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The article examines the territory of East Kazakhstan, where a sharply continental climate prevails with hot summers, cold and snowy winters. The mountainous regions of East Kazakhstan are represented by the Kalba, Altai and Saur-Tarbagatay ranges, they are surrounded by rolling plains. The highest points are at 3000–4500 m. On average, the heights are in the range of 900–1400 m. Despite the low heights in the mountainous area, the problem of avalanche safety is acute in the region. At the same time, the situation is complicated by not always predictable weather events, the frequency of which is increasing every year. These include heavy precipitation, sometimes combined with a sharp warming in winter, and the changing wind regime of the territory. To identify regional climate changes and its connection with the avalanche-prone situation in the region, the study analyzed meteorological data from weather stations located directly near avalanche prone locations over the past 23 years since 2001, as well as data from observations of avalanche-prone areas since 2005 and information on registered spontaneous avalanches from 2013 to the present. This study is the first in the East Kazakhstan region, which presents the results of a comprehensive analysis of data on 497 avalanche-prone sites, of which 325 sites pose a threat to life and infrastructure. 10 most dangerous sites have been selected for detailed study. The analysis of climate data was carried out based on information from 7 weather stations. The article discusses the main climatic changes in the region, including an increase in air temperature, an increase in precipitation and a change in wind conditions. Data from weather stations and snow measuring routes covering the period since 2005 have been used to develop probabilistic avalanche forecasts. The use of statistical methods and the analysis of the relationships between meteorological parameters (temperature, precipitation, wind speed) made it possible to build models predicting avalanche-prone situations. Data on spontaneous avalanches were analyzed for five sites (Bogatyrevskaya site, Prokhodnaya, Sogornoye-Barlyk, Tainty and Pikhtovka). Based on these data, equations of dependence of temperature, wind and precipitation have been developed, which improves the accuracy of forecasting avalanche risks. An analysis of the data in the Statistica program showed a significant relationship between sudden warming, increased wind speed and precipitation, which precedes avalanches. Regression equations and the approximation confidence coefficient for the average values of the studied parameters are obtained. The results of the study make it possible not only to establish patterns, but also to propose effective methods for monitoring and forecasting avalanche hazard in the region. According to the data analysis, regional features of climate change in East Kazakhstan were identified, and a comparison was made with previously known works on Kazakhstan. The interrelation of climatic characteristics with avalanche hazard in the region is shown. The results obtained in the study will help us to better understand the regional manifestations of climate change. An important task for further forecasting of avalanche activity is the correct design of the avalanche collection database. The authors identified information objects (entities). An ontological database model (Entity Relationship Diagram) is constructed. Based on it, a database has been created for a system for monitoring and forecasting avalanche activity in the East Kazakhstan region.

Snow avalanches, one of the most severe natural hazards in mountainous regions, pose significant risks to human lives, infrastructure, and ecosystems. As climate change accelerates shifts in snowfall and temperature patterns, it is increasingly important to improve our ability to monitor and predict avalanches. This review explores the use of remote sensing technologies in understanding key geomorphological, geobotanical, and meteorological factors that contribute to avalanche formation. The primary objective is to assess how remote sensing can enhance avalanche risk assessment and monitoring systems. A systematic literature review was conducted, focusing on studies published between 2010 and 2025. The analysis involved screening relevant studies on remote sensing, avalanche dynamics, and data processing techniques. Key data sources included satellite platforms such as Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2, TerraSAR-X, and Landsat-8, combined with machine learning, data fusion, and change detection algorithms to process and interpret the data. The review found that remote sensing significantly improves avalanche monitoring by providing continuous, large-scale coverage of snowpack stability and terrain features. Optical and radar imagery enable the detection of crucial parameters like snow cover, slope, and vegetation that influence avalanche risks. However, challenges such as limitations in spatial and temporal resolution and real-time monitoring were identified. Emerging technologies, including microsatellites and hyperspectral imaging, offer potential solutions to these issues. The practical implications of these findings underscore the importance of integrating remote sensing data with ground-based observations for more robust avalanche forecasting. Enhanced real-time monitoring and data fusion techniques will improve disaster management, allowing for quicker response times and more effective policymaking to mitigate risks in avalanche-prone regions.

