Search

The pyrolysis of coffee husks and coffee parchment at 350 and 500°C was considered as the first stage of gasification by the two-stage thermal conversion of biomass into synthesis gas. The yields and compositions of pyrolysis products at the selected temperatures were determined. It was found that a significant amount of acetic acid was formed in the aqueous phase of the pyrogenic liquid to significantly complicate the use of an aqueous layer for the subsequent gasification. The possibility of practical implementation of the pyrolysis of waste coffee products as an independent process or the first stage of conversion into synthesis gas was noted.

The activity of solid electrolytes from the family of Na(Cs)–Mx–Zr phosphates (NZP and CZP) with dopant ions M+2 = Co+2 and Ni+2 synthesized by the sol–gel method is studied in the gas-phase transformations of isopropanol and isobutanol. It is found that the amount of M+2 and its nature, as well as the direction of a change in the catalyst temperature (heating or cooling in the range of 473−693 K), affects the activity of M-NZP and M-CZP. In the transformation of isopropanol, hysteresis of the acetone yield, counter-clockwise (type I) for Co-NZP and clockwise (type II) for Ni-NZP, is observed in the heating–cooling cycles. An increase in the activity of Co-NZP in the cooling mode (type I) is related to a rise in the apparent activation energy of alcohol dehydrogenation under conditions of the formation of new catalytically active sites in the form of a Co+2−Zr+4 → Co+3−Zr+3 ion pair with the oxidized form of M and the reduced form of Zr. Type I hysteresis of the total alcohol conversion is observed in the transformations of isobutanol to olefin and aldehyde over Co(Ni)-CZP. The hysteresis is associated with a decrease in the activation energy of alcohol dehydrogenation. The main reaction over the Co(Ni)-CZP catalysts is the dehydration of alcohol with an increase in the activation energy of the reaction upon cooling, for example, by 53 kJ/mol for Ni0.25-CZP.

New methane degradation nickel catalysts based on original and modified layered double hydroxides and multilayer carbon nanotubes have been synthesized. The synthesized systems have been characterized by a set of physicochemical methods, namely, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and the thermal method. The catalytic activity of the synthesized catalysts in the temperature range of 550–850°С has been studied. It has been shown that in the methane decomposition reaction, the sample with a modified Ni-containing layer exhibits two regions of catalytic activity (550–650 and 700–850°С), whereas the sample based on carbon nanotubes is characterized by a single region (700–850°С) and the system based on a layered double hydroxide does not show activity in the entire temperature range.

The effect crystal structure has on the catalytic properties of complex zirconium-containing bismuth vanadates Bi4Zr2xV2–2xO11–δ in the decomposition of isobutanol is studied. Complex oxides are obtained by means of solid-state synthesis and studied via IR spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and XPS. The catalytic activity of Bi4Zr2xV2−2xO11−δ perovskite in the dehydrogenation of isobutanol grows along with the content of zirconium(ΙV) ions and phase changes α → β → γ, with the highly conductive γ-phase being the one most active. It is found that an increase in the dehydrogenating activity of the samples is associated with a drop in the activation energy of the reaction and a change in the state of the solid solution’s current carriers.

The review deals with the development of catalysts for the production of aromatic hydrocarbons from syngas. The thermodynamic aspects of the syngas conversion to aromatic hydrocarbons and the influence of the properties of the catalytic system on the yield and composition of the reaction products are considered. The mechanisms of the reaction on different catalysts are presented, and the influence of the catalyst active phase and structural features of the support on the activity, stability, and selectivity of the catalysts are discussed. The composition of the catalyst active phase influences the structure of the reaction intermediates and the choice of the process temperature and feed supply rate. The major factors influencing the selectivity of the formation of aromatic compounds are the support pore structure and acidity. The highest yield of aromatic compounds can be reached at maximum close location of various types of catalyst active sites: metal phase and acid sites of the support.

