Compilation on Synthesis, Characterization and Properties of Silicon and Boron Carbonitride Films

During the last years the interest in silicon and boron carbonitrides developed remarkably. This interest is mainly based on the extraordinary properties, expected from theoretical considerations. In this time significant improvements were made in the synthesis of silicon carbonitride SiCxNy and boron carbonitride BCxNy films by both physical and chemical methods. In the Si–C–N and B-C-N ternary systems a set of phases is situated, namely diamond, SiC, -Si3N4, c-BN, B4C, and -C3N4, which have important practical applications. SiCxNy has drawn considerable interest due to its excellent new properties in comparison with the Si3N4 and SiC binary phases. The silicon carbonitride coatings are of importance because they can potentially be used in wear and corrosion protection, high-temperature oxidation resistance, as a good moisture barrier for high-temperature industrial as well as strategic applications. Their properties are low electrical conductivity, high hardness, a low friction coefficient, high photosensitivity in the UV region, and good field emission characteristics. All these characteristics have led to a rapid increase in research activities on the synthesis of SiCxNy compounds. In addition to these properties, low density and good thermal shock resistance are very important requirements for future aerospace and automobile parts applications to enhance the performance of the components. SiCxNy is also an important material in micro- and nano-electronics and sensor technologies due to its excellent mechanical and electrical properties. The material possesses good optical transmittance properties. This is very useful for membrane applications, where the support of such films is required (Fainer et al., 2007, 2008; Mishra, 2009; Wrobel, et al., 2007, 2010; Kroke et al., 2000). The structural similarity between the allotropic forms of carbon and boron nitride (hexagonal BN and graphite, cubic BN and diamond), and the fact that B-N pairs are isoelectronic to C-C pairs, was the basis for predictions of the existence of ternary BCxNy compounds with notable properties (Samsonov et al., 1962; Liu et al., 1989; Lambrecht & Segall, 1993; Zhang et al., 2004). This prediction has stimulated intensive research in the last 40 years towards the synthesis of ternary boron carbonitride. BCxNy compounds are interesting in both the cubic (c-BCN) and hexagonal (h-BCN) structure. On the one hand, the ..

Development of methodological approach to enterprise’s financial strategy based on comprehensive evaluation of its strategic potential

The article presents research results of theoretical and methodological basis of financial strategy formation and mechanisms for implementation of Russian industrial enterprises to ensure their strategic development. The necessity of developing the industrial enterprise’s financial strategy based on comprehensive evaluation of its strategic potential. The authors propose a methodological approach to developing a financial strategy based on the analysis of the enterprise’s strategic potential by calculating the integrated index (SPt), which allows not only to analyze and evaluate the influence of factors internal and external environment, financial position and internal capacity of the enterprise, its strategic capabilities and competitiveness, but also to determine the best type of financial strategy. The results of the analysis showed that depending on the value of this indicator identifies five basic levels of strategic potential development (absolute, high, stable, unstable and critical levels) and the most appropriate types of financial strategies: aggressive or accelerated growth, moderate growth, conservative or defensive, crisis or financial stabilization strategy, survival or elimination. Under the proposed methodological approach, the method of comprehensive evaluation of the industrial enterprise’s strategic potential, outlining the priority areas for the implementation of the financial strategy.peer-reviewe

Digitalisation of the flm industry in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

The structure of the flm industry has changed signifcantly over the past two years. The decline in cinema attendance, the activation of flm distribution on digital platforms, the decline in the level of flm production and other reasons have led to a transformation in the production and consumption of audiovisual content. The change of the main content customer has become an important trend in 2021. Online platforms have replaced production and television companies. Neither the personnel nor the infrastructure of the flm industry was ready for such a volume of orders for production from online cinemas. This caused a sharp rise in prices and an increase in the cost of flm production. The industry is actually in crisis. Based on the study, the authors concluded that today state pays quite a lot of attention to the issues of the digitalization of the flm industry. The study notes the strengthening of state control over digital video platforms, a change in the scheme of state fnancing of the industry, the allocation of large fnancial resources for the digitalization of video archives, the introduction of electronic document management in the feld of flm production, flm distribution, in the process of submitting flm copies to the archive, etc. The authors of the article offer a partial solution to one of the main current problems of the industry – the crisis of traditional cinema distribution with the strengthening of digital distribution. According to the study, the participation of the state can also help with it. For example, by strengthening state funding of audiovisual products intended for cinema rental, as well as strengthening support for cinemas in times of crisis

