Image of Russia in French-Language Comics

This article initiates research on the representation of Russia in French comic books. From 1849 to the present about 400 volumes have been published. In this paper, the notion “comics about Russia” include: a) a book of comics in which the action takes place either in the tsarist Russia, the USSR or contemporary Russia, b) a book in which a character or a place of the above period are involved. After an overview of the types of books and genres of comics about Russia (documentary, historical, adventure, science fiction, comical, as well as literary adaptations), an analysis of the visual aspect of comic books, mainly the covers, is given. Such recurring elements as snow, red color, five-pointed star, trains, blood, weapons, beautiful girls, ugly old ladies, and old cars are considered. We discuss the reasons for the practical absence of such stereotypes as black caviar, bears and some others. Then we analyze the role of the Russian language in the realization of the image of Russia, on the example of borrowed words, toponyms, anthroponyms, and utterances. Сyrillic, transliterated text and insertion of certain letters from Cyrillic into Latin are examined, as well as the presence or absence of translation and its correctness. The author underlines cases in which nonexistent toponyms, names and surnames, remotely resembling Russian words, are used. The question is whether such errors are accidental or indicate the authors' evident lack of interest in the adequate depiction of the reality. At the end of the paper the author proposes a frame for the analysis of any comic book about Russia. Apart from the mentioned above, this frame takes into account such aspects as characteristics of the "Russian" personages and their actions. Hopefully, the frame will make it possible to observe the evolution of the image of Russia, the link between stereotypes and the type of comic book as well as to compare the same image in French mass-media, literature, and movies. In the future we would like to find out whether the use of these stereotypes comes from the authors' insufficient knowledge of the Russian reality, or from their intention to create and reinforce the existing stereotypical image of this country.

A draft genome, resequencing, and metabolomes reveal the genetic background and molecular basis of the nutritional and medicinal properties of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl)

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) is a popular fruit and medicinal plant. Here, a high-quality draft genome of the E. japonica ‘Big Five-pointed Star’ cultivar that covers ~98% (733.32 Mb) of the estimated genome size (749.25 Mb) and contains a total of 45,492 protein-coding genes is reported. Comparative genomic analysis suggests that the loquat genome has evolved a unique genetic mechanism of chromosome repair. Resequencing data from 52 loquat cultivars, including 16 white-fleshed and 36 yellow-fleshed variants, were analyzed, and the flower, leaf, and root metabolomes of ‘Big Five-pointed Star’ were determined using a UPLC-ESI-MS/M system. A genome-wide association study identified several candidate genes associated with flesh color in E. japonica, linking these phenotypes to sugar metabolism. A total of 577 metabolites, including 98 phenolic acids, 95 flavonoids, and 28 terpenoids, were found, and 191 metabolites, including 46 phenolic acids, 33 flavonoids, and 7 terpenoids, showed no differences in concentration among the leaves, roots, and flowers. Candidate genes related to the biosynthesis of various medicinal ingredients, such as phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids, and polysaccharides, were identified. Some of these genes were confirmed to be members of expanding gene families, suggesting that the high concentrations of beneficial metabolites in loquat may be associated with the number of biosynthetic genes in this plant. In summary, this study provides fundamental molecular insights into the nutritional and medical properties of E. japonica.

MONGOLS "IMAGINARY HERALDIC" IN FRENCH MEDIEVAL MINIATURES

The study of images is the path leading to an understanding of the value system of medieval man. If in the study of Christian ideas about the Mongols, historical and literary works were given some attention, then iconographic documents were often used only as illustrations to the text and were considered as something secondary. One of the poorly studied topics is the study of «imaginary heraldry», which was given to the Mongols by French miniaturists of the XIV-XV centuries. The research is based on the approach of the American art critic, M. A. Camillus, which involves the study not of what was «really», but of what was brought into the situation described by medieval scribes. The model of our analysis of the content of miniatures is based on the methodology of the German researcher Erwin Panofsky, according to which the analysis of miniatures takes place in three stages: 1) pre-iconographic description; 2) iconographic analysis; 3) iconological interpretation. Our research is based on French manuscripts containing images of the Mongols with various heraldic symbols, written evidence, numismatic and cartographic sources. During the work, it was noted that the Mongolian heraldry is presented in the format of shields and banners. Each element has its own color – red, orange, blue, yellow. The following heraldic signs were identified: a dragon, a six-pointed star, a crescent, a two-pronged tamga, a «king's head», lilies, a «star of David», various geometric shapes of figures, etc. It was also determined that the image of heraldic symbols on the miniatures carries a certain symbolism – social and ethnic. With the help of «imaginary heraldry», Christian miniaturists defined the place of the Mongols in the social stratigraphy or emphasized ethnicity.

Sulphur-Bridged BAl5S5+ with 17 Counting Electrons: A Regular Planar Pentacoordinate Boron System

At present, most of the reported planar pentacoordinate clusters are similar to the isoelectronic substitution of CAl5+, with 18 counting electrons. Meanwhile, the regular planar pentacoordinate boron systems are rarely reported. Hereby, a sulphur-bridged BAl5S5+ system with a five-pointed star configuration and 17 counting electrons is identified at the global energy minimum through the particle-swarm optimization method, based on the previous recognition on bridged sulphur as the peripheral tactics to the stable planar tetracoordinate carbon and boron. Its outstanding stability has been demonstrated by thermodynamic analysis at 900 K, electronic properties and chemical bonding analysis. This study provides adequately theoretical basis and referable data for its experimental capture and testing.

COINS OF PANTICAPAEUM AND PHANAGORIA OF THE 3rd QUARTER OF THE 1st CENTURY BCE AS A SOURCE OF HISTORICAL INFORMATION

Статья посвящена оболам, тетрахалам и дихалкам чекана Пантикапея и Фанагории с бюстами Аполлона в лавровом венке, бородатого Геракла, а также Ники с шестиконечной звездой с длинными лучами на аверсе и с изображениями стрелы, лиры и пальмовой ветви, пасущегося пегаса, лука с горитом или со стрелой, лавровой ветви, перевитой лентой, палицы и львиной шкуры, а также проры корабля на реверсе. Их общепринятая классификация до сих пор не разработана, а потенциал как источника исторической информации не раскрыт. Решаем эту задачу, основываясь на результатах иконографического анализа. Выделяем в первую серию оболы со стрелой, лирой и пальмовой ветвью и тетрахалки с пасущимся пегасом на реверсе, выбитые на монетах Асандра. Судя по митридатидской символике, их отчеканили при Скрибонии. После его свержения в Пантикапее были выпущены тетрахалки с горитом и луком и дихалки с палицей и львиной шкурой на реверсе. Относим эти монеты ко второй серии Пантикапея. В Фанагории в период восстания чеканили тетрахалки с пальмовой ветвью. Выделяем их во вторую серию Фанагории. А после победы инсургентов выпустили тетрахалки с луком и стрелой на реверсе. Относим их к третьей серии Фанагории. Судя по разнообразию символики монет, после гибели Скрибония Боспорское государство распалось. В начале правления Полемона I в Пантикапее и в Фанагории были отчеканены однотипные тетрахалки с бюстом Аполлона на аверсе и с пророй корабля на реверсе, что свидетельствует о восстановлении единства государства. Относим эти монеты к третьей серии Пантикапея и четвертой серии Фанагории. Как видим, привлекшие наше внимание монеты как нельзя лучше проиллюстрировали события, произошедшие на Боспоре в последней трети I в. до н.э. The article focuses on the obols, tetrachalkoi and dichalkoi of the Panticapaeum and Phanagoria mints with busts of Apollo in a laurel wreath, bearded Hercules as well as Nike with six-pointed star with long rays on the obverse and with images of an arrow, lyre and palm branch, grazing Pegasus, bow with gorytos or laurel branch, intertwined with ribbon, club and lion’s skin, as well as ship’s prora on the reverse. Their generally accepted classification has not yet been developed, and their potential as a source of historical information has not been revealed. We solve this problem based on the results of iconographic analysis. In the first series, we single out obols with an arrow, lyre and palm branch and tetrachalkoi with a grazing Pegasus on the reverse, embossed on Asander’s coins. Judging by the Mithridatidic symbolism, they were minted in the time of Scribonius. After his overthrow in Panticapaeum, tetrachalkoi with gorytos and a bow and dichalkoi with club and lion’s skin on the reverse were issued. We attribute these coins to the second series of Panticapaeum. In Phanagoria during the period of the uprising, tetrachalkoi with a palm branch were minted. We select them in the second series of Phanagoria. And after the victory of the insurgents, they fired tetrachalkoi with a bow and arrow on the reverse. We attribute them to the third series of Phanagoria. Judging by the variety of coin symbols, after the death of Scribonius, the Bosporus state collapsed. At the beginning of the reign of Polemon I, in Panticapaeum and in Phanagoria, the same type of tetrachalke with a bust of Apollo on the obverse and with ship’s prora on the reverse were minted, which testifies to the restoration of the unity of the state. We attribute these coins to the third series of Panticapaeum and the fourth series of Phanagoria. As we can see, the coins that attracted our attention perfectly illustrated the events that took place in the Bosporus in the last third of the 1st century BCE.

