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Russet ground squirrel (Spermophilus major) is a widespread species with an extended range, partly separated by the Ural Ridge into eastern and western parts. Previously, a hybridization of the russet ground squirrel in contact areas with five other Spermophilus species, accompanied by a wide introgression of their mitochondrial genomes, was found. In the present work, a comparative analysis of the variability of the mtDNA control region of S. major was for the first time carried out throughout the range of the species (without taking into account introgressed haplotypes). It was demonstrated that species-specific haplotypes of S. major are distributed in all parts of its modern area and are characterized by a low level of intraspecific variability. The phylogeographic structure of the russet ground squirrel is slightly differentiated and does not form distinct geographically localized phyletic lines. In general, the range of the species is a single genetic space slightly separated by the Ural Mountains. The spatial distribution of haplotypes indicates the presence of an exchange between the western and eastern parts of the area in the Middle Urals. The indices of genetic diversity are evidence in favor of the expansive type of an increase in the population number, possible expansion of the range from the eastern part in the western direction, and short-term contacts of Cis-Ural and Trans-Ural northern populations. The results of the analysis of S. major genetic variability do not support the accepted subspecies system.

The results of comparative multifractal studies of the grain structure of different ceramic piezoelectric materials are presented. Hard and soft ferroelectric ceramic materials as well as materials...

Variability of five microsatellite loci was studied in the common shrew S. araneus belonging to the Moscow chromosomal race. Three local samples (n = 39) from the sites situated at a minimum distance from each other (350–700 m) were examined. The studied samples were characterized by high allelic diversity along with considerable genetic differentiation of the population. Pairwise comparisons revealed statistically significant difference between the samples, with the highest genetic differences observed at a minimum geographic distance. To explain the causes of the population genetic heterogeneity, analysis of the population demographic patterns at the sampling sites and neighboring areas was carried out. The data obtained were consistent with the models of Altukhov’s population system.

Inbreeding depression is commonly considered an evolutionary influence on pre-copulatory mechanisms of inbreeding avoidance. Inbreeding may be minimized by: (1) delayed maturation and reproduction, (2) sex-biased dispersal, (3) behavioural avoidance of mating with relatives, and/or (4) mating by females with multiple males (polyandry). Time constraints on reproduction and limited opportunities for outbred matings may limit mate choice, forcing females to mate with relatives and favouring multiple paternity to reduce the costs of inbred matings. Using parentage, relatedness, and spatial genetic analyses, we studied genetic mating system, dispersal and inbreeding patterns in a wild partially isolated colony of the yellow ground squirrels (Spermophilus fulvus), fast-living hibernators. Females were phylopatric, while males dispersed within the colony. Nevertheless, male-biased dispersal could not completely separate closely related males and females, and the potential risk of inbreeding was high, in particular due to early maturation of males — some of them matured before dispersal. Females did not mate assortatively with respect to relatedness of males, mating both with close kin and non-kin, and 38% of sire-mother pairs were closely related (coefficient of relatedness > 0.125). Multiple paternity was common (56% of all litters), and multiply sired litters combined offspring from inbred and outbred matings. Parents of singly sired litters were mostly unrelated. The overall level of inbreeding was low. We conclude that, under strong time constraints on reproduction and mate choice, females do not mate selectively with unrelated males. However, multiple paternity dilutes inbred matings effectively enough to maintain the overall low level of inbreeding. Models predict that inbreeding should be more common in nature than is observed. Time constraints on reproduction and low availability of mates should make females tolerant of inbreeding, while multiple mating partners of females can help them reduce its costs. Based on observations in a free-living colony of the yellow ground squirrel, Spermophilus fulvus, a hibernator with a fast pace of life, we report high rates of inbred matings in females who have limited mate choice and face severe time constraints on reproduction. However, multiple paternity observed in more than half of females reduced the average relatedness between partners and, therefore, among their offspring, resulting in the overall low inbreeding within the colony. This is a new evidence for inbreeding tolerance under limited mate choice and female polyandry as a bet-hedging strategy against inbreeding.

