Low power reconfigurable multilevel nanophotonic devices based on Sn-doped Ge2Sb2Te5 thin films

In the past years, Ge2Sb2Te5 has been considered a promising functional material for a variety of reconfigurable multilevel devices, including photonic integrated circuits for the post-von Neumann arithmetic processing. However, despite significant advances, it is necessary to reduce the switching energy of Ge2Sb2Te5 for creation of the on-chip low power all-photonic spiking neural networks. The present work focuses on the effect of tin ion implantation on the properties of amorphous Ge2Sb2Te5 thin films, as well as on the performance of Mach-Zehnder interferometers and balanced beam splitters based on them. As a result, Sn-doping accompanied by the formation of weaker bonds in Ge2Sb2Te5 thin films is an efficient approach to significantly reduce the threshold energy of fs-laser initiated phase transitions and change the effective absorption coefficient. The possibility of using the Sn-doped Ge2Sb2Te5 thin films for fully optical multilevel reversible recording between 9 different levels (3 bits) has been demonstrated by experimental measurements of fabricated on-chip balanced beam splitters. The obtained results show that the Sn doping of Ge2Sb2Te5 layer can be used to optimize the properties of the GST225 thin films, in particular to reduce the switching energy. So, it has the potential to improve the characteristics of reconfigurable multilevel nanophotonic devices using the GST225 thin films, including fully non-volatile memory and developed on-chip low power all-photonic circuits for post-von Neumann arithmetic processin

Цитокиновый профиль пациентов с сочетанной кардио- и офтальмопатологией

Сочетанная кардиологическая и офтальмологическая патология имеет высокую распространённость в старших возрастных группах населения и общие патогенетические механизмы, к числу которых, безусловно, относится нарушение цитокинового профиля. Однако цитокиновый профиль крови практически не анализировался у пациентов пожилого возраста с сочетанной ишемической болезнью сердца с глаукомой. Цель исследования – изучение цитокинового профиля у пациентов с сочетанной кардио- и офтальмопатологией. Исследование выполнено в Тамбовском филиале МНТК «Микрохирургия глаза имени академика С.Н. Федорова» в двух группах: пациенты с сочетанной ишемической болезнью сердца с глаукомой (n=58 человек) и пациенты с ишемической болезнью сердца (n=49 человек), имеющих в обоих случаях одинаковый возраст 60-74 лет. Диагностика глаукомы проведена в соответствии с критериями «Национального руководства по глаукоме». Для диагностики ишемической болезни сердца выполнялись электрокардиографические, эхокардиографические, рентгенографические, энзимные исследования. Определение цитокинов в плазме крови проводилось на аппарате «Beckton Dickinson FACS Canto 2 (USA)» с помощью специального набора CBA (BD Biosciences, USA). Среди пациентов сравниваемых групп одинакового возраста выявлены достоверные различия по большинству цитокинов, а именно преимущественное повышение у пациентов с сочетанной кардио- и офтальмопатологией относительно группы с ишемической болезнью сердца. Повысилось в плазме крови пациентов с ишемической болезнью сердца, сочетанной с глаукомой, содержание IL-5, IL-12, IFN-γ, TNF-α c достоверным различием по сравнению с пациентами с ишемической болезнью сердца. Однако наивысшее увеличение среди рассматриваемых цитокинов характерно для IL-6 и IL-17, составившее у пациентов с сочетанной кардио- и офтальмопатологией 23,8±1,1 пг/мл и 20,2±1,7 пг/мл против 6,3±0,3 пг/мл и 7,9±0,5 пг/мл соответственно у пациентов с ишемической болезнью сердца. Вместе с тем существенно снизился уровень IL-4 и IL-10 до 2,2±0,2 пг/мл и 6,4±0,4 пг/мл против 4,8±0,3 пг/мл и 11,9±0,6 пг/мл. Использование логистической регрессии позволило определить величины относительного риска изученных цитокинов крови и разработать нескорректированные и скорректированные модели, согласно которым наиболее тесная ассоциация с риском развития сочетанной ишемической болезни сердца с глаукомой установлена для IL-6 и IL-17, с величинами относительного риска в нескорректированной модели 2,87 и 2,71 соответственно (p<0,001). Однако в скорректированной модели ассоциация IL-6 с сочетанной ишемической болезнью сердца с глаукомой повысилась до 2,92 (ДИ 2,80-3,27, р=0,004), а IL-17 уменьшилось до 2,64 (ДИ 2,51-2,85, р=0,003). Установлена также достоверная ассоциация IL-4, IL-5, IL-12, IFN-γ и TNF-α с сочетанной ишемической болезнью сердца с глаукомой. Исследование продемонстрировало новые ассоциации системных цитокинов с риском развития сочетанной ишемической болезнью сердца с глаукомой

