Light-induced mass transport in amorphous chalcogenides: Towards surface plasmon-assisted nanolithography and near-field nanoimaging

Two types of amorphous functional materials, based on lightsensitive inorganic compounds like Se and As20Se80 chalcogenide glass (ChG) were investigated with the aim to establish the influence of plasmonic fields, excited by the band-gap light in nanocomposite layers made of these compounds and gold nanoparticles on their photomechanical response. Both these basic materials are characterized by pronounced photoplastic effect and used for real-time optical recording of optoelectronic elements (based mainly on surface relief gratings) due to high photofluidity and polarization-dependent masstransport. We established that mass-transport processes in these ChG can be enhanced in the presence of localized plasmonic fields generated by light if the condition of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is fulfilled. The subjects of special interest are the mass-transport processes at the nano-scale stimulated in the nano-copmosite layers of either by the uniform or periodically distributed optical fields. It was found that irradiation by light with SPR really enhance the efficiency of masstransport and produce surface nanostructurizations. The variation in the topography follows closely and permanently the underlying near field intensity pattern

Pharmacological preconditioning by incretinomimetics exenatide and vildagliptin: decrement of liver ischemia-reperfusion injury

Study of hepatoprotective activity of exenatide and vildagliptin on the liver ischemia/reperfusion model, taking into account biochemical and morphological parameter

Cytokines and local chronic inflammation in the formation of infertility in fertile age women

The purpose of the study was to examine the characteristics of the content of cytokines in the peritoneal fluid in women of reproductive age with infertility against the background of chronic inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs in the stage of clinical remission.Material and methods. A study was conducted of 50 patients aged 23-36 years with a verified diagnosis of infertility of tubal peritoneal genesis against a background of chronic inflammatory diseases of the reproductive sphere in the stage of clinical remission. As a control group, 15 practically healthy women aged 25-37 years were examined. Concentration of cytokines TNF-a, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-y, MCP-1 in the peritoneal fluid was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results and discussion. In the main group of patients with tubal-peritoneal infertility, the activity of local inflammatory reactions is tested in the period of clinical remission of a chronic inflammatory process. This is confirmed by a significantly higher level of TNF-a, IL-4, IL-6, IFN-y, MCP-1 in the peritoneal fluid compared to the control group. The studied biologically active substances play a significant role in the development of the immune response, as well as fibroplastic processes. The results can be regarded as the latent development of the immune response in reactions to constant antigenic stimulation from the focus of chronic inflammation, which is a significant factor in the development of adhesions in the formation of infertility, and requires the inclusion of immunotropic therapy methods in treatment

Динаміка популяцій воронових і їхній вплив на мисливську фауну Луганської області

Corvids (Corvidae) are spread in all continents except Antarctica and use of commonly available foods, both plant and animal. They are often considered as pests due to their noise, littering, aggression to humans and pets, and predation on birds in urban environment and hunting fauna in the field and forest. Climate change and anthropogenic factors have various effects on different corvid species, which compete for habitat and food. The aim of this study was to identify the features and causes of long-term dynamics of crow crowds, crows gray, magpies, roaches, pots, jugs in hunting grounds and to develop the recommendations for the regulation of their populations. Population dynamics of corvids was studied in 1983-2013 in hunting grounds of Shchetovske forestry in Ivanivske State Forest Hunting Enterprise of the Luhansk region. Population density of corvids was evaluated by route tracking without span and recalculated per 1 km2 by average distance of birds' detection. A raven (Corvus corax), hooded crow (Corvus (corone) cornix), rook (Corvus frugilegus), jackdaw (Corvus monedula), jay (Garrulus glandarius), and magpie (Pica pica) were registered the most often. For 30 years, population density of raven increased 11.5 times – from 0.1 to 1.15 specimens/km2, and population density of hooded crow decreased 11.1 times – from 3.4 to 0.3 specimens/km2, population density of magpie, rook, jackdaw, and jay decreased 2.4, 9.2, 2, and 1.6 times respectively. Population density of raven has a negative correlation with population density of other corvids, and correlation index was the highest with population density of hooded crow. These two corvids have close ecological features, but a raven is larger and more aggressive bird. Dependence of population density of different corvids from feeding habits, places of settlement, harmfulness for hunting objects and anthropogenic factors has been analyzed. Simplified permission for raven hunting was recommended to decrease its damage to hunting fauna (mallard and other ducks, pheasant, gray partridge and brown hare).Досліджено багаторічну (1983–2013 рр.) динаміку щільності популяцій птахів родини Воронових (Corvidae) у мисливських угіддях Щетівського лісництва Іванівського ДЛМГ Луганської області. Щільність популяцій визначено методом маршрутного обліку без обмеження смуги огляду та перераховувано на 1 км2 за середньою дальністю виявлення птахів. Встановлено, що за 30 років щільність популяції ворона в регіоні досліджень збільшилася в 11,5 раза – від 0,1 до 1,15 екз./км2, щільність популяції ворони сірої зменшилася в 11,1 раза – від 3,4 до 0,3 екз./км2, сороки – у 2,4 раза, граків і галок – у 9,2 та 2 рази відповідно, сойки – в 1,6 раза. Визначено тісний від'ємний зв'язок між щільністю популяцій ворона та інших досліджених видів воронових, найтісніший – між щільністю популяцій ворона та ворони сірої, з огляду на близьку екологію цих двох видів із перевагами ворона як більш великого та агресивного виду. Проаналізовано залежність щільності популяцій ворона, ворони сірої, сороки, грака, галки та сойки від особливостей живлення, місць поселення, шкоди для об'єктів полювання та антропогенних чинників (зміни системи обробітку ґрунту, структури посівних площ, ліквідації тваринницьких комплексів тощо). Рекомендовано спростити одержання дозволів на відстріл ворона, який завдає великої шкоди об'єктам полювання (крижню та іншим качкам, фазану, куріпці сірій та зайцю-русаку)