Background. The analysis of the available data on the study of the polymorphism of the mtDNA control region in the Eurasian populations of burial eagles (1996-2020) indicates their genetic differentiation by geographical distribution. The periodic detection of new haplotypes indicates the relevance of such studies and insufficient knowledge of this issue. The aim of the work is to clarify the level of polymorphism and identify specific genetic features of the Volga population of the imperial eagle (A. heliaca) according to the analysis of the variability of mitochondrial and microsatellite DNA. Materials and methods. The material for genetic research was new collections (n = 22) of linn feathers of burial eagles collected in the Ulyanovsk region (n = 15), the Republic of Tatarstan (n = 4), the Republic Mordovia (n = 2) and the Chuvash Republic (n = 1). DNA was isolated from feathers of adult birds and the pulp and blood of chicks according to the standard method of phenol-chloroform extraction. A fragment (345 pn) of the mtDNA control region (D-loop) and three tetranucleotide microsatellite repeats (IEAAAG09, IEAAAG11, IEAAAG15) were used for genetic analysis. Fragments of the mtDNA control region (n = 22) and microsatellite DNA (n = 171) were sequenced using an ABI 3500 sequencer (Applied Biosystems). Haplotypic and nucleotide diversity were studied using the DnaSP 5.10.01 program. To reconstruct phylogenetic relationships, Maximum Likelihood (ML) and Neighbor-Joining (NJ) methods were used in the MEGA X program. Microsatellite genetic data was analyzed using the Arlequin 3.5.2 and Structure 2.3.4 programs. The obtained nucleotide sequences of newly identified mtDNA haplotypes of the imperial eagle were deposited in GenBank NCBI under the numbers OK504653 (haplotype RE) and OK504654 (haplotype RF). For statistical processing of the results, a significance level of p < 0.05 was set for all tests. Results. Analysis of the distribution of mtDNA control region haplotypes across 5 geographically isolated Imperial eagle breeding groups in the Volga region (ULR-NW – northwest of the Ulyanovsk region, UlR-NE – northeast of the Ulyanovsk region, UlR–C – center of the Ulyanovsk region, UlR-S – south of the Ulyanovsk region, RTat – Republic of Tatarstan) revealed their subdivision. When analyzing the average numbers of nucleotide differences, the isolation of the breeding groups from the Republic of Tatarstan and the Ulyanovsk region is noticeable. The average number of nucleotide differences (k) between all nest groups was 1.606 and was lower than this indicator when comparing the group from Tatarstan with the Ulyanovsk groups (1.739). In the phylogenetic analysis, two haplogroups of the imperial eagle were identified. The first haplogroup (AQH_1) is formed by mtDNA haplotypes characterized by one or two nucleotide substitutions. The second haplogroup (AQH_2) consists of haplotypes having from 3 to 5 nucleotide substitutions. The results of the median test also indicate the existence of 2 genetically close groups of sequences of a fragment of the mtDNA control region corresponding to more or less altered haplotypes. The analysis of microsatellite DNA of geographically isolated breeding groups of imperial eagles in the Ulyanovsk region revealed a low level of internal polymorphism. Conclusion. The conducted studies have shown that the Volga population of the imperial eagle is genetically differentiated. It consists of two subpopulations – Ulyanovsk and Tatarstan, characterized by specific mtDNA haplotypes. These subpopulations are confined to the Volga and Bugulminsko-Belebeevskaya uplands. The analysis of microsatellite DNA, as well as the reconstruction of evolutionary events related to the variability of mtDNA haplotypes show that the level of polymorphism of the Ulyanovsk subpopulation of imperial eagles is low, and the population itself is fairly homogeneous.

The appropriate magnetic Langevin equation, namely the inertial Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation augmented by thermal noise, is written starting from an analogy with the dynamics of the magnetic dipole moment of a circular current-carrying loop (wire) viewed as a symmetric top. Hence the corresponding Fokker-Planck equation for the evolution of the probability density function in the phase space of angular velocities and orientations and its stationary solution are derived. Moreover, the inertial stochastic magnetization dynamics of ferromagnetic nanoparticles is also seen to be analogous to the stochastic dynamics of the electric dipole moment of a polar molecule visualized as a dipole lying along the axis of symmetry of a symmetric top ignoring friction about that axis--a conclusion reached by replacing electrical parameters with their magnetic analogs in the respective Langevin equations. Therefore, existing results from gyroscopic theory, as applied to dielectric relaxation of polar molecules, may with appropriate modifications be used to study inertial magnetization effects in ferromagnetic nanoparticles.

Background. Black kite (Milvus migrans Boddaert, 1783) is a common diurnal bird of prey in Volga Region. Kites are very conservative in a choice of places for nesting and usually use the same nest for severally ears. M. migrans rarely built new nest.On the territory of Volga Region black kite forms stable migratory populations which due to nesting conservatism are characterized by constancy of individuals’ spatial distribution. This species of diurnal birds of prey is a convenient model for study of population polymorphism. Purpose of article is studying of polymorphism in black kite’s Volga population basing on analysis of mtDNA control region variability data. Materials and methods. Sample of probes were collected in a black kite’s Volga population during field studies in 2017–2019 using noninvasive methods. Sample includes 47 probes of feathers, from 29 of them DNA was obtain. For genetic analysis fragments of hyper variable control region of mtDNA (357bp) were used. Sequencing (n = 25) was carry out with ABI3500 (Applied Biosystems) sequencer. Haplotype and nucleotide diversity was studied in DnaSP 5.10.01.For reconstruction of phylogenetic relations methods of maximum likelihood and nearest-neighbor were implement educing MEGA X and MrBayes3.2.7. Median joining of mitochondrial haplotypes was constructed in PopART using TCS algorithm. Also 5 similar mtDNA region haplotypes of Black kites from South Spain population, 10 haplotypes of Red kites from European population and 2 haplotypes of Red kite’s subspecies M. milvus fasciicauda were analyzed. Significance level for all statistical tests is p

