Step-Wise Computational Synthesis of Fullerene C60 derivatives. 1.Fluorinated Fullerenes C60F2k

The reactions of fullerene C60 with atomic fluorine have been studied by unrestricted broken spin-symmetry Hartree-Fock (UBS HF) approach implemented in semiempirical codes based on AM1 technique. The calculations were focused on a sequential addition of fluorine atom to the fullerene cage following indication of the cage atom highest chemical susceptibility that is calculated at each step. The effectively-non-paired-electron concept of the fullerene atoms chemical susceptibility lays the foundation of the suggested computational synthesis. The obtained results are analyzed from energetic, symmetry, and the composition abundance viewpoints. A good fitting of the data to experimental findings proves a creative role of the suggested synthesis methodology.Comment: 33 pages, 11 figures, 2 tables, 2 chart

Эпидемиологическая и этиологическая характеристика внебольничной пневмонии у военнослужащихпо призыву в современный период. Сравнительная оценка эффективности пневмококковых вакцин.

The purpose of the study is to analyze morbidity and to determine etiology of community-acquired pneumonia of conscripts, to examine the epidemiological effectiveness of pneumococcal conjugate and non-conjugate polysaccharide vaccines for the prevention of community-acquired pneumonia in soldiers.Materials and methods. The incidence of communityacquired pneumonia of conscripts in the period from 2008 to 2017 was examined. PCR diagnosis of samples sputum and smears from the pharynx of 694 patients with pneumonia of conscripts was carried out to detect fragments of DNA/RNA of 14 different pathogens. Epidemiologic efficacy of conjugated and non-conjugated pneumococcal vaccine was studied in groups from a total population of 1727 soldiers.Results. It is established that over the past 8 years, the incidence of community-acquired pneumonia of military conscripts decreased by 2.7 times. However, the level of morbidity achieved in 2017 (25.7 ‰) is still very high compared to the incidence of contract soldiers (5.3 ‰) and the population (4.2 ‰).When determining the etiology of pneumonias in military conscripts by means of PCR diagnosis, the prevalence of S. pneumoniae and adenoviruses was established, the genetic material of which was detected in 56.3% and 35.9% of the examined samples, respectively. 56.1% of pneumonia had mixed, mainly viral-bacterial etiology.Among those who were vaccinated with pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, the incidence of community-acquired pneumonia was 4.5 times lower in the 5 – month follow – up period than in the comparison group (p < 0.001) (effectiveness was 77.7%), and among those who were vaccinated with non-conjugate polysaccharide vaccines it was 2.8 times lower (p < 0.001) (effectiveness was 64.3%).It was found that the use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in military teams formed a collective immunity that prevents the circulation of pneumococci and the development of diseases not only in vaccinated persons, but also in unvaccinated persons.Conclusion. Both types of pneumococcal vaccines – conjugate, first used in the military, and usually used non-conjugate polysaccharide vaccine, have shown high epidemiological effectiveness in the prevention of community-acquired pneumonia and can equally be recommended for vaccination of recruits a month before the call to military service and of young soldiers, not vaccinated before the call.Цель: анализ заболеваемости и определение этиологии внебольничной пневмонии военнослужащих по призыву в современный период, оценка эпидемиологической эффективности 13-валентной пневмококковой конъюгированной вакцины для профилактики внебольничной пневмонии в воинских коллективах в сравнении с эффективностью неконъюгированных пневмококковых полисахаридных вакцин.Материалы и методы: проанализированы заболеваемость внебольничной пневмонией военнослужащих по призыву в период с 2008 по 2017 г. и результаты ПЦРдиагностики проб мокроты и мазков из зева 694 больных пневмонией военнослужащих по обнаружению фрагментов ДНК/РНК 14 различных возбудителей. Проведена оценка эпидемиологической эффективности пневмококковых конъюгированной и неконъюгированных полисахаридных вакцин в группах военнослужащих общей численностью 1727 человек.Результаты: установлено, что за последние восемь лет заболеваемость внебольничными пневмониями военнослужащих по призыву снизилась в 2,7 раза. Однако достигнутый в 2017 г. уровень заболеваемости (25,7 ‰) все еще очень высок в сравнении с заболеваемостью военнослужащих по контракту (5,3 ‰) и населения (4,2 ‰).При определении этиологии пневмоний у военнослужащих по призыву с помощью ПЦР-диагностики установлено превалирование S. pneumoniae и аденовирусов, генетический материал которых был обнаружен в 56,3% и 35,9% обследованных проб соответственно. 56,1% пневмоний имели смешанную, в основном вирусно-бактериальную этиологию.Среди вакцинированных пневмококковой конъюгированной вакциной за 5-месячный период наблюдения заболеваемость внебольничной пневмонией была в 4,5 раза меньше, чем в группе сравнения (р < 0,001) (показатель эффективности составил 77,7%), а среди вакцинированных неконъюгированными полисахаридными вакцинами – в 2,8 раза меньше (р < 0,001) (показатель эффективности – 64,3%). Установлено, что при применении пневмококковой конъюгированной вакцины в коллективах военнослужащих формируется коллективный иммунитет, препятствующий циркуляции пневмококков и развитию заболеваний не только у привитых, но и у непривитых.Заключение: оба типа пневмококковых вакцин – конъюгированная, впервые примененная у военнослужащих, и обычно применяемая неконъюгированная полисахаридная вакцина – показали высокую эпидемиологическую эффективность в отношении профилактики внебольничных пневмоний и в равной степени могут быть рекомендованы для вакцинации призывников за месяц до призыва и новобранцев, не привитых перед призывом на военную службу

