Optical vector network analysis of ultra-narrow transitions in 166^{166}Er3+^{3+}:7^7LiYF4_4

We present optical vector network analysis (OVNA) of an isotopically purified $^{166}$Er$^{3+}$:$^7$LiYF$_4$ crystal. The OVNA method is based on generation and detection of modulated optical sideband by using a radio-frequency vector network analyzer. This technique is widely used in the field of microwave photonics for the characterization of optical responses of optical devices such as filters and high-Q resonators. However, dense solid-state atomic ensembles induce a large phase shift on one of the optical sidebands which results in the appearance of extra features on the measured transmission response. We present a simple theoretical model which accurately describes the observed spectra and helps to reconstruct the absorption profile of a solid-state atomic ensemble as well as corresponding change of the refractive index in the vicinity of atomic resonances.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

Changes in the hair growth cycle in women with non-scarring alopecia

One of the key elements in the pathophysiological process of androgenetic alopecia and telogen hair loss is the change of hair cycle. Growth factors controlling the development and cycle of the hair follicle have thus far been established. However, the role of growth factors in the pathogenesis of alopecia remains to be revealed.Objective. This study was aimed at investigating the expression of the VEGF, KGF, EGF and TGF-01 growth factors in women with androgenetic alopecia and telogen hair loss, as well as their role in the development of alopecia.Materials and methods. 60 female patients diagnosed with telogen hair loss (30 women) and androgenetic alopecia (30 women) were observed. In order to investigate the expression of the VEGF, KGF, EGF and TGF-01 growth factors, we conducted an immunofluorescent analysis of skin samples obtained by punch biopsy (4 mm) from the frontoparietal scalp area of patients with androgenetic alopecia and telogen hair loss. 15 samples obtained from healthy people were used as a reference group.Results. A change in the expression of the VEGF, KGF and TGF-01 growth factors in women with androgenetic alopecia and telogen hair loss was established in comparison with healthy individuals. A correlation was found between the expression of the growth factors under study, age (p ≤ 0.05), as well as the character and duration of the disease (p ≤ 0.05) in women with non-scarring alopecia. The expression of the growth factors is found to be dependent on the clinical form of alopecia (p < 0.001).Conclusion. The VEGF growth factor is established to have the most significant effect on the development of androgenetic alopecia in women, with the KGF, TGF-01 and EGF factors being less significant as the predictors of this disorder. The VEGF growth factor is shown to affect telogen hair loss to a greater extent compared to the EGF factor. Our study confirms differences in the pathogenesis of androgenetic alopecia and telogen hair loss in women. The findings suggest that the VEGF and KGF growth factors, as well as TGF-01 inhibitors may be used as potential pharmacological agents for treating patients suffering from androgenetic alopecia and telogen hair loss

Two-step photoconductivity in LiY<inf>x</inf>Lu<inf>1 – x</inf>F<inf>4</inf>:Ce,Yb crystals

© 2016, Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.Photoconductivity of LiYxLu1–xF4:Ce,Yb (x = 0–1) crystals is measured under one- and two-step excitation. It is established that the photoconductivity is due to intra-center transitions from excited states of Ce3+ ions. The position of the ground 4 f-state of Ce3+ ion relative to the bottom of the conduction band is determined. The choice of pumping conditions to obtain the lasing on the 5d–4f transitions of trivalent cerium in these active media is substantiated

Efficacy of management for rational use of antibiotics in surgical departments at a multi-disciplinary hospital: Results of a 7-year pharmacoepidemiological research

