bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
All-optically untangling light propagation through multimode fibers
Authors: Kupianskyi Hlib , Horsley Simon A. R. , Phillips David B.
Published: December 2023

When light propagates through a complex medium, such as a multimode optical fiber (MMF), the spatial information it carries is scrambled. In this work we experimentally demonstrate anall-opticalstrategy to unscramble this light again. We first create a digital model capturing the way light has been scattered, and then use this model to inverse-design and build a complementary optical system–which we call anoptical inverter–that reverses this scattering process. Our implementation of this concept is based on multi-plane light conversion, and can also be understood as a physical matrix pre-conditioner, or a linear diffractive optical neural network. We present three design strategies allowing different aspects of device performance to be prioritized. We experimentally demonstrate a prototype optical inverter capable of simultaneously unscrambling up to 30 spatial modes that have propagated through a 1 m long MMF, and show how this promises near instantaneous incoherent imaging, without the need for any beam scanning or computational processing. We also demonstrate the reconfigurable nature of this prototype, allowing it to adapt and deliver a new optical transformation if the MMF it is matched to changes configuration. Our work represents a step towards a new way to see through scattering media. Beyond imaging, this concept may also have applications to the fields of optical communications, optical computing and quantum photonics.
Theory of High-Efficiency Adiabatic Frequency Conversion in Coupled Microrings
Authors: Herrera Luis Cortes , He Xiaotong , Cardenas Jaime , Agrawal Govind
Published: December 2023

Adiabatic frequency conversion (AFC) in microring resonators is a promising alternative for integrated, tunable frequency shifting of optical signals. However, the efficiency of AFC in a single ring resonator is limited to below 80% for symmetric input pulses with a single peak. This is the consequence of a poor match between the pulse shape and the ring's impulse response. To overcome this limitation, we propose inducing AFC over two coupled rings, rather than a single ring. We analyze the process's efficiency using temporal coupled mode theory (TCMT). We show that two-ring AFC can attain an efficiency of 97% in the limit of negligible intrinsic ring loss. To explain this higher AFC efficiency, we analyze two-ring AFC as a linear operator of rank two in the vector space of finite-energy pulses. We represent the AFC operator as a 2x2 matrix and examine its singular value decomposition. In this way, we analyze the dependence of the two-ring AFC efficiency on the input pulse shape and the TCMT parameters.
Mental health services implementation in Colombia–A systematic review
Authors: Alarcón Garavito Germán Andrés , Burgess Rochelle , Dedios Sanguinetti María Cecilia , Peters Laura E. R. , Vera San Juan Norha
Published: December 2023

Colombia’s mental health services have a complex history shaped by 60 years of armed conflict, a predominantly clinical approach to mental health, and social factors such as inequities and stigma. The 1990 Caracas declaration proposed a shift towards decentralised community mental health services and interventions based on the recovery approach and emphasis on social determinants of mental health in the Americas. Colombia has adopted these approaches in its legal and practical framework in recent years, but implementation has been uneven. This systematic review aims to contribute to mental health services understanding in Colombia by examining the barriers and facilitators to the implementation of mental health services in Colombia. A search was conducted to explore available peer-reviewed studies on Colombian mental health services across five databases (Medline, PubMed, Scopus, Scielo and BVS) on quantitative and qualitative research papers published in the last ten years and without language restrictions. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) was used to structure the analysis and identify barriers and facilitators during the implementation of mental health services. We adapted the CFIR to attend to gender, race and age informed by the Socio-Political Economy of Global Mental Health framework, given the importance of these factors to the Colombian health landscape. Finally, narrative synthesis was used to summarise the data. 1 530 records were identified, and 12 articles met all inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. 8 papers described substance use disorders services, 11 involved multidisciplinary healthcare professionals, and 7 were implemented at a local scale. The primary barriers to implementation were the lack of coordination, high workloads, and low funding. Facilitators included the use of protocols, and the involvement of communities, stakeholders, users, and external champions. Findings suggest the continued importance of community and recovery approaches and efforts to improve coordination between multi-sector actors involved in the mental health spaces (e.g., public, and private organisations, users and their families).
A qualitative assessment on the acceptability of providing cash transfers and social health insurance for tuberculosis-affected families in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Authors: Forse Rachel , Nguyen Thanh Thi , Dam Thu , Vo Luan Nguyen Quang , Codlin Andrew James , Caws Maxine , Minh Ha Dang Thi , Nguyen Lan Huu , Nguyen Hoa Binh , Nguyen Nhung Viet , Lönnroth Knut , Annerstedt Kristi Sidney
Published: December 2023

