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Based on a comparative study of the variability of external morphological characters, color features, craniological and karyological characteristics of spined loaches of the genus Cobitis from the water bodies of the Colchis Lowland, analysis of data on the geological history of the region and zoogeographical data, it was concluded that the populations of the eastern Black Sea coast north of the Meskheti Ridge of the Lesser Caucasus belong to an independent species C. osurgeticus. It differs from C. satunini, which inhabits the water bodies of Adjara, in the structure of the karyotype, a number of proportions of the neurocranium and individual skull bones, a shorter caudal peduncle, and the position of the dorsal fin. The revealed phylogenetic proximity of the mitochondrial genes of the two species may be associated with diploid–polyploid relationships and interspecific hybridization in the genus Cobitis and suggests the need for further studies of the populations of the eastern coast of the Black Sea, including the spined loaches of Abkhazia, for which a hybrid origin via crossing with C. tanaitica cannot be preliminarily excluded. The neotype of C. osurgeticus is designated, and the species diagnosis is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Curie principle, which establishes the relationship between the symmetries of the cause and consequence, was initially developed as applied to limited bodies (crystals); however, Pierre Curie himself noted that it can be developed to extended media. This line of research, started with the works by A.V. Shubnikov (crystals) and I.I. Shafranovskii (mother solution), requires further development. Systems of ultimate types of symmetries for limited bodies and extended media are compared. The former is partially related to the system of symmetries of point groups of crystals. For the latter, to supplement the known Curie and Shubnikov data, introduction of new types of ultimate symmetries is theoretically justified, and their general systematization is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ideal efforts for cancer prevention would include lifestyle modifications along with routine, age-eligible cancer screening. Employing an asset-based approach within vulnerable populations already engaging in at least one healthy behavior (i.e., physical activity) may be an ideal way to further reduce cancer risk across peer groups with low cancer screening rates. Guided by the theory of planned behavior (TPB), the aim of this study was to identify constructs associated with cancer screening intentions among young to middle aged adults for influencing educational and behavioral interventions designed to promote cancer prevention. A cross-sectional, web-based survey was utilized to assess attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and intention to screen for cancer among physically active adults aged 18–49 years. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were conducted to characterize the sample, and hierarchical linear regression analyses were conducted to assess the influence of sociodemographic variables and TPB constructs on cancer screening intentions. Age, female sex, reporting a routine doctor's visit, reported knowledge of physical activity as a lifestyle behavior to reduce cancer risk, and an increased number of motivating factors for engaging in physical activity were significantly associated with higher cancer screening intention (P < 0.001). With the addition of TPB constructs (i.e., subjective norms and perceived behavioral control), the final analytic model accounted for 31% of the variance in intention to screen for cancer. Findings suggest that the TPB could be used to tailor or design asset-based, cancer education interventions to effectively promote age-eligible cancer screenings among physically active adults. Educational content to increase social support for cancer screening and enhance perceived behavioral control to complete screening is essential in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caucasian barbels of the genus Barbus are a genetically poorly studied group of cyprinids. This article presents the first detailed study of the phylogeography of the Kura barbel B. cyri (229 specimens from 52 locations) using two molecular markers of mtDNA, the cytochrome b gene and the control region. By analyzing haplotype networks, the complex genetic structure of the population system of the Kura barbel was revealed. The discovered genetic subdivision correlates weakly with the geographical distribution of populations. We suggest that climatic oscillations, Caspian Sea level fluctuations, and the tectonic activity resulted in the repeated secondary contacts, as well as temporary isolation of some populations (e.g., Lenkoran, Sevan, Lower Kura, southern coast of the Caspian Sea) during the Pleistocene–Holocene. At the same time, genetic subisolation of the population of the upper-middle reach of the Kura