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Introduction Age-related changes of brain functional connectivity, in contrast to brain structure, are understudied in schizophrenia. Importantly, patients with schizophrenia demonstrate an increased difference between the brain-predicted age and chronological age indicating that brain structural aging may be accelerated in this mental disorder (Constantinides et al. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28 1201-1209). Research on functional connectivity correlates of this process seems to be fruitful. Objectives We aimed to search for the brain regions whose resting-state whole-brain functional connectivity is differently associated with brain-predicted age in schizophrenia patients compared to healthy controls. Methods Eighty-three male patients with schizophrenia (age range 17.3 – 52.3; mean age 32.1 ± 10.5) and eighty-seven male healthy individuals (age range 18.3 – 53.6; mean age 31.7 ± 10.0) underwent structural MRI and resting-state fMRI (Philips Ingenia 3T scanner). Brain-predicted age was individually estimated using a model trained on independent data based on 68 measures of cortical thickness and surface area, 7 subcortical volumes, lateral ventricular volumes, and total intracranial volume, all derived from T1-weighted MRI scans (Han et al. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26 5124-39). The associations between the brain-predicted age and the whole-brain global correlation (GCOR) were compared between groups; t-contrasts were calculated (one-way ANCOVA covariate interaction via CONN; RRID:SCR_009550; www.nitrc.org/projects/conn). The chronological age was a covariate of no interest. Results Schizophrenia patients had a higher difference between brain-predicted age and chronological age (T(168) = 2.1; p = .036; Cohen’s d = 0.32; 95% CI 0.02-0.63). Greater brain-predicted age in schizophrenia patients, compared to controls, was associated with lower functional connectivity of a region in the right Heschl’s gyrus, planum temporale, as well as central opercular and insular cortex with the rest of the brain (p < .001 voxelwise, p[FDR] < .05 clusterwise; Figure 1). Image: Conclusions Our results coincide with earlier findings on accelerated brain structural aging in schizophrenia. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to indicate that this process is coupled with a decline of the whole-brain functional connectivity of a region located in the right temporal, insular, and parietal cortices, and this effect is not driven by chronological age. Further studies are needed to clarify the clinical and cognitive correlates of this decline of functional connectivity. The study was supported by RSF grant project 22-25-00706. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Introduction There is growing evidence of excitation / inhibition (E/I) balance abnormalities in schizophrenia, which might be associated with abnormal gamma frequency oscillations and glutamate concentrations. However, to the best of our knowledge, only one multimodal study have examined such associations between EEG and metabolite characteristics in patients at clinical-high risk of psychosis (CHR) so far. Objectives We aimed to investigate potential associations between GLX (glutamate + glutamine) levels and resting-state gamma-band power in CHR individuals and healthy controls (HC). Methods Twenty right-handed male patients (16-27 years, mean age 19.9 ± 2.7) fulfilling CHR criteria and 19 healthy male controls (16-27 years, mean age 21.6 ± 3.6) underwent resting-state EEG (16 leads; 10−20 system) and MR spectroscopy at 3T MRI scanner with voxels of 30×30×30mm located in left and right medial prefrontal cortex. Spectral analysis with estimation of gamma-band power (30-45 Hz) were conducted. MEGA-PRESS acquisitions were analyzed with jMRUi (ver. 5.1 Alpha), levels of GLX were calculated as a ratios to creatine + phosphocreatine (GLX/Cr). Gamma-band (30-45 Hz) spectral power and GLX/Cr were compared between groups. Correlations between EEG and metabolite data were analyzed with regression model including age and chlorpromazine equivalents as covariates. Results Compared to healthy controls, patients showed reduced spectral gamma-band power in 6 leads (Table). No alterations in GLX/Cr were detected. Positive correlations between altered gamma-power in all leads (except Cz) and GLX/Cr in left medial prefrontal cortex were revealed in CHR (F3: r=0.51, p=0.006; F8: r=0. 54, p=0.004; C3: r=0.37, p=0.037; Pz: r=0.51, p=0.039; P4: r=0.56, p=0.009). No correlations in HC group were found. Chlorpromazine equivalents did not correlate with GLX/Cr of gamma power in CHR group.Table. Results of between-group comparisons corrected for multiple comparisons Lead CHR Mean±SD HC Mean±SD p -value F Cohen’s d Cohen’s d CI 95% F3 0.97±0.62 1.4±0.64 0.0097 7.2 -0.69 -1.22 -0.16 F8 0.84±0.61 1.45±1.03 0.0072 7.8 -0.71 -1.24 -0.19 C3 0.97±0.55 1.44±0.64 0.0026 9.9 -0.79 -1.32 -0.27 Cz 1.03±0.61 1.42±0.52 0.0074 7.7 -0.70 -1.22 -0.18 Pz 1.17±0.7 1.62±0.63 0.0098 7.1 -0.68 -1.2 -0.16 P4 1.04±0.66 1.53±0.66 0.0051 8.5 -0.74 -1.27 -0.22 Conclusions The findings suggest that clinical-high risk of psychosis is associated with widespread alterations in resting-state gamma-band power. Positive correlations of such alterations with GLX/Cr and absence of such correlations in HC group are presumably indicative of disturbances in the excitation / inhibition balance in CHR individuals. This study was supported by RFBR grant 19-29-10040 Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Introduction It is still being discussed whether treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) is a biological subtype which differs from non-treatment-resistant schizophrenia or is it a more severe condition that affects brain worse than non-treatment-resistant schizophrenia. However, there are few and heterogeneous studies and the etiology of TRS remains quite unclear. Objectives This study aimed to explore cortical and subcortical morphometric characteristics in TRS patients and its associations with the clinical features. The pilot stage comprises the comparison to the mentally healthy subjects. Methods 21 right-handed male patients (mean age 28.99 ± 8.08 years) fulfilling TRS criteria and 21 matched healthy controls (mean age 29.35 ± 7.41 years) underwent T1-weighted structural MRI at 3T Philips scanner and clinical examination. Images were processed using FreeSurfer 7.1.1. Cortical thickness and area, volumes of subcortical structures and separately volumes of the amygdala nuclei and hippocampal subregions were compared between groups. The morphometry data, PANSS (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale), CDSS (Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia) and daily chlorpromazine equivalent doses of antipsychotics were included in correlational analysis. Results were considered significant if they retained significance after correction for multiple comparisons. Results Compared to healthy controls, TRS patients showed decreased gray matter thickness in frontal, temporal, parietal, occipital, cingulate and insular regions (Figure 1). The temporal lobe showed the most prominent thinning of the cortex. The volumes of the amygdala, hippocampus (Figure 2) and nucleus accumbens, a number of amygdala nuclei and hippocampal subregions bilaterally were also decreased in TRS patients. The volume of the right globus pallidus, on the contrary, was increased (Figure 2). No correlations between altered cortical thickness, PANSS (positive, negative, general psychopathology scales and total score), CDSS and chlorpromazine equivalent doses of antipsychotics were found. Image: Image 2: Conclusions The widespread gray matter cortical and subcortical loss in TRS finds confirmation in the literature. The increased globus pallidus volume is an unexpected and intriguing result. Other studies demonstrated conflicting results on that point. Some studies reported possible therapy influence, others suggested possible associations with symptoms. We did not find any correlations with psychometric or therapy characteristics. It is possible that there are non-linear relationships or relationships that exist only at a certain stage of the disease. As for therapy, patients took individual medication, consisting of various antipsychotics and drugs from other pharmacological groups, and such heterogeneity could affect the results of the study. Further research is going to be carried out. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Introduction There is strong evidence that delusions are associated with cortical and subcortical structural alterations. However, whether these abnormalities differ in different types of delusions within schizophrenia spectrum disorders remains unclear. Objectives We aimed at exploring structural neural patterns underlying influence/persecutory delusions across diagnostic categories within the schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. Methods Twenty six right-handed patients with delusional disorder (n=7) and schizophrenia (n=19), presenting with delusions were divided in two clinical subgroups. The first one was presented with persecutory delusions (n=12, 20.2-55.4 years, mean age 36.0±11.6, 2 females) and the second with delusions of influence (n=14, 21.2-47.6 years, mean age 36.7±8.4, 2 females). The control group consist of 26 matched healthy controls (20.2-53.6 years, mean age 36.3±9.9, 4 females). All participants underwent structural MRI at 3T scanner. MRI images were processed via FreeSurfer 6.0 to quantify cortical thickness (CTh) and volumes for subcortical and brainstem (midbrain, pons, superior cerebellar peduncle and medulla) structures. Results Compared to healthy controls, patients with delusions of influence showed decreased gray matter thickness in 17 cortical regions (Figure, A), and decreased volumes of thalamus bilaterally (left: F(1,35)=9.0, p=0.005; Cohen’s d=−0.8; right: F(1,35)=8.0, p=0.008; Cohen’s d=−0.8), left hippocampus (F(1,35)=8.8, p=0.005; Cohen’s d=−0.8), midbrain (F(1,35)=11.0, p=0.002; Cohen’s d=−0.9) and pons (F(1,35)=8.2, p=0.007; Cohen’s d=−0.8). Conversely, patients with delusions of persecution showed decreased thickness only in 4 cortical regions of the right hemisphere (figure, B) and no alterations in subcortical volumes compared to healthy controls. No differences in cortical or subcortical measures between two clinical subgroups survived corrections for multiple comparisons. No correlations between structural alterations and total PANSS or BABS scores were found in either clinical groups. Figure. Clusters of decreased cortical thickness according to atlas of Desikan et al. (2006) in delusions of influence (A) and delusions of persecution (B) subgroups compared to healthy controls. Image: Conclusions The findings suggest that patients with delusions of influence have more pronounced cortical, subcortical and brainstem structural deficit as compared to patients with delusions of persecution. However, the limited sample size and the lack of correlations with clinical scores do not allow to conclude definitely whether the revealed structural abnormalities underlies delusions of influence, which should be elucidated via further research. This study was supported by RFBR grant 21-515-12007 Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Introduction The main finding of a large-scale collaborative study (Rees et al. Nat Neurosci 2020;23(2) 179-184), which focused on de novo mutations in schizophrenia, was the discovery of an enrichment of these mutations in the SLC6A1 gene. This gene encodes the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transporter GAT1, thereby encouraging further research into novel schizophrenia targets within the GABA pathway. However, the gene was not highlighted in recent schizophrenia genetic studies, while typically pathogenic SLC6A1 mutations result in epilepsy, motor dysfunction, autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) and developmental delay. The absence of genetic replication for SLC6A1’s involvement in schizophrenia and the differing clinical spectrum for SLC6A1 mutations led us to study in depth one of the only three original probands from the Rees et al. 2020 study. Objectives In our comprehensive case study, we delved deep into the relationship between the SLC6A1 mutation and schizophrenia. Methods Our subject, a patient who first presented with acute mania symptoms at age 15 and was later diagnosed with schizophrenia, carried the SLC6A1 Arg211Cys mutation. Over a detailed 25-year follow-up, we conducted an array of assessments and tests, including cognitive testing, personality assessments, EEG, and 1H-MRS. Results Notably, we discovered abnormal GABA levels, potentially indicating a dysfunction in GABA reuptake, adding a new layer of complexity to our understanding. Further analysis revealed a significant correlation between the patient’s clinical picture and a polygenic background, rather than the SLC6A1 mutation. Despite having a high polygenic risk score for bipolar disorder, the dominant features of his condition were more representative of schizophrenia. Interestingly, neither the patient nor his father, who also showed a higher BP PRS, had a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. The pathogenic significance of the mutation warrants investigation in cells of neuronal origin. We generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) from the patient and his parents. This approach provides us with a platform for future investigations into the pathogenic significance of the mutation in neuronal cells. The Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Registry accession numbers of those cells are MHRCCGi001-A (patient), MHRCCGi005-A (mother) and MHRCCGi004-A (father). Conclusions In the presented case the clinical picture is rather explained by the polygenic background than by the SLC6A1 Arg211Cys mutation. The study is supported by Russian Science Foundation, grant 21-15-00124 (https://rscf.ru/project/21-15-00124) Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Background. The Canadian Anatomic Kidney Score (CAKS) is a novel 6-point grading system that standardizes the gross description of a donor kidney across 3 components—vessels, anatomy, and sticky fat. We hypothesized that the CAKS predicts allograft functional outcomes and provides additional information to the Kidney Donor Profile Index (KDPI) and histologic assessment of the donor kidney. Methods. Single-center cohort of 145 patients who underwent renal transplantation with CAKS analysis between 2018 and 2021. CAKS was prospectively determined before transplantation. Preimplantation core biopsies were assessed according to the Remuzzi score (RS). The primary outcome was 1-y allograft function represented by an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Results. Linear regression without adjustment for KDPI or RS showed a significant association between the CAKS and 1-y eGFR (−8.7 mL/min/1.73 m2 per point increase in CAKS; 95% CI, −13.0 to −4.4; P < 0.001). Most of that association was attributed to the vessel component (−12.1; −19.4 to −4.8; P = 0.002). Adjustment for KDPI and RS attenuated the relationship between 1-y function and CAKS (−4.6; −9.5 to 0.3; P = 0.065) and vessel component (−7.4; −15.2 to 0.5; P = 0.068). Conclusions. Anatomic assessment of donor kidneys at the time of transplantation associates with allograft function at 1 y. Vascular assessment appears to make the dominant contribution.

