Energy-efficient building management via model predictive control

The growing world population and energy consumption, along with the depletion of fossil energy resources and increasing concern regarding the pollution of the environment, make the world-energy problem the largest challenge for technology in the forthcoming decades [1]. Distributed generation could play a major role in the technological changes of the new electricity service paradigm. The use of localized energy sources is only one of the faces of energy management in buildings. A large part of the produced energy is used for heating and cooling systems, in order to maintain acceptable levels of comfort for the occupants of the apartments (hereafter referred to as "users"). Therefore, at a local level, there is a need for the definition and the testing of intelligent algorithms that can automatically manage distributed energy sources, at the same time taking into account the management of heating/ cooling systems

Energy-efficient building management via model predictive control

The growing world population and energy consumption, along with the depletion of fossil energy resources and increasing concern regarding the pollution of the environment, make the world-energy problem the largest challenge for technology in the forthcoming decades [1]. Distributed generation could play a major role in the technological changes of the new electricity service paradigm. The use of localized energy sources is only one of the faces of energy management in buildings. A large part of the produced energy is used for heating and cooling systems, in order to maintain acceptable levels of comfort for the occupants of the apartments (hereafter referred to as "users"). Therefore, at a local level, there is a need for the definition and the testing of intelligent algorithms that can automatically manage distributed energy sources, at the same time taking into account the management of heating/ cooling systems

Huntington’s disease modeling on HEK293 cell line

Huntington’s disease is a hereditary neurodegenerative disorder caused by CAG trinucleotide repeat expansion in the first exon of HTT gene. The mutant HTT protein has an elongated polyglutamine tract and forms aggregates in the nuclei and cytoplasm of the striatal neurons. The pathological processes occurring in the medium spiny neurons of Huntington’s disease patients lead to neurodegeneration and consequently to the death. The molecular mechanisms of the pathology development are difficult to study due to the limited material availability and late onset of the manifestation. Therefore, one of the important tasks is generation of an in vitro model system of Huntington’s disease based on human cell cultures. The new genome editing approaches, such as CRISPR/Cas9, allow us to generate isogenic cell lines that can be useful for drug screening and studying mechanisms of molecular and cellular events triggered by certain mutation on an equal genetic background. Here, we investigated the viability and proliferative rate of several mutant HEK293 cell clones with mutations in the first exon of HTT gene. The mutant clones were obtained earlier using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology. We showed that mutant cells partially reproduce the pathological phenotype, that is, they have reduced proliferation activity, an increased level of apoptosis and high sensitivity to treatment with 5μM MG132 proteasome inhibitor compared to the original HEK293 Phoenix cell line. Our results indicate that the mutation in the first exon of HTT gene affects not only neurons, but also other types of cells, and HEK293 cell clones bearing the mutation can serve as in vitro model for studying some mechanisms of HTT functioning

Association of polymorphic loci of susceptibility to diabetes mellitus type 2 in various ethnic groups of the Russian Federation

The multifactorial nature of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) was confirmed by numerous researches. The first investigations devoted to molecular-genetic mechanisms of T2D were carried out on the basis of linkage disequilibrium (LD) studying and later the candidate genes of T2D have begun investigated. We have analyzed the literature data including the case-control studies in populations of Russia. There were revealed 33 genes and 65 polymorphic markers in the analyzed works. The analysis of association of T2D in the ethnic groups of Russian Federation was carried out on following genes: ABCC8, ADIPOQ, ADIPOR1, ADIPOR2, C2CD4A/C2CD4A, CDKAL1, ­CDKN2A/2B, CCL11, CCL20, CCL5, CYBA, FABP2, FTO, GCLC, GPX2, GSTP1, GSTT1, HHEX/IDE, IGF2BP2, IRS1, KCNJ11, KCNQ1, LPL, LRP5, MC4R, PPARG, SLC2A2, SLC30A8, SLC30A8, TCF7L2, TMEM18, WFS1, ZFAND6. The major of studies are replicative, i.e. repeating previous investigations of foreign authors, and were performed on Russian, Tatar and Yakut populations. At the same time not all the loci of genetic susceptibility have demonstrated the association with T2D in the population of Russia. In this work the systematic review of studies of molecular-genetic markers of T2D in the ethnic groups of Russian Federation was made for the first time

Влияние лазерного отжига на структуру, оптические и электрические свойства тонких пленок оксида цинка

Paper presents experimental results of research of influence of laser annealing on the optical and electrical properties ZnO films. Developed technological regimes of modifications of layers in the production of thin film solar modules.Представлены результаты исследования влияния лазерного отжига пленок оксида цинка на их оптические и электрические характеристики. Отработаны технологические режимы модификации слоев для использования в производстве тонкопленочных солнечных модулей

Structure and properties of aqueous dispersions of sodium dodecyl sulfate with carbon nanotubes

