A new application for x-ray lithography: Fabrication of blazed diffractive optical elements with a deep phase profile

Use of x-ray lithography to produce blazed diffractive optical elements (DOEs) is described. Proposed method allows one to make highly efficient blazed DOE with a deep phase profile (ten wavelengths and more) using a single x-ray mask with a binary transmission pattern. Unlike the well-known multilevel DOEs, blazed ones do not involve fabrication and aligning of a set of masks. DOEs with a profile depth of 10 {mu}m and more and zone sizes down to 1 {mu}m can be obtained due to the short wavelength and high penetrability of x rays. The first experimental samples of blazed DOEs with a 10 {mu}m-height profile--lenses and gratings - were fabricated by x-ray lithography with synchrotron radiation using the x-ray masks, prepared in accordance with the pulse-width modulation algorithm. Diffraction efficiency for lenses was measured for white light: it is higher than 80% for the central part of the lenses (inside a 10 mm diameter) and about 60% for an area of 20 mm diameter

The optical identifcation of events with poorly defined locations: The case of the Fermi GBM GRB140801A

We report the early discovery of the optical afterglow of gamma-ray burst (GRB) 140801A in the 137 deg$^2$ 3-$\sigma$ error-box of the Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor (GBM). MASTER is the only observatory that automatically react to all Fermi alerts. GRB 140801A is one of the few GRBs whose optical counterpart was discovered solely from its GBM localization. The optical afterglow of GRB 140801A was found by MASTER Global Robotic Net 53 sec after receiving the alert, making it the fastest optical detection of a GRB from a GBM error-box. Spectroscopy obtained with the 10.4-m Gran Telescopio Canarias and the 6-m BTA of SAO RAS reveals a redshift of $z=1.32$. We performed optical and near-infrared photometry of GRB 140801A using different telescopes with apertures ranging from 0.4-m to 10.4-m. GRB 140801A is a typical burst in many ways. The rest-frame bolometric isotropic energy release and peak energy of the burst is $E_\mathrm{iso} = 5.54_{-0.24}^{+0.26} \times 10^{52}$ erg and $E_\mathrm{p, rest}\simeq280$ keV, respectively, which is consistent with the Amati relation. The absence of a jet break in the optical light curve provides a lower limit on the half-opening angle of the jet $\theta=6.1$ deg. The observed $E_\mathrm{peak}$ is consistent with the limit derived from the Ghirlanda relation. The joint Fermi GBM and Konus-Wind analysis shows that GRB 140801A could belong to the class of intermediate duration. The rapid detection of the optical counterpart of GRB 140801A is especially important regarding the upcoming experiments with large coordinate error-box areas.Comment: in press MNRAS, 201

New PNM Mutation in SUP35

A number of [PSI+]-no-more (PNM) mutations, eliminating [PSI+] prion, were previously described in SUP35. In this study, we designed and analyzed a new PNM mutation based on the parallel in-register β-structure of Sup35 prion fibrils suggested by the known experimental data. In such an arrangement, substitution of non-charged residues by charged ones may destabilize the fibril structure. We introduced Q33K/A34K amino acid substitutions into the Sup35 protein, corresponding allele was called sup35-M0. The mutagenized residues were chosen based on ArchCandy in silico prediction of high inhibitory effect on the amyloidogenic potential of Sup35. The experiments confirmed that Sup35-M0 leads to the elimination of [PSI+] with high efficiency. Our data suggested that the elimination of the [PSI+] prion is associated with the decreased aggregation properties of the protein. The new mutation can induce the prion with very low efficiency and is able to propagate only weak [PSI+] prion variants. We also showed that Sup35-M0 protein co-aggregates with the wild-type Sup35 in vivo. Moreover, our data confirmed the utility of the strategy of substitution of non-charged residues by charged ones to design new mutations to inhibit a prion formationRFBR grant 19-04-00173, RFBR grant 17-54-150002, and PRC CNRS grant PRC1524,18-34-00536, RSF grant 18-14-0005

