Derivation of the Gutenberg-Richter Empirical Formula from the Solution of the Generalized Logistic Equation

We have written a new equation to study the statistics of earthquake distributions. We call this equation "the generalized logistic equation". The Gutenberg-Richter frequency-magnitude formula was derived from the solution of the generalized logistic equation as an asymptotic case in approximation of large magnitudes. To illustrate how the found solution of the generalized logistic equation works, it was used to approximate the observed cumulative distribution of earthquakes in four different geological provinces: the Central Atlantic (40N-25N, 5W-35W), Canary Islands, Magellan Mountains (20N-9S, 148E-170E), and the Sea of Japan. This approximation showed the excellent fit between the theoretical curves and observed data for earthquake magnitudes 1<m<9.Comment: 10 pages, 2 figures, 1 table, 8 references. Submitted to Natural Science, Earthquakes special issu

О теоретических основах аэролимнологии: изучение пресных водоемов и прибрежных территорий с применением воздушных робототехнических средств

Интеграция методологического базиса нескольких разных наук при междисциплинарных исследованиях является характерной чертой новых механизмов решения современных прикладных задач. Формируемые теоретические основы аэролимнологии, как нового научного направления, рассматриваются с точки зрения вклада в нее трех ключевых наук: лимнологии, информатики и робототехники. Приведены классификации методов и способов лимнологических исследований, воздушных робототехнических средств, информационных технологий, перспективных для решения задач в области аэролимнологии. Задача научного направления аэролимнологии формулируется как изучение возможностей и ограничений комбинированных способов дистанционного сенсорного измерения, роботизированного пробоотбора и аналитического исследования параметров экосистем пресных водоемов для мониторинга и предсказания динамики их развития. Среди основных направлений аэролимнологических исследований выделены: построение ортофотопланов и фотограмметрических пространственных моделей рельефа дна и отдельных элементов донного ландшафта и прибрежной зоны разного масштаба; геолого-геофизическое картирование подводной части береговой зоны; изучение фитопланктона, в частности «цветения» воды, вызванного цианобактериями; исследование распределения и миграций крупных представителей гидрофауны; изучение температурных полей и процессов перераспределения водных масс. Обсуждаются ограничения, накладываемые на использование беспилотных летательных аппаратов (БпЛА) при пробоотборе и мониторинге прибрежных водных территорий, прежде всего погодно-климатические, временные, пространственные, технические. Преимущество использования беспилотных летательных аппаратов в аэролимнологии обосновывается увеличением скорости получения данных, возможностью подлета к труднодоступным и территориально удаленным объектам, снижением влияния человеческого фактора. Научная новизна представленного исследования состоит в попытке интеграции междисциплинарных знаний при использовании беспилотных летательных аппаратов и обработке полученных данных на основе технологий искусственного интеллекта при изучении лимнологических объектов и процессов. Отмечается важная роль геоинформационных систем и приводятся примеры карт типизации берегов и геоморфологии Ладожского озера, размещенные на сайте Центра коллективного пользования научным оборудованием «Северо-Западный центр мониторинга и прогнозирования развития территорий» СПБ ФИЦ РАН. Рассматриваются основные этапы методологии проведения аэролимнологических исследований с применением междисциплинарных подходов на основе лимнологии, информатики и робототехнических средств, функционирующих в разных средах

?ccr5 Genotype Is Associated with Mild Form of Nephropathia Epidemica

Nephropathia Epidemica (NE), a mild form of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and linked to hantavirus infection, is endemic in the Republic of Tatarstan. Several genetic markers of HFRS severity have been identified previously, including human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complexes and nucleotide polymorphism in the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) gene. Still, our understanding of the genetic markers of NE severity remains incomplete. The frequency of the C–C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5) gene wild type and gene with 32-base-pair deletion (Δ32CCR5) genotypes in 98 NE samples and 592 controls was analyzed using PCR. Along with the serum levels of 94 analytes, a lack of differences in the CCR5 genotype distribution between NE cases and the general population suggests that the CCR5 genotype does not affect susceptibility to hantavirus infection. However, in NE cases, significant variation in the serum levels of the host matrix metalloproteases between functional CCR5 homozygous and Δ32CCR5 heterozygous patients was detected. Also, the oliguric phase was longer, while thrombocyte counts were lower in functional CCR5 homozygous as compared to heterozygous NE cases. Our data, for the first time, presents the potential role of the CCR5 receptor genotype in NE pathogenesis. Our data suggests that NE pathogenesis in functional CCR5 homozygous and heterozygous NE patients differs, where homozygous cases may have more disintegration of the extracellular matrix and potentially more severe disease

