The process of building microgrids on top of existing passive distribution networks warrants a multi-criteria analysis. Besides the calculation of investment outlays needed for the modernization of distribution networks, such an analysis covers an assessment of the technological and economic effects of building microgrids. The resulting effects depend on the topology and configuration of distribution networks, specific microgrid features, the choice of current type for the entire microgrid or its individual parts, the ways of connecting distributed energy resources (DER), the availability and condition of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure, and other factors. Complete input data allow one to design an optimal microgrid configuration, but the main technological and economic effects are determined by the algorithms of operation and the parameters setting of the automatic control system (ACS) and the protection system. Known approaches to designing microgrids focus on addressing basic tasks while minimizing investment required for their implementation. The above is fully justified when constructing new microgrids, but building microgrids on top of existing distribution networks, given the uniqueness of their topology and configuration, does not allow the use of standardized solutions. The development of approaches to the design of microgrids under such constraints, with minimized investment for the modernization of existing distribution networks, is an urgent task. The use of different types of current for microgrid segments determines the choice of particular ACS and protection system, which depends on the availability of information and communications technology infrastructure. This article contributes a review of approaches to designing AC and AC-DC microgrids to maximize their technological and economic effects. We review techniques for analyzing existing distribution networks aimed at choosing the type of current for the entire microgrid or its individual parts, the optimal connection points of microgrids to distribution networks, the mix and capacity of DERs, with such choices informed by the condition of switching devices and information and communications technology infrastructure. The article presents the results of the analysis of approaches to choosing the optimal configuration of microgrids, microgrid ACS and protection system, with an evaluation of the technological and economic effects subject to minimization of investment for the modernization of existing distribution networks.

In the context of energy decarbonization, wind farms with type IV wind turbines from various manufacturers are being massively put into operation. These wind turbines comply with the requirements of the grid codes of the countries where they are designed and/or manufactured, but do not factor in the specific features of the distribution networks of other countries to which they are connected. The study at issue involves a comparative analysis of the requirements of grid codes of different countries for the stable operation of wind turbines under standard disturbances. The Low Voltage Ride Through (LVRT) characteristic implemented in type IV wind turbine inverters makes it possible to prevent wind turbine shutdowns in case of short-term voltage dips of a given depth and duration. The calculations of transient processes indicate that wind turbines may not meet the requirements of the grid code of a particular country for their stable operation. As a result, standard disturbances will block the reactive current injection and the wind turbine will be switched off. This is often caused by the relay protection devices with a time delay of 1-2 s, which are used in distribution networks and implement the functions of long-range redundancy. Excessive shutdowns of wind turbines lead to emergency rise in the load for the generating units of conventional power plants, aggravating the post-accident conditions and disconnecting consumers of electricity. The paper presents a method for checking the LVRT characteristic settings for compliance with the technical requirements for wind turbines. To prevent wind turbine outages, one should either change the configuration of the LVRT characteristic, or upgrade the relay protection devices in the distribution network adjacent to the wind farm, or implement group or individual technical solutions at the wind farm. The performance of the proposed technical solutions is confirmed by the calculations of transient processes.

This theoretical article reviews the model describing processes in social systems based on the analysis of their resource base. Application of the system theory can help to explain why some systems are aimed at prevention of type I errors, while other seek to decrease quantity of type II errors. Such differences are manifested in investment of resources either into deep interaction or into wide coverage. Some examples of such strategies in economic, market and production systems are provided in the article. The article introduces some provisions of the system theory in the context of the resource flows. The main indicators that are considered in this article are the characteristics of the sources of the exchanging flows of resources. Their relative frequency and quality are investigated, on the basis of which the most effective strategy of the system is derived, as a mechanism for redistributing resources. The rigor of the system's strategy depends on the magnitude of the difference in characteristics. It is explained how exactly it influences the exchange processes, that in reality systems do not interact simultaneously, and one of the opposite resource flows is always delayed. It is shown how the system strategy depends on the risks linked with interactions. Also, there are grounds for the need to accumulate resources, including in the situation of their surplus. The model helps also explain shift of economic centers throughout history. Additionally, there is an analogy between systems strategies and the competitive strategies described by M. Porter, and outsourcing versus integration.

This article presents description of social structures such as, for example, states, in the context of their consideration as systems. Moreover, it seeks to develop K. Marx’s model in terms of systematic approach, as well as to justify the application of the Fibonacci sequence to systems in general and, in particular, to social systems. The description covers a wide range of issues, ranging from the assertion of the basic principle of living systems as patterns in resources flows to description of functions of various aspects of states and their economics in terms of objective needs of such structures. In addition, this article justifies synergetic effect based on proposed model, and the way this effect is applied to state systems. Moreover, it includes the description of main changes of socio-economic formations throughout the history as a natural development of social systems, including possible modern stages. The fundamental tool of this description is description of essence of the mechanism of property rights and its formation options. The differences of two extreme directions of such development are also described on the basis of the objective factor of resource provision. Special attention is given to the concept of surplus value as a feature of social production systems.

We propose a description of the electromagnetic field in the form of a four-component complex spinor, from which a vector of electromagnetic potential with two degrees of freedom, calibrated by two conditions - zero length and zero component along the y-axis - is obtained by using Pauli matrices. A similar approach is applied to the field of a fermion, in particular, the electron. It is known that the quantum field of the electron and the electron itself is a four-component complex spinor, so, existing in the Minkowski vector space, we cannot observe it directly. But with the help of Pauli matrices a vector is formed from the electron spinor, which is known to us as an electric current vector, and this current vector describes exactly a single particle. As a vector, it is available to us for observation in our vector space. Similarly, the electromagnetic field and its photon particle is also a four-component spinor, from which the universal formula using Pauli matrices produces a vector, it is known to us as the electromagnetic potential vector, and it too describes even a single photon. All the differences in the properties of the current vector and the electromagnetic potential vector, and hence the electron and the electromagnetic field, are due only to a slight difference in the structures of their four-component spinors and inextricable linked to them momentum spinors and coordinate spinors. Expressions for the electric and magnetic fields of a photon during its interaction with an electron.Thus, a unified way to describe bosons and fermions in spinor space is proposed. Each spinor using the same formula corresponds to a vector, in the case of a fermion it is a current vector, in the case of a boson it is a vector, for example, of the electromagnetic potential. Each spinor of a field is matched with a spinor of coordinates and a spinor of momentum, which are transformed by the same Lorentz transformations and which have the same structure as their corresponding field spinor, that is, the momentum and coordinates of boson have a bosonic spinor structure, while momentum and coordinates of fermion are a spinor with a fermionic structure. Field, coordinates and momentum vectors of boson automatically have a zero length, while in the case of fermion they all have a nonzero length, so the fermion, in contrast to the boson, has a nonzero mass, nonzero charge and moves with a sub light speed.While quantum mechanics treats probability as a real number, quantum field theory deals with probability as a four-dimensional real vector. The place of the probability amplitude, which in quantum mechanics is a complex number, in quantum field theory is taken by a complex spinor.In the same way as in quantum mechanics the processes of propagation and interaction are described at the level of complex probability amplitudes, and the final result is translated into a real probability value, so in quantum field theory all processes should be described in terms of complex spinor space, and the result is translated into the form of a real vector in Minkowski space.The presented approach, at its proper development, makes it possible to carry out calculations of the interaction of particles in two-dimensional spinor space, and to interpret in terms of the Minkowski vector space only the final results.

This theoretical article provides a brief description of the model of living systems' functioning by defining them as resource flows patterns. It reviews the living systems growth limitation between their development cycles by the Fibonacci sequence. Besides, there are presented systems resource base criteria, necessary for accumulating the resources and their investment. The article also considers the conditions for the formation of various systems strategies. Then we reviewed the principles of elemental analysis of information by a person as a living system according to the considered model. The study also shows the possibility of forming priorities in analyzing information for 16 combinations as maximum. At that, it remains crucial to divide a human's information analysis between the two hemispheres of the brain. The described combinations of priorities in a person's information analysis are compared with the existing differential personality models, such as the big five personality traits, the Myers-Briggs type indicator, temperaments model and Honey and Mumford Learning styles.

The temporo-spatial theory of consciousness postulates that the brain implements its own inner time and space for conscious processing of outside world. In line with this hypothesis, I present a mechanistic model of mutually connected processes that encode the inner space and time. The model is used to elaborate the binding mechanism between two sets of processes representing the inner space and time, respectively. Further, a stochastic version of the model is developed to investigate the interplay between the binding strength and noise. The spectral entropy is used to characterize the noise effects on the systems of processes when the binding strength is varied. The stochastic modeling results reveal that the spectral entropy values for strongly bound systems have similar entropy values for weakly bound or even decoupled systems. Thus, the analysis performed in this study allows to conclude that the binding mechanism is noise-resilient.

Physical processes are usually described using four-dimensional vector quantities - coordinate vector, momentum vector, current vector. But at the fundamental level they are characterized by spinors - coordinate spinors, impulse spinors, spinor wave functions. The propagation of fields and their interaction takes place at the spinor level, and since each spinor uniquely corresponds to a certain vector, the results of physical processes appear before us in vector form. For example, the relativistic Schrödinger equation and the Dirac equation are formulated by means of coordinate vectors, momentum vectors and quantum operators corresponding to them. In the Schrödinger equation the wave function is represented by a single complex quantity, in the Dirac equation a step forward is taken and the wave function is a spinor with complex components, but still coordinates and momentum are vectors. For a closed description of nature using only spinor quantities, it is necessary to have an equation similar to the Dirac equation in which momentum, coordinates and operators are spinors. It is such an equation that is presented in this paper. Using the example of the interaction between an electron and an electromagnetic field, we can see that the spinor equation contains more detailed information about the interaction than the vector equations. This is not new for quantum mechanics, since it describes interactions using complex wave functions, which cannot be observed directly, and only when measured goes to probabilities in the form of squares of the moduli of the wave functions. In the same way spinor quantities are not observable, but they completely determine observable vectors.In Section 2 of the paper, we analyze the quadratic form for an arbitrary four-component complex vector based on Pauli matrices. The form is invariant with respect to Lorentz transformations including any rotations and boosts. The invariance of the form allows us to construct on its basis an equation for a free particle combining the properties of the relativistic wave equation and the Dirac equation. For an electron in the presence of an electromagnetic potential it is shown that taking into account the commutation relations between the momentum and coordinate components allows us to obtain from this equation the known results describing the interactions of the electron spin with the electric and magnetic field. In section 3 of the paper this quadratic form is expressed through momentum spinors, which makes it possible to obtain an equation for the spinor wave function in spinor coordinate space by replacing the momentum spinor components by partial derivative operators on the corresponding coordinate spinor component. At the end of the paper the question on a possibility of second quantization of the electron field in the spinor coordinate space is touch upon. The statement that the electron and positron have the same, and exactly positive energy, and have opposite signs of charge and opposite signs of mass is also justified. Accordingly, in the process of annihilation their total energy, momentum, charge and mass do not change. It is shown that if we take as an axiom the conservation at interaction of the total mass of the system of particles taking into account its sign, then it is possible to explain the difference between bosons and fermions in the statistics to which they obey.

The spectrophotometric methods of determination of the active pharmaceutical ingredients meloxicam and nimesulide were reviewed, and a simple UV-spectrophotometric method for the determination of these active pharmaceutical ingredients in industrial equipment cleaning validation samples were proposed. The methods are based on extraction of the residual quantities of meloxicam and numesulide from the manufacturing equipment surface by the concentrated sodium carbonate solution, and the subsequent UV-spectrophotometric determination of the basic forms of the drugs at the wavelength of 362 nm for meloxicam and at 397 nm for nimesulide. The calibration graphs are linear in the range from 5 to 25 mg/L of both nimesulide and meloxicam, the molar attenuation coefficients are 6100 m2/mol for nimesulide and 9100 m2/mol for meloxicam, the limit of detection is 0.8 mg/L for nimesulide and 1.9 mg/L for meloxicam, the limit of quantification is 2.5 mg/L for nimesulide and 5.8 mg/L for meloxicam, the methods are selective with respect to the common excipients, show a good accuracy (the relative uncertainty does not exceed 4%) and precision (the relative standard deviation does not exceed 5%), do not require lengthy sample preparation and sophisticated laboratory equipment and are suitable for the routine analysis of cleaning validation samples.

Social customer relationship management (SCRM) is a new philosophy influencing the relationship between customer and organization, where the customer gets opportunity to control relationship through social media. The paper aims on (a) identification of current level of SCRM and also on (b) influence of basic organizational characteristics on SCRM level. The data were gathered through the questionnaire distributed in 362 organization headquartered in the Czech Republic. The questionnaire comprised 54 questions focusing on the significance of marketing and CRM practices, establishing a relationship with the customer, online communities, the use of social media in marketing, and acquiring and managing information. The majority of questions were scalable and used typical five-level Likert scale. Results showed that larger firms more often set up their own online communities and manage them strategically, moreover they are able to manage information better. Contrariwise, small sized organizations use social networks as a way to establish communication with the customer more than large sized entities. Use of social media for marketing purposes is significantly higher in organizations oriented on consumer markets than on business markets.

