Absorption of microdroplets by layered porous media

Paper presented at the 6th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, South Africa, 30 June - 2 July, 2008.The subject of this paper is the sequential absorption of two droplets at its arbitrary location on the surface of single- and double-layer porous media. The consideration is based on simultaneous solution of the equations describing liquid flow in the droplet and equations of unsteady filtration in the porous medium. The layers of porous medium were characterized by effective permeability coefficients dependent on porosity and pore size. The change in the droplet shape during absorption and the propagation of absorbed fluid in a porous medium are the output data of the problem. The effect of porous medium structure parameters and relative location of droplets on the rate of absorption and distribution of absorbed liquids is analyzed using the numerical experiment. It is shown that the presence of the second layer can significantly affect the duration and result of droplet absorption. The ratio of the pore size in the layers is found to be the main parameter that governs the effect of the second layer.vk201

Temperature Dependence of the Cu(2) NQR Line Width in YBa2_2Cu3_3O7−y_{7-y}

Systematic measurements of the $^{63}$Cu(2) NQR line width were performed in underdoped YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-y}$ samples over the temperature range 4.2 K $<T<300$ K. It was shown that the copper NQR line width monotonically increases upon lowering temperature in the below-critical region, resembling temperature behavior of the superconducting gap. The observed dependence is explained by the fact that the energy of a condensate of sliding charge-current states of the charge-density-wave type depends on the phase of order parameter. Calculations show that this dependence appears only at $T<T_c$. Quantitative estimates of the line broadening at $T<T_c$ agree with the measurement results.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure

General Solutions of Relativistic Wave Equations II: Arbitrary Spin Chains

A construction of relativistic wave equations on the homogeneous spaces of the Poincar\'{e} group is given for arbitrary spin chains. Parametrizations of the field functions and harmonic analysis on the homogeneous spaces are studied. It is shown that a direct product of Minkowski spacetime and two-dimensional complex sphere is the most suitable homogeneous space for the physical applications. The Lagrangian formalism and field equations on the Poincar\'{e} and Lorentz groups are considered. A boundary value problem for the relativistically invariant system is defined. General solutions of this problem are expressed via an expansion in hyperspherical functions defined on the complex two-sphere.Comment: 56 pages, LaTeX2

Structural, transport and microwave properties of 123/sapphire films: Thickness effect

The effect of thickness and growth conditions on the structure and microwave properties has been investigated for the 123/sapphire films. It has been shown that in the conditions of epitaxial growth the Al atoms do not diffuse from substrate into the film and the films with thickness up to 100 nm exhibit the excellent direct current (DC) properties. The increase of thickness of GdBaCuO films causes the formation of extended line-mesh defects and the increase of the surface resistance (R(sub S)). The low value of surface resistance R(sub S)(75 GHz, 77K) = 20 mOhm has been obtained for the two layer YBaCuO/CdBaCuO/sapphire films

Micromorphological features of soils of semidesertic solonetzic complexes under different herbaceous communities with the participation of fodder plant Kochia prostrata (Caspian lowland)

The aim of the study was to research the relationship of chemical and micromorphological properties of soils with the growth of Kochia prostrata. The objects of study were the soils on natural pastures of the North-Western part of the Caspian lowland. It was laid 4 soil pits (soils – light solonetz, solonetzic chestnut) with the maximum penetration depth of the main mass of roots of the studied plants. K. prostratais a very plastic forage species that can grow on soils with a wide range of morphological properties, different salt content and their chemical composition. It is revealed that on the background of almost the same content of humus and high content of exchangeable magnesium micromorphological features represent the different degree of manifestation of primary pedogenic processes – humus accumulation, leaching of soluble salts, gypsum accumulation, carbonate enrichment, solonetzization. Despite the different content of exchangeable sodium, in all soils there are fresh clay or humus-clay illuvial coatings, indicating the manifestation of the modern eluvial-illuvial redistribution of fine matter (lessivage or illimerization)

Dynamical charge susceptibility in layered cuprates: the influence of screened inter-site Coulomb repulsion

The analytical expression for dynamical charge susceptibility in layered cuprates has been derived in the frame of singlet-correlated band model beyond random-phase-approximation (RPA) scheme. Our calculations performed near optimal doping regime show that there is a peak in real part of the charge susceptibility $\chi({\bf q},\omega)$ at {\bf Q} = ($\pi$, $\pi$) at strong enough inter-site Coulomb repulsion. Together with the strong maximum in the Im $\chi({\bf Q},\omega)$ at 15 meV it confirms the formation of low-energetic plasmons or charge fluctuations. This provides a jsutification that these excitations are important and together with a spin flcutuations can contribute to the Cooper pairing in layered cuprates. Analysing the charge susceptibilitiy with respect to an instability we obtain a new plasmon branch, $\omega_{\bf q}$, along the Brillouin Zone. In particular, we have found that it goes to zero near {\bf Q}$_{CDW} \approx (2\pi/3, 2\pi/3)$

