ISOLATION OF BACTERIOPHAGES, CAPABLE TO LYSE SERRATIA MARCESCENS AND EVALUATION OF THEIR ACTIVITY ON ONION AND GERANIUM

In this study, phages active against S. marcescens, causative agent of onion decay, were isolated from plant material. One virus isolate was shown to accumulate in high titers and was denoted as phage S. This bacteriophage exhibited a hexagonal head and tail and was attributed to Myoviridae family. It was shown the ability of bacteriophage S to suppress the development of bacteriosis on geranium plants. Investigated virus isolate also inhibited rooting of onion scales. This work focused on a biological control approach to use bacteriophages for reducing bacterial pathogen populations and disease severity on plants

Phenomena induced by powerful HF pumping towards magnetic zenith with a frequency near the F-region critical frequency and the third electron gyro harmonic frequency

Multi-instrument observational data from an experiment on 13 October 2006 at the EISCAT/HEATING facility at Tromsø, Norway are analysed. The experiment was carried out in the evening hours when the electron density in the F-region dropped, and the HF pump frequency <I>f<sub>H</sub></I> was near and then above the critical frequency of the F2 layer. The distinctive feature of this experiment is that the pump frequency was just below the third electron gyro harmonic frequency, while both the HF pump beam and UHF radar beam were directed towards the magnetic zenith (MZ). The HF pump-induced phenomena were diagnosed with several instruments: the bi-static HF radio scatter on the London-Tromsø-St. Petersburg path, the CUTLASS radar in Hankasalmi (Finland), the European Incoherent Scatter (EISCAT) UHF radar at Tromsø and the Tromsø ionosonde (dynasonde). The results show thermal electron excitation of the HF-induced striations seen simultaneously from HF bi-static scatter and CUTLASS radar observations, accompanied by increases of electron temperature when the heater frequency was near and then above the critical frequency of the F2 layer by up to 0.4 MHz. An increase of the electron density up to 25% accompanied by strong HF-induced electron heating was observed, only when the heater frequency was near the critical frequency and just below the third electron gyro harmonic frequency. It is concluded that the combined effect of upper hybrid resonance and gyro resonance at the same altitude gives rise to strong electron heating, the excitation of striations, HF ray trapping and extension of HF waves to altitudes where they can excite Langmuir turbulence and fluxes of electrons accelerated to energies that produce ionization

Multi-wavelength observations of afterglow of GRB 080319B and the modeling constraints

We present observations of the afterglow of GRB 080319B at optical, mm and radio frequencies from a few hours to 67 days after the burst. Present observations along with other published multi-wavelength data have been used to study the light-curves and spectral energy distributions of the burst afterglow. The nature of this brightest cosmic explosion has been explored based on the observed properties and it's comparison with the afterglow models. Our results show that the observed features of the afterglow fits equally good with the Inter Stellar Matter and the Stellar Wind density profiles of the circum-burst medium. In case of both density profiles, location of the maximum synchrotron frequency $\nu_m$ is below optical and the value of cooling break frequency $\nu_c$ is below $X-$rays, $\sim 10^{4}$s after the burst. Also, the derived value of the Lorentz factor at the time of naked eye brightness is $\sim 300$ with the corresponding blast wave size of $\sim 10^{18}$ cm. The numerical fit to the multi-wavelength afterglow data constraints the values of physical parameters and the emission mechanism of the burst.Comment: 8 Pages, 3 Figures, Accepted for publication to Astronomy and Astrophysics on 02/04/200

ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN DARK TRIAD TRAITS AND MATERIALISTIC VALUE ORIENTATION

The study examines the intensity and relationship of Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy with orientations toward material values as indicators of success, happiness, and a focus on material well-being in groups with various combinations of Dark Triad traits and a general orientation towards materialism. The relevant indicators were measured in a sample of 442 participants, and groups differed in the intensity of the studied traits and values. As a result, distinctions were established that emphasise the specificity of the link between the Dark Triad’s traits and the orientation toward materialism, as well as their interrelationships. It is conceivable to think that narcissism and psychopathy are the primary characteristics that distinguish the attitude toward material values and reflect various economic tactics.Анализируются различия в выраженности и взаимосвязи макиавеллизма, нарциссизма, психопатии с ориентациями на обладание материальными ценностями как показателями успеха, счастья и центрированность на материальном благополучии в группах с различным сочетанием черт «Темной триады» и общей ориентацией на материализм. На выборке в 442 человека были диагностированы соответствующе показатели и выделены группы, отличающиеся выраженностью исследуемых черт и ценностей. В результате были установлены различия, подчеркивающие специфику соотношения черт «Темной триады» и ориентации на материализм, а также их взаимосвязи. Возможно, что нарциссизм и психопатия являются основными чертами, дифференцирующими отношение к материальным ценностям и представляющие различные стратегии экономического поведения

