Measurement of the speed of sound by observation of the Mach cones in a complex plasma under microgravity conditions

We report the first observation of the Mach cones excited by a larger microparticle (projectile) moving through a cloud of smaller microparticles (dust) in a complex plasma with neon as a buffer gas under microgravity conditions. A collective motion of the dust particles occurs as propagation of the contact discontinuity. The corresponding speed of sound was measured by a special method of the Mach cone visualization. The measurement results are incompatible with the theory of ion acoustic waves. The estimate for the pressure in a strongly coupled Coulomb system and a scaling law for the complex plasma make it possible to derive an evaluation for the speed of sound, which is in a reasonable agreement with the experiments in complex plasmas.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, 1 tabl

Freezing and melting of 3D complex plasma structures under microgravity conditions driven by neutral gas pressure manipulation

Freezing and melting of large three-dimensional complex plasmas under microgravity conditions is investigated. The neutral gas pressure is used as a control parameter to trigger the phase changes: Complex plasma freezes (melts) by decreasing (increasing) the pressure. Evolution of complex plasma structural properties upon pressure variation is studied. Theoretical estimates allow us to identify main factors responsible for the observed behavior.Comment: Phys. Rev. Lett. (in press); 4 pages, 4 figure

Phenomena in Complex (Dusty) Plasma Studied under Microgravity Conditions

Complex (dusty) plasmas are composed of weakly ionized gas and charged microparticles and represent the plasma state of soft matter. The investigations which are not available on ground have been per-formed onboard the International Space Station (ISS) with the help of the “Plasma Crystal-3 Plus” (PK-3 Plus) laboratory. A number of interesting phenomena has been observed. The phase transition from iso-tropic plasma into electrorheological plasma was initiated. The crystal-liquid phase transition was ob-tained in large 3D isotropic dusty plasma. The slow compression of the dust particle subsystem has been investigated

Fluid-solid phase transitions in 3D complex plasmas under microgravity conditions

Phase behavior of large three-dimensional complex plasma systems under microgravity conditions onboard the International Space Station is investigated. The neutral gas pressure is used as a control parameter to trigger phase changes. Detailed analysis of structural properties and evaluation of three different melting/freezing indicators reveal that complex plasmas can exhibit melting by increasing the gas pressure. Theoretical estimates of complex plasma parameters allow us to identify main factors responsible for the observed behavior. The location of phase states of the investigated systems on a relevant equilibrium phase diagram is estimated. Important differences between the melting process of 3D complex plasmas under microgravity conditions and that of flat 2D complex plasma crystals in ground based experiments are discussed.Comment: 13 pages, 10 figures; submitted to Phys. Rev.

Plasmon Resonance of Silver Nanoparticles as a Method of Increasing Their Antibacterial Action

In this article, a series of silver-containing dressings are prepared by metal-vapor synthesis (MVS), and their antibacterial properties are investigated. The antibacterial activity of the dressings containing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) against some Gram-positive, and Gram-negative microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Moraxella spp.) has been determined. Based on the plasmon resonance frequency of these nanoparticles, the frequency of laser irradiation of the dressing was chosen. The gauze bandage examined showed pronounced antibacterial properties, especially to Staphylococcus aureus strain. When 470 nm laser radiation, with a power of 5 mW, was applied for 5 min, 4 h after inoculating the Petri dish, and placing a bandage containing silver nanoparticles on it, the antibacterial effect of the latter significantly increased—both against Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms. The structure and chemical composition of the silver-containing nanocomposite were studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS). The synthesized AgNPs demonstrate narrow and monomodal particle size distribution with an average size of 1.75 nm. Atoms of metal in Ag/bandage system are mainly in Ag0 state, and the oxidized atoms are in the form of Ag-Ag-O groups

