Season of Birth and Exceptional Longevity: Comparative Study of American Centenarians, Their Siblings, and Spouses

This study explores the effects of month of birth (a proxy for early-life environmental influences) on the chances of survival to age 100. Months of birth for 1,574 validated centenarians born in the United States in 1880–1895 were compared to the same information obtained for centenarians' 10,885 shorter-lived siblings and 1,083 spouses. Comparison was conducted using a within-family analysis by the method of conditional logistic regression, which allows researchers to control for unobserved shared childhood or adulthood environment and common genetic background. It was found that months of birth have significant long-lasting effect on survival to age 100: siblings born in September–November have higher odds to become centenarians compared to siblings born in March. A similar month-of-birth pattern was found for centenarian spouses. These results support the idea of early-life programming of human aging and longevity

Adaptation of the quantitative PCR method for the detection of the main representatives of cereal grain mycobiota

The content of fungal DNA and mycotoxins in cereal crops (31 varieties of wheat, oats, and barley) was quantitatively determined and used for comparative characterization of grains. The quantitative PCR has been adapted for the analysis of the target DNA of Alternaria spp., Bipolaris sorokiniana (B. sorokiniana), Fusarium graminearum (F. graminearum), F. culmorum, and F. sporotrichioides fungi, which are often present in mycobiota of small grain cereals. The content of DNA of aggressive pathogen B. sorokiniana was determined using quantitative PCR for the first time. The DNA of Alternaria fungi was found abundantly in all grain samples, but its content in the oat was significantly higher compared to barley and wheat (5 and 9 times higher, respectively). In barley grain, the content of B. sorokiniana DNA was on average significantly higher than in the grains of oats and wheat. The presence of F. graminearum DNA was established in all the analyzed grain samples while the F. culmorum DNA was found in 70% of the oat’s samples and in all samples of barley and wheat. Mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) produced by these fungi was detected in all analyzed cereal grains in a range from 77 to 4133 μg/kg. The DNA of F. sporotrichioides was detected in 70% of oats and 50% of barley samples but was not found in wheat. The T-2 toxin produced by this fungus was detected in 45% of all samples within the range from 2 to 89 μg/kg. The statistically significant positive correlation with the Pearson correlation coefficient (r) equal to 0.49 (p<0.05) was observed between the amount of F. graminearum DNA and DON in the grain samples. Another significant positive correlation (r = 0.72, p<0.01) was found between DNA contents of Alternaria fungi and F. sporotrichioides in the grain samples. This leads to the suggestion that conditions for growth of these fungi in grain substrates are similar.The content of fungal DNA and mycotoxins in cereal crops (31 varieties of wheat, oats, and barley) was quantitatively determined and used for comparative characterization of grains. The quantitative PCR has been adapted for the analysis of the target DNA of Alternaria spp., Bipolaris sorokiniana (B. sorokiniana), Fusarium graminearum (F. graminearum), F. culmorum, and F. sporotrichioides fungi, which are often present in mycobiota of small grain cereals. The content of DNA of aggressive pathogen B. sorokiniana was determined using quantitative PCR for the first time. The DNA of Alternaria fungi was found abundantly in all grain samples, but its content in the oat was significantly higher compared to barley and wheat (5 and 9 times higher, respectively). In barley grain, the content of B. sorokiniana DNA was on average significantly higher than in the grains of oats and wheat. The presence of F. graminearum DNA was established in all the analyzed grain samples while the F. culmorum DNA was found in 70% of the oat’s samples and in all samples of barley and wheat. Mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) produced by these fungi was detected in all analyzed cereal grains in a range from 77 to 4133 μg/kg. The DNA of F. sporotrichioides was detected in 70% of oats and 50% of barley samples but was not found in wheat. The T-2 toxin produced by this fungus was detected in 45% of all samples within the range from 2 to 89 μg/kg. The statistically significant positive correlation with the Pearson correlation coefficient (r) equal to 0.49 (p<0.05) was observed between the amount of F. graminearum DNA and DON in the grain samples. Another significant positive correlation (r = 0.72, p<0.01) was found between DNA contents of Alternaria fungi and F. sporotrichioides in the grain samples. This leads to the suggestion that conditions for growth of these fungi in grain substrates are similar

