Merging of Components in Close Binaries: Type Ia Supernovae, Massive White Dwarfs, and Ap stars

The "Scenario Machine" (a computer code designed for studies of the evolution of close binaries) was used to carry out a population synthesis for a wide range of merging astrophysical objects: main-sequence stars with main-sequence stars; white dwarfs with white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes; neutron stars with neutron stars and black holes; and black holes with black holes.We calculate the rates of such events, and plot the mass distributions for merging white dwarfs and main-sequence stars. It is shown that Type Ia supernovae can be used as standard candles only after approximately one billion years of evolution of galaxies. In the course of this evolution, the average energy of Type Ia supernovae should decrease by roughly 10%; the maximum and minimum energies of Type Ia supernovae may differ by no less than by a factor of 1.5. This circumstance should be taken into account in estimations of parameters of acceleration of the Universe. According to theoretical estimates, the most massive - as a rule, magnetic - white dwarfs probably originate from mergers of white dwarfs of lower mass. At least some magnetic Ap and Bp stars may form in mergers of low-mass main sequence stars (<1.5 mass of the Sun) with convective envelopes.Comment: 15 pages, 4 figure

Антимикробная и антимикотическая фотодинамическая терапия (обзор литературы)

This review highlights the possibilities of photodynamic therapy (PDT) using drugs based on chlorin e6, aluminum phthalocyanine, methylene blue as photosensitizers for bacterial and fungal pathologies. This method was developed initially to treat tumor diseases, where it had shown its high efficiency and safety. Now photodynamic therapy is actively used in the treatment of cancers of the skin, bronchi, stomach, cervix, larynx, or other regions. However, numerous studies have been carried out for the entire existence of the method, demonstrating new possibilities of its application. This review highlights a number of studies in which the efficacy and safety of antimicrobial and antimycotic PDT were studied in vivo and in vitro. It has been proven to have a positive effect on the reparative processes in the wound. An experimental study was carried out to study the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy in the treatment of peritonitis in mice. Demonstrated anti-inflammatory potential in the treatment of autoimmune diseases.В обзоре литературы освещены возможности фотодинамической терапии (ФДТ) с использованием в качестве фотосенсибилизатора (ФС) ряда препаратов, в том числе на основе хлорина е6, фталоцианина алюминия, метиленового синего, при бактериальных и грибковых патологиях. Метод ФДТ изначально был разработан для лечения опухолевых заболеваний, в борьбе с которыми показал свою высокую эффективность и безопасность. В настоящее время ФДТ активно применяется при лечении пациентов с раком кожи, бронхов, желудка, шейки матки, гортани и других локализаций. Однако за все время существования метода были проведены многочисленные исследования, демонстрирующие новые возможности его применения. В настоящем обзоре освещен ряд научно-исследовательских работ, в которых была изучена эффективность и безопасность антимикробной и антимикотической ФДТ в экспериментах in vivo и in vitro. Выполнен обзор публикаций, посвященных изучению механизмов антимикробного действия ФДТ, а также изучающих влияние ФДТ на репаративные процессы в ране. В исследованиях, включенных в настоящий обзор, доказана высокая эффективность антимикробной и антимикотической ФДТ. Продемонстрирован противовоспалительный потенциал метода при лечении аутоиммунных заболеваний у людей

The Evolution of Compact Binary Star Systems

We review the formation and evolution of compact binary stars consisting of white dwarfs (WDs), neutron stars (NSs), and black holes (BHs). Binary NSs and BHs are thought to be the primary astrophysical sources of gravitational waves (GWs) within the frequency band of ground-based detectors, while compact binaries of WDs are important sources of GWs at lower frequencies to be covered by space interferometers (LISA). Major uncertainties in the current understanding of properties of NSs and BHs most relevant to the GW studies are discussed, including the treatment of the natal kicks which compact stellar remnants acquire during the core collapse of massive stars and the common envelope phase of binary evolution. We discuss the coalescence rates of binary NSs and BHs and prospects for their detections, the formation and evolution of binary WDs and their observational manifestations. Special attention is given to AM CVn-stars -- compact binaries in which the Roche lobe is filled by another WD or a low-mass partially degenerate helium-star, as these stars are thought to be the best LISA verification binary GW sources.Comment: 105 pages, 18 figure

A cyclic universe with colour fields

The topology of the universe is discussed in relation to the singularity problem. We explore the possibility that the initial state of the universe might have had a structure with 3-Klein bottle topology, which would lead to a model of a nonsingular oscillating (cyclic) universe with a well-defined boundary condition. The same topology is assumed to be intrinsic to the nature of the hypothetical primitive constituents of matter (usually called preons) giving rise to the observed variety of elementary particles. Some phenomenological implications of this approach are also discussed.Comment: 21 pages, 9 figures; v.4: final versio

Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of the small and large intestine strictures in Crohn’s disease. Radiological semiotics and assessment of the inflammation activity

Rationale: Crohn's disease is characterized by continuous severe course, and in a half of the patients is associated with formation of strictures that are difcult to treat and significantly decrease quality of life. Difficulties during the differentiation between inflammation-related and fbrostenotic strictures and divergent approaches to their treatment in patients with Crohn's disease indicate the need in precise diagnostics and systematization of the radiological semiotics of strictures.Aim: To propose radiological semiotics of the small and large intestine strictures based on the results of multiaxial computed tomography (MACT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Materials and methods: MACT and MRI visualization was performed in 40 patients with a stenotic type of Crohn's disease.Results: The radiological signs of the strictures were classifed into two main groups: intestinal and extra-intestinal. They were systematized according to nine criteria, such as character of formation, etiology, number, inflammation grade, extension, shape, and location, presence of ileus and presence of other complications. The inflammation activity in the intestinal wall was evaluated during the postcontrast assessment: active inflammation in the arterial phase (at 25 seconds after administration of the contrast agent), chronic inflammation in the delayed phase (at 10 minutes). The MRI results were cross-checked with those of MACT. At the precontrast stage, MRI was more informative as per the width of the intestinal lumen, whereas MACT was preferential in the diagnosis of fat infltration of the intestinal wall. Post-contrast MACT and MRI were diagnostically equivalent. The most indicative for active inflammation were diffuse weighed MRI images, arterial phase MACT and MRI, whereas chronic inflammation and wall fbrosis were better diagnosed at the delayed phase (at 10 minutes) of MACT and MRI. Both methods (MACT and MRI) could not differentiate between the submucous and muscular layers of the intestinal wall. Mixed type of inflammation was seen in the walls of intestinal strictures: chronic inflammation dominated in the intermediate, most extensive part of a stricture and remained stable during the dynamic follow-up, whereas active inflammation was found in the marginal parts of the strictures, which were most susceptible to changes during the follow-up.Conclusion: Based on a set of certain signs obtained by radiological visualization, we propose a registry for stricture assessment based on evaluation of the inflammation activity