Innovative engineering training in a competitive educational environment

Introduction. The level of mastery of innovative engineering has always determined the qualifications of engineering personnel, who ensure the technological progress of society and the modern technological structure of its economy. In this regard, the problem of increasing the efficiency of preparation for such activities is relevant. To solve it, an appropriate educational environment is created. This educational environment involves a teaching, developmental, upbringing, control-diagnostic and reflective means, which allows various pedagogical conditions, including innovative activities, to be simulated. The most effective of them are competitive environments, due to the increased motivation of their subjects for learning, formed when the natural quality of a person, i.e. competitiveness, is developed in them. However, these environments do not fully disclose the mechanism of formation of motivation and its structure. This raises the dilemma of creating a new competitive educational environment based on the use of competitiveness. The aim of the present research is to increase the efficiency of university students' training for innovative engineering activities due to high motivation to master it through the use of competitiveness. Methodology and research methods. In the current research, the authors were guided by the concept of multi-level and multi-stage preparation of university students for innovative engineering activities. For its implementation, a methodological system was used, including: 1) approaches to learning (integrated, interdisciplinary, systemic, substrate and structured), aimed at creating a competitive educational environment with its specific hierarchy, structure and substrates; 2) methods (competitions - to provide increased motivation; hypothetical-deductive method - to put forward a hypothesis; morphology - to analyse and choose methods; pedagogy of cooperation - to create a comfortable environment); 3) principles (competitiveness, unity of fundamental and professional orientation, interdisciplinarity and interdisciplinarity, etc.). Results and scientific novelty. In the course of the research, a competitive educational environment was created as a system of interacting subjects and objects of educational activity, which has a multicomponent structure. During its developmental process, special attention was paid to the design of models of organisational forms of its implementation, common to which is the high personal motivation of the participants due to the presence of competition, competitive spirit and rivalry. One of them is the All-Russian Scientific Student Festival and related events, annually organised by the authors. The features of increased motivation formation to master innovative activities in these conditions among students, taking into account their psychological and behavioural characteristics, were considered as well. Its structure was revealed as a set of motives, which encourage the individual to be involved in a particular activity. The motives are determined not only by the ability to realise the student's personal quality of competitiveness, but also by other motives caused by emotions they experience at the stages of the competitive substrate of the festival (preparation - performance - analysis). This constitutes the scientific novelty of the research conducted by the authors. Practical significance. The methodological system of research is concretised. The methods have been created for organising and holding the festival, teaching innovative engineering activities in a competitive educational environment based on the involvement of students in all stages of innovative activities and increased motivation to master it. Methodological support for the functioning of the educational environment has been developed.Введение. Уровень владения инновационной инженерной деятельностью всегда определял квалификацию инженерных кадров, обеспечивающих технический прогресс общества и технологический уклад его экономики. В связи с этим актуальна проблема повышения эффективности подготовки к такой деятельности. Для ее решения создается соответствующая образовательная среда, являющаяся обучающим, развивающим, воспитывающим, контрольно-диагностическим и рефлексивным средством, позволяющим моделировать различные педагогические условия, включая инновационную деятельность. Наиболее эффективны конкурентные среды за счет повышенной мотивации их субъектов к обучению, формируемой при реализации в них естественного качества человека - состязательности. Однако в них недостаточно полно реализованы механизм формирования мотивации и ее структура. В связи с этим возникает дилемма создания новой образовательной среды на основе использования состязательности. Цель настоящей работы - повышение эффективности подготовки студентов университетов к инновационной инженерной деятельности за счет высокой мотивации к ее овладению на основе использования состязательности. Методология и методы. В исследованиях авторы руководствовались концепцией многоуровневой и многоэтапной подготовки студентов университетов к инновационной инженерной деятельности. Для ее реализации была использована методологическая система, включающая: 1) подходы к обучению (интегрированный, междисциплинарный, системный, субстратный и структурированный), направленные на создание состязательной образовательной среды с ее специфической структурой и субстратами); 2) методы (соревнования - для обеспечения повышенной мотивации; гипотетико-дедуктивный - для выдвижения гипотезы; морфологии - для анализа и выбора методов; педагогики сотрудничества - для создания комфортной среды); 3) принципы (соревновательности, единства фундаментальности и профессиональной направленности, межпредметности и междисциплинарности и др.). Результаты и научная новизна. В ходе исследования была создана состязательная образовательная среда как система взаимодействующих субъектов и объектов образовательной деятельности, имеющая многокомпонентную структуру. При ее разработке особое внимание было обращено на проектирование моделей организационных форм ее реализации, общей для которых является высокая личная мотивация участников за счет наличия конкуренции, состязательности и соперничества. Одни из них - ежегодно реализуемый авторами всероссийский научный студенческий фестиваль и сопутствующие ему мероприятия. Рассмотрены также особенности формирования в этих условиях у студентов повышенной мотивации к овладению инновационной деятельностью с учетом их психолого-поведенческих особенностей. Выявлена ее структура как совокупность побуждений, вызывающих активность личности в этой деятельности, определяемых не только возможностью реализовать каждому студенту личностное качество состязательности, но и другими мотивами, обусловленными переживаемыми ими эмоциями на этапах конкурсного субстрата фестиваля (подготовка - выступление - анализ). Это составляет научную значимость выполненного исследования. Практическая значимость. Конкретизирована методологическая система исследования. Созданы методики организации и проведения фестиваля, обучения инновационной инженерной деятельности в состязательной образовательной среде на основе вовлечения студентов во все этапы инновационной деятельности и повышенной мотивации к ее овладению. Разработано методологическое и методическое обеспечение функционирования образовательной среды.The authors express their gratitude to the reviewers for valuable comments and suggestions, which significantly improved the quality of the research paper. The reported research was funded by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR) within the framework of the research project № 20-313-90007.Авторы выражают благодарность рецензентам статьи за ценные замечания и предложения, которые способствовали ее улучшению. Исследование выполнено при финансовой поддержке РФФИ в рамках научного проекта № 20-313-90007