Sufficient conditions for a trigonometric polynomial to be a refinement mask corresponding to a tight wavelet frame are obtained. The condition is formulated in terms of the roots of a mask. In particular, it is proved that any trigonometric polynomial can serve as a mask if its associated algebraic polynomial has only negative roots (of course at least one of them equals -1). Bibliography: 4 titles., UDC 517.5 1. INTRODUCTION The unitary extension principle (UEP) of Ron and Shen [1] is one of the main tools for the construction of tight wavelet frames. We recall it [...]

The aim of this study was to explore the role of the theory of mind – the ability to attribute mental states to other people in order to explain their behavior – in popularity with peers and in the social competence of children of primary school age. The participants were 92 children aged 9–12 years (M=9,97; SD=0,80; 47 girls). We used the F. Happé “Strange Stories” test, used to study children's understanding of the speaker's communicative intentions in situations of ambiguously understood social interactions, to assess theory of mind. The popularity of children in the group was studied using a sociometric method. For an external evaluation teachers assessed the social behavior of children and adolescents using a specially designed questionnaire. The results obtained testify to the relationship of children’s theory of mind with both their popularity with peers, and with their social competence as a whole. The understanding of communicative intentions in difficult social situations by children is related with both peer preference for socializing and perceived popularity among peers. An external assessment of social competence among primary school age children by teachers has shown that children who are more successful in understanding the communicative intentions of other people are rated by adults as more popular among their peers, while the less successful ones are those who more often become the object of ridicule and often fall under the negative influence of others.

The article deals with the issue of the level and quality of life of the Japanese. Data from two sources of information are analyzed and compared – official statistical data and opinion polls conducted by private and public organizations. The statistics show that, according to a number of indicators (the level of per capita income, household provision of housing and durable goods, life expectancy, distribution of income and wealth among the population, etc.), Japan is among the highly developed nations, providing the absolute majority of its citizens with a high level of material well-being. Although, in general, the data of sociological surveys, which represent subjective assessments by the Japanese of their financial situation, do not refute this thesis, in some aspects they significantly correct it, showing that not all citizens of the country are satisfied with their standard of living and some of its components. While some of these assessments seem controversial, this does not diminish their importance as a valuable source of information. These assessments, in particular, show that Japanese society is far from being as homogeneous as it is commonly believed, that it consists of groups that differ not only in income and wealth, but also in lifestyle, in their ideas about the value of work, about the importance of certain aspects of life, about social justice, etc. In other words, by complementing statistical indicators, these assessments help us to get closer to understanding how diverse and complex the life of contemporary Japanese society is.

