Academy Of Sciences Research Articles

New productive pear variety Favoritka

The results of the selection and variety study of pears in the conditions of the Southern Urals are considered. At the South Ural Research Institute of Horticulture and Potato Growing, a branch of the Federal State Budgetary Institution Urfanits Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, breeding work was carried out to improve the assortment of pears for the Ural region. As a result of many years of breeding work, the range of fruit and berry plants was replenished with a new pear variety, Favoritka, which in 2022 was included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements approved for use. In the process of breeding work, the winter hardiness of pear varieties in the harsh climatic conditions of the Chelyabinsk region was studied, as a result it was noted that infield conditions when the temperature dropped to -40 ° C, freezing of trees of local varieties did not exceed 1 point. An assessment was made of the yield of local varieties, among which the following varieties stand out: Vekovaya, Myth, Favoritka, and Zolotoy Shar, with an average yield of 24 - 28 kg per tree. The economic indicators of the Favoritka pear variety (profitability level of 253.5%) indicate its suitability for cultivation in both industrial and amateur gardening in the Ural region. A pomological description and assessment of the economic usefulness of the new Favoritka pear variety are presented, which combines large fruit (fruit weight can reach 340 g), high winter hardiness, productivity, resistance to abiotic and biotic stressors (not affected by scab, resistant to pear gall mite), has fruits of excellent taste, suitable for fresh consumption, as well as for processing (preparing jams, preserves, compotes, etc.). The variety is in demand among the population and is of interest as a source of giant fruit in further breeding work.

ARTURO ISSEL (1842–1922): THE MAN FROM GENOA BEHIND THE TYRRHENIAN STAGE OF THE PLEISTOCENE

ABSTRACT Arturo Issel (1842–1922) introduced the regional Tyrrhenian stage of the late Pleistocene in 1914. This still stands within modern stratigraphic classification as an Italian Marine Stage for the Mediterranean Sea marking the base of the Late Pleistocene underlining the scientific importance of Issel's research within the geological sciences. This paper provides a short overview of the career and the wide-ranging interests of this Italian geologist and naturalistic traveller in order to provide a context to the knowledge and research experience behind his stratigraphic work. As university professor in Genovese society during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, he played an important role in scientific instruction, exploration and research contributing to the popularization of science through museum collections and publications and in the application of such knowledge within public office both in Liguria and within Italy. He formed part of the Italian delegation at International Geological Congresses and held membership of the most outstanding geological societies and scientific academies of the time.

Study on the inhibitory and pro-apoptotic effects of different concentrations of total tanshinone alone and in combination with tyrosine kinase inhibitors on human myeloid leukemia cell lines

Objective: To explore the effect and investigate the molecular mechanism of different concentrations of total tanshinones alone and in combination with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) on the proliferation inhibition and apoptosis of human myeloid leukemia cell lines. Methods: K562 and Kasumi-1 cell lines were purchased from the Shanghai Cell Bank of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the TKIs-resistant strain K562/T315I cell line was constructed in Molecular Medicine Research Center, Beijing Lu Daopei Institute of Hematology. Logarithmic growth phase cells were taken and divided into intervention groups with total tanshinone of 0, 2.19, 4.38, 8.75, 17.50 and 35.00 μg/ml intervention groups, which were inoculated in 96-well plates at a density of 1×104 cells/well and exposed to the drug for 24 h, and a control group treated with dimethyl sulfoxide was also set up simultaneously. All experiments were repeated independently 3-5 times. The proliferative activity of the cells was assessed using the CCK-8 assay, the apoptotic rates were measured by flow cytometry, and the expression levels of apoptosis-regulating proteins Bcl-2 and Bax were analyzed by Western blotting. The cell lines treated and untreated with total tanshinone were subjected to transcriptome sequencing and gene set enrichment analysis to identify differentially expressed genes. Results: The half-inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 8.75 μg/ml total tanshinone at 24 h for K562, K562/T315I and Kasumi-1 cells were (4.11±0.02), (4.95±0.04) and (3.98±0.01) μg/ml, respectively. When combined with 0.25 μmol/L imatinib, 8.75 μg/ml total tanshinone could enhance the induction of apoptosis effects on K562 and K562/T315I cell lines. After being treated with 4.38, 8.75, and 17.50 μg/ml of total tanshinone for 24 h, compared with the control group, total tanshinone upregulated the expression level of Bax protein, downregulated the expression level of Bcl-2 protein, and decreased the Bcl-2/Bax ratio (all P<0.05). Total tanshinone inhibited the proliferation-related signaling pathway and DNA damage repair pathway of myeloid leukemia cell lines, and activated the signaling pathway that induces apoptosis in leukemia cells. Conclusion: Different concentrations of total tanshinoneinhibites proliferation and promote apoptosis in K562, Kasumi-1 and TKIs-resistant K562/T315I cell lines, and further enhance the anti-leukemic effect when combined with TKIs.

