Economic tomography: the possibility to anticipate and respond to socio-economic crises

The article discusses an approach based on an original hypothesis related to the peculiarities of Russia’s development (on the one hand, its scale, the Russian mentality and a certain closeness of the economy; on the other hand, a significant dominant resource and human potential, and, as a consequence, a genuine role in the global economic community), the diagnosis of which (at the level of the well-being of individuals and inhabited areas) can be used to identify crises, provide an early assessment of threats to socio-economic development of regions as well as help to evaluate the state of the region over a 3 to 5 year period. In other words, in order to ensure that executives have enough time to mount a sufficiently rapid response to the crises and administrative errors and to reduce the impact of emerging threats. The aim of this paper is to present theoretical and methodological tools for the recognition of the early stages of emerging threats, allowing fewer losses to be experienced during the crisis period. Simulation experiments were carried out for the purpose of classifying previously occurring social and economic crises (9 possible variants were reviewed) and mathematically processed trajectories of change in the main indicators for the well-being of individuals and inhabited areas, taking the influence of various factors into account. On the basis of the authors’ proposed approach (referred to as economic tomography) an attempt is made to comprehensively assess the state of sample representative regions of Russia.The research has been supported by the Russian Science Foundation (project № 14–18–00574 'Information-analytical system "Anticrisis:" diagnostics of the regions, threat assessment and scenario forecasting for the preservation and strengthening of economic security and well-being of Russia')

Dispersed copper (I) oxide particles encapsulated by polylactide

One of the approaches for the production of polymer composite materials with a biocidal effect is based on the use of dispersed particles of some metal oxides as a filler (for example, copper oxide or zinc oxide). Such an approach allows not only providing a biocidal effect, but also increasing such mechanical characteristics as the modulus of elasticity, hardness, and abrasion resistance. The mechanical characteristics of such polymer composite materials can be controlled by formation of a sheath (for example, from polylactide) of a given thickness on the surfaces of dispersed particles. Polylactide is a biodegradable polymer, widely used as coating material for particles with biocidal properties. The parameters of the methods for forming a polylactide sheath are determined by the sheath’s thickness and the sheath’s adhesion to the particle surface. The purpose of the study was to determine the parameters of the polymer sheath’s formation on the surfaces of dispersed submicron copper oxide (I) particles during coacervation of polylactide from the solution. The encapsulation of copper (I) oxide particles was carried out by the coacervation process in a solution. Polylactide was displaced from the solution in benzene by hexane in the presence of copper (I) oxide particles. It was shown that a sheath thickness of about 250 nm can be obtained by using the polylactide sheath formation method. The recommended parameters of the polylactide sheath formation method were determined: solution temperature of 35÷38 °C, hexane volume not more than 30±2 ml. The sheath had weak adhesion to particle surfaces: adhesion was determined by the roughness of the particle surface. The mechanical characteristics of the epoxy resin ED-20 polymer composition filled with the encapsulated particles were considered in the study. The increase in the mechanical properties of the polymer composition with encapsulated particles in comparison with the samples of polymer composition with non-encapsulated particles was revealed. That can indicate the increased adhesion of encapsulated particles to such polymer matrix

Primary plasty of an Achilles tendon by plantar muscle tendon (clinical case)

Patient T., 43 years old arrived in clinic with complaints to the pains in lower thir of the right shin, limitation of movements in right ankle joint, inability of using right lower extremity. An. operative treatment was realized in clinic: suture of rupture of Achilles tendon by Cuneo with plastics by the tendon of long plantar muscle. In 4 weeks plaster immobilization was removed, the patient started measured loading of operated extremity with additional cane support. In 6 weeks full load on operated extremity was allowed and the patient returned to work. In 2 months patient received repeated trauma. During the examination local painfulness in the area of operative intervention was revealed. At the palpation it was revealed that integrity of plantar muscle tendon isn't broken. Control MRR of right shin was made: as the result of control examination the injury of plantar muscle tendon wasn't revealed. Immobilization of operated extremity in neutral position of a foot by functional brace was recommended to the patient. Measured, loading with additional additional cane support was approved. In 2 weeks the immobilization was removed, function of operated extremity is fully restored. Conclusion: if proposed method allows to start earlier loadings and. to decrease possibility of repeated rupture of reconstructed plantar muscle tendon in the most active period of rehabilitation

Primary plastics of Achilles tendon by plantar muscle tendon for the prevention of repeated ruptures (experimental research)

