Experience of universities in practice-oriented training personnel for high-tech enterprises

Different options have been considered of work-based learning (WBL) in Russian and foreign universities. Special attention is given to the variant of PBL - project learning (PL) on training bachelors. Basic concepts and principles have been discussed dealing with the organization of PL developed by Aalborg University - one of the founders of this teaching technique. Тhe advisability is shown of organizing special courses of introduction to project learning in the first two semesters.peer-reviewe

Psychological Services in Russian Universities: What Do We Have and Where We Are Going?

Psychological well-being of students is becoming one of the priorities of higher education today. This paper is devoted to the study of the work experience of psychological services in Russian universities. The results are based on the data of semi-structured interviews with 15 heads of psychological services of Russian universities. The interview data show that the main directions of the services’ work are following: counseling, preventive-educational measures, diagnostic, adaptation, and nurturing. In turn, during the pandemic the services adapted their activities by transitioning to the online format and creating of hotlines for emergency psychological help. At the same time, psychological services face such problems as lack of funding, difficulties in building interaction with psychiatric organizations, conflict of interests between university management and the service management in their activities. Nevertheless, the main trend for the psychological services development is to build a system of psychological support involving different levels of university hierarchy. The results of the study can be used to design a model of university psychological services, as well as to make practical decisions about the development of the psychological services network in Russian universities

Regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis in representatives of the tribe Phaseoleae DC.

Flavonoids play a crucial role in plant metabolism. Many of them have antioxidant activity, and they are also pigments that render a variety of colors to plant tissues. Foods rich in flavonoid compounds are considered as functional components of a healthy diet. Currently, there is an increased interest in studying genetic mechanisms underlying the coloration of plants. Flavonoid biosynthesis pathways are controlled by two groups of genes. Structural genes encode enzymes, while regulatory genes are responsible for transcription factors that activate the expression of structural genes. Transcription factors that belong to R2R3-Myb, bHLH-Myc and WDR families form the ternary MBW complex, which is involved in regulating the expression of structural genes of flavonoid biosynthesis. The mechanisms of regulation of the anthocyanins and proanthocyanidin biosynthesis by the MBW complex are described in detail for the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana L. This review summarizes data on the regulation of phenolic pigment biosynthesis and the features of phenolic pigment accumulation in plant tissues in the main representatives of the Phaseoleae tribe: soybean Glycine max (L.) Merr., common bean Phaseolus vulgaris L., adzuki bean Vigna angularis (Willd.) Ohwi & Ohashi, and cowpea V. unguiculata (L.) Walp. The species discussed in this review are the most important food legumes in many countries of the world and they comprise the staple food in diets of millions of people. Identification and characterization of the genes controlling the flavonoid biosynthesis pathways are necessary for successful breeding of modern varieties with an increased dietary value. Identification of the flavonoid accumulation patterns is essential for solving the problem of broadening the diversity of plant products

Printing House of Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russian Empire in Mid-19th — Early 20th Centuries: structure, functions, personnel

The general characteristics of the government printing house that served the interests of Ministry of Internal Affairs in the middle of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries, from the moment the printing house was created in 1836 until the 1910s, when the government was forced to join the struggle for public opinion. The staff of the printing house of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, its structure and changes in personnel and functions are investigated. It is shown that the outbreak of the First Russian Revolution accelerated the transformation of the printing house of the Ministry of Internal Affairs from an institution dealing with printing works on the document circulation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs into a structure that performs important functions in the ideological struggle for public opinion. It is proved that at the beginning of the twentieth century the priority direction for the printing house of the Ministry of Internal Affairs was the task of printing government newspapers “Government Bulletin”, “Russian State”, “Evening addition to the Government Bulletin”, etc. The difference between the servants and the workers of the printing house of the central state institution is emphasized. It is noted that if the servants of the printing house of the Ministry of Internal Affairs initially had the right to receive a social package, then the workers of the printing house had to earn this right