Wear-Resistant Ultrahigh-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene-Based Nano- and Microcomposites for Implants

The influence of modification by hydroxyapatite (HA) nano- and microparticles on tribotechnical properties of ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) was investigated to develop polymer implants for endoprosthesis. It was shown that modification of UHMWPE by hydroxyapatite nanoparticles within range of 0.1–0.5 wt.% results in increase of wear resistance at dry sliding by 3 times. On the other hand adding of 20 wt.% of micron size HA gives rise to the same effect. The effect of increasing wear resistance is not substantially changed at surface treatment of the nano- and microcomposites by N+ ion beams as compared with nonirradiated blends. Preliminary joint mechanical activation of UHMWPE powder and fillers results in more uniform distribution of nanofillers in the matrix and, as a result, formation of more ordered structure. Structure within bulk material and surface layers was studied by means of optical profilometry, scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. It is shown that adding of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles and high-energy surface treatment of the composite by N+ ion implantation improve tribotechnical properties of UHMWPE due to formation of chemical bonds in the composite (crosslinking) and ordering of permolecular structure

ДИАГНОСТИКА НАРУШЕНИЙ В СИСТЕМЕ ГЕМОСТАЗА ПРИ ПРИМЕНЕНИИ ВАРФАРИНА У БОЛЬНЫХ КАРДИОХИРУРГИЧЕСКОГО ПРОФИЛЯ

Objective: to reveal early changes in the hemostatic system during warfarin therapy in cardiac surgical patients, by comprehensively evaluating their hemostatic status.Subjects and methods. Seventyfive patients receiving cardiac surgical treatment were examined. All the patients took warfarin for 5±1.5 days. Laboratory studies involving the determination of routine coagulogram readings and thrombodynamic indicators (lag time (Tlag) and rate (Vs) of clot growth, and concentrations of individual Factors II, VI, IX, and X) were used to evaluate the patients' hemostatic status.Results. 28% of the patients were found to have an international normalized ratio (INR) of above 3.0. There was a correlation of Tlag with INR (R2=0.66). Both indicators were  comparatively highly correlated with Factor II and Factor X concentrations (R2=0.50 and 0.40 for Tlag; R2=0.53 and 0.48 for INR) and were uncorrelated with Factor IX levels (R2=0.20 for Tlag and 0.34 for INR). However, there was a difference in Factor VII concentrations: no correlation for Tlag (R2=0.20) whereas it for INR was rather high (R2=0.42). The index Vs was uncorrelated with INR (R2=0.24) and the concentration of blood coagulation factors (R2<0.1). There was a high correlation between Factor II and Factor X concentrations (R2=0.87); the correlation between the concentrations of all other pairs of coagulation factors was substantially lower (R20.45). The lack of correlation of a thrombodynamic indicator, such as clot growth rate, with the concentration of coagulation factors points to the fact that warfarin acts mainly on the phase of coagulation activation rather than that of clot propagation.Conclusion. The weak correlation between coagulation factors (except that of a pair of Factor II and Factor X) is indicative of the individual response of the patients to warfarin treatment and the need to monitor the hemostatic status by global hemostatic tests rather than by individual proteins. The thrombodynamic indicator Tlag reflects the effect of warfarin in proportion to INR. Warfarin virtually fails to affect the rate of clot growth so this indicator may be used to evaluate the patient's procoagulant status uncompensated for with warfarin intake. Цель работы. Выявление ранних изменений в системе гемостаза при терапии варфарином у кардиохирургических больных путем комплексной оценки гемостатического статуса пациентов.Материалы и методы. Исследовано 75 пациентов, проходивших кардиохирургическое лечение. Все пациенты получали варфарин (продолжительность лечения больных — 5±1,5 суток). Для оценки гемостатического статуса больных использовали лабораторные методы, включающие определение рутинных показателей коагулограммы, тромбодинамики (время задержки Tlag и скорости роста сгустка (Vs), исследования концентрации II, VII, IX, X факторов).Результаты. Установлено, что у 28%больных показатель МНО находился в области свыше 3.0. Установлена корреляция Tlag с  MНО (R2=0,66). Оба показателя имеют сравнительно высокую корреляцию с концентрацией FII и FX (R2=0,50 и 0,40 для Tlag, R2=0,53 и 0,48 для МНО) и не коррелируют с концентрацией FIX (R2=0,20 для Tlag и 0,34 для МНО). Однако наблюдается расхождение в случае концентрации FVII: корреляция для Tlag отсутствует (R2=0,20), тогда как для МНО она достаточно высока (R2=0,42). Параметр Vs не коррелирует с МНО (R2=0,24) и концентрацией факторов свертывания (R2<0,1). Обнаружена высокая корреляция между концентрациями факторов FII и FX (R2=0,87), корреляция между концентрациями всех других пар факторов свертывания существенно ниже (R20,45). Отсутствие корреляции такого показателя тромбодинамики как скорость роста сгустка от концентрации факторов указывает на то, что варфарин действует преимущественно на фазу активации свертывания, но не на фазу распространения сгустка.Заключение. Слабая корреляция факторов свертывания между собой (за исключением пары фактор II — фактор X) указывает на индивидуальный ответ больных на лечение варфарином и необходимость мониторинга состояния гемостаза не по отдельным белкам, а глобальными тестами. Параметр Tlag в тромбодинамике отражает эффект варфарина пропорционально МНО. Варфарин практически не влияет на скорость роста сгустка Vs, поэтому данный параметр можно использовать для оценки прокоагулянтного состояния пациента, не компенсируемого приемом варфарина

