Electric-field-induced monoclinic phase in (Ba,Sr)TiO3_3 thin film

We have studied electric-field-induced symmetry lowering in the tetragonal (001)-oriented heteroepitaxial (Ba$_{0.8}$Sr$_{0.2}$)TiO$_3$ thin film deposited on (001)MgO substrate. Polarized micro-Raman spectra were recorded from the film area in between two planar electrodes deposited on the film surface. Presence of \textit{c}-domains with polarization normal to the substrate was confirmed from polarized Raman study under zero field, while splitting and hardening of the \textit{E}(TO) soft mode and polarization changes in the Raman spectra suggest monoclinic symmetry under external electric field

The nature of the ferromagnetic ground state in the Mn4 molecular magnet

Using ab initio band structure and model calculations we studied magnetic properties of one of the Mn$_4$ molecular magnets (Mn4(hmp)6), where two types of the Mn ions exist: Mn3+ and Mn2+. The direct calculation of the exchange constants in the GGA+U approximation shows that in contrast to a common belief the strongest exchange coupling is not between two Mn3+ ions (J_{bb}), but along two out of four exchange paths connecting Mn3+ and Mn2+ ions (J_{wb}). The microscopic analysis performed within the perturbation theory allowed to establish the mechanism for this largest ferromagnetic exchange constant. The charge ordering of the Mn ions results in the situation when the energy of the excited state in the exchange process is defined not by the large on-site Coulomb repulsion U, but by much smaller energy V, which stabilizes the charge ordered state. Together with strong Hund's rule coupling and specific orbital order this leads to a large ferromagnetic exchange interaction for two out of four Mn2+ --Mn3+ pairs.Comment: 12 pages, 10 figure

Sepsis and apoptosis

The article provides an overview of the current knowledge about the immune response in sepsis. Sepsis occurs on a background of development as a systemic inflammatory response, and immunosuppression phenomena. Dysfunction of the immune system is one of the most important parts of the pathophysiology and compulsory process. One of the immunosuppression mechanisms in sepsis is lymphocyte apoptosis. The article describes the main activation pathway of this process including those in neonatal sepsis

IMPACT OF FLAGSHIP ENTERPRISES ON TERRITORIAL PRODUCTIVITY: AN ECONOMETRIC ANALYSIS AT THE MUNICIPALITIES’ LEVEL

The article considers the direct and indirect influence of flagship enterprises on territorial productivity in the context of municipalities of three constituent entities of the Russian Federation. The authors suggest hypothesis that the presence of flagship enterprises affects positively on the level of territorial productivity. The paper  assumes that a number of socio-economic factors enhance the impact of flagship enterprises on territorial  productivity. The analysis of panel data from 84 municipalities in three regions of the Russian Federation confirmed the positive role of flagship enterprises in increasing the productivity of municipalities. These effects are particularly strong when the territory has a high income level, high population growth rates and low unemployment level. The results are characterized by high stability and make it possible to form recommendations  for governing bodies on creating conditions for faster growth

THE PROBLEM OF ADAPTATION OF STUDENTS IN THE UNIVERSITY ENVIRONMENT

The article substantiates the need for psychological and pedagogical support of students at the stage of adaptation to higher education. The concept of the problem of adaptation of students is given. The analysis of the current points of view on the problem of reducing adaptation barriers for students is made.В статье обоснована необходимость психолого-педагогического сопровождения студентов на этапе адаптации к вузу. Конкретизировано понятие проблемы адаптации студентов. Сделан анализ существующих в настоящее время точек зрения по проблеме снижения адаптационных барьеров для студентов

Genetic Polymorphisms and Bacterial Infections in Neonates

© 2016, Springer Science+Business Media New York.Identifying single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genes involved in sepsis may help to clarify the pathophysiology of neonatal sepsis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships between different forms of bacterial infections in neonates and genes potentially involved in the response to invasion by infectious agents. The study involved 20 neonates with a diagnosis of sepsis, 25 neonates with localized bacterial infections, and otherwise healthy neonates born during the study period. A total of eight SNPs in four candidate genes including Toll-like receptors (TLR2, TLR4) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, Il-6) were genotyped. Genotypes CT and TT of IL-1β C3953T were associated with a significantly increased risk of developing sepsis (OR = 9.3; p = 0.02). The percentage of heterozygotes for the mutant allele was 65 %, while homozygotes—5 %. Among the patients with localized bacterial infections, TLR4 Asp299Gly, genotypes CT and TT IL-1β C3953T, and genotypes GC and CC IL-1β G-1473C showed the association with an increased risk of developing diseases (p = 0.05, p = 0.04, p = 0,04, respectively). These results show that genetic variability seems to play a role in sepsis and localized bacterial infections in neonates by influencing susceptibility to the disease

Inflammatory cytokines kinetics define the severity and phase of nephropathia epidemica

© 2014 Future Medicine Ltd. Aims: Nephropathia epidemica (NE) is a form of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome associated with the Puumala virus species of Hantavirus. The pathogenesis of NE is not well understood; therefore, investigating the inflammatory cytokine response to infection may provide useful knowledge in deciphering the pathophysiology of NE. Materials & methods: Using Luminex and ELISA, we analyzed the serum of 137 NE cases and 44 controls to investigate if serum cytokines associate with different clinical presentations. Results: Serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1β are associated with disease severity while upregulation of IL-6, CXCL10, CCL2 and CCL3 are associated with clinical presentation. Conclusion: Inflammatory cytokine kinetics associate with the severity and phase of NE. Our data support a role for inflammatory cytokines in the pathophysiology of NE