River from the population in the Lower Kura was revealed. Along with other data on the endemism of the ichthyofauna of the middle reach of the Kura, this finding favors the hypothesis of a local refugium in the Kura basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) include structural and functional blood vessel injuries linked to poor neurocognitive outcomes. Smoking might indirectly increase the likelihood of cognitive impairment by exacerbating vascular disease risks. Sex disparities in VCID have been reported, however, few studies have assessed the sex-specific relationships between smoking and memory performance and with contradictory results. We investigated the associations between sex, smoking, and cardiovascular disease with verbal learning and memory function. Using MindCrowd, an observational web-based cohort of ~ 70,000 people aged 18–85, we investigated whether sex modifies the relationship between smoking and cardiovascular disease with verbal memory performance. We found significant interactions in that smoking is associated with verbal learning performance more in women and cardiovascular disease more in men across a wide age range. These results suggest that smoking and cardiovascular disease may impact verbal learning and memory throughout adulthood differently for men and women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the distribution of mitochondrial lineages of two species—the common roach Rutilus rutilus and Ponto-Caspian roach R. lacustris—in the broadest zone of their secondary contact, the Volga basin. For the purpose of species identification, we applied the approach of multiplex PCR based on species-specific divergences in sequences of the first subunit of cytochrome oxidase (COI) of mtDNA. A total of 1120 samples from 82 localities are analyzed. The distribution of certain mitochondrial lineages and their sympatric co-occurrence clarified for the Volga basin. Our study shows that R. rutilus is significantly predominant in the Upper Volga, while the Middle and Lower Volga is dominated by R. lacustris. The various hypotheses of formation of the broad spatial pattern of secondary contact are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on an analysis of seismicity for the period of 1900–2018, the seismic potential of the Kuril–Kamchatka subduction zone is estimated, and the geometry of interplate coupling of the North American and Pacific lithospheric plates and the rate of seismic underthrusting of the latter beneath the former are specified. In order to identify areas of modern seismic deficits in the subduction zone, an approach based on the cumulative displacement of interplate earthquakes with Mw ≥ 7.0 is proposed. Together with other methods, such an approach contributes to a more accurate seismic hazard assessment of the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of spined loaches from the southwestern Caspian Sea basin revealed one new species. Cobitis derzhavini sp. nova is described from the lower Kura River drainage in the Ganja-Qazakh region of Azerbaijan. It is distinguished from the most of its congeners distributed in the Caucasus and in the Caspian Sea basin (C. saniae, C. faridpaki, C. satunini, and C. taenia) by the absence of an obvious dark spot at the uppermost caudal-fin base, as well as by a combination of other morphological features, none of them unique. In the Agstafa River Cobitis derzhavini sp. nova is found sympatrically distributed with C. saniae, its closest relatives in our molecular dataset. These species form separate phylogenetic lineages with high support (PP 0.9 for COI and 1.0 for RAG1). In addition, their reproductive isolation is confirmed by the karyological differences: C. derzhavini sp. nova has 8 meta- and 12 submetacentric chromosomes in its karyotype against 6 meta- and 14 submetacentric chromosomes in C. saniae. Besides the dark spot at the uppermost caudal-fin base developed in the C. saniae, C. derzhavini sp. nova differs from this species by having the plate of lamina circularis reaching in front of ¾ of the third segment of the attached ray, blotches in Z4 smaller than eye diameter, shallow adipose crests on the caudal peduncle, and a shorter caudal peduncle (10–14% SL). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The attenuation coefficients of sea waves in ice in the coastal zone of the Sea of Okhotsk with periods from 4 to 30 s were estimated as a function of their wavelength based on observations. We used the model dispersion relation for these waves in ice and calculated the theoretical attenuation coefficients. We compared them with those from the data of experiments based on the relation of the spectral energies of waves in ice-free water and in ice. It is possible to use the estimated attenuation coefficients for waves of different periods to calculate the distance of wave propagation in fast ice with the critical amplitude where ice breaking is possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analysis of observations