Facet Growth of 4He Crystals at mK Temperatures

We have investigated growth of c facets in good quality helium crystals with screw dislocation densities 0–20 cm exp −2 along the c axis. Three distinct regimes of growth were observed. One of them can be explained by spiral growth provided that kinetic energy of moving steps and their tendency to localization at large driving forces are taken into account. In the absence of screw dislocations we find burstlike growth unless the speed is less than 0.5 nm/s, in which case anomalous, intrinsic growth of facets is detected.Peer reviewe

The results of treatment of chronic recurrent aphthous stomatitis by gel containing zero-valent silver

The article presents the results of complex treatment of chronic recurrent aphthous stomatitis by methylcellulose-based gel with arabinogalactan biocomposite containing zero-valent silver in nano-valent condition. The gel was applied 3-6 times a day at the prescription of Diquertin 0,06 g 3 times a day and Fibrolar 0,3g 3 times a day. The proposed method of treatment allows to improve the effectiveness of treatment by increasing remission and reducing treatment terms

Non-universal equilibrium crystal shape results from sticky steps

The anisotropic surface free energy, Andreev surface free energy, and equilibrium crystal shape (ECS) z=z(x,y) are calculated numerically using a transfer matrix approach with the density matrix renormalization group (DMRG) method. The adopted surface model is a restricted solid-on-solid (RSOS) model with "sticky" steps, i.e., steps with a point-contact type attraction between them (p-RSOS model). By analyzing the results, we obtain a first-order shape transition on the ECS profile around the (111) facet; and on the curved surface near the (001) facet edge, we obtain shape exponents having values different from those of the universal Gruber-Mullins-Pokrovsky-Talapov (GMPT) class. In order to elucidate the origin of the non-universal shape exponents, we calculate the slope dependence of the mean step height of "step droplets" (bound states of steps) using the Monte Carlo method, where p=(dz/dx, dz/dy)$, and represents the thermal averag |p| dependence of , we derive a |p|-expanded expression for the non-universal surface free energy f_{eff}(p), which contains quadratic terms with respect to |p|. The first-order shape transition and the non-universal shape exponents obtained by the DMRG calculations are reproduced thermodynamically from the non-universal surface free energy f_{eff}(p).Comment: 31 pages, 21 figure

In vitro degradation behavior and cytocompatibility of Mg–Zn–Zr alloys

Zinc and zirconium were selected as the alloying elements in biodegradable magnesium alloys, considering their strengthening effect and good biocompatibility. The degradation rate, hydrogen evolution, ion release, surface layer and in vitro cytotoxicity of two Mg–Zn–Zr alloys, i.e. ZK30 and ZK60, and a WE-type alloy (Mg–Y–RE–Zr) were investigated by means of long-term static immersion testing in Hank’s solution, non-static immersion testing in Hank’s solution and cell-material interaction analysis. It was found that, among these three magnesium alloys, ZK30 had the lowest degradation rate and the least hydrogen evolution. A magnesium calcium phosphate layer was formed on the surface of ZK30 sample during non-static immersion and its degradation caused minute changes in the ion concentrations and pH value of Hank’s solution. In addition, the ZK30 alloy showed insignificant cytotoxicity against bone marrow stromal cells as compared with biocompatible hydroxyapatite (HA) and the WE-type alloy. After prolonged incubation for 7 days, a stimulatory effect on cell proliferation was observed. The results of the present study suggested that ZK30 could be a promising material for biodegradable orthopedic implants and worth further investigation to evaluate its in vitro and in vivo degradation behavior

Initial coin offering (ICO) как трансформация финансового института коллективного инвестирования

