A Few Words about the Current Administrative Justice of the USA

The article is devoted to the activity of administrative agencies of the USA (the Federal Trade Commission as an example). The authors investigate functions of the above named commission to establish the constitutionality of the agency’s adjudicative process; examine the reasons, negatively influencing the work efficiency of administrative agencies and their officials and recommend a number of particular measures for their elimination. The article also gives directional ideas on development of the institute of administrative adjudication in the USA and ways to solve basic problems interfering this process, appreciably caused by lacks of legal regulation

Siberian Roe Deer (Capreolus pygargus Pallas, 1771) in Ukraine: Analysis of the Mitochondrial and Nuclear DNA

A molecular-genetic analysis of the nucleotide sequences of the cytochrome b gene (1140 base pairs) of the mitochondrial DNA and 17 microsatellite loci of eight samples of roe deer from the Samara forest of Dnipropetrovsk oblast (Ukraine) was carried out. For comparison, 212 corresponding mtDNA sequences of the Siberian and European roe deer and data on the variability of microsatellite markers in 49 representatives of these species were included in the study. It was noted that all the analyzed mitochondrial sequences of individuals from the Samara forest are characteristic of the Siberian roe Capreolus pygargus Pallas, 1771. Four haplotypes were described, all of which belonged to the haplogroup typical for the western part of the range of C. pygargus. A fragment analysis of the microsatellite loci of nuclear DNA confirmed the identification of the investigated group with the Siberian species

An extended discrete element method for the estimation of contact pressure at the ankle joint during stance phase

Abnormalities in the ankle contact pressure are related to the onset of osteoarthritis. In vivo measurements are not possible with currently available techniques, so computational methods such as the finite element analysis (FEA) are often used instead. The discrete element method (DEM), a computationally efficient alternative to time-consuming FEA, has also been used to predict the joint contact pressure. It describes the articular cartilage as a bed of independent springs, assuming a linearly elastic behaviour and absence of relative motion between the bones. In this study, we present the extended DEM (EDEM) which is able to track the motion of talus over time. The method was used, with input data from a subject-specific musculoskeletal model, to predict the contact pressure in the ankle joint during gait. Results from EDEM were also compared with outputs from conventional DEM. Predicted values of contact area were larger in EDEM than they were in DEM (4.67 and 4.18 cm2, respectively). Peak values of contact pressure, attained at the toe-off, were 7.3 MPa for EDEM and 6.92 MPa for DEM. Values predicted from EDEM fell well within the ranges reported in the literature. Overall, the motion of the talus had more effect on the extension and shape of the pressure distribution than it had on the magnitude of the pressure. The results indicated that EDEM is a valid methodology for the prediction of ankle contact pressure during daily activities

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROTECTIVE ANTIGEN COMPLEX OBTAINED FROM FRANCISELLA TULARENSIS SSP. NOVICIDA

F. tularensis ssp. novicida, considered earlier as a representative of a separate species, has been recently classed among F. tularensis variety, based on the results of comparative analysis of 16S-ribosomal RNA. Subspecies novicida can cause disease only in immunocompromised humans and is low virulent for rabbits. Despite this, high rate of homology of the nucleotide sequence of F. tularensis intraspecific taxon is established. Objective of the study is to obtain protective surface antigen complex from F. tularensis ssp. novicida Utah 112 (ATTC 15 482) cells and investigate its properties. Materials and methods. Protein, carbohydrate, and lipid content of the antigen preparation was measured using conventional colorimetric methods, SDS-PAGE was conducted according to U.Laemmli, and immunoblotting – to H.Towbin. For purification and molecular mass determination column chromatography was applied. Immune-chromatographic activity was analyzed by immune-enzyme assay. Immunogenicity of the produced preparation was tested on scrub white mice, with LD50 and ED50 calculated according to Karber’s method. Results and conclusions. Carried out has been comparative analysis of physical-chemical, antigenic and bio-chemical peculiarities of the protective antigen complex obtained from F. tularensis Utah 112 cells and equivalent antigen complex obtained from the vaccine strain – F. tularensis 15 NIIEG. Protectivity of the preparation has been tested through inoculation of the immunized white mice with virulent F. tularensis 503/840 strain. Demonstrated have been distinctive features of the new preparation, by structure and composition, as compared to similar antigen from the vaccine producer strain, as well as the slowdown of its immunochemical and protective activities

A European Concern? Genetic Structure and Expansion of Golden Jackals (Canis aureus) in Europe and the Caucasus

