Search for Neutrino Oscillations in Appearance Mode with the OPERA Experiment

The present paper highlights the data analysis status of the OPERA experiment. The experiment was designed to perform the neutrino interactions analysis on event-by-event basis, and optimized to search for $\nu_{\mu} \rightarrow \nu_{\tau}$ oscillation in appearance mode, also allowing to perform a $\nu_{e}$ appearance search. We review the data simulation and the analysis chains implemented to search for $\nu_{\tau}$ interactions. The main kinematical parameters sensitive to the neutrino flavor are discussed, the uncertainties of the event parameter estimation are reviewed, and the main sources of background for the $\nu_{\mu} \rightarrow \nu_{\tau}$ oscillation search are examined. The topologies of the two first $\nu_{\tau}$ candidate events are presented. Finally, we review the status of the $\nu_{e}$ appearance search and present the constraints set by the OPERA experiment on the mixing angle $\theta_{13}$ and on the LSND/MiniBooNE anomaly.Comment: Mini-review of the OPERA experiment analysis status (October 2013), 9 pages, 5 figures, to appear in Proc. HEPFT-201

Functioning of Epistemic Modal Modifiers in Internet Discourse (by Material of English-Language Internet-Forums)

The functioning of epistemic modal modifiers in Internet discourse is covered. The epistemic modal modifiers are defined as words, phrases and grammatical constructions indicating speaker’s attitude of the content of statement to reality set in terms of the authenticity / inauthenticity. The novelty of the work is seen in the research material: the online discourse appeared and became the subject of research relatively recently. The research urgency is caused by the fact that it is performed in line with such areas as the theory of modality and discourse analysis. The results of the quantitative analysis of the use of epistemic modal modifiers in texts of Internet forums are presented. The comparative analysis of the frequency of different grammatical forms of epistemic modal modifiers in the forums and fiction is made. The conclusion is, therefore, a high frequency of epistemic modal modifiers in texts of Internet forums with such characteristic of the online discourse, as a high degree of personification. Special attention is paid to the analysis of the pragmatic functions of epistemic modal modifiers in publications on Internet forums. Among them there are the function of indicating the subjectivity of the opinion, functions of expression of courtesy and support of the interlocutor. The hypothesis is developed about the influence of national and cultural specificity on the frequency of epistemic modal modifiers that perform specific pragmatic functions

Lateral diffusion of lipids and diffusion of water through lipid bilayers in the presence of (1,1-dimethyl-3-oxobutyl)phosphonates

The influence of some amphiphilic (diethyl, dipropyl, and dibutyl) esters of (1,1-dimethyl-3-oxobutyl) phosphonic acid with the regularly changing number of CH2 groups in the hydrocarbon (hydrophobic) moiety on the lateral diffusion of dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine lipid and transmembrane diffusion of water in the oriented multibilayer system was studied by 1H pulsed field gradient NMR at phosphonate concentrations up to 30 mol %. The shape of the 31P NMR spectra and the dependence of the shape of the 1H NMR spectra on the bilayer orientation suggest that the presence of phosphonates does not affect the phase state of the system. The lamellar liquid crystalline phase remains unchanged, and phosphonate molecules become incorporated into the bilayer and have the same orientation as phospholipid molecules. The presence of phosphonates in the lipid bilayer increases the coefficients of lipid lateral diffusion and water diffusion through bilayers. This effect depends monotonically on the number of CH2 groups in the phosphonate molecule. The most probable place for the incorporation of amphiphilic phosphonate molecules is the hydrophilic/hydrophobic interphase region of the bilayer. The molecules incorporated into the interphase disorder the bilayer and increase lateral diffusion of lipids and bilayer permeability compared with the ester-free bilayer. When the number of CH2 groups in the ester molecule increases from diethyl to dibutyl phosphonate, the arrangement of lipid hydrocarbon tails becomes more ordered. This decreases the lipid lateral diffusion coefficient and bilayer permeability to water molecules. © 2008 MAIK Nauka

Hypogonadism and visceral obesity in men are full–fledged components of the metabolic syndrome

Hypogonadism in men can cause the development of obesity, primarily abdominal, associated with high cardio-metabolic risks. Chronic obesity, in turn, almost inevitably leads to the manifestation of hypogonadism, which requires treatment and aggravates cardiovascular risks. Testosterone therapy, prescribed according to indications, has a significant positive effect not only on a man’s sexual function, but also on body weight, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, bone metabolism and the emotional component of men’s health. The improvement of many metabolic parameters in men with verified hypogonadism occurs against the background of fairly long-term testosterone therapy. Hypogonadism and visceral obesity are now considered as components of the metabolic syndrome, mutually burden each other and require a comprehensive therapeutic approach

Speech Act Characteristics of English Internet Forums

Speech acts of different types, typical for texts of Internet forums, are characterized. The novelty of the work is seen in the material of the study: Internet discourse appeared and became the subject of research relatively recently, and many of its genres have not yet been fully explored, especially since this type of discourse is in constant development and is undergoing changes. The relevance of the work is determined by the fact that it is carried out in the sphere of pragmalinguistics. It is concluded that the high frequency of directive speech acts is conditioned by the genre of Internet forum. The authors show that these texts quite often contain expressives. It is revealed that representatives as well as interrogatives make up a small percentage of the total number of speech acts in the material and can be seen mostly in the initial posts. Commissives and declarations are not present in the sample of this study, from which it is concluded that they are present in Internet forums in isolated cases. The author studies in more detail the decision-making speech acts as the most widespread in the studied material, analyzes the degree of their categoricity, as well as language means that soften the tone of decision-making speech acts. Explicit and implicit directives vary