The most important requirement to Achilles tendon suture is its ability to hold loading both in postoperative and. in rehabilitation period. The research was aimed, at the comparison of strength of classic intertendon suture of Achilles tendon and. primary plastics of Achilles tendon by plantar muscle tendon. 60 unfixed (cadaveric) Achilles tendons and 60 plantar muscle tendons were used in experimental research. Further parameters were registered: age, measurements of Achilles and long plantar muscle tendons (length, width, thickness). The first step was to determine the tensile of intact Achilles tendon; the second was to determine the tensile double Polyester N 6 suture; the third — to determine tensile of plantar muscle tendon; the fourth — to determine tensile of Achilles tendon reconstructed with, use of proposed method. As the result of the experiment further conclusions were drawn. 1. Force that causes rupture of Achilles tendon decreases with age of a person that proves degenerative theory of Achilles tendon injury indirectrly. 2. Force that causes rupture of intact Achilles tendon (Ме) is 161,0, of double Polyester N 6 suture — 5,0, of tendon of plantar muscle folded up in four is 22,5; of Achilles tendon reconstructed with use of proposed method is 32,0. 3. Tensile of primary plastics of Achilles tendon sutured with use of proposed method is 6.4 times more than tensile of classic suture (Polyester N 6)

Role of P-selectin in platelet sequestration in pulmonary capillaries during endotoxemia

Background: There is growing evidence that platelets accumulate in the lung and contribute to the pathogenesis of acute lung injury during endotoxemia. The aims of the present study were to localize platelet sequestration in the pulmonary microcirculation and to investigate the role of P-selectin as a molecular mechanism of platelet endothelial cell interaction. Methods: We used in vivo fluorescence microscopy to quantify the kinetics of fluorescently labeled erythrocytes and platelets in alveolar capillary networks in rabbit lungs. Results: Six hours after onset of endotoxin infusion we observed a massive rolling along and firm adherence of platelets to lung capillary endothelial cells whereas under control conditions no platelet sequestration was detected. P-selectin was expressed on the surface of separated platelets which were incubated with endotoxin and in lung tissue. Pretreatment of platelets with fucoidin, a P-selectin antagonist, significantly attenuated the endotoxin-induced platelet rolling and adherence. In contrast, intravenous infusion of fucoidin in endotoxin-treated rabbits did not inhibit platelet sequestration in pulmonary capillaries. Conclusion: We conclude that platelets accumulate in alveolar capillaries following endotoxemia. P-selectin expressed on the surface of platelets seems to play an important role in mediating this platelet-endothelial cell interaction. Copyright (c) 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel

Sildenafil attenuates pulmonary arterial pressure but does not improve oxygenation during ARDS

OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary hypertension is a characteristic feature of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and contributes to mortality. Administration of sildenafil in ambulatory patients with pulmonary hypertension improves oxygenation and ameliorates pulmonary hypertension. Our aim was to determine whether sildenafil is beneficial for patients with ARDS. DESIGN: Prospective, open-label, multicenter, interventional cohort study. SETTING: Medical-surgical ICU of two university hospitals. PATIENTS: Ten consecutive patients meeting the NAECC criteria for ARDS. INTERVENTIONS: A single dose of 50 mg sildenafil citrate administered via a nasogastric tube. MAIN RESULTS: Administration of sildenafil in patients with ARDS decreased mean pulmonary arterial pressure from 25 to 22 mmHg (P = 0.022) and pulmonary artery occlusion pressure from 16 to 13 mmHg (P = 0.049). Systemic mean arterial pressures were markedly decreased from 81 to 75 mmHg (P = 0.005). Sildenafil did not improve pulmonary arterial oxygen tension, but resulted in a further increase in the shunt fraction. CONCLUSION: Although sildenafil reduced pulmonary arterial pressures during ARDS, the increased shunt fraction and decreased arterial oxygenation render it unsuitable for the treatment of patients with ARD

Liquid low-level radioactive wastes treatment by using hydrophobized track-etched membranes

In this paper, we present the results of liquid low-level radioactive wastes (LLLRW) treatment by direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) using polyethylene terephthalate (PET) track-etched membranes (TeMs). PET TeMs were modified by styrene and triethoxyvinylsilane (TEVS) using UV-induced grafting. Modification led to increase in the contact angle to 99° of PET TeMs (pore size from 150 to 300 nm). Hydrophobic PET TeMs were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), goniometric analysis, gas permeability test, liquid entry presser (LEP) analysis and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Prepared membranes were tested in treatment of LLLRW by DCMD. The influence of pore size on water flux and rejection degree was studied. Rejection degree was evaluated by conductometry and atomic emission methods. Decontamination factors (evaluated by gamma-ray spectroscopy) for 60Co, 137Cs, and 241Am were found to be 85, 1900 and 5 respectively. In most cases degree of rejection of Cs, Mo, Sr, Sb, Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg and Na ions were more than 90% and close to 100%. The use of TeMs with a narrow pores size distribution and without tortuous channels allowed us to achieve better purification from radioactive wastes in comparison with hollow-fiber membranes. © 2019 Elsevier LtdMinistry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan: AP05132110This study was funded by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan (grant No AP05132110 “Preparation of track-etched membranes with specified properties for membrane distillation and forward osmosis”)