Low-temperature creation of Frenkel defects via hot electron-hole recombination in highly pure NaCl single crystals

The creation spectrum of stable F centres (being part of F-H pairs of Frenkel defects) by synchrotron radiation of 7–40 eV has been measured for highly pure NaCl single crystals at 12 K using a highly sensitive luminescent method. It is shown that the efficiency of F centre creation in a closely packed NaCl is low at the decay of anion or cation excitons (7.8–8.4 and 33.4 eV, respectively) or at the recombination of relaxed conduction electrons and valence holes. Only the recombination of nonrelaxed (hot) electrons with holes provides the energy exceeding threshold value EFD, which is sufficient for the creation of Frenkel defects at low temperature

ОЦЕНКА ПОТРЕБНОСТИ В ОВОЩАХ В СООТВЕТСТВИИ С РАЦИОНАЛЬНЫМИ НОРМАМИ ИХ ПОТРЕБЛЕНИЯ

Problems of proper nutrition and health of citizens are becoming increasingly important every year. A significant number of chronic non-communicable diseases have been observed in Russia and its regions for several years. Thus, according to the Territorial body of the Federal state statistics service for the Irkutsk region in 2017, the mortality rate from diseases of the circulatory system was 615 people per 100 thousand people, 218 people per 100 thousand people died from neoplasms. The reason for the increase in the incidence of population researchers believe the change in socio-economic structure, lifestyle and diet. At the same time, the President of the Russian Federation defined the task of achieving the average life expectancy of Russians at the level of 78 years in the may Decree of 2018. Currently, for the Irkutsk region, this figure is at the level of only 69 years and at the current rate of growth by 2024 will reach only 75 years. In this regard, we need a set of measures aimed at improving the health, living and working conditions of citizens of the country, which can be implemented, including through ensuring a normal diet of life and consumption of basic products, including vegetables, at a level not lower than the rational norms of their consumption. The article presents an assessment of the capacity and potential of the market of vegetable products on the materials of the Irkutsk region, the main producers, exporters, importers of vegetables, the forecast of shortage of vegetables. Social efficiency in achieving the proposed performance indicators will be determined by increasing the life expectancy of the population, reducing morbidity, improving the quality of life of those suffering from diseases associated with malnutrition, and the ratio of the obtained favorable social results to the costs to achieve them. Economic efficiency will be expressed by assessing the impact of the results achieved in the framework of program activities on the formation of the gross product, ensuring the dynamics of economic growth and increasing productivity, as stated in the presidential decree and Federal national projects until 2024. The practical application of vegetable demand calculations in accordance with rational consumption norms can be used in the process of marketing research to identify the potential market entry of new players or increase the production of fresh vegetables by their existing producers.Проблемы правильного питания и здоровья граждан приобретают с каждым годом все большую актуальность. На протяжении нескольких лет в России и ее регионах наблюдается значительное число хронических неинфекционных заболеваний. Так, по данным Территориального органа Федеральной службы Государственной статистики по Иркутской области в 2017 году показатель смертности от болезней системы кровообращения составил 615 человек на 100 тыс. человек населения, умерло от новообразований – 218 человек на 100 тыс. человек населения. Причиной роста заболеваемости населения исследователи считают изменение социально-экономического уклада, образа жизни и характера питания. При этом Президентом Российской Федерации в майском Указе 2018 года определена задача достижения средней продолжительности жизни россиян на уровне 78 лет. В настоящее время для Иркутской области этот показатель находится на уровне только 69 лет и при существующих темпах роста к 2024 году достигнет лишь 75 лет. В связи с этим необходим комплекс мероприятий, направленных на улучшения здоровья, условий жизни и труда граждан страны, который может быть реализован через обеспечения нормального питания жизни и потребления основных продуктов, в том числе, и овощей, на уровне не ниже рациональных норм их потребления. В статье приведена оценка емкости и потенциала рынка овощной продукции на материалах Иркутской области, определены основные производители, экспортеры, импортеры овощей, составлен прогноз дефицита овощей. Социальная эффективность при достижении предложенных в работе результативных показателей будет определяться увеличением продолжительности жизни населения, снижением заболеваемости, повышением качества жизни у страдающих от заболеваний, связанных с нерациональным питанием, и отношением полученных благоприятных социальных результатов к затратам для их достижения. Экономическая эффективность выразится оценкой влияния достигнутых в рамках реализации программных мероприятий результатов на формирование валового продукта, обеспечение динамики экономического роста и повышение производительности труда, завяленной в указе Президента и федеральных национальных проектах до 2024 года. Практическое применение расчетов потребности в овощах в соответствии с рациональными нормами потребления может быть использовано в процессе маркетинговых исследований для выявления потенциальных возможностей выхода на рынок новых игроков или увеличения объемов производства свежих овощей их действующими производителями