Phase equilibria and thermodynamic properties of oxide systems on the basis of rare earth, alkaline earth and 3d-transition (Mn, Fe, Co) metals. A short overview of

Review is dedicated studies of phase equilibria in the systems based on rare earth elements and 3d transition metals. It’s highlighted several structural families of these compounds and is shown that many were found interesting properties for practical application, such as high conductivity up to the superconducting state, magnetic properties, catalytic activity of the processes of afterburning of exhaust gases, the high mobility in the oxygen sublattice and more

Черноморское направление политики Евросоюза и интересы России

The Black Sea region is an important geopolitical and geostrategic area where the interests of various authors of world politics — both regional and global — intersect. The importance of the region as a transit area of energy resources and an important transport hub attracts the attention of the European Union as well. The EU’s interests in the Black Sea region cover a number of areas: economy, energy transit, security, environmental and climate issues, social and cultural initiatives. Energy and transport flows through the Black Sea region, as well as access to broad markets, are key factors in the EU’s interest in the region. Since the 1990s, the European Union has consistently increased its interest in the Black Sea region. Among the key initiatives in this direction, it is necessary to highlight the “Black Sea Synergy” and the “Eastern Partnership” program, which allow the EU to progressively increase its presence in the region and influence individual countries geographically related to it. The EU’s attention to the region and its policies are in conflict with the foreign policy interests of the Russian Federation in this geographical area.Черноморский регион является важной геополитической и геостратегической областью, в которой пересекаются интересы различных авторов мировой политики — как региональных, так и глобальных. Значимость региона как транзитной области энергоресурсов и важного транспортного узла привлекает внимание в том числе и европейского союза. Интересы Евросоюза в Черноморском регионе охватывают целый ряд направлений: экономика, транзит энергоресурсов, безопасность, экологические и климатические проблемы, общественные и культурные инициативы. Энергетические и транспортные потоки, проходящие через Черноморский регион, а также возможность доступа к широким рынкам сбыта, являются ключевыми факторами интереса ЕС к региону. С 1990-х гг. Евросоюз последовательно наращивает интерес к Черноморскому региону. Среди ключевых инициатив в данном направлении необходимо выделить «Черноморскую синергию» и программу «Восточное партнерство», которые позволяют ЕС поступательно наращивать свое присутствие в регионе и влияние на отдельные страны, географически относящиеся к нему. Внимание Евросоюза к региону и проводимая там политика вступает в конфронтацию с внешнеполитическими интересами Российской Федерации в данной географической области

Efficiency of scallop <i>Mizuhopecten yessoensis</i> cultivation in the Ussuri Bay (Japan Sea)

Data on cultivation of scallop Mizuhopecten yessoensis in the Ussuri Bay are generalized. The marine farms are located in the shallow waters at depths of 2-18 m, their plantations occupy different areas with different hydrodynamics. Complex structure of the plantations (collectors, cages and bottom facilities) is formed in the semi-closed Sukhodol Bay, but bottom plantations only for growing of scallop and sea cucumber are mounted in two other bays. The local broodstocks of scallop were formed by juveniles transported from the Posyet Bay, after that at least 20 million individuals of scallop spat were collected in three bays in 2000-2014, and their growing gave the total commercial output about 216 t (111 t in the Sukhodol Bay, 70 t in the Ilmovaya Bay, and 35 t in the Malye Kushi Bay). This is rather weak result that shows that the area has limited abilities for development of this type of aquaculture. The main reason was low density of spat on substrata: it never exceeded 200 ind./collector and did not increase during the farms development, so the farmers were forced to increase the number of collectors to obtain required number of spat; moreover, some years were unfavorable for collecting of juvenile scallops. There is concluded that environmental conditions in the eastern Ussuri Bay are not optimal for the scallop cultivation by extensive method

