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The systems of intermolecular interactions, including hydrogen bonds, in the crystal structures of the cocrystal of L -ascorbic (L -Asc) and nicotinic (Nic) acids and individual coformers are considered, and the hemolytic and cytotoxic activities of these compounds are studied in vitro. The influence of conformational differences of L -Asc molecules (total effective charge) on the formation of a network of H-bonds in the supramolecular structure of pristine L -Asc is revealed. Calculation of regioselectivity descriptors shows that the conformer of the L -Asc molecule in the L -AscNic cocrystal has higher activity compared to conformer molecules of the pristine L -Asc. No hemolysis caused by the solutions of tested acids and L -AscNic is shown. Selective cytotoxicity (antimetabolic effect according to the MTT test) of solutions of L -AscNic cocrystals against a 72-hour culture of MCF-7 breast cancer cell line versus healthy cells (mesenchymal stem cells and embryonic fibroblasts) is revealed. The possible relationship between the initial conformational state of the L -Asc molecules in the composition/structure of the studied solid compounds and the biological activity of solutions of these compounds requires further studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chelidonic acid (ChA) is small molecule capable of inducing the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into osteoblasts and the formation of mineralized bone matrix (MBM) both in vitro and in vivo. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects are unknown. Therefore, in silico modelling of potential molecular targets of ChA was performed. ChA was isolated from Saussurea controversa. The ability of ChA to induce in vitro differentiation MSCs into osteoblasts synthesizing MBM was detected using alizarin red staining. ChA osteogenic activity was studied in mice by in situ test of ectopic osteogenesis, using the subcutaneous implantation of syngeneic bone marrow on the calcium phosphate coated titanium plates. DIGEP-Pred web service was used to simulate in silico the effect of ChA on gene expression, and overrepresentation analysis to search for common ontologies and pathways. ChA linearly increased the number of single (R2 = 0.92, p = 0.039) and the total areas of MBM sites (R2 = 0.96, p = 0.019) in a 21-day MSC culture. Oral administration of ChA led to two to three times improved bone and bone marrow formation in situ. In silico modelling identified 306 genes (including 7 calcium import genes) and 9 signalling pathways potentially involved in ChA osteogenic effect and calcium metabolism in MSCs. In silico analysis revealed a list of key signalling pathways and genes for calcium influx into MSCs and their differentiation into osteoblasts as the first target candidates for studying real gene expression and molecular mechanisms of the ChA osteogenic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article under consideration is aimed at cross-cultural quantified associative mapping of the universal concept “happiness” and shaping the hierarchy of its cornerstone axiological constituents as perceived by Russian, French and English linguosocieties within the framework of the global pandemic reality. “Happiness” has been subject to transdisciplinary investigation since ancient times due to its dynamic character and ambiguity. The concept of “happiness”, although psychologically ingrained and biologically predetermined, can change significantly based on different outer and inner factors. It demonstrates an undeniable potential for multiple perceptions, various patterns of ethnic-specific and highly personalized verbalization, requiring unification and analysis of different sociocultural stimuli that trigger off this or that row of associations. The authors provide keen insight into the semantics of the concept and its static lexicographic axiological paradigm in the Russian, French and English languages. Three associative surveys were carried out through Google-forms to estimate the degree at which the “static projection” of “happiness” is relevant nowadays in pandemic-shaken societies as well as collect free associations, manually contrast the data and establish parallels and peculiarities within up-to-date Russian, French and English (American) visions of “happiness”. The survey results testify to the fact that “health”, “family”, “peace” and “freedom” are universally recognized constituents of “happiness” while certain elements prove to be ethnic-specific and arise due to concrete social circumstances.

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The article presents the results of studies of nutritional value and the degree of infection with parasitoses of Siberian vendace (Coregonus sardinella Vallenciennes, 1848) and Yakut crucian carp (Carassius carassius jacuticus Kirillov, 1972). By the amount of protein, the Siberian vendace is classified as medium-protein, in terms of fat content, it is especially fatty fish and of high calories. It has been established that a distinctive feature of the Yakut crucian carps compared to European ones is high fat content (up to 10 % versus 2.5 %), high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, macro- and microelements, vitamins, and have high energy value. The most common parasitic diseases of the crucian carp and vendace, affecting the quality and appearance of the fish, are myxosporidioses caused by Myxobolus, digramosis and phylometroidosis, the negative impact on the quality of which depends on the parasite infection intensity.