Optical-spectroscopic and isotope-geochemical characteristics of zircons from diamond-bearing placers in Yakutia as indicators of diamond ore bodies

Research subject. Zircon grains from diamond placers of the Molodo and Ebelyakh rivers of the Yakut Arctic. Aim. To study the indicator characteristics of zircon to determine sources of diamonds and ways of their transfer to placers; to analyze optical-spectroscopic and isotope-geochemical parameters of zircon grains, their microelemental, U-Pb, and Lu-Hf isotope composition. Materials and methods. A LA-ICP-MS analysis of the U-Pb isotopic and trace element composition of zircon was carried out using a NexION 300S mass spectrometer with an NWR 213 attachment. An analysis of the Lu-Hf isotope system was carried out using a Neptune Plus mass spectrometer with an NWR 213 attachment, located in a room of cleanliness class 7 ISO at the Geoanalitik Center for Collective Use (IGG Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Ekaterinburg). Raman spectra were obtained using a LabRAM HR800 Evolution confocal spectrometer. CL spectra were obtained using a Jeol JSM6390LV scanning electron microscope equipped with a Horiba H-CLUE iHR500 attachment. Results. The local optical spectroscopic characteristics (Raman spectra and catholuminescence) of zircon grains were established, which made it possible to substantiate the conclusion about their high crystallinity and homogeneity (monochrony), as well as to select international zircon standards with similar characteristics for use in LA-ICP-MS analysis to ensure similar conditions for evaporation of the substance and fractionation parameters of the U and Pb elements. LA-ICPMS data on the microimpurity, U-Pb and Lu-Hf isotopic composition of zircon grains from diamond placers, as well as the dose values of their self-irradiation, are presented. Conclusions. The obtained U-Pb dating contributes to reconstructing a more precise history, character, and sequence of manifestation of kimberlite magmatism, tectonic processes, and migration routes of kimberlite material and diamonds across the Siberian craton, within the Yakut kimberlite province.

LAJOS FEKETE, HUNGARIAN ROYAL MINISTER COUNCELLAR, DIRECTOR OF THE HUNGARIAN ROYAL ACADEMY OF MINING AND FORESTRY

Lajos Fekete, Hungarian Royal Minister Counsellor, Forestry Academy professor is a leading figure in higher forestry education, who achieved indefeasible results in creating Hungarian language education and the Hungarian forestry language. Between 1872 and 1891, he headed the Department of Phytology and Silviculture at the Royal Hungarian Academy of Mining and Forestry in Selmecbánya, and from 1891 until his retirement he headed the Department of Forest Management. He played an important role in the organisation of the Academy campus, the construction of new educational buildings and the development and furnishing of the botanical gardens, as well as in the compilation and development of collections related to the subjects he taught (zoology, entomology, botany, climatology and soil science). Hungarian experiments in forestry began to take institutional form in 1897/98, and Lajos Fekete was responsible for this, as well as for the idea of establishing forestry education on a secondary level. Although he had already exceeded the possible age of retirement in 1894, his tireless work ethic kept him in the Academy. He enjoyed the confidence of the Academy's teaching staff and served as vice-principal in the academic year 1892/93, then as director in the academic years 1897/98, 1898/1899 and 1899/1900, and was also head of the forestry department. At the age of 69, on 1 October 1906, he was retired at his own request, because of his failing eyesight towards the end of his life. Thus, the last serving teacher of the first faculty of the Forestry Academy left the academy chair. On this occasion, he was awarded the title of Minister Counsellor in recognition of his services. In 1910, six years before his death, he received the highest recognition for his work, being accepted as a corresponding member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. There is no branch of forestry science in which his work has not left a lasting mark. Despite this extremely productive and diversified career, which produced outstanding achievements in all fields, posterity has treated and still treats Lajos Fekete, whose work and human behaviour can stand as an example to us all, rather cruel.