Settling of mollusks and sedimentation on artificial substrata in the Sukhodol Bay (​​Japan Sea)

Density of bivalve spat settled on collectors determines the yield of aquaculture plantation. It varies considerably in different water areas at Primorye coast and has year-to-year variability. The spat settling intensity in the last decade is considered for a marine farm in the Sukhodol Bay (Ussuri Bay) and sedimentation of suspended matter on collectors is estimated for the same plantation in the summer of 2012. Period of the scallop spat settling is rather long and continues until late June. Mean spat size is 9.2 ± 2.2 mm (modal group 8-10 mm), mean weight is 0.08 g. The average density of juvenile scallops Mizuhopecten yessoensis changes year-to-year from 77 to 200 ind./collector, and the density of juvenile mussels Mytilus trossulus - from 500 to 2,330 ind. per meter of the collectors set. These values provide the annual harvesting of > 2 million ind. of the scallop spat and 10-30 ton of commercial-size mussels from 1 hectare of plantation. Juveniles of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus settle on collectors as well, in less number, but sufficient for their growing on bottom plantations in some years. Suspended matter sedimentation on collectors, including agrestal marine organisms, is rather high in the first months after the collectors installation - up to 0.31 ton/month per 1 hectare of standard plantation. Reclamation measures are recommended in the cases of high sedimentation, possibly installation of bicultural plantations in the water column

Европейский вектор внешней политики Италии

The foreign policy of the Italian Republic is implemented in three key areas: European, Atlantic and Mediterranean. This article examines the European vector of Italian politics, the characteristic features of this direction and its evolution in the XX–XXI centuries. The Italian Republic has played a significant role in the process of European integration, taking an active part in all key initiatives of this process since the 1960s. In the second half of the XX — early XXI centuries european policy has become a tool for Italy to strengthen its own status in the international arena, and an active position in the integration processes is a way to stand on a par with the leaders of the European space. It is Europeanism, along with Atlanticism, that became the basis of the foreign policy concept of Italy in the second half of the XX century and determines the political image of the country and its position in the international arena. In this context, it is especially important that the foreign policy dimension of Italian politics is closely linked to the domestic political situation in the country. At the beginning of the XXI century, there are outbursts of euroscepticism in the country associated with the problem of migration and dissatisfaction with supranational authorities in times of crisis, such as COVID-19. Europeanism, however, remains a key dimension of the country’s foreign policy.Внешняя политика Итальянской Республики реализуется в трех ключевых направлениях: европейском, атлантическом и средиземноморском. В данной статье рассматривается европейский вектор итальянской политики, характерные особенности данного направления и его эволюция в XX–XXI вв. Итальянская Республика играет значительную роль в процессе европейской интеграции, принимая деятельное участие во всех ключевых инициативах данного процесса, начиная с 1960-х гг. Во второй половине XX — начале XXI вв. европейская политика стала для Италии инструментом укрепления собственного статуса на международной арене, а активная позиция в процессах интеграции — способом встать в один ряд с лидерами европейского пространства. Именно европеизм наряду с атлантизмом становится основой внешнеполитической концепции Италии во второй половине XX века и определяет политический облик страны и ее положение на международной арене. В данном контексте особенно важно, что внешнеполитическое измерение итальянской политики тесно связано с внутриполитической ситуацией в стране. В начале XXI наблюдается всплески евроскептицизма в стране, связанные с проблемой миграции и недовольством наднациональными органами власти в периоды кризиса, такие как COVID-19. Европеизм, однако, остается ключевым измерением внешнеполитической деятельность страны