Prospects for obtaining low-alkaloid and adaptive forms of narrow-leafed lupinе based on the genome and transcriptome resources of the species

The narrow-leafed lupinе (Lupinus angustifolius L.) is considered as a crop of untapped opportunities. The food and forage potential of the species is not fully exploited due to the presence of quinolizidine alkaloids (QA) in plants, which are secondary metabolites that make the seeds bitter and toxic to humans and animals. Varieties with a low content of QA (“sweet” varieties) created over the last 50-60 years turned out to be more susceptible to damage by sucking insects and insect-transmitted viruses than high alkaloid ones (“bitter” varieties). Based on the rapidly developing genomic, transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling of the species, some molecular determinants and features of alkaloid biosynthesis in narrow-leafed lupinе plants have been identified: alkaloids are formed in the vegetative organs of the plant and then transported to the seeds. This information substantiated the creation of “bitter-sweet” forms with a high content of alkaloids in the vegetative parts of the plant, which would make it possible to reduce the attack of pathogens, and a minimal content of alkaloids in the seeds. This review summarizes the existing prerequisites for obtaining such forms of narrow-leafed lupinе on the basis of the available scientific developments. Information on the creation of saturated genetic maps of the species, in which the iucundus (iuc) locus determining the overall low alkaloid content in seeds is integrated and is used in breeding programs. The use of the new generation sequencing allowed the identification of the RAP2-7 gene, encoding the transcription factor APETALA2/ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR, which is coupled to the iuc locus and located in the area with the main QTLs that affect the composition of the QA. It is a likely candidate gene for regulating alkaloid content in narrow-leafed lupinе seeds. The initial stages of QA biosynthesis and its regulatory factors have been revealed. Two reference assemblies of the genome of narrow-leafed lupinе have been carried out. All these achievements constitute a valuable resource for the creation of forms of narrow-leafed lupinе with a high content of alkaloids in the vegetative mass and low in the seeds, which are absent in nature

The study of the structure and properties of a wear-resistant gas-thermal coating containing tungsten

The paper presents the results of reverse engineering including metallographic, mechanical, and engineering-technical studies of used rods of a compressor produced by the Dresser-Rand company (Siemens, Germany). The study established that the original product is made of AISI 4140 steel with a working coating based on tungsten carbide applied to a depth of 0.2 mm by the HVOF method. The paper contains the results of the development of an import-substituting technological process for producing a wear-resistant powder coating of the Ni–Cr–B–WC system applied by cold gas flame spraying on the surface of a critical unit of compressor equipment in the oil and gas industry. Microanalysis identified that the sprayed spherical WC particles are evenly distributed in the nickel bond without the formation of free cavities at the lamella boundary, retain the size identical to the original powder composition upon the high-speed collision with the substrate, and minimize the level of residual mechanical stresses in the surface layer. The study shows that the sprayed coating has a high microhardness (the bases – 700 HV0.1, WC – up to 2000 HV0.1), which ensures high wear resistance during operation of the rod in a friction pair. A comparative analysis of the tribological properties of the coatings showed that when changing the shape, particle size distribution, and percentage ratio of tungsten carbide from 20 to 70 % in the nickel matrix, the overall wear resistance of the coating equivalently increases. The authors concluded on the possibility of manufacturing an import-substituting product using the gas flame spraying technology with metallurgical powder compositions containing tungsten. The authors developed an industrial technology for applying a wear-resistant coating on the working surface of a rod made of AISI 4140 steel. The paper presents the results of the analysis of the stress state of a material with a coating produced using the developed technology in comparison with the original product. In the product obtained by the experimental technology, in the process of applying the coating and its subsequent mechanical processing, uniform residual mechanical stresses are formed that do not exceed the value of the difference in the principal mechanical stresses. The paper presents the results of the study obtained both on standard samples and on a pilot part

Impact of High-Temperature, High-Pressure Synthesis Conditions on the Formation of the Grain Structure and Strength Properties of Intermetallic Ni[3]Al

