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Objective. To determine the main demographic factors that influence preoperative expectations of patients with degenerative diseases of the lumbosacral spine. Material and Methods. A cross-sectional study was performed for 103 patients with degenerative diseases of the lumbosacral spine who were scheduled for surgery in the period from 2019 to 2021. General demographic data, level of patient’s education and the presence of previous surgeries were taken into account. Expectations for surgical treatment outcome were assessed using a translated and adapted Russian version of the Hospital for Special Surgery – Lumbar Spine Surgery Expectations Survey (HSS-LSSES) questionnaire. The quality of life of patients was assessed using the general questionnaires: European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D-5L) and the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), as well as the disease-specific Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Results. It was found that, according to HSS-LSSES, patients’ expectations for the upcoming surgical intervention are the higher, the older the patient’s age, the higher the general and emotional state of health, vitality, ODI scores, as well as the severity of pain syndrome, and the lower the mental health score. Patients with a high level of education and prior spinal surgery have lower expectations for subsequent surgery. Conclusion. The expectations of patients for the surgical treatment for degenerative disease of the lumbosacral spine depend on the patient’s age, level of education, anamnesis and severity of decline in the quality of life.

Background. Degradation of Abies sibirica Ledeb.-dominated forests in the South Central Siberia is a reflection of the global trend of coniferous forest ecosystems decline. Nevertheless, the role of infectious diseases in coniferous forests degradation and dieback is often underestimated. Research aim. To assess the coenotic role of infectious diseases in fir-dominated stands in the South Central Siberia, considering the differentiation in trees. Materials and methods. The research was based on a survey of A. sibirica-dominated forest stands growing in Biryusinsky forest management unit of the Krasnoyarsk Krai government-owned publicly funded “Emelyanovskoye forestry”. Research methods included a detailed (instrumental) forest pathological examination, macroscopic diagnostics of tree diseases, graph analytics and statistical analysis of tree diameter distribution series, evaluation of disease manifestation indicators. Results. Stem rot and fir broom rust are typical diseases increasing the risk of windsnap and trees weakening. The prevalence of fir broom rust was over 10%. Rust fungus intermediate hosts in the forest floor determine the degree of damage to a stand. Fir broom rust randomly affected trees of different age and diameters. The bacterial blight in fir forests mainly affected trees of I-II Kraft classes causing their gradual dying. The bacterial blight in the study area was of low infection degree (up to 20%). The most dangerous was the root rot caused by Armillaria mellea s.l. that affected trees of different cenotic roles causing their group dieback. Conclusion. Dendropathogenic organisms are an important endogenous factor influencing the state of dark coniferous forests with a predominance of A. sibirica in the South Central Siberia. Their cenotic role is unequal. The most significant are pathogens causing necrosis and cancer diseases, and especially the root pathogen A. mellea, which leads to weakening and dying of a large number of trees of different status in the stand structure.

The research was aimed at studying the taxonomic diversity, habitat specialization, and trophic characteristics of mycobiota, including Basidiomycota, in the northern ecosystems of the Krasnoyarsk Krai (Central Siberia) near Norilsk. Larch forests and woodlands in the Siberian permafrost zone are distinctive and Basidiomycota, as a component of these ecosystems, plays an essential role in their functioning. Currently, there is a paucity of information about this group in Arctic ecosystems, both in terms of floristic and ecological aspects. Seventy species of macromycetes belonging to different trophic groups were discovered and identified. Only 15% of species occur regularly, while most species are found rarely or only once. The identified species belong to 44 genera, 25 families, and 8 orders, which are included in the class Agaricomycetes. The leading families in terms of the number of species are Russulaceae, Polyporaceae, Tricholomataceae, Suillaceae, Strophariaceae, and Cortinariaceae. Mycorrhizal fungi and wood decay fungi dominate the structure of mycobiota of the study area (the total share is 71%). The rest of the species (29%) are fungal decomposers inhabiting plant litter, the forest floor, and humus. The largest number of species occur in forest ecosystems, which are dominated by mycorrhizal and wood decay fungi (up to 70%), which are trophically associated with woody plants and debris. The fungal decomposers inhabiting plant litter, the forest floor, and humus dominate (about 80%) in the species composition of tundra, where, in the absence of woody substrate, wood decay fungi have not been found at all. The species richness of tree and shrub Arctic ecosystems is low, yet the taxonomical and ecological structure of Basidiomycota is similar to that observed in taiga and temperate forests. These data permit a more comprehensive description of the biodiversity of the Arctic and may prove useful in studying biological processes in these ecosystems.

