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Aim. To evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of goflkicept treatment in patients with idiopathic recurrent pericarditis (IRP). Materials and methods. This report presents the interim analysis of an ongoing open-label extension (OLE) clinical trial of goflkicept in patients with IRP (NCT 05673902), as a continuation of the core study (NCT04692766). The study assessed the frequency of pericarditis recurrence, time to recurrence after 12 and 60 weeks of goflkicept therapy, changes in C-reactive protein level, chest pain intensity, pericardial effusion size, and adverse events (AEs). Results. All patients remained in clinical-laboratory remission during the 60 weeks of goflkicept treatment. The recurrence frequency was 31.3% (5/16) after 60 weeks and 90% (9/10) after 12 weeks of goflkicept treatment (p0.001). A total of 64 AEs were reported in 16 patients (94.1%), mostly of mild to moderate severity. The most common AEs were infections, occurring in 11 patients (64.7%). Nine serious adverse events were reported in 5 patients, none of which were considered drug-related. There were no deaths. Conclusion. Long-term goflkicept therapy resulted in a significant reduction in the risk of recurrence and prolonged remission without an increase in adverse events.

The latest technological advancements have greatly interested researchers in artificial intelligence (AI) in education. In parallel, researchers have expressed concern about using and applying AI in education. However, there is a shortage of research that comprehensively and holistically examines trends in the use of AI in higher education. Hence, this study aimed to comprehensively analyze and assess AI research trends in higher education. In the SCOPUS database, we conducted a bibliometric analysis of 1,563 articles on research on AI in education. Our results revealed that the use of AI in education has increased dramatically from 2004 to 2023. In particular, a dramatic increase and peak exist after 2019. We also found limited interaction among scholars studying AI. Furthermore, our findings indicate that most of the most influential institutions are located in developed countries. Moreover, our findings demonstrated that AI research primarily concentrated on comprehending the impact of AI-based instruction, with the majority of these studies taking place in engineering education between 2017 and 2020. We also noticed that research on medical education in higher education occurred between 2015 and 2017. In addition, before 2015, research used AI in medical education as a teaching method to implement problem-based learning in higher education.

Introduction. Tick-borne infections are of great importance for many regions of Russia, including Eastern Siberia. This unfavorable epidemiological situation can be characterized not only by the circulation of well-known tick-borne infections, but also by the identification of new pathogens, the role of which remains little or generally unexplored. Multicomponent flavi-like viruses can cause infectious diseases in humans and pose a threat to public health. The purpose of the study was the identification and molecular genetic characterization of the Alongshan virus (Flaviviridae, ALSV) isolates, transmitted by ticks in the south of Eastern Siberia. Materials and methods. Total 1060 ticks were collected and analyzed from the territory of the Republics of Khakassia, Tuva, Buryatia, Irkutsk Region and Transbaikal Territory (Zabaykalsky Krai) in the spring-summer period 2023. ALSV RNA was detected by RT-PCR followed by nucleotide sequence determination and phylogenetic analysis for each segment of the genome. Results. The ALSV infection rate in Ixodes persulcatus ticks collected in the Republic of Khakassia was 3.3% (95% CI: 1.4–7.5); in Irkutsk Oblast – 1.0% (95% CI: 0.3–3.7); in the Republic of Tuva – 0.9% (95% CI: 0.3–3.4) and in Transbaikal Krai – 0.7% (95% CI: 0.2–3.6). Sequences of all four segments of ALSV genetic variants circulating in I. persulcatus ticks in the south of Eastern Siberia are grouped with sequences found in China and clustered into the Asian subgroup transmitted by taiga ticks. The level of difference in the nucleotide sequences of genome fragments among the identified genetic variants of ALSV ranged from 2 to 3%. Conclusion. The article shows the widespread distribution of ALSV in I. persulcatus ticks in the Republics of Khakassia and Tyva, Irkutsk Oblast and Transbaikal Territory. The obtained data actualize monitoring of changes in the area of distribution of potentially dangerous for humans flavi-like viruses and their vectors.

Cajander larch (Larix cajandery Mayr.) is the eastern race of Gmelin larch, the main forest-forming species in the Amur Region and the Primorsky Territory. It is widely used in the national economy. It is promising for landscaping. However, as a result of improper felling and forest fires, the area and stocks of larch have been significantly reduced. Its accelerated artificial restoration is necessary. One of the ways to solve this problem is the use of growth stimulants. The aim of the research was to study the stimulating effect of aqueous solutions of growth stimulants Zircon and Epin at various concentrations of solutions on biometric indicators of annual seedlings and mature Cajander larch trees at the age of 15. In the spring of 2009, grown larch seedlings were transplanted into the previously prepared soil of school department of the nursery with the placement of 0.5 × 0.6 m. During the growing season they were fed twice with Zircon and Epin in concentrations of 0.01 and 0.001%. Seedlings that were not subjected to any treatment were taken as a control sample. Seedlings were measured in terms of height, height gain, diameter of the root neck, root length and dry weight. In the spring of 2012, in the vicinity of the Mountain-taiga station named after. V.L. Komarov, an alley was created from a part of Cajander larch seedlings along the road system. 10 years after the transplantation of seedlings, in June 2022, the state of larch cultures was assessed according to the scale given in the rules of sanitary safety [26], and the heights and diameters of the trunk at chest height were measured. The studies showed that root dressing with Epin solution at a concentration of 0.01% has the greatest effect on the growth of seedlings and mature larch trees. Funding. The research was carried out within the state assignment of Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (theme No. 124012200183-8).

The synthesized compound, 1-(2-ethoxyethyl)-4-(pent-1-yn-1-yl)piperidin-4-yl propionate (EPPP), and its 1:1 complex with β-cyclodextrin (EPPPβCD) have been characterized for the first time through a comprehensive suite of analytical methods. This study explores the therapeutic potential of EPPPβCD in modulating immune responses and accelerating the resolution of septic inflammation induced by chromium and vanadium ions in outbred male rats. The research highlights the significant impact of EPPPβCD on the dynamics of regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs), notably causing a reduction in the CD4+CD25+ fractions at the onset of inflammation. This effect is attributed to the inhibition of Treg proliferation, which is crucial in hastening the resolution of inflammation. These findings underscore the potential of EPPPβCD as a promising therapeutic agent in controlling and mitigating inflammation mediated by heavy metal exposure, thereby offering a new avenue for the development of anti-inflammatory treatments.

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) is a potential introduced plant that can be used for reforestation in the southern part of Primorsky Krai. This plant is valuable for water regulation and mountain strengthening. It is widely used in the national economy. However, the growing area of the stands reduces with logging. It is possible to speed up the regeneration process by applying growth stimulants. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of natural (Zircon, Ekopin, Ribav-Extra) and synthetic (Krezatzin, Epin-Extra) growth stimulants on seed germination and biometric parameters of annual and biennial Scots pine seedlings (height, root collar diameter, length of root lobes, and biomass). Before cultivation, the seeds were soaked for 1 hour in a solution of KMnO4 (0.5 %) followed by 20 hours in growth stimulant solutions with concentrations 1.4·10–3 ml/l. The control group was presented with seeds without stimulant treatment. The soil germination was controlled on day 15. It was also determined the effectiveness of the stimulants as root top dressing for annual and biennial seedlings. The concentrations of the solutions were 0.2 and 0.1 ml/l with water as a solvent. The referentce group was seedlings without fertilization. Krezatzin, Ribav-Extra, and Ecopin had a significant impact on seed germination (92.7–94.0 %), exceeding the control group by 5.7–7.2 %. Krezatzin, Ribav-Extra, Zircon and Ecopin were most effective for Scots pine seedlings. In the first year of growth, seedling height increased by 20.3–43.5 %, root collar diameter by 22.2–38.9 %, root lobe length by 23.5–52.9 %. In the second year, these indicators exceeded the control group by 18.4–75.5, 2.9–11.8 and 15.0–36.1 %, respectively. The biomass of biennial seedlings increased by 63.7–185.2 % compared to the control group with the use of these stimulants. The solution concentration of 0.1 ml/l was more effective. The biennial seedlings grown using the stimulants as root top dressing according to biometric indicators meet the requirements of the Reforestation Regulations 2020, significantly exceeding the values specified in them. These seedlings can be used for planting woodlands and landscaping in populated areas. For citation: Ostroshenko V.Yu., Ostroshenko L.Yu. Influence of Growth Stimulants on Seed Germination and Seedlings Growth of Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). Lesnoy Zhurnal = Russian Forestry Journal, 2023, no. 4, pp. 93–104. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.37482/0536-1036-2023-4-93-104

The paper is devoted to the theoretical and numerical analysis of the two-step method, constructed as a modification of Polyak’s heavy ball method with the inclusion of an additional momentum parameter. For the quadratic case, the convergence conditions are obtained with the use of the first Lyapunov method. For the non-quadratic case, sufficiently smooth strongly convex functions are obtained, and these conditions guarantee local convergence.An approach to finding optimal parameter values based on the solution of a constrained optimization problem is proposed. The effect of an additional parameter on the convergence rate is analyzed. With the use of an ordinary differential equation, equivalent to the method, the damping effect of this parameter on the oscillations, which is typical for the non-monotonic convergence of the heavy ball method, is demonstrated. In different numerical examples for non-quadratic convex and non-convex test functions and machine learning problems (regularized smoothed elastic net regression, logistic regression, and recurrent neural network training), the positive influence of an additional parameter value on the convergence process is demonstrated.

The changing environment creates the conditions for changing people’s behavior which together can lead to crisis situations. In the case of making economic decisions, the emerging non-stationarity of the dynamics of different components of the system can represent an economic crisis. The possibility of universal human values consideration in modeling decision-making under conditions of changing environment has been studied. The internal processes of an agent prior to making a decision are reflected in the concept of Beliefs-Desires-Intentions-Actions-Reactions (BDIAR). The article reviews the regularities and existing approaches to modeling economic decisions, and proposes a new, author’s approach. The mechanisms of influence of stress on decision-making, factors of rationality limitation, and risk assessment in the context of behavioral economics are revealed. The well-known theories of the influence of values on the change in the structure of consumption in a crisis situation are considered. Ways of taking into account emotions in the architecture of the agent are shown. In the proposed model, values are considered as a social factor in decision making. Due to their subjectivity, they are presented mathematically as the basis for assessing environmental objects. The subjectivity of the objects of choice assessments is reflected in the functions of attractiveness of the objects, the functions of the agent’s state dynamics, and in the subjectivity of the decision influence on the satisfaction of the agent. A possible modification of the components of the agent model is shown, taking into account the influence of values on the dynamics of consumption. A method is proposed for taking into account values in the BDIAR architecture when modeling an agent’s decision-making where the levels of the architecture correspond to values, preference functions, and functions of the agent’s state dynamics. The pseudonymized transactional data on debit cards of the partner bank customers were analyzed separately for 2017–2019 and 2020. The subjectivity of the environment influence in a crisis situation on the dynamics of changes in values and needs for different consumer groups is demonstrated, taking into account the clustering of their behavior types. Differences in the dynamics of values at the individual level and the level of groups are shown; an increase in the priority of survival values and a different rate of return to the pre-crisis state for different behavioral groups are also shown. The results obtained are useful for developing methods for modeling economic behavior in a non-stationary external environment, in particular, in the case of crises.

