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BackgroundObesity reportedly increases the risk for developing multiple sclerosis (MS), but little is known about its association with disability accumulation.MethodsThis nationwide longitudinal cohort study included 1066 individuals with newly diagnosed MS from the German National MS cohort. Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores, relapse rates, MRI findings and choice of immunotherapy were compared at baseline and at years 2, 4 and 6 between obese (body mass index, BMI ≥30 kg/m2) and non-obese (BMI <30 kg/m2) patients and correlated with individual BMI values.ResultsPresence of obesity at disease onset was associated with higher disability at baseline and at 2, 4 and 6 years of follow-up (p<0.001). Median time to reach EDSS 3 was 0.99 years for patients with BMI ≥30 kg/m2 and 1.46 years for non-obese patients. Risk to reach EDSS 3 over 6 years was significantly increased in patients with BMI ≥30 kg/m2compared with patients with BMI <30 kg/m2after adjustment for sex, age, smoking (HR 1.87; 95% CI 1.3 to 2.6; log-rank test p<0.001) and independent of disease-modifying therapies. Obesity was not significantly associated with higher relapse rates, increased number of contrast-enhancing MRI lesions or higher MRI T2 lesion burden over 6 years of follow-up.ConclusionsObesity in newly diagnosed patients with MS is associated with higher disease severity and poorer outcome. Obesity management could improve clinical outcome of MS. more...

Recently, interest in on-site heat generation has increased due to injection of thermochemical fluids as a complex effect on well productivity. The method of thermochemical treatment with H2O2while restoring and increasing the filtration characteristics of the bottomhole formation zone is a relatively new and insufficiently studied technology. The article discusses the key factors affecting the exothermic decomposition of this fluid when this fluid is injected into the well. The heat effects, pressure growth and decomposition time of H2O2were determined depending on the salinity of the water, the composition of terrigenous rock, and various concentrations of H2O2. Physical 1-D modeling of H2O2injection was carried out on rock models with mobile and stationary oil, which demonstrated a sharp increase in temperature by 100–240 °C caused by the decomposition of H2O2due to the catalyst and the presence of catalytic active sites in the rock. As a result of this thermochemical treatment, the rock was partially cleaned of immobile oil and heavy sediments. Injection of H2O2with a catalyst has shown the effectiveness of displacement of mobile oil from the filled sand model. Thus, the results of this study can provide a preliminary assessment of the effectiveness of H2O2thermochemical treatment in fields operated at a later stage of development. more...

The impact of histidine acid bacterial phytase from Pantoea brenneriAS3 as a feed additive (1000 U/kg feed) on the microbial ecology of the gastrointestinal tract was evaluated. The enzyme was obtained from the culture liquid of a recombinant yeast Pichia pastorispPINK-HC (agpP) by ultrafiltration: a 3.5-fold phytase concentrate with a total activity of about 150,000 units was used as a feed additive. The effect of the enzyme supplementation was assessed by the analysis of the broilers’ caecum microbiota: the number of operational taxonomic units (OTU), the Shannon and Chao-1 indexes were calculated and their values were higher than those of the control group. The microbiota major component analysis graph revealed five distinct clusters, indicating gradual changes in the gut microbial community. The dominant microbial phyla were Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteriaand the dominant classes were Bacteroidia, Clostridia, and Negativicutes. Phytase supplementation has led to an increase in the proportion of the Rikenellaceaefamily, represented by Alistipesspp., and the Prevotellaceaefamily, represented by Prevotellaspp. It was concluded that the use of phytase did not have a negative effect on the microbial community and contributed to the change in its qualitative composition, at which the total number of microorganisms and the diversity of the bacterial community increased. more...

The main point of successful manufacture of metallic composites by direct bonding of dissimilar materials is achieving a homogeneous interface bonding. Two different types of deformation techniques for fabrication of metal composites were investigated. The first one was developed on the basis of high pressure torsion associated with a high energy impact on the material where part of energy involved can be dissipated via non equilibrium phase transition realization. This deformation due to high shear deformations allows not only to form a nanostructure, but also to bond dissimilar metals. Moreover, this method allows for a relatively short time and in a number of compounds to receive in one step at room temperature monolithic composites of sufficient size to certify the structure and properties. The second technique is diffusion bonding which integrate one material with the other by pressure under high temperature. In order to clarify the bonding mechanism by plastic deformation of dissimilar materials, the microstructural and some mechanical properties were studied in the processed samples. more...

