Review of analytical instruments for EEG analysis

Since it was first used in 1926, EEG has been one of the most useful instruments of neuroscience. In order to start using EEG data we need not only EEG apparatus, but also some analytical tools and skills to understand what our data mean. This article describes several classical analytical tools and also new one which appeared only several years ago. We hope it will be useful for those researchers who have only started working in the field of cognitive EEG

Mutations designed to modify the NS gene mRNA secondary structure affect influenza A pathogenicity in vivo

The influenza A virus genome consists of eight segments of negative-sense RNA that encode up to 18 proteins. During the process of viral replication, positive-sense (+)RNA (cRNA) or messenger RNA (mRNA) is synthesized. Today, there is only a partial understanding of the function of several secondary structures within vRNA and cRNA promoters, and splice sites in the M and NS genes. The most precise secondary structure of (+)RNA has been determined for the NS segment of influenza A virus.  The influenza A virus NS gene features two regions with a conserved mRNA secondary structure located near splice sites. Here, we compared 4 variants of the A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 strain featuring different combinations of secondary structures at the NS segment (+)RNA regions 82-148 and 497-564. We found that RNA structures did not affect viral replication in cell culture. However, one of the viruses demonstrated lower NS1 and NEP expression levels during early stage cell infection as well as reduced pathogenicity in mice compared to other variants. In particular, this virus is characterized by an RNA hairpin in the 82-148 region and a stable hairpin in the 497-564 region.The influenza A virus genome consists of eight segments of negative-sense RNA that encode up to 18 proteins. During the process of viral replication, positive-sense (+)RNA (cRNA) or messenger RNA (mRNA) is synthesized. Today, there is only a partial understanding of the function of several secondary structures within vRNA and cRNA promoters, and splice sites in the M and NS genes. The most precise secondary structure of (+)RNA has been determined for the NS segment of influenza A virus.  The influenza A virus NS gene features two regions with a conserved mRNA secondary structure located near splice sites. Here, we compared 4 variants of the A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 strain featuring different combinations of secondary structures at the NS segment (+)RNA regions 82-148 and 497-564. We found that RNA structures did not affect viral replication in cell culture. However, one of the viruses demonstrated lower NS1 and NEP expression levels during early stage cell infection as well as reduced pathogenicity in mice compared to other variants. In particular, this virus is characterized by an RNA hairpin in the 82-148 region and a stable hairpin in the 497-564 region

Avaliação dos aspectos financeiros das pequenas e médias empresas: experiência russa

The aim of this study was to assess the key financials of an array of micro-sized businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises as grouped by industry. This article deals with the assessment results of such financials as the net financial result of enterprises, the proportion of profitable and loss-making enterprises, the profitability of manufactured and sold products, the current levels of profit and loss, respectively, per profitable and loss-making enterprise. The dynamics of such financials during the period from 2010 to 2014 was presented. Accounting and statistical reporting was used as the input data. In the course of this research it was proven that during that period the profitable enterprises accounted for about 80%. However, the level of profitability did not depend on the size of an enterprise. The largest proportion of profitable enterprises was noted in such sectors as education and commerce. The net financial result per employee in micro-enterprises was significantly higher than those for medium-sized enterprises and small enterprises. The results of this study may be used to validate business development plans and programs for various regions and sectors of the Russian economy. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar las finanzas clave de una serie de pequeñas empresas, pequeñas y medianas empresas agrupadas por industria. Este artículo trata de los resultados de la evaluación de tales finanzas como el resultado financiero neto de las empresas, la proporción de empresas rentables y que generan pérdidas, la rentabilidad de los productos fabricados y vendidos, los niveles actuales de ganancias y pérdidas, respectivamente, por rentabilidad y pérdida empresa de creación. La dinámica de tales finanzas durante el período 2010-2014 se presentó. Los informes contables y estadísticos se usaron como datos de entrada. En el curso de esta investigación, se comprobó que durante ese período las empresas rentables representaron aproximadamente el 80%. Sin embargo, el nivel de rentabilidad no depende del tamaño de una empresa. La mayor proporción de empresas rentables se observó en sectores como la educación y el comercio. El resultado financiero neto por empleado en las microempresas fue significativamente mayor que el de las medianas y pequeñas empresas. Los resultados de este estudio pueden usarse para validar planes y programas de desarrollo comercial para diversas regiones y sectores de la economía rusa. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as principais finanças de uma série de microempresas, pequenas e médias empresas agrupadas por setor. Este artigo trata dos resultados da avaliação de tais finanças como o resultado financeiro líquido das empresas, a proporção de empresas lucrativas e deficitárias, a rentabilidade dos produtos fabricados e vendidos, os níveis atuais de lucros e perdas, respectivamente, por lucro e perda empresa de fabricação. A dinâmica de tais finanças durante o período de 2010 a 2014 foi apresentada. Relatórios contábeis e estatísticos foram usados como dados de entrada. No decorrer desta pesquisa, ficou provado que, durante esse período, as empresas lucrativas representavam cerca de 80%. No entanto, o nível de lucratividade não dependia do tamanho de uma empresa. A maior proporção de empresas lucrativas foi observada em setores como educação e comércio. O resultado financeiro líquido por empregado nas microempresas foi significativamente superior ao das médias empresas e pequenas empresas. Os resultados deste estudo podem ser usados para validar planos e programas de desenvolvimento de negócios para várias regiões e setores da economia russa