In the summer of 2023, the textbook The Economy of Japan, prepared by a famous Russian Japanese Studies scholar I. L. Timonina, was published. As the author herself notes, her goal was to write not just a textbook containing material on the Japanese economy, but a “navigator textbook,” which gives the reader the tools to study the modern Japanese economy. These tools are represented by references to scientific literature, as well as information and statistical sources, methodological materials that provide a methodology for calculating basic economic indicators, definitions of key terms and concepts, and theoretical approaches to the study of various economic processes. Students are encouraged to work independently by using “homework” – the sections “For those who want to learn more…” and “Assignment” are placed at the end of each chapter. Concise Summaries are also a kind of “navigator” that makes it easier for readers to “move” through the content-rich and sizeable textbook material. As for the content of the textbook, it reflects almost all the most important processes and phenomena of the modern Japanese economy, and, in general, it gives the reader a fairly complete idea of the scale and quality of Japan’s economic potential, the peculiarities of the organization of the country’s economic life, its positions in the world economy, etc. Obviously, writing the textbook The Economy of Japan required a lot of effort from the author. After all, to collect, process, structure, and logically present such a huge amount of material, while focusing on a strictly defined order of presentation is a task that requires not only high professionalism, but also great effort. But this was fully justified. The textbook prepared by I. L. Timonina is written at a level that allows to characterize it not only as a high-quality educational material, but also as a highly professional scientific work. There is no doubt that it will be in demand not only by students and teachers, but also by researchers studying the problems of modern economy.

This article is devoted to the creative work of the nonconformist artist Borukh (Boris Arckadyevich Shteinberg, 1938–2003). His legacy has hardly been studied, and the information about him is mainly found in catalogs, memoirs of friends and colleagues, and exhibition explications. Meanwhile, the work of this artist is a highlight of Russian underground art. Borukh was a multi-talented master: a writer, painter and graphic artist, author of collages and assemblages. The emphasis in the article is on the artist’s original metal works. They represent an important chapter in his creative biography, standing out both against the background of the late Soviet and Russian art and in a wider context. Having a creative relationship with the works of such masters of object art as, for example, Cornell, Arman, and Cesar, Borukh’s metals illustrate the commonality of searches in the art of the second half of the 20th century.

Aim: evaluation of long-term results of injection of botulinum toxin type A into the internal anal sphincter and performing lateral internal sphincterotomy in combination with excision of chronic anal fissure.Materials and methods. The study included 176 patients (73 (41.5 %) men and 103 (58.5 %) women) older than 18 years; randomization into the compared groups was carried out by random number generation in a computer program. Patients, researchers and surgeons were not blinded. Patients of the main group underwent fissure excision in combination with relaxation of the internal anal sphincter by botulinum toxin type A (BTA) at a dosage of 40 units, patients of the control group underwent lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS) with excision of chronic anal fissure. Long-term results of complex treatment were studied in 126 patients (54 (43 %) men and 72 (57 %) women), the median follow-up was 12.3 (12.2; 15.7) months. Statistical analysis was carried out in the program Statistica 13.3 (TIBCO Software Inc., USA).Results. In the long-term postoperative period, the indicators of mean resting anal pressure were lower in the LIS group (p = 0.04). The compared groups were comparable in terms of the level mean squeeze anal pressure (p = 0.69); however, in patients of the BTA group, the level of this indicator increased over time (p = 0.001). None of the patients of the compared groups had anal incontinence and relapse of the disease.Discussion. In the framework of the performed study, in some patients from the compared groups, spasm of the internal anal sphincter persisted throughout the observation period, and in some patients it occurred again, while no signs of relapse fissure were detected. The functional and clinical results of treatment obtained by us cast doubt on the exclusivity of the increased tone of the internal anal sphincter as the main link in the pathogenesis of chronic anal fissure in some patients and indicates the presence of other factors in combination with which the course of the disease is determined. The above facts do not exclude the possibility of recurrence of anal fissure in a more distant period of observation.Conclusion. Medical relaxation with botulinum toxin type A at a dosage of 40 units can serve as an alternative to lateral internal sphincterotomy as a method of eliminating spasm of the internal anal sphincter

In this study, the decolorization reaction of aqueous solution bromophenol blue dye was carried out in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and peroxidase contained in the roots of horseradish (Armoracia rusticana), radish (Raphanus sativus var. radicula), yellow turnip (Brassica napobrassica), daikon (Raphanus sativus), black radish (Raphanus sativus ‘Niger’), green radish (Raphanus) or stalk of white cabbage (Brassica capitata). The reaction was carried out at an initial dye content of 25,1 μM, a hydrogen peroxide concentration of 0,4 mM, at t = 24 °C and pH 4,01, the peel of various vegetables was used as a source of peroxidase; it was inserted into the reaction without enzyme primary extraction. When using horseradish waste, black radish, white cabbage, turnips, it is possible to get the degree of decolorization of the dye in its aqueous solution by 95%. The maximum rate and Michaelis constants of the enzymatic reaction are calculated by the linearization method in the Linuiver – Burke coordinates. It is shown that the activity of peroxidase contained in the peel of black radish persists with an increase in temperature from 23 to 40 °С.

The aim of the study is to analyze the prerequisites for the innovative transformation of transport services market entities in terms of their importance and the power of influence on various groups of entities based on expert assessment. The relevance of the research topic is due to the dynamic and significant change in the outside world in the context of the emerging political and economic situation that affects the functioning of current processes, which determines the need to transform the subjects of transport services. The paper considers the classification of the subjects of the market under study and determines the scheme of their interaction, the classification of the prerequisites for the innovative transformation of the subjects of the transport services market is studied, and their grouping according to the type of sources of manifestation, nature and content is compiled, the importance of the prerequisites for the innovative transformation of the subjects of the transport services market and the strength of their influence on this process, the level of susceptibility of subjects of the transport services market to the prerequisites for innovative transformation is determined. In the course of the study, methods of data analysis and synthesis, grouping of prerequisites for deriving the author’s version of the division of the listed groups, a graph-analytical method for the purpose of visualizing and interpreting the results of an expert assessment, and assessing the quality level of the examination were used. The scientific novelty of the study lies in identifying the prerequisites that have the strongest influence on the process of transformation of the subjects of the transport services market in modern conditions, as well as in determining the groups of subjects most susceptible to the influence of certain prerequisites. The theoretical and methodological basis of the study are the works of domestic and foreign scientists and experts in the field of the transport services market, its subjects, the concept of Industry 4.0 and their existence in a single ecosystem. The personal contribution of the authors consists in conducting an expert assessment of the prerequisites for the innovative transformation of the subjects of the transport services market in modern conditions and analyzing the data obtained. The main result of the study is to identify the most affected by the specific prerequisites for the innovative transformation of the subjects of the transport services market, which allows us to further explore the prospects for the transformation of the subjects of the transport market of the Russian Federation within the framework of the concept of industry 4.0. The results obtained can be used to develop the provisions of political and economic strategies for the development of the transport services market at different levels of interaction, as well as for the purposes of strategic planning of activity programs and the functioning of specific enterprises in the industry. The direction of further research involves the analysis of incentives for the innovative transformation of transport services market entities, the study of the main provisions and specifics of the implementation of the Industry 4.0 concept in transport, as well as the study of world experience in the implementation of innovative transport technologies of Industry 4.0.

