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Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common mental health disorder with a lifetime prevalence of 20.6% among United States (US) adults. Multiple US surveys have shown a consistently higher burden of mental health struggles among lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and questioning (LGBTQ+) adults compared to non-LGBTQ+ adults. However, it is not known whether diagnosis and treatment for those adults who do report symptoms of MDD differ based on sexual orientation. We test for differences in prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment of MDD in sexual minorities using appropriate multivariable logistic regression using the New York City Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NYC HANES). About 10% of NYC adults (≥ 20 years old) self-identify as a sexual minority and 8.5% of adults in NYC have MDD based on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) score. Significantly higher proportion of sexual minorities in NYC have depression compared to non-sexual minorities (17.7% vs. 7.6%, p = 0.01). In the multivariable model, sexual minorities were 2.33 (CI = [1.24–4.39], p = 0.009) times more likely to have depression compared to non-sexual minorities. Additionally, people with multimorbidity were more likely to be diagnosed for depression (OR = 3.78, CI = [1.33, 10.75], p = 0.013). Disparities exist in the prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment of MDD in NYC adults. Targeted outreach toward the LGBTQ + community should be considered by public health officials when designing primary and secondary prevention programs for depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the existing scenarios of interplanetary missions, the Moon is considered as an intermediate base on the way to deep space. In order to prepare for landing and work on the Moon, it is important to study the applicability of countermeasures in such missions. The paper presents the results of a pilot study performed during a short-term spaceflight (12 days). A new experience of using countermeasure impacts of lower body negative pressure (LBNP) at the early stages of adaptation to microgravity conditions has been gained. To assess the effectiveness of LBNP and changes in human physical performance after the spaceflight, we conducted tests on a treadmill, a bicycle ergometer, and testing with model tasks of on-planetary activity "express test". Regulatory mechanisms of the cardiovascular system proved to be quite effective when creating decompression up to -20 mm Hg, which is less than in preparation for returning to Earth. In the treadmill test, a lower speed was achieved after the spaceflight than before (13 km/h and 15 km/h, respectively) and cardiovascular system response to the change in load was slower. At the same time changes in such physiological parameters as oxygen consumption, respiratory rate and pulmonary ventilation were minimal. In the bicycle ergometer test, peak heart rate values were higher after the spaceflight than before, the physiological value of the standard exercise increased. «Express test» showed the positive dynamics from the first day to the third after returning to Earth: the performance of a dual task, the task of controlling the movement of the non-leading hand, and getting up from the supine position improved. Thus, assessment of the state of gravity-dependent physiological systems after short-term flight indicates the decrease of functional reserves of the organism and the necessity to develop appropriate countermeasures. The study was one of the first steps in the development of new medical control operations at the stage of paradigm shift from orbital flights to deep space exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is the third part of the "Ichthyofauna of the Fresh and Brackish Waters of Russia and Adjacent Areas: Annotated List with Taxonomic Comments," which we started in 2022, based on a critical analysis of scientific publications of the last 200 years, and on the data of the authors' research. This current paper includes all currently known fishes of 8 orders from Siluriformes to Syngnathiformes of Russia and adjacent waters, represented by 18 families, 43 genera and 159 species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increasing number of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are found to have roles in gene expression and cellular regulations. However, there are still a large number of ncRNAs whose functions remain to be studied. Despite decades of research, the field continues to evolve, with each newly identified ncRNA undergoing processes such as biogenesis, identification, and functional annotation. Bioinformatics methodologies, alongside traditional biochemical experimental methods, have played an important role in advancing ncRNA research across various stages. Presently, over 50 types of ncRNAs have been characterized, each exhibiting diverse functions. However, there remains a need for standardization and integration of these ncRNAs within a unified framework. In response to this gap, this review traces the historical trajectory of ncRNA research and proposes a unified notation system. Additionally, we comprehensively elucidate the ncRNA interactome, detailing its associations with DNAs, RNAs, proteins, complexes, and chromatin. A web portal named ncRNA Hub () is also constructed to provide detailed notations of ncRNAs and share a collection of bioinformatics resources. This review aims to provide a broader perspective and standardized paradigm for advancing ncRNA research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data on the spatial and vertical distributions, temperature regime of habitat, size-age and, size-sex structure of Arctic alligatorfish Aspidophoroides olrikii in the Kara Sea based on a recent trawl survey are presented. A total of 104 specimens were caught from 9 (out of 55) trawl stations. Maximum catches of this species were recorded north of the Yamal Peninsula (74°11′–74°25′ N, 69°27′–71°59′E) at depths of 18–21 m in the range of bottom temperatures from -1.49 to -0.96 °C. In trawl catches, individuals aged 2–6 years with a total length of 39–76 mm with a body weight of 0.25–2.91 g were recorded, but fish up to 50 mm length with a body weight of less than 0.5 g dominated. Among individuals over 68 mm in length, the proportion of females increased sharply, reaching 100% with a length of more than 75 mm. It was found that males and females of the Arctic alligatorfish become sexually mature in the third year of life, the former at a length of 47–48 mm, the latter at 52–58 mm long. Maturation of the half males and females occurs in the fourth year with the length of 52–58 mm and 61–63 mm respectively. It is shown that this species is a mesobentophagus, the main prey of all its individuals are amphipods, which make up about 95% of the diet. However, as A. olrikii grows, the number and size of amphipods consumed increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. To study the relationship between measures of immunity and systemic inflammation and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) indicators in patients with pre-dementia cognitive disorders (pre CI) during neurocognitive rehabilitation with the aim of identifying candidate markers for the efficacy of this rehabilitation. Materials and methods. The study group consisted of 49 patients with preMCI with memory impairments; patients were aged 60 years and older and underwent five-week neurorehabilitation courses. The control group consisted of 19 volunteers of similar age without cognitive disorders or immune-inflammatory disorders. Measures of cellular and humoral immunity and inflammatory markers were determined and structural MRI was performed. Results. preMCI was found to be associated with an elevated content of activated natural killers (NK cells) (0.63 ± 0.12% versus 0.22 ± 0.07% in the control group, p = 2.2 10–7). Immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels of <12.5 g/liter in patients with preMCI and scores of <22 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) were associated with decreases in the volume of the right nucleus accumbens (376 ± 35 mm3 with IgG <12.5 g/liter (p = 0.0013), 429 ± 40 mm3 at IgG >12.5 g/liter, and 480 ± 44 mm3 in the control group), as well as the thickness and volume of some other cortical areas. A logistic regression model (R2 = 0.57; p < 1 10–5; standard error of estimate 2.93) was built, including immunoglobulin G, NK cells, CD8+ NK cell levels, and the volume of the right amygdala, which predicted MoCA scores six months after rehabilitation courses. Conclusions. These studies provide the first demonstration that immune parameters in combination with socio-demographic data and brain morphometric indexes are highly significant as potential prognostic markers reflecting the response to neurorehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the materials collected in August–September 2019 during the Transarctic expedition onboard R/V “Professor Levanidov”, new data on the spatial and vertical distributions, bottom temperatures of habitat and biological features (size-age and size-sex structures, maturation, fecundity, diet composition) of the poorly studied slender eelblenny Lumpenus fabricii in the Chukchi and Kara seas are presented. In the Chukchi Sea, its main catches were recorded in the southwestern part of the sea (northeast of the Bering Strait) at shallower depths (100 m) and bottom temperatures 3.0 to 5.0 °C. In the Kara Sea, this species was found in catches mainly on the southwestern shelf of the sea (the western coast of the Yamal Peninsula and outer Baidaratskaya Bay) at depths shallower 25 m and bottom temperatures around 1.5 °C. Its individuals aged 4–9 years with a total length of 102–268 mm and a body weight of 3.1–28.3 g were recorded in trawl catches. However, 5–6-year–old fish 111–130 mm long weighing 4–6 g dominated in the Chukchi Sea, while individuals aged 6–7 years with a total length of 141–200 mm and a body weight of 8–16 g were most abundant in the Kara Sea. This species is characterized by sexual dimorphism in sizes, i.e. males are larger than females, whose fecundity varies from 115 to 436 eggs. Among individuals longer than 180 mm, the proportion of females decreases sharply, reaching zero in fish longer than 220 mm. As a result, the largest individuals of this species are represented exclusively by males. Slender eelblenny is a consumer of small- and medium-sized benthos, the main prey of which in the Chukchi and Kara seas are small benthic invertebrates (mostly polychaete worms and amphipods). Comparison with other common ground fishes in the study area showed that slender eelblenny in the Siberian Arctic seas occupies specific ecological niche with different depths and bottom temperatures. The diet of this species was similar to that of the Arctic staghorn sculpin Gymnocanthus tricuspis and the Arctic alligatorfish Aspidophoroides olrikii but differed from that of the ribbed sculpin Triglops pingelii and the bigeye sculpin T. nybelini. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precocious puberty of children, especially girls, has attracted more and more public attention in recent years. In clinic practice, there is a lack of both convenient and effective way to identify central precocious puberty (CPP) and premature thelarche (PT). In this study, we enrolled total 88 girls [28 cases of CPP, 37 cases of PT, as well as 23 cases of normal control (NC)] as a training cohort, and another 270 subjects (92 cases of CPP, 122 cases of PT and 56 cases of NC) as a validation cohort. Expression of serum cell-free miRNA in the training cohort was analyzed using five different methods to identify specific miRNA feature subsets, and verified by qPCR in the validation cohort. Here, we determined that the combination of miRNAs (miR-584-5p, miR-625-3p, miRNA-652-3p, miR-22-3p) provided the possibility to distinguish CPP and PT. The miRNA panel (miR-625-3p, let-7b-5p, miR-140-5p, miR-7-5p) had the best performance in distinguishing between CPP and NC. The miRNA panel (miR-140-5p, miR-205-5p, let-7b-5p, miR-629-5p, miR-9-3p) performed well in identifying PT and NC. Based on the absolute quantification of miRNA by qPCR, we also presented three regression equations to evaluate CPP, PT, and NC, respectively, for possible use in clinical practice. The presented study had identified several sets of miRNA panels as biomarkers to assist in identifying CPP and PT. Our invention could provide better diagnostic tool for pediatric precocious puberty diseases in both clinical and public health fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is devoted to the complex challenges associated with the development of welding wire for welding high-strength steel in shielding gases. In the development of welding wire, it is essential to address a number of considerations related to the resistance of welded joints to hot and cold cracking, wire production technology, the regulatory level of mechanical properties, the manufacturability of the welding process, and the environmentally friendly working conditions of welders. These factors should be taken into account when determining the chemical composition of the wire. This is a challenging and multifactorial task related to optimizing the chemical composition of the wire in order to ensure compliance with all of the aforementioned requirements. The formation of cold cracks in welded joints of steels that have undergone electroslag remelting can be prevented by increasing the austenitic stability of the weld metal. This can be achieved by increasing the nickel content in the welding wire. However, this results in a decrease in the resistance of the weld metal to the formation of hot cracks and a reduction in hot ductility. This makes the technology of metal rolling for wire manufacture more challenging. To enhance the resistance of the weld metal to the formation of hot cracks, it is necessary to increase the chromium content in the welding wire. However, this approach results in an increase in the ferritic phase within the weld, which subsequently leads to a reduction in the resistance of the welded joint to the formation of cold cracks. The results of the research on the effect of the chemical composition of welding wire, when varying the Creq/Nieq ratio, on the indicators of technological strength were used to optimize the composition of the new welding wire. The experimental data on the properties of welded joints of high-strength steels made with a new welding wire demonstrated an advantage over serial joints manufactured with the Sv-08Kh20N9G7T grade wire. Furthermore, the studies of the welding aerosol showed a 6.6-fold reduction in the content of toxic manganese oxides when welding with the new wire in comparison to the conventional Sv-08Kh20N9G7T. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experimental study of the effect of high-current electron beams on crystals made of polycrystalline tungsten and corrosion-resistant ferritic-martensitic steel EK-181 was carried out, as well as a numerical simulation of the process of interaction of the beam with the target, in which the energy of the electron beam was absorbed in the near-surface layers of the samples under study. The experiments were carried out on the Kalmar high-current electron accelerator at an average pulse energy of E ≈ 100 ± 20 J (pulse duration at half maximum 100 ns). During the experiments, samples were irradiated from one to ten times. Numerical modeling was performed using electron spectra calculated on the basis of data (currents and voltages in the diode gap) obtained as a result of electrical measurements. The difference in the nature of destruction of tungsten and steel was demonstrated. It has been shown that tungsten begins to crack after three-pulse exposure with an energy of about 100 J, which correlates well with tests on other types of installations. On steel, minor cracking was observed only after 8–10 pulses of exposure. Numerous traces of droplets of melting and redeposition of the target material were found on the surface of the steel target. For both materials, the specific amount of energy absorbed in the region of interaction of the electron beam with the target was estimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present new data of White Sea Coast dynamics within NE of the Gorlo Strait that were generated by satellite images, geomorphological and ground penetrating radar (GPR) profiling, aerial photography, and topographic surveys of coastal terraces and dunes. Our paleogeomorphological studies, supported by laboratory findings (diatom analysis and 14C dating), allowed us to reconstruct the morphodynamics of coastal and aeolian landforms. The obtained reconstruction enabled the evaluation of relative sea level (RSL) changes and the evolution of coastal landforms over the past ~ 3.7 cal ka BP. According to our research, sand was supplied to coastal zone and coastal dunes through scarp erosion (0.5–3.7 m/year) as well as from the shoreface, while the role of alluvial runoff is insignificant. The largest dune massifs were formed in the areas of longshore drift (from NE to SW) discharge. At the mouth of the Maida River, the barrier spit and foredune plain have been evolving from the end of the Holocene transgression (∼3.7–2.3 cal ka BP). The mean high water at this time was slightly higher (up to ∼2.5 m a.s.l.), and coastal processes were significantly more intense than current ones. Then, against a decrease in sea level and weakening sediment flows, the growth of the spit slowed. The ancient foredunes were stabilized by vegetation. Aeolian processes were activated ∼2.1 and after ∼0.8–0.7 cal ka BP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "Some Properties of Trajectories of a Nonhomogeneous Velocity Field of a Viscoelastic Fluid in a Multiconnected Domain" explores the flow of a viscoelastic fluid in a bounded domain with nonhomogeneous boundary conditions. The study focuses on the solvability of the initial–boundary value problem and the behavior of the fluid particles along the trajectories of the velocity field. The research delves into the approximation properties of the initial function and the regular Lagrangian flows generated by the fluid flow. The study is significant for various practical applications, from drug movement through vessels to the flow of petroleum products through hoses. [Extracted from the article]

This paper studies time-periodic solutions of singularly perturbed Tikhonov systems of reaction–diffusion–advection equations with nonlinearities that include the square of the gradient of the unknown function (KPZ nonlinearities). The boundary layer asymptotics of solutions are constructed for Neumann and Dirichlet boundary conditions. The study considers both the case of quasimonotone sources and systems without the quasimonotonicity condition. The asymptotic method of differential inequalities is used to prove theorems on the existence of solutions and their Lyapunov asymptotic stability. DOI 10.1134/S1061920824030129 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deformation mechanisms of crystalline solids has been the subject of research for more than two centuries. The theory of dislocations dominates modern views but still has significant gaps demanding the introduction of additional concepts for the coherent quantitative description of physical phenomena. In this work, we propose a coherent geometric description of motion and deformation in crystalline solids as piecewise isometric transformations (PWIT). The latter only includes operations that, similar to interatomic spacing in crystalline lattice, do not alter distances between reference points, i.e. translations, rotations and mirror reflections. The difference between solid-body translations and plastic deformations is that the isometric transformations have discontinuities that in real-life materials realise through dislocations (termination of shifts), disclinations (termination of rotations), and twins (mirror reflections). The conceptual description of plastic deformations as PWIT can be useful for the better description of physical phenomena, proposing new hypothesis, and for developing predictive analytical models. In this paper, the use of this conceptual description enables proposing new hypothesis about the nature of such interesting phenomena in severe plastic deformation as (i) stationary 'solid state turbulence' stage in high pressure torsion, and (ii) rate of mass transfer (mechanically assisted diffusion) in simple-shear deformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We calculated the found and expected frequencies of metacentrics in polymorphic populations of the Dnieper basin common rodent, resulting from hybridization of local populations with acrocentric karyotype and four chromosomal races (Neroosa, Kiev, Białowieża, and