STRONTIUM DISTRIBUTION IN UPPER DEVONIAN CONODONT ELEMENTS: A PALAEOBIOLOGICAL PROXY

Conodonts are an extinct group of marine animals possessing debated affinities. The conodont elements are composed of calcium phosphate [apatite (CaF)] and collagen-like proteins. Distribution of Sr in the bioapatite of albid, lamellar and paralamellar tissues of some Upper Devonian conodont element crowns from NW Russia was studied by microprobe. The calcium phosphate of the lamellar and paralamellar tissues demonstrates periodical oscillation of Sr contents across the lamellae (0.4-0.5 wt% in the outer part of lamella, and 0.2 wt% in the inner part). The albid tissue contains Sr of less than 0.4 wt%. It is suggested that oscillations of Sr concentrations reflect the periodic growth of the lamellae, and the average Ca/Sr ratio can be a proxy of the growth rate

От фабрики к платформе: автономия и контроль в цифровой экономике

The sociology of work paid close attention to the factory and office as the physical and social space where the labor process was directly carried out and where workers faced managerial supervision, control, and power. The article discusses new decentralized forms of labor organization based on digital platforms which connect self-employed workers with clients and customers. The rapid spread of platforms in many spheres of the economy (from the IT sector and creative industries to consumer services, taxi services, and delivery) puts the task of rethinking the concepts of labor sociology, labor legislation and social policy models on the agenda. Generally, organizational decentralization was discussed in the context of increasing the autonomy of workers. However, information and communication technologies made possible not only the effective coordination of dispersed workers, but also tight algorithmic control. Workers who are outside the enterprise, both physically and legally, nevertheless experience a strong influence of digital platforms on the key conditions of their work and employment. The article discusses the nature and types of digital work platforms, sources of platform power, forms of algorithmic management, the role of user ratings, as well as the possible regulation of platform employment. The author conceptualizes the problems of labor autonomy and control within the typology of platforms: marketplace vs. shadow corporation

Труд и власть в российской модели платформенного капитализма

With the digitalization of the economy and society, varieties of "platform capitalism" appeared in the world. The article presents the first attempt at a critical understanding of the "gig economy" model that is taking shape in contemporary Russia. By problematizing the narratives that dominate foreign studies of platform employment, the author shows the embeddedness of platformization in the current economic system. Unlike countries with a developed market economy, labor platforms in Russia are part of giant platform ecosystems controlled by oligarchic businesses and the state, which, in the course of "creeping nationalization", increases its influence through ownership and management structures. In key sectors of platform employment, quasi-monopolies are formed with the dominance of one company. In the context of geopolitical tensions, the process of "sovereignization" and the closure of the platform economy is being completed. Having successfully platformized informal labor markets in some sectors, platforms are becoming a tool for the legalization of employment in the hands of the state, driven primarily by fiscal interests. In Russia, a neoliberal model of regulation of the gig economy is being formed based on the legal introduction of the category of 'self-employed' in the absence of due attention to labor rights and the social protection of workers. With the strengthening of the authoritarian nature of the state, the possibilities of self-organization and collective defense of the interests of platform workers are blocked. The author concludes that in the Russian model of "platform capitalism", the state enters an alliance with big capital and consumers against labor: the state strengthens control over the economy and tax revenues, large platform companies use labor at lower costs, and consumers receive cheap services through convenient digital services. The author calls for an integration of the issues of platform capitalism into broader discussions about the Russian model of socio-economic development

Mitochondrial physiology

As the knowledge base and importance of mitochondrial physiology to evolution, health and disease expands, the necessity for harmonizing the terminology concerning mitochondrial respiratory states and rates has become increasingly apparent. The chemiosmotic theory establishes the mechanism of energy transformation and coupling in oxidative phosphorylation. The unifying concept of the protonmotive force provides the framework for developing a consistent theoretical foundation of mitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics. We follow the latest SI guidelines and those of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) on terminology in physical chemistry, extended by considerations of open systems and thermodynamics of irreversible processes. The concept-driven constructive terminology incorporates the meaning of each quantity and aligns concepts and symbols with the nomenclature of classical bioenergetics. We endeavour to provide a balanced view of mitochondrial respiratory control and a critical discussion on reporting data of mitochondrial respiration in terms of metabolic flows and fluxes. Uniform standards for evaluation of respiratory states and rates will ultimately contribute to reproducibility between laboratories and thus support the development of data repositories of mitochondrial respiratory function in species, tissues, and cells. Clarity of concept and consistency of nomenclature facilitate effective transdisciplinary communication, education, and ultimately further discovery

Mitochondrial physiology

As the knowledge base and importance of mitochondrial physiology to evolution, health and disease expands, the necessity for harmonizing the terminology concerning mitochondrial respiratory states and rates has become increasingly apparent. The chemiosmotic theory establishes the mechanism of energy transformation and coupling in oxidative phosphorylation. The unifying concept of the protonmotive force provides the framework for developing a consistent theoretical foundation of mitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics. We follow the latest SI guidelines and those of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) on terminology in physical chemistry, extended by considerations of open systems and thermodynamics of irreversible processes. The concept-driven constructive terminology incorporates the meaning of each quantity and aligns concepts and symbols with the nomenclature of classical bioenergetics. We endeavour to provide a balanced view of mitochondrial respiratory control and a critical discussion on reporting data of mitochondrial respiration in terms of metabolic flows and fluxes. Uniform standards for evaluation of respiratory states and rates will ultimately contribute to reproducibility between laboratories and thus support the development of data repositories of mitochondrial respiratory function in species, tissues, and cells. Clarity of concept and consistency of nomenclature facilitate effective transdisciplinary communication, education, and ultimately further discovery

