USING THE SPH METHOD FOR MODELING THE CRYSTALLIZATION PROCESS OF ALUMINUM ALLOYS

The purpose of the study was to obtain castings with increased mechanical properties by low-pressure casting using excess pressure on the crystallized casting. The simulation of the process of filling and crystallization of prototypes using the SPH method was carried out. The studies were carried out on a modernized low-pressure injection molding machine model U8261. Prototypes were obtained from AK7ch alloy, special attention is paid to interfacial interaction and intensification of the heat transfer process due to the application of excess pressure. Based on the data obtained, it was found that during crystallization under excessive pressure there is a supercooling effect that reduces the casting solidification time. The use of the SPH method for modeling foundry processes has shown a high level of reliability and requires further development.The purpose of the study was to obtain castings with increased mechanical properties by low-pressure casting using excess pressure on the crystallized casting. The simulation of the process of filling and crystallization of prototypes using the SPH method was carried out. The studies were carried out on a modernized low-pressure injection molding machine model U8261. Prototypes were obtained from AK7ch alloy, special attention is paid to interfacial interaction and intensification of the heat transfer process due to the application of excess pressure. Based on the data obtained, it was found that during crystallization under excessive pressure there is a supercooling effect that reduces the casting solidification time. The use of the SPH method for modeling foundry processes has shown a high level of reliability and requires further development

PO-076 High and moderate intensity strength exercises to exhaustion activate different signaling cascades regulating protein metabolism in trained skeletal muscle

Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate the activation of signaling cascades regulating protein synthesis and degradation after strength exercise sessions of high and moderate intensity in the muscles of athletes adapted to strength training. Methods Eight strength-trained men were recruited for the experiment. The volunteers performed 4 sets of leg press to volitional fatigue with moderate intensity (65% 1RM) for one leg and 4 sets of leg press to volitional fatigue with high intensity (85% of 1RM) for contralateral leg. The sets for both legs were performed in turn with rest intervals of 2 min. Biopsy from m. vastus lateralis was performed before, 1, 5 and 10 hours after cessation of exercise. Content of signaling proteins was evaluated using Western blot. Results Total work performed by the leg during moderate intensity strength exercise was 32% (P˂0,001) higher in comparison with contralateral leg performing high intensity exercise. The phosphorylation levels of p70S6kThr389 and 4E-BP1Thr37 / 46 increased only after the exercise of moderate intensity (P˂0.05). On the contrary, the phosphorylation level of ERK1 / 2Thr202 / Tyr204 increased only after the exercise of high intensity (P˂0.05). The level of phosphorylation of eEF2Thr56 significantly decreased after 1 (P˂0.001), 5 (P˂0.01) and 10 (P˂0.01) hours after the exercise of high intensity. The phosphorylation level of ACCSer79, an AMPK activation marker, was significantly increased 1 hour after the exercise of moderate intensity (P˂0.01). The phosphorylation level of FOXO1Ser256 significantly decreased after the exercises of both intensities (5 hours after the exercise of moderate intensity, P˂0.001; 1 hour after the exercise of high intensity, P˂0.05). Conclusions Strength exercises of high and moderate intensity, performed to volitional fatigue, may cause activation of different signaling cascades. Herewith, activation of mTORC1 after strength exercise is more dependent on the total work, whereas the ERK1 / 2 and eEF2 activation on the exercise intensity. The work was supported by RFBR grant №17-04-00878

The Effectiveness of the Probiotic Additives Use in the Breeding of Broiler Chickens

The research paper presents the results of the use of a new probiotic feed additive containing a dry culture of lactic acid bacteria and fillers of plant origin in the diet of young poultry. The use of probiotics in the diet of broiler chickens showed that outdoor and cage keeping conditions did not significantly affect the economic and productive parameters of poultry, while the use of feed additives in their diet provided an increase in the preservation of Ross 308 cross by 6.0 and 4.0%, the live weight gain by 5.6 and 5.5%, and the slaughter yield of gutted chicken carcasses by 3.2 and 4.0%, as well as the decrease in the feed conversion by 4.4 and 3.9%. In broiler chickens of the Cobb 500 cross, the feed additive provided an increase in the preservation of livestock by 4.0 and 6.0%, the increase in the live weight by 6.6%, the slaughter yield of the gutted poultry carcass by 2.1 and 2.7%, as well as the decrease in feed conversion by 5.9 and 5.4%. As a result of the research, it is recommended to introduce a new microbial feed additive in the diet at a dose of 0.7 kg per 1 ton of feed additionally throughout the entire growing period to improve the preservation, increase the live weight of poultry, meat productivity and its quality, and reduce the cost of compound feed to obtain a unit of production for broiler chickens of Ross 308 and Cobb 500 crosses

Hydrochemical and biogeochemical features of freshwater and brackish lakes in eastern Sikhote-Alin

