A photoelectron spectroscopy study of the electronic structure evolution in CuInSe2-related compounds at changing copper content

Evolution of the valence-band structure at gradually increasing copper content has been analysed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) in In2Se3, CuIn5Se8, CuIn3Se5, and CuInSe2 single crystals. A comparison of these spectra with calculated total and angular-momentum resolved density-of-states (DOS) revealed the main trends of this evolution. The formation of the theoretically predicted gap between the bonding and non-bonding states has been observed in both experimental XPS spectra and theoretical DOS

A Closed-Form Solution of the Multi-Period Portfolio Choice Problem for a Quadratic Utility Function

In the present paper, we derive a closed-form solution of the multi-period portfolio choice problem for a quadratic utility function with and without a riskless asset. All results are derived under weak conditions on the asset returns. No assumption on the correlation structure between different time points is needed and no assumption on the distribution is imposed. All expressions are presented in terms of the conditional mean vectors and the conditional covariance matrices. If the multivariate process of the asset returns is independent it is shown that in the case without a riskless asset the solution is presented as a sequence of optimal portfolio weights obtained by solving the single-period Markowitz optimization problem. The process dynamics are included only in the shape parameter of the utility function. If a riskless asset is present then the multi-period optimal portfolio weights are proportional to the single-period solutions multiplied by time-varying constants which are depending on the process dynamics. Remarkably, in the case of a portfolio selection with the tangency portfolio the multi-period solution coincides with the sequence of the simple-period solutions. Finally, we compare the suggested strategies with existing multi-period portfolio allocation methods for real data.Comment: 38 pages, 9 figures, 3 tables, changes: VAR(1)-CCC-GARCH(1,1) process dynamics and the analysis of increasing horizon are included in the simulation study, under revision in Annals of Operations Researc

Electric-field-induced nematic-cholesteric transition and 3-D director structures in homeotropic cells

We study the phase diagram of director structures in cholesteric liquid crystals of negative dielectric anisotropy in homeotropic cells of thickness d which is smaller than the cholesteric pitch p. The basic control parameters are the frustration ratio d/p and the applied voltage U. Fluorescence Confocal Polarising Microscopy allows us to directly and unambiguously determine the 3-D director structures. The results are of importance for potential applications of the cholesteric structures, such as switchable gratings and eyewear with tunable transparency based.Comment: Will be published in Physical Review

A Grounded Qualitative Analysis of the Effect of a Focus Group on Design Process in a Virtual Internship

A key component associated with the development of an entrepreneurial mindset is the ability to understand customerneeds and consider this when developing a product. This study sought to understand whether the inclusion of a customerfocus group as part of a virtual internship created any differences in the design processes of sophomore engineeringstudents (114 students). The Nephrotex virtual internship requires that students design a dialysis membrane by optimizinga selection of four components: membrane polymer, polymerization process, processing surfactant, and carbon nanotubepercentage. We found that sophomores who engaged in a focus group during the virtual internship Nephrotex showed(statistically) equal focus on cost versus technical measures of design performance during the focus group. Despite this,design cost was lower in the section that participated in a focus group, with no decrease in product quality. This indicatesthat customer voice may be an important factor in decreasing product cost. We also found that sophomore studentsprioritized their interviewing of customers within the focus group towards end users, such as the patient and nephrologist.Qualitative analysis of sophomore responses demonstrated that they found utility in the focus group (30% of participants)but did not necessarily believe that the customers had useful knowledge of the relevant design attributes (17% ofparticipants). Such realizations may have contributed to the equivalent quality and decreased costs associated with thedesigns of sophomores who participated in a focus group

