Investigation of the structure and properties of surface composite layers on multi-alloyed steels

In this work were studied the structures and properties of surface composite layers obtained by chemical-thermal treatment and combined chemical-thermal treatment, combining liquid-free electrolysis-free boriding with gas nitriding. The properties of surface composite layers on steels with different alloys are analyzed depending on various parameters of chemical-thermal treatment. The study showed that, during boriding, phases of iron borides FeB, Fe2B are formed on the surface of the samples, and their volume ratio strongly depends on the degree of steel alloying. A strong effect of carbon on the morphology of surface layers was revealed. Finely dispersed strengthening particles were found in the borated layers on the VKS-5 steel, large superhard particles on the Ch12MF steel near the borated layers. The study of the microstructure of the composite layers showed that during gas nitriding, a layer 80 μm in size is obtained, which penetrates deep into the borated layer. The study of the properties of surface layers showed that carbon has the greatest influence on the formation of borated layers. The resulting composite layers are characterized by reduced microbrittleness and increased corrosion resistance

DANSSino: a pilot version of the DANSS neutrino detector

DANSSino is a reduced pilot version of a solid-state detector of reactor antineutrinos (to be created within the DANSS project and installed under the industrial 3 GW(th) reactor of the Kalinin Nuclear Power Plant -- KNPP). Numerous tests performed at a distance of 11 m from the reactor core demonstrate operability of the chosen design and reveal the main sources of the background. In spite of its small size (20x20x100 ccm), the pilot detector turned out to be quite sensitive to reactor antineutrinos, detecting about 70 IBD events per day with the signal-to-background ratio about unity.Comment: 16 pages, 11 figures, 3 tables. arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1304.369

Significance of individual management plan for the patients with hereditary lymphangioedema during pregnancy and lactation, and in newborns

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a genetically caused orphan disease with a high risk of developing life-threatening attacks, thus requiring availability for up-to-date information on this problem for the doctors of any specialties. A limited number of observations determine the value of the analysis for each clinical case. Many facets of clinical manifestations, a list of predisposing and triggering factors, as well as limitations of some diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms, require the development of individual management schemes under distinct clinical situations. In this paper, we present the unique clinical cases with certain limitations, describing unexpected onset of the disease in the course of pregnancy, management aspects during delivery and post-delivery periods in a women with a previously confirmed HAE diagnosis. Adapted diagnostic algorithms of postnatal diagnostic verification are presented for children with burdened genetic history. We express some assumptions about involvement of a multidisciplinary team of specialists, personalized approach to building a management plan with an “online” correction depending on observation stage of НАЕ patient

Search for sterile neutrinos at the DANSS experiment

DANSS is a highly segmented 1~m${}^3$ plastic scintillator detector. Its 2500 one meter long scintillator strips have a Gd-loaded reflective cover. The DANSS detector is placed under an industrial 3.1~$\mathrm{GW_{th}}$ reactor of the Kalinin Nuclear Power Plant 350~km NW from Moscow. The distance to the core is varied on-line from 10.7~m to 12.7~m. The reactor building provides about 50~m water-equivalent shielding against the cosmic background. DANSS detects almost 5000 $\widetilde\nu_e$ per day at the closest position with the cosmic background less than 3$\%$. The inverse beta decay process is used to detect $\widetilde\nu_e$. Sterile neutrinos are searched for assuming the $4\nu$ model (3 active and 1 sterile $\nu$). The exclusion area in the $\Delta m_{14}^2,\sin^22\theta_{14}$ plane is obtained using a ratio of positron energy spectra collected at different distances. Therefore results do not depend on the shape and normalization of the reactor $\widetilde\nu_e$ spectrum, as well as on the detector efficiency. Results are based on 966 thousand antineutrino events collected at 3 distances from the reactor core. The excluded area covers a wide range of the sterile neutrino parameters up to $\sin^22\theta_{14}<0.01$ in the most sensitive region.Comment: 10 pages, 13 figures, version accepted for publicatio