Structural defect creation by swift heavy ions in CaF2 single crystals

Calcium fluoride single crystals belong to the most popular optical materials due to their transparency in a wide spectral region..

Thermal annealing and transformation of dimer F centers in neutron-irradiated Al2O3 single crystals

This work has been carried out within the framework of the EUROfusion Consortium and has received funding from the Euratom research and training programme 2014-2018 and 2019-2020 under grant agreement No 633053. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the European Commission. In addition, the research leading to these results has received funding from the Estonian Research Council grant (PUT PRG619).The precise study of the thermal annealing of the F2-type dimer defects, being under discussion in the literature for a long time and responsible for the number of absorption bands below 4.5 eV, has been performed in corundum single crystals irradiated by fast neutrons with a fluence of 6.9 × 1018 n/cm2. The Gaussian components of the radiation-induced optical absorption with the maxima at 4.08, 3.45 and 2.75 eV have been considered as a measure of the F2, F2+and F22+centers, respectively. In contrast to the Fand F+ centers, the concentration of which continuously decreases at the sample heating up to 1100 K, the concentration of dimer defects with different charge states passes the increasing stages above 500 K starting from the F22+centers. The tentative mechanisms of such rise of the F22+centers as well as of the subsequent transformation/rise of dimer centers, F22+→F2+→F2at 650-800 K are considered. The possible sources of carriers needed for the recharging of dimer centers are also analysed on the basis of thermally stimulated luminescence measurements up to ~850 K.EUROfusion Consortium, Euratom research and training programme 2014-2018 and 2019-2020, grant agreement No 633053; Estonian Research Council grant (PUT PRG619); Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia as the Center of Excellence has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme H2020-WIDESPREAD-01-2016-2017-TeamingPhase2 under grant agreement No. 739508, project CAMART

Luminescence characteristics of magnesium aluminate spinel crystals of different stoichiometry

We are grateful to Drs E. Vasil’chenko and A. Maaroos for the help with experiments and useful discussions. This work has been carried out within the framework of the EUROfusion Consortium and has received funding from the Euratom research and training programme 2014-2018 under grant agreement No 633053. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the European Commission. In addition, the research leading to these results has received funding from the Estonian Research Council Institutional Research Funding IUT02-26.Magnesium aluminate spinel single crystals with different stoichiometry, MgAl2O4 (1:1 spinel) and MgO 2.5Al2O3 (1:2.5) were investigated using different optical methods (cathode-, photo- and thermally stimulated luminescence (TSL), optical absorption, "creation spectra" of TSL peaks and phosphorescence by VUV radiation). Low-temperature charge carrier traps and the position of intrinsic UV emission bands depend on the degree of stoichiometry. Antisite defects (ADs), Mg2+ or Al3+ located in a "wrong" cation site (Mg|A1 or Al|Mg) are the main as-grown structural defects, which serve also as efficient traps for electrons and holes as well as seeds for bound excitons. AD concentration is especially high in 1:2.5 spinel. There are several manifestations of ADs (electronic excitations near ADs) in the spectral region of 7-7.5 eV, slightly below the energy gap.Eesti Teadusagentuur IUT02-26; H2020 Euratom 633053; Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia as the Center of Excellence has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme H2020-WIDESPREAD-01-2016-2017-TeamingPhase2 under grant agreement No. 739508, project CAMART

eleRecombinant human thyrotropin to help confirm lack of evidence of radiation-induced differentiated thyroid cancer in young women seeking pregnancy