МЕТОДИКА ОБРОБКИ КУКСИ ПІСЛЯ ВИКОНАННЯ ВИСОКОЇ ТРАНСМЕТАТАРЗАЛЬНОЇ АМПУТАЦІЇ СТОПИ ЗА ШОПАРОМ

Today, worldwide diabetes mellitus (DM) has been acknowledged by leading medical specialists as one of the most important non-communicable diseases, the prevalence of which has become pandemic. This is largely due to an increase in the population and age of the planet population, urbanization of the territory, obesity and sedentary lifestyles. In general, patients with diabetes mellitus, complicated by diabetic foot syndrome (DFS) undergo 40–70 % of amputations of the lower limbs of nontraumatic genesis, which in this group of patients are performed 10–15 times more often than in the general population. The aim of the study – on the basis of the proposed optimization of the technique of "small" amputations to improve the known method of high amputation of foot by Shopar by reducing the number of acute angles of the dent of the affected part of the bone. Material and Methods. The technique, improved by us, was used for 52 patients aged 42 to 80 years who were treated at the surgical vascular departments of the Ternopil University Hospital with purulent necrotic lesions of the distal foot on the basis of diabetes mellitus. The results were compared with the control group of patients undergoing high transmetatarsal amputation by the classic Jigli saw blade. Results. For amputation of bone tissue, a cut metal disk with a diameter of 22 mm was used which, with the help of the electric drive, rotates at a speed up to 20000 revolutions per minute. Spotted bones where the faces of diaphysics and bacillus face at an angle are treated by gradual grinding with a corundum grinding nozzle of 5 mm in the form of a layer for 1–3 minutes at a speed of 10.000 per minute and a 5 mm corundum nozzle with a cone for 2–4 minutes at a speed of 15.000–20000 revolutions per minute until the sharp edges of the diaphyses and backside faces did not turn into the most rounded shape. Separating sites and sanding bones were covered with soft fabrics, forming a token thus. Conclusions. The proposed method of treating bone sputum after performing high transmetatarial amputation of the foot on the Shapora ensured the absence of sharp corners in the spit areas, which made it possible to uniquely traumatize the surrounding soft tissues, greatly reduced the patient's sensation, shortened the period of healing of the wound surfaces, and accelerated the medical and social rehabilitation of the patient.Сегодня во всем мире сахарный диабет (СД) признан одним из важнейших неинфекционных заболеваний, распространенность которого приобрела характер пандемии. Преимущественно этому способствует увеличение численности и возраста населения планеты, урбанизация территории, ожирение и малоподвижный образ жизни. В целом на пациентов, больных сахарным диабетом, осложненным синдромом диабетической стопы (СДС), приходится 40–70 % ампутаций нижних конечностей нетравматического генеза, которые в этой группе больных выполняются в 10–15 раз чаще, чем в общей популяции. Цель – на основе предложенной оптимизации методики «малых» ампутаций усовершенствовать известный способ высокой ампутации стопы по Шопару за счет уменьшения количества острых углов зоны отпила пораженной части кости. Материал и методы. С использованием методики, усовершенствованной нами, прооперировано 52 пациента в возрасте от 42 до 80 лет, которые находились на лечении в хирургическом и сосудистом отделениях Тернопольской университетской больницы с гнойно-некротическими поражениями дистального отдела ступни на почве сахарного диабета. Результаты сравнивали