Chemical Design Rules for Non-Fullerene Acceptors in Organic Solar Cells

Efficiencies of organic solar cells have practically doubled since the development of non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs). However, generic chemical design rules for donor-NFA combinations are still needed. Such rules are proposed by analyzing inhomogeneous electrostatic fields at the donor-acceptor interface. It is shown that an acceptor-donor-acceptor molecular architecture, and molecular alignment parallel to the interface, results in energy level bending that destabilizes the charge transfer state, thus promoting its dissociation into free charges. By analyzing a series of PCE10:NFA solar cells, with NFAs including Y6, IEICO, and ITIC, as well as their halogenated derivatives, it is suggested that the molecular quadrupole moment of ca 75 Debye A balances the losses in the open circuit voltage and gains in charge generation efficiency

The effect of preventive immunotherapy on indicators of cellular immunity of high-class martial art athletes depending on the level of sporting achievements

Objective: to evaluatethe preventive immunotherapy's (PIT) influence on indicators of cellular immunity of highly qualified combat athletes, depending on the level of sporting achievements. Materials and methods: research included 79 sportsmen with average age of 25,2 years, average weight 76,9 kg, sports experience no less than 10 years and sports rank no less than master of sports. Participants were stratified by the level of achievements in sports. The group 1 with highest level of achievements consisted of 31 sportsmen, each of who earned victory or a prize place on biggest international competitions (such as championships of Europe, World and Olympic Games). Remaining 48 participants didn't have such achievements, but theywere a part of national team (Group 2). PIT included probiotic - Fervital, a complex preparation of omega 3-6-9 fatty acids, vitamin-mineral complex - the Alphabet-biorhythm; antioxidant complex - Ubigold Q10 (coenzyme Q + vitamin E); antihypoxant - Hypoxen; sedative - Novo-Passit; adaptogenic drug - Gerimax Ginseng; polyenzyme complex - Wobenzym. Results: there was a great balance of cellular immunity in the group 1 before the PIT due to the higher content of CD4+ and CD19+ cells. A statistically significant increase in the relative content of CD3+ and CD8+ cells and a decrease in the relative and absolute content of CD16+ cells was detected against the background of PIT in the group l. But the group 2, on the contrary, showed an increase in the relative and absolute content of CD16+ cells. Conclusions: the obtained results showed a different reaction in the both groups to the conducted preventive immunotherapy, which, apparently, was due to the initial difference in the biochemical, genetic, psychological potential of athletes of these two groups

A clinical case of demyelinating lesions of the brain: Central pontine myelinolysis

In the scientific review a rare demielinizirute disease of the brain - central pontine myelinolysis is presented. Prior to the introduction of the technique of visualization, diagnosis of the disease was through autopsy. Clinical case, which describes the variety neurological and somatic symptoms, was presented. The attention is focused on the importance of an integrated approach to diagnosis and management of the patient with the disease.В научном обзоре представлено редкое демиелинизрующее заболевание головного мозга: центральный потинный миелинолиз. До внедрения визуализирующих методов исследования оно диагностировалось только при аутопсии. Приведен клинический случай, описано многообразие неврологической и соматической симптоматики. Акцентировано внимание на значимость комплексного подхода к диагностике и ведения пациента с редким заболеванием

The Role of Cytokines in Cholesterol Accumulation in Cells and Atherosclerosis Progression

Atherosclerosis is the most common cardiovascular disease and is the number one cause of death worldwide. Today, atherosclerosis is a multifactorial chronic inflammatory disease with an autoimmune component, accompanied by the accumulation of cholesterol in the vessel wall and the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, endothelial dysfunction, and chronic inflammation. In the process of accumulation of atherogenic lipids, cells of the immune system, such as monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, etc., play an important role, producing and/or activating the production of various cytokines—interferons, interleukins, chemokines. In this review, we have tried to summarize the most important cytokines involved in the processes of atherogenesis

Measurement of the t t-bar production cross section in the dilepton channel in pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV

The t t-bar production cross section (sigma[t t-bar]) is measured in proton-proton collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV in data collected by the CMS experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.3 inverse femtobarns. The measurement is performed in events with two leptons (electrons or muons) in the final state, at least two jets identified as jets originating from b quarks, and the presence of an imbalance in transverse momentum. The measured value of sigma[t t-bar] for a top-quark mass of 172.5 GeV is 161.9 +/- 2.5 (stat.) +5.1/-5.0 (syst.) +/- 3.6(lumi.) pb, consistent with the prediction of the standard model.Comment: Replaced with published version. Included journal reference and DO

Search for the standard model Higgs boson in the H to ZZ to 2l 2nu channel in pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV

A search for the standard model Higgs boson in the H to ZZ to 2l 2nu decay channel, where l = e or mu, in pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 7 TeV is presented. The data were collected at the LHC, with the CMS detector, and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 4.6 inverse femtobarns. No significant excess is observed above the background expectation, and upper limits are set on the Higgs boson production cross section. The presence of the standard model Higgs boson with a mass in the 270-440 GeV range is excluded at 95% confidence level.Comment: Submitted to JHE

