Data on the breeding success of hybrids, obtained by means of direct observations in nature, are key to understanding reproductive barriers between species and predicting the fate of hybrid populations. Limited hybridization occurs in an emerging secondary contact zone between the Eurasian magpie Pica pica and Oriental magpie Pica serica. This was identified during our recent study of single nucleotide polymorphisms of nuclear DNA. Here we present comparative analysis of the composition of 119 breeding pairs and content of 89 nests, found in the zone of recent contact between P. pica leucoptera and P. serica jankowskii in Northeastern Mongolia and Eastern Transbaikalia, as well as in relatively pure populations in adjacent regions. In the Mongolian hybrid population we recorded higher proportions of completely non-viable clutches, as well as partially viable clutches, as compared to those of pure P. p. leucoptera or P. s. jankowskii populations. Hybridization seems less intensive in Eastern Transbaikalia, where the proportion of completely non-viable clutches, as well as the proportion of partly dead clutches, is much lower than in Mongolia. Several possible mechanisms of genetic incompatibilities and the breaking of the postzygotic isolation are discussed. The future fate of this hybrid contact zone is considered, taking into account selection against hybridization and possible reinforcement of prezygotic isolation, including differences in species-specific vocalizations. A mosaic hybrid zone with features of a “tension hybrid zone” may develop here. This unique observation of an emerging zone of contact and hybridization of two young magpie species deserves ongoing monitoring and genomic studies.

Film structures based on Si1–xGex (0 < x < 1) solid solutions are currently obtained by chemical-vapor-deposition methods. For device application of the obtained structures, it is necessary to know the electrical properties of the material synthesized under different conditions. In this work, we carry out galvanomagnetic studies of the electrical conductivity in porous and solid Si1–xGex films, as well as the concentration and mobility of the majority charge carriers in them at a temperature of 30–300 K. It is shown that, as in pure silicon and germanium of comparable porosity, the electrical conductivity in the studied samples can be considered as in a medium with voids. It is established that the type of majority charge carriers in the alloy is determined by the type of silicon substrate used. This is practically important for creating both arms of a thermoelectric converter, which makes the method for producing Si1–xGex(0 < x < 1) alloy promising for device applications, in particular in thermoelectric converters and lithium-ion batteries.

Using solid-phase and molecular-beam epitaxy methods at 350°C, polycrystalline and epitaxial films of iron monosilicide (FeSi) with a thickness of 3.2 to 20.35 nm were grown on a Si(111) substrate, which was confirmed by X-ray diffraction data. Morphological studies have shown that the films are continuous and smooth with a root-mean-square roughness of 0.4–1.1 nm when grown by solid-phase epitaxy, and in the case of molecular beam epitaxy, they have an increased roughness and consist of coalesced grains with sizes up to 1 μm and a puncture density up to 1 × 107 cm–2. In solid-phase epitaxy, an increase in thickness leads to incomplete silicide formation and the appearance of a layer of disordered iron monosilicide with a thickness of 10 to 20 nm. This is confirmed by a change in the temperature dependence of resistivity ρ from semiconductor to semi-metallic and a decrease in resistivity by one and a half to two times. The nonmonotonic nature of the temperature dependence of the resistivity ρ ultrathin FeSi film with a thickness of 3.2 nm has been established, in which a maximum at 230–240 K, a region of growth from 160 to 65 K with Eg = 14.8 meV and further growth without saturation to a temperature of 1.5 K are observed. With increasing thickness of FeSi films grown by molecular-beam epitaxy, the minimum and maximum are not observed, but the tendency of nonmonotonic growth of ρ(T) with decreasing temperature and the opening of the band gap Eg = 23 meV remains. The probable reasons for the occurrence of effects in the dependences ρ(T) are considered. In ultrathin and thin FeSi films grown by solid-phase and molecular-beam epitaxy, respectively, an anomalous Hall effect was found, which was confirmed by the weak ferromagnetic properties of the films. The results obtained proved the possibility of growing and controlling the properties of ultrathin and thin FeSi films on silicon obtained by solid-phase and molecular-beam epitaxy, which ensured the appearance of their unique transport and magnetic properties that are absent in single crystals.

Movement is a key means by which animals cope with variable environments. As they move, animals construct individual niches composed of the environmental conditions they experience. Niche axes may vary over time and covary with one another as animals make tradeoffs between competing needs. Seasonal migration is expected to produce substantial niche variation as animals move to keep pace with major life history phases and fluctuations in environmental conditions. Here, we apply a time-ordered principal component analysis to examine dynamic niche variance and covariance across the annual cycle for four species of migratory crane: common crane (Grus grus, n = 20), demoiselle crane (Anthropoides virgo, n = 66), black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis, n = 9), and white-naped crane (Grus vipio, n = 9). We consider four key niche components known to be important to aspects of crane natural history: enhanced vegetation index (resources availability), temperature (thermoregulation), crop proportion (preferred foraging habitat), and proximity to water (predator avoidance). All species showed a primary seasonal niche "rhythm" that dominated variance in niche components across the annual cycle. Secondary rhythms were linked to major species-specific life history phases (migration, breeding, and nonbreeding) as well as seasonal environmental patterns. Furthermore, we found that cranes' experiences of the environment emerge from time-dynamic tradeoffs among niche components. We suggest that our approach to estimating the environmental niche as a multidimensional and time-dynamical system of tradeoffs improves mechanistic understanding of organism-environment interactions.

Mg2Si film 350–600 nm thick was formed on Si(111) substrate by ultrafast reactive deposition of Mg. Then 10–15 nm thick films of FeSi or CrSi2 were grown as cover layers on Mg2Si by codeposition of Fe/Si or Cr/Si. In comparison with bare Mg2Si/Si film, the measured transparency losses in 0.1–1.1 eV range are ∼17–25 and 10–35

Continuous and porous films of Si _1-x Ge _x alloys with a germanium content of about 40 % and a thickness of 3–4 μ m formed on single-crystal silicon by electrochemical deposition into the porous silicon matrix with a subsequent rapid thermal annealing at a temperature of 950 ^∘ C have been investigated by the Raman scattering spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy methods. Based on the spectra in the Stokes and anti-Stokes frequency bands with the use of the Boltzmann statistics and the Fourier thermal conductivity law, the film thermal conductivity coefficients have been determined; their values are 7–9 and 3–6 W/(m K) for the continuous and porous films, respectively. The low thermal conductivity of the porous film is explained by an additional phonon scattering at a developed surface of pores. The possibility of application of such films in thermoelectric converters is provided by the simplicity and scalability of the procedure of alloy producing and its low thermal conductivity