с результатами контрольной группы пациентов, которым проводилась высокая трансметатарзальная ампутация классическим методом пилой Джигли. Результаты. Для ампутации костной ткани применяли отрезной металлический диск диаметром 22 мм, который с помощью электропривода вращается со скоростью до 20 000 оборотов в минуту. Места отпиленных костей, там где сходятся под углом грани диафиза и отпила кости, обрабатывали путем поэтапнй шлифовки корундовой шаровидной 5-миллиметровой шлифовальной насадкой в течение 1–3 минут со скоростью вращения 10 000 в минуту и финишной корундовой конусообразной 5-миллиметровой насадкой в течение 2–4 минут со скоростью 15 000–20 000 оборотов в минуту, пока острые углы граней диафиза и отпила кости не приобрели максимально округлой формы. Места отпила и шлифовки кости закрывали мягкими тканями, формируя таким образом культю. Выводы. Предложенный способ обработки места отпила костей после выполнения высокой трансмететарзальной ампутации стопы по Шопару обеспечил отсутствие острых углов на местах отпила, что позволяет избежать дополнительной травматизации окружающих мягких тканей, значительно уменьшить болевые ощущения у пациентов, сократить сроки заживления раневых поверхностей и ускорить медицинскую и социальную реабилитацию больного.Сьогодні у всьому світі цукровий діабет (ЦД) визнаний одним із найважливіших неінфекційних захворювань, поширення якого набуло характеру пандемії. Переважно цьому сприяють збільшення численності та віку населення планети, урбанізація території, ожиріння і малорухомий спосіб життя. Загалом на пацієнтів, хворих на цукровий діабет, ускладнений синдромом діабетичної стопи (СДС), припадає 40–70 % ампутацій нижніх кінцівок нетравматичного ґенезу, які в цій групі хворих виконуються в 10–15 разів частіше, ніж у загальній популяції. Мета – на основі запропонованої оптимізації методики «малих» ампутацій удосконалити відомий спосіб високої ампутації стопи за Шопаром шляхом зменшення кількості гострих кутів зони відпилу ураженої частини кістки. Матеріал і методи. З використанням удосконаленої нами методики прооперовано 52 пацієнти віком від 42 до 80 років, які перебували на лікуванні в хірургічному та судинному відділеннях Тернопільської університетської лікарні з гнійно-некротичними ураженнями дистального відділу стопи на ґрунті цукрового діабету. Результати порівнювали з результатами контрольної групи пацієнтів, яким проводили високу трансметатарзальну ампутацію класичним методом пилою Джиглі. Результати. Для ампутації кісткової тканини застосували відрізний металевий диск діаметром 22 мм, який за допомогою електроприводу обертається зі швидкістю до 20 000 обертів за хвилину. Місця відпиляних кісток, там де стикаються під кутом грані діафіза та відпилу кістки, обробляли шляхом поетапного шліфування корундовою кулеподібною 5-міліметровою шліфувальною насадкою впродовж 1–3 хвилини зі швидкістю обертання 10 000 за хвилину та фінішною корундовою конусоподібною 5-міліметровою насадкою впродовж 2–4 хвилин зі швидкістю 15 000–20 000 обертів за хвилину, допоки гострі кути граней діафіза та відпилу кістки не набули на максимально округлої форми. Місця відпилу і шліфовки кістки закрили м’якими тканинами, формуючи таким чином куксу. Висновки. Запропонований спосіб обробки місця відпилу кісток після виконання високої трансмететарзальної ампутації стопи за Шопаром забезпечив відсутність гострих кутів на місцях відпилу, що дозволило уникнути додаткового травмування навколишніх м’яких тканин, значно зменшило больові відчуття, скоротило строки загоєння ранових поверхонь та пришвидшило медичну і соціальну реабілітацію хворого