One of the important features of polymethine (cyanine) dyes is isomerization around one of C–C bonds of the polymethine chain. In this review, spectral properties of the isomers, photoisomerization and thermal back isomerization of carbocyanine dyes, mostly meso-substituted carbocyanine dyes, are considered. meso-Alkyl-substituted thiacarbocyanine dyes are present in polar solvents mainly as cis isomers and, hence, exhibit no photoisomerization, whereas in nonpolar solvents, in which the dyes are in the trans form, photoisomerization takes place. In contrast, the meso-substituted dyes 3,3′-dimethyl-9-phenylthiacarbocyanine and 3,3′-diethyl-9-(2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)thiacarbocyanine occur as trans isomers and exhibit photoisomerization in both polar and nonpolar solvents. The behavior of these dyes may be explained by the fact that the phenyl ring of the substituent in their molecules can be twisted at some angle, removing the substituent from the plane of the molecule and reducing its steric effect on the conformation of the trans isomer. In some cases, photoisomerization of cis isomers of meso-substituted carbocyanine dyes is also observed (for some meso-alkyl-substituted dyes complexed with DNA and chondroitin-4-sulfate; for 3,3′-diethyl-9-methoxythiacarbocyanine in moderate polarity solvents). The cycle photoisomerization–thermal back isomerization of cyanine dyes can be used in various systems of information storage and deserves further investigation using modern research methods.

This article presents the results of the consideration of the Bertrand paradox in terms of geometric probability theory. Although the method and conclusions of this article are straightforward, no equivalent studies were found when reviewing the relevant literature. This could be conditioned by the fact that the hypotheses presented in this research have low intuitive obviousness and, in contrast, could be due to the historically established agreement regarding the issue. This article shows that out of three classical solutions to the problem described by Bertrand, two methods are inconsistent with the claimed relative objectivity. Although the remaining solution (1/4) seems to be the most correct, we cannot claim that we have exhaustively ruled out all aspects that could reduce its adequacy to solve the problem.

The brain’s ability to create a unified conscious representation of an object by integrating information from multiple perception pathways is called perceptual binding. Binding is crucial for normal cognitive function. Some perceptual binding errors and disorders have been linked to certain neurological conditions, brain lesions, and conditions that give rise to illusory conjunctions. However, the mechanism of perceptual binding remains elusive. Here, we present a computational model of binding using two sets of coupled oscillatory processes that are assumed to occur in response to two different percepts. We use the model to study the dynamic behavior of coupled processes to characterize how these processes can modulate each other and reach a temporal synchrony. We identify different oscillatory dynamic regimes that depend on coupling mechanisms and parameter values. The model can also discriminate different combinations of initial inputs that are set by initial states of coupled processes. Decoding brain signals that are formed through perceptual binding is a challenging task, but our modeling results demonstrate how crosstalk between two systems of processes can possibly modulate their outputs. Therefore, our mechanistic model can help one gain a better understanding of how crosstalk between perception pathways can affect the dynamic behavior of the systems that involve perceptual binding.

Maxwell’s equations are valid only for a stationary observation point, therefore, to adequately describe real processes so far we have had to move to a moving reference frame. This paper presents the equations of electrodynamics for the moving observation point, it is shown that plane and spherical electromagnetic waves are their solutions, while the spherical wave propagates only outward, which cannot be said about Maxwell’s equations. The fields of uniformly moving charges are also solutions of the equations. Now there is no need to move to a moving reference frame, to use four-dimensional space and covariant form of equations. The question of finding a universal form of the equations that allows a solution in the form of the field of an arbitrarily moving charge remains open. This raises the question of the existence of a two-parameter group of transformations of electromagnetic fields along with the known one-parameter group has been posed. The phenomena derived from the equations, which make an additional contribution to the phase overrun in the Aharonov-Bohm effect are considered. The equation of motion of a charged particle in an electromagnetic field without simplifying approximations is considered, which allows us to take into account the radiation effects. It is shown that the fields in a moving observation point depend on its velocity and acceleration. In particular, although in a constant uniform electric field a force qE acts on a motionless charged particle, but on the same motionless but not fixed particle the force 4/3qE acts already, because it has a nonzero acceleration and the electric field at this point is larger. As the speed increases, the field decreases, and when it reaches the speed of light, when the particle stops accelerating, the force again becomes equal to qE The principle of operation of an unconventional alternator in a constant electric field and its corresponding engine, as well as new types of direct and impulse current generators, predicted by the equations, are described.

The main goal of this article is the characterization of Herz-type Besov-Morrey spaces K˙p,qαN˙μ,rs and Triebel-Lizorkin-Morrey spaces K˙p,qαE˙μ,rs via ball means of differences, atomic, molecular and wavelet decompositions. There are provided necessary facts for implying these results, which can help to explore such spaces on different domains in further researches. Proposed spaces allow to extend the class of studying functions, containing Leray projection, heat semi-group and other operators, which can be helpful in exploring weak, strong and mild solutions of nonlinear partial differential equations.

The flow around thick airfoils at low Reynolds numbers and the possibility of using energy methods to control flowfield, increase lift and reduce drag are considered. For calculations, a series of propulsion airfoils is used, obtained by a combination of solving the inverse problem of aerodynamics and stochastic methods of global optimization. The calculations take into account the transition from the laminar flow regime to the turbulent one, which has a significant effect on the lift and airfoil drag. The applicability of various turbulence models for airfoil modelling at low Reynolds numbers is discussed. The results of numerical simulation make it possible to determine the dependence of the lift coefficient on the angle of attack and the optimal flow rate of air taken from the airfoil surface for each angle of attack. The results of numerical simulation are compared with the data of a physical experiment, and conclusions are drawn about the accuracy of various turbulence models.

In theory and applications, it is often inevitable to work with projectors onto convex sets, where a linear transform is involved. In this article, a novel projector is presented, which generalizes previous results in that it admits a broader family of linear transforms, but on the other hand it is limited to box-type convex sets in the transformed domain. The new projector has an explicit formula and it can be interpreted within the framework of proximal optimization. The benefit of the new projector is demonstrated on an example from signal processing, where it was possible to speed up the convergence of a signal declipping algorithm by a factor of more than two.

This article investigates if public investments in rural basic infrastructure represent the best strategy for boosting the local economy of rural communities from Romania. The article focuses on one specific program implemented under the Cohesion policy in the framework of the National Plan for Rural Development called Measure 322. Geographically, the research included a sample of rural communes from the North-Western Region of Romania. Moreover, the study also looks at other determinants of local economic development (LED) than infrastructure investments, with a focus on certain feature characterizing Romanian rural communities such as population size, isolation from urban centers, connection with European and national roads networks, educational stock, etc. The research included three steps, namely the construction of the LED Index, a cvasi-experimental research, and a regression model. Our main findings seem to suggest that while investments in infrastructure help the development gap between beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries remains relatively the same. In terms of determinants of LED, percentage of population with a university degree and connection to a European road are the most significant in the Romanian rural context.

The real-time Railway Traffic Management Problem (rtRTMP) is discussed in the field of railway transportation. In this paper, rtRTMP is considered for planning shunting routes based on the use of routing methods on a spatial-temporal graph. An approach and algorithm of Spatial-Temporal Graph formation for rail yard transportation network is proposed. The idea is to construct an undirected loop-free Double Vertex Graph for determining optimal shunting routes consisting of several half-runs for several trains shunting under draw-out tracks capacity constraints. Experimental results on the rail yard simulation model are presented.

The task of determining the distance from one object to another is one of the important tasks solved in robotics systems. Conventional algorithms rely on an iterative process of predicting distance estimates, which results in an increased computational burden. Algorithms used in robotic systems should require minimal time costs, as well as be resistant to the presence of noise. To solve these problems, the paper proposes an algorithm for Kalman combination filtering with a Goldschmidt divisor and a median filter. Software simulation showed an increase in the accuracy of predicting the estimate of the developed algorithm in comparison with the traditional filtering algorithm, as well as an increase in the speed of the algorithm. The results obtained can be effectively applied in various computer vision systems.

In the paper is described the control electronics for an industrial pneumatic – hydraulic system based on a low-cost PLC. The developed system is a hydraulic pulse system and it generates series of high pressure hydraulic pulses (max. 200 bar). We describe requirements, an overall concept of the embedded control system, user interface, security features and network connectivity. In the description of the software solution we describe implementation of hierarchical ordered program threads (multithreaded program) and main control state machine. At the conclusion, we describe the calibration method of the system and calibration curves and we present the schematic diagram and a photo of a functional prototype of the system.

The Colebrook equation is a popular model for estimating friction loss coefficients in water and gas pipes. The model is implicit in the unknown flow friction factor . To date, the captured flow friction factor can be extracted from the logarithmic form analytically only in the term of the Lambert -function. The purpose of this study is to find an accurate and computationally efficient solution based on the shifted Lambert -function also known as the Wright -function. The Wright -function is more suitable because it overcomes the problem with the overflow error by switching the fast growing term of the Lambert -function to the series expansions that further can be easily evaluated in computers without causing overflow run-time errors. Although the Colebrook equation transformed through the Lambert -function is identical to the original expression in term of accuracy, a further evaluation of the Lambert -function can be only approximate. Very accurate explicit approximations of the Colebrook equation that contains only one or two logarithms are shown. The final result is an accurate explicit approximation of the Colebrook equation with the relative error of no more than 0.0096%. The presented approximations are in the form suitable for everyday engineering use, they are both accurate and computationally efficient.

Fluorescent hydrogels are promising candidate materials for portable biosensors to be used in point-of-care diagnosis because (1) they have a greater capacity for binding organic molecules than immunochromatographic test systems, determined by the immobilization of affinity labels within the three-dimensional hydrogel structure; (2) fluorescent detection is more sensitive than the colorimetric detection of gold nanoparticles or stained latex microparticles; (3) the properties of the gel matrix can be finely tuned for better compatibility and detection of different analytes; and (4) hydrogel biosensors can be made reusable and suitable for studying dynamic processes in real time. Water-soluble fluorescent nanocrystals are widely used for in vitro and in vivo biological imaging due to their unique optical properties, and hydrogels based on them allow preserving these properties in bulk composite macrostructures. Here we review the techniques for obtaining analyte-sensitive fluorescent hydrogels based on nanocrystals, the main methods used for detecting the fluorescent signal changes, and the approaches to the formation of inorganic fluorescent hydrogels via sol–gel phase transition using surface ligands of the nanocrystals.

The growth of two pairs of co-cultures (Escherichia coli/Geotrichum candidum, and Staphylococcus aureus/Geotrichum candidum) with a starter culture of lactic acid bacteria was studied in milk at temperatures related to artisanal cheesemaking ripening. For an inoculum of approximately 106 CFU/mL, LAB not only induced an early stationary phase of E. coli (two strains BR and PS2) and S. aureus (strains 2064 and 14733) but affected their death phase. G. candidum was found to be the subject of interactions with LAB within a given temperature range only partially. To develop a tertiary model for the growth curves of the populations, a one-step approach was used, combining two types of primary models (Huang and Gimenez and Dalgaard) with secondary square root models for growth rate and lag time. Furthermore, the reparametrized Gompertz-inspired function with the Bigelow secondary model was used to describe the death phase of the E. coli and S. aureus strains. The prediction ability of the growth of the H-GD tertiary model for co-cultures was cross-validated within the strains and data sets in milk and milk medium with 1 % NaCl.

In spite of large-scale investigations of homogeneous single-site metallocene catalysts and systems based on them, the problem of controlling their activity, chemo- and stereoselectivity with the aim of developing efficient methods for the preparation of practically useful products of alkenes transformation, such as dimers, oligomers, and polymers, still remains topical. Here we studied catalytic activity of differently structured zirconocenes (10 examples of cyclopentadienyl and indenyl complexes) and co-catalysts activating the system, namely HAlBui2, MMAO-12 or (Ph3C)[B(C6F5)4] at low activator/Zr ratios in 1-hexene oligomerization reaction. The influence of catalyst structure and system composition on alkene conversion, type of products formed and reaction stereoselectivity was investigated. The composition of hydride intermediates forming in the systems L2ZrCl2 (L2= ansa-Me2CCp2)-HAlBui2-activator was studied by NMR and the participation of biszirconium hydride complex as the precursor of catalytically active sites of the alkene dimerization reaction was shown.