The physicochemical and catalytic properties of Cs1 – 2xNixZr2(PO4)3 (x = 0, 0.15, 0.25, 0.50) systems are studied. Double and triple nickel-containing phosphates with the NASICON structure are obtained by the sol–gel method. It is shown that these phosphates are active and stable isobutanol dehydration catalysts. The relationship between the catalytic activity in the dehydration reaction over triple cesium-zirconium phosphates and their crystallographic characteristics and surface acidity is established. It is shown that upon partial or complete replacement of cesium ions with nickel ions an increase in dehydration activity correlates with an increase in the number of acid sites determined by the pyridine adsorption titration method.

The possibility of implementing the concept of converting bioglycerin into a blend of oxygenates, potentially applicable as components of gasoline by ketalization with acetone (T = 30–40°C, atmospheric pressure), accompanied by mild hydrogenolysis of ketal [T = 100–140°C, p(H2) = 2 MPa] to obtain a mixture of of glycerol and solketal isopropyl ethers. It was shown that the preferred method of conversion is the separate performing of ketalization and hydrogenolysis, since when these stages are combined, the side reaction of the formation of free isopropyl alcohol is highly selective. The regularities in the influence of the composition of the catalytic system (Pd/C + para-toluenesulfonic acid) on its activity were found in the reaction of catalytic hydrogenation of solketal to a mixture of glycerol and solketal isopropyl ethers (optimal ratio of Pd/para-toluenesulfonic acid = 0.811 mol). It was shown that the addition of 4–5% glycerol to raw materials makes it possible to increase the yield of target hydrogenation products from 25 to 36%. Using a flow unit, the catalytic hydrogenation of solketal was optimized. In the optimal mode [T = 170°C, p(H2) = 4 MPa, v = 0.5 h−1, H2/feedstock = 660 nL L−1], the conversion of solketal to a mixture of target products (glycerol monoisopropyl ether, glycerol diisopropyl ethers, and solketal isopropyl ether) reaches 98%. The possibility of carrying out the reaction on heterogeneous bifunctional catalysts of the Pd/sulfonated coal type is shown.

A scheme for the combined processing of coal to produce synthetic jet fuel is proposed and experimentally verified. It has been established that using an approach including coal coking followed by gasification, Fischer–Tropsch synthesis, and hydroisomerization, the resulting kerosene fractions are characterized by low density values (0.741–0.751 kg/dm3 at 20°С) relative to the level specified by the technical requirements for Jet A-1 and T-8B jet fuel brands used today. With the use of the hydroisomerization process (Т = 330–345°С, pH2 = 72 bar) in the presence of a 2% Pt/Al-HMS (10) catalyst, it has been possible to obtain an isoparaffin fraction with the crystallization temperature below −56°С. The coal tar produced by coking of coal was subjected to deep hydrogenation to obtain a naphthenic jet fuel component characterized by the boiling range of 150–250°С, a density of about 0.873 kg/dm3 (20°С), and low sulfur and aromatics contents (3 ppm and 23 wt %, respectively). By compounding the isoparaffin and naphthenic fractions produced, experimental samples of synthetic jet fuels have been obtained that meet the technical requirements for Jet A-1 and T-8B fuels.

Characteristics of zeolite ZSM-12 crystallization using methyltriethylammonium chloride and N,N-dimethyl-N-ethyl(monoethanol)ammonium bromide as templates have been studied. The materials have been characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray fluorescence analysis, low-temperature nitrogen adsorption–desorption, temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia, and solid-state 27Al nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. It has been shown that dimethylethylethanolammonium bromide inhibits crystal growth along the a and c planes and thereby contributes to crystal growth only in the direction of the b axis, which, in turn, leads to lower surface area and acidity of the sample than the respective parameters of the zeolite synthesized using methyltriethylammonium chloride.

Cobalt-molybdenum-containing thiosalts with different composition of the sulfonium cation are prepared. The activities of sulfide catalysts in situ synthesized on their basis in the hydrogenation of substituted naphthalenes are compared. It is shown that the sulfonium cation composition affects the morphology of the sulfide particles and the phase composition of the catalyst. It is demonstrated that the conversion of model alkyl-substituted bicyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is higher in the presence of the catalyst prepared from the phenylsulfonium thiosalt.