МИКРОБИОЦЕНОЗ УРОГЕНИТАЛЬНОГО ТРАКТА СОБАК ПРИ ЭНДОМЕТРИТАХ

The paper presents the data on examination of microbiocoenosis of urogenital tract in 144 dogs of different breed and age whose private owners are Novosibirsk citizens. Microorganisms isolated from pathological stock were analyzed for their sensitivity to antibacterial preparations. Frequently identified microorganisms were found out, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Escherichia coli, and Proteus mirabilis. There were established associations of microorganisms Staphylococcus spp. + Enterococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp. + Proteus spp. The paper also shows microorganisms’ sensitivity to β-lactam antibiotics, aminoglycosides fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines, macrolides, etc. Microorganisms were found out to be resistant to antibiotics, such as oxacillin, doxycycline, and rifampicin. High activity of fluoroquinolones is determined regarding most microorganisms. The data obtained are of practical value for selecting antibacterial preparations when treating dogs’ gynecological diseases of infectious etiology.Представлены результаты изучения микробиоценоза урогенитального тракта 144 собак различных пород и  возрастов, принадлежащих частным владельцам г. Новосибирска. Проведен анализ чувствительности микроорганизмов, изолированных из патологического материала, к антибактериальным препаратам. Обнаружены часто идентифицируемые микроорганизмы, такие как Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis. Установлены ассоциации микроорганизмов Staphylococcusspp. + Enterococcusspp., Staphylococcus spp. + Proteus spp. Показана чувствительность микроорганизмов к  β-лактамным антибиотикам, аминогликозидам, фторхинолонам, тетрациклинам, макролидам и др. Выявлена антибиотикорезистентность микроорганизмов в  отношении оксациллина, доксициклина, ри- фампицина. Определена высокая активность фторхинолонов в отношении большинства микроорганизмов. Полученные данные имеют практическое значение для выбора антибактериальных препаратов при лечении гинекологических болезней собак инфекционной этиологии

Understanding Russia's return to the Middle East

Over recent years, there has been a significant resurgence of Russian power and influence in the Middle East, which has been evident in the diplomatic and military intervention into Syria. This article identifies the principal factors behind Russia’s return to the region. First, there are domestic political influences with the coincidence of the uprisings in the Middle East, the so-called ‘Arab Spring,’ with large-scale domestic opposition protests within Russia during the elections in 2011–2012. Second, there is the role of ideas, most notably the growing anti-Westernism in Putin’s third presidential term, along with Russia’s own struggle against Islamist terrorism. These ideational factors contributed to Russia’s resolve to support the Assad government against both Western intervention and its domestic Islamist opposition. Third, Russia has benefited from a pragmatic and flexible approach in its engagement with the region. Moscow seeks to ensure that it is a critical actor for all the various states and political movements in the Middle East