Anesthesia ensures the welfare of the animal, enables safe and effective procedures, and allows accurate data collection [1]. In clinical veterinary practice, proper training and expertise in anesthesia administration and monitoring are essential. Pigs are commonly used in medical and scientific research as models for studying various aspects of human health, physiology, and disease due to their physiological and anatomical similarities to humans [2–4]. Pigs are suitable experimental animals for many surgery techniques because they are similar in size to humans and have a short reproductive cycle. This makes them ideal for research concerning organ transplantation, cardiovascular surgery, and other procedures that require a large animal model. Pigs also have a similar anatomy to humans, which makes them a good choice for studying diseases and developing new treatments [5]. Sedation and premedication should be administered at the lowest dose to be effective with predictable results and reduced adverse effects, to ensure the safety of both the animal and the team involved in the procedure, with a fast onset and optimizing the induction and maintenance of anesthesia. The goal of induction is to achieve a safe and effective level of anesthesia that ensures the patient's safety and facilitates the research. Most of the time, inhalation anesthesia with endotracheal intubation is the ideal choice for maintenance., allowing efficient anesthetic management. The difficulties related to the endotracheal intubation of pigs can be overcome by knowing the anatomical peculiarities related to the species and the multiple methods cited in the literature. Effective analgesia tailored to the specific procedure, the pig's condition, and individual responses to medications should complete the maintenance and recovery protocols, reducing perioperative complications.

In synthetic diamond plate, the intrapulse correlated dynamics of self-phase modulation and spontaneous Raman scattering by optical phonons were for the first time directly investigated for tightly focused (focusing numerical aperture NA = 0.25) positively-chirped visible-range ultrashort laser pulses with variable durations (0.3-9.5 ps) and energies, transmitted through the sample. The observed modulation of the transmitted light spectra and Stokes Raman scattering spectra for the different pulse durations were related to nonthermal excitation of nonlinear phonon polarization and its eventual picosecond-scale suppression due to thermal decay of optical phonons on the timescale of electron-phonon thermalization in the material.

Silver in different forms is used for medical purposes from ancient times. It is not yet well known, which form of silver is more biocompatible and less toxic. Here we considered silver nanoparticles and silver citrate. Also, the relationships of neurotoxicity of silver compaunds with ageing factor is not yet described. To assess the role of nanoform in neurotoxicity of silver and role of ageing a long-term experiment was conducted. We had four control groups of intact mice and four experimental groups which were exposed to silver nanoparticles and silver citrate for two months. Four groups of mice were introduced into the experiment since the age of five months to assess ageing factors. It was shown that the nanoform does play a certain role in neurotoxicity of silver. Silver citrate seems to be a more preferable silver compound. Ageing can be regarded as a positive factor that neutralizes toxic action of silver compounds. It may be due to the development of physiological/cognitive functions with the age as well as adaptation to unnatural content in the individual cages that is definitely stressful for mice.

In the research we consider a structure-fluid interaction of oscillating piezodevice and acoustic liquid. Such problem requires finding resonance or anti-resonance frequencies of the solid structure to use them in the latter frequency-response analyses step. After finite element discretization of the issue, we need to solve a generalized eigenvalue problem (GEP). The most efficient numerical method for solving the partial GEP is the shift-and-invert Lanczos method. Each step of this algorithm requires solving a large scale system of linear algebraic equations (SLAEs) with special properties. Various ways of ordering grid nodes lead to coefficient matrices with different structure. Several methods are compared in terms of efficiency. The results of the numerical experiments are presented.

Software engineers from all over the world solve independently a lot of similar problems. In this condition the problem of code or even better architecture reusing becomes an issue of the day. In this paper two phase approach to determining the functional and structural likenesses of software projects is proposed. This approach combines two methods of artificial intelligence: natural language processing techniques with a novel method for comparing software projects based on ontological representation of their architecture automatically obtained from the projects source code. Additionally several similarity metrics are proposed to estimate similarity between projects.

This study explores pressure, miscibility, and pore medium effects on heavy hydrocarbon recovery up to 65 MPa from four rock types: sand, tight sandstone, cavernous limestone, and oil sand. Results reveal MMP at 50 MPa, with peak recovery at 93% (56 MPa). Interestingly, recovery trends counter traditional expectations, notably decreasing in tight sandstone (42-56 MPa) and oil sand (50-65 MPa). Varied recoveries in cavernous limestone (25-56 MPa) highlight porosity and vug influence. Higher pressures hinder recovery due to SC-CO2's density and viscosity, favoring the immiscible process for efficient heavy hydrocarbon extraction.

The basic challenges of this work are twofold: demonstrating the dependence between the functional and topological qualities of partition networks and finding the simplest—with respect to algorithmic complexity—network elements. The study of these problems is based on finding the solution to an appropriate antagonistic vertex game. The results of the numerical simulations of antagonistic partition games demonstrate that the winner’s graphs are “almost always” dense and hyperenergetic compared to the loser’s graphs. These observations reveal that successful evolutionary mechanisms can be realized, in principle, by the simplest objects (such as viruses).

In higher eukaryotes, enhancers determine the activation of developmental gene transcription in specific cell types and stages of embryogenesis. Enhancers transform the signals produced by various transcription factors within a given cell, activating the transcription of the targeted genes. Often, developmental genes can be associated with dozens of enhancers, some of which are located at large distances from the promoters that they regulate. Currently, the mechanisms that underly the specific distance interactions between enhancers and promoters remain unknown. This review describes the properties and activities of enhancers and discusses the mechanisms of distance interactions and potential proteins involved in this process.

Using only a limited number of computationally expensive functions, we show a way how to construct accurate and computationally efficient approximations of the Colebrook equation for flow friction. The presented approximations are based on the asymptotic series expansion of the Wright ω-function and symbolic regression. The results are verified with 8 million of Quasi-Monte Carlo points covering the domain of interest for engineers. In comparison with the built-in “wrightOmega” feature of Matlab R2016a, the herein introduced related approximations of the Wright ω-function significantly accelerate the computation. With only two logarithms and several basic arithmetic operations used, the presented approximations are not only computationally efficient but also extremely accurate. The maximal relative error of the most promising approximation which is given in the form suitable for engineers’ use is limited to 0.0012%, while for a little bit more complex variant is limited to 0.000024%.

Original and improved version of the Hardy Cross iterative method with related modifications are today widely used for calculation of fluid flow through conduits in loops-like distribution networks of pipes with known node fluid consumptions. Fluid in these networks is usually natural gas for distribution in the municipalities, water in waterworks or hot water in district heating system, air in the case of ventilation systems in buildings or mines, etc. Since, the resistances in these networks depend of flow, problem is not linear like in electrical circuits, and iterative procedure must be used. In both version of the Hardy Cross method, in original and in the improved one, initial results of calculation in iteration procedure is not flow, but rather the correction of flow. Unfortunately, these corrections should be added to or subtracted from a flow calculated in previous iteration according to complicate algebraic rules. After the here presented node-loop method, final results in each of the iterations is flow directly rather than flow correction. In that way complex algebraic scheme for sign of flow correction is avoided, while the final results still remain unchanged. Numbers of required iterations for the same results are comparable with the improved Hardy Cross method.

Hardy Cross originally proposed a method for analysis of flow in networks of conduits or conductors in 1936. His method was the first really useful engineering method in the field of pipe network calculation. Only electrical analogs of hydraulic networks were used before the Hardy Cross method. A problem with the flow resistance versus the electrical resistance makes these electrical analog methods obsolete. The method by Hardy Cross is taught extensively at faculties and it still remains an important tool for analysis of looped pipe systems. Engineers today mostly use a modified Hardy Cross method which threats the whole looped network of pipes simultaneously (use of these methods without computers is practically impossible). A method from the Russian practice published during 1930s, which is similar to the Hardy Cross method, is described, too. Some notes from the life of Hardy Cross are also shown. Finally, an improved version of the Hardy Cross method, which significantly reduces number of iterations, is presented and discussed. Also we tested multi-point iterative methods which can be used as substitution for the Newton-Raphson approach used by Hardy Cross, but this approach didn’t reduce number of required iterations to reach the final balanced solution. Although, many new models have been developed since the time of Hardy Cross, main purpose of this paper is to illustrate the very beginning of modeling of gas and water pipe networks or ventilation systems.

This paper gives a new unified formula for the Newtonian fluids valid for all pipe flow regimes from laminar to the fully rough turbulent. It includes laminar, unstable sharp jump from laminar to turbulent, and all types of the turbulent regimes: smooth turbulent regime, partial non-fully developed turbulent and fully developed rough turbulent regime. The formula follows the inflectional form of curves as suggested in Nikuradse’s experiment rather than monotonic shape proposed by Colebrook and White. The composition of the proposed unified formula consists of switching functions and of the interchangeable formulas for laminar, smooth turbulent and fully rough turbulent flow. The proposed switching functions provide a smooth and a computationally cheap transition among hydraulic regimes. Thus, the here presented formulation represents a coherent hydraulic model suitable for engineering use. The model is compared to existing literature models, and shows smooth and computationally cheap transitions among hydraulic regimes.

Widely used in hydraulics, the Colebrook equation for flow friction relates implicitly to the input parameters; the Reynolds number, Re and the relative roughness of inner pipe surface, ε/D with the output unknown parameter; the flow friction factor, λ; λ=f(λ, Re, ε/D). In this paper, a few explicit approximations to the Colebrook equation; λ≈f(Re, ε/D), are generated using the ability of artificial intelligence to make inner patterns to connect input and output parameters in explicit way not knowing their nature or the physical law that connects them, but only knowing raw numbers, {Re, ε/D}→{λ}. The fact that the used genetic programming tool does not know the structure of the Colebrook equation which is based on computationally expensive logarithmic law, is used to obtain better structure of the approximations which is less demanding for calculation but also enough accurate. All generated approximations are with low computational cost because they contain a limited number of logarithmic forms used although for normalization of input parameters or for acceleration, but they are also sufficiently accurate. The relative error regarding the friction factor λ, in best case is up to 0.13% with only two logarithmic forms used. As the second logarithm can be accurately approximated by the Padé approximation, practically the same error is obtained also using only one logarithm.

The Colebrook equation ζ is implicitly given in respect to the unknown flow friction factor λ ; λ=ζ(Re,ε*,λ) which cannot be expressed explicitly in exact way without simplifications and use of approximate calculus. Common approach to solve it is through the Newton-Raphson iterative procedure or through the fixed-point iterative procedure. Both requires in some case even eight iterations. On the other hand numerous more powerful iterative methods such as three-or two-point methods, etc. are available. The purpose is to choose optimal iterative method in order to solve the implicit Colebrook equation for flow friction accurately using the least possible number of iterations. The methods are thoroughly tested and those which require the least possible number of iterations to reach the accurate solution are identified. The most powerful three-point methods require in worst case only two iterations to reach final solution. The recommended representatives are Sharma-Guha-Gupta, Sharma-Sharma, Sharma-Arora, Džunić-Petković-Petković; Bi-Ren-Wu, Chun-Neta based on Kung-Traub, Neta, and Jain method based on Steffensen scheme. The recommended iterative methods can reach the final accurate solution with the least possible number of iterations. The approach is hybrid between iterative procedure and one-step explicit approximations and can be used in engineering design for initial rough, but also for final fine calculations.

Empirical Colebrook equation from 1939 is still accepted as an informal standard to calculate friction factor during the turbulent flow (4000 < Re < 10⁸) through pipes from smooth with almost negligible relative roughness (ε/D→0) to the very rough (up to ε/D = 0.05) inner surface. The Colebrook equation contains flow friction factor λ in implicit logarithmic form where it is, aside of itself; λ, a function of the Reynolds number Re and the relative roughness of inner pipe surface ε/D; λ = f (λ, Re, ε/D). To evaluate the error introduced by many available explicit approximations to the Colebrook equation, λ ≈ f(Re, ε/D), it is necessary to determinate value of the friction factor λ from the Colebrook equation as accurate as possible. The most accurate way to achieve that is using some kind of iterative methods. Usually classical approach also known as simple fixed point method requires up to 8 iterations to achieve the high level of accuracy, but does not require derivatives of the Colebrook function as here presented accelerated Householder’s approach (3^rd order, 2^nd order: Halley’s and Schröder’s method and 1^st order: Newton-Raphson) which needs only 3 to 7 iteration and three-point iterative methods which needs only 1 to 4 iteration to achieve the same high level of accuracy. Strategies how to find derivatives of the Colebrook function in symbolic form, how to avoid use of the derivatives (Secant method) and how to choose optimal starting point for the iterative procedure are shown. Householder’s approach to the Colebrook’s equations expressed through the Lambert W-function is also analyzed. One approximation to the Colebrook equation based on the analysis from the paper with the error of no more than 0.0617% is shown.

The eighty years old empirical Colebrook function widely used as an informal standard for hydraulic resistance relates implicitly the unknown flow friction factor , with the known Reynolds number and the known relative roughness of a pipe inner surface ; . It is based on logarithmic law in the form that captures the unknown flow friction factor in a way from which it cannot be extracted analytically. As an alternative to the explicit approximations or to the iterative procedures that require at least a few evaluations of computationally expensive logarithmic function or non-integer powers, this paper offers an accurate and computationally cheap iterative algorithm based on Padé polynomials with only one -call in total for the whole procedure (expensive -calls are substituted with Padé polynomials in each iteration with the exception of the first). The proposed modification is computationally less demanding compared with the standard approaches of engineering practice, but does not influence the accuracy or the number of iterations required to reach the final balanced solution.

Gelatin fibers have a specific surface and high porosity, which is why their use in medicine and the food industry is being researched. This article explores the potential of centrifugal spinning to produce gelatin fibers. Gelatin for fiber preparation is obtained from a non-traditional source of collagen (chicken by-products) using a unique enzymatic process. The fiber quality is compared with those prepared from traditional collagen tissues (porcine, bovine). The results show that fibers crosslinked with glutaraldehyde vapor preserve their structure even in contact with water. Using a cross-linker controls swelling ability and solubility while maintaining the fiber structure. On the contrary, uncross-linked gelatin fibers are water soluble due to a high surface-to-volume ratio, facilitating water penetration and dissolution. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provided a clearer picture of the morphology of gelatin fibers obtained by centrifugal spinning. Differences in the amount of bonding depending on the raw material used and the presence of cross-linker were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The overall results showed that chicken gelatin is a suitable alternative to gelatins from traditional sources.

The paper presents an assessment of the growth dynamics of the modal fir plantations in the Lower Angara region. At present, a vast area of fir forests in the Lower Angara region is characterised by a significant decrease in sustainability due to periodic forest fires, insect pests outbreaks and diseases, which lead to their natural degradation and death. However, the intensity of coniferous stand growth in certain forest site characteristics persists in the long term. Therefore, creating regression models of forest growth and development involving the identification of site conditions is very important both from a practical point of view and for environmental monitoring. The materials of the mass inventory of 3491 stands served as the initial data for studying the processes of fir plantations natural growth. The Hoerl Model function is suitable for the best approximation of stand growth since it is characterised by high levelling factor (from 0.970 to 0.987) and a small standard error (not exceeding 7%). As a result of the research, there have been constructed sketches of the growth rate tables for the modal Siberian fir stands of the third bonitet class of the forb and mossy groups of forest types.

A potassium bromide KBr material, which has been widely used as the key element in the Fourier spectrometers and as the output window of the IR-lasers, has been studied with good advantage via applying the carbon nanotubes in order to modify the potassium bromide surface. The laser oriented deposition method has been used to place the carbon nanotubes at the matrix material surface in the vertical position at the different electric field varied from 100 to 600 V×cm-1. The main idea of the improvement of the spectral properties of the potassium bromide structure is connected with the fact that the refractive index of the carbon nanotubes is substantially less than the refractive index of the studied material, and the small diameter of the carbon nanotubes allows one to embed these nano-objects in the voids of the lattice of the model matrix systems. Moreover, the mechanical characteristics and wetting features of the potassium bromide structures have been investigated under the condition mentioned above. Analytical and quantum-chemical simulations have supported the experimental results.

We have drawn a few interesting conclusions while studying reaction products of Ph₂Si(OH)₂ with Al(ⁱBu)₃ and tetraisobutylalumoxane. In the first place, this is the production (at Ph₂Si(OH)₂ and Al(ⁱBu)₃ equimolar ratio) of oligomer siloxyalumoxane structure with alternating four- and six-member rings, as well as isobutyl and phenyl groups migration between aluminum and silicon due to the formation of intramolecular four-member cyclic complex [Ph₂(OH)SiO]Al(ⁱBu)₂ → [(ⁱBu)Ph(OH)SiO]Al(ⁱBu)Ph. Ph₂Si(OH)₂ interaction with Al(ⁱBu)₃ not only starts from intramolecular complex production, but the chain is terminated for the same reason, which in the case of Ph₂Si(OH)₂ reaction with tetraisobutylalumoxane results in failure of obtaining high-polymer siloxyalumoxane compounds. When Al(ⁱBu)₃ interacts with α- and γ-diols, no oligomer compounds are produced. Al(ⁱBu)₃ reaction with α, γ-diols results in monomer compounds that are likely to have cyclic structure. Notably at Al(ⁱBu)₃ interaction with α-diol only double excess of Al(ⁱBu)₃ allows full replacement of hydrogen in α-diol hydroxyl groups by aluminum alkyl residue with 1,3-bis(diisobutylalumoxymethyl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane production. At equimolar ratio of initial reagents the second isobutyl radical at Al does not interact with the second hydroxyl group of α-diol, apparently due to the steric hindrance and 1-(diisobutylalumoxymethyl)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-disiloxane is produced. Al(ⁱBu)₃ reactions with γ-diol also result in monomer compounds but the presence of a chain consisting of three СН₂-groups between Si and hydroxyl group facilitates interaction between the second hydroxyl group of γ-diol and the second isobutyl radical Al(ⁱBu)₃. Tetraisobutylalumoxane reaction with α- and γ-diols results in oligomer compounds.

The evaluation of the possibility of obtaining dihaploids by the method of anther culture in vitro to accelerate selection for resistance to prolonged flooding of seeded rice with water was carried out. The object of research is rice hybrids F2 of the Rice Breeding and Seed Production Laboratory of the “Donskoy” ASC, obtained as a result of interbreeding the best economically valuable varieties with samples bearing genes of resistance to prolonged flooding with water. Basic nutrient medium with an optimal composition of nutrition elements and growth hormones stimulating callo- and morphogenesis were used. For the induction of callus formation, 12604 anthers were planted, according to 26 hybrid combinations represented by 68 plants, as a result, 716 neoplasms were obtained, including 586 non–morphogenic callus, 130 regenerating plants. Cultivation of anthers revealed large genotypic differences in the samples. According to the responsiveness to neoplasms, 60% of the panicles showed a positive result, the rest did not give callus. The most responsive to the formation of callus were hybrid combinations: 5009/2 – 84 pcs., 5010/2 – 94 pcs., 4565/3 – 85 pcs., 4641/2 – 69 pcs. They also showed the ability to morphogenesis. Androgenic plants were obtained by 14 hybrid combinations, their share was 1.03% of the total number of inoculated anthers. 30 green regenerative lines from four rice hybrids were obtained, differing in visual morphological assessment: 5009/2 - 5 pcs., 5010/2 – 5 pcs., 4565/3 – 2 pcs., 4641/2 – 18 pcs. The isolated lines are characterized by good responsiveness in the culture of anthers in vitro, carry genes for resistance to prolonged flooding, and can be used in rice breeding programs using DG technologies.

The article presents the results of a morpho-physiological assessment of rice samples by the strength of growth, as well as an assessment of the degree of development of the conducting system of the flag leaves of rice plants. The resistance of varieties to flooding is very relevant in the fight against weeds due to the deep layer of water that weeds cannot overcome. Currently, there are no zoned varieties in Russia that would meet these requirements. Therefore, the problem of creating such rice varieties is urgent, as it will reduce production costs, reduce grain losses during harvesting, improve the quality of the products obtained, and also reduce the pesticide load on the ecosystem. As a result of research, a number of studied samples revealed the potential to quickly lengthen the first leaves, overcome a large layer of water and accumulate vegetative mass. As a result of the evaluation of the conducting system of the flag leaf of rice plants, it was found that in plants with the flood resistance gene Sub1A, which stops growth under water, the conductive beams were smaller in comparison with other fast-growing samples with the AG, Sk genes. Consequently, fast-growing samples have bigger sizes of the conducting system as a resistance mechanism.

Complex-structured polymeric microparticles hold significant promise as advance in next-generation medicine mostly due to demand from developing targeted drug delivery. However, the conventional methods for producing these microparticles of defined size, shape and sophisticated composition often face challenges in scalability, reliance on specialized components such as micro-patterned templates, or have limited control over particle size distribution and cargo release kinetics. In this study, we introduce a novel and reliably scalable approach for manufacturing microparticles of defined structures and sizes with variable parameters. The concept behind this method involves the deposition of a specific number of polymer layers on a substrate with low surface energy. Each layer can serve as either the carrier for cargo or a programmable shell-former with predefined permeability. Subsequently, this layered structure is precisely cut into desired-sized blanks using a laser. The manufacturing process is completed by applying of heat to the substrate what results on sealing the edges of the blanks. The combination of the high surface tension of the molten polymer and the low surface energy of the substrate enables the formation of discrete particles, each possessing semi-spherical or other designed geometries determined by their internal composition. Such anisotropic microparticles are envisaged versatile applications.

New fluorinated pentaphene derivative has been obtained as a potential precursor for fluorinated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. In this work 7,7-difluoropentaphen-6(7H)-one was prepared from 1,1-difluoroanthracen-2(1H)-one via Diels-Alder reaction with o-quinodimethane generated in situ from o-bis(dibromomethyl)benzene. The structure of newly synthesized compound was confirmed by 1H, 13C, 19F NMR, IR and UV/Vis spectroscopy as well as high-resolution mass spectrometry.

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common endocrinopathies, estimated to affect about 5.4% of the world's population around 2025. It is thought that nearly a third of diabetic patients have some type of skin condition. Frequently, the cutaneous effects of this heterogeneous syndrome are ac-curately detected late in the progressive form of the disease. The main objective of the present study was to identify the main cellular characteristics of the cutaneous microenvironment in exper- imentally induced diabetes mellitus. Skin fragments were harvested from adult white Wistar rats of both sexes, with the weight of 200 g, 12 weeks after streptozotocin diabetes was induced. In parallel with histopathological diagnosis by using hematoxylin and eosine staining, samples were processed by transmission electron microscopy technique and examined with a Philips CM100 microscope. In the apparently macroscopically unchanged tegument, photon microscopy revealed both progres ive thinning of the epidermis in the early stages of diabetes and a significant process of fibrosis and collagen hyalinization in the dermis. In addition, in the early stages, the electron microscopic study provided ultrastructural details characteristic of a senescent phenotype with reduced cell proliferation. The morphological changes in the skin may be the first signs of disruption of carbohydrate metabolism and in the case of established diabetes may reflect its progression and the efficacy of therapy.

Deadwood represents a source of nutrients, carbon and water for metabolism within forest ecosystem. Nutrients are mobilized due to the decomposition of wood, which is a long-term process that can be best studied by analysing environmental data on a temporary scale. Our study provides physico-temporal data on the downed logs of three major tree species in European temperate forests: Abies alba Mill., Fagus sylvatica L. and Picea abies (L.) Karst. Time since death was obtained using tree censuses (repeated for 40 years) and dendrochronology for each single downed log, the oldest being 75 years old. Standard laboratory methods were used for the determination of wood density and moisture changes. F. sylvatica was decomposed rapidly in the initial phase – mass loss was 50% during the 5 years after death, while A. alba and P. abies lost 13% and 16%, respectively. Downed logs of F. sylvatica contained 391 kg of water per m³, while these of P. abies 279 kg. A log-transformed linear model was created that shows the dependence of time since death on mass loss. According to the model, F. sylvatica had the shortest total decomposition time (39 years), followed by A. alba (58 years) and P. abies (86 years).

Cyanobacterial blooms occur with increasing frequency in freshwater ecosystems, posing a hazard to human and environmental health. Exposure of human to cyanobacterial metabolites occurs mostly via accidental ingestion through contaminated drinking water or during recreational activities and, most frequently, results in gastrointestinal symptoms. Despite the clinical manifestation, cyanobacterial metabolites are rather investigated for their toxicity towards specific organs or tissues, especially hepato-, nephro- and neurotoxicity, then for effects on the gastrointestinal tract and the associated lymphoid tissue. The aim of this review was to systematically summarize available literature on the effects on the gastrointestinal tract and the mucosal innate immune system and compile the data from both, in vitro and in vivo studies, focusing on human-health relevant models. Our systematic literature review revealed significant data gaps in the understanding on metabolites breaching the gastrointestinal barrier and the role of the immune system in the establishment of clinical symptoms. Microcystins and cylindrospermopsin were linked to gastrointestinal symptoms, immune system effects or both. Furthermore, implications for cyanobacterial bloom lipopolysaccharides in gastrointestinal inflammation were reported in several cases, while other metabolites received only minor attention. The collected data indicate the need for a reassessment of potential enterotoxicity of microcystins and cylindrospermopsin. Additionally, the carcinogenic potential of cyanotoxins, especially microcystins, has to be clarified, as an increasing amount of epidemiological studies show correlations between cyanobacterial blooms and gastrointestinal cancer incidence. Furthermore, other, often highly abundant bioactive metabolites like aeruginosins, have to be toxicologically evaluated at levels also accounting for (sub-)chronic exposure to low concentrations and in combination with naturally co-occurring metabolites, as can be expected in drinking water supplies. studies, focusing on human-health relevant models. Our systematic literature review revealed significant data gaps in the understanding on metabolites breaching the gastrointestinal barrier and the role of the immune system in the establishment of clinical symptoms. Microcystins and cylindrospermopsin were linked to gastrointestinal symptoms, immune system effects or both. Furthermore, implications for cyanobacterial bloom lipopolysaccharides in gastrointestinal inflammation were reported in several cases, while other metabolites received only minor attention. The collected data indicate the need for a reassessment of potential enterotoxicity of microcystins and cylindrospermopsin. Additionally, the carcinogenic potential of cyanotoxins, especially microcystins, has to be clarified, as an increasing amount of epidemiological studies show correlations between cyanobacterial blooms and gastrointestinal cancer incidence. Furthermore, other, often highly abundant bioactive metabolites like aeruginosins, have to be toxicologically evaluated at levels also accounting for (sub-)chronic exposure to low concentrations and in combination with naturally co-occurring metabolites, as can be expected in drinking water supplies.