Optimization of joint syndrome treatment methods, including those based on the intra- and periarticular drug administration and invasive diagnostic techniques, remains high on the agenda of modern clinical rheumatology. The implementation and quite widely spread use of ultrasonographic visualization has been an impetus to the development of this type of treatment for joint diseases. Without any doubt, the quality of intraarticular injection performance mainly depends on the professional level of the specialist and his/hers procedural skills. However, here comes a predictable question: are these conditions sufficient to enable maximal precision, safety, and efficacy of intraarticular interventions? From this perspective, it is interesting to study the possibilities to improve the results of local treatments for the joint syndrome by means of the ultrasound navigation technique. Based on data presented in the literature review, we compared a “blind” invasive treatment method to the ultrasound navigation-guided intra- and periarticular interventions in patients with skeletomuscular and connective tissue disorders. The authors of the studies published point to higher safety, efficacy, procedure precision, and diagnostic quality of the information obtained by the ultrasound navigation. Its important advantages include wider possibilities and availability of this method in outpatient settings, due to its rather low costs and patients' safety. The information from the current literature review reflects an initial stage of studies on the evaluation of the role, significance, determination of potential of the ultrasound navigation to enhance the quality of diagnosis and invasive treatment in patients with joint syndromes of various origins and to minimize adverse effects.

The effect of mild pyrolysis methods (hydrothermal carbonization and torrefaction) on the physicochemical properties of biocoal was studied. It was established that biocoal obtained by hydrothermal carbonization has a large specific surface area and exerts an exothermic effect upon decomposition; as compared with the samples obtained by torrefaction, it has a more dispersed structure and lower ash content.

В статье рассмотрена профилактика психоэмоционального выгорания студентов-медиков с использованием средств и методов физической культуры в процессе обучения. Психоэмоциональное выгорание может возникнуть у специалистов целого ряда профессий, которое проявляется в неспособности человека сдержать в себе свои эмоции и приводит к истощению организма, что в большинстве случаев приводит к эмоциональному стрессу. Негативные признаки профессиональной деформации личности чаще всего проявляется у специалистов, связанных с медициной. В таком напряженном состоянии невозможно качественно выполнить свои должностные обязанности. Эти же симптомы психоэмоционального выгорания могут также наблюдаться у студентов-медиков в процессе обучения в медицинском вузе. Нарастание этого выгорания и нехватка профилактических мер приводят к тяжелым последствиям для обучающихся, в том числе и к мыслям об суициде., The prevention of occupational burnout among medical students with the use of means and methods of physical culture during their learning period is examined in the article. Occupational burnout, that appears in person's inability to restrain one's emotions which leads to the exhaustion of one's organism, may emerge among specialists of various professions which in most cases leads to psychologic stress. Negative symptoms of professional hazard most commonly appear among medical workers. Same symptoms of occupational burnout may also apear among medical students during their learning period. This burnout build-up and the lack of preventative activities lead to serious consequences for students including suicidal thoughts.