Application of Molecular Typing Methods for Analysis of Strains of Rickettsiae of the Spotted Fever Group and Rabies Virus

50 strains of spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae and 36 lyssaviruses strains from the collection of Omsk Research Institute of Natural Focus Infections were identified and typed using the approaches of molecular biology, epidemiology and bioinformatics. The taxonomic status of the studied cultures of SFG rickettsiae was identified. Zonation of the Russian Federation territories according to the spread of SFG pathogenic rickettsiae in their hosts - ixodic ticks was carried out. Lyssaviruses distribution in the territory of Siberia was considered

Rabies re-emergence after long-term disease freedom (Amur Oblast, Russia)

Retrospective descriptive epizootological study was conducted in the Amur Oblast (Russian Far East), where a rabies outbreak was reported in 2018. The aim of the study was to analyze probable routes of rabies introduction and features of its spatial and temporal spread in the territory that remained free from this infection from 1972 to 2018. In 2018–2021, altogether 1,416 animals were examined for the infection with the rabies virus. Forty-seven animal rabies cases were confirmed; the proportion of wild animals (Vulpes vulpes, Nyctereutes procyonoides, Canis lupus) amounted to 66%. The first cases were detected within 30 km from the state border with China. Nucleotide sequences of the nucleoprotein gene of three rabies virus isolates were determined and their belonging to the Arctic-like-2 genetic lineage was established. Genetically closest rabies virus isolates have been found in Heilongjiang Province (China, 2011, 2018) and Jewish Autonomous Oblast (Russia, 1980). GIS and open Earth remote sensing data were used to map the rabies cases. After 2018, the epizootic spread within the forest-steppe landscapes of the Zeya-Bureya Plain, where human and animal rabies cases had been earlier reported (until 1972). The front of the epizootic spread in a north-eastern direction at an average speed of 59 (16–302) km during one epizootic cycle. The introduction of the rabies virus was most likely along the Amur River valley from downstream regions of Russia and China that are rabies infected

Differentiation markers of neurodegeneration (Aβ40, Aβ42, PrP27-30) in Alzheimer's disease and prion diseases on the designed silicon biochips

В работе представлены результаты экспериментальных исследований по конструированию нанотехнологических платформ для управляемой адсорбции, детекции и идентификации с использованием атомно-силовой микроскопии маркеров нейродегенерации – β-амилоидов Аβ40, Aβ42, прионного PrP27-30 белка. Полученные результаты важны для оценки степени выраженности дегенеративно-дистрофических изменений в ЦНС, усовершенствования методов диагностики и прогнозирования скорости развития патологического процесса в зависимости от концентрации и конформационной структуры амилоидогенных белков.The article presents the experimental results on design of nanotechnological platforms for controlled adsorption, detection and identification using atomic force microscopy markers of the neurodegeneration – β-amyloids β40, β42, prion PrP27-30 protein. The obtained results are important for assessing the severity of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the central nervous system, improving the methods for diagnosis and predicting the rate of development of the pathological process, depending on the concentration and conformational structure of amyloidogenic proteins

Determination of fission barrier height of Fr 210 and Ra 210 via neutron measurement

Fission barrier heights of short-lived nuclei away from line of β stability are not known reliably. Low-energy fission of Fr210 and Ra210, produced by (d,p) and (d,n) transfer reaction on the re-accelerated unstable beam Fr209 was investigated at HIE-ISOLDE. Four Timepix3 pixel detectors were installed on the body of the ACTAR TPC demonstrator chamber. Polyethylene converters were used for the detection of fast neutrons. Since no significant background was observed, it was possible to measure the spatial distribution of emitted neutrons reflecting the fission excitation function. Subsequent simulations employing the results of the talys code and available data on fission fragment distributions allowed to estimate directly the value of the fission barrier height for the neutron-deficient nucleus Fr210. This first direct measurement confirmed the reduction of the fission barrier compared to available theoretical calculations by 15-30%