Western Dvina) with 3–5 diagnostic metacentrics in each. We have previously shown an increased frequency of acrocentric karyotype compared to that expected according to Hardy–Weinberg. The low frequency (less than 0.5) of most metacentrics of the four chromosomal races and the disappearance of some of them from the populations can be explained by the increased fitness of the acrocentric karyotype and the absence of meiotic drive. On the contrary, the preservation of high frequency (more than 0.5) of such metacentrics as gm, hk (races of Western Dvina), hi (races of Kiev), hn, ik (races of Białowieża), and, especially, the fixation of metacentric hi (races of Neroosa) in polymorphic populations can be explained by meiotic drive. The fixation of Rb compounds in the range of the common rodent may be a consequence not only of gene drift but also of meiotic drive. Most likely, meiotic drive is able to maintain the frequency of Rb compounds with the largest acrocentrics g, h, and i, which contributed to the widespread distribution of such compounds throughout the range of the common rodent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hematological parameters of the peripheral blood of the walleye pollock Gadus chalcogrammus Pallas, 1814, saffron cod Eleginus gracilis Tilesius, 1810, and Pacific cod Gadus macrocephalus Tilesius, 1810 from the Sea of Okhotsk were studied. An analysis of leukograms of the studied species revealed a large portion of segmented neutrophils and myelocytes in walleye pollock, which indicates a significant potential of the cellular factor of its innate immunity and a greater activity of corticosteroid hormones. The most active erythropoiesis observed in G.chalcogrammus is probably related to substantial vertical migrations, as are specific for the species, associated with sharp pressure variations and the necessity to provide the body with oxygen. The high level of leukopoiesis revealed in the saffron cod is assumed to be caused by ecological adaptations of the species to inhabit both fresh and sea water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In some fish lineages, evolution has led to unique sensory adaptations that provide information which is not available to terrestrial animals. These sensory systems include, among others, electroreception, which together with the ability of fish to generate electric discharges plays a role in social communication and object location. Most studies on electric phenomena in aquatic animals are dedicated to selected groups of electric fishes that regularly generate electric signals (Mormyriformes, Gymnotiformes). There exist, however, several species (hitherto described as non-electric) which, though able to perceive electric signals, have now been found to also generate them. In this article, we introduce a tool that we have designed to investigate such electric activity. This required significant adaptations of the equipment used in fish with regular discharge generation. The necessary improvements were realized by using a multielectrode registration setup allowing simultaneous visualization and quantification of behavior and associated electric activity of fish, alone or in groups, with combined electro-video clips. Precise synchronization of locomotor and electric behaviors made it possible to determine the electrically active fish in a group, and also the location of the electrogenic structure inside the fish's body. Our simple registration procedure, together with data presentation, should attract a broad audience of scientists taking up the challenge of uncovering electric phenomena in aquatic animals currently treated as electrically inactive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scientific monitoring of pelagic fish stocks in 2004–2005 and 2014–2017 provided information on characteristics of sexual maturation of Atlantic chub mackerel Scomber colias in the coastal waters of the Central-Eastern Atlantic. Based on these results we describe ecological and geographical variability of some biological characteristics of the species. Features of sexual maturation of females and males of the mackerel can be described by a logistic equation obtained in the R programming environment. Fork length, at which 50% of individuals aged 1+ are mature, is 18.4 cm for females and 20.0 cm for males; 100% of individuals are mature at age 3+ with a fork length of 32.3 and 30.8 cm for females and males, respectively. A high proportion of spawning chub mackerel individuals in the Central-Eastern Atlantic have been recorded from February to March and from June to July. Chub mackerel in the coastal waters of this region are similar in life cycle characteristics to the populations of the waters off the Canary Islands and the Madeira Archipelago, but differ from the populations of the waters off mainland Portugal, the Azores, South Africa, and the Bay of Biscay in faster sexual maturation and growth rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to assess the concentrations of persistent organochlorine pollutants (POPs) in high-moor peats of the Primorsky and Mezensky districts of the Arkhangelsk oblast. Peat deposits located in the zone of potential influence of pollutants and outside it were analyzed. Based on the results of chromatographic determination, data on the concentrations of some organochlorine compounds in the studied peats, in particular, persistent toxic hexachlorobenzene (HCB), pentachlorophenol (PCP), pentachloroanisole (PCA), and chlorinated phenols and their derivatives, were obtained. Target POPs were detected in all analyzed peat samples with noticeable variability in their concentrations across the study areas HCB (0.4–3.2 ng/g), PCP (0.2–1.8 ng/g), and PCA (up to 0.4 ng/g). The CP content of the studied peats varied over a wider range from 1.2 to 571 ng/g. The identified quantities of POPs (HCB, CP, and PCA) were most likely due to the entry of pollutants by atmospheric transport from various sources in the territories of nearby regions and neighboring states. The influence of local pollution sources associated with thermal processes should also be taken into account. Keywords: : [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the synthesis of a triterpene analog of α-phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone, a compound with potential antioxidant properties. The synthesis involved the preparation of the analog from natural sources and detailed chemical reactions. The study aims to explore the potential therapeutic applications of the synthesized compound in treating diseases associated with oxidative stress. The research provides valuable insights into the development of novel compounds with antioxidant properties for various health conditions. [Extracted from the article]

