Trivalent zirconium and hafnium ions in yttria-based transparent ceramics

Electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of transparent yttria-based ceramics with zirconium and hafnium additives contain signals with close parameters due to paramagnetic Zr3+ and Hf3+ ions, which have similar ground-state electron configurations of [Kr]4d 1 and [Xe]5d 1, respectively. © 2013 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd

The MFA ground states for the extended Bose-Hubbard model with a three-body constraint

We address the intensively studied extended bosonic Hubbard model (EBHM) with truncation of the on-site Hilbert space to the three lowest occupation states n=0,1,2 in frames of the S=1 pseudospin formalism. Similar model was recently proposed to describe the charge degree of freedom in a model high-Tc cuprate with the on-site Hilbert space reduced to the three effective valence centers, nominally Cu^{1+;2+;3+} . With small corrections the model becomes equivalent to a strongly anisotropic S=1 quantum magnet in an external magnetic field. We have applied a generalized mean-field approach and quantum Monte-Carlo technique for the model 2D S=1 system with a two-particle transport to find the ground state phase with its evolution under deviation from half-filling.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figure

Social Distancing and the Deficit of Presence (Philosophical Reflection of the Covid-19 Pandemic)

The paper claims that if the COVID-19 pandemic turned out to be a man-made risk (А. Giddens), i.e. an unforeseen consequence of a person’s own behavior and actions, then in order to avoid such fatal contingences that occur so unexpectedly, it is necessary to change the type of behavior and actions that have established in the culture of the Modern Period. During the pandemic people are forced to observe the spatial order. Distancing, self-isolation, the Red Zone and other spatial limitations made people acutely aware of the deficit of presence, the lack of their independent active participation in life. The new virus, on the one hand, returned a person to the awareness of the biological, natural origin of human existence, which has been forgotten by culture (science). On the other hand, the practices of social rationing and restriction revealed the influence of various forms of alienation — social, political, economic, cultural — on the fate of each individual. The introduction of the bioprinciple (the virus) into the social, cultural and political space radically changes the relationship between people and nature. This situation makes one think about the meaning of the notion of culture, which got its definition in the 18th century and is understood as non-nature reflected in the formula culture vs nature. The paper shows that the cultural ideal of human activity, which was established in modern times, became the reason of the alienation of technogenic civilization and social forms of life from nature. By destroying nature, turning it into the material for people’s various techne, people found themselves in conflict with their own life. Culture has lost its inner meaning of the presence of the world and of an individual which dissolved in various interpretations and ideas. Contemporary history is moving towards the establishment of a culture of Presence, where the world is viewed not as a mere material to be used, but an area for humans to engage with. What we see today is the assertion of the right to difference and the right to the presence of diversity — in nature, culture, politics (struggle for a multipolar world), in the personal domain (selfies, blogs, chats, etc.)

Unconventional magnetism of non-uniform distribution of Co in TiO2 nanoparticles

High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), magnetic methods, and density-functional theory (DFT) calculations were applied for the investigations of Co-doped anatase TiO2 nanoparticles (∼20 nm). It was found that high-spin Co2+ ions prefer to occupy the interstitial positions in the TiO2 lattice which are the most energetically favourable in compare to the substitutional those. A quantum mechanical model which operates mainly on two types of Co2+ – Co2+ dimers with different negative exchange interactions and the non-interacting paramagnetic Co2+ ions provides a satisfactorily description of magnetic properties for the TiO2:Co system. © 2020 Elsevier B.V.Russian Foundation for Basic Research. Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federatio

Magnetic properties and structure of TiO2-Mn (0.73 %) nanopowders: The effects of electron irradiation and vacuum annealing

