Russian State Agricultural University

About: Russian State Agricultural University is a education organization based out in Moscow, Russia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Biology. The organization has 80 authors who have published 61 publications receiving 446 citations.

PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF THE DEGREE OF NATURALIZATION IN SOME <i>EUONYMUS </i>SPECIES (CELASTRACEAE) IN CENTRAL PART OF EUROPEAN RUSSIA AND THE CAUCASUS: RESULTS AND FURTHER TRENDS

Abstract: The degree of naturalization of a number of the Euonymus species in the conditions of Central part of European Russia (for E. europaeus L., E. nanus M. Bieb., E. maackii Rupr. and E. pauciflorus Maxim.) and in the Caucasus (for E. japonicus Thunb and E. fortunei (Turcz.) Hand-Mazz.) is analyzed. Critical analysis of the revealed data to establish that species run wild from the places of cultivation (old estate parks, gardens), for a long time are storring in abandoned estates, often give self-sowing and reproduce vegetatively (weed), occur in semi-natural and synanthropic habitats (forest belts and forest plantations, forest parks, near housing, roadsides); sometimes go into the forests. By the time of immigration, all species are neophytes; according to the vector of invasion - by ergasiophytes; according to the degree of naturalization - colonophytes (most species) or even hemiepecophytes ( E. europaeus ); have the status of potentially invasive. The "success factors" of these species, largely related to the peculiarities of their biology, as well as the proximity of the boundaries of their natural ranges, are also considered. An increase in the degree of adaptation of certain species was noted when moving to more northern regions of the Center and North-West of European Russia, and therefore it is necessary to monitor the state of their populations.

Utilization of the Wastes of Mechanical Engineering and Metallurgy in the Process of Hardening and Restoration of Machine Parts. Part 1

Abstract: We present the results of analysis of the procedures of utilization of wastes accumulated in metallurgy, mechanical engineering, and civil engineering, as well as household wastes. Thus, we describe and analyze the principal directions of waste processing. We propose a classification of wastes according to the possibility of their application in the same production, time of their formation, and chemical composition. We discuss the main procedures used for the processing of metal wastes. The classical and promising technologies of utilization of wastes are analyzed. We also indicate that it is reasonable to use wastes that do not require metallurgical remelting and emphasize the necessity of development of the alternative methods of their utilization characterized by relatively low energy consumption, ecological safety, and the possibility of application in the technologies of manufacturing, hardening, and renovation of machine parts.

Utilization of the Wastes of Mechanical Engineering and Metallurgy in the Process of Hardening and Restoration of Machine Parts. Part 2

Abstract: We analyze the accumulated experience of application of the technologies of utilization of the wastes of machine-building and metallurgy. It is shown that the most promising directions of utilization of wastes are connected with the development of technologies combining the procedures of recycling with the processes of formation of the functional coatings intended for the restoration and hardening of machine parts. We also indicate the efficiency of the procedure of electroerosion dispersion of the wastes of conducting materials used to obtain nano- and micro-sized powders suitable for the deposition of functional coatings. It is shown that the electric-contact welding of the wastes of tool-making industry enables us to obtain functional coatings as a result of combination of the processes of recycling, hardening, and restoration of machine parts without their melting. We also propose the technology of hardening of the plane surfaces of working elements of the agricultural equipment by electric-contact welding of the wastes of tool steel, which makes it possible to make their service life 1.8–2.0 times longer as compared with the service life of new commercially produced working tools.

Beef Production Efficiency Gains through Commercial Herd Crossbreeding

Abstract: The objective of the work was to study the beef production efficiency through intensive rearing and fattening of Simmental and crossbred bull calves. The bull calves were divided into three groups of 15 animals each in order to carry out the survey. The first (control) group involved purebred Simmental bull calves. The second group consisted of young stock produced via crossbreeding Simmental cows with German Simmental beef bulls. The third group was formed from crosses of Simmental cows with Charolais bulls. The animals of the second and third groups were characterized by lower feed costs per 1 kg liveweight gain, comprising 8.5 and 8.1 EFU, respectively, while the feed utilization efficiency for the bull calves of the first group comprised 8.7 EFU. These factors affected the profitability of beef production. Thus, the level of profitability of rearing the Charolais crosses reached 20.7%, which was 6.8 and 3% higher than that in the bull calves of groups one and two, respectively. Fattening to the age of 18 months contributed to a significant increase in the carcass fat mass. Therefore, the protein-to-fat ratio comprised 1 : 084, 1 : 0.75, and 1 : 068 for the groups in ascending order of their numbers. Under intensive rearing and fattening systems, Simmental bull calves of group one gained the target beef quality up to the age of 15 months. The practice of fattening the crossbred bull calves of groups two and three up to the age of 18 months has proved that their meat gains the target protein-to-fat ratio, while the meat of bull calves of the maternal breed should be considered over-fat beef, since the fat content exceeds the standard recommendations. The intensive system of rearing and fattening the Simmental bull calves up to the age of 15 months and the Simmental crosses with the German Simmental beef breed and the Charolais breed up to the age of 18 months can ensure the production of heavy carcasses with the target quality beef.

Evaluation of Peat Stability Under Various Temperature and Moisture Conditions

Abstract: The study explores relationships between the peat decomposition rate and moisture-temperature conditions. Decomposition was evaluated through studying microbial production of CO2 and CH4. Decomposition of the original peat substrate (peat) was compared to one of the peat-sand mixture from 5 year old urban lawn (mixture). In the research the CO2 and CH4 emissions were studied under following temperatures and moisture conditions: temperature – 5 °C, 10 °C, 15 °C и 40 °C and moisture – 30%, 60%, 120%, 300%. The obtained results showed significant correlations between moisture and temperature conditions and CO2 and CH4 emissions. Differences of moisture and temperature impacts on the soil organic carbon (SOC) decomposition in the peat and peat-sand mixtures were observed as well. The CO2 emissions from the peat-sand mixture were higher compared to the peat, whereas SOC content in both substrates was similar.