Pyrochlore-Supergroup Minerals Nomenclature: An Update

The general formula of the pyrochlore-supergroup minerals is A2B2X6Y. The mineral names are composed of two prefixes and one root name (identical to the name of the group). The first prefix refers to the dominant anion (or cation or H2O or vacancy) of the dominant valence at the Y-site. The second prefix refers to the dominant cation of the dominant valence [or H2O or vacancy] at the A-site. Thirty-one pyrochlore-supergroup mineral species are currently distributed into four groups [pyrochlore (B = Nb, X = O), microlite (B = Ta, X = O), roméite (B = Sb5+, X = O), and elsmoreite (B = W, X = O)] and two unassigned members [hydrokenoralstonite (B = Al, X = F) and fluornatrocoulsellite (B = Mg, X = F)]. However, when the new nomenclature system of this supergroup was introduced (2010) only seven mineral species, namely, oxycalciopyrochlore, hydropyrochlore, hydroxykenomicrolite, oxystannomicrolite, oxystibiomicrolite, hydroxycalcioroméite, and hydrokenoelsmoreite, were valid. The seven species belong to the cubic crystal system and space group Fd3¯m and O is predominant in the X structural site. The 24 new mineral species described between 2010 and 2021 are cesiokenopyrochlore, fluorcalciopyrochlore, fluornatropyrochlore, hydrokenopyrochlore, hydroxycalciopyrochlore, hydroxynatropyrochlore, hydroxykenopyrochlore, hydroxymanganopyrochlore, hydroxyplumbopyrochlore, fluorcalciomicrolite, fluornatromicrolite, hydrokenomicrolite, hydroxycalciomicrolite, kenoplumbomicrolite, oxynatromicrolite, oxycalciomicrolite, oxybismutomicrolite, fluorcalcioroméite, hydroxyferroroméite, oxycalcioroméite, oxyplumboroméite, fluornatrocoulsellite, hydrokenoralstonite, and hydroxykenoelsmoreite. Among the new species, hydroxycalciomicrolite belongs to a different space group of the cubic system, i.e., P4232. There are also some mineral species that crystallize in the trigonal system. Hydrokenoelsmoreite occurs as 3C (Fd3¯m) and 6R (R3¯) polytypes. Hydrokenomicrolite occurs as 3C (Fd3¯m) and 3R (R3¯m) polytypes, of which the latter corresponds to the discredited “parabariomicrolite.” Fluornatrocoulsellite crystallizes as 3R (R3¯m) polytype. Surely there are several new pyrochlore-supergroup minerals to be described.

Communist State Administrative Structures

Communist models of state administration constitute a type or “family” whose core logic and design differ fundamentally from Western standards of rule-bound, impartial, and transparent administration, at arm’s length from political control. The most significant feature of communist-type administration is the Communist Party’s aspiration to merge politics and administration in all spheres of society. The so-called nomenclature system of cadre appointment ensures that politically reliable administrators occupy the influential positions within state and local administration, the military and security sector, state-owned enterprises, associations, media, cultural life—and the Communist Party organization itself. The central nomenclature system branches out into new pyramids at lower levels, where local managers appoint cadre. The linchpin of this system is the personnel dossier, which collects the individual administrator’s political and professional evaluations and follows the individual throughout their career. A second distinguishing feature of communist administrative structures is their web-shaped complexity. Under the principle of democratic centralism, communist administration is shaped like a sheaf of hierarchical strings of command, which are all controlled from the center and monitor and influence each other. At each level, hierarchical steering takes precedence, but horizontal controls are encompassing. Administrative managers—including regional and local governors, company directors, media heads, and university chancellors—are appointed by and under their superiors’ command. Simultaneously, they are under supervision by regional and internal Communist Party organizations. A third key feature of the communist administrative model is the practice of wide-ranging secrecy. In communist administration, vital rules, decrees, and instructions can be secret, for the eyes of security-screened cadre only. For example, throughout history, the structure of nomenclature systems has been kept secret. Little is known about how they function. An important exception is the former East Germany, where historical research on many aspects of communist administration has made singular progress based on the archives, which were opened for research after democratization in 1989–1990.