Introduction. Railway enterprises are characterized by an increased labor risk, the professional activity of personnel is associated with the risk of injury. Occupational safety measures are regularly carried out in the industry. At the same time, accidents are known to occur in Russian Railways JSC (Russian Railways). Risk reduction requires a theoretical study of the problem, as well as the study of applied solutions, which determines the relevance and significance of the proposed study. The purpose of the work is to determine the resulting indicators on which the dynamics of industrial injuries in Russian Railways depends.Materials and Methods. To identify the causes of injury to railway transport workers of the Russian Railways holding, the authors analyzed statistics for 2007–2021. We systematized and ranked 17 types of accidents, which are associated with accidents resulting in injuries. Using the Pareto chart, they were differentiated as resultant and non-resultant. We identified 7 resultants. We performed a stochastic analysis and established the relationship of each factor with the total number of accidents. The correlation coefficients were calculated.Results. Preliminary calculations were presented in the form of a table to obtain the coefficient of stochastic dependence of industrial injuries on the number of injured employees of Russian Railways in road accidents. The value of the stochastic relations coefficient was calculated and adjusted. The average error was determined — the difference between the general injury rate and the injuries in road accidents. The results of these calculations were compared with the data of the Student's t-distribution quantile table for confidence probability. Similarly, the degree of stochastic relationships for the other resulting types of incidents was calculated and summarized in a table. The result was visualized in a diagram.Discussion and Conclusion. The results of the conducted surveys allow us to assert that the dynamics of industrial injuries in Russian Railways JSC is determined mainly by incidents in road accidents. It is necessary to investigate their causes and develop measures aimed at improving occupational safety.

In recent decades, the agriculture of Altai Krai has been considered an agro-industrial complex. The total land area is 17 million hectares, and more than 11.5 million hectares are classified as agricultural lands. The area of arable land amounts to 6.5 million hectares. More than 90% of total agricultural land area, to various extents, is subject to erosion and soil blowing; less than 10 kg of mineral fertilizers are required. According to expert estimates, agricultural crops experience an acute lack of nutrients in the soil, which deteriorates the quality of the crop. In this regard, contemporary agricultural land management in Altai Krai is highly volatile and unsustainable. One example is the Strategic Direction of Scientific and Technological Development of the Russian Federation and other long-term regulatory documents defining the development of agriculture in the next 10–15 years, which establish the transition of some agricultural organizations to an alternative, high-tech, and environmentally friendly organic agricultural sector. Organic farming is based on the management of organic agricultural land. In those territories that conform to certification requirements, organic land management in Altai Krai can partly become an alternative path to an agro-industrial one. However, to move to a high-tech level of organization of contemporary agricultural land management in Altai Krai, it is necessary to implement all measures related to the geo- and agro-ecological justification of the use of the territory. To be exact, it is crucial to conduct (1) retrospective analysis of land management (based on the materials of soil surveys and land management systems for collective and state farms developed in the last century); (2) assessment of the ecology of the structure of the agricultural landscape and the structure of acreage and crop rotation system; (3) modeling of the agricultural landscape and the ratio of land; (4) ecological and economic analysis of land-use models.

