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Background. Honeysuckle is a promising berry crop for food and medical uses, which has recently become increasingly popular. Searching for sources with high content of bioactive substances to obtain new fruit cultivars with improved chemical composition continues to be relevant. Anthocyanin content and composition in honeysuckle cultivars depend on many factors, including plant reproduction conditions (temperature and humidity). Studying chemical composition of Siberian honeysuckle cultivars grown under the conditions of Western Siberia will make it possible to identify sources of high BAS content for various uses.Materials and methods. The target materials of the study were fruits of 21 honeysuckle cultivars grown in Western Siberia before and after freezing. The qualitative and quantitative composition of anthocyanins was assessed in ethanol extracts of honeysuckle fruits using HPLC technique.Results. The content of anthocyanins was higher in the fruits of honeysuckle grown in Western Siberia compared with the published data for the same cultivars reproduced in Belgorod Province (Central Black Earth Region). After freezing, the anthocyanin level in honeysuckle fruits remained the same and in some cases even increased.Conclusions. The obtained data helped to ascertain that honeysuckle fruits reproduced in Western Siberia are valuable sources of such bioactive compounds as anthocyanins.

Introduction. Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma is a rare, benign, well-vascularized tumor of the skull base characterized by destructive growth. The development of endoscopic techniques and experience of surgeons have enabled the removal of this tumor both at early stages and late stages (advanced disease). Patients may develop various complications in the intraoperative and postoperative periods, including massive bleeding, nasal liquorrhea, facial paresthesia, lacrimal hyposecretion, etc. Air penetration into the subcutaneous fat and mediastinum during endoscopic surgery on the paranasal sinuses is rare. Such complication as subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum after endoscopic endonasal removal of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma has not been reported in the literature.Case report. A 19-year-old male patient has undergone endoscopic endonasal removal of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma. The tamponade was removed within the first 24 h postoperatively. Ten hours after it, the patient developed subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum triggered by sneezing. The diagnosis was confirmed by computed tomography of the neck and chest. The patient was transferred to the intensive care unit and received conservative treatment (including infusion, antibacterial, and antiinflammatory therapy). The symptoms of subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum subsided in response to treatment. Follow-up examinations (computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging) confirmed that the tumor had been completely removed. The patient was discharged in a satisfactory condition.Conclusion. Subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum are exceedingly rare complications of endoscopic endonasal removal of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma and are caused by anatomical connection between the parapharyngeal / retropharyngeal spaces and mediastinum. To prevent such complications, it is necessary to keep tampons in the nasal cavity for at least 2 days, as well as to instruct patients after surgery (avoid sneezing with their mouth closed, lifting weights, coughing, and vomiting). The nasoseptal flap used to repair the nasopharyngeal defect after tumor removal also ensures its sealing. Patients with complications should undergo computed tomography of the neck and chest (in case of emergency) and should be transferred to an intensive care unit. Conservative treatment (antibacterial and antiinflammatory therapy) will ensure good results in most patients.

This review addresses the concept of ontogenetic origin of health and disease (DOHaD) and the new concept of paternal origin of health and disease (POHaD). These concepts are based on scientific evidence that environmental factors impacting mother or father can play a role in reprogramming the health of their off springs throughout their life span. Moreover, the changes that have arisen can be transmitted through generations via diverse epigenetic mechanisms. Terms, such as epigenetics (a kind of “driver” for these concepts), epigenetic inheritance (including Intergenerational Inheritance – from generation to the next generation and Transgenerational Inheritance – through generations), epigenetic changes caused by the environment (Environmental Epigenetics) are discussed. Vulnerable periods towards epigenetic changes (Windows of Susceptibility) that occur in male germ cells responsible for epigenetic inheritance are considered. Epigenetic epidemiological studies in the field of reproductology are described; their advantages and disadvantages are discussed. These studies can serve as the basis for obtaining new knowledge about the causes of epigenetic variations in germ cells that occur in health and upon exposure to environmental factors as well as the inherited phenotypic outcomes.