Relevance and goals. Spatial subdivision and temporary isolation of populations, as a rule, lead to limited gene flow, a decrease in the level of heterozygosity, an increase in the level of inbreeding, and a loss of genetic diversity. In some cases, both their complete extinction and radical restructuring of their structure are possible due to the passage of populations of the “bottleneck” state or of the formation process from a limited number of early settlers. In the conditions of such a contradictory and undirected population dynamics in the area, structural population changes are constantly taking place. Under the conditions of sympatric habitation of closely related species at certain points of contact, situations arise in which sympatric species overcome isolation barriers and interspecific hybrids appear in random contacts of non-specifics [11, 12]. The goal of this work was the study in model settlements of the russet ground squirrel (Spermophilus major Pall) of the peculiarities of the dynamics of the genetic structure of populations in connection with deep isolation and wavelike changes in numbers against the background of the existing sympatry with the spotted souslik (S. suslicus Güld). Materials and methods. Analytical samples for genetic analysis were as follows: S. major population near the village of Chirikovo, 2005–2010, 43 individuals, and 2018–2019, 34 individuals; S. major population on the island of Paltsinsky (2011) – 10 individuals. The analysis of intrapopulation polymorphism and genetic differences of two model populations of the russet ground squirrel was carried out using the results of the analysis of two mtDNA markers variability – the control region (C-region, D-loop) and the Cyt b gene, in two directions: by the nature of DNA mitotypes distribution in them and by identifying haplotype variability of the analyzed samples for the used markers. Fragments of the mtDNA control region (n = 32) and the Cyt b gene (n = 44) were sequenced on an ABI 3500 sequencer (Applied Biosystems) using reagent kits BigDye® Terminatorv 3.1 Cycle Sequencing Kits during the initial sample preparation in the SimpliAmp ™ Thermal Cycler amplifier. Nucleotide sequences were studied using the BioEdit 7.0 Mega7.0.21 PopArt and DnaSP 5.10.01 programmes. The obtained sequences of the isolated mtDNA haplotypes (D-loop and Cyt b) were placed at GeneBank NCBI (MW398128-MW398138; MW398139-MW398148). All the results were verified by statistical tests (Microsoft Office Excel 2010, STATISTICA 10.0). Results. Analysis of the variability of the fragments of the control region D-loop and the Cyt b gene of mtDNA showed that the analyzed populations of the russet ground squirrel are well differentiated and differ from each other. The analysis of two temporal states of the population near the village of Chirikovo revealed significant differences between them, despite the fact that the search for these differences is complicated by a well-marked mitotypic structure. Testing sequences of two time samples of a russet ground squirrel population near the village of Chirikovo by the degree of their differentiation showed that the Tajima indices (T's D) have positive values for both mtDNA markers. In this case, the indices have values indicating the effect of stabilizing selection after a rapid increase in numbers, which, according to observational data, took place after a strong depression and the passage of the population of the "bottleneck" state. Conclusions. The conducted genetic studies of dynamically changing and reliably isolated populations of the russet ground squirrel showed that the use of mtDNA markers allows studying their genetic structure quite accurately and recreating the history of settlement formation. Such studies are especially relevant when studying the dynamics of contact areas of sympatric zones of hybridizing closely related species. As our studies have shown, it is in those points of the range where an explosive demographic situation associated with the passage of the populations of the "bottleneck" state and the restoration of numbers is observed, as well as the presence of a sympatric species occurs, that cases of interspecific hybridization of the russet ground squirrel with other representatives of the r. Spermophilus are recorded.

