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Species of the genus Drosophila have served as favorite models in speciation studies; however, genetic factors of interspecific reproductive incompatibility are under-investigated. Here, we performed an analysis of hybrid female sterility by crossing Drosophila melanogaster females and Drosophila simulans males. Using transcriptomic data analysis and molecular, cellular, and genetic approaches, we analyzed differential gene expression, transposable element (TE) activity, piRNA biogenesis, and functional defects of oogenesis in hybrids. Premature germline stem cell loss was the most prominent defect of oogenesis in hybrid ovaries. Because of the differential expression of genes encoding piRNA pathway components, rhino and deadlock, the functional RDCmel complex in hybrid ovaries was not assembled. However, the activity of the RDCsim complex was maintained in hybrids independent of the genomic origin of piRNA clusters. Despite the identification of a cohort of overexpressed TEs in hybrid ovaries, we found no evidence that their activity can be considered the main cause of hybrid sterility. We revealed a complicated pattern of Vasa protein expression in the hybrid germline, including partial AT-chX piRNA targeting of the vasasim allele and a significant zygotic delay in vasamel expression. We arrived at the conclusion that the hybrid sterility phenotype was caused by intricate multi-locus differences between the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neural crest cells exemplify cellular diversification from a multipotent progenitor population. However, the full sequence of early molecular choices orchestrating the emergence of neural crest heterogeneity from the embryonic ectoderm remains elusive. Gene-regulatory-networks (GRN) govern early development and cell specification toward definitive neural crest. Here, we combine ultradense single-cell transcriptomes with machine-learning and large-scale transcriptomic and epigenomic experimental validation of selected trajectories, to provide the general principles and highlight specific features of the GRN underlying neural crest fate diversification from induction to early migration stages using Xenopus frog embryos as a model. During gastrulation, a transient neural border zone state precedes the choice between neural crest and placodes which includes multiple converging gene programs. During neurulation, transcription factor connectome, and bifurcation analyses demonstrate the early emergence of neural crest fates at the neural plate stage, alongside an unbiased multipotent-like lineage persisting until epithelial-mesenchymal transition stage. We also decipher circuits driving cranial and vagal neural crest formation and provide a broadly applicable high-throughput validation strategy for investigating single-cell transcriptomes in vertebrate GRNs in development, evolution, and disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Casimir torque, a rotational motion driven by zero-point energy minimization, is a problem that attracts notable research interest. Recently, it has been realized using liquid crystal phases and natural anisotropic substrates. However, for natural materials, substantial torque occurs only at van der Waals distances of ~10 nm. Here, we use Casimir self-assembly with triangular gold nanostructures for rotational self-alignment at truly Casimir distances (100 to 200 nm separation). The interplay of repulsive electrostatic and attractive Casimir potentials forms a stable quantum trap, giving rise to a tunable Fabry-Pérot microcavity. This cavity self-aligns both laterally and rotationally to maximize area overlap between templated and floating flakes. The rotational self-alignment is sensitive to the equilibrium distance between the two triangles and their area, offering possibilities for active control via electrostatic screening manipulation. Our self-assembled Casimir microcavities present a versatile and tunable platform for nanophotonic, polaritonic, and optomechanical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of probe measurements of low-temperature plasma parameters ahead of the front of the incident shock wave was carried out using a double-diaphragm shock tube DDST-M of the Institute of Mechanics of Moscow State University. Such investigations are needed for determining the electron concentration in front of the shock wave. This characteristic is important for the safety of the spacecraft flight since it's directly affects to communication problems during the descent and is necessary for adequate description of kinetic processes behind the shock wave. Nitrogen, oxygen, air, and argon were used as working gases. The results obtained make it possible to describe the processes of the photoelectric effect and photoionization of gas particles due to the hard radiation of a shock-heated medium, to evaluate the effect of these processes on the change in the probe potential, and to measure the electron concentration. The probe measurements were synchronized with the registration of the light flux, which was carried out using an avalanche photodiode and a 9-frame video camera located at the end of the shock tube. Data from the camera and piezoelectric sensors record the dynamics of the opening of the diaphragm, as well as the process of formation of a shock wave in the gas under study. • Electron emission due to the photoelectric effect. • Photoionization of the gas ahead of the shock front. • Estimation of electron concentration from the probe measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When teaching electroanalysis, always reference should be made to its history, which mainly started with polarography. Since Tatyana Kryukova played an important role in the development of polarography, students should be made aware of her life. The scientific achievements of Kryukova on polarographic maxima, her principal scientific field will be discussed in a paper, written by Galina Tsirlina (for ChemTexts). Here, we provide information about the biography of Tatyana Kryukova and her relatives, her studies and work, difficulties of fate and creative successes, and the most significant achievements in polarography and education in electrochemistry. In the material preceding the biographical data, the state of polarography in the USSR in the mid-1930s is considered. It was a time when the hardships and problems of researchers were largely due to politics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How does the relationship between the categorical membership of a target object and its surrounding context affect the memorization of the target object? We conducted four experiments to examine how categorical distinctiveness is related to memory. During the categorical discrimination stage, participants searched for a target to be remembered among five distractor images belonging to another category. In the low categorical distinctiveness condition, the target image was surrounded by perceptually similar images from the same