First Observation of Self-Amplified Spontaneous Emission in a Free-Electron Laser at 109 nm Wavelength

We present the first observation of Self-Amplified Spontaneous Emission (SASE) in a free-electron laser (FEL) in the Vacuum Ultraviolet regime at 109 nm wavelength (11 eV). The observed free-electron laser gain (approx. 3000) and the radiation characteristics, such as dependency on bunch charge, angular distribution, spectral width and intensity fluctuations all corroborate the existing models for SASE FELs.Comment: 6 pages including 6 figures; e-mail: [email protected]

Current ramps in tokamaks: from present experiments to ITER scenarios

In order to prepare adequate current ramp-up and ramp-down scenarios for ITER, present experiments from various tokamaks have been analysed by means of integrated modelling in view of determining relevant heat transport models for these operation phases. A set of empirical heat transport models for L-mode (namely, the Bohm-gyroBohm model and scaling based models with a specific fixed radial shape and energy confinement time factors of H(96-L) = 0.6 or H(IPB98) = 0.4) has been validated on a multi-machine experimental dataset for predicting the l(i) dynamics within +/- 0.15 accuracy during current ramp-up and ramp-down phases. Simulations using the Coppi-Tang or GLF23 models (applied up to the LCFS) overestimate or underestimate the internal inductance beyond this accuracy (more than +/- 0.2 discrepancy in some cases). The most accurate heat transport models are then applied to projections to ITER current ramp-up, focusing on the baseline inductive scenario (main heating plateau current of I(p) = 15 MA). These projections include a sensitivity study to various assumptions of the simulation. While the heat transport model is at the heart of such simulations (because of the intrinsic dependence of the plasma resistivity on electron temperature, among other parameters), more comprehensive simulations are required to test all operational aspects of the current ramp-up and ramp-down phases of ITER scenarios. Recent examples of such simulations, involving coupled core transport codes, free-boundary equilibrium solvers and a poloidal field (PF) systems controller are also described, focusing on ITER current ramp-down.</p

Vitrectomy in combination with endo-thermotherapy of angiomas and feeding vessels in the surgical treatment of retinal detachment with proliferative vitreoretinopathy in von Hippel-Lindau desease

Actuality. Von Hippel-Lindau disease is a rare autosomal dominant multi-systemic disease, characterized by the presence of vascular formations (angiomas) of different localization. Treatment of severe forms of ophthalmic manifestations of this disease involves the implementation of a pars plana vitrectomy to eliminate retinal detachment, however, the methods of impact on angiomatous nodes during vitrectomy may be different. Endo-thermotherapy (Endo-TT) can be a suitable method for «devitalizing» the nodes during vitrectomy in the treatment of severe forms of von Hippel-Lindau disease.Purpose. To study the efficacy of Endo-TT with angiomas and feeding vessels during vitrectomy in the treatment of retinal detachment complicated by proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) in von Hippel-Lindau desease.Material and methods. Vitrectomy was performed in combination with Endo-TT in 5 eyes (5 patients) with retinal detachment and PVR in Hippel-Lindau desease.Results. A complete retinal attachment was observed in 4 cases in the early and late postoperative period. A relapse of the lower retinal detachment occurred during of a silicone tamponade in one case. Considering the stabilization of intraocular pressure, the calm state of the eye, the lack of prospects for improving vision due to the initially severe condition of the eye, it was decided to refuse a further surgical treatment. The second eye of this patient was preserved sighted, with high visual functions due to timely diagnosis and conduct of transpupillary thermotherapy.Conclusion. Vitrectomy in combination with Endo-TT is an effective method for treatment of retinal detachment and PVR in von Hippel-Lindau desease in severe forms. Early detection and treatment of mild forms of the disease is necessary to maintain high visual functions and a high quality of life