Using the method of adsorption spectroscopy, the temperature dependence of the electronic absorption spectra of the fluorescent chemosensor (CS), based on the supramolecular pyrene–2β-cyclodextrin complex (Pyr@2βCD, PCD), was studied in the absence and in the presence of phenylalanine (Phe). The application of CS, where pyrene serves as a fluorescent probe, is based on the ability of CS to form the inclusion complexes with small organic molecules as well as with aromatic amino acids (AA) such as Phe, tryptophan (Trp), tyrosine (Tyr), and histidine (His) in aqueous solutions. Upon heating to 55 °C, the PCD complex in the presence of Phe shows a higher stability as compared to that in the absence of Phe. The molecular dynamics simulation was applied to study the thermal stability of PCD and its complexes with the above AAs in water. The PCD complex exists in two configurations. In configuration 1 the planar Pyr molecule lies in the equatorial plane of the βCD dimer, the plane of Pyr is nearly perpendicular to the vertical axis of the dimer 2βCD, and water fills up the empty part of the cavity. In configuration 2, the plane of Pyr is inclined with respect to the axis of the 2βCD dimer by ~30°. The PCD complex initially prepared in state 1 is spontaneously transformed into state 2 and remains stable up to the boiling temperature. The transition of PCD from the form 1 to 2 is provided by fluctuations in water content in its cavities. The inclusion complexes of amino acids 2AA@PCD exist in a single conformation 1. Complexes of PCD with Trp and Phe are stable up to the boiling temperature, i.e., these AAs are preserved within the PCD cavities even at the elevated temperature. The complex with Tyr decays at 60 °C, and the complex with His is unstable at room temperature and above.

The formation of the first populations of the marsh frog (the Pelophylax ridibundus complex) near Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and in the Paratunka River valley must have been the result of human introduction in the late 1980s. At present, more than 20 localities of this species are recorded in Kamchatka. For a more precise definition of the taxonomic status of P. ridibundus sensu lato, samples from five populations (altogether, 30 individuals) from southeastern and central Kamchatka are analyzed using molecular methods. In all frogs, a mitochondrial DNA type specific for the “eastern” form (=the Anatolian P. cf. bedriagae), but not for the “western” form (=the Central European P. ridibundus), is revealed. However, the results of nuclear DNA analysis of marsh frogs from Kamchatka reveal alleles specific for both of the forms, “eastern” and “western,” with a frequency ratio of about 2 : 1. The results of sequencing the mitochondrial ND2 gene and nuclear SAI-1 gene suggest that the “ancestor” individuals might have been introduced into Kamchatka from the Volga–Don interfluve or Ciscaucasia. The absence of both haplotype and nucleotide diversity in the samples studied suggests a single successful introduction that involved a low number of frogs stemming from a single locality.

Little ground squirrel (Spermophilus pygmaeus) is a polytypic species with a wide geographic range, divided by a number of large rivers (Don, Volga, and Ural rivers). Preliminary analysis of the mtDNA control region revealed substantial genetic differentiation (7%) between populations of little ground squirrel inhabiting the right and left banks of the Volga River, suggesting that large rivers act as geographic barriers for this species. Here, we present the results of the genetic diversity analysis of little ground squirrel (52 individuals from 35 localities) across the species range. The Don and Ural rivers, unlike the Volga River, had no considerable effect on the phylogeographic structure of little ground squirrel. Geographic subdivision found in ground squirrels living to the east of the Volga River could be explained by the influence of a large paleo-river flowing along the Turgai valley during glacial periods. The Volga River divides the species into two major groups (western and eastern), both with a high level of haplotype diversity. The genetic variability indices are almost twofold higher in the western clade. The results ​​of neutrality and isolation by distance tests support a relatively recent range expansion of the eastern clade. In overall, the observed structure of genetic diversity supports the hypothesis on the European origin of S. pygmaeus with the center of species origin on the territory of Caucasian geographic region. The division of little ground squirrels into western and eastern phylogenetic lineages probably occurred under the influence of fluctuations of the Caspian Sea level, due to the formation of temporary migration corridors during the regression periods.

The spatial and temporal variations in concentrations of dissolved organic carbon in the Yenisei River and its major tributaries are analyzed. The results obtained suggest that the maximal contribution to the flows of dissolved organic carbon in the Yenisei River is made by cryohydromorphic forest landscapes of the Central Siberian Plateau.

The room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) of phenanthrene (PH) was studied before and after oxygen removal in a suspension formed by adding tert-butylbenzene (TBB) to an aqueous solution of PH and β-cyclodextrin (CD). The RTP decay curves indicate that PH molecules are located inside solid aggregates within two types of the self-assembled phosphorescent complexes. The structure of one of them, PH@2CD@2TBB (I), was proposed by the method of fluorescence spectroscopy and confirmed by the quantum-chemical (QC) calculation (PM3/PM6-DH+) indicating the presence of the direct contact between PH and TBB inside the CD dimer in aggregate. The structure of the second, PH@3CD@2TBB (II), was calculated by the QC method. The molecular dynamics simulation (MD) was performed to elucidate the stability in an aqueous solution and in solid matrices of both I and II characterized by different degrees of PH packing density inside the aggregate. Due to the higher stability, I turned out to be the preferred structure as the basis of the phosphorescent center in a solid aggregate. To elucidate the mechanism of RTP quenching the O2 molecules was added to the solution and solid systems of both I and II. Oxygen mobility and penetration statistics to PH in these systems were calculated. Both the fluorescence data and computer simulaions show that the longest-lived component of the RTP decay belongs to structure I, in which PH is sandwiched between two TBB molecules in the CD dimer, owing to which RTP is characterized by the minimum values of the quenching and nonradiative relaxation constants. PH molecules located in a less rigid environment like complex II, or as part of other less ordered structures, are characterized by shorter RTP lifetimes. The results demonstrate a high degree of protection of the substrate encapsulated in the CD dimer from oxygen.

