Local video-positioning system for industrial GPR

This article presents a local positioning system working with the industrial GPR OKO-2 (LOGIS) in the process of radio measurements. Here we discuss principles of the positioning system and the method of transferring location data into the GPR system as satellite data. The location uses a video recording of special tapes, which limit the scanning area. Tapes contain the special periodic pattern. A pair of video cameras are placed directly on the GPR body, cameras will register images of the limiting tapes. Results of experimental approbation of the GPR complex confirm the applicability of the system

Practical Investigations of the Method for Indirect Control of Acoustic Load Parameters

Abstract Article is devoted approbation of a method of indirect control of parameters of acoustic loading. Results of measurement of parameters of acoustic loading are presented

Increasing the efficiency of drying cellulose by ultrasonic influence

Relevance. Significant part of renewable and fossil energy resources is spent to generate heat and electricity needed to implement drying. At the same time, cellulose drying, due to the large-tonnage production, is one of the significant consumers of energy resources. One of the ways to reduce energy costs of drying is ultrasonic vibrations impact. There are practically no studies on ultrasonic exposure during cellulose drying. Therefore, it is necessary to consider possible options for non-contact ultrasonic treatment during convective drying of wood cellulose. Main aim. To identify the most rational options for placing the material to be dried, taking into account the direction of exposure to ultrasonic vibrations and the flow of warm air relative to the layers of the material to be dried at different temperatures. Objects. Non-contact ultrasonic action on wood cellulose. Methods. Mathematical modeling based on the finite element method was used to determine the distribution of oscillation amplitudes of a disk radiator. In the experimental part of the research, a material moisture content was determined by the weight method using verified technical means. Results. When ultrasonic vibrations have parallel direction relative to cellulose thin layers, a 2.5-fold reduction in drying time was shown at a sound pressure level of 162 ±3 dB and a drying agent temperature of 60 °C. The authors have found that temperature decrease of a drying agent makes it possible to increase the relative efficiency of ultrasonic treatment. An assessment of energy efficiency showed that the use of ultrasonic exposure leads to a 2.3-fold decrease in the energy spent on drying compared to only convective drying, all other things being equal. The conducted studies confirmed the effectiveness of the ultrasonic drying method for industrial use and made it possible to recommend options for the most rational placement of the material to be dried when designing the structures of drying chambers

Determination of the Modes and the Conditions of Ultrasonic Spraying Providing Specified Productivity and Dispersed Characteristics of the Aerosol

For the spraying of liquids and the coating process at high-tech productions the method of ultrasonic spraying in a layer having a number of advantages such as low energy capacity, high productivity, fine-dispersity of obtained aerosol and the absence of spraying agent, is used. However the main problem of ultrasonic spraying application is the absence of the reliable dependences of spraying characteristics (drop diameter and spraying productivity) on the liquid properties (viscosity, surface tension), modes (frequency and vibration amplitude of spraying surface) and conditions (the thickness of liquid layer) of the ultrasonic action. In order to determine these dependences it is proposed the model based on cavitation and wave theory of the drop formation, which allows obtain for the first time theoretical ground of the existence of optimum thickness layer, at which free surface of liquid is acted upon by maximum energy providing drop detachment. The model analysis lets show advisability of the application of vibration frequency of more than 100 kHz for the drop generation with the size of 10 μm and less with the productivity of no less than 0.2 ml/s. Obtained results are proved by the experimental studies, which allow their use for the formulation of the technical requirements to the ultrasonic sprayers at the realization of different technological processes

Safety and immunogenicity of IMVAMUNE®, a third-generation vaccine based on the modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) strain