National cultural autonomy and linguistic rights in Central and Eastern Europe

The theory and practice of national cultural autonomy (NCA) are examined from the perspective of national minorities’ linguistic rights in four countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE): Hungary, Estonia, Serbia and Russia. The idea of NCA dates back to the end of the nineteenth century and is based on the principle of ethnic communities’ autonomy—within a multi-ethnic state—to manage their own linguistic and cultural affairs. The notion of NCA was rediscovered in the 1990s and incorporated into the law and practice of the said four countries. Using a comparative approach, the chapter reflects upon NCA’s potential contribution in advancing the linguistic rights of national minorities in CEE. It concludes that, while the actual autonomy afforded to minority institutions in CEE is often restricted, NCA may serve as a platform to articulate concerns of great salience to national minorities, encompassing minority participation and multilingual education

Ранние оптические наблюдения семи гамма-всплесков в сравнении с их гамма-рентгеновскими характеристиками на глобальной сети телескопов-роботов МГУ МАСТЕР

Seven gamma-ray bursts – GRB 130907A, GRB 140311B, GRB 140129B, GRB 160227A, GRB 120404A, GRB 110801A, and GRB 120811C were observed by the MSU MASTER (Mobile Astronomical System of TElescope Robots) Global Network. Full automation of the observations provided for obtaining unique data on the properties of early optical radiation accompanying gamma-ray bursts. The data are compared in the optical (MASTER), X-ray (SWIFT X-ray Telescope, XRT) and gamma (SWIFT Burst Alert Telescope, BAT) ranges. Based on the data obtained, two groups are identified, and their radiation mechanisms are revealed. The effect of gamma-ray bursts on the biosphere of the Earth is determined, and the estimates and the scale of such an effect are considered.В статье представлены результаты наблюдений семи гамма-всплесков – GRB 130907A, GRB 140311B, GRB 140129B, GRB 160227A, GRB 120404A, GRB 110801A, GRB 120811C, полученные на телескопах-роботах глобальной сети МГУ «МАСТЕР». Полная автоматизация наблюдений позволила получить уникальные данные о свойствах раннего оптического излучения, сопровождавшего гамма-всплески. Выполнено сравнение данных в оптическом (МАСТЕР), рентгеновском (SWIFTX-rayTelescope (XRT)) и гамма (SWIFTBurstAlertTelescope (BAT)) диапазонах. На основании полученных данных выделены две группы, для которых определен механизм излучения. Также определено воздействие гамма-всплесков на биосферу Земли и рассмотрены оценки и масштаб такого влияния

ЭПЛАН (МАЗЬ, РАСТВОР) – НОВЫЙ ПРЕПАРАТ ДЛЯ МЕСТНОГО ЛЕЧЕНИЯ ИНФЕКЦИИ КОЖИ И МЯГКИХ ТКАНЕЙ В МНОГОПРОФИЛЬНОМ СТАЦИОНАРЕ

The paper presents the results of a multicenter postmarketing clinical laboratory study of Eplan ointment and eplan solution for the topical treatment of skin and soft tissue infections in outpatient, inpatient, and field settings. The results of the study in 793 patients with skin and soft tissue infections of different locations and genesis demonstrate the high clinical efficacy of the medicaments along with their easy-to-use formulation and economic availability. В статье представлены результаты постмаркетингового многоцентрового клинико-лабораторного исследования препаратов Эплан мазь и Эплан раствор, предназначенных для местного лечения инфекции кожи и мягких тканей (ИКМТ) в амбулаторных, стационарных и военно-полевых условиях. Результаты проведенного исследования у 793 больных с ИКМТ различной локализации и генеза демонстрируют высокую клиническую эффективность препаратов наряду с их удобной лекарственной формой и экономической доступностью.