Comparative analysis of methods of obtaining electricity from a renewable energy source is carried out. Various designs and op-tions for small hydroelectric power plants have been proposed. Positive and negative factors of structures under consideration and their impact on the environment are analyzed. The main characteristics of the flow (speed, head) for the choice of the optimal variant of hydroelectric power plant have been determined. Three variants of impellers for free-flow hydroelectric power plants are proposed with a comparison of the efficien-cy of each variant. An analysis was carried out and an impeller based on a Darrieus rotor was selected for further research. Simulation was performed in the Flow Simulation program. The initial data for the design of Darrieus rotor operating in a liquid were the diameter and width of the impeller. The calculations involved a rotor with straight and swirling blades. The swirling blades rotor is self-starting. In the course of the calcula-tion, the speed of the liquid flow approaching the rotor and the rotor speed were changed. As a result of cal-culation, the value of the positive moment for self-starting was determined, which occurs at an incident flow velocity of at least 1.3 m/s.

The transport of charge carriers in disordered organic materials is considered based on the techniques of generalized Langevin equation. We simulate the one-dimensional diffusion of a charge in the ensemble of molecular chains interacting with the acoustic phonon subsystem of bulk environment. The random local charge transitions between chain links are mutually correlated. The full computation of the zero-field charge mobility for the N, N-di(1-naphthyl)-N, N-diphenyl-(1,1-biphenyl)-4,4-diamine ( $$\alpha $$ -NPD) is performed as an illustration. Several models for the probabilities of local transitions are tested. The individual local diffusion constants are randomly varied along a molecular chain within several orders of magnitude. The stationary diffusion regime establishes for every chain the temperature-dependent partial charge mobility as a frequency-dependent complex-valued response function. It is averaged over the chain ensemble. The computational scheme is simple and efficient. The importance of the memory effect depends on specific properties of a given material. This dependence in terms of the system parameters is discussed.

Geometric estimates of the characteristic sizes of simple single crystals with tetragonal, cubic, and octahedral shapes of the surface are obtained. The Wolf theorem with independent contributions from each face to the surface tension can be applied to these if the edge size is at least ~53 lattice constants. Energy estimates of the individuality of free energy contributions from each face are consistent with this estimate. The resulting minimum edge sizes also agree with an independent estimate obtained earlier using the contributions from fluctuations in the near-surface region of the phase.

In Russia, Myotis nattereri was considered as a monotypic species, of which its range is divided into two parts.. One of them is the northern fragment consisting of Central Russia and the Urals, while the southern part of its range includes the Caucasus and Crimea. On the basis of morphological and molecular-genetic data, the taxonomic status of its Caucasian forms is discussed. In the Eastern Caucasus (Republic of Dagestan, Russia), we caught Myotis animals related to the group of «Myotis nattereri» species, similar to specimens of the West Asian Myotis cf. tschuliensis on the basis of skull size measurements. A comparison analysis showed that, outwardly, M. cf. tschuliensis 2 individuals are highly similar to specimens from Central Russia. However, these animals have some differences in the ear structure, os penis, attachment of the posterior edge of the wing membrane to the foot, and in the ratio of cilia lengths to bristles on the free edge of the tail membrane. The more reliable differences between M. cf. tschuliensis 2 animals and M. nattereri s.str. specimens were revealed on the basis of craniometric studies, but the complete confirmation of the species' independence of Caucasian specimens was obtained using the analysis of mtDNA sequences. According to phylogenetic constructions, Dagestan specimens designated by us as M. cf. tschuliensis 2, formed a well separated sister line in relation to the clade of Caucasian forms: M. schaubi and M. cf. tschuliensis 1 (p-distance: 7.4–7.0%). There are no reliable morphological differences between M. cf. tschuliensis 2 and M. cf. tschuliensis 1. Prior to genetic studies of M. tschuliensis specimens, we suggest using an open nomenclature for the East Caucasian form. If specimens designated as M. cf. tschuliensis 1, originated from the Near East, are genetically identical to the M. cf. tschuliensis specimens from its type location in Turkmenistan, then Dagestan bats designated as M. cf. tschuliensis 2 should be considered as a new, undescribed species.

