Adaptations of epilithic lichens to the microclimate conditions of the White Sea coast

Anatomical and functional features of the following three epilithic lichens Umbilicaria torrefacta, Physcia caesia, Physcia dubia were studied. These species have different morphological characteristics of thalli and occupy similar environmental conditions on supralittoral of the White Sea coast. The studied lichens are widespread in the territory of Karelia. U. torrefacta is an obligate epilithic species, Physcia caesia and Physcia dubia colonize both bark of trees and stones. Within the study area, these species were found only on coastal boulders. Photobiont of all studied lichens is unicellular green alga of the genus Trebouxia (Purvis et al. 1992). Based on the study, it was found that Ph. caesia adapts to the environmental conditions through the variability of photosynthetic pigments level which is confirmed by a strong variation of the chlorophylls a/b ratio and chlorophylls/carotenoids ratio (coefficient of variation, CV > 42%) with the stability of anatomical structures (CV ≤ 11%) – functional adaptation. Lichen Ph. dubia adapts through the variability of anatomical layers (upper cortex, algal layer, medullae, lower cortex, thallus thickness) (CV > 22%), and amounts of photosynthetic pigments (CV > 19%) – structural and functional adaptation. For U. torrefacta, the structural adaptation to environmental conditions (CV thickness of anatomical layers > 28%, CV amounts of photosynthetic pigments – 7, 8%) was recorded

Ecological and biological features of Triglochin maritima L. in the biotopes of the littoral zone with different degree of flooding on the coast of the White Sea

The study of Triglochin maritima L. was carried out on the Pomor (western) coast of the White Sea, in the Republic of Karelia (64°22'81"N, 35°93'14"E). Morphological analysis of aboveground and underground parts of the clones was performed on virginal plants. Anatomical analysis of leaf sheaths of the current year shoots, rhizomes and adventitious roots was carried out. The viability of pollen was assessed by determining the relative share of normally developed and malformed pollen grains. The content of heavy metals was determined in the soil, sea water and plant samples. The study was carried out on a model transect in the littoral zone on three test plots representing the lower littoral; the middle and the upper littoral zones. Adaptation to wave and storm impact was manifested in a well-developed system of underground organs. In the lower littoral, underground part surpasses the aboveground vegetative organs in terms of the mass and the formation of mechanical tissues. This allows the plants to anchor stronger in the substrate. Pollen analysis confirmed the adaptability of T. maritima plants to the conditions of the lower littoral by a high percentage of normal and, consequently, fertile pollen, which ensures sexual reproduction of the species. T. maritima can be considered as a Fe hyperaccumulator as the plant accumulates very high levels of Fe (22–34 g kg-1), especially in the lower and middle littoral zones, both in underground and aboveground organs. The ability of T. maritima plants to actively deposit metals was revealed on the basis of the coefficient of biological absorption of metals and makes it possible to suggest potential possibility of using the species in phytoremediation technologies on coastal territories

ПТИЦЫ ВОСТОЧНОГО САЯНА / Birds of the Eastern Sayan

The monograph presents data on the distribution and ecology of 340 species of birds found on the territory of the poorly studied highland — the Eastern Sayan. An ecological systematic and faunogenetic analysis of the region’s avifauna has been carried out. We reveal some features of the birds\u27 way of life in the extreme natural conditions of the mountains of Southern Siberia. The book is intended for all who are of interest in the wildlife of Siberia, as well as for biology teachers and students, ecologists. В монографии приведены данные о распространении и экологии 340 видов птиц, отмеченных на территории малоизученной горной страны — Восточного Саяна. Проведен эколого-систематический и фауногенетический анализ орнитофауны региона. Выявлены некоторые особенности образа жизни птиц в экстремальных природных условиях гор Южной Сибири. Книга адресована всем интересующимся животным миром Сибири, а также преподавателям и студентам-биологам, экологам и учителям биологии.https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/zeabook/1080/thumbnail.jp

On the properties of the CTR encryption mode of the Magma and Kuznyechik block ciphers with re-keying method based on CryptoPro Key Meshing

This paper presents a security bound in the standard security model for the Magma cipher CTR encryption mode and the «CryptoPro Key Meshing» (CPKM) re-keying method that was previously used with the GOST 28147-89 cipher. We enumerate the main requirements that should be followed during the development of re-keying methods, then we propose a modified method and justify its advantages over CPKM. We also obtain certain results about the operational features of the Kuznyechik cipher CTR encryption mode with several re-keying methods

New records of lichens and allied fungi from Vodlozersky National Park within Arkhangelsk Region (NW Russia)

