Biological features of the vegetative and flowering phenophase onsets among diploid plum species in Northwestern Russia

Background. Monitoring of phenological rhythms in plants is one of the stages in the study of new genotypes. The adaptive potential of a genotype at the northern border of the area of plum distribution is the main criterion characterizing a cultivar. The main role in the formation of the assortment of diploid plum species in Russia is played by cherry plum, Chinese plum, and Russian plum.   The goal of this study was to identify the factors affecting the dates of the growing season and flowering onsets for diploid plums under the conditions of Northwestern Russia.   Materials and methods. The dates of the onsets of the vegetative and flowering phases in 50 accessions of cherry, Russian and Chinese plums in 1986–2020 served as the material for the study under the conditions of collection plantations at Pushkin and Pavlovsk Laboratories of VIR.   Results and conclusion. All the species demonstrated a tendency towards a shift of phenodates to earlier dates with an average rate of 1-2 days/10 years caused by warming. The conditions of the year had the greatest effect on phenodates, as they determined 67.0–68.3 % of the variability in the phenophase onset dates; the impact of the species factor was manifold less: 0.5–1.1 %. Russian plum occupied an intermediate position between cherry plum and Chinese plum in the onsets of both the vegetative and flowering phases. No differences were observed between the species in the duration of the period between the onsets of the vegetative phase and flowering. According to the long-term observations, the most adaptive cultivars were cv. ‘Podarok Sankt-Peterburgu’ (k-41445) of Russian plum, with medium dates of both the vegetative and flowering phase onsets, and with a 20-day difference in years in the onsets of these phases, cv. ‘14-1-14’ (k-7375А) of Russian plum, and cherry plum cvs. ‘Pchelnikovskaya’ (k-41446) and ‘Krasnaya 25-29’ (k-15792А)

Formation of Optical Low-dimensional Structures for Photonic Elements

In the present article, the formation of low-dimensional periodic structures with relief repeating the trajectory of movement of an AFM probe were presented. The parameters affecting their geometric dimensions: height, width, uniformity in the layer, etc., were investigated. The method of induced deposition of silver and/or gold clusters on the surface of a Bragg mirror in the presence of an external electric field was developed. The possibility of using such structures in optical elements, photoelectronic converters, optoelectronic devices of fiber optics, as well as the construction of photonic crystals (elements) based on the periodic structures is discussed.     Keywords: nanostructures, the atomic force microscope (AFM), the probe lithograph

Expression level of androgen receptors in tumor tissue and its prognostic significance in primary operable luminal breast cancer without overexpression of Her2/neu in postmenopausal women

Aim. To evaluate the expression level and prognostic significance of androgen in primary operable luminal breast cancer without overexpression of Her2/neu in postmenopausal women. Methods. We analyzed treatment outcomes of 60 cases of primary operable (T1-2N0M0) luminal breast cancer without overexpression of Her2/neu in postmenopausal women. The follow-up period was 5 years. All cases were divided by immunohistochemical method into luminal A (20 females) and luminal B (40 patients) subtypes. Along with the standard panel of immunohistochemical markers, expression of nuclear androgen receptors was measured in tumor tissues of all patients. Depending on the expression levels, patients with luminal A and B subtypes were divided into three groups: (1) with high, (2) moderate and (3) low or negative expression. Results. Mean levels of androgen receptor expression in the nuclei of tumor cells in patients with luminal A subtype (57.3±5.9%) were higher than those of luminal B subtype (21.4±4.04%) by 62.7% (Mann-Whitney test, р=0.0026). In patients with luminal A subtype, the maximal accumulation of androgen receptors in the nuclei of tumor cells was 2.7 times higher (р=0.0023) than in patients with luminal B subtype. All cases diagnosed with the disease progression were characterized by low or negative level of nuclear androgen receptor expression. Conclusion. Negative and low levels of androgen receptor expression in tumor tissues of postmenopausal patients with luminal primary operable breast cancer without overexpression of Her2/neu might be an independent factor associated with poor prognosis

Peculiarities of anharmonic lattice dynamics and thermodynamics of alkaline-earth metals

The calculations are performed for a broad range of the properties of Ca and Sr in the fcc and bcc phases. A detailed information on the magnitude and character of temperature dependence of anharmonic effects in the lattice dynamics over the entire Brillouin zone (frequency shifts and phonon damping, Gruneisen parameters) is given. A detailed comparison of the computational results for the heat capacity and thermal expansion with the experimental data is carried out; the theoretical results are in good agreement with the experiment.Comment: 16 pages, 19 Postscript figures, Revte

Characteristics of local and system immunity, and features of cancer stem cells in patients with different stage, dynamics and prognosis of colorectal carcinoma

