Avian Influenza Virus and Avian Paramyxoviruses in Wild Waterfowl of the Western Coast of the Caspian Sea (2017-2020)

The flyways of many different wild waterfowl pass through the Caspian Sea region. The western coast of the middle Caspian Sea is an area with many wetlands, where wintering grounds with large concentrations of birds are located. It is known that wild waterfowl are a natural reservoir of the influenza A virus. In the mid-2000s, in the north of this region, the mass deaths of swans, gulls, and pelicans from high pathogenicity avian influenza virus (HPAIV) were noted. At present, there is still little known about the presence of avian influenza virus (AIVs) and different avian paramyxoviruses (APMVs) in the region's waterfowl bird populations. Here, we report the results of monitoring these viruses in the wild waterfowl of the western coast of the middle Caspian Sea from 2017 to 2020. Samples from 1438 individuals of 26 bird species of 7 orders were collected, from which 21 strains of AIV were isolated, amounting to a 1.46% isolation rate of the total number of samples analyzed (none of these birds exhibited external signs of disease). The following subtypes were determined and whole-genome nucleotide sequences of the isolated strains were obtained: H1N1 (n = 2), H3N8 (n = 8), H4N6 (n = 2), H7N3 (n = 2), H8N4 (n = 1), H10N5 (n = 1), and H12N5 (n = 1). No high pathogenicity influenza virus H5 subtype was detected. Phylogenetic analysis of AIV genomes did not reveal any specific pattern for viruses in the Caspian Sea region, showing that all segments belong to the Eurasian clades of classic avian-like influenza viruses. We also did not find the amino acid substitutions in the polymerase complex (PA, PB1, and PB2) that are critical for the increase in virulence or adaptation to mammals. In total, 23 hemagglutinating viruses not related to influenza A virus were also isolated, of which 15 belonged to avian paramyxoviruses. We were able to sequence 12 avian paramyxoviruses of three species, as follows: Newcastle disease virus (n = 4); Avian paramyxovirus 4 (n = 5); and Avian paramyxovirus 6 (n = 3). In the Russian Federation, the Newcastle disease virus of the VII.1.1 sub-genotype was first isolated from a wild bird (common pheasant) in the Caspian Sea region. The five avian paramyxovirus 4 isolates obtained belonged to the common clade in Genotype I, whereas phylogenetic analysis of three isolates of Avian paramyxovirus 6 showed that two isolates, isolated in 2017, belonged to Genotype I and that an isolate identified in 2020 belonged to Genotype II. The continued regular monitoring of AIVs and APMVs, the obtaining of data on the biological properties of isolated strains, and the accumulation of information on virus host species will allow for the adequate planning of epidemiological measures, suggest the most likely routes of spread of the virus, and assist in the prediction of the introduction of the viruses in the western coastal region of the middle Caspian Sea.

A subgroup of light-driven sodium pumps with an additional Schiff base counterion

Light-driven sodium pumps (NaRs) are unique ion-transporting microbial rhodopsins. The major group of NaRs is characterized by an NDQ motif and has two aspartic acid residues in the central region essential for sodium transport. Here we identify a subgroup of the NDQ rhodopsins bearing an additional glutamic acid residue in the close vicinity to the retinal Schiff base. We thoroughly characterize a member of this subgroup, namely the protein ErNaR from Erythrobacter sp. HL-111 and show that the additional glutamic acid results in almost complete loss of pH sensitivity for sodium-pumping activity, which is in contrast to previously studied NaRs. ErNaR is capable of transporting sodium efficiently even at acidic pH levels. X-ray crystallography and single particle cryo-electron microscopy reveal that the additional glutamic acid residue mediates the connection between the other two Schiff base counterions and strongly interacts with the aspartic acid of the characteristic NDQ motif. Hence, it reduces its pKa. Our findings shed light on a subgroup of NaRs and might serve as a basis for their rational optimization for optogenetics.

Berezin Quantization, Conformal Welding and the Bott-Virasoro Group

Following Nag-Sullivan, we study the representation of the group Diff + ( S 1 ) of diffeomorphisms of the circle on the Hilbert space of holomorphic functions. Conformal welding provides triangular decompositions for the corresponding symplectic transformations. We apply Berezin formalism and lift this decomposition to operators acting on the Fock space. This lift provides quantization of conformal welding, gives a new representative of the Bott-Virasoso cocycle class, and leads to a surprising identity for the Takhtajan-Teo energy functional on Diff + ( S 1 ) .

Does Avian Coronavirus Co-Circulate with Avian Paramyxovirus and Avian Influenza Virus in Wild Ducks in Siberia?

