Hierarchical analytical and simulation modelling of human-machine systems with interference

The article considers the principles of building the analytical and simulation model of the human operator and the industrial control system hardware and software. E-networks as the extension of Petri nets are used as the mathematical apparatus. This approach allows simulating complex parallel distributed processes in human-machine systems. The structural and hierarchical approach is used as the building method for the mathematical model of the human operator. The upper level of the human operator is represented by the logical dynamic model of decision making based on E-networks. The lower level reflects psychophysiological characteristics of the human-operator

Highly inheritable variable components in the clonal plantation of Scots pine

The variability of the data on elemental composition of needles from the clonal population of Scots pine Pinus sylvestris L., established on the long­term field experiment, was studied by principal components extraction from the normalized data matrix, and broad­sense heritability Н2, i.e. the contribution of clones to the total data variance was calculated both for the original variables and principal components. To find the linear combinations of variables with the highest heritability the discriminant analysis was performed. The results suggest the importance of multivariate statistics for forest genetics and selection in targeting search for genetic marker traits in the populations of woody plants, in assessing genetic differentiation among populations, identification of the best genotypes via their phenotypes, etc

Estimation of social network user's influence in a given area of expertise

Nowadays social networks are frequently used to express personal opinion on a topic of interest. Some users' opinion has more informational influence than others do. These users are called influential users. There are services that allow evaluating how popular and influential users are; however, any information on evaluation methods is proprietary and represents know-how of such software services. Furthermore, most services could not provide extensive data on the influential users within the specified area of knowledge. This article proposes the method of evaluating a user influence index within a social network in a given area of expertise

Differentiated disorders of the immune system in acute hematogenic and acute posttraumatic osteomyelitis in children

Osteomyelitis is an inflammation of bone and bone marrow caused by the spread of S. aureus from a local focus by the hematogenous route or from an open traumatic fracture; it is difficult to treat and remains a serious problem. The condition for spreading of the infectious process into bone is the effect of S. aureus and its impaired elimination due to immune system (IS) dysfunction. Controversial information on the immunopathogenetic mechanisms of acute osteomyelitis needs study, which would allow the development of sound immunotherapy. Purpose of the study: to specify the variants of antibacterial immune protection disorders in children with acute hematogenous and acute posttraumatic osteomyelitis. Materials and methods. Children 8-15 years old (n = 22) were studied: Study Group 1 (SG1, n = 12) – with acute hematogenous osteomyelitis (AHO); Study Group 2 (SG2, n = 10) – with acute post-traumatic osteomyelitis (APTO). The comparison group (CG) – 13 healthy children. Tested: Tlymphocytes (CD3+CD19- , CD3+CD4+, CD3+CD8+), B lymphocytes (CD3- CD19+), NK (CD3- CD16+CD56+) and TNK (CD3+CD16+CD56+) lymphocytes, neutrophil granulocytes (NG, CD16, CD32, CD64) (FC-500 Beckman Coulter, USA); the level of serum IgA, IgM, IgG (ELISA). Phagocytic function of NGs in relation to S. aureus was assessed: the number of actively phagocytizing NGs (%PhAN), capture processes (PhN, PhI) and killing activity (%D, DI). Results. In both groups was revealed a decrease of T lymphocytes, T helpers, TCTL and NK quantity (p1-4 < 0.05). In AHO, the levels of IgA, IgM, IgG did not differ from that in GS, while in APTO the levels of IgA and IgG increased (p1, 2 < 0.05). The density of CD64, CD16, CD32 receptor expression on NG in the studied groups has been a different equipping, predetermining an incompetence of the phagocytic function: in AHO associated with abnormalities in the function capture and killing, in APTO only with the S. aureus digestion. Conclusion. The revealed combined defects of IS functioning necessitate the development of new approaches in the treatment of AHO and APTO in children, pathogenetically substantiating the use of immunotherapy in the complex etiopathogenetic treatment. This approach will contribute to the restoration of mechanisms of anti-infective immunity, timely elimination of pathogens, improve the clinical course of the diseases, prevent the chronic inflammatory process

Treatment of children with chemical burns of esophagus with various etiology

Background. At present continuous growth of pathology after chemical burns of the esophagus (CBE) in children is observed. The lack of uniform statistical information about this pathology in domestic and foreign literature considerably complicates studying of that nosology. The purpose of the present study is optimization of treatment techniques in children with chemical burns of the esophagus with various etiology and generalization of our own experience of treatment in this contingent of patients.Material and methods. We have analyzed treatment techniques in 147 children with CBE with various etiology and severity for last decade. The general method of diagnosis was esophagogastroscopy performed within the first day of hospitalization. Endoscopic examination showed following stages of CBE: I stage in 36 patients, II stage in 67 cases and 44 patients had III stage.Results. In children with I stage CBE erosive inflammatory process was controlled by conservative therapy in 10–14 days. This cohort of patients from 3–4 day of disease was considered outpatient. Patients with II stage CBE erosive inflammatory changes were treated by complex therapy on 21–23 day. There were surgical complications observed.    Patients with III stage CBE referred in most severe condition. Length of conservative treatment for erosive  inflammatory process was 1 month. In this group of patients we observed complications in 24 cases (16.3%) and bougienage was performed according to different techniques. Duration of bougienage varied from 3 to 24 months. Later on all children were observed out-patiently according to the place of residence.Conclusions. Performed therapy should be complex and differentiated regarding the severity of trauma. Complex treatment technique designed in our hospital is quite efficient and could be recommended for clinical application. All children suffered from CBE are to be followed up refularly. Preventive medical check-up should include endoscopic examination, once every three months to avoid possible esophageal stenosis development. Preventive treatment for esophagitis is mandatory during the period of preventive medical check-up

Interaction of ultrarelativistic electron and proton bunches with dense plasmas

Here we discuss the possibility of employment of ultrarelativistic electron and proton bunches for generation of high plasma wakefields in dense plasmas due to the Cherenkov resonance plasma-bunch interaction. We estimate the maximum amplitude of such a wake and minimum system length at which the maximum amplitude can be generated at the given bunch parameters.Comment: 8 page