QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF SLIGHTLY SALINE MEDIUM LOAM TYPICAL CHERNOZEMS IN CHORNOBAYIV REGION

The theoretical analysis of scientific sources was conducted in Chornobayiv Region to define general characteristics, including soil farmland. The soil fertility in Chornobayiv Region is one of the highest in Ukraine. The soils and environmental conditions of Chornobai zoning district are fully suitable to use agro-industrial qualities of agricultural areas (moisture resources and natural potential of soils), for development and introduction of selective farming systems and technologies adapted to specific natural conditions according to soil monitoring soil data. According to eco-geographical atlas of Ukraine and our results the soil cover characteristics were determined. To control the soil quality the data of agrochemical and eco-certification that allows them to assess the Agroecological state. Studies were carried out on slightly saline medium loam typical chernozems JV "Mayak". The environmental and agrochemical soil indices were studied. On the basis of data from ecological and agrochemical passports of fields soil quality indexes were defined by their suitability for agriculture. About 91% of all agricultural lands belong to the land of average quality. The soils of the first field crop rotation belong to moderate quality soils namely Class VI (fair lands) allowing them to be characterized as moderately supplied by nutrients and productive moisture. The pronounced negative properties of soils and technological properties of land decrease the quality and require additional measures to eliminate the negative effects

Uniqueness and Self-Conjugacy of Dirac Hamiltonians in arbitrary Gravitational Fields

Proofs of two statements are provided in this paper. First, the authors prove that the formalism of the pseudo-Hermitian quantum mechanics allows describing the Dirac particles motion in arbitrary stationary gravitational fields. Second, it is proved that using the Parker weight operator and the subsequent transition to the \eta -representation gives the transformation of the Schroedinger equation for nonstationary metric, when the evolution operator becomes self-conjugate. The scalar products in the \eta -representation are flat, which makes possible the use of a standard apparatus for the Hermitian quantum mechanics. Based on the results of this paper the authors draw a conclusion about solution of the problem of uniqueness and self-conjugacy of Dirac Hamiltonians in arbitrary gravitational fields including those dependent on time. The general approach is illustrated by the example of Dirac Hamiltonians for several stationary metrics, as well as for the cosmologically flat and the open Friedmann models.Comment: 23 page

Cutting Edge Geometry Effect on Plastic Deformation of Titanium Alloy

The paper presents experimental studies of ОТ4 titanium alloy machining with cutting edges of various geometry parameters. Experiments were performed at a low speed by the scheme of free cutting. Intensity of plastic shear strain was set for defining of cutting edge geometry effect on machining. Images of chip formed are shown. Estimation of strain magnitude was accomplished with digital image correlation method. Effect of rake angle and cutting edge angle has been studied. Depth of deformed layer and the area of the plastic strain is determine. Results showed that increasing the angle of the cutting edge inclination results in a change the mechanism of chip formation

Characterization of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis Inhibiting Bacteria from Amphibian Populations in Costa Rica

Global amphibian declines and extinction events are occurring at an unprecedented rate. While several factors are responsible for declines and extinction, the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) has been cited as a major constituent in these events. While the effects of this chytrid fungus have been shown to cause broad scale population declines and extinctions, certain individuals and relict populations have shown resistance. This resistance has been attributed in part to the cutaneous bacterial microbiome. Here, we present the first study characterizing anti-Bd bacterial isolates from amphibian populations in Costa Rica, including the characterization of two strains of Serratia marcescens presenting strong anti-Bd activity. Transcriptome sequencing was utilized for delineation of shifts in gene expression of the two previously uncharacterized strains of S. marcescens grown in three different treatments comprising Bd, heat-killed Bd, and a no Bd control. These results revealed up- and down-regulation of key genes associated with different metabolic and regulatory pathways. This information will be valuable in continued efforts to develop a bacterial-based approach for amphibian protection as well as providing direction for continued mechanistic inquiries of the bacterial anti-Bd response.Fish and Wildlife Service/[46-6003541]/USFWS/Estados UnidosUniversidad de Costa Rica/[801-B2-029]/UCR/Costa RicaGeneral Medicine Sciences of the National Institutes of Health/[P20GM103443]7NIGMS/Estados UnidosUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Básicas::Centro de Investigación en Estructuras Microscópicas (CIEMIC)UCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Básicas::Centro de Investigación en Biología Celular y Molecular (CIBCM)UCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Salud::Facultad de Medicina::Escuela de Medicin

Individual quality of life: adaptive conjoint analysis as an alternative for direct weighting?