Avian coronaviruses (ACoV) have been shown to be highly prevalent in wild bird populations. More work on avian coronavirus detection and diversity estimation is needed for the breeding territories of migrating birds, where the high diversity and high prevalence of Orthomyxoviridae and Paramyxoviridae have already been shown in wild birds. In order to detect ACoV RNA, we conducted PCR diagnostics of cloacal swab samples from birds, which we monitored during avian influenza A virus surveillance activities. Samples from two distant Asian regions of Russia (Sakhalin region and Novosibirsk region) were tested. Amplified fragments of the RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase (RdRp) of positive samples were partially sequenced to determine the species of Coronaviridae represented. The study revealed a high presence of ACoV among wild birds in Russia. Moreover, there was a high presence of birds co-infected with avian coronavirus, avian influenza virus, and avian paramyxovirus. We found one case of triple co-infection in a Northern Pintail (Anas acuta). Phylogenetic analysis revealed the circulation of a Gammacoronavirus species. A Deltacoronavirus species was not detected, which supports the data regarding the low prevalence of deltacoronaviruses among surveyed bird species.

Structural insights into light-driven anion pumping in cyanobacteria

Transmembrane ion transport is a key process in living cells. Active transport of ions is carried out by various ion transporters including microbial rhodopsins (MRs). MRs perform diverse functions such as active and passive ion transport, photo-sensing, and others. In particular, MRs can pump various monovalent ions like Na⁺, K⁺, Cl^-, I^-, NO₃^-. The only characterized MR proposed to pump sulfate in addition to halides belongs to the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 7509 and is named Synechocystis halorhodopsin (SyHR). The structural study of SyHR may help to understand what makes an MR pump divalent ions. Here we present the crystal structure of SyHR in the ground state, the structure of its sulfate-bound form as well as two photoreaction intermediates, the K and O states. These data reveal the molecular origin of the unique properties of the protein (exceptionally strong chloride binding and proposed pumping of divalent anions) and sheds light on the mechanism of anion release and uptake in cyanobacterial halorhodopsins. The unique properties of SyHR highlight its potential as an optogenetics tool and may help engineer different types of anion pumps with applications in optogenetics.

Genomic and Epidemiological Features of COVID-19in the Novosibirsk Region during the Beginning of the Pandemic

In this retrospective, single-center study, we conducted an analysis of 13,699 samples from different individuals obtained from the Federal Research Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine, from 1 April to 30 May 2020 in Novosibirsk region (population 2.8 million people). We identified 6.49% positive for SARS-CoV-2 cases out of the total number of diagnostic tests, and 42% of them were from asymptomatic people. We also detected two asymptomatic people, who had no confirmed contact with patients with COVID-19. The highest percentage of positive samples was observed in the 80+ group (16.3%), while among the children and adults it did not exceed 8%. Among all the people tested, 2423 came from a total of 80 different destinations and only 27 of them were positive for SARS-CoV-2. Out of all the positive samples, 15 were taken for SARS-CoV-2 sequencing. According to the analysis of the genome sequences, the SARS-CoV-2 variants isolated in the Novosibirsk region at the beginning of the pandemic belonged to three phylogenetic lineages according to the Pangolin classification: B.1, B.1.1, and B.1.1.129. All Novosibirsk isolates contained the D614G substitution in the Spike protein, two isolates werecharacterized by an additional M153T mutation, and one isolate wascharacterized by the L5F mutation.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N8) Virus Clade 2.3.4.4b, Western Siberia, Russia, 2020

Two variants of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N8) virus were detected in dead poultry in Western Siberia, Russia, during August and September 2020. One variant was represented by viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b and the other by a novel reassortant between clade 2.3.4.4b and Eurasian low pathogenicity avian influenza viruses circulating in wild birds.

Planning impairment in schizophrenia: The possible role of abstract thinking and short-term memory

Introduction

The planning impairment is one of the basic aspect of cognitive dysfunction, but its mechanisms in schizophrenia remain unclear.

Objectives

To assess the links between planning and cognitive functioning in schizophrenic patients and in norm.

Methods

50 patients with schizophrenia (age 34.92±8.54; illness duration 8.34±5.87) and 50 healthy volunteers (age 32.42±7.26) were examined. Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia, Benton’s test for short-term memory assessment; sub-test Similarity (from WAIS) to assess abstract thinking were used.

Results

Patients showed significantly worse results in all parameters (Tab.1). Table 1: Differences of planning between groups.SchizophreniaNormp-levelTOL-DX92,64±14,48102,52±11,970,00033Similarity16,92±3,9719,76±2,850,00009BVTR Score6,73±1,787,60±1,320,00709

In healthy subjects, significant relationship was found between planning and abstract thinking, and there was no relationship between planning and short-term memory (Tab.2). Table 2: Correlations in the Norm groupSpearman Rp-levelTOL-DX & Similarity0,3925300,004809TOL-DX & BVTR0,1864940,194710

In patients with schizophrenia, the opposite picture was observed (Tab.3). Table 3: Correlations in the Schizophrenia group.Spearman Rp-levelTOL-DX & Similarity0,2623890,071596TOL-DX & BVTR0,3445660,015331

The effectiveness of planning in patients was significantly associated with short-term memory, but not with abstract thinking.