Колонизация почвенными фитопатогенами колосьев яровой пшеницы в лесостепи Западной Сибири

The research aimed to assess the influence of varieties and yearly conditions on phytopathogens' colonisation of spring wheat spikes. The study tasks included specifying the mechanisms and timing of colonisation by phytopathogens, determining the taxonomy of microfungi groups and species related to various generative organs, and identifying the impact of varieties and yearly conditions on microfungi colonisation of generative organs. The research was conducted in 2021-2022 in the northern forest steppe of the Ob region on ten spring wheat varieties from various areas of Russia and the world, using standard methodologies. Of the two experimental years, 2021 was relatively humid (GTU August 1.2), while 2022 was dry (GTU August 0.45). In the research years, the mycobiota of generative organs of spring wheat varieties consisted of Bipolaris sorokiniana Sacc. Shoem, fungi of the Fusarium Link genus, and Alternaria Nees. However, the taxon representation significantly differed between years, varieties, and spike organs. The dynamics of colonisation of generative organs of spring wheat varieties by microfungi suggest early infestation of spikelet peduncles by Fusarium fungi (tubular stage) and B. sorokiniana (stem elongation stage). It indicates the ability of these microfungi to infect spikes through vessels and by airborne-droplet transmission. The study of the collection did not reveal varieties resistant to the infestation of generative organs by B. sorokiniana and Fusarium and Alternaria fungi. B. sorokiniana preferred infesting spikelet peduncles over grains and increased spike colonisation in wetter conditions. B. sorokiniana dominated on spike peduncles in both years of the study and on grains in the wetter 2021. Fusarium fungi demonstrated lower colonisation activity of generative organs in dry and wet conditions, with a higher affinity for spikelet peduncles, which was less dependent on the yearly conditions. In contrast, the colonisation of grains depended on yearly conditions and was 1.9 times lower on average across varieties in dry conditions. Alternaria fungi preferred colonising grains over spikelet peduncles in spring wheat varieties. They were more successful in dry conditions, unfavourable for moisture-loving phytopathogens from the Fusarium and B. sorokiniana genera. They dominated on grains of all collection varieties in the dry 2022.Цель исследований состояла в оценке влияния сортов и условий года на колонизацию колосьев яровой пшеницы фитопатогенами. В задачи исследования входило уточнение механизмов и сроков колонизации фитопатогенами колосьев яровой пшеницы, установление приуроченности таксономических групп и видов микромицетов к различным по строению генеративным органам, выявление влияния сортов и условий года на колонизацию генеративных органов микромицетами. Исследования проводили в 2021–2022 гг. в северной лесостепи Приобья на 10 сортах яровой пшеницы из различных регионов Российской Федерации и стран мира по общепринятым методикам. Из двух лет экспериментов 2021 г. был относительно увлажненным (ГТК августа 1,2), 2022 г. – засушливым (ГТК августа 0,45). В годы исследований микоценоз генеративных органов сортов яровой пшеницы был представлен Bipolaris sorokiniana Sacc. Shoem., грибами родов Fusarium Link. и Alternaria Nees., однако представленность таксонов значительно различалась по годам, сортам и органам колосьев. Данные динамики колонизации генеративных органов сортов яровой пшеницы микромицетами говорят о раннем инфицировании стержней зачатков колосьев грибами рода Fusarium (фаза выхода в трубку) и B. sorokiniana (фаза стеблевания), что свидетельствует о способности этих микромицетов к заражению колосьев по сосудам и воздушно-капельным путем. Исследования коллекции не позволили выявить сортов, устойчивых к инфицированию генеративных органов B. sorokiniana и грибами родов Fusarium и Alternaria. Выявлена приуроченность B. sorokiniana к инфицированию стержней колосьев по сравнению с зерновками и усиление колонизации колосьев фитопатогеном в более увлажненных условиях. B. sorokiniana доминировал на стержнях колосьев в оба года исследований, на зерновках – в более влажном 2021 г. Грибы рода Fusarium уступали B. sorokiniana по активности колонизации генеративных органов как в засушливых, так и в увлажненных условиях, они были больше приурочены к стержням колосьев, инфицирование которых практически не зависело от условий года, в отличие от колонизации зерновок, которая на 22,5% зависела от условий года и была в засушливых условиях в 1,9 раза ниже в среднем по сортам. Грибы рода Alternaria имели приуроченность к зерновкам сортов яровой пшеницы по сравнению со стержнями колосьев, колонизируя их более успешно в засушливых условиях, неблагоприятных для влаголюбивых фитопатогенов из родов Fusarium и B. sorokiniana. Они доминировали на зерновках всех сортов коллекции в засушливом 2022 г. 

