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Human activities impact greenhouse gas emissions through changes in land cover, land use, and land management. Conservation, restoration, and improved land use and land management are increasingly recognized as mitigation solutions. Policy instruments are crucial for addressing environmental challenges and supporting governance actors in enhancing carbon sequestration and reducing emissions in the land sector. The aim of this study was to evaluate the existing spatial decision support systems (SDSSs) for assessing land-based mitigation options and to help policymakers choose the best way to use and manage land. In order to search for tools, a systematic literature review was conducted, where 187 articles suitable for the specified criteria were found, from which 68 tools were selected. Additionally, following the application of the exclusion criteria, 18 tools were chosen for the final analysis. The tools were classified and analyzed based on various features such as type of land-use management, land use, country of application, information on carbon pools, and the number of published articles associated with each tool. Five SDSSs were found to be most suitable for policymakers seeking to implement the most effective land use and land management in order to enhance carbon sequestration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Land-Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry sector (LULUCF) role is of critical importance in contributing to the ambitious targets set by the European Union (EU) to reduce by 55% net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030, compared to 1990 levels, and to become carbon neutral by 2050. The EU LULUCF regulation, approved in 2023, sets out binding targets for each individual Member State to be achieved by 2030, totaling 310 MtCO2e of net removals for the whole EU. However, it remains poorly understood to what extent the EU LULUCF climate target matches with the Member States' strategies. The alignment between the EU governance and its Member States' visions for the long-term will determine the achievement of the climate targets. The objective of this study is to understand the LULUCF expected contribution to the EU's 2030 and 2050 climate goals. In doing so, we explored the European and country-level visions of LULUCF with respect to climate change mitigation and adaptation, as expressed in their Long-Term Strategies (LTSs) and national projections; we evaluated whether national level projections for LULUCF are aligned with the EU short and long term targets. We found that most countries' LTSs envisage policies and measures in the LULUCF sector, however they are, often general and not comprehensive. Furthermore, the majority of countries' quantitative future projections of GHG emissions and removals from LULUCF differ from the pathway set in EU targets; thus, countries may need to either update existing policies or conceive and plan new policies and actions. European Union (EU) Member States are required to design and carefully implement LULUCF policies to comply with the ambitious EU targets. EU countries describe in their Long-Term Strategies LULUCF policies and measures that are potentially effective, but not comprehensive, transparent and accurate. Ideally Long-Term Strategies for LULUCF are aligned with other policy instruments, e.g. Nationally Determined Contributions and National Energy and Climate Plans. Many EU countries may grapple with the adoption and fulfilment of the currently proposed European Union targets on LULUCF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In mouse motor synapses, the exogenous application of the endocannabinoid (EC) 2‐arachidonoylglycerol (2‐AG) increases acetylcholine (ACh) quantal size due to the activation of CB1 receptors and the stimulation of ACh vesicular uptake. In the present study, microelectrode recordings of miniature endplate potentials (MEPP) revealed that this effect of 2‐AG is independent of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling but involves the activation of calcitonin gene–related peptide (CGRP) receptors along with CB1 receptors. Potentiation of MEPP amplitude in the presence of 2‐AG was prevented by blockers of CGRP receptors and ryanodine receptors (RyR) and by inhibitors of phospholipase C (PLC) and Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII). Therefore, we suggest a hypothetical chain of events, which starts from the activation of presynaptic CB1 receptors, involves PLC, RyR, and CaMKII, and results in CGRP release with the subsequent activation of presynaptic CGRP receptors. Activation of CGRP receptors is probably a part of a complex molecular cascade leading to the 2‐AG‐induced increase in ACh quantal size and MEPP amplitude. We propose that the same chain of events may also take place if 2‐AG is endogenously produced in mouse motor synapses, because the increase in MEPP amplitude that follows after prolonged tetanic muscle contractions (30 Hz, 2 min) was prevented by the blocking of CB1 receptors. This work may help to unveil the previously unknown aspects of the functional interaction between ECs and peptide modulators aimed at the regulation of quantal size and synaptic transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews information about a unique and iconic breed of the Orenburg Oblast, the homeland and the only place where the best herds of Orenburg down-hair goats in Russia are concentrated. Three types of these small ruminant animals are widespread on the territory of the region: Orenburg purebred gray goats, Orenburg purebred white goats, as well as crossbred white goats of F1 White Don × White Orenburg. Currently, at the farms of the Orenburg region, animals are selected according to their phenotype, with selected traits being color, weight and length of down hair. In recent years, the Orenburg goat breed has become an object of genetic research using various marker systems including immunogenetic, microsatellite, mtDNA and SNP markers. Overall, these studies evidence about the uniqueness of the allele pool in the landmark native breed of the Orenburg goats, which is a complex dynamic genetic system, prioritizing its further in-depth genome research and breeding applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terpenes and their derivatives (terpenoids and meroterpenoids, in particular) constitute the largest class of natural compounds, which have valuable biological activities and are promising therapeutic agents. The present review assesses the biosynthetic capabilities of actinomycetes to produce various terpene derivatives; reports the main methodological approaches to searching for new terpenes and their derivatives; identifies the most active terpene producers among actinomycetes; and describes the chemical diversity and biological properties of the obtained compounds. Among terpene derivatives isolated from actinomycetes, compounds with pronounced antifungal, antiviral, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and other effects were determined. Actinomycete-produced terpenoids and meroterpenoids with high antimicrobial activity are of interest as a source of novel antibiotics effective against drug-resistant pathogenic bacteria. Most of the discovered terpene derivatives are produced by the genus Streptomyces; however, recent publications have reported terpene biosynthesis by members of the genera Actinomadura, Allokutzneria, Amycolatopsis, Kitasatosporia, Micromonospora, Nocardiopsis, Salinispora, Verrucosispora, etc. It should be noted that the use of genetically modified actinomycetes is an effective tool for studying and regulating terpenes, as well as increasing productivity of terpene biosynthesis in comparison with native producers. The review includes research articles on terpene biosynthesis by Actinomycetes between 2000 and 2022, and a patent analysis in this area shows current trends and actual research directions in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article determines the basic parameters of flowing the "advice" speech act and reveals its types on the basis of semantic differences. The literary works of German writers of 20th century, which represent the realistic trend, the authors point out neutral advice, demand of advice, advice – dissuasion, advice – concert, advice – persuasion. From the viewpoint of implicit pragmalinguistics, the authors study the opportunities of following response reaction of recipient (character of literary work) to an addresser's advice (character of literary work). The authors distinguish 3 types of "advice" presentation pragmatics in German literary texts: ignoring an advice, explanation of advice waiving, accepting an advice. At this, the recipient's reaction depends on the intention and actions of an addresser.

