Russian Far East Research Articles

History of the study of ahhyllophoroid fungi in the Far East of Russia

History of the study of ahhyllophoroid fungi in the Far East of Russia

Precipitation in the Selenga River basin during atmospheric blocking over Europe and the Russian Far East in July

We investigate the relationship between Eurasian blocking and summer precipitation in the basin of the Selenga River (Lake Baikal’s main tributary) in order to find the reasons of current low-water period in the Lake Baikal basin. In this paper, we study the development of blocking events over Europe and the Russian Far East (RFE) and anomalies in precipitation over the Selenga river basin. Blocking over Europe and the Russian Far East contribute to arid conditions over the southern (Mongolian) part of the Selenga basin and precipitation over the northern (Russian) part of the basin. We show that from 1979 to 2017 there were 10 years with joint blocking events over Europe and RFE in July: 1980, 1981, 1983, 1991, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2010, 2011 and 2014. Months with normal and higher than normal total precipitation in the basin were observed in 1983, 1991, and 2003. Months with lower precipitation were in 1980, 1981, 1999, 2001, 2010, 2011, and 2014. We conclude that simultaneous development of blocking over Europe and RFE for at least three days, along with intensity, duration and localization of blocking are important factors to form conditions favorable for intense precipitation over the northern part of the Selenga basin.

Entanglement risk to western gray whales from commercial fisheries in the Russian Far East

ESR Endangered Species Research Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsSpecials ESR 37:133-148 (2018) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/esr00914 ESR Special: Marine vertebrate bycatch: problems and solutions Entanglement risk to western gray whales from commercial fisheries in the Russian Far East Lloyd F. Lowry1,*, Vladimir N. Burkanov2, Alexey Altukhov2, David W. Weller3, Randall R. Reeves4 173-4388 Paiaha Street, Kailua Kona, HI 96740, USA 2Kamchatka Branch of the Pacific Geographical Institute, Far East Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 6 Partizanskaya Street, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky 683000, Russia 3NOAA Fisheries, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, 8901 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA 4Okapi Wildlife Associates, 27 Chandler Lane, Hudson, Quebec J0P1H0, Canada *Corresponding author: llowry@hawaii.rr.com ABSTRACT: Western gray whales Eschrichtius robustus (WGWs) are endangered, and their range overlaps areas where several important commercial fisheries operate in the Russian Far East (RFE). Throughout their range, gray whales commonly become entangled or entrapped in fishing gear. In the western North Pacific, they have been killed in set nets and seen entangled with ropes and float lines. Signs of fishery interactions on 28 of 150 living whales photographed near Sakhalin Island were reported in a published study. We describe characteristics of RFE fisheries that might entangle WGWs, including fishing effort based on daily catch reports from 2010-2014. We make a preliminary qualitative assessment of entanglement risk, taking into account factors including (1) evidence that the gear type has entangled large whales, (2) fishing effort, and (3) geographic and temporal overlap between WGWs and fishing activity. Fishing for salmonids with pelagic gillnets is no longer allowed in the RFE, and as long as the prohibition is being followed such fishing poses no risk to WGWs. In contrast, the coastal salmon set net fishery poses a high entanglement risk off northeastern Sakhalin and Kamchatka where WGWs feed very close to shore, and that situation should be mitigated. Bottom-set gillnet, demersal longline, snurrevad (also called Danish seine), and trap and pot fisheries overlap substantially with WGW distribution, and bycatch in those fisheries should at least be monitored. More rigorous risk assessment would require additional information on WGW distribution and movements. KEY WORDS: Western gray whale · Eschrichtius robustus · Distribution · Russian Far East · Fisheries · Entanglement risk · Sakhalin Island Full text in pdf format Supplementary material Russian translation available here PreviousNextCite this article as: Lowry LF, Burkanov VN, Altukhov A, Weller DW, Reeves RR (2018) Entanglement risk to western gray whales from commercial fisheries in the Russian Far East. Endang Species Res 37:133-148. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr00914 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in ESR Vol. 37. Online publication date: October 11, 2018 Print ISSN: 1863-5407; Online ISSN: 1613-4796 Copyright © 2018 Inter-Research.

Nitrogen and Carbon Isotope Data of Olenekian to Anisian Deposits from Kamenushka/South Primorye, Far-Eastern Russia and Their Palaeoenvironmental Significance

The Kamenushka Formation, exposed in the northern part of South Primorye (Kamenushka-1 and Kamenushka-2 sections), is one of the few localities in the world with richly fossiliferous Lower–Upper Olenekian sedimentary successions. Lower to Middle Triassic ammonoid-, brachiopod- and conodont-bearing silty-clayey deposits of the Kamenushka-1 and Kamenushka-2 sections have been isotope-geochemically investigated in detail. As a result, these sections, together with the previously investigated Abrek Section, exposed in the southern part of South Primorye, provide almost complete 15Norg- and 13Corg- records for the Lower Triassic of this region. Nine N-isotope intervals and the five negative C-isotope excursions, reflecting, apparently, unstable climatic and hydrological conditions, have been distinguished in the Lower Triassic of South Primorye. On the basis of the new C-isotope data the Mesohedenstroemia bosphorensis Zone (upper part), Shimanskyites shimanskyi and Neocolumbites insignis zones of South Primorye are correlated now with the Lower Smithian part of the Yinkeng Formation, the Upper Smithian part of the Helongshan Formation and the Middle Spathian part of the Nanlinghu Formation in South China, respectively, as has been observed in the Abrek, Kamenushka-2, West Pingdingshan and Majiashan sections.

New dynamics in Japan–Russia energy relations 2011–2017

Abstract Since the triple disaster in Japan in 2011, the energy dimension of Japan–Russia relations in the Russian Far East (RFE) has developed at a more rapid pace. The integration of the energy markets of the world's top liquefied natural gas (LNG) importer, Japan, and major energy exporter, Russia, has paralleled a warmer bilateral political climate and been accelerated by Russia's turn to the East. In the aftermath of the Ukraine crisis, the globe's energy landscape has been significantly altered and both Russia and Japan have faced constraints economically and in terms of bilateral cooperation. Questions remain about how bilateral energy relations will develop in the face of competition from Japan's traditional energy suppliers and ongoing Japanese government efforts to diversify energy sources. Is energy prompting a stronger bilateral political bond or just fostering a limited partnership in this area? In considering the consequences of the Fukushima and Ukraine crises on Japan–Russia energy relations and the energy dimension of Russia's pivot to Asia, the topic is placed in a wider context of new dynamics in Japan–Russia relations.

The history of study of springtails’ fauna (Collembola) of the Russian Far East

The history of study of springtails’ fauna (Collembola) of the Russian Far East

Association of the louse-flies of the genus Ornothoctona Speiser, 1902 (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) with birds and first record of O. australasiae (Fabricius, 1805) from the Russian Far East

Association of the louse-flies of the genus Ornothoctona Speiser, 1902 (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) with birds and first record of O. australasiae (Fabricius, 1805) from the Russian Far East

Cranial Variation in the Siberian Weasel Mustela sibirica (Carnivora, Mustelidae) and its Possible Taxonomic Implications.

Alexei V. Abramov, Andrey Yu. Puzachenko, and Ryuichi Masuda (2018) Morphometric variation in 23 cranial characters of 555 Siberian weasels (Mustela sibirica) was studied across its whole distribution range. Most of the distribution range in Siberia and China is occupied by medium-sized weasels, whereas the eastern part of the species range - including the Russian Far East, Korea and eastern China - is occupied by the larger form. Specimens from the Pacific islands (Jeju and Tsushima) were morphologically closely related to the western form of M. sibirica than to the neighboring continental weasels. The western form can be treated as nominotypical subspecies M. s. sibirica Pallas, 1773, whereas the eastern form can be treated as M. s. manchurica Brass, 1911. Small-sized weasels from the eastern Himalayan area (Myanmar and southwestern China) form a distinct group within M. sibirica, and they were treated as a subspecies; M. s. moupinensis (Milne- Edwards, 1874). Specimens from the western Himalayas (Kashmir, Nepal and Sikkim) are morphologically distinct from all other populations of Mustela sibirica and can be treated as a separate species Mustela subhemachalana Hodgson, 1837.

