Astrakhan Region Research Articles

ВЫРАЩИВАНИЕ ЛУКА РЕПЧАТОГО В ЮЖНОМ РЕГИОНЕ РОССИИ

Relevance. Onions are a fairly technological crop and one of the most in–demand and widely consumed by the population among vegetable crops throughout the year. Under optimal conditions, onions can be freely stored for 6...8 months. The yield potential of this crop is from 90.0... to 100.0 or more tons per hectare. The conducted research determines promising ways to increase the yield of this important crop. The object of the study was experiments conducted on the territory of the private enterprise Zvolinsky O.V., located in the southeastern European part of Russia (Northwestern Caspian Sea), on the land use of the Chernoyarsk district of the Astrakhan region, which is part of the cascade of the northernmost corners of the region. The subject of the study were two onion hybrids: Burgus and Valero with the use of growth stimulants Potassium humate liquid peat and Flora - C for specified yield levels of 80.0; 100, and 120.0 t/ha, using the calculated amount of nutrients for the appropriate levels. Two irrigation regimes were studied: 70...70...70% NV (permanent) and 80...80...70% NV (differentiated). Results and conclusions. The conducted studies have shown that the studied growth stimulants have shown positive effects on the growth of onion yields. If in the variant without the use of growth stimulants, the yield on the Valero hybrid varied from 96.31 t/ha (constant mode) to 103.75 t/ha (differentiated mode). Accordingly, on the Burgus hybrid from 85.09 to 92.32 t/ha. The maximum effect was obtained from the use of the Flora – C growth regulator on the Valero hybrid. Yield levels, depending on the moisture threshold, ranged from 101.29 to 111.45 t/ha. While on the Burgus hybrid, similar values ranged from 95.39 to 105.91 t/ha

INFLUENCE OF ACID-BASE ACTIVATION ON CHANGES IN THE SURFACE PROPERTIES OF ALUMINOSILICATES

The effect of activation with weak acids and weakly alkaline solutions on the change in the surface properties of natural materials, which are aluminosilicates, has been investigated. The use of natural sorbents has a wide range of practical applications, which actualizes the study of their physicochemical and adsorption properties. A comparative study of the native material - the flask of the Astrakhan region, as well as the material activated with a 6% solution of oxalic acid, and then activated with a solution of sodium bicarbonate of the same concentration was carried out. The study of the morphology of the obtained samples indicates a more developed surface of the native material. The presence of isometric open pores in the native material confirms the clay component. Moreover, activation with a weak acid leads to a decrease in the pore size and specific surface area by a factor of 1.3, and further exposure to a weakly alkaline solution causes the surface to become uniform (it decreases by a factor of 1.5 from the initial value). The results obtained are confirmed by the BET method. The specific surface of the material and porosity decrease by 23% upon activation with a weak acid and by 31% upon further activation with a weak alkaline solution, which also confirms the destruction of the structure. The data obtained on the change in the chemical composition during the activation process make it possible to classify the natural material as belonging to the class of montmorillonite (SiO2: 30 – 33%), and the presence of a clay component (Al2O3: 2 – 3%) indicates the destruction of the material upon activation not only with strong acids, but also with weak ones. A change in the Si/Al ratio, extraction of metal ions in the exchange region does not lead to the expected increase in the specific surface area and pore volume, which can be explained by surface recrystallization. The study of the acid-base characteristics of the surface by the pKa method indicates a wide variety of active centers on the surface and is inhomogeneous in nature, with the advantage of the cationic function. Upon activation, an increase in the anionic function of the surface is observed.

Биотехнические показатели товарного выращивания красноклешневого рака в прудовой аквакультуре в условиях юга России

Work was carried out on commercial cultivation of the australian red-clawed crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus in the pond aquaculture of the Astrakhan region in the summer-autumn period of 2021 and 2022. During the exper-iment, young crayfish were studied, formed in 5 groups in accordance with the initial average weight of 0.17, 0.18, 1.8, 5.1 and 7.8 g and cultivated in ponds with an area of 0.1 hectares each. The duration of cultivation was 62-99 days, depending on the groups under consideration. During the work, the main size and mass characteristics of cancers in each group were determined, linear growth, weight gain, bio-mass, survival, overall cancer productivity, and the yield of marketable products were calculated. Also, the hydrochemical parameters of the environment and the feed base of the ponds were monitored, the values of which characterized the condition of the ponds as satisfactory for the cultivation of crayfish. The average daily water temperature during the work period was in the range of 24.0-25.0 ºC on average. It is determined that the optimal period of cultivation of ARCC under natural temperatures should be at least 3 months. The average weight of young crayfish planted in ponds for cultivation can be 0.2-8.0 g, depending on the tasks set: obtaining a larger number of crayfish within an average weight of 40 g, obtaining a smaller number, but larger individuals (60-80 g). It is most effective to plant juveniles of an average weight of at least 2 g in ponds. Cultivation of early ARCC juveniles in ponds in the South of Russia to produce commercial cancers is less effective, but it is possible due to the highest yield of commercial products per hectare of area among the groups of cancers under consideration. The hydrochemical regime of reservoirs must meet the biological requirements of the species. The condition of ponds, and in particular, the rapid development of aquatic vegetation in the water column during cultivation can significantly reduce the natural cancer productivity of reservoirs.

ОЦЕНКА АНТИОКСИДАНТНОЙ АКТИВНОСТИ ЭКСТРАКТА ЛИСТЬЕВ СORNUS MAS L

The work is dedicated to assessing the antioxidant activity of Cornus Mas L leaf extract collected in June 2022 and air-shadow dried. Of interest is the development of herbal medicines, which is associ-ated with the indisputable advantages of phytopreparations, which are relative safety, wide pharmaco-logical activity, the possibility of long-term use and joint use with synthetic agents, which is typical for the treatment of chronic diseases. As an object, a liquid extract of Cornus Mas L. leaves collected in June 2022 in the Astrakhan region and dried by the air-shadow method was used. The extract was prepared in a 1:1 ratio using 60% ethyl alcohol by vortex extraction, followed by removal of the ex-tractant using a vacuum evaporator. The experiment was carried out on protozoa Parametium Cauda-tum. The experiments were carried out in a fivefold repetition. The results showed antioxidant activity in common dogwood leaf extract. Extract of Cornus Mas L. leaves has antioxidant activity, which is manifested by active movements of paramecias and lengthening the time of their movements. And the most pronounced antioxidant activity is exerted by extract of leaves Cornus Mas L. prepared in ratio 1:2. The data obtained make it possible to use the plant - Common Dogwood, as a source of raw mate-rials for creating a drug product.

РАБОТА СЛУЖБЫ ОХРАНЫ ЗДОРОВЬЯ СЕМЬИ И РЕПРОДУКЦИИ В АСТРАХАНСКОЙ ОБЛАСТИ

The article presents the results of the analysis of the indicators of the work of the family health and reproduction service in the Astrakhan region, namely the epidemiology, structure, dynamics and caus-es of female and male infertility. The effectiveness of the center's laboratory in relation to such meth-ods as in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection has been demonstrated. It has been shown that the pregnancy rate after artificial insemination over the past 8 years exceeds the average level in Russia, and the pregnancy rate for transfer corresponds to the all-Russian data.

Состояние преступности в Республике Калмыкия

The article provides an assessment of the state of crime in the Republic of Kalmykia. The purpose of the article is to evaluate the crime level in the Republic of Kalmykia. The tasks set by the author were to analyze statistical data in the republic as a whole and by district; it was also important to consider all-Russian trends and the state of crime in the regions neighboring the republic. In recent years, crime in our country has been undergoing quantitative as well qualitative changes: there is a decrease in the level of violent, property, and youth crime, while the number of cybercrimes is growing. The analysis of statistical data showed that the largest number of crimes is observed in the Rostov region, followed by the Volgograd region and Stavropol Territory, with the lowest number of crimes in the Astrakhan region and Kalmykia. There is a positive trend towards a decrease in the number of registered crimes in the Republic of Kalmykia. According to this indicator, this region occupies one of the leading places in the country. There are two negative trends that have been identified: increase in recidivism and a very high proportion of people without a regular income among those who have committed crimes.

Construction Materials of the Mausoleum No. 1 of the Khan Necropolis at Pos. Lapas (preliminary analysis)

The authors present the latest information obtained during the archaeological research of the central mausoleum of the Golden Horde memorial complex, located near the village Lapas of the Astrakhan region. Within the scientific circle, the complex of mausoleums is associated with the burial place of the Juchid khans and representatives of the Golden Horde elite. The article gives a detailed description of the building material and architectural decoration used in the construction of the mausoleum. The analysis of the obtained samples of bricks and tiles allows us to propose their classification and typology based on the use of various materials and manufacturing techniques. The connection with architectural traditions and construction techniques of medieval Khorezm is traced. Based on the preliminary analysis, the prospects for further study of the construction technologies used in the creation of this unique architectural complex are outlined.

Modern aspects of hemostasis state for fevers of rickettsiosis etiology

To analyze the data obtained from scientific papers on Internet resources and to track the characteristic changes in hemostasis with various types of rickettsiosis fevers, allowing a better understanding of the pathogenesis of rickettsiosis and, as a result, a more competent approach to the treatment of this pathology. In the course of the work, numerous scientific papers of foreign and domestic scientists from various Internet resources (PubMed, CyberLeninka, Elibrari, etc.) were used, which made it possible to analyze changes in hemostasis and summarize them while working.
 At the end of the twentieth century, a rapid economic development of endemic zones caused changes in their nosology, significantly affecting an increase in the incidence of natural focal rickettsiosis from the group of tick-borne spotted fevers in many regions of the world. Geographical conditions of the Volga-Caspian floodplain have created optimal conditions for the formation of natural foci of some rickettsioses on the territory of the Astrakhan region. During the period of controlled epidemiological surveillance from 1983 to 2019, the incidence rate of Astrakhan rickettsia fever has increased several dozen times, the settlements located near the gas complex are hyperendemic. The results of numerous studies regarding infectious diseases of rickettsiosis etiology indicate the leading role of cellular structures in the imbalance of hemostasis suggesting a more detailed study of their functional activity and the determination of factors affecting their activity. Rickettsioses require a more thorough study of the clinical and epidemiological picture, pathogenetic aspects to identify criteria for early diagnosis of hemocoagulation disorders in the hemostasis system that formed the basis of this study.
 Thus, summing up all of the above, rickettsioses require a more thorough study of the clinical and epidemiological picture, pathogenetic aspects to identify criteria for early diagnosis and appointment of adequate therapy. The features of hemocoagulation dynamics in rickettsia fevers deserve special attention, because this process is both a trigger mechanism of the infectious process and an important factor affecting other structures of this biological system.

Показатели и направления оптимизации первичной медико-санитарной помощи в Южном федеральном округе.

The study of indicators and directions for optimizing primary health care in the regions of the Russian Federation allows us to assess the effectiveness of the functioning of the first and basic level of contact of patients with the health care system. The purpose of the work is to study indicators and directions for optimizing primary health care in the Southern Federal District. Materials and methods: A theoretical analysis of literature, statistical information and documents related to indicators and optimization of primary health care in the Southern Federal District was performed. For a comparative assessment of the dynamics of indicators, the growth (%) was calculated. Results. The supply of local therapists in the Southern Federal District is lower than the national average. It was revealed that the Republic of Kalmykia, Astrakhan region and Rostov region have a negative increase in the provision of local therapists for 2016 and 2021: –6.1; –20.9 and –22.2% respectively. In terms of the number of local pediatricians, a negative increase (9.0%) is observed only for the Rostov region. An analysis of directions for optimizing primary health care showed that in the regions of the Southern Federal District programs are being implemented to improve the infrastructural organization and equipment of primary health care, as well as to eliminate the personnel shortage of medical personnel. However, the reports indicate only indicators of the number of doctors per 10 thousand population without highlighting primary health care workers. Conclusion. The key problem of the Southern Federal District is the shortage of doctors in the field of primary health care. The dynamics of the health care situation in the Southern Federal District have not been sufficiently studied. It is necessary to continue: improving the material and technical equipment of the industry, including in hard-to-reach areas, carrying out preparatory work with students in medical institutions, improving working conditions and offering attractive labor financing for workers and organizing social assistance.

The effect of hydrogel on one- and two-year-old saplings of English oak Quercus robur L.

Survival rate of English oak ( Quercus robur L.) saplings (one- and two-year-old) on experimental plots under different hydrological conditions (long-interval flooding, short-interval flooding, no flooding) and the effect of hydrogel on the survival of the planted stock were studied. At present, these studies are relevant for the floodplain forest ecosystem of the Volga River, since the forests of this region are experiencing huge natural and anthropogenic loads, therefore, developments are needed for their conservation and restoration. The purpose of the research was to study the method of planting English oak ( Qurcus rbur ) with annual and biennial saplings using hydrogel to restore and increase the biodiversity of degraded forest phytocenoses in conditions of the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain in the north of the Astrakhan region. In the work, the following methods were used: soil moisture was determined by the thermostatic-weight method (B.A. Dospekhov); experimental data were processed by the method of dispersion analysis using Microsoft Excel. According to the results of the study, the best survival rate (83 %) was observed in one-year-old saplings of English oak in the variant with using hydrogel in no-flooding site.

Some aspects of testing cotton Gossypium hirsutum L. in conditions of the Astrakhan region

Cotton is a valuable crop for the Russian economy. Creation of the initial material for breeding work, as well as the introduction into production of high-yielding cotton varieties adapted to growing conditions are the main tasks set for Russian breeders. The study of agronomic traits of cotton varieties was carried out at Precaspian Agrarian Federal Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, located in the north of the Astrakhan region, in 2017-2019. The research was performed in order to identify productivity potential, as well as to determine the adaptive capabilities to extreme climatic conditions of the Northern Caspian region. Cotton varieties were compared with the standard (AS-1). The results were processed according to methods of mathematical statistics. All varieties studied in the research had good indicators of agronomic traits. UZ-4 and Goliot varieties were characterized by the highest yield values - 3.0 and 2.6 t/ha, respectively.

The life path of the head of the department of public health and healthcare Serdyukov Anatoly Gavrilovich

The article describes the life path of Professor Serdyukov Anatoly Gavrilovich. Reflects the important stages of the formation of his scientific, pedagogical and social activities, and presents his key contribution to the study of the main directions of public health and healthcare in the Astrakhan region.

ТЕРМИНЫ РОДСТВА В ТОПОНИМАХ ЮЖНЫХ РЕГИОНОВ РОССИИ

The authors of the article investigate the process of fixing kinship terms in geographical names of the Astrakhan, Volgograd, Rostov regions and the Krasnodar Krai. Toponyms formed from kinship terms are considered as a special category of words reflecting historical, linguistic and social load. In the course of the study, the authors analyzed more than 6 thousand toponyms, 498 of them are geographical names of the Astrakhan region, 1567 of the Volgograd region, 2374 of the Rostov Region and 1897 of the Krasnodar Krai. The sampling was carried out according to three classes of toponyms (oikonyms, astyonyms and hydronyms), selected by a continuous sampling method from regional toponymic dictionaries, dictionaries of geographical names of Russia and on the official websites of designated subjects of the Russian Federation. 
 The general direction of the research is to study the main directions of extrapolation of kinship terms, in connection with which the purpose of this work is to determine the presence of kinship terms among regional toponyms as a reflection of the "family" and "spatial" codes inherent in the linguistic picture of the world of the native Russian people. The novelty of the work lies in the proof of the typological nature of kinship terms, presented by the example of regional toponyms. The study was conducted using descriptive and comparative methods.

Improvement of methods of early potato cultivation in the zone of light chestnut saline soils of the Astrakhan region

Improvement of methods of early potato cultivation in the zone of light chestnut saline soils of the Astrakhan region

Новые мезолитические памятники Нижнего Поволжья

The paper publishes materials of the new Mesolithic sites in the Lower Volga region. The research relevance is due to the fact that this period is less studied than the others. The scientific novelty of the study is as follows: after a 30-year break in the Mesolithic studies of this territory, the materials of the 2021 study are presented. The purpose of the paper is to introduce the latest sources on such an important period into scientific circulation. The objectives of the study are to describe and classify the materials, to define the cultural affiliation and to establish their periodization. Methods. The sites of this era in this territory have not been studied since 1993. The sources for the paper are the materials of three new Mesolithic monuments. The Ukubai tract is located in the Krasnoyarsk district of the Astrakhan region. On the territory of the dune, three clusters of stone artifacts remote from each other were planigraphically identified. Neolithic and Eneolithic ceramics were missing. Planographic, typological, statistical and radiocarbon methods were applied. Analysis. The raw material for the tools manufacture was flint of a dark transparent, gray matte and yellow types. The lamellar flake flint-splitting technique was inherent for all three sites. Monuments differ in the number of finds, production waste and blanks, parameters of flakes, a set of tools, and geometric microliths types. Results. Raw material properties are characteristic of the Mesolithic complexes. The average stone age of the finds is also evidenced by the technical and typological features of the stone inventory. The obtained materials can be attributed to the Seroglazovka culture. Some of them belong to the Zhekolgan group and others to the Istay group. The features of the parameters gave an opportunity to pinpoint that the complexes belong to different times. Thus it was possible to highlight the monuments functional features.

