Basic logic element of a field programmable gate array

The article deals with the basic architecture of programmable logic integrated circuits and basic logic element, part of its main component - configurable logic block. Electrical functional circuit of the basic logic element with the ability to perform the sum operation was designed. On the basis of the functional diagram the RTL-representation of the basic logic element was obtained and the results of its modeling are presented

Use of a recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone:recombinant human luteinizing hormone (r-hFSH:r-hLH) 2:1 combination for controlled ovarian stimulation during assisted reproductive technology treatment: A real-world study of routine practice in the Russian Federation

Two observational studies in the Russian Federation described patient demographics/clinical decision for treatment with recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone:recombinant human luteinizing hormone (r-hFSH:r-hLH) 2:1 combination for ovarian stimulation (OS) during assisted reproductive technology (ART) and outcomes, respectively. The first (prospective) study enrolled 500 patients. After post-hoc regrouping to assign patients to discrete groups, 378 (75.6%) met the local Russian label for an r-hFSH:r-hLH 2:1 combination, 105 (21%) were treated according to other physician preference, and 17 (3.4%) met only the ESHRE Bologna criteria for a poor ovarian response. The clinical pregnancy rate per cycle was 30.4%. A total of 158/175 (90.3%) women achieving clinical pregnancy in the prospective study participated in the second (retrospective) study. The live birth rate per cycle was 25.8%. No new safety concerns were reported. These results support the use of the r-hFSH:r-hLH 2:1 combination in patients with a poor/suboptimal response to OS for ART treatment in the Russian Federation

Ageing of enteric neurons: oxidative stress, neurotrophic factors and antioxidant enzymes

Background: Ageing is associated with gastrointestinal dysfunction, which can have a major impact on quality of life of the elderly. A number of changes in the innervation of the gut during ageing have been reported, including neuronal loss and degenerative changes. Evidence indicates that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are elevated in ageing enteric neurons, but that neurotrophic factors may reduce generation of neuronal ROS. Two such factors, glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) have also been found to protect enteric neurons against oxidative stress induced cell death of enteric ganglion cells in vitro. We have investigated the possible roles of neurotrophic factors further, by examining their expression in the gut during ageing, and by analysing their effects on antioxidant enzyme production in cultures of enteric ganglion cells. Results: Analysis of the expression of GDNF and its receptors c-Ret and GFR α − 1 in rat gut by RT-PCR showed that expression continues throughout life and into ageing, in both ad libitum(AL) and calorically-restricted (CR) animals. Levels of expression of GDNF and GFR α − 1 were elevated in 24 month AL animals compared to 24 month CR animals, and to 24 CR and 6 month control animals respectively. The related factor Neurturin and its receptor GFR α − 2 were also expressed throughout life, the levels of the GFR – α-2(b) isoform were reduced in 24 m AL animals. Immunolabelling showed that c-Ret and GFR α − 1 proteins were expressed by myenteric neurons in ageing animals. GDNF, but not NT-3, was found to increase expression of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase and catalase by cultured enteric ganglion cells. Conclusions: The neurotrophic factors GDNF and neurturin and their receptors continue to be expressed in the ageing gut. Changes in the levels of expression of GDNF , GFR α-1 and GFR α-2(b) isoform occurred in 24 m AL animals. GDNF, but not NT-3, increased the levels of antioxidant enzymes in cultured enteric ganglion cells, indicating a possible mechanism for the reported protective effect of GDNF against menadione-induced neuronal apoptosis in the ageing gut. Together these data suggest that GDNF family members may play a protective role in the gut throughout life, and support the suggestion that dysregulation of neurotrophic factor support could contribute to neuronal ageing in the gut

КОМПОЗИЦИЯ ЗЕРКАЛЬНОЙ АНАСТИГМАТИЧЕСКОЙ АФОКАЛЬНОЙ СИСТЕМЫ

The paper presents results of investigations pertaining to a mirror anastigmatic afocal optical systems comprising two concave parabolic reflectors and a convex hyperbolic reflector. A variant of constructive problem solution as a combination of the Cassegrein objective and a separate parabolic reflector is shown in the paper.Представлены результаты исследования зеркальной анастигматической афокальной системы, состояш;ей из двух вогнутых параболических зеркал и выпуклого гиперболического зеркала. Получен вариант конструктивного решения как комбинации объектива Кассегрена и отдельного параболического зеркала

Конструкция и характеристики неохлаждаемых болометрических инфракрасных решеток на основе аморфного кремния

Uncooled bolometric type thermal detectors, combined into a matrix and placed into a focal plane array have the following characteristics: low cost, operation at room temperature, compatibility with the silicon CMOS technology, and high detecting performance; therefore recently it became a hot spot in infrared or terahertz detection field. The performance of uncooled infrared focal plane detector arrays depends on the optimization of critical parameters which are determined by geometrical design and the electrical, optical, and thermal physical properties of the detector materials. We report the study of a fabrication process and characterization of two (2D) dimensional arrays of uncooled microbolometers based on silicon (α-Si) thermo-sensing films. Because these arrays substantially reduce sensor size, they are becoming the preferred format for most modern applications

Конструкция и характеристики неохлаждаемых болометрических инфракрасных решеток на основе аморфного кремния

Uncooled bolometric type thermal detectors, combined into a matrix and placed into a focal plane array have the following characteristics: low cost, operation at room temperature, compatibility with the silicon CMOS technology, and high detecting performance; therefore recently it became a hot spot in infrared or terahertz detection field. The performance of uncooled infrared focal plane detector arrays depends on the optimization of critical parameters which are determined by geometrical design and the electrical, optical, and thermal physical properties of the detector materials. We report the study of a fabrication process and characterization of two (2D) dimensional arrays of uncooled microbolometers based on silicon (α-Si) thermo-sensing films. Because these arrays substantially reduce sensor size, they are becoming the preferred format for most modern applications. Неохлаждаемые тепловые детекторы болометрического типа, объединенные в матрицу, размещенную в фокальной плоскости, в последнее время активно применяются в инфракрасном или терагерцовом поле обнаружения, поскольку обладают низкой стоимостью и высокой эффективностью обнаружения, совместимы с кремниевой КМОП-технологией, а также работают при комнатной температуре. Характеристики таких детекторов зависят от оптимизации критических параметров, которые определяются геометрической конструкцией, электрическими, оптическими и тепловыми свойствами применяемых материалов. В статье рассмотрены эксплуатационные характеристики пикселей двумерных массивов неохлаждаемых микроболометров на основе термочувствительных пленок аморфного кремния. Поскольку эти массивы значительно уменьшают размер сенсора, они становятся предпочтительным форматом для большинства современных приложений.

Assisted reproductive technology in Europe, 2007: results generated from European registers by ESHRE

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

First isolation of Clostrioides difficile from smoked and dried freshwater fish in Cambodia

In Cambodia, freshwater aquaculture is the most important source of food production. Fresh fish meat is considered a highly perishable food that requires the use of different manipulations and preservation techniques to inhibit the proliferation of undesirable bacteria. These bacteria are naturally present in the raw product or could be acquired during manipulation by cross-contamination. Many studies worldwide have investigated the epidemiology of Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) in food, but to date, there are no publications about the bacterium in ready-to-eat fish or descriptions in Cambodia. The objective of this study was to assess the presence of C. difficile in one of the main food supplies of this country, smoked freshwater fish, originating from different provinces. A total of 25 samples were collected directly from local markets, yielding 4 C. difficile isolates and an overall recovery rate of 16%. Most of the isolates were toxigenic and classified as rare PCR profiles, and they were resistant to clindamycin. These findings indicate contamination during handling and/or contamination of the raw fish, followed by insufficient heat treatment to kill the spores. The presence of C. difficile in smoked and dried fish implies a potential risk of human exposure, contamination and infection

A Search for Possible Long Range Spin Dependent Interactions of the Neutron from Exotic Vector Boson Exchange

We present a search for possible spin dependent interactions of the neutron with matter through exchange of spin 1 bosons with axial vector couplings as envisioned in possible extensions of the Standard Model. This was sought using a slow neutron polarimeter that passed transversely polarized slow neutrons by unpolarized slabs of material arranged so that interactions would tilt the plane of polarization and develop a component along the neutron momentum. The result for the rotation angle, ϕ′=[2.8±4.6(stat.)±4.0(sys.)]×10−5 rad/m is consistent with zero. This result improves the upper bounds on the neutron-matter coupling g2A by about three orders of magnitude for force ranges in the mm– μm regime

Aging of the mammalian gastrointestinal tract: a complex organ system

Gastrointestinal disorders are a major cause of morbidity in the elderly population. The gastrointestinal tract is the most complex organ system; its diverse cells perform a range of functions essential to life, not only secretion, digestion, absorption and excretion, but also, very importantly, defence. The gastrointestinal tract acts not only as a barrier to harmful materials and pathogens but also contains the vast number of beneficial bacterial populations that make up the microbiota. Communication between the cells of the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous and endocrine systems modifies behaviour; the organisms of the microbiota also contribute to this brain–gut–enteric microbiota axis. Age-related physiological changes in the gut are not only common, but also variable, and likely to be influenced by external factors as well as intrinsic aging of the cells involved. The cellular and molecular changes exhibited by the aging gut cells also vary. Aging intestinal smooth muscle cells exhibit a number of changes in the signalling pathways that regulate contraction. There is some evidence for age-associated degeneration of neurons and glia of the enteric nervous system, although enteric neuronal losses are likely not to be nearly as extensive as previously believed. Aging enteric neurons have been shown to exhibit a senescence-associated phenotype. Epithelial stem cells exhibit increased mitochondrial mutation in aging that affects their progeny in the mucosal epithelium. Changes to the microbiota and intestinal immune system during aging are likely to contribute to wider aging of the organism and are increasingly important areas of analysis. How changes of the different cell types of the gut during aging affect the numerous cellular interactions that are essential for normal gut functions will be important areas for future aging research