A new species of Crocodile Newt, genus Tylototriton(Amphibia, Caudata, Salamandridae) from the mountains of Kachin State, northern Myanmar

We describe a new species of the genus Tylototriton from Ingyin Taung Mt.,Mohnyin Township,Kachin State,Myanmar,based on morphological and molecular evidence.The new species is assigned to the subgenus Tylototriton s.str.and is clearly distinct from all known congeners by the following characters:medium body size;thin,long tail,lacking lateral grooves;rough skin;truncate snout;wide,protruding supratemporal bony ridges on head,beginning at anterior corner of orbit;weak,almost indistinct sagittal ridge;long,thin limbs,broadly overlapping when adpressed along body;distinct,wide,non-segmented vertebral ridge;13 or 14 rib nodules;brown to darkbrown background coloration with dull orange-brown to yellowish-brown markings on labial regions,parotoids,rib nodules,whole limbs,vent,and ventral tail ridge.We also briefly discuss biogeography and species diversity of the genus Tylototriton in Myanmar.

Unrelaxed State in Epitaxial Heterostructures Based on Lead Selenide

The work deals with the epitaxial PbSe layers grown on the KCl substrates by the method of “hot-wall” molecular epitaxy over the range of layer thicknesses of 20 - 2000 nm. Special emphasis is put on the values of elastic deformations that could be generated and frozen in epitaxial layers with the aim of influencing their energy spectra and optical properties. The maximum deformation at layers tension made up 57% of the initial mismatch between the layer and the substrate (ε = Δa/a = 0.015). In such a solid-state structure effective “negative” pressure is realized, which is justified by increase in the tangential lattice constant and the forbidden gap width. This width correlates with the tangential lattice constant (deformation) and corresponds to certain values of definite frequencies of direct electron transitions across the forbidden gap.

Nitrogen-Doped Chemical Vapour Deposited Diamond： a New Material for Room-Temperature Solid State Maser

Electron spin resonance （ESR） in polycrystalline diamond films grown by dc arc-jet and microwave plasma chemical vapour deposition is studied. The films with nitrogen impurity concentration up to 8 × 10^18 cm^-3 are also characterized by Raman, cathodoluminescence and optical absorption spectra. The ESR signal from P1 centre with g-factor of 2.0024 （nitrogen impurity atom occupying C site in diamond lattice） is found to exhibit an inversion with increasing the microwave power in an H102 resonator. The spin inversion effect could be of interest for further consideration of N-doped diamonds as a medium for masers operated at room temperature.

Image potential states mediated STM imaging of cobalt phthalocyanine on NaCl/Cu(100)

The adsorption and electronic properties of isolated cobalt phthalocyanine （CoPc） molecule on an ultrathin layer of NaC1 have been investigated. High-resolution STM images give a detailed picture of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital （LUMO） of an isolated CoPc. It is shown that the NaC1 ultrathin layer efficiently decouples the interaction of the molecules from the underneath metal substrate, which makes it an ideal substrate for studying the properties of single molecules. Moreover, strong dependence of the appearance of the molecules on the sample bias in the region of relatively high bias （〉 3.1 V） is ascribed to the image potential states （IPSs） of NaCI/Cu（100）, which may provide us with a possible method to fabricate quantum storage devices.

Algae and Cyanobacteria in Soils of Moscow

Algal-cyanobacterial communities, soil nano- and microfauna, and mycelium of micromycetes were studied in soils of an administrative district of Moscow. To characterize the habitat conditions of microbiota in the soils of different functional zones of the city, the acid-base conditions and the contents of exchangeable and water-soluble nitrogen, mobile heavy metals, and soluble salts were determined. The diversity of species of algal-cyanobacterial communities, the composition of the dominant species, the proportions of different ecological groups of diatom algae, the diversity of soil nano- and microfauna, and the abundance of colorless and colored mycelium in the urban soils were characterized. The analysis of these parameters showed that the degree of technogenic impact on soil microbiota decreases in the following sequence of functional zones of the city: industrial > traffic > residential > recreation.

