bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of Glycine max ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE 3 (GmABI3) in lipid biosynthesis and stress tolerance in soybean
Authors: Manan Sehrish , Zhao Jian
Published: September 2020

Soybean is an important oilseed crop and primary dietary protein resource. The limited understanding of soybean oil biosynthesis has become a significant obstacle for the improvement of soybean oil production. A transcription factor ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE 3 (ABI3) is known for its role in plant development and seed dormancy in many crops. The current study was aimed to functionally characterise ABI3 homologue in Glycine max L. For this purpose, the GmABI3 gene was cloned and ectopically expressed in wildtype and abi3 mutant Arabidopsis. The GmABI3 expression in the atabi3 mutant enhanced the triacylglycerol (TAG) content (7.3%) in addition to modified fatty acid composition. The GmABI3 increased eicosenoic acid (20:1) up to 6.5% in genetically complemented Arabidopsis mutant seeds, which is essential for long-chain fatty acid synthesis. The transgenic GmABI3/wildtype seeds contain 34.9% more TAG content compared with wildtype seeds. The results showed that GmABI3 is responsible for seed-specific TAG and long-chain fatty acid biosynthesis in soybean. The exposure to cold and heat stress and exogenous supply of abscisic acid and jasmonic acid altered the level of GmABI3 in treated seeds and leaves. It also concluded that GmABI3 could regulate stress tolerance in soybean, which applies to a wide variety of crops to deal with biological stresses.
Observations supporting parental care by a viviparous reptile: aggressive behaviour against predators demonstrated by Cunningham’s skinks
Authors: Watson Gregory S. , Green David W. , Watson Jolanta A.
Published: September 2020

Most reptiles exhibit no parental care and aggressive behaviour towards heterospecific predators has rarely been recorded in the natural environment. Several species of the subfamily Egerniinae are amongst the most highly social of all squamate reptiles, exhibiting stable social aggregations and high levels of long-term social and genetic monogamy. We have examined Cunningham’s skinks, Egernia cunninghami, over a three-year period during late January and early February (total 32 days) in the alpine region of New South Wales using video and thermal imaging. Four birthing sessions were witnessed during our field studies of social aggregations of skinks. Our observations monitored skink encounters, in the presence of offspring, with an eastern brown snake, Pseudonaja textilis (two separate encounters, one recorded by video/imaging) and 12 encounters with the Australian magpie, Gymnorhina tibicen. All events were associated with aggressive chasing and/or attack by adult skinks. The first snake encounter involved the active targeting of a recently born juvenile with the mother of the juvenile attacking the snake (running towards the snake, biting and remaining attached for several seconds). The second encounter (the following year) comprised two adult skinks attacking and biting a snake, Pseudonaja textilis. All magpie encounters resulted in chases by adult skinks.
The evidence-based intervention for teaching the Chinese language in Australian classrooms
Authors: Yan Dave
Published: September 2020

There is a lack of research on evidence-based intervention in relation to the issue of L2 variations in secondary
schools. This study addresses some conceptual problems of L2, proposing a four-quadrant model of language processes. This model
provides a framework to identify students’ L2 developmental stages. With an action research method, the data were collected from
126 Chinese language learners in Australia over a 4-year period (2016–2020). The main instruments were questionnaires, class
observations, informal interviews, and student feedback. The findings revealed that most learners were initially motivated to
learn the Chinese language in year 9, even if they were at varying stages of L2 development. While several factors were
interplayed to affect their language experience, the findings underscored the implementation of a range of plausible
interventions. The effectiveness of the intervention was measured by student engagement, and further backed by the retention rates
of year 12 students. This study provides a beginning to the evidence base, necessary to design Chinese language interventions in
Australia.
North Caucasian consumer model of economic growth: factors and mechanisms
Authors: Uyanayeva Kh , Kokov N , Toguzayev T , Kuchukov M , Alibius F
Published: September 2020

Socio-economic development management of large territorial complexes requires knowledge of their development model. In historical practice, two large economic development models of territories appeared: consumer model and investment model. The basis of the first one is the demand (needs) of people living in the territory, of the second it is investment in the main capital of territorial economic entities and large infrastructure projects. Essentially, these two models are not based on two mutually exclusive, but on two mutually reinforcing directions of territorial socio-economic development. But anytime there is dominance (and preference) of one or the other direction. Moreover, if we consider their implementation in terms of end results - economic growth rates, expressed in synthetic indicators of territory development, for example, GRP, it turns out that in this regard there is no obvious prefer-ence of one over the other. The model of territory socio-economic development based on consumption is relatively conservative evolutionary in nature. As for the investment model, it is more revolutionary in nature and depends on the volume and structure of investments coming into the territorial complex. The authors analyzed the socio-economic development state of a large territorial complex - the North Caucasus Federal District, based on official statistics and long-term observations. They revealed the features of existing development model, formalized and quantified the dependencies of GRP and the factors that ensure its growth. The authors also formulated conclusions and suggestions.
Development of a KPI system for pig farms based on the criteria for evaluating the efficiency of the enterprise
Authors: Chichenkov I , Faizullin R
Published: September 2020

