Ages and abundances in large-scale stellar disks of nearby S0 galaxies

By undertaking deep long-slit spectroscopy with the focal reducer SCORPIO of the Russian 6m telescope, we studied stellar population properties and their variation with radius in 15 nearby S0 galaxies sampling a wide range of luminosities and environments. For the large-scale stellar disks of S0s, we have measured SSP-equivalent metallicities ranging from the solar one down to [Z/H]=-0.4 - -0.7, rather high magnesium-to-iron ratios, [Mg/Fe] > +0.2, and mostly old SSP-equivalent ages. Nine of 15 (60%) galaxies have large-scale stellar disks older than 10 Gyr, and among those we find all the galaxies which reside in denser environments. The isolated galaxies may have intermediate-age stellar disks which are 7-9 Gyr old. Only two galaxies of our sample, NGC 4111 and NGC 7332, reveal SSP-equivalent ages of their disks of 2-3 Gyrs. Just these two young disks appear to be thin, while the other, older disks have scale heights typical for thick stellar disks. The stellar populations in the bulges at radii of 0.5r_eff are on the contrary more metal-rich than the solar metallicity, with the ages homogeneously distributed between 2 and 15 Gyr, being almost always younger than the disks. We conclude that S0 galaxies could not form in groups at z=0.4 as is thought now; a new scenario of the general evolution of disk galaxies is proposed instead.Comment: Accepted to the MNRA

Pathogen-derived methods for improving resistance of transgenic plums (Prunus domestica L.) for Plum pox virus infection

Plum pox virus (PPV), the causal agent of Sharka disease, is considered to be one of the most serious pathogens of stone fruits including apricots, plums and peaches. This disease is of particular concern in central and southern Europe, the Mediterranean areas and North America. The transformation of plum with viral genes, such as coat protein, can provide virus resistant varieties or gene resources for breeding new resistant varieties. In the current study we report the evaluation of two technologies for producing plants resistance to PPV, one based on co-suppression and another on RNA-silencing. Two gene constructs were evaluated; the binary vector pCamPPVcp that contained the selective hpt gene and ppv-cp gene in sense-orientation (driven by double 35S promoter) and vector pCamPPVRNAi that contained self-complementary fragments of gene ppvcp (698bp) driven by double 35S promoter and the hpt and gus genes.The fragments of the ppv-cp gene in pCamPPVRNAi were separated by a pdk-intron to produce a “hairpin” RNA structure in antisense-sense orientation. Seven independent transgenic lines with the sense-oriented ppv-cp gene and five transgenic lines with inverted repeats of the ppv-cp gene fragment were produced. The accumulation of coat protein in five pCamPPVcp lines was confirmed by Western blotting. Transgenic shoots were rooted and acclimatized to the greenhouse. After grafting with PPV infected buds PPV-CP was detected by Western blotting in all control and pCamPPVcp transformed plants whereas no PPV coat protein were observed in samples from plants transformed with the pCamPPVRNAi “hairpin” construct. These preliminary results confirmed the efficiency of the RNAi strategy for producing virus resistant plants in general and PPV resistant stone fruits in particular.Keywords: RNA interference, PPV, transformation, coat protein, Prunus domestic

Relapses In multiple sclerosis.

Exact causes of contradictions in the understanding of relapsing course as characteristic phenomenon of multiple sclerosis (MS) and primarily relapsing-remitting type are still considered to be “sub rosa”. We tried to determine connection and correlation between seasonal dynamic factors, chronometric parameters of disease progression (age, disease duration) and frequency of relapses and the role of gender differences as well. A four-year prospective study included complete registration of all cases of MS exacerbations in resident patients with a relapsing-remmiting course of the disease according to McDonald criteria in Volyn region of Ukraine in 2010. Each patient had neurological score based on EDSS scale to ensure compliance with inclusion criteria. 128 patients (44 males and 84 females) with a remitting-recurring course of the disease were involved in this study. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 18, MedCalc and Microsoft Excel software using standard descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analysis. In total, 197 cases of MS relapses were registered. Episodes of relapses prevailed in winter-spring period. Multiple regression model including suggested climate factors showed multiple correlation coefficient – 0.55 (p<0.01). The prevalence of MS was higher in females, while general incidence of recurrences was similar to males. However, relapse rate in different age groups differs: the rate of recurrence increases in women aged after 50 years (mean annualized relapse rate (ARR)=0.66), while it slowly decreases in men with aging. The duration of the disease did not have significant effect on the course of MS in women, whereas weak negative relationship (0.24, p<0.001) between the duration of the disease and the frequency of MS in men was showed. Correspondingly, the average negative correlation (-0.37, p<0.001) was detected between the age of disease onset and the incidence of MS recurrence in males, while this connection was not observed in females. We established that the recurrence of MS is a result of multifactorial influence of external and internal factors. Individual seasonal climate variability did not have sufficient force of influence. Therefore, combined effect of corresponding climate changes played a significant role. Furthermore, it is quite probable that interactions of MS with external factors influencing the human body can be mutually integrated