Background. Previously, we found a wide range of uric acid exchange parameters and functional relationships of uricemia and uricosuria with the parameters of immunity in healthy rats analyzed. We continued our research along the same lines in the clinical observation of patients, who came to the Truskavets’ spa for the rehabilitation treatment. Relationships between uricemia and uricosuria, on the one hand, and immunity and microbiota parameters, on the other hand, have been identified. The purpose of this study is to further explore these relationships using the cluster and discriminant analyses. Material and Methods. The object of observation were 34 men and 10 women aged 24-70 years old, who came to the Truskavets’ spa for the rehabilitation treatment of chronic pyelonephritis combined with cholecystitis in remission. The serum and daily urine levels of the uric acid by uricase method were determined. Immune status evaluated on a set of I and II levels recommended by the WHO. The condition of microbiota is evaluated on the results of sowing of feces and urine. Results. Cluster analysis revealed 4 variants of uric acid metabolism by deviating uricosuria and uricemia from the norm in Z-scores. In 34% of individuals, moderate hypouricosuria (-0,97±0,11 Z) is combined with a lower borderline uricemia (-0,53±0,20 Z). In 25% of patients, lower-border uricemia (-0,70±0,22 Z) is accompanied by marked hyperuricosuria (+3,87±0,25 Z). In 24% of people, moderately elevated uricosuria (+1,26±0,14 Z) is combined with completely normal uricemia (+0,09±0,16 Z). Finally, in 17%, a similar level of uricosuria (+1,17±0,19 Z) is combined with marked hypouricemia (-1,89±0,14 Z). Discriminant analysis revealed 12 parameters of immunity and 5 parameters of microbiota, by which the clusters of uric acid metabolism are identified with 94,3 %% accuracy.Conclusion. Endogenous uric acid has a modulating overall beneficial effect on a number of immune and microbiota parameters in both healthy rats and people with neuroendocrine-immune complex dysfunction on background of chronic inflammatory diseases.

Terekhov G. V., Chuhraeva E. H., Kostylev M. V., Galich S. P., Savitskaya I. M., Zukow W., Kamalov R. Kh., Knyazeva I. A.Experimental study of the influence of pulse electrophoresis of blood plasma 0(I) on healing of woundsand formation of normotrophic scars in laboratory animals. Pedagogy and Psychology of Sport. 2020;6(1):41-54. elSSN 2450-6605. DOIhttp://dx.doi.org/10.12775/PPS.2020.06.01.004 https://apcz.umk.pl/czasopisma/index.php/PPS/article/view/PPS.2020.06.01.004 https://zenodo.org/record/3687098 The journal has had 5 points in Ministry of Science and Higher Education parametric evaluation. § 8. 2) and § 12. 1. 2) 22.02.2019. © The Authors 2020; This article is published with open access at Licensee Open Journal Systems of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Poland Open Access. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial License which permits any noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author (s) and source are credited. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non commercial license Share alike. (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited. The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper. Received: 25.01.2020. Revised: 25.01.2020. Accepted: 25.02.2020. Experimental study of the influence of pulse electrophoresis of blood plasma 0(I) on healing of woundsand formation of normotrophic scars in laboratory animals 1Terekhov G.V.,2ChuhraevaE.H.,1KostylevM.V.,1Galich S.P.,1SavitskayaI. M.,3ZukowW.,4KamalovR.Kh.,4KnyazevaI.A. 1.DU "A.A. ShalimovNational Institute ofSurgery and Transplantology"NAMS of Ukraine,Kiev, Ukraine 2.National Medical Academy aftergraduate education named after P.L.Shupik, Kiev, Ukraine 3.Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland 4. LLC "NMC MEDINTECH", Kiev, Ukraine Abstract Inexperimental study confirmed the acceleration ofwound healing and formingnormotrophicscarstissue in laboratoryanimals using thetransdermaladministration of blood plasma0(I)by pulsed electrophoresisunder the influence of an external magnetic field.It was established that themethodproposed by theauthorsprevents the development of hypertrophic and keloid scars, and also stimulates tissue regeneration in the surgical area due to the activation of local regeneration processes. Keywords:blood autoplasm electrophoresis(EFAK), external magnetic field, fibroblasts, cell growth factors.

The mesoporous structure of niobium powders of specific surface areas from 32 to 150 m2/g obtained through reduction of niobium-oxide compounds by magnesium vapors has been investigated. A doubling of the specific surface area of magnesium-thermic niobium powders in comparison to tantalum powders has been shown to be caused by the larger volume and smaller size of pores. For a powder with a specific surface area of 150 m2/g, 90% of the surface is governed by pores of sizes smaller than 5 nm. Although the X-ray pattern of the powder corresponds to the metal niobium, 96.5% of this powder weight consists of a natural surface-oxide film, according to the TGA data. The thickness of this oxide decreases in comparison with the surface oxide on the compact metal depending on the powder mesoporous structure.

