Comparison and evaluation of global publicly available bathymetry grids in the Arctic

In this study we evaluate the differences between six publicly available bathymetry grids in different regions of the Arctic. The independent, high-resolution and accuracy multibeam sonar derived grids are used as a ground truth against which the analyzed grids are compared. The specific bathymetry grids assessed, IBCAO, GEBCO 1 minute, GEBCO_08, ETOPO1, SRTM30_Plus, and Smith and Sandwell, are separated into two major Types: Type A, grids based solely on sounding data sources, and Type B, grids based on sounding data combined with gravity data. The differences were evaluated in terms of source data accuracy, depth accuracy, internal consistency, presence of artifacts, interpolation accuracy, registration issues and resolution of the coastline. These parameters were chosen as quality metrics important for the choice of the grid for any given purpose. We find that Type A bathymetry grids (in particular GEBCO_08) perform better than Type B grids in terms of internal consistency, and have higher accuracy in the different morphological provinces, especially the continental shelf, mainly due to the better source data coverage. Type B grids, on the other hand, have pronounced artifacts and have low accuracy on the shelf due to the scarcity of source data in the region and, in general, the poor performance of gravity prediction in shallow areas and high latitudes. Finally, we propose qualitative metrics that are important when choosing a bathymetry grid and support these metrics with a quality model to guide the choice of the most appropriate grid

Environmental Behavior of Youth and Sustainable Development

The relationship between people and nature is one of the most important current issues of human survival. This circumstance makes it necessary to educate young people who are receptive to global challenges and ready to solve the urgent problems of our time. The purpose of the article is to analyze the experience of the environmental behavior of young people in the metropolis. The authors studied articles and monographs that contain Russian and international experience in the environmental behavior of citizens. The following factors determine people’s behavior: the cognitive capabilities of people who determine the understanding and perception of nature and the value-affective component that determines the attitude towards nature. The next task of the study is surveying young people through an online survey and its analysis. The research was realized in Ekaterinburg, the administrative center of the Sverdlovsk region (Russia). The study of the current ecological situation in Ekaterinburg made it possible to conclude that the environmental problem arises not only and not simply as a problem of environmental pollution and other negative influences of human economic activity. This problem grows into transforming the spontaneous impact of society on nature into a consciously, purposefully, systematically developing harmonious interaction with it. The study results showed that, from the point of view of the youth of Ekaterinburg, the city’s ecological situation is one of the most pressing problems. Despite minor improvements over the past 3–5 years, this problem has not lost relevance, and regional authorities and city residents should be responsible for its solution. Young people know environmental practices, but they often do not apply them systematically. Ecological behavior is encouraged and discussed among friends/acquaintances. The key factors influencing the formation of environmental behavior practices are the mass media and social networks. The most popular social network for obtaining information on ecological practices among young people is Instagram, and the key persons are bloggers. This study did not reveal the influence of the socio-demographic characteristics of young people on the application of eco-behavior practices, which may indicate the need for a survey of a larger sample

Central nervous system mast cells in peripheral inflammatory nociception

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Functional aspects of mast cell-neuronal interactions remain poorly understood. Mast cell activation and degranulation can result in the release of powerful pro-inflammatory mediators such as histamine and cytokines. Cerebral dural mast cells have been proposed to modulate meningeal nociceptor activity and be involved in migraine pathophysiology. Little is known about the functional role of spinal cord dural mast cells. In this study, we examine their potential involvement in nociception and synaptic plasticity in superficial spinal dorsal horn. Changes of lower spinal cord dura mast cells and their contribution to hyperalgesia are examined in animal models of peripheral neurogenic and non-neurogenic inflammation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Spinal application of supernatant from activated cultured mast cells induces significant mechanical hyperalgesia and long-term potentiation (LTP) at spinal synapses of C-fibers. Lumbar, thoracic and thalamic preparations are then examined for mast cell number and degranulation status after intraplantar capsaicin and carrageenan. Intradermal capsaicin induces a significant percent increase of lumbar dural mast cells at 3 hours post-administration. Peripheral carrageenan in female rats significantly increases mast cell density in the lumbar dura, but not in thoracic dura or thalamus. Intrathecal administration of the mast cell stabilizer sodium cromoglycate or the spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) inhibitor BAY-613606 reduce the increased percent degranulation and degranulated cell density of lumbar dural mast cells after capsaicin and carrageenan respectively, without affecting hyperalgesia.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results suggest that lumbar dural mast cells may be sufficient but are not necessary for capsaicin or carrageenan-induced hyperalgesia.</p