In the schedule for the evaluation of individual quality of life (SEIQoL) the weights for five individualized quality of life domains have been derived by judgment analysis and direct weighting (DW). We studied the feasibility and validity of adaptive conjoint analysis (ACA) as an alternative method to derive weights in 27 cancer patients and 20 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Further, we assessed the convergence between direct weights and weights derived by ACA, and their correlation with global quality-of-life scores. All respondents finished the ACA task, but one in five respondents were upset about the ACA task. Further, the task was vulnerable to judgment ‘errors’, such as inconsistent answers. The agreement between the two weights was low. Both weighted index scores were strongly correlated to the unweighted index score. The relationships between the index score and scores on a visual analogue scale for global individual quality of life and global quality of life were similar whether or not the index score was calculated with DW weights, with ACA weights, or without using weights. We conclude that, because weights did not improve the correlation between the index score and global quality of life scores, it seems sufficient to use the unweighted index score as a measure for global individual quality of life

Features parameters of the lipid profile and inflammatory vascular respons in patients with stable and unstable angina

169 patients (male and temale aged 60,12 ± 10,7 years) with coronary artery disease (CAD), stable and unstable angina (SA/UA) were examined. According to the selective coronary angiography, a group of patients with significant and insignificant (neighboring) coronary stenosis (SCS and ICS) was selected. CAD patients with SA and UA in the general group do not differ in the level of atherogenic parameters of lipid profile, but in UA group the level of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 is significantly higher, which may indicate an elevated level of the local inflammatory respond and increased threat of thrombogenic complications in unstable plaques. In CAD patients with UA in SCS group a significant excess of atherogenic parameters of lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, trygliceride) compared to patients without SCS was noted. Equal elevation of inflammatory markers (hs-CRP, TNF-alpha and endothelin-1) in both groups regardless severity of coronary syndrome may cause thrombosis in case of unstable CAD. Patients with unstable CAD regardless of the severity of coronary stenosis may have increased level of MMP-9 and TIMP-1. According to logistic regression data, CD 40, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels can be isolated as differential signs of unstable angina flow.Обследовано 169 пациентов (мужского и женского пола) в возрасте 60,12±10,7 лет с ишемической болезнью сердца (ИБС), разделенных в 2 основные группы: 1-я пациенты со стабильной (СС) и 2-я пациенты с нестабильной стенокардией (НС). Согласно данным селективной коронарной ангиографии, в каждой основной группе пациентов выделены подгруппы со значимым и незначимым коронарным стенозом (ЗКС и НЗКС). Пациенты со СС и НС стенокардией в основных группах не различались по уровню атерогенных параметров липидного спектра и основных маркеров воспалительной сосудистой реакции, однако в группе с нестабильной стенокардией был зарегистрирован достоверно повышенный уровень ММП-9 и ТИМП-1, что свидетельствует о наличии повышенного уровня маркеров локального воспалительного ответа. У пациентов ИБС с нестабильной стенокардией в группах независимо от степени коронарного стеноза зарегистрировано превышение референсных знамений атерогенных параметров липидов (ОХС, ТГ, ХС ЛПНП) и равноценно повышенные уровни маркеров сосудистого воспаления вч-СРБ, ФИО- и эндотелина-1, что может обусловливать при нестабильном течении стенокардии равнозначную вероятность нежелательных сердечно-сосудистых событий. Согласно данным логистической регрессии, уровни CD 40, ММП-9 и ТИМП-1 можно использовать для верификации нестабильного течения стенокардии