Aromaticity in a Surface Deposited Cluster: Pd4_4 on TiO2_2 (110)

We report the presence of \sigma-aromaticity in a surface deposited cluster, Pd$_4$ on TiO$_2$ (110). In the gas phase, Pd$_4$ adopts a tetrahedral structure. However, surface binding promotes a flat, \sigma-aromatic cluster. This is the first time aromaticity is found in surface deposited clusters. Systems of this type emerge as a promising class of catalyst, and so realization of aromaticity in them may help to rationalize their reactivity and catalytic properties, as a function of cluster size and composition.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Tecnologías modernas de enseñanza profesional en el sistema de aprendizaje permanente

The professional education system is experiencing an active search for ways and methods to improve the quality of education, which increases the role of imitative teaching methods aimed at developing individual creative skills, forming specialized professional and personal qualities, their ability of adjustment and adaptability to the new economic conditions. Teaching methods as forms of interaction between teacher and students are intended to acquire skills, as well as to educate and develop a personality. The teacher’s task consists of the rational use of such teaching methods that ensure the best achievement of the objective, which is the training of qualified specialists. The diversity of these methods should increase students’ interest in learning and cognitive activity. This study concludes on the benefits of a professional school where, priority should be given to active teaching methods aimed at increasing students’ cognitive activity, developing their personal initiative and potential, forming their creative approach and allowing them to solve important learning tasks. and organization.El sistema de educación profesional está experimentando una búsqueda activa de formas y métodos para mejorar la calidad de la educación, lo que aumenta el papel de los métodos de enseñanza imitativos destinados a desarrollar habilidades creativas individuales, formando las cualidades profesionales y personales especializadas, su capacidad de ajuste y adaptabilidad a las nuevas condiciones económicas. Los métodos de enseñanza como formas de interacción entre el maestro y los estudiantes están destinados a adquirir habilidades, así como a educar y desarrollar la personalidad. La tarea del maestro consiste en el uso racional de tales métodos de enseñanza que aseguren el mejor logro del objetivo, que es la capacitación de especialistas calificados. La diversidad de estos métodos debería aumentar el interés de los estudiantes en el aprendizaje y la actividad cognitiva. Este estudio concluye en los beneficios de una escuela profesional donde, se debe dar prioridad a los métodos de enseñanza activos destinados a aumentar la actividad cognitiva de los estudiantes, desarrollar su iniciativa y potencial personal, formar su enfoque creativo y permitirles resolver importantes tareas de aprendizaje y organización

Immunogenicity, safety and efficacy of 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in patients with inflammatory joint diseases (preliminary data)

Intoduction. Currently, for the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthritis (SpA), basic anti-inflammatory drugs and biological drugs are widely used to effectively control the activity of the disease. However, the use of these drugs is associated with an increased risk of developing comorbid infections, some of which can be prevented by vaccination. Objective. To evaluate the immunogenicity, safety, and clinical efficacy of the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV-23) in patients with RA and SpA.Materials and methods. The study included 122 patients: 79 - with RA, 43-with SpA. Most patients had a history of two or more cases of lower respiratory tract infections, 2 patients reported a monthly exacerbation of chronic sinusitis, one patient reported the development of otitis media every 2-3 months. At the time of inclusion in the study, most patients received immunosuppressive therapy. PPV-23 was administered in an amount of 1 dose (0.5 ml) subcutaneously against the background of anti-rheumatic therapy. The level of antibodies to pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide was determined using the EIA PCP IgG kit (TestLine Clin-ical Diagnostics s.r.o., Czech Republic) before vaccination, 1, 3 and 12 months after vaccination. In addition, the tolerance of PPV-23, the frequency of pneumonia, and the effect on the activity of RA and SpA were evaluated (according to the dynamics of DAS28 and BASDAI).Results. At 1, 3, and 12 months after vaccination, the concentration of antibodies to pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide was significantly higher than the baseline values, which indicates sufficient immunogenicity of PPV-23. There was no negative effect of vaccination on the activity of the underlying disease and the occurrence of new autoimmune disorders. In the majority of patients (67% - RA, 81.4% - SpA), the tolerance of the vaccine was good. During the follow-up period, none of the patients developed pneumonia. Patients suffering from frequent sinusitis and otitis media reported the absence of these infections after vaccination.Conclusion. Preliminary results of the study indicate sufficient immunogenicity, safety, and clinical efficacy of PPV-23 in patients with RA and SpA