François Gros, Permanent Secretary of the French Academy of Sciences

François Gros, Permanent Secretary of the French Academy of Sciences

The Influence of the Teacher’s Psycho-Physiological States on the Development of Professional Competencies in the Course of the Military Aggression

The aim of the article is to determine the specifics of the impact of the correctional programme of psycho-physiological conditions on the development of the professional competence of general secondary school teachers. The Diagnostics of Mental States of the National Academy of Sciences and the Impact of Event Scale - Revised (IES-R) were used to obtain reliable data on the psycho-physiological state of the individual. A specialized online test for teachers was used to obtain data on the teachers’ competence aimed at determining informational competence, testing to determine the teacher’s subject methodical competence, observation of communicative competence. A formative experiment was planned and conducted. It was established that average indicators of psycho-physiological state prevail among teachers. The positive impact of the developed corrective programme on the teachers’ activity and mood was proved. It was concluded that the change in the psycho-physiological states of “invasion” and “avoidance” significantly depends on current social conditions, in particular, on the stability of the safety component. It was found that the correctional programme levelled the connections between the teachers’ subject methodical competence and the current psycho-physiological state. It was established that the teachers’ communicative competence continues to correlate after the completion of the programme with psycho-physiological comfort and general emotional background. In general, we can talk about the relative effectiveness of the developed corrective programme. The obtained results can be used to optimize programmes of continuous postgraduate education in the context of the development of resistance to the stresses of wartime. The prospects for further research are expanding the arsenal of methods for studying the teachers’ psycho-physiological state and clarifying gender differences in the teachers’ experience of stress. Received: 2 February 2024 / Accepted: 25 April 2024 / Published: 5 May 2024

224 Influence of gender on animal science research funding from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Abstract According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, females and males in science disciplines obtain bachelor of science degrees at or near parity, yet females are not equally represented in academic faculty positions. This is true for agricultural field including the animal sciences. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) administers the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) at USDA, a flagship competitive grants program that fund research, education, and extension efforts with a total appropriation of $455 million in 2023. Our objective was to determine the difference between genders for submission rates (i.e., number of standard and seed grant applications submitted), success rates (i.e., number of grant award/number of applications submitted), and peer reviewers of grant applications in the main animal related AFRI program area priorities. All applications submitted to AFRI programs in animal genomics, reproduction, health, nutrition and growth, and welfare during 2013 to 2022 were evaluated. Gender was assigned to Project Directors (PD) and peer reviewers using first names as input into Gender API software (Gender-API.com; Passau, Germany) with ≥ 95% accuracy and ≥ 20 database occurrences used as quality filters and binary outcomes only (i.e., male or female). Effect of gender on submission rates, success rates, and peer review panel compositions were then analyzed using Pearson’s Chi-squared tests with P ≤ 0.05 considered significant. A total of 3,392 applications were submitted, of which 2,579 (76%) PD genders were assigned and analyzed further. Overall, the proportional submission rate for females was 28% and for males was 72%. Submission rates for females increased (P = 0.0497) over time ranging from 22% in 2013 to 33% in 2021. Submission rates differed by gender across programs (P &amp;lt; 0.0001) and ranged from 22% female in animal reproduction to 48% female in animal welfare. Overall, the funding success rate was 22% and did not differ between genders (P = 0.9826). Success rates did not differ between genders over time (P = 0.4691), but differences among programs approached significance (P = 0.0670). Across 53 panels, 42% of panelists were female; no differences were identified for the proportion of female panelists over time (P = 0.9762) or by program (P = 0.7028). Females submitted less than one-half as many applications as males, but the proportion of submissions by females increased over time. This trend remained consistent despite challenges of relocation of NIFA and COVID-19 during this time. Funding success rates did not differ by gender, but some variation was observed across programs. Overall, the proportion of NIFA panelists who were female exceeded the proportion of applications submitted by females. These results indicate that although differences in gender existed for application submission rate and panel composition, these differences did not impact funding success rate of applications in animal science programs at NIFA, which did not differ between genders.