Combined search for the quarks of a sequential fourth generation

Results are presented from a search for a fourth generation of quarks produced singly or in pairs in a data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5 inverse femtobarns recorded by the CMS experiment at the LHC in 2011. A novel strategy has been developed for a combined search for quarks of the up and down type in decay channels with at least one isolated muon or electron. Limits on the mass of the fourth-generation quarks and the relevant Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix elements are derived in the context of a simple extension of the standard model with a sequential fourth generation of fermions. The existence of mass-degenerate fourth-generation quarks with masses below 685 GeV is excluded at 95% confidence level for minimal off-diagonal mixing between the third- and the fourth-generation quarks. With a mass difference of 25 GeV between the quark masses, the obtained limit on the masses of the fourth-generation quarks shifts by about +/- 20 GeV. These results significantly reduce the allowed parameter space for a fourth generation of fermions.Comment: Replaced with published version. Added journal reference and DO

Search for anomalous t t-bar production in the highly-boosted all-hadronic final state

A search is presented for a massive particle, generically referred to as a Z', decaying into a t t-bar pair. The search focuses on Z' resonances that are sufficiently massive to produce highly Lorentz-boosted top quarks, which yield collimated decay products that are partially or fully merged into single jets. The analysis uses new methods to analyze jet substructure, providing suppression of the non-top multijet backgrounds. The analysis is based on a data sample of proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 7 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5 inverse femtobarns. Upper limits in the range of 1 pb are set on the product of the production cross section and branching fraction for a topcolor Z' modeled for several widths, as well as for a Randall--Sundrum Kaluza--Klein gluon. In addition, the results constrain any enhancement in t t-bar production beyond expectations of the standard model for t t-bar invariant masses larger than 1 TeV.Comment: Submitted to the Journal of High Energy Physics; this version includes a minor typo correction that will be submitted as an erratu

Малые дозы цитокинов и их комбинация с 5-фторурацилом при диссеминированном раке почки. Предварительные результаты рандомизированного исследования

There is no standard care for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (MRCC). High and intermediate IL-2 regimens are difficult to recommend due to their high toxicity. A combination of low-dose cytokines is assumed to be effective and safe in MRCC patients. A prospective randomized study was started in 2003.Methods: The eligibility criteria included histopathologically confirmed MRCC, ECOG PS 0—2, no autoimmune diseases, no brain metastases, and normal organ function. All patients were randomized in three arms: IL-2 alone, 1.5 MIU, iv, t.i.w., weeks 1—3 or IL-2 1.0 MIU, iv, t.i.w., weeks 1—3 plus IFN 5 MIU, sc, t.i.w, weeks 1—3 or biochemotherapy group 5-FU, 500 mg/m 2 , iv, once a week, weeks 1—3 plus IL-2 1.0 MIU, iv, t.i.w., weeks 1—3 plus IFN 5 MIU, sc, t.i.w., weeks 1—3. Cycles were repeated every three weeks. A response was evaluated according to RECIST every 2 cycles.Results: 64 patients were enrolled of whom 63 were analyzed. The patients’ median age was 55.4 years (range 16—74). 55.6% of the patients had a poor prognosis (as described by Motzer et al., 2002). Bone metastases were present in 52.4%. Sixteen patients treated with IL-2 alone showed no CR, no PRs, 2 SDs, and 14 PDs. Of the 23 patients in IL-2+IFN group, 5 PRs, 8 SDs, and 10 PDs were observed, with a response rate of 21.7%. Amongst the 24 patients in 5-FU+IL-2+IFN group, 1 CR, 3 PRs, 10 SDs, and 10 PDs were shown, with a response rate of 16.7%. One-year survival was 20.0%, 81.3% and 81.0%, respectively. Flu-like syndrome was the most common side effect in the patients receiving IFN (89.1%, grade 1, CTC). Hypotension associated with IL-2 (all groups) was seen in 56.3% (grade 1 in 50% and grade 2 in 6.3%). The other toxicities were 12.7% grade 1 neutropenia and vomiting in 4.7% (group 3).Conclusions: Small-dose IL-2 in combination with IFN and 5-FU in MRCC is feasible, tolerable, with the efficacy comparable to other more toxic therapeutic modalities.

Measurement of the Z/gamma* + b-jet cross section in pp collisions at 7 TeV

The production of b jets in association with a Z/gamma* boson is studied using proton-proton collisions delivered by the LHC at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV and recorded by the CMS detector. The inclusive cross section for Z/gamma* + b-jet production is measured in a sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.2 inverse femtobarns. The Z/gamma* + b-jet cross section with Z/gamma* to ll (where ll = ee or mu mu) for events with the invariant mass 60 < M(ll) < 120 GeV, at least one b jet at the hadron level with pT > 25 GeV and abs(eta) < 2.1, and a separation between the leptons and the jets of Delta R > 0.5 is found to be 5.84 +/- 0.08 (stat.) +/- 0.72 (syst.) +(0.25)/-(0.55) (theory) pb. The kinematic properties of the events are also studied and found to be in agreement with the predictions made by the MadGraph event generator with the parton shower and the hadronisation performed by PYTHIA.Comment: Submitted to the Journal of High Energy Physic