To achieve the Sustainable Development Goal’s targets of universal health coverage (UHC) and poverty reduction, interventions are required that strengthen and harmonize both UHC and social protection. Vietnam is committed to achieving financial protection and over 90% of the general population has enrolled in its social health insurance (SHI) scheme. However, an estimated 63% of tuberculosis (TB)-affected households in Vietnam still face catastrophic costs and little is known about the optimal strategies to mitigate the costs of TB care for vulnerable families. This study assessed the acceptability of a social protection package containing cash transfers and SHI using individual interviews (n = 19) and focus group discussions (n = 3 groups). Interviews were analyzed through framework analysis. The study’s main finding indicated that both conditional and unconditional cash transfers paired with SHI were acceptable, across six dimensions of acceptability. Cash transfers were considered beneficial for mitigating out-of-pocket expenditure, increasing TB treatment adherence, and improving mental health and general well-being, but the value provided was inadequate to fully alleviate the economic burden of the illness. The conditionality of the cash transfers was not viewed by participants as inappropriate, but it increased the workload of the TB program, which brought into question the feasibility of scale-up. SHI was viewed as a necessity by almost all participants, but people with TB questioned the quality of care received when utilizing it for auxiliary TB services. Access to multiple sources of social protection was deemed necessary to fully offset the costs of TB care. Additional research is needed to assess the impact of cash transfer interventions on health and economic outcomes in order to create an enabling policy environment for scale-up.
Improving the quality of COVID-19 care in Sierra Leone: A modified Delphi process and serial nationwide assessments of quality of COVID-19 care in Sierra Leone
Authors: Youkee Daniel , Lahai Michael , Mansaray Abdul R. , Samura Sorie , Bunn James , Lakoh Sulaiman , Sevalie Stephen
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Improving the quality of care that patients receive is paramount to improving patient outcomes and engendering trust during infectious disease outbreaks. Whilst Quality Improvement (QI) is well established to drive improvement in routine care and in health systems, there are fewer reports of its use during infectious disease outbreaks.

Methods

A modified Delphi process was undertaken to create a standardized assessment tool for the quality of COVID-19 care in Sierra Leone. Four rounds of assessment were undertaken between July 2020 and July 2021. To assess change across the four assessment periods compared to baseline we used a mixed effects model and report coefficients and p values.

Results

During the Delphi process, 12/14 participants selected the domains to be assessed within the tool. The final 50 questions included 13 outcome questions, 17 process questions and 20 input questions. A total of 94 assessments were undertaken over four assessment periods at 27 facilities. An increase of 8.75 (p = <0.01) in total score was seen in round 2, 10.67 (p = <0.01) in round 3 and 2.17 (p = 0.43) in round 4 compared to baseline. Mean cumulative scores for COVID-19 Treatment Centres were higher than Hospital Isolation Units (p<0.02) at all four timepoints. Significant improvements were reported in coordination, diagnostics, staffing, infection prevention and control (IPC), nutrition, and vulnerable populations domains, but not in the oxygen, care processes, infrastructure and drugs domains.

Conclusion

We demonstrate the feasibility of creating a quality of care assessment tool and conducting sequential nationwide assessments during an infectious disease outbreak. We report significant improvements in quality-of-care scores in round 2 and round 3 compared to baseline, however, these improvements were not sustained. We recommend the use of QI and the creation of standardised assessment tools to improve quality of care during outbreak responses.
Migration and health right: Probabilistic estimate of the factors that impact on health right of the migrant population, Peru 2019–2021
Authors: Arroyo-Laguna Juan , Huánuco Mariella , La Chira Pedro , Jumpa Armas David
Published: December 2023

The study aims to identify factors associated with the violation of the right to health of the regular migrant population with respect to the nonmigrant population in Peru during the period 2019–2021, based on the complaints of health services users. It is a three-year cross-sectional and retrospective study on a total population of 122,505 complainants to the National Superintendency of Health (SUSALUD). The types of health rights used were those established in Peruvian Law No. 29414. An unordered multinomial probability model was used to estimate the probability of belonging to five types of violated rights based on the regular migrant and nonmigrant population, and the exogenous variables that affect this probability. The individual significance tests of the model, the tests for combining categories and the test of independence of irrelevant alternatives by means of the Wald and Hausman-McFadden tests were previously taken. The results indicated an increase in complaints from regular migrants of 5.6% in the 2019–2021 period unlike nonmigrants who had a decrease of 12.2%. The greatest probability that health rights of regular migrants are violated refers to access to information and the right to care and recovery, where their probability of violation is 27.7% and 25.4%, respectively (p-v < 0.05, CI = 95%). Likewise, health rights are more likely to be violated if they are women; if they are adults (41 years old on average); if they do not possess any type of health insurance; if they use Peruvian Ministry of Health (MINSA) services; and if they are located in metropolitan cities, such as Lima and Callao.
Academic business research: Impact on academics versus impact on practice
Authors: Astvansh Vivek , Fridmanski Ethan
Published: December 2023