АНАЛІЗ УМОВ ВИДИМОСТІ В АКТОВІЙ ЗАЛІ НУВГП

Visibility conditions in the assembly hall of National University of Water and Environmental Engineering are analysed. It was established that the mutual placement of seats for viewers and a stage does not ensure compliance with the regulatory requirements for visibility. The blinding value on cylindrical surface for real conditions in the assembly hall was shown. The cylindrical surface was created by moving focal line points upstairs along the generatrixes of this surface. Rows arrangement options on curved line of the least ascending gradient, on plane at an angle and on three planes at an angle were proposed. Measures for improvement of visibility conditions are offered. It was proposed to add additional stairs along the rows rising.Проанализированы условия видимости актового зала НУВХП. Установлено, что взаимное расположение мест для зрителей и эстрады не обеспечивают выполнения нормативных требований по видимости. Предложены меры по улучшению условий видимости.Проаналізовано умови видимості в актовій залі НУВГП. Встановлено, що взаємне розміщення місць для глядачів і естради не забезпечують виконання нормативних вимог щодо видимості. Запропоновано заходи для поліпшення умов видимості

Сравнение эффективности методов неинвазивной респираторной поддержки в послеоперационном периоде у кардиохирургических больных: пилотное исследование

АКТУАЛЬНОСТЬ: Частота развития дыхательной недостаточности после кардиохирургических вмешательств составляет 17–22 % [1–3]. Методы неинвазивной респираторной поддержки: неинвазивная масочная вентиляция легких (НИМВЛ), высокопоточная назальная оксигенотерапия (ВНО) и неинвазивная вентиляция с помощью шлема (НИВЛШ) находят все более широкое применение в терапии дыхательной недостаточности у этих пациентов. ЦЕЛЬ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЯ: Сравнение эффективности методов респираторной поддержки в зависимости от их влияния на газообмен у пациентов с легкой степенью тяжести дыхательной недостаточности в раннем периоде после кардиохирургических вмешательств. МАТЕРИАЛЫ И МЕТОДЫ: В работу включены 42 кардиохирургических пациента с 200 < P/F < 300, которые были разделены на 3 группы в зависимости от применяемого метода респираторной поддержки (НИМВЛ, ВНО или НИВЛШ). Основная точка исследования — оценка динамики показателей газообмена до, во время и после их применения. РЕЗУЛЬТАТЫ: Все три метода НИВЛ способствуют статистически достоверному улучшению показателей газообмена во время проведения НИВЛ, которое сохранялось и после завершения терапии (SpO2, PaO2, P/F, Qsp/Qt). В группе с применением НИМВЛ и ВНО отмечен прирост фракции оксигемоглобина. Значения PaCO2 в группах сравнения не различались. Наибольший прирост SpO2 наблюдаем в группах с использованием маски и шлема, но по завершении сеанса НИВЛ статистически значимых различий между группами не было. Доля пациентов с P/F < 300 после однократного сеанса в группе НИМВЛ снизилась в 2 раза, в группе ВНО — в 1,6 раза, в группе НИВЛШ — в 3,5 раза. ВЫВОДЫ: Проведение неинвазивной респираторной поддержки значительно улучшает показатели оксигенирующей функции легких в раннем послеоперационном периоде у кардиохирургических больных. НИВЛШ и НИМВЛ более эффективны по сравнению с ВНО. При использовании шлема требуется более высокий уровень респираторной поддержки

Изменение активности лизосомальных цистеиновых протеаз плазмы, моноядерных и полиморфноядерных лейкоцитов крови при болезни Альцгеймера