Conclusions

Study results indicate a possible role of basic aspects of mental activity such as short-term memory in planning impairment in patients with schizophrenia. Problem solving and reasoning disorders represent two relatively independent forms of thought disorders in schizophrenia.

Toxic Effects of Fine Plant Powder Impregnated With Avermectins on Mosquito Larvae and Nontarget Aquatic Invertebrates

The toxic effects of an avermectin-impregnated fine plant powder (AIFP) against larval Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae), Culex modestus Ficalbi (Diptera: Culicidae), and Anopheles messeae Falleroni (Diptera: Culicidae), as well as selected nontarget aquatic invertebrates, were studied under laboratory conditions. The possibility of trophic transfer of avermectins (AVMs) through the food chain and their toxic effects on predaceous species fed AIFP-treated mosquito larvae was also evaluated. Among mosquitoes, Anopheles messeae were the most sensitive to AIFP, while Cx. modestus exhibited the least sensitivity to this formulation. Among nontarget aquatic invertebrates, the greatest toxicity of AIFP was observed for benthic species (larval Chironomus sp. Meigen (Diptera: Chironomidae), whereas predators (dragonflies, water beetles, and water bugs) exhibited the lowest AIFP sensitivity. AIFP sensitivity of the clam shrimp Lynceus brachyurus O. F. Muller (Diplostraca: Lynceidae), the phantom midge Chaoborus crystallinus De Geer (Diptera: Chaoboridae), and the mayfly Caenis robusta Eaton (Ephemeroptera: Caenidae) was intermediate and similar to the sensitivity of the mosquito Cx. modestus. However, these nontarget species were more resistant than An. messeae and Ae. aegypti. Solid-phase extraction of mosquito larvae treated with AIFP and subsequent high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of the extracts revealed an AVM concentration of up to 2.1 ± 0.3 μg/g. Feeding the creeping water bug Ilyocoris cimicoides L. (Hemiptera: Naucoridae) on the AIFP-treated mosquito larvae resulted in 51% mortality of the predaceous species. But no toxicity was observed for Aeshna mixta Latreille (Odonata: Aeshnidae) dragonfly larvae fed those mosquito larvae. The results of this work showed that this AVM formulation can be effective against mosquito larvae.

Developing Safe Foods as a Competitive Mechanism

This article presents the results of a study of safety indicators, nutritional value and sales of bakery products obtained using progressive baking technologies. The purpose of the research is to determine the feasibility of production and sale of bakery products made using improved technologies, and to ensure the safety of products. The methods used in commodity science determined the quality indicators of bakery products, established the terms of implementation and indicators of food safety. Marketing studies of the use of malt preparations in dough science have shown a limited range of malts: fermented rye malt, roasted malt flour and malt extract. The market for bakery products of large retail chains and holdings, mini-bakeries and bakeries selling this group of food products is limited. Consumers aged 18 to 35 are in demand for the certain indicators of the quality of bread, characteristic of the types of used malt: soy, pea, triticale, rye, wheat, and barley. Bread and bakery products in the process of fermentation of dough and baking acquire non-traditional organoleptic characteristics inherent in legumes and cereals. Each developed type of bread and buns has found its consumer with specific, individual preferences.

Electron transfer in oriented donor-acceptor dyads, intralayer charge migration, and formation of interlayer charge separated states in multi-layered Langmuir-Schäfer films

Photoinduced intra- and interlayer electron transfer (ET) of doubly bridged donor-acceptor molecule, porphyrin-fullerene dyad (PF), was studied in single- and multi-layered Langmuir-Schäfer (LS) films and in LS films, where PF and an efficient electron donating polymer polyhexyltiophene (PHT) formed a bilayer PHT/PF and multi-layered PHT/PF structures. The ET through layers were investigated by a method, which measures the photovoltaic (PV) response proportional to the number of charge-separated (CS) states and to the CS distance between the electrons and holes formed in pulsed photo-excitation. Primary conclusions were, that ET starts as formations of CS dyads (P⁺F^-) in single-layers, continues as long-range intra-layer charge migrations following interlayer CS between two adjacent monolayers. Quantitative conclusions were, that the interlayer ET efficiency is 100% in the bi-layered PF structure (2PF), where two CS dyads in adjacent layers forms CS complexes (P⁺F/PF^-) and that the probability to form longer or higher order of CS complexes follows an expression of a convergent geometric series, with a converting factor of 2/3. In the PHT/PF bilayer structure the ET efficiency was one order of magnitude higher, than that for the 2PF structure due to the ET from the CS dyads to ground state electron donor PHT, with an acceptor density, much higher than that of (P⁺F^-).