Business journalists and editors of academic business journals have lamented that academic research has little use for any nonacademic stakeholders, including companies, nonprofits, regulators, and governments. Although emotionally unsettling, these commentaries are bereft of evidence on how well a journal’s academic impact (measured by impact factor) translates into practice impact. The authors provide this evidence. Specifically, they sample 56 journals, spanning 12 business disciplines, from 2000 to 2020. For each journal-year, they measure two- and five-year impact factor, which proxies the impact on academics. Next, for each article published in each journal-year, they collect attention score—a weighted sum of the number of times the article is cited in 19 types of practitioner outlets—from Altmetric. The authors then measure the correlation coefficient between the impact factor and attention score for each journal in periods of two-year and five-year. The coefficient indicates how well the journal’s academic impact has translated into practice impact. Among the 12 disciplines, international business discipline tops the chart, while information systems, accounting, and finance occupy the bottom positions. American Economic Review leads the 56 journals, with Journal of Marketing Research and California Management Review as close followers. The findings highlight the impact of academic business research—or the lack thereof.
The influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the short- and long-term interactions in the agricultural market: Evidence from a connectedness network approach
Authors: Su Jung-Bin
Published: December 2023

This study employs a bivariate GARCH model to examine the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the interactions of the commodities in the agricultural market via a connectedness network approach. Empirical results show that this pandemic alters the commodities’ roles—the activators, net transmitters, and net receivers—in the volatility and return connectedness but not for the activators in the correlation connectedness. Moreover, this pandemic enhances the interactive degree of the unidirectional negative return spillovers and the bidirectional distinct-sign volatility spillovers but doesn’t for the interactive degree of correlation. Thus, the COVID-19 pandemic, a short-term drastic event, can influence short-term interactions like volatility and return spillovers but can’t affect one long-term interaction like the correlation. Nevertheless, this pandemic raises the intensity of the correlation as well as volatility and return spillovers. The findings provide policymakers to make short- and long-term investment strategies in the agriculture market.
Association of milk microbiome with bovine mastitis before and after antibiotic therapy
Authors: Burakova Inna , Gryaznova Mariya , Smirnova Yuliya , Morozova Polina , Mikhalev Vitaliy , Zimnikov Vitaliy , Latsigina Irina , Shabunin Sergey , Mikhailov Evgeny , Syromyatnikov Mikhail
Published: December 2023

Background and Aim: Mastitis is recognized as the most common disease in cattle and causes economic losses in the dairy industry. A number of opportunistic bacterial taxa have been identified as causative agents for this disease. Conventionally, antibiotics are used to treat mastitis; however, most bacteria are resistant to the majority of antibiotics. This study aimed to use molecular methods to identify milk microbiome patterns characteristic of mastitis that can help in the early diagnosis of this disease and in the development of new treatment strategies.

Materials and Methods: To evaluate the microbiome composition, we performed NGS sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene of the V3 region.

Results: An increase in the abundance of the bacterial genera Hymenobacter and Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group is associated with the development of subclinical and clinical mastitis in dairy cows. These bacteria can be added to the list of markers used to detect mastitis in cows. Furthermore, a decrease in the abundance of Ralstonia, Lachnospiraceae NK3A20 group, Acetitomaculum, Massilia, and Atopostipes in cows with mastitis may indicate their role in maintaining a healthy milk microbiome. Antibiotics reduced the levels of Streptococcus in milk compared to those in the healthy group and cows before antibiotic treatment. Antibiotic therapy also contributed to an increase in the abundance of beneficial bacteria of the genus Asticcacaulis.

Conclusion: This study expands our understanding of the association between milk microbiota and mastitis.

Keywords: cattle, dairy industry, early diagnosis, microbiome.
Effect of vermiculite feed additive on the chemical, mineral, and amino acid compositions of quail meat
Authors: Aрdraim Gulbanu , Sarsembayeva Nurzhan , Lozowicka Bozena
Published: December 2023

Background and Aim: Poultry farming plays a significant role in providing the population with high-quality and cheap meat products. The development and success of this industry depend on the proper use of available feed. As a rule, feed additives should compensate for missing elements in livestock diets. This study investigated the effects of vermiculite feed additives on the chemical, amino acid, and mineral compositions of quail meat.

Materials and Methods: Texas Quail meat breed birds were randomly divided into three groups (35 heads each). Group I served as the control group, in which the birds were fed a standard diet without any supplements. The diet of Group II was supplemented with 3% vermiculite feed additive, whereas Group III received 5% vermiculite. The experiment was conducted over 120 days.

Results: Quails in the experimental groups contained less moisture, had more ash and protein, and were richer in calories in terms of energy value. In terms of mineral composition, the calcium concentrations were 9.9% and 16.5% higher in the in the Group I and II, respectively. Furthermore, the highest percentages of nonessential and essential amino acids were found in the 5% vermiculite group. In the meat of quails that received 5% vermiculite, cadmium and lead salt levels were 20%–25% lower than those in the control variant.

Conclusion: The results of our analyses confirmed that meeting the mineral requirements of quails improves animal productivity and meat product quality. Vermiculite as a feed additive improved the chemical, mineral, and amino acid compositions of quail meat when it was added to up to 5% of the feed dry matter. These results will help to improve the feed base of the poultry industry in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Keywords: diet, feed additive, quail meat, quality, vermiculite, veterinary and sanitary assessment.
Distribution of fungi of the genera Nectria and Neonectria in the southeast of Kazakhstan
Authors: Assylbek A. M. , Rakhimova Y. V. , Kyzmetova L. A. , Sypabekkyzy G.
Published: December 2023

The article presents data on the distribution of microscopic fungi of the genera Nectria and Neonectria in the territory of the south-east of Kazakhstan, developing as saprotrophs on fallen or dead branches of the host, or as wound parasites. The material for the research was the authors’ own collections on the territory of the Ile Alatau, Dzhungarian Alatau, Kungey Alatau, the Ketmen, Terskey and Altyn-Emel ridges, as well as herbarium specimens stored in the mycological herbarium of the Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction. 5 species of Nectria and Neonectria were identified, developing on 25 species of feeding plants. Most of the samples are represented by the conidial stage. The most common species is Nectria cinnabarina. Among the most affected species are representatives of the genus Ribes L., as well as the genera Acer L., Betula L., Malus Mill. and Rhamnus L. The maximum number of Nectria and Neonectria species was recorded at an altitude of 1200-1600 m above sea level, which corresponds to the belt of steppes, small-leaved and dark coniferous forests. In the steppe belt, representatives of Nectria and Neonectria are found in floodplain forests and shrubs.
Seasonal photosynthesis and respiration dynamics of Pinus sibirica latitudinal ecotypes: ex situ study
Authors: Bender O. G.
Published: December 2023

Photosynthesis and respiration are temperature dependent processes. Therefore, it is important to understand how the physiological processes of photosynthesis and respiration will respond to climate change in the future. Seasonal carbon dioxide gas exchange of vegetative scion Siberian stone pine ecotypes (Pinus sibirica Du Tour) of latitudinal transect grown in the scientific station “Kedr” in the south of the Tomsk region were studied. The latitudinal transect was represented by two ecotypes: the southern ecotype (Tomsk) and the northern ecotype (Urengoy). The age of the grafted trees was 26 years. Apparent uptake of CO2 of the southern ecotype began a week earlier than the one of the southern ecotype, when the needle length reached 35 and 40 % of the final length of the southern and southern ecotypes, respectively. Photosynthesis reaches its maximum values when the needle length was 45-52 % of the final length of both ecotypes. The carbon dioxide assimilation rate of the southern ecotype remained high until the second decade of July, then its intensity decreased. Photosynthetic rate of the southern ecotype decreased in early August. In fully developed needles, the photosynthetic intensity between ecotypes did not differ significantly. The dark respiration of both ecotypes was maximum at the beginning of needle growth, then decreased significantly, was almost constant in July, and had minimum values at the end of the growing season. At the initial growth stages the needles of the southern ecotype had high values of dark respiration, which was 2 times higher than that of the southern ecotype. In the growth process by the first ten days of

July, the differences between ecotypes were practically leveled. Subsequently, the dark respiration of the southern ecotype became 2 times higher than that of the southern one, however, it remained low compared to the initial stages of needle growth. The respiration of needle finished growing decreased by 8-10 times. The negative balance between photosynthesis and respiration of both ecotypes maintained until the needle length exceed 40 % and 35 % of the final length in the northern and southern ecotypes, respectively. Positive balance CO2 was observed when the needle length reached 45 % in the northern and 52 % in the southern ecotypes. During the summer months the CO2 balance was significantly higher for the Tomsk ecotype. In September and October the CO2 balance of the northern ecotype became lower than of one the southern one due to increased part of respiration of gas exchange. We believe that the high respiratory intensity of the Siberian stone pine northern ecotype is hereditary, therefore significant respiratory costs will have negative impact the productivity of high latitude plants and their adaptation to climate warming.
Selection of phlox (Phlox paniculata) in the Siberian Botanical Garden, Tomsk State University
Authors: Butenkova A. N. , Belyaeva T. N. , Shmakova G. A.
Published: December 2023

Phlox breeding in the Siberian Botanical Garden of Tomsk State University was started in 1949, after a 50-year break it was resumed in 2005. The purpose of the selection study of Phlox paniculata in the Siberian Botanical Garden of Tomsk State University is to obtain new highly decorative varieties that are resistant to the conditions of the subzone of the southern taiga of Western Siberia. The production of hybrids has a significant scientific basis and is the result of many years of studying reproductive biology, ornamental characteristics and resistance of varieties. To obtain hybrids in the Siberian Botanical Garden, directional crossing of varieties, obtaining seedlings from seeds with free pollination for collections and in a limited group of varieties, and selecting «random» seedlings are used. With directed pollination of varieties, the fruit set ranged from 15 to 69 %, the percentage of fruit set increases when pollinated with a mixture of three varieties. A partial transfer of decorative traits from parent varieties was established, however, the high variability of the transferred characteristics does not allow us to identify clear patterns at this stage of the study. Phlox hybrids bred in the Siberian Botanical Garden are first of all selected for resistance to diseases and abiotic conditions of the Siberian region, then for decorative qualities. The article contains a description of six hybrids obtained in the Siberian Botanical Garden, promising for registration as new varieties.
The phenomenon of heterogeneity in the state of seed dormancy
Authors: Butuzova O. G.
Published: December 2023

Developed as an adaptive strategy, the phenomenon of seed dormancy retained the ability to evolve and can change along with the changes in environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, light, availability of nutrients). Seed dormancy is the center of the so-called “thermal memory”, playing a key role in the acclimatization of plants to the seasonal climate. By saving information about the past temperature conditions of the species existence, the seeds manifest a high degree of heterogeneity in depth and type of dormancy, which varies depending on the location of the seed in the fruit and the fruit on the inflorescence, seed size, altitude and latitudinal areal of plant populations, weather conditions for seed maturation and preservation in soil. The high degree of plasticity of dormancy state requires different approaches to the study of this problem. In this regard, the article gives a number of recommendations for carrying out experiments and using special methods. One should take into account the areal of the species, the weather conditions for seed maturation and the periods of seed dry storage. Factors such as temperature and illumination should be applied in a differentiated way that permit to reveal the individual mechanisms of the initiation and removal of dormancy. The use of different methods -monitoring of seed germination, the culture of isolated embryos, cytoembryological study - makes it possible to assess the internal state of the seed and the localization of the mechanism of inhibition of post-development and germination of the embryo.
Physiological bases of adaptation processes of tree species in the Altai botanical garden
Authors: Vdovina T. A. , Isakova E. A , Lagus O. A.
Published: December 2023

This article reflects the results of studies of the water regime of 15 species of woody plants in the Altai Botanical Garden for two years. Deciduous species (trees) have a high water-holding capacity and general hydration: Fraxinus lanceolata Bjrckh., Tilia cordata L., Padus racemosa (Lam.) Gilib., Juglans cinerea L. and deciduous species (shrubs): Berberis thunbergii DC., Euonymus maackii Rupr. and Coryulus avellana L. Juglans cinerea L. and Berberis vulgaris L. are distinguished by a high content of «mobile» moisture. Studies have established that the highest parameters of the water regime are characteristic of deciduous species (shrub). Two species of barberry Berberis thunbergii DC. and Berberis vulgaris L. have significant fluctuations in water-holding capacity at the beginning and at the end of growing seasons, which provide a wide ecological amplitude to these species. The coniferous species Juniperus sabina L. water retention capacity and hydration were at the same level during the two growing seasons. The smallest differences between the species are noted on the basis of leaf hydration. Data on water retention capacity, general hydration, «mobile» moisture indicate the species-specificity of these signs. The purpose of the study was to study the water regime of tree species of various ecological and geographical origin in the mountain forest zone of the East Kazakhstan region.
Pollen morphology of Pinus sibirica (Pinaceae) mountain populations in the North-Eastern and South-Eastern regions of Altai
Authors: Velisevich S. N.
Published: December 2023

The influence of the climate humidity, mountain elevation and weather in the year of observations on the pollen morphology of the Siberian stone pine was studied. We compared the populations growing in the humid NorthEastern region of Altai (Mount Kolyushta, precipitation 867 mm/year, elevation 1350-1900 m) and the arid South-Eastern region of Altai (the Yuzhno-Chuysky ridge, precipitation 129 mm/year, elevation 1800-2100 m). It has been established that in an arid climate the body of a pollen grain is more spherical shape and larger in size, in a humid climate it is more ellipsoidal shape and smaller in size. It has been suggested that the tendency towards the formation of a spherical shape of the body of pollen grains is associated with the conditions of existence in an arid climate. Larger pollen grains were also formed in the lower mountain belts of both regions and in a year with warmer weather. Temperature has much less effect on the size of the air sacs, in contrast to the humidity of the region. In a humid climate, the sacs had an elongated shape, in an arid climate they were more rounded, but at the same time they did not differ significantly in volume. It is shown that the studied populations are more distant from each other in terms of the regional humidity factor, although the elevation and the weather also significantly influenced the pollen morphology of the Siberian stone pine.
Late Pleistocene flora of the Kiryas-L site according to palynological and algological analysis (West Siberia, Russia)
Authors: Galimov A. T. , Shakhmatov A. S.
Published: December 2023

The article provides results of palynological and algological analysis of peat deposits from MIS-5c in the Kiryas site. Sampling and analysis were carried out from the same horizon that was analyzed by other methods in already published works with the dating of the underlying layer at 105.5 ± 3.6 thousand years ago. Algological analysis and spore-pollen analysis were carried out. Three successive changes in vegetation were identified in the territories adjacent to the studied section. Changes in the composition of algal communities were used to trace changes in watering and the trophic status of the peat bog. Peat formation began with warming in time after 105 thousand years ago, with forest-tundra vegetation; in the second stage, a biome close to the modern northern taiga was formed; in the third stage, cooling occurred with the formation of a forest-tundra community and the end of peat formation. Complex conjugate analysis of stratigraphic records by various methods increases the reliability of reconstructions of natural changes. The abundance of algae remains allows us to conclude that the water level and the trophic status of the peat bog have changed.
Macrofossil assemblages as a key to insight into the mire flora development (a case study in the Kaliningrad Region of Russia)
Authors: Goltsvert G. S. , Napreenko M. G. , Napreenko-Dorokhova T. V.
Published: December 2023

Based on analysis of the plant macrofossil composition in the peat deposits, we can identify the environments these plants were formed and developed. This paper is aimed at a detailed study of the macrofossil assemblages from the peat deposits in the Wittgirrensky peatland, which is a study site of the Rossyanka Carbon Polygon in the Kaliningrad Region. The conclusions of the study may contribute to the general insight into the mire flora development in the SouthEastern Baltic region. In total, 85 types of plant and animal macroremains were found in the peat and gyttja samples from the Wittgirrensky peatland, representing 39 different taxonomic groups, which were combined into 6 main macrofossil assemblage zones: 1) Salix-Phragmites, 2) Carex-Drepanocladus, 3) Pinus-Ericaceae, 4) Sphagnum magellanicum, 5) Sphagnum fuscum, 6) Sphagnum-Ericaceae.
Assessment of herbicide phytotoxicity
Authors: Dolganova D. A. , Korotchenko I. S.
Published: December 2023

In the Russian Federation, there is a trend towards increased use of pesticides. Irrational and scientifically unjustified use of herbicides aggravates the acute problem of their effects due to the long period of their elimination from ecosystem components. As a consequence, the growth and development of agricultural plants in the subsequent cultivation of chemically treated fields is reduced. The work shows changes in morphometric parameters of test plants (shoot and root length) under the influence of different concentrations of herbicides (“Puma Super 100”, “Secator Turbo”, “Velocity Power”). The test objects were: oats (Avena L.) ‘Sayan, radish (Raphanus sativus) ‘Heat’, rape (Brassica napus) ‘Reliable 92’. Preparations belonging to the chemical class of sulfonylureas showed the highest toxicity. Thus, “Secator Turbo” and “Velocity Power” were found to have a significant effect on the initial stages of seedling development of oat ‘Sayan’, rape ‘Reliable 92.
The experience of the primary introduction of Fritillaria karelinii in the Main botanical garden of Almaty
Authors: Ivashchenko A. A. , Grudzinskaya L. M. , Tursynbay A. , Gemejiyeva N. G. , Isabaev S. O.
Published: December 2023

Botanical gardens play an important role in the study and conservation of plant genetic resources where the biological features and adaptive capabilities of the biomorphological diversity of the involved plant species are studied for the subsequent prediction of the success of their introduction. The object of research was the early flowering bulbous ephemeroid of the desert territories of southern Russia, Central and Central Asia Fritillaria karelinii (Fisch. ex D. Don) Baker (syn. Rhinopetalum karelinii Fisch. ex D. Don). Due to hard harvesting of the species in the territory of Kazakhstan, exported to China where Fritillaria karelinii bulbs are used in Chinese medicine, there was a real need to study the features and methods of growing this species in culture. In carrying out the research, generally accepted methods of introducing herbaceous plants were used. An analysis of literary sources showed the availability of limited information on the cultivation of the species in Russia and neighboring countries. We studied the introduction populations of Fritillaria karelinii attracted in different years from places of natural growth in the south-east of Kazakhstan. When introduced in the Main Botanical Garden of the Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction (Almaty), the regrowth of the species begins in early March, 1-3 days after the snow cover melts. Flowering of the species in different years and in different populations begins in the first half of April, approximately 20 days after regrowth. The capsule is formed immediately after the flowering of the flower, the seeds ripen 40-50 days after flowering. The duration of the growing season of the species is 60-70 days. Attempts at seed propagation of Fritillaria karelinii undertaken by seeds from natural populations in autumn and spring did not give positive results. There is a clear trend towards a decrease in the total number and generative function of the introductory population as early as 2-3 years after its formation. The survival rate of the material depends both on the quality of the planted bulbs and the timing of their digging in natural populations.
Forest vegetation of the Zhetysu Alatau
Authors: Kerdyashkin A. V. , Zhashuyev I. A , Imanalinova A. A.
Published: December 2023

Data on floodplain, small-leaved, and dark coniferous forests in the Zhetysu Alatau is presented. Floodplain forests are located in the valleys of the Horgos, Usek, and Borohudzir rivers, where trees and shrubs are abundant along with grass and meadow vegetation, often covering the floodplain and displacing herbaceous communities. Species such as Salix, Populus macrocarpa, and Ulmus pumila are found, as well as shrub thickets of Hippophae rhamnoides, Rosa beggeriana, R. alberti, Rhamnus cathartica, Lonicera tatarica, Berberis heteropoda, and B. iliensis. The small-leaved forests consist mainly of Malus sieversii and include six groups of apple orchard types: mixed-grass, poplar, aspen, hawthorn, maple, and shrub. Associated tree species include Malus niedzwetzkyana, Crataegus songarica, Acer tataricum subsp. semenovii, Populus tremula, and P. macrocarpa. The dark coniferous forests consist mainly of Picea schrenkiana and include seven groups of forest types: fir, aspen, poplar, shrub, arch, mixed-grass, and moss. Species such as Abies sibirica, Populus tremula, Juniperus sabina var. balkanensis, J. communis var. saxatilis, various shrubs, mixed-grass, and moss associations are also found. Rare and endangered species are identified include Malus sieversii, M. niedzwetzkyana, Berberis iliensis, Fritillaria pallidiflora, Tulipa kolpakowskiana, Aquilegia vitalii, Paeonia anomala, and P. tenuifolia.
The current state and silvicultural and reclamation efficiency of deciduous field-protective forest belts of the Khakass anti-erosion station
Authors: Lobanov A. I. , Martynova М. А , Konovalova N. A.
Published: December 2023

One of the most effective and cheapest ways to reduce environmental stress on arable land is forest shelterbelts, which have a different state of life. Silver birch (Betulapendula Roth.), elm (Ulmuspumila L.), balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera L.), black poplar (Populus nigra L.), hybrid poplar (P nigra x P laurifolia) are the main tree species. breeds used in field-protective afforestation of the Shirinskaya steppe of the Republic of Khakassia. The studies were carried out in forest belts consisting of deciduous tree species of ordinary and staggered planting methods. Here, using modern techniques, temporary trial plots were laid. The aim of the work was to study the current state of forest belts, consisting of deciduous tree species, and their silvicultural and reclamation efficiency in the area where the Khakass antierosion station is located. The features of the state of life and silvicultural and reclamation efficiency of forest stands on trial plots are analyzed depending on the planting methods growing on different types of soils. It has been established that the satisfactory condition of the trees (1.4 points) and the silvicultural and reclamation assessment (4a) 60 years after planting are noted in ordinary forest belts consisting of balsam poplar growing on meadow-chernozem soil with a close (1.5 m) occurrence ground water. However, these forest belts require improvements in design. Unsatisfactory living conditions (6.0 points) and silvicultural and reclamation assessment (1 point) 53 years after planting are typical for ordinary forest belts consisting of black poplar growing on ordinary chernozem with deep (more than 5 m) groundwater. Such forest belts require uprooting. The noted features of the occurrence of groundwater and the species composition of tree species must be taken into account when creating a new generation of forest belts on different types of soils of the Khakass anti-erosion station.
Dynamics of development of juvenile plants in the mountain-tundra belt of the Khibiny Mountains
Authors: Lyubeznova N. V.
Published: December 2023

Germination of seeds and survival of seedlings are important characteristics of the functioning of communities. There are few observations in the literature on the dynamics of seed germination in untouched alpine communities. Severe abiotic environmental factors characteristic of high mountains make it difficult for juvenile plants to take root, and they show high mortality in the first year of life. For 9 years (2011-2019), all juvenile plants were recorded on 5 m2 of the mountain-tundra community of the Khibiny Mountains and their further life was traced. For most plants of the alpine tundra community, low germination and high mortality of juvenile plants in the first year of life were confirmed. Seeds of some species of undisturbed plots, did not germinate during the observation period, most of the rest they did not survive. In species of slightly disturbed places, the number of seedlings was proportional to the number of species in the community, with the exception of species that do not have vegetative propagation. In the latter, seed germination was higher. A surge in the number of seedlings was observed in 2016 and 2019. The surviving individuals did not pass into the generative age state for 7-9 years of observations, which confirms the duration of the life cycle of alpine species.
Additions to the lichen flora of the State Nature Reserve “Azas” (Republic of Tuva)
Authors: Mongush Ch. B. , Davydov E. A , Yakovchenko L. S , Sambyla Ch. N.
Published: December 2023

40 species of epiphytic lichens and 1 lichenicolous fungus are reported for the State Nature Reserve “Azas” in the Republic of Tuva. The species belong to 21 genera and 12 families. Most of them are representatives of Parmeliaceae and Cladoniaceae. All studied species grow on substrates associated with trees: bark, dead wood, stumps and branches of trees, mosses. The studied species are characterized by fruticose (20 species), foliose (13 species) and crustose (8 species) growth form.
Peculiarities of species composition of phytocenoses with dominance and participation species of the genus Salsola L. in desert and semi-desert regions of Kazakhstan
Authors: Osmonali B. B. , Yermagambetova M. M , Almerekova S. S.
Published: December 2023

The purpose of the research was to identify the features of the floristic composition of rammunities with representatives of the genus Salsola L. (North-Western (Aksai), Southem, South-Eastem regions of Kazakhstan). Traditional methods of field geobotanical researches were used in the process of studying. As a result of expedition works, 24 studied plant communities (with predominance and participation of various Salsola) were described. Communities differed from each other by species composition, which is caused by a variety of combination of habitat factors. The analysis of the floristic composition of the described rommunities resulted in the identification of two groups: 1) rommunities dominated by species of the genus Salsola; 2) rommunities in which the presence of species of the genus Salsola was insignificant. During the research, it was revealed that annual species S. nitraria Pall. and S. tragus L. are well adapted to the habitat conditions of desert and semi-desert regions and it was roncluded that they can be used for reclamation of disturbed lands.
Influence of weather factors on seed cone formation of Siberian stone pine Pinus sibirica Du Tour (Pinaceae Lindl.)
Authors: Popov A. V.
Published: December 2023