Spectroscopic and photoluminescence characterization of Eu 3+-doped monoclinic KY(WO4)2 crystal

Monoclinic 2 at% Eu-doped KY(WO4)2 is grown by top-seeded solution growth method. Polarizationresolved absorption and stimulated-emission cross-section spectra are determined for this crystal. Spectroscopic properties of Eu:KY(WO4)2 are modeled within conventional Judd–Ofelt theory, as well as theory of f–f transition intensities for systems with anomalously strong configuration interaction, yielding absorption oscillator strengths, luminescence branching ratios and radiative lifetime of 5D0 state. The impact of excited-state absorption from this state on possibility of laser operation is discussed. Photoluminescent properties of Eu:KY(WO4)2 are determined. This crystal provides intense red emission with CIE coordinates x¼0.670, y¼0.329

Cognitive and sociocultural aspects of robotized technology: innovative processes of adaptation

The paper dwells upon interaction between socio-cultural phenomena and cognitive characteristics of robotized technology. The interdisciplinary approach was employed in order to cast light on the manifold and multilevel identity of scientific advance in terms of robotized technology within the mental realm. Analyzing robotized technology from the viewpoint of its significance for the modern society is one of the upcoming trends in the contemporary scientific realm. The robots under production are capable of interacting with people; this results in a growing necessity for the studies on social status of robotized technological items. Socio-cultural aspect of cognitive robotized technology is reflected in the fact that the nature becomes 'aware' of itself via human brain, a human being tends to strives for perfection in their intellectual and moral dimensions

Роль возбудителей оппортунистических инфекций как этиологических агентов внутриутробных инфекций

The study showed a high prevalence of markers of herpesvirus infections among mothers — from 71% to 98% of HSV, EBV and CMV infections and from 29% to 58% of HHV-6 infection. HSV remains the most common etiological agent of intrauterine infections among herpesviruses — markers of active infection caused by this virus were found in 28.3% samples. The difficulty of determining the source of infection in the absence of data in the early stages of pregnancy is presented on 4 out of 10 cases of active HHV-6 infection. Markers of active pneumocystic infection were detected only in mothers: in the group with children under the age of 21 days — in 21—27% of cases, with children aged 22 to 28 days — in 15—21%. In addition to non-specific multiple organ failure during intrauterine infections (26.3%), only one organ system was observed: hypoxic-hemorrhagic lesions of the central nervous system were diagnosed more often — 17%, as well as meningitis/encephalitis, or hepatitis, or pneumonia, or disorders of hematopoiesis, or rash. In 17.5% of children from the comparison group, i.e. without any clinical manifestations of intrauterine infections, markers of active herpes virus infections were detected.В исследовании показана высокая выявляемость маркеров герпесвирусных (ГВ) инфекций среди матерей — от 71% до 98% ВПГ, ВЭБ и ЦМВ и от 29% до 58% ВГЧ-6. Наиболее частым этиологическим агентом внутриутробных инфекций среди ГВ остается ВПГ — маркеры активной инфекции, вызванной этим вирусом, были обнаружены у 28,3%. При установлении источника инфекции, на примере 4 из 10 случаев активной инфекции ВГЧ-6, представлена трудность его определения при отсутствии данных в ранние сроки беременности. Маркеры активной пневмоцистной инфекции выявляли только у матерей: в группе с детьми в возрасте до 21 дня включительно — в 21—27% случаев, с детьми в возрасте от 22 до 28 дней — в 15—21%. Помимо неспецифической полиорганной недостаточности при ВУИ (26,3%) наблюдались и поражения только одной системы органов: чаще диагностировали гипоксически-геморрагические поражения центральной нервной системы — 17%, а также или менингит и/или энцефалит, или гепатит, или пневмонию, или нарушения гемопоэза, или сыпь. У 17,5% детей из группы сравнения, т.е. без каких-либо клинических проявлений внутриутробных инфекций, были обнаружены маркеры активных герпесвирусных инфекций