The relationship between the crystal structure of bismuth vanadates Bi4Fe2xV2−2xO11−δ, where V5+ ions are partially replaced by Fe3+ cations, and their conductive properties and catalytic activities in conversions of isobutanol was established. A correlation between concentration of Fe ions, activation energy of dehydrogenation, and conductance activation energy was revealed.

В данной статье рассматриваются различные подходы двигательной активности и физической подготовленности студенток медицинского вуза, а также уровень развития их физических качеств.

The rate of the gas-phase oxidation of ethanol, 2-propanol, acetone, ethyl acetate, dioxane, and benzene with atmospheric oxygen is studied on surfaces of bimetallic oxide catalysts Co–Fe, Cu–Fe, Cr–Co, and Ni–Fe, prepared via thermal decomposition of double complex compounds in air. It is found that the rate of oxidation of volatile compounds depends on the volume of the transient pores in the catalyst sample. The rate of oxidation on the same catalyst at 350°C depends on the nature of the substance in the order: acetone > ethyl acetate > ethanol > propanol > dioxane, benzene.

In this work we investigate influence of the composition and specific surface of a precursor on the porous structure of tantalum powders obtained via magnesium vapor reduction of the Та2О5, MgТа2O6 and Mg4Та2O9. Sorption and nitrogen capillary condensation have allowed an increase in the specific powder surface to be established due to the increasing amount and specific surface of mesopores with a size below 10 nm.

Results obtained in a study of the physicochemical properties (porosity and acid-base properties of the surface) of aluminum hydroxides produced by solid-phase hydrolysis of aluminum salts are presented. A conclusion is made on the basis of the data obtained that these hydroxides have a higher adsorption capacity and reactivity as compared with the industrially manufactured aluminum hydroxide, which predetermines the promise of using these products in manufacture of catalysts, sorbents, ceramics, binders, and other materials.

The solubility at 25°C in the NdCl3-SmCl3-HCl-H2O and NdCl3-GdCl3-HCl-H2O quaternary water-salt systems has been studied in 40% hydrochloric acid sections. The NdCl3-SmCl3-HCl-H2O system represents a continuous series of solid solutions (type I solid solutions). The NdCl3-GdCl3-HCl-H2O system is a system with peritonic discontinuity (type V solid solutions). The discontinuity point of the peritonic solution has the following composition (wt %): NdCl3 · 6H2O, 1.13; GdCl3 · 6H2O, 0.11; HCl, 39.5; H2O, 59.26.

We have established conditions for the synthesis of multiphase nanocomposites in a wide range of TiO2/Al2O3 ratios. The nanocomposites have a thermally stable mesoporous structure and large specific surface area. Some of them exhibit photocatalytic activity at λ ≥ 670 nm.

A study of the physicochemical properties of silica products formed in acid processing of the nepheline concentrate is reported. It was found that amorphous silica produced in precipitation of silicon dioxide from solutions obtained in sulfuric acid decomposition of nepheline occupies an intermediate position between white carbon and silica gel, whereas silica produced from gelatinized silica-containing solutions close in properties to silica gel. The morphology of silicon dioxide samples formed by various methods was studied and a comparative analysis of their structural-surface properties was made.

The solubility in the quaternary water-salt systems LaCl3-NdCl3-HCl-H2O (1) and LaCl3-PrCl3-HCl-H2O (2) at 25°C was studied in the section of 40 wt % hydrochloric acid, a system with a eutonic discontinuity. The composition at the point of discontinuity for the eutonic solution is the following. In system 1: 4.67 wt % LaCl3 · 7H2O, 0.37 wt % PrCl3 · 7H2O, 37.98 wt % HCl, and 56.98 wt % H2O; in system 2: 4.37 wt % LaCl3 · 7H2O, 0.93 wt % NdCl3 · 6H2O, 37.88 wt % HCl, and 56.82 wt % H2O.