BACKGROUND: Women with a history of differentiated thyroidcarcinoma who are contemplating pregnancy may wish reassuranceregarding apparent remission. However, the thyroidhormone withdrawal needed to obtain serum thyroglobulintesting (Tg) results in weeks-long biochemical and clinical hypothyroidism,which could increase miscarriage and fetal deathrates if pregnancy occurred during withdrawal of thyroxine orsoon thereafter. Recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH) elevates thyrotropin exogenously, allowing uninterrupted thyroidhormone therapy and avoids hypothyroidism.MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty female radiation-inducedpapillary thyroid carcinoma survivors who had undergonetotal- or near-total thyroidectomy and who were now seekingpregnancy (mean age 23.9 ± 1.8 years), and who were consideredcancer-free by local standards, underwent rhTSH-aided Tgtesting to help confirm remission. At the time of rhTSH testing,mean follow-up after primary surgical treatment was 11.1 ±3.9 years, and all patients had negative neck ultrasonography,undetectable unstimulated serum Tg (< 0.2 ng/mL) and nointerfering anti-Tg antibodies. However, based on T3, N1 or M1status, 28/30 (93.3%) patients had high recurrence risk.RESULTS: rhTSH produced no serum Tg increase in 27/30women (90.0%). Serum Tg increases to 0.4-0.9 ng/ml wereobserved in 3 women, but careful neck ultrasonography foundno lymphadenopathy. Reassured about their remission, 14/30women (46%) have become pregnant and delivered healthychildren in the 3 years since rhTSH-aided testing.CONCLUSIONS: rhTSH-aided Tg testing is useful in confirmingabsence of tumor in female patients with a history of radiation-inducedthyroid cancer who are seeking pregnancy, but who alsohave a high risk of thyroid cancer recurrenceBACKGROUND: Women with a history of differentiated thyroidcarcinoma who are contemplating pregnancy may wish reassuranceregarding apparent remission. However, the thyroidhormone withdrawal needed to obtain serum thyroglobulintesting (Tg) results in weeks-long biochemical and clinical hypothyroidism,which could increase miscarriage and fetal deathrates if pregnancy occurred during withdrawal of thyroxine orsoon thereafter. Recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH) elevates thyrotropin exogenously, allowing uninterrupted thyroidhormone therapy and avoids hypothyroidism.MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty female radiation-inducedpapillary thyroid carcinoma survivors who had undergonetotal- or near-total thyroidectomy and who were now seekingpregnancy (mean age 23.9 ± 1.8 years), and who were consideredcancer-free by local standards, underwent rhTSH-aided Tgtesting to help confirm remission. At the time of rhTSH testing,mean follow-up after primary surgical treatment was 11.1 ±3.9 years, and all patients had negative neck ultrasonography,undetectable unstimulated serum Tg (< 0.2 ng/mL) and nointerfering anti-Tg antibodies. However, based on T3, N1 or M1status, 28/30 (93.3%) patients had high recurrence risk.RESULTS: rhTSH produced no serum Tg increase in 27/30women (90.0%). Serum Tg increases to 0.4-0.9 ng/ml wereobserved in 3 women, but careful neck ultrasonography foundno lymphadenopathy. Reassured about their remission, 14/30women (46%) have become pregnant and delivered healthychildren in the 3 years since rhTSH-aided testing.CONCLUSIONS: rhTSH-aided Tg testing is useful in confirmingabsence of tumor in female patients with a history of radiation-inducedthyroid cancer who are seeking pregnancy, but who alsohave a high risk of thyroid cancer recurrence

