The optical module of the Baikal deep underwater neutrino telescope

A deep underwater Cherenkov telescope has been operating since 1993 in stages of growing size at 1.1 km depth in Lake Baikal. The key component of the telescope is the Optical Module (OM) which houses the highly sensitive phototube QUASAR-370. We describe design and parameters of the QUASAR-370, the layout of the optical module, the front-end electronics and the calibration procedures, and present selected results from the five-year operation underwater. Also, future developments with respect to a telescope consisting from several thousand OMs are discussed.Comment: 30 pages, 24 figure

Association of obesity in shift workers with the minor allele of a single-nucleotide polymorphism (rs4851377) in the largest circadian clock gene (NPAS2)

A growing body of evidence has hinted at the involvement of the largest gene of the circadian clock family, NPAS2, in the regulatory mechanisms underlying the link between metabolic diseases and circadian rhythm disruption. We tested whether one of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in NPAS2 (rs4851377) is associated with obesity and alternations of sleep times in 126 male rotational shift workers (bus drivers). We confirmed positive association of Body Mass Index (BMI) with the difference between free and working days in sleep times, but this difference was smaller in the homozygotes for the minor allele. Moreover, BMI above 30 (obesity) was revealed in the majority of these homozygotes and in the minority of homozygotes for the major allele (11 of 21 or 52.4% and 3 of 40 or 7.5%, respectively). Further studies are required to replicate these results and to elucidate the mechanisms linking NPAS2ʹpolymorphism in with obesity in shift workers. © 2018, © 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group

An hour in the morning is worth two in the evening: association of morning component of morningness–eveningness with single nucleotide polymorphisms in circadian clock genes

Sub-constructs of morning–evening preference might be differentially related to polymorphisms in circadian clock genes. We previously reported significant association between a single nucleotide polymorphism in PER3 (rs2640909) and Morning but not Evening Lateness scale of the Sleep–Wake Pattern Assessment Questionnaire. To further explore such a scale-specific relationship, seven single nucleotide polymorphisms in five circadian clock genes were studied using exploratory and confirmatory samples (in total, n = 698). The association of rs2640909 with Morning Lateness scale was not replicated in the confirmatory sample but remained significant in the merged sample. Moreover, we found and confirmed an association of this scale with rs1159814 in RORα. The results provided further evidence for differential relationship of polymorphisms in circadian clock genes with morning and evening components of morning–evening preference. We also suggested possibility to take into account the pattern of geographic variation in allele frequency for prioritization of circadian clock polymorphisms in candidate gene studies. © 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group

An hour in the morning is worth two in the evening: association of morning component of morningness–eveningness with single nucleotide polymorphisms in circadian clock genes

Sub-constructs of morning–evening preference might be differentially related to polymorphisms in circadian clock genes. We previously reported significant association between a single nucleotide polymorphism in PER3 (rs2640909) and Morning but not Evening Lateness scale of the Sleep–Wake Pattern Assessment Questionnaire. To further explore such a scale-specific relationship, seven single nucleotide polymorphisms in five circadian clock genes were studied using exploratory and confirmatory samples (in total, n = 698). The association of rs2640909 with Morning Lateness scale was not replicated in the confirmatory sample but remained significant in the merged sample. Moreover, we found and confirmed an association of this scale with rs1159814 in RORα. The results provided further evidence for differential relationship of polymorphisms in circadian clock genes with morning and evening components of morning–evening preference. We also suggested possibility to take into account the pattern of geographic variation in allele frequency for prioritization of circadian clock polymorphisms in candidate gene studies. © 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group