The schedule of educational process at the university: automation and optimization

The article considers the automated scheduling of the educational process in the University: problems and prospects. An overview of the existing automated systems for generation of schedules on the market; given their brief description and comparative analysis. Built functional IDEF0 model, showing the process of creating the schedule Manager using the system AUTO SCHEDULE AVTORВ статье рассмотрено автоматизированное составление расписания учебного процесса в вузе: проблемы и перспективы. Сделан обзор существующих автоматизированных систем для формирования расписания, представленных на рынке; дана их краткая характеристика и проведен сравнительный анализ. Построены функциональные IDEF0 модели, наглядно отражающие процесс создания расписания диспетчером с использованием системы Авторасписание AVTO

Feasibility and challenges of performing magnetoencephalography experiments in children with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita

Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) has recently drawn substantial attention from researchers and clinicians. New effective surgical and physiotherapeutic methods have been developed to improve the quality of life of patients with AMC. While it is clear that all these interventions should strongly rely on the plastic reorganization of the central nervous system, almost no studies have investigated this topic. The present study demonstrates the feasibility of using magnetoencephalography (MEG) to investigate brain activity in young AMC patients. We also outlined the general challenges and limitations of electrophysiological investigations on patients with arthrogryposis. We conducted MEG recordings using a 306-channel Elekta Neuromag VectorView system during a cued motor task performance in four patients with arthrogryposis, five normally developed children, and five control adults. Following the voice command of the experimenter, each subject was asked to bring their hand toward their mouth to imitate the self-feeding process. Two patients had latissimus dorsi transferred to the biceps brachii position, one patient had a pectoralis major transferred to the biceps brachii position, and one patient had no elbow flexion restoration surgery before the MEG investigation. Three patients who had undergone autotransplantation prior to the MEG investigation demonstrated activation in the sensorimotor area contralateral to the elbow flexion movement similar to the healthy controls. One patient who was recorded before the surgery demonstrated subjectively weak distributed bilateral activation during both left and right elbow flexion. Visual inspection of MEG data suggested that neural activity associated with motor performance was less pronounced and more widely distributed across the cortical areas of patients than of healthy control subjects. In general, our results could serve as a proof of principle in terms of the application of MEG in studies on cortical activity in patients with AMC. Reported trends might be consistent with the idea that prolonged motor deficits are associated with more difficult neuronal recruitment and the spatial heterogeneity of neuronal sources, most likely reflecting compensatory neuronal mechanisms. On the practical side, MEG could be a valuable technique for investigating the neurodynamics of patients with AMC as a function of postoperative abilitation

Cyclic peroxides and related initiating systems for radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate

Cyclic peroxides as initiators for the radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate were proposed. The initial rates, initiation rates, and effective activation energies of polymerization initiated by cyclic peroxides and cyclic peroxide-1-pyridyl-2-ferrocene systems were determined. The radical yields to the volume upon the thermal decomposition of cyclic peroxides and their catalytic decomposition in the presence of 1-pyridyl-2-ferrocene were determined. In combination with 1-pyridyl-2-ferrocene cyclic peroxides form efficient initiating systems favoring an increase in the polymerization rate, a decrease in the molecular weights, and an increase in syndiotacticity of the synthesized poly(methyl methacrylate). © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York

Direct transesterification of microalgae after Pulsed Electric Field ( PEF ) treatment

Background Lipid extraction is a major bottleneck for the commercialization of microalgae due to energy costs involved during solvent recycling. Direct transesterification offers the possibility to bypass the extraction step by immediately converting the lipids to fatty acids methyl esters (FAMEs). In this study, the efficiency of direct transesterification after pulsed electric field (PEF) was evaluated. Freshly harvested Auxenochlorella protothecoides (A. protothecoides), cultivated either autotrophically or mixotrophically, was subjected to PEF. Two treatment energies were tested, 0.25 MJ/kgdw and 1.5 MJ/kgdw and results were compared with conventional two-step transesterification. Results For autotrophically grown A. protothecoides, the percentage of the total FAMEs recovered from untreated biomass and microalgae treated with 0.25 MJ/kgdw was 30% for both cases while for 1.5 MJ/kgdw it was 65%. A 24-h incubation step between PEF-treatment and direct transesterification significantly improved the results. Untreated biomass remained stable with 30% of FAMEs, while with both treatment energies a 97% FAME recovery was achieved. However, for mixotrophic A. protothecoides the process was not as effective. Approximately 30% of FAMEs were recovered for all three conditions immediately after PEF with only a marginal increase after incubation. The reason for this different behavior of the two cultivation modes is unknown and under investigation. Conclusions Overall, the synergy between PEF and direct transesterification was proven to have potential, in particular for autotrophic microalgae. Its implementation and further optimization in a biorefinery therefore merits further attention