Factor influence of values and education in the sphere of personnel training Факторные влияния ценностей и образования в сфере подготовки кадров

The article justifies priority of study of impact of values on educational systems as rather powerful factors. It reveals shortcomings and possibilities of influence of educational establishments upon the system of values through educational and pedagogical activity. It tracks system nature of formation of the system of values at various stages of personnel training, including within the framework of post-graduate education and development of personnel in companies. It marks that the direction of activity of educational establishments as important institutes of formation of values of the population is the social direction, which allows a person who studies to form his or her social environment through new acquaintances, which could play extremely important role in this person’s activity, including in the professional sphere. The article justifies that devaluation of life values causes weakening of the role of education in the life of a person and perception of it as a formal necessity for obtaining a certain social status and possibilities of labour activity in better conditions (with a higher level of salary and other social guarantees).В статье обоснована приоритетность исследования воздействий ценностей на образовательные системы как достаточно мощных факторов. Выявлены недостатки и возможности влияния учебных заведений на ценностные ориентации через просветительско-воспитательную деятельность. Прослежена системность формирования ценностных ориентаций на различных этапах подготовки кадров, в том числе, в рамках последипломного образования и развития персонала на предприятиях. Обозначено, что направлением деятельности учреждений образования как важных институтов формирования ценностей населения является социальное, позволяющее лицу, которое учится, через новые знакомства формировать свое социальное окружение, что в будущем может играть чрезвычайно важную роль в его жизнедеятельности, в том числе, и в профессиональной сфере. Обосновано, что девальвация жизненных ценностей вызывает ослабление роли образования в жизни человека, восприятие его как формальной необходимости для получения соответствующего социального статуса и возможностей трудовой деятельности в лучших условиях (с более высоким уровнем оплаты труда и других социальных гарантий)

Changes in calf productivity and resistance as a result of using the lactulose-based feed additive

Objective: the aim of the research is to make a comprehensive assessment of the prebiotic feed additive effect on calves. The experiment was carried out in work conditions on 10 black-and-white Holstein-cross calves at the age of 2 to 32 days. To conduct the experiment, an experimental group and a test group have been formed. Each group has included five milk-fed calves at the age of 2 days and older. All the calves have been given colostrum in their first 2–4 hours after birth and then they have been fed three times a day, at regular intervals. The following methods are used: clinical, microbiological, immunological and statistical. The article describes the prebiotic lactulose-based additive effect on the intestinal microbiocenosis development in one-month old calves and presents an assessment of humoral and cellular components of natural resistance in calves. The research results show a positive effect of the lactulose-based additive on the symbiotic microflora of the gastrointestinal tract that improves the natural resistance of the body and the physiological status of animals, reduces the disease duration and contributes to an increase in weight gain. After feeding the calves with the lactulose-containing preparation during their first month of life, the weight gain of each calf in the experimental group has been 21.8 kg, or + 51 % of the initial weight and in the test group 19.0 kg, or + 41 % of the initial weight. Feeding the additive has an impact on the two components of natural resistance: serum bactericidal activity in the experimental group calves has been higher by 17.8 % and the phagocytosis activity has been higher by 30.5%, compared to the test group calves. Feeding calves with the lactulose-containing additive helps reduce the illness duration, stimulates the increase in live weight and affects the natural resistance level of newborn animals positively

Studies of the role of tubulin beta II isotype in regulation of mitochondrial respiration in intracellular energetic units in cardiac cells.

International audienceThe aim of this study was to investigate the possible role of tubulin βII, a cytoskeletal protein, in regulation of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and energy fluxes in heart cells. This isotype of tubulin is closely associated with mitochondria and co-expressed with mitochondrial creatine kinase (MtCK). It can be rapidly removed by mild proteolytic treatment of permeabilized cardiomyocytes in the absence of stimulatory effect of cytochrome c, that demonstrating the intactness of the outer mitochondrial membrane. Contrary to isolated mitochondria, in permeabilized cardiomyocytes (in situ mitochondria) the addition of pyruvate kinase (PK) and phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) in the presence of creatine had no effect on the rate of respiration controlled by activated MtCK, showing limited permeability of voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) in mitochondrial outer membrane (MOM) for ADP regenerated by MtCK. Under normal conditions, this effect can be considered as one of the most sensitive tests of the intactness of cardiomyocytes and controlled permeability of MOM for adenine nucleotides. However, proteolytic treatment of permeabilized cardiomyocytes with trypsin, by removing mitochondrial βII tubulin, induces high sensitivity of MtCK-regulated respiration to PK-PEP, significantly changes its kinetics and the affinity to exogenous ADP. MtCK coupled to ATP synthasome and to VDAC controlled by tubulin βII provides functional compartmentation of ATP in mitochondria and energy channeling into cytoplasm via phosphotransfer network. Therefore, direct transfer of mitochondrially produced ATP to sites of its utilization is largely avoided under physiological conditions, but may occur in pathology when mitochondria are damaged. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled ''Local Signaling in Myocytes''