Ecophysiological features of Larix sibirica in urban ecosystems of the Kola north in the railway influence zone

For the first time, a study of the ecophysiological features of the introduced Larix sibirica (middle-aged plantations old 40-50 years) was carried out at a tree nursery and railway stations in four cities in the Kola Subarctic. Content of photosynthetic pigments (per fresh weight) ranged 1185 – 1894 μg·g-1 (chlorophyll a), 377 – 666 μg·g-1 (chlorophyll b), and 256 – 387 μg·g-1 (carotenoids). Exception was found for the specimens from Murmansk (significantly higher) and Olenegorsk (significantly lower values). High content of Fe was found in needles (1865 – 4278 mg·kg-1), however, it did not lead to any damage or abnormalities in the development of Larix sibirica. A close positive correlation was shown between the Fe and Mn contents (r = 0.91). Ni and Cu content in needles increased in all cities from 3 to 8 times in comparison with the background, Pb content increased only in the cities of Apatity and Olenegorsk (2–4 times). The amount of Cd and Zn was found within the optimal range. This study revealed the negative effects of the main pollutants (Ni, Cu, and Pb from the mining industry) on chlorophyll a (r = -0.81) and carotenoids (r = -0.70)

Photosynthetic pigments in herbaceous plants on the territory of Railway Stations in the Kola Peninsula cities

For the first time, a study on photosynthetic pigments found in native (Chamaenerion angustifolium (L.) Scop., Taraxacum officinale F. H. Wigg) and introduced herbaceous plants (Primula elatior (L.) Hill, Trollius asiaticus L.) growing in subarctic regions is presented. Plant species were collected close to railway stations in five cities of the Kola Subarctic (Murmansk, Olenegorsk, Apatity, Polyarnye Zori, Kandalaksha). The leaves for pigment analysis were collected at comparable times during the growing season of plants. In the leaves of Ch. angustifolium, the content of pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoids) was higher than in T. officinale (except Murmansk). In T. asiaticus the content of photosynthetic pigments was comparable to native species. P. elatior was inferior to other species in terms of the content of chlorophyll b and carotenoids. In the leaves of T. asiaticus on the territory of the railway stations Polyarnye Zori and Kandalaksha, shifts in the ratio of the main groups of pigments were noted. Application of maximum permissible concentrations Ni, Cu, Cd, Pb for comparison with the actual content of the pollutants in soils of railway stations showed that the soils contaminated only by Ni and Cu (3-6 times), with a maximum in Olenegorsk. Low soil contamination with Pb was found only in Kandalaksha. The impact of soil pollution with heavy metals on native species was not revealed. For introduced species, a weak non-significant positive relationship was found (r = 0.56). A high correlation coefficient was obtained for the total content of chlorophylls in the leaves of T. asiaticus (r = 0.83) and P. elatior (r = 0.89) in Kandalaksha, caused by the content of nitrogenous compounds in the soil associated with the use of fertilizers in the flower garden

Сравнение подходов к реализации образовательных программ по направлению "бизнес-информатика" в России и Германии

Business informatics is a relatively young academic discipline. During the last years several efforts have been made to compare the German discipline Wirtschaftsinformatik with the Anglo-American sister discipline information systems. However, these studies have mainly focused on research activities; they have not attempted to compare curricula in both disciplines. With the change of the political and economic system in the former Soviet Union and the introduction of courses of studies in business informatics in Russia it may be helpful to compare the German with the Russian approach to teaching business informatics. The objective of this paper is to compare bachelor studies in business informatics at selected universities in Russia and Germany. This paper contains the outline of the history of business informatics as a scientific discipline in Russia and Germany, a description of professional organizations, standards, and guidelines relevant for business informatics in both countries. Special attention is given to an overview of students studying business informatics, a description of time scales and grading scales and the structure of teaching plans in Russia and Germany. The paper contains the explanation of the method used to analyze and compare bachelor studies at ten German and ten Russian universities. Findings of the analysis concern details of bachelor studies in business informatics at German and Russian universities and highlight similarities and differences

Rheological, physicochemical, and microstructural properties of asphalt binder modified by fumed silica nanoparticles

Warm mix asphalt (WMA) is gaining increased attention in the asphalt paving industry as an eco-friendly and sustainable technology. WMA technologies are favorable in producing asphalt mixtures at temperatures 20–60 °C lower in comparison to conventional hot mix asphalt. This saves non-renewable fossil fuels, reduces energy consumption, and minimizes vapors and greenhouse gas emissions in the production, placement and conservation processes of asphalt mixtures. At the same time, this temperature reduction must not reduce the performance of asphalt pavements in-field. Low aging resistance, high moisture susceptibility, and low durability are generally seen as substantial drawbacks of WMA, which can lead to inferior pavement performance, and increased maintenance costs. This is partly due to the fact that low production temperature may increase the amount of water molecules trapped in the asphalt mixture. As a potential remedy, here we use fumed silica nanoparticles (FSN) have shown excellent potential in enhancing moisture and aging susceptibility of asphalt binders. In this study, asphalt binder modification by means of FSN was investigated, considering the effects of short-term and long-term aging on the rheological, thermal, and microstructural binder properties. This research paves the way for optimizing WMA by nanoparticles to present enhanced green asphalt technology

Identifying relationships between kinesiophobia, functional level, mobility, and pain in older adults after surgery

