Morphology and Genetics of the Ciscoes (Actinopterygii: Salmoniformes: Salmonidae: Coregoninae: Coregonus) from the Solovetsky Archipelago (White Sea) as a Key to Determination of the Taxonomic Position of Ciscoes in Northeastern Europe

Background: The characteristic feature of the genus <i>Coregonus</i> is the multitude of nominal species of obscure identity. The northeastern Europe is inhabited by, inter alia—the vendace, <i>Coregonus albula</i> (Linnaeus, 1758)—considered the European cisco—and the least cisco, <i>C. sardinella</i> Valenciennes, 1848—often referred to as the Siberian species. There is a large area in where the ranges of both species overlap. Using morphological- as well as genetic tools we attempted to test the working hypothesis that the <i>Coregonus</i> fish (ciscoes) inhabiting the above-mentioned transitional zone represent a single species. Materials and methods: Within 1995–2009 we collected 344 ciscoes from five lakes in Bolshoy Solovetsky Island and determined diagnostic morphological traits for the two species. For some samples, the polymorphism of the creatine kinase isoloci (<i>CK-A1,2</i>*) and the fragment of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) encoding the subunit 1 of NADH-dehydrogenize complex (<i>ND-1</i> fragment) was also studied. Results: According to one of the main taxonomical characteristics—the number of vertebrae—the cisco of Solovetsky Island occupies an intermediate position between <i>C. albula</i> and <i>C. sardinella</i>. The molecular markers,however, did not reveal any differences between the ciscoes of Bolshoy Solovetsky Island and the vendace found elsewhere. All specimens had the type allele of creatine kinase <i>(CK-A*100)</i> which was considered to be typical for C. albula at other locations as well as the haplotype E of mtDNA widespread in vendace populations. Conclusion: The cisco from Solovetsky Island is more similar to typical vendace. Differences in some morphological traits between Solovetsky Island populations and the vendace from elsewhere are likely to reflect adaptation to environmental conditions. Thus it appears that morphological criteria do not allow reliable differentiation between two forms of ciscoes as well as between least cisco and vendace because they are influenced by environmental conditions. We believe that the presence of populations with intermediate features is a strong argument for combining <i>C. albula</i> and <i>C. sardinella</i> into a single species (<i>C. albula</i>)

Studying the effect of modifying additives on the hydration and hardening of cement composites for 3D printing

The development and application of multicomponent multifunctional additives for cement composites is an important research area since the use of such additives allows controlling both the rheological properties of fresh mixtures and the physical and mechanical properties of the hardened composite. In our study, we used several additives, including metakaolin and xanthan gum together with tetrapotassium pyrophosphate and a SiO2 based complex additive, to modify cementitious sand-based materials. We studied the peculiarities of the influence of these additives on the technological characteristics of mixtures (plasticity and shape retention) and the processes of setting, hydration, and hardening of the composite materials. The optimal values of plasticity, for stability, acceleration of hardening were demonstrated by sand-based systems modified with a complex nanosized additive and metakaolin. The hydration products in the such systems are mainly formed from low basic hydroxides. Metakaolin also results in the formation of ettringite. These systems demonstrate the optimal time of the beginning of setting and the maximum strength gain of the modified cementitious sand-based materials at 28 days. The optimal ratio of indicators of plasticity and shape retention of cement mixtures and the strength of composites based on them obtained by using the studied additives allows us to recommend using these additives in the innovative technologies for 3D-build printing

Structure of air chemical pollution and environmental zoning for health assessment in large industrial centre

The problem of contamination of the lower layer of the atmosphere in Western Siberia remains relevant more than half a century. The territory of the city of Kemerovo, a major industrial center with well-developed coal-chemical complex is an obvious example of antropotechnogenous burden on the environment and the health of the population with its climatic and geographical, weather and economic features. The aim of the study was to evaluate the structure of chemical contamination during 2005-2011 years, their interaction and the allocation of the factors that determine the ecological zoning on the example of the city of Kemerovo to identify the role of chemical pollution on the health of the population. Factor analysis revealed two latentfactors that determine the structuring of chemical pollution of the city of Kemerovo, in accordance with the wind rose and the chemical nature of the contaminants. The research shows the negative influence of chemical pollution on the health of the population of the city of Kemerovo