Sustainable development of the entire biogeocoenosis area is considered a driving factor in ensuring agricultural land protection. The balance between the use of ecosystems, their anthropogenic transformation, and protection should be based on optimizing the use of the natural environment. Anthropogenic activity in agriculture is conducted within the boundaries of the formed landscapes that are subsequently transformed into agricultural landscapes. Agricultural landscapes, in turn, are not resistant to external and internal factors and, thus, need protection. More than 80% of agricultural land in Altai Krai subject to varying degrees of degradation need sustainable development. The nutrient inputs recommended by the regional agrochemical service have not been observed over the past 25 years of farming in rural areas. Moreover, there are no projects for organizing the plots of agricultural enterprises taking into account the landscape specifics. Unfortunately, there are no sufficient conditions for organizing organic land use. Adaptive landscape land management can serve as a basis for the protection of agricultural land and a viable mechanism for the sustainable development of agricultural land use. Based on the example of agricultural landscapes located in the arid steppes of Altai Krai, we revealed the trends of sustainable development of agricultural land use. At the first stage, we evaluated the agro-ecological role of the physical and geographical conditions of the territory and the state of agricultural landscapes. At the second stage, we carried out agro-ecological zoning of the research object. Finally, at the third stage, we proposed ways to optimize and protect agricultural land in the arid steppe.

The Siberian silkmoth is one of the most dangerous coniferous forests pests. Siberian silkmoth outbreaks cause massive defoliation and subsequent forest fires over vast areas. Remote forest disturbance assessments performed after an outbreak make it possible to assess carbon emissions and the potential for natural regeneration, estimate forest fire danger, and reveal the need to implement forest management practices. The goal of the present research was to investigate the use of modern satellite imagery of medium spatial resolution to estimate the percentage of dead trees in a given area. The subject of this study is the Siberian silkmoth outbreak that occurred in 2018–2020 and covered 42 thousand ha in the Irbey region of the Krasnoyarsk Krai. Imagery from the Sentinel-2/MSI sensor was used to calculate a number of spectral indices for images received before and after the outbreak. Field study data were used to create regression models relating the index values to the percentage of dead trees. A number of spectral indices, such as NDVI, dNDVI, NBR, dNBR, NDMI, EVI, and TCG, were used. As a result, spectral indices based on the data from NIR/SWIR bands (NBR, NDMI, dNBR) demonstrated the best correlations with field-measured tree mortality. Therefore, these indices may be used to accurately estimate the percentage of dead trees by remote sensing data. The best was the NBR index with an R2 equal to 0.87, and the lowest RMSE and MAE errors. Consequently, Sentinel-2 imagery can be successfully used for tree mortality assessment over large inaccessible areas disturbed by Siberian silkmoth outbreaks at a relatively low cost.

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) is a widespread and economically important tree species in Eurasia. Southern Siberian, Scots pine mountain and foothills forests are especially valuable natural objects that help to stabilize environmental conditions. Due to the associated impact of natural and anthropogenic factors, the habitats of the species in southern Siberia are constantly shrinking. In this regard, the study of genetic diversity and structure of Scots pine forests in southern Siberia is very relevant. Here, we studied the genetic diversity and structure of eight Scots pine populations located in southern Middle Siberia (Russia). A high level of genetic diversity (HE = 0.518) was detected in the studied populations. No recent bottleneck effect, isolation by distance or isolation-by-environment were detected. Most genetic diversity was found within populations, while only 7% of genetic diversity occurred among populations. Both STRUCTURE analysis and UPGMA clustering showed two genetic groups. Two populations from the Minusink basin and a population from the Western Sayan Mts. formed the first group and the second group was composed of the other populations from Kuznetsk Alatau Mts., Central Tuva basin and Todzha basin. Our findings suggest that the studied Scots pine populations originate from different gene pools. The pattern of genetic diversity revealed by our study may be useful for the elaboration of conservation measures of genetic resources of Scots pine in southern Middle Siberia.

The selectivity of the reactive ion etching of silicon using a negative electron resist AR-N 7520 mask was investigated. The selectivity dependencies on the fraction of SF6 in the feeding gas and bias voltage were obtained. To understand the kinetics of passivation film formation and etching, the type and concentration of neutral particles were evaluated and identified using plasma optical emission spectroscopy. Electron temperature and electron density were measured by the Langmuir probe method to interpret the optical emission spectroscopy data. A high etching selectivity of 8.0 ± 1.8 was obtained for the etching process. The optimum electron beam exposure dose for defining the mask was 8200 pC/m at 30 keV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we develop fabrication technology and study aluminum films intended for superconducting quantum nanoelectronics using AFM, SEM, XRD, HRXRR. Two-temperature-step quasiepitaxial growth of Al on (111) Si substrate provides a preferentially (111)-oriented Al polycrystalline film and reduces outgrowth bumps, peak-to-peak roughness from 70 to 10 nm, and texture coefficient from 3.5 to 1.7, while increasing hardness from 5.4 to 16 GPa. Future progress in superconducting current density, stray capacitance, relaxation time, and noise requires a reduction in structural defect density and surface imperfections, which can be achieved by improving film quality using such quasiepitaxial growth techniques.

The task of estimating the parameters of the Pareto distribution, first of all, of an indicator of this distribution for a given sample, is relevant. This article establishes that for this estimate, it is sufficient to know the product of the sample elements. It is proved that this product is a sufficient statistic for the Pareto distribution parameter. On the basis of the maximum likelihood method the distribution degree indicator is estimated. It is proved that this estimate is biased, and a formula eliminating the bias is justified. For the product of the sample elements considered as a random variable the distribution function and probability density are found; mathematical expectation, higher moments, and differential entropy are calculated. The corresponding graphs are built. In addition, it is noted that any function of this product is a sufficient statistic, in particular, the geometric mean. For the geometric mean also considered as a random variable, the distribution function, probability density, and the mathematical expectation are found; the higher moments, and the differential entropy are also calculated, and the corresponding graphs are plotted. In addition, it is proved that the geometric mean of the sample is a more convenient sufficient statistic from a practical point of view than the product of the sample elements. Also, on the basis of the Rao–Blackwell–Kolmogorov theorem, effective estimates of the Pareto distribution parameter are constructed. In conclusion, as an example, the technique developed here is applied to the exponential distribution. In this case, both the sum and the arithmetic mean of the sample can be used as sufficient statistics.

The accumulated rich archival material on the musical folklore of the Belgorod region actualizes the problem of the semantic analysis of round dance songs as the dominant genre of the region’s traditional culture. In this work, based on expeditionary materials and researchers’ publications, the choreographic forms of round dances (circular karagods, tanks, figured tanks) of the Belgorod region are identified and described. The general scientific research methods within the framework of comparative, logical and statistical analysis are utilized. The systematic approach to research used in the process of modeling dance culture contributed to the reconstruction of the three-part picture of the world, captured in the dance in many versions.

The formation of polyene-polyyne-based nanocomposites by dehydrohalogenation of the drop-cast-deposited polyvinylidene fluoride, assessment and ion-induced tailoring of their gas sensing properties are reported. The investigated structure was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, revealing the thickness-dependent incomplete dehydrofluorination of the structure and its porosity induced by KOH treatment. The polyene-polyyne structures modified by low-energy Ar+ were studied by SEM and Raman spectroscopy, which showed the morphology variation, the shortening of chains and the graphitization of samples. The resistive gas sensing properties of the samples were analyzed at room temperature, revealing selective sensing of ammonia vapor by non-irradiated sample and the enhancement of the sensing properties for ethanol and water vapor after ion irradiation. With the ion dose enlargement, the change in the sensing response from electrical conductivity increase to decrease was observed for ammonia and ethanol, allowing us to discuss the origin and tunability of the sensing mechanism of the samples.