superordinate category (e.g., a cat among dogs); in the high categorical distinctiveness condition, it was surrounded by dissimilar objects from another superordinate category (e.g., a cat among chairs). Participants also performed a recognition test. We expected an increase in the number of hits and false alarms in the recognition task for objects discriminated in the low categorical distinctiveness condition. This hypothesis was confirmed in Experiments 1 and 4, and the effect also partly remained in Experiments 2 and 3 (when we manipulated the memorization time), affecting only hits or only false alarms, respectively. Moreover, in Experiment 2, in which memorization was incidental, memorization among low-distinguishability objects was more accurate, which could indicate the advantages that categorical knowledge offers in such a memorization paradigm. This indicates the influence of categorical knowledge on the memorization and recognition of objects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid development of industrial activity leads steadily to an increase in the influence of various factors that have a negative impact on the environment. One of them is a high level of technogenic low-frequency seismoacoustic pollution of settlements. This paper presents the results of in situ measurements of microseismic and acoustic noise in various frequency ranges in conditions of dense urban development using the example of the settlement of Mosrentgen. As a result of processing the primary data, we have obtained averaged values normalized to the reference station, compared the values of microseismic and acoustic noise, and localized areas of increased noise pollution. The features of the spatiotemporal distribution of microseismic and acoustic noise in the area of Mosrentgen are given. It is shown that the Moscow Ring Road and the metro station under construction are sources of low-frequency noise pollution. At the same time, it is recorded that the maximum permissible values of vibration and acoustic background up to 28 dB are exceeded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This publication presents an experimentally obtained video file for visualizing changes in the brightness of a radiation source based on a combination of continuous and repetitively pulsed optical discharges on a microsecond scale. The brightness was recorded with an electron-optical camera in the visible region of the spectrum in a nine-frame scan mode. A detailed description of the conditions and results of the experiments performed, the characteristics of the radiation source, as well as a discussion of the results obtained are published in [1, 2]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the main problems of fast reactors with sodium coolant is its high chemical activity in interaction with water and air. This requires complex safety systems, fire extinguishing, and diagnostics and complicates the design of steam generators and pipelines. The use of Na–Tl eutectic as a coolant for the first and intermediate circuits of a modular fast neutron reactor can alleviate this problem. Sodium–thallium eutectic (92.9%Na–7.1%Tl) has a much lower chemical activity than pure sodium and prevents or extinguishes its ignition by forming an inert surface layer. Also, this coolant has a higher boiling point and a lower melting point in comparison with sodium. The introduction of thallium into the coolant can change the neutron spectrum in the core and the neutronic characteristics of the reactor. In this paper, the effect of replacement of Na coolant with the Na–Tl eutectic on the neutronic characteristics of a modular fast reactor with metal fuel is studied. In addition, the influence of possible changes in the isotopic composition of thallium is studied. The activation of thallium isotopes in the coolant is simulated and their contribution to the gamma-radiation source is investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper is concerned with the use of uranium wastes after purification of regenerated fuel from 232U in a molten salt reactor (MSR) in application to minor actinide (MA) burning. The comparison of the uranium and plutonium loadings in an MSR was performed. The results of calculations show that the uranium loading in an MSR is a possible option that has a number of potential advantages: it allows for a higher rate of MA burning during the initial period of MSR operation with approximately the same burnup efficiency and increases the effective fraction of delayed neutrons. The presented calculations are of an approximate nature and first of all show the possibility of effective use of uranium from the waste stream of the enrichment cascade as a fissile material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the antagonistic relationship between the plant hormones auxin and cytokinin in the development of shoots. The study focuses on the moss Physcomitrium patens and highlights the evolutionary preservation of this hormone interaction in controlling shoot growth. The article also explores the involvement of auxin and cytokinin in various developmental processes in vascular plants, such as apical dominance and growth activation. The authors emphasize the need to further investigate the mechanisms by which cytokinin removes the inhibitory effect of auxin. The article provides insights into the signaling pathways and transcriptional regulators involved in the antagonism between auxin and cytokinin. Overall, the article contributes to our understanding of the complex hormonal regulation of plant growth and development. [Extracted from the article]

The Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) is a novel diagnostic system grounded in empirical research into the architecture of mental illness. Its basic units are continuous dimensions--as opposed to categories--that are organized into a hierarchy according to patterns of symptom co-occurrence observed in quantitative studies. Previous HiTOP discussions have focused on existing evidence regarding the model's structure and ability to account for neurobiological, social, cultural, and clinical variation. The present article looks ahead to the next decade of applied research and clinical practice using the HiTOP rubric. We highlight 10 topics where HiTOP has the potential to make significant breakthroughs. Research areas include genetic influences, environmental contributions, neural mechanisms, real-time dynamics, and lifespan development of psychopathology. We also discuss development of novel assessments, forecasting methods, and treatments. Finally, we consider implications for clinicians and educators. For each of these domains, we propose directions for future research and venture hypotheses as to what HiTOP will reveal about psychopathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of temperature and pressure on the nucleation of the vapor phase and the velocity of the vapor front in the initial stage of activated boiling-up of n-pentane on the surface of a quartz fiber was studied. Using a developed