of the Earth's rotational velocity and volcanic activity of the planet from 1720 until 2015 suggests that higher volcanic activity temporally coincided with periods of decreased angular velocity of Earth's rotation (deceleration), and, vice versa, lower volcanic activity coincided with the periods of increased velocity of the Earth's rotation (acceleration). Our analysis employed the data from the catalog by the Smithsonian Institute, United States, in which each volcanic explosion had its own determined value of the Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI). The total number of selected intensive eruptions with VEI ≥ 4 was 160, including 25 eruptions with VEI ≥ 5. At present (beginning from 2006), the Earth is in a deceleration phase and a series of catastrophic eruptions reveals the tendency toward intensifying volcanic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Capoeta is described from the Araxes River basin in Armenia based on morphological characters and mtDNA COI sequences. Capoeta kaput sp. n. can be distinguished by a combination of the following characters: usually 9 branched rays in the dorsal fin, shape of the denticles on the last unbranched ray of the dorsal fin, shape of the pharyngeal bones and the masticatory plate of the basioccipital, the body and skull proportions. Capoeta kaput sp. n. is well identified by the sequences of COI barcoding fragment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: On the basis of three methods, the current seismic situation in the zone of the Central Sakhalin Fault is assessed and the scenarios of its development are predicted. It is shown that beginning from early 2017 seismic activity considerably increased in comparison with previous years. It is determined that there is a very high probability of occurrence of an earthquake with possible magnitude Мw = 5-6 in the area studied in the period until August-November 2018 (the former date is by the LURR method; the latter, by the SDP method). This forecast continues the series of strong earthquakes in Sakhalin—Onor (August 14, 2016, Мw = 5.8) and Shebunino (April 23, 2017, Мw = 5.3)—which occurred with the onset of the period of deceleration of the Earth's rotation rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Three-spined sticklebacks of different ages use various simple strategies of exploratory behavior in an unfamiliar plus maze. These strategies involve a specific order of visits to the maze arms and they alternate during maze exploration. One of the strategies (touring) involves sequential visits to the arms during movement in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. This strategy reduces the probability of returning to recently visited arms, but it does not require memorizing the sequence of arms visited. Another strategy consists of repeated shuttling between any two arms. Random transitions between arms are also observed. These transitions are difficult to explain within the concept of a specific simple strategy. An analysis of maze exploration strategies is proposed for comparative studies of behavioral organization in organisms of different taxonomic levels occupying different ecological niches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogeochemical monitoring has been implemented at a mud volcano for the first time in the world. Measurements were carried out during the field season of 2015 at five gryphons of the South Sakhalin mud volcano with various degrees of activity. Statistically significant differences in the chemical compositions of mud-volcano waters from different gryphons are established. These differences are determined by the activity of the gryphons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sequences of mitochondrial (cytochrome b) and nuclear (recombination activating gene 1- RAG1) DNA markers were obtained for two species of the genus Alburnoides, the Taskent riffle minnow A. oblongus Bulgakov 1923 and the Terek spirlin A. gmelini Bogutskaya and Coad 2009. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that A. oblongus belongs to the genus Alburnus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role played by the Earth's rotation is very important in problems of physics of the atmosphere and ocean. The importance of inertia forces is traditionally estimated by the value of the Rossby number: if this parameter is small, the Coriolis force considerably affects the character of movements. In the case of convection in the Earth's mantle and movements of lithospheric plates, the Rossby number is quite small; therefore, the effect of the Coriolis force is reflected in the character of movements of the lithospheric plates. Analysis of statistical data on subduction zones verifies this suggestion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For more than a decade, the global network of GPS stations whose measurements are part of the International GPS Service (IGS) have been recording cyclic variations in the radius vector of the geodetic