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Plant breeding is an endless conveyor belt: cultivars developed earlier are included in hybridization plans and become the sources for new ones. The main tasks in barley improvement through breeding include raising the productivity of cultivars, improving their quality, and strengthening disease resistance. Correct selection, use, and studying of the source material – that is the key to successful breeding efforts. The first and most important step in constructing a cultivar is the process of hybridization. A valuable source of aid, and often the basis for newly developed cultivars, is the global collection of VIR, whose importance can hardly be overestimated. From 1936 to 2021, 27 barley cultivars were released: they are widely cultivated in Russia and Kazakhstan. Of these, 19 cultivars were obtained by pair hybridization; 4 cultivars by the complex stepwise hybridization technique; 4 cultivars through individual selection using the population approach. Despite the high importance of germplasm collection materials, 21 cultivars were produced by hybridization using a genotype selected at Omsk as one of the parental forms: in 16 cultivars, a local genotype was used as a maternal parent; in 12, as a paternal one; and in 8 cultivars, both parent forms were bred at Omsk Agricultural Scientific Center. Our retrospective analysis of a number of Omsk spring barley cultivars, on the one hand, confirms the earlier conclusions of Siberian scientists about a limited number of base crop cultivars, and on the other, attests to very rich pedigrees of spring barley cultivars in terms of the number of parent forms from the VIR global collection. Siberian barley ecotypes, characterized by increased adaptability to local harsh climate factors, should be further preserved in the national crop germplasm repository at VIR.

Background. The objective of the research was to identify promising genotypes of malting barley in the source material developed at Omsk Agricultural Scientific Center.Material and methods. The studies were carried out from 2017 to 2020. in the southern forest-steppe of Western Siberia. The target material included 13 lines: Sasha × Getman (2 lines), Sasha × Margret, Podarok Sibiri × Getman (3 lines), Omsky 95 × Beatrice (3 lines), Omsky 95 × Despina, Omsky 95 × Viva, Omsky 100 × Margret, and Omsky 90 × Margret. Biochemical assessment of grain quality for brewing qualities was carried out jointly with Nemchinovka Federal Research Center according to GOST 5060-86 (Bаrley for brewing. Specifications).Results and discussion. The most promising were the lines demonstrating increased yield (5.39–6.21 t/ha) and reduced mass fraction of protein (11.39–11.92%): Sasha × Getman (1), Sasha × Getman (2), Omsky 90 × Margret, Omsky 95 × Beatrice (2), Omsky 95 × Beatrice (3), and Omsky 95 × Despina. Besides, these lines had a set of the following brewing characteristics: grain evenness (98.7–99.95); grain filminess (9.3–9.9%), 1000 grain weight (55.6–57.0 g), grain extractivity (78.1 and 78.9%), mass fraction of starch (55,35–56.83%), color (0.15–0.30 EBC units), and malt vitreousness (0.0–3.0%).Conclusion., The lines Sasha × Getman (1) and (2), Omsky 90 × Margret, Omsky 95 × Beatrice (2) and (3), Omsky 95 × Despina are recommended for further research.

Newly developed varieties should be not only highly productive, but also adaptable. In this regard, the Omsk Agricultural Center is certainly one of the leaders in spring barley breeding (23 varieties have been created). New varieties should meet both the current needs of agricultural producers and agro-technological requirements in accordance with the achievements of science and production. In this regard, the purpose of the current study was to determine adaptability parameters of the Omsk barley varieties. There have been presented the study results of 2015–2019. The objects of the study were the two-row hulled varieties and lines ‘Omsky 95’ (standard), ‘Sasha’, ‘Podarok Sibiri’, ‘Omsky 100’, ‘Omsky 101’, ‘Medikum 4867’, ‘Nutans 4883’, ‘Nutans 4812’; the multi-row hulled varieties and lines ‘Omsk 99’ (standard), ‘Rikotense 4885’, ‘Pallidum 4861’; the multi-row hulles varieties and lines ‘Omsk golozerny 2’ (standard), ‘Omsk golozerny 4’. There have been estimated such adaptability parameters as coefficient of adaptability (according to Zhivotkov), coefficient of responsiveness to favorable growing conditions (according to Zykin), stress resistance and compensatory ability (according to Goncharenko), adaptability (according to Baransky and Gryaznov), trait variability and coefficient of agronomic stability (according to Dospekhov). The final estimation of the response of varieties to cultivation conditions had to be carried out by the sum of the ranks, taking into account that the first rank was the highest. The studied varieties were characterized by productivity of 5.2±0.97 t/ha. There was identified a significant increase for all varieties (+0.13…+0.90 t/ha to standard). The greatest contribution to the yield variation was made by the year conditions (65%); the share of a variety genotype effect was 19%. According to the sum of ranks, for the southern forest-steppe of Western Siberia, the most adaptive varieties among the two-row hulled varieties and lines were ‘Sasha’, ‘Omsky 100’, ‘Omsky 101’ and ‘Nutans 4883’ (sum of ranks = 45–49). Among multi-row hulled varieties and lines it was ‘Rikotense 4885’ (sum of ranks = 46). Among the multi-row hulles varieties and lines they were ‘Omsk golozerny 2’ (standard), ‘Omsk golozerny 4’ (sum of ranks = 86 and 87).

