Random raman fiber laser based on a twin-core fiber with FBGs inscribed by femtosecond radiation

Narrowband Raman lasing in a polarization-maintaining two-core fiber (TCF) is demonstrated. Femtosecond point-by-point inscription of fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) in individual cores produces a half-open cavity with random distributed feedback. The laser linewidth in the cavity with a single FBG inscribed in one core of the TCF reduced by ∼2 times with respect to the cavity with a fiber loop mirror. It is shown that the inscription of two FBGs in different cores leads to the formation of a Michelson-type interferometer, leading to the modulation of generation spectra near threshold. This technique offers new possibilities for spectral filtering or multi-wavelength generation

Effects of combination antihypertensive therapy on intracardiac hemodynamics and blood vessels in patients with coronary heart disease, post-infarction cardiosclerosis and arterial hypertension

The aim of the work is to assess the effectiveness of prescribing a fixed-dose combination of amlodipine with the ACE inhibitor lisinopril or with the angiotensin 2 receptor blocker valsartan in patients with coronary artery disease, acute coronary syndrome with hypertensive disease regarding the impact on the structural and functional parameters of the heart and extracranial branches of the brachiocephalic arteries. Materials and methods. General clinical examination of 108 patients with postinfarction cardiosclerosis and hypertension was done within 12 months. The patients were allocated to two groups. Patients in the first group (n = 50) were assigned a fixed-dose combination of lisinopril and amlodipine (20 mg and 5 mg, respectively), and patients in the second group (n = 58) received a fixed-dose combination of valsartan with amlodipine (160 mg and 5 mg, respectively). The patients were monitored for 12 months, including general clinical examinations, measurements of office blood pressure (BP), 24-hour BP monitoring, echo-dopplerographic examination of the heart and brachiocephalic arteries, determination of the composite endpoint. Statistical analysis of the obtained data was performed using Microsoft Excel, IBM SPSS Statistics v.23. Results. A significant difference in echocardiographic data has been proved (p 0.05) have been found in the first group. When analyzing the indicators of diastolic function in the second group, a highly significant (p < 0.05) decrease in E/A, E/E’, IO of the LA has been revealed; data analysis on the morphofunctional state indicators of the extracranial arteries has shown a CIM reduction and a decrease in PSV and RI. Conclusions. Prescriptions of the fixed-dose combination of amlodipine with the ACE inhibitor lisinopril was more effective in terms of the LV measurements (p < 0.05) and LV diastolic function as evidenced by decreased E/A, E/E’ and IO of the LA (p < 0.05) as compared to the data in the group of amlodipine with the angiotensin 2 receptor blocker valsartan. Both fixed-dose combinations were effective in reducing the CIM thickness, decreasing PSV and RI when analyzing the morphofunctional state findings of the extracranial arteries

Poor fluorinated graphene sheets carboxymethylcellulose polymer composite mode locker for erbium doped fiber laser

We report poor fluorinated graphene sheets produced by thermal exfoliation embedding in carboxymethylcellulose polymer composite (GCMC) as an efficient mode locker for erbium doped fiber laser. Two GCMC mode lockers with different concentration have been fabricated. The GCMC based mode locked fiber laser shows stable soliton output pulse shaping with repetition rate of 28.5MHz and output power of 5.5 mW was achieved with the high concentration GCMC, while a slightly higher output power of 6.9 mW was obtained using the low concentration GCMC mode locker

Physical-Mechanical Properties of γ-Irradiated SiC Ceramics for Radioactive Wastes Immobilization

The interest in silicon carbide (SiC-based) ceramics and composites as matrix material for nuclear waste immobilization is grown up. Long-term chemical durability and radiation resistance of SiC are important factors for radionuclides immobilization. Advantages of SiC-based ceramics as structural materials in nuclear applications are the high-temperature properties, high density and reduced neutron activation. The use of radiation resistant materials is a strong requirement for safe and environmentally beneficial energy system. The SiC ceramics stability under irradiation for temperatures up to 1273 K is also very important for nuclear power applications. The SiC matrices doped by additives of Cr, Si were fabricated using High Speed Hot Pressing Method. Additives content was in the range from 0.5 to 3 wt %. Microstructural characteristics of silicon carbide ceramics were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and infra-red spectroscopy (IR) methods. The results of microcracking under indentation conditions were revealed the lack of cracks in the SiC ceramics with Cr additives before and after irradiation process. In addition, it was demonstrated that samples of SiC with alloying additives Cr and Si possess high mechanical parameters under γ-irradiation process. The strength of ceramics increases with the uniform and fine-grained structure formation. The modification of phase composition and mechanical properties of the SiC ceramics with Cr and Si additives under γ-irradiation were analyzed for further development of radiation resistant and matrix materials for radioactive wastes immobilization

Diagnostic Efficiency of Adsorbed Anthrax Vegetative Fluorescent Immunoglobulins Demonstrated in the Medical Trials

Studied is the diagnostic efficiency (specific activity, sensitivity, specificity, reproducibility) of anthrax vegetative fluorescent immunoglobulins. Based on the data, received in medical trials, this preparation is recommended for registration as a product for medical application in the Russian Federation

