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Working memory function is severely limited. One key limitation that constrains the ability to maintain multiple items in working memory simultaneously is so-called swap errors. These errors occur when an inaccurate response is in fact accurate relative to a non-target stimulus, reflecting the failure to maintain the appropriate association or “binding” between the features that define one object (e.g., color and location). The mechanisms underlying feature binding in working memory remain unknown. Here, we tested the hypothesis that features are bound in memory through synchrony across feature-specific neural assemblies. We built a biophysical neural network model composed of two one-dimensional attractor networks – one for color and one for location – simulating feature storage in different cortical areas. Within each area, gamma oscillations were induced during bump attractor activity through the interplay of fast recurrent excitation and slower feedback inhibition. As a result, different memorized items were held at different phases of the network’s oscillation. These two areas were then reciprocally connected via weak cortico-cortical excitation, accomplishing binding between color and location through the synchronization of pairs of bumps across the two areas. Encoding and decoding of color-location associations was accomplished through rate coding, overcoming a long-standing limitation of binding through synchrony. In some simulations, swap errors arose: “color bumps” abruptly changed their phase relationship with “location bumps.” This model, which leverages the explanatory power of similar attractor models, specifies a plausible mechanism for feature binding and makes specific predictions about swap errors that are testable at behavioral and neurophysiological levels.

Laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (LIFS) is actively used for remote sensing of atmospheric aerosols and is currently one of the most sensitive and selective techniques for determining small concentrations of substances inside particles. The use of high-power femtosecond laser sources for LIFS-based remote sensing of aerosols contributes to the development of new-generation fluorescence atmospheric lidars since it makes it possible to overcome the energy threshold for the nonlinear-optical effects of multiphoton absorption in particles and receive the emission signal at long distances in the atmosphere. Our study is aimed at the development and experimental demonstration of the technique of nonlinear laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (NLIFS) based on the remote excitation of aerosol fluorescent emission stimulated by a spatially structured high-power femtosecond laser pulse. Importantly, for the first time to our knowledge, we demonstrate the advances in using stochastically structured plasma-free intense light channels (postfilaments) specially formed by the propagation of femtosecond laser radiation through a turbulent air layer to improve NLIFS efficiency. A multiple increase in the received signal of two-photon-excited fluorescence of polydisperse-dyed aqueous aerosols by the structured postfilaments is reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subfamily Sphaeriinae is a diverse and ecologically significant group of freshwater invertebrates, playing a keystone role in the energy flow and nutrient cycling in aquatic ecosystems. Despite a long history of its study, the taxonomic structure and species content of this group are a matter of ongoing disputes between malacologists. We clarify the taxonomy, distribution, and evolutionary biogeography of the Sphaeriinae around the world based on the largest dataset of DNA sequences of these clams ever accumulated, which includes the data on specimens collected from various continents and countries around the globe. Our 16S rRNA and two-locus phylogenies reveal that the Sphaeriinae is a monophyletic group, containing at least seven genus-level clades: Sphaerium Scopoli, 1777, Pisidium C. Pfeifffer, 1821 (s.s.), Euglesa Jenyns, 1832, Odhneripisidium Kuiper, 1962, Conventus Pirogov & Starobogatov stat. nov. 1974, 'Pisidium' sterkianum group, and Hindupisidium Vinarski & Bespalaya gen. nov. Our 16S rRNA phylogenetic tree contains 80 well-supported clades corresponding to the putative species-level taxa. Four species new to science are described here: Euglesa kolymensis Bespalaya, Aksenova & Bolotov sp. nov. , Euglesa kyrgyzica Bespalaya, Aksenova, Kondakov & Palatov sp. nov. , Euglesa moroccana Bespalaya, Vinarski, Aksenova, Mabrouki, Kondakov & Palatov sp. nov. , Odhneripisidium caucasus Bespalaya, Vinarski, Aksenova, Kondakov & Palatov sp. nov. Our fossil-calibrated phylogeny and generalized biogeographic model indicate that the most recent common ancestor of the Sphaeriidae could have originated somewhere within a broad area covering China near the Lower Cretaceous boundary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

С 70-х гг. казахстанскими орнитологами на перевале Чокпак в предгорьях Западного Тянь-Шаня вёлся регулярный учёт мигрирующих птиц, на основании которого стала понятна особая важность данного участка для мигрантов из Южной и Средней Сибири. Дальнейшие исследования миграции крупных хищных птиц посредством спутниковой телеметрии и GPS/GSM-трекинга лишь подтвердили предположение о том, что большая часть крупных хищных птиц из Алтае-Саянского региона (даже из восточной части Республики Тыва), летит на Аравийские, Иранские, Пакистанские и Индийские зимовки в обход высокогорий Тянь-Шаня и Памиро-Алая, проходя первое на своём пути наиболее масштабное «бутылочное горлышко» преимущественно в 150-ти километровом коридоре через Каратау на границе Казахстана и Киргизии. Тем не менее, некоторые хищные птицы, причём трёх разных видов, показали движение через высокогорный район Кунь-Луня, Каракорума и Гималаев, на котором акцентировано внимание в данном сообщении.