Clinical prognosis in malignant tumors` is among the most challenging problems of contemporary medicine. It is thought to depend on both biologic properties of tumor cells and patients` immune status. The features of tumor cells and immune reactions are closely interrelated and mutually conditioned. Therefore, possible application of their characteristics as prognostic markers is of great fundamental and clinical importance. The aim of our study is to find out the most significant immune factors for prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) based on estimation of local and system immune factors, and some characteristics of tumor cells in the patients at various stages of the disease and different clinical course. Cellular factors of immunity and cytokines were studied in blood and tumor tissue of 299 patients with colorectal cancer (stages I-IV). Malignant cells expressing stem cell markers CSC), MHC and PDL-1 molecules were also counted in the tumor tissue. Blood samples were drawn prior to operation, and tissue samples were taken during surgery being the 1st line of treatment. Flow cytometry techniques (FCM), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and ELISA approach were employed. We have compared data on the patients at different CRC stages (with or without local and distant metastases), as well as cases with different course of the disease (evolving distant metastases and fatal outcome during period of observation). Our results demonstrated increased amounts of NK-cells and IL-6 concentration, along with decreased percentage of blood CD4+ cells in the patients with local metastases, as well as higher CSC numbers in malignant tissue. The initially generalized CRC cases with distant metastases were characterized by high levels of blood IL-6, monocytes and granulocytes responding to fMLF, while in tumor tissue elevated amounts of NKT, CSC and decreased expression of MHC and PDL-1 were observed on tumor cells, like as lower PD-1/ PDL-1 expression on tumor-infiltrating lymhocytes. Unfavorable CRC dynamics, i.e., metastasizing during the observation period was preceded by increased levels of IL-10 in blood, NK cells with poor cytotoxicity, monocytes and granulocytes responding to fMLF. In tumor tissue, overexpression of CSC markers and hypo-expression of MHC on tumor cells were noted. Fatal outcome was preceded by elevation of blood IL-6levels, tissue levels of NKТ and CSC percentages, along with decreased NK cells subset (CD16dimCD56bright) in blood, and decline of MHC-expressing cells in the tumor. Thus, high blood levels of IL-6 and IL-10, fMLF-responding monocytes and granulocytes, as well as elevated amounts of NKT and CSC, hypo-expression of MHC in tumor tissue could be considered prognostic markers of unfavorable course in CRC patients. Decrease of PD-1/PDL-1 expression on tumor cells and lymphocytes from its microenvironment in advanced CRC is of special attention, because checkpoint inhibitors are prescribed in such cases

The kinetics of L10 superstructure formation in the Cu–56Au alloy (at. %): resistometric study

Due to the improved strength properties compared to the equiatomic Cu–50 at. % Au alloy, non-stoichiometric Cu–56 at. % Au alloy can be used both in dentistry and as a corrosion-resistant conductor of weak electrical signals in tool engineering. The work studies the kinetics of the disorder→order phase transformation in the Cu–56Au alloy, during which the disordered fcc lattice (A1-phase) is rearranged into an atomically ordered one with the L10 superstructure. The initial disordered state of the alloy was obtained in two ways: applying plastic deformation by 90 % or quenching at a temperature of above 600 °C (i. e., from the region of the A1-phase existence). To form the L10 superstructure, annealing was carried out at temperatures of 200, 225, and 250 °C. The annealing duration ranged from 1 h to 2 months. Resistometry was chosen as the main technique to study the kinetics of the disorder→order transformation. The temperature dependences of the electrical resistivity of the alloy in various structural states are obtained. The authors constructed the graphs of the electrical resistance dependence on the annealing time logarithm, based on which, the rate of the new phase formation was estimated. To evaluate the structural state of the alloy at various transformation stages, the authors used X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The crystal structure rearrangement during the transformation is shown by the example of splitting the initial cubic A1-phase peak (200) into two tetragonal ordered L10 phase peaks – (200) and (002). Based on the resistometry and X-ray diffraction analysis data, the authors carried out a quantitative assessment of the rate of the disorder→order phase transformation in the alloy under the study. It is established that the values of the converted volume fraction (resistometry) and the long-range order degree (X-ray diffraction analysis) are close. The study shows that in the temperature range of 200–250 °C, the rate of atomic ordering according to the L10 type in the nonstoichiometric alloy Cu–56 at. % Au is maximum at 250 °C. It is identified that the disorder→order transformation in the initially quenched specimens of the investigated alloy proceeds approximately an order of magnitude faster than in preliminarily deformed specimens

SSR analysis of modern Russian potato varieties using DNA samples of nomenclatural standards

The N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR) is developing new approaches to documentation of national cultivars, taking into account recommendations of the International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants in parallel with methods of genetic certification. The nomenclatural standard of a particular cultivar represented by a herbarium specimen can be used as a reference for verifying authenticity and uniformity of cultivar specimens obtained from various sources. The verification requires fast and reliable methods for cultivar genotyping. This paper presents protocols for modified methods of DNA extraction, PCR-analysis and SSR-genotyping, which allow potato cultivars identification without the use of expensive reagent kits. A set of ten chromosome-specific microsatellite markers was used to study polymorphisms in 66 modern Russian potato cultivars, as well as in 11 pre-cultivars and breeding clones, represented by nomenclatural standards and voucher specimens, respectively. This subset of 77 specimens has demonstrated a high level of polymorphism in ten studied microsatellite loci. The SSR analysis identified 73 alleles; 7.3 alleles per locus were observed on average, the number of which varied from 3 (STG0025 locus) to 11 (locus StI046). The PIC values varied from 0.544 (STG0025 locus) to 0.836 (StI046 locus). The alleles, unique for this subset, were found at six studied loci. The high level of polymorphism at the SSR loci made it possible to unambiguously identify almost every cultivar, with the exception of the expected coincidence of microsatellite profiles of two cultivars, which are somaclonal variants. Using an optimized set of eight microsatellite markers, the genetic relationships of modern Russian potato cultivars were studied

