Shareable Instruments and Observatories for the Joint Research Center on Space Weather of the Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Sciences

Presented are the ideas and proposals in regards to the pooling of by RAS, SB, ISTP, and CSSAR,CAS toward coordinated usage of existing ground-based and orbiting helio-geophysical observatories, single large installations as well as creating, forecasting services and new observing facilities, in the interests of achieving a profitable activity of the China-Russia Joint Research Center on Space Weather (JRCSW).

The State of Geological Sciences in the USSR by the Mid-Twentieth Century

The November 1948 open session of the Institute of Geological Sciences AS USSR was previously unknown,in contrast to the August 1948 session of VASKhNIL.The publication of the transcript of the session of geologists is based on the original verified transcript from the Geological Institute and the Archive RAS.It presented reports on the main scientific directions of geology:stratigraphy,the Quaternary geology,lithology,geotectonics,petrography and petrology,mineralogy and geochemistry,and the geology of ore and coal deposits.This thick book details all the Q&A sessions,discussions of theories,methods,and practice among the leading Soviet geoscientists.The session and its resolution describe the situation and development of geology in the USSR in the mid-twentieth century as well as the collateral impact of the Lysenko affair on the earth sciences in the USSR.

Distribution of algae and cyanobacteria of biological soil crusts along the elevation gradient in mountain plant communities at the Northern Urals(Russian European Northeast)

This paper describes the biodiversity of cyanobacteria and microalgae of biological soil crusts(BSC)on bare substrates in different mountain vegetation types at the Northern Urals.In total,we identified 99 algal species from six divisions in all sampled sites.The species diversity and structure of BSC algal communities show a relationship with environmental factors(altitude,soil p H and humidity,and illumination).Taxonomic diversity of algae decreases along the altitude gradient from mountain meadow to mountain tundra.Algae and cyanobacteria species from six divisions were identified in meadow communities,five in mountain forests and four in mountain tundra.We observed a positive correlation between species diversity of phototrophic microorganisms and altitude in the forest communities,but a negative correlation in the tundra.The dominant complex of cyanobacterial and algal species in BSC was specific for each type of plant community and was reflective of the habitat conditions.The species diversity and morphological organization of the BSC algae thalli can be used as a criterion for the ongoing assessment of climatic changes in high latitudes and mountain regions.

Corporate governance in generating companies of the Russian electric power industry in the context of ESG agenda

To address the issues of investment appeal in the Russian electric power industry,this study analyzes the dynamics of corporate governance,including permanent redistribution of property and compliance with the Russian Corporate Governance Code,in wholesale and territorial-generating companies.The increasing concentration of property in the hands of the state and its implications for investors are also noted.This study reveals the violations of essential principles,and the substantial differences in corporate governance practices,in the best-and worst-performing companies.Additional standards for better corporate governance practices to benefit the investors in the context of the current Environmental,Social,and corporate Governance(ESG)agenda are proposed.This study provides a new insight at the development of corporate governance in Russian power generating companies through property redistribution and compliance with corporate governance principles.

Nanotechnoscience as Combination of the Natural and Engineering Sciences

This paper discusses the methodological specialty of the theoretical investigation in the nanotechnology. In the nanotechnoscience, on the one hand, similar with the classical natural science are created explanatory schemes of the natural phenomena and formulated predictions of the course of the definite natural events on the basis of mathematics and experimental data, and on the other, as in the engineering sciences are constructed not only the projects of the new experimental situations but also structural schemes of the new nanosystem unknown in nature and technology. The operation of nanotheory is realized by the iteration method. At first a special engineering problem is formulated. Then it is represented in the form of the structural scheme of the nanosystem which is transformed into the idea about the natural process reflecting its performance. To calculate and mathematically model this process a functional scheme is constructed. Consequently, the engineering problem is reformulated into a scientific one and then into a mathematical problem solved by the deductive method. This path from the bottom to the top represents the analysis of schemes （the bottom up approach）. The way in the opposite direction--the synthesis of schemes （the top down approach）--makes it possible to synthesize the ideal model of a new nanosystem from idealized structural elements, according to the appropriate rules of deductive transformation, to calculate basic parameters of the nanosystem and simulate its function. Nanotechnology is at the same time a field of scientific knowledge and a sphere of engineering activity, in other words--nanotechnoscience--similar with systems engineering as the analysis and design of large-scale, complex, man-machine systems, but now as micro- and nanosystems. Scanning tunneling microscope in the nanoexperiment is not only an arrangement of scientific investigation but also at the same time a facility to fabricate the electrically conducting bridges between an electrode and the selected nanotubes and computer modeling and the design of different artifacts.