Concentration of major ions and trace metals dissolved and suspended in water and trace metals in plankton of freshwater (Vaskovskoye, Golubichnoye, Yaponskoye) and brackish (Dukhovskoye, Krugloye, Mramornoye, Blagodati) lakes of eastern Sikhote-Alin is determined in July 2011-2012. The Lakes Golubichnoye and Blagodati are included in the Sikhote-Alin State Natural Biosphere Reserve. Anions are detected by the liquid chromatography (Shimadzu LC-10AVP), cations and metals are analyzed by the atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS Shimadzu 6800), and carbon concentration is measured by the method of thermocatalytic oxidation with infrared registration (TOC-VCPN, Shimadzu). The freshwater lakes of eastern Sikhote-Alin are distinguished by heightened concentrations of chlorides, sulfates, and sodium as compared with lakes of East-European Plain, mainly because of aerial transfer of ions from the sea. The ions concentration in brackish lakes is determined by direct penetration of seawater. Difference of the heavy metals concentration between freshwater and brackish lakes is negligible, except the manganese with higher concentration in the freshwater lakes. Lakes with wetlands in their drainage area have high concentrations of dissolved organic carbon, iron and manganese, which are depended on water regime. Concentrations of trace metals in the lakes water are low because of its pluvial origin (rainwater transforms slightly in the process of filtration through effusive rocks), with exception of Lake Vaskovskoe located in the area of mining and processing the polymetallic and borosilicate ores, close to the lead smeltery in Rudnaya Pristan stopped in 2009: the lead concentration in the water of this lake is heightened, both in dissolved and suspended forms, though does not exceed the maximal permissible concentration for drinking water. Accumulation of metals by plankton is determined mainly by biological need of the plankton in these elements and practically doesn’t depend on their concentration in water

Positive experience with TNF-α inhibitor in toxic epidermal necrolysis resistant to high-dose systemic corticosteroids

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are rare, potentially life-threatening syndromes characterized by the development of necrotic epidermal and mucosal lesions. The most common etiologic cause of SJS/TEN is drug-induced mechanisms. The group of drugs with high potential risk includes sulfonamides, anticonvulsants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), allopurinol, phenobarbital, etc. There is no gold standard treatment algorithm for SJS/TEN. In medical practice, systemic glucocorticosteroids (sGCS), intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), plasmapheresis, and cyclosporine are used empirically and in various combinations. Recently published studies have demonstrated the efficacy of TNF-α inhibitors as a promising approach in SJS/TEN, including cases resistant to high-dose sGCS, with etanercept and infliximab being the most commonly used drugs. In a large multicenter study by Zhang J et al. (XXXX), 242 patients treated with etanercept, sGCS, or a combination of both had lower mortality compared to the control group. A shorter skin healing time was documented compared to sGCS monotherapy, thus reducing the risk of secondary infections. The published data show a high efficacy with THF-α inhibitor blockade, but the safety of TNF-α inhibitors in patients with SJS/TEN is still questionable due to the paucity of available information. As all clinical research data should be accumulated to provide reliable evidence that the use of TNF-α inhibitors may be beneficial in SJS/TEN, we report a case of etoricoxib-associated SJS with progression to TEN in a 50-year-old woman who was refractory to high-dose sGCS therapy

Prediction of muscle fiber composition using multiple repetition testing

Direct determination of muscle fiber composition is invasive and expensive, with indirect methods also requiring specialist resources and expertise. Performing resistance exercises at 80% 1RM is suggested as a means of indirectly estimating muscle fiber composition, though this hypothesis has never been validated against a direct method. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between the number of completed repetitions at 80% 1RM of back squat exercise and muscle fiber composition. Thirty recreationally active participants’ (10 females, 20 males) 1RM back squat load was determined, before the number of consecutive repetitions at 80% 1RM was recorded. The relationship between the number of repetitions and the percentage of fast-twitch fibers from vastus lateralis was investigated. The number of completed repetitions ranged from 5 to 15 and was independent of sex, age, 1RM, training frequency, training type, training experience, BMI or muscle fiber cross-sectional area. The percentage of fast-twitch muscle fibers was inversely correlated with the number of repetitions completed (r = –0.38, P = 0.039). Participants achieving 5 to 8 repetitions (n = 10) had significantly more fast-twitch muscle fibers (57.5 ± 9.5 vs 44.4 ± 11.9%, P = 0.013) than those achieving 11–15 repetitions (n = 11). The remaining participants achieved 9 or 10 repetitions (n = 9) and on average had equal proportion of fast- and slow-twitch muscle fibers. In conclusion, the number of completed repetitions at 80% of 1RM is moderately correlated with muscle fiber composition

Vegetation of Europe: hierarchical floristic classification system of vascular plant, bryophyte, lichen, and algal communities

