STRUCTURE FORMATION PROCESS OF HYDRATED PORTLAND CEMENT COMPOSITIONS: NANOSCALE LEVEL CONTROL

Durability of cement-like construction materials, as well as durability of cement stone, depends on their humidity resistance, frost resistance, corrosion resistance. All of these properties depend not only on the composition of the original clinker, but also on structural organization at micro-and nanoscale level of hydrated portland cement compositions. In this research the authors used the method of small-angle neutron scattering to define structural parameters of hydrated portland cement compositions on nanoscale level, distribution of calcium hydrate silicate nanoparticles in size, medium nanoparticles radius, fractal dimension. It is shown, that introduction of modifying nanoadditives into portland cement compositions affects structural parameters of a cement stone. The following nanoadditives were used: of artificial (alpha aluminium oxide, gamma aluminum oxide) and of anthropogenic (carbonate and alumo-alkaline sludges) origin, as well as integrated nanoadditives containing surfactants. The change in structural parameters of portland cement compositions with nanoadditives in the process of hydration is investigated. It is shown that use of nanoadditives allows to control the process of forming the structure of hydrated portland cement composition on the nanoscale level, directly affect the values of structural parameters and, as a result, modify properties of cement stone

Future physical education teachers’ marketing business motivations survey

Objective of the study was to survey marketing business motivations of future physical education teacher

Molecular characteristics of mismatch repair genes in sporadic colorectal tumors in Czech patients

BACKGROUND: Mismatch repair (MMR) genes are known to be frequently altered in colorectal cancer (CRC). Both genetics and epigenetics modifications seems to be relevant in this phenomenon, however it is still not clear how these two aspects are interconnected. The present study aimed at characterizing of epigenetic and gene expression profiles of MMR genes in sporadic CRC patients from the Czech Republic, a country with one of the highest incidences of this cancer all over Europe. METHODS: Expression levels and CpG promoter methylation status of all MMR genes were evaluated in DNA from tumor and adjacent mucosal samples of 53 incident CRC patients. RESULTS: We have found significantly increased transcription levels in EXO1 gene in tumor tissues (P = 0.05) and significant over-expression of MSH3 gene in colon tumors when compared to adjacent mucosal tissues (P = 0.02). Interestingly, almost all MMR genes were differently expressed when localization of tumors was compared. In particular, colon tumors showed an up-regulation of EXO1, MSH2, MSH3, MSH6, and PMS2 genes in comparison to rectal tumors (P = 0.02). Expression levels of all MMR genes positively correlated between each other. The promoter methylation of MLH1 gene was observed in 9% of CRC tissues only. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, we have observed different pattern of MMR genes expression according to tumor localization. However, a lack of association between methylation in MMR genes and their corresponding expressions was noticed in this study, the relationship between these two aspects is worthy to be analyzed in larger population studies and in pre-malignant stages

Morphological and phylogenetic features of the Crimean population of <i>Juniperus deltoids</i> R.P. Adams

Juniperus deltoides is a relict species from the Tertiary Period. It is a typical representative of the Mediterranean group of the section Juniperus. It is included in the Red Books of the Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. Until recently, it was believed that a population of J. oxycedrus grew in Crimea. Currently, J. deltoides is described as a cryptic species, morphologically difficult to distinguish from J. oxycedrus. As a result, it became necessary to conduct a series of detailed studies to determine the morphological and phylogenetic features of the Crimean cryptic population in order to identify it as being one of the species of the cryptic pair. The studies were carried out in two stages: at the first stage, the morphological features of the vegetative and generative organs and their difference from J. oxycedrus were determined; the second stage included genetic research. The length of the needles of the Crimean population is 12.94 ± 0.19 mm, which corresponds to the Eastern Italian population of J. deltoides. At the same time, the width of the needles is 1.39 ± 0.02 mm, which is typical of the Portuguese population of J. oxycedrus. The dimensions of the cones are d1 (conditional height) = 7.54 ± 0.14 mm, and d2 (conditional width) = 9.11 ± 0.09 mm, which is more in line with J. deltoides. The shapes of the cones are very diverse. Some individuals have cones, the covering scales of which are visually indistinguishable, and their tops are completely fused. A similar phenomenon is characteristic of the Western Mediterranean populations of J. oxycedrus. Morphological analysis of the vegetative and generative organs of J. deltoides showed that when these two traits are combined, it is not possible to reliably distinguish between J. deltoides and J. oxycedrus individuals. Nuclear (ITS internal transcribed spacer) and chloroplast (petN-psbM, trnS-trnG) non-coding regions of the genome were used for genetic analysis. Studies have shown that the nuclear regions of genes have greater variability than chloroplast regions. The sequences obtained in this work formed a clade with J. deltoides samples 9430 and 9431 (BAYLU) growing in Turkey, which makes it possible to assign the samples studied to J. deltoides