DETECTION AND DIFFERENTIATION OF NON-TUBERCULOUS MYCOBACTERIA AND M. TUBERCULOSIS COMPLEX BY REAL TIME PCR

Goal of the study: to define the design of primers and probes specific to DNA of non-tuberculous mycobacteria and evaluate their diagnostic value in case of simultaneous detection of non-tuberculous mycobacteria and M. tuberculosis complex by real time PCR.Materials and methods. Primer 3, Primer BLAST, Ugene Uni Pro were used to design primers and probes. Preliminary assessment of specificity and sensitivity of detection of non-tuberculous mycobacteria DNA was performed on cultures belonging to 18 types of non-tuberculous mycobacteria, 16 strains of M. tuberculosis complex and 14 types of microorganisms being none Mycobacterum. Analytic sensitivity was tested on 284 cultures of non-tuberculous mycobacteria and diagnostic sensitivity was tested on 124 sputum samples. The kit ofM-Sorb-Tub-Avtomat (ZAO Sintol) was used for DNA isolation. Cultures were subcultured on the liquid medium of Middlebrook 7H9 in Bactec MGIT 960. Cultures were identified with the use of standard microbiological techniques. Analysis of DNA isolated from cultures was performed by the reagent kit of GenoTypeCM/AS (Hain Lifescience, Germany).Results. 100% specificity and sensitivity of PCR was demonstrated in mycobacterial cultures and 100% specificity and 69-70% sensitivity was demonstrated in diagnostic material analysis

Superconducting properties of [BaCuO_x]_2/[CaCuO_2]_n artificial structures with ultrathick CaCuO_2 blocks

The electrical transport properties of [BaCuO_x]_2/[CaCuO_2]_n (CBCCO-2xn)underdoped high temperature superconducting superlattices grown by Pulsed Laser Deposition have been investigated. Starting from the optimally doped CBCCO-2x2 superlattice, having three CuO_2 planes and T_c around 80 K, we have systematically increased the number n up to 15 moving toward the underdoped region and hence decreasing T_c. For n>11 the artificial structures are no longer superconducting, as expected, for a uniformly distributed charge carriers density inside the conducting block layer. The sheet resistance of such artificial structures (n nearly equal to 11) turns out to be quite temperature independent and close to the 2D quantum resistance 26 kOhm. A further increase of the number of CuO_2 planes results in an insulator-type dependence of R(T) in the wide range of temperatures from room temperature to 1 K. The value of the sheet resistance separating the Superconducting and the Insulating regimes supports the fermionic scenario of the Superconductor-Insulator transition in these systems.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figures. Corresponding author: [email protected]

Участие полиморфизмов rs12218 гена SAA1, rs1205 гена CRP и rs7574865 гена STAT4 в формировании предрасположенности к панникулитам в российской когорте пациентов (пилотное исследование)