Current results on the development of perovskite quantum dots for LCD displays are presented. It includes optimizing the synthesis, ligands engineering and shelling strategies to improve the quantum dots stability. Using these strategies, we are able to demonstrate the prototype of QDs polymer film for LCD backlighting that is stable during accelerated stability tests. more...

Perovskite Quantum Dots (QDs) promise to deliver over 90% of Rec2020 color representation, the highest for RoHS compliant LCD displays. In this study, we strive to demonstrate the performance of LCD displays using QDot™ green emitting Perovskite QDs with various backlight architectures. Using different blue and red light sources, we fabricated four types of LCD display, which showed contrasting Rec2020 color gamut from 80 to 86% and brightness from 1000 to 2000 nits. With these impressive metrics, Perovskite Quantum Dots paves the way for mass adoption of the technology in the display field. more...

Pressure welding (PW) is an advanced method for obtaining solid phase joints (SPJs). Using physical and finite element modelling (FEM) it is shown that PW under superplasticity conditions provides SPJs between dissimilar cast single-crystal intermetallic and deformed polycrystalline heat-resistant Ni-based superalloys. Special attention is paid to exclude the stagnant zones in the solid phase joining region using surface relief. The results of physical modelling and FEM are in qualitative agreement. It is revealed that the surface relief can decrease the stagnant zone and increase localisation of deformation in the joining region, which helps to improve the joining quality. A monotonous change in microhardness in the joint zone is shown. more...

ABSTRACTPressure welding (PW) is an advanced method for obtaining solid phase joints (SPJs). Using physical and finite element modelling (FEM) it is shown that PW under superplasticity conditions provides SPJs between dissimilar cast single-crystal intermetallic and deformed polycrystalline heat-resistant Ni-based superalloys. Special attention is paid to exclude the stagnant zones in the solid phase joining region using surface relief. The results of physical modelling and FEM are in qualitative agreement. It is revealed that the surface relief can decrease the stagnant zone and increase localisation of deformation in the joining region, which helps to improve the joining quality. A monotonous change in microhardness in the joint zone is shown. more...

It is shown that formation of ultrafine-grained structure in EK61 superalloy up to grain sizes less than 1 μm provides to realize superplastic properties. The influence of deformation in the temperature range 600-1100 °C and strain rate range 10-4s-1– 10-3s-1 on the microstructure and properties of ultrafine-grained nickel-based alloy EK61 is studied. It is established that in temperature range 750-900 °C the alloy demonstrates superplasticity (SP) characteristics: strain rate sensitivity factor “m” correspond to 0.39-0.59, stable structure and low changes in the form and size of grains. The maximum SP is displayed at temperatures of 800 °C, wherein the elongation is 1431 %. It has been experimentally confirmed that the use of low-temperature superplasticity is a promising for processing sound solid phase joints by pressure welding of similar and dissimilar Ni-based superalloys. more...

Perovskite quantum dots (QDs) are promising materials for display application due to their high optical properties, such as: high PLQY, narrow FWHM and tunable emission wavelengths. The present work shows the further progress in enhancement of perovskite QDs stability, resistance to photodegradation and PL quenching at high temperatures. more...

Low-dimensional perovskites with high luminescence properties are promising materials for optoelectronic applications. In this article, properties of two emerging types of low-dimensional perovskites are discussed, including perovskite quantum dots CsPbX3(X = Cl, Br or I) and zero-dimensional perovskite Cs4PbBr6. Moreover, their application for light down conversion in LCD backlighting systems and in visible light communication are also presented. With their superior optical properties, we believe that further development of these materials will potentially open more prospective applications, especially for optoelectronics devices. more...

