Empirical Modeling of the Total Electron Content of the Ionosphere

With the appearance of such satellite systems as GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and others, the total electron content TEC measured by means of navigational satellites became a key parameter characterizing a state of the ionized space. In turn, functioning of navigational and telecommunication systems needs models of TEC for an estimation of accuracy of positioning, for the short-term and long-term prediction of this parameter. In this Chapter, empirical models of the total electron content are presented. The new result is their comparison. It is shown that the majority of them provide an adequate accuracy and reliability. As the basic application of TEC measurements, the problem of determination of maximum concentration NmF2 of the ionosphere with use of its equivalent slab thickness τ is considered. It is shown that existing models of τ are not global and do not provide sufficient accuracy in determining NmF2. An approach for new global model is offered

Characteristics of Hearing in Elderly People

The authors define the term presbycusis and discuss the prevalence of hearing loss in elderly people, its etiology, and methods of diagnostics (anamnesis, evaluation of the peripheral and central parts of the hearing system). The authors emphasize that central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) significantly impairs speech perception in elderly people and makes difficult the rehabilitation of patients with presbycusis. The possibility of improving speech intelligibility by using auditory training is considered. Improved functioning of the central auditory pathways in hearing aid (HA) users with moderate to moderately severe chronic sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and symptoms of CAPD was shown after the auditory training with the use of two approaches (“bottom-up” and “top-down”). The algorithm of the auditory training was designed based on distinction between nonverbal and verbal stimuli of varying complexity, as well as tasks to improve memory (e.g., memorizing poetry). The benefits of the auditory training in the rehabilitation of HA users with low speech intelligibility were demonstrated. Improvement of speech intelligibility in elderly patients with SNHL proves that plasticity of the auditory regions of the brain remains possible throughout the life. Options of the presbycusis prophylaxis are summarized

Acid-base Properties of Modified Peat Fulvic Acid

The Effect of Mechanochemical modification on the acid-base properties of fulvic acid peat has been studied. It is found that modifying reagent CS(NH[2])[2] increases the amount of aromatic fragments and has no effect on the depletion of functional groups

Avaliação do ambiente regional promovendo o desenvolvimento da atividade científica

The paper is devoted to the research of regional environment’s current state, that promoting development of scientific and technological activity in the Russian Federation’s subjects.For the study purposes we developed a system of primary indicators that characterizes the potential and the results of the functioning of the research and development sector in the regions. The information sources for forming the system of indicators are official statistics and systematized data from official sources that are freely available on the Internet.The Index of the regional scientific environment was calculated and the rating of the Russian Federation’s subjects was formed based on the method developed by the authors.The index structure corresponds to five key tasks identified in the Strategy for Scientific and Technological Development of the Russian Federation.Approbation of the developed methodology was carried out on the materials of 85 subjects of the Russian Federation. The study’s obtained results are visualized using the map of intensity of the development of the regional scientific environment.Recommendations for the development of the regional scientific environment and scientific and technological activities in the regions have been developed based on the results obtained in the study.The study’s results can be used for the purposes of regional management of the science sector’s development.El documento está dedicado a la investigación del estado actual del entorno regional, que promueve el desarrollo de la actividad científica y tecnológica en los temas de la Federación de Rusia.Para los fines del estudio, desarrollamos un sistema de indicadores primarios que caracteriza el potencial y los resultados del funcionamiento del sector de investigación y desarrollo en las regiones. Las fuentes de información para formar el sistema de indicadores son estadísticas oficiales y datos sistematizados de fuentes oficiales que están disponibles gratuitamente en Internet.Se calculó el índice del entorno científico regional y se formó la calificación de las asignaturas de la Federación de Rusia en función del método desarrollado por los autores.La estructura del índice corresponde a cinco tareas clave identificadas en la Estrategia para el Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico de la Federación de Rusia.La aprobación de la metodología desarrollada se llevó a cabo en los materiales de 85 sujetos de la Federación de Rusia.Los resultados obtenidos del estudio se visualizan utilizando el mapa de intensidad del desarrollo del entorno científico regional.Las recomendaciones para el desarrollo del entorno científico regional y las actividades científicas y tecnológicas en las regiones se han desarrollado sobre la base de los resultados obtenidos en el estudio.Los resultados del estudio pueden utilizarse para los fines de la gestión regional del desarrollo del sector de la ciencia.O documento é dedicado à investigação do estado atual do ambiente regional, que promove o desenvolvimento da atividade científica e tecnológica nos assuntos da Federação Russa.Para os propósitos do estudo, desenvolvemos um sistema de indicadores primários que caracteriza o potencial e os resultados da operação do setor de pesquisa e desenvolvimento nas regiões. As fontes de informação para formar o sistema de indicadores são estatísticas oficiais e sistematizadas de fontes oficiais disponíveis gratuitamente na Internet.O índice do ambiente científico regional foi calculado e a qualificação dos sujeitos da Federação Russa foi formada de acordo com o método desenvolvido pelos autores.A estrutura do índice corresponde a cinco tarefas-chave identificadas na Estratégia para o Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico da Federação Russa.A aprovação da metodologia desenvolvida foi realizada nos materiais de 85 sujeitos da Federação Russa.Os resultados obtidos no estudo são visualizados utilizando o mapa de intensidade do desenvolvimento do ambiente científico regional.As recomendações para o desenvolvimento do ambiente científico regional e as atividades científicas e tecnológicas nas regiões foram desenvolvidas com base nos resultados obtidos no estudo.Os resultados do estudo podem ser utilizados para os propósitos da gestão regional do desenvolvimento do setor de ciências