approach combining the "pump-probe" and laser Doppler velocimetry methods, this velocity was tracked in the course of sequential change in the degree of superheating with respect to the liquid–vapor equilibrium line. The studied interval according to the degree of superheating was 40–100 °C (at atmospheric pressure). In order to spatiotemporally localize the process, the activation of boiling-up at the end of the light guide was applied using a short nanosecond laser pulse. A spatial locality of measurements was achieved in units of micrometers, along with a time localization at the level of nanoseconds. An increase in temperature at a given pressure was found to lead to an increase in the speed of the transition process with a coefficient of about 0.2 m/s per degree, while an increase in pressure at a given temperature leads to a decrease in the transition process speed with a coefficient of 25.8 m/s per megapascal. The advancement of the vapor front velocity measurements to sub-microsecond intervals from the first signs of boiling-up did not confirm the existence of a Rayleigh expansion stage with a constant velocity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The knee is the joint most frequently involved in osteoarthritis and represents a significant contributor to patient morbidity and impaired functional status. Major risk factors include genetics, age, sex, mechanical load and obesity/metabolic syndrome. Recent studies highlighted the role of obesity and metabolic syndrome in the pathogenesis of knee osteoarthritis not simply through increased mechanical loading but the systemic effects of obesity-induced inflammation. The current concept of knee osteoarthritis is that of a 'whole joint disease', which highlights the involvement not only of articular cartilage but also the synovium, subchondral bone, ligaments and muscles. Obesity and metabolic syndrome are associated with higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, increased production of adipokines with both protective and destructive effects on articular cartilage, an up-regulation of proteolytic enzymes such as matrix metalloproteinases and aggrecanases and an increase in free fatty acids and reactive oxygen species induced by dyslipidemia. These findings underscore that the adequate management of knee osteoarthritis needs to include an optimization of body weight and a beneficial mobility regimen. The possible introduction of pharmacological therapy targeting specific molecules involved in the pathogenesis of obesity-related osteoarthritis will likely also be considered in future therapeutic strategies, including personalized treatment approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Campus sexual assault (SA) prevention programs are widely implemented, despite few having strong empirical support. To inform the development and refinement of prevention programs, we collected pilot qualitative data to capture undergraduates' perspectives regarding desirable program characteristics. Undergraduates completed an audio-taped interview (n = 19) or a focus group (n = 16) in June – November 2016. We double-coded transcripts for a priori and emerging themes using NVivo 11. A third coder resolved disagreements; we assessed intercoder reliability using Cohen's Kappa. Participants preferred SA prevention programming to be delivered in-person to small, coed groups of unfamiliar students. Students preferred programming with peer-facilitated, candid conversation about SA outcomes and prevention strategies. Participants also preferred for the tone of these training sessions to match the serious subject matter. Students' perceptions of desirable program characteristics differ somewhat from current evidence-based programs in several ways, highlighting important future directions for SA prevention research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The southern part of the Kuril Island Arc is one of the world's most active modern volcanic zones, with widespread felsic caldera volcanism, but it has been less well studied compared with other arcs. The Mendeleev caldera-forming eruption (40 ka) on Kunashir Island, southern Kurils, is one of the most explosive Pleistocene eruptions to have occurred in this region. This study aimed to establish the origin and storage conditions of magma preceding the Pleistocene caldera eruption of Mendeleev volcano. Mineralogical and melt inclusion analyses reveal that the primary melts had felsic compositions and that the early stage of magmatic evolution involved amphibole breakdown into a two-pyroxene, plagioclase, and Fe–Ti oxide assemblage under pressure–temperature conditions of 107–314 MPa and 807–932°C. The caldera-forming products are represented by dacitic pumice composed of plagioclase + augite + hypersthene+ quartz + Fe–Ti oxides and melt with uniform low-K rhyolite composition. Pre-eruptive magma was stored in a reservoir at 77–195 MPa (3.0–7.6 km depth) and 830–890°C under H2O-saturated conditions. The mechanism of magmatic evolution implies the following two-step scenario: (1) generation of magma by the partial melting of an amphibole-bearing substrate accompanied by the formation of early Mg-rich clino- and orthopyroxene, plagioclase, Fe–Ti oxides, and peritectic rhyolitic melt; and (2) crystallization of late plagioclase and quartz directly from these partial melts. Local or regional extension during the Pleistocene, accompanied by increasing heat flow in the supra-subduction mantle, generated an active mafic intrusion into the upper crust. This process was accompanied by abundant subaerial eruptions of basaltic volcanoes and could have caused intense heating and partial melting of upper-crustal rocks. Our results indicate that the partial melting of amphibole-bearing substrates in island arcs may serve as a universal mechanism for the generation of silicic magmas during powerful caldera eruptions in young island arcs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method is proposed for controlled convergence of beams with different wavelengths by means of acousto-optical (AO) Bragg diffraction. A method for calculating the parameters of the diffraction of two beams by one acoustic wave in a uniaxial crystal, which makes it possible to determine the condition for beam convergence, is presented. Calculations are demonstrated using the example of convergence of beams with wavelengths of 0.514 and 0.633 µm in a uniaxial paratellurite crystal by means of AO interaction with a "slow" acoustic wave. Experiments were carried out that confirmed the main theoretical conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advantages of using an external Fabry–Pérot interferometer (EFPI) as a high-speed local temperature deformation sensor are demonstrated for the fibre-optic circuit combining a powerful laser beam for surface heating with a low-power probing radiation. The difference in the formation of the heating and probing radiation provides a simple basis for varying the gap between the fibre end and the surface in order to change the ratio between the heating and EFPI measuring areas. Using an example of modelling the laser heating by radiation from a standard single-mode fibre, we demonstrate the possibility of employing the EFPI to measure the temperature deformation of the surface on a quasi-isothermal area with the temperature close to the maximum at gap values of more than 100 μm. With the condition of preliminary calibration, the proposed scheme can be used to evaluate the heat treatment of the surface with the speed of the applied photodetector. The practical possibilities of the method are demonstrated on examples of heating some metal and semiconductor samples by laser pulses of microsecond duration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The decrease of superplastic forming temperature and improvement of post-forming mechanical properties are important issues for titanium-based alloys. Ultrafine-grained and homogeneous microstructure are required to improve both processing and mechanical properties. This study focuses on the influence of 0.01–2 wt.