The electrophysical and optical properties of gadolinium monoantimonide thin films

Within a wide temperature interval 90 – 700 K the main the dependence of electro-physical parameters of GdSb films (specific resistance, Hall constant and thermo-electromotive force) on temperature have been measured. It has been shown that the films are semimetals. The reflection and adsorption spectra of prepared films have been studied for the first time within the intervals of 0.05 – 5.5 eV. On the basis of received data the diagram of the dependence of penetration real part and loss functions on the photon energy have been plotted. It has been shown that the spectra of optical parameters have quite a complex nature.Разработана технология приготовления тонких кристаллических плёнок GdSb методом вакуумно-термического испарения из двух независимых источников Gd и Sb, в широком интервале температур 90 – 700 K. Исследованы температурные зависимости удельного электросопротивления, постоянной Холла и термо-ЭДС. Показано, что пленки являются полуметаллами. В области энергии фотонов 0.05 – 5.5 эВ измерены спектры отражения и поглощения. В результате полученных данных вычислены энергетические зависимости деиствительной и мнимой части диэлектрической проницаемости, а также функции потерь. Исследования выявили сложный характер оптических параметров изготовленных плёнок.Розроблена технологія приготування тонких кристалічних плівок GdSb методом вакуумнотермічного випаровування із двох незалежних джерел Gd і Sb, у широкому інтервалі температур 90 – 700 K. Досліджені температурні залежності питомого електроопору, постійної Хола і термо-ЕРС. Показано, що плівки є напівметалами. В області енергії фотонів 0.05 – 5.5 еВ виміряні спектри відбиття і поглинання. У результаті отриманих даних обчислені енергетичнізалежності дійсної та уявної частини діелектричної проникності, а такожфункції втрат. Дослідження виявили складний характер оптичних параметрів виготовлених плівок

Driving a motor vehicle and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures: ILAE Report by the Task Force on Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures

Objectives This International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) Report: (a) summarizes the literature about “driving and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)”; (b) presents the views of international experts; and (c) proposes an approach to assessing the ability of persons with PNES (PwPNES) to drive. Methods Phase 1: Systematic literature review. Phase 2: Collection of international expert opinion using SurveyMonkey®. Experts included the members of the ILAE PNES Task Force and individuals with relevant publications since 2000. Phase 3: Joint analysis of the findings and refinement of conclusions by all participants using email. As an ILAE Report, the resulting text was reviewed by the Psychiatry Commission, the ILAE Task Force on Driving Guidelines, and Executive Committee. Results Eight studies identified by the systematic review process failed to provide a firm evidence base for PNES‐related driving regulations, but suggest that most health professionals think restrictions are appropriate. Twenty‐six experts responded to the survey. Most held the view that decisions about driving privileges should consider individual patient and PNES characteristics and take account of whether permits are sought for private or commercial driving. Most felt that those with active PNES should not be allowed to drive unless certain criteria were met and that PNES should be thought of as “active” if the last psychogenic seizure had occurred within 6 months. Significance Recommendations on whether PwPNES can drive should be made at the individual patient level. Until future research has determined the risk of accidents in PwPNES a proposed algorithm may guide decisions about driving advice

The COVID-19 pandemic and its global effects on dental practice. An international survey

Objectives A multicentre survey was designed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 outbreak on dental practice worldwide, estimate the COVID-19 related symptoms/signs, work attitudes and behaviour and the routine use of protective measures and personal protective equipment (PPE). Methods A global survey using a standardized questionnaire with research groups from 36 countries was designed. The questionnaire was developed and pretested during April 2020 and contained three domains: 1) personal data; 2) COVID-19 positive rate and symptoms/signs presumably related to the coronavirus; 3) working conditions and PPE adopted after the outbreak. Countries’ data were grouped by the country positive rate (CPR) during the survey period and by Gross-National-Income per capita. An ordinal multinomial logistic regression model was carried out with COVID-19 self-reported rate referred by dental professionals as dependent variable to assess the association with questionnaire items. Results A total of 52,491 questionnaires were returned with a male/female ratio of 0.63. Out of the total respondents, 7,859 dental professionals (15%) reported symptoms/signs compatible with COVID-19. More than half of the sample (n=27,818; 53%) stated to use FFP2/N95 masks, while 21,558 (41.07%) used eye protection. In the bivariate analysis, CPR and N95/FFP2 were significantly associated (OR=1.80 95%CI=1.60/2.82 and OR=5.20 95%CI=1.44/18.80, respectively), while Gross-National-Income was not statistically associated with CPR (OR=1.09 95%CI=0.97/1.60). The same significant associations were observed in the multivariate analysis. Conclusions Oral health service provision has not been significantly affected by COVID-19, although access to routine dental care was reduced due to country-specific temporary lockdown periods. While the dental profession has been identified at high-risk, the reported rates of COVID-19 for dental professionals were not significantly different to those reported for the general population in each country. These findings may help to better plan oral health care for future pandemic events

Особливості архітектурно-планувального рішення, розрахунку і проектування готельного комплексу «Hilton» в місті Батуми.