Aim. To study the level of activity of lysosomal cysteine proteases (cathepsins H, B, L) in blood plasma and fractionated leukocytes (polymorphonuclear and mononuclear) in patients with Alzheimer’s disease in comparison with similar indicators in persons without signs of neurodegeneration as a possible marker of Alzheimer’s disease development and diagnosis.Materials and methods. The spectrofluorimetric study of cathepsins B, L, H activity level in plasma and fractionated leukocytes was conducted in 22 patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in comparison with the same indicators in 22 patients matched by sex, age and associated diseases with patients of the observation group, but having no signs of neurodegeneration.Results. The activity of all three enzymes, and especially cathepsin H, increased significantly in blood plasma.  A significant increase is also noted in the activity of cathepsins H, B, and L in homogenates of fractionated  leukocytes. At the same time, in both polymorphonuclear and mononuclear leukocytes the greatest degree of changes is demonstrated by the activity of cathepsin B, and the least is the activity of cathepsin L. Given the available data on an increased cathepsin B activity in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with Alzheimer’s disease, we can assume a correlation between the state of lysosomal proteases activity in the Central nervous system and in the peripheral blood cells.Conclusion. Alzheimer’s disease is associated with increased activity of cysteine cathepsins in plasma, polymorphonuclear and mononuclear leukocytes of peripheral blood, which can be considered as one of the possible markers of development and diagnosis of the disease.  Цель. Изучить уровень активности лизосомальных цистеиновых протеиназ (катепсинов H, B, L) в плазме крови и фракционированных лейкоцитах (полиморфноядерных и моноядерных) пациентов с болезнью Альцгеймера в сравнении с аналогичными показателями у лиц, не имеющих признаков нейродегенерации, как возможный маркер развития и диагностики болезни Альцгеймера.Материалы и методы. Проведено спектрофлуориметрическое исследование уровня активности катепсинов B, L, H в плазме крови и фракционированных лейкоцитах 22 пациентов с диагнозом «Болезнь Альцгеймера» в сравнении с аналогичными показателями 22 пациентов, сопоставимых по полу, возрасту и сопутствующим заболеваниям с пациентами группы наблюдения, но не имеющих  признаков нейродегенерации.Результаты. В плазме крови статистически значимо повышена активность всех трех ферментов, в наибольшей степени – активности катепсина Н. В гомогенатах фракционированных лейкоцитов также отмечается статистически значимое повышение активности катепсинов Н, B, L, при этом как в полиморфноядерных, так и в моноядерных лейкоцитах в наибольшей степени изменяется активность катепсина В, наименьшей –катепсина L. Учитывая имеющиеся данные о повышении активности катепсина В в цереброспинальной жидкости пациентов с болезнью Альцгеймера, можно предположить взаимосвязь между состоянием активности лизосомальных протеиназ в центральной нервной системе и периферических клетках крови.Заключение. Болезнь Альцгеймера ассоциирована с нарастанием активности цистеиновых катепсинов в плазме, полиморфноядерных и моноядерных лейкоцитах периферической крови, что может рассматриваться как один из возможных маркеров развития и диагностики заболевания

Changes in the T and B lymphocyte subset profiles upon treatment of patients with Graves’ disease with radioactive iodine

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the subpopulation profile of T and B lymphocytes, and their relationships during therapy of the patients with Graves’ disease (GD) treated by means of radioactive iodine. We have examined 36 women with verified diagnosis of GD. The contents of thyroid hormones were determined by immunoradiometric analysis. The levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor autoantibodies (rTSH) were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. On the basis of comprehensive pre-therapeutic examination, all patients were exposed to the fixed-activity therapy with radioactive iodine-131 at a dose of 400 to 700 MBq administered orally in isotonic aqueous solution of sodium iodide. 56 practically healthy women were examined as a control group. The phenotype of T and B cells in whole blood was studied by flow cytometry using direct immunofluorescence. It was shown that the patients, prior to treatment with radioactive iodine, had high levels of cellular functional activity, as determined by expression of CD25 antigen on T cells and CD23-antigen on B lymphocytes. Higher functional activity of the cells responsive for adaptive immunity in the patients with GD manifests in the presence of increased levels of autoantibodies to rTSH. By means of correlation analysis, we found that the patients with GD examined before the therapy had the thyroid status may determine the functional stimulation of T and B cells, thus increasing the levels of autoimmune processes. One month after radioiodine therapy (RIT), the GD patients, along with transient hyperthyroidism with increased concentration of autoantibodies to rTSH, showed a reduction of activated T lymphocyte contents (including T helpers and cytotoxic T cells) to control values. However, the level of cytotoxic T lymphocytes in the blood remained low, and the content of Treg cells was significantly increased in the patients. Decreased contents of B cells activated memory B cell to the control levels were found in patients with GD over 1 month after RIT when studying the phenotype of blood B lymphocytes. In this case, increased levels of naive B lymphocytes and B2 cells were detected, as well as decreased numbers of activated B1 lymphocytes. The observed changes in the subpopulation composition of T and B cells, and in their phenotype developed against the background of complete absence of relationships between the studied parameters, thus suggesting loss of thyroid control of immune processes and cooperative cell interaction during the development of the immune response. Generally, the phenotypic changes of T and B lymphocyte subsets in the blood of patients with GD through 1 month after treatment with radioactive iodine may reflect a trend for decreased functional activity of adaptive cellular immunity which may also account for inhibition of autoimmune processes