Surface texturing of steel by femtosecond laser and accompanying structure/ phase transformations

Topography, structure, and phase composition of surface layers of AISI 321 stainless steel textured by 1030-nm 320-fs-laser pulses were studied by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. Variation in single-pulse fluence and the number of pulses was found to change the laser-produced surface texture from onedimensional quasi-periodic nanograting to microrelief of various roughnes

Synchronization of multi-phase oscillators: An Axelrod-inspired model

Inspired by Axelrod's model of culture dissemination, we introduce and analyze a model for a population of coupled oscillators where different levels of synchronization can be assimilated to different degrees of cultural organization. The state of each oscillator is represented by a set of phases, and the interaction --which occurs between homologous phases-- is weighted by a decreasing function of the distance between individual states. Both ordered arrays and random networks are considered. We find that the transition between synchronization and incoherent behaviour is mediated by a clustering regime with rich organizational structure, where some of the phases of a given oscillator can be synchronized to a certain cluster, while its other phases are synchronized to different clusters.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure

CGAT-core: a python framework for building scalable, reproducible computational biology workflows

In the genomics era computational biologists regularly need to process, analyse and integrate large and complex biomedical datasets. Analysis inevitably involves multiple dependent steps, resulting in complex pipelines or workflows, often with several branches. Large data volumes mean that processing needs to be quick and efficient and scientific rigour requires that analysis be consistent and fully reproducible. We have developed CGAT-core, a python package for the rapid construction of complex computational workflows. CGAT-core seamlessly handles parallelisation across high performance computing clusters, integration of Conda environments, full parameterisation, database integration and logging. To illustrate our workflow framework, we present a pipeline for the analysis of RNAseq data using pseudo-alignment

Роль информированного согласия в принятии решения об участии в исследовании: данные многоцентрового исследования в России «Лицом к лицу»

Introduction. Currently, clinical trials (CT) remain the only technology, which provides proof of efficacy and safety of new drugs and their subsequent release to the market. Medical researcher and informed consent (IC) are the main (and often the only) source of information for the patient about the upcoming clinical trials, and thus have a direct impact on the perception of clinical trials, and on the patient’s decision about participation. However, the degree of influence of these factors on the clinical trials participants still remains unclear.Materials and methods. A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted in different cities of the Russian Federation. Patients who had previous experience in CTs (or were enrolled in a CT at the time of this study) were asked to complete a questionnaire.Results. To assess the impact of researcher, all respondents were divided into 2 groups: patients that acquainted with IC in collaboration with the researcher, and the other group, which reviewed IC form independently. We evaluated the importance of the factors influencing the decision-making process on participation in clinical trials. According to our data, the most important factors were professional monitoring services (3,72 ± 1,00), regular condition monitoring (3,66 ± 0,98), and better medical care (3,62 ± 1,00). These factors were evaluated at significantly lower score by group of patients that acquainted with IC together with the researcher (3,55 ±0,94, vs 4,01 ± 0,90, p = 0,002; 3,52 ± 1,01 vs 3,87 ± 0,90, p = 0,040; 3,49 ± 0,94, vs 3,83 ± 1,06, p = 0,020 respectively). In assessing the factors that had negative impact on the interest in participating in a clinical trial, the most significant were risk of side effects (3,01 ± 1,27), study of new medication (2,68 ± 1,21), and the risk of getting into the placebo group (2,64 ± 1,34) (so-called “objective” risk factors). At the same time, risk of side effects and risk of getting into the placebo group were also assessed at significantly lower score by group of patients that acquainted with IC together with the researcher (2,87 ± 1,28, vs 3,33 ± 1,17, p = 0,024; 2,51 ±1,25, vs 3,03 ± 1,34, p = 0,022 respectively). Furthermore, it was found that in the case of the researcher’s assistance acquaintance time with IC reduced threefold. We also evaluated the effect of the complexity of IC text on the decision-making process on participation in clinical trials. The group of respondents, who rated the IC as easy, appeared to be more interested in the final results of the study.Conclusion. Thus, when assessing the impact of the researcher on the review process of informed consent with the decision to participate in clinical trials, we found that in the case of assistance of the researcher, the acquaintance time with IC is reduced three times. In addition, this group of patients during the conversation with the researcher shows better and more clear understanding of the nature and general methodology of clinical trials, resulting in an adequate assessment “objective” risk factors for participation in clinical trials. Thus, this group of patients is more informed, compared with an “independent” group. According to the study “Face to Face”, we can recommend mandatory participation of a researcher during review process of the IC.Введение. В настоящее время клинические исследования (КИ) остаются единственной технологией, обеспечивающей доказательство эффективности и безопасности новых лекарственных средств и последующего их выхода на рынок. Врач-исследователь и информированное согласие (ИС) являются основными (и часто единственными) источниками информации для пациента о предстоящем КИ и тем самым непосредственно влияют на восприятие КИ и на решение пациента об участии. Однако до сих пор остается неясной степень влияния данных факторов на участников КИ.Материал и методы. В исследовании приняли участие девять центров, расположенных в разных городах Российской Федерации. Основным методом исследования являлось анкетирование пациентов. В рамках исследования пациенту, имеющему опыт участия в КИ и удовлетворяющему критериям отбора, однократно было предложено самостоятельно заполнить вопросник.Результаты. Для оценки влияния врача-исследователя все респонденты были поделены на две группы: пациенты, знакомившиеся с ИС совместно с врачом и самостоятельно. Самыми важными факторами, влияющими на принятие решения об участии в КИ, оказались: наблюдение профессиональными специалистами (3,72 ± 1,00), регулярное наблюдение за состоянием (3,66 ± 0,98) и более качественная медицинская помощь (3,62 ± 1,00). Данные факторы были оценены на достоверно более низкий балл группой пациентов, знакомившихся совместно с врачом (3,55 ± 0,94, vs 4,01 ± 0,90, p = 0,002; 3,52 ± 1,01, vs 3,87 ± 0,90, p = 0,040; 3,49 ± 0,94, vs 3,83 ± 1,06, p = 0,020 соответственно). При оценке факторов, отрицательно повлиявших на интерес к участию в клиническом исследовании, наиболее значимыми оказались: риск побочных явлений (3,01 ± 1,27), использование нового препарата (2,68 ± 1,21), а также риск попадания в группу плацебо (2,64 ± 1,34) (так называемые объективные факторы риска). При этом факторы – риск побочных явлений и риск попадания в группу плацебо – также были оценены на достоверно более низкий балл группой пациентов, знакомившихся с ИС совместно с врачом (2,87 ± 1,28, vs 3,33 ± 1,17, p = 0,024; 2,51 ± 1,25, vs 3,03 ± 1,34, p = 0,022 соответственно). Кроме того, установлено, что в случае помощи исследователя время ознакомления с ИС сокращается в три раза. Также отмечено влияние сложности текста ИС на принятие решения об участии в КИ. Группа респондентов, оценивших ИС как легкое, оказались более заинтересованы в конечных результатах исследования. Выводы. При оценке влияния исследователя на процесс ознакомления с информированным согласием принятия решения об участии в КИ установлено, что в случае помощи исследователя время ознакомления с информированным согласием сокращается в три раза. Кроме того, данная группа пациентов в ходе беседы с исследователем начинает ясно представлять суть и общую методологию клинических исследований, что выражается в адекватной оценке объективных факторов риска участия в клинических исследованиях. Таким образом, данная группа пациентов более информирована по сравнению с группой «самостоятельных» участников. По результатам исследования «Лицом к лицу» при проведении клинических исследований в дальнейшем рекомендуется обязательное участие врача при ознакомлении потенциальных участников с ИС