The impact of the preliminary load on 3Ni+Al powder mixture and the impact of the duration of the delay in application of compacting pressure to synthesis product under the conditions of continuous heating of the mixture up to its self-ignition on the grain size and strength properties of the synthesized Ni[3]Al intermetallide material have been studied. The grain structure of the intermetallide synthesized under pressure was studied by means of metallography, transmission electron microscopy and EBSD analysis, with the dependence of ultimate tensile strength on the grain size in the synthesized intermetallide having been investigated at room temperature and at temperatures up to 1000°С. It is shown that an increase in the pressure preliminarily applied to the initial mixture compact results in reduced grain size of the final intermetallide, whereas an increase in pre-compaction time makes the grain size increased. A decrease in the grain size increases the ultimate tensile strength of the intermetallide. The maximum value of the ultimate tensile strength in the observed anomalous temperature dependence of this strength exhibits a shift by 200°С toward higher temperatures, and the ultimate strength of the synthesized intermetallide at 1000°С increases roughly two-fold

Зона временного затопления малых рек как участок повышенного флористического разнообразия

During fluctuating water levels in the lower reaches of rivers, large areas of shallow water are exposed, forming a zone of temporary flooding (TFZ). The level regime of the water body determines the conditions for the growth of plants, the period available for vegetation of species and the path of seed migration. The seed bank is an integral part of a riparian biocenosis, experiencing the characteristics of environmental factors which influence its structure. Our study of the vegetation cover was carried out by the method of route survey of ecotopes in the estuaries of the Korozhechna and Ild rivers, tributaries of the Rybinsk Reservoir. Species composition of the flora is given in accordance with APG IV. The cenotic structure is characterized in terms of the Brown-Blanke school. To assess the species composition of the seed bank, a transect was placed along the width of the TFZ, on which cores were selected. Flora of the Korozhechny river is represented by 59 species from 24 families and 45 genera. Most numerous families: Poaceae (12%), Cyperaceae (10%), Polygonaceae (10%), Asteraceae, Ranunculaceae and Brassicaceae (by 7%). Flora of the Ild river is represented by 42 species from 18 families and 29 genera. Most numerous families: Cyperaceae (21%), Ranunculaceae (14%), Poaceae (12%), Plantaginaceae (7%). We found two rare species: Carex bohemica – on the Ild river and Ranunculus reptans – on both rivers. The difference in the species composition is explained by the greater riparian area of the TFZ on the Korozhechna river, characterized by a wide low floodplain. Phytocenosis form multicomponent complexes and are represented by associations Scirpetum lacustris, Phalaroidetum arundinaceae, Caricetum gracilis, Phragmitetum communis – on both rivers, Hippuridetum vulgaris и Batrachietum circinati – in terrestrial form on the Korozhechna river, and Eleocharitetum palustris and Oenantho-Rorippetum on the Ild river. In the seed bank composition of the TFZ of the transition zone of the Korozhechna river receiver 25 species were found, Ild river – 30 species. The ecological structure of the flora of both rivers and the seed bank is dominated by species of waterlogged and humid habitats. Their share (hygrophyte and hygromeso-and mesophyte) accounts for about 50%. With prolonged drying, they can normally develop in the TFZ. In the biomorphological structure, the main part of the flora and seed bank species are perennial grasses, characterized by great environmental plasticity, adapted to extreme conditions of habitat, having wide ecological amplitude with respect to the ground and which can withstand considerable fluctuations in the water level. As a result, our work has confirmed that the seed bank is a hidden component of plant communities and reflects the floristic potential of ecologically unstable territories.