Central image of Vertisols: evolution of concepts of their morphology and genesis

This paper discuss the changes in understanding of the central image of Vertisols and leading processes of their formation. The early concept described Vertisols as black or dark clayey soils with homogenous undifferentiated profile resulted basically of pedoturbation. The further studies discovered vertical differentiation of Vertisol attributes. The application of trench method discovered spatial heterogeneity of Vertisols with alternation of bowl and diapiric structures. Such spatial complex subsurface pattern seems to be rather common and can be found even in the absence of gilgai microrelief. A new central image of a mature Vertisol is a combination of two structural types, one being homogenous and monotonous, generally corresponding to the initial central image, and the other - heterogeneous profile with fragmented horizons. A leading process forming the new central image of Vertisols was defined as lateral shearing or plastic deformations, i.e., plastic movements and gradual upward pushing of moist material (analogy of defluction process). Pedoturbation or more exactly the vertical falling of surface material into the cracks results in the vertical mixing rather than in deformations. Micromorphological features typical of Vertisols and associated with shrink-swell phenomena, cracking, mixing and lateral shearing that are reflected in the central image of Vertisols are summarized in the paper and illustrated by microphotographs

Observation of subkelvin superconductivity in Cd₃As₂ thin films

We report an experimental observation of superconductivity in Cd3As2 thin films without application of external pressure. The films under study were synthesized by magnetron sputtering. Surface studies suggest that the observed transport characteristics are related to the polycrystalline continuous part of the investigated films with a homogeneous distribution of elements and the Cd-to-As ratio close to stoichiometric Cd3As

The Strategic Perspectives of Using GIS-Technologies for Creating of Integrative Antarctic Geo-base of Scientific Data

Strategic prospects use GIS technologies are presented in report for making integrated geodatabase of scientific data, designed on base of the lifelengths operating in the field of automations of the information handling in National antarctic scientific centre MES of Ukraine (NASC). It is shown, that given decision effectively, in good time, corresponds to the world standard of the collection, processing and presentation of scientific data.У доповіді подано стратегічні перспективи використання ГІС технології для створення інтегрованої геобази наукових даних, яка проектується на основі багаторічних напрацювань в галузі автоматизації обробки інформації в Національному антарктичному науковому центрі МОН України (НАНЦ). Показано, що дане рішення є ефективним та своєчасним, відповідає світовим стандартам збирання, обробки та презентації наукових даних.Ключові слова: ГІС-технологія, Геобаза, ArcGIS, Серверні технології.В докладе представлены стратегические перспективы использования ГИС технологии для создания интегрированной геобазы научных данных, проектируемой на основе многолетних наработок в области автоматизации обработки информации в Национальном антарктическом научном центре МОН Украины (НАНЦ). Показано, что данное решение эффективно, своевременно, соответствует мировым стандартам сбора, обработки и презентации научных данных

Transkingdom Networks: A Systems Biology Approach to Identify Causal Members of Host-Microbiota Interactions

Improvements in sequencing technologies and reduced experimental costs have resulted in a vast number of studies generating high-throughput data. Although the number of methods to analyze these "omics" data has also increased, computational complexity and lack of documentation hinder researchers from analyzing their high-throughput data to its true potential. In this chapter we detail our data-driven, transkingdom network (TransNet) analysis protocol to integrate and interrogate multi-omics data. This systems biology approach has allowed us to successfully identify important causal relationships between different taxonomic kingdoms (e.g. mammals and microbes) using diverse types of data

Обоснование защиты нейроваскулярной единицы на клинической модели искусственного кровообращения

This analytical review presents data on brain injury in surgical management of congenital heart disease. A brief description of mechanisms of brain injury and methods of its prevention are given, moreover, a clinical case applying such techniques is given. The neurovascular unit in vitro model and its advantages are presented. The protocol for modelling, the further application of the model, and the prospects of using it for studying intraoperative hypoxia and systemic inflammatory response on the patient`s brain are described.В данной работе проанализирована актуальность изучения повреждения головного мозга при коррекции врожденных пороков сердца у детей. Дана краткая характеристика механизмов церебрального повреждения и способов его профилактики с описанием клинического случая применения таких методик. Кроме того, представлена концепция экспериментов in vitro на модели нейроваскулярной единицы и оценено преимущество таких исследований. Описаны протокол формирования используемой модели и дальнейшей работы с ней, а также перспективы ее применения для изучения интраоперационного влияния гипоксии и системного воспалительного ответа на головной мозг пациента

Аберрантный ангиогенез в ткани головного мозга при экспериментальной болезни Альцгеймера