Relevance and goals. The existence of a population is unthinkable if there is absence of informational links between individuals. For ground squirrels whose settlements are confined to open landscapes, sound signaling performs two important population functions: the scream by an individual is an identification mark of its spatial presence and it warns the population of the imminent danger. Studies of the intraspecies variability of this important population feature at the level of the structured habitat area allows us to take a fresh look at the mechanisms of adaptation of the species to rapidly changing modern living conditions. Since the 50s of the last century, the russet ground squirrel, which until then was considered the vicariate of the speckled ground squirrel (Citellus suslicus) along the Volga river bed, has been stably living on the right bank of the Volga, continuing its resettlement to the west. As a result of this expansion of new habitats, an extensive sympatry zone of the russet ground squirrel with the indigenous speckled ground squirrel was formed, where both their contact settlements and cases of interspecies hybridization were revealed. The aim of the study was to study the individual and population variability of sound signals of russet ground squirrels in the Volga right-bank regions and adjacent territories, taking into account the fragmentation of its range and the nature of intraspecies relations with speckled ground squirrels. Materials and methods. We analayzed 1230 signals warning of danger and made by russet ground squirrels (n = 269) from 46 populations, which form 14 geographical groups (metapopulations). The signals were recorded using a Marantz PMD 670 tape recorder and a SONY ECM737 microphone directly from live traps. Frequency (initial - Fstart, maximum - Fmax, minimum (final) frequency - Fmin, modulation depth - Hmod, kHz) and time (duration D1, D2, D3, Dtotal, ms) signal characteristics were obtained using programs Avisoft-Sonograph and Adobe© Audition ver. 1.0. Statistical data processing was made with the help of Microsoft Office Excel 2010 and STATISTICA 10.0. packages. Results. Analysis of the sound signal indicators made by russet ground squirrels with the help of standard procedures of multiple comparison revealed their rather varied directions of variability and population specifics. The performed multivariate analysis allows us to identify some features of the population and environmental variability of bioacoustic indicators of russet ground squirrels in the study area. Russet ground squirrels that live in southern or steppe areas (Urals, left-bank Volga regions) are characterized by lower and longer sound signals. Ground squirreld living in the right-bank areas of the Ulyanovsk region have higher and shorter sound signals. A rather ambiguous position of the centroids of the distribution ellipses of the Penza, Chuvash and Samara Bend populations is most likely related to the introduction or migration history of their formation. Conclusions. A statistical analysis of bioacoustic indicators samples of russet ground squirrel individuals revealed a diverse population polymorphism of this feature, associated with high fragmentation of the habitat, and confirms the existence of a subdivided (metapopulation) structure of its range in the Middle Volga and adjacent territories.

A individual approach to the treatment of cancer patients, which takes the genetic features of the patient’s metabolism into account, allows one to choose an appropriate drug and its dose, that increases the efficiency of therapy and prevents the development of side toxic effects. For this purpose, we developed a biological microarray-based method for studying the primary structure of patient DNA and identifying polymorphisms in the UGT1A1, DPYD, GSTP1, and ABCB1 genes associated with alterations in xenobiotic metabolism. Genotyping of samples from 89 cancer patients and 15 healthy donors was carried out using the developed microarray. The results of determination of the primary structure of DNA samples coincided completely with the control sequencing. To increase the specificity of determination of polymorphic variants of the UGT1A1 gene, we used hybridization probes containing LNA nucleotides. The frequencies of polymorphic allelic variants of the UGT1A1*28, DPYD*2A, GSTP1 (I105V), and ABCB1 (C3435T) genes in the studied sample were 0.39, 0, 0.33, and 0.57, respectively.

Statistical thermodynamic means are used to study the bound state of a small cluster AN (2 ≤ N ≤ 5) of Lennard-Jones particles in a spherical cavity. The statistical sum is calculated by the Monte Carlo method. For the dimer, integration is reduced to quadratures. The integration region contains only phase space points corresponding to the bound cluster state. Dimerization constant 2A = A2 is calculated via the probability of finding a molecule in the bound state using the example of argon.

A molecular model developed earlier for a polar fluid within the lattice gas model is supplemented by considering the vibrational motions of molecules using water as an example. A combination of point dipole and Lennard-Jones potentials from SPC parametrization is chosen as the force field model for the molecule. The main thermodynamic properties of liquid water (density, internal energy, and entropy) are studied as functions of temperature. There is qualitative agreement between the calculation results and the experimental data. Ways of refining the molecular theory are discussed.