The work performed studies of Al–Ti–Si and Al–Ti–TiOx–Si structures with an n-TiOx/p–Si heterojunction. The TiOx layer was formed using the atomic layer deposition method; its thickness was 5 nm. To study the layers and composition of the structures, methods of electron microscopy, Auger spectroscopy, and Raman scattering were used. Much attention is paid to the study of electrical characteristics. It was found that the Al–Ti–Si structure is a Schottky diode, there is no minority carrier current in it, and the current–voltage characteristics are described by classical models. In the Al–Ti–TiOx–Si heterostructure, titanium oxide has n-type conductivity and is an injector of electrons into p-Si, which leads to the appearance of recombination currents in the space charge region, which lies entirely in silicon. When reverse biased, the titanium oxide layer acts as a conductor of electrons and contributes to the development of tunnel generation currents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of studies of a solid-state closing switch for a high-current pulse switching are presented. The experiments were carried out on a laboratory facility with a capacitive energy storage run down a discharge circuit with electrical-explosive opening switch (EEOS) by a current pulse with an amplitude ~450 kA. The discharge circuit consists of two sections separated by a branch with a solid-state closing switch. A metal foil of the EEOS can be located in an interelectrode gap of the closing switch. The operation of the EEOS leads to a breakdown of the insulation of the closing switch, as a result of which an effective shunting of the section of the discharge circuit containing the EEOS occurs. The developed combined solid-state closing switch in the future is capable of providing multi-channel switching of a high-current pulse to the load synchronously with the EEOS operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existence of stationary solutions of singularly perturbed systems of reaction–diffusion–advection equations is studied in the case of fast and slow reaction–diffusion–advection equations with nonlinearities containing the gradient of the squared sought function (KPZ nonlinearities). The asymptotic method of differential inequalities is used to prove the existence theorems. The boundary layer asymptotics of solutions are constructed in the case of Neumann and Dirichlet boundary conditions. The case of quasimonotone sources and systems without the quasimonotonicity requirement is also considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigates the effect of gamma radiation on defect formation in 20 nm titanium nitride (TiN) nanocrystals through positron annihilation lifetime (PALS) and Doppler broadening spectroscopy (DBS) studies. PALS studies were performed at atmospheric pressure, and DBS studies were performed under high vacuum conditions of 10−9 Torr. Gamma irradiation of the samples was performed in MRX-25 gamma device using 60Co isotope with 1.27 MeV energy at absorption doses of 50, 200, 900, and 3500 kGy. Two lifetime components were observed in the PALS results. Under the influence of gamma radiation, τ1 increases from 170 to 179 ps, and τ2 increases from 325 to 398 ps. As the radiation dose increases, the intensity corresponding to the short lifetime component I1 increases (from 75.6 to 81.2%), and I2 decreases (from 24.4 to 18.7%). PALS calculations were performed using the MICA package and a lifetime of 171 ps was determined for the 1Ti vacancy. With the help of Doppler broadening spectroscopy, information about the change and type of defects in the TiN nanocrystal along the volume was behavior of by studying S and W parameters. The results showed that the functionality of the material is optimal at gamma radiation doses not exceeding 3000 kGy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the autowave front propagation in a medium with discontinuous characteristics and the conditions for its stabilization to a stationary solution with a large gradient at the interface between media in the one-dimensional case. The asymptotic method of differential inequalities, based on constructing an asymptotic approximation of the solution, is the main method of study. We develop an algorithm for constructing such an approximation for the solution of the moving front form in a medium with discontinuous characteristics. The application of such an algorithm requires a detailed analysis of the behavior of the solution in neighborhoods of two singular points: the front localization point and the medium discontinuity point. As a result, we obtain a system of equations for the front propagation speed; this distinguishes this paper from the previously published ones. The developed algorithm can be used to describe autowave propagation in layered media. The results can also be extended to the multidimensional case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents calculations of the two-stage separation of silicon isotopes in Q-cascade models. Feed flow profiles are obtained for Q-cascades, and the concentration distribution by stages is determined for silicon isotopes. It is shown that three highly-enriched (>99%) products can be obtained at a 35 g/s feed flow, namely: 32.31 g/s 28Si, 1.61 g/s 29Si, and 1.08 g/s 30Si. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents calculations of the process parameters of the chemical isotope exchange with a thermal flow reversal in the BF3–C6H5OCH3 system and engineering data for rectifying columns for its implementation. It is shown that the calculated parameters are in good agreement with those found the literature. The best engineering data are obtained for rectifying columns intended for the production of enriched (96 wt.% 10B enrichment) boron in the amount of 2 and 4 tons per year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analysed long-term trawl survey data to investigate changes in the spatial distribution, range boundaries, and catch rates of the five most common shark species in the Russian waters of the northwestern Pacific. Significant alterations in the spatial distributions of these shark species were observed during the study period. The 1980s witnessed the most widespread distribution and maximum catches of salmon and blue sharks. In the 2000s, the North Pacific spiny dogfish exhibited its broadest distribution, with maximum catches recorded in the 1980s and 2010s. The Pacific sleeper shark exhibited its widest distribution in the 1980s, with maximum catches occurring in the 2000s. Shortfin mako were recorded within the study area only in the 1980s and 2010s, with maximum catches occurring in the latter period. Shifts in the range of boundaries during the study period exhibited different patterns among the species. Statistically significant shifts in boundaries were found for Pacific spiny dogfish, salmon sharks, and Pacific sleeper sharks. During the review period, salmon shark catches significantly decreased in Pacific waters and in the study area as a whole, but the reasons for this difference have not yet been determined. For the other shark species, statistically significant changes in catch size were not revealed. The observed significant changes in the spatial