Russian and Foreign Experience Review of Territorial Geocryological Hazards Assessment and Risks of Geocryological Processes' Impact

Hazards and risks assessment of dangerous geocryological processes is actual problem in connection with climate change.Permafrost is widespread in Russia,Canada,the USA(Alaska), China,Mongolia and in mountain regions.Currently there are many papers concerning permafrost-related hazards,but the conceptual and based techniques are not available.Different approaches for solving this problem are considered in the paper.The generally accessible techniques of geocryological processes quantitative risk assessment are not available.The problem lies in uncertainty appearing from

Russian Collaborative Development of Reproduction Technologies for the Sustainable Management of Amphibian Biodiversity

Reproduction technologies(RTs)can provide for the reliable reproduction of amphibians,as well as perpetuation of species genetic variation with the use of biobanks.In 1982,in anticipation of the biodiversity conservation crisis,major Russian institutions collaborated in a dynamic program to develop and implement RTs for the sustainable management of amphibian biodiversity.An initial primary focus was the captive breeding of threatened Russian endemic anuran and caudate species,using RTs that varied from environmental manipulation to the use of exogenous gonadotropic hormones to stimulate reproduction.These species were mostly from Palearctic or cool mountain regions,but also included a wide range of species from warm regions.Other early achievements included the successful cryopreservation of anuran spermatozoa and anuran diploid pluripotent cell nuclei,in order to store both the matrilineal and patrilineal genomes in biobanks,with their subsequent development to the blastula stage after implantation into enucleated oocytes.After the turn of the 21st Century,in support of the priorities of the Amphibian Conservation Action Plan(2007),we developed RTs for the refrigerated storage of testicular or urinary spermatozoa for days to weeks at 4℃,the cryopreservation of urinary spermatozoa using anovel cryoprotectant,the in vitro fertilisation of hormonally induced oocytes either fresh or after refrigerated ex situ or in situ storage,and the artificial insemination of salamanders with fresh spermatozoa.In this article,we describe previously unpublished techniques and techniques from obscure Russian sources.

Electrostatic Interaction-directed Construction of Hierarchical Nanostructured Carbon Composite with Dual Electrical Conductive Networks for Zinc-ion Hybrid Capacitors with Ultrastability

Metal-organic framework(MOF)-derived carbon composites have been considered as the promising materials for energy storage.However,the construction of MOF-based composites with highly controllable mode via the liquid-liquid synthesis method has a great challenge because of the simultaneous heterogeneous nucleation on substrates and the self-nucleation of individual MOF nanocrystals in the liquid phase.Herein,we report a bidirectional electrostatic generated self-assembly strategy to achieve the precisely controlled coatings of single-layer nanoscale MOFs on a range of substrates,including carbon nanotubes(CNTs),graphene oxide(GO),MXene,layered double hydroxides(LDHs),MOFs,and SiO_(2).The obtained MOF-based nanostructured carbon composite exhibits the hierarchical porosity(V_(meso)/V_(micro)∶2.4),ultrahigh N content of 12.4 at.%and"dual electrical conductive networks."The assembled aqueous zinc-ion hybrid capacitor(ZIC)with the prepared nanocarbon composite as a cathode shows a high specific capacitance of 236 F g^(-1)at 0.5 A g^(-1),great rate performance of 98 F g^(-1)at 100 A g^(-1),and especially,an ultralong cycling stability up to 230000 cycles with the capacitance retention of 90.1%.This work develops a repeatable and general method for the controlled construction of MOF coatings on various functional substrates and further fabricates carbon composites for ZICs with ultrastability.

Erosion processes in karst landscapes of the Russian plain northern taiga,based on digital elevation modeling

This paper considers the problems of the potential development of erosion processes in the natural landscapes of northern taiga in the Russian plain. It is considered that in forest ecosystems, erosion processes are slow and are weakly reflected in the terrain. However, the situation changes radically if the vegetation cover integrity is violated, which is inevitable with the modern methods of developing northern territories. Furthermore, global changes in average annual temperatures and the occurrence of karst processes may be the reason behind the development of erosion processes. The authors suggest a method for determining territories with a varying occurrence probability of erosional processes, based on digital elevation modelling. The territory of the Pinezhsky Nature Reserve(Arkhangelsk region) was chosen as the test plot. Direct field studies were previously used to detect exogenous geological processes in this territory. The authors were the first to suggest digital elevation modelling as a method that allows determining the potential danger of erosion in karst landscapes of the northern taiga. The geomorphometric studies resulted in the determination of areas with the greatest and lowest occurrence probability of erosion processes in the Pinezhsky Nature Reserve. It was established that the most significant erosion type was linear erosion, represented by incised river valleys and karst ravines. Sheet erosion is less significant and occurs as sinkholes, local declines, and chasms over the valleys of subterranean rivers.