New oxychloride lead borate glasses in the xPbCl2–(50-0.5x)PbO–(50-0.5x)B2O3 system were synthesized with a maximum lead chloride content of 40 mol%. The characteristic temperatures and mechanical and optical properties were studied. The incorporation of lead chloride led to a significant expansion of the transparency range in the UV (up to 355 nm) and IR regions (up to 4710 nm). Decreases in the Vickers hardness, density, and glass transition temperature were the consequences of a change in the structure. The studied glasses are promising materials for photonics and IR optics. The structure of the PbCl2–PbO–B2O3 system was analyzed in detail using vibrational spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction.

Abstract Pink snow mold, caused by a phytopathogenic and psychrotolerant fungus, Microdochium nivale, is a severe disease of winter cereals and grasses that predominantly occurs under snow cover or shortly after its melt. Snow mold has significantly progressed during the past decade, often reaching epiphytotic levels in northern countries and resulting in dramatic yield losses. In addition, M. nivale gradually adapts to a warmer climate, spreading to less snowy territories and causing different types of plant diseases throughout the growing period. Despite its great economic importance, M. nivale is poorly investigated; its genome has not been sequenced and its crucial virulence determinants have not been identified or even predicted. In our study, we applied a hybrid assembly based on Oxford Nanopore and Illumina reads to obtain the first genome sequence of M. nivale. 11,973 genes (including 11,789 protein-encoding genes) have been revealed in the genome assembly. To better understand the genetic potential of M. nivale and to obtain a convenient reference for transcriptomic studies on this species, the identified genes were annotated and split into hierarchical three-level functional categories. A file with functionally classified M. nivale genes is presented in our study for general use. M. nivale gene products that best meet the criteria for virulence factors have been identified. The genetic potential to synthesize human-dangerous mycotoxins (fumonisin, ochratoxin B, aflatoxin, and gliotoxin) has been revealed for M. nivale. The transcriptome analysis combined with the assays for extracellular enzymatic activities (conventional virulence factors of many phytopathogens) was carried out to assess the effect of host plant (rye) metabolites on the M. nivale phenotype. In addition to disclosing plant-metabolite-upregulated M. nivale functional gene groups (including those related to host plant protein destruction and amino acid metabolism, xenobiotic detoxication (including phytoalexins benzoxazinoids), cellulose destruction (cellulose monooxygenases), iron transport, etc.), the performed analysis pointed to a crucial role of host plant lipid destruction and fungal lipid metabolism modulation in plant-M. nivale interactions.

Heavy metal (HMe) pollution in regions with mining and metallurgy activities is known to be a serious environmental problem worldwide. Hydrological processes contribute to the dissemination of HMes (drainage, precipitation, flow rate). The aim of the present study is to investigate the microbial community structure in ten river sediments sampled in different regions of East Kazakhstan, which are contaminated with HMes. The overall degree of sediment contamination with HMes (Cr, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd) was assessed using the pollution index Zc, which ranged from 0.43 to 21.6, with the highest in Ridder City (Zc = 21.6) and Ust-Kamenogorsk City, 0.8 km below the dam of the hydroelectric power station (Zc = 19.6). The tested samples considerably differed in organic matter, total carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus content, as well as in the abundance of HMe-related functional gene families and antibiotic resistance genes. Metagenomic analysis of benthic microorganisms showed the prevalence of Proteobacteria (88.84–97.61%) and Actinobacteria (1.21–5.98%) at the phylum level in all samples. At the class level, Actinobacteria (21.68–57.48%), Betaproteobacteria (19.38–41.17%), and Alphaproteobacteria (10.0–39.78%) were the most common among the classified reads. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on the metagenomic characteristics of benthic microbial communities exposed to chronic HMe pressure in different regions of East Kazakhstan.

In this article, Ivan Dziuba is seen as a public influencer, literary critic, co-chairman of the main editorial board of the Encyclopedia of Modern Ukraine. On his 90th anniversary, a combination of short communications by famous representatives in sphere of Ukrainian science and culture presented is presented here.