Khinghan fir (Abies nephrolepis (Trautv.) Maxim.) is the most common species among the conifers of Primorsky Krai. It plays an important role in forest consumption. However, forest fires and logging lead to a reduction in the range of this species. Thanks to the use of growth stimulants, it is possible to accelerate the restoration of the Far Eastern fir. The aim of the research was to study the effect of the growth stimulants Ribav-Extra and Epin-Extra on germinative energy, laboratory seed germination and morphometric parameters of sprouts (length and weight) of Khinghan fir (Abies nephrolepis (Trautv.) Maxim.). According to GOSTS, the experiments were carried out in four repetitions in seven different concentrations of solutions (1×10-3 – 1×7×10-3 ml/l). Control − seeds soaked in distilled water. The length of sprouts was measured with the use of an electronic caliper. The mass of sprouts was weighed on an electronic balance. The conducted studies showed, that Ribav-Extra had the greatest effect on sowing qualities of seeds (germinative energy and laboratory germination) at the solution concentrations of 1×2×10-3- 1×7×10-3 ml/l, amounting to 4-16% (excess to the control − 21.2-384.8%). For laboratory germination (21.4-33.1%) − at the concentrations of 1×3×10-3-1×6×10-3 ml/l (excess to the control − 127.7-252.1%). Epin-Extra showed a more active effect on the energy of seed germination with the solution concentrations of 1×2×10-3-1×6×10-3 ml/l, amounting to 4-16%. Excess to the control − 21.2-384.8%. The concentration of solutions 1×3×10-3 - 1×5×10-3 ml/l had a positive effect on laboratory germination of seeds (13-33%), exceeding the control by 38.3-251.1%. An increase in seed quality classes was noted: from the third to the second and first. These stimulants also proved to be effective for increasing the biometric parameters of sprouts (length and weight). Thus, a significant effect of Ribav-Extra on the increase in the length of sprouts was noted at the concentrations of 1×10-3-1×6×10-3 ml/l (excess to the control − 7.7-50%); in Epin-Extra – with the solutions of 1×4×10-3-1×7×10-3 ml/l, exceeding the control by 7.7-40%. Ribav-Extra had a positive effect on the increase in the mass of sprouts in all concentrations of solutions (excess to the control − 5.1-79.5%). Epin-Extra is less effective.

Pain and anesthesia are a problem for all physicians. Scientists from different countries are constantly searching for new anesthetic agents and methods of general anesthesia. In anesthesiology, the role and importance of local anesthesia always remain topical. In the present work, a comparative analysis of the results of pharmacological studies on models of the conduction and terminal anesthesia, as well as acute toxicity studies of the inclusion complex of 1-methyl-4-ethynyl-4-hydroxypiperidine (MEP) with β-cyclodextrin, was carried out. A virtual screening and comparative analysis of pharmacological activity were also performed on a number of the prepared piperidine derivatives and their host–guest complexes of β-cyclodextrin to identify the structure–activity relationship. Various programs were used to study biological activity in silico. For comparative analysis of chemical and pharmacological properties, data from previous works were used. For some piperidine derivatives, new dosage forms were prepared as beta-cyclodextrin host–guest complexes. Some compounds were recognized as promising local anesthetics. Pharmacological studies have shown that KFCD-7 is more active than reference drugs in terms of local anesthetic activity and acute toxicity but is less active than host–guest complexes, based on other piperidines. This fact is in good agreement with the predicted results of biological activity.

Regression analysis is used to determine the contribution of the factors of managing the development of higher education – share of university branches – to increase the population’s quality of life. To determine the optimal approach to managing education’s development in the social investment model of Russia’s economic growth with alternative mechanisms of standardization and deregulation. The results of the research show that absolute standardization, as well as absolute deregulation of higher education, does not allow achieving significant results in the sphere of increase in quality of life in Russia. The determined and substantiated optimal scenario of managing the development of higher education in Russia to increase the quality of life envisages a foundation on a flexible approach, which envisages the combination of standardization and deregulation. It is recommended to entirely refuse branches in favor of main universities, refuse government financing in favor of fee-based education and refuse diversification of education forms in favor of the intramural form of study. This allows raising the quality of life by 13.26% (up to 70.87 points). For practical implementation of this approach, it is offered to allow each region to form their own programs of development of higher education with the foundation of the main federal principles.

A comparative study of anticorrosive inhibited polymer films on the tungsten surface formed from an aqueous solution of inhibited formulations (INFOR) containing organosilane and corrosion inhibitors was carried out by means of the prolonged exposure of a tungsten product in a modifying solution and by the method of cataphoretic deposition (CPD). Depending on the method of forming films on tungsten, the molecular organization of the near-surface layers was studied (ATR-FTIR), and the subprimary structure of the films was explored (TEM). The optimal modes of cataphoresis deposition (CPD duration and current density applied to the sample) for the formation of a protective inhibited polymer film on the tungsten surface were established by means of SEM. The energy and thermochemical characteristics (sessile drop and DSC methods), as well as operational (adhesive behavior) and protective filming ability (EIS and corrosion behavior), according to the method of formation of inhibited polymer film, were determined. Based on the combined characteristics of the films obtained by the two methods and the deposition modes, the CPD method showed better performance than the electroless dipping method.

Abstract Forming complexes with β-cyclodextrin can enhance stability, dissolution rate, solubility, and bioavailability of an active pharmaceutical ingredient. In this study, the inclusion behavior between β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and diphenhydramine, clonidine, and tolperisone in DMSO-d6 was investigated using NMR spectroscopy. 1H, 13C, COSY, HMQC, and ROESY data were applied to determine the structure of inclusion complexes, and molecular docking analysis was engaged to identify the most favorable host–guest interactions in the inclusion complexes. Complexation of β-CD with diphenhydramine, clonidine, and tolperisone is accompanied by the insertion of a molecular fragment of the guest molecule, one molecule of diphenhydramine and tolperisone, and two molecules of clonidine, into the inner sphere of one host molecule. The reported study provides useful information for the potential application of the complexation of β-CD with diphenhydramine, clonidine, and tolperisone. This may be a good strategy for the development of solid pharmaceutical dosage forms based on β-CDs as a drug delivery system. Article highlights The inclusion complexes of β-CD and diphenhydramine, clonidine, and tolperisone were synthesized and analyzed using 1Н, 13С, COSY, HMQC, and ROESY spectroscopy. Diphenhydramine, clonidine, and tolperisone interact with β-CD with the formation of stable 1:1 stoichiometric complexes for β-CD:diphenhydramine and β-CD:tolperisone, and 1:2 stoichiometric complex for β-CD:clonidine. Possible structures of the inclusion complexes between β-CD and diphenhydramine, clonidine, and tolperisone were determined using molecular docking in the software AutoDock 4.0.

Aim. To study the effect of the vitamin D receptor on bone metabolism disorders in premature infants born using in vitro fertilization (IVF). Material and methods. A study was conducted on 189 premature infants, divided into 2 groups. The first group is premature babies born using the IVF method. The second group – children were born naturally. The VDR receptor gene was analyzed depending on the observation groups. Results. It was found that in children born with IVF, the signs of osteopenia were more pronounced. Genetic studies have shown that the frequency of mutant allele *B and homozygous mutant genotype B/B of the VDR gene is more common in premature babies born with IVF. Mutant homozygous genotype B/B occurs in the main group of children with a frequency of 35%, which is significantly higher than in the control group of children (17%). Changes in bone metabolism are one of the important causes of musculoskeletal system disorders, which is closely associated with the molecular genetic polymorphism of the VDR gene. Conclusion. The studies conducted led to the following conclusion: the frequency of the mutant allele *B and homozygous for the mutant allele genotype B/B, occurs more often in premature babies born using IVF. The frequency of the *B allele in the group of premature babies born using IVF is 50%, which is higher than in the group of premature babies born naturally (40%). However, the identified genetic differences are not associated with the IVF procedure. These are combinations of gene alleles inherited from the parents. Knowledge of hereditary risk factors for low vitamin D3 levels can be of great practical importance for predicting bone metabolism disorders in premature infants.

According to the WHO, the secondary form of hematopoietic-depressive status increases the risk of death in people with oncological, infectious, and hormonal diseases. The choice of drugs that stimulate the hematopoietic activity of B-lymphopoiesis is limited. The current leucopoiesis drugs have a number of side effects: thymic preparations stimulate the production of PGE2, which causes chronic inflammation and various autoimmune diseases through the differentiation of T helper 1 (Th1) cells, the proliferation of Th17 cells, and the production of IL-22 from Th22 cells through EP2 and EP4 receptors; cytokine preparations can cause uncontrolled immune reactions and impaired contractility of smooth and cardiac muscles; drugs based on nucleic acids can stimulate the division of all cells, including bacterial and cancerous ones. The use of oligonucleotides such as ribozymes and antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (AS-ODNs) shows promise as therapeutic moieties, but faces a number of challenges such as nuclease sensitivity, off-target effects, and efficient delivery. The search for substances that stimulate B-lymphopoiesis among ionic compounds was motivated by the discovery of the unique properties of lidocaine docusate, one of the first ionic liquid forms of the known drugs. The lidocaine docusate (protonated form of lidocaine (2-(diethylamino)-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl) acetamide + docusate-anion (dioctylsulfosuccinate))) suppresses the division of pheochromocytoma cells and activates immunity in rats. The trimecaine-based ionic compound (TIC) demonstrates high B-lymphopoiesis-stimulating activity. The TIC compound stimulates an increase in the volume of transitional B cells, which play an important role for further differentiation and formation of a sufficient number of mature B1 cells and mature B2 cells, where mature B2 cells make up the bulk of the functional population of B lymphocytes. The TIC compound most strongly stimulated the restoration of the number of marginal zone B cells, follicular B cells, and activated germinal center B cells after the cytotoxic emptying of the follicular centers of the spleen induced cyclophosphamide. It significantly exceeds the activity of the comparison drug methyluracil. The TIC compound does not affect the level of pro-B, pre-B-I, or pre-B-II bone marrow cells, which prevents the risk of the formation of immature functionally defective cells.