При колебаниях уровня воды в низовьях рек обнажаются значительные площади мелководий, формируя зону временного затопления (ЗВЗ). Уровенный режим определяет условия произрастания растений, период, доступный для вегетации видов и пути миграции семян. Банк семян – неотъемлемая часть прибрежно-водных биоценозов, испытывающая на себе особенности экологических факторов ЗВЗ, которые оказывают влияние на его структуру. Изучение растительного покрова проводили методом маршрутного обследования экотопов устьевых участков рек Корожечна и Ильд – притоков Рыбинского водохранилища. Видовой состав флоры приведен по APG IV. Ценотическая структура охарактеризована в терминах школы Браун-Бланке. Для оценки видового состава банка семян закладывали трансекту по ширине ЗВЗ, на которой отбирали керны грунта. Флора р. Корожечны представлена 59 видами из 45 родов 24 семейств. Ведущие семейства: Poaceae (12%), Cyperaceae (10%), Polygonaceae (10%), Asteraceae, Ranunculaceae, Brassicaceae (по 7%). Во флоре реки Ильд отмечено 42 вида из 29 родов 18 семейств. Ведущие семейства: Cyperaceae (21%), Ranunculaceae (14%), Poaceae (12%), Plantaginaceae (7%). Отмечено два редких вида: Carex bohemica – на р. Ильд и Ranunculus reptans – на обеих реках. Разница в видовом составе объясняется большей площадью ЗВЗ на р. Корожечна, характеризующейся широкой низкой поймой. Фитоценозы образуют многокомпонентные комплексы и представлены ассоциациями Scirpetum lacustris, Phalaroidetum arundinaceae, Caricetum gracilis, Phragmitetum communis – на обеих реках, Hippuridetum vulgaris и Batrachietum circinati – в наземной форме на р. Корожечна, а также Eleocharitetum palustris и Oenantho-Rorippetum, на р. Ильд. В составе банка семян переходной зоны приемника р. Корожечна выявили 25 видов, р. Ильд – 30. В экологической структуре флоры обеих рек и банка семян преобладают виды переувлажненных и влажных местообитаний. На их долю (гигрофиты, гигромезо- и мезофиты) приходится около 50%. При длительном обсыхании они могут нормально развиваться в ЗВЗ. В биоморфологической структуре основную часть видов флоры и банка семян составляют многолетние травы, отличающиеся большой экологической пластичностью, приспособленные к экстремальным условиям обитания, обладающие широкой экологической амплитудой по отношению к грунтам и выдерживающие значительные колебания уровня воды. В результате работы получили подтверждение, что банк семян является скрытым компонентом растительных сообществ и отражает флористический потенциал экологически нестабильной территории.При колебаниях уровня воды в низовьях рек обнажаются значительные площади мелководий, формируя зону временного затопления (ЗВЗ). Уровенный режим определяет условия произрастания растений, период, доступный для вегетации видов и пути миграции семян. Банк семян – неотъемлемая часть прибрежно-водных биоценозов, испытывающая на себе особенности экологических факторов ЗВЗ, которые оказывают влияние на его структуру. Изучение растительного покрова проводили методом маршрутного обследования экотопов устьевых участков рек Корожечна и Ильд – притоков Рыбинского водохранилища. Видовой состав флоры приведен по APG IV. Ценотическая структура охарактеризована в терминах школы Браун-Бланке. Для оценки видового состава банка семян закладывали трансекту по ширине ЗВЗ, на которой отбирали керны грунта. Флора р. Корожечны представлена 59 видами из 45 родов 24 семейств. Ведущие семейства: Poaceae (12%), Cyperaceae (10%), Polygonaceae (10%), Asteraceae, Ranunculaceae, Brassicaceae (по 7%). Во флоре реки Ильд отмечено 42 вида из 29 родов 18 семейств. Ведущие семейства: Cyperaceae (21%), Ranunculaceae (14%), Poaceae (12%), Plantaginaceae (7%). Отмечено два редких вида: Carex bohemica – на р. Ильд и Ranunculus reptans – на обеих реках. Разница в видовом составе объясняется большей площадью ЗВЗ на р. Корожечна, характеризующейся широкой низкой поймой. Фитоценозы образуют многокомпонентные комплексы и представлены ассоциациями Scirpetum lacustris, Phalaroidetum arundinaceae, Caricetum gracilis, Phragmitetum communis – на обеих реках, Hippuridetum vulgaris и Batrachietum circinati – в наземной форме на р. Корожечна, а также Eleocharitetum palustris и Oenantho-Rorippetum, на р. Ильд. В составе банка семян переходной зоны приемника р. Корожечна выявили 25 видов, р. Ильд – 30. В экологической структуре флоры обеих рек и банка семян преобладают виды переувлажненных и влажных местообитаний. На их долю (гигрофиты, гигромезо- и мезофиты) приходится около 50%. При длительном обсыхании они могут нормально развиваться в ЗВЗ. В биоморфологической структуре основную часть видов флоры и банка семян составляют многолетние травы, отличающиеся большой экологической пластичностью, приспособленные к экстремальным условиям обитания, обладающие широкой экологической амплитудой по отношению к грунтам и выдерживающие значительные колебания уровня воды. В результате работы получили подтверждение, что банк семян является скрытым компонентом растительных сообществ и отражает флористический потенциал экологически нестабильной территории

