Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy for Spectroscopic Studies of Living Photosynthetic Cells

Self-fluorescence of light-harvesting complex is a powerful tool for investigation of living photosynthetic microorganisms. As the physiological state of single cells of such microorganisms is closely related to the operation and activity of photosynthetic system, any variations in spectroscopic properties of their self-fluorescence indicate the changes in their physiological state. In this chapter, we present several applications of confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) for investigation of living photosynthetic cells. A set of ordinary CLSM techniques will be applied for studying of cyanobacteria (or blue-green algae) such as 3D imaging, spectral imaging, microscopic spectroscopy, and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP). Cyanobacteria were chosen as a model microorganism due to their great importance for different scientific and biotechnological applications. Cyanobacteria are the most ancient photosynthetic microorganisms on Earth. Nowadays, cyanobacteria are one of the most wide-spreaded organisms in nature, and the ecological aspect in their investigation is quite valuable. On the other hand, thousand strains belonging to different species are cultivated in biolaboratories all over the world for different biotechnological applications such as biofuel cells, food production, pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, etc. Thus, the noninvasive spectroscopic methods are quite important for monitoring of physiological state of cyanobacterial cultures and other photosynthetic microorganisms

Fluorescence Microscopic Spectroscopy for Investigation and Monitoring of Biological Diversity and Physiological State of Cyanobacterial Cultures

In this chapter, a novel technique for investigation of natural and laboratory cyanobacterial cultures is presented. The technique is based on a strict relation between the intrinsic single-cell fluorescence emission spectra of cyanobacteria and the physiological state of the whole culture. It will be shown else that the single-cell fluorescence spectra for different species are steady enough to conduct a taxonomic analysis of cyanobacterial cultures based on a common statistical data evaluation among the parameters extracted from a set of such spectra. Several examples are given to illustrate the power and simplicity of a new technique, which can become a promising tool for automation of production in the cyanobacterial biotechnology, as well as give a valuable contribution to the development of innovative approaches in environmental monitoring of harmful algal blooms

Comparative investment analysis of industries development in Russia and Germany

Abstract—The investment policies in some of manufacturing industries in Russia and Germany are described in article. Most appropriate industries for such an analysis are electronic and optical manufacturing and electrical equipment production and manufacturing of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers. Authors make comparative analyses of investment in manufacturing and changes in production value in these industries. Information base of research are Russian Statistical data service and Eurostat. Results allow making the following conclusion. Considering these parameters Russia manufacturing industry lags far behind Germany. A major problem lack of investment that in terms of sanctions and limited external financing will pose serious problems for the development of sub-DL and DM sector of manufactures in Russia Keywords- investment; manufacturing industries; comparative analysis I

CATCHING-UP REGIONAL STRATEGY AS A TOOL TO REDUCE SPATIAL INEQUALITY

The article is devoted to the problem of spatial inequality of regions caused by centripetal or centrifugal forces because of agglomeration effects and interaction costs. It corresponds with the main idea of new economic geography. A differentiated approach to regional development strategizing is proposed in the study as a tool for reducing the level of spatial imbalance. Herein the use of technological arbitrage (catching-up) strategy is proposed for peripheral regions by strengthening interregional interaction. In the paper, two hypotheses are investigated: (1) The economic growth of territories, caused by industry diversification, positive externalities from Research and Development, the quality of human capital, which are typical of the “center” type of regions and (2) The formation of a unified macroeconomic space is possible due to strategies of technological arbitrage (catching-up strategy) for peripheral regions. Its implementation is possible through innovation, industrial-technological, and trade-technological complementarity development of peripheral regions with the central regions. The research methods are: panel regression with fixed effects, Data Envelopment Analysis method, and Malmquist Productivity Index, paired interregional complementarity indices. The study focuses on 10 regions of Siberian Federal District in the Russia, which differ in scale, structure, and level of innovative economic development. The study results confirm the possibility of reducing the level of spatial inequality using catching-up strategies and innovation complementarity of the regions. These strategies proved only for technical efficiency leading regions with high index of complementarity. In regions with a low complementarity index and different industry profile, large-scale interregional cooperation has not been confirmed

Observation of time quasicrystal and its transition to superfluid time crystal

We report experimental realization of a quantum time quasicrystal, and its transformation to a quantum time crystal. We study Bose-Einstein condensation of magnons, associated with coherent spin precession, created in a flexible trap in superfluid $^3$He-B. Under a periodic drive with an oscillating magnetic field, the coherent spin precession is stabilized at a frequency smaller than that of the drive, demonstrating spontaneous breaking of discrete time translation symmetry. The induced precession frequency is incommensurate with the drive, and hence the obtained state is a time quasicrystal. When the drive is turned off, the self-sustained coherent precession lives a macroscopically-long time, now representing a time crystal with broken symmetry with respect to continuous time translations. Additionally, the magnon condensate manifests spin superfluidity, justifying calling the obtained state a time supersolid or a time super-crystal

Prevalence and risk factors of infection with high risk human papilloma viruses among hiv-positive women with clinical manifestations of tuberculosis in a middle-income country

Funding Information: RFBR 17-54-30002; R01 CA217715/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States. Publisher Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Women living with HIV-1 are at high risk of infection with human papillomavirus of high carcinogenic risk (HR HPVs). M. tuberculosis (TB) promotes HPV infection and increases the risk to develop HPV-associated cancer. Our knowledge of persisting HR HPVs genotypes, and of the factors promoting HR HPV infection in people living with HIV-1 with clinical TB manifestations is sparse. Here, we analyzed 58 women living with HIV-1 with clinical TB manifestations (WLWH with TB) followed up in specialized centers in Russia, a middle income country endemic for HIV-1 and TB, for the presence in cervical smears of DNA of twelve HR HPV genotypes. DNA encoding HPV16 E5, E6/E7 was sequenced. Sociodemographic data of patients was collected by questionnaire. All women were at C2-C3 stages of HIV-infection (by CDC). The majority were over 30 years old, had secondary education, were unemployed, had sexual partners, experienced 2–3 pregnancies and at least one abortion, and were smokers. The most prevalent was HPV16 detected in the cervical smears of 38% of study participants. Altogether 34.5% of study participants were positive for HR HPV types other than HPV16; however, but none of these types was seen in more than 7% of tested samples. Altogether, 20.7% of study participants were positive for several HR HPV types. Infections with HPVs other than HPV16 were common among WLWH with generalized TB receiving combined ART/TB-therapy, and associated with their ability to work, indirectly reflecting both their health and lifestyle. The overall prevalence of HR HPVs was associated with sexual activity of women reflected by the number of pregnancies, and of HPV 16, with young age; none was associated to CD4+-counts, route of HIV-infection, duration of life with HIV, forms of TB-infection, or duration of ART, characterizing the immune status. Thus, WLWH with TB—especially young—were predisposed to infection with HPV16, advancing it as a basis for a therapeutic HPV vaccine. Phylogenetic analysis of HPV16 E5, E6/E7 DNA revealed no common ancestry; sequences were similar to those of the European and American HPV16 strains, indicating that HPV vaccine for WLWH could be the same as HPV16 vaccines developed for the general population. Sociodemographic and health correlates of HR HPV prevalence in WLWH deserve further analysis to develop criteria/recommendations for prophylactic catch-up and therapeutic HPV vaccination of this highly susceptible and vulnerable population group.publishersversionPeer reviewe