ГИГИЕНИЧЕСКАЯ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКА УСЛОВИЙ ТРУДА И РАСПРОСТРАНЕННОСТЬ АРТЕРИАЛЬНОЙ ГИПЕРТЕНЗИИ

Purpose. The analysis of influence of occupational factors on prevalence of the arterial hypertension (AH) in occupational groups of men.Materials and methods. One-stage studying of prevalence of AH in 13 occupational groups (3 842 men) is carried out. Working conditions were estimated according to cards of certification of workplaces of departments of labor protection of the enterprises and establishments.Main results. It is shown that the increase in a category of working conditions on gravity of labor process is characterized by lowering of frequency of AH in occupational groups that is explained by preferentially occupational selection. On condition of similar levels it is production the caused physical activities, the increase in a category of working conditions on strength of labor process is accompanied by growth of frequency of AH. This influence, apparently, characterizes a direct negative impact of a occupational stress on prevalence of AH. On other factors of the working environment (noise, microclimate, etc.) communications with prevalence of AH it isn’t revealed. It is shown that prevalence of AH is connected to specifics of labor activities: underground miners are characterized by rather low frequency of AH, with insignificant distinctions depending on level of influence of unfavorable occupational factors.Conclusion. Results of research testify that besides direct adverse influence of occupational factors on prevalence of AH essential value has also occupational selection.Цель. Анализ влияния производственных факторов на распространенность артериальной гипертензии (АГ) в профессиональных группах мужчин.Материалы и методы. Проведено одномоментное изучение распространенности АГ в 13 профессиональных группах (3 842 мужчины). Условия труда оценивались по картам аттестации рабочих мест отделов охраны труда предприятий и учреждений.Результаты. Показано, что увеличение класса условий труда по тяжести трудового процесса характеризуется снижением частоты АГ в профессиональных группах, что объясняется преимущественно профессиональным отбором. При условии схожих уровней производственно обусловленных физических нагрузок увеличение класса условий труда по напряженности трудового процесса сопровождается ростом частоты АГ. Данное влияние, по-видимому, характеризует прямое негативное влияние профессионального стресса на распространенность АГ. По другим факторам производственной среды (шум, микроклимат и др.) связи с распространенностью АГ не обнаружено. Показано, что распространенность АГ связана со спецификой трудовой деятельности: подземные шахтеры характеризуются относительно низкой частотой АГ, с незначительными различиями в зависимости от уровня воздействия неблагоприятных производственных факторов.Заключение. Результаты исследования свидетельствуют о том, что помимо прямого неблагоприятного влияния производственных факторов на распространенность АГ существенное значение имеет также профессиональный отбор

Development of Citizenship and Patriotism in Modern Russia

В статье представлен обзор госпрограммы, направленной на развитие у граждан патриотизма и гражданственности, приведены ее итоги на основании анализа социальных исследований. В работе определяются технологии развития патриотического воспитания населения, а также механизмы их реализации. Выявлены недостатки формирования чувства патриотизма, а также приведены возможные пути решения проблем в сфере патриотического воспитания.The article provides an overview of the state program aimed at developing patriotism and citizenship among citizens, and presents its results based on the analysis of social research. The work defines technologies for the development of atriotic education of the population, as well as mechanisms for their implementation. The disadvantages of the formation of a sense of patriotism are revealed, and possible ways of solving these problems are given

Study of the strength regulation factors for the adhesive bonding “cement matrix – reinforcing fiber” in composites for 3D-build printing