Comparative analysis of prospective study data of biochemical parameters of blood serum in patients with ischemic heart disease with the presence and absence of type 2 diabetes

Purpose: to conduct a prospective comparative analysis of laboratory parameters of the lipid profile, markers of the inflammatory response and functional activity of the endothelium in groups of patients with ischemic heart disease and coronary heart disease in combination with diabetes under condition of absence of significant lesion of coronary arteries. Determine a set of laboratory parameters that determine the likelihood of developing cardiovascular complications. Materials. According to the data of selective coronary angiography, patients without significant coronary stenosis were identified. Group 1 - patients with IHD (n = 29), 2nd group - CHD with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), (n = 39). The study of laboratory parameters of blood serum was performed against the background of standard therapy before and after 12 ± 2.4 months of follow-up. Results. In both groups, the excess of the reference values of the parameters of the lipid profile and the markers of vascular inflammation was revealed. In the 2nd group the levels of total cholesterol, LDL, Apo-B, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, homocysteine, interleukin 1 beta are significantly higher than in the 1st group. Prospective observation with standard therapy demonstrated the presence of negative dynamics of the lipid spectrum, the preservation of a prolonged response to the activation of the inflammatory reaction, which was indicated by interleukin 1β, homocysteine, matrix metalloproteinase 9 and the persistence of disorganization of the endothelin system in both groups of patients. Conclusion: The results of the study indicate the preservation of a prolonged inflammatory response in the endothelium in both the 1 st and 2 nd group of patients, which can become a provoking factor for the destabilization of the atherosclerotic process. The increased risk of atherothrombosis in both groups of patients requires a strict control of the effectiveness of the therapy in the conditions of real clinical practice.Цель: провести сравнительный анализ лабораторных параметров липидного профиля, маркеров воспалительной реакции и функциональной активности эндотелия в группах больных ИБС и ИБС в сочетании с СД при условии отсутствия значимого поражения коронарных артерий по данным коронароангиографии. Выделить комплекс лабораторных параметров, определяющих вероятность развития сердечно-сосудистых осложнений. Материалы: Согласно данным селективной коронарной ангиографии выделены пациенты без значимого коронарного стеноза. 1-я группа - больные ИБС (n=29), 2-я группа - ИБС с сахарным диабетом типа 2 (СД), (n=39). Исследование лабораторных параметров сыворотки крови проводилось на фоне стандартной терапии до и через 12±2,4 месяцев наблюдения. Результаты: В обеих группах выявлено превышение референсных значений параметров липидного профиля и маркеров сосудистого воспаления. Во 2-ой группе достоверно выше уровни общего холестерина, ЛПНП, Апо-В, высокочувствительного С-реактивный белка, гомоцистеина, интерлейкина 1 β по сравнению с 1-ой группой. Проспективное наблюдение на фоне стандартной терапии продемонстрировало наличие негативной динамики липидного спектра, сохранение пролонгированного ответа активации воспалительной реакции, индикатором которой явились интерлейкин 1 β, гомоцистеин, матриксная металлопротеиназа 9 и сохранение дезорганизации эндотелиновой системы в обеих группах больных. Заключение: Результаты исследования свидетельствует о сохранении как в 1-ой, так и во 2-ой группе пациентов пролонгированного воспалительного ответа в эндотелии, что может стать провоцирующим фактором для дестабилизации атеросклеротического процесса. Повышенный риск развития атеротромбоза в обеих группах пациентов требует жесткого контроля эффективности проводимой терапии в условиях реальной клинической практики