Objective: to study the role of SAA1, CRP and STAT4 gene polymorphisms in the development of panniculitis (PN) and their relationship with clinical and laboratory parameters in the Russian cohort of patients.Patients and methods. The study included 74 patients (67 women and 7 men aged 15 to 76 years) with diagnosis of PN. In addition to the general clinical examination, immunological and histological studies, computed tomography of the chest, and tuberculin tests were performed. For genetic study, two groups of patients were formed: with septal PN (SPN, n=26), represented by erythema nodosum (EN) and with lobular PN (LPN, n=48), including predominantly with idiopathic LPN (iLPN, n= 18) and other rare variants (n=30). As a control, the results of DNA genotyping of 142 healthy non-related individuals were used. Genotyping of polymorphisms rs12218 of the SAA1 gene, rs1205 of the CRP gene, and rs7574865 of the STAT4 gene was performed by the allele-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction.Results and discussion. Significant differences were found between the groups in terms of age and duration of the disease. Patients with SPN were younger than those with LPN (p=0.013), had a shorter duration of the disease (p=0.001), and a lower ESR (p=0.001). Carriers of the TT genotype of the SAA1 gene polymorphism were twice as likely to develop LPN as compared to controls (odds ratio, OR 2.25; 95% confidence interval, CI 1.04–4.87; p=0.038), and this genotype was regarded as a risk factor. For patients with SPN, a significant risk factor was identified in the form of carriage of the mutant TT genotype of the CRP gene polymorphism. This genotype increased the predisposition to the development of EN by 4 times compared with the control (OR 4.39; 95% CI 1.26–14.11; p=0.009). There was a 6-fold increase in the risk of developing EN in carriers of the TT mutant genotype and the T allele of the STAT4 gene polymorphism compared with the control (OR 5.89; 95% CI 1.14–31.75; p=0.016 and OR 2.07; 95 % CI 0.99–4.19, p=0.030, respectively). Comparison of the frequencies of the T allele of the SAA1 gene polymorphism in the groups with EN and with iLPN revealed a higher frequency of the SAA1TT genotype and the SAA1T allele in iLPN than in EN (66.7 and 26.9%, p=0.066; 88.5 and 55.8 %, p=0.016, respectively).Conclusion. The present study confirms the involvement of genetic factors, in addition to generally recognized environmental factors, in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases of adipose tissue. Polymorphisms of the SAA1, CRP, and STAT4 genes play a role in the formation of a genetic predisposition to the main clinical phenotypes of PN.Цель исследования – изучение участия в развитии панникулита (Пн) полиморфизмов генов SAA1, CRP и STAT4 и их связи с клинико-лабораторными показателями в российской когорте пациентов.Пациенты и методы. В исследование включено 74 пациента (67 женщин и 7 мужчин в возрасте от 15 до 76 лет) с достоверным диагнозом Пн. Помимо общеклинического обследования, проводили иммунологическое и гистологическое исследования, компьютерную томографию органов грудной клетки, туберкулиновые пробы. Для генетического исследования сформированы две группы пациентов: с септальным Пн (СПн, n=26), представленным узловатой эритемой (УЭ), и с лобулярным Пн (ЛПн, n=48), в том числе преимущественно с идиопатическим лобулярным Пн (ИЛПн, n=18) и другими редкими вариантами (n=30). В качестве контроля использованы результаты, полученные при генотипировании ДНК 142 здоровых неродственных индивидов. Генотипирование полиморфизмов rs12218 гена SAA1, rs1205 гена CRP и rs7574865 гена STAT4 было выполнено методом аллель-специфической полимеразной цепной реакции в реальном времени.Результаты и обсуждение. Обнаружены значимые различия между группами по возрасту и длительности заболевания. Пациенты с СПн были моложе больных с ЛПн (р=0,013), имели меньшую длительность заболевания (р=0,001), более низкую СОЭ (р=0,001). У носителей генотипа ТТ полиморфизма гена SAA1 в 2 раза чаще обнаруживалась предрасположенность к развитию ЛПн по сравнению с контролем (отношение шансов, ОШ 2,25; 95% доверительный интервал, ДИ 1,04–4,87; р=0,038), и этот генотип был расценен как фактор риска. Для пациентов с СПн выявлен значимый фактор риска в виде носительства мутантного генотипа ТТ полиморфизма гена CRP. Этот генотип в 4 раза повышал предрасположенность к развитию УЭ по сравнению с контролем (ОШ 4,39; 95% ДИ 1,26–14,11; р=0,009). Отмечалось 6-кратное возрастание риска развития УЭ у носителей мутантного генотипа TT и аллеля Т полиморфизма гена STAT4 по сравнению с контролем (ОШ 5,89; 95% ДИ 1,14–31,75; р=0,016 и ОШ 2,07; 95% ДИ 0,99–4,19; р=0,030 соответственно). Сравнение частот аллеля Т полиморфизма гена SAA1 в группах с УЭ и с ИЛПн выявило более высокую частоту генотипа SAA1TT и аллеля SAA1T при ИЛПн, чем при УЭ (66,7 и 26,9%, р=0,066; 88,5 и 55,8%, р=0,016 соответственно).Заключение. Настоящее исследование подтверждает участие генетических факторов, помимо общепризнанных средовых, в патогенезе воспалительных заболеваний жировой ткани. Полиморфизмы генов SAA1, CRP и STAT4 играют роль в формировании генетической предрасположенности к основным клиническим фенотипам Пн

Связь полиморфизма Q141K гена ABCG2 с эффективностью уратснижающей терапии у пациентов с подагрой (пилотное исследование)