The article considers the study on potential application of fertilizer containing natural sorbents from Kazakhstan deposits in order to develop a new organomineral fertilizer from household waste water and sorption materials. There was the study on the possibility for the developed organomineral fertilizers to influence heavy metals input into plant products, including those ones on polluted soil. There was the research on heavy metals input into soil with meltwater on urban territory plots close to metallurgic enterprises in order to apply the proposed new fertilizer. The following factors were defined: the required area of the plots, their service life period, produced fertilizers application load, economically reasonable distance for transporting fertilizers. The work demonstrates test results related to studying influence of new fertilizer types on Amoria creeping clover (Trifolium repens) feeding crop capacity, accumulation of heavy metals in soil and plants. Content of heavy metals was defined in plant products grown with new fertilizers application and it was proved that the proposed fertilizers were safe. Heavy metals content in plants decreases on 2.3 - 10.2 % of heavy metals content in soil if there is fertilizer based on shungite. Shungite-based fertilizer provides better results in copper and zinc than bentonite-clay based fertilizer (from 0.6 to 6 % of heavy metals content in soil). But bentonite-clay based fertilizer provides better results in cadmium and lead (0.4 - 1.9 %).

The paper discusses the results of a survey of a translation teacher profile in the context of Russian academia. It reveals that there is no integral profile of a translation teacher in Russia today. Translation teachers can be categorized into certain groups according to their initial training, practical experience in translation and age. The survey shows that a significant number of translation teachers have had no translation training. Regardless of their initial training, almost all translation teachers are engaged in practical translation, however only few of them perform translation or interpreting on a regular basis. Among those who teach Translation Theory there are some who have never been taught it, thus they may be regarded as self-educated theorists. Virtually no translation trainers in Russian universities have ever been professionally educated in translation didactics. 75% of the total number of translation teachers have completed short-time advanced training courses, which does not seem to be sufficient to become an experienced translation teacher. A large number of those who do have initial translation training teach translation copying their own teachers. It is doubtful that all of them possess translation mode of thinking and are able to develop it in their students. The overall conclusion is that a comprehensive system for training and retraining translation teachers is required.

Статтю присвячено темі «художньої недовіри», яка властива митцям авангардного мислення в подоланні ними як творчих і психологічних, так і соціокультурних обмежень на шляху до творчої свободи. На прикладі аналізу ключових моментів творчості художників різних періодів унаочнено всеохопність та довге історичне життя так званого «підривного мистецтва» як прояву «антро- пології недовіри». Доведено та проявлено ідею сумніву, неспокою, недовіри в мистецтві переломних часів (авангардизм 1910–1920-х та український досвід 1990-х – початку 2000-х).

The study investigates how surgery during pregnancy, i.e., sham operation associated with embryo transfer, affects hypertensive phenotype in ISIAH rats genetically predisposed to hypertension. ISIAH rats born after maternal surgery at fourth day of pregnancy were compared with naturally conceived controls. Surgery during pregnancy in ISIAH rats caused acceleration of neurodevelopment in young offspring, as well as aggravating hypertension, suppressing exploratory activity, reducing hippocampal BDNF expression, and compensatory increasing of hippocampal neuronal density in adult ISIAH offspring. Maternal surgery during early pregnancy caused alterations in offspring phenotype in hypertensive ISIAH rat model.

Статтю присвячено складним психологічним і матеріальним обставинам, у яких розвивалася культура України (Києва) у 1994 р. за умов фінансового дефіциту в країні та політичного безладу і невизначеності. Йдеться про зусилля інтелектуалів (філософів та митців) протистояти негативним обставинам тодішньої ситуації і працювати на перспективу. Завдяки фінансуванню Фонду Дж. Сороса було засновано програму «Трансформація гуманітарної освіти в Україні», яка сприяла відбору та виданню підручників нового покоління для незалежної України. Ініціаторами видання був Інститут філософії України та директор програми Н. Вяткіна. Творчий горизонт визначився заснуванням нових музичних програм, зокрема «Київ Музик Фесту» композитором Іваном Карабицем. Він же заснував цикл концертів «Час камерати» та конкурс для молодих виконавців імені Володимира Горовиця. Карабиць співпрацював з художниками Києва, зорганізувавши виставку «Арт Музик Фест». Попри фінансові негаразди, з ініціативи талановитих художників відбулася низка цікавих експозицій. Ці ініціативи підтримував Іван Дзюба, який тоді був на посаді міністра культури. Молоді художники, що не покладалися на доволі реакційну і байдужу до їхньої долі Спілку художників, організували творчий сквот «БЖ-АРТ» (існував з 1994 по 2014 р.). Там розвивалося інноваційне мистецтво.