Background: Further data on the causes of functional independence or disability after surgery are needed to explain the clinical decision-making process for older patients, their families, and policy-makers. There are a limited number of studies showing the relationship between kinesiophobia, functional status, pain and mobility in older adults after surgery. Aims: The study aims to investigate relationships among kinesiophobia, pain, mobility, and functional status in older adults after surgery. Methods: A comparative–descriptive and cross-sectional study. The research was conducted with 99 older adults in the general surgery clinic after surgery. A Visual Analogue Scale was used to evaluate pain levels, the Standardized Mini-Mental State Examination to evaluate mental function status, the Functional Independence Measure to assess functional independence in daily activities, the Rivermead Mobility Index to evaluate basic mobility in daily life, and the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia to assess fear of mobility. Results: Regression analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between social security and kinesiophobia, and also between functional level and type of anesthesia and mental status in older women (R2 = ? 0.185, p = 0.005; R2 = ? 0.167, p = 0.011 and p = 0.005, respectively). Discussion: In the literature, there are no standardized procedures during the evaluation and rehabilitation of older adults after abdominal or thoracic surgery, etc. operations. This study will contribute to the current literature by attracting interest in this field and increasing the evaluations performed. Conclusions: The study findings emphasize the importance of evaluating the functional, mobility, mental and kinesiophobic status of older adults after surgery in clinics, rehabilitation centers, or research. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.2-s2.0-8511847134

Seasonal variation in reproductive activity and biochemical composition of flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) in the Homa Lagoon, Izmir Bay, Turkey [Variación estacional de la actividad reproductiva y de la composición bioquímica de ostra plana (Ostrea edulis) en Homa Lagoon, bahía de Izmir, Turquía]

The reproductive cycle of the flat oyster, Ostrea edulis Linnaeus, 1758, in Homa Lagoon, Izmir Bay, Turkey was examined from August 2008 to July 2009. Gonad samples were analysed histologically in order to determine the sex ratio and gonad development stage. Overall, the sex ratio was recorded as 2.2% female, 42.6% male, 37% hermaphrodite and 17.9% inactive. Glycogen content showed considerable variations between August and February, but decreased gradually thereafter. However, glycogen did not directly affect the reproductive cycle. Total lipid content was positively correlated with temperature and inversely correlated with salinity. In addition, this parameter was influenced by the reproductive activity, which is correlated with the fluctuation of the condition index and gonad index (P<0.05). However, the relationship between the protein index and the gonad index was negative (P<0.05). The results of this study showed that protein was the major energy resource. The condition index varied between 2.69±0.91 (February) and 12.29±1.45 (April) during the year. With respect to meat yield, oyster quality changed from “fine” to “special”, except in December and February. © 2015 CSIC

Combinatorial usage of sumac unriped fruit extract (Rhus Coriaria) and tannic acid enhanced synergistic anti-angiogenic effect on chick chorioallantoic membrane assay

Rhus coriaria (sumac) naturally grows worldwide and contains many phytochemicals. Tannic acid is frequently used for treating medical conditions. The aim of this study is to determine the synergistic effects of methanolic and acetonic extracts of Rhus coriaria's from unriped fruits in combination with tannic acid on angiogenesis by using the Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane (CAM) assay. The effects of methanol and acetone extracts of Sumac (MES and AES, respectively, at a final concentration of 5 mg/mL for both) and tannic acid (Tan 1.25 and 5 mg/mL) alone or in combination were examined for their effect on angiogenesis by applying the CAM assay. CAM assay results showed that AES is more effective than MES on suppressing angiogenesis. Tannic acid started to show antiangiogenic effects at the concentration of 5 mg/ mL. When AES and tannic acid were used in combination at a dose of 5 mg/mL each, a very strong antiangiogenic effect was observed (score; 1.1±0.131, p<0.001). The combinatorial usage of AES and tannic acid may result in strong suppression of angiogenesis, an effect that is shown in this study for the first time. Based on this observation, combinatorial usage of sumac extracts and tannic acid could be promising as a new antiangiogenic therapy. © 2021 Istanbul University. All rights reserved

Assessment of Soil Heavy Metal Pollution by Land Use Zones in Small Towns of the Industrialized Arctic Region, Russia

The European part of the Arctic zone of Russia is one of the most industrially developed regions with a high level of urbanization and many mining enterprises. Soil pollution of different land use zones (parks, urban forests, traffic zones) in three small towns of Murmansk region of Russia (Monchegorsk, Apatity, Kirovsk, population 26–55 thousand people) was studied. Agricultural and background zones near Apatity were also investigated. The total content of heavy metals (HM) (Ni, Cu, Co, Pb, Zn, Mn), the content of acid-soluble (0.2 N HCl extracted), and water-soluble metal fractions (deionized water), hot-water extracted organic matter, and organic carbon were analyzed. Murmansk region has an increased regional background for heavy metals due to the functioning of non-ferrous enterprises. HM content in agricultural soils corresponded to the regional background. The total pollution index (Zc) had the maximal values for Monchegorsk (17–37), which is situated near the Cu/Ni smelter. In Apatity, only soils of the dividing lane had a similar pollution level (17–26), but it was likely related to the not local origin of sand. Soils of different land-use categories in Apatity and Kirovsk have a high share of acid-soluble metals fraction in their total content: Pb (up to 54%) and Zn (up to 47%); in Monchegorsk - Ni (up to 48%), Pb (up to 67%), Zn (up to 80%) and especially Cu (up to 99%), which indicates the anthropogenic origin of these elements. About 1% of the water-soluble fraction of heavy metals in the studied soils was found. Organic matter played a significant role as a geochemical barrier for metal fixing in urban soils. At the same time, the deposition of metals did not have a significant effect on the content of hot-water extracted organic matter as an indicator of the microbial community state. The lowest content of readily available carbon and nitrogen was observed in the areas with young vegetation cover. The preservation of natural green areas and the maintenance of high-quality vegetation cover and urban soils are necessary actions not only for the aesthetic appeal of cities in the Far North, but also to reduce an anthropogenic load on urban ecosystems. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG