Vol 28, No 3 (2025)

Based on observations of mother – newborn pairs (n=16), the author describes the nature of the spotted seal (larga) first postnatal molt: its timing, duration and sequence. Juvenile hair loss (lanugo) begins 18–27 days after birth and coincides with the end of lactation, when the pup subcutaneous fat layer thickness reaches its maximum. First, pups lose hair covering the snout, flippers and tail, and then on the body. The molting process lasts 5–6 days and ends with the complete hair loss. The molting topography for normally developed and retarded pups is different. In malnourished puppies, the molting process is disrupted as a result of the animal’s exhaustion and painful condition. The molted pup hairline is indistinguishable from that of an adult seal, and the unique pattern on each seal’s skin remains throughout its life. Information on the pups’ fur coat condition and difference in the juveniles timing of molting can be useful in studying the local reproductive groups of seals intra-population structure.  

The purpose of the work is to consider complex ores (Fe, Au, Pt, Ag, REE) in the Proterozoic iron deposits in the JAR and compare them with the largest deposits of the IOCG type. The reserves and resources in the Jewish Autonomous region iron ore deposits, with an iron content of 35%, are equal to 3 billion tons. As for the related metals in the iron ores, the iron deposits in the region are similar to the Proterozoic copper-uranium giant Olympic Dam, with an iron content of 35%. The complex of valuable metals in it is superimposed on earlier iron ores. The second model type of Proterozoic IOCG deposits is a giant Bayan Obo rare earth metal deposit in China. In the ores of the iron deposits of the Jewish
Autonomous Region, gold and platinum amount to 0.5–1 g/t. The iron ore deposits in the Jewish Autonomous region, with significant concentrations of precious metals, represent the IOCG deposits new third type. 

The article presents the main stages of the solid-phase extraction process as a method of sample preparation of natural thermal and mineral cold waters for subsequent instrumental analysis of medium volatility organic matter by gas chromatography, in combination with mass spectrometry. The use of standard polypropylene cartridges, equipped with frits, has a high risk of the extract contamination with adventitious impurities, which appear as separate peaks on the chromatogram. The paper examines cartridges from two major manufacturers: DSC-18 Supelco and Strata C18-E Phenomenex. Dichloromethane (methylene chloride), used as an eluting solvent, reacts with the walls of the cartridge, resulted in the extraction of n-alkanes and siloxanes from the polypropylene the cartridge is made of. Replacing dichloromethane with methanol, on the one hand, helps to reduce or completely prevent the occurrence of this type of instrumental contamination, but, on the other hand, it carries the risk of ineffective extraction of non-polar organic compounds of medium volatility from the sorbent and causing damage to the capillary gas column, which is used in gas chromatography. The use of homemade glass cartridges, equipped with deactivated glass wool as frits, helps to avoid the above-mentioned disadvantages. Dichloromethane does not extract unwanted impurities from glass walls of homemade cartridges and successfully extracts non-polar and weakly polar organic compounds of medium volatility from the C18 sorbent. The natural water analyzes from a stagnant reservoir in the town of Birobidzhan, when using a homemade glass cartridge have shown in the extract a large number of various organic compounds (115 components) of bacterial and plant origin, with a complete absence of foreign impurities. The dominant compounds include terpenes, heteroaromatic hydrocarbons, oxygen-containing compounds and normal alkanes, the origin of which is associated with biogenic processes. The man-made pollution compounds are presented there by phthalic acid esters, with a relative content of about 9%.

Currently, most regions of the Russian Federation have trends towards a significant decrease in labor force, population aging, along with an increase in premature mortality. This situation predetermines the need in most effective use of labor resources and their reproduction available in the regions. This paper analyzes and assesses the current state and main trends of labor resources and employment in the Jewish Autonomous region. A comprehensive assessment of labor resources use efficiency in the Jewish Autonomous region is given based on the following key indicators: the labor resources average annual number dynamics; population distribution by age groups; the labor replacement rate dynamics; dynamics of the economically active population, both employed and unemployed; dynamics of the average annual  number of employees in organizations with a different type of ownership; the employed people number, structure and dynamics according to the type of economic activity, level of education, age and gender; individual indicators for labor market tension dynamics and those for the JAR population living standards. The conducted study covers the period of 2018–2023, which allows us to determine the main trends in the formation and development of labor resources in the region under study. The authors have identified the main problems and imbalances in the JAR labor market: labor force reduction for the entire period under study; a decrease in the employed population, including employed youth, caused by negative migration; the lack of highly qualified staff, both skilled workers and senior management personnel, etc. It has been concluded that without a current well-thought-out state policy in the sphere of labor market regulation and creating optimal conditions for employment in the Jewish Autonomous region, it is almost impossible to solve the problem of labor resources reduction and of personnel shortage. It is also necessary to conduct a more effective demographic policy. In addition, it is important to raise the workforce professionalism, improving the system of vocational education, training, retraining and advanced training.

The development of the Far East has a crucial role in ensuring the entire country economic growth, as this region possesses unique natural resources and potential for the development of the economy various sectors. However, despite these advantages, most subjects of the Far Eastern Federal District face problems related to the low self-sufficiency of their budgets. There are many reasons for this, but the authors primarily highlight a weak district infrastructure, which limits the regions’ ability to develop industry and improve the population quality of life. The uneven socio-economic level of the regions also affects the budget system development. Having determined this level, it is possible to group regions according to the degree of their socio-economic development and identify the common features to implement the budgetary policy. The authors have reviewed the income and expenses for some of the Far Eastern regions. In addition, it has been given the structure of income generation and highlighted general directions of the budget expenditure share. Thus, regions with a high level of socio-economic development, as a rule, have more stable budget system, less dependence on federal transfers and greater ability to finance their own needs. At the same time, less developed regions require more active support from federal agencies and special programs to develop infrastructure and stimulate economic activity. The article provides general recommendations for the Far East to stabilize its budget system, reduce dependence on the government aid and equalize socio-economic differences between the regions by fulfilling the Federal District key tasks. 

The Dalselmash plant history began in 1935, when the wagon train plant workshops were built in very difficult conditions on the taiga and impassable marshes site. On January 1, 1938, the plant was put into operation. His first products were cartwheels and double-horse wagons. In 1939, production of PVE trailers with a lifting capacity of 2.8 tons began. By the beginning of the war, the wagon train plant had become one of the leading enterprises in the town. During the Great Patriotic War, most part of the plant products were sent to the army. In addition, for the front, the factory produced particularly strong boxes for laying shells and cartridges. The hulls of aerial bombs, shells, and mines were cast and processed. In the post-war years, the factory launched mass production of automobile and tractor trailers. In 1960 the RSFSR Council of Ministers transformed it by its decree into the Dalselkhozmash plant, later – Dalselmash, specializing in the production of tracked rice – and silage self-propelled combines. New agricultural machines began to be developed in the design bureau of the plant. Among them were the SKG-4 self-propelled rice harvester, the SKGS-2.6 silage harvester. They were supplied to the Far East and Siberia agricultural consumers, as well as to Ukraine, Kazakhstan, the Baltic States, other Union republics, and to many foreign countries. The company’s rise occurred in 1989, when the plant assembled and sold 3,700 grain and 650 tracked forage harvesters, as well as many spare parts. In 1991 Dalselmash produced 97% of all the country’s tracked combine harvesters. Due to the transition to a market economy, the company transformed into a production association and gradually began to lose its strength and former glory and in 1992 the production of forage harvesters was completely stopped.