Сучасні тренди підготовки фахівців з управління проектами та програмами

У збірнику матеріалів конференції висвітлено роботи фіналістів Усеукраїнського конкурсу студентських наукових робіт 2018–2019 навчального року з «Управління проектами та програмами» й сучасні тренди підготовки фахівців з управління проектами та програмами, які були обговорені на науково-практичній конференції в м. Луцьку 5 квітня 2019 р. Збірник розрахований на широке коло фахівців з управління проектами та програмами, спеціалістів, що працюють у структурних підрозділах органів державної влади й управління, економістів, викладачів, аспірантів, здобувачів і студентів, а також усіх, хто цікавиться сучасними трендами підготовки фахівців з управління проектами та програмами

The significance of cephalopod beaks as a research tool: An update

The use of cephalopod beaks in ecological and population dynamics studies has allowed major advances of our knowledge on the role of cephalopods in marine ecosystems in the last 60 years. Since the 1960's, with the pioneering research by Malcolm Clarke and colleagues, cephalopod beaks (also named jaws or mandibles) have been described to species level and their measurements have been shown to be related to cephalopod body size and mass, which permitted important information to be obtained on numerous biological and ecological aspects of cephalopods in marine ecosystems. In the last decade, a range of new techniques has been applied to cephalopod beaks, permitting new kinds of insight into cephalopod biology and ecology. The workshop on cephalopod beaks of the Cephalopod International Advisory Council Conference (Sesimbra, Portugal) in 2022 aimed to review the most recent scientific developments in this field and to identify future challenges, particularly in relation to taxonomy, age, growth, chemical composition (i.e., DNA, proteomics, stable isotopes, trace elements) and physical (i.e., structural) analyses. In terms of taxonomy, new techniques (e.g., 3D geometric morphometrics) for identifying cephalopods from their beaks are being developed with promising results, although the need for experts and reference collections of cephalopod beaks will continue. The use of beak microstructure for age and growth studies has been validated. Stable isotope analyses on beaks have proven to be an excellent technique to get valuable information on the ecology of cephalopods (namely habitat and trophic position). Trace element analyses is also possible using beaks, where concentrations are significantly lower than in other tissues (e.g., muscle, digestive gland, gills). Extracting DNA from beaks was only possible in one study so far. Protein analyses can also be made using cephalopod beaks. Future challenges in research using cephalopod beaks are also discussed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Working group on cephalopod fisheries and life history (Wgceph; outputs from 2022 meeting)