Nanoscale mobility mapping in semiconducting polymer films

Local electrical properties of thin films of the polymer PTB7 are studied by conductive atomic force microscopy (C-AFM). Non-uniform nanoscale current distribution in the neat PTB7 film is revealed and connected with the existence of ordered PTB7 crystallites. The shape of local I-V curves is explained by the presence of space charge limited current. We modify an existing semi-empirical model for estimation of the nanoscale hole mobility from our experimental C-AFM measurements. The procedure of nanoscale charge mobility estimation was described and applied to the PTB7 films. The calculated average C-AFM hole mobility is in good agreement with macroscopic values reported for this material. Mapping of nanoscale hole mobility was achieved using the described procedure. Local mobility values, influenced by nanoscale structure, vary more than two times in value and have a root-mean-square value 0.22 × 10^-8 m²/(Vs), which is almost 20% from average hole mobility.

Experimental Infection Using Mouse-Adapted Influenza B Virus in a Mouse Model

Every year, influenza B viruses (IBVs) contribute to annual illness, and infection can lead to serious respiratory disease among humans. More attention is needed in several areas, such as increasing virulence or pathogenicity of circulating B viruses and developing vaccines against current influenza. Since preclinical trials of anti-influenza drugs are mainly conducted in mice, we developed an appropriate infection model, using an antigenically-relevant IBV strain, for furtherance of anti-influenza drug testing and influenza vaccine protective efficacy analysis. A Victoria lineage (clade 1A) IBV was serially passaged 17 times in BALB/c mice, and adaptive amino acid substitutions were found in hemagglutinin (HA) (T214I) and neuraminidase (NA) (D432N). By electron microscopy, spherical and elliptical IBV forms were noted. Light microscopy showed that mouse-adapted IBVs caused influenza pneumonia on day 6 post inoculation. We evaluated the illness pathogenicity, viral load, and histopathological features of mouse-adapted IBVs and estimated anti-influenza drugs and vaccine efficiency in vitro and in vivo. Assessment of an investigational anti-influenza drug (oseltamivir ethoxysuccinate) and an influenza vaccine (Ultrix^®, SPBNIIVS, Saint Petersburg, Russia) showed effectiveness against the mouse-adapted influenza B virus.

A complex morphofunctional approach for zinc toxicity evaluation in rats

Anthropogenic activity causes the introduction of zinc compounds into the biological cycle in mining and processing sites and its accumulation in organs and tissues, causing systemic toxicity. A cumulative effect of zinc is predominantly neurotoxic and it also affects the respiratory, cardiovascular and digestive systems. This study evaluates the effects of single-dose intragastric administration of 100 mg/kg zinc succinate on the structure and function of organs and tissues in male Wistar rats 1 month after treatment. The presented morphofunctional approach for the toxicity evaluation included the study of behavioral responses using the automated Laboras® complex, fluorescent spectral analysis of the NADH and FAD activity and histological evaluation of animal organs and tissues. The results of the behavioral activity assessment showed a significant decrease in animals' motor activity, whereas the fluorescence spectra analysis demonstrated a decrease in coenzyme NADH without the reduction of FAD levels. We detected toxic and dystrophic changes in the cerebral cortex, heart, lungs and liver tissues. Our original multiparametric approach enables a comprehensive assessment of the long-term toxic effects of the metal salts such as zinc succinate, especially in the cerebral cortex at the doses much lower than the acute LD50 reported for the common zinc salts.

High-resolution structural insights into the heliorhodopsin family

Rhodopsins are the most abundant light-harvesting proteins. A new family of rhodopsins, heliorhodopsins (HeRs), has recently been discovered. Unlike in the known rhodopsins, in HeRs the N termini face the cytoplasm. The function of HeRs remains unknown. We present the structures of the bacterial HeR-48C12 in two states at the resolution of 1.5 Å, which highlight its remarkable difference from all known rhodopsins. The interior of HeR's extracellular part is completely hydrophobic, while the cytoplasmic part comprises a cavity (Schiff base cavity [SBC]) surrounded by charged amino acids and containing a cluster of water molecules, presumably being a primary proton acceptor from the Schiff base. At acidic pH, a planar triangular molecule (acetate) is present in the SBC. Structure-based bioinformatic analysis identified 10 subfamilies of HeRs, suggesting their diverse biological functions. The structures and available data suggest an enzymatic activity of HeR-48C12 subfamily and their possible involvement in fundamental redox biological processes.

Novel reassortant of H1N1 swine influenza virus detected in pig population in Russia

Pigs play an important role in interspecies transmission of the influenza virus, particularly as "mixing vessels" for reassortment. Two influenza A/H1N1 virus strains, A/swine/Siberia/1sw/2016 and A/swine/Siberia/4sw/2017, were isolated during a surveillance of pigs from private farms in Russia from 2016 to 2017. There was a 10% identity difference between the HA and NA nucleotide sequences of isolated strains and the most phylogenetically related sequences (human influenza viruses of 1980s). Simultaneously, genome segments encoding internal proteins were found to be phylogenetically related to the A/H1N1pdm09 influenza virus. In addition, two amino acids (129-130) were deleted in the HA of A/swine/Siberia/4sw/2017 compared to that of A/swine/Siberia/1sw/2016 HA.