The paper presents the results of the ongoing research of lichen diversity in Arkhangelsk Region of Russia, in Vodlozersky National Park which is the largest protected area in the territory of NW Russia. In total, 155 species of lichens and allied fungi are recorded for the first time for the Arkhangelsk part of the Vodlozersky National Park, and 69 species – for the whole mainland area of Arkhangelsk Region

Long-range exciton transport in brightly fluorescent furan/phenylene co-oligomer crystals

The design of light-emitting crystalline organic semiconductors for optoelectronic applications requires a thorough understanding of the singlet exciton transport process. In this study, we show that the singlet exciton diffusion length in a promising semiconductor crystal based on furan/phenylene co-oligomers is 24 nm. To achieve this, we employed the photoluminescence quenching technique using a specially synthesized quencher, which is a long furan/phenylene co-oligomer that was facilely implanted into the host crystal lattice. Extensive Monte-Carlo simulations, exciton-exciton annihilation experiments and numerical modelling fully supported our findings. We further demonstrated the high potential of the furan/phenylene co-oligomer crystals for light-emitting applications by fabricating solution-processed organic light emitting transistors

The Barents and Chukchi Seas: Comparison of two Arctic shelf ecosystems

This paper compares and contrasts the ecosystems of the Barents and Chukchi Seas. Despite their similarity in a number of features, the Barents Sea supports a vast biomass of commercially important fish, but the Chukchi does not. Here we examine a number of aspects of these two seas to ascertain how they are similar and how they differ. We then indentify processes and mechanisms that may be responsible for their similarities and differences.Both the Barents and Chukchi Seas are high latitude, seasonally ice covered, Arctic shelf-seas. Both have strongly advective regimes, and receive water from the south. Water entering the Barents comes from the deep, ice-free and "warm" Norwegian Sea, and contains not only heat, but also a rich supply of zooplankton that supports larval fish in spring. In contrast, Bering Sea water entering the Chukchi in spring and early summer is cold. In spring, this Bering Sea water is depleted of large, lipid-rich zooplankton, thus likely resulting in a relatively low availability of zooplankton for fish. Although primary production on average is similar in the two seas, fish biomass density is an order of magnitude greater in the Barents than in the Chukchi Sea. The Barents Sea supports immense fisheries, whereas the Chukchi Sea does not. The density of cetaceans in the Barents Sea is about double that in the Chukchi Sea, as is the density of nesting seabirds, whereas, the density of pinnipeds in the Chukchi is about double that in the Barents Sea. In the Chukchi Sea, export of carbon to the benthos and benthic biomass may be greater. We hypothesize that the difference in fish abundance in the two seas is driven by differences in the heat and plankton advected into them, and the amount of primary production consumed in the upper water column. However, we suggest that the critical difference between the Chukchi and Barents Seas is the pre-cooled water entering the Chukchi Sea from the south. This cold water, and the winter mixing of the Chukchi Sea as it becomes ice covered, result in water temperatures below the physiological limits of the commercially valuable fish that thrive in the southeastern Bering Sea. If climate change warms the Barents Sea, thereby increasing the open water area via reducing ice cover, productivity at most trophic levels is likely to increase. In the Chukchi, warming should also reduce sea ice cover, permitting a longer production season. However, the shallow northern Bering and Chukchi Seas are expected to continue to be ice-covered in winter, so water there will continue to be cold in winter and spring, and is likely to continue to be a barrier to the movement of temperate fish into the Chukchi Sea. Thus, it is unlikely that large populations of boreal fish species will become established in this Arctic marginal sea. © 2012 Elsevier B.V

Imaginary Units of Publication Activities in Consumer Society

Consumer society is associated with abundance of goods and services. Usually the scientific activity is not among them. Meanwhile, with scientometric indicators introduction, science activity acquired characteristics of consumer society in which it runs. The publication activity in modern circumstances got in track of consumer focus: authors, journals and mediators became economical actors, and scientific text became the product of “sings absorption and absorbed by signs”. Was it possible to avoid it? - this question is without answer. It is clear that imposing quantitative scientometric indicators became the catalyst of this process

Gustav Mootse’s Works in the Periodicals of St Petersburg in the Early 20th Century

The article presents the under-explored St Petersburg period in the work of Gustav Mootse, famous Estonian artist, founder of Estonian book graphics and ex libris master. Upon a thorough archival research of illustrated periodicals, the authors have revealed unknown images by Mootse. Based on those, they make conclusions on stages in Mootse’s creative evolution, show a progressive growth in his standing in St Petersburg periodicals, show his search for forms and experiments, and comment on specifics of his creative work