ellipsoid with a period of one year and amplitude of ~10 mm. The analysis of the figure of the Earth carried out by us shows that the observed variations in the vertical component of the Earth's surface displacements can induce small changes in the flattening of the Earth's figure which are, in turn, caused by the instability of the Earth's rotation. The variations in the angular velocity and flattening of the Earth change the kinetic energy of the Earth's rotation. The additional energy is ~10 J. The emerging variations in the flattening of the Earth's ellipsoid lead to changes in the surface area of the Earth's figure, cause the development of deformations in rocks, accumulation of damage, activation of seismotectonic processes, and preparation of earthquakes. It is shown that earthquakes can be caused by the instability of the Earth's rotation which induces pulsations in the shape of the Earth and leads to the development of alternating-sign deformations in the Earth's solid shell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Rutilus is a widely distributed lineage of cyprinids and ranges from West Europe to East Siberia. Although matrilineal phylogeny and phylogeography of western species were already studied, roaches from remaining part of the range were not examined. Phylogenetic analysis based on cytochrome b sequences detected the following three major phylogenetic clades: (i) R. frisii, (ii) R. rutilus s. str., and (iii) group of six Ponto-Caspian taxa: R. caspicus, R. heckelii, R. rutilus aralensis, R. rutilus lacustris, R. schelkovnikovi, and R. stoumboudae. Our results suggest that these 'species' within Ponto-Caspian clade could be a single species ( R. lacustris by priority of description). The Ponto-Caspian clade is most widely distributed among others and covers the freshwaters from the Aegean Sea basin to Laptev Sea tributaries. Both R. rutilus s. str. and Ponto-Caspian clades sympatrically occur in Black Sea and Caspian Sea basins, Azov Sea itself, and even in drainage of White Sea. The vastest zone of contact (approximately 1700 km) was detected in the Volga basin. The spatial pattern of haplotype diversity and the shape of haplotype network argued for multiple refugia in Ponto-Caspian region as well as a rapid post-glacial colonization of Volga River and Siberia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An analysis of the mtDNA marker allowed expanding the geographical range of the Terek barbel Barbus ciscaucasicus Kessler. The new findings expand the geographic range to more than 100 km southwards down to the Pirsaat River basin in Azerbaijan. It has been suggested earlier that the Pirsaat River was inhabited by the Kura barbel Barbus cyri De Filippi. The population of the Terek barbel in the Pirsaat River is isolated genetically from the barbels of the main geographic area of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of thyroid hormones (THs) on the organization of the exploratory behavior in fish was studied using the example of a three-spined stickleback. Strategies of fish behavior in plus maze were changed under impact of triiodothyronine. The fish treated by the hormone solution, in contrast to those of the control group, prefer shuttle movements between the corridors of the labyrinth, as well as random movements, which leads to a decrease in the efficiency of research behavior [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of recent studies of the isotope and chemical composition of the waters and breccias that erupted from mud volcanoes of Kerch Peninsula are presented. It was found that the waters of the volcanoes considered were characterized by low salinity, a chloride-hydrocarbonate-sodium composition, and an increased O content. The breccias were enriched in organic matter and some microelements (Li, Se, Hg, etc.). As for petrogenic elements, depletion of Ca in the breccias is noted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we suggest a technique for forecasting seismic events based on the very low and low frequency (VLF and LF) signals in the 10 to 50 Hz band using the neural network approach, specifically, the error back-propagation method (EBPM). In this method, the solution of the problem has two main stages: training and recognition (forecasting). The training set is constructed from the combined data, including the amplitudes and phases of the VLF/LF signals measured in the monitoring of the Kuril-Kamchatka region and the corresponding parameters of regional seismicity. Training the neural network establishes the internal relationship between the characteristic changes in the VLF/LF signals a few days before a seismic event and the corresponding level of seismicity. The trained neural network is then applied in a prognostic mode for automated detection of the anomalous changes in the signal which are associated with seismic activity exceeding the assumed threshold level. By the example of several time intervals in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007, we