distribution and position of the boundaries of the ranges are likely due to both subjective reasons and climatic changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the bijection of the space of one-parameter families of bounded linear operators in a space of functions on a coordinate space onto the set of complex-valued finitely additive cylindrical measures in the space of trajectories in the coordinate space. From the space of measures on the space of trajectories, a set of measures representing semigroups is distinguished. A procedure is defined for constructing Feynman measures on the space of trajectories representing semigroups generated by a linear functional differential equation with delay. Using the Feynman–Kac formulas and a measure on the space of trajectories corresponding to an unperturbed semigroup, the perturbation of a semigroup by a bounded potential on the space of trajectory values is studied. A perturbed semigroup is defined by integrating the perturbation functional on the trajectory space over the Feynman cylindrical measure corresponding to the unperturbed semigroup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies show that species identification of representatives of the genus Alosa using various genetic markers is often difficult and the search for more specific biomarkers is required. For the first time we analyzed polymorphism of COI gene fragment of mitochondrial DNA of two representatives of this genus (A. tanaica and A. kessleri), supplemented with new data on A. immaculata, from the waters of the Ponto-Caspian basin in comparative aspect with other representatives of the herring (Clupeoidea) genera Alosa, Clupea, Clupeonella, Sprattus, and Sardinops. The main result was the conclusion that within the genus Alosa, it is not possible to identify species using the marker used. On the one hand, specimens collected from morphologically distinct individuals and identified as different species have the same haplotypes. On the other hand, samples belonging to different species differ from each other by an insignificant number of nucleotide substitutions and do not form independent clades on the phylogram and haplotype network. This indicates the absence of genetic differentiation between the studied samples of herrings of genus Alosa into separate species and species groups when using DNA barcoding based on the COI gene. The reasons for such a phenomenon may be the following: (1) incorrect identification of species in catches, since shads (Alosidae) have high morphological flexibility and in many species, the main external morphological characters often overlap; (2) recent time of speciation by the standards of biological evolution for shads of genus Alosa; (3) difference in proportion of interspecific hybrids, which can vary significantly between populations of the same species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concentration of negatively charged vacancies resulting from electron irradiation of a synthetic single-crystal diamond plate with nitrogen-substituted vacancies was calculated. The concentration was calculated using IR spectroscopy and analyzed using PAS positron annihilation spectroscopy. It is shown that PAS and the use of a monochromatic positron beam can be used for non-destructive monitoring of the vacancy concentration along the depth of a diamond plate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method for representing RFQ resonators by a set of multipole elements replaced with their scattering matrices has been developed. The coefficients of the matrices are calculated using a detailed 3D model over the operating frequency range and take into account all significant wave modes in the periodic structure of the resonator. The main elements that make up the accelerator resonator are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation relates to the production of materials with noiseproof and vibration-absorbing properties, in the manufacturing of which a number of by-products are formed that require for safe disposal. When solving the production problems connected with wastewater treatment from toxicants, the concentration of which exceeds permissible values, it is proposed to use structured materials based on silicon dioxide as an adsorbent. In the course of conducting research, two experimental samples with a highly developed surface containing an extensive network of pores have been obtained and tested. The experimental testing of adsorbents has shown that such adsorbents are able to provide the removal of toxicants up to attaining a safe concentration level thereof. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The transition to energy-sustainable systems is a globally accepted concept, but it is implemented with various degrees of success around the world. The aim of this paper is to determine the status of green transition in five Central Asian countries (Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and the Kyrgyz Republic) that are among the highest energy consumers globally and the most vulnerable to climate change. Despite a notable improvement in living conditions across all countries over the past two decades, the region remains underdeveloped. Economic growth is based on the export of natural resources and remittance inflows, but the structure of the economy is monolithic. Main findings: Upon analysing transition indicators for the period 2000–2020, no evidence of significant changes towards a sustainable energy transition is found. All countries in the region (except Uzbekistan) have recorded an increase in carbon emissions, while the carbon intensity of the energy mix is almost the same. While there has been visible progress in reducing energy intensity, the countries in the region remain among the most energy-intensive economies. Despite the region's substantial potential for renewable energy production, it remains underutilized. Conclusions: A multitude of varied problems accompanies the green transition in Central Asian countries. The energy market that has not yet been liberalised, along with significant subsidies and low energy tariffs, discourages investments in renewable energy sources and energy efficiency initiatives. A high level of corruption, rigid legislative and institutional infrastructure, and insufficient capital are additional factors that determine the speed, scope, and effectiveness of the green transition. Thus far, the primary focus in these countries has been on ensuring energy security. However, there has been a discernible surge in investments (particularly from China) in renewable energy projects. Although energy efficiency and climate change issues are formally defined, the energy transition goals are often declarative without an action plan that provides concrete steps in transition process. Strategic planing of economic development that includes all related sectors (not only the energy sector) and paying attention to socio-economic and environmental indicators of sustainable development