Nanopowder TiO2-0.73 % Mn was synthesized by the sol-gel method. Thermal treatment of the samples was carried out in vacuum at a temperature of 500°C. Magnetic properties were studied in the temperature range from 2 to 850 K. The effects of electron irradiation and vacuum annealing on the EPR spectra and magnetic properties of TiO2-Mn powder are discussed. It was established that a part of manganese ions in the anatase crystal lattice interacts antiferromagnetically, which causes a decrease in magnetization as compared to the result of the calculation for non-interacting ions. Vacuum annealing leads to the formation of oxygen vacancies and, at the same time, to a noticeable increase in the ferromagnetic contribution to magnetization, especially, after preliminary electron irradiation. We assume that the ferromagnetic contribution to the magnetization appears either due to incomplete compensation of antiferromagnetically directed moments of manganese ions, or due to positive exchange interactions of Mn ions via defects in the TiO2 lattice. It is shown that the temperature of magnetic disordering in samples with a spontaneous magnetic moment exceeds 600°C. © 2019, Institute for Metals Superplasticity Problems of Russian Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF RADIOLOGIC ASPECTS OF FACET JOINTS IN SURGICAL TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH DEGENERATIVE DISEASES OF THE LUMBAR SPINE

Objective To study the radiologic characteristics of facet joints at different stages of the degenerative process in the lumbar spine to determine the indications for various methods of fixing the affected segment and to evaluate the results of treatment.Material and Methods To determine the radiologic aspects of facet joints in the affected area and in  adjacent segments of the lumbar spine, two groups were formed, including 136 patients who underwent multispiral computed tomography in two-energy mode before surgery and 12 months after surgery. Group I included patients who underwent rigid fixation of the spine (360°), and group II included patients who underwent dynamic fixation using nitinol rods (180°).Results Based on a comprehensive instrumental study, it was found that the degeneration of the intervertebral disc according to Pfirrmann II and III revealed an increase in the density of the cartilaginous plate in facet joints (HU). These digital indicators confirm the preservation of joint functionality, both in the affected area and in adjacent segments. With severe degrees of disk degeneration in Pfirrmann IV and V and facet joints, deep pathological changes occurred, directed towards the loss of facet joints functionality.Conclusion The obtained digital indicators of dual-energy computed tomography for the state of facet joints  in combination with the results of magnetic resonance imaging can be used as criteria in a complex of patient studies to assess the degree of degeneration of the vertebral motion segment in the affected area and adjacent segments. We recommend using these criteria as a diagnostic component for finding optimal methods of surgical treatment

The health in the value system of Russian youth: contradictory discursive practices

The axiological aspects of the self-preserving behaviour of Russian youth are considered on the basis of the data of sociological studies. The contradiction between the high value of health in the minds of modern youth declared and the underdevelopment of daily practices aimed at its preservation and strengthening is revealed. The probable causes of the contradiction are listed; they are related as to the specifics of this socio-demographic group, to its hedonistic orientation, to situational orientation of thinking, and also to the limited capacity of youth in relation to receiving medical and preventive service

Comprehensive analysis of the results of surgical treatment of patients with degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine using rigid fixation systems

Introduction. According to the literature, the development of adjacent-level syndrome 10 years after posterior rigid stabilization is noted in 6.7–80 % of patients, of which 24 % require revision surgery.The aim: to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the results of surgical treatment of patients with degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine using rigid fixation systems.Materials and methods. A multicenter retrospective study of the results of surgical treatment of 268 patients with degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the lumbar spine, who underwent mono- or bisegmental decompression-stabilizing intervention with the implementation of the TLIF (Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion) technique and open transpedicular rigid fixation, was conducted. The study included radiography, MRI and CT (in 2-energy mode) of intervertebral discs and isolated facet degeneration of the upper adjacent level.Results and discussion. The combination of the initial degeneration of the adjacent spinal motion segment in the form of disc degeneration of grade III and higher according to Pfirrmann with threshold values of the density of the outer cartilaginous plate from 161.7 ± 18.8 to 164.8 ± 14.2 HU, the density of the outer facet – from 702.43 ± 12.3 to 713.65 ± 13.6 HU and the density of the inner facet – from 580.5 ± 11.6 to 582.1 ± 15.1 HU, as well as with signs of segmental instability of the adjacent segment can be considered as risk factors for the development of its degeneration. With the progression of degeneration of the upper intervertebral disc, revision interventions were performed within 12–60 months after surgery.Conclusion. Bisegmental stabilization with signs of initial degeneration in the intervertebral disc and facet joints in the upper segment has proven its clinical and instrumental effectiveness in the period of 36 months and reduces the risks of developing degenerative disease of the adjacent disc