Microstructure and mechanical properties of stable austenitic steel after thermomechanical treatment

The features of microstructure and mechanical properties of stable austenitic steel after thermomechanical treatment consist of low-temperature deformation, warm deformation and subsequent annealing have been investigated. It is shown that under these conditions in the steel direct (γ → α')- and inverse (α' → γ)-martensitic transformations are realized. As a result of the thermomechanical treatment submicrocrystalline structural states with a high density of micro- and nanotwins and localized deformation bands are formed. The yield strength of these structural states more than 3 times increases by the original value

Automictic Reproduction in Interspecific Hybrids of Poeciliid Fish

SummaryAutomixis, the process whereby the fusion of meiotic products restores the diploid state of the egg, is a common mode of reproduction in plants but has also been described in invertebrate animals [1, 2]. In vertebrates, however, automixis has so far only been discussed as one of several explanations for isolated cases of facultative parthenogenesis [3, 4]. Analyzing oocyte formation in F1 hybrids derived from Poecilia mexicana limantouri and P. latipinna crosses (the cross that led to the formation of the gynogenetic Poecilia formosa[5, 6]), we found molecular evidence for automictic oocyte production [7]. The mechanism involves the random fusion of meiotic products after the second meiotic division. The fertilization of diploid oocytes gives rise to fully viable triploid offspring. Although the automictic production of diploid oocytes as seen in these F1 hybrids clearly represents a preadaptation to parthenogenetic reproduction [8], it is also a powerful intrinsic postzygotic isolation mechanism because the resulting next generation triploids were always sterile. The mechanism described here can explain facultative parthenogenesis [9], as well as varying ploidy levels reported in different animal groups [10]. Most importantly, at least some of the reported cases of triploidy in humans [11] can now be traced back to automixis

ТЕОСОФИЯ: ГЕНЕЗИС И АКТУАЛИЗАЦИЯ УЧЕНИЯ

У статті розглядається сутність теософії в її історико-філософському генезисі, представленому у вченні неоплатоников, гностиків, середньовічних і ренесансних містиків. Визначається сутність теософії як вчення синкретичної єдності ірраціонально-раціонального збагнення глибини реальності. Специфічність теософії розкривається порівняно з філософією, через визначення джерела знання, предмету і методу пізнання. Представлена актуалізація теософії через сучасну діяльність Міжнародного теософського товариства і спадщину О.П.Блаватськой. Вказується натрансформаційні змінимісії теософії, яка з езотеричного вчення переходить в статус морально-етичного корелята розвитку соціальних інститутів іжиттєвого простору людини.В статье рассматривается сущность теософии в её историко-философском генезисе, представленном в учении неоплатоников, гностиков, средневековых и ренессансных мистиков. Определяется сущность теософии как учения синкретического единства иррационально-рационального постижения глубины реальности. Специфичность теософии раскрывается в сравнении с философией, через определение источника знания, предмета и метода познания. Представлена актуализация теософии через современную деятельность Международного теософского общества и наследие Е.П.Блаватской. Указывается на трансформационные изменения миссии теософии, которая из эзотерического учения переходит в статус морально-нравственного коррелята развития социальных институтов и жизненного пространства человека.In the articleessence of theosophy is examined inits historicaland philosophicalgenesis, presented in thestudies of neoplatonizmus, gnostics,medieval andrenaissancemystics. Essence oftheosophy as studies of syncretismunity of the irrational-rational understanding of depth of reality is determined. Specificity of theosophy opens up by comparison to philosophy, through determination of source of knowledge, object andmethod of cognition.Actualization of theosophy is presented throughmodern activity ofInternational theosophicalsociety andlegacy ofE.P.Blavatskoy. Specified on transformation changes themission of theosophywhich fromesoteric studies passes to status ofmoral-moral correlate of development of social institutes and vital space ofman

The risk of digitalisation in capital intensive industries

Despite the prevalence of digitalisation, the real estate industry has demonstrated significant resistance to this transformation. Therefore, this study examines digitalisation in capital intensive industries, focusing on commercial real estate. Based on interviews with high-level executives in Germany, the study focuses on the inherent challenges of digital transformation, which can pose significant risks and have received little attention in the literature. The digital resistance is influenced by its heterogeneous nature, risk aversion and digital literacy deficits and a fragmented data landscape and lack of standardisation compound these barriers. However, the study emphasises that digital transformation is not merely about technology adoption but a collaborative, integrated, dynamic and digital risk-aware approach. While the study focused primarily on real estate, the findings could resonate across capital-intensive industries, highlighting the need for continuous adaptation to ensure industries remain resilient and competitive in this evolving landscape

NMDA receptor gene variations as modifiers in Huntington disease: a replication study.

Several candidate modifier genes which, in addition to the pathogenic CAG repeat expansion, influence the age at onset (AO) in Huntington disease (HD) have already been described. The aim of this study was to replicate association of variations in the N-methyl D-aspartate receptor subtype genes GRIN2A and GRIN2B in the "REGISTRY" cohort from the European Huntington Disease Network (EHDN). The analyses did replicate the association reported between the GRIN2A rs2650427 variation and AO in the entire cohort. Yet, when subjects were stratified by AO subtypes, we found nominally significant evidence for an association of the GRIN2A rs1969060 variation and the GRIN2B rs1806201 variation. These findings further implicate the N-methyl D-aspartate receptor subtype genes as loci containing variation associated with AO in HD

Evaluation of the toll-like receptor 6 Ser249Pro polymorphism in patients with asthma, atopic dermatitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND: For allergic disorders, the increasing prevalence over the past decade has been attributed in part to the lack of microbial burden in developed countries ('hygiene hypothesis'). Variation in genes encoding toll-like receptors (TLRs) as the receptor system for the first innate immune response to microbial stimuli has been implicated in various inflammatory diseases. We evaluated here the role of a coding variation, Ser249Pro, in the TLR6 gene in the pathogenesis of asthma, atopic dermatitis (AD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: Genotyping of the Ser249Pro polymorphism in 68 unrelated adult patients and 132 unrelated children with asthma, 185 unrelated patients with COPD, 295 unrelated individuals with AD and 212 healthy control subjects was performed by restriction enzyme digestion. RESULTS: We found a weak association of the 249Ser allele with childhood asthma (p = 0.03). Yet, significance was lost after Bonferroni correction. No association was evident for AD or COPD. CONCLUSION: Variation in TLR6 might play a role in the pathogenesis of childhood asthma

Screening of the arrestin gene in dogs afflicted with generalized progressive retinal atrophy

BACKGROUND: Intronic DNA sequences of the canine arrestin (SAG) gene was screened to identify potential disease causing mutations in dogs with generalized progressive retinal atrophy (gPRA). The intronic sequences flanking each of the 16 exons were obtained from clones of a canine genomic library. RESULTS: Using polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and DNA sequence analyses we screened affected and unaffected dogs of 23 breeds with presumed autosomal recessively (ar) transmitted gPRA. In the coding region of the SAG gene 12 nucleotide exchanges were identified, 5 of which lead to amino acid substitutions (H14C; A111V; A113T; D259T; A379E). 7 other exonic substitutions represent silent polymorphisms (C132C; Q199Q; H225H; V247V; P264P; T288T and L293L). 16 additional sequence variations were observed in intronic regions of different dog breeds. CONCLUSIONS: In several breeds, these polymorphisms were found in homozygous state in unaffected and in heterozygous state in affected animals. Consequently these informative substitutions provide evidence to exclude mutations in the SAG gene as causing retinal degeneration in 14 of the 23 dog breeds with presumed ar transmitted gPRA