In the article we consider the main criteria for the effectiveness of the pig-breeding enterprise. We conducted a comparative analysis of the approaches considered by various authors and selected the most popular indicators, followed by an explanation of the significance and importance of each of them. A system of criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of a pig-breeding enterprise has been developed. The use of the following indicators is proposed: the number of piglets from one main sow (per farrow and per year); number of farrowing per year; average daily gain (in fattening and in the herd as a whole); feed conversion (for the herd, taking into account the costs of the parent herd and for fattening); profitability (loss ratio)%; age of livestock being slaughtered, days; and average live weight of sales, kg. It is proved that one of the organizational and economic mechanisms of enterprise performance management is the development of such a system of key performance indicators of personnel performance, which determines the dependence of the company’s performance on the performance indicators of personnel. A system of key indicators of personnel efficiency is proposed, labor stimulation is determined to improve these indicators in this research, which ultimately leads to an increase in the efficiency of the enterprise as a whole.
Current Russian agricultural development trends
Authors: Borisov A I , Danilova S S
Published: September 2020

In article the main questions connected with development of domestic agricultural producers are considered, in particular, the main directions of development are allocated. In article it is told about trends of development of agriculture in the conditions of the international sanctions and also development of the technological direction in means of UAVs, robots, innovative machines and the equipment. Also the main issues of development of meat production as one of the most priority directions of development of agriculture are considered in article.
Food security structure and agribusiness
Authors: Trofimova S A , Trofimova I B , Gotsko L G
Published: September 2020

The article explores the conditions of food security as one of the development goals of the third millennium, proclaimed by the UN. It analyzes the contradictory nature of these conditions. The study identifies the most significant elements of the food security structure to determine the directions of agribusiness activity and increase the level of food security in Russia. The structure of food security comprises several elements: political, economic, scientific and innovative, demographic, psychological. Each of the components is given a characteristic and the degree of significance of each element is analyzed. The study identifies the most important directions for the development of agribusiness of various forms of ownership and various organizational and legal forms: from farms to agriholdings, taking into account the goals of sustainable development to ensure food security, improve nutrition, and develop agriculture.
The experimental data on the density, viscosity, and boiling temperature of the coffee extract
Authors: Khomyakov A P , Mordanov S V , Khomyakova T V
Published: September 2020

The paper shows the experimental data on the density, viscosity, and boiling temperature of the coffee extract. The mass fraction of the dry substances varies in the range of 15-70 % for all measurements. The coffee extract temperature varies in the rage of 20-80 °C for the density and viscosity measurements. It is found that the coffee extract density varies in the range of 1030-1350 kg/m3 for the considered cases. The coffee extract viscosity varies in the range of 0.0008-27.4810 Pa·s for the considered cases. The coffee extract boiling temperature varies in the range of 100.0-103.3 °C at atmospheric pressure. It was found that the coffee extract is foaming in the considered range of dry substances mass fraction. The foaming temperature is decreasing with the dry substances mass fraction increasing.
Tools for prioritizing the development of industrial and agricultural territories of the region
Authors: Urasova A A , Krasilnikov D G , Mukhin M A , Balandin D A
Published: September 2020

The article reveals the possibilities of applying the methods of ranking big data based on the search for the Kemeny median in order to diagnose priorities in the development of industrial and agricultural territories of the region. The authors obtained conclusions regarding the balanced development of territories, revealed a general trend in the economic and industrial areas. This made it possible to take into account the unstructured nature of data with various metrics, as well as diagnose groups of indicators that are crucial in the industrial and agro-industrial development of the region, and determine priorities in individual territories.
A new approach to the analysis of complex biological systems
Authors: Neuymin S I , Olshvang O Yu , Katsman S I
Published: September 2020

A new approach to the analysis of biological systems according to the complexes of related elements is suggested. Rules for integral transformation of sets of attributes in biosystems are developed. For the first time, the resulting indicator of the system of contraction mappings (Ri SCM) that we developed was used for the analysis of biological systems. A comprehensive study of biosystems is largely determined by the algorithm for converting the totality of sequences of its elements. The structural and mathematical analysis of the complex of related elements which was used reflects the homologous variability of biological systems, based on which the classification of combinations of attributes is carried out.
Some issues related to the study of brucellosis in Uzbekistan
Authors: Ulugmuradov A D , Uzimurodov M A
Published: September 2020

This article provides some points on the fight against brucellosis in Uzbekistan as well as independent research on epizootology, chronology, characterization of anti-brucellosis vaccines and the properties of brucella strains with different species and virulence. The research results allow us to replenish the collection of standards of industrial crops of brucella that are necessary for the development of domestic production of anti-brucellosis vaccines and diagnosticums, as well as create national reference strains of brucella designed to control their quality. Knowledge of the properties of epizootic strains of brucella circulating in a particular territory allows us to classify farms and assess the degree of tension of epizootic and epidemic processes, to establish the fact of migration of brucella from one animal species to another, to identify pathways of pathogen distribution, and the choice of tactics for conducting antiepizootic measures. The presented comparative characteristic of anti-brucellosis vaccines enables specialists to choose the most effective and acceptable when carrying out measures for the prevention and elimination of this disease.
Efficiency of biologization of agriculture in Western Siberia (on the example of the Omsk region)
Authors: Voronkova N A , Bobrenko I A , Nevenchannaya N M , Popova V I
Published: September 2020

