Manifestations of Higher Mental Functions in Actors in Virtual Reality

Background. The study of the professional activities of actors from the standpoint of modern psychological theories is an urgent task for psychology of art. In particular, the question of whether there is a significant difference in the functioning of cognitive processes in actors as a result of training in acting techniques is considered. The answer can be revealed not only by classical measurements of the development of higher mental functions using standardized methods, but also, to a large extent, by the assessment of cognitive abilities in special conditions of virtual reality. Objectives. The study is aimed at measuring success parameters for actors performing tasks to assess the level of cognitive functioning in virtual reality in comparison with a group of students who are not actors. Methods. During the experiment, the control (students who are not actors) and experimental (novice actors) groups were asked to complete tasks to assess the level of cognitive functioning in two-dimensional and virtual reality formats. In order to do this, the experiment participants first performed two-dimensional tests to assess visual attention and working memory, and then did tasks to assess attention and memory in the HTC Vive Pro virtual reality helmet in a special virtual environment “Upgrade VR”. Sample. Two groups of subjects took part in the experiment. The experimental group consisted of 10 students of the O. Tabakov School (average age 17 years). The control group included 20 subjects (18 women, 2 men, average age 18 years) — students of the Faculty of Psychology at Lomonosov Moscow State University. Results. Comparing the performance of actors before and after immersion in virtual reality on two-dimensional computerized task assessing working memory, no significant differences were found (t = –1.35, df = 9, p = 0.209). Also, no significant differences were found when comparing the results of actors performing tasks to assess attention parameters (t = –0.070, df = 9, p = 0.946). When comparing the results of actors and students in performing tasks in virtual reality, significant differences were revealed in the success of completing a spatial orientation task (t = –4.44, df = 28, p < 0.001) and a task assessing working memory (t = –2.34, df = 28, p = 0.027). In addition, significant differences were identified in the average success rates in completing two-dimensional tasks between actors and students before immersion in VR according to the results of the N-back technique (t = 2.4, df = 28, p < 0.023) and the SART technique (t = –3.95, df = 28, p < 0.001). Conclusions. The study revealed differences in parameters of cognitive functioning between actors and students, especially noticeable when performing tasks in virtual reality related to spatial orientation and working memory. The use of virtual reality allows you to simulate a stage situation and create training conditions for the development of cognitive skills, reactions to unexpected events and emotional expression of actors. The results of the study showed that the use of digital technologies in art opens up new opportunities for the creative process and for the construction of unique artistic images

Soil mycobiota of the apatity city (Murmansk region)

The soils mycobiota of Apatity was first characterized. Significant differences in quantitative and qualitative pa-rameters of urban soils fungal complexes of the Subarctic zone in comparison with zonal soils were revealed. It was shown that the biomass of fungi in the soil of the residential area of Umbric leptic entic podzol (arenic, neo-cambic) is 0.18–0.20 mg/g, in the background forest soil Folic leptic albic podzol (arenic) – 0.31 mg/g. The low-est values (0.04–0.08 mg/g) are typical for areas with no vegetation and a densely compacted surface (playground – Leptic entic podzol (arenic, neocambic, technic), unpaved pedestrian walkway – Umbric leptic entic podzol (arenic, neocambic). In the soils of recreational and forest areas, fungi were mainly in the form of mycelium (66– 70% of the total biomass), while in the soils of residential and agricultural areas in the form of spores. Spores are mainly represented by small forms up to 3 microns. The amount of large spores is insignificant, but they were mainly detected in the soil of the residential area. The number of copies of ITS rRNA genes of fungi in soils of different functional zones varies from 4.0 × 109 to 1.14×1010 copies/g of soil, with the highest values in the natural Podzol of the forest zone and Podzol of the unpaved pedestrian walkway. The number of CFUs of micromycetes in topsoil horizons ranges from 1 × 103 to 9 × 104 CFU/g of soil, reaching maximum values in the soil of the Umbric leptic entic podzol (arenic, neocambic, technic) of the recreational zone. The features of cultivated forms of micromycetes distribution on the soil profile in different functional zones were revealed: in the podzol of the residential area, the maximum accumulation of fungi was noted in the subsoil horizons, while in the soil of the recreational, agricultural and forest areas, their maximum number was noted in the topsoil horizon. How-ever, the first two differed from the background one in the absence of a second maximum accumulation of mi-cromycetes in the subsoil illuvial spodic horizon (Bs). In general, urban soils were characterized by a low species diversity of saccharolytic micromycetes complexes and a specific structure significantly different from the background soils. The genus Penicillium is characterized by maximum species diversity. Trichocladium griseum and Penicillium dierckxii dominate in the communities of microscopic fungi in the soil of the residential zone, P. me-linii in the soil of the recreational areas and in the playground, in the soil of agricultural area Plaggic entic podzol (arenic) – micromycetes of the genus Fusarium, and in the background forest soil – P. decumbens. © 2020, Russian Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved

Artificial Proteins with Antiviral Properties of α-Interferons

Consensus 30-36 sequence LKDRHDF of human α-interferons is inserted into the C- and N-terminal sequences of the artificial protein albeferon using genetic engineering methods in order to obtain artificial proteins with antiviral activity. Albeferon, obtained by Dolgikh et al. (Protein Eng., 1996, vol. 9, pp. 195-201), already contains the IFN-α2 130-137 fragment and possesses antiproliferative activity comparable with that of IFN-α2. According to CD spectroscopy, both proteins have regular secondary structures similar to that of the precursor protein. They exhibit antiviral activities, and the activity of one of them is comparable with that of IFN-α2. At the same time, their cytotoxic properties are displayed only at relatively high concentrations, which substantially exceed the minimal antiviral concentrations

Urbanization affects soil microbiome profile distribution in the russian arctic region

Urbanization in the Arctic results in considerable and still poorly known environmental consequences. The effect of urbanization on soil microbiome—an ecosystem component highly sensi-tive to anthropogenic disturbance—remains overlooked for the Arctic region. The research compared chemical and microbial properties of the natural Podzol soils and urban soils of Murmansk—the largest Arctic city. Particular attention was given to the profile distribution, which is almost com-pletely ignored by most microbial studies. Soil microbiome was investigated by the quantitative indicators based on fluorescence microscopy (microbial biomass) and PCR real-time methods (amount of rRNA genes copies of archaea, bacteria, and fungi). The principal changes in urban soils’ properties compared to the natural references included a shift in pH and an increase in C and nutrients’ contents, especially remarkable for the subsoil. The numbers of rRNA genes copies of archaea, bacteria, and fungi in urban topsoils (106 –1010, 109 –1010, and 107 –109, respectively) were lower than in Podzol; however, the opposite pattern was shown for the subsoil. Similarly, the total microbial biomass in urban topsoils (0.55–0.75 mg g−1 ) was lower compared to the 1.02 mg g−1 in Podzols, while urban subsoil microbial biomass was 2–2.5 times higher than in the natural conditions. Both for urban and natural soils and throughout the profiles, fungi were dominated by mycelium forms; however, the ratios of mycelium–spores were lower, and the amount of thin mycelium was higher in urban soils than in natural Podzols. Urbanization in the Arctic altered soil morphological and chemical properties and created a new niche for microbial development in urban subsoils; its contribution to biodiversity and nutrient cycling promises to become increasingly important under projected climate change. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Soil microbial community of urban green infrastructures in a polar city

Urban and technogenic landscapes in subarctic zones are not considered comfortable habitats for soil microbiota. However, green infrastructures in polar cities can provide a new niche for the development of a microbial soil community. Soil microbial biomass and the diversity of cultivable microfungi have been studied in relation to the chemical and morphological properties of urban soils in the polar city of Apatity. The quantitative indicators based on fluorescence microscopy and PCR real-time methods as well as the qualitative composition of the cultivable microfungal community were used to characterize the microbial community. Changes in the morphological and chemical composition of urban soils included a shift in pH and increased C and N content compared with forest soil. Studies have shown that the biomass of microfungi and actinomycetes in urban soils was lower than in forest soils and equals 0.12–0.19 mg/g and 0.06–0.44 × 10−3 mg/g, respectively. Bacterial biomass, on the contrary, increased in urban soils up to 2.6 × 10–3 – 5.6 × 10–3 mg/g. The number of ITS gene copies of fungi in urban soils varied from 5.0 × 109 to 1.45 × 1010 copies/g of soil, reaching the highest values in the courtyard. The number of rRNA gene copies of bacteria and archaea in urban soils increased compared with forest soil and amounted to 2.37 × 1010 – 9.99 × 1010 and 0.4 × 1010 – 0.8 × 1010 copies/g of soil, respectively. In urban soils, morphological changes in microfungi, including the predominance of small spores, were revealed in comparison with forest soils, where mycelium prevailed. An increase in the diversity of microfungi in urban soil and changes in the structure of their communities compared with forest soil was noted. Microfungi found in urban soils are not typical of the background soils of the region and would be expected in more southern conditions. Among them, opportunistic fungi species have been identified in humans, which increases the risk of diseases in residents of the northern region