Fine-tuning of Silica Coating Procedure for Preparation of Biocompatible and Bright Pbs/Sio2 Qds

Near-infrared semiconductor PbS quantum dots (QDs) with emission in biological transparency window are promising material for in vivo biolabelling and deep-tissue imaging of biological specimen. Among various approaches that render initially hydrophobic and toxic QDs biocompatible, the growth of a silica shell on the QD surface represents an efficient method to minimize QD toxicity. Nevertheless, it is important to preserve QDs emission properties after the silica coating procedure. Here we report on the optimal parameters of this procedure which allow to obtain a stable silica shell and maintain the optical properties of initial PbS QDs. Furthermore, we show that PbS QDs with the optimal SiO2 shell retain their luminescence quantum yield even after condensation into a solid film. Thus, our procedure can become a basis in development of bright, receptor-targeted NIR fluorescent probes for in vivo tumor imaging. Keywords: quantum dot, SiO2 shell, bioimagin

The development of radio and 3G based telemetry system for the remote gas accounting and control nodes

In this article we have described the use of vortex and recently developed ultrasonic flowmeters with high dynamic range of 1 to 1500 for industrial applications. Its software and the software of corresponding computing device is able to avoid gas leakage, to minimize energy consumption and to save human resources while maintaining metrological data. Described is the low power consumption that makes it possible to use this ultrasonic flowmeter in hard remote environment without direct management for a period of several month

Evaluation of students hostel conditions by students of pharmacy

The article presents and discusses the Pharmaceutical students survey’s results of all courses from the first to the fifth who live in the hostels of the Ural State Medical University.В статье приводятся и обсуждаются результаты анкетирования студентов фармацевтического факультета, обучающихся на 1-5 курсах и проживающих в корпусах общежитий Уральского государственного медицинского университета

Поведение радионуклида 106Ru в водных растворах при центрофугировании, ультрафильтрации и ионном обмене

The paper presents the results of 106Ru radionuclide behavior regularities study in aqueous solutions in a wide pH range by ultrafiltration, ion exchange and centrifugation methods. The regions of 106Ru various species existence in solution have been established: cationic 106Ru species at pH &lt; 3.5; the transition region of non-ionic species formation in the range of pH 3.5–4.2 and the region of non-ionic species predominant formation at pH &gt; 4.2. A characteristic feature of the studied solutions is the formation of non-ionic particles by microconcentrations of 106Ru via pseudocolloids at lower pH values as compared to ruthenium solutions with a concentration of 10-6–10-4 mol/dm3. The established regularities of the behavior of ruthenium radionuclides can be utilized to increase the efficiency of ion exchange and membrane separation methods at nuclear and radiation facilities for technological solutions and liquid radioactive waste treatment.Представлены результаты изучения закономерности поведения радионуклида 106Ru в водных растворах в широком интервале рН методами ультрафильтрации, ионного обмена и центрифугирования. Установлены области существования различных форм 106Ru в растворе: катионные формы 106Ru существуют при рН &lt; 3,5; переходная область формирования неионных форм находится в интервале рН 3,5–4,2 и область преимущественного образования неионных форм при рН &gt; 4,2. Характерной особенностью изученных растворов является образование рутением-106 концентрацией 10-11 моль/дм3 неионных частиц за счет псевдоколлоидообразования при более низких значениях рН по сравнению с растворами рутения в концентрации 10-6–10-4 моль/дм3. Установленные закономерности поведения радионуклидов рутения могут быть использованы для повышения эффективности способов ионного обмена и мембранного разделения при очистке технологических растворов и жидких радиоактивных отходов, образующихся на ядерных и радиационных объектах