The purpose of the current study was to determine the correlation between adaptability parameters of the spring barley varieties and grain productivity and the main indicators of its quality. The study was conducted from 2011 to 2019 in the conditions of the southern forest-steppe of Western Siberia. The protein percentage in grain, raw oil, starch and husk content of grain were determined according to the Pleshkov and Berkutova methods. The mathematical processing was carried out according to the methodology of Dospekhov, Eberhard and Russell. According to the trial, low productivity of spring barley was recorded in 2012, 2013 and 2016 (2.36–2.92 t/ha) with low values of the index of environmental conditions (-1.32; -1.88). Higher productivity was recorded in 2011, 2015, 2018 and 2019 (5.26-5.89 t/ha), with high values of the index of environmental conditions (1.02–1.65). The productivity of the standard variety ‘Omskiy 95’ varied from 2.11 t/ha (in 2016) to 5.91 t/ha (in 2015). The varieties ‘Sibirskiy Avangard’, ‘Sasha’, ‘Omskiy 100’ exceeded the standard variety (+0.47; +1.97 t/ha to standard). An increased content of raw oil in grain was recorded in the varieties ‘Omskiy 9’1 and ‘Sasha’ (0.4-0.6% to standard). The varieties ‘Omskiy 91’, ‘Sibirskiy Avangard’, ‘Omskiy 90’, ‘Omskiy 96’ and ‘Omskiy 100’ were characterized by a reduced husk content of grain (-0.7; -1.4% to standard). The barley varieties ‘Sibirskiy Avangard’ and ‘Sasha’ (bi > 1; σ2 d < 1) were highly responsive and stable to improving environmental conditions. The improvement of adaptability (bi) of barley varieties did not have a significant effect on grain productivity and quality (r = 0.109±0.020 and 0.232±0.035). The stability (σ2 d) of the varieties was characterized by an average direct correlation with starch content in grain (r = 0.429±0.120), a strong direct correlation with oil content in grain (r = 0.656±0.105). There was identified an average inverse correlation between stability (σ2 d) and protein and husk content in grain (r = -0.399±0.060 and -0.447±0.055). There was a weak correlation with productivity (r = -0.204±0.040).

Background. The barley collection at the N.I. Vavilov AllRussian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR), being the main source of source material for breeding, is insufficiently studied under conditions of extreme continental climate. The purpose of the research was to assess the adaptability of barley cultivars held by VIR to extreme continentality.Material and methods. The research targets were 24 barley cultivars representing various breeding centers and tolerance regions of Russia. The cultivar ‘Omsky 91’ developed at Omsk Agrarian Scientific Center was used as the reference.Results and discussion. According to the genetic profiles for alleles of hordein-coding loci, provided by the Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, more than 70% of the studied barley cultivars (‘Chelyabinsky 99’, ‘Priazovsky 9’, ‘Zadel’, ‘Sokol’, ‘Zernogradsky 584’, ‘Zadonsky 8’, ‘Khadzhibey’, ‘Beatrice’, ‘Knyazhich’, ‘Zevs’, ‘Kazak’) were linear in their hordein-coding loci. The homeostasis of the cultivars, their stability indices and plasticity levels were calculated. Their intensity measures and selection differentials were determined.Conclusion. The adaptability assessment based on the sum of ranks (calculated using the abovementioned adaptability parameters) showed that the monomorphic cultivars ‘Priazovsky 9’ and ‘Chelyabinsky 99’ as well as cv. ‘Severyanin’ (not listed in the State Register for Selection Achievements) were most adapted to extreme continental climate conditions (sums of ranks ranged from 8 to 29). The adaptability of the identified cultivars was confirmed by high-yielding hybrid populations produced from crossing the selected adaptable cv. ‘Chelyabinsky 99’ with cvs. ‘Omsky 91’ and ‘Omsky 95’ released by Omsk Agrarian Scientific Center. The obtained lines demonstrated higher yields than both the mean yield of the parent cultivars (+1.20 t/ha) and the yield of the best parent cultivar (+0.76 t/ha).