In 1980, the World Health Assembly officially declared smallpox eradicated in the world, which allowed developed countries to stop preventive vaccination against this disease. However, circulating and emerging orthopoxviruses along with the lack of herd immunity prompt the need for emergency smallpox vaccines meeting the current requirements for biologicals.The aim of the study was to analyse the safety and efficacy of third-generation smallpox vaccines based on the MVA strain of vaccinia virus compliant with the current (stricter) immunogenicity and safety requirements in healthy subjects and especially in patients with underlying health conditions, considering the lack of herd immunity to orthopoxviruses.The authors analysed the existing experience with smallpox vaccines. The vaccines based on the modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) strain hold a special place amongst other third-generation vaccines, as this strain is safe and can be used for creating vector vaccines. Bavarian Nordic produces the MVA-based vaccine under three brand names (Imvanex in the EU, Jynneos™ in the USA, and IMVAMUNE® in Canada). According to the results of MVA-based vaccine clinical trials in healthy volunteers and patients with various underlying conditions, the main mild adverse drug reactions (erythema, pain, pruritus, and swelling) were mostly registered at the injection site. The systemic adverse drug reactions included fatigue, headache, myalgia, and chills; several subjects developed upper respiratory tract infections, nausea, and gastroenteritis, which resolved spontaneously within a day. MVA-based vaccines did not cause any cardiac abnormalities, including myo- or pericarditis. Thus, the vaccines may be used in patients with eczema, atopic dermatitis, inflammatory skin conditions, HIV, tuberculosis, cardiac abnormalities, as well as in children, adolescents, and pregnant women. The optimal intradermal immunisation dose was 1×108 TCID50. Two injections at this dose induced a pronounced humoral and cell-mediated immune response comparable to that induced by one administration of a first-generation smallpox vaccine. At this dose, the study vaccine also boosted pre-existing immunity conferred by a first-generation vaccine. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend Jynneos™ for preventing monkeypox in adults (18 years of age and older)

Eurasian-Scale Experimental Satellite-based Quantum Key Distribution with Detector Efficiency Mismatch Analysis

The Micius satellite is the pioneering initiative to demonstrate quantum teleportation, entanglement distribution, quantum key distribution (QKD), and quantum-secured communications experiments at the global scale. In this work, we report on the results of the 600-mm-aperture ground station design which has enabled the establishment of a quantum-secured link between the Zvenigorod and Nanshan ground stations using the Micius satellite. As a result of a quantum communications session, an overall sifted key of 2.5 Mbits and a total final key length of 310 kbits have been obtained. We present an extension of the security analysis of the realization of satellite-based QKD decoy-state protocol by taking into account the effect of the detection-efficiency mismatch for four detectors. We also simulate the QKD protocol for the satellite passage and by that validate our semi-empirical model for a realistic receiver, which is in good agreement with the experimental data. Our results pave the way to the considerations of realistic imperfection of the QKD systems, which are important in the context of their practical security.Comment: 8+2 pages, 5+2 figure

The use of immunoglobulins and monoclonal antibodies against COVID-19

Introduction. When a new disease occurs, one of the most affordable remedies is drugs containing specific antibodies to this infectious agent. The use of such drugs is aimed at reducing the amount of the pathogen in the macroorganism and the associated reduction in the severity of the symptoms of the disease or recovery. The purpose of this review is to analyze the experience of using immunoglobulins and monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of COVID-19 patients during the pandemic. Results and conclusion. The two main groups of medical protective agents that block the penetration of the SARS-CoV-2 virus into permissive cells are drugs obtained from blood plasma of convalescents (immunoglobulin) and human monoclonal antibodies. The first group of drugs in the treatment of COVID-19 includes blood plasma of convalescents, which can be successfully used for emergency prevention. The main disadvantage of using blood plasma convalescents is the difficulty of standardization due to the different content of specific antibodies in donors. Another disadvantage is the undesirable side effects in recipients that occur after plasma administration. An alternative approach to COVID-19 therapy is the use of humanized and genetically engineered human monoclonal antibodies against certain epitopes of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. For example, monoclonal antibodies against receptor-binding domain of the S-protein, which prevents the virus from entering permissive cells and interrupts the development of infection. The advantages of these drugs are their safety, high specific activity, and the possibility of standardization. However, the complexity of their production and high cost make them inaccessible for mass use in practical medicine

Безопасность и иммуногенность вакцины третьего поколения IMVAMUNE® на основе вируса вакцины, штамм MVA