Biological intensification of agriculture is one of the main factors in maintaining soil fertility and optimizing the mineral nutrition of plants, while ensuring an increase in crop yields and improving the quality of farmed products while saving resources and environmental safety. On the basis of studying the effectiveness of biologization techniques in agriculture of the chernozem forest-steppe of Western Siberia (on the example of the Omsk region), the optimal options for the rational use of fertilizers in combination with local biological resources, which reduce the dose of fertilizers and increase the return on additional products, are determined. The environmental focus of research associated with the study of the possibility of maximum involvement of biological resources in the region’s agriculture is undoubtedly relevant in modern conditions.
Application of biogas in Russia
Authors: Simbirskikh E S
Published: September 2020

Bioenergy is the most promising type of renewable renewable energy (RRE) in Russia, which has a huge potential for using agricultural waste, wood processing, food processing, and urban treatment facilities. In turn, the most attractive segment of bioenergy for investors is the production of biogas, which can provide additional sources of income from the sale of organic fertilizers and fees for the safe disposal of organic waste. The main advantage of biogas energy in Russia in comparison with other types of RRE and traditional energy carriers is the availability of raw materials for the operation of the plant, respectively, the complete absence of fuel costs in the structure of operating expenses, since in 95% of cases, waste goes to the owner of the plant free of charge. Applying an integrated approach to projects with mandatory solutions to both energy and environmental problems will ensure an unprecedented growth of the biogas industry in the coming years.
State support for export of agro-industrial complex products of the Krasnoyarsk Territory
Authors: Dalisova N A , Karaseva M V
Published: September 2020

The article proves that the main problems of activities to implement measures of state support for exports at the level of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation has intensified significantly. Regional administrations are developing their own programs to develop regional exports, and support for exporting enterprises and product manufacturers. These programs, as a rule, are aimed at providing favorable external conditions for the growth of competitiveness and the development of the regional economy by increasing the volume and quality of products exported.
Choice of impedance parameter of strawberry tissue for detection of fungal diseases
Authors: Alejnikov A F , Cheshkova A F , Mineev V V
Published: September 2020

The application of the method of electrical impedance spectroscopy for the diagnosis of plant diseases is justified. Studies were carried out to identify the impedance parameters of strawberry leaf tissue associated with the effects of three pathogens of fungal diseases of garden strawberry, using the impedance analyzer WK 6505B. The analysis of variance of the mean values of the obtained data revealed that the most informative part of the changes in all parameters lies in the low-frequency region of the α-dispersion of bioimpedance. As the main informative parameter, it is proposed to use reactance measured at frequencies of 200 … 104 Hz, at which extremes of its change appear for healthy and diseased strawberry leaf blades.
Building an artificial vision system of an agricultural robot based on the DarkNet system
Authors: Dorrer M G , Popov A A , Tolmacheva A E
Published: September 2020

The article proposes a solution for the implementation of the artificial vision of an agricultural robot (farmbot). The Yolo3 system in the Darknet topology was chosen as the software platform. Recognition of objects (strawberries) and their discrimination with other objects in the farmbot workspace is provided by a convolutional network of deep learning with the primary use of the neuron activation function ReLU. The architecture used made it possible to ensure a percentage of correct recognition of objects up to 92 - 93% during dynamic processing of the video stream, including when processing objects that have a significant external similarity with the target object - strawberries. Similar results suggest that the farmbot computer vision system built on the Yolo3 platform in the Darknet topology will be fully operational.
Mathematical modeling of a PV installation for rural electrification
Authors: Medyakov A A , Lastochkin D M , Kamenskih A D , Garipov I K , Ostashenkov A P
Published: September 2020

Since a new Federal Law of the Russian Federation “On Electric Power Industry” has been adopted consumers with microgeneration systems can now sell excess electric energy. Consequently, more agricultural consumers got interested in using renewable energy installations. In this context, the study focuses on mathematical modeling of electricity output by a microgeneration system, in particular with PV panels, to assess the conceivable amount of electric energy that can be eventually sold. The authors built a model of the system tied to a grid for three options: fixed-tilt PV panels, PV panels with a solar tracking system, and concentrator PV systems. The findings analysis confirms that in order to maximize the electricity transmitted to the electric grid, it is rational to use solar energy concentrators with a Sun-tracking system.
Analysis of RTOS for hardware and software support of environmental monitoring technologies
Authors: Kovalev I V , Kovalev D I , Kuznetsov A S
Published: September 2020