Dissecting the Shared Genetic Architecture of Suicide Attempt, Psychiatric Disorders, and Known Risk Factors

Background Suicide is a leading cause of death worldwide, and nonfatal suicide attempts, which occur far more frequently, are a major source of disability and social and economic burden. Both have substantial genetic etiology, which is partially shared and partially distinct from that of related psychiatric disorders. Methods We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 29,782 suicide attempt (SA) cases and 519,961 controls in the International Suicide Genetics Consortium (ISGC). The GWAS of SA was conditioned on psychiatric disorders using GWAS summary statistics via multitrait-based conditional and joint analysis, to remove genetic effects on SA mediated by psychiatric disorders. We investigated the shared and divergent genetic architectures of SA, psychiatric disorders, and other known risk factors. Results Two loci reached genome-wide significance for SA: the major histocompatibility complex and an intergenic locus on chromosome 7, the latter of which remained associated with SA after conditioning on psychiatric disorders and replicated in an independent cohort from the Million Veteran Program. This locus has been implicated in risk-taking behavior, smoking, and insomnia. SA showed strong genetic correlation with psychiatric disorders, particularly major depression, and also with smoking, pain, risk-taking behavior, sleep disturbances, lower educational attainment, reproductive traits, lower socioeconomic status, and poorer general health. After conditioning on psychiatric disorders, the genetic correlations between SA and psychiatric disorders decreased, whereas those with nonpsychiatric traits remained largely unchanged. Conclusions Our results identify a risk locus that contributes more strongly to SA than other phenotypes and suggest a shared underlying biology between SA and known risk factors that is not mediated by psychiatric disorders.Peer reviewe

The choice of methods for modeling organizational and technological solutions in the construction of buildings and structures

An important task in the construction of buildings and structures is the choice of the most rational solutions in terms of organization and technology of construction production. Currently, the complexity and variety of organizational and technological decisions in the dynamics of the process of erecting buildings and structures for various purposes requires research. To this end, it is necessary to improve existing or develop new organizational and technological solutions, in conditions when the tasks are set to increase the growth in the volume of housing construction. The author is faced with the task of forming an integrated system that includes organizational and technological solutions, methods and assessment of the effectiveness of the study. It is assumed that the results of the study will be in demand by construction organizations to maintain competitiveness, paying attention to organizational and technological solutions, both at the stage of preparation and during construction. This will prevent losses, increase the effective functioning of construction organizations in the market, and strengthen their business reputation. Scientific novelty lies in the formation of parameters and their classification, methods of modeling organizational and technological solutions. To assess organizational and technological solutions, it is necessary to study methods and ways of measuring them. In the course of the research, an analysis of the methods widely used at present for the qualitative and quantitative assessment of organizational and technological solutions was carried out. Qualitative assessment methods make it possible to reveal the significance of certain factors of a phenomenon through the analysis of competent opinions. In the case of studying the influence of organizational and technological solutions on construction processes, there are no measurable physical parameters, objects inaccessible to perception and large volumes of statistical data. The article concludes that empirical, theoretical and quantitative methods are difficult for the research chosen by the author. Therefore, the author of this article chose the Monte Carlo method (MCM) as a research method - a group of numerical methods for studying random processes. Also, the work identified a vector for further research