In 1980, the World Health Assembly officially declared smallpox eradicated in the world, which allowed developed countries to stop preventive vaccination against this disease. However, circulating and emerging orthopoxviruses along with the lack of herd immunity prompt the need for emergency smallpox vaccines meeting the current requirements for biologicals.The aim of the study was to analyse the safety and efficacy of third-generation smallpox vaccines based on the MVA strain of vaccinia virus compliant with the current (stricter) immunogenicity and safety requirements in healthy subjects and especially in patients with underlying health conditions, considering the lack of herd immunity to orthopoxviruses.The authors analysed the existing experience with smallpox vaccines. The vaccines based on the modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) strain hold a special place amongst other third-generation vaccines, as this strain is safe and can be used for creating vector vaccines. Bavarian Nordic produces the MVA-based vaccine under three brand names (Imvanex in the EU, Jynneos™ in the USA, and IMVAMUNE® in Canada). According to the results of MVA-based vaccine clinical trials in healthy volunteers and patients with various underlying conditions, the main mild adverse drug reactions (erythema, pain, pruritus, and swelling) were mostly registered at the injection site. The systemic adverse drug reactions included fatigue, headache, myalgia, and chills; several subjects developed upper respiratory tract infections, nausea, and gastroenteritis, which resolved spontaneously within a day. MVA-based vaccines did not cause any cardiac abnormalities, including myo- or pericarditis. Thus, the vaccines may be used in patients with eczema, atopic dermatitis, inflammatory skin conditions, HIV, tuberculosis, cardiac abnormalities, as well as in children, adolescents, and pregnant women. The optimal intradermal immunisation dose was 1×108 TCID50. Two injections at this dose induced a pronounced humoral and cell-mediated immune response comparable to that induced by one administration of a first-generation smallpox vaccine. At this dose, the study vaccine also boosted pre-existing immunity conferred by a first-generation vaccine. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend Jynneos™ for preventing monkeypox in adults (18 years of age and older).В 1980 г. Всемирная ассамблея здравоохранения официально провозгласила искоренение натуральной оспы в мире, что позволило в развитых странах отменить профилактическую вакцинацию против этого заболевания. Однако из-за постоянно циркулирующих и вновь возникающих ортопоксвирусов, а также отсутствия популяционного иммунитета необходимо наличие в чрезвычайных ситуациях противооспенных вакцин, отвечающих современным требованиям к иммунобиологическим препаратам.Цель работы — анализ безопасности и эффективности в условиях отсутствия популяционного иммунитета к ортопоксвирусам оспенной вакцины третьего поколения на основе штамма MVA вируса вакцины, отвечающей повышенным требованиям иммуногенности и безопасности, особенно с учетом применения ее для лиц с отклонениями в состоянии здоровья. Проанализирован опыт применения противооспенных вакцин. Среди противооспенных вакцин третьего поколения особое место занимает вакцина на основе вируса вакцины, штамм MVA (modified vaccinia virus Ankara), выпускаемая компанией Bavarian Nordic под тремя названиями (в Европе — Imvanex, в США — Jynneos™, в Канаде — IMVAMUNE®), поскольку он безопасен и может использоваться для конструирования векторных вакцин. Результаты клинических исследований вакцины на основе штамма MVA на здоровых добровольцах и лицах с различными отклонениями в здоровье показали, что основные побочные реакции легкой степени тяжести (эритема, болезненность, зуд, припухлость) в основном регистрировали в месте введения вакцины. Из системных побочных реакций отмечены утомление, головная боль, миалгия, озноб; у незначительной части — инфекция верхних дыхательных путей, тошнота, гастроэнтерит, которые самопроизвольно проходили в течение первых суток. Вакцина не вызывает нарушений сердечной деятельности, включая миоперикардит, может быть применена для лиц с экземой, атопическим дерматитом и воспалительными кожными заболеваниями, ею можно вакцинировать ВИЧ-инфицированных, больных туберкулезом, лиц с нарушениями сердечной деятельности, а также детей младшего возраста, подростков и беременных женщин. Определена оптимальная иммунизирующая доза вакцины при внутрикожном введении, равная 1×108 ЦПД50. Выявлено, что при двукратном введении в данной дозе вакцина индуцирует выраженный гуморальный и клеточный иммунный ответ, сопоставимый по уровню с иммунитетом после однократного введения вакцины первого поколения, а также бустирует иммунитет, ранее сформировавшийся при иммунизации противооспенной вакциной первого поколения. Вакцина Jynneos™ в настоящее время одобрена CDC (США) для профилактики оспы обезьян у взрослых в возрасте 18 лет и старше

Свойства гетерологичного иммуноглобулина против лихорадки Эбола после длительного хранения