The article presents an expert analysis of RTOS for hardware and software support of environmental monitoring technologies for hazardous production facilities, including thermal power facilities. The features of the operation of environmental monitoring systems are considered. As the main factors, climatic conditions, mechanical, thermal, chemical, and radiation effects were taken into account. An analysis of the requirements for environmental monitoring systems is carried out, their formalization is given, which fully determines the appearance of the environmental monitoring system. It is shown that the method of comparative analysis allows us to determine the feasible implementation option of RTOS for hardware and software support of environmental monitoring technologies. Expert analysis is presented for Phar Lap ETS, VxWorks and NI Linux Real-Time systems.
Changes in birds’ demographic parameters of a key ornithological territory “Tract Trekhozerki” (Minusinsk basin) with fluctuations in water level
Authors: Zlotnikova T V , Geld T A
Published: September 2020

Today “Tract Trekhozerki” is a state natural zoological reserve of regional importance. The tract is home to over 100 species of birds, including 12 species listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation. For five bird species, breeding information was obtained over the period from 2013 to 2018. In two species of gulls (Larus argentatus mongolicus Suskin, 1925 and Larus ichthyaetus), the abundance changes were similar: the number of breeding pairs decreased (in the second species to 0) from 2013 to 2015, and then there was an increase in numbers. The population of Ardea cinerea has decreased. Recurvirostra avosetta breeds irregularly in the tract, with 73 pairs nesting in 2018. For all these species, a decrease in the average size of masonry in years with a low water level was noted. Phalacrocorax carbo at nesting were noted only in 2013 and 2014. The changes in abundance are associated with cyclical fluctuations in the water level in water bodies: a decrease from 2013 to 2015 and a subsequent increase until 2018. This affected the availability of nests, the area of habitats suitable for nesting, and species competition. For species of birds listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation (L. ichthyaetus and R. avosetta), the high, but not the maximum degree of watering observed in 2013 and 2018 is most favorable.
Pulmonary vascular smooth muscle contraction in the rat model of metabolic syndrome
Authors: Birulina Yu G , Ivanov V V , Buyko E E , Bykov V V , Nosarev A V , Gusakova V S , Gusakova S V
Published: September 2020

Metabolic syndrome is defined as a constellation of many metabolic disorders such as hypertension, impaired glucose tolerance, dyslipidemia and obesity, being this last disorder a key factor in the etiology of the syndrome. Animal model of metabolic syndrome allows us to study the phenomenology of disorders of cooperative interactions of effector cells responsible for regulating of the blood vessels tone. Here, we have characterized the metabolic, vascular changes in male Wistar rats fed on a high-fat, high-carbohydrate diet including lard (17%), fructose (17%) together with 20% fructose in drinking water, control rats were fed a standard rat chow. During 12 weeks on this diet, rats showed a change in body weight with impaired glucose tolerance. Vascular disorders included endothelial dysfunction in pulmonary artery.
Opportunities of complex hepatosis therapy in cattle
Authors: Semenenko Marina P , Osepchuk Denis V , Yurina Natalia A , Kuzminova Elena V , Semenenko Ksenia A
Published: September 2020

The paper discusses the possibility of using a comprehensive treatment regimen for hepatosis in postpartum cows with the help of preparations with various mechanisms of hepatoprotective and anti-toxic effects. It was proved that enteral administration of Thionontrit-S against the background of intramuscular administration of Livazen to cows with clinical signs of hepatosis has a positive effect on the course of the disease and the recovery timing of animals. The use of a complex treatment regimen contributes to the manifestation of positive dynamics of the main hepatosis syndromes - hepatocellular insufficiency and impaired hepatocyte integrity, which is manifested by an increase in the level of total protein by 8.1%, albumin - by 20.9%, glucose - by 31.6%, triglycerides - by 21.4% and cholesterol - by 27.5% in comparison with the basic treatment. The use of Thionontrit-S as part of the complex treatment of bovine hepatosis made it possible to reduce the activity of the inflammatory process in the liver, which was manifested by a decrease in enzyme activity: AST - by 47.5%, ALT - by 19.9%, alkaline phosphatase - by 1.59 times, and correction of the mineral component of blood serum.
Changes in the biochemical parameters of blood serum of laying hens by varying the feeding diet
Authors: Viktorova E P , Kazaryan R V , Lukyanenko M V , Semenenko M P , Borodikhin A S , Kuzminova E V , Rogaleva E V
Published: September 2020