In this work, resistive gas sensors based on dehydrohalogenated polyvinylidene difluoride irradiated by variable-energy (500–900 eV) Ar+ ions were investigated. The resulting ion-irradiated polyene-based films were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The polyene-based structure was analyzed, and the variation in the films' morphology, ordering, and graphitization degree with ion energy change was assessed. The resistive sensing response of the obtained composites to ammonia and ethanol was analyzed, revealing the energy- and analyte-dependent shift between positive and negative sensing responses. That allowed us to confirm that the sensing mechanism of the investigated structures is governed by electron or hole transfer induced by the interaction of vapor and the material, which results in various types of responses for the structures with n- and p-type conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The Arctic tree and shrub ecosystems of Central Siberia are distinctive in their ability to perform crucial biosphere functions. However, such forests have been the subject of relatively limited research. The understanding of the dynamics of these forests, including their composition and structure, is of significant relevance for the conservation of permafrost ecosystem biodiversity. Nevertheless, the species composition of the mycobiota of this region remain under investigation. The aim of the present study is to determine the macromycetes diversity in the main ecotopes of the Krasnoyarsk Arctic (Norilsk). An understanding of the ecological attributes of macromycetes within these ecosystems is essential for understanding of the decomposition of organic matter, the absorption of nutrients by trees and shrubs, and other fundamental ecological processes. Moreover, basidiomycetes may be utilized as indicator species in ecological studies. The research was aimed at studying the taxonomic diversity, habitat specialization, and trophic characteristics of mycobiota, including Basidiomycota, in the northern ecosystems of the Krasnoyarsk Krai (Central Siberia) near Norilsk. Larch forests and woodlands in the Siberian permafrost zone are distinctive and Basidiomycota, as a component of these ecosystems, plays an essential role in their functioning. Currently, there is a paucity of information about this group in Arctic ecosystems, both in terms of floristic and ecological aspects. Seventy species of macromycetes belonging to different trophic groups were discovered and identified. Only 15% of species occur regularly, while most species are found rarely or only once. The identified species belong to 44 genera, 25 families, and 8 orders, which are included in the class Agaricomycetes. The leading families in terms of the number of species are Russulaceae, Polyporaceae, Tricholomataceae, Suillaceae, Strophariaceae, and Cortinariaceae. Mycorrhizal fungi and wood decay fungi dominate the structure of mycobiota of the study area (the total share is 71%). The rest of the species (29%) are fungal decomposers inhabiting plant litter, the forest floor, and humus. The largest number of species occur in forest ecosystems, which are dominated by mycorrhizal and wood decay fungi (up to 70%), which are trophically associated with woody plants and debris. The fungal decomposers inhabiting plant litter, the forest floor, and humus dominate (about 80%) in the species composition of tundra, where, in the absence of woody substrate, wood decay fungi have not been found at all. The species richness of tree and shrub Arctic ecosystems is low, yet the taxonomical and ecological structure of Basidiomycota is similar to that observed in taiga and temperate forests. These data permit a more comprehensive description of the biodiversity of the Arctic and may prove useful in studying biological processes in these ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abies sibirica Ledeb.-dominated stands degradation is of special concern. Nevertheless, insufficient attention is paid to the role of pathogens in this process. The aim of the present study is to assess the coenotic role of infectious diseases in fir-dominated stands in the south of Central Siberia. The research was based on a forest pathological examination conducted in A. sibirica-dominated forest stands in the Krasnoyarsk Krai. The cenotic role of the identified diseases is unequal. Stem decay and fir broom rust are typical diseases that weaken trees and induce rotten windsnap accumulation. Fir broom rust randomly affects trees of different age and size. The prevalence of fir broom rust in the studied fir stands reached 10% or more. The most hazard diseases in the studied stands are bacterial soft rot and root rot. Bacterial soft rot damages up to 20% of trees and causes their gradual dieback. The main cause of tree mortality in fir-dominated stands is root rot. The root rot-causing fungi lead to rapid dieback of trees of different cenotic status. In synergy with other factors, root rot acts as a significant endogenous factor in the current reorganization of coniferous forest ecosystems in the south of Central Siberia.