Li₇La₃Zr₂O₁₂Solid-state reaction was used for Li₇La₃Zr₂O₁₂ material synthesis from Li₂CO₃, La₂O₃ and ZrO₂ powders. Phase investigation by XRD, SEM and EDS methods of Li₇La₃Zr₂O₁₂ were carried out. The molar heat capacity of Li₇La₃Zr₂O₁₂ at constant pressure in the temperature range 298-800 K should be calculated as Cp,m = 518.135+0.599 × T - 8.339 × T−2, where T is absolute temperature, . Thermodynamic characteristics of Li₇La₃Zr₂O₁₂ were determined as next: entropy S0298 = 362.3 J mol-1 K-1, molar enthalpy of dissolution ΔdHLlZO = ˗ 1471.73 ± 29.39 kJ mol−1, the standard enthalpy of formation from elements ΔfH0 = ˗ 9327.65 ± 7.9 kJ mol−1, the standard Gibbs free energy of formation ∆f G0298 = ˗9435.6 kJ mol-1.

This article focuses on the comparison and perception of the potential of water’s surface in selected parts of the waterfront in two contrasting cities. The aim is to define the potential of the water’s surface in terms of psychology and its effects on climate. The analysis was performed on the example of Prague with its waterfront on the river Vltava, and Santa Cruz de Tenerife with its Atlantic coastline. Data was sourced from maps, questionnaire surveys and interviews with waterfront users during October 2020. The research showed a higher importance of the water’s surface for users in Prague, than in Santa Cruz. The main finding is that the psychological perception of the waterfront by its the users is affected by the possibility of a visual contact with the water’s surface, the design and composition of the space, and the climate situation of a site affected by the presence of an urban heat island (UHI). The results promote an adherence to ecosystem-based approaches in future design projects and modifications of existing public spaces. The purpose of the work is to open a broader debate on the sustainability of the potential of waterfronts and their positive impact on human health.

Organic carbon (OC) accumulation in soil mitigates greenhouse gases emission and improves soil health. We aimed to quantify the dynamics of OC stock in soils and to justify technologies that allow annual increasing OC stock in the arable soil layer by 4‰. We based the study on a field experiment established in 1936 in the 9-field crop rotation with a fallow on Chernozem in European Russia. The RothC version 26.3 was used for the reproducing and forecasting OC dynamics. In all fertilizer applications at FYM background, there was a decrease in the OC stock with preferable loss of active OC, except the period 1964-71 with 2-5‰ annual OC increase. The model estimated the annual C input in the arable soil layer as 1,900 kg·ha-1. For increasing OC stocks by 4‰ per year, one should raise input to 2400 kg·ha-1. Simulation was made for 2016-2090 using climate scenarios RCP4.5 and RCP8.5. Crop rotation without fallowing provided an initial increase of 3‰ and 6‰ of stocks in the RCP8.5 and RCP4.5 scenarios accordingly, followed by a loss in accumulated OC. Simulation demonstrates difficulties to increase OC concentration in Chernozems under intensive farming and potential capacity to rise OC stock through yield management.

Dimers and oligomers of alkenes represent a category of compounds that are in great demand for diverse industrial sectors. Among the developing synthetic methods, the catalysis of alkene dimerization and oligomerization using transition metal salts and complexes is of undoubted interest for practical application. This approach demonstrates substantial potential, offering not only elevated reaction rates but also precise control over the chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectivity of the reactions. In this review, we discuss the data on catalytic systems for alkene dimerization and oligomerization. Our focus lies in the analysis of how the activity and chemoselectivity of these catalytic systems are influenced by various factors, such as the nature of the transition metal, the ligand environment, the activator, and substrate structure. Notably, the review particularly discusses the reaction mechanisms, encompassing metal complex activation, structural and dynamic features, and the reactivity of hydride intermediates, which serve as potential catalytically active centers in alkene dimerization and oligomerization.

Creating self-learning algorithms, developing deep neural networks and improving other methods that "learn" for various areas of human activity is the main goal of the theory of machine learning. It helps to replace the human with a machine, aiming to increase the quality of production. The theory of artificial neural networks, which already have replaced the humans in problems of detection of moving objects, recognition of images or sounds, time series prediction, big data analysis and numerical methods remains the most dispersed branch of the theory of machine learning. Certainly, for each area of human activity it is necessary to select appropriate neural network architectures, methods of data processing and some novel tools from applied mathematics. But the universal problem for all these neural networks with specific data is the achieving the highest accuracy in short time. Such problem can be resolved by increasing sizes of architectures and improving data preprocessing, where the accuracy rises with the training time. But there is a possibility to increase the accuracy without time growing, applying optimization methods. In this survey we demonstrate existing optimization algorithms of all types, which can be used in neural networks. There are presented modifications of basic optimization algorithms, such as stochastic gradient descent, adaptive moment estimation, Newton and quasi-Newton optimization methods. But the most recent optimization algorithms are related to information geometry, for Fisher-Rao and Bregman metrics. This approach in optimization extended the theory of classic neural networks to quantum and complex-valued neural networks, due to geometric and probabilistic tools. There are provided applications of all introduced optimization algorithms, what delighted many kinds of neural networks, which can be improved by including any advanced approaches in minimization of the loss function. Afterwards, we demonstrated ways of developing optimization algorithms in further researches, engaging neural networks with progressive architectures. Classical gradient based optimizers can be replaced by fractional order, bilevel and, even, gradient free optimization methods. There is a possibility to add such analogues in graph, spiking, complex-valued, quantum and wavelet neural networks. Besides the usual problems of image recognition, time series prediction, object detection, there are many are other tasks for modern theory of machine learning, such as solving problem of quantum computations, partial differential and integro-differential equations, stochastic processes and Brownian motion, making decisions and computer algebra.

Currently, skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in humans and is one of the leading causes of death in patients with cancer. Biopsy methods are an invasive research method and are not always available for primary diagnosis. Imaging methods have low accuracy and depend on the experience of the dermatologist. Artificial intelligence technologies can match and surpass visual analysis methods in accuracy, but they have the risk of a false negative response when a malignant pigmented lesion can be recognized as benign. One possible way to improve accuracy and reduce the risk of false negatives is to analyze heterogeneous data, combine different preprocessing methods, and use modified loss functions to eliminate the negative impact of unbalanced dermatological data. The paper proposes a multimodal neural network system with a modified cross-entropy loss function that is sensitive to unbalanced heterogeneous dermatological data. The accuracy of recognition in 10 diagnostically significant categories for the proposed system was 85.19%. The novelty of the proposed system lies in the use of cross-entropy loss when training the modified function with the help of weight coefficients. The introduction of weighting factors has reduced the number of false negative forecasts, as well as improved accuracy by 1.02-4.03 percentage points compared to the original multimodal systems. The introduction of the proposed multimodal system as an auxiliary diagnostic tool can reduce the consumption of financial and labor resources involved in the medical industry, as well as increase the chance of early detection of skin cancer.

In this work, we explore the extreme searching of multidimensional functions by natural gradient descent based on Dirichlet and generalized Dirichlet distributions. The natural gradient is based on describing multidimensional surface with probability distributions, which allows us to reduce changing the accuracy of gradient and step-size. In this article, we propose an algorithm of natural gradient descent based on Dirichlet and generalized Dirichlet distributions. We demonstrate that the natural gradient descent with step-size adaptation with Dirichlet and generalized Dirichlet distributions has higher accuracy and does not take a large number of iterations for minimizing test functions than gradient descent and Adam.

Classical models of gene expression were built using genetics and biochemistry. Although these approaches are powerful, they have very limited consideration of the spatial and temporal organization of gene expression. Although the spatial organization and dynamics of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) transcription machinery has fundamental functional consequences for gene expression, its detailed studies have been for long time abrogated by the limits of classical light microscopy. The advent of super-resolution microscopy (SRM) techniques allowed for the visualization of the RNAPII transcription machinery with nanometer resolution and millisecond precision. In this review, we summarize the recent methodological advances in SRM, focus on its application for studies of the nanoscale organization in space and time of RNAPII transcription, and discuss its consequences for the mechanistic understanding of gene expression.

Since large power transformers are custom-made, and their design process is a labor-intensive task, their design process is split into different parts. In tendering, the price calculation is based on the preliminary design of the transformer. Due to the complexity of this task, it belongs to the most general branch of discrete, non-linear mathematical optimization problems. Most of the published algorithms are using a copper filling factor based winding model to calculate the main dimensions of the transformer during this first, preliminary design step. Therefore, these cost optimization methods are not considering the detailed winding layout and the conductor dimensions. However, the knowledge of the exact conductor dimensions is essential to calculate the thermal behaviour of the windings and make a more accurate stray loss calculation. The paper presents a novel, evolutionary algorithm-based transformer optimization method which can determine the optimal conductor shape for the windings during this examined preliminary design stage. The accuracy of the presented FEM method was tested on an existing transformer design. Then the results of the proposed optimization method have been compared with a validated transformer design optimization algorithm.

It is shown that the termination of the channeling of the fundamental radiation mode in the waveguide can be observed upon heating of an optical integrated circuit based on proton exchange channel waveguides formed in a lithium niobate single crystal. This process is reversible, but restoration of waveguide performance takes tens of minutes. The effect of the waveguide disappearance is observed upon rapid heating (5 °C/min) from a low temperature (minus 40 °C). This effect can lead to a temporary failure of navigation systems using fiber optic gyroscopes with modulators based on a lithium niobate crystal

In rye, there is a considerable variety of grain color which is determined by the diversity of compounds localized in different parts of the grain (caryopsis) - pericarp, testa, and aleurone. The localization of anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins was analyzed in 26 rye samples with identified anthocyanin genes, along with the analysis of CIE color coordinates. The Grain Scan program [1] was used to analyze images of individual grains. The localization of anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins was studied on longitudinal and cross sections of grains using light microscopy and MALDI-imaging. The violet-grained samples contain anthocyanins in the pericarp, and the green-grained samples contain anthocyanins in the aleurone layer. The green, violet and yellow-grained rye, with the exception of two anthocyaninless mutants vi3 and vi6, shows the presence of proanthocyanidins in the brown-colored testa. Four main color groups of the rye grains (yellow, green, brown, violet) could be differentiated using the color coordinate h° (hue angle). Interspecies and intraspecies variability for the localization of colored flavonoids in cereal grains is discussed.

Several series of new polymers were synthesized: binary copolyesters of vanillic (VA) and hydroxybiphenylcarboxylic (HBCA) acids, as well as ternary copolyesters additionally containing hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA) and obtained via three different ways (in solution, in melt and in solid state). The high values of logarithmic intrinsic viscosities and insolubility of several samples proved its high molecular weights. It has been shown that the use of vanillic acid leads to the production of copolyesters with a relatively high glass transition temperature (about 130°C). Thermogravimetric analysis revealed onset of weight loss temperatures of ternary copolyesters occurred at 330-350 °C, the temperature of 5% mass loss is in the range of 390-410 °C. Two-stage thermal destruction is observed for all aromatic copolyester of vanillic acid: decomposition begins with VA units at 420-480 °C, and then decomposition of more heat-resistant units demonstrated above 520 °C. The copolyesters are thermotropic and exhibit a typical nematic type of liquid crystalline order. Mechanical characteristics of copolyesters are close to those for semi-aromatic copolyesters, but are much lower than typical values for fully aromatic thermotropic polymers. Thus, vanillic acid is a mesogenic monomer suitable for the synthesis of thermotropic fully aromatic and semi-aromatic copolyester, but resulting processing temperature must not exceed 280°C.

The aim of the work was to carry out an ergonomic assessment of the workload when working with a chainsaw during motor-manual tree processing. Wearable technology was used, namely Garmin, Biostrap and Whoop devices, which are generally available. The dependence of the heart rate (HR) on physical workload was examined to calculate Heart Rate Index. The case study was done with one worker, three variations of chainsaw devices cutting the poplar wood. It was proved that the use of a heavier work tool, MS 500i /90 cm 9,3 kg, significantly contributes both to the creation of a non-physiological working position and to an increase in the energy required to perform work, which was represented by an increase in heart rate. With a lighter work tool and a shorter cutting blade, both a decrease in heart rate and a reduction in the working time were performed in a non-physiological position. The results can be used in common practice for workers´ self-assessment to increase safety and health protection at work or work productivity not only in motor-manual processing in forestry related professions.