The article presents experimental data on the influence of the feeding diet on the biochemical blood parameters of laying hens. As feed additives in the poultry diet were used: feed vitamin-mineral concentrate (FVMC) in the amount of 0.3% of the basic diet (BD) (1st experimental group), probiotic additive “Bacell-M” in the amount of 0.2% of BD (2nd experimental group), complex feed concentrate (CFC), containing FVMC and probiotic additive “Bacell-M”, in the amount of 0.3% of BD (3rd experimental group). The control group received only BD. It was found that the introduction of the feed additives into the diet of laying hens stimulated the metabolic processes in the poultry body, which was manifested by an increase in a number of biochemical constants. So, the level of total protein in the 1st experimental group increased by 34%, in the 2nd and 3rd experimental groups it increased in 1.43 and 1.42 times in comparison with the control group. The urea concentration exceeded the analogical values of the control poultry by 27% (1st experimental group), by 23.2% (2nd experimental group) and by 24.3% (3rd experimental group), respectively. The use of feed additives influenced the state of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism of hens, which was manifested by an increase in glucose concentration in the groups by 6.3%, 13.1% and 21.5% and by an increase of triglycerides by 13.2%, in 1.7 and in 2.0 times respectively. The inclusion of additives in the feeding schemes contributed to the correction of mineral metabolism, providing more complete absorption of calcium by the poultry, the increase of which in the experimental groups was by 16.2%, 1.68% and in 2.21 times, and also prevented the development of hepatocyte cytolysis, as indicated by a decrease in the activity of hepatoindicatory of enzymes: ALT decreased by 9.8%, 29.5% and in 1.85 times, AST decreased by 7.9%, 12.7% and 18.9%, respectively. The maximum positive effect in the indicators of the biochemical status of laying hens was observed when CFC was used in the diet, which was due to the synergy of FVMC and the Bacell-M probiotic additive.
Variety of wild-growing grapes of the Utrish reserve
Authors: Gorbunov I V , Ilnitskaya E T , Lukyanov A A , Mikhailovsky S S , Makarkina M V , Pankin M I , Bykhalova O N
Published: September 2020

Recently, the importance of studying the biodiversity of the Vitaceae Juss family. increases markedly, while new data appear on the gene pool of cultivated and wild-growing grapes Vitis vinifera L. Modern methods of analyzing the polymorphism of populations of grape plants, both wild-growing and cultural, are actively used. According to the literature, a number of studies have been conducted in the Russian Federation to study native varieties and wild forms of grapes in the Crimea, Dagestan, along the banks of the Don and other regions, but there is very little information about Kuban wild and ancient forms of grapes. The article presents the results of a study of wild forms of the genus Vitis L., growing in places of ancient human settlements on the territory of the Utrish State Nature Reserve of the Krasnodar Territory. For the first time, ampelographically and genetically samples of isolated populations of wild grapes growing on the territory of the Utrish State Nature Reserve have been studied and described. Several habitats of wild grapes, presumably belonging to the Vitis vinifera ssp species, have been studied. Silvestris Gmel. or its variants var. Tipica Negr. - typically wild forest grapes. A detailed description of phytocenoses in which the studied plant forms grow is carried out. Ecological and geographical characteristics of their habitats are given. Samples were taken for further genetic analysis. DNA-marker analysis of plant genotypes by microsatellite loci VVMD27, VVMD5, VS2, VrZAG79 recommended for genotyping of grapes was performed. It was shown that some of the samples are polymorphic to each other, while others are genetically close. When analyzing genotypes, rare alleles were detected for the analyzed SSR loci.
Strain hardening and features of slowing down the movement of dislocations in single crystals
Authors: Skryabin M L
Published: September 2020

The study of deformation hardening of single crystals for modern engineering is an important task due to the emergence of new promising methods of processing metal materials. Although in practice we usually deal with polycrystalline metals and alloys, it is advisable to start the analysis with simpler objects – single crystals of pure metals, where you can most clearly and fully identify the main patterns of deformation hardening. The article considers the temperature range limited by the interval of intensive thermal return.
Influence of heat treatment on the presence of a rock-like fracture of steel 35 HGSL
Authors: Skryabin M L
Published: September 2020

The article discusses the features of the formation of a rock-like fault, which is formed at an elevated temperature and is enriched with partially soluble phases. These are small particles, films, or fused eutectic. To study the regularities of this defect, 8 different melts were studied and micro-samples were made for further research. The study of the structure revealed the main parameters that have a destructive effect on the metal. In general, the studied defect can be corrected by homogenization, which is determined by the degree of stability of the rock-like crack - the more stable it is, the higher the heating temperature should be and the longer the exposure at this temperature.
The Abakan South-Western region flora
Authors: Antipova E M , Chebotaryova O P
Published: September 2020

The basis for in-depth studies of the southwestern district of the city of Abakan vegetation, the Republic of Khakassia was the lack of information on the current status, structure and species composition of the whole city flora. Targeted floristic studies in the city of Abakan were not conducted. Since the mid-twentieth century, study of plant cover of the Republic of Khakassia was engaged in prominent botany of the Siberian scientific and educational institutions of Siberia, but most of them were passing through the city of Abakan. The study of the flora was held by the honored worker of the Russian Federation Krasnoborov I. M. while working at the Herbarium of Khakass state university (KhSU) and Associate Professor of KhSU T. M. Zorkina. Flora of the South-Western area was identified based on field research expedition model area (MA) within the administrative boundaries of the city of Abakan in 2017-2018, the study of literature data and herbarium materials of the Krasnoyarsk state pedagogical University (KSPU) and Khakass state university (KhSU). Most of the territory of MA have been visited repeatedly and at different times of the growing season, and that suggests the method of urbanized landscape model areas. South-Western residential district of the city of Abakan, (known as the village of MR - Ministry of the Railways), consists entirely of multifamily housing, in 2011 there was a Komsomol Park, which determined the composition and structure of its flora. The taxonomic spectrum of the flora of the southwestern district of the city of Abakan includes 16 families of the world flora, of which only 3 families are with identical ranks: an Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Scrophulariaceae. The taxonomic spectrum of the flora of the southwestern district of the city of Abakan is of Brassicaceae-type, Fabaceae-subtype – extreme-book Mediterranean, which corresponds to the position of the city of Abakan in the steppe zone of Eurasia and belonging to the Boreal floristic region.
Functional state of the adrenocortical and sympathoadrenal systems in animals with early postnatal cold imprinting
Authors: Selyatitskaya V G , Palchikova N A
Published: September 2020