are prerequisites for successfully implementating the energy transition in these countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Materials with heterogeneous microstructures architected across several scales are becoming increasingly popular in structural applications due to unique strength–ductility balance. One of the most popular 3D-architected structure designs is harmonic structure (HS) where soft coarse-grain (CG) islands are embedded in a hard continuous 3D skeleton of ultrafine grains (UFGs). In this work, a series of HS with varying phase fractions and rheologies are studied based on several models. Model A focuses on a good fit with experimental data in the elastic–plastic transition region, model B focuses on a good fit at large-scale yielding, while in five intermediate models, phase rheology parameters are varied on a linear scale between the values for A and B. For each of the seven selected HS material models, structures with 19 different volumetric fractions of UFG were examined. It is found that the increase of UFG fraction leads to the monotonic increase of strength characteristics in HS material, while higher strain hardening rates in the phases lead to the enhancement of this effect. By contrast, the dependence of ductility characteristics on UFG fraction is non-monotonic having a local minimum at 30% UFG and a maximum at 60% UFG, while also significantly dependent on strain hardening in the phases. Namely, HS material with phases having significant strain hardening reveals the highest uniform elongation exceeding that in 100% CG material already at 40% UFG fraction. The fractions of UFG in a range of 58–62% form HS material with the highest possible uniform elongation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Every year, an increasing number of scientific research projects are devoted to the problem of the use of alternative feedstock sources, as well as low-carbon energy. Special attention of researchers is paid to the problem of production of "green" hydrogen because it is a promising carbon-free alternative to conventional fuel types. However, currently, among the great variety of its production methods, there is none that meets all the requirements imposed by modern industry. In light of this, the authors perform a brief review of recent publications devoted to new production methods of "green" hydrogen from various feedstocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gelatinous zooplankton (GZ) biomass is an important, yet often overlooked, vector of the particulate organic matter downward export and a nutritional prey source for the mesopelagic and benthic communities. To better quantify the potential impact of their blooms on biogeochemistry and food webs, we performed decomposition and sinking experiments under two different temperature regimes, 6 and 12 °C using 260 Salpa aspera, sampled in the Northeast Pacific (48.39°–50.40°N, 126.40°–145.00°W) during May 2021. Salps sank 1312 and 1424 m day−1 on average in 6 and 12 °C, respectively. The fast sinking is common among other salp species. Salp decay was exponential and occurred ~ 1.5 times faster under warmer conditions. Comparison of the published GZ decay rates supported their strong temperature dependence (Q10 = 3.46) and revealed that S. aspera decayed slower than most GZ taxa. Carcass sinking rates were higher than previously reported for this species and slowed after a prolonged decay. Biochemical (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids) and elemental (C: carbon, N: nitrogen) compositions were determined for salps at various decomposition stages. The high water content (~ 97%) and low organic content (27.8 ± 7.1% dry weight) were typical of other thaliaceans. The high C:N ratio (6.61 ± 1.14) of S. aspera, compared to many thaliaceans, suggested that their carcasses are valuable sources of carbon beyond the euphotic zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we present history and modern distribution of Typha laxmannii in Ukraine, its ecological and phytocoenotic peculiarities. It is a perennial herbaceous plant, alien species of Asian origin which is currently spreading in the country. For the first time in the flora of Ukraine T. laxmannii (under the name T. stenophylla) was recorded in 1902 in the south of Ukraine (Kherson Oblast). The species is distributed almost throughout Ukraine, but with a majority of records in the central and western parts of Ukraine. The association Typhetum laxmannii formed by this species is common for Ukraine. Depending on the ecological and geographical conditions and floristic composition, 3 following variants in this association were identified: var. typica, var. T. latifola, and var. Schoenoplectus lacustris. Phytocoenoses of this association are distributed almost throughout the whole territory of Ukraine, but the ecological optimum of the species is observed in the South of the country, in the steppe zone, on slightly saline, well-watered substrates. Based on studies conducted in Zhytomyr Oblast in 1995–2021, the expansion rate of T. laxmannii was observed – from the South to the North – in average 16.6 ± 1.09 km·year−1. From the sites of the primary penetration of the species into the region (Forest-Steppe zone), the expansion rate of it toward to the North was significantly lower (7.7–9.0 km·year−1) compared to that in the Forest zone – Ukrainian Polissia (23.4–31.9 km·year−1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A model of a viscoelastic fluid with a high-order rheological relation and a memory along the trajectories of the velocity field is under consideration. The weak solvability to the corresponding initial-boundary value problem is established. The investigation is based on the approximation of the problem under consideration by a sequence of regularized problems, and the following passage to the limit. The theory of regular Lagrangian flows is used to study trajectories of a non-smooth velocity fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relevance of studies into the reproduction and dissemination of the unit of acceleration in gravimetry is determined by the development of instruments for measuring absolute gravitational acceleration and its changes. The qualitative and quantitative changes in the instrument base can be attributed to the expansion of the field of practical application of absolute gravimeters and the requirements of applied problems solved using gravimetric data in such fields as geodesy, navigation, and geodynamics. In order to solve applied problems, it is often necessary to maximize the territorial coverage of measurement sites on the territory of the Russian Federation, along with setting requirements for accuracy at the highest level possible at the current level of technology development. The accuracy of results obtained using measuring instruments is determined by their metrological support, whose main stages include the reproduction of the corresponding unit by a standard and its dissemination