Remote tracking of the White-Tailed Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) has not yet been carried out in Transbaikalia (Russia). Four juveniles from two nests (2+2) were tagged on 19/06/2020 in the Selenga River delta, Buryatia (about N 52.21; E 106.45) by GPS/GSM trackers. Tracker No.149 was lost during migration on 05/12/2020 in the western Khangai, Mongolia; No.158 was lost during the first wintering 03/01/2021 (most probable migration was unfinished); No.156, No.157 were lost during third wintering in February-March of 2023. In all cases the signal lost was due to transmitter failure. Data on two autumn migrations is incomplete due to poor tracker condition providing no signal for 3–15 days (No.156 in 2022, No.157 in 2021). Fledging occurred on average on 21/07 (July 15–28); the first short flights within 1 kilometer from the nest on 12/08 (06–21/08); first long flights over 10 km on 11/09 (02/09–02/10); last visit to the nest on 12/10 (06/09–13/11); start of fall migration on 27/10 (8/10–19/11), and its finish on 19/11 (27/10–28/12). The duration of fall migration varies from 14 to 19 days, but in one case No.158 stayed at the stopover site for 25 days, therefore this migration lasted 56 days. During the first fall, No.156 and 157 had 13 and 19 stops and spent there 72% and 68% of total migration time respectively; No.158 spent 85% of the time at 19 stops. The spring migration started on average on 16/03 (11/03–23/03) and finished on 06/04 (30/03–17/04); its duration varies from 10 to 35 days. During the spring migration in 2021 and 2022, No.156 and 157 had an average of 14 stops (9–17) and spent there an average of 78% of time (65–87%). The average speed of fall migration is 110.2 km per day (52–137), of spring migration is 148.7 km per day (63–221.4). Usually, the flight paths in the fall and spring are approximately the same. The total flyway corridor is up to 1,000 km wide within the range from western Khangai mountains to the center of the Gobi Desert. The main flyway is about 300–450 km wide and passes through the Khangai, Mongolian Altai, and Nanshan mountains. The route in total is slightly curved in the western direction as birds try to avoid Gobi Desert. Usually, they cross comparatively narrow 450–500 km wide western margins of the Gobi. But eagles can also migrate using the shortest direct path, crossing about 650–800 km of central Gobi; they use this way only during autumn migration (5 autumn routes over eastern Gobi and 3 over central Gobi for No.156–158). The total length of the routes (without local movement on the migratory stopover sites) varies from 2,333 km (straight path) to 2,934 km (westward curved path). The wintering sites are located in the upper reaches of the Yellow River basin on the eastern fringes of the Tibetan Plateau, China. The No.156 and No.157 consistently returned to the same individual sites for three years: No.157 on the Datun River (about N 37.3; E 101.8); No.156 at two sites in 500–600 km southward of No.157: on the Jiaomuzu River (N 32.01; E 102.02) and Baihe River (N 32.9; E 102.67) about 90 km apart from each other. The No.158 was lost on the Yellow River (about N 34.4; E 101.12) after three days there. Additionally, one juvenile ringed on the Selenga River delta on 18/06/2018 was registered on 24/01/2021 in the upper stream of the Yellow River (N 38.58; E 106.54). The area of the individual wintering range shrinks year by year because the birds explore the territory more in the first years, then they use optimal locations. The home range (more 90% of wintering time) of No.157 were 83.5 km2 in 2020/2021, 63 in 2021/2022, 31.8 in 2022/2023; shrunk by 62% (24% between first and second winter, and 49% between second and third). Area of the first wintering site of No.156 was 525.5 km2 in 2020/2021, and 174.3 km2 in 2021/2022 (shrunk by 66%); the second site was 175 km2 in 2020/2021, 153.7 km2 in 2021/2022 (shrunk by 12%); no exact data for the third winter due to poor transmitter work. The wintering sites on Jiaomuzu and Baihe Rivers are sparsely populated by humans, nearby territories are used as pastures for yaks. The site on Datun River is more densely populated, banks of the river are used as agricultural fields. In daytime the birds stay mainly on the rivers for feeding and they use forest areas or single trees on the river valleys for overnight stay and sometimes for daytime rest; White-Tailed Sea Eagles do not visit agricultural fields or rest on power lines. In summer, eagles have always inhabited the Selenga River delta. In one case No.157 flew to Ilga River on the western side of Baikal Lake in 2021. Similar to winter ranges, summer ranges were smaller in 2022 than in 2021: the No.156 occupied 1,469.9 km2 in 2021, and 881.6 km2 in 2022 (shrunk by 40%); the No.157 occupied 18,558.4 km2 in 2021, 1,844.1 km2 in 2022 (shrunk by 90%).

In the years 2017–2020, 104 young or adult Demoiselle Cranes ( Anthropoides virgo ) were tracked with GPS-GSM transmitters in Ukraine, Russia, and Kazakhstan. Eight flyways from different parts of the Demoiselle Crane distribution range were specified, with key areas for each flyway identified. In the European part of the range, cranes from different breeding groups followed two flyways using the same route in the fall and spring. The Azov–Black Sea breeding group wintered in Chad, while the Caspian, Volga–Ural, and Cis-Ural breeding groups spent winters in Sudan. Demoiselle Cranes from the Asian part of the range excluding the Trans-Urals carried out a circular migration. In the fall, they used six main flyways to northwestern India arriving there from the north, northeast, and east. In the spring, they flew firstly in a narrow front to the western tip of the Tien Shan Mountains, and then flew out like a fan to the north, northeast, and east. At wintering grounds and summer gatherings, gene flow can occur between cranes of different breeding groups. The migration period consisted of two stages: trophic, when cranes accumulate energy resources, and transit, when they make a long active flight without replenishing energy reserves. Fall migration took place over a short time. With migration route lengths totaling 2170 to 5600 km, the distance of the transit migration varied from 1900 to 4600 km, and their duration lasted from seven to 13 days. This is obviously a period that the Demoiselle Crane is capable of overcoming without essential replenishment of the energy costs, due to the resources accumulated before starting the transit migration. The spring migration of adults was more extended, with shorter daily flights and a longer rest at transit migratory stopovers, this probably being necessary to save energy before the breeding period. Some young cranes returned to their places of birth with their parents in the spring, while others made a transit flight to the first places of a long trophic migratory stopovers located in the southern part of the steppe zone. Some of them spend the whole summer in these territories, while others gradually move to their birthplaces, arriving 1–1.5 months later than adults do. Some young birds visit their birthplaces only after the second winter. Young birds from Transbaikalia and probably from the Altai and Khakassia made two transit flights with a long rest approximately in the middle of the flyway.

Сплошные и пористые плёнки сплавов Si1-xGex с содержанием германия около 40 % и толщиной 3-4 мкм, сформированные на монокристаллическом кремнии методом электрохимического осаждения германия в матрицу пористого кремния с последующим быстрым термическим отжигом при температуре 950 °C, исследованы методами спектроскопии комбинационного рассеяния света (КРС), оптической спектроскопии и сканирующей электронной микроскопии. На основе спектров, снятых в стоксовой и антистоксовой областях частот с использованием статистики Больцмана и закона теплопроводности Фурье, определены коэффициенты теплопроводности плёнок, которые составляют 7-9 и 3-6 Вт / (м ⋅ К) для сплошной и пористой плёнок соответственно. Низкая теплопроводность пористой плёнки объясняется дополнительнымфононным рассеянием на развитой поверхности пор. Перспективность применения таких плёнок в термоэлектрических преобразователях обеспечивается простотой и масштабируемостью способа изготовления сплава, а также его низкой теплопроводностью. Solid and porous films of the Si 1-xGex alloys with a germanium content of about 40% and a thickness of 3-4 μm, formed on single-crystal silicon by electrochemical deposition of germanium into a porous silicon matrix followed by rapid thermal annealing at a temperature of 950 °C, are studied by Raman spectroscopy, optical spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Based on the Raman spectra taken in the Stokes and anti-Stokes frequency regions, using Boltzmann statistics and the Fourier thermal conductivity law, the thermal conductivity of the films is determined, which is found to be 7-9 and 3-6 W/(m×K) for a continuous and porous film, respectively. The low thermal conductivity of the porous film is explained by additional phonon scattering from the developed pore surface. The prospect of using such films in thermoelectric converters is ensured by the simplicity and scalability of the method for manufacturing the alloy, as well as its low thermal conductivity.

Continuous and porous films of Si(1-x)Ge(x )alloys with a germanium content of about40%and a thickness of 3-4 mu m formed on single-crystal silicon by electrochemical deposition in to the porous silicon matrix with a subsequent rapid thermal annealing at a temperature of 950(degrees)Chave been investigated by the Raman scattering spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy methods. Based on the spectra in the Stokes and anti-Stokes frequency bands with the use of the Boltzmann statistics and the Fourier thermal conductivity law, the film thermal conductivity coefficients have been determined; their values are 7-9 and 3-6 W/(m K) for the continuous and porous films, respectively. The low thermal conductivity of the porous film is explained by an additional phonon scattering at a developed surface of pores. The possibility of application of such films in thermoelectric converters is provided by the simplicity and scalability of the procedure of alloy producing and its low thermal conductivity

Ten juvenile Steppe Eagles (Aquila nipalensis) were tagged by GPS/GSM trackers as nestlings in Russian part of the transboundary Daurian steppe in south-east of Transbaikalia (Zabaykalsky Krai): 4 birds in 2019, and 6 in 2020. Additionally, one juvenile from the same population, (transmitter No. 079) was released from rehabilitation center (Khailar City, Inner Mongolia, China) in August 2022; this bird successfully returned to the Khailar River in Chinese part of the Daurian steppe in 2023, where transmitter stopped working on 21/05/2023. Four birds tracked in Russia, successfully completed first autumn migration but later their signals were lost on wintering sites (No. 103, 106, 135, 152). The transmission from other eagles ceased at different stages of the first autumn migration: two on the northeastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau, one in the Lössov Plateau, one on the Qinllin Mountain Range, one 130 km east of the Taihanshan Range, and one on the northern edges of the Taihanshan Range. To our knowledge 4 birds died in agricultural fields in China, India, Nepal, and Myanmar presumably due to pesticide poisoning; 2 birds died of unknown causes; 5 transmitters broke down. Other possible causes of mass death of Steppe Eagles on wintering sites in India and Nepal are known from literature: diclofenac poisoning after feeding on carcasses of diseased livestock, and electrocution on power lines. The tracked eagles didn’t visit carcass disposal sites and landfills and didn’t perch on power lines. Although we don’t exclude possibility of eagles feeding on solitary dead cows away from disposal sites and landfills. Tracking revealed two wintering sites distant from each other by 1400 km: Nepal and contiguous areas of India (No. 103, 135, 152) and central Myanmar (No. 106, 079). The main part of the migration corridor is the same for both. The corridor is curved in an eastwards direction probably because eagles avoid migrating directly across the vast flat Mongolian steppe, they prefer to fly along mountain ranges where strong thermal streams exist, which are necessary to support the soaring flight of eagles. In the fall, eagles fly from Dauria southward along the Great Khingan mountains (some of them cross it), then turn southwestward to the north-eastern part of the Tibet Plateau. At this point, No. 135 crossed the Tibetan Plateau in a southeastern direction straight to Nepal, but all other eagles flew south over the eastern margins of the plateau to the border with Myanmar; and here the migration paths split: No. 079 and No. 106 continued in the same direction to wintering grounds in Myanmar, while No. 103 and No. 152 turned westward and moved along the Himalayan Mountains to wintering grounds in Nepal. Fall migration begun, on average, on 03/10 (15/09–15/10) and finished on 26/11 (11/11–17/12). Durations of autumn migration on the Nepal–Indian flyway was 49 and 74 days (No. 152, 103), No. 152 made 52 stops on which he spent 84% of migration time (data from other trackers are not detailed enough due to poor transmitting). Durations of fall migration on the Myanmar flyway (No. 106, 079) was 42 and 52 days, with 31 and 34 stops that covered 83% and 80% of migration time respectively. Total length of the Nepal–Indian flyway (No. 103, 135, 152) excluding local flights within stopover sites was on average 5323 km (4980–5618), speed on average 103.94 km per day (75.9–134.2). For the Myanmar flyway (No. 106, 079) length was 4300 km and 5609 km, average speed 82.6 km per day and 133.5 km per day. Only a single track of spring migration was acquired (No. 079): start on 27.03, finish on 18.05 (85 kilometers north of Hailar City), total duration of migration 52 days, length 4604 km, average speed 88.5 km per day, the bird made 21 stops and spent there 88% of migration time. Eagle No. 135 started wintering in northern India, 40 km from border with Nepal (E 79.76; N 28.87), but soon the bird was dead. Two eagles wintered in Nepal about 60 km from each other: No. 152 inhabited hillsides in the Rudi River basin (E 83.31; N 27.87), its main wintering range (where bird stayed about 80% of all wintering time) was 168.3 km2; No. 103 preferred various rivers and hillsides in Pokhara Valley (E 83.87; N 28.24), its main wintering range was 210.8 km2. Both birds spent most of the time on various hillsides and terrace farms within the region. Both wintering sites in Myanmar separated by about 340 km are situated within basin of the Irrawaddy River, mostly in the agricultural fields where the birds search for prey in daytime and spend overnight in hedgerows and sometimes in nearby forests. The main wintering range of No. 106 (E 95.88; N 23.82) was 448.74 km2 and of No. 079 (E 94.86; N 20.94) – 1106.1 km2.

The formation of thin films of indium antimonide on Si(111) from a stoichiometric mixture with a thickness of 32–48 nm was performed by solid-phase epitaxy (SPE) at a temperature of 320–380°C under ultrahigh vacuum conditions. It is shown that the use of an array of high-density InSb seed islands makes it possible to form a large-block epitaxial InSb film, while a solid-phase epitaxy from a mixture deposited on a clean surface produces a granular polycrystalline film. Based on the analysis of low energy electron diffraction patterns, X-ray diffraction data and Raman spectra, the stresses in the resulting films were determined: in the out of plane direction the films are weakly compressed by 0.1–0.14

Tens of thousands of demoiselle cranes' crossing the Himalayas to the Indian subcontinent have been reported for decades, but their exact spring migration route remained a mystery until our previous study found they made a detour in spring along the western edge of the Himalayas and crossed the Mongolian Plateau to their breeding areas based on satellite telemetry of 3 birds. To corroborate the loop migration pattern and explore whether demoiselle crane's loop migration route is shaped by time- and energy-minimization strategies in spring and autumn and how the temporal and spatial variation of environmental conditions contribute to crane's selection of migration routes, we tracked 11 satellite-tagged demoiselle cranes from their breeding area in China and Russia, simulated 2 pseudo migration routes, and then compared the environmental conditions, time, and energy cost between true and pseudo routes in the same season. Results show that demoiselles' spring migration obeyed time-minimization hypothesis, avoiding the colder Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, benefited by abundant food and higher thermal and orographic uplift along the route; autumn migration follows energy-minimization hypothesis with the shorter route. Our research will contribute to uncover the mechanical reasons why demoiselle crane avoids crossing the giant barrier of the Himalayas in spring, and shapes a loop migration route.