In the article presents information about changes in the functional state of the adrenocortical and sympathoadrenal systems in the dynamics of long-term adaptation to cold in adult rats that experienced short-term cooling in the first days of life. It is shown that the general principle of adaptive adjustment in these systems is to reserve their regulatory components, which ensures the maintenance of constant readiness of the body to respond to cold influences.
Biological growth patterns to increase livestock meat productivity
Authors: Kobylatsky P S , Shirokova N V , Karatunov V A , Slozhenkina M I , Tsitsige
Published: September 2020

The article presents a study on steers’ biological growth patterns that are possible to be considered for increasing the meat productivity of steers. To enhance the live weight gain of Holstein steers, we used a variable feeding system that is based on the physiological characteristics of metabolism and takes into account growing periods and the nature of nutrient absorption by periods, corresponding to the S-shaped growth curve. Analyzing growth records of young cattle, he paid attention to some patterns of the live weight gain. These data showed that the live weight gain was uneven along the S-curve and subject to periodic fluctuations that were characterized by decreases and increases in growth; a period took 12 days, that is, the amplitude of the increase in growth made 12 days and then the decrease was also 12 days. We also divided the growth cycle into 2 periods, 12 days each. In the increase period, if the amount of feed was reduced by 20%, there was no decrease in average daily gain in steers, and vice versa, in the 12-day decrease period, a 20% increase in feed compensated for the low level of metabolism in the body with a stable rate of average daily gains. Therefore, similar amount of feed can help the traditional cattle breeding system increase the average daily gain by 8.5% and the carcass weight by 10.5% and reduce feed costs per 1 kg of gain by 7.1%.
Two-level systems and growth-induced metastability in hydrogenated amorphous silicon
Authors: Molina-Ruiz M , Jacks H C , Queen D R , Wang Q , Crandall R S , Hellman F
Published: September 2020

Specific heat measurements from 2 to 300 K of hydrogenated amorphous silicon prepared by hot-wire chemical vapor deposition show a large excess specific heat at low temperature, significantly larger than the Debye specific heat calculated from the measured sound velocity. The as-prepared films have a Schottky anomaly that is associated with metastable hydrogen in the amorphous network, as well as large linear and excess cubic term commonly associated with tunneling two-level systems in amorphous solids. Annealing at 200 °C, a temperature that enables hydrogen mobility but not evaporation, irreversibly reduces the heat capacity, eliminating the Schottky anomaly and leaving a reduced linear heat capacity. A non-monotonic dependence on growth temperature and H content is observed in all effects, except for sound velocity, which suggests that the tunneling two-level systems and the Schottky anomaly are associated with atomic hydrogen and require low density regions to form, while sound velocity is associated with the silicon network and increases with increasing growth temperature.
Double-layer anti-reflection coating of SiO2–TiO2/SiO2–TiO2-PEG300 with high transmittance and super-hydrophilicity
Authors: Wei Yong Shuai , Xu Shao Hui , Yuan Li Gang , Wang Biao , Liu Shu Li , Fei Guang Tao
Published: September 2020

A highly transparent and super-hydrophilic double-layer anti-reflection coating was prepared by a simple and economical sol-gel method based on the glass substrate. The bottom and top layer were respectively made with SiO2–TiO2 sol and SiO2–TiO2-PEG300 sol. The average transmittance of the substrate coated with the double-layer coating is increased by 7% up to 97.4% in the visible light band, and the peak transmittance reaches 99% at about 550 nm. In addition, double-layer anti-reflection coating shows a good super-hydrophilic self-cleaning performance, and the transmittance of the coating can be restored by simple washing with water. Furthermore, due to the existence of anatase TiO2, the composite coating can restore the super-hydrophilicity damaged by dust under UV light.
A new optimization algorithm for HDR brachytherapy that improves DVH-based planning: Truncated Conditional Value-at-Risk (TCVaR)
Authors: Wu Victor W , Epelman Marina A , Pasupathy Kalyan S , Sir Mustafa Y , Deufel Christopher L
Published: September 2020

