Microphase separation in cross-linked polymer blends: Efficient replica RPA post-processing of simulation data for homopolymer networks

We investigate the behaviour of randomly cross-linked (co)polymer blends using a combination of replica theory and large-scale molecular dynamics simulations. In particular, we derive the analogue of the random phase approximation for systems with quenched disorder and show how the required correlation functions can be calculated efficiently. By post-processing simulation data for homopolymer networks we are able to describe neutron scattering measurements in heterogeneous systems without resorting to microscopic detail and otherwise unphysical assumptions. We obtain structure function data which illustrate the expected microphase separation and contain system-specific information relating to the intrinsic length scales of our networks.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure

Consensus position of endocrinologists and pathologists on coding causes of death in patients with diabetes mellitus (expert opinion)

Coding of the causes of death of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) in the Russian Federation is one of the long-discussed problems, due to the comorbidity of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and a number of contradictions in the key regulatory documents regulating the statistics of mortality in this category of patients, which acquires particular relevance in the context of the coronavirus pandemic, due to its negative impact on the outcomes of the course of COVID-19 and mortality risks. In pursuance of the decisions of the Minutes of the meeting of the working group under the project committee of the National Project «Health» on identifying patterns in the formation of mortality rates of the population dated January 20, 2021 No. 1, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation T.A. Golikova, experts of two directions - endocrinology and pathological anatomy, prepared a Draft of agreed recommendations on the Rules for coding the causes of death of patients with diabetes, causing the greatest problems in terms of the use of ICD-10 when choosing the initial cause of death, including in the case of death from CVD and COVID-19

In Vivo Assessment of Cold Adaptation in Insect Larvae by Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Background Temperatures below the freezing point of water and the ensuing ice crystal formation pose serious challenges to cell structure and function. Consequently, species living in seasonally cold environments have evolved a multitude of strategies to reorganize their cellular architecture and metabolism, and the underlying mechanisms are crucial to our understanding of life. In multicellular organisms, and poikilotherm animals in particular, our knowledge about these processes is almost exclusively due to invasive studies, thereby limiting the range of conclusions that can be drawn about intact living systems. Methodology Given that non-destructive techniques like 1H Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging and spectroscopy have proven useful for in vivo investigations of a wide range of biological systems, we aimed at evaluating their potential to observe cold adaptations in living insect larvae. Specifically, we chose two cold-hardy insect species that frequently serve as cryobiological model systems–the freeze-avoiding gall moth Epiblema scudderiana and the freeze-tolerant gall fly Eurosta solidaginis. Results In vivo MR images were acquired from autumn-collected larvae at temperatures between 0°C and about -70°C and at spatial resolutions down to 27 µm. These images revealed three-dimensional (3D) larval anatomy at a level of detail currently not in reach of other in vivo techniques. Furthermore, they allowed visualization of the 3D distribution of the remaining liquid water and of the endogenous cryoprotectants at subzero temperatures, and temperature-weighted images of these distributions could be derived. Finally, individual fat body cells and their nuclei could be identified in intact frozen Eurosta larvae. Conclusions These findings suggest that high resolution MR techniques provide for interesting methodological options in comparative cryobiological investigations, especially in vivo

INTERDISCIPLINARY CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES "MANAGEMENT OF OBESITY AND ITS COMORBIDITIES"

Clinical guidelines have long been one of the working tools of the modern doctor, helping him quickly navigate the most effective proven methods of treatment and prevention of various diseases, and also to adapt these methods to the specific tasks of their patients and to achieve maximum personalization of treatment. Clinical  practice guidelines are drawn up by professional non-profit associations and are approved by the Scientific Council of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, while often one recommendation is prepared by two or even three associations. The peculiarity of the recommendations offered to your attention is that not only endocrinologists, but also therapists, cardiologists, gynecologists, gastroenterologists, and experts of many other specialties are involved in the prevention and treatment of obesity. The Multidisciplinary Working Group presents this a project in a multidisciplinary journal to bring together the efforts of several professional associations that associated with the need to pay attention not only to obesity itself but also to comorbid conditions. We are looking forward to constructive criticism and a comprehensive discussion of the problem on the pages of our journal

Improvement of the Method of Calculating a Group of Sound­insulating Panels

Original single-layer and multilayer structures of sound-insulating panels are considered, as well as their advantages compared to traditional analogs.The shortcomings of the method of optimization calculation of a group of sound-insulating panels designed to reduce noise in several production rooms are analyzed. This method has limited functionality due to a relatively small number of objective functions and the corresponding conditions for their use. Given this, an improved method of optimization calculation of a group of sound-insulating panels is proposed.The improvement of the method consists in increasing the number of objective functions intended for multipurpose optimization taking into account real production conditions. The refinement of the algorithm consists in the preliminary selection of a subgroup of panels with additional requirements for operating conditions (increased strength, fire safety, etc.). Under these conditions, the operator directionally distributes structures and materials among the selected panels.The statement of the optimization problem of group calculation with an extended list of objective functions and restrictions is given. Recommendations on selecting an objective function in specific production conditions are given.The regulatory requirements for noise reduction in production rooms and spectral characteristics of sound insulation of panels made of various materials are given. The spectral characteristics of noise in the room before and after application of the sound-insulating panel are also given.The effectiveness of the method is confirmed by the steady reduction of the mathematical expectation and variance of the total noise load on people in production premises with an increase in the number of iterations. The calculation method demonstrated the reduction of excess noise load in comparison with standard method

Pore accessibility by methane and carbon dioxide in coal as determined by neutron scattering