MRI Newsletter 6: Global Change Research in Mountain Biosphere Reserves of the Russian Federation

Global change research in Russia＇s protected areas Mountains and highlands occupy more than 50 % of the territory of the Russian Federation. In 2005, Russia had 36 Biosphere Reserves （BRs）, of which 15 are Mountain Biosphere Reserves （MBRs）. The MBRs represent different environmental and economic zones of Northern Eurasia; they lie far apart from one another （Figure 1）. Laplandskiy MBR on the Kola Peninsula （No 1） is an example of a reserve located in the arctic belt and affected by the mining industry, while Kavkazskiy MBR （No 2）, 25oo km further south and located on the border with Georgia, represents eastern Mediterranean ecoregional features.

Analysis of known point mutations and SNPs in genes responsible for monogenic Parkinson’s disease in Russian patients

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is caused by complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors. Mendelian forms of PD rarely occur in practice, but respective genes may play some role in pathogenesis of a common sporadic form of the disease. Methods: We analyzed most frequent known point mutations (PMs) and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes responsible for monogenic PD in 408 Russian patients, using arrayed primer extension (APEX), real-time PCR, and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Results: We detected only three heterozygous PMs in the PARK2 gene in three non-related patients with early-onset sporadic PD. No association between PD and the studied SNPs was identified. Conclusion: The examined PMs and SNPs in genes responsible for monogenic PD do not contribute significantly to the development of sporadic PD in Russia.

Space Geodesy Application for the Natural Hazards Monitoring of the Russian Far Eastern Territory

This is a brief overview of the surveys aimed at the studies of the Russian Eastern Asian area, which has a complicate geological structure and tectonics, because of convergence of three tectonic plates （Eurasian--EUR, North American--NAM and Pacific--PAC）. An existenee of several independent microplates （Okhotsk--OKH, Amur--AMU and Bering--BER） is assumed to be there. A multinational Circum-Pacific geodetic network for monitoring the tectonic movements in the region is critical. From this point of view, new developed Russian fundamental geodetic network will be very effective.

Russian section of GGOS： Network status and progress

Establishment of the Russian section in the framework of Global Geodetic Observing System （GGOS） is under progress. New components of ＂Quasar＂ network observatories, which are included into GGOS global network as core stations, are presented. Recent developments include： two new generation radio telescopes with 13 m antennas at Badary and Zelenchukskaya observatories, water vapor radiometers installed at all observatories and software correlator at the Institute of Applied Astronomy. New and potential developments within other networks belonging to different agencies are also considered in the context of widening of Russian section activity in GGOS project, The paper gives a short overview of status, new components and plans, concerning 5 sub-networks of Federal Agency of Scientific Organi- zations, Roskosmos, Rosstandard, and Rosreestr. Short overview of the plans on creating Data and Analysis Distributed Center is also ~iven.

Kuedinskie Kluchiki, a Unique Middle Permian Biota Locality as a Key-point for Reconstruction of Late Paleozoic Terrestrial Ecosystems of the Urals, Russia

Field work focused on the Kuedinskie Kluchiki locality, Perm region, Urals, Russia, which contains a rich assemblage of diverse fossil organisms including higher plants(equisetophytes, pteridosperms, ginkgophytes, conifers, vojnovskyans) represented by stems, leaves and reproductive organs;invertebrates(mollusks, arthropods), and tetrapods(temnospondyl amphibians, seymouriamorphs, cotylosaurs, synapsids, diapsids), as well as bony fishes. General characteristics of the taxonomical composition of the Kuedinskie Kluchiki locality are given. A new peltaspermalean pteridosperm taxon, Compsopteris longipinnata sp. nov., and a voltzialean conifer Archaeovoltzia kuedensis sp. nov. are described. General considerations on the paleoecologic and paleogeographic conditions of the Kuedinskie Kluchiki locality origin are given.