Two artificial neural networks of different types were applied to gene expression profiles in glioblastoma, the most aggressive human brain tumor, and in normal brain tissue. The results of gene expression profiles classification are presented. First method, self organizing maps, gave good discrimination of profiles on the trained map. Another ANN, perceptron, showed a good result of classificatio -- more then 95% of the test data set were successfully classified. Due to high correlations between some gene expression values one can suppose, that number of genes necessary for successful classification may be reduced.

The structure and properties of welds of titanium alloys VT6ch and VT22 after thermocycling performed in various modes are studied. The structure of the welds is studied by the methods of metallographic and x-ray diffraction analysis. The mechanical characteristics of the welds are determined by testing them for tensile strength, impact toughness, and crack resistance.

Classification of metastable phases in titanium alloys is presented in the form of a table with allowance for the mechanism, kinetics, and temperature of formation, for the chemical composition, morphology, and the fine structure of the phases. Various conditions of formation of metastable phases are considered.

The solubility in the PrCl3-SmCl3-HCl-H2O quaternary water-salt system was studied at 25°C along the 40% hydrochloric acid section (a system with solid solutions and discontinuity). The composition of the discontinuity point was as follows: PrCl3 · 7H2O, 2.33; SmCl3 · 6H2O, 0.11; HCl, 40.05; and H2O, 57.51 wt %.

The spread of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) is a great problem of healthcare worldwide. Study of the spread for bla OXA-48-like genes coding epidemically significant carbapenemases among hospital pathogens is important for the regional and global epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance. Antibacterial resistant isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 95) from 54 patients, P. mirabilis (n = 32) from 20 patients, Enterobacter aerogenes (n = 6) from four patients, and Enterobacter cloacae (n = 4) from four patients were collected from January, 2013 to October, 2014 in neurosurgical intensive care unit (ICU) of the Burdenko Neurosurgery Institute, Moscow. Characteristics of the isolates were done using susceptibility tests, PCR detection of the resistance genes, genotyping, conjugation, DNA sequencing, and bioinformatic analysis. Major strains under study were multi drug resistant (MDR), resistant to three or more functional classes of drugs simultaneously—98.9 % K. pneumoniae, 100 % P. mirabilis, one E. aerogenes isolate, and one E. cloacae isolate. Molecular-genetic mechanism of MDR in K. pneumoniae and P. mirabilis isolates were based on carrying of epidemic extended-spectrum beta-lactamase bla CTX-M-15 gene (87.2 and 90.6 % accordingly), carbapenemase bla OXA-48-like gene (55.3 and 23.3 % accordingly), and class 1 (54.8 and 31.3 % accordingly) and class 2 (90.6 % P. mirabilis) integrons. The bla OXA-48-like-positive K. pneumoniae were collected during whole two-year surveillance period, while P. mirabilis and Enterobacter spp. carrying bla OXA-48-like genes were detected only after four and 18 months after the research start, respectively. The bla OXA-48-like gene acquisition was shown for P. mirabilis isolates collected from five patients and for E. cloacae isolate collected from one patient during their stay in the ICU, presumably from bla OXA-48-like-positive K. pneumoniae. The source of the bla OXA-244 gene acquired by E. aerogenes isolates and the time of this event were not recognized. The expanding of CPE in the surveyed ICU was associated with the spread of bla OXA-48 and bla OXA-244 carbapenemase genes documented not only among K. pneumoniae, well-known bacterial host for such genes, but among P. mirabilis, E. aerogenes, and E. cloacae.

A novel bacteriophage, vB_KpnP_KpV289, lytic for hypermucoviscous strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae, was attributed to the family Podoviridae, subfamily Autographivirinae, genus T7likevirus based on transmission electron microscopy and genome analysis. The complete genome of the bacteriophage vB_KpnP_KpV289 consists of a linear double-stranded DNA of 41,054 bp including 179-bp direct-repeat sequences at the ends and 51 open reading frames (ORFs). The G+C content is 52.56 %. The phage was shown to lyse 15 out of 140 (10.7 %) K. pneumoniae strains belonged to the capsular types K-1, K-2, and K-57 and strains without a determined capsular type, including a hypermucoviscous strain of the novel sequence type ST-1554.