% B (boron) on the microstructure and properties of Ti-4Al-3Mo-1V (wt.%) alloys. The microstructure evolution, superplasticity, and room temperature mechanical properties of boron-free and boron-modified alloys were investigated using light optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction, X-ray diffraction analysis, and uniaxial tensile tests. A trace addition of 0.01 to 0.1 wt.% B significantly refined prior β-grains and improved superplasticity. Alloys with minor B and B-free alloy exhibited similar superplastic elongations of 400–1000% in a temperature range of 700–875 °C and strain rate sensitivity coefficient m of 0.4–0.5. Along with this, a trace boron addition provided a stable flow and effectively reduced flow stress values, especially at low temperatures, that was explained by the acceleration of the recrystallization and globularization of the microstructure at the initial stage of superplastic deformation. Recrystallization-induced decrease in yield strength from 770 MPa to 680 MPa was observed with an increase in boron content from 0 to 0.1%. Post-forming heat treatment, including quenching and ageing, increased strength characteristics of the alloys with 0.01 and 0.1% boron by 90–140 MPa and insignificantly decreased ductility. Alloys with 1–2% B exhibited an opposite behavior. For the high-boron alloys, the refinement effect of the prior β-grains was not detected. A high fraction of borides of ~5–11% deteriorated the superplastic properties and drastically decreased ductility at room temperature. The alloy with 2% B demonstrated non-superplastic behavior and low level of strength properties; meanwhile, the alloy with 1% B exhibited superplasticity at 875 °C with elongation of ~500%, post-forming yield strength of 830 MPa, and ultimate tensile strength of 1020 MPa at room temperature. The differences between minor boron and high boron influence on the grain structure and properties were discussed and the mechanisms of the boron influence were suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data on the correlation of seismoacoustic and physical-mechanical characteristics of frozen soils have been summarized, which can be used as a basis for improving the methods of engineering and geological surveys, as well as laboratory tests of soils and design in permafrost zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of U–Th–Pb (LA-ICP-MS) geochronological studies of detrital zircon (fraction >50 µm) from the Late Cenozoic deposits of the large aeolian "Sands" massif of the Chara Basin in the eastern flank of the Baikal Rift Zone show that they are dominated by detrital zircon aged 263–265 and 1861–1864 Ma. Archean ages have been obtained only for individual zircon grains. This might be due to the fact that zircon of this age is present in "fine" fractions, the study of which is hardly possible due to the technological features of the method of geochronological studies in use. Based on the geological situation, granites of the Kodar Complex can be considered as the sole source of Early Proterozoic detrital zircon. The source of detrital zircon aged 263–265 Ma remains a mystery. Granitoid massifs of this age are not known on the territory of the Aldan Shield. They are widespread in its western margin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents data on quartz-hosted fluid inclusions in commercial ores of various type (veinlet−disseminated and vein) of the Verninskoe gold deposit. The ores of various types were found out to significantly vary in the values of some of their physicochemical parameters of the fluids and in the composition of these fluids. The fluids that formed the gold veins have a somewhat higher initial temperature (356–246°C), a higher density of carbon dioxide in gas inclusions (1.00–0.84 g/cm3), and a higher fluid pressure (3170–1390 bar) than those of the fluids that formed the veinlet–disseminated ores (330–252°C, 0.87–0.54 g/cm3, and 1960–570 bar, respectively). The fluids that formed the gold veins were enriched in CО2, Sr, Ag, Ga, Ge, Mn, Fe, Ni, Sn, Ba, and REE, whereas the fluids that formed veinlet–disseminated mineralization were richer in , Br, Sb, V, and Au. This situations may be explained by the interaction of the deep fluid with the terrigenous host rocks in the course of ore deposition. When vein quartz crystallized in relatively wide fractures, the fluid interacted with host rocks and changed not as much as when the veinlet−disseminated ores were formed in narrow fractures. The initial parameters of the fluid that formed the vein quartz were thus the closest to the characteristics of the fluid that transported the ore components, and the comparison of these data with the parameters of the fluids that formed the veinlet–disseminated mineralization demonstrates that they changed in the course of ore deposition. The mineral-forming fluids likely came from a deep-sitting source, and the mineral-forming processes may have involve granitoid-derived fluids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experimental cell design and an optoelectronic unit have been developed for studying relaxation processes in the near-surface region of semiconductors under pulsed laser irradiation in a temperature range from 3 to 300 K and a magnetic field up to 12 T. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in the microcirculation of multiple tissues and organs have been implicated as a possible mechanism in physiological aging. In particular, vascular endothelial growth factor is a secretory protein responsible for regulating angiogenesis via altering endothelial proliferation, survival, migration, extracellular matrix degradation and cell permeability. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of vascular endothelial growth factor in the progression of morphological alterations caused by physiological aging in the heart and kidney and to examine its relation to changes in capillary density. We used two age groups of healthy Wistar rats - 6- and 12-monthold. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor was examined through immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence and assessed semi-quantitatively. Changes in capillary density were evaluated statistically and correlated with the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor. We reported stronger immunoreactivity for vascular endothelial growth factor in the left compared to the right ventricle and also observed an increase in its expression in both ventricles in older animals. Contrasting results were reported for the renal cortex and medulla. Capillary density decreased statistically in all examined structures as aging progressed. The studied correlations were statistically significant in the two ventricles in 12-month-old animals and in the renal cortex of both age groups. Our results shed light on some changes in the microcirculation that take place as aging advances and likely contribute to impairment in the function of the examined organs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Exploring the function or the developmental history of cells in various organisms provides insights into a given cell type's core molecular characteristics and putative evolutionary mechanisms. Numerous computational methods now exist for analyzing single-cell data and identifying cell states. These methods mostly rely on the expression of genes considered as markers for a given cell state. Yet, there is a lack of scRNA-seq computational tools to study the evolution of cell states, particularly how cell states change their molecular profiles. This can include novel gene activation or the novel deployment of programs already existing in other cell types, known as co-option. Results: Here we present scEvoNet, a Python tool for predicting cell type evolution in cross-species or cancer-related scRNA-seq datasets. ScEvoNet builds the confusion matrix of cell states and a bipartite network connecting genes and cell states. It allows a user to obtain a set of genes shared by the characteristic signature of two cell states even between distantly-related datasets. These genes can be used as indicators of either evolutionary divergence or co-option occurring during organism or tumor evolution. Our results on cancer and developmental datasets indicate that scEvoNet is a helpful tool for the initial screening of such genes as well as for measuring cell state similarities. Conclusion: The scEvoNet package is implemented in Python and is freely available from https://github.com/monsoro/scEvoNet. Utilizing this framework and exploring the continuum of transcriptome states between developmental stages and species will help explain cell state dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geochemical, geochronological (U–Pb on zircons, ID TIMS), and isotope–geochemical (Sm–Nd) studies of Kopri-type granitoids of the Tukuringra Complex have been carried out. The granitoids are located exclusively in the zone of the Dzheltulak suture, which separates the Dzhugdzhur–Stanovoi and Western Stanovoi superterranes of the Central Asian fold belt. It has been established that they can be classified as postcollisional adakite-like granitoids of elevated alkalinity and adakite-type basicity, formed in the age range between 127 ± 1 and 126 ± 1 Ma, which are part of the Late Mesozoic postcollisional Stanovoi volcano-plutonic belt that extends more than 1000 km in the sublatitudinal direction from the Sea of Okhotsk into the continent subparallel to the Mongolia–Okhotsk suture zone and stitches the Dzhugdzhur–Stanovoi and the Western Stanovoi superterranes. The structural position of the Kopri-type granitoid massifs registers the upper age limit of the Dzheltulak suture. Formation of the parent melts of these granitoids is associated with an essentially lithospheric source formed as a result of mixing of the Early Precambrian and a younger, apparently Phanerozoic component. In contrast to other granitoids of the Stanovoi belt that are close in composition and age, the granitoids under consideration are characterized by a certain increase in the role of the asthenospheric component in their source, which is probably due to their localization in the zone of elevated lithospheric permeability and at the junction of faults of different orientations, generally sublatitudinal, guided by the Mongolia–Okhotsk lineament, and northwestward, associated with the development of the Dzheltulak suture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of flight safety of high-speed aircrafts is primarily related to the reliability of engines, which, in turn, depends on the correct understanding of the processes of ignition and combustion of fuel in the combustion chambers of engines during their design. In this work, a new method for registration the ignition of shock heated gaseous fuels using a thermoelectric detector is proposed. The detector well measures the ignition delay time of fuels in the microsecond range, which is characteristic of detonation processes in the combustion chambers of promising aircraft engines operating on detonation combustion. The efficiency of the detector is demonstrated by the ignition of a propane-air mixture behind a reflected shock wave as an example. During the experiments, the thermoelectric detector showed such properties as the ability to register high heat flux values, low inertia, high signal-to-noise ratio, and high temporal resolution. The data obtained are compared with the measurement data of the ignition delay time by optical and piezoelectric methods obtained in this work, as well as in the studies of other authors. • Clarification the ignition delay time of fuels in microseconds and less. • Application of thermoelectric detector under conditions of high pressure and temperature. • New data about heat fluxes during self-ignition and combustion of shock heated gaseous fuels. • High heat flux value registration with low inertia, high signal-to-noise ratio, and high temporal resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of hybrid halobismuthate solid solutions [4-Pi2C2]2[Bi2Br10-xIx] (4-PiC2 = 1,1′-(ethane-1,2-diyl)bis(4-methylpyridin-1-ium)) were obtained and structurally characterized. It was shown that upon Br/I substitution, the bromine atoms in the bridging positions of the anion were, first of all, replaced with iodine. In this case, significant and multidirectional deviation of the crystal lattice parameters of the solid solutions from Vegard's law was observed. The Bi⋯Bi distance in the mixed anions was greater than in the [Bi2Br10]4− or [Bi2I10]4−. The dependence of the optical band gap (Eg) on the composition of the anion also showed a significant deviation from Vegard's law. Moreover, a small substitution of iodine for bromine in the anion resulted in a significant decrease in the Eg value. A calculation of the simulated structures of the solid solution confirmed the relationship between the changes in the crystal lattice parameters upon Br/I substitution and the type of substituted halogen atom. It was shown that replacement