Early Neoproterozoic Granite-Gneisses of the Junggar Alataw(Southeastern Kazakhstan):Age,Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications

The combined petrographic,petrological,geochemical and geochronological study of the Neoproterozoic gneisses of the Sarychabyn and Baskan complexes of the Junggar Alataw of South Kazakhstan elucidate the Precambrian tectonic evolution of the Aktau–Yili terrane.It is one of the largest Precambrian crustal blocks in the western Central Asian orogenic belt.The U-Pb single-grain zircon ages indicate that granite-gneisses formed from the same source and crystallised in the early Neoproterozoic ca.930–920 Ma.The chemical composition of gneisses corresponds to A2-type granites.The whole-rock Nd isotopic characteristics(εNd(t)=−4.9 to−1.0 and TNd(DM-2st)=1.9 to 1.7 Ga)indicate the involvement of Paleoproterozoic crustal rocks in magma generation.Early Neoproterozoic ca.930–920 Ma A-type granitoids in the Aktau–Yili terrane of South and Central Kazakhstan might reflect within-plate magmatism adjacent to the collisional belt or a local extension setting in back-arc areas of the continental arc.

Early Jurassic Climate Warming in Eastern Siberia: First Macrofloristic Evidence from Irkutsk Basin, Russia

Numerous new records of Ferganiella, Podozamites, and Schidolepium, including a new species, Ferganiella ivantsovii sp. nov., are described from the Early Jurassic(Toarcian) Middle Subformation of the Prisayan Formation from the Euro-Sinian paleofloristic region in the Irkutsk Basin, Eastern Siberia, Russia. An analysis of the paleogeographic distribution of Ferganiella and Podozamites shows that both genera were the most diverse and numerous in the East Asian province of the Euro-Sinian region and in the Northern Chinese province of the Siberian region during the Early and Middle Jurassic. These phytochoria were located in the subtropical and temperate subtropical climate zones, which allows us to consider Ferganiella and Podozamites as thermophilic plants, which are important indicators of the Early Toarcian climatic optimum. Their abundance in the Irkutsk Basin thus may indicate Early Toarcian warming;further abundant Schidolepium cones, which produced Araucariacites pollen, typical for Euro-Sinian flora complement the scenario. Thus, the new finds are the first macrofloristic indicators of the Toarcian climatic optimum in the Irkutsk Basin.

Retrieval of Volcanic Sulfate Aerosols Optical Parameters from AHI Radiometer Data

This paper presents a method for retrieving optical parameters from volcanic sulfate aerosols from the AHI radiometer on board the Himawari-8 satellite.The proposed method is based on optical models for various mixtures of aerosol components from volcanic clouds,including ash particles,ice crystals,water drops,and sulfate aerosol droplets.The application of multi-component optical models of various aerosol compositions allows for the optical thickness and mass loading of sulfate aerosol to be estimated in the sulfuric cloud formed after the Karymsky volcano eruption on 3 November 2021.A comprehensive analysis of the brightness temperatures of the sulfuric cloud in the infrared bands was performed,which revealed that the cloud was composed of a mixture of sulfate aerosol and water droplets.Using models of various aerosol compositions allows for the satellite-based estimation of optical parameters not only for sulfate aerosol but also for the whole aerosol mixture.

Morphology of crater and caldera lakes in the Far Eastern region of Russia and the features of their development

Volcanic lakes in the Kuril-Kamchatka region are difficult to access,and for this reason,they remain poorly studied,with only scattered and brief data available.The authors have conducted a study of 10 lake basins using modern digital echolocation survey techniques and have also compiled and summarized published data for 15 lakes in the region,calculating their main morphometric characteristics.It has been established that many caldera lake basins are modified by young explosive funnels,extrusive or effusive domes,and exhibit traces of hydrothermal activity.While lakes of the same genetic type in the Kuril-Kamchatka region are similar in depth and depression forms,the group of caldera lakes shows less homogeneity across all morphometric indicators.It was found that the absolute heights of the reservoirs on Kamchatka Peninsula are generally greater than those on the Kuril Islands,as is often the case with the size of their basins.The volcanic lakes under study can rapidly change their volume and shape under the influence of endogenous processes.For the first time for this region,on the base of repeated observations,underwater extrusive dome rate growth and the approximate rates of 2 lake level changes were calculated.Repeated observations of lakes in the Ksudach calderas(Kamchatka)and on Simushir Island indicate approximate rates of level changes:a decrease ranging within 0.5-0.6 m per year(over a 27-year observation interval)and an increase reaching up to 0.26 m per year(over a 48-year interval).The growth rate of the underwater extrusive dome in Lake Shtyubel has averaged 1-1.6 m per year over the past 25 years.This analysis has facilitated the first generalization regarding the morphology and developmental features of crater and caldera lakes in the Kuril-Kamchatka region of Russia,representing an important step in their study.The results obtained will provide a solid foundation for subsequent research in this region and may be of interest to researchers studying other volcanic lakes.