Radio ＂Echo of Moscow＂ （Ekho Moskvy） as a Multimedia Project

The paper deals the popular news-talk radio station ＂Echo of Moscow＂ which is one of the most interesting and successful one in Moscow FM range. It provides thorough analysis of different previous and nowadays programs and web projects in comparison with main multimedia sphere trends. A particular attention is paid to ＂Echo of Moscow＂ web page as multimedia portal strongly packed with different functions such as its integration with social nets.

State of Organic Matter and Particularities of Physicochemical Properties of Soils in the Endogenous Hydrogen Seepage Zones

In the territory of the Voronezh region of Russia in ordinary middle loam chernozem the elevated concentration of endogenous hydrogen streams up to 0.65% at the depth of 100 - 120 cm was detected. This phenomenon is observed in the center of depressions. The soils differ in morphological, chemical and physical properties. The top humus horizon is markedly bleached comparing to the soil outside the depression: The lightness L readings increase for 16% - 30%. The soil acidity (up to pH 4.5 - 5.0) and organic carbon content are elevated comparing to the sample for reference. The proportion of fulvic acids increases on average thrice as compared with the soils outside the hydrogen fluids influence zone. Despite the high humus content the mechanical strength of aggregates decreases 3 - 4 times. Under conditions of hydrogen fluids, changes occur at the aggregate structural level in the direction of decreasing their mechanical strength. In the center of the depressions strength of aggregates is reduced by 2 - 3 times in comparison with the control. The opposite regularity was observed in the absence of hydrogen flows, where the strength of aggregates was 3 times higher than in comparison with the control.

Quick and Simple Spectrophotometric Method of Identification of the Thermal State of Meat on the Basis of Composition and Content of Free Nucleotides

At present, there is no method for identifying meat frozen in a thermal state acceptable for production control. The role of free nucleotides in the processes of refrigeration and storage of meat, affecting the structural and mechanical properties of muscle tissue, the formation of taste and its biological value is known. In this article we compared methods for identifying the thermal state of meat based on the determination of the composition and content of free nucleotides by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and spectrophotometry [SF]. High-purity reference substances were used: free nucleotides—ATP, ADP, AMP, IMP and nucleosides-inosine and hypoxanthine. It has been experimentally established that the characteristic peaks of the absorption spectra for extracts of free nucleotides of meat frozen depended from thermal state of meat. The content of ATP is 21.8 times higher in meat frozen in a fresh state, and the amount of IMF is 12.3 times lower than in meat frozen after cooling. The results of studies of meat frozen using the HPLC method and the developed SF method show the adequacy of the data obtained by both methods. SF-method based on the determination of the optical density of the extracts of free nucleotides is recommended to justify the choice of technological process meat defrost modes.

Electro-chemo-mechanical design of polymer matrix in composited LiNi_(0.8)Co_(0.1)Mn_(0.1)O_(2) cathode endows solid-state batteries with superior performance

Nickel-rich LiNi_(0.8)Co_(0.1)Mn_(0.1)O_(2)(NCM811) cathode material has been widely concerned due to its high voltage,high specific capacity and excellent rate performance,which is considered as one of the most promising cathode materials for the next generation of high-energy-density solid-state lithium batteries.However,serious electro-chemo-mechanical degradation of Nickel-rich cathode during cycling,especially at a high voltage(over 4.5 V),constrains their large-scale application.Here,using the multiphysical simulation,highly-conductive polymer matrix with spontaneous stress-buffering effect was uncovered theoretically for reinforcing the electrochemical performance of composited NCM81 1 cathode through the visualization of uniform concentration distribution of Li-ion coupled with improved stress field inside NCM811 cathode.Thereupon,polyacrylonitrile(PAN) and soft polyvinylidene fluoride(PVDF) were selected as the polymer matrix to fabricate the composited NCM811 cathode(PVDFPAN@NCM811) for improving the electrochemical performance of the solid-state NMC811|Li full cells,which can maintain high capacity over 146.2 mA h g^(-1)after 200 cycles at a high voltage of 4.5 V.Suggestively,designing a multifunctional polymer matrix with high ionic conductivity and mechanical property can buffer the stress and maintain the integrity of the structure,which can be regarded as the door-opening avenue to realize the high electrochemical performance of Ni-rich cathode for solidstate batteries.