The structure of the soil cover at the territory of the clayey semidesert of the Northern Caspian Sea is represented by triparted soil complex and peculiar soils like solod. Solods are formed in relief elements that are constant for this territory – mesodepressions, which are referred to limans. Two soil profiles were studied in the bottom of the liman – solod, and on its peripheral part – solodized meadow-chestnut soil. The formation of the solod profile occurs because of periodic moistening with fresh water and systematic flooding during the snowmelt period. The second soil is in the zone of transit of surface water to the liman. The soil profiles have the same type of eluvialilluvial distribution of the clay fraction, while differentiation is more distinct in solod. Mineralogical analysis established the same type of qualitative composition of clay and clastogenic minerals in both soils. Clay minerals are represented by illite, smectite, mixed-layer illite-smectite, accompanied by kaolinite and chlorite. Clastogenic minerals are represented by quartz, mica, K-feldspar, plagioclase, and chlorite. Quartz and feldspars are accumulated in the solodized horizons of the soil profiles; the content of quartz and feldspars decreases in the textural horizons, while the content of mica and chlorite increases. The distribution of the smectite phase in the solod profile reveals a difference in the ratio of illite-smectite packets, structures with a low content of smectite packets predominate in the solod part of the profile, and the proportion with a swelling packet in mixed-layer minerals increases in textural horizons. The solodized meadow-chestnut soil is distinguished by a smaller thickness of the solodized horizon, a higher content of the smectite component, and a calm character of the profile differentiation of clay and clastogenic minerals. In both soils, labile minerals with signs of superdispersion are recorded in the solodized and textural horizons. The superdispersion of labile minerals has different causes. In solod, it is associated with the action of low-mineralized water and the hydrolysis of soil minerals during the wet seasons of the year, as well as with the intense regime of intrasoil weathering in situ, and in the solodized meadow-chestnut soil, with the passage of the stage of solonetz soils. Differences in the smectite component were also revealed: in the solodized horizons of solod, it is represented by individual smectite and the mixed-layer phase of illitesmectite; and in the meadow-chestnut soil – by mixed-layer illite-smectite.

Due to the complexity and heterogeneity of soil organic matter, a very wide range of methods and approaches is used to study it. This generates an excessive number of terms, definitions and indices, which makes it difficult to understand and interpret the data of different authors. The paper provides an overview of the currently most relevant methods and approaches for studying soil organic matter (SOM) and its mineral matrix. The review considers the concept of soil organic matter, its pools and fractions, the concept of soil carbon saturation. The main approaches to assessing the content, structure, and structure of pools of organic matter are described. The methods of estimation of content, structure and composition of theoretical pools of SOM are considered: biological, densimetric, granulometric, chemical and thermal fractionation. A special attention is paid to thermal methods of analysis as a promising direction for studying the non-hydrolyzable part of organic matter. It is emphasized that in the study of SOM pools, which are theoretically distinguished by behavior in time (usually by stability), about their quantity, composition and physical properties are judged by fractions, which are instrumentally determined properties of soils. Approaches are shown for studying the mineral matrix of soils and organic matter from the point of view of modern soil mineralogy and micromorphology. The influence of soil mineral composition on granulometric and chemical composition of the soils, physico-chemical absorption capacity and organo-mineral interactions is evaluated. In the description of organo-mineral components, terms and concepts of particles and structure of clay minerals – phyllosilicates – are especially considered.

Social competence during adolescence plays a crucial role in socialization and psychological well-being. Available data suggest that social cognition (theory of mind, ToM) and self-regulation (behavioral control) abilities make a significant contribution to social competence at a young age, but research on their role in adolescence is still limited. The purpose of the research is to study the role of behavior control and ToM in the social competence of adolescents. The study involved 106 6-8-grade students (girls - 51), aged 12-15 years ( Me = 13, SD = 0.87). The BRIEF questionnaire was used to assess their behavior control; ToM was assessed using tasks for understanding high-order false beliefs. For external assessment of the social competence of the participants, a questionnaire for teachers and a sociometric method were used. The groups of the adolescents, divided by the median criterion, were compared using the overall BRIEF regulation index and the total score for false-belief understanding. The most salient differences in the teachers’ and peers’ assessments of the social competence were found between the contrasting groups of the participants, i.e., with high levels of ToM and behavior control and with low levels of these abilities. At the same time, differences in the teachers’ assessments were observed for both positive and negative assessments but, in sociometric indices, only for negative ones. The teachers considered the adolescents with high levels of behavior control to be more socially competent, regardless of their level of social cognition. For the peers, the level of behavioral control mattered only when the ability to assess the mental states of other people was weak. The results of our study show the importance of the role of social cognition and behavioral control in the implementation of socially competent behavior in adolescents. At the same time, the data obtained indicate the heterogeneity of the contribution of these abilities to the social competence of adolescents assessed by peers and teachers.