Objective of the study is to evaluate the serological activity of rabies virus antigens isolated from the brain tissue of mice by homogenization on FastPrep followed by ultracentrifugation. Materials and methods. Producer strain of the rabies virus “Ovechiy” GNKI. The rabies virus was isolated from the brain tissue of experimentally infected mice, followed by the study of the electrophoretic profile. The serological activity of the virus components was assessed by immunoblot and ELISA using specific anti-rabies sera.Results and conclusions. In the course of comparing the methods of isolation and purification of the rabies virus antigen, it was found that most optimal one is to use a homogenization on FastPrep-24, followed by fractionation in a sucrose gradient. As a result of fractionation in a graded sucrose density gradient with a concentration of 15–50 % at 25000 g for 120 min, five fractions of the rabies virus components were obtained. The maximum purified protein fraction was from 15–20 % sucrose zone, which corresponded to a molecular weight of 67 kDa. The specific antigen activity of the fraction in ELISA reached up the titers of 1:1280 (Specificity coefficient 2.2). Using immunoblot of antigens, obtained from the sucrose gradient in the range of 40–45 % and 20–35 % after ultracentrifugation, one major fraction of polypeptides (54 kDa) was detected, which showed the highest antigenic activity. The results obtained will be useful in the design of test systems for rabies screening and monitoring the effectiveness of anti-epizootic measures.

It remains urgent problem of damping of elastic vibrations occurring aircraft structure means the automatic control systems on board. In solving this problem the aircraft elastic model is the basis for the synthesis of control laws and analysis of closed-loop system "control object - the regulator." In general, the problem of mathematical modeling of flight dynamics of the elastic aircraft breaks for at least another two objectives, one of which - direct simulation of the behavior of elastic aircraft defined interacting forces, and the other - the account of the changes operating aerogidrodynamic forces and moments caused by the deformation elastic aircraft and work control systems. This paper discusses the theoretical basis of the approach to the solution of this problem, based on the replacement of the actual design of aircraft by equivalent circuit and its implementation for the missiles, the most simple in terms of schematic, class of aircraft. At the same time accounting for changes in aerodynamic forces and moments caused by the elastic deformation of the aircraft, it was performed by help of stationary hypothesis

Article analyses formation and development of the conflict studies in Russia as a sub-discipline within political sciences, on the edge between political theory and studies of international relations and international security. Article defines stages of formation of conflict studies in Russia, analyzes social request for studies of conflicts, considers influence of foreign and international institutes and research, both form the CIS and from other foreign countries, onto the conflict studies in Russia. Author postulates turning of the "New Political Thinking"paradigm elaborated by Gorbachev that allowed reconsidering Moscow's attitude towards various conflicts and rethinking of theoretical principles of conflict analysis, that are not anymore limited to class struggle and ideological contradictions. Introduction of more pluralistic concepts of "socio-political model" and "world order" instead of Marxist category of "socio-economic formation" led to remodeling of international relations along new lines, as well as study contradictions within one social system. Splash of inter-ethnic and separatist conflicts in the first half of the 1990s led to shaping of "practically oriented conflict studies" reflecting political interests of conflict sides in conflicts in Karabakh, Georgia/Abkhazia, Georgia/South Ossetia, Moldova/Transnistria. On the eve of 1990s-2000s formation of theoretical systemic conflict studies as a discipline took place, and this discipline was already quite strongly interfaced with international and foreign conflict studies theory. Article considers role of various institutes of the Russian Academy of Science, research centers including Russian Council on International Affairs, Council on Foreign and Defense Policy? Russian Pugwash Committee, Center for Political and International studies, Moscow Carnegie Center, Russian institute for Strategic Studies, Institute for the USA and Canada Studies, etc. As a separate direction of studies article tackles studies of post-soviet conflicts by foreign institutes and centers, like UNIDIR (Geneva), SIPRI (Stockholm), EU ISS (Paris), British Royal institute of International Affairs. Interaction of Russian and Swiss scientists on the basis of Geneva-based GCSP and DCAF attracts special attention. In conclusion typical issues in focus, as well as theme fields of the Russian conflict studies as a sub-discipline within political sciences are formulated.