Soil microbial community of urban green infrastructures in a polar city

Urban and technogenic landscapes in subarctic zones are not considered comfortable habitats for soil microbiota. However, green infrastructures in polar cities can provide a new niche for the development of a microbial soil community. Soil microbial biomass and the diversity of cultivable microfungi have been studied in relation to the chemical and morphological properties of urban soils in the polar city of Apatity. The quantitative indicators based on fluorescence microscopy and PCR real-time methods as well as the qualitative composition of the cultivable microfungal community were used to characterize the microbial community. Changes in the morphological and chemical composition of urban soils included a shift in pH and increased C and N content compared with forest soil. Studies have shown that the biomass of microfungi and actinomycetes in urban soils was lower than in forest soils and equals 0.12–0.19 mg/g and 0.06–0.44 × 10−3 mg/g, respectively. Bacterial biomass, on the contrary, increased in urban soils up to 2.6 × 10–3 – 5.6 × 10–3 mg/g. The number of ITS gene copies of fungi in urban soils varied from 5.0 × 109 to 1.45 × 1010 copies/g of soil, reaching the highest values in the courtyard. The number of rRNA gene copies of bacteria and archaea in urban soils increased compared with forest soil and amounted to 2.37 × 1010 – 9.99 × 1010 and 0.4 × 1010 – 0.8 × 1010 copies/g of soil, respectively. In urban soils, morphological changes in microfungi, including the predominance of small spores, were revealed in comparison with forest soils, where mycelium prevailed. An increase in the diversity of microfungi in urban soil and changes in the structure of their communities compared with forest soil was noted. Microfungi found in urban soils are not typical of the background soils of the region and would be expected in more southern conditions. Among them, opportunistic fungi species have been identified in humans, which increases the risk of diseases in residents of the northern region. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature

Thermal Inactivation of a Cold-Active Esterase PMGL3 Isolated from the Permafrost Metagenomic Library

PMGL3 is a cold-adapted esterase which was recently isolated from the permafrost metagenomic library. It exhibits maximum activity at 30 &deg;C and low stability at elevated temperatures (40 &deg;C and higher). Sequence alignment has revealed that PMGL3 is a member of the hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) family. In this work, we demonstrated that incubation at 40 &deg;C led to the inactivation of the enzyme (t1/2 = 36 min), which was accompanied by the formation of tetramers and higher molecular weight aggregates. In order to increase the thermal stability of PMGL3, its two cysteines Cys49 and Cys207 were substituted by the hydrophobic residues, which are found at the corresponding positions of thermostable esterases from the HSL family. One of the obtained mutants, C207F, possessed improved stability at 40 &deg;C (t1/2 = 169 min) and increased surface hydrophobicity, whereas C49V was less stable in comparison with the wild type PMGL3. Both mutants exhibited reduced values of Vmax and kcat, while C207F demonstrated increased affinity to the substrate, and improved catalytic efficiency

GENERATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A NEUTRALIZING MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY AGAINST RABIES VIRUS

Rabies is a zoonotic disease, for which effective treatment methods after the onset of clinical symptoms have not been developed yet. Polyclonal sera, both human and equine, along with vaccines are important means of disease prophylaxis. However, due to adverse reactions to the immunoglobulins of animal origin, high cost, and limited availability of the safer human serum, polyclonal antibodies should be substituted for a stable and efficient preparation, which is recombinant neutralizing antirabies monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). This paper reports generation of the humanized mAb 1C5, which binds with the antigenic site (AS) III of the rabies virus glycoprotein (RABVG) and demonstrates high virus neutralization activity in the fluorescent antibody virus neutralization test, as a result of expression in the Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells