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Over the two years that have passed since the WHO announced on March 11, 2020, a pandemic of the new coronavirus disease COVID-19, more than 460 million cases of the disease have been detected in the world, of which more than five million have been fatal. During the natural evolution of the COVID-19 pathogen, dominant variants emerge that account for most new infections. The WHO constantly monitors coronavirus mutations that potentially pose an epidemiological danger. Currently, the WHO divides modified variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus into

Since the Dabie bandavirus (DBV; former SFTS virus, SFTSV) was identified, the epidemics of severe fever with thrombocytopenic syndrome (SFTS) caused by this virus have occurred in several countries in East Asia. The rapid increase in incidence indicates that this infectious agent has a pandemic potential and poses an imminent global public health threat.The analysis of molecular evolution of SFTS agent that includes its variants isolated in China, Japan and South Korea was performed in this review. The evolution rate of DBV and the estimated dates of existence of the common ancestor were ascertained, and the possibility of reassortation was demonstrated.The evolutionary rates of DBV genome segments were estimated to be 2.28 × 10-4 nucleotides/site/year for S-segment, 2.42 × 10-4 for M-segment, and 1.19 × 10-4 for L-segment. The positions of positive selection were detected in the viral genome.Phylogenetic analyses showed that virus may be divided into two clades, containing six different genotypes. The structures of phylogenetic trees for S-, M- and L-segments showed that all genotypes originate from the common ancestor.Data of sequence analysis suggest that DBV use several mechanisms to maintain the high level of its genetic diversity. Understanding the phylogenetic factors that determine the virus transmission is important for assessing the epidemiological characteristics of the disease and predicting its possible outbreaks.

The prospects of using packing materials based on metalworking machine waste as heat and mass transfer blocks for evaporative cooling of industrial recycled water are considered. A procedure is provided for treating experimental data making it possible during analysis of parameters for various packing materials to evaluate the efficiency of their application in specific mass transfer processes and equipment. A procedure is used for processing experimental data making it possible during analysis of a wide range of different packing materials to evaluate the prospects for their industrial application in specific mass transfer processes and equipment. Results of mathematical modeling and design of evaporative cooling equipment for industrial recycled water with the proposed energy and resource-saving heat and mass transfer packing based on metalworking waste are presented.

Objective. Selection of indicators of lymphocyte populations in rhesus macaques determined by flow cytometry to evaluate variations of cellular constituent of their immune status.Materials and methods. Blood of 11 healthy rhesus macaque males, 2,0–2,5 years old, weighing 2,5–3,0 kg, was used. Monkeys were examined simultaneously in each of 7 months of observation (since May till November). Immunophenotyping was conducted by FC500 cytofluorimeter using Affymetrix eBioscience monoclonal antibodies. The following cellular constituent indicators of immune status were differentiated: total T lymphocytes (phenotype CD2+CD20-); total B lymphocytes (phenotype CD2-CD20+); natural killer cells (phenotype CD2+CD56+); T helper cells (phenotype CD2+CD4+); cytotoxic T lymphocytes (phenotype CD2+CD8+); double-positive T lymphocytes (phenotype CD4+CD8+) and T lymphocytes positive by antigens CD2 and CD20 (phenotype CD2+CD20+).Results and discussion. Statistical analysis of the obtained results revealed the absence of the effect of research time factor on the stated indicators. To assess changes in the cellular constituent of immune status of rhesus macaques, it is possible to use indicators that are less variable: total T and B lymphocytes, T helper cells, cytotoxic T lymphocytes and T lymphocytes with phenotype (CD2+CD20+). The use of CD56 as a marker of natural killer cells of rhesus macaques is impractical due to its low expression and a small size of the population bearing this marker. The research results may form the basis of the normative indicators of the subpopulation cell composition of immune system in rhesus macaques, which will allow the study of infected animals when assessing the quality of medical products in relation to dangerous and particularly dangerous infections.

The article covers a system of self-adaptable automatic adjustment for elastically deformable packing blocks in mass-exchange apparatuses based on the identification of inertial component peaks in the structure of the filtration flow through the layers of elastically deformable packing materials. It shows the possibilities for the use of wastes from metal-building enterprises formed during machine processing of stainless alloyed steels as packing materials in elastically deformable blocks of mass-exchange apparatuses. The article also describes the automatic control system for hydraulic and mechanic modes by means of stepwise volumetric deformation of the blocks with packing materials.

The paper presents the scheme and algorithm of automatic adjustment of process parameters for elastically deformed blocks of packing materials in mass exchange apparatuses by the turbulization index that indicates fluid dynamics bursts of the inertial compound in the structure of the filtration flow and is an instrument for automatic adjustment of flow dynamic modes of developed turbulization and emulsification in elastically deformed packing blocks at the commissioning stage. The article describes main features and prospects of use of industrial wastes from metal-working plants as packing materials in elastically deformable contact blocks in mass exchanges apparatuses.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide amounted to 50 million at the beginning of November 2020. This is clearly not enough for the formation of herd immunity, which will prevent repeated outbreaks of the disease. Quarantine measures can only curb the spread of the disease to some extent, therefore specific preventive measures are needed to create collective immunity to COVID-19.The underlying principle of collective immunity is indirect protection of the whole of the population by immunising a certain part of it. Vaccination is the most effective approach to prevention of epidemic outbreaks. The aim of the study was to analyse promising approaches to the development of vaccines against novel coronavirus COVID-19 infection. The paper summarises data on development studies and clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccines conducted in different countries. It analyses the pros and cons of different platforms for vaccine development (attenuated vaccines, inactivated vaccines, subunit vaccines, DNA and RNA vaccines, recombinant vector vaccines). The paper presents a potential design of novel vaccines. It was concluded that COVID-19 vaccines might be developed both for immunising high-risk groups and for mass immunisation. An optimal solution for the second task would be to develop human or monkey adenovirus vector-based vaccines whose mass production has already been unveiled.

The area affected by the disease caused by Madariaga virus has been expanding recently. Given the geographic location of the endemic regions that overlap with tourist destinations, as well as the confirmed possibility of importing the disease, we cannot rule out the risk of appearance of this disease in Russia. The aim of the study was to analyse the properties of Madariaga virus (Alphavirus genus, eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus complex) and some epidemiological and epizootological characteristics of the virus-associated disease which manifests itself in diffuse inflammation of brain and spinal cord. Based on both ecological and molecular genetic characteristics of Madariaga virus, it is classified as an individual virus which is part of the eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus complex. There is evidence that this pathogen can cause epizootic outbreaks in horses, infect other types of mammals (rats, bats), as well as, potentially, birds and reptiles. The reservoir of infection is the short-tailed cane mouse (Zygodontomys brevicauda). Human cases have also been described, and the potential route of infection was identified as transmission via mosquito bites. Vectors of pathogen transmission are mosquitoes of the Culex, Aedes, and Psorophora genera. Serological studies carried out in Panama revealed the presence of antibodies to Madariaga virus in 2–5% of the examined patients, which indicates the existence of asymptomatic infection along with clinically apparent infection. Phylogenetic analysis of strains isolated from infected people showed that the strains belong to lineage III of the eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus subtype common in Central and South America. The paper summarises the results of assessment of potential risk factors of Madariaga virus infection in endemic regions that was performed using the Akaike information criterion. Risk groups in endemic regions are represented by farm workers and fishermen. The results of the studies show that the area affected by the disease is expanding, and the strains that belong to genetic lineage III of the eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus pose the greatest epidemic risk.

A modified system for automatic control of hydrodynamic operating modes of packed adsorption columns for the selective cleaning of gas emissions is described, which allows automatic adjustment of the operating modes of packed mass transfer apparatus. Presents the scheme and algorithm of developed system with the automatic adjustment (calibration) mode of main operating parameters. The main features and advantages of using elastically deformable blocks of packed material are given on the example of metal chips, i.e. waste of machine tools as a packed material that meet all requirements of the ongoing mass transfer processes and are amenable to automated regulation. The developed system of automatic regulation of parameters of packed units, but also to solve a very serious environmental problem of industrial waste recovery. A classification technique of studying the hydrodynamics of packed materials, capable of concluding the suitability of this sample of packing material for a specific mass transfer process, in particular the adsorption process for the selective cleaning of gas emissions.

Introduction. The outbreaks of the Zaire ebolavirus (ZE) disease (ZED) that have arisen in the last decade determine the need to study the infection pathogenesis, the formation of specific immunity forming as well as the development of effective preventive and therapeutic means. All stages of fight against the ZED spread require the experimental infection in sensitive laboratory animals, which are rhesus monkeys in case of this disease . The aim of the study is to evaluate the rhesus monkey cellular immunity following the ZE experimental infection by the means of flow cytometry (cytofluorimetry). Material and methods. Male rhesus monkeys were intramuscularly infected by the dose of 15 LD50 (dose of the pathogen that causes 50% mortality of infected animals) of the ZE, the Zaire strain (ZEBOV). Levels of 18 peripheral blood lymphocyte populations of the animals before the ZE experimental infection and at the terminal stage of the disease were assessed using flow cytometry. Results and discussion. The certain changes in the levels of the lymphocyte populations were observed following infection, indicating simultaneous activation and suppression of the immune system during ZED. The increase in content was observed for T-lymphocytes, T-helper and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes expressing the corresponding markers of early activation. The decrease was recorded for T-lymphocytes and double-positive T-lymphocytes expressing corresponding markers of late activation, as well as natural killer cells expressing CD8 (p < 0.05). Conclusion. For the first time in the Russian Federation, the rhesus monkey cellular immunity before and after the ZE experimental infection was assessed using flow cytometry.

The review presents the results of preclinical use of vector vaccines against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) disease. Application of antiretroviral therapy exclusively is insufficient for elimination of HIV from patient’s body. This dictates the need for an effective vaccine which will reduce the number of new cases of the disease and reduce the risk of virus transmission. Current practice of medicinal product development showed the effectiveness of heterologous prime-boost regimens for the induction of expressed immune response in laboratory animals. Various vector constructs were used as priming vaccines: DNA vaccines, Bacille Calmette-Guerin vaccine, chimpanzee adenovirus, vesicular stomatitis virus, alphavirus repli-clone. Booster vaccine was represented by recombinant MVA strain. In all vector vaccines, different genes of immunodominant antigens of HIV and SIV agents were inserted. On rhesus macaques, murine, rabbit models, it was demonstrated that deployed vaccination schemes were safe and induced immune response. Because membrane HIV protein is highly variable, strongly glycoziled and subjected to structural changes during receptor binding, it cannot be viewed as a target for induction of virus neutralized antibodies. Therefore, we mainly studied the cell immune response that was presented by poly-functional CD8+ T-cells. However, some recent researches are aimed at such modification of envelope HIV immunogene that would provide for virus neutralizing antibody induction. The study of protective efficiency of the induced immunity in rhesus macaques, immunized with recombinant vectors expressing SIV’ s immunodominant antigens, in case of subsequent inoculation with virulent SIV strain has revealed that all monkeys developed illness. Assuming that the constructions with SIV’ s immunodominant antigens under protective efficiency testing on rhesus macaques imitate AIDS in humans, it seems that vaccines, developed up-to-date, will not be effective for collective immunity formation against AIDS. Therefore, the search for novel combinations of expressed immunodominant antigens for the inclusion into the composition of priming and booster vaccines remains a priority area at present time.

The mosquitoes of Aedes genus are the most important vector such arboviral diseases as dengue, yellow, Chikungunya, West Nile and Zika fevers. Work is currently in progress to control the transmission of agents of these diseases by forming of transgenic mosquitoes in order to altering the capacity of wild mosquitoes to support of virus replication. There are two main strategies of genetic control of mosquitoes population. Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), that mainly uses population suppression methods for making self-sustaining genetic systems and Release of insects carrying of a Dominant Lethal (RIDL) that uses mainly gene transfer methods for making of self-limiting genetic systems. The RIDL is more expensive, but it has some significant preferences, according compares with SIT. The field trials of genetic control methods are conducted in several countries from 2009 to present time. Genetic control, transgenic technologies to induce sterility, genetic elimination and stable transformation of Aedes mosquitoes are viewed in this review.

The paper provides a new automatic adjustment system for flow modes in packing columns. The system allows automatic adjustment of the operating modes of packing mass exchange devices for rectification, extraction, absorption and gas and liquid catalytic reactions. The authors have described in detail the scheme of the developed system and the modes of automatic adjustment of the main operating parameters. The authors have also described the main features and advantages of using metal shavings, that is wastes of metalworking machines, as packing materials that meet all the requirements of running mass exchange processes and are amenable to automatic regulation.

The some epidemiologic characteristics of etiologic agent of disease, possible main and intermediate reservoirs of agent in the nature, mechanism of agents transmission, modern methods of diagnostics and identification of agent, perspective trends of elaboration of therapeutics for special prophylactic and current of diseases are viewed. The possibility of existing in no endemic regions outbreaks of MERS as the result of accidental acquire by persons, arrival from Middle East countries, determines of elaboration of complex effective epidemic measures.

The Ebola virus (member of Ebolavirus genus Filoviridae family) is the etiologic agent of extremely hazard human disease with high mortality rates (up to 90%). The most important components of spectrum of therapeutics for special prophylactic and current of disease, caused by Ebola virus, are prepares, based on virus specific antibodies (convalescent's plasma, geterologic immunoglobulins, monoclonal antibodies. The use of different class therapeutics, based on virus specific antibodies, the possible improvements of its composition and strategy of its application for special prophylactic and current of disease, caused by Ebola virus, are considered in this review.Вирус Эбола (представитель рода Ebolavirus семейства Filoviridae) является этиологическим агентом особо опасного заболевания, летальность которого достигает 90%. Важнейшими компонентами спектра средств экстренной профилактики и лечения заболевания, вызванного вирусом Эбола, являются препараты на основе вирусспецифических антител (плазма реконвалесцентов, гетерологичные иммуноглобулины, моноклональные антитела). Целью настоящего обзора является анализ эффективности медицинских средств защиты на основе вирусспецифических антител для экстренной профилактики и лечения заболевания, вызванного вирусом Эбола. В обзоре рассмотрено использование различных классов препаратов на основе вирусспецифических антител и возможное совершенствование их состава и стратегии применения при экстренной профилактике и лечении заболевания, вызванного вирусом Эбола.

The data on a recently revealed novel filovirus (Lloviu virus, family Filoviridae, genera Cuevavirus) in Europe are viewed in this issue. The molecular-biological properties of genome fragments of Lloviu virus were isolated from perished bats (Miniopterus sсhreibersii). Because infectious Lloviu virus has not been isolated yet, the capacity of virus to infect cells of different species and its potential to cause disease in humans is unclear. The recombinant vectors (vesicular stomatitis virus and plasmids) expressing structural proteins of Lloviu virus were used to study different elements of the virus. The question of interaction of structural proteins of Lloviu virus expressed by recombinant vectors with receptors of bat and human cells is considered. The possibility of pathogenicity of the novel agent for humans is considered. The conclusion is made about the necessity of continuous epidemical and epizootical monitoring of the new filovirus infection.В обзоре рассмотрены сведения о выявлении нового филовируса, вируса Ллови (семейство Filoviridae, род Cuevavirus) на территории Европы. Изучены молекулярно-биологические свойства фрагментов генома вируса Ллови, выделенных от погибших летучих мышей Miniopterus schreibersii. Поскольку инфекционный вирус Ллови до настоящего времени не выделен, его способность инфицировать различные клетки и потенциальная опасность как агента инфекционного заболевания человека остаётся неясной. Для изучения характеристик различных элементов вируса используют рекомбинантные векторы (вирус везикулярного стоматита и плазмиды), экспрессирующие структурные белки вируса Ллови. Исследованы вопросы взаимодействия структурных белков вируса Ллови, экспрессированных с использованием рекомбинантных векторов с рецепторами клеток летучих мышей и человека. Рассмотрена возможная патогенность нового возбудителя по отношению к человеку. Сделан вывод о необходимости постоянного эпидемиологического и эпизоотологического мониторинга за новой филовирусной инфекцией.

The brief review is devoted to description of the discovery of giant viruses belonging to the families of Mimiviridae and Marseilleviridae, as well as unassigned genera Pithoviruses, Pandoravirus, and Molliviruses. The review presents issues of their origin, evolution, and molecular-biological characteristics.В обзоре рассмотрены происхождение, эволюция, распространение, таксономические, структурно-морфологические и молекулярно-биологические характеристики гигантских вирусов, отнесённых к двум семействам Mimiviridae и Marseilleviridae и трем негруппированным родам Pithovirus, Pandoravirus и Mollivirus. Гигантские вирусы различимы под световым микроскопом, а количество генов в геноме сопоставимо с таковым у бактерий, что привело к переоценке признаков, отличающих вирусы от других микроорганизмов.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease caused by a new virus (SFTS virus) reported to be endemic to central and northeastern parts of China. SFTS virus, which is classified into the genus Phlebovirus (the Bunyaviridae family), is suspected to be a tick-borne virus owing to evidence in two species of ticks: Haemaphysalis longicornis and Rhipicephalus microplus. SFTS virus is detected among many species of domestic animals in China. The clinical symptoms of SFTS include fever, thrombocytopenia, leucocytopenia, gastrointestinal symptoms, neural symptoms, bleeding tendency. The fatality rate of SFTS is 6-30%. Person-to-person transmission of SFTS virus is possible through blood contact. Clinical and epidemiological studies of SFTS, the cases of SFTS outside China, person-to-person transmission of SFTS virus, evolutionary and molecular analysis of the emergent SFTS virus, and risk assessment of human infection with a novel phlebovirus are considered in this review.Острая лихорадка с тромбоцитопеническим синдромом (SFTS) - новое инфекционное вирусное заболевание, эндемичное для центральной и северо-восточных частей Китайской Народной Республики. Природным хозяином вируса SFTS, который относится к роду Phlebovirus семейства Bunyaviridae, являются клещи видов Haemaphysalis longicornis и Rhipicephalus microplus. В КНР вирус SFTS обнаружен у многих видов домашних животных, у которых заболевание протекает инаппарантно. Заболевание характеризуется лихорадкой, тромбоцитопенией, лейкоцитопенией, синдромами поражения желудочно-кишечного тракта и нервной системы, проявлениями геморрагического синдрома. Летальность при SFTS составляет от 6 до 30%. Возможна передача вируса от человека к человеку вследствие контакта с кровью больного. В обзоре рассмотрены данные клинического и эпидемиологического изучения инфекции, эволюционный и молекулярно-биологический анализ возбудителя, случаи заболевания за пределами КНР, передача вируса SFTS от человека к человеку, факторы риска при заболевании, вызываемом новым флебовирусом.

Тhе kingdom Archaea, as well as Bacteria, belongs to the overkingdom Prokaryota. Halophilic archaea (Halorubrum lacusprofundi) isolated from Antarctic saline lakes contain plasmids (pR1SE) that code proteins taking part in the formation of membranes of archaea vesicles. The molecular and biological properties of pR1SE and the peculiarity of its interaction with sensitive cells are considered in this article. The role of structural proteins coded by pR1S in the process of formation of vesicle membrane complex is paid special attention. Plasmid-containing archaea vesicles model some properties of viruses. Archaea plasmids can be viewed as possible ancestors of DNA-containing viruses.

The authors have studied the use of wastes from metalworking machines for packings of heat-and-mass exchange apparatuses as well as the adjustment of their basic parameters and flow modes. The articles show the photograph and schematic view of the experimental plant for studying a wide range of properties of heat-and-mass exchange packing devices and cartridges with the studied adjustable packing material that was represented by metal stainless steel shavings are given. A method is offered to process experimental data which helps to classify the packing material by mass exchange processes; the article describes the calculation algorithm for a small-sized industrial cooling tower used for cooling circulating water with a compacted package of metal shavings as a packing. Initially, reference, calculation geometric and technological parameters of the designed small-sized ventilator cooling tower with compressed metal shavings package used as packing material and schematic view of adjustable packing block were introduced.

The article presents an approach to centralised collection, recycling and removal of waste pickling and galvanic solutions and sludge designed for small steel making plants and workshops having the described processes and using flow-through filter blocks.

An algorithm that determines the winner in a cyclic game in polynomial time is proposed. The two-person game occurs continuously on the edges of a directed graph until a vertex visited earlier is reached. If the weight of the resulting cycle is nonnegative, then the maximizing player wins; if this cycle has a negative weight, then the minimizing player wins. A polynomial estimate of the expected algorithm execution time is obtained under the condition that the weights of the game’s graph edges are distributed uniformly. A brief justification of the time estimate of the algorithm is given. Such games have applications in the validating the correctness of parallel-distributed computer systems, including problems of making up a feasible schedule with logical precedence conditions and preprocessing possibilities.

Lujo hemorrhagic fever (LHF) is a viral disease accompanied with fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, arthralgia, myalgia and numerous signs of hemorrhagic syndrome. LHF causes a clinical syndrome remarkably similar to Lassa hemorrhagic fever. The first case of LHF occurred in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2008. There was a secondary transmission from the index patient to four healthcare workers. Four of the five patients died. The etiologic agent of LHF is Lujo virus (LUJV) belonging to Arenavirus genus of the Arenaviridae Family. Virus Lujo is the second pathogenic arenavirus, after Lassa virus, to be recognized in Africa during the last 40 years. Data about epidemiology, clinical characteristics and diagnostics of LHF, properties of Lujo virus (according to phylogenetic analysis), and recommended precautions for preventing secondary transmission are considered in this paper.

The Arenaviridae family consists of a large group of single strand ambisense RNA viruses that are separated phylogenetically, serologically and geographically into Old World and New World viruses. Recent studies indicate that cellular entry of arenaviruses requires a series of cellular protein interaction and molecular mechanisms. The arenaviruses entry into cells is initiated by the interaction of viral glycoprotein with one or more receptors on the surface of host cells. The main host cell factors that are involved in filovirus entry are attachment factors (α-dystroglycan for Old World and human transferrin receptor 1 for New World viruses), endolisosomal host cell factors (cathepsins B and L and Niemann-Pick C1 protein). The review presents the modern knowledge about the role of structural proteins of arenaviruses and some cell factors in pathogenesis of the diseases, caused by arenaviruses.

The article describes a new promising heat and mass exchange packing for evaporation cooling maintaining an intensive dripping flow mode and providing for disinfection of circulation water in electric field. The article includes the schematic diagram of the designed packing and a sample calculation of an industrial apparatus for evaporation cooling applying the designed heat and mass exchange packing. The authors describe the principle for preservation of surface properties of the packing elements. A method is offered to process experimental data, which helps to classify the packing material of various configurations, by mass exchange processes. The article also covers the calculation algorithm for key geometric and technological parameters of evaporation cooling apparatuses ensuring intensive dripping and film-dripping flow modes. Initial, reference and calculation parameters of the designed evaporation cooling apparatus with heat and mass exchange packing ensuring an intensive dripping flow mode and providing for disinfection of circulation water was introduced.

The paper provides a scheme of the designed sectioned mass exchange packing, a description of an experimental plant for studying flow dynamics and heat and mass exchange processes in packing devices, and experimental results of investigation on flow characteristics of the designed sectioned mass exchange packing. The authors describe the advantages and structural aspects of the use of new adjustable packing materials. The authors have studied the use of wastes from metal working machines for packings of heat-and-mass exchange apparatuses as well as the adjustment (self-adjustment) of their basic parameters and flow modes. The article also covers the classifying method for processing of experimental data that helps to perform an express investigation and provide conclusions on the applicability of packing materials for different mass exchange processes. Besides, the authors provide the results of calculation of main process parameters and dimensions of an industrial absorber equipped with a sectioned mass exchange packing each section in which is to be adjusted and managed by flow modes.

The article represents the system for automated process parameters adjustment of packed mass exchange apparatuses intended for selective gas emissions treatment. It describes the flow chart and algorithm of adjustment program of the packed mass exchange apparatus. It also outlines the identification technique for required (optimal) flow dynamic operating modes of the mass exchange packed absorbers. The data obtained through automated adjustment of process parameters serve (are needed) for functioning of the self-adaptable automated mode control system of industrial absorbers for selective gas emissions treatment.

This paper analyzes the computational complexity of fixed point search in a nonincreasing additive operator. A power algorithm determining a fixed point is proposed. A constructive proof of fixed point existence is given in a special case of a nonincreasing additive bounded-variation operator. Possible applications include voluntary financing of public good, the Cournot oligopoly and others.

This paper is devoted to solving certain problems on the computational complexity of deciding the winner in cyclic games. The main result is the proof of the fact that the nondeterministic potential transformation algorithm designed for solving parity games is exponential in terms of computation time.

An approach was developed to estimate the values of diagnosability of digital systems with the novel structure of the minimal quasicomplete 7 × 7 graph. The proposed estimates of the values of diagnosability of the digital systems under consideration were established as the result of diagnosis of fault situations in a system of 7 users and 7 switches. Consideration was given to two variants of organization of the components of the analyzed digital system for which different estimates of diagnosability were established.

In 2009, a novel virus, named severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) virus, was isolated from a patient in China. The illness caused by this novel virus is characterized by a sudden onset of fever and respiratory or gastrointestinal disorders, followed by progressive thrombocytopenia and leucocytopenia, the case-fatality rate amounting to 6–30 %. Genomic sequencing of the isolated agent indicated that the SFTS virus constituted a new (third) group of Phlebovirus genus, Bunyaviridae family. Presently, different means for specific diagnostics of SFTS (real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, indirect fluorescent antibodies method, enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay) are developed. Constructing of diagnostic kits, basic characteristics of methods for determination of causative agent of infection or specific antibodies against it are considered in this review.