Modern international security is a heterogeneous sphere that includes both state and nonstate actors. Legal status of some non-state actors is not always clear. This can be attributed mostly to the dynamics of the global processes. The emergence of new actors, their fast transformation and shift from old forms of activity to the new ones often outpace political and legal assessment of their nature, the impact on some other international trends and the implications of their use that may arise. States and international organizations together with business and non-governmental foundations have started to turn to private security actors more frequently. The fact that traditional methods of state violence are complemented by non-traditional forms influences the idea of violence in the society at large. The efficiency of non-state security actors and the speed they provide services with sometimes exceed the ones of civil servants' and outmaneuver state machine. However these advantages do not contribute to the legitimacy of these non-state actors. As a result during a certain period of time, sometimes a significant one, new actors perform having just a partial legitimacy and a vague accoun tability. Various approaches towards regulation of the abovementioned actors within the framework of national and regional legislation clarify their status in a way. But these measures are not enough for them to obtain legal status under the International Law so far. To address the problem a complex approach that would combine the existing International Law mechanisms with the developing self-regulation methods is needed.

In the period from April 22 until May 20, 2011, an expedition aboard the research vessel “Pavel Gordienko” (Russian Federation) was carried out to the Sea of Japan and the Kuril-Kamchatka region of the Pacific Ocean. The main aim of the expedition was to study radioactive contamination of the atmospheric air and sea water after the accident at the NPP “Fukushima-1” in Japan. This paper provides preliminary results on the activity concentration of 137Cs and 134Cs in twenty four samples of sea water. The activity concentrations of 131I, 137Cs, 134Cs, and 7Be for twenty nine samples of atmospheric aerosols, which were sampled during the expedition, are also given. Despite the preliminary character of the results of this study, a generic conclusion on a negligible radiological impact of the anthropogenic gamma-ray-emitting radionuclides for the Far-Eastern sea areas of Russia can be reached. The investigations have been supported by a grant from the Russian Geographical Society.

Hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage - a common form of cardiovascular disease, characterized by high mortality and disability. One area in improving patient care remains the development of new minimally invasive surgical methods and devices. We describe a new method and device (funnel cannula), which after the special markings to the use of CT punktion entered into the cavity, followed by the evacuation of hematoma. In each case, depending on the depth of hematoma and its volume is cannula certain size. The device allows for a more radical removal of hematoma without significant damage to brain tissue.

A series of Pd1−xFex alloy epitaxial films (x = 0, 0.038, 0.062, and 0.080), a material promising for superconducting spintronics, was prepared and studied with ultrafast optical and magneto-optical laser spectroscopy in a wide temperature range of 4–300 K. It was found that the transition to the ferromagnetic state causes a qualitative change of both the reflectivity and the magneto-optical Kerr effect transients. A nanoscale magnetic inhomogeneity of the ferromagnet/paramagnet type inherent in the palladium-rich Pd1−xFex alloys reveals itself through the occurrence of a relatively slow, 10–25 ps, photoinduced demagnetization component following a subpicosecond one; the former vanishes at low temperatures only in the x = 0.080 sample. We argue that the 10 ps timescale demagnetization originates most probably from the diffusive transport of d electrons under the condition of nanoscale magnetic inhomogeneities. The low-temperature fraction of the residual paramagnetic phase can be deduced from the magnitude of the slow reflectivity relaxation component. It is estimated as ≈30% for x = 0.038 and ≈15% for x = 0.062 films. The minimal iron content ensuring the magnetic homogeneity of the ferromagnetic state in the Pd1−xFex alloy at low temperatures is about 7–8 atom %.