Contrast-matching ultrasmall-angle neutron scattering (USANS) and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) techniques were used for the first time to determine both the total pore volume and the fraction of the pore volume that is inaccessible to deuterated methane, CD4, in four bituminous coals in the range of pore sizes between ∼10 Å and ∼5 μm. Two samples originated from the Illinois Basin in the U.S.A., and the other two samples were commercial Australian bituminous coals from the Bowen Basin. The total and inaccessible porosity were determined in each coal using both Porod invariant and the polydisperse spherical particle (PDSP) model analysis of the scattering data acquired from coals both in vacuum and at the pressure of CD4, at which the scattering length density of the pore-saturating fluid is equal to that of the solid coal matrix (zero average contrast pressure). The total porosity of the coals studied ranged from 7 to 13%, and the volume of pores inaccessible to CD4 varied from ∼13 to ∼36% of the total pore volume. The volume fraction of inaccessible pores shows no correlation with the maceral composition; however, it increases with a decreasing total pore volume. In situ measurements of the structure of one coal saturated with CO2 and CD4 were conducted as a function of the pressure in the range of 1−400 bar. The neutron scattering intensity from small pores with radii less than 35 Å in this coal increased sharply immediately after the fluid injection for both gases, which demonstrates strong condensation and densification of the invading subcritical CO2 and supercritical methane in small pores

Досвід лікування дітей із магнітами шлунково-кишкового тракту

Introduction. The probability of neodymium magnets ingestion in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) by children is very high, however, there is still no unified treatment algorithm of their removal: some authors recommend to wait, while others insist on immediate endoscopic removal or surgery.Objective: management improvement of treating children with magnets in the gastrointestinal tract.Material and methods. There were 7 children with magnets in their GIT followed-up. All children underwent complete general clinical and instrumental examination (abdominal ultrasound, abdominal X-ray).Results. The examination revealed gastric location of magnets in 3 (42.9%) children: in 1 case, it was passed in the stool, in 1 case – removed using EGDS, and 1 case required a gastrotomy. In the rest 4 (57.1%) children magnets were detected in the intestine, and laparotomy was performed for peritonitis and intestinal obstruction. Six children (85.7%) were recovered. Based on the results of case study, a treatment algorithm is developed for the suspected swallowed magnets of GIT.Conclusions. At suspicion on neodymium magnets ingestion, one must not waiting it to traverse the gastrointestinal tract and pass in the stool spontaneously. An anamnesis should be carefully taking as well as abdominal X-ray and abdominal ultrasound must be conducted. Further medical tactics depends on the number of magnets and time lapse since ingestion: the more magnets are swallowed, the faster laparotomy should be performed.Вероятность попадания неодимовых магнитов в желудочно-кишечный тракт (ЖКТ) детей очень велика. В то же время нет единой тактики по их удалению: одни авторы рекомендуют выжидать, другие настаивают на немедленном эндоскопическом удалении или оперативном вмешательстве.Цель: усовершенствование тактики лечения детей с магнитами ЖКТ.Материалы и методы. Под наблюдением находились 7 детей с магнитами ЖКТ. Всем детям было проведено полное общеклиническое и инструментальное обследование (УЗИ, Rg ОБП).Результаты. Все ситуации являются экстренными. При обследовании локализация магнитов в желудке наблюдалась у 3 (42,9%) детей: 1 – самостоятельное отхождение, 1 – извлечение при помощи ФЭГДС, 1 – гастротомия. У 4 (57,1%) детей магниты были в кишечном тракте: произведены лапаротомии по поводу перитонита и кишечной непроходимости. Выздоровели 6 (85,7%) детей. По результатам анализа клинических случаев разработан алгоритм действий при подозрении на магниты ЖКТ.Выводы. При подозрении на попадание в ЖКТ неодимовых магнитов нельзя ожидать выхода инородного тела естественным путем. Обязательно нужно тщательно собрать анамнез, провести Rg ОБП, УЗИ. Дальнейшая тактика зависит от количества магнитов и времени их нахождения в ЖКТ: чем больше магнитов, тем быстрее надо выполнить лапаротомию.Імовірність потрапляння неодимових магнітів у шлунково-кишковий тракт (ШКТ) дітей дуже висока, однак досі немає єдиної тактики з їх вилучення: одні автори рекомендують вичікувати, інші наполягають на негайному ендоскопічному видаленні або оперативному втручанні.Мета: удосконалення тактики лікування дітей із магнітами ШКТ.Матеріали і методи. Під спостереженням було 7 дітей із магнітами ШКТ. Усім дітям проведено повне загальноклінічне та інструментальне обстеження (УЗД, Rg ОЧП).Результати. Всі випадки є екстреними. При обстеженні локалізація магнітів у шлунку спостерігалась у 3 (42,9%) дітей: 1 – самостійне відходження, 1 – вилучення за допомогою ФЕГДС, 1 – гастротомія. У 4 (57,1%) дітей магніти були у кишковому тракті: проведено лапаротомії з приводу перитоніту та кишкової непрохідності. Одужали 6 (85,7%) дітей. За результатами аналізу клінічних випадків розроблено алгоритм дій за підозри на магніти ШКТ.Висновки. За підозри на потрапляння у ШКТ неодимових магнітів не можна очікувати на вихід стороннього тіла природним шляхом. Обов’язково потрібно ретельно зібрати анамнез, провести Rg ОЧП, УЗД. Подальша тактика залежить від кількості магнітів та терміну їх перебування у ШКТ: чим більше магнітів, тим швидше потрібно виконати лапаротомію