Lynch syndrome (LS) is one of the most common hereditary cancer syndrome in human populations, associated with germline variants in MLH1, MSH2/EPCAM, MSH6 and PMS2 genes. The advent of next generation sequencing has proven a significant impact in germline variant detection in the causative genes; however, a large proportion of patients with clinical criteria still receive uncertain or negative results. PMS2 is the least frequent reported gene, associated with up to 15% of LS cases with late-onset disease and low penetrance phenotype; however, the proportion of PMS2-LS cases is considered to be highly underestimated. In this context, we consulted public available databases (ClinVar, LOVD) for missense and intronic PMS2 variants and performed an in silico analysis of the genomic sequence. Splicing bioinformatics tools proven effective in other genes were used to assess both the wild-type DNA sequence and reported genetic variants. Splicing alterations were predicted in silico and using GTEx short-read RNA expression data. Out of the 2384 missense variants discovered, 90% were classified with uncertain significance (VUS). 4.9% of missense variants were shown to have a potential splicing consequence (DS &gt; 0.2) using SpliceAI. As described in the original publication, SpliceAI-visual was proven effective in annotation of short intronic variants (&lt; 50 bp). Four short intronic variants were identified using SpliceAI-visual as potentially splicing disturbing, in spite of using a lower threshold (DS &gt; 0.1). Moreover, we observed that Splicing Regulatory Elements (SREs) may play a fundamental role in alternative splicing in PMS2 gene, ESE motifs being overrepresented in highly expressed exons 5, 11 and 14. Computational analysis performed in our study serves as a valuable filtering step for guiding further RNA sequencing experiments. Additional functional data is necessary to evaluate the significance of our findings.

Pure silver as well as silver compounds have been used as antiseptics for centuries. Nowadays, the most frequently applied form of silver is a nanoparticle form. Several studies demonstrate the ability of silver nanoparticles and silver salts to accumulate in the brain of laboratory ani-mals as well as the ability of silver nanoparticles to influence behavioral and cognitive functions of laboratory mammals. For the first time, the influence of a silver salt, in particular, silver citrate on the change dynamics of behavioral and cognitive functions of laboratory mice at the daily oral exposure during 30, 60, 120 and 180 days is investigated in the present research. We observed the anxiety increase after 30 days of the exposure as well as the ability of mice to adapt to the prolonged oral exposure of silver citrate manifested in the anxiety decrease, increase of locomotor activity and the tendency of long-term contextual memory improvement. Increase of locomotor activity and memory improvement might be associated with the sensitivity increase and regarded as compensatory mechanism to anxiety increase. The observed phenomenon is classified as a hormetic effect. A comparison with the analogous study implemented polyvi-nylpyrrolidone coated silver nanoparticles is carried out. It was concluded that the nanoform is more neurotoxic.

Introduction. “Vein definition” for locally advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (LA PDAC) assumes portal-to-superior mesenteric vein (PV/SMV) unreconstructability due to tumor involvement or occlusion. Radical pancreatectomies with SMV resection without PV/SMV reconstruction are scarcely discussed in the literature. Retrospective analysis of 19 radical pancreatectomies for “low” LA PDAC with SMV and all its tributaries resection without PV/SMV reconstruction has shown zero mortality, overall morbidity – 56%, Dindo-Clavien – 3-10,5%, R0- rate – 82%, mean operative procedure time – 355±154 min, mean blood loss – 330±170 ml, delayed gastric emptying– 25%, clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula – 8%. In three cases surgery was associated with superior mesenteric (n2) and common hepatic artery (n1) resection. Surgery was completed without vein reconstruction (n13) and with inferior mesenteric-to-splenic anastomosis (n6). There were no cases of liver, gastric, or intestinal ischemia. A specific complication of the SMV resection without reconstruction was 2-3 days-long intestinal edema (48%). Median overall survival – 25 months, median progression-free survival – 18 months. All the relapses, except two, were distant. The possibility of successful SMV resection without PV/SMV reconstruction can be predicted before surgery by CT-based reconstructions. The mandatory anatomical conditions for the procedure were: 1) preserved SMV-SV confluence; 2) occluded SMV for any reason (tumor or thrombus); 3) well-developed inferior mesenteric vein collaterals with dilated intestinal veins; 4) no right-sided vein collaterals, and 5) no varices in the upper abdomen. Conclusion: “Low” LA PDACs involving SMV with all its tributaries can be radically and safely resected in highly and specifically selected cases without PV/SMV reconstruction with an acceptable survival rate.

Binary star DataBase (BDB) is the database of binary/multiple systems of various observational types. BDB contains data on physical and positional parameters of 260,000 components of 120,000 stellar systems of multiplicity 2 to more than 20, taken from a large variety of published catalogues and databases. We describe the new features in organization of the database, integration of new catalogues and implementation of new possibilities available to users. The development of the BDB index-catalogue, Identification List of Binaries, is discussed. This star catalogue provides cross-referencing between most popular catalogues of binary stars. We describe ideas and methods for reliable cross-identification of different entities (systems, pairs, components) in binary and multiple stellar systems.

Distributed fiber optic vibration sensors based on Φ-OTDR using Rayleigh backscattering of highly coherent light source pulses are very popular type in the area of sensors due to many attractive features, mainly due to its distributed manner of sensing, i.e. they can operate as thousands of local sensors simultaneously. The paper summarizes and describes several important modifications of the original sensor scheme to enhance its key performance parameters and to extend its application potential. A multi-fiber sensor form was proposed. Single- and two-fiber sensors were designed, constructed and tested both in the laboratory and in a real environment. Variants of two-fiber sensor utilizing optical switches for the sensor flexibility enhancement are proposed and their applications are described.

Random variations in microelectronic circuit structures represent the source of entropy for physical unclonable functions (PUFs). In this paper, we investigate delay variations that occur through the routing network and switch matrices of a field programmable gate array (FPGA). The delay variations are isolated from other components of the programmable logic, e.g., Look-up tables (LUTs), flip-flops (FFs), etc. using a feature of Xilinx FPGAs called dynamic partial reconfiguration (DPR). A set of partial designs are created that fix the placement of a time-to-digital converter (TDC) and supporting infrastructure to enable the path delays through the target interconnect and switch matrices to be extracted by subtracting out common-mode delay components. Delay variations are analyzed in the different levels of routing resources available within FPGAs, i.e., local routing and across chip routing. Data is collected from a set of Xilinx Zynq 7010 devices, and a statistical analysis of within-die variations in delay through a set of the randomly-generated and hand-crafted interconnects is presented.

This research aims to determine the similarities in groups of people to build a film recommender system for users. Users often have difficulty in finding suitable movies due to the increasing amount of movie information. The recommender system is very useful for helping customers choose a preferred movie with the existing features. In this study, the recommender system development is established by using several algorithms to obtain groupings, such as the K-Means algorithm, birch algorithm, mini-batch K-Means algorithm, mean-shift algorithm, affinity propagation algorithm, agglomerative clustering algorithm, and spectral clustering algorithm. We propose methods optimizing K so that each cluster may not significantly increase variance. We are limited to using groupings based on Genre and, Tags for movies. This research can discover better methods for evaluating clustering algorithms. To verify the quality of the recommender system, we adopted the mean square error (MSE), such as the Dunn Matrix and Cluster Validity Indices, and social network analysis (SNA), such as Degree Centrality, Closeness Centrality, and Betweenness Centrality. We also used Average Similarity, Computational Time, Association Rule with Apriori algorithm, and Clustering Performance Evaluation as evaluation measures to compare method performance of recommender systems using Silhouette Coefficient, Calinski-Harabaz Index, and Davies-Bouldin Index.

Li3FeN2 material was synthesized by two-step solid-state method from Li3N (adiabatic camera) and FeN2 (tube furnace) powders. Phase investigation of Li3N, FeN2 and Li3FeN2 were carried out. Discharge capacity of Li3FeN2 is 343 mAh g-1, that is about 44.7% of theoretic capacity. The molar heat capacity of Li3FeN2 at constant pressure in the temperature range 298-900 K should be calculated as Cp,m = 77,831 + 0,130 × T – 6,289 × T-2, where T is absolute temperature, . Thermodynamic characteristics of Li3FeN2 were determined as next: entropy S0298 = 116.2 J mol-1 K-1, molar enthalpy of dissolution ΔdHLFN = ˗ 206,537 ± 2,8 kJ mol−1, the standard enthalpy of formation ΔfH0 = ˗ 291.331 ± 5.7 kJ mol−1, entropy S0298 = 113.2 J mol-1 K-1 (Neumann-Kopp rule) and 116.2 J mol-1 K-1 (W.Herz rule), the standard Gibbs free energy of formation ∆f G0298 = ˗276,7 kJ mol-1.

Chicken collagen is a promising raw material source to produce gelatins and hydrolysates. Gelatins and hydrolysates can be prepared biotechnologically using proteolytic enzymes produced by submerged fermentation of genetically modified microorganisms. By choosing the appropriate process conditions, such changes can be achieved at the molecular level of collagen, making it possible to prepare products with targeted properties for advanced cosmetic, pharmaceutical, medical or food applications. The research aims to investigate: i) antioxidant activity (DPPH and ABTS) in model samples of chicken collagen products (gelatin and hydrolysates); ii) distribution of molecular weights by the GPC-RID analysis method; iii) functional groups and configuration of polypeptide chains related to molecular level properties using FTIR; iv) the microbiological properties on SDA, PCA, TSA and VRBL microbial populations using MALDI method. Antioxidant activity towards ABTS radicals of more than 80% was found for all samples. The molecular weights of all gelatin samples showed typical α- and β-chains. FTIR analysis confirmed that the samples showed all typical vibrational regions for collagen cleavage products, Amide A and B, Amide I, II, and III at characteristic values. Microbiological analysis of the prepared samples showed no undesirable bacteria that would limit advanced applications of the prepared products. Gelatins and hydrolysates from chicken stomachs represent a promising alternative to products made from standard collagen tissues of terrestrial animals.

Self-phase modulation (SPM) broadening of laser spectra was studied in a transmission mode in natural and synthetic diamonds at variable laser wavelengths (515 and 1030 nm), pulse energies and widths (0.3 - 12 ps, positively chirped pulses), providing their filamentary propagation. Besides the monotonous SPM broadening of the laser spectra versus pulse energy, more pronounced for the (sub)picosecond pulsewiths and more doped natural diamond, periodical low-frequency modulation was observed in the spectra at the shorter laser pulsewidths, indicating dynamic Bragg filtering of the supercontinuum due to ultrafast plasma and nanoplasmonic effects. Damping of broadening and ultramodulation for the longer picosecond pulsewidths was related to thermalized electron-hole plasma regime established for the laser pulsewidths longer, than 2 ps. Unexpectedly, at higher pulse energies and corresponding longer microfilaments, the number of spectral modulation features increases, indicating dynamic variation of the periods in the longitudinal plasma Bragg gratings along the filaments due to prompt secondary laser-plasmon interactions.

Ground penetrating radar (georadar, GPR), widely used in geology, archeology and road construction, is an efficient tool for searching and studying subsurface objects and structures. When planning GPR missions, it is necessary to predict the resolution of the device and the achievable probing depth. The article discusses the methods and results of assessing these characteristics of the Loza-V and Loza-N radars obtained in the course of archaeological and geographical expedition works.

High gravity brewing (HGB) and adjunct use are common practices in industrial breweries. This work studied the impact of HGB and wheat adjuncts on beer characteristics. Parameters were evaluated in full-malt beer and beers prepared with 30 % wheat grits (WG) and wheat flakes (WF) in the grist and the effect of HGB was examined. Five beers were prepared; one control, two with different original gravity (OG) with WF and two with WG. Beers with higher OG were diluted to a lower OG and control beer was prepared too. The application of wheat adjuncts increased foam stability but HGB did not affect the beer foam. HGB beers had a remarkably higher ester concentration than other samples, and beers with WG also had a significantly higher ester content. Decreased higher alcohols to esters ratio in HGB beers affected the balanced flavour profile of the lager beer. There was a significantly lower content of unwanted volatiles such as vicinal diketones and dimethyl sulphide in HGB beers. The application of HGB mostly did not affect the beer ageing characteristics such as carbonyl compounds and thiobarbituric acid number.