The communicative approach to teaching Russian as a foreign language (RFL) implies that the main goal - the acquisition of communication skills - can only be achieved in a stimulative communicative environment. Meanwhile, the online format, which is currently becoming popular, is characterized by limited interaction between the participants of the educational process. Thus, the problem of developing methodological foundations for a productive communicative environment in the process of online teaching is becoming acute for the methodology of teaching RFL. The aim of this study is to describe the features of educational communication, determined by Chinese cultural and educational traditions, on the material of monolingual groups from China studying Russian in Russian universities, and to develop a methodological framework for creating a productive communicative environment for synchronous RFL online lessons, considering the specifics of students' communicative behavior. The study material included 10 synchronous online RFL lessons with a total duration of 15 hours and 51 minutes. Monolingual groups of Chinese students (A2-B2) participated in the lessons. A content analysis method using Atlas.ti software was applied to process the results. Coding was based on a deductive approach with elements of inductive approach; the coding system was based on the category of social presence, operationalized and adapted to the specifics of RFL learning. The prevalence of several communication behavior patterns among Chinese students, which conflict with the current methodological principles, was shown. At the same time, deviations from conventional behavior of Chinese students at the analyzed RFL classes were observed. This suggested that despite the strong influence of cultural attitudes, the parameters of the communicative environment of an online lesson may vary depending on the teacher's efforts. It is argued that the formation of communicative environment of a synchronous online RFL lesson requires that the teacher possesses the ability to manage the interactivity of communication, to form an atmosphere of cooperation and cohesion in the online group, to maintain emotionality of online communication. The study contributes to the development of digital language teaching, forming a scientific basis for creating methodological technologies of a productive educational environment in RFL online teaching.

Transitioning to a new model of economic growth during economic transformation and sanctions risks is challenging. Such change requires effective decisionmaking and management of strategic business zone portfolios and evaluating proposed organizational pivots. This article discusses the internal and external impacts of possible risks on metallurgical enterprise activities. Based on the data obtained, we identify possible threats that need to be integrated into new enterprise strategy. Drawing upon this data, this study proposes a strategic organizational pyramid that divides the company’s development strategy into four levels of impact: corporate, financial, functional and operational. These levels emphasize the degree of risk impact and aim to improve the strategy at all levels. The study assesses the potential of the phases of the life cycles of the enterprise. Finally, we compile the design indicators of the economic efficiency of the proposed strategies to increase the value of the company in the face of new risks.

Objectives. To investigate the possibility of preventing hydrogen absorption into the functional structural materials of hydrogen-generating membrane electrode assemblies based on porous nickel, carbon black, and reduced graphene oxide with platinum–nickel and palladium–nickel nanoparticles.Methods. The hydrogen absorption into materials of membrane electrode assemblies of alkaline electrolyzers was evaluated using an electrolyzer with variable temperature, reagent feed rate, and gas content.Results. The study established the need to use reduced graphene oxide, in order to reduce hydrogen absorption and degradation of hydrogen-generating membrane electrode assemblies.Conclusions. The service life test results and performance of the designed variants of prototypes of membrane electrode assemblies with nanostructured electrodes based on reduced graphene oxide, preventing hydrogen absorption into functional materials and their degradation, demonstrated the creation of hydrogen generators with high energy efficiency shows potential.

Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptors (NOD-like receptors) are cytosolic signaling receptors of innate immune cells recognizing ligands derived from bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa. They can initiate apoptosis and pro-inflammatory cytokines production. Meanwhile, the role of decidual NOD-like receptors in pathogenesis of early miscarriages remains unknown. Aim: to study NOD-like receptor (NOD1, NOD2, NLRP1, NLRP3, NLRC4) messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression in decidual tissue from patients with missedand spontaneous abortions compared to progressive pregnancy.Materials and Methods. NOD1, NOD2, NLRP1, NLRP3, NLRC4 and pathway protein receptorinteracting-serine/threonine-protein kinase 2 (RIP-2) mRNA expression in decidua from 34 patients with missed abortions (group I), 34 patients with spontaneous abortions (group II) and 57 women with progressive pregnancy admitted for artificial abortion (group III, control group) were analyzed by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) at gestational age of 6–10 weeks. Exclusion criteria were as follows: endocrine disorders, severe extragenital diseases, antiphospholipid syndrome, inherited thrombophilia, uterine malformations and fetal chromosomal abnormalities. Samples were collected by uterine abrasion. Results. It was found that mRNA expression of NOD2 was significantly higher in decidua from patients with missed and spontaneous abortions, whereas for RIP-2 (related to relevant signaling pathway) – in women with missed abortions. A moderate positive correlation between gestational age and mRNA expression for NOD2 (R = 0.48; p = 0.01) and RIP-2 (R = 0.41; p = 0.007) was observed in subjects with progressive pregnancy. In contrast, women with missed abortions showed a moderate negative correlation between body weight and mRNA expression for NOD2 (R = –0.46; p = 0.03) and RIP-2 (R = –0.51; p = 0.02) whereas spontaneous abortions was associated with moderate negative correlation between RIP-2 mRNA expression and body weight (R= –0.47; p=0.04) as well as body mass index (R= –0.48; p = 0.04) along with moderate positive correlation with age of menarche (R = 0.46; p = 0.04). However, compared with progressive pregnancy no significant differences were found in expression level form NOD1, NLRP1, NLRP3 and NLRC4 mRNA in decidua from patients with missed and spontaneous abortions. Conclusion. Elevated NOD2 mRNA expression was observed in decidua from patients with missed and spontaneous abortions compared to progressive pregnancy paralleled with upregulated RIP-2 mRNA expression in missed abortions. Finally, it was found that NOD1, NLRP1, NLRP3 and NLRC4 were not involved in pathogenesis of miscarriages.

