb. The important role of experimental conditions in obtaining and interpreting the results was noted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern agriculture, with the use of artificial lighting, requires high-intensity LED luminaires with compact dimensions. In this regard, new approaches to the design of LED luminaires using both new materials and technical solutions have been considered. The theoretical evaluation of the influence of different materials on the efficiency of removal of thermal energy from LEDs was shown. A new material PMS-5 is proposed and evaluated as an immersion liquid, which can be used as an effective heat sink in the lower part of the luminaire up to the level of LEDs located in the top light LED luminaires. The proposed polymethylsiloxane PMS-5 liquid has more than twice the thermal conductivity (0.167 W/(m·K)) of HFE7200 and NS15 liquids used in immersion-cooled LED luminaires. Based on the theoretical evaluation, the requirements for parameters, such as metal profile area, immersion liquid volume, wall thickness area, and external area of the cylinder, are highlighted and shown. The noted parameters have a key role in the design of an efficient top light LED luminaire. It has been shown that the design of the metal profile significantly affects the efficiency of the removal of thermal energy from LEDs and it is necessary to use specialized profiles optimized for the diameter of the LED luminaire cylinder. A number of LED luminaire designs were proposed, depending on the thermal properties of the construction materials, technical and economic performance, as well as actual operating and installation conditions. The analysis of the presented theoretical evaluations allowed overlay of the design basis of LED luminaires within the presented concept and top light. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT This study aims to determine the relationship between indicators of the motor activity, pH factor, rumen and rectal temperature within 10 days after calving and to analyze the possibility of using the studied parameters as prognostic signs for diagnosing sub-acute rumen acidosis (SARA). The measurements were taken using bolus with sensors designed to monitor cow health. The motor activity, pH factor and ruminal temperature of 10 cows were measured during 10 days at a measurement interval of every 60 seconds. Next, the researchers calculated the average values of the obtained readings, which were divided into 2 groups according to a measurement interval of every 12 hours. Rectal temperature was measured using a veterinary thermometer every 12 hours (at 8 a.m. and at 8 p.m.). As a result, 200 measurements were obtained. Descriptive sampling statistics were calculated using the SPSS Statistics program. An increase in motor activity reduces the pH level of the rumen environment. Lowering the pH factor of the rumen environment leads to an increase in ruminal temperature. There is a positive statistically significant correlation between ruminal and rectal temperature. The nosology of SARA can be predicted by measuring the motor activity and rectal temperature of dairy cows.

The purpose of the research is studying helminths of carnivorous birds of the order of owls (Strigiformes) found in the Non-Black Earth Region of the Russian Federation.Materials and methods. From 2015 to 2020, complete helminthological dissections were carried out by the Skryabin method for 72 birds of the order of owls after their spontaneous death: 8 specimens of the short-eared owl Asio flammeus, 6 specimens of the Ural owl Strix uralensis, 4 specimens of the little owl Athene noctua, 9 specimens of the barn owl Tyto alba, 19 specimens of the tawny owl S. aluco, and 26 specimens of the long-eared owl A. otus. The study material was provided by rehabilitation centers and veterinary clinics in Moscow City and the Moscow, Tula and Kaluga regions. The helminths were fixed according to generally accepted methods; the species was identified taking into account specific morphological characters.Results and discussion. Total infection rate in owls was 89.9%. All studied birds were found to have mixed infections with two or more types of helminths. We identified 15 helminth species including 3 species of trematodes (Neodiplostomum attenuatum, Strigea falconis, S. strigis), 2 species of cestodes (Cladotaenia globifera, Paruterina candelabraria), 9 species of nematodes (Syngamus trachea, Cyrnea leptoptera, Microtetrameres inermis, Synhimantus laticeps, Porrocaecum depressum, P. spirale, Capillaria tenuissima, Baruscapillaria falconis, and Capillaria sp.) and 1 acanthocephalian species (Centrorhynchus aluconis). For the first time, new hosts were identified for the following helminth species: the barn owl, short-eared owl and little owl for the trematode N. attenuatum, the Ural owl and little owl for S. falconis, the long-eared owl for the nematode S. trachea, the short-eared owl and tawny owl for C. leptoptera, and the tawny owl for M. inermis.

