Polarized Raman scattering study of kesterite type Cu2ZnSnS4 single crystals

A non-destructive Raman spectroscopy has been widely used as a complimentary method to X-ray diffraction characterization of Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) thin films, yet our knowledge of the Raman active fundamental modes in this material is far from complete. Focusing on polarized Raman spectroscopy provides important information about the relationship between Raman modes and CZTS crystal structure. In this framework the zone-center optical phonons of CZTS, which is most usually examined in active layers of the CZTS based solar cells, are studied by polarized resonant and non-resonant Raman spectroscopy in the range from 60 to 500 cm(-1) on an oriented single crystal. The phonon mode symmetry of 20 modes from the 27 possible vibrational modes of the kesterite structure is experimentally determined. From in-plane angular dependences of the phonon modes intensities Raman tensor elements are also derived. Whereas a strong intensity enhancement of the polar E and B symmetry modes is induced under resonance conditions, no mode intensity dependence on the incident and scattered light polarization configurations was found in these conditions. Finally, Lyddane-Sachs-Teller relations are applied to estimate the ratios of the static to high-frequency optic dielectric constants parallel and perpendicular to c-optical axis

Pilot studies of the unique highland palsa mire in Western Sayan (Tuva Republic, Russian Federation)

In contrast to the well-studied West Siberian sector of frozen bogs in the Russian Arctic, the frozen mound bogs (so-called “palsas”) on the highlands of Southern Siberia have not yet been studied, but they are suspected to be even more sensitive to ongoing climate change. This article provides the pilot study on palsa mire Kara-Sug in the highland areas of Western Sayan mountain system, Tuva Republic. The study focuses on the current state of palsa mire and surrounding landscapes, providing wide range of ecological characteristics while describing ongoing transformations of natural landscapes under a changing climate. The study used a variety of field and laboratory methods: the integrated landscape-ecological approach, the study of peat deposits, geobotanical analysis, and modern analysis of the chemical composition of water, peat, and soils. The study shows that highland palsa mires are distinguished by their compactness and high variety of cryogenic landforms leading to high floristic and ecosystem diversity compared with lowland palsa mires. This information brings new insights and contributes to a better understanding of extrazonal highland palsa mires, which remain a “white spot” in the global environmental sciences

Crystal structure and spin-trimer magnetism of Rb-2.3(H2O)(0.8)Mn-3[B4P6O24(O,OH)(2)]

The title borophosphate is characterized by a rare combination of the magnetic high-spin Mn2+ ions in both octahedral and tetrahedral coordinations. The crystal structure and magnetic properties are presented.</p

Cervical Carcinoma: Oncobiology and Biomarkers

Cervical cancer is one of the most common types of carcinomas causing morbidity and mortality in women in all countries of the world. At the moment, the oncology, oncobiology, and oncomorphology of cervical cancer are characterized by the accumulation of new information; various molecular biological, genetic, and immunohistochemical methods of investigation of the mechanisms of cervical carcinogenesis are tested and applied; targeted antitumour drugs and diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers are being searched for. Many issues of the etiopathogenesis of cervical cancer have not been sufficiently studied, and the role of many biomarkers characterizing various stages of cervical carcinogenesis remains unclear. Therefore, the target of this review is to systematize and understand several problems in the pathogenesis of cervical cancer and to evaluate the significance and role of biomarkers in cervical carcinogenesis

Psychological Service Activities in Various Educational Institutions

Introduction. Goals, aims, and main directions of psychological service activities in educational institutions need revising. Uniform standards for psychological service, meeting the new realities of modern education, should be developed. The present study reveals representations about the content of professional activities, its goals and types in educational psychologists currently working in various educational institutions. Materials and Methods. The study involved 2135 educational psychologists working in various educational institutions: (a) kindergartens, (b) schools, (c) psycho-pedagogical, medical, and social assistance centers, (d) boarding schools, (e) establishments of additional education, (f) and vocational schools. The study employed online survey for the collection of empirical data. Results. The findings showed that the educational psychologists’ representations about goals and means of their own professional activities depended on characteristics of educational institutions where they worked (goals and objectives of an organization, features of its student body, organizational aspects of an educational psychologist’s work, etc.). Regardless the field of activity, the educational psychologists implemented the following labour functions: (a) psychodiagnostics, (b) correctional developing and educational work, and (c) psychological counseling. The educational psychologists supported the implementation of educational programs and the expertise of the educational environment much less frequently. Discussion. The obtained data demonstrate heterogeneity in the educational psychologists’ representations about goals of their professional activities at the present stage of the development of psychological service in educational institutions. Characteristics of educational service and also organizational conditions of professional activities affect the content of the representations. Future work will involve creating the concept of psychological service in education generalizing the needs of various educational institutions. The findings can be readily used for supplementing the Concept of the Development of Psychological Service in the Education System in the Russian Federation by 2025 by the variable models of educational psychologists’ professional activities in various educational institutions