AN ALABASTER SCULPTED HEADOFPTOLEMY V FROM THE PUSHKIN MUSEUMOFFINEARTS,MOSCOW,ANDHORUSASPECTS OF LATE PERIOD EGYPTIAN AND PTOLEMAIC KINGSHIP

The typology of Ptolemaic royal sculpture has served as a theme of research for a number of scholars who have managed to achieve impressive results:two fundamental works must be mentioned.The earlier is Bildnisse der Ptolemaer by H.Kyrieleis,which established a convincing correspondence between the well-attributed images of the Ptolemaic kings on their coins and their mostly uninscribed sculpted images.'The history of the research reveals that although the corpus of Ptolemaic sculpture gradually expanded,due to new finds and new publications,challenges to specific attributions proposed by Kyrieleis often proved to be a failure?A later work deserving a special mention is Portraits of the Ptolemies by P.E.Stanwick,which proposed a well-founded scheme for the evolution of the Ptolemaic royal sculpture dividing it into nine groups(Groups A-E,G making a chronological sequence,Groups F,H-J uncertain and miscellaneous)'Quite expectedly,a problematic issue is the ultimate motive and final result of shifting from one such group to another:a grouping of objects is largely a formal task,and a scholar performing it is unlikely to concentrate simultaneously on the variety of political,ideological,and religious factors that could lie behind the emergence of the groups indicated.The present article aims to offer a tentative explanation for the shift in the style of Ptolemaic sculpture that took place at the cusp of the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC,i.e.,the transition between Stanwick's "Group A"and "Group B."

Moscow and Moscow Region： Ecological Focus for Sustainable Development

This paper presents some results of sustainable urban-planning development in Moscow Capital Region. Moscow City and Moscow Region （Moscow Oblast） are the parts of the Moscow Capital Region. According to the Constitution of Russia, adopted in December 1993, Moscow Region and Moscow City are two independent federal subjects of Russian Federation. The sustainable development of Moscow City and Moscow Region as an integrated regional economic and natural complex which plays the most important part in Russia＇s economy must be based on the integrated solution to the problems of environmental protection, social equity, and economic feasibility. The latest initiative of Russian Government concerns the creation of the Greater Moscow within the new borders of Moscow. Making the decision on the extension of the city limits and stimulation of the Moscow Agglomeration development provides the real way of resolution of the accumulated problems and provides enormous impetus to the sustainable development. The key task of the environmentally sound development of the Greater Moscow is to relieve the historical center of Moscow City; maintain the rational balance of built-up areas, natural and rural landscapes; ensure joint control of the urban development and economic activity; and create the favorable environment for the population.

MULTIWAVE MEDICAL DEVICE ON THE DIODE PUMPED SOLID STATE LASER FOR THE MICROBE NATURE DISEASE TREATMENT

Multiwave laser medical device"Livadia"has been developed for bactericidal and therapeutic impact on the affected organism parts.This device is on the diode pumped solid-state laser and main wavelength radiation conversion 1064 nm into the second harmonic 532 nm and fourth harmonic 266 nm.It has been shown that UV radiation on the wavelength 266 nm on bronchia mucosa with various inflammation types improves regenerative processes in bronchia tissues which decreases treatment deadline.

Solid-State Cultivation of Edible Oyster Mushrooms, <i>Pleurotus</i>spp. under Laboratory Conditions

Oyster mushrooms of genus Pleurotus are well known as valuable edible mushrooms which are broadly cultivated in the world as well as wildly propagated in forests of the temperate climate zones including Russia. Indoor cultivation conditions adapted for a laboratory with non-specialized facilities were suggested for effective solid-state cultivation and fruit bodies’ production of Pleurotus species. Seven of 9 Pleurotus species of different origin produced fruit bodies successfully. The best fructification was shown for species P. sajor-caju, P. ostreatus, and P. pulmonarius with fruit body yields of 74%, 72%, and 61% by dry substrate weight in the first flushing cycle. Fruit bodies appeared in five to 10-day flushes. “Spawn run” stage was completed within 17 to 24 days, the longest colonization stage (26 days) being for the pink oyster, P. djamor. The cultivation parameters proposed in this study can be employed with ease for laboratory and “home” cultivation of oyster mushrooms. The species and strains’ identification was confirmed by restriction analysis of ITS region of rRNA gene cluster. Molecular barcodes based on restriction enzyme (AluI, and BsuRI) profiles of ITS sequences were shown to be applicable for molecular genotyping of Pleurotus species of different origin.