We examine the need to develop the subjective qualities of students at technical universities based on the analysis of Russian and foreign research on future engineers' training. We consider the peculiarities of future engineers' educational process, based on the importance of extracurricular activities in the development of such qualities. The purpose of the study is to test the hypothesis about the effectiveness of developing the subjective qualities of future engineers by involving them in extracurricular activities that were formed at the initial stage. The paper describes a pedagogical experiment that includes three stages. The set of research methods includes analysis, synthesis, comparison, generalization, pedagogical observation, questionnaire survey, testing, conversation, expert assessments, and statistics. We present different directions and types of activities organized within the experimental work with pedagogical support. Besides, we give examples of extracurricular activities that contribute to the successful development and manifestation of the specified personal qualities in students. The paper contains evidence of the effectiveness of extracurricular student activities as a factor in developing subjective qualities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamic development of modern information technologies and the electronic form of data presentation opened up new approaches to information resource management and an opportunity to organize the processes of publication, storage, and distribution of scientific research of university teaching staff at a qualitatively higher level. The study aims to assess the current state of the utilization of open scientific and educational resources by the research and pedagogical staff in their professional activities. The study presents a theoretical analysis of scientific developments on the issue of using open scientific and educational resources (OSERs) and open-access systems (OAS). The study results show that electronic professional periodicals, digital libraries, online conference platforms, scientometric databases, electronic social networks, and systems of digital identification of scientists and scientific publications are the OSERs most frequently used by university faculty. Moreover, the vast majority of university faculty are aware of the need to use OSERs in their own professional activities. Overall, the study results give evidence that professional advancement and internship programs for university teachers require further improvement. The issues of the selection, technical integration, and organizational and methodical introduction of information-analytical systems to support scientific research remain topical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses mainly on the in vitro study of a five-week biodegradation of a-C:H:SiOx films of different thickness, obtained by plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition onto Ti-6Al-4V alloy substrate using its pulsed bipolar biasing. In vitro immersion of a-C:H:SiOx films in a solution of 0.9% NaCl was used. It is shown how the a-C:H:SiOx film thickness (0.5–3 µm) affects the surface morphology, adhesive strength, and Na+ and Cl− precipitation on the film surface from the NaCl solution. With increasing film thickness, the roughness indices are reducing a little. The adhesive strength of the a-C:H:SiOx films to metal substrate corresponds to quality HF1 (0.5 µm in thickness) and HF2-HF3 (1.5–3 µm in thickness) of the Rockwell hardness test (VDI 3198) that defines strong interfacial adhesion and is usually applied in practice. The morphometric analysis of the film surface shows that on a-C:H:SiOx-coated Ti-6Al-4V alloy surface, the area occupied by the grains of sodium chloride is lower than on the uncoated surface. The reduction in the ion precipitation from 0.9% NaCl onto the film surface depended on the elemental composition of the surface layer conditioned by the thickness growth of the a-C:H:SiOx film. Based on the results of energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, the multiple regression equations are suggested to explain the effect of the elemental composition of the a-C:H:SiOx film on the decreased Na+ and Cl− precipitation. As a result, the a-C:H:SiOx films successfully combine good adhesion strength and rare ion precipitation and thus are rather promising for medical applications on cardiovascular stents and/or friction parts of heart pumps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An inextricable element in the management and development of the tax system is tax administration, a process that brings together the interests of the state, society, and business. The tax administration system is currently experiencing a rapid invasion of the tax system into all aspects of society, which transforms it into a single mechanism for addressing the socio-economic interests of all participants in tax relations. The purpose of the study is to disclose and interpret the substantive characteristics of tax administration, taking into account modern socioeconomic realities. The study utilizes general scientific research methods, generalization and justification, and the axiomatic method. It is concluded that at the present stage, tax administration is an effective tool to achieve a balance between the interests of the state and taxpayers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food security at the state level is an extremely important aspect of total national security. It is extremely challenging for each state to maintain and increase it in the conditions of world economic globalization. At present, the issue of sustaining this direction of security in Russia, which joined the World Trade Organization back in 2012, is quite relevant. At the level of the country, it is extremely important to systematically analyze food security in terms of its retention and increase within the processes of globalization. The assessment of the evolutionary flow, reflecting the irreversibility, instability, imbalance of changes occurring in the economic space, also occupies an important place. The study reflects and unveils the issue of prospective retention and enhancement of Russian food security in the conditions of operation within the World Trade Organization. The current threats to the Russian economy from this trade agreement are noted. At the same time, potential ways for the state to improve food security, given the acuteness of the problem in the field of food at the global level, are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Economic Annals-XXI / Ekonomìčnij Časopis-XXI is the property of Institute of Society Transformation and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)