Ionospheric phenomena before strong earthquakes

A statistical analysis of several ionospheric parameters before earthquakes with magnitude <i>M</i> <u>></u> 5.5 located less than 500 km from an ionospheric vertical sounding station is performed. Ionospheric effects preceding &quot;deep&quot; (depth <i>h</i> > 33 km) and &quot;crust&quot; (<i>h</i> <u><</u> 33 km) earthquakes were analysed separately. Data of nighttime measurements of the critical frequencies <i>fo</i>F2 and <i>fo</i>Es, the frequency <i>fb</i>Es and Es-spread at the middle latitude station Dushanbe were used. The frequencies <i>fo</i>F2 and <i>fb</i>Es are proportional to the square root of the ionization density at heights of 300 km and 100 km, respectively. It is shown that two days before the earthquakes the values of <i>fo</i>F2 averaged over the morning hours (00:00 LT–06:00 LT) and of <i>fb</i>Es averaged over the nighttime hours (18:00 LT–06:00 LT) decrease; the effect is stronger for the &quot;deep&quot; earthquakes. Analysing the coefficient of semitransparency which characterizes the degree of small-scale turbulence, it was shown that this value increases 1–4 days before &quot;crust&quot; earthquakes, and it does not change before &quot;deep&quot; earthquakes. Studying Es-spread which manifests itself as diffuse Es track on ionograms and characterizes the degree of large-scale turbulence, it was found that the number of Es-spread observations increases 1–3 days before the earthquakes; for &quot;deep&quot; earthquakes the effect is more intensive. Thus it may be concluded that different mechanisms of energy transfer from the region of earthquake preparation to the ionosphere occur for &quot;deep&quot; and &quot;crust&quot; events

Regression in the Symptoms and Discal Hernia in Case of Lumbar Radiculopathy

BACKGROUND: Discogenic lumbar radiculopathy has a favorable potential for survival; the regression of clinical symptoms may outpace the subsidence of discal hernia. AIM: The objective of the study is comparing the clinical data and the results of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with discogenic lumbar radiculopathy over 1 year of observation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two patients (13 males at the average age of 39.1 ± 11.8 years) with discogenic lumbar radiculopathy confirmed by MRI were examined in the study. The intensity of pain condition was assessed using the numerical rating scale; disability was assessed using the Oswestry disability index. Sixteen patients were subjected to repeated MRI. RESULTS: Statistically significant (p &lt; 0.01) reduction of the average pain intensity and intensity of disability more than 2 times was observed as early as in the first 2 weeks. Gradual reduction of pain and disability was observed during the year. Reduction of discal hernia by more than 50% was observed on average after 8.7 ± 4.7 months. CONCLUSION: In the case of discogenic radiculopathy, the reduction of pain and related disability far outstrips the regression of the herniation of intervertebral disk

The role of digital technologies in increasing the competitiveness of branded products

In the conditions of increasing market competition and standardization of product offerings, the problem of forming the companies’ competitiveness remains urgent. The purpose of the study is to develop practical recommendations for improving the competitiveness of branded products through the introduction of digital technologies. To achieve the goal, a behavioral and active approach to competition is applied. Competitiveness is considered as the result of actions that strengthen the company’s competitive position in the market. The possibility of using digital technologies in the process of creating additional consumer value as the basis for the competitiveness of the product offer is investigated. The results of the analysis of scientific publications and best practices in the field of development and implementation of digital technologies in the economic activities of market relations entities are presented. The novelty of the research lies in identifying the role of the use of digital technologies in increasing the competitiveness of branded products and determining the conditions for their successful implementation to achieve the objectives of forming the competitive advantages of the company. The results of the analysis allowed us to draw the following conclusions: companies, when forming competitive advantages with the help of digital tools, need to develop purposefully comprehensive digitalisation programs, and not be limited to the implementation of short-term projects for the introduction of a particular technology; identify and implement a strategy for creating value for consumers that would be inaccessible to competitors; coordinate the resources and efforts available to the organization in terms of the formation of digital competencies of employees

The role of digital technologies in increasing the competitiveness of branded products

