Open data formats in building information modeling

Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology is one of the most actively developing approaches to the digital representation of the design of buildings and structures, which makes it possible to ensure the relationship of both geometric and functional characteristics of a designed object. The organization of information exchange within the framework of the development of IM during various stages of the life cycle is a rather difficult task, since the historical development of software products used for the design of IM elements has led to the use of various data presentation formats for solving specialized design and calculation problems. In the documents analyzed in the work, two formats with an open specification — IFC and XML — are mentioned as a means of information exchange in the development of IM. In addition to the undoubted advantages of using the IFC using the EXPRESS data specification language as a means of ensuring the interoperability of information systems, there are currently difficulties with the practical application of this format in information modeling, including for organizing joint work. XML-schema can be used as an alternative to the representation of IM in the IFC for organizing data exchange between various information systems, including when implementing joint work on IM through web applications. The use of alternative to EXPRESS schemes for the definition of IM data makes it possible to simplify the organization of information transfer between participants in the information exchange, as well as to unify the presentation of design information

Comparative analysis of land management in the world

The article studies and compares agricultural land management performance criteria applied in different countries worldwide. It is stated that there are different definitions and classifications of agricultural lands in different countries, which implies different indicators of land use efficiency. Sometimes these indicators cannot be correlated or compared with each other. It is suggested using such criteria as arable land area and fodder yield per 1 ha as the most unified and appropriate ones

Horse gastrointestinal parasites in the Moscow region

The purpose of our work was to conduct a survey of the horse population for the presence of parasites of the gastrointestinal tract in Moscow and the Moscow region. The research included horses aged 1.5 months to 26 years from horse farms and from private owners too. Fecal samples were collected rectally from 571 horses and were examined on the day of collection by flotation method and sedimentation method. Horses are infected with parasites of the gastrointestinal tract by 47.5% in the Moscow region. The main representatives of the parasite fauna are nematodes. Strongylidae gen. sp. (44%), Parascaris sp. (10.3%), Oxyuris equi (1.4%), Eimeria leuckarti (0.5%) were found. Statistically revealed correlations between the level of infection and the age of the horse (p < 0.001), as well as between the level of infection and the conditions of keeping (p < 0.001). The most infected were horses in the age group from 1 to 3 years. According to the study, herd horses are significantly more likely to be infected with Parascaris sp. and O. equi. No correlation was found between the level of infection and the type of farming (horse farms or private owners) (p = 0.252)

Validation of Molecular Markers of Barley Net Blotch Resistance Loci on Chromosome 3H for Marker-Assisted Selection

The most widespread and harmful disease of barley is net form of net blotch caused by the ascomycete Pyrenophora teres f. teres Drechsler (Ptt). A cost effective and environmentally sustainable strategy for barley protection against Ptt is to develop barley cultivars possessing genetic resistance. In previous GWA analysis, we identified SNP-markers associated with a resistance locus on chromosome 3H in the interval of 45.82-54.53 cM. These SNPs have been described previously in the literature to be located within the same region of chromosome 3H. The aim of the study was to validate QTL markers controlling resistance to Ptt on chromosome 3H in this region by KASP genotyping in four F-2 populations of crosses between the resistant cultivars, Morex, Fox, and Zolo, and the accession, Local k-21578, with the susceptible barley cv. Gesine and in a doubled haploid (DH) population of Canadian Lake Shore (CLS)/Harrington. Eleven of fifteen studied markers showed high efficacy (97.5-100%) for co-segregation with resistance to Ptt in the DH population, CLS/Harrington. Three of these markers located at 54.53 cM and one at 51.27 cM were effective in two F-2 populations of crosses of Morex and Fox with susceptible cv. Gesine. These markers are also located close to each other on the physical map (442,203,921-443,119,491 bp). Apparently, in cultivars, CLS, Morex, and Fox, resistance to Ptt is determined by the same locus. Markers JHI-Hv50k2016-166392 (47.1 cM, 112,536,071 bp), Clone ID 3255462_1 (51.63 cM, 363,531,898 bp), and Clone ID 3255462_2 (51.63 cM, 363,531,871 bp) showed high efficacy in the DH population and in the F-2 population, Local k-21578/Gesine. Apparently, at least two loci controlling Ptt resistance exist in the chromosome region of 47.0-54.3 cM: one at 46.0-48.44 cM and another at 51.27-54.8 cM. These regions were found to harbor several genes involved in important plant functions, including disease response and signaling pathways. Allele-specific PCR markers were developed based on the KASP assay data and tested on six resistant, two moderately resistant, and two susceptible barley genotypes. Four markers were found to be effective to differentiate susceptible and resistant barley genotypes. The KASP and allele-specific PCR markers associated with Ptt resistance on chromosome 3H will be useful for pyramiding resistance QTLs in barley marker-assisted selection