demonstrate the efficiency of the neural network approach in the short-term forecasting of earthquakes with magnitudes starting from M ≥ 5.5 from the nighttime variations in the amplitudes and phases of the LF signals on one radio path. We also discuss the results of the simultaneous analysis of the VLF/LF data measured on two partially overlapping paths aimed at revealing the correlations between the nighttime variations in the amplitude of the signal and seismic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pronounced pleiotropic effect of thyroid hormones on the regulation of gene expression in fish in postembryogenesis was demonstrated for the first time using larvae and juveniles of the blue bream Ballerus ballerus as an example. Genome-wide transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) identified 1212 differentially expressed genes in the brain and liver of fish kept in triiodothyronine solution (0.25 ng/mL). Our data show that the regulation of gene expression by thyroid hormones is widespread in nature: it involves not only the structural genes but also the regulatory genes. A significant number of genes under the control of thyroid hormones are involved in the determination of morphological traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The invasive species Korean sharpbelly Hemiculter leucisculus was found in the watershed area of the Caspian Sea (Azerbaijan). The species status was confirmed by the morphological analysis and by the genetic analysis of two loci of mtDNA: COI and cytochrome b. The data on distribution, morphology, and biology of sharpbelly in freshwaters of Azerbaijan are provided. Nowadays, Korean sharpbelly H. leucisculus is a common naturalized species that is widely distributed throughout Azerbaijan. Probably, it penetrated into freshwaters of Azerbaijan from the water bodies of neighboring countries, where this species was detected previously as an invasive one, or it settled here owing to the accidental appearance during the introduction of other species of water organisms to Azerbaijan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is shown that, for the low-frequency component of the time series in the angular velocity of the Earth's rotation, the maximums of seismic activity correspond to the final stages of decrease in the angular velocity of rotation (deceleration) and the local minimums coincide with maximums of seismic activity. The minimums of seismic activity correspond to the stages of increase in the angular velocity (acceleration). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents study on gravity waves formed in the ocean by surface seismic waves during the earthquake in Japan on March 11, 2011. It mentions the use of Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis (DART) system for recording of tsunami waves in the ocean. It adds the Dense Ocean floor Network System for Earthquakes and Tsunamis (DONET) system developed by the Japanese Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC). It discusses gravity wave generation.

The article discusses research on dynamics of seismic activity in the last 120 years. Topics include relationship between latitudinal and temporal zonalities, distribution of earthquake epicenters revealed from global regularities in the latitudinal distribution of earthquakes, and spatiotemporal distributions of seismic events on Earth. It also mentions removal of aftershock sequences.

The activity of hydrolases (maltase, sacharase, amylolytic activity) in the intestinal mucosa of the planktofagous blue bream Ballerus ballerus and benthofagous white-eye bream Ballerus sapa were investigated. The thermal characteristics of maltase hydrolysis ( T and E) are similar in both species. The lower K of maltase hydrolysis in the white-eye bream reflects a higher enzyme/substrate affinity and indicates a more effective carbohydrate hydrolysis in the bentho-versus planktofagous species. The glycosidase activity in the white-eye bream is twice as high as in the blue bream. This may be due not only to different feeding spectra and biochemical food composition but also to differencies in the thyroid status of species under consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of exogenous triiodothyronine (0.25 ng/mL) on the activity glycosidases (maltase, amylolytic activity) and their sensitivity to Cu, Zn and Pb ions (25 mg/L) has been studied in the whole organism of juvenile blue bream Ballerus ballerus (L.). We have found that the treatment of fish with triiodothyronine resulted in an increase in amylolytic activity. Maltase activity is not affected. In addition, the exposure to exogenous triiodothyronine results in a decrease in the sensitivity of glycosidase to the in vitro action of the ions of biogenic metals Cu and Zn and in an increase in the sensitivity of the maltase to the action of Cu, Zn, and Pb ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Test systems using multiplex PCR and restriction analysis have been designed