Rare and endangered plants of specially protected areas of West Siberian boreal coniferous forests (inside Tomsk oblast)

The article deals with various types of specially protected territories participating in preservation of biological diversity of boreal coniferous forests of the West Siberian Plain. Data are presented on species diversity of certain territories of Tomsk oblast established in various landscape and geographical conditions and under various conditions including areas within the Great Vasyugan Mire and the outskirts of Tomsk. The article reviews species of dominant plant families of rivers and lakes of the Polto system in the basin of the Tym river; and the condition of certain species of Orchidaceae, Empetraceae, Cupressaceae, Tiliaceae and Lamiaceae in other parts of the Tomsk region. There is also some analysis of species along with description of sites where 6 plant species were discovered (Orchis militaris, Orchis fuchsii, Juniperus communis, Empetrum nigrum, Tilia cordata, Stachys silvatica) that are protected in the area of study

Rare and endangered plants of specially protected areas of West Siberian boreal coniferous forests (inside Tomsk oblast)

The article deals with various types of specially protected territories participating in preservation of biological diversity of boreal coniferous forests of the West Siberian Plain. Data are presented on species diversity of certain territories of Tomsk oblast established in various landscape and geographical conditions and under various conditions including areas within the Great Vasyugan Mire and the outskirts of Tomsk. The article reviews species of dominant plant families of rivers and lakes of the Polto system in the basin of the Tym river; and the condition of certain species of Orchidaceae, Empetraceae, Cupressaceae, Tiliaceae and Lamiaceae in other parts of the Tomsk region. There is also some analysis of species along with description of sites where 6 plant species were discovered (Orchis militaris, Orchis fuchsii, Juniperus communis, Empetrum nigrum, Tilia cordata, Stachys silvatica) that are protected in the area of study

The Yekaterinburg headache initiative: an interventional project, within the Global Campaign against Headache, to reduce the burden of headache in Russia

Background As major causes of global public ill-health and disability, headache disorders are paradoxically ignored in health policy and in planning, resourcing and implementing health services. This is true worldwide. Russia, where the prevalence of headache disorders and levels of attributed disability are well in excess of the global and European averages, is no exception, while arcane diagnoses and treatment preferences are an aggravating factor. Urgent remedial action, with political support, is called for. Methods Yekaterinburg, in Sverdlovsk Oblast, is the chosen centre for a demonstrational interventional project in Russia, undertaken within the Global Campaign against Headache. The initiative proposes three actions: 1) raise awareness of need for improvement; 2) design and implement a three-tier model (from primary care to a single highly specialized centre with academic affiliation) for efficient and equitable delivery of headache-related health care; 3) develop a range of educational initiatives aimed at primary-care physicians, non-specialist neurologists, pharmacists and the general public to support the second action. Results and conclusion We set these proposals in a context of a health-care needs assessment, and as a model for all Russia. We present and discuss early progress of the initiative, justify the investment of resources required for implementation and call for the political support that full implementation requires. The more that the Yekaterinburg headache initiative can achieve, the more likely it is that this support will be forthcoming

Polarized Raman scattering study of kesterite type Cu2 ZnSnS4 single crystals

A non-destructive Raman spectroscopy has been widely used as a complimentary method to X-ray diffraction characterization of Cu2 ZnSnS4 (CZTS) thin films, yet our knowledge of the Raman active fundamental modes in this material is far from complete. Focusing on polarized Raman spectroscopy provides important information about the relationship between Raman modes and CZTS crystal structure. In this framework the zone-center optical phonons of CZTS, which is most usually examined in active layers of the CZTS based solar cells, are studied by polarized resonant and non-resonant Raman spectroscopy in the range from 60 to 500 cm â '1 on an oriented single crystal. The phonon mode symmetry of 20 modes from the 27 possible vibrational modes of the kesterite structure is experimentally determined. From in-plane angular dependences of the phonon modes intensities Raman tensor elements are also derived. Whereas a strong intensity enhancement of the polar E and B symmetry modes is induced under resonance conditions, no mode intensity dependence on the incident and scattered light polarization configurations was found in these conditions. Finally, Lyddane-Sachs-Teller relations are applied to estimate the ratios of the static to high-frequency optic dielectric constants parallel and perpendicular to c-optical axis.Peer Reviewe