Air travel-related outbreak of multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants

Background. A large cluster of 59 cases were linked to a single flight with 146 passengers from New Delhi to Hong Kong in April 2021. This outbreak coincided with early reports of exponential pandemic growth in New Delhi, which reached a peak of >400,000 newly confirmed cases on 7 May 2021. Methods. Epidemiological information including date of symptom onset, date of positive-sample detection, and travel and contact history for individual cases from this flight were collected. Whole genome sequencing was performed, and sequences were classified based on the dynamic Pango nomenclature system. Maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analysis compared sequences from this flight alongside other cases imported from India to Hong Kong on 26 flights between June 2020 and April 2021, as well as sequences from India or associated with India-related travel from February to April 2021, and 1,217 reference sequences. Results. Sequence analysis identified six lineages of SARS-CoV-2 belonging to two variants of concern (Alpha and Delta) and one variant of public health interest (Kappa) involved in this outbreak. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed at least three independent sub-lineages of Alpha with limited onward transmission, a superspreading event comprising 37 cases of Kappa, and transmission of Delta to only one passenger. Additional analysis of another 26 flights from India to Hong Kong confirmed widespread circulation of all three variants in India since early March 2021. Conclusions. The broad spectrum of disease severity and long incubation period of SARS-CoV-2 pose a challenge for surveillance and control. As illustrated by this particular outbreak, opportunistic infections of SARS-CoV-2 can occur irrespective of variant lineage, and requiring a nucleic acid test within 72 hours of departure may be insufficient to prevent importation or in-flight transmission.

Unsupervised classification of SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequences uncovers hidden genetic diversity and suggests an efficient strategy for genomic surveillance

Accurate and timely monitoring of emerging genomic diversity is crucial for limiting the spread of potentially more transmissible/pathogenic strains of SARS-CoV-2. At the time of writing, over 1.8M distinct viral genome sequences have been made publicly available, and a sophisticated nomenclature system based on phylogenetic evidence and expert manual curation has allowed the relatively rapid classification of emerging lineages of potential concern. Here, we propose a complementary approach that integrates fine-grained spatiotemporal estimates of allele frequency with unsupervised clustering of viral haplotypes, and demonstrate that multiple highly frequent genetic variants, arising within large and/or rapidly expanding SARS-CoV-2 lineages, have highly biased geographic distributions and are not adequately captured by current SARS-CoV-2 nomenclature standards. Our results advocate a partial revision of current methods used to track SARS-CoV-2 genomic diversity and highlight the importance of the application of strategies based on the systematic analysis and integration of regional data. Here we provide a complementary, completely automated and reproducible framework for the mapping of genetic diversity in time and across different geographic regions, and for the prioritization of virus variants of potential concern. We believe that the approach outlined in this study will contribute to relevant advances to current genomic surveillance methods.

A universal karyotypic system for hexaploid and diploid Avena species brings oat cytogenetics into the genomics era

Background The identification of chromosomes among Avena species have been studied by C-banding and in situ hybridization. However, the complicated results from several cytogenetic nomenclatures for identifying oat chromosomes are often contradictory. A universal karyotyping nomenclature system for precise chromosome identification and comparative evolutionary studies would be essential for genus Avena based on the recently released genome sequences of hexaploid and diploid Avena species. Results Tandem repetitive sequences were predicted and physically located on chromosomal regions of the released Avena sativa OT3098 genome assembly v1. Eight new oligonucleotide (oligo) probes for sequential fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were designed and then applied for chromosome karyotyping on mitotic metaphase spreads of A. brevis, A. nuda, A. wiestii, A. ventricosa, A. fatua, and A. sativa species. We established a high-resolution standard karyotype of A. sativa based on the distinct FISH signals of multiple oligo probes. FISH painting with bulked oligos, based on wheat-barley collinear regions, was used to validate the linkage group assignment for individual A. sativa chromosomes. We integrated our new Oligo-FISH based karyotype system with earlier karyotype nomenclatures through sequential C-banding and FISH methods, then subsequently determined the precise breakage points of some chromosome translocations in A. sativa. Conclusions This new universal chromosome identification system will be a powerful tool for describing the genetic diversity, chromosomal rearrangements and evolutionary relationships among Avena species by comparative cytogenetic and genomic approaches.