The article is devoted to the problem of brand promotion management in accordance with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by UN for years 2016–2030 for all countries of the world. The authors of the article point out that in the new realities implying an intensive use of digital and Internet technologies in communication processes, there is a problem of the carbon footprint increasing due to the use of the Internet and its supporting systems. The necessity and possibility of leveling digital garbage through effective brand communications management are examined. The study is based on the use of general scientific methods. According to the conclusion of the authors, when creating a brand communication system, organizations should competently approach the development of annual promotion programs, taking into account the sustainable development agenda as much as possible. The novelty of the study lies in the development of the structure and content of a brand promotion program whose use will make it possible for a company to form long-lasting relationships with its customers and other stakeholders, which can be based on creating additional value in the process of jointly solving tasks in order to achieve sustainable development goals. In the structure of the brand promotion program proposed, a special place is given to analytics that allow to define achievable goals and identify target groups ready to cooperate in the pursuit of common goals, creating additional value. The findings of the study can be applied by companies interested in brand capital growth through strengthening the brand’s position in the experience of consumers and the public as well as establishing the idea that the brand is sustainable and socially responsible

The role of perennial grasses in creating a sustainable feed base by conveyor use

Currently, the most urgent task in improving the industry of feed production is the creation of green and raw materials conveyors, which will allow an uninterrupted supply of vegetable raw materials from early spring to late autumn for feeding farm animals and preparing high-quality feed. The research has shown that the most optimal time for mowing alfalfaclover-cereals mixtures with high fodder values is the budding phase - the start of flowering of legume grasses in the conveyor system with 10.6-15.2% of raw protein content in the crop. It was noted that the cultivation of meadow clover varieties of various ripening time mixed with a wide range of alfalfa and cereal grasses lead to the decrease in the effect of unfavorable weather conditions and to 15-20% increase in grass mixtures productivity. The article presents recommendations for the extension of the productive longevity of grass stands up to five years using mixtures with different ripening varieties of meadow clover and alfalfa with grass components of a new generation with productivity up to 32.8 t / ha of green mass.  According to the field test of 2013-2017, the article provides data on the green mass productivity of alfalfa-clover-cereals grass stands with the addition of early ripening varieties of grasses, which for two mowings averaged 29.4 t / ha in 2013-2014 and 30.1 t / ha in 2015-2017.  The methods of creating and using grass mixtures have been indicated, the best time for mowing has been defined by conveyor use of them in the Upper Volga region. The scheme of the green and raw materials conveyor with the use of differently ripening grass mixtures, consisting of new species and varieties of forage grasses of different periods of ripening, is given. It has been established that the use of legume-grass mixtures allows to obtain high-quality raw material for the production of bulk feed within 110-120 days, which acts as the way to increase the efficiency of fodder production. An expanded range of fodder grasses creates the conditions for improving the sustainability of fodder production in less dependence on extreme weather conditions

ОЦЕНКА КОМПЕТЕНЦИЙ СПЕЦИАЛИСТОВ РАБОТОДАТЕЛЯМИ

Three-year project TEMPUS provided for organization of network of Tuning centers in Russian universities. It afforded ground for development of methodological guidelines to form general and professional competences at universities. MIIT during joint actions of European and domestic specialists undertook, in particular, establishment of uniform standards for training programs on ecology, environmental engineering and surveys on these topics of the target groups, including employers, graduates and students. Research findings, presented in the article, introduce expert estimations of competence problems for practice, priority attention is given to opinion of employers of transport sector (JSC Russian Railways), and demonstrated findings intend mainly focus on their obligatory interaction with specialized departments and university teachers.Трехлетний проект TEMPUS предусматривал организацию сети центров Tuning в российских университетах. Он дал основание к разработке методологических ориентиров для формирования в вузах общих и профессиональных компетенций. МИИТ в ходе совместных акций европейских и отечественных специалистов взял на себя, в частности, создание единых требований к учебным программам по экологии, инженерной защите окружающей среды и проведение опросов на эти темы представителей целевых групп, включая работодателей, выпускников и студентов вузов. Представленные в журнале результаты исследования знакомят с экспертными оценками проблем компетенции для практической деятельности, первоочередное внимание при этом отдается мнению работодателей из сферы транспорта (ОАО «РЖД»), а демонстрируемые выводы предполагают преимущественно акцент на обязательное их взаимодействие с профильными кафедрами и вузовскими педагогами

Лечение стриктур билиодигестивного анастомоза после трансплантации левого латерального сектора печени