Purpose. The aim of this work is to evaluate the proposed architectural and planning solutions and development of more appropriate structural system of the whole complex generally. The article considers current issues of design and creation of reliable and optimal structures of the hotel complex «HILTON» in Batumi at the same time. On the example of the complex under construction are considered optimal coupling between function and form, as well as strength, stability, reliability and cost of the building. The first option of the hotel complex «HILTON» in Batumi was a complex design schemes of various high-rise buildings, located on a single foundation and bears the permanent, long-term, temporary, short-term loads and external factors such as: the hydrostatic pressure of water, heat, wind, seismic load et al. This paper discusses various options for based on the relevant computer models architectural and planning and structural features and performed calculations, as well as shows the results of these calculations. Amendments made to the structural part of the project, not only improved strength characteristics of the buildings, but also had a positive influence (beneficial effect) on the architectural appearance of the complex as a whole. Methodology. This article is based on the submitted multi optional studies of the designed hotel complex «HILTON» in Batumi. The numerical investigations were carried out with the use of computer modeling based on multi optional analysis of existing design solutions as well as new versions created for the purpose of choosing the most suitable and acceptable option, both in terms of architectural and planning and design solutions. Findings. Was carried out the digital simulation of the complex structural system of the hotel complex «HILTON» in Batumi by applying the software program "LIRA". Has been analyzed the complex state of stress and strain of the complex different variants and fixed the most appropriate configuration of both architectural and structural features of the complex bearing frameworks and foundation. Originality. As a result of the application of modern computer technology numerical simulation of different variants of the complex architectural and planning and design solutions as overall, as well as considering geological and hydrological features and external influence the best solutions was obtained both in terms of architectural and structural. Practical value. Performed state of stress and strain analysis of the hotel complex, allowed us to determine the optimal size, shape and design features of the entire complex, bearing permanent, long-term, temporary, short-term, as well as external factors, such as the hydrostatic pressure of water, heat, wind, seismic, etc. and select the best option for both the external shape of the complex, as well as taking into account the structural features.Цель. Целью данной работы является оценка предложенного архитектурно-планировочного решения и разработка более приемлемой конструктивной системы всего комплекса в целом. В статье рассматриваются актуальные вопросы проектирования и создания надежных и в одновременно оптимальных конструкций гостиничного комплекса «HILTON» в г. Батуми. На примере строящегося комплекса рассмотрен вопрос оптимальной связи между функцией и формой, а также прочностью, устойчивостью, надёжностью и стоимостью здания. Первый вариант гостиничного комплекса «HILTON» в г. Батуми представлял собой сложную конструктивную схему разновысотных зданий и сооружений, покоящихся на едином фундаменте и воспринимающем постоянные, длительные, временные, кратковременные нагрузки и такие внешние воздействия, как: гидростатическое давление воды, тепловые, ветровые, сейсмические и др. В данной работе рассмотрены различные варианты архитектурно-планировочных и конструктивных особенностей на основе соответствующих компьютерных моделей, выполнены расчеты и приведены результаты этих расчетов. Изменения, внесенные в конструктивную часть проекта, усовершенствовали не только прочностные характеристики зданий, но и благоприятно повлияли на архитектурный облик всего комплекса в целом. Методика. В основу статьи вложены проведенные многовариантные исследования проектируемого гостиничного комплекса «HILTON» в г. Батуми. Численные исследования проводились с применением методов компьютерного моделирования, на основе многовариантного анализа уже существующих проектных решений а также новых вариантов, созданных с целью выбора наиболее оптимального и приемлемого варианта, как с точки зрения архитектурно-планировочных так и конструктивных решений. Результаты. Выполнено моделирование сложной конструктивной системы комплекса гостиницы «HILTON» в г. Батуми на основе применения вычислительного комплекса «ЛИРА». Проанализировано напряженно - деформированное состояние разных вариантов комплекса и установлена наиболее приемлемая конфигурация как архитектурных, так и конструктивных особенностей несущих каркасов и фундирования комплекса. Научная новизна. В результате применения современных компьютерных технологий численного моделирования разных вариантов архитектурно-планировочных и конструктивных решений всего комплекса в целом, а также с учетом геологических и гидрологических особенностей и внешнего воздействия, получены наиболее оптимальные решения как с точки зрения архитектурной, так и конструктивной. Практическая значимость. Выполненный анализ напряженно-деформированного состояния гостиничного комплекса, позволил определить оптимальные габариты, форму и конструктивные особенности всего комплекса, воспринимающего постоянные, длительные, временные, кратковременные, а также внешние воздействия, такие как: гидростатическое давление воды, тепловые, ветровые, сейсмические и др. и выбрать наиболее оптимальный вариант как для внешней формы самого комплекса, так и с учетом конструктивных особенностей.Мета. Метою даної роботи є оцінка запропонованого архітектурно-планувального рішення тарозробка більш прийнятною конструктивної системи всього комплексу в цілому. У статті розглядаються актуальніпитання проектування та створення надійних і в одночасно оптимальних конструкцій готельного комплексу«HILTON» в м Батумі. На прикладі споруджуваного комплексу розглянуто питання оптимальної зв'язку між функцією іформою, а також міцністю, стійкістю, надійністю і вартістю будівлі. Перший варіант готельного комплексу«HILTON» в м Батумі представляв собою складну конструктивну схему різновисотних будівель і споруд,покояться на єдиному фундаменті і сприймаючому постійні, тривалі, тимчасові, короткочасні навантаження ітакі зовнішні впливи, як: гідростатичний тиск води, теплові, вітрові, сейсмічні та ін. У даній роботірозглянуті різні варіанти архітектурно-планувальних і конструктивних особливостей на основівідповідних комп'ютерних моделей, виконані розрахунки та приведені результати цих розрахунків. Зміни,внесення в конструктивну частину проекту, удосконалили не тільки характеристики міцності будівель, але ісприятливо вплинули на архітектурний вигляд всього комплексу в цілому. Методика. В основу статті вкладеніпроведені багатоваріантні дослідження проектованого готельного комплексу «HILTON» в м Батумі. Чисельнідослідження проводилися із застосуванням методів комп'ютерного моделювання, на основі багатоваріантного аналізувже існуючих проектних рішень а також нових варіантів, створених з метою вибору найбільш оптимального іприйнятного варіанту, як з точки зору архітектурно-планувальних так і конструктивних рішень. Результати.Виконано моделювання складної конструктивної системи комплексу готелю «HILTON» в м Батумі на основізастосування обчислювального комплексу «ЛІРА». Проаналізовано напружено - деформований стан різнихваріантів комплексу та встановлена найбільш прийнятна конфігурація як архітектурних, так і конструктивнихособливостей несучих каркасів і фундування комплексу. Наукова новизна. В результаті застосування сучаснихкомп'ютерних технологій чисельного моделювання різних варіантів архітектурно-планувальних і конструктивнихрішень всього комплексу в цілому, а також з урахуванням геологічних та гідрологічних особливостей і зовнішньоговпливу, отримані найбільш оптимальні рішення як з точки зору архітектурної, так і конструктивною.Практична значимість. Виконаний аналіз напружено-деформованого стану готельного комплексу,дозволив визначити оптимальні габарити, форму і конструктивні особливості всього комплексу, що сприймаєпостійні, тривалі, тимчасові, короткочасні, а також зовнішні впливи, такі як: гідростатичнийтиск води, теплові, вітрові, сейсмічні та ін. і вибрати найбільш оптимальний варіант як для зовнішньої формисамого комплексу, так і з урахуванням конструктивних особливостей