Achieving the target serum uric acid (UA) level is a priority in the treatment of gout.Objective: to study the relationship of the ABCG2 gene polymorphism (rs2231142) with the efficacy of allopurinol and febuxostat in patients with gout.Patients and methods. The study included 82 patients with gout over 18 years of age with serum UA level &gt;360 μmol/L who did not take uratelowering therapy.All patients were prescribed allopurinol 100 mg daily, followed by its titration until the target UA level was reached (&lt;360 μmol/L or &lt;300 μmol/L in patients with chronic tofus gout), up to a maximum of 900 mg/day, in patients with glomerular filtration rate &lt;60 ml/min/1.73 m2 – up to 300 mg/day. Patients who did not reach the target UA level when using allopurinol were prescribed febuxostat 80 mg/day, which, if necessary, was increased to 120 mg/day. Monitoring of each patient was continued until the target serum UA level was reached.All patients underwent genotyping of the C&gt;A polymorphism (rs2231142) of the ABCG2 gene. We compared the probability of achieving the target UA level, the mean values of a decrease in the serum UA level, and the mean doses of urate-lowering drugs in patients with different genotypes (CC, CA, AA) of the ABCG2 gene.Results and discussion. The target UA level in 45 (55%) of 82 patients was defined as &lt;300 μmol/L, in the remaining 37 – as &lt;360 μmol/L.In 26 patients, the dose of allopurinol did not exceed 300 mg/day. In 28 (34%) patients treated with allopurinol, the target UA level was achieved, in the remaining 54 (66%) patients, allopurinol was substituted by febuxostat, and in 22 (41%) of them the UA level decreased and was below the target.The CC genotype of the ABCG2 gene was detected in 51 (62%) patients, the CA genotype in 30 (37%) and the minor genotype AA in 1 (1%).The probability of achieving the target UA level during therapy with allopurinol in carriers of homozygous CC genotype and genotypes CA or AA did not differ: 17 (33%) and 11 (35%) cases, respectively, but patients with CA and AA genotypes required a significantly higher dose of allopurinol (365±102 mg/day) than patients with the CC genotype (290±85 mg/day), p=0.002. Of the 54 patients who took febuxostat and did not reach the target UA level, 30 (56%) had the CC genotype and 24 (44%) had the CA genotype, the probability of reaching the target UA level was also comparable (p=0.22).Conclusion. The probability of reaching the target serum UA level in patients with gout taking allopurinol is not associated with the C&gt;A polymorphism of the ABCG2 gene, but the presence of CA and AA genotypes is identified with a higher dose of the drug. The C&gt;A (rs2231142) polymorphism of the ABCG2 gene does not affect the ability to achieve the goal of therapy when using febuxostat in patients with allopurinol ineffectiveness.Приоритетной задачей лечения подагры является достижение целевого уровня МК в сыворотке крови.Цель исследования – изучение взаимосвязи полиморфизма (rs2231142) гена ABCG2 с эффективностью аллопуринола и фебуксостата у пациентов с подагрой.Пациенты и методы. В исследование включено 82 пациента с подагрой старше 18 лет с сывороточным уровнем МК &gt;360 мкмоль/л, не принимавших уратснижающие препараты.Всем пациентам назначался аллопуринол в дозе 100 мг/сут с последующим ее титрованием до достижения целевого уровня МК (&lt;360 мкмоль/л или &lt;300 мкмоль/л у страдающих хронической тофусной подагрой), максимально – до 900 мг/сут, при скорости клубочковой фильтрации &lt;60 мл/мин/1,73 м2 – до 300 мг/сут. Пациентам, не достигшим целевого уровня МК при использовании аллопуринола, назначался фебуксостат в дозе 80 мг/сут, которая при необходимости увеличивалась до 120 мг/сут. Наблюдение за каждым пациентом продолжали до достижения целевого уровня МК сыворотки.Всем пациентам проводилось генотипирование полиморфизма С&gt;А (rs2231142) гена ABCG2. Сравнивали вероятность достижения целевого уровня МК, средние значения снижения сывороточного уровня МК, средние дозы уратснижающих препаратов у пациентов с разными генотипами (СС, СA, AA) гена ABCG2.Результаты и обсуждение. Целевой уровень МК у 45 (55%) из 82 пациентов был определен как &lt;300 мкмоль/л, у остальных 37 – как &lt;360 мкмоль/л. У 26 больных доза аллопуринола не превышала 300 мг/сут. У 28 (34%) пациентов на фоне терапии аллопуринолом зарегистрирован целевой уровень МК, у остальных 54 (66%) пациентов аллопуринол был заменен на фебуксостат, при этом у 22 (41%) из них уровень МК снизился и не превышал целевой.Генотип СС гена ABCG2 выявлен у 51 (62%) пациента, генотип СА – у 30 (37%) и минорный генотип – АА у 1 (1%). Вероятность достижения целевого уровня МК на фоне терапии аллопуринолом у носителей гомозиготного генотипа СС и генотипов СА или АА не различалась: 17 (33%) и 11 (35%) случаев соответственно, но пациентам с генотипами СА и АА требовалась значимо большая доза аллопуринола (365±102 мг/сут), чем пациентам с генотипом СС (290±85 мг/сут), р=0,002. Из 54 пациентов, принимавших фебуксостат и не достигших целевого уровня МК, 30 (56%) имели генотип СС и 24 (44%) – генотип СА, вероятность достижения целевого уровня МК у них также была сопоставимой (p=0,22).Заключение. Вероятность достижения целевого уровня МК сыворотки крови у пациентов с подагрой, принимающих аллопуринол, не связана с полиморфизмом С&gt;А гена ABCG2, но наличие генотипов СА и АА отождествляется с большей дозой препарата. Полиморфизм С&gt;А (rs2231142) гена ABCG2 не влияет на возможность достижения цели терапии при применении фебуксостата у пациентов с неэффективностью аллопуринола