Background. Among spring cereals, oat is one of the main grain crops in Siberia. The aim of this study was to determine how the parameters of adaptability in oat cultivars are correlated with yield and basic indicators of grain quality.Material and methods. The studies were carried out from 2011 to 2019 in the southern forest steppe of Western Siberia. The content of protein, crude fat and starch in grain, and its hull content were measured according to B. V. Pleshkov and N. S. Berkutova. Mathematical processing was performed following the guidelines by B. A. Dospekhov, S. A. Eberhart and W. A. Russell.Results. There was a significant variation in grain yield and grain quality (CV > 20%) in oat cultivars due to a high contribution from the conditions of the year (26.7...80.9%) as well as a strong direct (r = 0,607...0.825) or strong reverse (r = –0.660...–0.994) conjugation with climatic factors. As the protein content in grain increased, starch, oil (r = 0.960...0.962) and hull content (r = 0.442) increased as well. Naked oat cultivars manifested higher grain quality (4.6% protein, 17.6% starch, and 2.2% crude fat) and reduced yield (–1.45 t/ha) compared with hulled oat cultivars.Conclusion. Increased plasticity (bi) and stability (σ2d) of oat cultivars contributed to higher yields (rbi = 0.943;rσ2d = 0.344) but reduced grain quality indicators (rbi = –0.697…–0.812;rσ2d = –0.270…–0.300). Hull content in plastic cultivars decreased (rbi = –0.201).

Background. The primary task of plant breeding is to develop and introduce into production two-row mid-season barley cultivars for feed and food purposes, capable of generating a high and high-quality grain yield. The purpose of the study is to characterize the new two-row fodder spring barley cultivar ‘Omsky 101’ (bred at Omsk Agrarian Scientific Center) according to its grain quality, yield and resistance to a set of diseases.Materials and methods. The experimental part of the work was carried out from 2013 through 2018 on the experimental fields of Omsk Agrarian Scientific Center, located in the southern forest-steppe and steppe zones. The area of the plot was 10 m2; there were 4 replications. The seeding rate was 4 million viable seeds per 1 ha. Agricultural practice in the experiment was conventional for the West Siberian region. Mathematical data processing complied with B. A. Dospekhov’s guidelines.Results. In terms of productivity, the new promising cv. ‘Omsky 101’ is a high-yielding variety; on average, over the period of research, its yield significantly exceeded the level of the reference cv. ‘Omsky 95’ both in the southern forest-steppe zone (+0.55 t/ha) and in the steppe zone (+0.38 t/ha). The increase over cv. ‘Omsky 100’ was 0.29 and 0.59 t/ha when sown over autumn plowing and fallow, respectively. When compared with the reference ‘Omsky 95’, ‘Omsky 101’ showed a gain in the weight of 1000 grains (+5.3 g), grain unit weight (+44.0 g/l), and grain uniformity (+12.4%). Also, when compared with both the reference and ‘Omsky 100’, there was an increased content of protein (+1.0 and +0.9%, respectively) and starch (+1.3 and +1.5%, respectively) in grain. During the period of study, according to the maximum damage scores with various smut species, ‘Omsky 101’ showed low rates of susceptibility to false loose smut (3.5% on average) and covered smut (5.0%), which is lower than the reference and level with cv. ‘Omsky 100’. Loose smut virulence rate was medium (23.1%), which is level with the reference but exceeds ‘Omsky 100’. Conclusion. The new promising cultivar ‘Omsky 101’ is high-yielding, of high quality, and resistant to smut species. The cultivar has been submitted to State Variety Trials in the Ural (9), West Siberian (10) and East Siberian (11) regions.

Background. An extremely important task today is to develop new hulless barley cultivars, capable of yielding large and high-quality grain harvests, and introduce them into agricultural production. Objective. The purpose was to study three hulless barley cultivars ‘Omsky golozerny 2’, ‘Omsky golozerny 4’ and ‘Maysky’, developed at Omsk Agrarian Scientific Center, in order to describe their agrobiological characteristics.Materials and methods. The experimental part of the work was carried out in 2015–2017 on the experimental fields of Omsk ASC in the southern forest steppe (third crop rotation after the wheat predecessor; fourth crop after fallow). There were 4 replications on the plot of 10 m2. The seeding rate was 4 million viable seeds per 1 ha. Agricultural practice used in the experiments was conventional for West Siberia. Parameters of stability and plasticity were calculated according to Eberhart and Russell, Wricke; adaptability, according to Zhivotkov; homeostasis, according to Khangildin; stress tolerance and compensatory ability, according to Rossielle and Hemblin.Results. Many years of breeding work at Omsk ASC resulted in the development of three hulless barley cultivars: ‘Omsky golozerny 2’ (listed in the State Register of the Russian Federation for regions 9, 10 and 11), ‘Omsky golozerny 4’ (submitted for the State Crop Variety Trials in 2017), and ‘Maysky’ (not included in the State Register). The new hulless barley cultivar ‘Omsky golozerny 4’, considering its higher productivity (+1.36 g to the reference in 1000 grain weight, and +0.73 t/ha to cv. ‘Maysky’), in the yield of nutrients per area unit equaled the reference ‘Omsky golozerny 2’, but exceeded ‘Maysky’ (+47.2 kg/ha of protein, +390 kg/ha of starch, and +42.4 kg/ha of crude fat). ‘Omsky golozerny 4’ was also characterized by stability (stability = 4.8), increased compensatory ability (3.29) and adaptability (103%). There was an increase in productivity with improved growing conditions (ecological plasticity = 1.25). ‘Maysky’ had higher stress tolerance (–1.35), while the reference ‘Omsky golozerny 2’ showed increased homeostasis (0.118). Thus, ‘Omsky golozerny 4’ exceeded the previous two cultivars in adaptability and stability.