Plasticity of photorespiratory carbon concentration mechanism in Sedobassia sedoides(Pall.)Freitag&G.Kadereit under elevated CO_(2)concentration and salinity

Rising atmospheric CO_(2)(carbon dioxide)concentrations and salinization are manifestations of climate change that affect plant growth and productivity.Species with an intermediate C_(3)-C_(4)type of photosynthesis live in a wide range of precipitation,temperature,and soil quality,but are more often found in warm and dry habitats.One of the intermediate C_(3)-C_(4)photosynthetic type is C_(2)photosynthesis with a carbon concentration mechanism(CCM)that reassimilates CO_(2)released via photorespiration.However,the ecological significance under which C_(2)photosynthesis has advantages over C_(3)and C_(4)plants remains largely unexplored.Salt tolerance and functioning of CCM were studied in plants from two populations(P1 and P2)of Sedobassia sedoides(Pall.)Freitag&G.Kadereit Asch.species with C_(2)photosynthesis exposed to 4 d and 10 d salinity(200 mM NaCl)at ambient(785.7 mg/m^(3),aCO_(2)and elevated(1571.4 mg/m^(3),eCO_(2))CO_(2).On the fourth day of salinity,an increase in Na+content,activity catalase,and superoxide dismutase was observed in both populations.P2 plants showed an increase in proline content and a decrease in photosynthetic enzyme content:rubisco,phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase(PEPC),and glycine decarboxylase(GDC),which indicated a weakening of C_(2)and C_(4)characteristics under salinity.Treatment under 10 d salinity led to an increased Na^(+)content and activity of cyclic electron flow around photosystem I(PSI CEF),a decreased content of K^(+)and GDC in both populations.P1 plants showed greater salt tolerance,which was assessed by the degree of reduction in photosynthetic enzyme content,PSI CEF activity,and changes in relative growth rate(RGR).Differences between populations were evident under the combination of eCO_(2)and salinity.Under long-term salinity and eCO_(2),more salt-tolerant P1 plants had a higher dry biomass(DW),which was positively correlated with PSI CEF activity.In less salt-tolerant P2 plants,DW correlated with transpiration and dark respiration.Thus,S.sedoides showed a high degree of photosynthetic plasticity under the influence of salinity and eCO_(2)through strengthening(P1 plants)and weakening C_(4)characteristics(P2 plants).

Features of sampling stream sediments of large river valleys under cryolithogenesis conditions in the Balygychan-Sugoy trough,North-East of Russia

Comprehensive research has been implemented to raise the efficiency of the geochemical survey of stream sediments(SSs)that formed under the cryolithogenesis conditions.The authors analysed the composition,structure and specific features of the formation of exogenous anomalous geochemical fields(AGFs)identified through SSs of large river valleys of IV order.In our case,these were the valleys of Maly Ken,Ken and Tap Rivers.These rivers are located in the central and southern parts of the Balygychan-Sugoy trough enclosed in the Magadan region,North-East of Russia.The authors proposed a new technique to sample loose alluvium of SSs in the large river valleys along the profiles.The profiles were located across the valleys.The AGFs of Au,Ag,Pb,Zn,Sn,Bi,Mo and W were studied.Correlations between elements have been established.These elements are the main indicator elements of Au-Ag,Ag-Pb,Sn-Ag,Mo-W and Sn-W mineralization occurring on the sites under study.The results obtained were compared with the results of geochemical surveys of SSs.It is concluded that the AGFs recognized along the profiles reflect the composition and structure of eroded and drained ore zones,uncover completely and precisely the pattern of element distribution in loose sediments of large water flows.The alluvium fraction<0.25 mm seems to be most significant in a practical sense,as it concentrated numerous ore elements.Sampling of this fraction in the river valleys of IV order does not cause any difficulty,for this kind of material is plentiful.The developed technique of alluvium sampling within large river valleys is efficient in searching for diverse mineralization at all stages of prognostic prospecting.It is applicable for geochemical survey of SSs performed at different scales both in the North-East of Russia,as well as other regions with similar climatic conditions,where the SSs are formed under the cryolithogenesis conditions.