Становление института таможенных представителей на российском Дальнем Востоке

Становление института таможенных представителей на российском Дальнем Востоке

New species of the subfamily Braconinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)from the Russian Far East.

Four new species from the Russian Far East, Braconkasparyani sp. nov., B.kotenkoi sp. nov., B.santachezae sp. nov. and Uncobracon belokobylskii sp. nov., are described and short keys for their identification are presented.

Relation between the Degree of Alloying, Structure, and Mechanical Properties of High-Strength Steel

Development of the ocean, especially in Arctic regions, calls for the construction of an up-to-date fleet, including nuclear-powered icebreakers, arctic vessels, gas carriers, fixed and floating drilling platforms, submarine systems for oil and gas extraction on the continental shelf, reinforcement of coastal regions, and the construction of ports. That will require large quantities of weldable low-temperature steels that are also of high strength, so as to minimize the mass of the structures. The Zvezda shipbuilding complex in the far east of Russia is intended to meet that need. It is the largest such facility not only in Russia but in the world. In addition, the Vyborg ship-building plant and the Northern Shipyard (Severnaya Verf) in St Petersburg are being modernized. Another important task is the creation of new steels with the least possible alloying and standardized composition, so as to permit the development of more economical welding and assembly technologies. In the present work, the structure formed in low-alloy steels with variable content during plastic deformation is discussed. Samples from three melts of different chemical composition are studied: specifically, the melts differ in nickel content: 0.5, 1, and 2% Ni. The steels are tested on the Gleeble 3800 research complex, which simulates thermomechanical treatment with different temperatures in the final stage of rolling and with accelerated cooling to the specified temperature. The structure is studied by optical metallography and crystallographic analysis using a scanning electron microscope (EBSD analysis). The mechanical properties of the steels are determined. The thermal and deformational treatment of the steel must be selected in accordance with their level of alloying—that is, with the final structure of the steel (ferrite–bainite, bainite, or martensite–bainite). It is found that, in steel with ferrite–bainite structure, the best approach to strengthening is to create small-angle boundaries in the α phase during plastic deformation. Steel with bainitic structure does not undergo marked strengthening as a result of change in the deformation temperature during the final stage of thermomechanical treatment. For martensite–bainite structure, no treatment ensures the creation of additional small-angle boundaries. That may be associated with subsequent polymorphic transformation by a shear mechanism.

Bridging the Gap between TGF-β/Smad Signalling and Tumorigenesis Arising from Clonorchis sinensis Induced Hepatic Fibrosis

Clonorchiasis is a parasitic infection caused by food borne trematode, Clonorchis sinensis that is mainly prevalent in Asian countries, including South Korea, China, northern Vietnam, Japan, as well as far-eastern Russia, in which over 35 million people are the casualties. Clonorchiasis is characterized by the development of hepatic fibrosis. Upon chronic liver injury following the C. sinensis infection, hepatic fibrosis develops into cholangiocarcinoma with a concomitant genetic and epigenetic mutations. Cholangiocarcinoma represents important clinical manifestation of C. sinensis infection and causes high rate of morbidity. TGF- β/Smad signalling is known to initiate hepatic fibrosis following the hepatic injury. However, little is known about the role of TGF- β/Smad signalling during C. sinensis induced hepatic injury and the underlying contribution of TGF- β/Smad signalling in the development of cholangicarcinoma. The expression dynamic of TGF-β/Smad signalling and their role in the development of hepatic fibrosis in C. sinensis infected BALB/c mice have been investigated. Concomitantly but irrespective to C. sinensis infection, the role of hepatic epithelial TGF-β during hepatic fibrosis and the development of cholangiocarcinoma arising from hepatic epithelial cells have also been dissected. Both findings will be reviewed in this paper. Thereby, the link between TGF-β/Smad signalling, hepatic fibrosis during C sinensis infection, and cholangiocarcinoma could be drawn clearly.Keywords: Clonorchis sinensis, TGF-β/Smad signalling, Hepatic fibrosis, Cholangiocarcinoma

Trade Potential and Trade Integration of the Russian Far East: A Regional Perspective

Over the past decade, the Russian government has embarked on an ambitious program of economic development in the Russian Far East (RFE), envisioning the transformation of the region into a hub for trade with the Asia Pacific. This paper explores the extent of RFE’s trade integration with both key partners around the world and the rest of Russia. In particular, we calculate the region’s trade potential on the basis of mean predicted values from a gravity model using three samples that offer different perspectives. Actual trade flows are then evaluated relative to the potential and the resulting index is analyzed for various years and countries. Based on the findings of the paper, we can draw several conclusions. First, RFE exports to Northeast Asia have intensified over the period 2008–2017, allowing the region to surpass its potential, although there seems to be room to grow with respect to China. The Russian government could facilitate cross-border trade by further reducing non-tariff barriers and improving transnational infrastructure links. Second, the deepening integration with Northeast Asia has been achieved at the expense of trade links with the rest of Russia. This might appear worrisome, given the geostrategic importance of RFE for Russia. At the same time, it might simply reflect the fact that RFE’s natural resource exports are increasingly diverted to the Asia Pacific, which is more efficient than to ferry them to Western Russia, where they might end up being re-exported to Europe. Similarly, it might be more efficient for RFE to import from China than from more distant parts of Russia. Third, imports from Japan and Korea are far below potential, although these two countries can play a key role in promoting the economic development of RFE

The comprehensive evaluation of the bioclimatic comfort at the territories of the Russian Far East with reference to winter-time recreational activities and primary wellness tourism

in the framework of the current tendency toward the further development of the socio-economic sphere in the Russian Far East (RFE), the relevant investigations aimed at creating the comfortable conditions for recreational and touristic activities as well as for rehabilitative therapy of the local population acquire the increasingly greater importance. The objective of the present study was the comprehensive evaluation of the bioclimatic comfort at the territories of interest with special reference to winter-time recreational activities and primary wellness tourism. This study was designed to evaluate the health resort, recreational, and therapeutic resources of the selected areas of the Russian Far East with special reference to the data provided by the climate monitoring stations during the periods from December to March of 1965-2014. The following methods were used for the purpose: the comparative analysis of climatic information and elementary methods of mathematical statistics. The evaluation of the study territory in terms of the bioclimatic comfort gave evidence that the southern regions of Primorye as well as Sakhalin island, and Kamchatka peninsula provide the most favorable conditions for the therapeutic and recreational activities, leisure and sports in the winter seasons. The analysis of the studied bioclimatic indices of comfort at different territories of the Russian Far East has demonstrated their great potential for the further development of recreation services, rehabilitation, sporting and touristic activities. The study has revealed the new opportunities for the enhancement of bioclimatic comfort of the region and for the improvement of the quality of life and employment of the local population.

Протестантизм на Дальнем Востоке России: история, современное состояние и проблемы

Протестантизм на Дальнем Востоке России: история, современное состояние и проблемы

Notes on the taxonomy and distribution of the genus Cryphaeus Klug, 1833 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Toxicini) in the Russian Far East

Notes on the taxonomy and distribution of the genus Cryphaeus Klug, 1833 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Toxicini) in the Russian Far East

Описание личинки Onthophagus japonicus Harold, 1875 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) с Дальнего Востока России с определительной таблицей известных личинок рода

Описание личинки Onthophagus japonicus Harold, 1875 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) с Дальнего Востока России с определительной таблицей известных личинок рода

Климатическая дискомфортность Дальнего Востока России и заболеваемость населения

Климатическая дискомфортность Дальнего Востока России и заболеваемость населения

Перспективы сотрудничества России и Китая в Арктике и российский Дальний Восток

Перспективы сотрудничества России и Китая в Арктике и российский Дальний Восток

Fruit micromorphology in the Umbelliferae of the Russian Far East

Fruit micromorphology in the Umbelliferae of the Russian Far East