Antibiotic therapy of plague is hampered by the recent isolation of Yersinia pestis strain resistant to all of antibiotics recommended for cure. This has constrained a quest for new antimicrobials taking aim at alternative targets. Recently Y. pestis cysteine protease YopT has been explored as a potential drug target. Targets conserved in the pathogen populations should be more efficacious; therefore, we evaluated intraspecies variability in yopT genes and their products. 114 Y. pestis isolates were screened. Only two YopT full-size isoforms were found among them. The endemic allele (N149) was present in biovar caucasica from Dagestan-highland natural plague focus # 39. The biovar caucasica strains from Transcaucasian highland (# 4-6) and Pre-Araks (# 7) plague foci also contained the N149 allele. These strains from foci # 4 7 possessed a truncated version of YopT that was a consequence of a frame-shift due to the deletion of a single nucleotide at position 71 bp. Computational analyses showed that although the SNP at the position 149 has a very minimal effect of the intrinsic disorder propensity of YopT proteins, whereas the N-terminal truncations of the YopT detected in bv. caucasica strains Pestoides F_YopT1 and F_YopT2, and Pestoides G generated isoforms with the significantly modified intrinsic disorder propensities and with reduced capability to interact with lost ability to utilize their N-terminal tail for the disorder-based interactions with biological partners. Considering that representatives of biovar caucasica were reported to be the reason of sporadic cases of human plague, this study supports the necessity of additional testing of globally disseminated YopT (S149) isoform as a potential target for treatment of plague caused by the strains producing different YopT isoforms.

Effects of an increased lead (Pb) content in soil on growth, photosynthesis (P N) and anatomical parameters of Plantago major L. plants grown under controlled conditions were studied. The total dry weights of plants at 500 and 2000 mg kg−1 Pb in soil were correspondingly 70% and 54% of those of control plants. A reduced leaf area and changed leaf structure caused a decrease in P N in the whole plant. The specific leaf weight (SLW) increased as compared with that of control plants. An increasing Pb content in soil caused a larger number of chloroplasts and larger sizes of protoplasts, a decrease in the chlorophyll a+b contents and a larger number of stomata per unit leaf area based both in adaxial and abaxial epidermis, as compared with control plants. However their conductance was from 40% to 50% lower than that in control plants. It was noted that the dimensions of conducting bundles decreased mainly because of the reduced xylem area. The lower functional activity and the changes at different structural levels of the photosynthetic apparatus caused a decrease in the growth rate of plants at a high Pb content in soil.

Changes in net photosynthetic rate (PN), stomatal conductance (gs), intercellular CO2 concentrations (Ci), transpiration rate (E) and water use efficiency (WUE) were measured in Plantago major L. plants grown under sufficient soil water supply or under soil water stress conditions. The plants had high PN in a wide range of soil water potential and temperature regimes. Soil water had little effect on PN under ambient CO2 concentrations, which was explained by a high carboxylation rate, but increased the dark respiration rate. Carboxylation activity at low Ci depended on RuBP regeneration, whereas at high Ci it depended on the phosphate regeneration rate. The gs and E values were low in plants under stress as compared to the controls that resulted in an increase of WUE. The results obtained show that Plantago major plants have different ways of adaptation to soil water deficit conditions.

1. We have shown that TCT of titanium alloys is based on polymorphic transformations and determined the external and internal factors that affect the results of thermocycling. 2. We have developed the regimes for TCT and subsequent heat treatment for titanium alloys of various structural classes, which diminish the inhomogeneity of the structure and properties of welded junctions. 3. The optimum structure of pseudo-α- and α+β-titanium alloys formed as a result of thermocycling is shown to provide the best combination of mechanical properties of deformable and castable titanium alloys and their welded joints.