The paper provides the scheme and algorithm of the automatic system controlling the operation modes of evaporation cooling apparatuses for industrial recirculating water of local recirculating water supply systems. The authors have described the principle of parameter registration and the automatic calibration of the main parameters at the commissioning stage and during the operation of heat and mass transfer technological equipment. The authors have developed a new approach to the use of elastically deformable heat and mass transfer packing blocks and wastes from metalworking machines as packing contact devices for evaporation cooling apparatuses. Compressed blocks of metal shavings can be volumetrically elastically deformed which allows adjusting operation modes automatically and solving partly a very serious problem of disposing industrial wastes from machine-building enterprises. The article also covers developing of evaporation cooling apparatuses.

Ebola virus, representative of the Ebolavirus genus, Filoviridae family, causes severe hemorrhagic fever in humans, with lethality rates amounting up to 90 %. The members of Ebolavirus genus infect a broad range of mammalian cells. Recent studies indicate that entry of Ebola virus into cells requires a series of cellular protein interactions and molecular mechanisms, some of which are unique to filoviruses, while others are commonly used by all viral glycoproteins. The cellular factors deployed by filoviruses for their entry into permissive cells are defined incompletely. The aim of this review is to analyze peculiarity of the Ebola virus penetration into permissive cells at molecular level. The Ebola virus entry into cells is initiated by the interaction of viral glycoprotein with one or more receptors on the surface of host-cell. The main host-cell factors, involved in filovirus entry, are: attachment factors (cell lectins and human T-cell mucin 1 (TIM-1)), signaling factors (tyrosinkinase receptors and α 5 β 1 -integrin), and endolisosomal host-cell factors (cathepsins B and L and Niemann-Pick C1 protein. The study of the complex set of virus entry events provides potential avenues for the development of antiviral therapies against Ebola fever.

Coronaviruses are enveloped viruses with a single-strand “+” RNA, its genome size varying from 25 to 32 thousands of nucleotides. They cause respiratory and intestinal diseases in animals and humans. The review contains the data on human infection cases induced by a new coronavirus (NCoV), as well as the information about probable natural agent reservoirs, mechanisms of transmission, some characteristic features of the etiological agent, methods of diagnostics and identification, complete genome sequence, and NCoV relation to the established coronaviruses.

The proposed method of ranking the branches of a distributed corporate systems for key performance indicators of their activities, the implementation of which gives a comparative evaluation of each of the branches for further modeling of economic and production scenarios.

Some drugs candidates for treatment of Ebola virus disease (EVD), have been studied, monoclonal antibody (mAb) cocktails have shown great potential as EVD therapeutics. The advantages of mAb therapy include low toxicity, high specificity and versatility, with the range of biological effects being dependent upon the Fc region. Functions of mAbs include pathogen opsonisation, complement activation, antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity and virus neutralization characteristics. The most known mAb cocktail, used as therapeutic, is ZMapр, manufactured by «Leaf Biopharmaceutical» from 2004. The elaborated mAb cocktails, structures and properties s of mAbs, the protective characteristics of mAbs and development of new pan-ebolavirus mAbs are reviewed in this article.

Reviewed are some peculiarities of circulation of Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus (VEE), the enzootic strains of which play an increasingly important part as etiological agents of human infections nowadays. The majority of VEE cases among the residents of the endemic regions within the inter-epidemic period are caused by the ID subtype of VEE that includes 6 genotypes. Isolated from humans have been the genotypes Columbia/Venezuela, Panama/Peru, and Peru/Bolivia, ID subtype of VEE. Possibility of emergence of new VEE outbreaks is associated with ID subtype mutation into the IC subtype, which is assumed to be a potential threat as etiological agent of the disease at present.

Data of experimental study of hydrodynamics, heat and mass transfer of packing with adjustable parameters and some comparative characteristics of the packed device with packing, which have wide industrial application, are given in the article.

The paper provides a description of the developed experimental plant for studying hydrodynamic and heat and mass exchange processes in packing devices of all kinds of configuration, examples of the obtained data and original classification methods for processing experimental data. The authors describe hydrodynamic characteristics allowing carrying out classification studies and obtaining the necessary data to complete the developed methods for calculating mass exchange devices: the retaining capacity of packing devices at liquid and gas phases in particular. The authors provide the criteria function X=f(Rem) which gives a direction for industrial application of packing contact devises. The function is based on the analysis and generalization of the experimental data obtained in express studies of single-phase filtration curves. The paper also covers an example of the experimental data of the response function in case of recognizing flow structures of contact phases which allow obtaining necessary data to complete the developed diffusion models of mass exchange processes and implement calculations of mass exchange packing with a high precision.