Many studies have shown that biliary complications after transplantation of the left lateral segment (LLS) of the liver reduce graft and recipient survival. Thus, timely correction of biliary complications, and strictures in particular, improves long-term outcomes in transplantation. Objective: to analyze our own experience in correcting biliary strictures in LLS graft transplantation. Materials and methods. From February 2014 to April 2020, 425 LLS grafts were transplanted in children. 19 (4.5%) patients were diagnosed with biliary strictures at different times after transplantation (from 0.2 to 97 months). Results. Biliary strictures were more often formed a year after transplantation (17.8 ± 23.9 months). In 14 out of the 19 patients, internal-external biliary drainage was successfully performed with phased replacement of the catheter with one that was larger in diameter (from 8.5 Fr to 14 Fr). The catheters were removed in 8 patients after completion of the treatment cycle. Restenosis was not observed during follow-up (13 ± 8.7 months) after the internal-external biliary drainage catheter had been removed. In 5 cases, antegrade passage of a guide wire through the stricture was unsuccessful. As a result, biliary reconstruction was performed in 4 (21.1%) patients and retransplantation was required in 1 (5.3%) patient. Conclusion. An antegrade minimally invasive approach can successfully eliminate biliary strictures in most children after liver LLS graft transplantation. The proposed technique is effective and safe.Введение. Билиарные осложнения после трансплантации левого латерального сектора (ЛЛС) печени, согласно многим исследованиям, негативно влияют на выживаемость трансплантатов и реципиентов. Таким образом, своевременная коррекция билиарных осложнений, и в частности стриктур, позволяет улучшить отдаленные результаты трансплантации. Цель. Проанализировать собственный опыт лечения билиарных стриктур при трансплантации ЛЛС печени. Материалы и методы. С февраля 2014-го по апрель 2020 года проведено 425 трансплантаций ЛЛС печени детям. У 19 (4,5%) пациентов диагностированы стриктуры желчных протоков в разные сроки после трансплантации (от 0,2 до 97 мес.). Результаты. Билиарные стриктуры чаще формировались через год после трансплантации (17,8 ± 23,9 мес.). У 14 из 19 было успешно проведено наружно-внутреннее дренирование желчных протоков с этапной заменой дренажа на больший диаметр (с 8,5 до 14 Fr). Дренажи удалены у 8 пациентов после завершения цикла лечения. За период наблюдения (13 ± 8,7 мес.) после удаления дренажа рестенозов не отмечалось. В 5 случаях антеградное прохождение стриктуры не удалось, в связи с чем в 4 (21,1%) случаях выполнена билиарная реконструкция и в 1 (5,3%) случае потребовалась ретрансплантация. Выводы. Антеградный мини-инвазивный подход позволяет успешно устранить билиарные стриктуры у большинства детей после трансплантации ЛЛС печени. Предложенный алгоритм лечения является эффективным и безопасным

Design, Synthesis, and Structure−Activity Relationship Exploration of 1-Substituted 4-Aroyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-1H-pyrrol-2(5H)-one Analogues as Inhibitors of the Annexin A2−S100A10 Protein Interaction

This research was supported by grants from Cancer Research UK. H.K.M. was funded by a Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council studentship.S100 proteins are small adaptors that regulate the activity of partner proteins by virtue of direct protein interactions. Here, we describe the first small molecule blockers of the interaction between S100A10 and annexin A2. Molecular docking yielded candidate blockers that were screened for competition of the binding of an annexin A2 peptide to S100A10. Several inhibitory clusters were identified with some containing compounds with potency in the lower micromolar range. We chose 3-hydroxy-1-(2-hydroxypropyl)-5-(4-isopropylphenyl)-4-(4-methylbenzoyl)-1H-pyrrol-2(5H)-one (1a) as a starting point for structure-activity studies. These confirmed the hypothetical binding mode from the virtual screen for this series of molecules. Selected compounds disrupted the physiological complex of annexin A2 and S100A10, both in a broken cell preparation and inside MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Thus, this class of compounds has promising properties as inhibitors of the interaction between annexin A2 and S100A10 and may help to elucidate the cellular function of this protein interaction.Peer reviewe

Прогностическая значимость гормона роста при трансплантации печени детям раннего возраста