for the simple and rapid identification of two widespread species of roach, Rutilus rutilus and R. lacustris, characterized by the sympatric zone. This method is based on the variation of nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial markers (cytochrome oxidase I subunit and cytochrome b); it allows identifying the species omitting the DNA sequencing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both spatial and spatiotemporal distributions of the sources of tsunamigenic earthquakes of tectonic origin over the last 112 years have been analyzed. This analysis has been made using tsunami databases published by the Institute of Computational Mathematics and Mathematical Geophysics (Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (United States), as well as earthquake catalogs published by the National Earthquake Information Center (United States). It has been found that the pronounced activation of seismic processes and an increase in the total energy of tsunamigenic earthquakes were observed at the beginning of both the 20th (1905-1920) and 21st (2004-2011) centuries. Studying the spatiotemporal periodicity of such events on the basis of an analysis of the two-dimensional distributions of the sources of tectonic tsunamis has made it possible to determine localized latitudinal zones with a total lack of such events (90°−75° N, 45°-90° S, and 35°−25° N) and regions with a periodic occurrence of tsunamis mainly within the middle (65°−35° N and 25°-40° S) and subequatorial (15° N-20° S) latitudes of the Northern and Southern hemispheres. The objective of this work is to analyze the spatiotemporal distributions of sources of tsunamigenic earthquakes and the effect of the periodic occurrence of such events on the basis of data taken from global tsunami catalogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A parabolic variant of the 3D electrostatic problem is reduced to a plane (2D) problem. The results are used in the analysis of the effect of phantom shape and size on the electric field that is induced in the phantom by an external source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Variants of application of the compensation method in a wide frequency range are considered. The method enables one to reduce the irradiation of a human organism and create a low-intensity field region (dark spot) in the near zone of an antenna. Structures with identical antennas, antennas equally spaced from the compensation point, and antennas with planar reflectors are proposed and analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:Obesity is a costly, deadly public health problem for which new treatments are needed. Individual differences in meal pattern have been proposed to have a role in obesity risk. The present study tested the hypothesis that (i) the microstructure of chronic high-fat diet intake differs between genetically selected diet-induced obesity (DIO) and diet-resistant (DR) rats, and (ii) central administration of urocortin 2 (Ucn 2), a corticotropin-releasing factor type 2 agonist, decreases high-fat diet intake not only in lean DR rats, but also in obese DIO rats.Design:Male, selectively bred DIO and DR rats (n=10/genotype) were chronically fed a high-fat diet. Food and water intake as well as ingestion microstructure were then compared under baseline conditions and following third intracerebroventricular injection of Ucn 2 (0, 0.1, 0.3, 1, 3 μg).Results:Irrespective of genotype, Ucn 2 reduced nocturnal food intake with a minimum effective dose of 0.3 μg, suppressing high-fat diet intake by ∼40% at the 3 μg dose. Ucn 2 also made rats of both genotypes eat smaller and briefer meals, including at doses that did not reduce drinking. Obese DIO rats ate fewer but larger meals than DR rats, which they ate more quickly and consumed with two-third less water.Conclusions:Unlike leptin and insulin, Ucn 2 retains its full central anorectic efficacy to reduce high-fat diet intake even in obese, genetically prone DIO rats, which otherwise show a 'gorging' meal pattern. These results open new opportunities of investigation toward treating some forms of DIO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work briefly discusses the main features of probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA). Special attention is paid to the identification and quantification of uncertainties related to seismic source characteristics and seismic engineering models for prediction of strong ground motions. The principal seismic models and the results of PSHA application for detailed seismic zoning of urban territories in Sakhalin Island are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study published in the journal "Doklady Akademii Nauk" in 2013 regarding the simulation of the eruption source for the South Sakhalin Mud Volcano in 2011. It informs that mud volcanism is a unique natural phenomenon of a great interest to geology and geophysics. The South Sakhalin mud volcano is one of the well known and major volcanos.