The Failed Kalmyk Pilgrimage to Tibet at the Beginning of the 19<sup>th</sup> Century: Historical and Source Study Aspect (Based on the Materials of the State Archive of the Astrakhan Region)

For the first time in Russian historiography, the article analyzes the collection of documents from the State Archive of the Astrakhan Region and the Russian State Historical Archive related to the failed pilgrimage of the Kalmyk Buddhist clergy’s representatives to Tibet at the beginning of the 19th century. A significant amount of interdepartmental correspondence accompanied the whole preparation process for this pilgrimage, which was supposed to be part of the government policy on developing the Russian-Chinese diplomatic cooperation. The permission for Buddhist clergy to contact fellow believers in Tibet followed the organization of the Russian embassy to China in 1805, headed by Yu. A. Golovkin. The Russian government expected the successful completion of the embassy, one of the tasks of which was to get free access for Russian citizens to Tibet. Kalmyk pilgrims, escorted by government officials, should be the first Russians officially granted by China to visit Tibet in the second half of the 18th century. The unsuccessful completion of the embassy prevented the pilgrimage from realization but intensified the interaction of the Russian government with the Buddhist clergy of the Kalmyk steppe. The article provides information on compensation for the expenses of the Kalmyk clergy, the organization of the trip of lamas to St. Petersburg, and the permission to build a Buddhist temple in the Astrakhan province at the request of one of the participants of the never-realized pilgrimage. The article presents a transliteration and a modern (diachronic) translation of two letters written by the Kalmyk clergy in “todo bichig” (“Clear Script”) to representatives of the Russian government.

Early fertility and technological characteristics of seedless varieties of berries grapes at the initial stage of fruiting

The article shows the results of studying the early fruitfulness of young plantings of seedless grape varieties: their compliance with the weather conditions of vegetation; groups of early fruitfulness with indicators of the mechanical composition of bunches and tasting evaluation of berries are identified. The research was carried out on the territory of the vineyard of the Pre-Caspian Agrarian Federal Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, located in the Chernoyarsk district of the Astrakhan region. The aim of the research was to assess the potential of fruitfulness and quality of seedless grape varieties to identify the most promising, adapted to the conditions of the North-Western Caspian Sea. The object of research was a collection of seedless grape varieties of domestic and foreign selection. The Kishmish Radiant variety, zoned in the Lower Volga region, was adopted as the standard. According to the research results, it was found that the Veles variety entered fruiting earlier than the rest of the studied varieties, the harvest of which was formed in the second year after planting. In the third year of the growing season, seven more varieties entered fruiting (41% of all studied varieties): Azak, Attica, Aphrodite, Iskander, Lucia, Rose, Jupiter. The maximum structural indicators were characterized by the varieties: Azak, Attica, Aphrodite, Lucia and Jupiter with values from 27.5 to 41.0. The varieties Azak, Attica, Aphrodite and Jupiter had the minimum percentage of crests in clusters (from 2.4 to 3.7%). The optimal berry index (33.7...57.8) was noted in the varieties Azak, Attica, Aphrodite, Veles, Iskander, Lucia, Jupiter. According to the results of the tasting evaluation, the varieties Attica, Veles and Iskander stood out, the number of points of which was 9.5; 8.5 and 9.1, respectively.

State Policy of Labor Migration Regulation in the Volga-Caspian Fishing Region in the Second Half of the 18th to the First Half of the 19th Century

The article analyzes the state policy of regulating labor migration during the second half of the 18th to the first half of the 19th centuries. Changes in the settlement and development strategy of the Volga-Caspian fishing region are demonstrated through examples of population groups such as noble landowners, peasants, merchant-fishermen, and industrial workers. The achievements and shortcomings of state-regulated labor migration during the examined period are identified. The article also assesses the normative framework that governed the processes of labor migration in the region, outlines the historical stages of settlement and development in the area, and documents the outcomes and consequences of this process for the future socio-economic development of the Volga-Caspian fishing region. Labor migration is viewed as a tool for the settlement and development of the peripheral territories of the Russian state.
 Furthermore, various forms of migration were employed by the government during the study period, including noble, monastic, peasant, Cossack, and voluntary migrations. Based on an examination of the collected material, the authors conclude that migration types successfully implemented in other (agricultural) regions of the country, such as noble, peasant, and monastic migrations, were not as productive in the context of the Volga-Caspian fishing region, where the primary economic activity revolved around fishing. The most effective workers for the fishing industry were supplied by the so-called “voluntary migration.”
 Given that the subject of the study is the state policy of regulating labor migration, the primary sources encompass legislative and normative documents from the second half of the 18th to the beginning of the 19th centuries, as well as materials from central and regional administrative structures preserved in the archives of the Russian State Historical Archive and the State Archive of the Astrakhan Region. A portion of these materials is being introduced into academic discourse for the first time.

О правовых проблемах обращения с отходами на региональном уровне

Introduction. The paper notes that Russia’s transition to a “green” economy will require the greening of all spheres of economic activity, including waste management. Now, a number of measures have been taken at the federal level aimed at improving the efficiency of production and consumption waste management, reducing waste burial and increasing waste disposal volumes, and building new waste processing plants. However, these measures are universal in nature and poorly take into account the specifics of the regions. To account for it at the level of the subjects of the Russian Federation, it is necessary to adopt their own regulations. Purpose. To consider the specifics of the three Caspian regions (the Astrakhan region, the Republic of Dagestan, and the Republic of Kalmykia), to identify their natural and climatic features that can be taken into account when developing draft regulations in the field of waste management, to analyze the provisions of scientific doctrine and the main discussions about the cardinal problems existing in the field of waste management, which can be used during the preparation of these legislative drafts. Methods. The methodological framework for the study was the methods of scientific cognition, among which the main ones were the methods of consistency, analysis, and comparative law. Results. It is necessary to adopt at the regional level a set of measures for the development of waste management infrastructure, the construction of waste processing plants, and the creation of a system of incentives for environmental entrepreneurs engaged in the industry of production and consumption waste management.

Применение категории «публичный интерес» в регулировании частноправовых отношений

Introduction. The paper defines the immediacy of the problem of identifying the essence of the category “public interest” in the regulation of private law relations. The correlation of private and public interests in Russian law is established. The materials of the legal doctrine and the positions of the higher courts on this concept are analyzed. The signs of public interest in private law are determined. In legal doctrine, the category of “public interest” is very actively used by research scientists. However, there is no explanation of this term at the legislative level, which clearly does not contribute to its uniform understanding in judicial practice and law enforcement activities in general. Due to the high importance of public interests in any state and the absence of a legal definition in Russian legislation, it seems relevant to identify the essence of the category of “public interest” and its main characteristics. The purpose of the study is to identify current trends in judicial practice and analyze the development of legislation on the application of public interest in private law relations. Methods. The general scientific and special methods of cognition were used in the preparation of the paper. The dialectical-materialistic method predetermined the study of the concept of public interest in relation to the private legal sphere. The system method, methods of analysis and synthesis, the formal legal method, and the method of interpretation of the norms of law were also used. Results. The study has analyzed the acts of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation and the lower courts (the ruling of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation of 21.09.2022 in case No. 306-ES22-6854; the decision of the Arbitration Court of Appeal of Saratov in case No. A12-32901/2021 of 28.03.2022; the decision of the Arbitration Court of the Astrakhan region of 08.12.2022 in case No. A06-7754/2021). It is proved that the analysis of these acts allows us to conclude about the negative consequences of the introduction of public interest in the sphere of regulating private law relations. Conclusions. The authors have substantiated the need to consolidate the definition of the concept of “public interest” at the legislative level and propose the authors’ vision of this concept. It is argued that when considering cases between individuals or legal entities, the court’s reference to the public interest is not permissible.