HLA Class I Binding Motifs Derived from Random Peptide Libraries Differ at the COOH Terminus from Those of Eluted Peptides

Recombinant HLA-A2, HLA-B8, or HLA-B53 heavy chain produced in Escherichia coli was combined with recombinant β2-microglobulin (β2m) and a pool of randomly synthesised nonamer peptides. This mixture was allowed to refold to form stable major histocompatability complex (MHC) class I complexes, which were then purified by gel filtration chromatography. The peptides bound to the MHC class I molecules were subsequently eluted and sequenced as a pool. Peptide binding motifs for these three MHC class I molecules were derived and compared with previously described motifs derived from analysis of naturally processed peptides eluted from the surface of cells. This comparison indicated that the peptides bound by the recombinant MHC class I molecules showed a similar motif to naturally processed and presented peptides, with the exception of the peptide COOH terminus. Whereas the motifs derived from naturally processed peptides eluted from HLA-A2 and HLA-B8 indicated a strong preference for hydrophobic amino acids at the COOH terminus, this preference was not observed in our studies. We propose that this difference reflects the effects of processing or transport on the peptide repertoire available for binding to MHC class I molecules in vivo

Influence of polymer excluded volume on the phase behavior of colloid-polymer mixtures

We determine the depletion-induced phase-behavior of hard sphere colloids and interacting polymers by large-scale Monte Carlo simulations using very accurate coarse-graining techniques. A comparison with standard Asakura-Oosawa model theories and simulations shows that including excluded volume interactions between polymers leads to qualitative differences in the phase diagrams. These effects become increasingly important for larger relative polymer size. Our simulations results agree quantitatively with recent experiments.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures submitted to Physical Review Letter

Xenobiotic Metabolism in Mice Lacking the UDP-Glucuronosyltransferase 2 Family

UDP-Glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) conjugate a glucuronyl group from glucuronic acid to a wide range of lipophilic substrates to form a hydrophilic glucuronide conjugate. The glucuronide generally has decreased bioactivity and increased water solubility to facilitate excretion. Glucuronidation represents an important detoxification pathway for both endogenous waste products and xenobiotics, including drugs and harmful industrial chemicals. Two clinically significant families of UGT enzymes are present in mammals: UGT1s and UGT2s. Although the two families are distinct in gene structure, studies using recombinant enzymes have shown considerable overlap in their ability to glucuronidate many substrates, often obscuring the relative importance of the two families in the clearance of particular substrates in vivo. To address this limitation, we have generated a mouse line, termed ΔUgt2, in which the entire Ugt2 gene family, extending over 609 kilobase pairs, is excised. This mouse line provides a means to determine the contributions of the two UGT families in vivo. We demonstrate the utility of these animals by defining for the first time the in vivo contributions of the UGT1 and UGT2 families to glucuronidation of the environmental estrogenic agent bisphenol A (BPA). The highest activity toward this chemical is reported for human and rodent UGT2 enzymes. Surprisingly, our studies using the ΔUgt2 mice demonstrate that, while both UGT1 and UGT2 isoforms can conjugate BPA, clearance is largely dependent on UGT1s

Lipid-soluble Vitamins A, D, and E in HIV-Infected Pregnant women in Tanzania.

There is limited published research examining lipid-soluble vitamins in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected pregnant women, particularly in resource-limited settings. This is an observational analysis of 1078 HIV-infected pregnant women enrolled in a trial of vitamin supplementation in Tanzania. Baseline data on sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics, clinical signs and symptoms, and laboratory parameters were used to identify correlates of low plasma vitamin A (<0.7 micromol/l), vitamin D (<80 nmol/l) and vitamin E (<9.7 micromol/l) status. Binomial regression was used to estimate risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Approximately 35, 39 and 51% of the women had low levels of vitamins A, D and E, respectively. Severe anemia (hemoglobin <85 g/l; P<0.01), plasma vitamin E (P=0.02), selenium (P=0.01) and vitamin D (P=0.02) concentrations were significant correlates of low vitamin A status in multivariate models. Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) was independently related to low vitamin A status in a nonlinear manner (P=0.01). The correlates of low vitamin D status were CD8 cell count (P=0.01), high ESR (ESR >81 mm/h; P<0.01), gestational age at enrollment (nonlinear; P=0.03) and plasma vitamins A (P=0.02) and E (P=0.01). For low vitamin E status, the correlates were money spent on food per household per day (P<0.01), plasma vitamin A concentration (nonlinear; P<0.01) and a gestational age <16 weeks at enrollment (P<0.01). Low concentrations of lipid-soluble vitamins are widely prevalent among HIV-infected women in Tanzania and are correlated with other nutritional insufficiencies. Identifying HIV-infected persons at greater risk of poor nutritional status and infections may help inform design and implementation of appropriate interventions