Background. The increasing interest in spring oats is constrained by high lability of climate factors in the local environments, which causes considerable variability of yields in different years. This situation may be changed by identifying, developing and introducing new oat cultivars. The aim of this work is to assess the adaptive potential of yield in spring oat cultivars developed at Omsk Agrarian Scientific Center in the environments of the Near-Irtysh area in Omsk Province, taking into account the most common statistical parameters. The object of the research were 9 spring oat cultivars recommended for cultivation in the region and undergoing the State Variety Trials: ‘Orion’ (reference), ‘Irtysh 13’, ‘Irtysh 21’, ‘Irtysh 23’, ‘Tarsky 2’, ‘Pamyati Bogachkova’, ‘Skakun’, ‘Fakel’ and ‘Sibirsky Gerkules’. Materials and methods. The experimental part of the work was carried out in 2011–2017 on the experimental fields of Omsk Agrarian Scientific Center located in the southern forest-steppe area. Agricultural practice used in the experiments was conventional for West Siberia. Mathematical data processing was based on the analysis of variance (ANOVA); yield adaptability, stability and plasticity parameters were calculated. Results. The most plastic (according to A. A. Gryaznov’s methodology) were the cultivars ‘Orion’, ‘Sibirsky Gerkules’, ‘Fakel’, ‘Tarsky 2’ and ‘Irtysh 21’ with indices of environmental plasticity 1.00– 1.07. According to S. A. Eberhard’s and W. A. Russell’s criteria, plasticity was identified in ‘Pamyati Bogachkova’, ‘Fakel’, ‘Sibirsky Gerkules’, ‘Irtysh 13’, ‘Irtysh 21’ and ‘Tarsky 2’ (linear regression coefficient: 1.10÷1.30). High stress resistance (according to A. A. Rossielle and J. Hemblin’s technique) was observed in ‘Irtysh 23’, ‘Skakun’ and ‘Orion’ (up to ‒3.0). Highly stable (according to S. A. Eberhard and W. A. Russell) were ‘Orion’, ‘Irtysh 21’, ‘Tarsky 2’, ‘Pamyati Bogachkova’, ‘Irtysh 13’, ‘Skakun’ and ‘Sibirsky Gerkules’ with minimal nonlinear deviations from the regression line (0.1–0.3). High compensatory capacity (according to A. A. Rossielle and J. Hemblin) was shown by ‘Tarsky 2’, ‘Irtysh 21’, ‘Pamyati Bogachkova’, ‘Fakel’ and ‘Orion’ (4.00÷4.20). The most adaptable cultivars (according to L. A. Zhivotkov) were ‘Sibirsky Gerkules’, ‘Irtysh 21’, ‘Tarsky 2’, ‘Fakel’ and ‘Orion’ (adaptability coefficient: 1.00–1.07%). The cultivars ‘Irtysh 13’, ‘Pamyati Bogachkova’, ‘Fakel’ and ‘Sibirsky Gerkules’ were identified (according to V. A. Dragavtsev) as intensive-type cultivars (multiplicative coefficient: 2.30); ‘Orion’, ‘Irtysh 21’, Tarsky 2’ and ‘Skakun’ as semi-intensive ones (2.00÷2.10); and ’Irtysh 23’ as an extensive-type cultivar (1.82). Conclusion. In compliance with the principle of variety ranking, the cultivars ‘Tarsky 2’, ‘Irtysh 21’, ‘Sibirsky Gerkules’, ‘Pamyati Bogachkova’ and ‘Fakel’ are most suitable for cultivation under local environmental conditions.

Background. In Omsk Province there is an alternation of dry, medium moisture and wet years (respectively 40%, 30% and 20%). This indicates the need to use barley varieties with a complex of economically valuable traits and properties that ensure their high yields in a wide range of varying environmental conditions.Objects of the research were 9 varieties of spring barley developed by the Siberian Research Institute of Agriculture, Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, recommended for cultivation in this region.Materials and methods. The experimental part of the work was carried out during 2011-2017, on the experimental fields of the Siberian Research Institute of Agriculture, RAAS, located in the southern forest-steppe in the vicinity of Omsk. The plot area was 10 m2, with 4 repetitions. The sowing rate was 4 million live grains per 1 hectare. Agricultural practice used for the experiments is generally accepted in the West Siberian region. Mathematical processing was carried out by the method of the analysis of variance; yield adaptability, stability and plasticity parameters were calculated.Results. The average yield of the studied barley varieties in the environments of Omsk's Near-Irtysh area was 3.90 t/ha - it was the mean value for the period of studies. The barley yield varied greatly depending on environmental conditions and hereditary characteristics of varieties, which was confirmed by the results of the variance analysis: the share of the influence of the "year of testing" factor on the yield was 77.5%. The best conditions for the formation of increased yields during the period of research were observed: in 2011 and 2015 (5.28 and 5.78 t/ha), with a maximum index of environmental conditions (Ij = 1.38 and 1.88, respectively). Unfavorable conditions were noted from 2012 to 2014: yields decreased to 2.33 4 3.54 t/ha, with Ij = -0.36 4 -1.57. All studied varieties exceeded the reference 'Omskiy 91' by 7.0 4 39.3%. The most adaptive among barley varieties as far as their yield is concerned in the conditions of Omsk's Near-Irtysh region were the varieties: 'Podarok Sibiri', 'Omskiy 99', 'Omskiy 100' and 'Omskiy 95'. The sum of the ranks of the above varieties according to their general and specific adaptive abilities, breeding value of the genotype, regression coefficient, stability variance, stability index. and steadiness of the stability index was 20-30.Conclusion. Varieties 'Podarok Sibiri', 'Omskiy 99', 'Omskiy 100' and 'Omskiy 95' are highly adaptable and can provide high stable yields in a wide range of variation in the natural environments of the Near-Irtysh area in Omsk Province.