Relevance Among vegetable crops, tomato is one of the leading places. In Siberia, tomato production is currently concentrated mainly in small farms and the individual sector. The problem of expanding the assortment of this culture in connection with constantly increasing market requirements remains always relevant. Material and methods The purpose of the work is the development of tomato seed production methods of varieties of selection of SibNIIRS. The studies were carried out in 2014-2018 at the experimental vegetable section of SibNIIRS - a branch of the ICG SB RAS. Results The results of many years of work on the study of seed and marketable productivity of zoned varieties and prospective tomato samples from the Urals andSiberia are presented. It has been established that in the conditions of a short growing season, high productivity is shown by varieties from early and mid-season groups. The highest sowing qualities are formed when sowing in time, optimal for the zone – the third decade of April. Early seeding shifts the phenological phases towards their rapid passage, but this creates unfavorable conditions for setting – stress during transplants, unfavorable weather. During late sowing, seeds are formed with low sowing qualities due to insufficient heat supply, especially for varieties from late ripeness groups. Germination energy and germination are higher in seeds obtained from fruits taken in the phase of full biological ripeness in all varieties. With long-term ripening (eat fruit in the phase of technical ripeness) there is a high risk of seed germination inside the fruit on the one hand and lack of nutrients, which invariably affects sowing qualities.

In order to optimize biofuel (including bioethanol) production processes, various problems need to be solved, such as increasing the sugar content of raw materials/biomass to gain a higher yield of the product. This task can be solved in several ways, with their own advantages and disadvantages, and an integrated approach, such as using a combination of ripening agents and phytohormones or application of a superabsorbent polymer with at least one sugar-enhancing agent, can be applied as well. Here, we reviewed several methods, including pre- and postharvest factors (light, temperature, partial replacement of potassium with magnesium, etc.), genetic modifications (traditional breeding, phytohormones, etc.), chemical ripening methods (Ethephon, Moddus, etc.), and some alternative methods (DMSO treatment, ionic liquids, etc.). The aim of this review was to provide a comprehensive, up-to-date summary of methods of increasing the carbohydrate level in plants/biomass for bioethanol production.

Nanocomposites based on poly(styrene-block-isobutylene-block-styrene) (SIBS) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were prepared and characterized in terms of tensile strength as well as bio- and hemocompatibility. It was shown that modification of CNTs using dodecylamine (DDA), featured by a long non-polar alkane chain, provided much better dispersion of nanotubes in SIBS as compared to unmodified CNTs. As a result of such modification, the tensile strength of the nanocomposite based on SIBS with low molecular weight (Mn = 40,000 g mol–1) containing 4% of functionalized CNTs was increased up to 5.51 ± 0.50 MPa in comparison with composites with unmodified CNTs (3.81 ± 0.11 MPa). However, the addition of CNTs had no significant effect on SIBS with high molecular weight (Mn~70,000 g mol−1) with ultimate tensile stress of pure polymer of 11.62 MPa and 14.45 MPa in case of its modification with 1 wt% of CNT-DDA. Enhanced biocompatibility of nanocomposites as compared to neat SIBS has been demonstrated in experiment with EA.hy 926 cells. However, the platelet aggregation observed at high CNT concentrations can cause thrombosis. Therefore, SIBS with higher molecular weight (Mn~70,000 g mol−1) reinforced by 1–2 wt% of CNTs is the most promising material for the development of cardiovascular implants such as heart valve prostheses.

Introduction. Studying the processes of genesis and development of nomadic peoples on the territory of steppe Eurasia in the early Iron Age demonstrates the complexity and multifacetedness of their political and social organization. The archaeological materials accumulated over the past decades and revealing the presence of social markers in funerary-memorial complexes, have led to an increase of interest in the study of the social structure of ancient societies, in the identification of specific historical features of the formation and functioning of social strata. Methods. The comprehensive methodology has been used for revealing social strata in ancient societies. It allowed carrying out the thorough statistical analysis of the full range of archaeological monuments on this topic and revealing the different levels of social differentiation reflected in material culture. Analysis. To examine the social structure of the Early Sarmatian society and to allocate the military nomadic elite, the materials of 143 funerals from burial mounds of the Lower Volga region have been analyzed. Results. The undertaken research allows asserting that the early Sarmatian society of the Lower Volga region in the 4th – beginning of the 3rd centuries BC had not been strictly stratified.

This paper presents the results of a study of bone remains of impuberal individuals from the Early Sarmatian burial mounds located in the Lower Volga region. When working with bone remains, we analyzed frequency of occurrence of various stress indicators and other abnormalities, taking into account biological age of the individuals buried there. The comparison of paleopathology results with the data from archaeological and ethnographic written sources made it possible to assess some aspects of the life of the early Sarmatian population. Thus, the number of children and adolescents in the early Sarmatian burials corresponds to the established paleodemographic standards proving the normal demographic situation in the paleopopulation. Reconstruction of nutrition patterns allows us to assert that breastfeeding in early Sarmatians was long. Meat and dairy products were the basis of the diet of both older children and adults. In the life of the population, there must have been occasional famine periods, for instance, due to livestock loss. The nomads’ diet was limited to meat and milk products, did not provide proper nutrition and caused numerous diseases such as scurvy and porosis. Paleopathology data demonstrate the spread of helminthiases and various infections in the Sarmatians.