The article presents the first data on the genetic structure of the White-naped crane Antigone vipio , a rare migratory bird species of Northeast Asia. Based on the analysis of seven polymorphic microsatellite loci and full-lengh mitochondrial DNA Control Region sequencing (1132 bp), the genetic homogeneity of spatially separated western and eastern populations was established. The found high levels of observed ( H O = 0.696 ± 0.033) and expected ( H E = 0.707 ± 0.037) heterozygosity and haplotype diversity ( Hd = 0.973) of the White-naped crane were comparable to these parameters in wide-range crane species with a large population sizes. Lack of genetic differentiation by microsatellite loci ( F ST = 0.013, P = 0.369), the low level of genetic differences by the Control Region ( F ST = 0.041, P = 0.05), and generally low level of intraspecific spatial structuring in the White-naped crane by haplotypes and individual multilocus genotypes may be due to the absence of reproductive isolation between individuals from different populations and changes in the migration routes of immature birds.

A method using HPLC with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) is proposed and validated for quantitative determination of ubiquinone and ubiquinol in human blood plasma. Sample preparation used precipitation of proteins by a 1:1 mixture of i-PrOH–EtOAc. The investigated substances were analyzed on a Shimadzu 8040 triple quadrupole mass spectrometer in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode for the main molecular ions of ubiquinone (m/z 880.7) and ubiquinol (m/z 882.7) using electrospray ionization (ESI) in positive- ion mode. Chromatographic separation used a Luna C18 column (150 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) and gradient elution. Calibration curves showed a linear relationship in the concentration range 0.1 – 5 μg/mL. Validation of the proposed method confirmed its high sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and precision. The method was successfully applied for determining ubiquinone and ubiquinol in blood plasma of conditionally healthy volunteers.

Zones of secondary contact provide a good opportunity to investigate the origin and dynamics of reproductive isolation between related populations. We analyzed genetic and phenotypic patterns and gene flow between two subspecies of the Eurasian magpie Pica pica s.l. which recently came into contact after presumably long periods of isolation. We describe the distribution of subspecies in a young contact zone at Argun’ river basin in southern Siberia where populations occur in parapatry and an older hybrid population in eastern Mongolia. Based on genome-wide SNP data, we analyzed patterns and strength of gene flow between the subspecies. Our results indicate occasional hybridization with backcrossing and asymmetric introgression along a wide range in Transbaikalia and locally in eastern Mongolia. Males of P. p. jankowskii apparently exhibit higher dispersal ability towards the west compared to P. p. leucoptera (towards the east). The former occasionally migrates to eastern Mongolia and Transbaikalia where introgression of nuclear, but not mitochondrial DNA was evident. Bioacoustic investigations showed differences between the subspecies in speed and structure of vocalization. We discovered intermediate calls of hybrid magpies and bilingual birds alternating calls that are typical for the two taxa. Furthermore, we found dramatically decreased reproductive success in hybridogeneous populations. By complementing our results with established phylogeographic patterns of P. pica s.l. based on a mitochondrial marker sequence, and considering indications of sterility of hybrids in the contact zone, we propose to elevate the two corresponding subspecies to species level: P. pica for the western form and P. serica for the eastern form.