Characteristics of the new malting spring barley cultivar ‘Omsky 100’ are presented. This cultivar, bred at the Siberian Research Institute of Agriculture and submitted for State Trials in 2015, represents the forest-steppe environmental group of varieties. It is characterized by high resistance to lodging, low susceptibility to false loose smut, medium to loose smut, and high to covered smut. As for productivity, 'Omsky 100' is among the high-yielding cultivars in the environments of West Siberia (4.5 t/ha, "+"0.4 t/ha st.). It is responsive to improvement of cultivation conditions (regression coefficient = 2.3; multiplier coefficient = 2.6) and is able to combine high potential yield with its minimal decrease in adverse cultivation environments (homeostaticity = 0.4). Its biochemical indicators correspond to the requirements of the State Standard for malting barley, and it is recommended for use in brewing industry. Key words: common spring barley, growing season, smut incidence, plant height, spike shape, awn serration, kernel color, stability, flexibility, homeostaticity.

The necessity to identify motivational factors of the coach’s activity components and of the dominant orientation of this activity makes the study relevant. Moreover, the relevance of the research is determined by the need to create the scientific basis for consideration and correction of the leading motives in sports coaching. The objective of the study is to identify the correlation between the motives of the coach’s professional activity and characteristics of its success. Presumably, the “bifurcation” of orientations among Russian coaches is the result of the qualitative specificity of the dominant motives. The findings of the empirical study of motivational factors which determine the qualitative side of the sports coaching are presented. The study has been carried out on the sample of coaches working at sports schools in St. Petersburg who specialize in various sports (N = 42, men aged from 23 to 67 years old). The following survey methods have been employed: “Need for Professional Activity” (by G. V. Lozova); “Motives of Professional Activity and its Success” (by A. N. Nikolaiev), “Methodology for Studying the Success of Coaches" (during the preparatory and competitive periods) (by A. N. Nikolaiev). The criteria for evaluating the results of the coaches’ work are based on the author’s original concept which determines successful realization of the coaches’ main functions in sports – those providing athletes’ personal development, education, health improvement and competition. Evidently, particular groups of coaches’ motives influence only certain characterstics of their activity, particular components of its success. The motives of activity are expressed quite vividly. The research reveals motives of “activity” affecting sports results, and the personality motives influencing the development of athletes. The coaches have either a “competition complex” or an “effective pedagogy” complex. The former includes motives aimed at the activity results, material well-being and social status, and the latter means motives directed at the activity process and communication. The results of the study authorize the selection of coaches in connection with the specifics of the sports organization. Additionally, the research results encourage to use psychological tools to correct the motivation of coaches as well as the prospective coaches.

Abstract Background Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) is grown for fiber and seed in many countries. Flax cultivars differ in the oil composition and, depending on the ratio of fatty acids, are used in pharmaceutical, food, or paint industries. It is known that genes of SAD (stearoyl-ACP desaturase) and FAD (fatty acid desaturase) families play a key role in the synthesis of fatty acids, and some alleles of these genes are associated with a certain composition of flax oil. However, data on genetic polymorphism of these genes are still insufficient. Results On the basis of the collection of the Institute for Flax (Torzhok, Russia), we formed a representative set of 84 cultivars and lines reflecting the diversity of fatty acid composition of flax oil. An approach for the determination of full-length sequences of SAD1, SAD2, FAD2A, FAD2B, FAD3A, and FAD3B genes using the Illumina platform was developed and deep sequencing of the 6 genes in 84 flax samples was performed on MiSeq. The obtained high coverage (about 400x on average) enabled accurate assessment of polymorphisms in SAD1, SAD2, FAD2A, FAD2B, FAD3A, and FAD3B genes and evaluation of cultivar/line heterogeneity. The highest level of genetic diversity was observed for FAD3A and FAD3B genes – 91 and 62 polymorphisms respectively. Correlation analysis revealed associations between particular variants in SAD and FAD genes and predominantly those fatty acids whose conversion they catalyze: SAD – stearic and oleic acids, FAD2 – oleic and linoleic acids, FAD3 – linoleic and linolenic acids. All except one low-linolenic flax cultivars/lines contained both the substitution of tryptophan to stop codon in the FAD3A gene and histidine to tyrosine substitution in the FAD3B gene, while samples with only one of these polymorphisms had medium content of linolenic acid and cultivars/lines without them were high-linolenic. Conclusions Genetic polymorphism of SAD and FAD genes was evaluated in the collection of flax cultivars and lines with diverse oil composition, and associations between particular polymorphisms and the ratio of fatty acids were revealed. The achieved results are the basis for the development of marker-assisted selection and DNA-based certification of flax cultivars.

