On Spectrum of the Laplacian in a Circle Perforated along the Boundary: Application to a Friedrichs-Type Inequality

In this paper, we construct and verify the asymptotic expansion for the spectrum of a boundary-value problem in a unit circle periodically perforated along the boundary. It is assumed that the size of perforation and the distance to the boundary of the circle are of the same smallness. As an application of the obtained results, the asymptotic behavior of the best constant in a Friedrichs-type inequality is investigated

Features of matrix metalloproteinases MMP2, MMP3, MMP9 genes regulatory region polymorphism in patients with uterine fbroids

Violation of the extracellular matrix components synthesis regulation contributes to the formation and growth of uterine fbroids (MM). Changes of collagen metabolism in connective tissue may be associated with polymorphism of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) genes. Aim of the study was to analyze of the association of regulatory regions of matrix metalloproteinase genes MMP2 (rs243865), MMP3 (rs3025058), MMP9 (rs3918242) with the development of uterine myoma, its histological form, several concomitant gynecological diseases. Material and methods. The clinical study of 69 patients (23–54 years old) with uterine myoma was conducted. According to the anamnesis, 57.9 % of patients had childbirth, 46.4 % of women had an artifcial termination of pregnancy, and 15.9 % of women had endometriosis. In histological examination, in 48.14 % the nodes corresponded to the phenotype of simple fbroids with a large proportion of fbrous tissue, 51.6 % with the phenotype of proliferating fbroids. The comparison group is represented by a random population sample of women from Western Siberia. 183 women without pronounced gynecological pathologies were examined. MMP2-1306 C/T polymorphism was analyzed by TaqMan, MMP3-1171 5A/6A, MMP9-1562 C/T by restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Results. The genotype frequencies of the analyzed genes did not signifcantly differ between the groups. The complex genotype MMP2-1306CC:MMP3-11715A6A:MMP9-1562CT was decreased in women with uterine myoma relative to the persons of the comparison group. In endometriosis patients MMP9-1562CC genotype was reduced and heterozygosity was increased relative to patients without endometriosis. The frequency of MMP2-1306CC:MMP9-1562CT complex genotype is signifcantly higher in women who gave birth than in women who did not give birth. Complex genotypes differences between histological variants of uterine myoma were revealed. Conclusions. The results of the study show the signifcance of polymorphism effect of the regulatory regions of the MMP genes in the development and nature of the course of uterine myoma

Ce-doped Li6Ln(BO3)3 (Ln = Y, Gd) Single crystals fibers grown by micro-pulling down method and luminescence properties

Ce3+-doped borate crystal fibers of Li6Gd(BO 3)3 (LGBO) and Li6Y(BO3)3 (LYBO) compositions are grown by the micro-pulling down (μ-PD) method for potential application in developing new neutron detectors. The ternary equilibrium diagram of Li2O-Gd2O3-B 2O3 is drawn and the preparations of homogeneous mixed LGBO and LYBO powders and growth conditions for single crystal fibers are discussed. Absorption, excitation and X-ray luminescence spectra are investigated. Absolute light yield derived from energy spectra and kinetic decay curves measured under α- and γ-scintillations of Ce 3+-doped LGBO and LYBO single crystal fibers is provided. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Ecosystem and human health assessment to define environmental management strategies: The case of long-term human impacts on an Arctic lake

Abstract There are rich deposits of mineral and fossil natural resources in the Arctic, which make this region very attractive for extracting industries. Their operations have immediate and vast consequences for ecological systems, which are particularly vulnerable in this region. We are developing a management strategy for Arctic watersheds impacted by industrial production. The case study is Lake Imandra watershed (Murmansk oblast, Russia) that has exceptionally high levels of economic development and large numbers of people living there. We track the impacts of toxic pollution on ecosystem health and then -human health. Three periods are identified: (a) natural, pre-industrial state; (b) disturbed, under rapid economic development; and (c) partial recovery, during recent economic meltdown. The ecosystem is shown to transform into a qualitatively new state, which is still different from the original natural state, even after toxic loadings have substantially decreased. Fish disease where analyzed to produce and integral evaluation of ecosystem health. Accumulation of heavy metals in fish is correlated with etiology of many diseases. Dose-effect relationships are between integral water quality indices and ecosystem health indicators clearly demonstrates that existing water quality standards adopted in Russia are inadequate for Arctic regions. Health was also poor for people drinking water from the Lake. Transport of heavy metals from drinking water, into human organs, and their effect on liver and kidney diseases shows the close connection between ecosystem and human health. A management system is outlined that is based on feedback from indices of ecosystem and human health and control over economic production and/or the amount of toxic loading produced. We argue that prospects for implementation of such a system are quite bleak at this time, and that more likely we will see a continued depopulation of these Northern regions