Assessment of Mercury in Diagnostic Biomaterials of Different Population Groups in Urban Areas of the Moscow Region

The results of a survey of different population groups in urban areas of the Moscow Region (industry workers, residents of areas with increased anthropogenic load of mercury and conditionally pristine areas, cohorts of pregnant women and children) to assess the contents of mercury in samples of various diagnostic biomaterials taken during the course of research are presented. Mercury concentrations in venous and umbilical cord blood, urine, hair, and nails were determined by means of instrumental neutron activation analysis and cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry. Peculiarities of selection, transportation, storage, and preparation for analysis of samples of hair, nails, urine and umbilical venous blood are described. The determined concentrations of mercury in the studied diagnostic biomaterials are compared with normal and thresholds values. Although increased mercury concentrations were observed in some cases, no significant exposure of mercury was evident in general in the study towns. A positive correlation between the degree of consumption of seafood during pregnancy and a high content of mercury in the analyzed diagnostic biomaterials was shown.

Revealing True and False Brain States Based on Wavelet Analysis of Electroencephalogram

Statement of the Problem: As you know, there exist two different states in the brain’s mental activity: true and false. In recent years, a progressive method of wavelet transformation of the electroencephalogram (EEG) has been developed, which enabled us to establish the fundamental possibility of direct objective registration of the human brain’s mental activity. Earlier, we created an experimental model and software for recognizing true and false mental responses of a person based on the EEG wavelet transformation and described it in the article. The developed experimental model and information software made it possible to compare the two mental states of brain activity by electroencephalographic indicators, one of which is false and the other is true. The goal is to develop a fundamentally new information technology for recognizing true and false states in the brain’s mental activity based on the wavelet transformation of the electroencephalogram. Results: It was revealed that the true and false states of the brain can be distinguished using the method of continuous wavelet transformation and calculation of the EEG wavelet energy. It is shown that the main differences between true and false mental responses are observed in the delta and alpha ranges of the EEG. In the EEG delta rhythm, the wavelet energy is reliably higher in case of a false answer compared to a true one. In the EEG alpha rhythm, the wavelet energy is significantly higher with a true answer than a false one. Practical significance of the research: The data obtained open up the fundamental possibility of identifying true and false mental states of the brain on the basis of continuous wavelet transformation and calculation of the EEG wavelet energy.

Effect of sodium nitroprusside on the microrheological properties of red blood cells in different media

Red blood cell(RBC)aggregation as well as their deformation significantly affects blood microrheology.These processes depend on various factors,one of which is concentration of the nitric oxide,one of the main signaling molecule in the bloodstream.The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of nitric oxide on the microrheological properties of red blood cells(RBCs)in RBC samples of various media after the addition of nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside in vitro.Microrheological properties were measured using laser aggregometer and ektacytometer based on diffuse light scattering and diffraction of laser light on a suspension of RBCs,respectively.The study found that heparin-stabilized blood showed increased RBC aggregation and deformation with sodium nitroprusside concentrations of 100,and 200M,while EDTA-stabilized blood showed slightly decreased aggregation and unchanged deformation.With washed RBCs in dextran solution,the addition of sodium nitroprusside(in the concentrations of 100,and 200M)resulted in decreased aggregation and increased deformation.These-ndings aid in our understanding of nitric oxide's effect on RBC microrheological properties.