Characterization and Biological Action of Avermectin Granules on the Moroccan Locust, Dociostaurus maroccanus (Orthoptera: Acrididae)

Granules composed of alfalfa and sunflower meal that were impregnated with avermectins (AVMs) were developed for use against the Moroccan locust, Dociostaurus maroccanus (Thunberg). Laboratory experiments with granules containing 0.15% of AVMs fed to locust nymphs resulted in 100% death within 5 d. The quantification of AVM loss after exposure of AVM-containing preparative forms to UV light for various time periods was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results showed no loss of AVMs from the granules after 3 h of their exposure to UV light. The effect of UV radiation on a thin layer of the AVM solution led to the rapid degradation of AVMs. Only 0.2% of the initial AVM amount was detected after 3 h of exposure. In the granulated form, the AVM content remained stable for 10 mo when stored at room temperature in the dark. A method combining solid-phase extraction with HPLC was developed for the quantification of AVMs in locust nymphs. The granulated AVMs are characterized by their high resistance to UVB radiation. The use of plant-based granules impregnated with AVMs can be considered a very promising tool for locust control.

Characterization and Phylodynamics of Reassortant H12Nx Viruses in Northern Eurasia

Wild waterfowl birds are known to be the main reservoir for a variety of avian influenza viruses of different subtypes. Some subtypes, such as H2Nx, H8Nx, H12Nx, and H14Nx, occur relatively rarely in nature. During 10-year long-term surveillance, we isolated five rare H12N5 and one H12N2 viruses in three different distinct geographic regions of Northern Eurasia and studied their characteristics. H12N2 from the Far East region was a double reassortant containing hemagglutinin (HA), non-structural (NS) and nucleoprotein (NP) segments of the American lineage and others from the classical Eurasian avian-like lineage. H12N5 viruses contain Eurasian lineage segments. We suggest a phylogeographical scheme for reassortment events associated with geographical groups of aquatic birds and their migration flyways. The H12N2 virus is of particular interest as this subtype has been found in common teal in the Russian Far East region, and it has a strong relation to North American avian influenza virus lineages, clearly showing that viral exchange of segments between the two continents does occur. Our results emphasize the importance of Avian Influenza Virus (AIV) surveillance in Northern Eurasia for the annual screening of virus characteristics, including the genetic constellation of rare virus subtypes, to understand the evolutionary ecology of AIV.

Formation of remote education as a means of restoration of Russian recessive regions’ economy

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to substantiate the perspectives of using remote education as a means of restoring Russian recessing regions’ economy and develop framework recommendations for this.

Design/methodology/approach

The set goal is achieved by finding the dependence of the values of indicators of socio-economic development on the level of development of education in Russian regions. The methods of regression and correlation analysis are used for that.

Findings

The findings showed a moderate direct connection between the development of education and socio-economic position of the region if found. Qualitative analysis allowed substantiating large perspectives of using remote education as a means of restoring Russian recessing regions’ economy, which have two manifestations. The first one is related to the increase of accessibility of educational services in Russian regions. Due to this, the potential of development of region’s human potential is better realized. Being one of the key resources in the conditions of knowledge economy, human resources stimulate the activation of entrepreneurial activities, growth of labor efficiency and innovational activity of region’s companies. The second manifestation envisages the formation of entrepreneurship in the sphere of remote education as a growth vector and source of competitive advantages of recessing region’s economy. This opens possibilities for the formation of knowledge economy in region and supporting its high competitiveness. Low capital intensity of entrepreneurship in the sphere of remote education makes it accessible for development even in recessing regions, stimulating the growth of the volume of tax revenues into the regional state budget and formation of its positive balance.

Originality/value

For the practical implementation of the determined large perspectives of using remote education as a means of restoring Russian recessing regions’ economy, authors’ framework recommendations are offered, which are aimed at the improvement of normative and legal conditions for the conduct of entrepreneurial activities in the sphere of remote education, information support for this entrepreneurship and its marketing support and promotion as a basis of region’s economy’s competitiveness.

Influence of remote education on consumer value of university education

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the influence of remote education on the consumer value of university education by the example of modern Russia.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors determine the consumer value of university education in modern Russia in the conditions of the availability of predominantly traditional education; determine socio-economic problems that are caused by the low consumer value of university education in modern Russia; determine the potential of remote education in the increase of the consumer value of university education; and develop recommendations for the increase of the consumer value of university education in modern Russia through the development of remote education.

Findings

It is concluded that traditional university education is dominating in Russia. It is standardized and does not allow for the full consideration of individual capabilities and needs of each separate student, which causes the low consumer value of university education. The limitation of traditional and remote education, caused by the fact that educational services in each form are provided by completely different universities, hinders the development of the potential of remote education in stimulating the increase of the consumer value of university education.