The paper is devoted to partial discharge measurement and analysis in switchgear bushings. PD bushing structure analysis is described to assess possible defect sources in bushings. An experimental 10 kV bushing sample with the natural defect is obtained from the bushings’ manufacturer. It is tested using the PD measurement technique. Test results showed significant PD intensity at voltages from 12 kV and higher. We have an assumption that a part of registered discharges occurred in the air close to the high voltage electrode sharp edges. To check this assumption we grind them off and repeated the test. The second test does not show considerable PD characteristics change. Therefore, we assume that the bushing sample has an inner defect because the bushing’s surface is not contaminated to generate surficial discharges. The bushing is researched by a destroying method for defect localization. However, inside the bushing, possible defect locations are not found. It might be connected with the fact that the defect could not be found visually at the test time or the defect is located in the gasket between the high voltage electrode and insulator’s body. Besides, there are determined features of phase-resolved partial discharge patterns in switchgear bushings.

The paper simulates the electric field intensity picture in the cable with one and several defects. Modeling has shown that the presence of several closely spaced defects does not lead to an increase in the electric field intensity in comparison with one defect. On the basis of experimental studies, an analysis of defects' number influence on various parameters of partial discharges (PD) is performed. Artificial defects are created in the area of the XLPE-insulated cable termination. The following parameters of PD are measured: the magnitude of the apparent charge, the power (intensity) of partial discharges, the phase-resolved partial discharge (PRPD) patterns, the shape of PD signals. The analysis shows an increase in the number of defects does not affect the characteristics of partial discharges, despite the fact the defects are located in different sections of the cable with distributed parameters. Thus, it can be difficult to quantify defects during cable partial discharge measurements.

The article proposes an invention to diagnose a damaged insulator under the operating voltage of the power line (VLEP), using leakage current control. There is made a prototype, experiments are carried out. The leakage current removed from the shunt design is converted to a digital signal for processing, transmission and further processing on the substation control room. The controlled leakage current corresponds to the magnitude of the insulation resistance of the insulator.

The paper investigates the existing mathematical models of insulation destruction. It has been determined that most of the models for assessing the residual life of insulation are based on models of thermal and thermo oxidative destruction of insulation materials. Currently, solid dielectrics are gaining popularity, including crosslinked polyethylene, PVC, ethylene-propylene rubber, and others. In such dielectrics, it is possible to estimate the residual life in the short term. This possibility and necessity is due to the possibility of growth of tree defects under the influence of partial discharges. The article describes the proposed mathematical model for assessing the residual resource of insulation by modeling the growth of a defect. To take into account the influence of random variables, the model uses the Weibull distribution. The model assumes the division of the insulation thickness into some areas, each of which is destroyed independently of the others. The destruction of these areas occurs when partial discharges occur with certain energy sufficient to destroy the material. Insulation failure is predicted using the least squares method. The results obtained can be useful in assessing the residual life of insulating materials and in conducting research in this area.

Professor Dr. Alexander I. Nikitin is a leading Russian IR scholar, an expert on problems of international security, international conflicts, peacekeeping operations, activities of international organizations. Professor of the Political Sciences Department at MGIMO University, Director of the MGIMO Center for Euro-Atlantic Security of the Institute for International Studies, Director of the Center for Political and International Studies, Professor of the State Management Department of the Lomonosov Moscow State University, Professor of the Public Policy Department of the Research University - Higher School of Economics, President Emeritus of the Russian Political Science Association (RPSA) and Chairman of the RPSA International Cooperation Council. Subject area: International Security, Peacekeeping, Conflict Resolution, International Relations, NATO Policy and Russia - NATO Relations, International Organizations (UN, OSCE, NATO, CSTO, SCO), Nuclear Policy and Non-Proliferation, Regulation of Private Military and Security Companies, Civil-Military Relations. Born in 1958, graduated from the Department of Philosophy of Moscow State University in 1979. PhD (International Relations) in 1983 and 2000. Research work for 10 years (1979-1989) in the USA and Canada Studies Institute (Senior Research Fellow, Head of Section). From 1989 to the present day Dr. Nikitin has been teaching in the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (from 1996 to the present day - Professor of the Department of Political Sciences). From 2004 to the present day - Director of the Center for Euro-Atlantic Security of the Institute for International Studies at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations. Center specializes in research in the spheres of international security and international relations. In his interview Professor Dr. Alexander I. Nikitin describes the current state of international peacekeeping, current trends and characteristics of conflicts and their impact on international relations. Professor Nikitin assesses Russias participation in peacekeeping operations within the UN and other formats of international cooperation.