A new luminescent hybrid material based on silica aerogel and a boron-containing coordination compound with 8-hydroxyquinoline was created, and its physicochemical and spectral-luminescent characteristics were studied. A simple scheme for the synthesis of a hybrid luminescent material was developed. Simultaneously with the synthesis of the aerogel, the formation of a boron-containing phosphor was carried out using an isopropanol solution of boric acid and 8-hydroxyquinoline. Using in situ luminescent measurements, the mechanisms of the formation of boron-based luminescent complexes in isopropanol and tetrahydrofuran media were established. Both hydrophilic and hydrophobic silica aerogels were tested as matrices for the hybrid material. The formation of a thin layer of a boron-containing coordination luminescent compound on the highly developed surface of the SiO2 aerogel made it possible to strongly stabilize the aerogel structure and noticeably increase the thermal stability of the synthesized hybrid material.

The article represents a retrospective of nature conservation in the Murmansk Region. It is devoted to the period since the first State Nature Reserves to the present day. Today, the network of Protected Areas (PA) in the Murmansk Region consists of three nature state Reserves, one National Park, two nat-ural parks, 12 protected areas “Zakaznik”, 55 nature monuments and the protected area of the Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden-Institute. The total area of the PA is 1,947,799.4 hectares or 13.4% of the Mur-mansk Region. An effectiveness of the PA was assessed due to the correspondence of the protection regimes and the threats. The authors concluded that effective environmental protection could be realized only in small part of PA, mainly in nature state reserves and national park, whose total area is only 4.2% of the Murmansk Region. At the present level of efficiency, even if it will be possible to achieve a share of Pas equal to 16.4% of the region’s area, it is hardly possible to guarantee the proper level of biodiversity conservation and the stability of the ecosystem of the region.

Microdochium nivale is a progressive and devastating phytopathogen that causes different types of cereal crop and grass diseases that are poorly characterized at the molecular level. Although rye (Secale cereale L.) is one of the most resistant crops to most of the phytopathogens, it is severely damaged by M. nivale. The recent high-quality chromosome-scale assembly of rye genome has improved whole-genome studies of this crop. In the present work, the first transcriptome study of the M. nivale-infected crop plant (rye) with the detailed functional gene classification was carried out, along with the physiological verification of the RNA-Seq data. The results revealed plant reactions that contributed to their resistance or susceptibility to M. nivale. Phytohormone abscisic acid was shown to promote plant tolerance to M. nivale. Flavonoids were proposed to contribute to plant resistance to this pathogen. The upregulation of plant lipase encoding genes and the induction of lipase activity in M. nivale-infected plants revealed in our study were presumed to play an important role in plant susceptibility to the studied phytopathogen. Our work disclosed important aspects of plant-M. nivale interactions, outlined the directions for future studies on poorly characterized plant diseases caused by this phytopathogen, and provided new opportunities to improve cereals breeding and food security strategies.

The article describes peculiarities of teaching English for specific purposes to the law university students under conditions of globalized English-medium communication. Specificity of legal-related activity, which is mostly connected with communication with people, accentuates importance of communicative professional competence and its component – English communicative professional competence. Communivative approach provides simulation of real activities, the skilled teacher should maintain classroom communication stimulating interlocutors to response, to act in the imposed professional situations promoting solution of the cognitive tasks associated with the law subject-matters.