Growth hormone (GH) plays a leading role in the regulation of cell and tissue metabolism and growth. Its effects are mediated through the so-called somatomedins, among which the most important is the liver-produced insulinlike growth factor 1 (IGF-1). It has been reported that serum GH levels in liver recipients is related to the clinical transplant outcomes.Objective: to evaluate the prognostic significance of GH in pediatric liver transplantation (LT).Materials and methods. The study enrolled 148 children (61 boys) aged 2 to 60 months (median, 8) with end-stage liver disease resulting from biliary atresia (n = 86), biliary hypoplasia (n = 14), Byler disease (n = 15), Alagille syndrome (n = 12), Caroli syndrome (n = 5), and other liver diseases (n = 16, cryptogenic cirrhosis, fulminant and autoimmune hepatitis, Crigler–Najjar and Budd–Chiari syndromes, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, glycogenosis and hepatoblastoma). All the patients were transplanted with the left lateral segment of the liver from a living related donor. GH concentrations were measured by enzyme immunoassay before, at one month and at one year after transplantation.Results. Median plasma GH levels in children with liver disease were 4.3 [1.6–7.2] ng/mL, significantly higher than in healthy children of the same age at 1.2 [0.3–2.4] ng/mL, p = 0.001, while mean height and body weight were lower than in healthy controls. GH levels decreased significantly after transplantation. At one month and one year later, the levels did not differ from those of healthy children (p = 0.74, p = 0.67, respectively). One month after transplantation, GH concentrations were lower in 1-year survivors than in non-survivors (p = 0.02); the diagnostically significant threshold GH level was 1.8 ng/mL. Prior to LT, plasma GH levels did not differ between 1-year survivors and non-survivors. Children with GH levels below 1.8 ng/mL post-LT were 9 times more likely to survive one year post-transplant than patients with levels above the threshold.Conclusion. GH concentrations in pediatric liver recipients is a positive prognostic indicator of pediatric LT outcomes.Гормон роста (ГР) играет ведущую роль в регуляции метаболизма и роста клеток и тканей. Его эффекты опосредованы через так называемые соматомедины, среди которых важнейший – продуцируемый в печени инсулиноподобный фактор роста 1 (ИФР-1). Было показано, что уровень ГР в крови реципиентов печени связан с клиническими результатами трансплантации.Цель работы: оценить прогностическую значимость гормона роста при трансплантации печени детям раннего возраста.Материалы и методы. В исследование включено 148 детей (61 мальчик) в возрасте от 2 до 60 месяцев (медиана – 8) в терминальной стадии болезней печени в исходе атрезии желчевыводящих путей (n = 86), гипоплазии желчевыводящих путей (n = 14), болезни Байлера (n = 15), синдрома Алажилля (n = 12), синдрома Кароли (n = 5) и других заболеваний печени (n = 16, криптогенный цирроз, фульминантный и аутоиммунный гепатит, синдромы Криглера–Найяра и Бадда–Киари, дефицит α-1 антитрипсина, гликогеноз и гепатобластома). Всем пациентам была проведена трансплантация левого латерального сектора печени от живого родственного донора. Концентрацию гормона роста измеряли с помощью иммуноферментного анализа до, через месяц и год после трансплантации.Результаты. Медиана уровня гормона роста в плазме крови детей с заболеваниями печени составляла 4,3 [1,6–7,2] нг/мл, была достоверно выше, чем у здоровых детей того же возраста – 1,2 [0,3–2,4] нг/мл, р = 0,001, в то время как средний рост и масса тела были ниже, чем у здоровых. Уровень ГР достоверно снижался после трансплантации; через месяц и спустя год не отличался от такового у здоровых детей (р = 0,74, р = 0,67 соответственно). Через месяц после трансплантации уровень ГР у переживших год реципиентов был ниже, чем у не переживших (p = 0,02); диагностически значимый пороговый уровень ГР составил 1,8 нг/мл. До трансплантации печени уровень ГР в крови не различался у реципиентов, переживших и не переживших год после трансплантации. У детей с уровнем ГР в крови после трансплантации печени ниже 1,8 нг/мл расчетная вероятность пережить год после трансплантации была в 9 раз выше, чем у пациентов с концентрацией гормона в крови выше порогового значения.Заключение. Уровень гормона роста в крови детей – реципиентов печени может служить позитивным прогностическим показателем результатов трансплантации печени детям раннего возраста