Academic, social and cultural adaption of international students in Canada

У статті висвітлено три типи адаптації іноземних студентів: академічну, соціальну та культурну. Виявлено та схарактеризовано найбільш типові проблеми кожного типу адаптації. Академічні проблеми охоплюють: відсутність володіння мовою, різні цінності освіти, взаємодію з викладачами університету, співробітниками та однокласниками. Соціальними проблемами для іноземних студентів є: проживання в університеті чи за його межами, початкові труднощі, незалежність та самотність, стосунки з вітчизняними студентами та залучення їх до університетського життя. У культурному плані іноземні студенти стикаються з такими проблемами: культурний шок, відсутність культурного самопочуття. Таким чином, як було показано в цьому дослідженні, краще розуміючи академічні проблеми цих студентів, викладачі та співробітники університету можуть визнати потреби студентів та запропонувати ефективні допоміжні послуги. Університет повинен бути готовим зустрічати студентів не лише в академічному, а й у соціальному та культурному плані. У цьому дослідженні також описуються пріоритети канадської міжнародної освітньої стратегії. Федеральні та провінційні уряди Канади демонструють зростаючий інтерес до світового ринку освіти. Це відображено в Міжнародній стратегії Канади на 2014–2019 роки. Згідно з нею, перед канадською освітньою системою постає три ключові цілі: заохотити канадських студентів здобувати нові навички, використовуючи можливості навчання та роботи за кордоном на ключових світових ринках, особливо в Азії; щоб урізноманітнити коло країн, з яких іноземні студенти приїжджають до Канади, а також їх галузі, рівні навчання та місце навчання в Канаді; збільшити підтримку канадських навчальних закладів, допомогти розширити свої експортні послуги та відкрити нові можливості за кордоном.The study highlights three types of international students’ adaptation: academic, social and cultural. The most typical challenges in each adaptation are identified and described. Academic challenges include lack of language proficiency, different education values, interaction with the university faculty, staff and mates. Social issues for international students are living on- or off-campus, initial difficulties, independence and loneliness, relationship with domestic students and involving them into university life. Culturally, international students face the following challenges: culture shock, the lack of culture wellness. Thus, as demonstrated in this study, having a better understanding of these students’ challenges, university faculty and staff can recognize students’ needs and effectively offer supportive services. The university needs to be prepared to meet students not only academically but also socially and culturally. This study also describes the priorities in Canadian international education strategy that makes Canada one of the world’s top learning destinations. Federal and provincial governments Canada demonstrate their increasing interest in the global education market. It is reflected in the well-designed Canada’s International Strategy for 2014–2019. According to it, there are three key objectives before Canadian educational system: to encourage Canadian students to gain new skills through using opportunities to study and work abroad in key global markets, especially Asia; to diversify the range of countries international students come from to Canada, as well as their fields, levels of study, and location of study within Canada; increase support for Canadian educational institutions to help grow their export services and explore new opportunities abroad

Standard Blood Tests Indicate Changes of Toxocariasis in Carnivores

This study presents the main changes in the biochemical and hematological blood parameters of dogs and cats infected with toxocara. Presented data are based on the animal’s age and welfare. The authors conclude that the pattern of hematological disorders is most pronounced in young animals and proceeds with signs of general intoxication and sensibilizationof the body, hypoxia, anemia and damage to the internal organs (liver and pancreas). Keywords: hematological studies, biochemical studies, toxocariasis, Toxocara canis, T. cat

Comparative Analysis of Approaches and Treatment Results of Patients with Early and Nonearly Rheumatoid Arthritis

The article presents the results of a comparative analysis of different therapy regimens impact on the effectiveness of treatment of patients with early and late rheumatoid arthritis in steady-state. Data on ongoing basis anti-inflammatory therapy of rheumatoid arthritis and the treatment of associated conditions were obtained by continuous copying from case histories of hospital department patients. The observations lasted 12 months. The activity of rheumatoid arthritis before and after the treatment was determined by the DAS 28 (Disease Activity Score) index. The treatment results were evaluated as per the laboratory research and the DAS 28 index, including the counting of painful and swollen joints, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and health assessment of the patient on a visual analogue scale

Genetic Improvement of Bread Wheat for Stem Rust Resistance in the Central Federal Region of Russia: Results and Prospects

Advanced breeding lines of spring and winter wheat with several effective resistance genes to stem rust, including its aggressive race Ug99, were developed for the first time for the non-Chernozem zone of Russia. Modern wheat varieties cultivated in this region have high productivity and grain quality. However, they are susceptible to fungal diseases and therefore are cultivated using frequent fungicides treatments. The introgression wheat lines with multiple alien translocations (“Arsenal” collection) have been developed in the Moscow Scientific Research Institute of Agriculture “Nemchinovka” by using gamma irradiation of pollen of wild wheat relatives (Aegilops speltoides, Ae. triuncialis, Triticum kiharae, Secale cereale). Initial material with several effective Sr resistance genes for wheat breeding was developed using donors from the “Arsenal” and the VIR collections. The created initial material can compete with modern varieties, as it has resistance to leaf rust and powdery mildew, high productivity and numerous other advantages. On this basis, a new direction in breeding of spring and winter wheat is developed for this region, that is, creation of wheat cultivars with resistance to fungal diseases. This allows to reduce the fungicide load during cultivation with the goal of producing ecologically clean grain for healthy diet

Small-angle X-ray characterization of the nucleoprotein complexes resulting from DNA-induced oligomerization of HIV-1 integrase

HIV-1 integrase (IN) catalyses integration of a DNA copy of the viral genome into the host genome. Specific interactions between retroviral IN and long terminal repeats (LTR) are required for this insertion. To characterize quantitatively the influence of the determinants of DNA substrate specificity on the oligomerization status of IN, we used the small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) technique. Under certain conditions in the absence of ODNs IN existed only as monomers. IN preincubation with specific ODNs led mainly to formation of dimers, the relative amount of which correlated well with the increase in the enzyme activity in the 3′-processing reaction. Under these conditions, tetramers were scarce. Non-specific ODNs stimulated formation of catalytically inactive dimers and tetramers. Complexes of monomeric, dimeric and tetrameric forms of IN with specific and non-specific ODNs had varying radii of gyration (R(g)), suggesting that the specific sequence-dependent formation of IN tetramers can probably occur by dimerization of two dimers of different structure. From our data we can conclude that the DNA-induced oligomerization of HIV-1 IN is probably of importance to provide substrate specificity and to increase the enzyme activity