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common form of cardiac arrhythmias. Studying the pathogenesis of this pathological process will make it possible to look for new methods of treating AF and to predict its occurrence in a more targeted way. The aim of the study was to identify the components of the takeover process of central rhythmogenesis by the SA node in the conditions of atrial fibrillation when stimulating the vagus nerve and using substance SS-68. Materials and Methods: The experiments were conducted on 30 frogs and 90 cats. In frogs, the activity of the regions of the medulla oblongata synchronous with the heart rhythm was determined in a high-frequency electromagnetic field. In cats, proximal and distal foci of luminescence in the vagus nerve (VN) and pools of pacemaker cells (PCs) in the sinoatrial node were visualized under topical and general anesthesia, using a KELSY scanner with a microscope video capture unit while stimulating VN and using SS-68. Results and Discussion: The stimulation of VN with volleys of electrical impulses and the introduction of SS-68 increase the foci of luminescence in the nerve and unite the PC pools. This way, under general anesthesia in comparison with topical anesthesia, the area of the proximal focus of VN luminescence decreased by 83.8%, and the distal focus – by 44.9%. Against the background of general anesthesia, the area of the proximal focus of luminescence when stimulating VN with volleys of electrical impulses was by 76.0% larger than before stimulation, and the distal focus – by 72.5%. After the administration of SS-68, there was an increase in the foci of luminescence: under general anesthesia, when compared with topical anesthesia, the area of the proximal foci of luminescence decreased by 86.8%, and the distal one – by 67.1%. Under general anesthesia, the area of the proximal focus of luminescence under conditions of stimulating VN with volleys of electrical impulses was by 82.2% larger than before stimulation and the distal one – by 78.2%. When signals from the brain arrive simultaneously through VN at the PC pools, they are absorbed by the PC pools; the focus of early depolarization becomes wide, which prevents the development of AF. The increased synchronizing influence of VN may be one of the methods for treating autonomic AF, and if its influence decreases, it can be a prognostic factor for the occurrence of recurrent AF. Conclusion: The tonic effect of VN on the heart rhythm through electrical stimulation of the former and the use of SS-68 is manifested in a decreased heart rate: the difference between the initial heart rhythm and the minimal synchronization range boundary. A decrease in the heart rate under the influence of VN prevents paroxysms of AF, but does not completely eliminate the influence of ectopic foci on it.

The ageing of the population is one of the main challenges Japan is facing. It occurs under the influence of both the economic achievements of the country and the peculiarities of the demographic situation. The article considers three aspects of population ageing – the position of elderly Japanese in the labor market and the problem of their employment, the financial situation and the level of consumption of elderly citizens, as well as the impact of population ageing on the situation in the social security system. The elderly Japanese have become an important reserve of the workforce, which compensates for the reduction in the number of young workers. Their economic activity has significantly increased in the last decade, in particularly due to the purposeful policy of the state, which legislatively establishes rules for extending the employment of workers after reaching the teinen. The incomes of elderly Japanese allow most of them to maintain a fairly high level of consumption, and non-working citizens use their savings for this purpose too. The state policy of smoothing economic inequality in this group, which increases sharply after entering retirement age due to increased diversification of lifestyles, also contributes to maintaining a decent standard of living for older citizens. In general, the absolute and relative growth in the number of senior citizens among Japanese consumers does not lead to a reduction in the volume of the consumer market, although it affects in a certain way the structure of goods and services offered in it. The most obvious negative consequence of the ageing of the population is a sharp increase in the share of spending on senior citizens in the total state spending on the welfare sphere. The main part of their financing is borne by working generations, and the inevitable further change in the ratio between the number of working Japanese and the number of elderly citizens in favor of the latter threatens to further aggravate the problem of financing the country’s welfare system. Considering the tools offered by Japanese specialists, the author believes that Japan will be able to preserve the obvious achievements in the field of social security without overstraining its financing system.

Introduction: Combined inflammatory and destructive processes affecting the dental pulp and tissues of the periodontal complex are among the most problem diseases of the dental system. Current therapy with use of available pharmacological agents does not always allow achieving the expected positive result. In addition, often the lack of information about morphological processes in the tissues of the dental system, in particular the gums, with endodontic-periodontal lesion (EPL) limits the ability of dentists to carry out targeted pharmacotherapy with both traditional and, in particular, new medications. The aim of the study was to evaluate the morphological characteristics of gum tissues in a therapeutic context of N-isopropenylimidazole zinc complex derivative in experimental endodontic-periodontal lesion in rats. Materials and Methods: A simulation of EPL in rats was performed in two ways: simultaneous induction of acute periodontitis and parodontitis by pulp extraction and natural infection of the pulp cavity, as well as by ligation of the necks of lower incisors. The research protocols included 5 groups of animals: 1st – intact group (control-1); 2nd – animals with simulated EPL (control-2); 3rd – animals with simulated EPL and treated with Metrogyl Denta® gel (M-D); 4th – animals with simulated EPL and treated with N–isopropenylimidazole zinc complex derivative gel under the laboratory code Pilim-1; and 5th – animals with simulated EPL and treated with the combination of M-D + Pilim-1. The gum of the lower incisors was taken for morphological studies. Slides were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Computer morphometry was performed using the ImageJ software. Results and Discussion: The substances M-D, Pilim-1 and, especially, the combination of M-D+Pilim-1 (against the background of chlorhexidine bigluconate used as oral rinse) for 14 days in rats with simulated EPL cause a significant improvement of the morphological structure of the gum with minimal residual dystrophy and sclerosis. The combination M-D + Pilim-1 led to a 1.3-time increase in epithelial thickness, and a 1.5-time decrease in acanthosis depth in comparison with M-D, while the number of capillaries and their diameter had no significant differences. Compared with Pilim-1, the epithelial thickness increased 1.5 times, and the acanthosis depth and the number of capillaries decreased 1.6 and 1.4 times, respectively, whereas the diameter of the capillaries did not change significantly. The pronounced protective effect of the combination M-D + Pilim-1 on the morphological structure of the gingival mucosa of rats with simulated EPL may be associated with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, regenerating, angioprotective and antioxidant properties of both M-D and Pilim-1 separately, and, possibly to a greater extent, of the combination M-D + Pilim-1. Conclusion: The substances M-D, Pilim-1 and, especially, the combination M-D + Pilim-1 (against the background of chlorhexidine bigluconate used as oral rinse) for 14 days in rats with simulated EPL have a protective effect on the epithelial structure and the connective tissue of the proper mucous plate, manifested in active normalization of pathological changes and significant restoration of their organotypic structure.