High Triglycerides Are Associated with Low Thrombocyte Counts and High VEGF in Nephropathia Epidemica

Nephropathia epidemica (NE) is a mild form of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. Several reports have demonstrated a severe alteration in lipoprotein metabolism. However, little is known about changes in circulating lipids in NE. The objectives of this study were to evaluate changes in serum total cholesterol, high density cholesterol (HDCL), and triglycerides. In addition to evaluation of serum cytokine activation associations, changes in lipid profile and cytokine activation were determined for gender, thrombocyte counts, and VEGF. Elevated levels of triglycerides and decreased HDCL were observed in NE, while total cholesterol did not differ from controls. High triglycerides were associated with both the lowest thrombocyte counts and high serum VEGF, as well as a high severity score. Additionally, there were higher levels of triglycerides in male than female NE patients. Low triglycerides were associated with upregulation of IFN-γ and IL-12, suggesting activation of Th1 helper cells. Furthermore, levels of IFN-γ and IL-12 were increased in patients with lower severity scores, suggesting that a Th1 type immune response is playing protective role in NE. These combined data advance the understanding of NE pathogenesis and indicate a role for high triglycerides in disease severity

The mRubyFT Protein, Genetically Encoded Blue-to-Red Fluorescent Timer.

peer reviewedGenetically encoded monomeric blue-to-red fluorescent timers (mFTs) change their fluorescent color over time. mCherry-derived mFTs were used for the tracking of the protein age, visualization of the protein trafficking, and labeling of engram cells. However, the brightness of the blue and red forms of mFTs are 2-3- and 5-7-fold dimmer compared to the brightness of the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). To address this limitation, we developed a blue-to-red fluorescent timer, named mRubyFT, derived from the bright mRuby2 red fluorescent protein. The blue form of mRubyFT reached its maximum at 5.7 h and completely transformed into the red form that had a maturation half-time of 15 h. Blue and red forms of purified mRubyFT were 4.1-fold brighter and 1.3-fold dimmer than the respective forms of the mCherry-derived Fast-FT timer in vitro. When expressed in mammalian cells, both forms of mRubyFT were 1.3-fold brighter than the respective forms of Fast-FT. The violet light-induced blue-to-red photoconversion was 4.2-fold less efficient in the case of mRubyFT timer compared to the same photoconversion of the Fast-FT timer. The timer behavior of mRubyFT was confirmed in mammalian cells. The monomeric properties of mRubyFT allowed the labeling and confocal imaging of cytoskeleton proteins in live mammalian cells. The X-ray structure of the red form of mRubyFT at 1.5 Å resolution was obtained and analyzed. The role of the residues from the chromophore surrounding was studied using site-directed mutagenesis

Ribosomal DNA clusters and telomeric (TTAGG)n repeats in blue butterflies (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae) with low and high chromosome numbers

Volume: 9Start Page: 161End Page: 17

AN INTERACTIVE METHOD OF ANATOMICAL SEGMENTATION AND GENE EXPRESSION ESTIMATION FOR AN EXPERIMENTAL MOUSE BRAIN SLICE

Abstract. We consider the problem of statistical analysis of gene expression in a mouse brain during cognitive processes. In particular we focus on the problems of anatomical segmentation of a histological brain slice and estimation of slice&apos;s gene expression level. The first problem is solved by interactive registration of an experimental brain slice into 3D brain model constructed using Allen Brain Atlas. The second problem is solved by special image filtering and further smart resolution reduction. We also describe the procedure of non-linear correction of atlas slices which improves the quality of the 3D-model significantly. 1 Introduction The analysis of gene expression in a brain is extremely important for cognitive research. Many cognitive functions (e.g. memory consolidation) are regulated by specific genes whose expression starts during some intellectual activity, e.g. training. On the other hand it is known that changes in activity in specific anatomical brain zones reflect the cognitive processes. The combination of anatomical brain map with gene expression patterns and its further statistical processing would allow researchers to discover new genes that are responsible for cognitive processes and new anatomical structures where the functional activity takes place. Up to the current moment gene expression in animal brains is measured using the following technique. A brain is extracted, frozen and then cut into slices. Each slice is double-stained by Nissl method to highlight histology (se

Karyotype stability in the family Issidae (Hemiptera, Auchenorrhyncha) revealed by chromosome techniques and FISH with telomeric (TTAGG)n and 18S rDNA probes

Volume: 10Start Page: 347End Page: 36