Performance of the CMS Cathode Strip Chambers with Cosmic Rays

The Cathode Strip Chambers (CSCs) constitute the primary muon tracking device in the CMS endcaps. Their performance has been evaluated using data taken during a cosmic ray run in fall 2008. Measured noise levels are low, with the number of noisy channels well below 1%. Coordinate resolution was measured for all types of chambers, and fall in the range 47 microns to 243 microns. The efficiencies for local charged track triggers, for hit and for segments reconstruction were measured, and are above 99%. The timing resolution per layer is approximately 5 ns

EFFECT OF COMPLEX TREATMENT USING PLATELET AUTOPLASMA ON CLINICAL AND LABORATORY PARAMETERS OF PATIENTS WITH ENDOGENOUS UVEITIS AND MACULAR EDEMA

Purpose: to study the clinical and laboratory efficacy of the platelet autoplasma use in the complex treatment of endogenous uveitis associated with systemic diseases accompanied by macular edema. Material and methods. The study included 46 people (72 eyes) with endogenous uveitis and macular edema. The diagnosis was made on the basis of the ophthalmological examination, including visometry, tonometry, biomicroscopy, ophthalmoscopy, perimetry, B-scan, optical coherence tomography of the macular zone, photoregistration of the anterior, posterior segment of the eye. The examination was carried out on the 1st and 10th day of treatment. The main group consisted of 22 people (36 eyes) who underwent anti-inflammatory therapy and the introduction of platelet plasma in the region of the pterygopalatine fossa. The control group consisted of 24 people (36 eyes) receiving only anti-inflammatory therapy (diprospan 0.5 paraequatorially №1, dexazone 4 mg intravenously №5, intravenous lasix 2.0 ml №5, electrophoresis with prednisolone № 7). All patients underwent the definition of IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17 in tear fluid before the study and on the 10th day. Results. The significant increase in the concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-17A and IL-8) and IL-4 and IL-6 involved in the development of autoimmune response and chronic inflammation was found in the patients with endogenous uveitis and macular edema. The use in the treatment of endogenous uveitis with macular edema of platelet autoplasma leads to more pronounced improvement of clinico-ophthalmological parameters (improvement in visual acuity, retinal photosensitivity, and retinal thickness reduction) relating to the comparison group. A decrease in the activity of the inflammatory process was noted in the main group after treatment, which is manifested by a significant decrease in the concentrations of IL-17A, IL-8, IL-4, IL-6, relating to the data obtained in the comparison group. The proposed scheme of complex treatment allows reducing the frequency of relapses of the pathological process