Primary brain tumour epidemiology in Georgia: first-year results of a population-based study

A population-based cohort study was initiated in Georgia in March 2009 to collect epidemiologic data of malignant and non-malignant primary brain tumours. During the first year, 473 incident cases were identified. For a population of 4.3 million, the annual incidence rate was 10.25 per 100,000 inhabitants, age-standardized to the year 2000 US population. Non-malignant tumours constituted about 66 % of all tumours. Males accounted for 40 % and females for 60 % of the cases. Crude incidence rates by histology were highest for meningiomas (2.92/100,000), pituitary adenoma (1.16/100,000) and glioblastomas (0.64/100,000), which was in agreement with the frequency of reported histology: meningiomas--45.2 %, pituitary adenoma--18.0 % and glioblastomas--9.9 %. The age-standardized incidence rates were higher among females than males for all primary brain tumours (11.05 vs. 8.44/100,000) as well as for individual histologies except for glioblastoma and several other neuroepithelial tumours. Some differences compared with 2004-2005 Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States data may be explained by a higher percentage of unclassified tumours (37 %) in our study. We suggest further studies to clarify the nature of this discrepancy

The results of correction of endothelial dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus in patients with diabetic retinopathy and associated hypertension

<strong>Purpose:</strong>Studying the dynamics of clinical functional and morphological status of the retina against the metabolic and antiischemic therapy of retinopathy in type 2 diabetes associated with hypertension based on indicators in the tear fluid and serum nitric oxide metabolites.<p><strong>Methods:</strong> Following a standard ophthalmologic examination of 50 patients, among which are the two groups are similar in age and<br />sex. The main group (n = 37) with Cd 2, DR and DR I and II hypertension II, III stage, the average age was 62,2±1,2 years, antihypertensive therapy — an ACE inhibitor Prestarium (5 mg). Patients of the group were divided into two subgroups: the first subgroup (n = 19)<br />who underwent parabulbarnom Mildronate (10 injections), the second subgroup (n = 18), which the drug was administered intranasally Semaks (20 days). The control group (n = 13) healthy (n = 6), and patients with type 2 diabetes without DR and GB (n = 7). Quantitative determination of the stable NO metabolites was determined in biochemical method samples of serum and lacrimal fluid.</p><p><br /><strong>Results:</strong> After completing a course of therapy for patients of the first subgroup marked decrease in retinal thickness (p ≤ 0,05) in f.centralis, temporal lobe, the upper and lower bands parafovea and temporal area perifovea, while in the second group — in 9 areas of the macular area (p ≤ 0.05). It is also noted a significant increase in sensitivity to light in the macular area in patients of both subgroups (MAIA). On the background of the treatment observed reduction of NOx in the lacrimal fluid and serum of patients in both clinical groups. Thus, reduction of NOx in the lacrimal fluid was statistically significant in the subgroup of patients receiving anti-ischemic therapy semaks (p &lt;0,05). In both clinical subgroups after treatment revealed correlation between systolic blood pressure and the level of NOx in the serum (r = 0,4; p &lt;0,05).</p><p><br /><strong>Conclusion:</strong> The positive effect (p &lt;0,05) antioxidant (Mildronat) and ischemic (Semaks) therapy on clinical and functional and morphological parameters of the retina in patients with retinopathy in type 2 diabetes in combination with GB. NOx reduction in the tear fluid and serum was associated with decreased severity of clinical symptoms DR I and II, the resulting vascular endothelial dysfunction. This allows us to consider this as an effective therapeutic intervention aimed at preventing the onset and progression of retinopathy in the combined course of type 2 diabetes and hypertension.</p

Marital status in patients with functional (psychogenic nonepileptic) seizures: An international study

Purpose: The study aimed to investigate the marital status in a cohort of patients with functional seizures from seven countries in four continents. Factors associated with marital status were also explored. Methods: Adult patients with functional seizures who were admitted to the epilepsy monitoring units at centers in Iran, Qatar, USA, France, Georgia, Egypt, and United Arab Emirates (UAE) were retrospectively identified. Marital status was assessed in the whole cohort. Results: Four hundred thirty-two patients were included (241 from Iran, 52 from France, 48 from Qatar, 41 from the USA, 19 from UAE, 18 from Egypt, and 13 from Georgia); 302 were women and 130 were men. One hundred fifty (35%) subjects were single, 245 (57%) were married, and 37 (8%) were separated (31 divorced, 7%; 6 widowed, 1%). Auras with functional seizures were less frequently reported by single people in comparison with that by married patients (54% vs. 61%) [odds ratio (OR) = 0.58]. Separated people compared with those who were married less often had auras with their functional seizures (27% vs. 61%; OR = 0.26) and more often reported a history of sexual abuse (49% vs. 12%; OR = 6.14). Conclusion: The marital status has significant associations with the semiology of functional seizures. A history of sexual abuse is significantly associated with being separated and should be inquired and tackled appropriately during the management process of patients with functional seizures

The aetiology of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures: risk factors and comorbidities

Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES), also known as dissociative seizures, are paroxysms of altered subjective experience, involuntary movements and reduced self-control that can resemble epileptic seizures, but have distinct clinical characteristics and a complex neuropsychiatric aetiology. They are common, accounting for over 10% of seizure emergencies and around 30% of cases in tertiary epilepsy units, but the diagnosis is often missed or delayed. The recently proposed "integrative cognitive model" accommodates current research on experiential, psychological and biological risk factors for the development of PNES, but in view of the considerable heterogeneity of presentations and medical context, it is not certain that a universal model can capture the full range of PNES manifestations. This narrative review addresses key learning objectives of the ILAE curriculum by describing the demographic profile, common risk factors (such as trauma or acute stress) and comorbid disorders (such as other dissociative and functional disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, depressive and anxiety disorders, personality disorders, comorbid epilepsy, head injury, cognitive and sleep problems, migraine, pain, and asthma). The clinical implications of demographic and aetiological factors for diagnosis and treatment planning are addressed