The use of biomass and wood waste for heat and power production is increasing from year to year. Waste wood is low carbon footprint, has low sulfur content and relates to renewable energy sources. The paper demonstrates the possibility of increasing the energy efficiency of power supply system of the Stepanovka settlement (Tomsk region) by means of replacing diesel power plant (DPP) by the biofuel gas piston CHP. The assessment was based on the possibility of the technical and economic comparison of power supply options in the settlement.

This study aims to define some recommendations for choice of grounding system type for power supply facility. Operating modes of 0.4 kV networks approved by International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) were considered and their advantages and disadvantages were identified. The comparison criteria were based on the conditions of human safety from electric shock in the breakdown of insulation on the body of electrical equipment, possibilities of expanding the network and uninterruptible power supply. The real application of the neutral modes and the possibility of installing protective devices were also taken into account. All the recommendations made is planned to apply for the modernization of the urban networks and the calculation of the earthing arrangement by using special software.

Renewable energy has become increasingly important in the last decade due to the limited reserves of fossil fuels and environmental issues related to CO2 emissions. The paper investigates the joint production possibility of electricity and heat in the Tomsk district Stepanovka, using modern trigeneration plant. The analysis was performed based on a comparison of the two alternatives for the area: the use of a diesel power plant (DPP) or gas-piston units (GPU) on biofuel. Technical and economic indicators for two different systems were calculated to evaluate the projects effectiveness.

This paper presents the comparison of smart meter deployment business models to determine the most suitable option providing smart meters deployment. Authors consider 3 main business model of companies: distribution grid company, energy supplier (energosbyt) and metering company. The goal of the article is to compare the business models of power companies from massive smart metering roll out in power system of Russian Federation.

This paper focuses on the issues of smart metering market and considers different services provided by smart metering from consumer point of view. Firstly, smart metering deployment challenges emerging and conventional tariffs, which modify a consumer behavior and thus, the entire electric energy market can be optimized since the customer is motivated to consume less energy. Secondly, the authors illustrate changes in electricity quality, which have an impact on consumer relations with utility. Additionally, two main indices of grid resilience – SAIDI and SAIFI – are exemplified to reveal the improvement potential of smart metering implementation in certain regions of Russia that also influence the consumer. Finally, in-home display and privacy problem directly reflect the consumer’s behavior, thus the private life rights should not be violated as they are guaranteed by law.