© 2016, Springer Science+Business Media New York.The dispersing action of the surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS) on the carbon nanotubes (CNT) in aqueous medium has been studied. Electron microscopy, molecular docking, NMR and IR spectroscopies were applied to determine the physical-chemical properties of CNT dispersions in SDS—water solutions. It was established that micellar adsorption of the surfactant on the surface of carbon material and solubilization of SDS in aqueous medium contribute to improving CNT dispersing in water solutions. It was shown that the non-polar hydrocarbon radicals of a single surfactant molecule form the highest possible number of contacts with the graphene surface. Upon increase of the SDS in solution these radicals form micelles connected with the surface of the nanotubes. At the sufficiently high SDS concentration the nanotube surface becomes covered with an adsorbed layer of surfactant micelles. Water molecules and sodium cations are concentrated in spaces between micelles. The observed pattern of micellar adsorption is somewhat similar to a loose bilayer of surfactant molecules

Случай синдрома Кавасаки, ассоциированного с микоплазменной инфекцией

Based on the literature sources, modern ideas about Kawasaki syndrome, its diagnostic criteria and the possible trigger role of M. pneumoniae are given. The author describes his own observation of Kawasaki syndrome, probably associated with mycoplasma infection, in a boy of 4 years and 8 months. A special feature of the case was also the presence of a combined mycoplasma-enterovirus infection, which explained the wave-like course of the disease, as well as the delayed development of the respiratory syndrome.На основании литературных источников даны современные представления о синдроме Кавасаки, его диагностических критериях и возможной триггерной роли M. pneumoniae. Представлено описание собственного наблюдения синдрома Кавасаки, вероятно, ассоциированного с микоплазменной инфекцией, у мальчика 4 лет 8 месяцев. Особенностью случая также являлось наличие сочетанной микоплазменно-энтеровирусной инфекции, что объясняло волнообразное течение заболевания, а также отсроченное развитие респираторного синдрома

Клинико-лабораторные особенности острых респираторных вирусных инфекций у госпитализированных детей

The aim of the study was to study the clinical and laboratory features of acute respiratory viral infections in hospitalized children.The analysis of medical records of 623 patients admitted to the clinic, aged from 1 month to 16 years 11 months 29 days, was carried out. All patients were diagnosed with ARVI on the basis of clinical symptoms with laboratory confirmation in the study of naso- or oropharyngeal smears by PCR.Three groups of children were identified: with respiratory syncytial (RSV) — 384 children (61,6%), metapneumovirus — 142 (22,8%) and bocavirus — 97 (15,6%) infections. It has been established that in the general structure of acute respiratory viral infections in hospitalized children, RSV and rhinovirus are the leading pathogens — 28,8—48,6% and 22,1—41,3%, respectively, depending on the calendar year. The main clinical form was acute bronchitis in 80,5% of cases of confirmed infection, with RS-viral etiology in 79,5% (n = 287) of cases, with metapneumo- and bocavirus infections in 85,6% (n = 95) and 77,8% (n = 56) of children, respectively. Bronchiolitis was characteristic of RSV infection in 10,5% of cases (n = 38). From 10 to 19,4% of cases, the course of these viral infections was complicated by the development of pneumonia.Цель исследования: изучить клинические и лабораторные особенности острых респираторных вирусных инфекций у госпитализированных детей.Материалы и методы. Проведен анализ медицинской документации 623 пациентов, госпитализированных в клинику, в возрасте от 1 месяца до 16 лет 11 месяцев 29 дней. У всех пациентов установлен диагноз ОРВИ на основании клинических симптомов с лабораторным подтверждением при исследовании назо- или орофарингеальных мазков методом ПЦР.Результаты. Выделено 3 группы детей: с респираторно-синцитиальной (РСВ) 384 ребенка (61,6%), метапневмовирусной – 142 (22,8%) и бокавирусной — 97 (15,6) инфекциями. Установлено, что в общей структуре ОРВИ у госпитализированных детей РСВ и риновирус являются ведущими патогенами — 28,8—48,6% и 22,1—41,3% соответственно, в зависимости от календарного года. Основной клинической формой являлся острый бронхит в 80,5% случаев подтвержденной инфекции, при этом РС-вирусной этиологии — в 79,5% (n = 287) случаев, при метапневмо- и бокавирусной инфекциях — в 85,6% (n = 95) и 77,8% (n = 56) соответственно. Бронхиолит характерен был для РСВ инфекции в 10,5% случаев (n = 38). От 10 до 19,4% случаев течение данных вирусных инфекций осложнялось развитием пневмонии

Респираторные вирусные инфекции в поражении нижних дыхательных путей (обзор литературы)