The authors showed that the transition to the technology of virus-free minitubers mass production changed the machines requirements for planting original seed potatoes.(Research purpose) To develop a technological scheme and substantiate the design parameters of the planting apparatus of an automatic planter of potato minitubers.(Materials and methods) The development was based on an elevator-type planting apparatus. The authors decided to create a spoon design with the ability to grip and move into the guide casing one minituber in each spoon, eliminating the minitubers jumping from one spoon to another or pinching them when moving along the guiding casing to the furrow bottom. The diameters of the lower guide and upper drive rollers were theoretically substantiated in order to exclude the influence of the planting tubers sizes difference on the uniformity of their submitting into the furrow.(Results and discussion) The authors determined the minimum permissible elevator belt speed, which depended on the distance between the spoons on the elevator belt and the planting unit speed. The size of the upper driving reel diameter was justified from the condition that the spoon unfolded 180 degrees in at least 1.5 seconds, which ensured a tuber smooth transition to the back side of the spoon.(Conclusions) The authors developed a technological scheme of an automatic planting elevator type device for planting potato minitubers with a working speed of 6-9 kilometers per hour. It was found that the upper driving reel diameter was not less than 44 centimeters, and the lower guide roller diameter was not more than 12 centimeters. They showed that the double-sided design of scooping spoons with the possibility of installing replaceable bowls in them would ensure a high-quality planting of not only minitubers, but also subsequent reproductions of seed and ware potatoes with a tuber mass of 5-80 grams.

Introduction Dysfunctional breathing is a pattern of respiratory movements that do not correspond to the physiological needs of the body and can lead to a series of respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, sensory and neurological symptoms ( Vidotto et al., 2019). The causes of dysfunctional breathing are a combination of biological, psychological and social factors. Objectives To examine the relationship between anxiety and occurrence of dysfunctional breathing in the Russian population under the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We used a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Naimigen questionnaire (Van Dixhorn, Duivenvoordent, 1985), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Spielberger et al., 1983). The study was conducted online from April 27 to December 28, 2020. It was attended by 1,362 people from all regions of Russia, including 1,153 women and 209 men aged 15 to 88 years (38.3 ±11.4) Results It was revealed that with a low level of state anxiety (< 35 points), dysfunctional breathing was detected in 4.8% of respondents; while with a borderline level of anxiety (> 60 points) there were at 55.9%. A similar dependence was found for personal anxiety: at a low level (< 35 points), dysfunctional breathing was detected in only 4% of respondents;while at a borderline level of anxiety (> 60 points) at 62.8%. Conclusions Dysfunctional breathing can occur among people with high and borderline levels of situational and personal anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results allows us to conclude that dysfunctional breathing and anxiety are not equivalent concepts, although they have a common phenomenological field. The study was supported of the Russian Science Foundation, project No. 21-18-00624. Disclosure The study was supported of the Russian Science Foundation, project No. 21-18-00624.

Introduction Dysfunctional breathing is a breathing patterns that do not correspond to the physiological needs of the body, provoke many poly-systemic symptoms. Dysfunctional breathing is experienced as a feeling of “difficulty in breathing”, which in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic may be similar to the symptoms of coronavirus infection (Taverne et al., 2021). Objectives To examine the role of socio-demographic predictors in the prevalence of dysfunctional breathing in the Russian population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods The author’s socio-demographic questionnaire, the Naimigen Questionnaire (Van Dixhoorn, Duivenvoordent, 1985), the STAI (Spielberger et al., 1983) and the “Perceived Stress Scale-10” (Cohen,Kamarck,Mermelstein,1983) were used. The study was conducted online from April 27 to December 28, 2020. It was attended by 1,362 people from all regions of Russia (38.3 ±11.4 y.o.). Results In men, the average values for NQ (11.19±7.74) are lower than among women (18.73±9.96, p=0.000). Persons with incomplete higher education have a higher score on NQ (N=103,NQ=20.44±11.8) than persons with higher education (N=1051,NQ= 17.40±9.63,p=0.048) and candidates/doctors of sciences (N=97,NQ= 15.34±11.20,p=0.005). There was also a connection between the severity of dysfunctional breathing and the level of income, which is associated with a negative correlation between income level and perception of stress (r=-0.215,p=0.000), state (r=-0.165,p=0.000) and trait anxiety (r=-0.127,p=0.000). Conclusions The severity of dysfunctional breathing is associated with gender, income levels and education, what can be used to identify a group of people who are most susceptible to the occurrence of dysfunctional breathing during the pandemic COVID-19. The study was supported of the Russian Science Foundation, project No.21-18-00624. Disclosure The study was supported of the Russian Science Foundation, project No. 21-18-00624.