Nature monument "Evtrofnoye BolotoYuzhnogo Prikhibinya (Eutrophic Fen at the Southern Foothills of the Khibiny Mountains)" was established in 1980. It is situated 1.5 km to the south-east of the Khibiny Mountains. It includes a complex of herb-and-sphagnum-dominated strings and herb-and-brown moss-dominated flarks, spring-fed willow shrubs and sedge-and-forbs-dominated communities in the central part of mire complex, as well as open dwarf shrubs-and-sphagnum-dominated spruce woodland in the mire margins. The mire can be referred to as a "mesotrophic and eutrophic herb-brown moss spring fen", which belongs to the group of boreal East European types of "herb-brown moss fens". As far as the mire complex is situated on the slope of a glacial deposit hill, this is a variant of a sloping fen. The peat layer is thin, 20-40 cm on average. The mosaic of mire features depends on the outline of the mineral bottom and groundwater discharges. The flora of the nature monument is very rich, namely 156 species of vascular plants, 62 mosses and 40 liverworts, i. e. more than in any other mire in the Murmansk Region. The high number of species in the mire is due to the diversity of habitats, water and nutrient supply of the mire, as well as to the high level of knowledge on the flora of vascular plants and bryophytes of this fen. There grow three species from the Red Data Book of the Murmansk Region: Epilobium alsinifolium and E. davuricum with the "rare" species status (3), and Dactylorhiza incarnata with the "vulnerable" status (2), as well as three species (Equisetum scirpoides, Eriophorum latifolium and Saxifraga aizoides) from the list of species demanding special care for their natural state in the Murmansk Region. The main mission of the nature monument is to conserve rare plant species and the eutrophic fen mire complex in their natural state. In general, the anthropogenic pressure here is low, but vicinity to roads and railways makes the mire complex and its species vulnerable, mainly in the case of a change in the hydrological regime.

The history of protected areas (PA) in the Murmansk part of the Green Belt of Fennoscandia (GBF) started back in the late 19th century. The progress and properties of the PA network are associated with the history of the neighboring states and evolution of nature conservation ideas. The current PA network in GBF includes two strict nature reserves, two nature parks, three integrated regional nature reserves (zakazniks) and six regional nature monuments. Taken together, they cover 475 911 hectares, i. e. 16.4 % of the total area of GBF in the Murmansk Region. To optimize the protected areas network in this GBF ecological corridor, it is first of all necessary to establish the Vuorjema Federal Zakaznik and lonn-N'yugoajv Regional Zakaznik. The Vuorjema Federal Zakaznik together with the planned Norwegian PA Grense-Jakobselv will constitute an important node of the international environmental protection network. The Ionn-N'yugoajv Regional Zakaznik will complement the PA system together with Finnish Urho Kekkonen National Park and Laplandsky Les Zakaznik. It is also necessary to complete the reorganization of the Kutsa Zakaznik into the nature park with the prospect of organizing the bilateral Kutsa-Oulanka-Paanajärvi park. For the protected area network to function effectively, it is necessary to confer the status of high conservation value forests on the forest ecosystems along the national borders. Recent additions to Russian national forest legislation in regard to waterside protection forests significantly lower their environmental and conservation value.

The potential of ecological tourism as one of the drivers for the development of the Green Belt of Fennoscandia (GBF) was assessed, taking the Murmansk Region as the example. The main factors contributing to and impeding the development of ecotourism in the Murmansk part of GBF were determined. To create an effective network of tourist facilities, a framework is needed permitting to make notable tourist products and at the same time maximize the effect from funds and efforts aimed at resolving issues that hinder the development of ecotourism. Protected areas with a high ecotourism potential can become the stepping stones in this framework. Only four existing protected areas are characterized by high appeal for ecotourists, robustness given that protection regulations are fulfilled, and have no restrictions on recreation. Ecotourism development there is not only possible, but also advisable. They are the nature park "Rybachy and Sredny Peninsulas", Kutsa Nature Reserve (Zakaznik), Pasvik Stat Nature Reserve and "Waterfall on the Shuonijoki River" Nature Monument. Three promising areas for the development of tourism and recreation in the Murmansk part of GBF have been identified, and the characteristic features of each of them are described.