ABSTRACT: Introduction. As part of the solution for the problem of creating a new class of materials for building additive technologies, cement composites reinforced with high-strength fiber, this work presents the results of experimental studies of the strength of the adhesive bonding between cement matrices and reinforcing fibers with different chemical compositions, diameters, and tensile strength. Materials and methods. Rheological properties of cement systems were studied using shear and squeeze rheometry, the method of micromechanical testing for determining the strength of the adhesive bonding “cement matrix – reinforcing fiber” based on the pull-out test, which involves pulling out the fiber from the cement matrix layer; after the pull-out test for all the studied systems, the microstructure of the contact surface “cement matrix – reinforcing fiber” was assessed using a Thermo Scientific™ Phenom™ Desktop SEM scanning electron microscope; the compressive strength of hardened cement paste-samples was determined using an INSTRON Sates 1500HDS testing machine. Results and discussions. It was established that the combination of strength characteristics of matrices, fibers, and adhesive strength at their interface allowed securing the required strength characteristics of reinforced construction composites. In the “cement matrix – carbon fiber” systems, the value of adhesive strength was 9 – 11 MPa; in the “cement matrix – steel wire” systems, the value of adhesive strength was 3 – 4 MPa. Conclusions. Matrices with viscosity modifiers containing nano- and micro-sized particles of SiO2 (complex nano-sized additive and metakaolin) are reasonable options for combinations of the “cement matrix – reinforcing fiber” components. Carbon fiber and steel wire are recommended to be used as reinforcing fibers

Recombinant small heat shock protein from Acholeplasma laidlawii increases the Escherichia coli viability in thermal stress by selective protein rescue

© 2017, Pleiades Publishing, Inc.In both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, the survival at temperatures considerably exceeding the optimum is supported by intense synthesis of the so-called heat shock proteins (HSPs), which act to overcome the adverse effects of heat stress. Among mycoplasmas (class Mollicutes), which have significantly reduced genomes, only some members of the Acholeplasmataceae family possess small HSPs of the α-crystallin type. Overproduction of a recombinant HSP IbpA (Hsp20) from the free-living mycoplasma Acholeplasma laidlawii was shown to increase the resistance of Escherichia coli to short-term heat shock. It has been long assumed that IbpA prevents protein aggregation and precipitation thereby increasing viability of E. coli cells. Several potential target proteins interacting with IbpA under heat stress were identified, including biosynthetic enzymes, enzymes of energy metabolism, and components of the protein synthesis machinery. Statistical analysis of physicochemical properties indicated that IbpA interaction partners significantly differ in molecular weight, charge, and isoelectric point from other members of the E. coli proteome. Upon shortterm exposure to increased temperature, IbpA was found to preferentially interact with high-molecularweight proteins having a pI of about 5.1, significantly lower than the typical values of E. coli proteins

Automatically extracting functionally equivalent proteins from SwissProt

In summary, FOSTA provides an automated analysis of annotations in UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot to enable groups of proteins already annotated as functionally equivalent, to be extracted. Our results demonstrate that the vast majority of UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot functional annotations are of high quality, and that FOSTA can interpret annotations successfully. Where FOSTA is not successful, we are able to highlight inconsistencies in UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot annotation. Most of these would have presented equal difficulties for manual interpretation of annotations. We discuss limitations and possible future extensions to FOSTA, and recommend changes to the UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot format, which would facilitate text-mining of UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot

A rare form of leishmaniasis, identified in the Russian Federation

Diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis is a rare form of cutaneous leishmaniasis characterized by an inadequate immune response of the host cells to parasitic invasion (weak T-helper (Th)1 response or Th2 response with the production of interleukin IL-4 and IL-10). The characteristic features of the disease include diffuse nodular eruption, masquerading as leprosy and a frequent association with immunosuppression (HIV co-infection, for example). The Russian Federation is a non-endemic country for leishmaniasis, but this disease can be brought into the country by tourists, immigrants, refugees and military personnel. A clinical case of diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis and HIV co-infection is presented. The patient was a citizen of Uzbekistan, a country endemic for leishmaniasis. The authors were unable to find domestic scientific publications describing cases of diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis detected in the Russian Federation. The presented clinical case of diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis in a patient with HIV is the first in the Russian literature