of bridging bromine atoms with iodine atoms is a thermodynamically more favorable process than a similar substitution in terminal positions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a signalling protein of critical importance for angiogenesis. In an effort to better understand its significance in hypertension-induced injury of the heart and kidney we aimed at studying the changes in its expression in an experimental model and correlated it with capillary density in the myocardium and the renal parenchyma. METHODS: We used two age groups of spontaneously hypertensive rats (6- and 12-month-old), indicative of early and advanced hypertension. VEGF expression was assessed and a semi-quantitative analysis of its immunoreactivity was conducted. Changes in capillary density in the myocardium and kidney were assessed for statistical significance and correlations with VEGF expression were established. RESULTS: We reported stronger VEGF expression in animals with early compared to advanced hypertension in all examined structures. Capillary density decreased significantly at age 12 months compared to 6 months and was significant in all examined structures. A positive correlation was established between capillary density and the expression of VEGF. CONCLUSION: These findings underscore the key significance of VEGF for compensatory angiogenesis and suggest that a statistically significant depletion of these vascular adaptive mechanisms is a major aspect in the cascade of hypertension-induced injury of the heart and kidney (Tab. 3, Fig. 8, Ref. 47). Text in PDF www.elis.sk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern emotional companion robots can support multimodal communicative interaction with humans using speech, gestures, and facial expressions. This paper researches the potential of a social robot in the educational process: in a situation of learning a foreign language vocabulary. We have compared a classic text interface for word-learning with a companion robot, orally supporting the learning process of students (43 people, 34 women, average age 22.5years). It was shown that selection of one of the two methods does not affect the efficiency of word memorization, however, most of the students appreciate the robot as an assistant and indicate is as a preferable, or one of the possible learning tools in their future studies. The obtained results open up further prospects for using emotional companion robots in the educational process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the results of a study on steel strip plasticization during straightening on roller straightening machines. The studies were conducted using the SIMULIA Abaqus finite element analysis system and with the implementation of an industrial experiment on straightening and plasma cutting of hot-rolled profile rolled stock. A significant effect of strip plasticization during straightening under conditions of alternating deformation on the deviation from the flatness of the profile rolled stock at high-tech processing is presented. The results confirmed that the minimum deviations of the strips from the flatness after cutting, not exceeding 2 mm, correspond to the straightening modes with a high plasticization of the strip at the beginning of straightening and the smallest at the end with the reduction of residual longitudinal stresses in thickness. The regression dependence of the strip plasticization on the main parameters of the straightening process based on the processing of a computational experiment was obtained, and its adequacy was established. Moreover, the parameters affecting the plasticization of the steel strip during straightening to a great extent are the number of rollers and difference in the vertical movements of the first and last rollers of the upper cassette. The model developed for predicting the plasticization of a hot-rolled steel strip enables to develop recommendations for setting up roller machines to increase the impact on the shape of rolled products and evaluate the straightening process when designing and modernizing existing metal cross-cutting lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of experimental study of the metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) photodiode based on ZnCdSe/ZnSSe/GaAs heterobarrier structure are presented. MSM-diode with 2.8 μm Ni-Au interdigitated Schottky barrier contacts, gaps between them of 3 μm, and total detector area of 100 × 100 µm2 have been fabricated and investigated. At a wavelength of 460 nm MSM-diode provides a high spectral selectivity with FWHM of spectral response 4.3 nm, high current sensitivity of 2.27 A/W and low dark current of 200 pA at 30 V bias. The spectral response of the MSM-detector was characterized under various bias conditions. A reduced Schottky barrier height model was adopted to explain the gain mechanism of the MSM-detector under illumination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have analyzed the specifics of cosmonaut labor during trainings for and accomplishment of space missions and reviewed the tasks planned for cosmonauts on remote missions, including travels and landing on the Moon and other space objects. Using the activity classification approach and ergatic system theory, we suggest a psychophysiological classification of cosmonaut activities and substantiate the underlying principles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Age-related morphological and physiological changes occur in cells, tissues and organs with high metabolic or mitotic activity; these changes decrease their regenerative capacity. One such change is interstitial fibrosis. Mast cells contain basic fibroblast growth factor and have been related to pro-fibrotic activity. We investigated the role of mast cells in physiological aging of the heart and kidney. We analyzed changes in mast cell number and compared the left and right heart ventricles and kidneys of 6- and 12-month-old Wistar rats. We also evaluated the immunohistochemical expression of basic fibroblast growth factor. Finally, we analyzed changes in the extent of interstitial fibrosis and in the glomerular sclerosis index as nonspecific markers of aging and correlated these parameters with of mast cells. Mast cells were visualized by toluidine blue staining and specific immunohistochemical expression of tryptase. The expression of basic fibroblast growth factor was assessed semiquantitatively. The extent of interstitial fibrosis was investigated using Mallory's trichrome staining. Glomerular sclerosis was evaluated using periodic acid-Schiff staining. We found that the number of mast cells increased significantly in the older rats. We also found that the number of mast cells was greatest in the left ventricle followed by the right ventricle, then the kidney. The immunoreactivity of basic fibroblast growth factor also increased in older animals. Correlations between the number of mast cells and immunoreactivity of basic fibroblast growth factor, extent of interstitial fibrosis and glomerular sclerosis index demonstrated the association between mast cells and age-related tissue remodeling of the heart and kidney. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article summarises a laboratory program involving over 100 tests that were performed to study the influence of soil type, temperature, water content and salinity on the strength and creep of frozen soils under uniaxial compression and shear tests. Analyses of experimental data allowed to get equations for predicting strength and creep parameters depending on the temperature and salinity using generalising parameters for frozen soils (freezing point and the concentration of pore solution). These parameters reflect the total impact of all factors (soil type, salinity and water content) in forming a single pattern for all types of soil. The developed theory of searching for generalised dependencies showed a good convergence for predicting the strength and creep characteristics of frozen soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Significant efforts are being made in many countries around the world to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic by developing diagnostic reagent kits, identifying infected people, determining treatment methods, and finally producing effective vaccines. However, novel coronavirus variants may potentially reduce the effectiveness of all these efforts, demonstrating increased transmissibility and abated response to therapy or vaccines, as well as the possibility of false negative results in diagnostic procedures based on nucleic acid amplification methods. Since the end of 2020, several variants of concern have been discovered around the world. When information about a new, potentially more dangerous strain of pathogen appears, it is crucial to determine the moment of its emergence in a region. Eventually, that permits taking timely measures and minimizing new risks associated with the spreading of the virus. Therefore, numerous nations have made tremendous efforts to identify and trace these virus variants, which necessitates serious technological processes to sequence a large number of viral genomes. Here, we report on our experience as one of the primary laboratories involved in monitoring SARS-CoV-2 variants in Russia. We discuss the various approaches used, describe effective protocols, and outline a potential technique combining several methods to increase the ability to trace genetic variants while minimizing financial and labor costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-equilibrium vibrational dissociation CO2 â†' CO + O at translationalâ€"rotational temperatures T â©˝ 1200 K is investigated with semi-empiric and computational models. The governing parameter Q / n 0 2 has been introduced, where Q is the specific volumetric power coupled into vibrational states and n 0 is the initial number density of CO2. It has been shown that the non-equilibrium vibrational process can only be triggered when Q / n 0 2 exceeds some critical value determined by the speed of vibrational relaxation. Simple semi-empiric calculations are backed by the state-to-state simulations of the CO2 vibrational kinetics in two-modes approximation performed for conditions of microwave sustained gas discharges. The vibrational kinetics model is benchmarked against the experimental vibrational relaxation times as well as the shock tube data on the rate of the process CO2 + M â†' CO + O + M for M = Ar and literature data for M = CO2. At T = 300 K the estimated Q / n 0 2 crit ≂ 6 Ă— 1 0 âˆ' 40 W m3 or Q / p 2 crit ≂ 35 W (mâˆ'3 Paâˆ'2) (p is the gas pressure). Q / p 2 crit is found to always increase with increased T. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The current study aimed to determine the relationship between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and major 12-month outcomes for patients with in-hospital treatment for symptomatic peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD). Methods: An analysis of the prospective longitudinal multicentric cohort study with 12-month follow-up was conducted including patients who underwent endovascular or open surgery for symptomatic PAOD at 35 German vascular centres (initial study protocol: NCT03098290). Severity of CKD was grouped into four stages combining information about the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at baseline and dialysis dependency. Outcomes included overall mortality as well as the two composite endpoints of amputation or death, and of major cardiovascular events (MACE). 12-month incidences and adjusted hazard ratios were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier function and Cox proportional hazard models. Results: A total of 4354 patients (32% female, 69 years mean age, 68% intermittent claudication, 69% percutaneous endovascular revascularisation) were included and followed for 244 days in median. Thereof, 22% had any CKD and 5% had end stage kidney disease (ESKD) at baseline. The 12-month overall mortality rate was 3.6% (95% CI 2.3–4.9) with 96 events in the entire cohort: 147 were amputated or died (5.3%, 95% CI 5.2–5.3), and 277 had a MACE (9.5%, 95% CI 9.4–9.5). When compared with patients without kidney disease, ESKD was significantly associated with overall mortality (HR 1.9; 95% CI 1.1–3.5), amputation or death (HR 2.4; 95% CI 1.4–4.1), and MACE (HR 2.0; 95% CI 1.3–3.2). Conclusions: In the current study on mid-term outcomes after invasive revascularisation for symptomatic PAOD, one out of five patients suffered from any CKD while those few with ESKD had twice the odds of death, of amputation or death, and of major adverse cardiovascular events after twelve months. These results emphasise that concomitant CKD and its impact on outcomes should be considered by severity while mild and moderate grades should not lead to ineffectual treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple myeloma (MM), a malignancy of plasma cells (PCs), has diverse genetic underpinnings and in rare cases these include amplification of the lymphotoxin b receptor (Ltbr) locus. LTβR has well defined roles in supporting lymphoid tissue development and function through actions in stromal and myeloid cells, but whether it is functional in PCs is unknown. Here we showed that Ltbr mRNA was upregulated in mouse PCs compared to follicular B cells, but deficiency in the receptor did not cause a reduction in PC responses to a T-dependent or T-independent immunogen. However, LTβR overexpression (OE) enhanced PC formation in vitro after LPS or anti-CD40 stimulation. In vivo, LTβR OE led to increased antigen-specific splenic and bone marrow (BM) plasma cells responses. LTβR OE PCs had increased expression of Nfkb2 and of the NF-kB target genes Bcl2 and Mcl1, factors involved in the formation of long-lived BM PCs. Our findings suggest a pathway by which Ltbr gene amplifications may contribute to MM development through increased NF-kB activity and induction of an anti-apoptotic transcriptional program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study of the water