The aim was to study the molecular mechanisms of the violation of the structural and functional integrity ofthe blood-brain barrier in chronic neurodegeneration of the Alzheimer’s type associated with the development of cerebral angiopathy.Materials and methods. The transgenic model of Alzheimer’s disease is the B6SLJ-Tg line mice (APPSwFlLon,PSEN1 * M146L * L286V) 6799Vas group which includes 9 months aged males. The control group included C57BL / 6 x SJL mice, males aged 9 months.Results. The total length of the vessels in the area of the dentate gyrus is 2.5 times greater in transgenic animal models of Alzheimer’s disease than in animals of the control group (p < 0.01). The average diameter of blood vessels in all areas of the hippocampus is smaller compared with the control (p < 0.05). Transgenic modeling of neurodegeneration in the CA2 zone of the hippocampus increases the relative area of tissue with increased permeability of blood-brain barrier (BBB) (17.80 [9.15; 36.75]) compared to control (1.38 [0.04; 7.60]) at p < 0.05. A similar difference (p < 0.05) is also observed in the hippocampal area CA1. A tendency (p > 0.05) to decrease the number of CD31+ endothelial cells in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus (21.52 [17.56; 24.50]) in animals of the experimental group compared with the control group (23.08[21.18; 29.84]) was detected. A similar situation is observed in the CA2 and CA3 areas of the hippocampus.Conclusion. Neurodegenerative changes in the hippocampus of animals with a transgenic AD model are associated with impaired microcirculation in the brain tissue as a result of a reduction in the diameter and branching of blood vessels, and damage and increased permeability of BBB.Цель – изучение молекулярных механизмов нарушения структурно-функциональной целостности гематоэнцефалического барьера (ГЭБ) при хронической нейродегенерации  альцгеймеровского типа, ассоциированной с развитием церебральной ангипопатии. Материалы и методы. Опытная группа – генетическая модель болезни Альцгеймера (БА) – мыши линии B6SLJ -Tg(APPSwFlLon,PSEN1*M146L*L286V)6799Vas, самцы в возрасте 9 мес. Контрольная группа – мыши линии C57BL/6 x SJL, самцы в возрасте 9 мес.Результаты. У животных с генетической моделью БА в зубчатой извилине гиппокампа  общая длина сосудов в 2,5 раза больше, чем у контрольной группы (p < 0,01), при этом  средний диаметр сосудов во всех областях гиппокампа меньше по сравнению с контролем (p < 0,05). Выявлено, что при генетическом моделировании  нейродегенерации в СА2 зоне гиппокампа наблюдается увеличение относительной  площади ткани с повышенной проницаемостью ГЭБ (17,80 [9,15;36,75]) по сравнению с контролем (1,38 [0,04;7,60]) при p < 0,05. Подобное различие (p < 0,05) наблюдается и в зоне СА1 гиппокампа. У животных опытной группы выявлена тенденция (p > 0,05) к снижению количества CD31+ эндотелиальных клеток в зубчатой извилине гиппокампа (21,52 [17,56; 24,50]) по сравнению с контролем (23,08 [21,18; 29,84]). Аналогичная ситуация наблюдается в зонах СА2 и СА3 гиппокампа.Заключение. Нейродегенеративные изменения в гиппокампе животных с генетической  моделью БА ассоциированы с нарушением микроциркуляции в ткани головного мозга в  результате сокращения диаметра и разветвленности сосудов, повреждения и повышения проницаемости ГЭБ

Soils of the polar archaeological site “Settlement Labytnangi 1 (Komy village)”: morphological analysis and chemical composition

Soils of archaeological sites are highly interesting objects for multidisciplinary research in various fields of soil science, ecology, archaeology, anthropology and other sciences. Currently, the soils of archaeological sites in the Arctic regions have not been studied sufficiently, although many ancient monuments beyond the polar circle have been found. This work is devoted to the study of morphological and chemical properties of soils of the archaeological site “Settlement Labytnangi 1”, which is located beyond the northern polar circle, near the cities of Labytnangi and Salekhard (Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug). Development of these territories (according to archaeological research) began in the Eneolithic (Late IV – III millennia BC) and continues to the present day. Soil types on the territory of the monument are represented by soil-like bodies (urbikvazizems), podzols, turbozems, urbo-agrozems and peat soils with inclusions of archaeological and anthropogenic artifacts dating back to the XX century. Most of the studied soils were previously subjected to the processes of cryoturbation, although at present the lower boundary of the active layer of permafrost lies at a depth of 120–130 cm, according to the conducted electrophysical sounding. Significant changes occurred in the acid-base properties of the studied soils. In addition, anthropogenic activity entailed the introduction of biophilic elements and organic matter into the soil profile, in particular phosphorus, which is concentrated in the urbanized soil horizons (phosphorus concentrations above 2 800 mg/kg were recorded). The concentrations of heavy metals in the soils are at/below the conventional background (vicinity of Salekhard and Labytnangi). However, some excess concentrations of copper (up to 87.5 mg/kg), zinc (up to 303.3 mg/kg), lead (up to 76.1 mg/kg), and cadmium (up to 2.1 mg/kg) in the urbanized soil horizons have been detected. According to the results of the work, we can conclude that the soils of the archaeological site were formed under the strong influence of modern and past anthropogenic activity, which determined their morphological structure and chemical characteristics at present