Electrocardiographic abnormalities in patients with microtia

The main objective of this study was to investigate the incidence and characteristics of electrocardiographic abnormalities in patients with microtia, and to explore cardiac maldevelopment associated with microtia. This retrospective study analyzed a large cohort of microtia patients admitted to Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, from September 2017 to August 2022. The routine electrocardiographic reports of these patients were reviewed to assess the incidence and characteristics of abnormalities. The study included a total of 10,151 patients (5598 in the microtia group and 4553 in the control group) who were admitted to the Plastic Surgery Hospital of Peking Union Medical College. The microtia group had a significantly higher incidence of abnormal electrocardiographies compared to the control group (18.3% vs. 13.6%, P < 0.01), even when excluding sinus irregularity (6.1% vs. 4.4%, P < 0.01). Among the 1025 cases of abnormal electrocardiographies in the microtia group, 686 cases were reported with simple sinus irregularity. After excluding sinus irregularity as abnormal, the most prevalent abnormalities was right bundle branch block (37.5%), followed by sinus bradycardia (17.4%), ST-T wave abnormalities (13.3%), atrial rhythm (9.1%), sinus tachycardia (8.3%), and ventricular high voltage (4.7%). Less common ECG abnormalities included atrial tachycardia (2.1%), ventricular premature contraction (2.4%), and ectopic atrial rhythm (1.8%). atrioventricular block and junctional rhythm were present in 1.2% and 0.9% of the cases, respectively. Wolff Parkinson White syndrome and dextrocardia had a lower prevalence, at 0.6% and 0.9%, respectively. The occurrence of electrocardiographic abnormalities in microtia patients was found to be higher compared to the control group. These findings highlight the potential congenital defect in cardiac electrophysiology beyond the presence of congenital heart defect that coincide with microtia.

Current problems in the field of structure, properties of minerals and methods of their investigation

The main goal of research into the structure and properties of minerals, as well as their crystal chemistry and physics, consists in obtaining fundamental information about the actual atomic and electronic structure of mineral objects and physical regularities of their transformations under the influence of external factors (temperature, pressure, radiation, and environmental chemistry). Such information forms the basis for mineral typification and restoration of mineral crystallization conditions and their evolution in a certain geological situation. This information is widely used in petrogenetic and geochronological constructions. Such studies are also relevant to the development of nature-like technologies for obtaining new promising functional materials. Knowledge of the structure, crystal chemistry, and physics of minerals, typomorphism of their spectroscopic properties, as well as the development of analytical techniques and methods for the synthesis of mineral-like materials are of particular significance. This thematic issue of the Lithosphere journal aims to review of these problems in the context of the materials reported at the XIII All-Russian Scientific Conference “Minerals: Structure, Properties, Research Methods” held in 2023 at the Institute of Geology and Geochemistry of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Yekaterinburg.

The burden and management competency of cardiomyopathies in China: a nationwide survey study

The public health burden of cardiomyopathies and competency in their management by health agencies in China are not well understood. This study adopted a multi-stage sampling method for hospital selection. In the first stage, nationwide tertiary hospital recruitment was performed. As a result, 88 hospitals with the consent of the director of cardiology and access to an established electronic medical records system, were recruited. In the second stage, we sampled 66 hospitals within each geographic-economic stratification through a random sampling process. Data on (1) the outpatient and inpatient visits for cardiomyopathies between 2017 and 2021 and (2) the competency in the management of patients with cardiomyopathies, were collected. The competency of a hospital to provide cardiomyopathy care was evaluated using a specifically devised scale. The outpatient and inpatient visits for cardiomyopathies increased between 2017 and 2021by 38.6% and 33.0%, respectively. Most hospitals had basic facilities for cardiomyopathy assessment. However, access to more complex procedures was limited, and the integrated management pathway needs improvement. Only 4 (6.1%) of the 66 participating hospitals met the criteria for being designated as a comprehensive cardiomyopathy center, and only 29 (43.9%) could be classified as a primary cardiomyopathy center. There were significant variations in competency between hospitals with different administrative and economic levels. The health burden of cardiomyopathies has increased significantly between 2017 and 2021 in China. Although most tertiary hospitals in China can offer basic cardiomyopathy care, more advanced facilities are not yet universally available. Moreover, inconsistencies in the management of cardiomyopathies across hospitals due to differing administrative and economic levels warrants a review of the nation allocation of medical resources. This work was supported by the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences (2023-I2M-1-001) and the National High Level Hospital Clinical Research Funding (2022-GSP-GG-17).