Purpose: To introduce a new optimization algorithm that improves DVH results and is designed for the type of heterogeneous dose distributions that occur in brachytherapy. Methods: The new optimization algorithm is based on a prior mathematical approach that uses mean doses of the DVH metric tails. The prior mean dose approach is referred to as conditional value-at-risk (CVaR), and unfortunately produces noticeably worse DVH metric results than gradient-based approaches. We have improved upon the CVaR approach, using the so-called Truncated CVaR (TCVaR), by excluding the hottest or coldest voxels in the structure from the calculations of the mean dose of the tail. Our approach applies an iterative sequence of convex approximations to improve the selection of the excluded voxels. Data Envelopment Analysis was used to quantify the sensitivity of TCVaR results to parameter choice and to compare the quality of a library of 256 TCVaR plans created for each of prostate, breast, and cervix treatment sites with commercially-generated plans. Results: In terms of traditional DVH metrics, TCVaR outperformed CVaR and the improvements increased monotonically as more iterations were used to identify and exclude the hottest/coldest voxels from the optimization problem. TCVaR also outperformed the Eclipse-Brachyvision TPS, with an improvement in PTVD95% (for equivalent organ-at-risk doses) of up to 5% (prostate), 3% (breast), and 1% (cervix). Conclusions: A novel optimization algorithm for HDR treatment planning produced plans with superior DVH metrics compared with a prior convex optimization algorithm as well as Eclipse-Brachyvision. The algorithm is computationally efficient and has potential applications as a primary optimization algorithm or quality assurance for existing optimization approaches.
An Operando calorimeter for high temperature electrochemical cells
Authors: Young David , Jackson Ariel , Fork David , Sadat Seid , Rettenwander Daniel , Benck Jesse D , Chiang Yet-Ming
Published: September 2020

Operando calorimetry has previously been utilized to study electrochemical reactions and degradation in electrochemical cells such as batteries. Calorimetric data can provide important information on the lifetime and thermal properties of electrochemical cells in practical engineering applications such as thermal management. High temperature electrochemical cells such as solid oxide fuel cells or electrolyzers can also benefit from operando calorimetry, but to the authors’ knowledge such capabilities have not been commercially developed. Herein, an operando calorimeter is reported that is capable of simultaneous calorimetry and electrochemistry at temperatures up to 1000 °C and in both oxidizing and reducing atmospheres. The calorimeter is constructed by modifying a commercial apparatus originally designed to study high temperature electrochemical cells in various gas environments. A grey-box, nonlinear system identification model is utilized to analyze both electrochemical and calorimetric data of BaZr0.8Ce0.1Y0.1O3 based electrochemical cells and achieve a calorimeter electrochemical cell power sensitivity of 16.1 ± 11.7 mW. This operando calorimeter provides the capability to study thermal behaviour of electrochemical cells at elevated temperatures.
On the continuous time limit of the ensemble Kalman filter
Authors: Lange Theresa , Stannat Wilhelm
Published: September 2020

We present recent results on the existence of a continuous time limit for Ensemble Kalman Filter algorithms. In the setting of continuous signal and observation processes, we apply the original Ensemble Kalman Filter algorithm proposed by Burgers, van Leeuwen, and Evensen [Monthly Weather Review 126 (1998), pp. 1719–1724] as well as a recent variant of de Wiljes, Reich, and Stannat [SIAM J. Appl. Dyn. Syst. 17 (2018), no. 2, pp. 1152–1181] to the respective discretizations and show that in the limit of decreasing stepsize the filter equations converge to an ensemble of interacting (stochastic) differential equations in the ensemble-mean-square sense. Our analysis also allows for the derivation of convergence rates with respect to the stepsize.

An application of our analysis is the rigorous derivation of continuous-time ensemble filtering algorithms consistent with discrete-time approximation schemes. Conversely, the continuous time limit allows for a better qualitative and quantitative analysis of the discrete-time counterparts using the rich theory of dynamical systems in continuous time.
The prion-like domain of Fused in Sarcoma is phosphorylated by multiple kinases affecting liquid- and solid-phase transitions
Authors: Owen Izzy , Rhoads Shannon , Yee Debra , Wyne Hala , Gery Kevin , Hannula Isabelle , Sundrum Meenakshi , Shewmaker Frank
Published: September 2020

We characterized novel phosphorylation patterns in FUS’s prion-like domain when FUS was cytoplasmic due to disease mutation or cellular stress. Phosphomimetic substitutions at kinase sites suggest moderate phosphorylation of FUS’s prion-like domain can profoundly disrupt solid-phase transitions with little effect on liquid-phase transitions.
Impact of Fat Graft Thickness and Harvesting Technique on Adipocyte Viability in a New Porcine Experimental Model: An Immunohistochemical Analysis
Authors: de Arruda Eduardo Gustavo Pires , Munhoz Alexandre Mendonça , Matsumoto Walter , Ueda Thiago , Montag Eduardo , Okada Alberto , Coudry Renata de Almeida , de Castro Isac , Gemperli Rolf
Published: September 2020

Background

Autologous fat grafting (AFG) has been employed in surgical practice as a filling method. However, controversies remain on the specifics of this technique. So far, few relevant experimental large animal studies have objectively assessed factors related to AFG integration.

Objectives

This study utilized an experimental, medium-sized animal model to compare the feasibility of AFG collected employing 2 different techniques with instruments of distinct thicknesses.

