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To date, there is an increase in the incidence of skin and subcutaneous tissue diseases, despite the variety of treatment methods. One of the promising class of biomaterials for the treatment of skin diseases can be coatings based on hydrogels. The purpose of this study was to obtain collagen-acrylic hydrogels with various technological parameters (varying the synthesis temperature and the degree of neutralization of acrylic acid) with the specified properties by radical polymerization. The chemical structure of the polymer gel was studied by infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. It was determined that samples with a neutralization degree of 0.8 have the highest sorption characteristics (obtained at 30°C) and thermal stability (obtained at 40°C). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study is to elaborate an understanding of the impact that endogenous processes have on the development of erosion patterns on flatlands (within aseismic platforms). Most of the studies based on river flow simulation cover very limited areas (one river basin, one ravine, one stream) and a narrow time range (days, months, a few years). The scope of the study can be expanded by modeling the erosion-tectonic relief. The object of this research is a rolling plateau in the east of the East European Plain. The models of erosion-tectonic relief were created basing on two aspects: 1) vertical motions of the earth’s crust and 2) surface erosion. It was also assumed that intense surface erosion went hand in hand with active tectonic motions. River deposition was disregarded during the periods of tectonic activity. Erosion processes were simulated using the universal soil loss equation (USLE). The active tectonic stages lasted for about 100 thousand years each. The information content and reliability of morphometric analysis were evaluated with regard to the quantitative assessment of vertical displacements occurred during the first stage of tectonic activity. The simulation results showed that tectonic forces can alter the surface configuration unrecognizably in a very short (in the geological sense) time (~30 thousand years). The amplitudes of upward motions can be estimated (using base surfaces) more reliably than those of downward motions. Morphometric analysis is a reliable method for studying modern geodynamic processes, as well as for long-term forecasts of further evolution of the studied area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Volga-Ural oil and gas region (Russia) is the most geologically studied. Numerous studies have proved the relationship between neotectonic activity and oil-bearing structures of the sedimentary cover. Previously, a detailed fault map has been compiled for the crystalline basement of the region. In the conditions of depletion of traditional reserves in anticline traps, the most in-demand objects of further hydrocarbon searches are tectonically screened oil accumulation. Remote sensing and GIS techniques were used for mapping surface lineaments. On the basis of structural geomorphology method lineaments were classified to shear or tensile fractures. Taking in mind that the most common regime in the sedimentary basins is the strike-slip regime, basement faults were investigated to determine their reactivation. The new map of modern active faults has been created. Mapped faults were also classified according to shifts kinematics to right or left lateral. The results could be used for future oilfield exploration in the Volga-Ural petroleum and gas region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research is to expand our understanding of how endogenous processes influence development of erosion systems. Study of the East European Plain allowed the authors to collect a large amount of data, which show that the life cycle of erosion system is controlled not only by the 'obvious' factors (runoff volume, slope, rock type, etc.) but also by large-scale processes forming the face of the Earth. Such processes, according to the authors, first of all, involve tectonic events that are manifested by vertical movements of crustal blocks and account for formation of uplands and slopes. The authors used a complex technique to check their assumptions, including methods of qualitative and quantitative evaluation of upper crust deformations using archive aerial and satellite images (evolution or degradation of more than 200 gully systems were observed through a series of aerial and satellite images taken in 1953, 1980 and 2008) and morphometric analysis of digital elevation models to create a model of neotectonic activity in the studied territory (hilly plateau in the east of the East European Plain). The authors also found that there is a direct association between neotectonic activity and modern geodynamics: areas with stable or constantly degrading erosion systems are related to neotectonically calm territories, while areas with active dynamics are usually located in close proximity to the medium- and high-amplitude neotectonic uplifts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]