Introduction Dysfunctional breathing is experienced as “difficulty in inhaling” and is similar to the symptoms of COVID-19 (Gavriatopoulou et al., 2020), which justifies the relevance of studying this phenomenon in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives To identifiy a relationship between self-management styles and the severity of dysfunctional breathing in the uninfected COVID-19 population of Russia. Methods The author used the socio-demographic questionnaire, the Naimigen Questionnaire (Van Dixhoorn, Duivenvoordent, 1985) and J. Kuhl’s and A. Fuhrman’s Self-Government Test (Kool, Furman, 1998; Kul, Kvirin, Kool, 2020). The study was conducted online from April 27 to December 28, 2020. It was attended by 1,362 people from all regions of Russia (38.3 ±11.4y.o.). Results The components are Self-regulation (r = -0.454, p = 0.000) and Self-Control (r =-0.197, p=0.000). There is also a component of Will Development (r=-0,297, p = 0,000) and Sensitivity to oneself (r=-0,480, p=0,000). It is important to note that dysfunctional breathing has a strong positive correlation with the component of life stress experiencing (=0.335, p=0.000). At the same time, the components of Self-regulation and Self-sensitivity have large correlation coefficients, which indicates their greater role. Conclusions People with low self-regulation and self-control, as well as with less expressed will and sensitivity to themselves, are more likely to have dysfunctional breathing and a more pronounced experience of life stress in a pandemic. The described components can be used as “targets” for individualized psychotherapy of dysfunctional breathing in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was supported of the Russian Science Foundation, project No. 21-18-00624. Disclosure The study was carried out with the support of the Russian Science Foundation, project No. 21-18-00624.

Introduction The Naimigen questionnaire (Van Dixhoorn, Duivenvoordent, 1985) was developed in the 1980s to assess the severity of hyperventilation syndrome, which causes respiratory alkalosis and, as a result, polysystemic functional symptoms. Later, this questionnaire was recommended for use in the diagnosis of dysfunctional breathing. The COVID-19 pandemic provokes anxiety as a stressful event and objectifies the respiratory function, which becomes a favorable ground for the growth of the prevalence of dysfunctional breathing in society. Objectives To validate the Naimigen questionnaire in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic among the Russian-speaking population. Methods The author’s socio-demographic questionnaire and the Naimigen Questionnaire (NQ) were used (Van Dixhoorn, Duivenvoordent, 1985). The study was conducted online from April 27 to December 28, 2020. It was attended by 1,362 people from all regions of Russia, including 1,153 women and 209 men aged 15 to 88 years (38.3 ±11.4). Results The stable reliability of the Alpha-Kronbach coefficients (> 0.877) was revealed for all NQ points. To check the factor structure of the Naimigen questionnaire, we conducted an exploratory factor analysis using the direct Oblimin criterion, which, when explaining 57.3% of the total variance, allowed us to identify 4 factors: respiratory symptoms, paresthesia and gastrointestinal symptoms, tension, derealization. Conclusions Checking the reliability and factor structure of the Naimigen questionnaire allows us to reasonably use this questionnaire on a Russian-language sample in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Disclosure: Research is supported by the Russian Science Foundation, project No. 21-18-00624. Disclosure Research is supported by the Russian Science Foundation, project No. 21-18-00624.