Originality/value

In order to solve this problem, it is recommended to unify traditional and remote education within the diversification of the forms of the provision of educational services by modern Russian universities. For that, a conceptual model for increasing the consumer value of university education in modern Russia through the development of remote education is presented. This model focuses on applicant and students with their individual capabilities and needs and universities with their material and technical, intellectual, marketing and other resources. At that, the educational form goes to the background, being not a self-goal but a method of its achievement – the provision of the high consumer value of university education.

Atomic Force Microscopy Study of Cross-Sections of Perovskite Layers

Improvement of methods for imaging of the volume structure of photoactive layers is one of the important directions towards development of highly efficient solar cells. In particular, volume structure of photoactive layer has critical influence on perovskite solar cell performance and life time. In this study, a perovskite photoactive layer cross-section was prepared by using Focused Ion Beam (FIB) and imaged by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) methods. The proposed approach allows using advances of AFM for imaging structure of perovskites in volume. Two different types of perovskite layers was investigated: FAPbBr3 and MAPbBr3. The heterogeneous structure inside film, which consist of large crystals penetrating the film as well as small particles with sizes of several tens nanometers, is typical for FAPbBr3. The ordered nanocrystalline structure with nanocrystals oriented at 45 degree to film surface is observed in MAPbBr3. An optimized sample preparation route, which includes FIB surface polishing by low energy Ga ions at the angles around 10 degree to surface plane, is described and optimal parameters of surface treatment are discussed. Use of AFM phase contrast method provides high contrast imaging of perovskite structure due to strong dependence of phase shift of oscillating probe on materials properties. The described method of imaging can be used for controllable tuning of perovskite structure by changes of the sample preparation routes.

Viral etiology of acute respiratory infections in hospitalized children in Novosibirsk City, Russia (2013 - 2017)

Background

Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) cause a considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide especially in children. However, there are few studies of the etiological structure of ARIs in Russia. In this work, we analyzed the etiology of ARIs in children (0–15 years old) admitted to Novosibirsk Children’s Municipal Clinical Hospital in 2013–2017.

Methods

We tested nasal and throat swabs of 1560 children with upper or lower respiratory infection for main respiratory viruses (influenza viruses A and B, parainfluenza virus types 1–4, respiratory syncytial virus, metapneumovirus, four human coronaviruses, rhinovirus, adenovirus and bocavirus) using a RT-PCR Kit.

Results

We detected 1128 (72.3%) samples were positive for at least one virus. The most frequently detected pathogens were respiratory syncytial virus (358/1560, 23.0%), influenza virus (344/1560, 22.1%), and rhinovirus (235/1560, 15.1%). Viral co-infections were found in 163 out of the 1128 (14.5%) positive samples. We detected significant decrease of the respiratory syncytial virus-infection incidence in children with increasing age, while the reverse relationship was observed for influenza viruses.

Conclusions

We evaluated the distribution of respiratory viruses in children with ARIs and showed the prevalence of respiratory syncytial virus and influenza virus in the etiological structure of infections. This study is important for the improvement and optimization of diagnostic tactics, control and prevention of the respiratory viral infections.

The U(n) Gelfand-Zeitlin system as a tropical limit of Ginzburg-Weinstein diffeomorphisms

In this paper, we show that the Ginzburg-Weinstein diffeomorphism [Formula: see text] of Alekseev & Meinrenken (Alekseev, Meinrenken 2007 J. Differential Geom.76, 1-34. (10.4310/jdg/1180135664)) admits a scaling tropical limit on an open dense subset of [Formula: see text] The target of the limit map is a product [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the interior of a cone, T is a torus, and [Formula: see text] carries an integrable system with natural action-angle coordinates. The pull-back of these coordinates to [Formula: see text] recovers the Gelfand-Zeitlin integrable system of Guillemin & Sternberg (Guillemin, Sternberg 1983 J. Funct. Anal.52, 106-128. (10.1016/0022-1236(83)90092-7)). As a by-product of our proof, we show that the Lagrangian tori of the Flaschka-Ratiu integrable system on the set of upper triangular matrices meet the set of totally positive matrices for sufficiently large action coordinates.This article is part of the theme issue 'Finite dimensional integrable systems: new trends and methods'.

Molecular determinants possibly involved in the adaptation of pandemic A(H1N1)09 influenza virus to a new host

Aim: To determine the molecular basis of A(H1N1)pdm09 virus adaptation to a new host. Methods: The pandemic virus A/Russia/01/2009 was adapted to mice by serial lung-to-lung passages. The growth properties, pathogenicity and genome sequences of the mouse-adapted virus were compared with those of the parental strain. Results: The A(H1N1)pdm09 virus caused mouse death after only six lung-to-lung passages. Mutations in the influenza virus antigen were found in the brain, liver, kidney and in intestine by immunohistochemistry. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that multiple mutations in the viral genome promote rapid adaptation of the A(H1N1)pdm09 virus and cause generalized infection in mice.