Prospects in Analytical Atomic Spectrometry

Tendencies in five main branches of atomic spectrometry (absorption, emission, mass, fluorescence and ionization spectrometry) are considered. The first three techniques are the most widespread and universal, with the best sensitivity attributed to atomic mass spectrometry. In the direct elemental analysis of solid samples, the leading roles are now conquered by laser-induced breakdown and laser ablation mass spectrometry, and the related techniques with transfer of the laser ablation products into inductively-coupled plasma. Advances in design of diode lasers and optical parametric oscillators promote developments in fluorescence and ionization spectrometry and also in absorption techniques where uses of optical cavities for increased effective absorption pathlength are expected to expand. Prospects for analytical instrumentation are seen in higher productivity, portability, miniaturization, incorporation of advanced software, automated sample preparation and transition to the multifunctional modular architecture. Steady progress and growth in applications of plasma- and laser-based methods are observed. An interest towards the absolute (standardless) analysis has revived, particularly in the emission spectrometry.Comment: Proofread copy with an added full reference list of 279 citations. A pdf version of the final published review may be requested from Alexander Bol'shakov <[email protected]

Accelerated apoptotic death and <i>in vivo</i> turnover of erythrocytes in mice lacking functional mitogen- and stress-activated kinase MSK1/2

The mitogen- and stress-activated kinase MSK1/2 plays a decisive role in apoptosis. In analogy to apoptosis of nucleated cells, suicidal erythrocyte death called eryptosis is characterized by cell shrinkage and cell membrane scrambling leading to phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization. Here, we explored whether MSK1/2 participates in the regulation of eryptosis. To this end, erythrocytes were isolated from mice lacking functional MSK1/2 (msk−/−) and corresponding wild-type mice (msk+/+). Blood count, hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration and mean erythrocyte volume were similar in both msk−/− and msk+/+ mice, but reticulocyte count was significantly increased in msk−/− mice. Cell membrane PS exposure was similar in untreated msk−/− and msk+/+ erythrocytes, but was enhanced by pathophysiological cell stressors ex vivo such as hyperosmotic shock or energy depletion to significantly higher levels in msk−/− erythrocytes than in msk+/+ erythrocytes. Cell shrinkage following hyperosmotic shock and energy depletion, as well as hemolysis following decrease of extracellular osmolarity was more pronounced in msk−/− erythrocytes. The in vivo clearance of autologously-infused CFSE-labeled erythrocytes from circulating blood was faster in msk−/− mice. The spleens from msk−/− mice contained a significantly greater number of PS-exposing erythrocytes than spleens from msk+/+ mice. The present observations point to accelerated eryptosis and subsequent clearance of erythrocytes leading to enhanced erythrocyte turnover in MSK1/2-deficient mice

Developing multiliteracy skills and pragmatic communication awareness of university students learning a foreign language (English) for specific purposes

The paper aims to explore the development of multiliteracy skills and pragmatic awareness of students in the process of university-based foreign language learning. The research topic choice is based on the increasing importance of interdisciplinary education, university graduates’ abilities and skills to hold efficient multilingual communication in varied and changing professional settings. The research was conducted during 2016–2020 at the [BLINDED] Institute of [BLINDED] University. Over 600 students were subject to the research experiments. The research integrated desk and field studies. Academic literature review served as the theoretical background to shape the methodology and identify the relevant didactic components for the awareness and skills development of university law students. The results of the study show that students’ multiliteracy skills increase by 25–27% during an academic year. Besides, the average figures for students’ awareness of and skills in the pragmatic communication increase by 25–30% during an academic year. Moreover, the comparative analysis of students’ academic progress in traditional and multiliteracy and pragmatic communication-focused training revealed that the didactic approach under study contributed to students’ overall academic progress, including legal subjects and language disciplines. The experimental training was launched and conducted during the mentioned period with the focus on multiliteracy skills and pragmatic communication awareness of university law students. A comparative analysis of students’ academic progress in traditional and multiliteracy training was conducted. The data confirmed that learning foreign language with the focus on multiliteracy skills and pragmatic communication awareness of university law students contributes to students’ overall academic progress, apart from foreign language skills. The practical significance and prospects of further research are based on the possibility of implementing the developed program, created on the basis of modern methodological approaches, in the curriculum not only at the Faculty of Law, but also at other faculties. It is important to study the effectiveness of modern methods in the process of learning foreign languages, determining their effectiveness in the formation of language competencies. © 2021 Elsevier Lt