Atomic, electronic and magnetic structure of an oxygen interstitial in neutron-irradiated Al2O3 single crystals

This work has been carried out within the framework of the EUROfusion Consortium and has received funding from the Euratom research and training programme 2014-2018 and 2019-2020 under Grant Agreement No. 633053 and Enabling Research project: ENR-MFE19.ISSP-UL-02 “Advanced experimental and theoretical analysis of defect evolution and structural disordering in optical and dielectric materials for fusion application”. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the European Commission. In addition, the research leading to these results has received funding from the Estonian Research Council grant (PUT PRG619).A single radiation-induced superoxide ion O2- has been observed for the first time in metal oxides. This structural defect has been revealed in fast-neutron-irradiated (6.9×1018n/cm2) corundum (α-Al2O3) single crystals using the EPR method. Based on the angular dependence of the EPR lines at the magnetic field rotation in different planes and the determined g tensor components, it is shown that this hole-type O2- center (i) incorporates one regular and one interstitial oxygen atoms being stabilized by a trapped hole (S = 1/2), (ii) occupies one oxygen site in the (0001) plane being oriented along the a axis, and (iii) does not contain any other imperfection/defect in its immediate vicinity. The thermal stepwise annealing (observed via the EPR signal and corresponding optical absorption bands) of the O2- centers, caused by their destruction with release of a mobile ion (tentatively the oxygen ion with the formal charge −1), occurs at 500–750 K, simultaneously with the partial decay of single F-type centers (mostly with the EPR-active F+ centers). The obtained experimental results are in line with the superoxide defect configurations obtained via density functional theory (DFT) calculations employing the hybrid B3PW exchange-correlation functional. In particular, the DFT calculations confirm the O2- center spin S = 1/2, its orientation along the a axis. The O2- center is characterized by a short O–O bond length of 1.34 Å and different atomic charges and magnetic moments of the two oxygens. We emphasize the important role of atomic charges and magnetic moments analysis in order to identify the ground state configuration.Eesti Teadusagentuur PUT PRG619; H2020 Euratom ENR-MFE19,633053; Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia as the Center of Excellence has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme H2020-WIDESPREAD-01-2016-2017-TeamingPhase2 under grant agreement No. 739508, project CAMART

Accumulation of radiation defects and modification of micromechanical properties under MgO crystal irradiation with swift 132Xe ions

This work has been carried out within the framework of the EUROfusion Consortium and has received funding from the Euratom research and training programme 2014-2018 and 2019-2020 under grant agreement No. 633053. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the European Commission. A.A. also acknowledges support via the project GF AP05134257 of Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan .Accumulation of F-type defects under irradiation of MgO crystals by 0.23-GeV 132Xe ions with fluence varying by three orders of magnitude has been investigated via the spectra of optical absorption and low-temperature cathodoluminescence. The number of single centers continuously increases with fluence without any marks of saturation. At the highest fluence, a mean volume concentration of 3.1 × 1019 and 3.35 × 1019 cm−3 is reached for F and F+ centers, respectively. The F+ emission strongly dominates in the cathodoluminescence of irradiated MgO and its enhancement with fluence is detected. However, the creation efficiency of the F2 aggregate centers is very low and fluence dependence has a complicated shape. Radiation-induced changes of micro-mechanical properties of the same samples have been analysed; the depth profiles of hardening correlate with the ion energy loss. A joint contribution of ionization and impact mechanisms in the formation of structural defects under MgO irradiation with Xe ions is considered.H2020 Euratom 2019-2020,633053,2014-2018,GF AP05134257; Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan GF AP05134257; Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia as the Center of Excellence has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme H2020-WIDESPREAD-01-2016-2017-TeamingPhase2 under grant agreement No. 739508, project CAMART