The sharp increase in viral pneumonia against the background of the pandemic of the new coronavirus infection SARS-CoV-2 requires more attention to the study of the role of viruses in damage to the lower respiratory tract, including their etiological significance in the development of community-acquired pneumonia. Modern possibilities of laboratory diagnostics make it possible not only to identify and study respiratory viruses, but also to help differentiate active viral infections as a cause of lower respiratory tract disease from virus carriers. The review describes the epidemiological and clinical features of the most relevant or less studied pneumotropic viral infections in children (respiratory syncytial, adenovirus, bocavirus, metapneumovirus), including their role in the etiology of pneumonia in children. Understanding the viral etiology of pneumonia in children will reduce the antibacterial load, which will help to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and slow the emergence of antimicrobialresistant bacterial strains.Резкий рост вирусных пневмоний на фоне пандемии новой коронавирусной инфекции SARS-CoV-2 требует большего внимания к изучению роли вирусов в поражении нижних дыхательных путей, в том числе их этиологического значения в развитии внебольничной пневмонии. Современные возможности лабораторной диагностики не только позволяют выявлять и изучать респираторные вирусы, но и помогают дифференцировать активную вирусную инфекцию как причину заболевания нижних дыхательных путей от вирусоносительства. В обзоре дано описание эпидемиологических и клинических особенностей наиболее актуальных или менее изученных пневмотропных вирусных инфекций у детей (респираторно-синцитиальной, аденовирусной, бокавирусной, метапневмовирусной), в том числе их роли в этиологии пневмонии у детей. Понимание вирусной этиологии пневмонии у детей позволит снизить антибактериальную нагрузку, что будет способствовать уменьшению побочных явлений химиотерапии и замедлит возникновение резистентных к противомикробным препаратам штаммов бактерий.

Клинико-этиологическая характеристика пневмонии у детей с неблагоприятным исходом инфекционных заболеваний

Purpose: to study the clinical and etiological features of pneumonia in children with a poor outcome of infectious diseases.Materials and methods. The retrospective analysis of clinical, anamnestic, laboratory, instrumental data of 46 children who died from infectious diseases during the period from December 2009 to November 2019 was carried out, of which 26 patients had pneumonia at autopsy. The etiology of pneumonia was determined in vivo and postmortem using cultural, molecular genetic, serological methods and immunohistocytochemical examination of lung tissue. Pneumonia was classified into primary and secondary.Results. In patients with pneumonia in the structure of generalized infections (n=26) secondary forms prevailed (septic – 14 cases, ventilator-associated (VAP) – 5, aspiration – 2); primary pneumonia was detected in 5 children. Clinical polymorphism and frequent absence of typical symptoms of pneumonia (cough, shortness of breath, auscultatory and percussion changes) were shown, that led to intravital underdiagnosis of pneumonia in 31% of patients. The probable etiology of pneumonia was detected in vivo and postmortem in 58% and 98% of cases respectively. S. pneumoniae (40%) and H. influenzae type b (40%) were main pathogens in primary pneumonia, N. meningitidis (36%) and S. pneumoniae (29%) – in septic pneumonia, commensals of naso- and oropharynx (S. salivarius) – in aspiration pneumonia, nosocomial bacteria (S. aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci) – in VAP. In children with HIV infection, pneumonia was associated with opportunistic pathogens (P. jirovecii, C. neoformans). In 87% of cases polymicrobial associations were found in lower airways, that makes it difficult to identify the main causative agent of pneumonia.Conclusions. Most of symptoms of pediatric pneumonia in the structure of generalized infections are nonspecific. Post-mortem study improves the etiological verification of pneumonia and allow to suggest the most pathogenetically and thanatogenetically significant pathogen.Цель: изучить клинико-этиологические особенности пневмонии у детей с неблагоприятным исходом инфекционных заболеваний.Материалы и методы. Проведен ретроспективный анализ клинико-анамнестических и лабораторно-инструментальных данных 46 умерших от инфекционных заболеваний детей в период с декабря 2009 г. по ноябрь 2019 г., из которых у 26 больных на аутопсии выявлена пневмония. Этиология пневмонии определялась прижизненно и посмертно с помощью культурального, молекулярно-генетического, серологического, методов и иммуногистоцитохимического исследования ткани легких. Пневмония классифицировалась на первичную и вторичную.Результаты. У пациентов с пневмонией на фоне генерализованных инфекций (n=26) преобладали вторичные формы поражения легких – септические (n=14), вентилятор-ассоциированные (ВАП; n=5) и аспирационные (n=2); первичная пневмония выявлена у 5 детей. Показаны клинический полиморфизм и частое отсутствие характерных для пневмонии симптомов (кашель, одышка, аускультативные и перкуторные изменения) у детей в тяжелом состоянии, что обусловило прижизненную гиподиагностику пневмонии у 31% больных. Вероятная этиология пневмонии выявлена прижизненно в 58% случаев, постмортально – в 98%. При первичной пневмонии основными этиопатогенами являлись S. pneumoniae (40%) и H. influenzae типа b (40%), при септической – N. meningitidis (36%) и S. pneumoniae (29%), при аспирационной – комменсалы носо- и ротоглотки (S. salivarius), при ВАП – представители нозокомиальной флоры (S. aureus и коагулазоотрицательные стафилококки). У детей с ВИЧ-инфекцией пневмония во всех случаях была ассоциирована с возбудителями оппортунистических заболеваний (P. jirovecii, C. neoformans). В 87% случаев в нижних дыхательных путях обнаруживались полимикробные ассоциации, что затрудняет выявление основного возбудителя пневмонии.Заключение. Большинство синдромов и симптомов у детей с пневмонией на фоне генерализованных инфекций неспецифичны. Посмертное исследование аутопсийного материала улучшает этиологическую верификацию пневмонии у детей, позволяя предположить наиболее патогенетически и танатогенетически значимый возбудитель в случаях сочетанного поражения лёгких