Resistance of seedlings of native and alien species of the genus Bidens (Asteraceae) from different geographic populations to the action of heavy metals

One approach to assessing the competitiveness of invasive species is a comparative analysis of the morphological, physiological, and reproductive traits of this species with native species of the same genus. The invasive species Bidens frondosa L. from the Asteraceae family, included in the list of the 50 most common and most aggressive invasive species in Europe, occupies the same ecological niche as the native species B. tripartita L., and displaces it from natural habitats. There is an obvious and growing interest in the sustainability of B. tripartita and B. frondosa in extreme conditions of existence, one of which is the action of heavy metals. Our research was performed in laboratory conditions with seedlings that developed from seeds collected from populations of the Upper and Middle Volga region. The seeds were germinated in Ni2+ and Cu2+ solutions at various concentrations. At the end of the experiment, morphometric parameters were measured and the index of tolerance was determined. Seedlings from different populations under the influence of nickel ions developed at concentrations of 1–50 mg/l, under the influence of copper ions – at 1–100 mg/l. The nickel and copper ions had the greatest toxic effect on the growth and development of the root system – at 25 mg/l and above, the main root was completely necrotic, while the action of copper ions simultaneously increased the number of adventitious roots. The tolerance index (“root test”) under the action of nickel ions was higher among the seedlings from the population of the Middle Volga region, while under the action of copper ions there were no significant differences among the seedlings from different populations. However, it decreased with the action of both heavy metals at a concentration of 10 mg/l. High concentrations of both metals significantly reduced the length of the hypocotyl, cotyledon, and the true leaf. It was also found that copper ions are more toxic for the root system (main root and adventitious roots), nickel ions – for above-ground organs (hypocotyl, cotyledons, and true leaves). We noted differences between the populations to the action of nickel and copper. From the population of the Upper Volga region, the seedlings of B. frondosa were more stable. For seedlings from the population of the Middle Volga, a smaller toxic effect was confirmed for B. tripartita. It can be assumed that the resistance of B. frondosa to the action of heavy metals as a stress factor in the Upper Volga region is one of the reasons for the suppression of B. tripartita by the invasive species

International network interaction within the project «Global understanding»: educational and research opportunities

An experience of the international network interaction, which is carried out in the Psychological Institute of USPU within the project «Global Understanding» (East Caroline University, USA) since 2012, is generalized. The organizational and technical conditions are considered which are necessary for project implementation. Educational opportunities are analyzed in a context of formation of competences, which determine a successful self-realization in a global world.В докладе обобщен опыт международного сетевого взаимодействия, осуществляемого с 2012 года в Институте психологии УрГПУ в рамках проекта «Глобальное понимание» (Университет Восточной Каролины, США). Рассматриваются организационные и технические условия, необходимые для осуществления проекта. Анализируются образовательные возможности проекта в контексте формирования компетенций, определяющих успешную самореализацию в глобальном мире