The paper contains new data on the easternmost limits of distribution of the noctuid species Egira anatolica (M. Hering, 1933) and Egira conspicillaris (Linnaeus, 1758). E. anatolica was found in eastern and northeastern Kazakhstan for the first time. Known eastern borders of the range of another Egira species, E. conspicillaris (Linnaeus, 1758) are corrected, in addition, the species is reported for Transcaucasia (Georgia) for the first time. The map of collecting localities of E. anatolica is presented, adults and male and female genitalia are illustrated.

X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies of the phases formed on the surface of the Li-doped PbFe0.5Nb0.5O3 (PFN) ceramics sintered under different conditions from the mechanically activated mixture of oxides and Li2CO3 have been carried out. At sintering temperatures exceeding 800°C a partial evaporation of PbO leads to the formation of pyrochlore Pb2Fe4Nb4O21 and lithium ferrites LiFeO2 and LiFe5O8 phases in the surface layer about 100 μm thick. An increase of the Neel temperature by more than 40 K, as compared to single crystal, was achieved in the mechanically activated PFN powder sintered at 600°C.

The effect of high-energy mechanical activation on magnetic phase transition temperature TM of PbFe0.5Nb0.5O3, PbFe0.5Ta0.5O3, and BaFe0.5Nb0.5O3 perovskites has been studied. Mossbauer studies have shown that TM values in all the perovskites studied can be changed substantially by mechanical activation and subsequent annealing. The increase of TM by 40-50 K, as compared to corresponding single crystals and ceramics sintered from the non-activated powders, was achieved in the mechanoactivated powders of both lead-containing and lead-free perovskites studied.

Relevance and goals. The study of population polymorphism is an important task of modern biology both from the perspective of theoretical ideas about the variability of biological items and biological diversity, and from the practical side of studying the laws of species existence within the historical area. Russet ground squirrel (Spermophilus major Pall.) is a proper model species for exploring individual and population variability due to changes in the structure of the range. The study was aimed at examining the individual and population variability of the morphological indicators of russet ground squirrel in the Volga Region and in adjacent territories, taking into account the fragmentation of their range. Materials and methods. The material for the study comprises the collections and data on the lifetime certification of individuals (n = 412) obtained in the course of research (2011–2018) of 55 populations of russet ground squirrel in the Volga Region and adjacent territories. The study of features of the body external morphology covered body length (L), metatarsus (PL) and tail (C) (in mm). Statistical processing of the results was based on standard statistical parameters, as well as cycle-by-cycle discriminant and cluster analyses. Statistical data processing was conducted in Microsoft Office Excel 2010 and STATISTICA 10.0. Results. The morphological analysis of populations and metapopulations of russet ground squirrel using the methods of descriptive statistics and variance analysis prevents reliable recognition of the existence of the fragmented structure of the range for this species in the study region. The cycle-by-cycle discriminant analysis of morphological indicators samples characterizing populations of russet ground squirrel in the study region revealed their good differentiation in the space of discriminant functions and enabled determining some features of the morphological variability of russet ground squirrel in the study region. Due to the wide range of variability compared with the Volga populations, the Ural populations of russet ground squirrel occupy an extreme position in a series of morphological changes. At that, right-bank populations are characterized by a more balanced composition and absence of sharp changes in morphological indicators. Findings. The statistical analysis of samples of russet ground squirrel morphological indicators revealed a heterogeneous population polymorphism associated with a strong fragmentation of the habitat, and confirmed the existence of the metapopulation structure of its range.

Different methods of taking into account the vibrational partition function in Helmholtz free energy for imperfect crystals of inert gases are compared. These methods are based on the complete vibrational spectrum of the fcc lattice or on few local frequencies. Thermodynamic properties of the Lennard- Jones crystal are considered in the framework of the lattice gas model with the potential interaction in the quasi-chemical approximation. In frequency calculations in the quasi-dimeric model, the role of local averaging, which leads to a threefold degeneracy of the vibrational contribution, is compared to the role of the direct diagonalization of the matrix of the second derivatives of potential energy in an imperfect cluster. The effects of different vibrational contributions on internal energy, entropy, and heat capacity at constant volume are considered as a function of temperature. The results of calculating thermal expansion in a vacuum for four inert gas crystals are compared with experimental data.