The development of universal finishing compositions for fibers of various natures is an urgent task for polymer composite materials science. The developed finishes can be used for the fiber reinforcement of polymer matrices with a wide range of surface free energy characteristics. Epoxy systems modified with diaminesilane in a wide concentration range were examined by optical interferometry, FTIR spectroscopy, DSC and the sessile drop technique. It was shown that the partial curing of epoxy resin by diaminesilane at room temperature under an inert atmosphere, followed by contact with air, leads to a significant increase of the surface free energy of the system. Varying the concentration of diaminesilane allows us to effectively regulate the surface free energy of the composition. This makes it possible to use fibers finished with epoxyaminosilane compositions in composite materials based on a various thermosetting and thermoplastic binders with a surface tension of up to 75 mJ/m2.

An association between high serum calcium/phosphate and cardiovascular events or death is well-established. However, a mechanistic explanation of this correlation is lacking. Here, we examined the role of calciprotein particles (CPPs), nanoscale bodies forming in the human blood upon its supersaturation with calcium and phosphate, in cardiovascular disease. The serum of patients with coronary artery disease or cerebrovascular disease displayed an increased propensity to form CPPs in combination with elevated ionised calcium as well as reduced albumin levels, altogether indicative of reduced Ca2+-binding capacity. Intravenous administration of CPPs to normolipidemic and normotensive Wistar rats provoked intimal hyperplasia and adventitial/perivascular inflammation in both balloon-injured and intact aortas in the absence of other cardiovascular risk factors. Upon the addition to primary human arterial endothelial cells, CPPs induced lysosome-dependent cell death, promoted the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, stimulated leukocyte adhesion, and triggered endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. We concluded that CPPs, which are formed in the blood as a result of altered mineral homeostasis, cause endothelial dysfunction and vascular inflammation, thereby contributing to the development of cardiovascular disease.

Structural and morphological features of graft polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene (PE) copolymers produced by post-radiation chemical polymerization have been investigated by methods of X-ray microanalysis, electron microscopy, DSC and wetting angles measurement. The studied samples differed in the degree of graft, iron(II) sulphate content, sizes of PE films and distribution of graft polymer over the polyolefin cross section. It is shown that in all cases sample surfaces are enriched with PS. As the content of graft PS increases, its concentration increases both in the volume and on the surface of the samples. The distinctive feature of the post-radiation graft polymerization is the stepped curves of graft polymer distribution along the matrix cross section. A probable reason for such evolution of the distribution profiles is related to both the distribution of peroxide groups throughout the sample thickness and to the change in the monomer and iron(II) salt diffusion coefficients in the graft polyolefin layer. According to the results of electron microscope investigations and copolymer wettability during graft polymerization, a heterogeneous system is formed both in the sample volume and in the surface layer. It is shown that the melting point, glass transition temperature and degree of crystallinity of the copolymer decreases with the increasing proportion of graft PS. It is suggested that during graft polymerization a process of PE crystallite decomposition (melting) and enrichment of the amorphous phase of graft polymer by fragments of PE macromolecules occurs spontaneously. The driving force of this process is the osmotic pressure exerted by the phase network of crystallites on the growing phase of the graft PS.

Modern language teaching practices combine traditional teacher- and student-oriented paradigms. Since language is perceived as a tool that helps achieve practical goals, especially in the realm of professional language studies, a need arises to teach it as an application-oriented instrument. The paper considers the methods of communicative and task-based language training with a particular focus on case studies. While the commonly accepted view holds that case studies are applied at advanced levels only, the study argues that they are applicable at various levels. This argument is justified through a practical experiment involving two student groups taking English for Specific Purposes within Advanced and Pre-Intermediate courses. The article describes the challenges and differences in students’ performance and the way their work was assessed. The research states that case studies should be adapted to the level of students’ language proficiency to help them naturally take on professional roles and use the language spontaneously. At the same time, attention should be paid to the adequacy of business vocabulary and the dynamism of the training process, in which case appropriate teacher intervention may be necessary. The study concludes that the method can be beneficial in terms of students’ future professional activities.

The article deals with the issues of preserving the unique Tuvan throat singing tradition, Khѳѳmei, which is seen as part of Tuva’s intangible cultural heritage. Correspondingly, our article is based on the UN recommendations on how to deal with challenges to this type of heritage. There is a lot of information, including research, on Khѳѳmei available now. It has been collected primarily by two state institutions of Tuva whose task is to study and develop the throat singing tradition – Khѳѳmei International Research Center and the Center for Developing Traditional Tuvan Culture and Crafts. Although a number of publications have come out, there is still no dedicated catalogue of works on Khѳѳmei, nor of Khѳѳmei singers. Another set of challenges yet unmatched is to collect audio and video recordings of Khѳѳmei performances and provide access to it to all those interested. So far it has been in the hands of enthusiasts, including Khѳѳmei aficionados from outside Russia. A most important task to preserve the authentic, true form of Khѳѳmei as intangible heritage is augmented by the fact that orally transmitted traditions are by nature “nimble” and changeable. The art of Khѳѳmei now exists both in its original form and – transformed – within contemporary musical forms where it is fused with various genres of pop, jazz, rock and avant-garde music. It has also entered the domain of what now is known as “world music”. This success has had an impact on Tuva’s international cultural ties and on the rise of ethnocultural tourism, and thus Khѳѳmei may and should be seen as a brand of contemporary Tuvan culture, as well as a factor of ethnic mobilization. In 2011, the job of a throat singer has been officially recognized in Russia, and Khѳѳmeizhi now can enjoy the right for job benefits. This can be seen as an organizational victory. However, Khѳѳmei itself, as every form of art, needs legal protection. There is a global trend to see it as analogous to the so-called European mechanism of sound production (two-voice texture). Although Khѳѳmei can be entered on national and global registers as an asset of Tuvan ethnic culture, it is much more important to accept the correct methodology of teaching Khѳѳmei to students at educational institutions of art. Future progress of Khѳѳmei also requires international cooperation in the fields of both research and practice.

