Petro- and paleomagnetic characteristics of the structural-material complexes of the diamond mining of the nyurbinskaya pipe (Middle Markha district, West Yakutia)

Modeling of physical and geological properties of a study object is an integral part of geological surveys at each stage. Without a model of physical and geological properties (PhGM) it is impossible to obtain a complete set of reflection indicators of an object in physical fields. The models are useful in solving a wide range of tasks on substantiation of survey methods and routines for interpreting the field data. Generally, a mineral deposit FGM contains the main elements represented by structural-material complexes (SMC) characterized by specific values of geometrical and physical parameters. We attempted at developing an PhGM of the diamond deposits controlled by the Middle Paleozoic trappe magmatism zone of the Vilyui paleoaulacogen. With this goal, in the period from 2002 to 2016, we carried out petrographic, paleomagnetic and geochemical studies of the SMC of the Nyurbinskaya pipe of Nakyn kimberlite field located in the Middle Markha district, West Yakutia. We studied terrigenous-carbonate rocks of the Late Cambrian of the Morkokinskaya and Oldondinskaya suites (ϵ3mrk and ϵ3-O1ol, respectively), dolerites of the Vilyui- Markha intrusive complex (βPZ2vm), autolithic kimberlite breccias of the Nakyn intrusive complex (iPZ2nk), and sandstones of the Early Jurassic Ukugut suite (J1UK). Important information was obtained on a wide range of petromagnetic parameters and paleomagnetism of the deposit SMC, elemental chemical composition of ferromagnetic minerals, and other data that can prove useful in discovering promising kimberlite sites in the Vilyui-Markha dike belt. The position of the paleomagnetic pole for the Late Cambrian of the Siberian Platform was clarified: latitude Φ=-35°, longitude Λ=136°, and confidence intervals dp/dm=3.5/6.9°. The poles were estimated for kimberlites (Φ=-11.5°, Λ=111.2°, dp/dm=3.5/7.5°) and pre-pipe basites (Φ=-14.6°, Λ=117.4°, dp/dm=3.7/7.1°). According to the Nyurbinskaya deposit PhGM developed on the basis of the paleomagnetic data, there was the Late Silurian - Early Devonian (S2-D1) stage of kimberlite- and trappe formation. The results of our study can enhance the prospects for discovering new primary diamond deposits on the Siberian platform

Quantitative Determination of Ascorbic Acid in Herbal Medicinal Products by HPLC

Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is involved in many vital biochemical processes in the human body. Rose hips are a natural source of ascorbic acid. Rose hips are used in decoctions and many vitamin herbal teas. Russian compendial methods for the quantitative determination of ascorbic acid have certain limitations precluding its objective measurement in herbal drugs, herbal drug preparations, and herbal medicinal products.The aim of the study was to develop an analytical procedure for the quantitative determination of ascorbic acid in herbal drugs, herbal medicinal preparations, and herbal medicinal products using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).Materials and methods. The study involved two herbal medicinal products, Rose Hips (rose hips) and Vitamin Herbal Tea 2 (rose hips and rowan fruits), and reference standards for ascorbic acid, rutoside, quercetin, gallic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, luteolin-7-glucoside, citric acid, DL-malic acid, thiamine, and pyridoxine hydrochloride. The authors used a 1260 Infinity II chromatograph with a diode array detector by Agilent and an Inertsil ODS-3 chromatographic column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 µm) by GL Sciences. The HPLC system was operated in gradient elution mode, and the detector was set at 244 nm.Results. Ascorbic acid content in herbal drugs, herbal medicinal preparations, and herbal medicinal products can be determined by HPLC. Adequate sample preparation and chromatography conditions allow for inhibiting ascorbic acid oxidation in aqueous solutions for a period sufficient to complete testing (not less than 8 h).Conclusions. The authors developed a highly sensitive and selective HPLC procedure for the quantitative determination of ascorbic acid intended for the standardisation of herbal drugs, herbal medicinal preparations, and herbal medicinal products. The procedure is worthy of inclusion in the Rose Hips and Vitamin Herbal Tea 2 monographs of the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation. Switching to HPLC should not require lowering the limit for ascorbic acid (not less than 0.2%) established in the Rose Hips and Vitamin Herbal Tea 2 monographs for the titration method. The ascorbic acid content was below this limit in the vast majority of study samples. However, this discrepancy may be explained by the presence of dog rose (Rosa canina) species low in vitamin C, which should normally be used only as choleretics

Deformation Behavior under Static and Cyclic Tension of Polymer Grafts without and after Modification by RGD Peptides