Improvement of information stream in a procurement system : Case: Monolit Ltd

Information flow is a crucial objective in the international procurement. Optimized information transfer between involved supply chain parties provides a strategic opportunity to improve the managerial actions, an accurate maintain of inventory reply to changes in demand and decrease on spending logistics costs. The purpose of the presented study was to deter-mine, examine and clarify the information stream in all stages during purchasing activity of Russian manufacturer Monolit Ltd. Since company changed their international procurement sphere the focus of the following bachelor thesis was narrowed to Chinese suppliers. The main reason why Monolit had demanded on this research was the continuous problems occur-ring in information flow part during purchasing activity. For the creating of theoretical context subjects as supply chain, international procurement, business logistics, information flow in purchasing and supplier selection were examined. The research information was collected by primary methods as participation, observation and in-depth interviewing as well as document reviewing. These methods provided the most information for empirical examination. As a result, information flow was examined and presented through stages of procurement cycle of case company. Occurred problems during purchasing activity were introduced. Ac-cording to the theoretical concepts and with the base on company’s needs development ideas how to diminish dilemmas in international cooperation were formulated and suggested

Transcriptional regulation of mast cell development and function

Mastzellen spielen eine wichtige Rolle im Rahmen von Typ I Überempfindlichkeitsreaktionen bei Menschen und in Mausmodellen, weshalb ihre Aktivität streng reguliert werden muss. Darum ist es wichtig, sowohl Signalwege als auch transkriptionelle Netzwerke zu verstehen, die an der Kontrolle von Mastzellentwicklung und aktivierung beteiligt sind. Der klassische Weg der Mastzellaktivierung wird durch das Crosslinking von IgE-gebundenen FceRI initiiert, wodurch es zu einer schnellen Sekretion von vorgebildeten Mediatoren wie Histamin, Prostaglandinen und beta-hexoaminidase kommt, gefolgt von einer de novo Synthese und der Freisetzung von Zytokinen, Chemokinen und Wachstumsfaktoren. Frühere Studien konnten den Transkriptionsfaktor MAZR mit der Regulation der Genexpression in Mastzellen in Verbindung bringen. MAZR ist ein Transkriptionsfaktor, dessen Rolle in T-Zellen, aber nicht in anderen hämatopoietischen Zellen bekannt ist. Ziel meiner Dissertation war die Hypothese zu überprüfen, dass MAZR die Mastzellfunktion reguliert. Um diese Frage zu beantworten, analysierte ich Mäuse mit einer Defizienz von MAZR in hämatopoietischen Zellen (Vav-iCre). MAZR-defiziente, aus Knochenmark entwickelte Mastzellen (BMMC) waren phänotypisch nicht von Wildtypzellen zu unterschieden, obgleich die Anzahl von IL-3 abhängigen MazrF/FVav-iCre BMMCs im Vergleich zu MazrF/F BMMCs geringer war. Dies legt nahe, dass MAZR eine Rolle in der Generierung von BMMCs in vitro spielt. Eine Genexpressionsanalyse in nicht aktivierten BMMCs zeigte, dass in Abwesenheit von MAZR 128 Gene dysreguliert sind, wobei mehr Gene hochreguliert werden, was auf eine Rolle von MAZR als transkriptioneller Repressor hinweist. Unter den hochregulierten Genen befanden sich die Chemokine Ccl5, Cxcl10, Cxcl12, der Chemokin Rezeptor Ccr5 und das Zytokin Il18, was für eine Rolle von MAZR in der Immunregulation in Mastzellen spricht. ^Überexpression von MAZR in MAZR-defizienten BMMCs konnte das veränderte Expressionsmuster wieder rückgängig machen, was darauf hinweist, dass einige der Gene direkt von MAZR reguliert werden. Nach FceRI Stimulierung wurde MAZR in BMMCs transient herunterreguliert. Frühe und späte Effektorfunktionen waren jedoch in Abwesenheit von MAZR nicht beeinträchtigt, ausgenommen IL-6, dessen Freisetzung leicht verringert war. Zusammenfassend ziegen unsere Daten, dass MAZR vornehmlich als transkriptioneller Repressor in Mastzellen wirkt, aber nur eine geringe Rolle in den transkriptionellen Netzwerken