In 2018, atotal of 30 ornithologists and birdwatchers participated in the work of the RaptorRingingCenterof the Russian Raptor Research and Conservation Network and ringed 615 individuals of 24 species of Birds of Prey and Owls. The leading species that have maximum ringed individuals is Upland Buzzard (Buteo hemilasius) – 118 individuals; it followed by Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) – 88 ind., Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis) – 85 ind., Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug) – 62 ind., Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) – 50 ind., and White-Tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) – 47ind. During the last 8 months of 2018 and the first 4 months of 2019 we got an information about 37 ringed raptors (38 recoveries), 36 of them were possible to read and identify. The highest number of recoveries we got from Saker Falcon (12 ind. – mainly they are fledglings), White-Tailed Eagle and Peregrine Falcon (6 ind. recoveries per species).

The article provides quantitive evaluation of the world stock markets with the «Return-Risk» Model, which is based on the fundamental principles of the porfolio theory. The analysis undertaken is aimed at revealing the most attractive world stock markets in regard to shaping of the future investment policy in the short term as well as determining the countries which securities (stocks, bonds, financial derivatives, etc.) should be included into the extended diversified investment portfolio. In other words, the world stock markets under study are not only considered as the status displays of the national economies of the corresponding countries but also as the potential instruments for investment portfolios. The synthesized «Return-Risk» Model is applicable in investment practice. The model shows that the attempt of 1% increase in return leads to the increase of risk by 3%. The computing experiments to testify the proposed model on independent material (verification of the model with permanent structure based on sliding verification) proved its practical applicability for revealing the leading indexes and dynamics estimate of their return within the closest investment horizon, with the win-loss ratio accounting for over three to one (3,2:1). The average monthly return is 1,1% per tool.

This review presents the characteristics and results of clinical studies of patients with age-related macular degeneration implanted with the developed for this purpose first macular IOL – intraocular macular telescope (IMT). This lens was designed specifically for patients with the most severe or terminal form of age-related macular degeneration and is designed for monocular implantation to provide central vision while maintaining peripheral vision of the paired eye, which is important for maintaining the balance and orientation of patients. This device allows patients to see both in dynamic and static situations in the near, intermediate and far ranges. The disadvantages of this lens are a decrease in the visual field and depth of focus (which excludes its bilateral implantation), the need for a large (10–12 mm) incision for implantation, which can cause an increase in corneal astigmatism and the risk of complications, in particular, the pupillary block with an increase in intraocular pressure. There are also difficulties in the study of the fundus after its implantation to assess the small changes in the macula or to identify possible postoperative complications after cataract surgery (macular oedema, etc.). Also after the implantation of this lens, there is need for special programs of visual rehabilitation. The patient’s commitment to the rehabilitation measures for the adaptation of the central visual field of the operated eye with the peripheral vision of the second eye is crucial for success of the IMT macular telescope implantation procedure.

The relevance of the work is caused by insufficiency of knowledge on the reasons of development of suffusion processes expressed as land surface failures menacing to infrastructure of industrial production in Caspian Depression. The aim of the research is to determine the near-surface and deep geoelectric structure of the site of manifestations of suffusion-subsidence formations to identify possible causes of their occurrence. Object of the research are suffusion-subsidence formations in the form of funnel-shaped earth surface dips with a depth of 1 to 6 m in an amount of 15 pieces located in three practically parallel zones. Methods The entire volume of field data is obtained by three different depth methods of geoelectrics: electrotomography, vertical electric sounding, non-stationary electromagnetic sounding. Processing, interpretation, visualization of data were carried out using interactive simulation and inversion software packages ERA, EMS, Zond, Res2D, ERTLab. The justification of the results is based on the analysis and comparison of the obtained geoelectric data with a priori geological data. Results. Based on the results of the work done, with depths of up to 400–500 m, sections and maps of electrical resistivity distribution at different depths, three-dimensional geoelectric models for both the near-surface and the deep part of the section were constructed. As a result of geological interpretation of the data, the zones were identified (according to the resistivity parameter) to which the existing funnels were confined, the direction of removal of the destroyed (washed out) rocks was determined. The authors identified the structures related to the zones of development of suffusion-subsidence processes, and stated possible reasons for their formation. Conclusions. The paper demonstrates high efficiency of the complex of electromagnetic methods used on the site with the destructive phenomena. It is concluded that the main mechanism for funnels formation is associated with leaching of limestone and salt «cement» from the N-Q sediments, with further unloading into deeper watered horizons. This complex can be recommended at the solution of similar tasks in other regions where there are zones of manifestation of suffusion processes, and also for monitoring their development.

In order to conduct experiments to study convection under microgravity it is proposed to use the “Progress” cargo transportation spacecraft. This is due to the fact that the microgravity environment onboard the Russian Segment (RS) of the ISS is not favorable, since the ISS center of mass is in the US segment, while many onboard systems generating micro-accelerations are installed in the ISS RS. There is no crew and no life support systems onboard the cargo spacecraft and micro-accelerations in it are significantly lower than those in the ISS RS. Passive modes of the cargo spacecraft attitude control are particularly favorable for carrying out microgravity experiments in space. In the course of a series of experiments conducted onboard a cargo spacecraft to find the minimal level of residual micro-accelerations, the gravity orientation mode turned out to be the most suitable one. It is planned to conduct an experiment to study convective isothermal currents using the Dakon-P scientific gear specifically developed for this purpose onboard “Progress” spacecraft in free flight in the gravity orientation mode.