to a measuring instrument. An analysis of possible sources of errors in gravimetric equipment revealed that when reproducing and disseminating the unit of acceleration in gravimetry, it is necessary to factor in the influence of geophysical factors manifested as additional gravitational or inertial accelerations. Gravitational field distribution within a gravimetric site can manifest itself as an additional constant acceleration. Seismic processes and lunisolar tides manifest themselves as variable accelerations. For different stages of the metrological support of gravimetric instruments, mechanisms underlying the impact of such accelerations were analyzed, and methods were developed for factoring them in and reducing their effect with the use of additional equipment. An additional gravimetric site with a relative cryogenic gravimeter and a broadband seismometer was introduced into GET 190–2023 State Primary Special Standard of the unit of acceleration in gravimetry, as well as portable absolute ballistic and relative quartz gravimeters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ground-penetrating radar is used to study defects in the form of internal layers in concrete structures. It is found that modulus of deflection coefficient of GPR signals changes as function of the layer thickness and electromagnetic properties of the material filling the layer (sand, wet sand or air). The experimental and numerical research used the method of peak-to-peak amplitude ratio, which enabled determining the Fresnel coefficients for the upper and lower boundaries of a layer. The minimal layer thickness recorded by GPR was 2 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is the main water channel in the central nervous system. AQP4 is highly expressed in brain structures, suggesting its crucial role in water transport in norm and in pathology. Here, we studied the effect of a change in the drinking regimen (water deprivation, hyperhydration) and inherited arterial hypertension on the expression of the AQP4 water channel gene in the hypothalamus, a regulatory brain center of visceral functions. The expression level of the Aqp4 gene in hyperhydrated animals was found to be more than 1.5 times lower than in water-deprived animals, which may reflect the need to prevent cytotoxic edema during increased fluid intake. Rats with inherited stress-induced arterial hypertension are characterized by an increased level of the Aqp4 gene in the hypothalamus, suggesting the involvement of this channel in processes associated with the regulation of brain water balance and the prevention of vasogenic cerebral edema in arterial hypertension. Thus, the presence of the AQP4 water channel in the brain, associated with the protection of brain cells, is functionally determined by the state of the body, as evidenced by bidirectional changes in Aqp4 expression during hyperhydration and arterial hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the data on the study of the influence of the elongation coefficient during piercing in a two-roll screw rolling mill with a cup-shaped arrangement of rolls and guide strips on the accuracy of the pipes obtained. It is shown that high degrees of deformation and intermediate heating negatively affect the wall thickness variation of the pipes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hyalesthes (Homalesthes) aylanus Hoch et Remane, 1985 (Cixiidae, Cixiinae, Pentastirini) is recorded for the first time from Russia, based on the series of specimens collected near Dzhankhot Village on the Black Sea coast of Krasnodar Territory. Additional specimens of Hyalesthes (Homalesthes) sagittus Gnezdilov, 2024, recently described based on a single male from the same area, were found, and amended description of this species is provided with illustrations of the male genitalia structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Results are presented from numerical modeling to investigate the effect the Earth's relief has on the circulation of the lower and middle atmosphere. The main focus is on the effect an isolated mountain array has on the circulation of the lower and middle atmosphere in its vicinity. Mountains and rocks covering the Kerguelen archipelago are selected to represent the isolated mountain array. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eight molecules of the homologous series of acetone and eight molecules of the homologous series of thioacetone were optimized by the exchange-correlation hybrid functional B3LYP. Within the framework of the quantum theory of atoms in molecules QTAIM, the integral electronic characteristics of groups were obtained. Group charges, volumes and energies in the considered classes of organic compounds were compared and the difference in the redistribution of electron density of molecules was shown, depending on the type of functional group: thionic or carbonyl. The inductive effect and steric influence of C(S) and C(O) groups on neighboring methyl and methylene fragments were characterized; a general qualitative scale of group electronegativity was constructed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the Chernoff averages for random generalized shift operators in the case of noncanonical commutation relations between creation and annihilation operators. We introduce the concepts of shift-dual ladder operators and generalized shift operators. As an example, we consider a one-parameter family of commutation relations for which generalized shift operators are unitary and satisfy the semigroup property on straight lines passing through the origin. For this family, we prove that the sequence of expectations of Feynman–Chernoff iterations of random shift operators converges to a limit strongly continuous semigroup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonlinear phenomena similar to the Belousov–Zhabotinsky reaction (autocatalytic oscillations of the population of high-spin and low-spin multielectron states of a transition metal ion) in open systems with spin crossover near bistability are considered. The conditions for possible experimental observation of autocatalytic oscillations of the magnetization in magnetically ordered systems with spin crossover are analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract—For deeply supercooled bulk water, known are anomalies of thermodynamic quantities near the Widom line, the locus of increased fluctuations of entropy and density. In this work, we measured the reflected power of microwave radiation at the frequency of 18 GHz from a silicate sorbent sample moistened with a hydrogen peroxide solution. In the experiment, we observed variations in the recorded reflected radiation power in the range of –46 to –47°C determined by structural changes in the liquid. Thus, it is shown that fluctuations of water parameters near the Widom line manifest themselves in changes not only in thermodynamic, but also in electrophysical quantities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]