In conditions of financial institutions’ development it is crucial to examine the transformation in the form of a collective investment institution under the influence of digitalization and, in particular, the emergence of cryptocurrencies. The subject of the research refers to the features of ICO functioning as a transformation of a financial institution for collective investment. The goal is to explore the ICO as a new form of collective investment. The results of the research are achieved through a comprehensive comparative analysis of ICO and IPO as a basic tool of financial institutions. The paper highlights the advantages and disadvantages, identifies the factors, analyzes the institutional regulation of ICO and proposes development vectors from three angles: for project creators, investors, regulators. The results can be used in policymaking, the functioning of joint investment platforms, in training specialists in the field of digital economy and financial markets.В условиях развития финансовых институтов актуально стоит проблема изучения трансформации формы института коллективного инвестирования под воздействием цифровизации, а также криптовалют, в частности. Предмет исследования — особенности функционирования ICO как трансформации финансового института коллективного инвестирования. Цель — исследовать ICO как новую форму коллективного инвестирования. Результаты исследования достигнуты через проведение глубокого сравнительного анализа ICO и IPO как инструмента финансовых институтов. Выделены преимущества и недостатки, определены факторы, проведен анализ институционального регулирования ICO, предложены векторы развития в трех плоскостях: для создателей проектов, инвесторов, регуляторов. Результаты могут быть использованы при разработке законов, функционировании платформ совместного инвестирования, при подготовке специалистов в области цифровой экономики и финансовых рынков

Taxonomic composition and biodiversity of the gut microbiome from patients with irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, and asthma

To date, the association of an imbalance of the intestinal microbiota with various human diseases, including both diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and disorders of the immune system, has been shown. However, despite the huge amount of accumulated data, many key questions still remain unanswered. Given limited data on the composition of the gut microbiota in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) from different parts of Siberia, as well as the lack of data on the gut microbiota of patients with bronchial asthma (BA), the aim of the study was to assess the biodiversity of the gut microbiota of patients with IBS, UC and BA in comparison with those of healthy volunteers (HV). In this study, a comparative assessment of the biodiversity and taxonomic structure of gut microbiome was conducted based on the sequencing of 16S rRNA genes obtained from fecal samples of patients with IBS, UC, BA and volunteers. Sequences of the Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes types dominated in all samples studied. The third most common in all samples were sequences of the Proteobacteria type, which contains pathogenic and opportunistic bacteria. Sequences of the Actinobacteria type were, on average, the fourth most common. The results showed the presence of dysbiosis in the samples from patients compared to the sample from HVs. The ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes was lower in the IBS and UC samples than in HV and higher the BA samples. In the samples from patients with intestinal diseases (IBS and UC), an increase in the proportion of sequences of the Bacteroidetes type and a decrease in the proportion of sequences of the Clostridia class, as well as the Ruminococcaceae, but not Erysipelotrichaceae family, were found. The IBS, UC, and BA samples had signif icantly more Proteobacteria sequences, including Methylobacterium, Sphingomonas, Parasutterella, Halomonas, Vibrio, as well as Escherichia spp. and Shigella spp. In the gut microbiota of adults with BA, a decrease in the proportion of Roseburia, Lachnospira, Veillonella sequences was detected, but the share of Faecalibacterium and Lactobacillus sequences was the same as in healthy individuals. A signif icant increase in the proportion of Halomonas and Vibrio sequences in the gut microbiota in patients with BA has been described for the f irst time

Magnetic phenomena in co-containing layered double hydroxides

Magnetic behavior of CoII(n)AlIII layered double hydroxides (LDHs) (n=Co/Al=2 and 3) intercalated with nitrate was studied as a function of temperature. Both LDH compounds are paramagnetic above about 8K. A rapid increase of their magnetic moments occurs below this temperature until the moments reach the maximum values at Tmax of 4.0K and 3.2K for Co(2)Al-NO3 and Co(3)Al-NO3, respectively. Below Tmax, the zero-field-cooled and the field-cooled static magnetization curves are strongly different. Along with this low-temperature phenomena, Co(2)Al-NO3 and Co(3)Al-NO3 demonstrate anomalous behavior of their temperature dependence magnetic susceptibility in a highertemperature range: between 75 and 175K, both the paramagnetic Curie temperature and the effective magnetic moment change in a non-monotonous way. Possible structural reasons of the observed magnetic behavior of the CoII(n)AlIII LDHs are discussed.publishe