Based on Raman spectra, we have studied structural ordering processes in ceramics of ferroelectromagnetics Bi1–x La x FeO3 (x = 0.075–0.20). It has been found that the structure of Bi1–x La x FeO3 is close to the structure of the crystal BiFeO3. However, lines in Raman spectra of Bi1–x La x FeO3 are considerably broadened compared to lines in the Raman spectrum of the BiFeO3 single crystal, which indicates that the structure of solid solutions is much more disordered. In Raman spectra of Bi1–x La x FeO3, in the range of librational vibrations of octahedra as a whole (50–90 cm–1), several groups of lines are observed in frequency ranges 59–69, 72–77, and 86–92 cm–1 (depending on the composition of solid solution). This confirms X-ray data that examined solid solutions are not single-phase. At a La content x = 0.120, Raman lines in the low-frequency spectral range narrow, which indicates that the ordering of structural units in cationic sublattices somewhat increases. Upon an increase in the content of La in the Bi1–x La x FeO3 structure, no unambiguous dependence of parameters of spectral lines is observed. It is likely that this is explained by the fact that, as the value of x increases, the character of the incorporation of La into the structure of the solid solution changes.

The x-T phase diagram (T = 25°C) of the PbZr1 − xTixO3 system has been constructed in the entire solubility range of components 0 ≤ x ≤ 1.00. It has been found that the phase composition of solid solutions, the cell volume decreasing rate, the electrical parameters, and density of ceramics periodically vary with increasing x. It has been shown that the nonmonotonic behavior of the electrical parameters is caused by different contributions of the spontaneous strain dominant in the tetragonal phase and domain reorientations different from 180-degree ones in the rhombohedral phase to their formation. Detailed multifractal parametrization of the grain structure of ceramics has been performed. The microstructure evolution features associated with phase changes in the system have been revealed. The data of other studies that tetragonal phase clusters appear in the range 0.11 < x ≤ 0.12 are confirmed; it has been assumed that rhombohedral phase clusters appear in the range 0.675 < x < 0.80.

The free Helmholtz energy of the Lennard-Jones liquids was considered for inert gases in the framework of the quasi-chemical approximation of the lattice gas model. The quasi-dimeric model with the effective number of degrees of freedom was applied to take into account the vibrational partition function. A model of restricted oscillator was proposed for the calculation of the thermodynamic functions of matter in different aggregation states. The models of harmonic and restricted oscillators were compared in the area of mechanical instability of the lattice.

The concentration range of vacancies that affect the temperature dependence of the heat capacity at constant volume C v has been determined. The times of the establishment of vacancy equilibrium in spherical samples of simple crystals with different radii due to the thermal motion of atoms have been calculated for the process as close as possible to the equilibrium one with a decrease in the temperature from the melting point to the current value T. The free energy of an imperfect crystal has been determined taking into account contributions from interatomic interactions in terms of the Lennard-Jones potential functions and vibrational energies. The properties of an imperfect crystal have been calculated within the Lifshitz approximation linear in the density of vacancies with the frequency distribution function of the perfect crystal with the corresponding corrections, which reflect local vibrations of atoms around vacancies. The free energy of a defect-free perfect crystal has been determined from the calculated frequencies of normal vibrations with the inclusion of up to four nearest neighbors. It has been shown that disregard of acoustic (out-of-phase) parts of the spectrum in the calculation of the heat capacity C v with increasing temperature leads to a decrease (increase) in C v from the values calculated for the total vibrational spectrum. A nonequilibrium state of the imperfect crystal can lead to negative values of the heat capacity at constant volume.

The effect of high-energy mechanical activation on dielectric and magnetic properties of PbFe1/2Ta1/2O3 (PFT) multiferroic was studied. Mossbauer studies have shown that the Neel temperature TN of the antiferromagnetic phase transition in PFT powders can be changed substantially by mechanical activation and subsequent annealing. The increase of TN by more than 70 K, as compared to PFT single crystal, was achieved in the mechanically activated PFT powder annealed at 700°C. Dielectric studies have shown that in contrast to ceramics obtained by usual sintering, PFT ceramics fabricated by sintering of the mechanoactivated powder does not show the relaxor-like behavior.

Optimal sintering temperature of PbFe1/2Nb1/2O3 (PFN) ceramics is 1120–1150°C, but ceramics sintered in this temperature range have low resistivity and high losses. Mechanochemical synthesis allows one to lower the optimal sintering temperature of PFN ceramics down to 1000°C, however dielectric losses remain high and the permittivity exhibits large frequency dispersion. In the present work it has been found that similar to the case of the routine solid state synthesis, Li doping enables one to reduce dramatically the losses of the PFN ceramics obtained by sintering the mechanochemically synthesized powders.

An analysis of CO2 emissions and soil microbiological activity has been performed in larch stands of different ages that developed on cryogenic soils and represent different stages of post-fire succession. An abrupt increase in the soil emissions of CO2 (by more than 2 times) in young stands (15–30 years old), as well as a decrease of soil-respiration rate at the later stages of pyrogenic successions because of the restoration of the moss-lichen cover and the closure of the stand canopy was seen. Intraseasonal and interannual variations of soil CO2 fluxes were also revealed; however, their dynamics was largely determined by the local conditions.