Methods

Twenty minipigs (Sus scropha domesticus) were subjected to AFG harvesting via en bloc resection utilizing 3- (Group I) and 5-mm-diameter (Group II) round punch blades (PBs) and liposuction (LS) with 3- (Group III) and 5-mm-diameter cannulas (Group IV). Both samples were grafted intramuscularly (biceps femoralis). Hematoxylin and eosin staining was employed to identify intact adipocytes, fat necrosis, fibrosis, inflammation, and oil cysts. Immunohistochemical staining (perilipin-A, tumor necrosis factor alfa, and cluster of differentiation number 31) was utilized to quantify the feasibility of adipocytes, tissue necrosis, and neoangiogenesis, respectively.

Results

Hematoxylin and eosin analysis showed that fat necrosis and histiocyte presence were significantly lower in the AFG harvested utilizing a PB than in LS. For perilipin-A, a statistical difference was observed between subgroups I and III (P = 0.001) and I and IV (P = 0.004). Instrument diameter had no effect on graft integration in comparisons between groups II and III (P = 0.059) and II and IV (P = 0.132).

Conclusions

In this experimental study, fat collected utilizing a PB demonstrated higher adipocyte viability than fat collected with LS. The diameter of the collection instruments, whether PB or LS, had no effect on graft integration.
CHESPA/CHESCA-SPARKY: automated NMR data analysis plugins for SPARKY to map protein allostery
Authors: Shao Hongzhao , Boulton Stephen , Olivieri Cristina , Mohamed Hebatallah , Akimoto Madoka , Subrahmanian Manu Veliparambil , Veglia Gianluigi , Markley John L , Melacini Giuseppe , Lee Woonghee
Published: September 2020

Motivation

Correlated Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) chemical shift changes identified through the CHEmical Shift Projection Analysis (CHESPA) and CHEmical Shift Covariance Analysis (CHESCA) reveal pathways of allosteric transitions in biological macromolecules. To address the need for an automated platform that implements CHESPA and CHESCA and integrates them with other NMR analysis software packages, we introduce here integrated plugins for NMRFAM-SPARKY that implement the seamless detection and visualization of allosteric networks.

Availability and implementation

CHESCA-SPARKY and CHESPA-SPARKY are available in the latest version of NMRFAM-SPARKY from the National Magnetic Resonance Facility at Madison (http://pine.nmrfam.wisc.edu/download_packages.html), the NMRbox Project (https://nmrbox.org) and to subscribers to the SBGrid (https://sbgrid.org). The assigned spectra involved in this study and tutorial videos using this dataset are available at https://sites.google.com/view/chescachespa-sparky.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics Online.
Annotating high-impact 5′untranslated region variants with the UTRannotator
Authors: Zhang Xiaolei , Wakeling Matthew , Ware James , Whiffin Nicola
Published: September 2020

Current tools to annotate the predicted effect of genetic variants are heavily biased towards protein-coding sequence. Variants outside of these regions may have a large impact on protein expression and/or structure and can lead to disease, but this effect can be challenging to predict. Consequently, these variants are poorly annotated using standard tools. We have developed a plugin to the Ensembl Variant Effect Predictor, the UTRannotator, that annotates variants in 5′untranslated regions (5′UTR) that create or disrupt upstream open reading frames. We investigate the utility of this tool using the ClinVar database, providing an annotation for 31.9% of all 5′UTR (likely) pathogenic variants, and highlighting 31 variants of uncertain significance as candidates for further follow-up. We will continue to update the UTRannotator as we gain new knowledge on the impact of variants in UTRs.

Availability and implementation

UTRannotator is freely available on Github: https://github.com/ImperialCardioGenetics/UTRannotator.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Increased Callosal Connectivity in Reeler Mice Revealed by Brain-Wide Input Mapping of VIP Neurons in Barrel Cortex
Authors: Hafner Georg , Guy Julien , Witte Mirko , Truschow Pavel , Rüppel Alina , Sirmpilatze Nikoloz , Dadarwal Rakshit , Boretius Susann , Staiger Jochen F
Published: September 2020

The neocortex is composed of layers. Whether layers constitute an essential framework for the formation of functional circuits is not well understood. We investigated the brain-wide input connectivity of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) expressing neurons in the reeler mouse. This mutant is characterized by a migration deficit of cortical neurons so that no layers are formed. Still, neurons retain their properties and reeler mice show little cognitive impairment. We focused on VIP neurons because they are known to receive strong long-range inputs and have a typical laminar bias toward upper layers. In reeler, these neurons are more dispersed across the cortex. We mapped the brain-wide inputs of VIP neurons in barrel cortex of wild-type and reeler mice with rabies virus tracing. Innervation by subcortical inputs was not altered in reeler, in contrast to the cortical circuitry. Numbers of long-range ipsilateral cortical inputs were reduced in reeler, while contralateral inputs were strongly increased. Reeler mice had more callosal projection neurons. Hence, the corpus callosum was larger in reeler as shown by structural imaging. We argue that, in the absence of cortical layers, circuits with subcortical structures are maintained but cortical neurons establish a different network that largely preserves cognitive functions.