Introduction Dysfunctional breathing is experienced as a feeling of “difficulty in inhaling” and shortness of breat , which may be similar to the symptoms of coronavirus infection (Gavriatopoulou et al., 2020). The conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic create an increased level of anxiety and attention to respiratory sensations, which becomes a favorable ground for the occurrence of dysfunctional breathing. Objectives To examine the relationship of ideas about the pandemic with the occurrence of dysfunctional breathing in the Russian population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods The Naimigen Questionnaire (Van Dixhoorn, Duivenvoordent, 1985) and the author’s socio-demographic questionnaire were used, which included questions about personal experience of the pandemic. The study was conducted online from April 27 to December 28, 2020. It was attended by 1,362 people from all regions of Russia, including 1,153 women and 209 men aged 15 to 88 years (38.3±11.4). Results It was found that respondents who are more confident in the danger of coronavirus have more respiratory difficulties (N=517;NQ=19±10.6) compared to those who consider its danger exaggerated (N=454,NQ=15.9±9.2,p=0.000). Respondents who are completely convinced of the absence of a condemnation for COVID-19 disease have less pronounced dysfunctional breathing (N=331,NQ=15.26±9.5), compared to those who sure about it (N=88,NQ=19.16±10.05, p=0.007). Respondents who have relatives ill COVID-19 (N=430) have a higher score on NQ (18.6±10.5), compared with those dont have (N=932, NQ=17.1±9.7, p =0.011). Conclusions The dysfunctional breathing is associated with the respondents’ beliefs about the danger of coronavirus and the expectation of stigmatization in COVID-19 disease, as well as with the experience of COVID-19 disease among relatives. Disclosure Research is supported by the Russian Science Foundation, project No. 21-18-00624.

Existing machines for sorting potatoes damage marketable products as a result of the interaction of potato tubers with each other, with working organs and soil clods. The greatest percentage of damage to potato tubers occurs as a result of their interaction with the working bodies of the machines for sorting. In order to determine the place of the greatest force impact of the working bodies of the sorting machines on the potato tuber and to carry out subsequent measures to eliminate negative effects in the design of these machines, laboratory studies were carried out using the "The TuberLog Electronic Potato" software tool. The article provides the results of comparative studies of the force impact of the sorting surface on the electronic potato tuber at various values of the forward speed of movement and interaction time of the working surface of roller-type machine for sorting potato tubers. Analysis of graphical dependencies showed that the greatest force impact (up to 22 N) on a potato tuber falls on the time interval of values from 8.5 to 9.5 s, while the standard deviation and coefficient of variation are σ = 5.7 and ν = 24.8 %, respectively. The analysis of the experimental data showed that the most "gentle" force impact of the working bodies of the sorting machine at the forward speed of the roller belt of 1.4 m / s throughout the entire technological process of sorting is the minimum force impact on the sorted products in the range from 3 to 6.5 N, which is 28-31% of the maximum force impact of working bodies at speeds of 1.8 and 2.2 m/s.

Investigation is devoted to the optimization of light spectrum and intensity used for red mustard growing. Notably, most of the studies devoted to red mustard growing were conducted on micro-greens, which is not enough for the development of methods and recommendations for making the right choices about the irradiation parameters for full-cycle cultivation. In this study, we tested four models of LED with different ratios of blue, green red and far red radiation intensity: 12:20:63:5; 15:30:49:6; 30:1:68:1, in two values of photon flux density (PFD)—120 and 180 µmol m−2 s−1—to determine the most effective combination for red mustard growing. The study was conducted in a container-type climate chamber, where the red leaf mustard was cultivated in hydroponics. On the 30th day of cultivation, the plant’s morphological, biochemical and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and reflection coefficients were recorded. The results indicated that the PFD 120 µmol m−2 s−1 had a worse effect on both mustard leaf biomass accumulation and nitrate concentration (13–30% higher) in the plants. The best lighting option for growing red mustard was the blue–red spectrum, as the most efficient in terms of converting electricity into biomass (77 Wth/g). This light spectrum contributes to plant development with a larger leaf area (60%) and a fresh mass (54%) compared with the control, which has a maximum similarity in spectrum percentage to the sunlight spectrum. The presence of green and far red radiation with the blue–red light spectrum in various proportions at the same level of PFD had a negative effect on plant fresh mass, leaf surface area and photosynthetic activity. The obtained results could be useful for lighting parameters’ optimization when growing red mustard in urban farms.