Vegetation classification consistent with the Braun-Blanquet approach is widely used in Europe for applied vegetation science, conservation planning and land management. During the long history of syntaxonomy, many concepts and names of vegetation units have been proposed, but there has been no single classification system integrating these units. Here we (1) present a comprehensive, hierarchical, syntaxonomic system of alliances, orders and classes of Braun-Blanquet syntaxonomy for vascular plant, bryophyte and lichen, and algal communities of Europe; (2) briefly characterize in ecological and geographic terms accepted syntaxonomic concepts; (3) link available synonyms to these accepted concepts; and (4) provide a list of diagnostic species for all classes. Location: European mainland, Greenland, Arctic archipelagos (including Iceland, Svalbard, Novaya Zemlya), Canary Islands, Madeira, Azores, Caucasus, Cyprus. Methods: We evaluated approximately 10 000 bibliographic sources to create a comprehensive list of previously proposed syntaxonomic units. These units were evaluated by experts for their floristic and ecological distinctness, clarity of geographic distribution and compliance with the nomenclature code. Accepted units were compiled into three systems of classes, orders and alliances (EuroVegChecklist, EVC) for communities dominated by vascular plants (EVC1), bryophytes and lichens (EVC2) and algae (EVC3). Results: EVC1 includes 109 classes, 300 orders and 1108 alliances; EVC2 includes 27 classes, 53 orders and 137 alliances, and EVC3 includes 13 classes, 24 orders and 53 alliances. In total 13 448 taxa were assigned as indicator species to classes of EVC1, 2087 to classes of EVC2 and 368 to classes of EVC3. Accepted syntaxonomic concepts are summarized in a series of appendices, and detailed information on each is accessible through the software tool EuroVegBrowser. Conclusions: This paper features the first comprehensive and critical account of European syntaxa and synthesizes more than 100 yr of classification effort by European phytosociologists. It aims to document and stabilize the concepts and nomenclature of syntaxa for practical uses, such as calibration of habitat classification used by the European Union, standardization of terminology for environmental assessment, management and conservation of nature areas, landscape planning and education. The presented classification systems provide a baseline for future development and revision of European syntaxonomy.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Pre-exposure prophylaxis of new COVID-19 coronavirus infection with tixagevimab/cilgavimab in adult Moscow patients with primary immunodeficiencies

Background. Primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs), now known as inborn errors of immunity, are a group of inherited diseases caused by defects in the genes that control the immune response. Patients with PIDs have risks of developing a severe course and/or death in COVID-19. Passive immunization with long-acting monoclonal antibodies (MABs) to SARS-CoV-2 should be considered as pre-exposure prophylaxis in patients with PIDs. Tixagevimab/cilgavimab is a combination of MABs that bind to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Aim. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of pre-exposure prophylaxis of new SARS-CoV-2 infection in PIDs with the combination of tixagevimab/cilgavimab. Materials and methods. Forty eight patients diagnosed with PIDs were included in the study. Median follow-up after drug administration was 174 days. The total number of confirmed coronavirus infections in patients with PIDs as well as 6 months before and after administration of MAT were assessed. Results. In the analyzed cohort, the overall incidence of COVID-19 from pandemic onset to MABs administration was 75% (36/48), with 31% (11/36) of over-infected patients having had the infection more than once. The incidence of COVID-19 immediately 6 months before the introduction of tixagevimab/cilgavimab was 40%. All patients who had COVID-19 after pre-exposure prophylaxis had a mild infection. The incidence of COVID-19 6 months after tixagevimab/cilgavimab administration significantly decreased compared to the incidence 6 months before administration (7 and 40%, respectively; p0.001). Conclusion. The use of tixagevimab/cilgavimab in patients with PIDs is effective as pre-exposure prophylaxis and reduces the risk of severe COVID-19

Mapping species richness of plant families in European vegetation

Aims: Biodiversity is traditionally studied mostly at the species level, but biogeographical and macroecological studies at higher taxonomic levels can provide valuable insights into the evolutionary processes at large spatial scales. Our aim was to assess the representation of vascular plant families within different vegetation formations across Europe. Location: Europe. Methods: We used a data set of 816,005 vegetation plots from the European Vegetation Archive (EVA). For each plot, we calculated the relative species richness of each plant family as the number of species belonging to that family divided by the total number of species. We mapped the relative species richness, averaged across all plots in 50 km × 50 km grid cells, for each family and broad habitat groups: forests, grasslands, scrub and wetlands. We also calculated the absolute species richness and the Shannon diversity index for each family. Results: We produced 522 maps of mean relative species richness for a total of 152 vascular plant families occurring in forests, grasslands, scrub and wetlands. We found distinct spatial patterns for many combinations of families and habitat groups. The resulting series of 522 maps is freely available, both as images and GIS layers. Conclusions: The distinct spatial patterns revealed in the maps suggest that the relative species richness of plant families at the community level reflects the evolutionary history of individual families. We believe that the maps and associated data can inspire further biogeographical and macroecological studies and strengthen the ongoing integration of phylogenetic, functional and taxonomic diversity concepts.MV, IA, JPC, ZL, IK, AJ and MC were funded by the Czech Science Foundation, programme EXPRO (project no. 19-28491X); JDi by the Czech Science Foundation (18-02773S); IB and JAC by the Basque Government (IT936-16); AČ by the Slovenian Research Agency (ARRS, P1-0236); AK by the National Research Foundation of Ukraine (project no. 2020.01/0140); JŠ by the Slovak Research and Development Agency (APVV 16-0431); KV by the National Science Fund (Contract DCOST 01/7/19.10.2018)