Latin in modern ukrainian pharmaceutical terminology

Purpose of the research. The article analyzes the general state of the modern domestic pharmaceutical nomenclature system in order to identify the transformation processes taking place in it, determine the directions of development, and in particular the place and role of traditional Latin special terminology in it. Research methods are induction, deduction, descriptive, contextual-interpretive and component analysis methods. Scientific novelty. Considering the fact that such an analysis has not been carried out in Ukraine, this work will be useful for the specialists' understanding of the existing terminological problems and their further elimination. Conclusions. Despite the rapid expansion of the sphere of English language functioning, Latin traditionally remains the basis of international scientific terminology and specialized nomenclature codes, especially in medical and related branches of people’s activity. The fundamental study of the Latin language and the foundations of terminology is the key to professional terminological literacy of the future specialists – medical doctors and pharmacists.

A universal karyotypic system for hexaploid and diploid Avena species brings oat cytogenetics into the genomics era

Background The identification of chromosomes among Avena species have been studied by C-banding and in situ hybridization. However, the complicated results from several cytogenetic nomenclatures for identifying oat chromosomes are often contradictory. A universal karyotyping nomenclature system for precise chromosome identification and comparative evolutionary studies would be essential for genus Avena based on the recently released genome sequences of hexaploid and diploid Avena species. Results Tandem repetitive sequences were predicted and physically located on chromosomal regions of the Avena sativa genomes. Thirteen new oligonucleotide (oligo) probes for sequential fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were designed and then applied for chromosome karyotyping on mitotic metaphase spreads of eleven hexaploid and diploid Avena accessions. We established a high resolution standard karyotype of A. sativa based on the distinct FISH signals of multiple oligo probes. FISH painting with bulked oligos, based on wheat-barley collinear regions, was used to validate the linkage group assignment for individual A. sativa chromosomes. We integrated our new Oligo-FISH based karyotype system with earlier karyotype nomenclatures through sequential C-banding and FISH methods, then subsequently determined the precise breakage points of some chromosome translocations. Conclusion This new universal chromosome identification system will be a powerful tool for describing the genetic diversity, chromosomal rearrangements and evolutionary relationships among Avena species by comparative cytogenetic and genomic approaches.

DOMINO EFFECT: BORIS YELTSIN'S DECREE ON THE DE-PARTIZATION IN THE CHAIN OF THE COLLAPSE OF THE USSR

The purpose of the article is to clarify the place and role of the decree in the general course of the political process and highlight its direct consequences for the fate of the CPSU and the USSR. The scientific literature on the topic is analyzed. It is concluded that scientists draw a direct connection between the final events of the history of the USSR – Yeltsin's decree about departisation, degradation of the CPSU, resistance to the Emergency Committee and the liquidation of the CPSU / USSR. The author describes the stages of the personnel actions of Gorbachev and Yeltsin. In his opinion, the nomenclature system was expected: «construction» of the elite (1985–1987), elections in the party (1988–1990), elections in the state (1989–1990), decree about departisation (1991). The decree is seen as the final stage in the denationalization of the party. The CPSU, having lost power and property, ceased to be a state. The content of the decree, the behavior of political actors in connection with its adoption and the political consequences of the decree are considered. In conclusion, it is concluded that the decree was a domino effect, a provocation to the instant collapse of the USSR.