Rapports Scientifiques du CIEM. Volume 5, nº 1WGCEPH worked on six Terms of Reference. These involved reporting on the status of stocks; reviewing advances in stock identification, assessment for fisheries management and for the Ma- rine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), including some exploratory stock assessments; re- viewing impacts of human activities on cephalopods; developing identification guides and rec- ommendations for fishery data collection; describing the value chain and evaluating market driv- ers; and reviewing advances in research on environmental tolerance of cephalopods. ToR A is supported by an annual data call for fishery and survey data. During 2019–2021, com- pared to 1990–2020, cuttlefish remained the most important cephalopod group in terms of weight landed along the European North Atlantic coast, while loliginid squid overtook octopus as the second most important group. Short-finned squid remained the least important group in land- ings although their relative importance was almost double in 2019–2022 compared to 1992–2020. Total cephalopod landings have been fairly stable since 1992. Cuttlefish landings are towards the low end of the recent range, part of a general downward trend since 2004. Loliginid squid landings in 2019 were close to the maximum seen during the last 20 years but totals for 2020 and 2021 were lower. Annual ommastrephid squid landings are more variable than those of the other two groups and close to the maximum seen during 1992– 2021. Octopod landings have generally declined since 2002 but the amount landed in 2021 was higher than in the previous four years. Under ToR B we illustrate that the combination of genetic analysis and statolith shape analysis is a promising method to provide some stock structure information for L. forbsii. With the sum- mary of cephalopod assessments, we could illustrate that many cephalopod species could al- ready be included into the MSFD. We further provide material from two reviews in preparation, covering stock assessment methods and challenges faced for cephalopod fisheries management. Finally, we summarise trends in abundance indices, noting evidence of recent declines in cuttle- fish and some octopuses of the genus Eledone. Under ToR C, we describe progress on the reviews of (i) anthropogenic impacts on cephalopods and (ii) life history and ecology. In relation to life history, new information on Eledone cirrhosa from Portugal is included. Under ToR D we provide an update on identification guides, discuss best practice in fishery data collection in relation to maturity determination and sampling intensity for fishery monitoring. Among others, we recommend i) to include the sampling of cephalopods in any fishery that (a) targets cephalopods, (b) targets both cephalopods and demersal fishes or (c) takes cephalopods as an important bycatch, ii) Size-distribution sampling, iii) the use of standardized sampling pro- tocols, iv) an increased sampling effort in cephalopod. Work under ToR E on value chains and market drivers, in conjunction with the Cephs & Chefs INTERREG project, has resulted in two papers being submitted. Abstracts of these are in the report. Finally, progress under ToR F on environmental tolerance limits of cephalopods and climate en- velope models is discussed, noting the need to continue this work during the next cycle.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The significance of cephalopod beaks as a research tool: An update

The use of cephalopod beaks in ecological and population dynamics studies has allowed major advances of our knowledge on the role of cephalopods in marine ecosystems in the last 60 years. Since the 1960’s, with the pioneering research by Malcolm Clarke and colleagues, cephalopod beaks (also named jaws or mandibles) have been described to species level and their measurements have been shown to be related to cephalopod body size and mass, which permitted important information to be obtained on numerous biological and ecological aspects of cephalopods in marine ecosystems. In the last decade, a range of new techniques has been applied to cephalopod beaks, permitting new kinds of insight into cephalopod biology and ecology. The workshop on cephalopod beaks of the Cephalopod International Advisory Council Conference (Sesimbra, Portugal) in 2022 aimed to review the most recent scientific developments in this field and to identify future challenges, particularly in relation to taxonomy, age, growth, chemical composition (i.e., DNA, proteomics, stable isotopes, trace elements) and physical (i.e., structural) analyses. In terms of taxonomy, new techniques (e.g., 3D geometric morphometrics) for identifying cephalopods from their beaks are being developed with promising results, although the need for experts and reference collections of cephalopod beaks will continue. The use of beak microstructure for age and growth studies has been validated. Stable isotope analyses on beaks have proven to be an excellent technique to get valuable information on the ecology of cephalopods (namely habitat and trophic position). Trace element analyses is also possible using beaks, where concentrations are significantly lower than in other tissues (e.g., muscle, digestive gland, gills). Extracting DNA from beaks was only possible in one study so far. Protein analyses can also be made using cephalopod beaks. Future challenges in research using cephalopod beaks are also discussed

Physico-mathematical modeling methods for the pressure distribution determination in the gas-dynamic bearing gap of the ball gyroscope

The considering problem in the article connects with solution methods of the specific questions in gas-dynamic lubrication theory. The comparative analysis of analytical and numerical methods for the calculating gas-dynamic bearing characteristics is provided. The main applying aspects of them for the solving of specific gas lubrication theory points are presented. This research is carried out for the investigated gap bearing geometry for the designed ball gyroscope construction. The main mathematical equation and results of developed numerical simulation for the pressure distribution determination are shown