Sous-vide is a process in which food is vacuum-sealed and prepared in a water bath, heated to a precise temperature, and circulated in a sous-vide machine. This cooking technique is increasingly common in homes and catering establishments due to its simplicity and affordability. However, manufacturers' and chefs' recommendations for low-temperature and long-term sous-vide cooking in media raise food safety concerns, particularly when preparing beef tenderloin. In this study, Salmonella enterica was found to be inactivated by heat and sage essential oil (EO) in beef tenderloin from musculus psoas major that had undergone sous-vide processing. To determine whether heat treatment was likely to increase the sous-vide efficiency, S. enterica and sage EO were mixed. After being vacuum-packed and injected with S. enterica, the samples were cooked sous-vide for the prescribed time at 50, 55, 60, or 65 °C. On days 1, 3, and 6, the amounts of S. enterica, total bacteria, and coliform bacteria were measured in both groups of sous vide beef tenderloin. Mass spectrometry was used to identify bacterial strains on various days and categories. Each day that was measured, the test group exposed to a temperature of 50 °C for 5 minutes had a higher number of all microbiota. The most isolated microorganisms from the control and treated groups were Pseudomonas fragi, and in the treated group also S. enterica. It has been shown that adding sage essence oil (EO) in combination with the sous-vide gastronomic method leads to the stabilization and safety of beef tenderloin.

Refraction of an oblique shock wave on a tangential discontinuity dividing two gas flows with different properties is considered. It is shown that its partial reflection occurs excepting of geometrical diffraction of an oblique shock. Another oblique shock, expansion wave or weak discontinuity that coincides with Mach line, can act as a reflected disturbance. This study focuses on relationships which define the type of reflected discontinuity and its parameters. Domains of existence of various shock-wave structures with reflected disturbances of two types and boundaries between them are defined. The domains of parameters with one or two solutions exist for the characteristic refraction. Conditions of the regular refraction and the Mach refraction are formulated, and boundaries between those two refraction types are defined for various types of gases. Refraction phenomena in various engineering problems (hydrocarbon gaseous fuel and its combustion products, diatomic gas, fuel mixture of oxygen and hydrogen etc.) are discussed.

At the molecular level, response to an external factor or an internal condition causes reprogramming of temporal and spatial transcription. When an organism undergoes physiological and/or morphological changes, several signaling pathways are activated simultaneously. Examples of such complex reactions are the response to temperature changes, dehydration, various biologically active substances, and others. Synergistic action of multiple pathways greatly complicates the experimental study of the molecular genetic mechanisms of the organism's reactions. As a result, a significant part of the regulatory ensemble in such complex reactions remains unidentified. We developed metaRE, an R package for the systematic search for cis-regulatory elements enriched in the promoters of the genes significantly changed their transcription in a complex reaction. metaRE mines multiple expression profiling datasets generated to test the same organism's response and identifies simple and composite cis-regulatory elements systematically associated with differential expression of genes. Here we showed metaRE performance for identification of cold stress-responsive cis-regulatory code in Arabidopsis thaliana. MetaRE identified potential binding sites for known as well as unknown cold response regulators. Software with source files, documentation, and example data files are freely available online at the repository (https://github.com/cheburechko/MetaRE).

Selenium-rich Au-Ag mineralization has been discovered in the Kremnica ore district, central Slovakia. The mineralization is hosted by a single quartz-dolomite vein hosted by Neogene propyllitized andesites of the Kremnica stratovolcano. Ore mineralogy and crystal chemistry of individual ore minerals have been studied here. The early base-metal ore mineralization composed of pyrite, sphalerite and chalcopyrite lacks selenium, whereas the superimposed Au-Ag paragenesis is Se-enriched. The Au-Ag alloys, uytenbogaardtite, minerals of the galena-clausthalite series, acanthite-naumannite series, diaphorite, miargyrite, pyrargyrite-proustite, polybasite group, minerals of the tetrahedrite group and andorite branch (andorite IV, andorite VI, Ag-excess fizélyite), freislebenite, and rare Pb-Sb sulphosalts (scaiinite, robinsonite, plagionite) have been identified here. Besides selenides, the most Se-enriched phases are miargyrite, proustite-pyrargyrite, and polybasite-pearceite, whose Se contents are among the highest reported worldwide. In addition, one new phase has been found, corresponding to a Se-analogue of pearceite containing 2.08 - 3.54 apfu Se. The style of mineralization, paragenetic situation, and chemical trends observed in individual minerals are comparable to those of Au-Ag low-sulphidation epithermal Au-Ag mineralizations of the Kremnica and neighboring Štiavnica and Hodruša-Hámre Ore Districts, however, the pronounced enrichment in selenium is a specific feature of the studied vein only.

Within the task of replacing bronze journal bearings with aluminum the processes taking part on friction surface of high-alloyed aluminum alloys working with steel are investigated. The surface and subsurface layer of experimental aluminum bearings were studied before and after tribological tests by scanning electron microscopy including energy-dispersive analysis. Both structural and composition changes in surface layer are shown. It has been revealed that secondary structures are formed on the surface during friction process and include all the chemical elements of the tribosystem which is a consequence of its self-organization. The interaction behavior of some chemical elements of tribological system is discussed.

Satellite altimetry is successfully developing during the past three decades for the sea level, ocean dynamics, coastal oceanography, planetary waves, ocean tides, wind and wave, ice cover, Earth’s gravity field, and climatology research. We propose a new essential add-on of satellite altimetry related to the peculiarities of the orbits of the Topex/Poseidon and Jasons’ satellite missions which were not mentioned before in the scientific publications. Derived subsets of “self-crossover” and “inter-crossover” points in sub-polar latitudes are discussed in detail in the context of water exchange, and wind-wave dynamics, and potential challenges to be solved. The relatively short time lags between measurements at these crossovers provide additional information on anomalies of magnitudes and directions of ocean currents, and characteristics of wind-driven waves. Resulting data snapshots with constant space and time intervals can be regarded as time series of virtual buoys, an analog of continuous buoy measurements of the sea level, wind speed, and wave height. Areas of the World Ocean where these specific crossovers occur are described in the context of water exchange, wind wave studies, and potential challenges to be solved. The value of these special crossovers for studies and monitoring of the sub-polar seas is illustrated by a case study.

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemics prompted a fast development of novel diagnostic methods of the etiologic virus SARS-CoV-2. Methods based on CRISPR-Cas systems have been particularly promising because they can achieve a similar sensitivity and specificity to the golden standard RT-qPCR, especially when coupled to an isothermal pre-amplification step. Furthermore, they have also solved inherent limitations of RT-qPCR that impede its decentralized use and deployment in the field, such as the need for expensive equipment, high cost per reaction, and delivery of results in hours, among others. In this review, we evaluate publicly available methods to detect SARS-CoV-2 that are based on CRISPR-Cas and isothermal amplification. We critically analyze the steps required to obtain a successful result from clinical samples and pinpoint key experimental conditions and parameters that could be optimized or modified to improve clinical and analytical outputs. The COVID outbreak has propelled intensive research in a short time, which is paving the way to develop effective and very promising CRISPR-Cas systems for the precise detection of SARS-CoV-2. This review could also serve as an introductory guide to new labs delving into this technology.

Uncertainties in initial water saturation and early water breakthroughs of un-known sources and paths, which occurred in the low resistivity Lower Haushi sand-stone (LHS) reservoir at the beginning of oil production, imply that the bypassed oil can yet remain in the reservoir. In addition, the upper part of LHS is a tight oil reser-voir, which can still contain a significant amount of unrecovered oil. This opens the opportunity to produce the remaining oil instead of abandoning this reservoir. Low resistivity can exaggerate water saturation, leading to misinterpretation and premature water flooding due to inadequate oil-water contrast. Our analysis revealed a correlation between low resistivity and robust porous network connectivity, along-side elevated formation water salinity in highly porous layers. In regions of high po-rosity, sufficient oil-water contrast facilitates precise water saturation determination, affirming oil presence in all wells. However, within tight oil zones, near-complete wa-ter saturation contradicts actual oil presence. Factors contributing to saturation un-certainty and water breakthroughs were reassessed. Utilizing a 1:1 verti-cal-to-horizontal permeability ratio derived from core data enhanced simulation alignment with water production rates. Investigation into the impact of relative per-meabilities on water production was conducted. Water saturation maps were gener-ated to pinpoint remaining oil reserves. Depletion around wells is evident in lower po-rous regions, while oil persists across the entire tight reservoir, notably in two unex-plored sections.

The COVID-19 led to changes modifying the role of digital transformation and unleashing unparalleled opportunities to improve business production processes in all three dimensions of sustainability - economic, social, and environmental through data-driven innovative service implications that significantly impact restaurant business, resulting in an increased competitive advantage. This paper identifies the innovative service implications and summarizes sustainable social systems measures in the context of strategic management in the restaurant industry triggered by COVID-19. Based on in-depth interviews with sixteen key experts in the restaurant industry, the paper clarifies and concretizes the rapidly transforming problem of identifying the main changes in the restaurant business, using three dimensions: consumer demand, corporate strategy optimization, and the use of the company's innovative potential. The findings reveal how companies need to expand their digital strategies and adapt their management approach to all stakeholders bringing sustainable business development in the post-pandemic period into focus. This paper serves as a framework for understanding the digital transformation role in resilient business management within restaurant social systems, with friction occurring along the workflow from kitchen to customer.

A technology for obtaining nanosized aluminum nitride powder by plasma-chemical synthesis is presented. Nitrogen gas (N2), melamine (C3H6N6) and ammonia (NH3) were used as a source of nitrogen. Aluminum powder of different fractions was used as a source of aluminum. The influence of the nitrogen source, the height of the injector, and the input power of the plasma equipment on the synthesized aluminum nitride powder is shown. The resulting aluminum nitride powder has a size d90=60 nm. The parameters of aluminum nitride synthesis did not in any way affect the granulometric composition of the synthesized powder materials. It was found that, due to the high binding energy, the nitrogen molecule (N2) reacts poorly with aluminum powder particles, as a result a mixture of nitrogen and ammonia gases was used in a ratio of 70/30 (mol.%) for aluminum nitride synthesis.

Low temperatures in the autumn induce enhanced expression/relative accumulation of several cold-inducible transcripts/proteins with protective functions from Late-embryogenesis-abundant (LEA) superfamily including dehydrins. Several studies dealing with plants grown under controlled conditions revealed a correlation (significant quantitative relationship) between dehydrin transcript/protein relative accumulation and plant frost tolerance. However, to apply these results in breeding, field experiments are necessary. The aim of the review is to provide a summary of the studies dealing with the relationships between plant acquired frost tolerance and COR/LEA transcripts/proteins relative accumulation in cereals grown in controlled and in the field conditions. The impacts of cold acclimation and vernalization processes on the ability of winter-type Triticeae to accumulate COR/LEA proteins are discussed. The factors determining dehydrin relative accumulation under controlled cold acclimation treatments versus field trials during winter seasons are discussed. In conclusion, it can be stated that dehydrins could be used as suitable indicators of winter surival in field-grown winter cereals but only in plant prior to the fullfilment of vernalization requirement.

Pericentromeric regions of chromosomes enriched in tandemly repeated satellite DNA although representing a significant part of eukaryotic genomes are still understudied mainly due to interdisciplinary knowledge gaps. Recent studies suggest their important role in genome regulation, karyotype stability and evolution. Thus, the idea of satellite DNA as a junk part of the genome was refuted. Integration of data about molecular composition, chromosome behaviour and details of in situ organization of pericentromeric regions is of great interest. The objective of this work was a cytogenetic analysis of the interactions of pericentromeric regions non-homologous chromosomes in mouse spermatocytes using immuno-FISH. We analysed two events: the associations between cerntomeric regions of X chromosome and autosomes, and associations between centromeric regions of autosomal bivalents forming chromocenters. We conclude that X chromosome form temporary synaptic associations with different autosomes in early meiotic prophase I which normally can be found at pachytene-diplotene without signs of pachytene arrest. These associations are formed between the satellite DNA-enriched centomeric regions of X chromosome and different autosomes but not involve the satellite-poor centromeric region of Y-chromosome. We suggest the mechanism of X chromosome competitive replacement from such associations during synaptic correction. We showed that centromeric region of the X chromosome remains free of γH2Ax-dependent chromatin inactivation, while Y chromosome is completely inactivated. This findings highlights the predominant role of associations between satellite DNA-enriched regions of different chromosomes including X. We assume that X-autosome temporary associations is a manifestation of an additional synaptic disorders checkpoint. These associations are normally corrected before the late diplotene. We revealed that the intense spreading conditions applied to the spermatocytes I nuclei did not lead to destruction of stretched chromatin fibers i.e. elongated chromocenters enriched in satellite DNA. Revealed by us tight associations between pericentromeric regions of different autosomal bivalents and X chromosome may represent the basis for repeat stability maintenance in autosomes an X chromosome. The consequences of our findings are discussed. We obtained the preparations of mouse spermatocytes nuclei in the meiotic prophase I using two approaches: standard and extremely intense surface spread techniques. Using immuno-FISH we visualized tandemly repeated mouse Major and Minor satellite DNA located in the pericentromeric regions of chromosomes and performed a morphological comparison of the standard- and intensely spreaded meiotic nuclei. Based on our results, we assume the remarkable strength of the chromocenter-mediated associations, “chromatin “bridges”, between different bivalents at the pachytene and diplotene stages. We have demonstrated that the chromocenter “bridges” between the centromeric ends of meiotic bivalents are enriched in both tandemly repeated Major and Minor satellite DNA. Association of centromeric regions of autosomal bivalents and X-chromosome but not with Y-chromosome correlates with the absence of Major and Minor satellites on Y-chromosome. We suggest that revealed tight associations between pericentromeric regions of bivalents may represent the network-like system providing dynamic stability of chromosomal territories, as well as add new data for the hypothesis of ectopic recombination in these regions which supports sequence homogeneity between non-homologous chromosomes and does not contradict the meiotic restrictions imposed by the crossing-over interference near centromeres. We conclude that nuclear architecture in meio-sis may play an essential role in contacts between the non-homologous chromosomes providing the specific characteristics of pericentromeric DNA.