Unveiling the Missing Link: Women in Stem Leadership – A Comprehensive Review

This paper extensively examined the representation of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) within Malaysia, contextualized globally and historically. Existing research affirms the growing presence of women in the workforce (Gupta, 2020; National Academies of Sciences &amp; Medicine, 2020), their progress in higher education (Manongsong &amp; Ghosh, 2021; Vietze et al., 2022), their presence in professional and managerial roles (Burton et al., 2020; Evans &amp; Maley, 2021), and their successful elevation to CEO positions (Dadanlar &amp; Abebe, 2020). However, women continue to be significantly underrepresented in leadership positions, particularly within STEM firms (Hideg &amp; Shen, 2019; National Academies of Sciences &amp; Medicine, 2020). Young Malaysian women excel in both academic and extracurricular STEM activities from primary to university. Despite this gender equity achieved in STEM education, with 29% of tertiary engineering graduates and 57% of science degree holders being female, only 6% of women pursue careers as STEM professionals (Looi, 2022). Additionally, slightly over 4% of women hold leadership roles in technology firms in Malaysia (Amin &amp; Tan, 2018). Using social constructivist and feminist theories, this analysis examines how societal and environmental factors affect girls’ performance in math and science. Educators and parents play a vital role in providing crucial support. This study also highlights a major research gap, particularly in understanding where qualified women in STEM go, especially within Malaysia.

Evaluating westward and eastward propagating mesoscale eddies using a 1/10° global ocean simulation of CAS-LICOM3

This research evaluates the performance of CAS-LICOM3 (Chinese Academy of Science, State Key Laboratory of Numerical Modeling for Atmospheric Sciences and Geophysical Fluid Dynamics/Institute of Atmospheric Physics (LASG/IAP) Climate system Ocean Model, version 3) in simulating global coherent mesoscale eddies by comparison to satellite altimeter observations. The simulations of westward and eastward propagating eddies (WPEs and EPEs) and cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies (CEs and AEs) are separately analyzed. The results demonstrate that the simulated spatial-temporal variabilities in global mesoscale eddies agree roughly with the satellite observations. CAS-LICOM3 also reproduces the distinctive features between WPEs and EPEs or between CEs and AEs. However, some systematic biases are found. Globally, CAS-LICOM3 simulates a less frequent and weaker mesoscale eddy field than is observed. WPEs contribute more to these global biases than do EPEs. EPEs are relatively better reproduced than WPEs, exhibiting smaller underestimations and even overestimations in the energetic western boundary current and Antarctic circumpolar current regions. The simulation results for CEs resemble those of AEs, but AEs are comparatively less biased than CEs. These findings provide a basis for improving low-resolution and eddy-resolving ocean general circulation models (OGCMs) and developing submesoscale-resolving OGCMs.

Revisiting the IOM Reports and Envisioning a Promising Future for Public Health.

Two public health reports from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine published in 1988 and 2003 by the Institute of Medicine continue to resonate. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for a robust and adequately funded public health system that has political and public support as well as strong connections to health care and other sectors. However, a spate of recent assessments of the nation's public health infrastructure shows continuing gaps in funding, workforce, capacity, and other dimensions. There are reasons for optimism and opportunities for progress in public health in the third decade of the 21st century. There is great promise in cross-sector partnerships and in embracing the "public" in public health by building power with communities in health improvement efforts and in decision-making. (Am J Public Health. 2024;114(5):495-500. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2024.307584).