New ex-OH maser detections in the northern celestial hemisphere

Aims.Molecular masers, including methanol and hydroxyl masers, and in particular the ones in excited rotational states (ex-OHmasers), are one of the most informative tools for studying star-forming regions. So, the discovery, of new maser sources in theseregions is of great importance. Many studies and surveys of ex-OH maser sources have been carried out in the southern celestialhemisphere, but only a few have been done in the northern hemisphere. The specific aim of this work is to close this gap.Methods.The star-forming regions in the northern hemisphere with known active methanol masers were observed to search for newex-OH maser sources with the 32 m and 16 m radio telescopes of the Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre (VIRAC).Results.Three OH maser lines in the excited state at the 6035 MHz in three northern hemisphere star-forming regions are detected.The maser 189.030+0.783 was previously known, but we suggest this maser is a possible variable. We confirm recent detections ofthe ex-OH masers 85.41+0.00 and 90.92+1.49 by other authors. The magnetic field strength in the masering regions is estimated byusing right circular polarization (RCP) and left circular polarization (LCP) pair splitting. The high-velocity resolution provides uswith an estimation of a comparatively small magnetic field strength for the 189.030+0.783 and 90.92+1.49 star-forming regionsComment: 6 pages 1 figure 4 table

Електронний підручник як засіб оптимізації післядипломної підготовки спеціалістів охорони здоров’я

Aim. To determine the scientific and methodological approaches to elaboration of electronic textbooks.Materials and methods. The methods of analysis and generalization were used in the study.Results. The study gave a possibility to assess domestic regulatory support for elaboration and implementation of electronic textbooks, define their types, basic characteristics and basic principles of development. The authorial definition of an “electronic textbook” and an algorithm to create electronic textbooks are presented.Conclusions. The algorithm for electronic textbook elaboration created in the study has been used to develop an electronic textbook of the second type “Pharmaceutical and biomedical aspects of medicines” for postgraduate training of healthcare professionals.Цель: определение научно-методических подходов к созданию электронного учебника.Материалы и методы. В работе были использованы методы анализа и обобщения.Результаты исследования. Изучено отечественное нормативное обеспечение создания и внедрения электронных учебников с обозначением их типов, базовых характеристик и основных принципов разработки. Представлены авторское определение понятия «электронный учебник» и алгоритм его создания.Выводы. Отработан алгоритм создания электронного учебника, на основании которого создан электронный учебник второго типа для системы последипломного образования специалистов охраны здоровья «Фармацевтические и медико-биологические аспекты лекарств».Мета: окреслення науково-методичних підходів до створення електронного підручника.Матеріали та методи. У роботі були використані методи аналізу та узагальнення.Результати дослідження. Вивчено вітчизняне нормативне забезпечення створення та упровадження електронних підручників із визначенням їх типів, базових характеристик та основних принципів розробки. Наведено авторське визначення поняття «електронний підручник» та алгоритм його створення.Висновки. Опрацьовано алгоритм створення електронного підручника, на основі якого розроблено електронний підручник другого типу для системи післядипломної освіти фахівців охорони здоров’я «Фармацевтичні та медико-біологічні аспекти ліків»

"Digital petrophysics" in studies of porosity properties of low- permeable reservoirs

The article focuses on study in the properties of low-permeable reservoirs. The object of the research is the Bazhenov formation rocks taken from a well drilled in an oilfield of the West Siberian basin. A series of experiments were carried out to determine porosity of rocks by different methods: the helium saturation, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), microcomputed tomography (mCT). A comparative analysis was conducted to assess the efficiency of different methods. The obtained results have shown that common methods of petrophysical surveys are insufficient for carbonate-argillaceous Low-permeable rocks, containing a great amount of hand extractable organic matter. The additional data received by the mCT method gave an opportunity to increase sufficiently the reliability of the research results. We have concluded that the most efficient method for the study of low-permeable rocks is a combined use of the NMR and the mCT

Influence of additives – oil tar modifiers on the oxidized bitumen adhesion to mineral materials

Petroleum tar was exposed to microwave irradiation or added with isopropyl alcohol and then oxidized to paving bitumen. The bitumen adhesion to mineral materials was investigated. Either of the two kinds of treatment enhanced the bitumen adhesion to marble chips and sand. The adhesion to the marble chips ran up to 5 points in contrast to 3 point of the sand adhesion magnitude. Addition of the alcohol to the tar promotes rise in alcohol benzene and benzene resins content in resulting bitumen to the greater exnent then the microwave irradiation which leads to reinforcing its bond with marble chips and sand

Design of pilot training for craft occupations in the northern region

The place and role of artisan education and artisan occupations in the contemporary society are analysed in scientific article "Adaptation of european model of artisan education to conditions of north region of Russia". Accumulated in Russia in recent years, German experience of experimental personnel training for small artisan companies is analysed, as well as peculiarities of its using in north regions of the country. Given results and conclusions may influence on the development strategy of Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug system of professional education.В статье рассматриваются место и роль ремесленной деятельности и ремесленного образования в современном обществе. Анализируется немецкий опыт реализации экспериментальной подготовки кадров для малых предприятий ремесленного профиля, накопленный за последние годы в России, а также особенности его использования в северных регионах страны. Мультипликация представленной модели ремесленного образования может оказать влияние на стратегию развития системы профессионального образования Ямало-Ненецкого автономного округа