ХИМИЯ И ФУНКЦИОНАЛЬНЫЕ МАТЕРИАЛЫ. НАУЧНАЯ ШКОЛА АКАДЕМИКА Ф. А. КУЗНЕЦОВА

The paper presents a wide range of problems associated with the formation, development and practical implementation of research in materials science, carried out under direct leadership of Academician F. A. Kuznetsov by the team of researchers from the Nikolaev Institute of Inorganic Chemistry SB RAS. It shows the fruitfulness of his ideas of complex physicochemical research into each stage of the preparation of material from the precursor to the finished specific device element. Attention is drawn to his accurate prediction of the importance of selectable objects of study, his ability to correlate ongoing research with urgent global issues such as electronics, computer science, energy and photovoltaics and his skill to rally the team with a common idea and encourage active participation in the development of science both in Russia and internationally while remaining the main driving force of conducted advanced work. The paper is written in the memory of the eminent person, organizer of science, scientist and patriot whose work has always been focused on breakthrough technologies that ensure the prosperity and security of the Motherland.Рассмотрен широкий круг проблем, связанных со становлением, развитием и практической реализацией научных исследований в области материаловедения, выполненных коллективом сотрудников Института неорганической химии им. А. В. Николаева СО РАН под руководством академика Ф. А. Кузнецова. Показана плодотворность его идеи комплексного физико-химического изучения каждой стадии приготовления материала: от предшественника к готовому элементу конкретного устройства. Отмечено его безошибочное предвидение значимости выбираемых объектов исследования, его умение связывать проводимые исследования с такими насущными и глобальными проблемами, как электроника, информатика, энергетика, фотовольтаика, а также его способность сплачивать коллектив общей идеей и активное участие в развитии как российской, так и международной науки, оставаясь при этом локомотивом проводимых передовых работ. Статья написана в память о человеке, организаторе науки, ученом и патриоте, чья деятельность всегда была нацелена на прорывные технологии, обеспечивающие процветание и безопасность Родины

Spectrum and characterisation of BRCA1 and BRCA2 deleterious mutations in high-risk Czech patients with breast and/or ovarian cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The incidence of breast cancer has doubled over the past 20 years in the Czech Republic. Hereditary factors may be a cause of young onset, bilateral breast or ovarian cancer, and familial accumulation of the disease. <it>BRCA1 </it>and <it>BRCA2 </it>mutations account for an important fraction of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer cases. One thousand and ten unrelated high-risk probands with breast and/or ovarian cancer were analysed for the presence of a <it>BRCA1 </it>or <it>BRCA2 </it>gene mutation at the Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute (Czech Republic) during 1999–2006.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The complete coding sequences and splice sites of both genes were screened, and the presence of large intragenic rearrangements in <it>BRCA1 </it>was verified. Putative splice-site variants were analysed at the cDNA level for their potential to alter mRNA splicing.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In 294 unrelated families (29.1% of the 1,010 probands) pathogenic mutations were identified, with 44 different <it>BRCA1 </it>mutations and 41 different <it>BRCA2 </it>mutations being detected in 204 and 90 unrelated families, respectively. In total, three <it>BRCA1 </it>founder mutations (c.5266dupC; c.3700_3704del5; p.Cys61Gly) and two <it>BRCA2 </it>founder mutations (c.7913_7917del5; c.8537_8538del2) represent 52% of all detected mutations in Czech high-risk probands. Nine putative splice-site variants were evaluated at the cDNA level. Three splice-site variants in <it>BRCA1 </it>(c.302-3C>G; c.4185G>A and c.4675+1G>A) and six splice-site variants in <it>BRCA2 </it>(c.475G>A; c.476-2>G; c.7007G>A; c.8755-1G>A; c.9117+2T>A and c.9118-2A>G) were demonstrated to result in aberrant transcripts and are considered as deleterious mutations.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study represents an evaluation of deleterious genetic variants in the <it>BRCA1 </it>and <it>2 </it>genes in the Czech population. The classification of several splice-site variants as true pathogenic mutations may prove useful for genetic counselling of families with high risk of breast and ovarian cancer.</p

СИНТЕЗ И ХАРАКТЕРИЗАЦИЯ ТРИМЕТИЛ(ФЕНИЛ)СИЛАНА — ПРЕДШЕСТВЕННИКА ДЛЯ ГАЗОФАЗНЫХ ПРОЦЕССОВ ОСАЖДЕНИЯ ПЛЕНОК SiCx : H

The technique of synthesis and purification of trimethyl(phenyl)silane PhSiMe3, allowing to obtain the product with high yield. Individuality of the product was confirmed by elemental analysis for C, H, Si. IR, UV and 1H NMR–spectroscopic studies, defined its spectral characteristics. Complex thermal analysis and thermogravimetric defined thermoanalytical behavior effects of PhSiMe3 in an inert atmosphere. Tensimetric studies have shown that the compound has sufficient volatility and thermal stability for use as a precursor in the process of chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The composition and temperature limits of the possible crystalline phase complexes in equilibrium with the gas phase of different composition has been determed by method of thermodynamic modeling. Calculated CVD diagrams allow us to select the optimum conditions of film deposition. The possibility of using trimethyl(phenyl)silane in CVD processes for producing dielectric films of hydrogenated silicon carbide has been demonstrated. Разработана методика синтеза и очистки триметил(фенил)силана PhSiMe3, позволяющая получать целевой продукт с высоким выходом. Индивидуальность соединения подтверждена элементным анализом на C, H, Si. ИК−, УФ− и ЯМР−спектроскопическими исследованиями (1Н, 13C, 29Si) определены его спектральные характеристики. С помощью комплексного термического анализа определены термоаналитические и термогравиметрические эффекты поведения PhSiMe3 в инертной атмосфере. На основе данных тензометрических исследований показано, что это соединение обладает достаточной летучестью и термической устойчивостью для использования в качестве прекурсора в процессах химического осаждения из газовой фазы (CVD). Методом термодинамического моделирования определен состав и температурные границы возможных кристаллических фазовых комплексов в равновесии с газовой фазой различного состава. Рассчитанные CVD− диаграммы позволяют выбрать оптимальные условия процессов осаждения из газовой фазы пленок. Показана возможность использования PhSiMe3 в процессах CVD для получения диэлектрических пленок гидрогенизированного карбида кремния.