Diabetic macular edema (DME) continues to be an important problem of modern ophthalmology and endocrinology. The risk of edema is higher in patients with type 2 diabetes. Thus, this is the main cause of irreversible vision loss in these patients. DME is one of the prognostically unfavorable and difficult to treat manifestations of diabetic retinopathy. As the main cause of vision loss in diabetic patients, diabetic macular edema is often not diagnosed immediately, which causes difficulties in the treatment of pathology. Thus, early diagnosis and timely treatment of this disease is the key to successfully counteract the uncontrolled decline in the patient’s visual functions. In this article, the team of authors highlighted the possibilities of informative instrumental research methods available in the Arsenal of modern ophthalmological services. Based on the analysis of modern literature, the main principles of these diagnostic methods were indicated, their key capabilities and limitations compared to each other were highlighted. Knowledge of these characteristics is, in our opinion, an integral and most important tool in the Arsenal of a practicing ophthalmologist who supervises patients with this pathology.

The article is devoted to the technique for optimizing the structures of suspended electromagnetic separators based on the minimum weight of active materials used for their manufacture. Optimization procedure is based on output of equations of relationship of design parameters of electromagnetic separators to specified criteria. During development of the optimization technique there is used the assumption of the plane-parallel nature of the magnetic field under the pole tips of the electromagnetic separator, thanks to which the formula for magnetic force at the middle of the interpole gap is derived. The effect on the maximum magnetic force of the length of the pole tips, the inter-pole gap and the height of the suspension of the electromagnetic separator has been investigated. Based on the developed optimization methodology, an algorithm for calculating optimal structures of suspended electromagnetic separators has constructed.

The diagnostics of overhead power lines is an important issue in the modern electric power industry. Sometimes supporting insulators are destroyed by external factors. Cracks in insulators can cause the destruction of the insulator, which increases the electrical injuries of personnel. Therefore, the article investigates the diagnosis of insulators by the method of partial discharges as a tool for personnel protection. The electric field of normal and defective insulators is simulated. Partial discharges (PD) experiments are conducted in the same insulators. The results of modeling the electric field show a high electric field intensity in a porcelain insulator with a slit and in an epoxy insulator with a crack. In these cases, the electric field in the air gap is higher than the electric strength of the air. In other cases, the electric field is not exceed the electric strength of the material. Experimental studies have shown the highest intensity of partial discharges in cases of high electric field strength obtained in the simulation. However, other defective insulators also show the presence of partial discharges. The only case of the absence of partial discharges is a porcelain insulator without a defect. An analysis of experimental data shows that the diagnosis of partial discharges can be effective for insulators only if a voltage higher than the working voltage is used. In the experiments, only voltages of 16 kV and higher made it possible to reliably detect the presence of a defect. Therefore, this method cannot be recommended for the diagnosis of supporting insulators before the disconnector is used by personnel, which could reduce the electrical injuries of personnel. In addition, monitoring of partial discharges also will not be effective for the studied types of defects.

The article investigates partial discharges (PD) as a mechanism of insulation destruction. Some of the known mathematical models of insulation aging take into account the effect of partial discharges. These models are based on the dependence of partial discharges power on voltage, so this dependence is investigated in the article. Experimental studies of the dependence of the characteristics of partial discharges are presented. As a source of an increased level of partial discharges, a defect is used in the termination area of the 10 kV cable with XLPE insulation. The voltage range of experiments is from 8 to 15 kV. The results show the presence of a dangerous defect in the cable. Partial discharges at 8 kV are insignificant. However, 10 kV leads to the appearance of significant partial discharges. PD at 15 kV have the most devastating effect on insulation. The results are processed to assess the dependence of PD power on voltage. The resulting dependence is consistent with existing research results. However, the obtained characteristics may change over time due to the growth of the defect.

