Colloidal particles at a nematic-isotropic interface: effects of confinement

When captured by a flat nematic-isotropic interface, colloidal particles can be dragged by it. As a result spatially periodic structures may appear, with the period depending on a particle mass, size, and interface velocity~\cite{west.jl:2002}. If liquid crystal is sandwiched between two substrates, the interface takes a wedge-like shape, accommodating the interface-substrate contact angle and minimizing the director distortions on its nematic side. Correspondingly, particles move along complex trajectories: they are first captured by the interface and then `glide' towards its vertex point. Our experiments quantify this scenario, and numerical minimization of the Landau-de Gennes free energy allow for a qualitative description of the interfacial structure and the drag force.Comment: 7 pages, 9 figure

Drag on particles in a nematic suspension by a moving nematic-isotropic interface

We report the first clear demonstration of drag on colloidal particles by a moving nematic-isotropic interface. The balance of forces explains our observation of periodic, strip-like structures that are produced by the movement of these particles

Mineral composition of rhizomes Potentilla erecta L.

Chemical substances, which accumulate selectively by plants, can influence at their pharmacological action: to increase or decrease their absorption, resorptive properties; be synergists or antagonists, as well as to reduce or enhance the toxic effect. Potentilla erecta used in traditional herbal medicine system in many countries due to high therapeutic value. The concentrations of secondary metabolites in the plant raw materials are well understood. However, the data on concentration of trace and major elemental composition of it raw material remains extremely insufficient. The aim of our study was to examine the elemental compound of P. erecta rhizomes. The object of study was the rhizomes of P. erecta from a various natural zones of Ukraine (Carpathians, Polesie). Raw material was analyzed by atomic emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma. Twenty nine elements were identified in studied samples. It was established that the level of concentration decreases in this sequence: Ca > S > Mg > K > Sn > I > P > Ba > Al > Zn > Mn > Fe > Sr > Si > Ag > Cr > Ni > Cu > Pb > V > Se > Ti > Cd > Ge > Na > Mo > Co > As > Bi. Ca, S and Mg are present in high concentrations in both analyzed samples of P. erecta. K, Sn, I, P, Ba and Al were identified in quantities of more than 100 mg/kg. Other elements found in small quantities. The content of some metals was significantly different in the analyzed samples. The main reason is, probably, the difference between the ecological conditions of plants habitats. The experimental data can be used for prognosing and planning pharmacological research of P. erecta and development of quality control methods for plant material of this medicinal plant

Harvesting Single Ferroelectric Domain Stressed Nanoparticles for Optical and Ferroic Applications

We describe techniques to selectively harvest single ferroelectric domain nanoparticles of BaTiO3 as small as 9 nm from a plethora of nanoparticles produced by mechanical grinding. High resolution transmission electron microscopy imaging shows the unidomain atomic structure of the nanoparticles and reveals compressive and tensile surface strains which are attributed to the preservation of ferroelectric behavior in these particles. We demonstrate the positive benefits of using harvested nanoparticles in disparate liquid crystal systems

Vortex vs spinning string: Iordanskii force and gravitational Aharonov-Bohm effect

We discuss the transverse force acting on the spinning cosmic string, moving in the background matter. It comes from the gravitational Aharonov-Bohm effect and corresponds to the Iordanskii force acting on the vortex in superfluids, when the vortex moves with respect to the normal component of the liquid.Comment: Latex file, 9 pages, no figures, references are added, version submitted to JETP Let

Rights and obligations of regulators, drug manufacturers, doctors, pharmacists, patients, and insurance companies in the case of off label use of medicinal products

For many years, the off-label use of drugs has been a debated issue for healthcare administrators, regulators, pharmaceutical manufacturers, doctors, pharmacists, insurance companies, and patients. The mechanism for monitoring and regulating the off-label use of drugs must have sound scientific evidence and principles that provide for discouraging their use in the absence of convincing and evidence-based clinical justification and the availability of alternatives. Regulatory authorities (FDA and others) are very strict about manufacturing standards and documentation of the safety and efficacy of drugs, but they do not regulate the way they are prescribed. Thus, doctors can prescribe drugs off-label if their medical knowledge and the patient's condition allow it. The decision to use the drug off -label is not illegal if the doctor does not abuse his official position and does not violate the rules for its prescription

КАРЦИНОСАРКОМА ЩИТОВИДНОЙ ЖЕЛЕЗЫ

A rare case of thyroid carcinosarcoma has been presented. Clinical features of progression of this rare disease have been described. The detailed assessment of the histological pattern of metastatic spread of thyroid carcinocarcoma has been given. The main causes of unfavorable outcome of this disease have been analyzed.Представлен редкий клинический случай карциносаркомы щитовидной железы. Описаны особенности клинического течения и диагностики, морфологической картины, прогрессирования и вариантов метастазирования этого гистотипа опухолей. Анализируются основные причины неблагоприятного течения карциносаркомы щитовидной железы

Сорбция цитокинов и иммуноглобулинов in vitro новым углеродным гемосорбентом (cтендовое испытание)

Objective: to study the specific features of sorption of some protein molecules (cytokines, immunoglobulins) in vitro, by using the carbon hemosorbent designed at the Institute of Hydrocarbon Process Problems, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences.Materials and methods. 42 plasma samples from 14 patients with peritonitis were examined before and after hemosorption. Plasma was perfused through the hemosorbent with a plasma:hemosorbent ratio of 10:1 and a 5-cm3-column volume on an УНИРОЛ-1 at a rate of 15 ml/min.Results. The designed hemosorbent was found to absorb proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis fac-tor-a and interleukin-1/J more than the hemosorbent VNIITU-1, and to significantly unchange the content of immunoglobulins M, G, and A. The absorptive capacity of the new hemosorbent was 48% greater than that of VNIITU-1.Conclusion. The findings may serve as a guide for further more in-depth studies of the specific features of sorption of plasma protein molecules from critically ill patients, by employingjust this carbon sorbent. Цель исследования . Изучить особенности сорбции некоторых белковых молекул (цитокинов, иммуноглобулинов) in vitro углеродным гемосорбентом, разработанным в Институте проблем переработки углеводородов Сибирского отделения РАН.Материалы и методы. Исследовано 42 пробы плазмы крови от 14 больных перитонитом до и после гемо-сорбции. Перфузию плазмы крови через гемосорбент осуществляли с помощью аппарата УНИРОЛ-1 при скорости 15 мл/мин, соотношении «плазма:гемосорбент» — 10:1 и объеме колонки в 5 см3.Результаты. Установлено, что разработанный гемосорбент поглощает больше таких провоспалительных цитокинов, как фактор некроза опухоли-альфа и ин-терлейкин 1-в, по сравнению с гемосорбентом ВНИИТУ-1, и достоверно не изменяет содержание иммуноглобулинов М, G, А. Сорбционная способность нового гемосорбента на 48% превышает таковую у ВНИИТУ-1.Заключение. Полученные результаты служат основанием для дальнейших углубленных исследований по изучению особенностей сорбции некоторых белковых молекул плазмы крови больных, находящихся в критическом состоянии, именно на этом углеродном сорбенте.