Using the EE0.6 molecular genetic sex marker, the gender of 155 chicks of a monogamous bird species, Demoiselle crane (Anthropoides virgo Linneaus, 1758), from the Azov-Black Sea, Caspian, Volga-Ural, Trans-Ural, Altai, Khakassian, and Transbaikal breeding groups was established. It was demonstrated that complete broods with two chicks represented by a male and a female were found more frequently than the broods with two chicks of the same sex. The broods in which both chicks were females prevailed over the broods out of two male chicks, although the differences were statistically insignificant. In total, out of 155 chicks, 69 males and 86 females were determined. Out of 112 chicks in the complete broods, 48 individuals were males and 64 were females. Despite a trend of female predominance among chicks in the total sample and in most breeding groups, the ratio of males and females in the Demoiselle crane offspring in general (0.445, P = 0.181) and in complete broods (0.429, P = 0.174) was parity, which reflects the adaptive and reproductive strategy of this monogamous bird species with a long life span.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including acetylsalicylic acid, can have a dose-dependent nephrotoxic effect. The study of the pharmacokinetics of acetylsalicylic acid products will contribute to timely detection and correction of side effects caused by this medicinal product.The aim of the study was to evaluate potential nephrotoxic effects following a single oral administration of 75 mg of acetylsalicylic acid, based on the analysis of the pharmacokinetic parameters.Materials and methods: the study involved 24 healthy volunteers who received 75 mg of acetylsalicylic acid (tablets) once orally. The measurement of the active metabolite of acetylsalicylic acid—salicylic acid—in blood plasma was performed by HPLC/MS using an Agilent 1200 liquid chromatography system coupled to an Agilent 6140 tandem mass spectrometer. Agilent Eclipse XDB-C18 column (4.6 mm×150 mm; 5.0 μm) was used for chromatographic separation. The test procedure used in the study was validated. The results obtained were used to calculate the pharmacokinetic parameters: Cmax (maximum concentration), Tmax (time to maximum concentration), T1/2 (half-life of the drug), AUC0-t (area under the pharmacokinetic curve from 0 to the last time point of the curve), AUC0-∞ (total area under the pharmacokinetic curve from 0 to ∞), MRT (mean residence time of the drug in the blood), Kel (elimination rate constant), Cl/F (total clearance), Vd/F (apparent volume of distribution). The Statistics (22.0.0.0) software was used for statistical processing of the results.Results: T1/2 of salicylic acid in blood plasma was determined to be 1.6 ± 0.5 h, Cmax was 4523.0 ± 725.0 ng/mL, and Tmax was 0.98 ± 0.4 h. AUC0–t was equal to 16183.0 ± 3823.0 ng×h/m, Vd/F was 12.0 ± 3.1 L/kg, and MRT was 2.9 ± 0.6 h.Conclusions: the analysis of the pharmacokinetic parameters demonstrated a high absorption rate, intensive distribution, and moderate elimination rate of salicylic acid (the main metabolite of acetylsalicylic acid), indicating a low risk of nephrotoxic effects associated with the studied dose of the drug.

The Falcated Duck Mareca falcata, which is considered Near Threatened by IUCN, winters almost exclusively in East Asia, with greatest numbers occurring in the Yangtze River floodplain and along the coasts of eastern China. Given gaps in knowledge of its distribution and population status, we combined tracking studies, winter surveys and expert knowledge, to revise the geographical definition of its summer range in eastern Russia, Mongolia and Japan, and the main wintering range in China, South Korea, Japan and India. Data from six tagged individuals tracked on migration between their wintering and breeding grounds, combined with a single ring recovery, indicated that Falcated Ducks wintering in the Yangtze River migrate via the Northeast China Plain to breed over an extensive area in eastern Russia and northeast China. However, in the absence of telemetry data from birds wintering in the Indian sub-continent, Japan and the Korean Peninsula, we cannot yet define a flyway structure for the species. Mid-winter field surveys of Yangtze River floodplain wetlands in January 2004/05, 2015/16 and 2019/20 showed Falcated Ducks to be widely distributed, with 17 key sites supporting > 93% of the total wintering numbers counted in the region. Falcated Ducks in the Yangtze River floodplain increased from c. 15,000 counted in winter 2004/05, to c. 40,000 in 2015/16, and 88,000 in 2019/20, ascribed to a combination of improved survey coverage as well as increases in local abundance (based on sequential counts at key sites in 2004/05, 2015/16 and 2019/20). Coastal surveys undertaken in eastern China in winters 2003/04-2006/07 identified two key sites, which together supported 84.9% of the 14,904 individuals recorded. Between 2015/16 and 2019/20, abundance at these two sites had declined by 78.8% and 99.4%, respectively, likely attributable to habitat loss through land reclamation during that period. More telemetry research, combined with comprehensive surveys of wintering, stopover and breeding sites is required to improve our understanding of migratory connectivity and the major migration routes of this species. The wide distribution of Falcated Duck also requires further comprehensive surveys in other wintering areas (e.g. central China and along the eastern coasts of China) to track changes in local abundance within its winter quarters, which in turn should confirm whether increases in abundance in the Yangtze River floodplain reflect an increase or a redistribution of the population. Long-term monitoring and sympathetic management of key staging and wintering sites used by the Falcated Duck in China, and across the rest of its range, are also required to ensure the efficacy of conservation measures for the long-term survival of the species.