At the present stage of economic development, the leading role in ensuring the competitiveness of both an singular enterprise and the country as a whole, as well as in creating conditions for the transition to sustainable development, is played by the successful implementation of the latest scientific developments in production processes, comprehensive support for the strategy of innovative development. The development and implementation of innovations is a complex dynamic process that requires the use of special research methods. Such a method is system dynamics, which makes it possible to take into account the nonlinearity of the impact of innovation on the state of the economy. The paper considers the methodology for building a model for managing innovation processes, taking into account the self-organization of the logistic type. The main danger that can accompany the evolution of innovation processes is the emergence of unacceptable dynamic modes, so one of the tasks of the study was to determine the conditions capable of ensuring the stability of equilibrium states of a complex dynamic system according to the proposed models. The object of research is a complex dynamic system, between the elements of which there is both positive and negative feedback. To build a model of the dynamics of innovation processes, the mathematical apparatus of the theory of differential equations was applied, which made it possible to consider the development of the innovation process in continuous time. With the help of the instrumentarium of nonlinear dynamics, a study of the stability of diffusion of innovations depending on the parameters of the control influence was carried out. The conditions for the transition of the system to a critical state, which may be accompanied by the occurrence of bifurcations and chaos, have been determined. Particular attention was paid to determining the structural stability of the regulated innovation process in the case when both equilibrium positions are close in terms of parameter values. It is expedient to apply the proposed model to solve the problem of innovation management both at the State level and at the level of an individual industry or an individual enterprise. The obtained theoretical conclusions were confirmed through the use of simulation modeling.

Objective. Analysis of differences in social cognition skills (theory of mind) and Machiavellianism in adolescents with different levels of popularity and preference among peers. Background. Despite the possible consensus on the positive relationship of high social cognition skills and successful socialization, it remains important to study how theory of mind and manipulative behavior are involved in the popularity and social preferences of adolescents. Study design. The paper studied the differences in the theory of mind and Machiavellianism in adolescents with different levels of popularity and social preference in the peer group. Statistical differences were tested using non-parametric differences tests. Participants. 166 students (grades 6–8) from schools in the Moscow region. Age from 13 to 14 years (M = 13,39; SD = 0,49), including 90 girls (54,2%). Measurements. Theory of mind was assessed using the "Reading the Mind in the Eyes" test and tasks for understanding false believes of a higher order. The Russian-language version of the Mach scale is IV. Sociometric method. Results. Adolescents choose peers with high social cognition skills as friends. Machiavellianism plays into the evaluation of popularity and social preference by peers. Adolescents with a higher level of Machiavellianism are rated by their peers as more popular and preferred for communication. Conclusions. Popular teens and teens chosen to socialize differ in social cognition and machiavellian skills.

The article is dedicated to the history of the study of the Penza fortress line, which accounts for more than two and a half centuries, but has not yet become the subject of historiographical analysis. There are three main stages can be distinguished in the study. The interest to the fortifications of the saddle line appeared in the last quarter of the XVIII century, when the information about them appeared in the notes of travelers and writers: P.S. Pallas, P.I. Sumarokov. Since the second half of the XIX century archivists and regional ethnographers began to collect archival documents on the Penza fortification line. Their efforts were aimed at localizing the earth ramparts, establishing the time of creation of military settlements, and publishing the texts of ancient acts. Along with documents, they used the data of legends and local legends. The beginning of the second stage refers to the middle of the XX century, when the studies of the Penza fortification line acquired a systematic character. V.I. Lebedev becomes its main researcher. Along with a wide use of the archival data, he turned to the field research, which allowed to fill the gaps in the documents, lost as the result of fires in the archives of the Prikaz Kazan Palace. Great work in search of the ancient acts was carried out by Penza archivists and local historians: G.V. Eremin, S.L. Shishlov and V.M. Sharakin in publication’s preparation: «The Fortress-City of Penza», by order of the Second Secretary of Penza Regional Committee of the CPSU G.V. Myasnikov. As a result of common efforts, the fortifications of the Penza Line were localized on the ground, the exact dates of their construction were established, and the composition of the servicemen was determined. The results of the research were summarized in the two editions of V.I. Lebedev’s monographs of 1986 and 2006. At present the studies of fortifications of serfdom are carried out mainly by archaeological methods, but their results are rather modest.