Background. Irrational medicine use including excessive use and abuse of antibiotics remains a crucial problem for the healthcare systems. <In this regard, studies examining approaches to improving the clinical use of medicines are highly important. Aim: to assess the efficacy rate of management for the rational use of antibiotics in surgical departments of a multi-disciplinary hospital. Material and methods. The intervention complex combined the research, educational, and methodological activities: local protocols for perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis (PABP) for various surgical departments were developed; local PABP protocols were discussed with the physicians of specialized surgical departments; official order on implementation of PABP was issued; the list of drug prescriptions for registration of the first pre-operative antibiotic dose was changed; audit and feedback processes were introduced as well as consultations of a clinical pharmacologist were implemented. We assessed the efficacy rate of the interventions basing on the changes in consumption of antibiotics (both quantitatively and qualitatively) at surgical departments of a hospital using ATC/DDD methodology. Comparison of the studied outcomes was performed before and after the intervention implementation and between the departments (vascular and abdominal surgery). The consumption of antibacterial agents (ATCJ01) was measured as a number of defined daily doses (DDD) per 100 bed-days (DDD/100 bed-days, indicator recommended by the World Health Organization, WHO) and DDD per 100 treated patients (DDD/100 treated patients). Results. From 2006 to 2012, a decrease in antibacterial consumption in surgical departments by 188 DDD/100 treated patients was observed. We obtained the opposite results when using an indicator of DDD/100 bed-days (increase by 2.5 DDD/100 bed-days) which could be explained by the dependence on indices of overall hospital work and its changes during the examined period. Observed changes in antibacterial consumption varied in different surgical departments. The most pronounced positive changes were noted in the department of vascular surgery: decrease in total antibacterial consumption by 298 DDD/100 treated patients, decrease in the use of cephalosporins of the III generation from 141 to 38 DDD/100 treated patients. These positive changes were accompanied by the same (low) level of consumption/use of reserve antibiotics. In the department of abdominal surgery, there was no decrease in total antibiotic consumption, as well as in consumption of broad-spectrum cephalosporins of the III generation and fluoroquinolones, and we observed an increase in the use of reserve antibiotics (carbapenems) during the study period. Positive changes in antibiotic consumption were associated with the positive attitude of the manager/head of the department towards interventions: we observed the most pronounced decrease in antibiotic consumption straight after the publication of the administrative order on perioperative antibacterial prophylaxis. Conclusion. The combination of scientific, educational, and methodological interventions is effective for improving antibiotic application. The study results provide the rationale for analyzing the drug consumption using the DDD/100 treated patients measure in addition to the WHO-recommended indicator of DDD/100 bed-days which depends on overall hospital performance

The nature of the concept in professional communication

This paper is devoted to the research of the notion “concept” from the perspective of professional discourse. The aim of the paper is to analyze the nature, structure and use of the concept. To reveal the specificity of the concept, the authors study different points of view and definitions of the concept based on research of both Russian and foreign scholars. Much attention is paid to the problem of distinguishing three different terms – the concept, the conception and the meaning. Basic cognized features of these phenomena are analyzed. The authors come to the conclusion that concepts do not have an ethno-cultural specificity, but basic cognized features of the all concepts have a value component

Correlation between territorial innovative clusters and sustainable development of a region

Objective to substantiate the list of indicators of a region sustainable development taking into account the impact of territorial innovation clusters on regional socioeconomic processes. Methods general scientific methods of cognition were used in the process of research the formation of the territorial innovation cluster model as a mechanism of the region sustainable development is based on the grouping of factors of the external and internal environment of the cluster using the methods of analogy and comparison a list of indicators of the region sustainable development was formed taking into account the generalized factors of territorial clustersrsquo development. Results improving the competitiveness of Russian regions is one of the most important areas of state economic policy undeer modern conditions. Based on the analysis of scientific literature and state strategic documents the article reveals the main approaches to the definition of sustainable development of territories. The target parameters ofnbsp the region sustainable development stipulated by the federal and regional normative legal acts are revealed. The indicators of sustainable development of territories are studied and systematized as well as tools and mechanisms to ensure them. It is found that within the scientific and practical environment a significant place should be given to research methodologically or empirically determining the quality of the relationship between the sustainable development of the region and the activities of territorial innovation clusters. On the basis of the authorrsquos model of activity of the territorial innovation cluster the subjects and directions of their interaction within the cluster are defined. The factors of the external and internal environment of the territorial innovation cluster determining the successful development of the cluster are determined. A list of indicators of regional sustainable development is formed corresponding to the factors of the territorial innovation cluster development. Scientific novelty based on the proposed approach the role of territorial innovation clusters is shown as an element of the sustainable regional development mechanism through the vectors of influence of the cluster external and internal environment on the indicators of the region sustainable development. Practical significance the obtained results can be used as recommendations for regional authoritiesrsquo forming the target indicators and expected results of cluster policy to ensure sustainable development

Intracavity losses investigation of LiCaAlF6:Ce3+ laser

We have discovered that total intracavity losses, being dependent on color centers amount, go down for higher pump energies for LiCaAlF6: Ce3+. This dependence is explained by the formation by the pump radiation and destruction of color centers due to laser radiation. The more energy remains in the lasing cavity, the lower the color centers absorption. Such dependencies were investigated for active medium crystals grown by different methods. Influence of growth conditions on active media characteristics is discussed. As a result we have shown for the first time that the crystal LiCaAlF6:Ce3+ internal losses depend on the pump energy. Method has been worked out to determine the intracavity losses of the laser, which allows evaluation of prospects of its practical use in the most correct way. © 2011 SPIE