Ebola outbreak in eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2018–2020 proved that the virus remains highly hazardous for humans, and the outbreak in West Africa in 2014–2016, which was the largest Ebola outbreak in history, showed that it could be imported to other continents, including Russia. In 1993 the Federal State Budgetary Institution “48th Central Scientific Research Institute” of the Russian Ministry of Defence developed a specific equine immunoglobulin for emergency prophylaxis of Ebola in risk groups. The evaluation and improvement of the product’s properties is an important area in the development of biological defence technologies.The aim of the study was to examine the properties of the equine anti-Ebola immunoglobulin which had been stored for a long time at 2–8 °C.Materials and methods: the authors studied batches of heterologous anti-Ebola immunoglobulin that had been stored for 17–22 years. The properties of the product were evaluated according to the requirements of the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation, 14th ed. (Ph. Rus. 14 ed.). The specific activity of the product was determined in a plaque reduction neutralisation test using Ebola virus and African green monkey kidney cells (GMK-AH-1(D)). Immunoglobulin molecular parameters were determined by size-exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography using the test methods described in the European Pharmacopoeia 9.6 and Ph. Rus. 14 ed.Results: the storage of anti-Ebola immunoglobulin for 17–22 years at 2–8 °C resulted in a four-fold reduction of the level of virus-neutralising antibodies against Ebola, decrease in the proportion of monomers from 98 to 74–90%, increase in the proportion of dimers and polymers, and formation of immunoglobulin molecules’ fragments. Signs of toxicity for mice were observed in one of the three product batches. Conclusions: the obtained results suggest the need to perform more studies to test the quality of antiEbola immunoglobulin batches that were stored for shorter periods of time in order to assess the stability of their initial characteristics.Вспышка геморрагической лихорадки Эбола в восточных районах Демократической Республики Конго в 2018–2020 гг. показала сохраняющуюся высокую опасность вируса для человечества, а вспышка в Западной Африке в 2014–2016 гг., самая крупная с момента обнаружения вируса – возможность его ввоза в другие страны, в том числе в Россию. В ФГБУ «48 ЦНИИ» Минобороны России в 1993 г. разработан специфический лошадиный иммуноглобулин для экстренной профилактики лихорадки Эбола в группах риска. Изучение и совершенствование его защитных свойств является актуальным направлением разработки средств биологической защиты. Цель работы: оценить свойства иммуноглобулина против лихорадки Эбола из сыворотки крови лошадей после длительного хранения при температуре от 2 до 8 °С. Материалы и методы: серии гетерологичного иммуноглобулина против лихорадки Эбола, хранившиеся от 17 до 22 лет. Свойства иммуноглобулина оценивали согласно требованиям Государственной фармакопеи Российской Федерации XIV издания (ГФ РФ XIV изд.). Специфическую активность препарата определяли в реакции нейтрализации с вирусом Эбола в культуре клеток почки африканской зеленой мартышки (GМК-АН-1(Д)) методом подавления образования негативных колоний (бляшкообразования). Определение молекулярных параметров иммуноглобулина проводили методом эксклюзионной высокоэффективной жидкостной хроматографии согласно методикам, представленным в Европейской фармакопее 9.6 и ГФ РФ XIV изд. Результаты: хранение препарата иммуноглобулина против лихорадки Эбола в течение 17–22 лет при температуре от 2 до 8 °С привело к снижению уровня вируснейтрализующих антител к вирусу Эбола в 4 раза, уменьшению доли мономеров c 98 до 74–90%, увеличению доли димеров и полимеров, а также появлению фрагментов молекул иммуноглобулина. В одной из трех серий препарата была выявлена токсичность для белых нелинейных мышей. Выводы: полученные результаты свидетельствуют о целесообразности проведения дальнейших исследований по определению показателей качества серий иммуноглобулина против лихорадки Эбола, хранившихся менее продолжительные сроки, с целью оценки стабильности их исходных характеристик

Development and Research of Concentrator-Sonotrode with Increased Radiating Surface

This paper presents the results of studies on functional possibilities of the optimization of geometric sizes and the design development of specialized resonance concentrating link (concentrator-sonotrode) with enlarged radiating surface. Developed theoretical model allows to determine the value of longitudinal and transverse sizes of each part of concentrating link providing the achievement of required features of the ultrasonic vibrating systems (gain factor of the unit and its resonance frequency). To verify the efficiency of designed model, the geometric sizes of resonance concentrating link were determined using the finite-element complex, which showed that the disagreement did not exceed 10%. The efficiency of proposed model at the determining of size and resonance characteristics of concentrating link was proved by the experiments. Theoretical and experimental studies helped to optimize the size of concentrating link while the vibrating system developed on its base enabled the enlargement of radiating surface without decreasing the radiation intensity for the realization of technologies of cavitation treatment of liquid media