L-17 is a thiadiazine derivative with putative anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and antidepressant-like properties. In this study, we applied combined in silico, ex vivo, and in vivo electrophysiology techniques to reveal the potential mechanism of action of L-17. PASS 10.4 Professional Extended software suggested that L-17 might have pro-cognitive, antidepressant, and antipsychotic effects. Docking energy assessment with AutoDockVina predicted that the binding affinities of L-17 to the serotonin transporter (SERT) and serotonin receptors 3 and 1A (5-HT3 and 5-HT1A) receptors are compatible to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluoxetine and selective antagonists of 5-HT3 and 5-HT1A receptors, granisetron and WAY100135, respectively. Acute pre-treatment with L-17 robustly increased c-Fos immunoreactivity in the amygdala (central nucleus), suggesting increased neuronal excitability in this brain area after L-17 administration. Acute L-17 also dose-dependently inhibited of 5-HT neurons of the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN). This inhibition was partially reversed by subsequent administration of WAY100135, suggesting the involvement of extracellular 5-HT. Based on in silico predictions, c-Fos immunohistochemistry, and in vivo electrophysiology, we suggest that L-17 is a potent 5-HT reuptake inhibitor and/or partial 5-HT1A receptor antagonist. Thus, L-17 might be a representative of a new class of antidepressant drugs. Since L-17 also possesses neuro- and cardio-protective properties, it can be useful in post-stroke and post-myocardial infarction (MI) depression. In general, combined in silico predictions and ex vivo neurochemical and in vivo electrophysiological assessment might be a useful strategy for early preclinical assessment of the affectivity and neural mechanism in action of the novel CNS drugs.

Magnetic quantum oscillations (MQO) are traditionally applied to investigate the electronic structure of metals. In layered quasi-two-dimensional (Q2D) materials the MQO have several qualitative features giving additional useful information, provided their theoretical description is developed. Within the framework of the Kubo formula and the self-consistent Born approximation, we reconsider the phase of beats in the amplitude of Shubnikov oscillations of interlayer conductivity in Q2D metals. We show that the phase shift of beats of the Shubnikov (conductivity) oscillations relative to the de Haas - van Alphen (magnetization) oscillations is larger than expected previously and, under certain conditions, can reach the value of π/2, as observed experimentally. We explain the phase inversion of MQO during the 3D - 2D crossover and predict the decrease of relative MQO amplitude of interlayer magnetoresistance in a strong magnetic field, larger than the beat frequency.

Vit-106 is a promising zirconium-based alloy with high glass-forming ability and belongs to the so-called bulk metallic glasses (BMG). Workpieces with a size of around one centimeter in all three dimensions can be obtained from a BMG alloy by casting. However, further increasing the cast size decreases the cooling rate and thus induces crystallization. Selective laser melting (SLM) is a well-known technique to overcome the size limitations for BMGs because a workpiece is built by the addition of multiple melt portions where the cooling rate is kept above the critical one. Currently, BMG parts obtained by SLM suffer from partial crystallization. The present work studies the influence of SLM process parameters on partial crystallization of Vit-106 by metallography and the influence of the microstructure on mechanical properties by microhardness and wear resistance testing. Submicron crystalline inclusions are observed in an amorphous matrix of Vit-106 alloy obtained by SLM. The size and the concentration of the inclusions can be controlled by varying the laser scanning speed. It is shown that submicron crystalline inclusions formed in the amorphous matrix during SLM can favorably affect microhardness and wear resistance.

Bulk composition, mineralogy and microchemistry of various fractions of the filling of the Crater No. 4 at Emmerting were investigated. Here we present mainly the fine fractions, which, in contrast to pebbles larger than ca. 4 cm, are relatively poor in material affected by melting. A 0.1 mm long meteorite fragment without ablation features was found, and remelted fragments of the same body have been identified. The projectile was dominated by enstatite, also containing forsterite, basic plagioclase, Ni-rich pyrrhotite and troilite, kamacite, silica, and probably merrillite. The molten fragments contain porous Mg-rich glass (indicating temperature &gt; 1500 °C), minor Fe oxides, and occasionally uncommon Ni-rich minerals. The bulk composition and electron microprobe show that the amount of meteoritic material is low (&lt;&lt; 1 %), and it is not unequivocally manifested even in platinum-group elements abundances and osmium isotope ratios (the latter, however, were only measured in two samples). This can be explained by dilution of the filling by particles brought after the crater formation, and by probably achondritic composition of the projectile. Relatively large hollow spheroid Fe oxide particles were observed in thin sections from the magnetic fraction. A Mn oxide hollow spherule has also been found. In magnetically separated filling from the nearby Crater No. 5, bulk chemical composition points to contamination with several metals and metalloids probably due to influence of recent alluvial sediments. Therefore, the extent of meteoritic contamination in this crater may be even smaller.

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is an essential condition for soil health and a potential sink for greenhouse gases. SOC dynamics in a long-term field experiment with mineral and organic fertilization on loamy sand Podzol in Vladimir Region, Russia, was traced with the dynamic carbon model RothC since 1968 until the present time. During this period, C stock increased 21% compared with the initial level in the treatment with the application of manure in an average annual rate of 10 t·ha-1. The model was also used to forecast SOC changes until 2090 for two contrasting RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 climatic scenarios. Until 2090, the steady growth of SOC stocks is expected in all compared treatments for both climate scenarios. This rate of growth was the highest until 2040, decreased in 2040-2070 and increased again in 2070-2090 for RCP4.5. The highest annual gain was within 21-27‰ under RCP4.5 and 16-21‰ in 2020-2040 in 0-20 cm soil layer. The expected accumulation of C allows increasing current C stock 1.6-1.7 times for RCP4.5 and 2.0-2.2 times for RCP8.5 scenario. Modelling demonstrated potentially more favourable conditions for SOC stability in arable Podzols than in Retisols in Central Russia in the 21st century.

Soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration in arable soils is a challenging goal for soil management. Multiple factors should be considered for the prediction of the soil capacity to fix atmospheric carbon. In this study, we focused on the effect of crop rotation and previous land use for future carbon sequestration on two experimental fields with identical soils (Retisols) and input of organic fertilizers. We analyzed the SOC dynamics and used the Roth C model to forecast SOC changes under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios. Our experimental and modelling results indicated a consistent increase in SOC stocks and the stable fractions of soil organic matter (SOM). The increase in SOC was higher in the experiment with the crop-grassland rotation that in the experiment with a rotation of row crops and barley. With similar total SOC stocks, the efficiency of soil management differed as reflected by the contrasting composition of SOM, as fields with a long cultivation history showed higher SOM stability. The goal of 4‰ annual increase of SOC stocks may be reached under crop- grassland rotation in 2020-40 and 2080-90 when applying mineral or organic fertilizer system for scenario RCP4.5, and mineral fertilizer system in 2080-2090 for scenario RCP8.5.

Being the major cellular component of highly dynamic tissue endometrial stromal cells (EnSC) are exposed to cycles of proliferation upon hormonal stimulation what might pose risks for mutations accumulation and malignization. However, endometrial stromal tumors are rare and unusual types of tumor. The present study aimed to uncover defense mechanisms that might underlie resistance of EnSC against oncogenic transformation. All experiments were performed in vitro using the following methods: FACS, WB, RT-PCR, IF, molecular cloning, lentiviral transduction, and CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. We revealed that expression of the mutant HRASG12V results in senescence of EnSC. We experimentally confirmed inability of HRASG12V-expressing EnSC to bypass senescence and resume proliferation even upon oestrogen stimulation. At the molecular level, induction of oncogene-induced senescence (OIS) was accompanied by the activation of MEK/ERK, PI3K/AKT, p53/p21WAF/CIP/Rb and p38/p16INK4a/Rb pathways, however inhibiting either pathway did not prevent cell cycle arrest. PTEN loss was established as the additional feature of HRASG12V-induced senescence of EnSC. By using CRISPR-Cas9 mediated PTEN knockout, we distinguished PTEN loss-induced senescence as a reserve molecular mechanism to prevent transformation of HRASG12V-expressing EnSC. The present study highlights oncogene-induced senescence as an antitumor defense mechanism of EnSC controlled by multiple backup molecular pathways.

The body of scientific literature continues to grow annually. Over 1.5 million abstracts of biomedical publications were added to the PubMed database in 2021. Therefore, developing cognitive systems that provide a specialized search for information in scientific publications based on subject area ontology and modern artificial intelligence methods is urgently needed. We previously developed a web-based information retrieval system, ANDDigest, designed to search and analyze information in the PubMed database using a customized domain ontology. This paper presents an improved ANDDigest version that uses fine-tuned PubMedBERT classifiers to enhance the quality of short name recognition for molecular-genetics entities in PubMed abstracts on eight biological object types: cell components, diseases, side effects, genes, proteins, pathways, drugs, and metabolites. This approach increased average short name recognition accuracy by 13%. The new ANDDigest version (01.2022) has a web interface and is freely available to users at https://anddigest.sysbio.ru/.

In this paper, we study the sensing performance of metasurfaces comprised by spiral-disk-shaped metallic elements patterned on polypropylene substrates, which exhibit localized surface plasmon resonances in the low-frequency region of the THz spectrum (0.2-0.5 THz). Optimal designs of spiral disks with C-shaped resonators placed near the disks were determined and fabricated. The experimentally measured transmittance spectra of samples coated with very thin photoresistive layers (d ~ 10^-4-10^-3 λ) showed good agreement with simulations. The resonance frequency shift Δf increases with increasing d, while saturating near d = 50 µm. The narrow-band magnetic dark modes excited on symmetrical spiral disks with a 90⁰-C-resonator demonstrated very high FOM values reaching 1670 [RIU·mm]^-1 at 0.3μm-thick analyte. The hybrid high order resonances excited on asymmetrical densely packed spiral disks showed about two times larger FOM values (up to 2950 [RIU·mm]^-1) as compared to symmetrical distantly spaced spirals that resembles the best FOM results found in literature for metasurfaces fabricated with a similar technique. The demonstrated high sensing performance of spiral disks is evaluated to be promising for bio-sensing applications in the THz range.

Fe- and Al-rich metapelite from the Transangarian segment of the Yenisey Ridge (East Siberia, Russia) is a potential new source of high-alumina refractories. The rocks have relatively high average contents of Al2O3 (20 wt.%) and Fe2O3 (7.91 wt%), moderate K2O (3.44 wt%), and low CaO (0.74 wt%). Their dominant mineral assemblages are andalusite + muscovite + margarite + chlorite + biotite + quartz or staurolite + kyanite or/and andalusite + chlorite + muscovite + biotite + quartz with ±garnet and ±plagioclase. Al2SiO5 polymorphs occur as up to 1.5 cm andalusite porphyroblasts and partial or complete pseudomorphs after andalusite (kyanite and staurolite). Accessories include abundant Fe-Ti oxides and sporadic REE-, Y-, Ca-phosphates; sulfides are negligible. The composition of Al2SiO5 concentrates obtained in laboratory by heavy-media and magnetic separation from ≥0.06 mm fractions meet all requirements for raw material of this type: &gt;56 wt% Al2O3, &lt;42 wt% SiO2, &lt;1 wt% Fe2O3, &lt;1.2 wt% TiO2, and &lt;0.2 wt% (CaO+MgO). The andalusite, kyanite, and mixed ores yield 0.7-4.1 wt%, 0.7-2.2 wt%, and 1.9-6.0 wt% of concentrate, respectively. The best-quality ores rich in Al2SiO5 polymorphs reside in zones of contact and/or dynamic metamorphism superimposed over regional metamorphism of Al-rich rocks.

We report the results of an analysis of the functional capabilities of the KTP crystal and its isomorphs for nonlinear-optical frequency conversion of all types of interaction in the transparency range of the crystal. The possibility of implementing angle-, wavelength- (frequency-) and temperature-noncritical phase matching is shown.