The subject of the study was fitness services and interaction with consumers of its. It has been identified the main criteria for evaluating the fitness service by customers in process of decisions and selection of the fitness facilities for a visit Surveys of the youth segment of fitness consumers in Kharkiv were conducted and results were processed. The fitness clubs were studied in terms of communicative components of social media marketing to improve their interaction with customers. The research goal was the development computer model for multi-criteria evaluation of fitness centers and their work from clients point of view. As a modeling methodology, we proposed use fuzzy logic. As the instrument for implementation of the model specialized software FuzzyToolBox was chosen. Originally put forward the hypothesis about the possibility, reliability, simplicity and effectiveness of such an approach to modeling of the consumer evaluation of the fitness service, was confirmed as a result of the numerical calculations for fitness clubs in Kharkiv. The developed model can be applied to thetasks of multicriteria estimation of similar services provided to the population of different categories, such as: health-improving sports activities, outdoor activities, spa, water procedures, mass physical training, health-improving, rehabilitation gymnastics, amateur sports etc.

In order to study the perception of the COVID-19 pandemic and its relationship with the emotional state of the population, an online study in all regions of Russia conducted from April 27 to May 27, 2020, The study involved 1192 people, of whom 981 were women (82%) and 211 men (18%) aged 18 to 81 years (M=36.5, SD=11.0). The methodological complex consisted of a socio-demographic questionnaire, the state scale from the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Russian Version of the Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen, Kamarck, Mermelstein, 1983; Ababkov, et al., 2016); as well as the Russian Version of the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (Broadbent, et al., 2006; Yaltonsky, et al., 2017), modified specifically for this study. Significant differences were found in experiencing stress, anxiety, and perceptions of the pandemic by gender, while anxiety and stress were found to be related to income. A significant correlation found between the attitude to coronavirus “as an exaggerated threat” with greater calm, greater understandability of the pandemic, and less control. However, if the respondent has relatives who have got sick COVID-19, then the perception of the pandemic becomes more threatening, less understandable, and more controlled. It was revealed that the assessment of the threat from a pandemic plays a mediating role between the fear of an unknown disease and the possibility of its control. The probability of cultural differences in the perception of the pandemic and its control is discussed, and the possibility of using the cultural-historical methodology and the concept of “subjective pattern of disease” to assess the public perceptions of the COVID-19 pandemic is formulated.

The aim of the study is investigation of nighttime sleep effect on the performance of a cognitive setting in terms of the coupling of EEG rhythms. The coupling of 5 rhythm: beta-1, beta-2, gamma, alpha and theta rhythms of EEG during the formation and testing of cognitive set was studied for 120 students (17 with short-term night sleep and 15 with a full night sleep). Multi-channel EEG was recorded. EEG evaluation was carried out by continuous wavelet transform based on the “mother” complex Morlet wavelet in the range of 1–35 Hz. Maps of the distribution of the values of the modulus of the wavelet transformation coefficient, which reflect amplitude changes of the potentials were analyzed. The Pearson correlation coefficient was a measure evaluating the coupling of EEG rhythms. The subjects with a short night’s sleep showed almost all of the relations of EEG rhythms (8 couples) during the formation stage of presentation. Students with a full night’s sleep showed statistically significant coupling of the following pairs of rhythms: alpha–beta-1, alpha–gamma and beta-2–gamma. Students with short-term night sleep demonstrated the 3 significant couples: alpha–beta-1, beta-1–gamma and beta-2–gamma during the testing stage. Well-slept students showed an increase in the number of connections (6 couples) in relation to the stage of formation of the set due to the addition of connections with the theta rhythm. The obtained data could indicate that the thalamo-cortical and cortico-hippocampal structural-functional associations work differently in the groups of subjects.