Tracing the contribution of cattle farms to methane emissions through bibliometric analyses

Methane contributes to global warming, and livestock is one of the sources of methane production. However, methane emission studies using bibliometric tools in livestock are lacking. Given the negative impact of climate change on the ecosystem and the rise in methane emissions, it is essential to conduct a bibliometrics study to provide an overview and research trends. We used the Bibliometrix package and VOSviewer to decipher bibliometric indices for methane emissions in cattle farms (MECF). Current dataset were collected from the Web of Science (Core Collection) database, and 8,998 publications were analyzed. The most co-occurring keywords scientists preferred were methane (1528), greenhouse gas (443), methane emissions (440), and cattle (369). Methane was the most frequently used keyword in the published scientific literature. Thematic evolution of research themes and trend results highlighted carbon dioxide, methane, dairy cattle, cattle, and risk factors during 1999-2017. Chinese Academy of Sciences ranked on top with 485 publications, followed by Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, University of Colorado, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Aarhus University. Chinese Academy of Sciences was also the most cited organization, followed by the University of Colorado, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and United States Geological Survey. Source analysis showed that the Science of the Total Environment was cited with the highest total link strength. “Science of the Total Environment” ranked first in source core 1 with 290 citation frequencies, followed by “Journal of Dairy Science” with 223 citation frequencies. Currently, no bibliometric study has been conducted on MECF, and to fill this knowledge gap, we carried out this study to highlight methane emissions in cattle farms, aiming at a climate change perspective. In this regard, we focused on the research productivity of countries authors, journals and institutions, co-occurrence of keywords, evolution of research trends, and collaborative networking. Based on relevance degree of centrality, methane emissions and greenhouse gases appeared as basic themes, cattle, and dairy cattle appeared as emerging/declining themes, whereas, methane, greenhouse gas and nitrous oxide appeared to fall amongst basic and motor themes. On the other hand, beef cattle, rumen and dairy cow seem to be between motor and niche themes, and risk factors lie in niche themes. The present bibliometric analysis provides research progress on methane emissions in cattle farms. Current findings may provide a framework for understanding research trends and themes in methane emissions in cattle farms (MECF) research.

Digital resources in teaching Russian to Chinese students outside of the language environment

Introduction. Relations between China and Russia are becoming increasingly close, resulting in a high demand for Russian language specialists in the labor market. The lack of a language environment in Chinese universities is a pressing problem that teachers would like to solve. Therefore, the active implementation of digital technologies will undoubtedly compensate for this deficiency. The purpose of the study is to analyze the use of Chinese internet resources in teaching Russian language in Chinese universities. Materials and Methods. The study involved undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral students studying in the fields of "Russian as a Foreign Language", "Philology", "Linguistics" and "Russian Literature". A total of 117 respondents from nine higher education institutions in Russia and China. These institutions include Heilongjiang Institute of Foreign Languages, RUDN, Moscow State University, Moscow State Pedagogical University, Institute of China and Modern Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Russian State University of Tourism and Service, Inner Mongolia University, and Yili Pedagogical University. The research methods employed in the study were analysis of scientific and scientific-methodological literature, observational (monitoring of online and distance learning), diagnostic (interviews with teachers, student surveys), and statistical analysis. Results. It was found that Chinese students do not know which form of education is most preferable outside of the Russian-speaking environment (35.9% – online, 37.61% – in-person, 38.46% – blended). However, respondents (67%) stated that various online resources provide significant help in learning the Russian language. The most popular programs and platforms were Chinese Dingding and Tencent Meeting, international Microsoft Teams and Zoom. Not all Russian-language dictionaries are available online for Chinese people, which is why the share of translation programs assisting in learning Russian language has increased (over 70%). The most frequently used Chinese dictionary was "Qianyiciba" (62%), and the most popular websites include Google Translate, Yudao Translator, Baidu Translate, and Bilibili. It has been proven that among the main problems hindering the process of learning Russian language in online and distance learning formats, psychological discomfort, lack of communication, increase in independent work, and individualization in learning considering the personal needs of students should be highlighted. Conclusion. The results obtained make it possible to determine the prospects for using digital resources in teaching Russian as a foreign language to Chinese students outside of the language environment.

Application of High-Frequency Ultrasound to Evaluate Forehead Filling Materials.