NETIMIS: Dynamic Simulation of Health Economics Outcomes Using Big Data

Many healthcare organizations are now making good use of electronic health record (EHR) systems to record clinical information about their patients and the details of their healthcare. Electronic data in EHRs is generated by people engaged in complex processes within complex environments, and their human input, albeit shaped by computer systems, is compromised by many human factors. These data are potentially valuable to health economists and outcomes researchers but are sufficiently large and complex enough to be considered part of the new frontier of ‘big data’. This paper describes emerging methods that draw together data mining, process modelling, activity-based costing and dynamic simulation models. Our research infrastructure includes safe links to Leeds hospital’s EHRs with 3 million secondary and tertiary care patients. We created a multidisciplinary team of health economists, clinical specialists, and data and computer scientists, and developed a dynamic simulation tool called NETIMIS (Network Tools for Intervention Modelling with Intelligent Simulation; http://www.netimis.com) suitable for visualization of both human-designed and data-mined processes which can then be used for ‘what-if’ analysis by stakeholders interested in costing, designing and evaluating healthcare interventions. We present two examples of model development to illustrate how dynamic simulation can be informed by big data from an EHR. We found the tool provided a focal point for multidisciplinary team work to help them iteratively and collaboratively ‘deep dive’ into big data

Improvement of microstructure and mechanical properties of high dense SiC ceramics manufactured by high-speed hot pressing

Non-oxide ceramics possess high physical-mechanical properties, corrosion and radiation resistance, which can be used as a protective materials for radioactive wastes disposal. The aim of the present study was the manufacturing of high density SiC ceramics with advanced physical and mechanical parameters. The high performance on the properties of produced ceramics was determined by the dense and monolithic structure. The densified silicon carbide samples possessed good mechanical strength, with a high Vickers micro hardness up to 28.5 GPa.Безкисневі керамічні матеріали демонструють високі фізико-механічні властивості, корозійну та радіаційну стійкість, що роблять їх перспективними кандидатами для використання в якості бар'єрних матеріалів для захоронення радіоактивних відходів. Метою цієї роботи було отримання високощільної SiC-кераміки з вдосконаленими фізичними і механічними властивостями. Високі параметри отриманої кераміки визначаються формуванням високощільної і монолітної структури. Кераміка карбіду кремнію має поліпшену механічну міцність і високу твердість по Віккерсу порядка 28,5 ГПa.Бескислородные керамические материалы демонстрируют высокие физико-механические свойства, коррозионную и радиационную стойкость, делающие их перспективными кандидатами для использования в качестве барьерных материалов для захоронения радиоактивных отходов. Целью настоящей работы было получение высокоплотной SiC-керамики с усовершенствованными физическими и механическими свойствами. Высокие параметры полученной керамики определяются формированием высокоплотной и монолитной структуры. Керамика карбида кремния обладает улучшенной механической прочностью и высокой твердостью по Виккерсу порядка 28,5 ГПa

Substantiation of complex therapy "dry eye" syndrome according to pharmacoeconomic analysis and experimental model

This study researched the clinical symptoms of postoperative “dry eye syndrome" and laboratory parameters: total production of the tear fluid, the rate of tear film stability, indicators of local immune resistance in patients with dry eye syndrome and experimental animal models (rabbits) under general anesthesia in the combined use of the derinat, emoxipine stillavit and accompanied by traditional therapy of dry eye syndrome. The research revealed, that this scheme increases lacrimal glands function, tear film stability, as well as enhances the local immune defense in these patients in the experiment. Pharmacoeconomic analysis revealed greater efficiency schemes with derinat, emoxipine and solcoseryl.В данной работе исследованы симптомы и лабораторные показатели послеоперационного синдрома «сухого глаза» (ССГ): суммарная продукция слезной жидкости, показатели местной иммунной резистентности у пациентов и экспериментальной модели животных (кроликов) в условиях общей анестезии при применении дерината, эмоксипина и солкосерила в сопровождении традиционной терапии ССГ. Выявлено, что указанная схема повышает функцию слезообразования и местную иммунную защиту у данной категории пациентов и в эксперименте. При фармакоэкономическом анализе отмечена наибольшая эффективность схемы с деринатом, эмоксипином и солкосерилом

Magnetometric Studies of Catalyst Refuses in Nanocarbon Materials

It is shown that magnetometry can be employed as an effective tool to control the content of a ferromagnetic constituent in nanocarbon materials. We propose a thermochemical treatment protocol to achieve extensive cleaning of the source nanocarbon materials from ferromagnetic refuses

Evaluation of an online interactive Diabetes Needs Assessment Tool (DNAT) versus online self-directed learning: a randomised controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Methods for the dissemination, understanding and implementation of clinical guidelines need to be examined for their effectiveness to help doctors integrate guidelines into practice. The objective of this randomised controlled trial was to evaluate the effectiveness of an interactive online Diabetes Needs Assessment Tool (DNAT) (which constructs an e-learning curriculum based on individually identified knowledge gaps), compared with self-directed e-learning of diabetes guidelines.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Health professionals were randomised to a 4-month learning period and either given access to diabetes learning modules alone (control group) or DNAT plus learning modules (intervention group). Participants completed knowledge tests before and after learning (primary outcome), and surveys to assess the acceptability of the learning and changes to clinical practice (secondary outcomes).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Sixty four percent (677/1054) of participants completed both knowledge tests. The proportion of nurses (5.4%) was too small for meaningful analysis so they were excluded. For the 650 doctors completing both tests, mean (SD) knowledge scores increased from 47.4% (12.6) to 66.8% (11.5) [intervention group (n = 321, 64%)] and 47.3% (12.9) to 67.8% (10.8) [control group (n = 329, 66%)], (ANCOVA p = 0.186). Both groups were satisfied with the usability and usefulness of the learning materials. Seventy seven percent (218/284) of the intervention group reported combining the DNAT with the recommended reading materials was "<it>very useful"/"useful"</it>. The majority in both groups (184/287, 64.1% intervention group and 206/299, 68.9% control group) [95% CI for the difference (-2.8 to 12.4)] reported integrating the learning into their clinical practice.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Both groups experienced a similar and significant improvement in knowledge. The learning materials were acceptable and participants incorporated the acquired knowledge into practice.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>ISRCTN: <a href="http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN67215088">ISRCTN67215088</a></p