Оценка эффективности и безопасности биоактивного концентрата мелкой морской рыбы у пациентов старческого возраста с остеоартритом коленных суставов

Objective: to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Alflutop (the bioactive concentrate from small sea fish) in patients aged 75 years and older with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Patients and methods. The investigation enrolled 38 patients aged 75 years and older with knee OA (according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria, 1986), Kellgren–Lawrence grades II–III, ≥40 mm pain visual analogue scale (VAS), who required continuous non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use. All the patients received Alflutop in the standard regimen: a 1-ml intramuscular injection daily for 20 days. The dynamics of pain during movement was assessed using the VAS scale, the WOMAC, and the EQ-5D questionnaire. Comorbidity was determined according to the Charlson comorbidity index, polypharmacy, and the safety of therapy in all the patients. The investigation duration was 8 weeks.Results and discussion. On day 21 of Alflutop therapy, there was a statistically significant reduction in pain, stiffness, and functional insufficiency according to the WOMAC index (p< 0.001) and improvements in quality of life as shown by the EQ-5D questionnaire (p< 0.001); on day 56, the number of NSAID intake days decreased (p=0.005). The findings suggest that there is a high level of comorbidity in the majority (94.7%) of patients. The mean number of drugs taken was 5.0±1.5, which indicates the presence of polypharmacy. No serious or severe adverse events were recorded.Conclusion. The results of the investigation showed the statistically significant efficacy and safety of Alflutop in patients with knee OA in the elderly group.Цель исследования – оценка эффективности и безопасности препарата Алфлутоп (биоактивный концентрат мелкой морской рыбы) у пациентов 75 лет и старше с остеоартритом (ОА) коленных суставов.Пациенты и методы. В исследование включено 38 больных в возрасте 75 лет и старше с ОА коленных суставов (по критериям American College of Rheumatology – АCR, 1986 г.), II–III стадии по Kellgren–Lawrence, с болью ≥40 мм по визуальной аналоговой шкале (ВАШ), нуждающихся в постоянном приеме нестероидных противовоспалительных препаратов (НПВП). Все пациенты получали Алфлутоп по стандартной схеме: 1 мл внутримышечно ежедневно № 20. Оценивали динамику боли при движении по шкале ВАШ, индексу WOMAC, опроснику EQ-5D. У всех пациентов определяли коморбидность по индексу Чарлсона, полипрагмазию и безопасность терапии. Длительность исследования составила 8 нед.Результаты и обсуждение. К 21-му дню терапии Алфлутопом установлено статистически значимое снижение боли, скованности, функциональной недостаточности по индексу WOMAC (р< 0,001) и улучшение качества жизни по опроснику EQ-5D (р< 0,001), к 56-му дню – уменьшение количества дней приема НПВП (р=0,005). Полученные данные свидетельствуют о высоком уровне коморбидности у большинства пациентов (94,7%). Среднее количество препаратов, принимаемых пациентами, составило 5,0±1,5, что указывает на наличие полипрагмазии. Серьезных и тяжелых нежелательных явлений не зарегистрировано.Заключение. Результаты исследования показали статистически значимую эффективность и безопасность Алфлутопа у пациентов старшей возрастной группы с ОА коленных суставов

Functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract in correlation with anxiety and neurotization

Our cross-sectional study included 75 people (students of medical university), whose average age was 21.4 ± 0.7 years (M + s). They comprised 57 women and 18 men. To characterize the severity of the course of functional diseases of the digestive tract, the Questionnaire '7x7' was used. The psychodiagnostic toolset included: an integrative anxiety test; a scale for psychological express-diagnosis of the level of neurotization. The psychological characteristics of the examined subjects with functional disorders of gastrointestinal tract were characterized by the prevalence of the general level of personal anxiety and its subscales (emotional discomfort and asthenic component), as well as by the significant prevalence of the proportion of people in the lowered1 category of neurotization. The revealed correlations between functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and subscales of personal anxiety can be useful in planning prevention programs, a complex (bi-disciplinary) therapy and rehabilitation of functional gastrointestinal disorders.В одномоментное исследование включено 75 человек (студентов медицинского ВУЗа), средний возраст которых составил 21,4+0,7 лет (M+s). Из них - 57 женщин и 18 мужчин. Для характеристики тяжести течения функциональных заболеваний ЖКТ применялся Опросник «7x7». Психодиагностический инструментарий включал: интегративный тест тревожности; шкалу для психологической экспресс-диагностики уровня невротизации. Психологические особенности обследованных с функциональными расстройствами желудочно - кишечного тракта характеризовались преобладанием общего уровня личностной тревожности и её субшкал (эмоциональный дискомфорт и астенический компонент), а также значимым превалированием доли лиц в категории «пониженного уровня» невротизации. Выявленные корреляции между функциональными расстройствами желудочно - кишечного тракта и субшкалами личностной тревожности могут оказаться полезными при планировании программ профилактики, комплексной (бидисциплинарной) терапии и реабилитации функциональных гастроинтестинальных расстройств