The study presents the results of evaluating the changes in the concentrations of blood plasma proteins associated with heart rate variability (HRV) in cosmonauts who have completed space missions lasting about 6months. The concentrations of 125 proteins were quantified in biological samples of the cosmonauts’ blood plasma. The subgroups of proteins associated with the physiological processes of the HRV autonomic regulation were identified using bioinformatic resources (Immunoglobulin heavy constant mu, Complement C1q subcomponent subunit C, Plasma serine protease inhibitor, Protein-72kDa type IV collagenase, Fibulin-1, Immunoglobulin lambda constant 3). The concentration of these proteins in the blood plasma before the flight, and the dynamics of concentration changes on the 1st and 7th days of the post-flight rehabilitation period differed in the groups of cosmonauts with a predominance of sympathetic or parasympathetic modulating autonomous influences. The dynamics of changes in the concentrations of the identified set of proteins reveal that in cosmonauts with a predominance of sympathetic modulating influences, the mechanisms of autonomic regulation are exposed to significant stress in the recovery period immediately after the completion of the space mission, compared with the cosmonauts with a predominance of parasympathetic modulating influences.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the regulatory and metabolic changes in the circulatory system when simulating microgravity conditions in a five-day dry immersion. These changes reflect the adaptation processes characteristic for the initial stages of a space flight or a short-duration space flight. Studies were conducted with 13 healthy male volunteers aged 21 to 29 years. The assessment of regulatory and metabolic processes in the circulatory system was based on the heart rate variability (HRV) and urine proteomic profile analysis. It was found that the restructuring of hemodynamics during 5 days hypogravity begins with the inclusion of the nervous circuit of regulation, and for manifestations at the body fluids protein composition level and activation of the metabolic regulation, these periods are apparently insufficient. Perhaps this is due to the fact that the metabolic regulation, being evolutionarily ancient and genetically determined, is more stable and requires more time for its pronounced activation when stimulated by extreme life conditions.

Changes in bacterial physiology caused by the combined action of the magnetic force and microgravity were studied in Escherichia coli grown using a specially developed device aboard the International Space Station. The morphology and metabolism of E. coli grown under spaceflight (SF) or combined spaceflight and magnetic force (SF + MF) conditions were compared with ground cultivated bacteria grown under standard (control) or magnetic force (MF) conditions. SF, SF + MF, and MF conditions provided the up-regulation of Ag43 auto-transporter and cell auto-aggregation. The magnetic force caused visible clustering of non-sedimenting bacteria that formed matrix-containing aggregates under SF + MF and MF conditions. Cell auto-aggregation was accompanied by up-regulation of glyoxylate shunt enzymes and Vitamin B12 transporter BtuB. Under SF and SF + MF but not MF conditions nutrition and oxygen limitations were manifested by the down-regulation of glycolysis and TCA enzymes and the up-regulation of methylglyoxal bypass. Bacteria grown under combined SF + MF conditions demonstrated superior up-regulation of enzymes of the methylglyoxal bypass and down-regulation of glycolysis and TCA enzymes compared to SF conditions, suggesting that the magnetic force strengthened the effects of microgravity on the bacterial metabolism. This strengthening appeared to be due to magnetic force-dependent bacterial clustering within a small volume that reinforced the effects of the microgravity-driven absence of convectional flows.