Features of the Bioconversion of Pentacyclic Triterpenoid Oleanolic Acid Using Rhodococcus Actinobacteria

The ability of actinobacteria of the genus Rhodococcus to transform oleanolic acid (OA), a plant pentacyclic triterpenoid, was shown for the first time using bioresources of the Regional Specialized Collection of AlkanotrophicMicroorganisms (IEGM; WDCM #768;www.iegmcol.ru). The most promising strains (R.opacus IEGM 488 and R.rhodochrousIEGM 285) were selected, and these catalyzed80% bioconversion of OA (0.5 g/L) in the presence of n-hexadecane (0.1% v/v) for seven days. The process of OA bioconversion was accompanied by a gradual decrease in the culture medium pH. Adaptive responses of bacterial cells to the OA effects included the formation of compact cellular aggregates, a marked change in the surface-to-volume ratio of cells, and a significant increase in the Zeta potential values. The results demonstrated that the process of OA bioconversion was catalyzed by membrane-bound enzyme complexes. Participation of cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenases in the oxidation of the OA moleculewas confirmedusing specific inhibitors. The obtained data expand our knowledge on the catalytic activity of actinobacteria of the genus Rhodococcus and their possible use as biocatalysts for the bioconversion of complex hydrophobic compounds. The results can also be used inthe searchfor promising OA derivatives to be used in the synthesis of biologically active agents. Keywords: bioconversion, oleanolic acid, Rhodococcus, biologically active compound

The influence of mechanochemical modification on prevention of toxic ability of humic acids towards phenanthrene in aquatic environment

Целью работы является количественная оценка взаимодействия фенантрена с модифицированными гуминовыми кислотами в водной среде. Изменение структуры и свойств ГК после модификации было изучено методами ИК-, {1}Н ЯМР - спектроскопии и потенциометрического титрования. Доказано что применение тиомочевины в качестве модифицирующего агента значительно увеличивает связывающую способность гуминовых кислот по отношению к фенантрену

The influence of mechanochemical modification on prevention of toxic ability of humic acids towards phenanthrene in aquatic environment

The aim of the research work is to quantify interaction between phenanthrene with modified humic acids in aquatic environment. The changes in the structure and properties of humic acids after modifications were studied with 1Н NMR spectroscopy and potentiometric titration methods. Our research demonstrates that the application of thiourea as a modified agent increases the binding capacity of humic acids towards phenanthrene

The analysis of structural features of humic acids fractions after mechanochemical modifications

Впервые изучено влияние модифицирующего агента тиомочевины в процессе механоактивации на структурный состав и кислотно-основные свойства основных фракций гуминовых кислот -гиматомелановые и протогуминовые кислоты