spielt, die frühe und späte Effektorfunktionen in Mastzellen regulieren.Mast cells have an important role in type I hypersensitivity reactions in humans and mice, and as such their activity has to be strictly controlled and it is important to understand both signaling as well transcriptional networks involved in the control of mast cells differentiation and activation. The classical pathway of mast cell activation follows the crosslinking of IgE-bound FceRI by the cognate antigen, leading to rapid secretion of pre-formed mediators such as histamine, prostaglandins and beta-hexoaminidase, followed by de novo synthesis and release of cytokines, chemokines and growth factors. Previous studies implicated the transcription factor MAZR in the regulation of gene expression in mast cells. MAZR is a newly identified transcription factor, which was shown to have a role in T cells, but little is known about the role of MAZR in other hematopoietic cell lineages. The aim of my PhD thesis was to test the hypothesis that MAZR regulates mast cell function. In order to address this question, I analyzed mice with a hematopoietic cell lineage-specific deletion of MAZR (Vav-iCre). MAZR-null BM-derived mast cells (BMMC) were phenotypically indistinguishable from their wild-type counterparts, although the numbers of IL-3 generated MazrF/FVav-iCre BMMCs were reduced in comparison to MazrF/F BMMCs, indicating that MAZR is required for the efficient generation of BMMC in vitro. A gene expression analysis in non-activated BMMCs revealed that in the absence of MAZR 128 genes are dysregulated, with more genes up- than down-regulated in MAZR-null BMMCs, suggesting a transcriptional repressor function of MAZR in mast cells. The up-regulated genes included chemokines Ccl5, Cxcl10, Cxcl12, chemokine receptor Ccr5 and cytokine Il18, indicating an immunoregulatory role of MAZR in mast cells. ^Enforced expression of MAZR in mature Mazr-deficient BMMCs rescued the altered expression pattern of several genes tested, indicating that some of the genes are regulated by MAZR directly. Upon Fc&#949;RI stimulation, Mazr expression was transiently down-regulated in BMMCs. However, early and late effector functions in response to FceRI-mediated stimulation were not impaired in the absence of MAZR, with the exception of IL-6, the release of which was slightly decreased. Taken together, our data indicate that MAZR preferentially acts as a transcriptional repressor in mast cells, however it plays only a minor role in the transcriptional networks that regulate early and late effector functions in mast cells in response to Fc&#949;RI stimulation.submitted by Anastasia AbramovaAbweichender Titel laut Übersetzung der Verfasserin/des VerfassersZsfassung in dt. SpracheWien, Med. Univ., Diss., 2013OeB

The linkage between innovation and labour market performance: some empirical evidence from the Nordic region

It is common knowledge that innovations are the drivers of economic growth. However, the direct relationship between innovation and socio-economic performance is questionable. In the article, we examine the linkage between innovation performance, measured by the Summary innovation index, and labour market indicators in Nordic countries, being the leaders of innovation performance and welfare states at the same time. The study shows that employment is growing among people with higher education with the improvement of innovation performance. At the same time, there is a large share of unemployed among low-skilled workers, which also tends to grow. The causality test analysis between Summary Innovation Index and labour statistics by Granger test for panel data does not reveal the causal relationships

On the rare species biology of the genus

The article represents a comparison of rare species morphometric indicators and seed productivity of the genus Iris in the South Urals. It’s shown that I. scariosa, I. humilis and I. pseudacorus habitus deteriorate and seed productivity decreases under culture conditions, but I. pumila samples in culture outstrip plants in natural habitats. I. pumila is promising for cultivation in the South Ural regio