In recent years, soft tissue materials have been applied as forehead fillers. Some filling materials need to be removed or refilled in a timely manner in certain situations; therefore, it is important to develop a method to identify the location and type of filling materials. This study summarizes the imaging findings of different filling materials under high-frequency ultrasound, providing a reference for clinical treatment. We screened facial ultrasound images performed at the Plastic Surgery Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from April 2015 to July 2023 and classified and summarized the types of frontal filling materials and their imaging results. This study included ultrasound imaging results from 114 patients, including 39 with hyaluronic acid (HA) filling, 45 with polyacrylamide hydrogel (PAG) filling, 14 who received autologous fat transplantation, 2 who received prosthesis implantation, 2 who received both HA and PAG filling, and 12 who received silicone oil filling. HA mainly manifests as an anechoic zone on ultrasonography, with images divisible into four types. PAG primarily presents as fine punctate echoes, divisible into five types. Fat transplantation presents as a low-echo area with uneven density, divisible into five types. Finally, the silicone oil-filling material appears as a cloud-like high echo on the forehead, visible throughout the entire skin layer, and unclear imaging in deep tissues. High-frequency ultrasound is a safe and reliable method to evaluate the type and position of forehead filling materials, which can be easily applied in clinical practice. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

VIR cotton collection accessions of different origin for breeding in the North Caspian conditions

Background. Climate change on the planet requires the creation of cultivars adapted to new conditions, which suggests a constant search for sources of the required traits, and the VIR cotton collection provides unlimited opportunities for breeding. Also, the harsh conditions of the northwestern Astrakhan region make it possible to identify the potential capabilities of the accessions. Materials and methods. 25 accessions of the VIR cotton collection were studied at the Caspian Agrarian Federal Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences (PAFSC RAS) in 2021 against the backdrop of adverse weather conditions. Comparative assessment of morphological and economically important features was carried out according to the VIR methodology. Factor analysis based on the principal component method has been performed. Excel 2016 and STATISTICA 7.0 were used. Results and discussion. The study resulted in the identification of accessions exceeding the ʻAC 5ʼ standard in terms of the yield. The Chinese accessions had a very good fiber yield and can serve as sources of this trait, although they are not too precocious and are characterized by a medium-size capsule. Unfavorable weather conditions during the period of fiber formation did not facilitate obtaining a very good quality fiber, but some accessions yielded fiber with a length of 32-33 mm. Conclusions. Factor analysis showed that American accessions are the least suitable for the conditions of the northern Astrakhan Region due to their late maturity and tall stature. The search for appropriate sources is promising among accessions originating from other regions.

Analysis of the strong decays of SU(3) partners of the $\Omega(2012)$ baryon

Abstract We estimate the coupling constants and decay widths of the $SU(3)$ partners of the $\Omega(2012)$ hyperon, as discovered by the BELLE Collaboration, using the distribution amplitudes of the octet baryons within light cone sum rules method. Our study includes a comparison of the obtained results for the relevant decay widths with those derived within the framework of the flavor $SU(3)$ analysis. We observe a good agreement between the predictions of both approaches. Moreover, our results on the decay width of the $\Omega \to \Xi K$ is compatible with the existing experimental result within the uncertainties of the model predictions. These results can provide helpful insights for determining the nature of the $SU(3)$ partners of the $\Omega(2012)$ baryon. Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 licence. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI. Article funded by SCOAP3 and published under licence by Chinese Physical Society and the Institute of High Energy Physics of the Chinese Academy of Science and the Institute of Modern Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and IOP Publishing Ltd.

Health Benefits and uses of Neem Leaves

Neem is a very unique tree and neem leaves are the most complex leaves on the planet. The neem tree has over 130 different biologically active compounds, and the neem leaf is one of the most complex leaves you can find on the planet. According to the ancient science of Ayurveda texts describe how neem treats skin disorders, hair problems, enhances appetite, boosts digestion, kindles the fire in the belly, improves breathing, helps manage diabetic conditions, aids healing of wounds and relieves nausea. Neem has been declared the “tree of the 21st century” by the United Nations. The US National academy of science also recognized neem’s medicinal value in its 1992 report entitled “Neem: A tree for solving global problems.” Keywords: Biologically active, Azadirachta indica, Diabetes, Hypertension, Metabolic syndrome, Neem.