Genetic characterization of an H2N2 influenza virus isolated from a muskrat in Western Siberia

Thirty-two muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) were captured for surveillance of avian influenza virus in wild waterfowl and mammals near Lake Chany, Western Siberia, Russia. A/muskrat/Russia/63/2014 (H2N2) was isolated from an apparently healthy muskrat using chicken embryos. Based on phylogenetic analysis, the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes of this isolate were classified into the Eurasian avian-like influenza virus clade and closely related to low pathogenic avian influenza viruses (LPAIVs) isolated from wild water birds in Italy and Sweden, respectively. Other internal genes were also closely related to LPAIVs isolated from Eurasian wild water birds. Results suggest that interspecies transmission of LPAIVs from wild water birds to semiaquatic mammals occurs, facilitating the spread and evolution of LPAIVs in wetland areas of Western Siberia.

Hydrogen Storage Technologies for Future Energy Systems

Future energy systems will be determined by the increasing relevance of solar and wind energy. Crude oil and gas prices are expected to increase in the long run, and penalties for CO2 emissions will become a relevant economic factor. Solar- and wind-powered electricity will become significantly cheaper, such that hydrogen produced from electrolysis will be competitively priced against hydrogen manufactured from natural gas. However, to handle the unsteadiness of system input from fluctuating energy sources, energy storage technologies that cover the full scale of power (in megawatts) and energy storage amounts (in megawatt hours) are required. Hydrogen, in particular, is a promising secondary energy vector for storing, transporting, and distributing large and very large amounts of energy at the gigawatt-hour and terawatt-hour scales. However, we also discuss energy storage at the 120–200-kWh scale, for example, for onboard hydrogen storage in fuel cell vehicles using compressed hydrogen storage. This article focuses on the characteristics and development potential of hydrogen storage technologies in light of such a changing energy system and its related challenges. Technological factors that influence the dynamics, flexibility, and operating costs of unsteady operation are therefore highlighted in particular. Moreover, the potential for using renewable hydrogen in the mobility sector, industrial production, and the heat market is discussed, as this potential may determine to a significant extent the future economic value of hydrogen storage technology as it applies to other industries. This evaluation elucidates known and well-established options for hydrogen storage and may guide the development and direction of newer, less developed technologies.

The peculiarity of Experiencing Body by Patients in Schizophrenia

Introduction

By the present, the study of corporeality as a psychological phenomenon in schizophrenia has had a lack of attention. At the focus of works, there have been mainly psychopathological phenomena: cenestopathies, visceral hallucinations and body scheme disturbances. There is an evidence of the necessity for psychological investigations: the execution of radical changes in appearance, a frequent turning to plastic surgery, dysfunctional wearing and transsexuality.

Objectives

The experimental group consisted of 23 patients in schizophrenia of paranoid type (F 20.00). The control group consisted of 27 healthy subjects.

Aim

It is to study the peculiarity of experiencing their own body by patients in schizophrenia.

Methods

There are projective techniques, such as: “A Picture of Me”, “Verbal Self-Portrait”, ‘A Picture of Inner Body” and the psychosemantic test “Classification of Sensations”.

Results

There are statistically significant differences (P < 0.005) found between the groups:

– patients with schizophrenia are characterized for their deficit of experiencing their body. It does not refer to “Myself” and is deinvidualized. The body does not serve as a physical presentation of the subject in a social world;

– a wary attitude is observed in relation to body displays in the form of inner body sensations with a minor (than in norm) awareness relatively to the inner arrangement of their own body. This causes the increase of the quantity of intraceptive sensations categorized by patients in schizophrenia as unhealthy or a threat.

Conclusion

The above-mentioned peculiar features of corporeality in schizophrenia make it a source of negative experiences.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Executive Function Assessment in Young Hospitalized Schizophrenic Patients with the “CANTAB Schizophrenia Battery” (Russian Sample)

Introduction

Impairment of executive function is the fundamental feature of the cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia has to be measured throughout the illness regularly. Computerized technologies for assessment of cognitive dysfunction are widely used. However, their applicability in hospitalized schizophrenic patients setting should be specially examined.

Objective

Executive function in schizophrenia.

Aims

To test the applicability of “CANTAB” neurocognitive battery for measurement of executive function in young hospitalized schizophrenic patients in Russian sample.

Methods

Fifteen inpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia according to ICD-10 (F 20.хх), 13 males and 2 females, aged 23.5(SD 3.2), disease duration is 5(SD 1.6) years and 16 healthy individuals, 7 males and 9 females, aged 21.3(SD 0.7). Spatial Working Memory (SWM) (Mnemonic Executive function), Stockings of Cambridge (OTS) (Planning Executive function), Intra/Extra-Dimensional Shift (IED) (Cognitive flexibility) were administered.