Ecological Features of Pollen Dispersal in Populations of Pinus brutia var. pityusa (Steven) Silba Mountain Crimea

Вылет и распространение пыльцы является важнейшим этапом репродуктивного цикла различных видов анемофильных растений и играет существенную роль в процессах естественного воспроизводства их природных популяций. Ее качественные и количественные характеристики определяют эффективность формирования семян, стабильность смены поколений и поддержания внутривидового разнообразия. В работе приведены результаты исследований особенностей распространения пыльцы в связи с динамикой условий произрастания в природных популяциях P. brutia var. pityusa Горного Крыма. При проведении исследований использовали методы таксации и фенологических наблюдений. Выявлены некоторые особенности прохождения фенофазы пыления в западной и восточной части распространения P. brutia var. pityusa в Горном Крыму. Установлено, что в природных популяциях P. brutia var. pityusa Горного Крыма начало высыпания и распространения пыльцы происходит в конце апреля – начале мая. В западных территориях произрастания этот процесс начинается раньше в сравнении с восточными. Выявлено изменение фенофазы пыления с увеличением высоты местопроизрастания древостоев, в верхнем поясе она наступает позже и увеличивается по продолжительности. Сумма активных температур выше 5° в период начала пыления в прибрежной зоне произрастания P. brutia var. pityusa в западных территориях изменяется в пределах 467°– 493°, в восточных варьирует от 418° до 439°. На основе анализа многолетних данных выявлены тенденции повышения среднемесячных температур весеннего периода. Общий рост среднемесячной температуры апреля в течение 190 лет в западных территориях проведения наблюдений составил 1,3°, в восточных этот показатель за 140 лет увеличился на 2,0°. Значительное изменение температурного режима во временных масштабах, сопоставимых с продолжительностью жизни отдельных деревьев, оказывает влияние на состояние и демографическую структуру популяций. Дальнейший рост температур может вызвать фенологическую дивергенцию – смещение во времени биоэкологических оптимумов лета пыльцы и рецептивной фазы женской шишки на неопределенный срок, что снижает возможности реализации последующих этапов репродуктивного цикла. С учетом данных явлений наиболее кризисная ситуация в настоящее время складывается в восточной части природных популяций P. brutia var. pityusa Горного КрымаPollen emission and dispersal is the major stage of the reproductive cycle of anemophilous plants critical for sustaining their natural populations. Qualitative and quantitative characteristics of pollen determine the efficiency of seed formation, stability of generational change and maintenance of intraspecific diversity. This paper studies the process of pollen flight in connection with the dynamics of growth conditions in natural populations of P. brutia var. pityusa in the Crimean Mountains. Methods of forest inventory and phenological observations were used. Some features of the pollen emission phenophase in the western and eastern coastal habitats of P. brutia var. pityusa in the Crimean Mountains were revealed. It has been established that in the natural populations of P. brutia var. pityusa in the Crimean Mountains, the onset of pollination occurs in late April – early May. In the western areas, this process begins earlier in comparison with the eastern ones. It was revealed that the pollination phenophase changes with an increase in the altitude of the forest stands; in the upper zone, it occurs later and increases in duration. The sum of active temperatures above 5° at the beginning of P. brutia var. pityusa pollination in its coastal growth area varies within 467°–493° in the western territories, and from 418° to 439° in the eastern territories. Based on the analysis of the long-term data on average monthly temperatures in spring, trends to their increase were revealed. The total increase in the average monthly temperature in April was 1.3° in the western territories based on 190 years of observations, and in the eastern territories this parameter has increased by 2.0° over 140 years. A significant change in the temperature regimen within a lifespan of individual trees affects the state and demographic structure of populations. A further increase in temperature can cause phenological divergence – a shift of the bioecological optimums of pollen flight and the receptive phase of the female cone for an unpredictable time period, which reduces the chances of implementing the subsequent stages of the reproductive cycle. Taking into account these phenomena, a critical situation is currently developing in the eastern part of the natural populations of P. brutia var. pityusa in the Crimean Mountain