Purpose: comparative study of trabeculectomy results with various models of domestic “Glautex” drainage in the surgical treatment of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). Patients and methods. The results of surgical treatment of 98 (105 eyes) patients with POAG aged 50–83 years who underwent trabeculectomy with various Glautex drainage models were analyzed. There were 43 men (43.9 %) and 55 (56.1 %) women. The second (II) stage of POAG was diagnosed in 49 eyes (46.7 %), the third (III) stage in 56 (53.3 %). All patients were divided into 3 groups. The first (main) group consisted of 34 (37 eyes) patients who underwent trabeculectomy in combination with the implantation of Glautex DDA drainage model. The second (main) group included 29 (30 eyes) patients with trabeculectomy and implantation of the SDA model of this drainage. The third group was the control group and consisted of 35 (38 eyes) patients with the classical method of surgery without using any drainage. Results. There was a significant 71.7 % decrease in IOP compared with baseline data in the 1st patients group after antiglaucomatous surgery, 72 and 74 % decrease was in the 2nd and 3rd groups respectively (p < 0.05). An increase in IOP was noted predominantly in the control and in the second study group within 1 month of follow-up. Normalization of ophthalmotonous pressure was achieved by using needling in 13.3 % (4/30) patients in the second group, in 7.9 % (6/38) cases in the control group. The absolute hypotensive effect in the 1st group was noted in 75.7 % of cases; the relative hypotensive effect was in 8.1 %; total failure was in 16.2 %. In the 2nd group the absolute hypotensive effect of the surgery was in 73.3 % of 30 cases, the relative was in 6.7 %, total failure was in 20 %. In the control group (38 eyes), absolute success was in 63.1 %, the relative hypotensive effect was in 13.2 %, and the total failure was in 23.7 %. Conclusion. Trabeculectomy with Glautex drainage and with various models in case of primary open-angle glaucoma provided a sufficiently high relative hypotensive effect in 82 % of cases in a year after the surgery. The achieved surgery outcomes with this drainage in the studied periods did not depend on applied model: DDA or SDA (83.8 and 80 % respectively), but was higher than the classical trabeculectomy (76.3 %). However, in case of the SDA model, needling was required in 13.3 % of cases in the early postoperative period.

IntroductionAcute Q fever is endemic in Israel, yet the clinical and laboratory picture is poorly defined.MethodsA retrospective study reviewing the medical records of acute Q fever patients, conducted in a single hospital in the Sharon district, Israel. Serum samples from suspected cases were preliminary tested by a qualitative enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Confirmatory testing at the reference laboratory used an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Positive cases were defined as fever with at least one other symptom and accepted laboratory criteria such as a single-phase II immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody titer ≥1:200. Cases not fulfilling these criteria and in which acute Q fever was excluded, served as a control group.ResultsBetween January 2012 and May 2018, 484 patients tested positive. After confirmatory testing, 65 (13.4%) were positive for acute Q fever (with requisite clinical picture), 171 (35.3%) were definitely not infected, the remaining 248 were excluded because of past/chronic/undetermined infection. The average age was 58 years and 66% were males. Most resided in urban areas with rare animal exposure. Pneumonia was seen in 57% of cases and a combination with headache/hepatitis was highly suggestive of acute Q fever diagnosis. Syncope/presyncope, fall and arthritis were more common in acute Q fever cases. Laboratory indexes were similar to the control group, except for erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) which was more common and higher in the study group.ConclusionAcute Q fever in the Sharon district could be better diagnosed by using a syndromic approach in combination with improved rapid diagnostic testing.

We establish two-sided estimates for deviations of Riesz sums on the class of even functions with nonnegative Fourier coefficients. Estimates are obtained by using the fractional modulus of continuity of the function itself and the fractional Hilbert transform of its derivative in the sense of Weyl. The constants are expressed in an explicit form. Bibliography: 15 titles., UDC 517.5 1 Introduction Let C be the space of continuous 2[pi]-periodic functions equipped with the uniform norm. As was proved, for example, in [1], the deviation of the Fejer [...]

Highly efficient oxidation of isopropylbenzene mediated by the system of NHPI/Fe(acac)3/Phen has been carried out at temperature as low as 60 °C. Significant improvement of catalysis by NHPI was associated with an enhanced oxidizing ability of Fe(III) tandem with Phen, which caused the intense generation of PINO. Furthermore, NMR observations revealed formation of a hydrogen-bonded NHPI-Phen adduct soluble in acetonitrile and isopropylbenzene. Based on this phenomenon, the system was applicable for the oxidation of solvent-free isopropylbenzene. The promise of the system of NHPI/Fe(acac)3/Phen for the selective synthesis of isopropylbenzene hydroperoxide was demonstrated by oxidation at a low content of Fe(acac)3.