RBC aggregation,deformation and adhesion to endothelium:Role of nitric oxide derived from L-Arginine and sodium nitroprusside

Red blood cells(RBCs)are the most abundant human blood cells.RBC aggregation and deformation strongly determine blood viscosity which impacts hemorheology and microcirculation.In turn,RBC properties depend on di®erent endogenous and exogenous factors.One such factor is nitric oxide(NO),which is mainly produced by endothelial cells(EC)from L-arginine amino acid in the circulatory system.Since the mechanisms of the RBC-endothelium interplay are not clear up to date and considering its possible clinical importance,the aims of this study are to investigate in vitro:(1)The effect of L-arginine induced NO on RBC aggregation and adhesion to endothelium;(2)the NO e®ect on RBC aggregation and deformation induced by L-arginine and sodium nitroprusside without the presence of endothelium in the samples.The RBC aggregation and adhesion to a monolayer of EC were studied using optical tweezers(OT).The RBC deformability and aggregation without endothelium in the samples were studied using the flow chamber method and Myrenne aggregometer.We confirmed that NO increases deformability and decreases aggregation of RBCs.We showed that the soluble guanylate cyclase pathway appears to be the only NO signaling pathway involved.In the samples with the endothelium,the "bell-shaped"dependence of RBC aggregation force on L-arginine concentration was observed,which improves our knowledge about the process of NO production by endothelium.Additionally,data related to L-arginine accumulation by endothelium were obtained:Necessity of the presence of extracellular L-arginine stated by other authors was put under question.In our study,NO decreased the RBC-endothelium adhesion,however,the tendency appeared to be weak and was not confirmed in another set of experiments.To our knowledge,this is the first attempt to measure the forces of RBC adhesion to endothelium monolayer with OT.

Morphological and biochemical characteristics associated with autophagy in gastrointestinal diseases

Autophagy is a cellular catabolic process characterized by the formation of double-membrane autophagosomes.Transmission electron microscopy is the most rigorous method to clearly visualize autophagic engulfment and degradation.A large number of studies have shown that autophagy is closely related to the digestion,secretion,and regeneration of gastrointestinal(GI)cells.However,the role of autophagy in GI diseases remains controversial.This article focuses on the morphological and biochemical characteristics of autophagy in GI diseases,in order to provide new ideas for their diagnosis and treatment.

Selection of shaped charges parameters for producing aluminum particles with velocities in the range of 2.5-16 km/s

Testing rocket and space technology objects in ground conditions for resistance to the impact of meteoroids and fragments of space debris can be carried out using shaped charges. To substantiate the design parameters of shaped charges that ensure the formation of aluminum particles in a wide velocity range(from 2.5 to 16 km/s), numerical modeling of the formation process was carried out within the framework of a two-dimensional axisymmetric problem of continuum mechanics using three different computing codes to increase the reliability of the results. The calculations consider shaped charges with a diameter of 20-100 mm with aluminum liners of various shapes. It is shown that the formation of particles with velocities close to the lower limit of the considered range is ensured by gently sloping segmental liners of degressive thickness. To form higher-velocity particles with velocities over 5 km/s, it is proposed to use combined liners, the jet-forming part of which has the shape of a hemisphere of constant thickness or the shape of a semi-ellipsoid or semi-superellipsoid of rotation of degressive thickness.

Catagenetic type of manganese ores:REE and isotope(δ^(13)C,δ^(18)O)geochemical features(on the example of the Usa deposit,Russia)

Chemical(REE and major elements)and isotope(δ^(13)C,δ^(18)O)composition of carbonate manganese ores and manganese-bearing carbonates of the Usa deposit(Siberia,Russia)were studied.Received data on the composition of REE exhibit both the distinct negative(Ce/Ce*_(PAAS)<1)and positive(Ce/Ce*_(PAAS)>1)cerium anomalies and the positive Eu-anomaly(Eu/Eu*_(PAAS)>1).Negative Eu-anomalies are not observed.The contents of Mn,Fe,REE,and Ce-anomalies show a positive correlation with each other.Ce-anomalies and the amount of manganese and REE in relation to the carbon isotope composition(δ^(13)C)show a negative relationship and indicate that oxidized carbon of organic matter played an important role in the concentration of manganese and REE in manganese ores.The chemical and isotope composition of examined rocks indicates on secondary formation of Mnores.Two major phases and sources are distinguished in the ore-forming process characterized by diff erent chemical(REE and ore elements)and isotope composition:(i)highgrade manganese ores(with high contents of REE and light carbon isotope composition)and(ii)low-grade manganese ores(with low contents of REE and heavy carbon isotope composition).