CHOICE OF THE INITIAL TREATMENT FOR MILD TO MODERATE ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION IN MOSCOW PRIMARY PRACTICE

Aim. To assess the choice of initial pharmacotherapy of uncomplicated mild to moderate arterial hypertension (HT) in Moscow primary care as well as to clear up the influence of regulatory measures on this choice.Material and methods. Results of two similar surveys conducted in 2011-2012 (452 respondents) and 2013-2014 (273 respondents) were compared to estimate preferences of Moscow primary care physicians regarding initial antihypertensive agents for therapy of uncomplicated mild to moderate HT taking into consideration an influence of regulatory requirement to prescribe medicinal products by international nonproprietary name (INN) since July 2012. All participants were proposed to write down their preferred antihypertensive agents for initial mono- or combined therapy of mild to moderate HT with moderate cardiovascular risk and absence of compelling indications.Results. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) remained the leading class of antihypertensive agents, though their popularity slightly but significantly declined from 44.4% in 2011-12 to 37.2% in 2013-14 (р&lt;0.05). Angiotensin receptor blockers partially displaced the leaders and increased their popularity from 11.3% in 2011-12 to 18.0% in 2013-14 (р&lt;0.01). ACEI/diuretic combination remained on the 3rd position (16.4% and 15.3% respectively). Beta-blockers and diuretics as monotherapy shared 4th and 5th places in this rating. Calcium channel blockers popularity among Moscow prescribers remained unchanged and poor – 2.1%. The most popular medicine by trade name was Noliprel, perindopril/indapamide fixed combination, – 14.0% and 13.7% of respondents in 2011-12 and 2013-14, respectively. The share of medicine products recommended by INN went up from 11.9% to 22.8% among top-10 popular medications (р&lt;0.01).Conclusion. Blockers of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system remain the leading drugs for the initial treatment of uncomplicated mild to moderate HT without compelling indications among Moscow primary care physicians. Regulatory requirement to prescribe medicinal products by INN was associated with significant increase in the share of drugs recommended by INN, though this effect was less than expected one.</p

Magnetic ground state and the spin-state transitions in YBaCo

The crystal and magnetic structure of the perovskite-like, oxygen deficient cobalt oxide YBaCo2O5.5 has been studied by means of neutron and X-ray diffraction in the 10–300 K temperature range. The magnetic ground state is characterized by a coexistence of two distinct antiferromagnetic phases. In the first one, the ionic moments of high-spin Co3+ ions in the pyramidal sites are ordered in a spiral arrangement, while octahedral sites are non-magnetic due to presence of low-spin Co3+ ions. The arrangement in the second phase is collinear of the G-type, with non-zero moments both in pyramidal (high-spin Co3+ ions) and octahedral sites (presumably a mixture of the low- and high-spin states). With increasing temperature, at 260–300 K, the system develops a gradual structural transformation, which is associated with appearance of spontaneous magnetic moment. This process is related to a thermally induced reversion of low- and high-spin states at the octahedral sites to the intermediate-spin Co3+ states, resulting in an insulator-metal transition at TC ≈ TIM ≈ 295 K

Structure and phase composition of alloyed intermetallic compound Ni₃Al after annealing and high-temperature creep

yesThe structure and phase composition of a VKNA-25 alloy based on the Ni₃Al intermetallic compound, produced by directional solidification, and alloyed with rare-earth metals are studied in the following two states: after annealing at 1100°C and after creep at 1100°CBelgorod State Universit