Prediction of early response to liraglutide therapy in patients with obesity

BACKGROUND: The main goal of treating obesity is to reduce the risk of developing its complications and comorbid diseases, which requires a steady decrease in body weight by at least 5–10%. In Russia in 2016, the list of drugs for the treatment of obesity was supplemented by a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1) – liraglutide . There is evidence that about one third of patients do not achieve a clinically significant decrease in body weight during treatment with liraglutide, while the factors that predict the so-called early response to treatment are currently unknown. AIM: To identify prognostic factors of an early response to complex therapy of exogenously constitutional obesity, including agonist of GLP-1 receptors liraglutide, and to evaluate the effect of this therapy on the dynamics of levels of endogenous peptide bioregulators of eating behavior (IB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 42 patients with exogenously constitutional obesity, which were divided into 2 groups, comparable by sex, age and body mass index (BMI). The first group (n=22) received treatment recommendations for the correction of nutrition and physical activity, as well as liraglutide 3.0 mg for 3 months. The second group (n=20) received only recommendations for the correction of nutrition and physical activity. At the start and after 3 months, anthropometric characteristics and laboratory parameters were evaluated in all patients, including the levels of endogenous peptide bioregulators of IB (leptin, ghrelin, obestatin and GLP-1), their dynamics was compared between groups. Depending on the therapeutic effect, the 1st group was divided into two subgroups: those who achieved (n = 14) and did not achieve (n = 8) a clinically significant decrease in body weight. In both subgroups, baseline characteristics were analyzed as possible prognostic factors for the effectiveness of complex therapy. RESULTS: To predict an early response to complex therapy, including liraglutide, a mathematical model has been developed that is implemented as a calculator in MS Excel and contains a combination of initial body weight and fasting plasma ghrelin. The dynamics of body weight and BMI in the group of complex therapy was statistically significantly higher than that in the group of isolated lifestyle modifications (ILM). CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of individuals with an early response to 3.0 mg liraglutide therapy is comparable to that of data from randomized clinical trials. The mathematical model, which includes a combination of initial body weight and plasma ghrelin, allows predicting the likelihood of a clinically significant decrease in body weight after 3 months of using liraglutide 3.0 mg in combination with ILM with a sensitivity of 86% [65%; 97%] and prognostic value of a positive result of 80% [60%; 95%]

Problem of Typology of Intertextual Inclusions and Their Role in Intertext Structure (by Material of Magazine and Newspaper Articles)

The problem of typology of intertextual inclusions and their role in a text structure is considered. To denote semantically rich inclusions linking the text with the precedent text and requiring the reader to make efforts to recognize these links, the term intext , which was proposed by P. Kh. Torop, is used. The views of linguists on understanding of the category “text” and relationship between the precedent text and the recipient text are presented. Definitions of intertextuality and intext are given. Classification of intext functions is proposed. The relevance of the study is due to the lack of study of the functioning of intexts in the framework of magazine and newspaper articles. The novelty of the work lies in the analysis of functions of intexts on the material of modern press. The analysis reveals the most common intextic functions in such articles: text-generating / constructive, commenting, ironic, expressive, poetic, referential and appellate. Attributed and non-attributed intexts are distinguished and the importance of presence or absence of there marking is discusses. Differences in volume of used intexts, which can consist of one word or represent a broad intertextual inclusion, are revealed. Particular attention is paid to the use of allusions and quotations, performing the function of increment of meaning in intertexts

Specific features of entrepreneurial departments management in Russian companies

The topic is considered to be relevant due to the fact that entrepreneurship is necessary for the businesses survival and development worldwide, including Russia, and today some Russian companies are adapting their economies to the more developed economic standards. The entrepreneurial format adoption is an important stage of development for possible changes and growth in the future. The aim of this research work is to analyze some approaches to the phenomenon of entrepreneurship, to determine some specific features of entrepreneurial departments, including in the context of the Russian business space, and to study specific characteristics of these departments management in Russian companies. The main methods used in the study are the theoretical materials analysis, as well as the analysis of statistical data in the study area, the method of expert judgments, the survey method. The research work included the study of Russian entrepreneurship experience, specific features of entrepreneurial departments. The specific features of the Russian entrepreneurship were identified during the own diagnostic research, as well as some entrepreneurial difficulties caused by the entrepreneurship. Identified due to this research peculiarities of Russian entrepreneurship and difficulties of this phenomenon development in the Russian business space will allow to develop the Russian entrepreneurial business model based on its specific characteristics. On the basis of the obtained data a special mechanism can be created for the support and development of intra-entrepreneurship departments within the overall entrepreneurship management mechanism in Russian companies, where the full range of necessary organizational and economic conditions, as well as the possibilities for entrepreneurial results assessment will be presented, combined with a complete list of tools to facilitate the emergence and development of intrarepreneurship in companies. © 2016 Troshina et al

High protein diet: benefits and risks

The nature of human nutrition has become increasingly important as an effective element in the prevention and treatment of many pathologies, especially obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. High protein diets are some of the most popular eating patterns and the Dukan diet has taken the lead in popularity among the diets of this type. An increase of protein in the diet is effective in reducing body weight, primarily due to the loss of adipose tissue, without a significant effect on muscle mass. Another advantage of a high-protein diet is earlier and longer satiety compared to other diets, which makes it comfortable for use. Besides obesity, high protein diets are presumably effective for treating such diseases as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases However, despite the important advantages, this nutritional model is not universal and is contraindicated in patients with diseases of liver, kidneys and osteoporosis. Besides, the prolonged use of a high protein diet may increase the risks of urolithiasis and reduced mineral bone density even for healthy individuals. Thus, the increase in the proportion of protein in the diet should take place exclusively under the supervision of a physician