A Meeting of the USSR Academy of Sciences Technology Division Bureau and Its Role in the History of Soviet Computer Engineering
The paper gives an account of a historicmeeting held by the governing body of the USSRAcademy of Sciences Technology Division, whosedecisions played a key role in the development of Sovietcomputer engineering.
Computers in Russia: science, education, and industry
The history of Russian computer development is described from the first experiments in 1948 to modern times. In the past decade (1989-99), in connection with the change in the general political situation-the disintegration of the Soviet Union into independent states and the economic crisis in Russia-the conditions have changed for scientific research and education in the field of computers. In connection with industrial recession, this branch of science suffered heavy damage, especially in areas associated with the military-industrial complex. Russian enterprises have sharply reduced their development of computers oriented to military-industrial use. The restrictions of the state budget on science have had an effect on scientific activity of state research institutes and higher educational establishments. There have been changes in the system of financing scientific organizations and educational establishments.
Toluene degradation via a unique metabolic route in indigenous bacterial species
Tanneries are the primary source of toluene pollution in the environment and toluene due to its hazardous effects has been categorized as persistent organic pollutant. Present study was initiated to trace out metabolic fingerprints of three toluene-degrading bacteria isolated from tannery effluents of Southern Punjab. Using selective enrichment and serial dilution methods followed by biochemical, molecular and antibiotic resistance analysis, isolated bacteria were subjected to metabolomics analysis. GC–MS/LC–MS analysis of bacterial metabolites helped to identify toluene transformation products and underlying pathways. Three toluene-metabolizing bacteria identified as Bacillus paralicheniformis strain KJ-16 (IUBT4 and IUBT24) and Brevibacillus agri strain NBRC 15538 (IUBT19) were found tolerant to toluene and capable of degrading toluene. Toluene-degrading potential of these isolates was detected to be IUBT4 (10.35 ± 0.084 mg/h), IUBT19 (14.07 ± 3.14 mg/h) and IUBT24 (11.1 ± 0.282 mg/h). Results of GC–MS analysis revealed that biotransformation of toluene is accomplished not only through known metabolic routes such as toluene 3-monooxygenase (T3MO), toluene 2-monooxygenase (T2MO), toluene 4-monooxygenase (T4MO), toluene methyl monooxygenase (TOL), toluene dioxygenase (Tod), meta- and ortho-ring fission pathways. But additionally, confirmed existence of a unique metabolic pathway that involved conversion of toluene into intermediates such as cyclohexene, cyclohexane, cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol. LC–MS analysis indicated the presence of fatty acid amides, stigmine, emmotin A and 2, 2-dinitropropanol in supernatants of bacterial cultures. As the isolated bacteria transformed toluene into relatively less toxic molecules and thus can be preferably exploited for the eco-friendly remediation of toluene.