Ambient ionization mass spectrometry has become one of the most promising approaches for rapid and high-throughput screening of small molecules in complex biological matrices for emergency medicine, forensics, and food and agriculture applications. The simple procedures for sample collection and ionization without additional pretreatment are vital in these fields. Many efforts have been devoted to modifying various ambient ionization techniques to simplify the procedures and improve the robustness and sensitivity of the methods. Here, we demonstrate the implementation of rigid spherical sampler probes to improve the robustness of touch spray ionization mass spectrometry. The sphericity of the probes increases the stability of the cone-jet mode of electrospray, reduces the requirements for fine positioning of a sampler in the ion source, and decreases the possibility of corona discharge occurrence. The utilization of spherical sampler probes allows fast, non-invasive sampling, followed by rapid analysis for various drugs of different chemical classes in complex biological matrices, such as the whole blood or sebum collected from the skin surface. The linearity of the analytical signal response from drug concentration confirms the possibility of creating a simple semiquantitative method for small molecules monitoring using spherical sampler probes.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia among the elderly. Neuropathologically, AD is characterized by the deposition of a 39- to 42-amino acid long β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide in the form of senile plaques. Several post-translational modifications (PTMs) in the N-terminal domain have been shown to increase the aggregation and cytotoxicity of Aβ, and specific Aβ proteoforms (e.g., Aβ with isomerized D7 (isoD7-Aβ)) are abundant in the senile plaques of AD patients. Animal models are indispensable tools for the study of disease pathogenesis, as well as preclinical testing. In the presented work, the accumulation dynamics of Aβ proteoforms in the brain of one of the most widely used amyloid-based mouse models (the 5xFAD line) was monitored. Mass spectrometry (MS) approaches, based on ion mobility separation and the characteristic fragment ion formation, were applied. The results indicated a gradual increase in the Aβ fraction of isoD7-Aβ, starting from approximately 8% at 7 months to approximately 30% by 23 months of age. Other specific PTMs, in particular, pyroglutamylation, deamidation, and oxidation, as well as phosphorylation, were also monitored. The results for mice of different ages demonstrated that the accumulation of Aβ proteoforms correlate with the formation of Aβ deposits. Although the mouse model cannot be a complete analogue of the processes occurring in the human brain in AD, and several of the observed parameters differ significantly from human values supposedly due to the limited lifespan of the model animals, this dynamic study provides evidence on at least one of the possible mechanisms that can trigger amyloidosis in AD, i.e., the hypothesis on the relationship between the accumulation of isoD7-Aβ and the progression of AD-like pathology.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a non-specific type of kidney disease that causes a gradual decline in kidney function (from months to years). CKD is a significant risk factor for death, cardiovascular disease, and end-stage renal disease. CKDs of different origins may have the same clinical and laboratory manifestations but different progression rates, which requires early diagnosis to determine. This review focuses on protein/peptide biomarkers of the leading causes of CKD: diabetic nephropathy, IgA nephropathy, lupus nephritis, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, and membranous nephropathy. Mass spectrometry (MS) approaches provided the most information about urinary peptide and protein contents in different nephropathies. New analytical approaches allow urinary proteomic–peptide profiles to be used as early non-invasive diagnostic tools for specific morphological forms of kidney disease and may become a safe alternative to renal biopsy. MS studies of the key pathogenetic mechanisms of renal disease progression may also contribute to developing new approaches for targeted therapy.

The development of new strategies for the mass synthesis of SiC nanocrystals with high structure perfection and narrow particle size distribution remains in demand for high-tech applications. In this work, the size-controllable synthesis of the SiC 3C polytype, free of sp2 carbon, with high structure quality nanocrystals, was realized for the first time by the pyrolysis of organosilane C12H36Si6 at 8 GPa and temperatures up to 2000 °C. It is shown that the average particle size can be monotonically changed from ~2 nm to ~500 nm by increasing the synthesis temperature from 800 °C to 1400 °C. At higher temperatures, further enlargement of the crystals is impeded, which is consistent with the recrystallization mechanism driven by a decrease in the surface energy of the particles. The optical properties investigated by IR transmission spectroscopy, Raman scattering, and low-temperature photoluminescence provided information about the concentration and distribution of carriers in nanoparticles, as well as the dominant type of internal point defects. It is shown that changing the growth modes in combination with heat treatment enables control over not only the average crystal size, but also the LO phonon—plasmon coupled modes in the crystals, which is of interest for applications related to IR photonics.

Abstract The effects of spaceflight on human physiology is an increasingly studied field, yet the molecular mechanisms driving physiological changes remain unknown. With that in mind, this study was performed to obtain a deeper understanding of changes to the human proteome during space travel, by quantitating a panel of 125 proteins in the blood plasma of 18 Russian cosmonauts who had conducted long-duration missions to the International Space Station. The panel of labeled prototypic tryptic peptides from these proteins covered a concentration range of more than 5 orders of magnitude in human plasma. Quantitation was achieved by a well-established and highly-regarded targeted mass spectrometry approach involving multiple reaction monitoring in conjunction with stable isotope-labeled standards. Linear discriminant function analysis of the quantitative results revealed three distinct groups of proteins: 1) proteins with post-flight protein concentrations remaining stable, 2) proteins whose concentrations recovered slowly, or 3) proteins whose concentrations recovered rapidly to their pre-flight levels. Using a systems biology approach, nearly all of the reacting proteins could be linked to pathways that regulate the activities of proteases, natural immunity, lipid metabolism, coagulation cascades, or extracellular matrix metabolism.