The spatial-temporal distributions of earthquakes in the Kuril-Okhotsk region were analyzed. The events with Ms ≥ 4 from 1980 until 2009 and Ms ≥ 7 from 1910 until 2009 (20576 and 76 earthquakes, respectively) were studied. The specially developed program complex allowed us to obtain the 4-D distribution of the seismic events (along the sections, depths, temporal intervals, and energetic levels). It was shown that the seismic events obviously tend to cluster both along the surface and depth directions. The spatial-temporal analysis of the events (with Ms ≥ 4) in six five-year intervals from 1980 until 2009 has revealed a cyclic increase and decrease in the seismic activity in different time intervals and its cyclic migration from the South through the Central to the North Kuriles and back. The analysis of the strong events with Ms ≥ 7 in twenty 5-year intervals during 1910-2009 has shown that their amount significantly decreased for the last 30 years and the location of the hypocenter depths also changed (only shallow-focus earthquakes have been observed since 1975). The peaks of the seismic activity (1915-1919, 1955-1969, and 2005-2009) are separated by 35-year periods of its decrease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method is proposed for calculating the input impedance of a long line with wires of different lengths. The method involves replacing this structure by a line of two identical wires that is loaded with a capacitance. The theory of electrically coupled lines located over the Earth is applied to calculate the input impedance of a nonsymmetric linear radiator (monopole). The results are applied to analyze a system of two monopoles located in the near zones of each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ten samples of Varicorhinus beso, the type species of the genus from East Africa were studied using a large set of morphological characters to evaluate the degree of specialization. It is found that V. beso is highly specialized scraping feeder that possesses many specialized trails: short and wide head, wide inferior mouth with keratinized scraping edge on the lower jaw, modified bones of mouth apparatus, high number of the gill rakers with papillae between rows of the rakers, strongly elongated intestine, and one pair of minute barbels (contrary to scraping trophic forms of barbs possessing two pairs). Despite specialization, V. beso is morphologically rather variable, and some divergence was detected between populations studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sindbis viral vectors target and inhibit the growth of various solid tumors in mouse models. However, their efficacy against blood cancer has not been well established. Here, we show that Sindbis vectors infect and efficiently trigger apoptosis in mouse BW5147 malignant hematopoietic T-cells, but only at low levels in human lymphoma and leukemia cells (Jurkat, Karpas, CEM, DHL and JB). The Mr 37/67 kD laminin receptor (LAMR) has been suggested to be the receptor for Sindbis virus. However, JB cells, which are infected by Sindbis at low efficiency, express high levels of LAMR, revealing that additional factors are involved in Sindbis tropism. To test the infectivity and therapeutic efficacy of Sindbis vectors against malignant hematopoietic cells in vivo, we injected BW5147 cells intraperitoneally into (C3HXAKR) F1 hybrid mice. We found that Sindbis vectors targeted the tumors and significantly prolonged survival of tumor-bearing mice. We also tested the Sindbis vectors in a transgenic CD4-Rgr model, which spontaneously develop thymic lymphomas. However, infectivity in this model was less efficient. Taken together, these results demonstrate that Sindbis vectors have the potential to target and kill hematopoietic malignancies in mice, but further research is needed to evaluate the mechanism underlining the susceptibility of human lymphoid malignancies to Sindbis therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The method for calculating parameters of transparent metal films is improved. An equation for the current flowing along a transparent radiator is derived and solved. The current distribution along the radiator's axis is analyzed on the basis of a solution to this equation. It is shown that, depending on parameters, transparent materials fall into two groups with two different types of the current distribution. Antenna variants are calculated. A specific model antenna is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new fish species were found in southeastern Armenia. The presence of Kura gudgeon Romanogobio macropterus is reconfirmed after 80 years of absence. Kura roach Rutilus caspicus, Transcaucasian white bream Blicca bjoerkna transcaucasica, and European pikeperch Sander lucioperca were found for the first time. All three species were registered in Aras River. Kura gudgeon was caught in 2008 just before flooding of the Aras Reservoir. The other two species were found during the period of flooding in 2010. Attempts to find Kura gudgeon failed in the Aras River and its nearest tributaries in 2010 after damming and change of the hydrological regime. Probably, penetration of the species from the lower reach of the Aras River to the middle and upper reach became possible owing to subsequent appearance of a broad limnetic zone after damming. Range expansion of widely distributed cyprinid species upstream may lead to the replacement and even disappearance of local endemic forms, the