Перспективный образец корневого цикория

Relevance. One of the types of agricultural raw materials for the food industry is the root chicory, the product from the roots of which is produced in pure form, as well as is an important component in the production of tea and coffee drinks, confectionery. Its value is determined by the content in the roots of inulin, fructose, intibin and chicory. Despite the great economic importance and economic profitability of chicory cultivation, in recent years, the local processing industry is not provided with this type of raw material and is forced to buy the product from dried root crops in other countries, such as Ukraine, Italy and India. Modern agricultural production is in dire need of new varieties of root chicory, combining high yields and chemical and technological qualities, having the form of a root crop suitable for mechanized harvesting, and adapted to cultivation in soil and climatic conditions of the Non-chernozem zone. Purpose of work: to assess the nature of the impact of ultraviolet radiation in the time mode on watermelon seeds using cytogenetic analysis.Material and methods. The article describes the results of the test in the control nursery of a new sample of chicory root with 0428 selection of Rostov OSC.Results. As a result of breeding work, a promising sample of root chicory. It was isolated early maturing, with high yields and economically valuable properties, root crop truncated, suitable for mechanized harvesting by commercially available machines. Актуальность. Одним из видов сельскохозяйственного сырья для пищевой промышленности служит корневой цикорий, продукт из корнеплодов которого вырабатывается как в чистом виде, а также является важным компонентом при производстве чайных и кофейных напитков, кондитерских изделий. В настоящее время это самостоятельный достаточно распространённый и востребованный продукт. Ценность его определяется содержанием в корнеплодах инулина, фруктозы, интибина и цикореоля. Несмотря на большое народнохозяйственное значение и экономическую выгодность выращивания цикория, в последние годы местная перерабатывающая промышленность не обеспечивается этим видом сырья и вынуждена закупать продукт из высушенных корнеплодов в других странах, таких как Украина, Италия и Индия. Современное сельскохозяйственное производство крайне остро нуждается в новых сортах корневого цикория, сочетающих в себе высокую урожайность и химико-технологические качества, имеющих форму корнеплода, пригодную для механизированной уборки, и адаптированных к возделыванию в почвенно-климатических условиях Нечернозёмной Зоны.Материал и методы. В статье дана характеристика по результатам испытания в контрольном питомнике нового образца цикория корневого С 0428 селекции Ростовской ОСЦ – филиал ФГБНУ ФНЦО раннеспелого.Результаты. В результате селекционной работы выделен перспективный образец цикория корневого с высокими показателями урожайности и хозяйственно ценными свойствами, корнеплодом усечённой формы, пригодной для механизированной уборки серийно выпускаемыми машинами.

Cyber sales as the latest tool for optimizing an enterprise strategy

Cyber sales as the latest tool for optimizing an enterprise strategy / Yu. Robul, O. Deineha, M. Prokopenko, N. Novikova, O. Lukianykhina, N. Baistriuchenko // International journal of scientific & technology research. – 2020. – Vol. 9, Issue 02 ( February ). – P 5264-5268.Ця стаття допоможе оптимізувати цифрову стратегію підприємства, перейшовши від холодних продажів із втратою до 99% трафіку до автоматичних продажів за допомогою чат-ботів і найвищої конверсії.An independent and informed buyer, for the most part, no longer responds to attempts to sell him something ―on the forehead. The paradigm of ―cold sales and the constant search for new customers does not compete with the new strategy - building long-term relationships with customers using specially designed ―sales tunnels. The article reveals the concept of cyber-sales or auto-funnels. The methodology of construction and operation of automatic sales tunnels is shown, both at the preparation and planning stage and at the stage of technical implementation of the sales tunnel. Particular attention in the article is given to chatbots, which are used in instant messengers for the technical organization of sales tunnels. They can build communication with the client around the clock, perform tasks of information and promotion. They significantly reduce the cost and simplify work with clients. Every year, bots are becoming smarter and more functional. The article considers five main proposals that are necessary for the consumer to move through the funnel: Lead Magnet, Tripwire, Core Product, Profit Maximizer and Recurring Payments. The article also lists the main tools used in the planning, implementation and analysis of auto-funnels. Cyber sales in business is a customer communication system that works automatically. A sequential chain of interconnected content that, like a tunnel, leads a customer to a purchase. In fact, this automated system is an alternative to the services of a sales manager. This article will help optimize the digital strategy of the enterprise by moving from cold sales with a loss of up to 99% of traffic to automatic sales using chatbots and the highest conversion.Эта статья поможет оптимизировать цифровую стратегию предприятия, перейдя от холодных продаж с потерей до 99% трафика к автоматическим продажам с использованием чат-ботов и максимальной конверсией