Nowadays, when studying the fruiting of tree species, it is of great interest to understand the influence of weather factors on the inter-annual variability of fruit and seed yield. Siberian stone pine covers a large part of the Asian part of Russia and is valued primarily for its seeds. Therefore, the sustainable functioning of ecosystems depends on the yield of Siberian stone pine. Yield estimation was performed by examining bark marks from annually laid seed cones during the study period. The following categories of cone scars were recognized: (1) small triangular scar remaining from an aborted cone bud that dies before pollination; (2) triangular scar remaining from an aborted flowering seed cone soon after pollination; (3) an oval scar from a 1-yr-old conelet that developed after pollination but was aborted in the winter; (4) a large oval resinous scar from a fully mature seed cone. When studying the effect of temperature on Siberian stone pine yield, it was found that there is an increased sensitivity of initiating cone primordia to air temperature in the first decade of August. The cool weather at the beginning of August (+16 °C) contributes to the abundance of cones. On the opposite, if the temperature in the first ten-day period of August exceeds +19 °C, fewer buds are deposited. And further decrease of temperature to +16 °C in the second ten-day period of August has no effect on bud establishment.
Bryoflora of valuable dendrological objects of the Tula Region
Authors: Popova N. N.
Published: December 2023

About 80 species of mosses have been identified as part of the bryoflora of dendrological objects of the Tula region. Five species are listed in the Red Data Book of the Tula Region. The share of rare and interesting species varies in individual objects from 7 to 30 %. The largest number of species, including rare ones, were identified in the objects of Ygnyshevka, Yakshino, Dvoryaninovo, as well as in the arboretum of the Krapivensky Forestry College. A high level of species and structural diversity of mosses is noted in objects where there are natural landscapes. In natural monuments, where old-age coniferous crops are protected, the bryoflora is relatively poor. All the studied objects have a high scientific and practical value, most of them are satisfactory and well preserved and perform an important function of preserving the biodiversity of mosses.
Cat’s foot plant (Antennaria dioica) as an indicator of favorable geoactive zones
Authors: Rogozin M. V.
Published: December 2023

The search for plants that can be indicators of geoactive zones has continued. A 180-year-old cowberry pine forest was investigated on the territory of 30 hectares, where there was a grass-roots fire 15 years ago, in the forests of Perm around a locus N58°0'48.05", E55°53'4.46". The methodology of the work included mapping of synusias of the cat’s foot dioica (Antennaria dioica (L.) Gaertn.). Centers of favorable geoactive zones of six types with sizes from 1 to 55 m, as well as pathogenic zones of Hartman and Kurri were found and mapped near them. 12 sinusias were detected, while the three largest were double and were located in two zones of 3 m in size at once. All the sinusias were located in the comfort zone of the 3 m zone, so the cat’s paw can serve as a good phyto-indicator for zones of this type. In addition, all of them were also located in the zone of action of the «senior» zones with dimensions of 8, 16, 32 and 55 m. These zones can be arranged linearly (URL: https://youtu.be/bCep8MCe4M8) and arrange a triangle and even a cross (URL: https://youtu.be/ rr_jDVzOgbk). The results of the work confirm the hypothesis of the action of «subtle» energies of the Earth through these zones with a frequency of thousands and millions of hertz, which probably coincide with the radiations of plant biofields that form similar phenomena on them. There are no devices with such characteristics yet, so you can start studying the physical properties of the soil (electric potentials, magnetic fields, soil heating on sunny days) at the points of the Earth’s energy output. They will be pointed out to us by trees and some perennial plants, including cat’s foot, and in the future other plants of the ground cover.
Cultivation of herbaceous plants of Central Asia in various expositions of the open ground of the Botanical Garden of IBBM UNN
Authors: Khrynova T. R. , Khrynova A. N.
Published: December 2023

This report considers species of herbaceous plants that have areas covering only Central Asia or C. Asia and adjacent regions of Asia, mainly within the Iranian-Turanian floristic region. Species with very large ranges, partially including C. Asia, are not taken into account. 46 species of Central Asian plants are represented in the open ground expositions of the UNN IBBM Botanical Garden, they make up only 4.6 % of the collection of herbaceous introduced plants of the Botanical Garden. More than 70 % of Central Asian plants in the collection are monocots, including 19 species of the genus Allium L. In permanent expositions, most of the plants are grown in rock gardens. The greatest number of problems arose with representatives from Central Asia due to the fact that seeds obtained from different sources often do not germinate. When grown in permanent exposures, a number of specimens of various origins turned out to be unstable, for example: Ixiolirion tataricum (Pall.) Schult. et Schult.f., Rhodiola algida Fisch. et C. A. Mey. Some plants were shortlived, such as those of the genus Juno Tratt. Regularly bloom, bear fruit, grow well vegetatively Gymnospermium albertii (Regel) Takht., Sedum pachyclados Aitch. ex Hemsl., Corydalis nobilis (L.) Pers., Allium aflatunense B. Fedtsch., A. altaicum Pall. and other onions, Fritillaria pallidiflora Schrenk, Tulipa kaufmanniana Regel, T. tarda Stapf and other tulips. Some of them are also included in the lists of seeds offered by the UNN Botanical Garden for exchange (Delectus seminum).