Granulated asphalt mix based on industrial and domestic waste

The paper presents the results of experimental studies to identify the possibility of using large-tonnage industrial mineral waste in the production of asphalt concrete mixtures. As a raw material for the production of asphalt used phosphogypsum - waste production of phosphoric acid, resulting from the processing of apatite. The reserves of this product are measured in millions of tons and are constantly replenished, stored in open dumps, representing a serious threat to the environmental situation in the surrounding areas. Phosphogypsum is a mineral powder material, the dispersion characteristics of which correspond to the mineral powder in the production of asphalt concrete. The method of production of granulated as-falto-concrete mixture developed by the authors of the article by the method of rolling involves the use of a significantly higher content of expensive mineral powder in comparison with typical mixtures. Therefore, the use of cheap phosphogypsum for these purposes is very attractive. However, the first attempts to obtain a granulated product based on phosphogypsum were unsuccessful - the asphalt-concrete mixture did not withstand the effects of moisture. Further studies allowed us to solve the problem of material resistance by modifying bitumen with polyethylene terephthalate, one of the most common household plastic waste. The subject of the article is devoted to the development of prescription and regime parameters of the process of obtaining new material. Test methods for asphalt concrete are strictly standardized in connection with which standard techniques were used. As a result of the research, an asphalt-concrete mixture was obtained, surpassing typical materials in many performance characteristics and allowing to solve a global environmental problem

Granulated asphalt mix based on industrial and domestic waste

The paper presents the results of experimental studies to identify the possibility of using large-tonnage industrial mineral waste in the production of asphalt concrete mixtures. As a raw material for the production of asphalt used phosphogypsum - waste production of phosphoric acid, resulting from the processing of apatite. The reserves of this product are measured in millions of tons and are constantly replenished, stored in open dumps, representing a serious threat to the environmental situation in the surrounding areas. Phosphogypsum is a mineral powder material, the dispersion characteristics of which correspond to the mineral powder in the production of asphalt concrete. The method of production of granulated as-falto-concrete mixture developed by the authors of the article by the method of rolling involves the use of a significantly higher content of expensive mineral powder in comparison with typical mixtures. Therefore, the use of cheap phosphogypsum for these purposes is very attractive. However, the first attempts to obtain a granulated product based on phosphogypsum were unsuccessful - the asphalt-concrete mixture did not withstand the effects of moisture. Further studies allowed us to solve the problem of material resistance by modifying bitumen with polyethylene terephthalate, one of the most common household plastic waste. The subject of the article is devoted to the development of prescription and regime parameters of the process of obtaining new material. Test methods for asphalt concrete are strictly standardized in connection with which standard techniques were used. As a result of the research, an asphalt-concrete mixture was obtained, surpassing typical materials in many performance characteristics and allowing to solve a global environmental problem

Reproductive Biology of the Golden Cuttlefish Sepia esculenta (Cephalopoda, Sepiida)

The golden cuttlefish Sepia esculenta is the one of most abundant cuttlefish species around south-east Asia and has a high commercial value. Despite its wide distribution and high commercial value, its reproductive biology is still poorly understood. This study was based on 25 males and 6 females. The potential fecundity (PF) of females was 1701–3719 oocytes, which was an increase, as compared to the previously known values. The oocyte resorption reached up to 13.2% of fecundity. The ovulation pattern was group-synchronous, with a predominance of previtellogenic oocytes. The pre-meiotic and primary growth oocyte phases were absent in mature females. The number of spermatophores carried by an individual male was 146–1698 (length 9–20 mm). The spermatophores were characterised by a cement body consisting of conical oral and cylindrical aboral parts. The ontogenetic changes in the spermatophores and their parts were recorded for the first time in the order of Sepiida. Their sperm content and their adhesive abilities also increased during ontogenesis. The data obtained in the present study significantly increased and corrected the existing knowledge of S. esculenta biology. Moreover, these data help to explain the general patterns of reproductive biology in cuttlefish, as well as in Cephalopoda as a whole