fleas (Crustacea: Cladocera) in man-made lakes in the northeast part of the United Arab Emirates revealed five species: Ceriodaphnia cf. cornuta Sars, 1885; Daphnia (Ctenodaphnia) arabica Neretina, Al Neyadi et Hamza, 2022; Moina cf. micrura Kurz, 1875; Anthalona mediterranea (Yalim, 2005); Coronatella anemae Van Damme et Dumont, 2008. The morphologies of the four taxa are described in detail, except that of D. Arabica, which has been described previously. The phylogenies of the C. cornuta and M. micrura species groups were reconstructed based on sequences of the COI mitochondrial gene and the possible divergence age of the Arabian clades was estimated based on molecular clocks with paleontological calibration. We concluded that the C. cornuta complex was differentiated in the Upper Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous. The splitting off of clades containing the Arabian population took place during the Oligocene to Miocene. The M. micrura species group was differentiated in the Upper Cretaceous, and the splitting off of clades including Arabian populations took place around the Oligocene. Therefore, the clades (of different hierarchical orders) in the Arabian Peninsula are very old compared to clades of similar rank in northern Eurasia, which usually have Late Pleistocene history. Most of our sampled water bodies were newly constructed man-made reservoirs. As revealed, the phylogroups are locally distributed, and we hypothesized that they are colonists from surrounding natural water bodies inhabited by the relicts of older fauna that survived after the great climate aridization and then occupied newly available (man-made) biotopes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on a medium-band photometric survey at the 1-m Schmidt telescope of the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory, we have produced a complete sample of quasars to 22.5 mag in the HS47.5-22 field with an area of 2.38 deg . We have classified the objects and produced the sample of quasars using broadband photometric data and the morphological classification from DECaLS (Dey et al. 2019), infrared photometry from WISE (Meisner et al. 2018), spectroscopy from SDSS (Pâris et al. 2018), ROSAT X-ray data (Molthagen et al. 1997), FIRST radio data (Becker et al. 1995), and data on the proper motions of objects from the Gaia survey (Brown et al. 2018). The sample contains 682 quasars for which we have determined the medium-band photometric redshifts, calculated the absolute magnitudes, and investigated the quasar space density distribution and luminosity function. As a result, we have obtained evidence for the absence of a significant reduction in the space density of quasars up to . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of functional and motor activity restoration, including the walking function, in patients after an ischemic stroke using the ExoAtlet lower limb exoskeleton. Patients and methods. A clinical study was carried out on 42 patients who had undergone a cerebral infarction in the mid cerebral artery system with a post-stroke paresis of the leg, and who had undergone a rehabilitation course in a round-theclock hospital during the early recovery period. Patients were randomized into two equal groups comparable in terms of the stroke severity: the patients in group 1 were receiving a standard rehabilitation program (control group), the patients in group 2 were additionally receiving a course of gait rehabilitation using the ExoAtlet exoskeleton - 10 sessions, 5 sessions per week for 14 days. Results. The study demonstrated the effectiveness of the ExoAtlet exoskeleton used in the rehabilitation of stroke patients over the standard course of rehabilitation. The advantages include a decrease in the hemiparesis degree, an increase in the muscle strength of the paretic limb, an improvement in balance, an improvement and acceleration of the walking process. The obtained results of the instrumental study confirmed the benefits of physical training on the Exoskeleton, which was demonstrated through an increase in stability and balance, as well as through a decrease in the energy consumption index for maintaining the stable verticalization. Conclusion. The usage of the ExoAtlet exoskeleton increases the effectiveness of rehabilitation measures and improves motor and functional activities of patients who have suffered a cerebral stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conceptual basis of psychopathology within cancer survivorship is critical, as the chosen conceptualisation informs assessment and explanatory models, as well as interventions and supportive care approaches. The validity of a chosen conceptualisation of psychopathology is therefore paramount for ensuring cancer survivors receive high-quality and efficacious care and support that can be iteratively improved via coordinated research efforts. In this paper, we discuss the traditional diagnostic approach to conceptualising psychopathology within cancer care, including the diagnostic system the 'Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders' (DSM) [1], and the significant issues it presents within cancer survivorship. We detail and discuss how an alternate conceptualisation of psychopathology may enhance both research and practice within psycho-oncology. We ultimately pose, and provide our perspective, on the question "Is it Time to Discard the DSM in Psycho-Oncology?" [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local heterogeneities can have significant effects on the performance of anti-corrosion coatings. Even small features can act as initiation points for damage and result in corrosion of the substrate material. Analysis methods with high spatial resolution and the ability to collect information relevant to crosslinking and degradation behavior of these coatings are therefore highly relevant. In this work, we demonstrate the utility of nanomechanical AFM measurements and nano-FTIR in investigating the nanoscale mechanical and chemical properties of two polyester coil coating clearcoats before and after weathering. On the nanoscale, weathering led to a stiffer and less deformable coating with less variation in the nanomechanical properties. Chemical degradation was quantified using changes in band ratios in the IR-spectra. Macro and nano-scale measurements showed similar trends with the latter measurements showing larger heterogeneity. Our results demonstrate the usefulness of the described analysis techniques and will pave the way for future studies of local properties in other coating systems and formulations. [Display omitted] • Two simplified coil coating systems underwent accelerated weathering. • Chemical and mechanical properties were measured with nanoscale spatial resolution. • Over small areas, weathering resulted in stiffening and higher homogeneity. • Chemical degradation was as severe on both the nano- and macroscale. • Variation in chemical degradation was considerably larger on the nanoscale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]