The relevance of the research. Waste rock dumping in the area of the surface collapse caused by the underground mining is one of the rational methods of dumping. It contributes to saving land resources and reducing the transport path of overburden. The paper considers the safety of waste rock dumping on the earth’s surface in the collapse zone caused by operating underground mines. The aim of the research is to develop the methods for determining and monitoring the phase of glory hole evaluation for safety of people and equipment when working in the zone of collapse. Methods: creating the caved rock zone model. Model sets the ratio between the glory hole volume and undercut volume using the swell factor. The criterion of the glory hole growth is the increase of the glory hole to the maximum volume, defined by the geometric parameters of the undercut. The swell factor of caved rock mass is determined in situ by analyzing the measured glory holes. Results. The authors have developed the classification of the glory hole evaluation stages and methods for its determining and defind the value of the swell factor of caved rock mass in the specific conditions of the Sokolovskoe ore deposit. The swell factor of the caved rock mass, defined for the first glory holes, is within 1–1,4. It was determined by proportion soil and rock in the waste rock above undercut. The swell factor of the caved rock mass, defined for the second glory holes, is about 1,0

In the machine technology for the cultivation and harvesting of root crops and onions, one of the most important quality indicators that determines the duration of storage of root crops is the presence or absence of soil and plant impurities in the pile to be stored. The impossibility of separating soil lumps from a heap of root crops and onions is due to the fact that on most harvesting machines, slotted separating units are used. The inter-bar distance of the separating conveyor is less than the minimum size of the separated root crop to exclude losses of root crops, which makes it impossible to clean them on the separating working organs of harvesting machines, and, consequently, leads to damage of a significant part of commercial products and losses during storage of a significant part of the harvested yield. Modern technologies and technical means for harvesting root crops and onions are not able to provide high-quality commercial products with minimal labour, due to the lag or lack of development of technological foundations, technologies and working units for harvesting root crops and onions, which can reduce or eliminate the content of soil lumps in commercial products in various soil and climatic conditions. Therefore, the development of mechanization tools for harvesting root crops and onions, allow-ing to reduce or eliminate the content of mechanical impurities in commercial products in various soil and climatic conditions, is a scientific problem, the solution of which will contribute to the innovative development of the domestic agricultural market, Russia's stable position on the foreign market.

In the process of post-harvest processing of root crops and potatoes in Russia, mechanical sortings of various types are used, which allows to separate the material according to the size criterion and removing impurities. The main requirement for this equipment is to ensure the quality and reliability of technological processes for the impurities separation and the root crops separation into fractions with minimal damage. (Research purpose) To improve the quality of potato tubers sorting using an automated line for post-harvest processing of root crops and potatoes, which allows to reduce their damage and ensure high accuracy of separation into fractions by size. (Materials and methods) The authors studied the automated process of root crops post-harvest processing. They developed approaches and basic technical, technological and constructive solutions aimed at improving the efficiency of root crops and potatoes post-harvest processing. To automate the root crops and potatoes processing, the authors installed the universal web camera Logitech HD Pro C920. They created a basic block diagram of the electronic line system operation. (Results and discussion) The authors clarified the size and mass characteristics of potato tubers with a total weight of 38 356 grams of Nevsky variety of the 2019 harvest and their shape coefficient. They developed design documentation. An experimental line was prepared for potato tubers post-harvest sorting with an original circuit diagram of the electronic system operation. The authors substantiated its design and operational-technological parameters. Practical studies of the automated line work were carried out in the Ryazan region on the basis of the Institute of Seed Production and Agrotechnologies – a branch of the Federal Scientific Agroengineering Center VIM. (Conclusions) The authors determined that the developed automated line for root crops and potatoes post-harvest sorting thanks to digital technologies reduced labor costs by eliminating manual sorting, as well as improving the quality of potato tubers and the accuracy of sorting by size to 95-98 percent. It was revealed that damage to potato tubers did not exceed one percent.

