Complete mitochondrial genomes of representatives of two endemic sculpin families (Perciformes: Cottoidei) from Baikal - the world's largest and deepest lake.

In this study, five new mitogenomes from four endemic Lake Baikal sculpins were determined: (Dybowski, 1874) (GB#MW732165), (Yakovlev, 1890) (GB#MW732163), and (Dybowski, 1874) (GB#MW732164) (Family Cottocomephoridae - Bighead sculpins), and from two specimens of Taliev, 1949 (GB##MW732166, MW732167) from Family Abyssocottidae (Deep-water sculpins). Together with recently published mitogenomes of Baikal Oilfishes (Sandel et al. 2017), the first mitogenome-based phylogenetic tree for all three endemic Baikal sculpin families is presented.

Uncovering molecular mechanisms of regulated cell death in the naked mole rat.

The naked mole rat (NMR), is the longest-living rodent species, and is extraordinarily resistant to cancer and aging-related diseases. The molecular basis for these unique phenotypic traits of the NMR is under extensive research. However, the role of regulated cell death (RCD) in the longevity and the protection from cancer in the NMR is still largely unknown.

Simulation of high-resolution x-ray zone plates.

A full-wave approach to quantitative characterization of x-ray zone plate lenses is proposed. Distributed focusing efficiency eta(z) of a multifocus optical element is defined as the energy flux through the Airy disk of a reference perfect lens with variable focal length z. Maxima of this function characterize diffraction efficiencies and spatial resolution of the zone plate foci.