Exploring the multiverse of analysis options for the alcohol Stroop

The alcohol Stroop is a widely used task in addiction science to measure the theoretical concept of attentional bias (a selective attention to alcohol-related cues in the environment), which is thought to be associated with clinical outcomes (craving and consumption). However, recent research suggests findings from this task can be equivocal. This may be because the task has many different potential analysis pipelines, which increase researcher degrees of freedom when analysing data and reporting results. These analysis pipelines largely come from how outlying reaction times on the task are identified and handled (e.g. individual reaction times > 3 standard deviations from the mean are removed from the distribution; removal of all participant data if > 25% errors are made). We used specification curve analysis across two alcohol Stroop datasets using alcohol-related stimuli (one published and one novel) to examine the robustness of the alcohol Stroop effect to different analytical decisions. We used a prior review of this research area to identify 27 unique analysis pipelines. Across both data sets, the pattern of results was similar. The alcohol Stroop effect was present and largely robust to different analysis pipelines. Increased variability in the Stroop effect was observed when implementing outlier cut-offs for individual reaction times, rather than the removal of participants. Stricter outlier thresholds tended to reduce the size of the Stroop interference effect. These specification curve analyses are the first to examine the robustness of the alcohol Stroop to different analysis strategies, and we encourage researchers to adopt such analytical methods to increase confidence in their inferences across cognitive and addiction science

The influence silicon dioxide nanoparticles on mechanical properties of erythrocyte and platelet membranes estimated by atomic force microscopy method

The investigation performed within the Programs of State Research “Energy systems, process and technologies”, project 2.2

Soil-Ecological Characteristics of the Recreational Forest Ecosystems in Moscow

To understand the soil ecology of the forest ecosystem, the dynamics of soil-ecological indicators in the soil-plant system were studied through physical, chemical and biological parameters at various sites of the Forest Experimental Station of the Russian State Agrarian University of Moscow Agricultural Academy; a unique forest ecosystem known for its heavy metal pollution and unregulated recreation. The results showed that soil compaction had the strongest ability to increase risk of heavy metal mobility. Recreational activity caused a 2-3-fold increase in the density of the soil, resulting in poor aeration and significant heavy metal contamination, affecting the stability and functioning of the green spaces. Moreover, the proximity of the urban environment had a negative effect on the state of the stand. The maximum heavy metal migration capacity determined by biological uptake was found in the root systems of 70-80-year-old oak tree stands and the minimum, in the roots of pine and birch phytocoenosis. The systems’ normal functions were hindered due to reduction in microbial activity

Study of thermal effects of silicate-containing hydroxyapatites

The possibility of modifications of hydroxyapatite silicate ions, from the extracellular fluid prototype solution under near-physiological conditions has been studied. Formation of silicon-structured hydroxyapatite with different extent of substitution of phosphate groups in the silicate group has been established through chemical and X-ray diffraction analyses, FTIR spectroscopy and optical microscopy. The results obtained are in agreement and suggest the possibility of substitution of phosphate groups for silicate groups in the hydroxyapatite structure when introducing different sources of silica, tetraethoxysilane and sodium silicate, in the reaction mixture. Growth in the amount of silicon in Si-HA results in the increase in the thermal stability of the samples. The greatest mass loss occurs at temperatures in the range of 25-400 °С that is caused by the removal of the crystallization and adsorption water and volatile impurities. It is shown that the modified apatites are of imperfect structure and crystallize in a nanocrystalline state

Dwarf Copper-Gold Porphyry Deposits of the Buchim-Damjan-Borov Dol Ore District, Republic of Macedonia (FYROM)

The metallogenic aspects, tectonic setting, magmatism, structure, and composition of Au-and Ag-bearing porphyry copper deposits in the Buchim-Damjan-Borov Dol ore district and their genetic features are considered and compared with earlier published data. Special attention is paid to supergene gold in heavy concentrate halos of the Borov Dol deposit. The total Cu reserves of the deposits discussed in this paper do not exceed 150 kt. The Buchim deposit likely is the world's smallest deposit of this type currently involved in mining. A comprehensive study of these dwarf porphyry copper deposits is undertaken to answer questions on the conditions of their formation. How do they differ from formation conditions of giant deposits

ФОТОДИНАМИЧЕСКАЯ ТЕРАПИЯ БАЗАЛЬНОКЛЕТОЧНОГО РАКА КОЖИ С ФОТОСЕНСИБИЛИЗАТОРОМ ФОТОЛОН

The short-term and long-term outcomes of treatment in 130 patients with basal cell carcinoma (T1N0M0, I stage) using photodynamic therapy with photosensitizer photolon based on chlorine e6 are represented in the article. The session of photodynamic therapy was performed 2.5-3 h after intravenous injection of photolon at dose of 2-2.5 mg/kg using semiconductor laser (λ=660±5 nm, laser power density — from 0.1 to 0.52 W/cm2, light dose — from 50 to 300 J/cm2). Complete regression of primary and recurrent carcinomas was observed in 90.9% and 88.9% of patients, respectively. For follow-up period of 3 to 76 months the local recurrence of the tumor was in detected in 6.9% of cases. Patients, who followed the light regimen for 2–3 days after photolon administration avoiding direct sun light exposure, had no manifestation of phototoxicity. Ten patients who failed to follow the light regimen had mild hyperemia, itching and burning in the exposed skin area selflimiting in several hours. Cosmetic results of photodynamic therapy with photolon are superior to those for traditional treatment methods for this disease.В представленной статье нами продемонстрированы непосредственные и отдаленные результаты лечения 130 пациентов со 156 очагами базальноклеточного рака кожи I стадии (T1N0M0) методом фотодинамической терапии с фотосенсибилизатором фотолон на основе хлорина е6. Сеанс фотодинамической терапии осуществляли через 2,5-3 ч после внутривенного введения фотолона в дозах 2-2,5 мг/кг с использованием полупроводникового лазера (λ=660±5 нм, плотность мощности лазерного излучения – от 0,1 до 0,52 Вт/см2, плотность энергии – от 50 до 300 Дж/см2). Частота полных регрессий опухолей у пациентов с первичной формой составила 90,9%; с рецидивной формой – 88,9%. В сроки наблюдения от 3 до 76 мес локальный рецидив опухоли выявлен у 6,9% пациентов. У пациентов, которые соблюдали световой режим в течение 2-3 сут после введения фотолона, избегая воздействия прямого солнечного света, не отмечено проявлений фототоксичности. У 10 пациентов при несоблюдении светового режима развивались легкая гиперемия, зуд и жжение подвергшихся воздействию солнечным светом участков кожи, самостоятельно проходящие в течение нескольких часов. Косметические результаты фотодинамической терапии с фотолоном превосходят соответствующие при традиционных методах лечения данной патологии