In the first continent-wide study of the golden jackal (Canis aureus), we characterised its population genetic structure and attempted to identify the origin of European populations. This provided a unique insight into genetic characteristics of a native carnivore population with rapid large-scale expansion. We analysed 15 microsatellite markers and a 406 basepair fragment of the mitochondrial control region. Bayesian-based and principal components methods were applied to evaluate whether the geographical grouping of samples corresponded with genetic groups. Our analysis revealed low levels of genetic diversity, reflecting the unique history of the golden jackal among Europe’s native carnivores. The results suggest ongoing gene flow between south-eastern Europe and the Caucasus, with both contributing to the Baltic population, which appeared only recently. The population from the Peloponnese Peninsula in southern Greece forms a common genetic cluster with samples from south-eastern Europe (ΔK approach in STRUCTURE, Principal Components Analysis [PCA]), although the results based on BAPS and the estimated likelihood in STRUCTURE indicate that Peloponnesian jackals may represent a distinct population. Moreover, analyses of population structure also suggest either genetic distinctiveness of the island population from Samos near the coast of Asia Minor (BAPS, most STRUCTURE, PCA), or possibly its connection with the Caucasus population (one analysis in STRUCTURE). We speculate from our results that ancient Mediterranean jackal populations have persisted to the present day, and have merged with jackals colonising from Asia. These data also suggest that new populations of the golden jackal may be founded by long-distance dispersal, and thus should not be treated as an invasive alien species, i.e. an organism that is “non-native to an ecosystem, and which may cause economic or environmental harm or adversely affect human health”. These insights into the genetic structure and ancestry of Baltic jackals have important implications for management and conservation of jackals in Europe. The golden jackal is listed as an Annex V species in the EU Habitats Directive and as such, considering also the results presented here, should be legally protected in all EU member states

Wildlife population changes across eastern europe after the collapse of socialism

When political regimes fall, economic conditions change and wildlife protection can be undermined. Eastern European countries experienced turmoil following the collapse of socialism in the early 1990s, raising the question of how wildlife was affected. We show that the aftermath of the collapse changed the population growth rates of various wildlife taxa. We analyzed populations of moose (Alces alces), wild boar (Sus scrofa), red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), brown bear (Ursus arctos), Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), and gray wolf (Canis lupus) in nine countries. Population growth rates changed in 32 out of 49 time series. In the countries that reformed slowly, many species exhibited rapid population declines, and population growth rates changed in 83% of the time series. In contrast, in countries with fast post- socialism reforms, many populations increased rapidly, and growth rates changed in only 48% of time series. Our results suggest that the direction and frequency of the changes were associated with socioeconomic conditions, and that wildlife populations can be greatly affected by socioeconomic upheavals

LIQUID NUTRIENT MEDIUM FOR SUBMERGED CULTIVATION OF TULAREMIA MICROBE

The paper describes an effective liquid nutrient medium, utilization of which in the process of submerged cultivation of the vaccine tularemia microbe strain allows for the production of high concentrations of viable biomass with low rates of dissociation, which is essential in manufacturing of live vaccines. Dry enzymatic hydrolysate of fibrin, by-product of anti-rabies immunoglobulin production is used as a nutrient-rich base of the new nutrient medium

Prospects for Application of Ultrafiltration Technology for the Scaled Preparation of Plague Microbe and Cholera Vibrio Major Antigens

Demonstrated is the possibility of application of ultrafiltration technologies in the process of cholera toxin and plague agent capsular antigen precipitation under production conditions. Application of ultrafiltration techniques permits of the reduction of losses at the stages of isolation and purification of antigen preparations; and concentration of raw material or semi-finished product provides for the reduction of labor inputs. Thus it leads to the increase in productivity and economical efficiency

Genetic Structure and Expansion of Golden Jackals (Canis aureus) in Europe and the Caucasus

We analyzed 65 samples of golden jackals (Canis aureus) collected in south-eastern and central Europe, the Caucasus, and from Estonia (north-eastern Europe). Microsatellite markers and partial sequences of the mitochondrial control region were used to characterize the genetic structure of jackals in the sampled regions. The main aim of the study was to identify possible source populations of the golden jackals in north-eastern Europe

Experimental Preventive Anti-Tularemia Preparation

Designed is an experimental preparation of a prototype chemical tularemia vaccine (PCTV). It is composed of protective antigenic complex (PAC) of tularemia microbe and S-layer protein (Slp) of plague microbe. Determined is optimum ratio of these components in the preparation and schedule of its administration. Displayed are the results of its testing as regards physical-chemical properties, reactogenicity, specific activity and impact on the immune system of laboratory animals. It is found out that preparation of the prototype is non-toxic for white mice and Guinea pigs and has no damaging effect on their immune systems. Single-stage subcutaneous immunization with PCTV induces elaboration of high-level adaptive immunity in laboratory animals within 14–21 days: specific antibody generation and stimulation of immune system cell component. PCTV protective index for white mice in case of experimental tularemia, caused by Francisella tularensis subsp. holarctica, is 87,5 % on average; in case of infecting with F. tularensis subsp. nearctica – 50 %; and high-level immunity in both cases. High potency of the experimental preparation against tularemia caused by subsp. holarctica (protective index is 75 %) and high-grade immunity persistence is verified on the model of Guinea pigs too