Our study is the first to consider the changes in the entire set of matrix plant cell wall (PCW) polysaccharides in the course of a plant infectious disease. We compared the molecular weight distribution, monosaccharide content, and the epitope distribution of pectic compounds and cross-linking glycans in non-infected potato plants and plants infected with Pectobacterium atrosepticum at the initial and advanced stages of plant colonization by the pathogen. To predict the gene products involved in the modification of the PCW polysaccharide skeleton during the infection, the expression profiles of potato and P. atrosepticum PCW-related genes were analyzed by RNA-Seq along with phylogenetic analysis. The assemblage of P. atrosepticum biofilm-like structures—the bacterial emboli—and the accumulation of specific fragments of pectic compounds that prime the formation of these structures were demonstrated within potato plants (a natural host of P. atrosepticum). Collenchyma was shown to be the most “vulnerable” tissue to P. atrosepticum among the potato stem tissues. The infection caused by the representative of the Soft Rot Pectobacteriaceae was shown to affect not only pectic compounds but also cross-linking glycans; the content of the latter was increased in the infected plants compared to the non-infected ones.

Snow mold is a severe plant disease caused by psychrophilic or psychrotolerant fungi, of which Microdochium species are the most harmful. A clear understanding of Microdochium biology has many gaps; the pathocomplex and its dynamic are poorly characterized, virulence factors are unknown, genome sequences are not available, and the criteria of plant snow mold resistance are not elucidated. Our study aimed to identify comprehensive characteristics of a local community of snow mold-causing Microdochium species colonizing a particular crop culture. By using the next-generation sequencing (NGS) technique, we characterized fungal and bacterial communities of pink snow mold-affected winter rye (Secale cereale) plants within a given geographical location shortly after snowmelt. Twenty-one strains of M. nivale were isolated, classified on the basis of internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region, and characterized by morphology, synthesis of extracellular enzymes, and virulence. Several types of extracellular enzymatic activities, the level of which had no correlations with the degree of virulence, were revealed for Microdochium species for the first time. Our study shows that genetically and phenotypically diverse M. nivale strains simultaneously colonize winter rye plants within a common area, and each strain is likely to utilize its own, unique strategy to cause the disease using “a personal” pattern of extracellular enzymes.

Soft rot caused by Pectobacterium species is a devastating plant disease poorly characterized in terms of host plant responses. In this study, changes in the transcriptome of tobacco plants after infection with Pectobacterium atrosepticum (Pba) were analyzed using RNA-Seq. To draw a comprehensive and nontrivially itemized picture of physiological events in Pba-infected plants and to reveal novel potential molecular “players” in plant–Pba interactions, an original functional gene classification was performed. The classifications present in various databases were merged, enriched by “missed” genes, and divided into subcategories. Particular changes in plant cell wall-related processes, perturbations in hormonal and other regulatory systems, and alterations in primary, secondary, and redox metabolism were elucidated in terms of gene expression. Special attention was paid to the prediction of transcription factors (TFs) involved in the disease’s development. Herewith, gene expression was analyzed within the predicted TF regulons assembled at the whole-genome level based on the presence of particular cis-regulatory elements (CREs) in gene promoters. Several TFs, whose regulons were enriched by differentially expressed genes, were considered to be potential master regulators of Pba-induced plant responses. Differential regulation of genes belonging to a particular multigene family and encoding cognate proteins was explained by the presence/absence of the particular CRE in gene promoters.

Currently, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is widely used to characterize the nanostructured material surface. The ability to determine the atom distribution and chemical state with depth without the sample destruction is important for studying the internal structure of the coating layer several nanometers thick, and makes XPS the preferable tool for the non-destructive testing of nanostructured systems. In this work, ultra-soft X-ray spectroscopy methods are used to study hidden layers and interfaces of pyrolytic tungsten carbide nanoscale coatings on the multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) surfaces. XPS measurements were performed using laboratory spectrometers with sample charge compensation, and Near Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (NEXAFS) studies using the Russian–German dipole beamline (RGBL) synchrotron radiation at BESSY-II. The studied samples were tested by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, Raman scattering and NEXAFS spectroscopy. It was shown that the interface between MWCNT and the pyrolytic coating of tungsten carbide has a three-layer structure: (i) an interface layer consisting of the outer graphene layer carbon atoms, forming bonds with oxygen atoms from the oxides adsorbed on the MWCNT surface, and tungsten atoms from the coating layer; (ii) a non-stoichiometric tungsten carbide WC1-x nanoscale particles layer; (iii) a 3.3 nm thick non-stoichiometric tungsten oxide WO3-x layer on the WC1-x/MWCNT nanocomposite outer surface, formed in air. The tungsten carbide nanosized particle’s adhesion to the nanotube outer surface is ensured by the formation of a chemical bond between the carbon atoms from the MWCNT upper layer and the tungsten atoms from the coating layer.