Direct transesterification of microalgae after Pulsed Electric Field ( PEF ) treatment

Background Lipid extraction is a major bottleneck for the commercialization of microalgae due to energy costs involved during solvent recycling. Direct transesterification offers the possibility to bypass the extraction step by immediately converting the lipids to fatty acids methyl esters (FAMEs). In this study, the efficiency of direct transesterification after pulsed electric field (PEF) was evaluated. Freshly harvested Auxenochlorella protothecoides (A. protothecoides), cultivated either autotrophically or mixotrophically, was subjected to PEF. Two treatment energies were tested, 0.25 MJ/kgdw and 1.5 MJ/kgdw and results were compared with conventional two-step transesterification. Results For autotrophically grown A. protothecoides, the percentage of the total FAMEs recovered from untreated biomass and microalgae treated with 0.25 MJ/kgdw was 30% for both cases while for 1.5 MJ/kgdw it was 65%. A 24-h incubation step between PEF-treatment and direct transesterification significantly improved the results. Untreated biomass remained stable with 30% of FAMEs, while with both treatment energies a 97% FAME recovery was achieved. However, for mixotrophic A. protothecoides the process was not as effective. Approximately 30% of FAMEs were recovered for all three conditions immediately after PEF with only a marginal increase after incubation. The reason for this different behavior of the two cultivation modes is unknown and under investigation. Conclusions Overall, the synergy between PEF and direct transesterification was proven to have potential, in particular for autotrophic microalgae. Its implementation and further optimization in a biorefinery therefore merits further attention

Волонтёрская помощь инвалидам и маломобильным гражданам в образовательных организациях высшего образования транспортной отрасли

The objective of the study was to examine the impact of organisation of volunteer movement on solving of the University tasks and on motivation of the students, particularly considering the sustainable development goals.The attention has been focused on the analysis of the mechanism and methods of implementing the capacity of volunteer movement, from the point of view of possibilities of forming socially significant qualities and value orientations in students that correspond to the needs of society and development of the transport complex, as week as the skills of legal culture and behaviour of future transport employees. A conclusion is drawn about the need to use the opportunities of volunteering as a means of self-development of the student’s personality.The study was particularly dedicated to examining the experience of the Resource Training and Methodological Centre for Training Disabled Persons and Persons with Disabilities created and operating in Russian University of Transport, main directions of increasing the efficiency of activities to create necessary conditions for accessibility of higher education for persons with disabilities in transport universities.Social survey allowed to reveal and assess the correlation of motivation and interest of participants in volunteer movement in training on the programs offered at Russian University of Transport and in participating in volunteering since most important incentives spread among the students comprise desire to help people to feel needed, as well as the desire to master new skills and acquire competences.С применением методов системно-правового подхода и социологических инструментов рассматриваются актуальные вопросы вовлечения в волонтёрскую деятельность студентов транспортных вузов (на примере Российского университета транспорта), организации работы по их привлечению к оказанию помощи инвалидам и маломобильным гражданам на транспорте.Цель исследования – изучить влияние организации волонтёрского движения на решение задач деятельности университета и реализацию мотивации обучающихся, в том числе с учётом достижения целей устойчивого развития.Существенное внимание уделено анализу механизма и способов реализации потенциала волонтёрского движения с точки зрения возможностей формирования у студентов социально-значимых качеств, ценностных ориентаций, соответствующих потребностям общества и развития транспортного комплекса, навыков правокультурного поведения будущих специалистов транспорта. В статье обосновывается вывод о необходимости исполь саморазвития личности обучающегося.Изучены опыт работы созданного и действующего на базе Российского университета транспорта Ресурсного учебно-методического центра по обучению инвалидов и лиц с ограниченными возможностями здоровья, направления повышения эффективности деятельности по созданию условий доступности высшего образования для лиц с ограниченными возможностями здоровья в транспортных вузах.Социологический анализ позволил выявить и оценить корреляцию мотивации и заинтересованности участников волонтёрского движения в обучении по реализуемым в Российском университете транспорта программам и участии в волонтёрском движении, так как среди побудительных мотивов обучающихся наиболее значимыми и распространёнными являются желание помогать людям чувствовать себя нужными, а также стремление к освоению новых навыков и приобретению умений

Paleo-Ecology of the Yedoma Ice Complex on Sobo-Sise Island (Eastern Lena Delta, Siberian Arctic)