The structure, mechanical properties, and deformation behavior under static and cyclic tension of biofunctionalized biodegradable vascular grafts based on polyhydroxybutyrate/valerate and polycaprolactone were studied. It is shown that the modification gives rise to an almost twofold decrease of the elongation at break as well as the ultimate strength. It is shown that under cyclic loading the modification of grafts results in decreasing cyclic durability by more than twice. In doing so, the level of deforming stress decreases to a much lesser extent and is practically inferior to that for unmodified material. The analysis of principal strain [epsilon]1 and [epsilon]2 component distribution patterns in grafts of both types is carried out while the reason for the observed changes is discussed

A neurophenomenological approach to non-ordinary states of consciousness: hypnosis, meditation, and psychedelics

No contemporary unifying framework has been provided for the study of non-ordinary states of consciousness (NSCs) despite increased interest in hypnosis, meditation, and psychedelics. NSCs induce shifts in experiential contents (what appears to the experiencer) and/or structure (how it appears). This can allow the investigation of the plastic and dynamic nature of experience from a multiscale perspective that includes mind, brain, body, and context. We propose a neurophenomenological (NP) approach to the study of NSCs which highlights their role as catalysts of transformation in clinical practice by refining our understanding of the relationships between experiential (subjective) and neural dynamics. We outline the ethical implications of the NP approach for standard conceptions of health and pathology as well as the crucial role of experience-based know-how in NSC-related research and application

Molecular markers in the genetic diversity studies of representatives of the genus <i>Rubus</i> L. and prospects of their application in breeding

According to estimates of various taxonomists, the genus Rubus L. (Rosaceae Juss.) consists of 12-16 subgenera comprising ~750 species. The two largest subgenera are Idaeobatus (Focke) Focke, which includes raspberries, and the type subgenus Rubus (=Eubatus Focke), which contains blackberry species. Representatives of the genus Rubus have high nutritional and economic values, as well as medicinal properties. Breeding programs are aimed at broadening genetic diversity and creating new varieties of raspberries and blackberries that are resistant to biotic and abiotic stressors and have high fruit quality. Modern breeding and genetic programs increasingly use the achievements of molecular genetics and genomics. This paper reviews the literature data on the application of molecular markers in fundamental and applied research aimed at studying the genetic diversity of cultivated and wild species of the genus Rubus. The review describes the main types of molecular markers (RFLP, RAPD, SCoT, SSR, ISSR, AFLP, SCAR, SSCP) and their application for studying the species of the genus Rubus. The results of the work on the use of DNA markers for solving different tasks are presented, including: studying the phylogenetic relationships of species, clarifying controversial issues of taxonomy, analyzing interspecific and intraspecific diversity, genotyping and pedigree analysis of raspberry and blackberry varieties, studying somaclonal variation and others. The most important applied result is the development of molecular genetic maps for raspberry and blackberry species, on which numerous genes and QTLs conferring various valuable traits have been mapped. At the same time, the number of markers that are promising for effective molecular screening is still insufficient

ХРОНИЧЕСКИЙ ГЕПАТИТ С У БОЛЬНЫХ С МЕТАБОЛИЧЕСКИМ СИНДРОМОМ

Laboratory and morphological characteristicsof chronic hepatitis C in patients with metabolic syndrome, abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia and insulin resistance had been evaluated. The study included 115 patients with chronic hepatitis C with compensated and subcompensated liver functions. Metabolic syndrome had been diagnosed in 13,0%, abdominal obesity – in 46,1%, reduction of high density lipoprotein cholesterol – in 51,3%, increase in blood pressure – in 22,6%, high triglycerides – in 8,8% and insulin resistance – in 28,7% of patients. Biochemical activity of chronic hepatitis C was found to be higher in patients with metabolic syndrome, abdominal obesity and insulin resistance than in patients without clinical or laboratory signs of carbohydrate and fat metabolism disturbances. Abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, reduced high density ipoprotein cholesterol, high triglycerides were detected in severe liverfibrosis more frequently than in early stages of the disease. Results of the study allowed us to estimate the influence of the carbohydrate-lipid metabolism disorders on the activity and the stage of chronic hepatitis C.Проведена оценка лабораторно-морфологических характеристик хронического гепатита С у больных с метаболическим синдромом, абдоминальным ожирением, дислипидемией и инсулинорезистентностью. В исследование включено 115 больных хроническим гепатитом С с компенсированной и субкомпенсированной функцией печени. Метаболический синдром выявлен – у 13,0%, абдоминальное ожирение – у 46,1%, снижение уровня холестерина липопротеинов высокой плотности – у 51,3%, повышение артериального давления – у 22,6%, гипертриглицеридемия – у 8,8%, инсулинорезистентность – у 28,7% пациентов. Установлено, что биохимическая активность хронического гепатита С выше у больных с метаболическяим синдромом, абдоминальным ожирением и инсулинорезистентностью, чем у больных без клинико-лабораторных признаков нарушения углеводно-жирового обмена. При тяжелом фиброзе печени абдоминальное ожирение, инсулино-резистентность, снижение уровня холестерина липопротеинов высокой плотности, гипертриглицеридемия выявляются чаще, чем на ранних стадиях заболевания. Результаты исследования позволяют судить о влиянии нарушений углеводно-жирового обмена на активность и стадию хронического гепатита С