The paper presents data on nine rare insect species of the Oka State Nature Biosphere Reserve recommended for inclusion in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation (Animals). These are Dytiscus latissimus, Carabus menetriesi, Calosoma sycophanta, Osmoderma barnabita, Protaetia speciosissima, P. fieberi, Bombus armeniacus, Parnopes grandior and Parnassius apollo. Carabus menetriesi, Osmoderma barnabita, Parnopes grandior are few in number. But these species are consistently observed in the Oka Reserve. Some species have not been registered in the Oka Reserve for a long time: Protaetia speciosissima and P. fieberi (either not since 1998), Bombus armeniacus (not since 1985), Parnassius apollo (not since 1998), Dytiscus latissimus (not since 2009). Calosoma sycophanta's existence is known only on the base of literature data.

A scanning of plates from Sternberg astronomical institute's photograph collection has began to create a library of digital images. A large number of new variable stars has already discovered using the scans. It is shown that it is possible to carry out an astrometry with an error about a half of a pixel and a photometry with an error about 0,15 mag.

Precision experiments, such as the search for a deuteron electric dipole moment using storage rings like COSY, demand for an understanding of the spin dynamics with unprecedented accuracy. In such an enterprise, numerical predictions play a crucial role for the development and later application of spin-tracking algorithms. Various measurement concepts involving polarization effects induced by an rf Wien filter and static solenoids in COSY are discussed. The matrix formalism, applied here, deals solely with spin rotations on the closed orbit of the machine, and is intended to provide numerical guidance for the development of beam and spin-tracking codes for rings that employ realistic descriptions of the electric and magnetic bending and focusing elements, solenoids, etc., and a realistically modeled rf Wien filter.

Comprehensive studies of the effects of prolonged exposure to space conditions and the overload experienced during landing on physiological and biochemical changes in the human body are extremely important in the context of planning long-distance space flights, which can be associated with constant overloads and various risk factors for significant physiological changes. Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) can be considered as a valuable subject for monitoring physiological changes and is more suitable for long-term storage than traditional monitoring subjects such as blood and urine. Herein, the EBC proteome changes due to the effects of spaceflight factors are analyzed. Thirteen EBC samples were collected from five Russian cosmonauts (i) one month before flight (background), (ii) immediately upon landing modules in the field (R0) after 169−199 days spaceflights, and (iii) on the seventh day after landing (R+7). Semi-quantitative label-free EBC proteomic analysis resulted in 164 proteins, the highest number of which was detected in EBC after landing (R0). Pathways enrichment analysis using the GO database reveals a large group of proteins which take part in keratinization processes (CASP14, DSG1, DSP, JUP, and so on). Nine proteins (including KRT2, KRT9, KRT1, KRT10, KRT14, DCD, KRT6C, KRT6A, and KRT5) were detected in all three groups. A two-sample Welch’s t-test identified a significant change in KRT2 and KRT9 levels after landing. Enrichment analysis using the KEGG database revealed the significant participation of detected proteins in pathogenic E. coli infection (ACTG1, TUBA1C, TUBA4A, TUBB, TUBB8, and YWHAZ), which may indicate microbiota changes associated with being in space. This assumption is confirmed by microbial composition analysis. In general, the results suggest that EBC can be used for noninvasive monitoring of health status and respiratory tract pathologies during spaceflights, and that the obtained data are important for the development of medicine for use in extreme situations. Data are available from ProteomeXchange using the identifier PXD014191.

Analysis of snow cover and permafrost soil temperature regime and their influence on the radial growth of trees in Central Yakutia were carried out. Snow depth and the period of its establishment in the previous year determines the intensity and rate of soil freezing and , as a result, the temperature regime of soil. It was founded that shallow snow depth leads to strong freezing of soils during winter, which affects the radial increment of trees in the subsequent year. Except of pre-winter snow cover characteristics, the maximum height and time of snow cover melting strongly affect the forest vegetation development of the study area. This study revealed differences in snow cover influence on the tree growth among different soils and landscape-geographical conditions.

Precision experiments, such as the search for electric dipole moments of charged particles using storage rings, demand for an understanding of the spin dynamics with unprecedented accuracy. The ultimate aim is to measure the electric dipole moments with a sensitivity up to 15 orders in magnitude better than the magnetic dipole moment of the stored particles. This formidable task requires an understanding of the background to the signal of the electric dipole from rotations of the spins in the spurious magnetic fields of a storage ring. One of the observables, especially sensitive to the imperfection magnetic fields in the ring is the angular orientation of stable spin axis. Up to now, the stable spin axis has never been determined experimentally, and in addition, the JEDI collaboration for the first time succeeded to quantify the background signals that stem from false rotations of the magnetic dipole moments in the horizontal and longitudinal imperfection magnetic fields of the storage ring. To this end, we developed a new method based on the spin tune response of a machine to artificially applied longitudinal magnetic fields. This novel technique, called spin tune mapping, emerges as a very powerful tool to probe the spin dynamics in storage rings. The technique was experimentally tested in 2014 using polarized deuterons stored in the cooler synchrotron COSY, and for the first time, the angular orientation of the stable spin axis at two different locations in the ring has been determined to an unprecedented accuracy of better than 2.8 μ rad.