Active targeting of nanoparticles toward tumors is one of the most rapidly developing topics in nanomedicine. Typically, this strategy involves the addition of cancer-targeting biomolecules to nanoparticles, and studies on this topic have mainly focused on the localization of such formulations in tumors. Here, the analysis of the factors determining efficient nanoparticle targeting and therapy, various parameters such as types of targeting molecules, nanoparticle type, size, zeta potential, dose, and the circulation time are given. In addition, the important aspects such as how active targeting of nanoparticles alters biodistribution and how non-specific organ uptake influences tumor accumulation of the targeted nanoformulations are discussed. The analysis reveals that an increase in tumor accumulation of targeted nanoparticles is accompanied by a decrease in their uptake by the spleen. There is no association between targeting-induced changes of nanoparticle concentrations in tumors and other organs. The correlation between uptake in tumors and depletion in the spleen is significant for mice with intact immune systems in contrast to nude mice. Noticeably, modulation of splenic and tumor accumulation depends on the targeting molecules and nanoparticle type. The median survival increases with the targeting-induced nanoparticle accumulation in tumors; moreover, combinatorial targeting of nanoparticle drugs demonstrates higher treatment efficiencies. Results of the comprehensive analysis show optimal strategies to enhance the efficiency of actively targeted nanoparticle-based medicines.

Magnetic nanoparticles have been widely used in nanobiomedicine for diagnostics and the treatment of diseases, and as carriers for various drugs. The unique magnetic properties of “magnetic” drugs allow their delivery in a targeted tumor or tissue upon application of a magnetic field. The approach of combining magnetic drug targeting and gene delivery is called magnetofection, and it is very promising. This method is simple and efficient for the delivery of genetic material to cells using magnetic nanoparticles controlled by an external magnetic field. However, magnetofection in vivo has been studied insufficiently both for local and systemic routes of magnetic vector injection, and the relevant data available in the literature are often merely descriptive and contradictory. In this review, we collected and systematized the data on the efficiency of the local injections of magnetic nanoparticles that carry genetic information upon application of external magnetic fields. We also investigated the efficiency of magnetofection in vivo, depending on the structure and coverage of magnetic vectors. The perspectives of the development of the method were also considered.

In this work, we report a novel method of label-free detection of small molecules based on direct observation of interferometric signal change in graphene-modified glasses. The interferometric sensor chips are fabricated via a conventional wet transfer method of CVD-grown graphene onto the glass coverslips, lowering the device cost and allowing for upscaling the sensor fabrication. For the first time, we report the use of graphene functionalized by the aptamer as the bioreceptor, in conjunction with Spectral-Phase Interferometry (SPI) for detection of ochratoxin A (OTA). In a direct assay with an OTA-specific aptamer, we demonstrated a quick and significant change of the optical signal in response to the maximum tolerable level of OTA concentration. The sensor regeneration is possible in urea solution. The developed platform enables a direct method of kinetic analysis of small molecules using a low-cost optical chip with a graphene-aptamer sensing layer.

Modern international security is a heterogeneous sphere that includes both state and nonstate actors. Legal status of some non-state actors is not always clear. This can be attributed mostly to the dynamics of the global processes. The emergence of new actors, their fast transformation and shift from old forms of activity to the new ones often outpace political and legal assessment of their nature, the impact on some other international trends and the implications of their use that may arise. States and international organizations together with business and non-governmental foundations have started to turn to private security actors more frequently. The fact that traditional methods of state violence are complemented by non-traditional forms influences the idea of violence in the society at large. The efficiency of non-state security actors and the speed they provide services with sometimes exceed the ones of civil servants' and outmaneuver state machine. However these advantages do not contribute to the legitimacy of these non-state actors. As a result during a certain period of time, sometimes a significant one, new actors perform having just a partial legitimacy and a vague accoun tability. Various approaches towards regulation of the abovementioned actors within the framework of national and regional legislation clarify their status in a way. But these measures are not enough for them to obtain legal status under the International Law so far. To address the problem a complex approach that would combine the existing International Law mechanisms with the developing self-regulation methods is needed.