The research was conducted in Pinus sylvestris L. stands near Krasnoyarsk (subtaiga zone). The aim of the study is to assess the current state of recreational pine forests. Research methods included detailed forest pathological examination on six research plots, assessment of recreational disturbance (digression stage) by the transect method, integral assessment of forest health, graphical and correlation analysis. Recreational disturbance of the studied pine forests corresponds to I-IV stages of digression. From 1 to 40% of ground on the research plots has been trampled down. The vitality spectra of forest stands are characterized by right-sided asymmetry; the proportion of weakened trees is high in severely disturbed pine stands. With an increase in the recreational stress, the state of pine forests worsens significantly, and the proportion of dead trees increases. The absence of a significant relationship between the average health index and the stock of dead wood indicates that trees mortality cannot be used as an indicator when assessing the current state of recreational pine forests, which is explained by wood debris removal. The relative growing stock of healthy trees (with no signs of weakening), however, is an informative indicator.

In this paper, a number of drawbacks and contradictions of the existing models of charging dielectric targets under irradiation with defocused electron beams of moderate energies (0.2–20 keV) are briefly noted. In order to streamline and coordinate all experimental results and theoretical information concerning the phenomenon of charging under electron irradiation, it was necessary to reconsider some postulates of the standard model based on a simple dependence of the electron emission coefficient σ on irradiating electron energy E0. It is shown that the decisive role in establishing the equilibrium state of charging dielectrics is played by not only establishing the equilibrium value σ = 1, but also by reaching a certain critical value of the field Fin in the near-surface area of the target. This field is due to the generation of the two-layer bipolar distribution of charges. It enhances the electron emission owing to increasing the depth at which secondary electrons emerge and also owing to the previously neglected contribution of primary thermalized electrons. As a result, there occurs a fundamental transformation of the dependence of the total electron emission coefficient σc for a charged dielectric on the energy of primary electrons as compared to the case of an uncharged dielectric. Consequently, the value of the equilibrium energy E2C, at which σ = 1, is changed. It is established that times of reaching equilibrium states for electron emission δ(t) and for surface potentials Vs(t) may differ by orders of magnitude. Also, the charging kinetics is significantly affected by the process of radiation-induced formation of defects in the irradiated dielectric, which results in two charging time constants—fast and long-term ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air pollution is the major anthropogenic factor in urban and industrial areas. Forests play the most important role in improving environmental quality in such areas. Long-term air pollution has an adverse effect on the entire biota in such forests and determines the nature of plant–pathogen interactions. The purpose of the present research was to study the pathological status of the understory in Pinus sylvestris L. stands subject to long-term anthropogenic air pollution. The study was conducted in the pine forests near Krasnoyarsk. Research methods included a detailed pathological inspection of the understory (including saplings and self-sown trees) in stands (mainly forest-steppe pine forests) growing from 10 to 30 km from the city and macroscopic and microscopic diagnostics of plant diseases, and the analysis of the data obtained was carried out using statistical criteria (Kolmogorov–Smirnov test (dK-S), Student’s t-test). Pathogens affecting young pines (nine species identified) are micromycetes of different parasitic strategies (semi-parasites predominate). The most common pathogens are Lophodermella sulcigena (causes needle cast), Cenangium ferruginosum (necrosis of branches), and Sarea difformis (stem and branches canker). The pathogens causing necrosis and canker are the most harmful for pine understory. As young plants mature, pathogen diversity and disease manifestations increase. In stands closer to the city, understory infestations with dominant diseases significantly decrease as the degree of their contamination with heavy metals and fluorine increases. The activity of pathogenic micromycetes is likely to be suppressed by the chemicals found in the plants.