Epidemiology, practice of ventilation and outcome for patients at increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications

BACKGROUND Limited information exists about the epidemiology and outcome of surgical patients at increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs), and how intraoperative ventilation was managed in these patients. OBJECTIVES To determine the incidence of surgical patients at increased risk of PPCs, and to compare the intraoperative ventilation management and postoperative outcomes with patients at low risk of PPCs. DESIGN This was a prospective international 1-week observational study using the ‘Assess Respiratory Risk in Surgical Patients in Catalonia risk score’ (ARISCAT score) for PPC for risk stratification. PATIENTS AND SETTING Adult patients requiring intraoperative ventilation during general anaesthesia for surgery in 146 hospitals across 29 countries. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was the incidence of patients at increased risk of PPCs based on the ARISCAT score. Secondary outcomes included intraoperative ventilatory management and clinical outcomes. RESULTS A total of 9864 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The incidence of patients at increased risk was 28.4%. The most frequently chosen tidal volume (VT) size was 500 ml, or 7 to 9 ml kg1 predicted body weight, slightly lower in patients at increased risk of PPCs. Levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) were slightly higher in patients at increased risk of PPCs, with 14.3% receiving more than 5 cmH2O PEEP compared with 7.6% in patients at low risk of PPCs (P < 0.001). Patients with a predicted preoperative increased risk of PPCs developed PPCs more frequently: 19 versus 7%, relative risk (RR) 3.16 (95% confidence interval 2.76 to 3.61), P < 0.001) and had longer hospital stays. The only ventilatory factor associated with the occurrence of PPCs was the peak pressure. CONCLUSION The incidence of patients with a predicted increased risk of PPCs is high. A large proportion of patients receive high VT and low PEEP levels. PPCs occur frequently in patients at increased risk, with worse clinical outcome

Epidemiology, practice of ventilation and outcome for patients at increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications: LAS VEGAS - An observational study in 29 countries

BACKGROUND Limited information exists about the epidemiology and outcome of surgical patients at increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs), and how intraoperative ventilation was managed in these patients. OBJECTIVES To determine the incidence of surgical patients at increased risk of PPCs, and to compare the intraoperative ventilation management and postoperative outcomes with patients at low risk of PPCs. DESIGN This was a prospective international 1-week observational study using the ‘Assess Respiratory Risk in Surgical Patients in Catalonia risk score’ (ARISCAT score) for PPC for risk stratification. PATIENTS AND SETTING Adult patients requiring intraoperative ventilation during general anaesthesia for surgery in 146 hospitals across 29 countries. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was the incidence of patients at increased risk of PPCs based on the ARISCAT score. Secondary outcomes included intraoperative ventilatory management and clinical outcomes. RESULTS A total of 9864 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The incidence of patients at increased risk was 28.4%. The most frequently chosen tidal volume (V T) size was 500 ml, or 7 to 9 ml kg−1 predicted body weight, slightly lower in patients at increased risk of PPCs. Levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) were slightly higher in patients at increased risk of PPCs, with 14.3% receiving more than 5 cmH2O PEEP compared with 7.6% in patients at low risk of PPCs (P ˂ 0.001). Patients with a predicted preoperative increased risk of PPCs developed PPCs more frequently: 19 versus 7%, relative risk (RR) 3.16 (95% confidence interval 2.76 to 3.61), P ˂ 0.001) and had longer hospital stays. The only ventilatory factor associated with the occurrence of PPCs was the peak pressure. CONCLUSION The incidence of patients with a predicted increased risk of PPCs is high. A large proportion of patients receive high V T and low PEEP levels. PPCs occur frequently in patients at increased risk, with worse clinical outcome.</p

Rational steering of insulin binding specificity by intra-chain chemical crosslinking

Insulin is a key hormone of human metabolism with major therapeutic importance for both types of diabetes. New insulin analogues with more physiological profiles and better glycemic control are needed, especially analogues that preferentially bind to the metabolic B-isoform of insulin receptor (IR-B). Here, we aimed to stabilize and modulate the receptor-compatible conformation of insulin by covalent intra-chain crosslinking within its B22-B30 segment, using the Cu I -catalyzed Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of azides and alkynes. This approach resulted in 14 new, systematically crosslinked insulin analogues whose structures and functions were extensively characterized and correlated. One of the analogues, containing a B26-B29 triazole bridge, was highly active in binding to both IR isoforms, with a significant preference for IR-B. Our results demonstrate the potential of chemistry-driven modulation of insulin function, also shedding new light on the functional importance of hormones B-chain C-terminus for its IR-B specificity