The paper is devoted to the structure and properties of the composite material based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) covered with pyrolytic iron and chromium. Fe/MWCNTs and Cr/MWCNTs nanocomposites have been prepared by the metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) growth technique using iron pentacarbonyl and bis(arene)chromium compounds, respectively. Composites structures and morphologies preliminary study were performed using X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy and Raman scattering. The atomic and chemical composition of the MWCNTs’ surface, Fe-coating and Cr-coating and interface—(MWCNTs surface)/(metal coating) were studied by total electron yield method in the region of near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) C1s, Fe2p and Cr2p absorption edges using synchrotron radiation of the Russian-German dipole beamline (RGBL) at BESSY-II and the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) method using the ESCALAB 250 Xi spectrometer and charge compensation system. The absorption cross sections in the NEXAFS C1s edge of the nanocomposites and MWCNTs were measured using the developed approach of suppressing and estimating the contributions of the non-monochromatic background and multiple reflection orders radiation from the diffraction grating. The efficiency of the method was demonstrated by the example of the Cr/MWCNT nanocomposite, since its Cr2p NEXAFS spectra contain additional C1s NEXAFS in the second diffraction order. The study has shown that the MWCNTs’ top layers in composite have no significant destruction; the MWCNTs’ metal coatings are continuous and consist of Fe3O4 and Cr2O3. It is shown that the interface between the MWCNTs and pyrolytic Fe and Cr coatings has a multilayer structure: a layer in which carbon atoms along with epoxy −C−O−C− bonds form bonds with oxygen and metal atoms from the coating layer is formed on the outer surface of the MWCNT, a monolayer of metal carbide above it and an oxide layer on top. The iron oxide and chromium oxide adhesion is provided by single, double and epoxy chemical binding formation between carbon atoms of the MWCNT top layer and the oxygen atoms of the coating, as well as the formation of bonds with metal atoms.

The ability to adapt to adverse conditions permits many bacterial species to be virtually ubiquitous and survive in a variety of ecological niches. This ability is of particular importance for many plant pathogenic bacteria that should be able to exist, except for their host plants, in different environments e.g. soil, water, insect-vectors etc. Under some of these conditions, bacteria encounter absence of nutrients and persist, acquiring new properties related to resistance to a variety of stress factors (cross-protection). Although many studies describe the phenomenon of cross-protection and several regulatory components that induce the formation of resistant cells were elucidated, the global comparison of the physiology of cross-protected phenotype and growing cells has not been performed. In our study, we took advantage of RNA-Seq technology to gain better insights into the physiology of cross-protected cells on the example of a harmful phytopathogen, Pectobacterium atrosepticum (Pba) that causes crop losses all over the world. The success of this bacterium in plant colonization is related to both its virulence potential and ability to persist effectively under various stress conditions (including nutrient deprivation) retaining the ability to infect plants afterwards. In our previous studies, we showed Pba to be advanced in applying different adaptive strategies that led to manifestation of cell resistance to multiple stress factors. In the present study, we determined the period necessary for the formation of cross-protected Pba phenotype under starvation conditions, and compare the transcriptome profiles of non-adapted growing cells and of adapted cells after the cross-protective effect has reached the maximal level. The obtained data were verified using qRT-PCR. Genes that were expressed differentially (DEGs) in two cell types were classified into functional groups and categories using different approaches. As a result, we portrayed physiological features that distinguish cross-protected phenotype from the growing cells.