Nomenclatural standards and genetic passports of potato cultivars bred by the Tatar Research Institute of Agriculture «Kazan Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences»

Breeding of potato cultivars adapted to the climatic conditions of the Middle Volga region and resistant to various harmful organisms has always been an urgent task for breeders of the Tatarstan Republic. In the present paper, the potato cultivars bred at the Tatar Research Institute of Agriculture – Kazan Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, were taken as an example for demonstrating the results of application and elaboration of methodological approaches that are currently developed at the N.I. Vavilov Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR) for the preparing of nomenclatural standards and their genotyping. At the initiative of the VIR researchers in collaboration with the authors of potato cultivars E.A. Gimaeva and Z. Stashevski plant material was collected and nomenclatural standards for potato cultivars bred at the Kazan Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences were prepared. Four nomenclatural standards for Tatarstan potato cultivars (‘Zumba’, ‘Kortni’, ‘Reggi’, ‘Samba’) were prepared in accordance with the provisions of the International Code of Nomenclature For Cultivated Plants, registered in the VIR Herbarium Database, and transferred to the VIR herbarium type collection. Besides, voucher specimens of cv. ‘Tango’ and breeding clone ‘Sal’sa’, which is undergoing the State Variety Test at present, were produced. Genetic passports of Tatarstan varieties (‘Zumba’, ‘Kortni’, ‘Reggi’, ‘Samba’) and one breeding clone (‘Sal’sa’)* were developed using DNA samples from plant material transferred by the authors of the cultivars to the VIR herbarium. The genetic passports include information of the polymorphism of eight chromosome-specific microsatellites, data on the presence/ absence of the diagnostic fragments of 15 markers of the 11 R-genes conferring resistance to various harmful organisms and the information about cytoplasm types. A comparison of the data from genetic passports developed using DNA samples from nomenclatural standard specimens with the results of genotyping of 22 samples of Tatarstan cultivars obtained from different sources (e.g., samples undergoing ecogeographic tests within the framework of the Comprehensive Research Plan of the subprogram “Development of potato breeding and seed production in the Russian Federation”; as well as accessions from the VIR in vitro collection) made it possible to assess the authenticity and uniformity of the studied plant material

Baby MIND: A magnetised spectrometer for the WAGASCI experiment

The WAGASCI experiment being built at the J-PARC neutrino beam line will measure the difference in cross sections from neutrinos interacting with a water and scintillator targets, in order to constrain neutrino cross sections, essential for the T2K neutrino oscillation measurements. A prototype Magnetised Iron Neutrino Detector (MIND), called Baby MIND, is being constructed at CERN to act as a magnetic spectrometer behind the main WAGASCI target to be able to measure the charge and momentum of the outgoing muon from neutrino charged current interactions.Comment: Poster presented at NuPhys2016 (London, 12-14 December 2016). Title + 4 pages, LaTeX, 6 figure

Baby MIND Experiment Construction Status

Baby MIND is a magnetized iron neutrino detector, with novel design features, and is planned to serve as a downstream magnetized muon spectrometer for the WAGASCI experiment on the T2K neutrino beam line in Japan. One of the main goals of this experiment is to reduce systematic uncertainties relevant to CP-violation searches, by measuring the neutrino contamination in the anti-neutrino beam mode of T2K. Baby MIND is currently being constructed at CERN, and is planned to be operational in Japan in October 2017.Comment: Poster presented at NuPhys2016 (London, 12-14 December 2016). 4 pages, LaTeX, 7 figure

Synchronization of the Distributed Readout Frontend Electronics of the Baby MIND Detector

Baby MIND is a new downstream muon range detector for the WGASCI experiment. This article discusses the distributed readout system and its timing requirements. The paper presents the design of the synchronization subsystem and the results of its test