Проблема сепаратизма в современной Испании: каталонский вопрос

Catalan nationalism, rooted in the 19th century, transformed into separatism in the 1980s, threatening the existence of the Spanish state. The unstable political situation in the country caused by the crisis of the party system and serious economic problems is noticeably aggravated by the Catalan issue. The separatists representing the autonomy are not distinguished by unity, which provokes additional tension in the region, but they have a serious impact on the central government. The instability of the current Spanish government, formed by socialists, is compounded by the need to seek support from representatives of Catalan nationalist pariahs in the country’s parliament. This fact also makes it necessary for the ruling party not only to enter into a dialogue with the Catalan separatists, but also to agree to certain concessions.The situation is complicated by the fact that in the autonomy itself, the separatists are not supported by the majority of the population, and some residents of the region openly speak from unionist positions. The whole complex complex of contradictions of the Catalan question is critically connected with the problem of reforming the constitutional system of the Kingdom of Spain. The current Constitution of the country – which has become very obvious at the current stage of the development of the political and social crisis in Spain – requires a partial revision, primarily from the point of view of resolving the issue of the powers of a number of autonomies in the state and their interaction with the center.Каталонский национализм, корнями уходящие в XIX в., в 1980-е гг. трансформировался в сепаратизм, угрожающий существованию испанского государства. Нестабильная политическая обстановка в стране, вызванная кризисом партийной системы и серьезными экономическими проблемами, заметно усугубляется каталонским вопросом. Сепаратисты, представляющие автономию, не отличаются единством, что провоцирует дополнительное напряжение в регионе, однако оказывают серьезное воздействие на центральную власть. Неустойчивость действующего испанского правительства, сформированного социалистами, усугубляется необходимостью искать поддержку у представителей каталонский националистических парий в парламенте страны. Этот факт обуславливает также необходимость правящей партии не просто идти на диалог с каталонскими сепаратистами, но и соглашаться на определенные уступки.Ситуация осложняется тем, что в самой автономии сепаратистов поддерживает далеко не большинство населения, и часть жителей региона открыто выступают с унионистских позиций. Весь сложный комплекс противоречий каталонского вопроса критически связан с проблемой реформирования конституционного строя Королевства Испания. Действующая Конституция страны — что стало уж очевидным на нынешнем этапе развития политического и социального кризиса в Испании — требует частичного пересмотра, прежде всего — с точки зрения решения вопроса о полномочиях ряда автономий в государстве и их взаимодействия с центром

The influence of brood chickens by-products processing with probiotic culture starter on change of their functional and technological parameters.

By-products are the potential source of animal protein obtained from brood chickens and egg-laying hens. Certain by-products like gizzards and combs are quite tough and possess low nutritional and biological value due to their high content of connective tissue. Biotechnological processing improves the quality parameters of collagen-containing by-products. In this article a probiotic starter culture of propionic acid bacteria, which have high proteolytic activity, was used to treat the gizzards and combs of brood chickens. Before processing of by-products with starter culture, physical and chemical parameters and the yield of by-products in relation to poultry live weight were analyzed and recorded. 5%, 10% and 15% starter culture were added to the tested samples of chopped by-products, the samples were kept at a temperature of 30 °C, and every 4 hours the following functional and technological parameters were monitored: moisture binding capacity, water holding capacity (MBC and WHC) and yield of the product after heat treatment. The results proved that increase of starter culture amount and longer exposure of by-products to hydrolysis led to decrease of functional and technological parameters values, but for the combs those parameters remained at a sufficiently high level compared to the gizzards, as the gizzards were exposed to more intense hydrolysis than combs. The decrease in the pH value correlated with the dynamics of MBC and WHC changes; and dynamics of the product yield after the heat treatment. Also the stained histological preparations were studied in order to assess the influence of biotechnological processing on by-products microstructure, where significant differences were found in the morphological structure of muscle and collagen fibers of hydrolysates of combs and gizzards exposed to action of bacterial concentrate. The results of rheological studies showed that hydrolyzed chicken combs differed from gizzards; the combs were denser and featured more elastic structure due to a lower degree of hydrolysis by bacterial enzymes. In general, the properties of collagen-containing by-products (muscular gizzards and combs) change significantly after being exposed to enzymes of propionic acid bacteria