The article examines the contribution made by Russian professional musicians, composers, choreographers and others in the establishment and development of Tuvan musical culture in the Soviet period. They have been coming Tuva explicitly for the purpose of setting up musical collectives, training and working with talented Tuvans in the regional educational institutions. This process is considered an example of mutual influence of Soviet (and first of all, Russian) culture on its Tuvan counterpart. This article for the first time examines the life and work of those specialists whose names had been suppressed in the Soviet period as they fell victims to Stalin's purges. The author relied on information from both published works on the history of Tuvan music and original materials. The first to be named is the military bandmaster S. G. Korovin, who became the head of the brass band of the cavalry regiment of the Tuvan people's revolutionary army. He recorded and arranged folk songs, taught Tuvans musical literacy. In the early 1940s, the first group of professionals arrived from the Soviet Union. Among them were composer and conductor of brass orchestra L. I. Izrailevich, flutist and teacher R. G. Mironovich, choir conductor S. I. Bulatov, composer and teacher A. K. Feldman, ballet teacher and master A. V. Shatin, to name only a few. They were engaged in educating musicians, recording and arranging Tuvan musical folklore and also did some original composing. Also worth mentioning is the contribution made by the teachers of children's music school No. 1 of the 1950s-1960s. Educational work of Soviet musicians bore its fruit as soon at the end of their first year in Tuva. The first songs were composed by A. Chyrgal-ool, M. Munsaka, R. Candensis, V. Kok-ool, A. Laptan and others. The first Tuvan professionals formed the core of the troupe of the national musical drama theatre. But the influence was mutual: Russian specialists learned from Tuvan colleagues, too.

The adhesion characteristics and surface energies of two series of polyamidoimides (PAI) with different molecular weights, monomer unit structures, hinge groups in the main chain of the macromolecules, and thermal prehistory were determined via delamination at 180° and test fluids contact angles. We found that PAI are high-energy polymers, the surface energy of which varies in the range from 32 to 45 mJ/m2. In contrast to flexible-chain polymers, the exponent in the McLeod equation is two, which is due to the flat parallel orientation of the macromolecular chains in the surface layers. The main contribution to the change in surface characteristics of these polymers is the change in the packing density of PAI macromolecules, which is reflected mainly in the change in the polymers’ dispersion component. We found that the adhesion properties of PAI with respect to high- and low-energy substrates are determined mainly by the macromolecules packing density in the surface layers with their conformation state unchanged.

The effect of initial network topology on a temporal network dynamics is studied. An example of interbank exposures network is considered. It is modeled with a graph, where banks are represented by nodes and interbank lending is represented by edges. The dynamical processes in аtemporal network are defined by state changes of nodes and lie in edges and nodes addition and deletion in a graph, and modification of node states contribute to network evolution. The algorithm of network modification over the whole evolution period is fixed. We present parameters of random, scale free and small world generative models corresponding to different simulation results with fixed modification algorithms. The influence of initial graph topologies on temporal network dynamics is demonstrated. The results obtained give the possibility to assess time interval before the attainment of unstable topology state, and to estimate an optimal topology for the transition to a steady state under fixed modification algorithms.

Spiroconnected N-alkoxyalkylpiperidine hydantoins were obtained via the Strecker reaction of cyanohydrin with ammonium carbonate. 1,3,8-Triazaspiro[4.5]decane-2,4-diones have shown the myelostimulating activity in the artificially induced (with cyclophosphamide) myelodepressive syndrome. The compounds significantly accelerated the regeneration of lymphocyte and granulocyte cell pool of bone marrow hematopoiesis.

The article discusses possible ways of harmonizing the Eurasian Economic Community member states’ legislation on the freedom of conscience. It is shown that the basis of harmonization is common approach developed over the centuries in existence within a single state – The Russian Empire and the Soviet Union, the legal documents of the Commonwealth of Independent States, the transfer of basic research from determining the signs of the secular state on to the development of individualistic and collective freedom of conscience. The current Law on Freedom of Conscience in Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and the Russian Federation is analyzed.