Epidemiological and etiological characteristics of community-acquired pneumonia in conscripts in the modern period. Comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of pneumococcal vaccines

The purpose of the study is to analyze morbidity and to determine etiology of community-acquired pneumonia of conscripts, to examine the epidemiological effectiveness of pneumococcal conjugate and non-conjugate polysaccharide vaccines for the prevention of community-acquired pneumonia in soldiers.Materials and methods. The incidence of communityacquired pneumonia of conscripts in the period from 2008 to 2017 was examined. PCR diagnosis of samples sputum and smears from the pharynx of 694 patients with pneumonia of conscripts was carried out to detect fragments of DNA/RNA of 14 different pathogens. Epidemiologic efficacy of conjugated and non-conjugated pneumococcal vaccine was studied in groups from a total population of 1727 soldiers.Results. It is established that over the past 8 years, the incidence of community-acquired pneumonia of military conscripts decreased by 2.7 times. However, the level of morbidity achieved in 2017 (25.7 ‰) is still very high compared to the incidence of contract soldiers (5.3 ‰) and the population (4.2 ‰).When determining the etiology of pneumonias in military conscripts by means of PCR diagnosis, the prevalence of S. pneumoniae and adenoviruses was established, the genetic material of which was detected in 56.3% and 35.9% of the examined samples, respectively. 56.1% of pneumonia had mixed, mainly viral-bacterial etiology.Among those who were vaccinated with pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, the incidence of community-acquired pneumonia was 4.5 times lower in the 5 – month follow – up period than in the comparison group (p &lt; 0.001) (effectiveness was 77.7%), and among those who were vaccinated with non-conjugate polysaccharide vaccines it was 2.8 times lower (p &lt; 0.001) (effectiveness was 64.3%).It was found that the use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in military teams formed a collective immunity that prevents the circulation of pneumococci and the development of diseases not only in vaccinated persons, but also in unvaccinated persons.Conclusion. Both types of pneumococcal vaccines – conjugate, first used in the military, and usually used non-conjugate polysaccharide vaccine, have shown high epidemiological effectiveness in the prevention of community-acquired pneumonia and can equally be recommended for vaccination of recruits a month before the call to military service and of young soldiers, not vaccinated before the call

A Retrospective Analysis of the Results of Microinvasive Posterior Vitrectomy in the Surgical Treatment of Non-Full Thickness Macular Holes

Purpose: to study the effectiveness of the posterior microinvasive vitrectomy in the surgical treatment of non-full thickness macular holes on the basis of the retrospective analysis of the retina changes, identified by OCT, and functional outcomes of surgical treatment.Patients and Methods. A retrospective analysis of outcomes of posterior microinvasive vitrectomy was performed in 30 patients operated about non-full thickness macular holes. The following features were assessed: maximum diameter of the non-full thickness macular holes, the diameter at the base of the hole, the minimum thickness of the retina before and after operation, the maximum thickness of the retina before and after surgery. In addition, the configuration of the hole edges before surgery, the presence of intraretinal cysts before and after surgery, the integrity of the ellipsoid zone of the photoreceptors before and after the operation and the restoration of fovea centralis as a result of surgical treatment were assessed.Results. As a result of surgical treatment the closure of non-full thickness macular holes was reached in all cases. The most corrected visual acuity in the postoperative period was ranged from 0.1 to 1.0 (0,66 ± 0,04). The visual acuity improved in 20 cases (64.5%), remained at the same level in 8 cases (25.8%) and decreased in 3 cases (9.6%, in 1 case due to the development of cataracts). The results of correlation analysis has allowed to establish correlation between the initial BCVA and the maximum retinal thickness (R = –0.4), and residual retinal thickness in the area of the hole (R = –0.3). The increase in visual acuity after surgical treatment significantly affected the recovery of the ellipsoid zone of the photoreceptors (RD = 0.833), regression of the retinal thickness (R = 0.42). In addition, the initial diameter of non-full thickness macular holes, both external and at the base, also had an impact on the increase in BCVA (R = –0.3 and R = –0.25, respectively).Conclusion. Posterior microinvasive vitrectomy in the surgical treatment of non-full thickness macular holes is a highly effective method of treatment, as evidenced by the closure of the defect and improvement or stabilization of the most corrected visual acuity 90.4% cases. On the basis of the retrospective analysis it is found that the most significant increase in the most corrected visual acuity was increased in patients with low visual acuity. The recovery of the ellipsoid zone of photoreceptors, regression of the retinal thickness and the diameter of non-full thickness macular holes, both external and at the base mostly influences nn the recovery of the most corrected visual acuity