Data of experimental study of hydrodynamics, heat and mass transfer of cascade bowl-type heat and mass exchange packing with dripping spray mode and some comparative characteristics of the packed device with packing, which have wide industrial application, are given in the article.

The paper covers the prospects to use industrial wastes from machine-building enterprises, appearing while machining various steel grades, as packing materials for industrial absorbers for environmental cleaning processes of gas emissions. The article provides obtained and processed in the criterial way experimental data in hydrodynamics of a packing material sample from metal working machines wastes appearing while treating Aisi 316Ti steel bars; packing material according to the classification method for processing experimental data λ=f(Rem) is oriented to the absorption process during selective gas cleaning in environmental equipment. The authors have compared the studied packing material to the packing that are widely used in industries. The authors have studied the main experimentally confirmed hydrodynamic effects indicating the high efficiency of the proposed packing material. The authors have made calculations for a small-sized industrial absorber for cleaning gas emissions with the use of the studied packing material.

Certain methods of processing cakes based on sodium metazirconate and obtained by the reaction of a baddeleyite concentrate with sodium nitrate or nitrite were studied. Conditions were found for the synthesis of strontium metazirconate and also of nanosized powders of basic zirconium sulfate, which is promising as a component of polishing mixtures.

Experience of study and possible ways of elimination of false positive and false negative results during execution of polymerase chain reaction on an example of Junin virus RNA detection. MATERIALSS AND METHODS: Junin virus--causative agent of Argentine hemorrhagic fever (AHF) strain XJpR37/5787 was obtained from the State collection of pathogenicity group I causative agents of the 48th Central Research Institute. Reagent kit for detection of Junin virus RNA by RT-PCR was developed in the Institute and consists of 4 sets: for isolation of RNA, execution of reverse-transcription reaction, execution of PCR and electrophoretic detection of PCR products. RT-PCR was carried out by a standard technique. Continuous cell cultures of African green monkey Vero B, GMK-AH-1(D) were obtained from the museum of cell culture department of the Centre.An experimental study of the effect of various factors of impact on the sample under investigation ("thawing-freezing", presence of formaldehyde, heparin) on the obtaining of false negative results during Junin virus RNA detection by using RT-PCR was studied. Addition of 0.01% heparin to the samples was shown to completely inhibit PCR. Addition of 0.05% formaldehyde significantly reduces sensitivity of the method. A possibility of reduction of analysis timeframe from 15 to 5 days was shown during detection of the causative agent in samples with low concentration of the latter by growing the samples and subsequent analysis of the material obtained by using RT-PCR.During detection of causative agent by using RT-PCR false negative results could appear in the presence of formaldehyde and heparin in the sample. A possibility of elimination of false negative PCR results due to concentration of the causative agent in the sample under investigation at a level below sensitivity threshold was shown on the example of Junin virus RNA detection by using growing of the pathogen in appropriate accumulation system with subsequent analysis of the material obtained using PCR.

Features of baddeleiyte concentrate decomposition by interaction with sodium nitrate and nitrite were researched as well as those of hydrolytic and acid decomposition of resulting cakes.

The photocatalytic activity of crystalline titania nanopowders synthesized in a stream of ultrahigh-frequency discharge oxygen-containing low-temperature plasma was assessed. To this end, oxidation of an organic dye was carried out in UV-irradiated aqueous suspensions of TiO2 at different concentrations and varied irradiation times.

The problem of constructing a time-optimal schedule for jobs execution with precedence logical conditions is considered. Every job is associated with a list of its direct predecessors, execution time and the number of the completed direct predecessors necessary to start execution of the job. It is shown that the problem can be solved by the methods of the cyclical games theory [1, 2]. We propose a pseudopolynomial algorithm for construction of the optimal schedule; i.e. the presented algorithm is efficient for the problems with small data arrays. The paper extends the results from [3], where AND/OR schedules are considered. A job can be started, when all its direct predecessor have been executed or when at least one of its direct predecessors has been completed.

We investigated the conditions of tantalum and niobium isolation from the tails of Baddeleyite concentrate by means of sequential sulfation, the leach of a sulfate roast, and hydrolysis. The addition of ammonium sulfate was shown to favor the sulfation step. Perspectives of the extraction isolation of niobium(V) and tantalum(V) by triisoamylphosphate from a fluoride sulfurous solution after the dissolving of the hydrolysis precipitate was also demonstrated.