In the 20th century, Tuvan music culture has undergone dramatic upheaval and a number of transformations. Today we face an acute need to rethink the achievements and losses incurred over that period of time. The objective of this article is to reconsider some basic parameters of Tuvan music culture that are responsible for preserving the integrity of its sound structure. The relevance of the topic is due to a current conceptual rift between the musical practices and their scholarly interpretations. In the Soviet period, culture throughout the entire USSR was solely driven by the European model of musical development with no reliance on practices typical for ethnical cultures. We are currently witnessing a decline in the numbers of those representing oral and audial traditional culture, while the numbers of music college graduates, those who studied at conservatoires, universities, academies of culture and arts, and thus come as bearers of values lying outside of the tradition. Tuvan musical practice is experiencing an invasion of academic vocabulary and non-relevant appraisal criteria. However, Tuvan musical culture, having always been primarily oral, has developed its own acoustic structure, as well as mechanisms and methods for non-scriptory transfer of knowledge. But these vernacular methods are still insufficiently explored. The author postulates that the system of Tuvan instrumental music organization is unique and acts as a basis for unconventional sound of musical instruments and xöömei (throat singing). Distinctive timbre and inimitable flair of the sound is achieved by original system of bourdon-overtone sound coordination. Music is created for audial enjoyment. But musicologists (mainly in Russia) are still analyzing the notation they keep making of performed folk instrumental pieces and xöömei. Such an approach drastically narrows the entire panorama of traditional instrumental music. A positive factor is that contemporary Tuvan musicians have mastered musical notation and are familiar with the masterpieces of global music classics. But the author suggests that a parallel training in traditional oral and audial culture will be most beneficial. Some of these worldwide recognized methods are discussed in the article, such as German composer Carl Orff’s improvisation-based music; Japanese violinist Shinichi Suzuki’s method based on imitation; notationless education at J. Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, etc.

The paper describes a problem of computer simulation of critical phenomena in complex social systems on a petascale computing systems in frames of complex networks approach. The three-layer system of nested models of complex networks is proposed including aggregated analytical model to identify critical phenomena, detailed model of individualized network dynamics and model to adjust a topological structure of a complex network. The scalable parallel algorithm covering all layers of complex networks simulation is proposed. Performance of the algorithm is studied on different supercomputing systems. The issues of software and information infrastructure of complex networks simulation are discussed including organization of distributed calculations, crawling the data in social networks and results visualization. The applications of developed methods and technologies are considered including simulation of criminal networks disruption, fast rumors spreading in social networks, evolution of financial networks and epidemics spreading.

In article is presented hypothesis that in period of history unity of turkic-mongol people - at the period of the steppe empires of ancient nomads, was induced specific type of the music civilization. Now its theoretical comprehension and safety require the special approach.

This is a study of author-performed song in Tuva, the history of which begins when the People’s Republic of Tuva was declared in 1921. This crucial moment in the history of the region, which bore a strong influence of the October Revolution in Russia and of the following years of social change, had a profound impact on songwriting in the 1920s. The songs expressed gratitude to the October Revolution, Lenin and the Russian people for helping Tuvans get rid of the socially oppressive system (“The Glorious International”, “Freedom from Torment”, “The Great River”, “The Emergency Session of the Khural”, “No More Oppression”, etc.). New songs glorified such iconic features of new life as the first schools, the birth of national literature and the new system of writing, the change in attitude to women, the rise of the new generation of authors, the construction of a new automobile road, etc. In the 1930s further socioeconomic transformation gave rise to songs like “I Am a Kolkhoz Member”; “The Tractor Driver”, “The Propagandist”, “The Beautiful Soviet Land”, etc. By the end of the 1930s Tuva got its first amateur composers and author-performed songs. The arrival of theater, dance and music professionals from the USSR at the beginning of the 1940s at the bequest of PRT’s government led to a sea change in professionalization of Tuvan performing arts. In 1951 A. Chyrgal-ool became the first Tuvan student to join a conservatoire in Kazan which he graduated from in 1957. His works composed in 1950s marked a new stage in the rise of professional music in the region. Thus Tuvan song art featured almost the same trends and developments as most other ethnic groups in the Soviet Union.

В сентябре 2011 г. Тува потеряла одного из ярчайших представителей традиционной школы тувинского хоомея, обладавшего неповторимым исполнительским мастерством в стиле каргыраа Народного хоомейжи Республики Тыва Алдын-оола Севека.

Encyclopedic articleabout the famous Tuvan singer K. B. Ondar. Ondar Kongar-ool (29.03.1962 — 25.07.2013) — one of the most recognizedin the world of masters of Tuvan throat singing; Honored Khoomeizhi of the Republic of Tuva (1992), Honored artist of the Russian Federation (1994), Honored worker of education of Tuva (2011), high achiever of physical culture and sportsof the Republic of Tuva (1995), Deputy of the second convocationof the Verhovny Hural (Parliament) of the Republic of Tyva (1998-2002).

Encyclopedic article for the "Encyclopedia of Tuvan culture." Article about the founders of the Tuva dynasty of circus performers.

Summary: How young have we been... Vocal and instrumental ensembles of Tuva from 1970’s to 1990’s / composed by V.Yu. Suzukey. Kyzyl: "Tyvapoligraph” JSC, 2015. 212 P.

The latest technological advancements have greatly interested researchers in artificial intelligence (AI) in education. In parallel, researchers have expressed concern about using and applying AI in education. However, there is a shortage of research that comprehensively and holistically examines trends in the use of AI in higher education. Hence, this study aimed to comprehensively analyze and assess AI research trends in higher education. In the SCOPUS database, we conducted a bibliometric analysis of 1,563 articles on research on AI in education. Our results revealed that the use of AI in education has increased dramatically from 2004 to 2023. In particular, a dramatic increase and peak exist after 2019. We also found limited interaction among scholars studying AI. Furthermore, our findings indicate that most of the most influential institutions are located in developed countries. Moreover, our findings demonstrated that AI research primarily concentrated on comprehending the impact of AI-based instruction, with the majority of these studies taking place in engineering education between 2017 and 2020. We also noticed that research on medical education in higher education occurred between 2015 and 2017. In addition, before 2015, research used AI in medical education as a teaching method to implement problem-based learning in higher education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]