Results

The majority of patients and controls easily understood the test instructions. Both groups did not have any difficulties with the touchpad. The “CANTAB” demonstrated sensitivity to the impairments of executive function. As a group, patients with schizophrenia performed significantly worse than controls on almost all tests: SWM–Between errors (P = 0.028), Total errors (P = 0.019), Strategy (P = 0.03), Mean time to last response (P = 0.001); OTS–Mean choices to correct (P = 0.044), Problems solved on first choice (P = 0.009), Probability of error given correct (P = 0.021); IED–Total errors (P = 0.015), Total trials (P = 0.002).

Conclusion

The “CANTAB” is an applicable instrument for assessment of the executive function in young hospitalized schizophrenic patients. It can be used both for experimental and clinical needs.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Novel Reassortant Clade 2.3.4.4 Avian Influenza A(H5N8) Virus in Wild Aquatic Birds, Russia, 2016

The emergence of novel avian influenza viruses in migratory birds is of concern because of the potential for virus dissemination during fall migration. We report the identification of novel highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses of subtype H5N8, clade 2.3.4.4, and their reassortment with other avian influenza viruses in waterfowl and shorebirds of Siberia.

Etchant-based design of gold tip apexes for plasmon-enhanced Raman spectromicroscopy

In this paper, we gain insight into the design and optimization of plasmonic (metallic) tips prepared with dc-pulsed voltage electrochemical etching gold wires, provided that, a duty cycle is self-tuned. Physically, it means that etching electrolyte attacks the gold wire equally for all pulse lengths, regardless of its surface shape. Etchant effect on the reproducibility of a curvature radius of the tip apex is demonstrated. It means that the gold conical tips can be designed chemically with a choice of proper etchant electrolyte. It is suggested to use a microtomed binary polymer blend consisting of polyamide and low density polyethylene, as a calibration grating, for optimizing and standardizing tip-enhanced Raman scattering performance.

Determining the optimum morphology in high-performance polymer-fullerene organic photovoltaic cells

The morphology of bulk heterojunction organic photovoltaic cells controls many of the performance characteristics of devices. However, measuring this morphology is challenging because of the small length-scales and low contrast between organic materials. Here we use nanoscale photocurrent mapping, ultrafast fluorescence and exciton diffusion to observe the detailed morphology of a high-performance blend of PTB7:PC₇₁BM. We show that optimized blends consist of elongated fullerene-rich and polymer-rich fibre-like domains, which are 10–50 nm wide and 200–400 nm long. These elongated domains provide a concentration gradient for directional charge diffusion that helps in the extraction of charge pairs with 80% efficiency. In contrast, blends with agglomerated fullerene domains show a much lower efficiency of charge extraction of ~45%, which is attributed to poor electron and hole transport. Our results show that the formation of narrow and elongated domains is desirable for efficient bulk heterojunction solar cells.

The morphology of organic solar cells is crucial to their performance but is difficult to measure. Using a variety of probes, Hedley et al. map the morphology of polymer-fullerene solar cells and find that elongated fibre-like polymer- and fullerene-rich domains are desirable for high performance.

Experimental and theoretical study of the influence of the state of dispersion of graphene on the percolation threshold of conductive graphene/polystyrene nanocomposites

The effect of the dispersed state of graphene is studied as a factor influencing the electrical percolation threshold of graphene/polystyrene nanocomposites. We find the percolation threshold of our nanocomposites, prepared with graphene dispersions with different thermodynamic stabilities, degrees of exfoliation, and size polydispersities, to range from 2 to 4.5 wt %. Connectedness percolation theory is applied to calculate percolation thresholds of the corresponding nanocomposites, based on the premise that size polydispersity of graphene platelets in the corresponding solutions must have a strong influence on it. Theory and experimental results agree qualitatively.

Significance of the amide functionality on DOPA-based monolayers on gold

The adhesive proteins secreted by marine mussels contain an unusual amino acid, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), that is responsible for the cohesive and adhesive strength of this natural glue and gives mussels the ability to attach themselves to rocks, metals, and plastics. Here we report a detailed structural and spectroscopic investigation of the interface between N-stearoyldopamine and a single-crystalline Au(111) model surface and an amide-absent molecule, 4-stearylcatechol, also on Au(111), with the aim of understanding the role of the amide functionality in the packing, orientation, and fundamental interaction between the substrate and the monolayer formed from an aqueous environment by the Langmuir-Blodgett technique. The organization of monolayers on gold was observed directly and studied in detail by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), contact angle measurements (CA), surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Our study shows that within the monolayer the catecholic oxygen atoms are coordinated to the gold surface, having a more perpendicular orientation with respect to the aromatic ring and the apparently tilted alkyl chains, whereas the amide functionality stabilizes the monolayer that is formed.