Measurements of Dihadron Correlations Relative to the Event Plane in Au+Au Collisions at sNN=200\sqrt{s_{NN}}=200 GeV

Dihadron azimuthal correlations containing a high transverse momentum (\pt) trigger particle are sensitive to the properties of the nuclear medium created at RHIC through the strong interactions occurring between the traversing parton and the medium, i.e. jet-quenching. Previous measurements revealed a strong modification to dihadron azimuthal correlations in Au+Au collisions with respect to \pp\ and \dAu\ collisions. The modification increases with the collision centrality, suggesting a path-length dependence to the jet-quenching effect. This paper reports STAR measurements of dihadron azimuthal correlations in mid-central (20-60\%) Au+Au collisions at \snn=200~GeV as a function of the trigger particle's azimuthal angle relative to the event plane, \phis=|\phit-\psiEP|. The azimuthal correlation is studied as a function of both the trigger and associated particle \pt. The subtractions of the combinatorial background and anisotropic flow, assuming Zero Yield At Minimum (\zyam), are described. The away-side correlation is strongly modified, and the modification varies with \phis, which is expected to be related to the path-length that the away-side parton traverses. The pseudo-rapidity (\deta) dependence of the near-side correlation, sensitive to long range \deta correlations (the ridge), is also investigated. The ridge and jet-like components of the near-side correlation are studied as a function of \phis. The ridge appears to drop with increasing \phis while the jet-like component remains approximately constant. ...Comment: 50 pages, 39 figures, 6 table

Studies of di-jet survival and surface emission bias in Au+Au collisions via angular correlations with respect to back-to-back leading hadrons

We report first results from an analysis based on a new multi-hadron correlation technique, exploring jet-medium interactions and di-jet surface emission bias at RHIC. Pairs of back-to-back high transverse momentum hadrons are used for triggers to study associated hadron distributions. In contrast with two- and three-particle correlations with a single trigger with similar kinematic selections, the associated hadron distribution of both trigger sides reveals no modification in either relative pseudo-rapidity or relative azimuthal angle from d+Au to central Au+Au collisions. We determine associated hadron yields and spectra as well as production rates for such correlated back-to-back triggers to gain additional insights on medium properties.Comment: By the STAR Collaboration. 6 pages, 2 figure

Observation of the antimatter helium-4 nucleus

High-energy nuclear collisions create an energy density similar to that of the universe microseconds after the Big Bang, and in both cases, matter and antimatter are formed with comparable abundance. However, the relatively short-lived expansion in nuclear collisions allows antimatter to decouple quickly from matter, and avoid annihilation. Thus, a high energy accelerator of heavy nuclei is an efficient means of producing and studying antimatter. The antimatter helium-4 nucleus ($^4\bar{He}$), also known as the anti-{\alpha} ($\bar{\alpha}$), consists of two antiprotons and two antineutrons (baryon number B=-4). It has not been observed previously, although the {\alpha} particle was identified a century ago by Rutherford and is present in cosmic radiation at the 10% level. Antimatter nuclei with B < -1 have been observed only as rare products of interactions at particle accelerators, where the rate of antinucleus production in high-energy collisions decreases by about 1000 with each additional antinucleon. We present the observation of the antimatter helium-4 nucleus, the heaviest observed antinucleus. In total 18 $^4\bar{He}$ counts were detected at the STAR experiment at RHIC in 10$^9$ recorded Au+Au collisions at center-of-mass energies of 200 GeV and 62 GeV per nucleon-nucleon pair. The yield is consistent with expectations from thermodynamic and coalescent nucleosynthesis models, which has implications beyond nuclear physics.Comment: 19 pages, 4 figures. Submitted to Nature. Under media embarg