The article presents the design of a rod elevator with an adjustable inclination angle of the apron, which reduces damage to marketable products of root crops and bulbs with maximum separation. The results of theoretical studies of a rod elevator on substantiation of the structural and technological parameters during its interaction with a heap of onion sets are presented. The constructive-technological scheme of the separating rod elevator with an adjustable inclination angle of the apron which improves the quality indicators of harvesting onion sets is substantiated and developed. It has been established that with increasing angle of the longitudinal inclination of the apron, the relative speed of movement of the heap of onion sets decreases. In the absence of air flow, the relative velocity of the onion set heap with a longitudinal change in the inclination of the rod elevator apron in the considered range varies from 0.34 to 0.47 m / s. Changing the angle of the longitudinal inclination of the rod elevator by 5º significantly changes the relative average speed of movement of the heap of onion sets. A mathematical model of the movement of a heap of onion sets along the surface of the rod elevator with a change in the direction of its oscillations in the horizontal plane is developed

An experimental study of the ignition and combustion processes of coal-water slurry (CWS) droplets based on coal enrichment waste in a high-temperature oxidizer at 650–850 °C with a syngas addition was carried out. The fuel slurry was a mixture of finely dispersed solid combustible particles (coal sludge, 10–100 µm in size) and water. The syngas was a product of biomass pyrolysis and two waste-derived fuels in a laboratory gasifier. Composition of the syngas was controlled by a precision analytical gas analyzer. The feasibility of co-firing CWS with syngas was experimentally established. Under such conditions, the CWS droplets ignition process was intensified by 15–40%, compared to fuel combustion without the addition of syngas to the combustion chamber. The greatest positive effect was achieved by adding the gas obtained during the biomass pyrolysis. The ignition delay times of CWS droplets are 5.2–12.5 s versus 6.1–20.4 s (lower by 15–39%) when ignited in a high-temperature medium without adding syngas to the combustion chamber. Based on the results obtained, a concept for the practical implementation of the CWS combustion technology in a syngas-modified oxidizer medium is proposed.

The development and application of optical luminescent methods and devices will help obtain information quickly and objectively about the level of Fusarium infection of agricultural plants. For the previously obtained ranges, the spectral characteristics of excitation and luminescence of wheat, barley, and oats of various degrees of infection were measured. The obtained dependences of flows on infection were approximated by linear regression models and relative sensitivities were determined. For wheat and barley, it is advisable to determine the degree of infection by the ratio of flows Φλ1/Φλ2, which makes it possible to calibrate the measuring device in relative units and increase its sensitivity. A method for determining the degree of infected seeds with Fusarium was developed. After the seeds are placed in a light-tight chamber, they are excited by radiation, and photoluminescence is recorded. The electrical signal from the radiation receiver is amplified and processed accounting for previously obtained calibration curves. In the universal device that measures the infection of wheat, barley, and oats seeds, it is necessary to have three radiation sources: 362 nm, 424 nm, and 485 nm. Based on the energy efficiency criteria, optimal LEDs and photodiodes, as well as a microcontroller, switches, operational amplifiers, a display, and other components of the device, were selected.

Infection of seeds of cereal plants with fusarium affects their optical luminescent properties. The spectral characteristics of excitation (absorption) in the range of 180-700 nm of healthy and infected seeds of wheat, barley and oats were measured. The greatest difference in the excitation spectra of healthy and infected seeds was observed in the short-wave range of 220-450 nm. At the same time, the excitation characteristics of infected seeds were higher than those of healthy ones, and the integral parameter Η in the entire range was 10-56% higher. A new maximum appeared at the wavelength of 232 nm and the maximum value increased by 362 nm. The spectral characteristics were measured when excited by radiation at wavelengths of 232, 362, 424, 485, 528 nm and the luminescence fluxes were calculated. It is established that the photoluminescence fluxes Φ in the short-wave ranges of 290-380 nm increase by 1.58-3.14 times and 390-550 nm-by 1.44-2.54 times. The fluxes in longer wavelength ranges do not change systematically and less significantly: for wheat, they decrease by 12% and increase by 19%, for barley, they decrease by 10% and increase by 33%. The flux decreases by 43-71% for oats. Based on the results obtained for cereal seeds, it is possible to further develop a method for detecting fusarium infection with absolute measurements of photoluminescence fluxes in the range of 290-380 nm, or when measuring photoluminescence ratios: for wheat seeds when excited with wavelengths of 424 nm and 232 nm (Φ424/Φ232); for barley seeds-when excited with wavelengths of 485 nm and 232 nm (Φ485/Φ232) and for oat seeds-when excited with wavelengths of 424 nm and 362 nm (Φ424/Φ362).