Armenian roach Rutilus schelkovnikovi and the Armenian white bream Blicca bjoerkna derjavini, which inhabit the Mezamor River and its tributaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of the processing and analysis of the global earthquake distribution (more than 250000 events based on the ISC catalog) and the study of moonquakes distribution (about 900 events based on the published materials) are presented. It was found that the number of events and the energy for both cases show a bimodal distribution with maximums in the middle latitudes, zero values at the polarcaps, and a local minimum in the vicinity of the equator. The probable influence of tectonic processes on the revealed character of the seismic event distribution is analyzed, and the role of Earth tides in the activation of the seismicity in the symmetric zones on both sides of the equator is shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of experimental measurements of thermal neutrons in 1986-1997 in Pamir, which is one of the most seismoactive regions of the world, are studied. In this period, visible peaks in the thermal neutron flux near the Earth's surface were found, especially in the periods near the upper and lower transits of the moon during a new moon or full moon, when the tidal gravitational wave reaches its maximum value. Additionally, about 500 earthquakes with m > 4 occurred in the same period of the operation of neutron counters. The time of seismic-wave travel across the given territory was known at a precision of less than 1 min (in some cases). Nevertheless, increases in neutron flux have never been observed during the travel of a seismic wave. Why is this? It appears that the mechanical effect on the Earth's crust has the same impact with no respect to the cause of this effect; however, this was observed during experiments. This paper studies the reasons for this lack and the probable conditions that are favorable for an increase in terrestrial thermal neutron flux when a seismic wave travels across a territory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of thyroid hormones (THs) on the formation of behavioral responses in juvenile roach was studied. Eggs taken from one pair of spawners were split into three groups and kept in different environments: a clean water control, with the addition of a hormone, and with the addition of a substance blocking thyroid-gland synthetic activity. It was revealed that control fish and those with an enhanced hormonal status manifest more mature behavior than the fish with a lowered hormonal status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the geodynamic formation settings of igneous rocks found at Sakhalin Island in Sakhalinskaia oblast, Russia using petrochemical method. The efficiency of the petrochemical method in constructing geodynamic formation settings of magma-generating structures and igneous rocks was tested at Shmidt terrane. Results show that the Lower Cretaceous-Paleogene igneous rocks are largely represented at the continental basalt varieties with characteristic of volcanic belts, island arc rocks and trappes formed underwater. Rocks found at Elizavetinskaya, Western Shmidt, Promezhutochnaya, and Eastern Shmidt were also tested.

Based on the USGS slip distribution data (Finite Fault Model), the vector field of the seafloor deformation in the source of the tsunami that occurred on March 11, 2011, was calculated. The field of seafloor deformation and distribution of depths in the area of the source were used for reconstruction of the initial elevation of the water surface in the tsunami source. It was found that the contribution of horizontal deformations into the amplitude of the initial elevation, into the displaced water volume, and into the potential energy of the initial elevation is at about 20-25%. Within the framework of the linear theory of long waves, numerical simulation of evolution of the initial elevation was made. The simulation results were compared to the signals recorded by the four deep water stations DART which were the nearest to the source. It was shown that account of the horizontal deformation of the seafloor provides a more precise coincidence between the model and real data. Insignificant differences in arrival times of the model and real signals were interpreted as manifestation of phase dispersion and finite duration for the seafloor deformation to form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of teeth on the pharyngeal bones of roach Rutilus rutilus and the effect of thyroid hormones on this development are investigated. The addition of exogenous triiodothyronine leads to accelerated development of the teeth, but the deficit of triiodothyronine (provoked by the addition of thiourea in the media) stimulates the retardation of this development. Change of developmental rate of the organism leads to change in the definitive state of the pharyngeal teeth formula. Owing to accelerated development, the number of teeth significantly decreases, and the formulas 5-5, 5-4, and 4-4 appear instead of the typical formula 6-5 in the control group and in the fish from natural populations. Retarded development of the organism leads to increased frequency of occurrence of the formula 6-6. The directed asymmetry in the numbers of pharyngeal teeth with the formula (6-5), most likely, is connected with different types of teeth development on the left and right pharyngeal bones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]