A draft genome at chromosome level and metabolomes of leave, root and flowers provide insights into the molecular basis of medicinal ingredients of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl)

Eriobotrya japonica, commonly called loquat, is a type of fruit and a famous traditional Chinese medicinal material. Here, a high-quality draft genome of the E. japonica cultivar, Big Five-pointed Star, containing 733.32 million bases (Mb) covering approximately 98% of estimated whole genome size (749.25 Mb) is reported. A total of 45,492 protein-coding genes were predicted. Meanwhile, metabolomes of flower, leave and root of this loquat variety were also determined by UPLC-ESI-MS/M system. 577 metabolites were determined in total, including 98 phenolic acids, 95 flavonoids, 33 alkaloids, 28 terpenoids, one steroids. The accumulation difference of these metabolites among leaf, flower and root of loquat were also clarified. Based on KEGG annotation, genes related to the biosynthesis of medicinal ingredients including some flavonoids and terpenoids were identified. Overall, this study provides global fundamental molecular insights into the medical biology of Eriobotrya japonica.

Symbols of the Dyukovsky Park constructions in Odessa. Heritage of the 1950s agricultural exhibition.

Purpose. The research is devoted to the analysis of the agricultural exhibition pavilions symbolism in Dyukovsky Park in Odessa in 1950s years. Methodology. Field study and bibliographic research, synthesis and analysis, historical method, and method of analogies are used in that work. Results. The stages of Dyukovsky Park formation have been studied, from the Duke de Richelieu, which gave the name to the park, dacha creation to the active construction and landscaping of the park in the XX century. In particular, from the symbolism point of view, the architectural and artistic decor of the agricultural exhibition pavilions of the 1950s years is analyzed. These are: a pavilion of Vegetable growing which is crowned by layers of wheat and a 5-pointed star (the first place in the wheat export); the pavilion of the Textile Industry and other goods decorated with jugs and towels with symbols of fertility and abundance; the pavilion of the Vinery State Farms with plant motifs and the Fish Pavilion with high reliefs of fish, anchors, ship noses and bas-reliefs of nets (active development of sea fishing). In general, the symbolism of all presented pavilions reflects the idea of wealth, prosperity and active development of the main directions of agriculture and industry of the country. For the first time, the architectural heritage of the agricultural exhibition, which is the compositional core of the Odessa Dyukovsky Park, is analyzed from the symbolism point of view. At the same time, the decoding of the semantic loads inherent in the architectural and artistic decor of the pavilions is correlated with the theme of the exhibition, as well as with the historical features of the construction period. Today, all buildings of the former exhibition pavilions are empty or are used as warehouses. Perhaps the analysis of the information code of these buildings will again attract the attention of the city authorities to the issues of reconstruction of the city's historical heritage, reviving it.