Late Pleistocene permafrost of the Yedoma type constitutes a valuable paleo-environmental archive due to the presence of numerous and well-preserved floral and faunal fossils. The study of the fossil Yedoma inventory allows for qualitative and quantitative reconstructions of past ecosystem and climate conditions and variations over time. Here, we present the results of combined paleo-proxy studies including pollen, chironomid, diatom and mammal fossil analyses from a prominent Yedoma cliff on Sobo-Sise Island in the eastern Lena Delta, NE Siberia to complement previous and ongoing paleo-ecological research in western Beringia. The Yedoma Ice Complex (IC) cliff on Sobo-Sise Island (up to 28 m high, 1.7 km long) was continuously sampled at 0.5 m resolution. The entire sequence covers the last about 52 cal kyr BP, but is not continuous as it shows substantial hiatuses at 36–29 cal kyr BP, at 20–17 cal kyr BP and at 15–7 cal kyr BP. The Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 3 Yedoma IC (52–28 cal kyr BP) pollen spectra show typical features of tundra–steppe vegetation. Green algae remains indicate freshwater conditions. The chironomid assemblages vary considerably in abundance and diversity. Chironomid-based TJuly reconstructions during MIS 3 reveal warmer-than-today TJuly at about 51 cal kyr BP, 46-44 and 41 cal kyr BP. The MIS 2 Yedoma IC (28–15 cal kyr BP) pollen spectra represent tundra-steppe vegetation as during MIS 3, but higher abundance of Artemisia and lower abundances of algae remains indicate drier summer conditions. The chironomid records are poor. The MIS 1 (7–0 cal kyr BP) pollen spectra indicate shrub-tundra vegetation. The chironomid fauna is sparse and not diverse. The chironomid-based TJuly reconstruction supports similar-as-today temperatures at 6.4–4.4 cal kyr BP. Diatoms were recorded only after about 6.4 cal kyr BP. The Sobo-Sise Yedoma record preserves traces of the West Beringian tundra-steppe that maintained the Mammoth fauna including rare evidence for woolly rhinoceros’ presence. Chironomid-based TJuly reconstructions complement previous plant-macrofossil based TJuly of regional MIS 3 records. Our study from the eastern Lena Delta fits into and extends previous paleo-ecological Yedoma studies to characterize Beringian paleo-environments in the Laptev Sea coastal region

Paleo-Ecology of the Yedoma Ice Complex on Sobo-Sise Island (EasternLena Delta, Siberian Arctic)

Late Pleistocene permafrost of the Yedoma type constitutes a valuable paleo-environmental archive due to the presence of numerous and well-preserved floral and faunal fossils. The study of the fossil Yedoma inventory allows for qualitative and quantitative reconstructions of past ecosystem and climate conditions and variations over time. Here, we present the results of combined paleo-proxy studies including pollen, chironomid, diatom and mammal fossil analyses from a prominent Yedoma cliff on Sobo-Sise Island in the eastern Lena Delta, NE Siberia to complement previous and ongoing paleo-ecological research in western Beringia. The Yedoma Ice Complex (IC) cliff on Sobo-Sise Island (up to 28 m high, 1.7 km long) was continuously sampled at 0.5 m resolution. The entire sequence covers the last about 52 cal kyr BP, but is not continuous as it shows substantial hiatuses at 36–29 cal kyr BP, at 20–17 cal kyr BP and at 15–7 cal kyr BP. The Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 3 Yedoma IC (52–28 cal kyr BP) pollen spectra show typical features of tundra–steppe vegetation. Green algae remains indicate freshwater conditions. The chironomid assemblages vary considerably in abundance and diversity. Chironomid-based TJuly reconstructions during MIS 3 reveal warmer-than-today TJuly at about 51 cal kyr BP, 46-44 and 41 cal kyr BP. The MIS 2 Yedoma IC (28–15 cal kyr BP) pollen spectra represent tundra-steppe vegetation as during MIS 3, but higher abundance of Artemisia and lower abundances of algae remains indicate drier summer conditions. The chironomid records are poor. The MIS 1 (7–0 cal kyr BP) pollen spectra indicate shrub-tundra vegetation. The chironomid fauna is sparse and not diverse. The chironomid-based TJuly reconstruction supports similar-as-today temperatures at 6.4–4.4 cal kyr BP. Diatoms were recorded only after about 6.4 cal kyr BP. The Sobo-Sise Yedoma record preserves traces of the West Beringian tundra-steppe that maintained the Mammoth fauna including rare evidence for woolly rhinoceros’ presence. Chironomid-based TJuly reconstructions complement previous plant-macrofossil based TJuly of regional MIS 3 records. Our study from the eastern Lena Delta fits into and extends previous paleo-ecological Yedoma studies to characterize Beringian paleo-environments in the Laptev Sea coastal region

Молекулярные особенности почечно-клеточного рака: ранняя диагностика и перспективы терапии

Kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma) is one of the major problems of modern urological oncology. In Russia renal cell carcinoma accountsfor 4.3 % of all cancers. The global incidence of renal cell carcinoma has increased over the past two decades. Worldwide renal cell carcinoma accounts for 3.6 % of all cancers and is 10th frequent malignancy. For some malignancies, for instance tumours of prostate, there are markers known that allowed improved early diagnostics. Kidney cancer, however, remains to be hard to diagnose and to treat, since the symptoms can be detected on advanced stages of the disease. In Russia 75.4 % of renal cell carcinoma cases detected at the stage of local and locally advanced disease. Though there are various target drugs on the market aimed to treat this disease, the results of renal cell carcinoma treatment did not reach any substantial success. Most of existing target drugs for kidney cancer treatment include inhibitors of a single signalingpathway regulated by VHL1, which expression is lost in the vast majority of renal-cell carcinomas. Till now existing drugs did not reach sufficient efficacy. Therefore, it is highly important to search for new signaling pathways, regulating such cellular processes as proliferation, migration and apoptosis. Further, prognostic markers and therapy targets identified so far are not sufficient and poorly specific. Therefore identification and validation of new markers, and especially new specific targets for the treatment of kindey oncopathologies is highly important and timely task.Рак почки по праву считается одной из основных проблем современной онкоурологии. В структуре онкологической заболеваемости в России доля злокачественных новообразований почки составляет 4,3 %. В последние годы отмечается тенденция к увеличению абсолютного числа данной категории больных. В общей структуре заболеваемости злокачественные новообразования почки составляют 3,6 %, что соответствует 10‑му ранговому месту. Для некоторых новообразований, например опухолей простаты и яичников, существуют диагностические маркеры, что позволило в последние годы выявлять данные заболевания на значительно более ранних стадиях, нежели раньше. Рак почки по‑прежнему остается достаточно сложным в диагностическом и терапевтическом плане заболеванием, которое симптоматически проявляет себя уже на поздних стадиях. В России на момент установления диагноза локализованный и местно-распространенный рак почки выявляется у 75,4 % заболевших. Несмотря на наличие на фармацевтическом рынке различных таргетных препаратов, направленных на лечение данного заболевания, терапия почечно-клеточного рака на данный момент не достигла значительных успехов. Большинство современных таргетных терапевтических агентов, направленных на лечение рака почки, включает в себя ингибиторы различных компонентов одного сигнального пути, берущего свое начало от опухолевого супрессора VHL1, потеря экспрессии которого наблюдается в большинстве случаев почечно-клеточных карцином. Очевидно, что существующие на фармацевтическом рынке препараты не обладают достаточной терапевтической эффективностью. Именно поэтому возникает необходимость поиска новых сигнальных путей, регулирующих важнейшие клеточные процессы, такие как пролиферация, миграция и апоптоз. Существующие на сегодняшний день маркеры прогноза и мишени терапии почечно-клеточного рака малочисленны и низкоспецифичны. В связи с этим поиск и валидация новых маркеров, а в особенности новых специфических мишеней для лечения онкопатологий почки представляются чрезвычайно актуальными

Temperature change as a driver of spatial patterns and long-term trends in chironomid (Insecta: Diptera) diversity

Anthropogenic activities have led to a global decline in biodiversity, and monitoring studies indicate that both insect communities and wetland ecosystems are particularly affected. However, there is a need for long-term data (over centennial- or millennial timescales) to better understand natural community dynamics and the processes that govern the observed trends. Chironomids (Insecta: Diptera: Chironomidae) are often the most abundant insects in lake ecosystems, sensitive to environmental change, and, because their larval exoskeleton head capsules preserve well in lake sediments, they provide a unique record of insect community dynamics through time. Here, we provide the results of a meta-data analysis of chironomid diversity across a range of spatial and temporal scales. First, we analyse spatial trends in chironomid diversity using Northern Hemispheric datasets overall consisting of 837 lakes. Our results indicate that in most of our datasets summer temperature (Tjul) is strongly associated with spatial trends in modern-day chironomid diversity. We observe a strong increase in chironomid alpha diversity with increasing Tjul in regions with present day Tjul between 2.5-14 °C. In some areas with Tjul >14 °C chironomid diversity stabilises or declines. Second, we demonstrate that the direction and amplitude of change in alpha diversity in a compilation of subfossil chironomid records spanning the last glacial-interglacial transition (~15,000-11,000 years ago) are similar to those observed in our modern data. A compilation of Holocene records shows that during phases when the amplitude of temperature change was small, site-specific factors had a greater influence on the chironomid fauna obscuring the chironomid diversity-temperature relationship. Our results imply expected overall chironomid diversity increases in colder regions such as the Arctic under sustained global warming, but with complex and not necessarily predictable responses for individual sites