Application of the conventional superplasticity (SP) allows producing the unique hollow structures. One remarkable example is the hollow titanium blade of the air engine fan produced by Rolls-Royce. However, high temperature titanium alloys processing (~ 927 °С) limits wide industrial application of the conventional SP. The solution of the mentioned issue can be found through the application of low-temperature SP. Ti-6Al-4V alloy with ultrafine grain structure at the temperature range of 600 ­ 800 °С has enough ductility resources for the superplastic forming (SPF) of the parts with the complicated shape. The formation of pores in Ti-6Al-4V alloy at uniaxial and biaxial tension at the temperature 600 °С is not observed. The effect of low-temperature SP also allows lowering pressure welding (PW) temperature essentially. Herewith, there is a possibility to produce the hollow parts by the combination of SPF and PW. The main goal is the optimization of the technological scheme and processing temperature. The use of the low-temperature SP provides high quality of hollow components such as blades. more...

The paper presents the results of finite element analysis of plastic deformation in the contact zone of dissimilar superalloys subjected to pressure welding. The results are compared for the two cases: with and without relief on the surfaces of parts to be welded. It is shown that the relief made on the surface can either decrease or increase the area of deformation stagnant zones, depending on the relief shape. The results of simulations are compared with the experimental test results. more...

In recent years, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have received increased attention due to their prospective use as biofertilizers for the enhancement of crop growth and yields. However, there is a growing need to identify new PGPR isolates with additional beneficial properties. In this paper, we describe the identification of a new strain of a non-sporulating Gram-positive bacterium isolated from the rhizosphere of potato plants, classified as Brevibacterium sediminisMG-1 based on whole-genome sequencing. The bacteria are aerobic; they grow in a pH range of 6.0–10.0 (optimum 6.0), and a temperature range of 20–37 °C (optimum 30 °C). At 96 h of cultivation, strain MG-1 synthesizes 28.65 µg/ml of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) when 500 µg/ml of l-tryptophan is added. It is a producer of catechol-type siderophores and ACC deaminase (213 ± 12.34 ng/ml) and shows halotolerance. Treatment of pea, rye, and wheat seeds with a suspension of MG-1 strain cells resulted in the stimulation of stem and root biomass accumulation by 12–26% and 6–25% (P< 0.05), respectively. Treatment of seeds with bacteria in the presence of high salt concentration reduced the negative effects of salt stress on plant growth by 18–50%. The hypothetical gene lin,encoding the bacteriocin Linocin-M18, RIPP-like proteins, and polyketide synthase type III (T3PKS) loci, gene clusters responsible for iron acquisition and metabolism of siderophores, as well as gene clusters responsible for auxin biosynthesis, were identified in the B. sediminisMG-1 genome. Thus, the rhizosphere-associated strain B. sediminisMG-1 has growth-stimulating properties and can be useful for the treatment of plants grown on soils with high salinity. more...

Abstract

Nickel-iron Alloy 718 is widely used for fabricating parts by superplastic deformation. Refinement of grains down to a nanostructure (NS) size improves the alloy’s processing properties. Thermomechanical treatment has been carried out to form a NS state in bulk alloy by multiple isothermal forging (MIF) at gradually decreasing temperatures. Investigation of superplastic properties and processing behavior of Alloy 718 has been performed. The alloy with a grain size of 80 nm displays superplasticity (SP) at a temperature which is lower than for a conventional fine grained alloy by about 350°C. The values of the relative elongation  and the strain rate sensitivity coefficient m are 350% and 0.37, respectively. The experimental data on the influence of grain size on solid-state weldability in the range of SP have been obtained. The application of the effect of low temperature SP yields lower temperatures of superplastic forming (SPF) and pressure welding (PW) as compared with conventional SP of fine-grained material. The experiment of the combined process of SPF and PW by counter-forming of two polished sheets, demonstrates its low temperature processing feasibility using NS specimens. The SPF processing of NS sheets in a cylindrical die has been investigated. It has revealed that macro-deformation is uniform in cross and longitudinal sections. Mechanical properties of Alloy 718 in NS condition and after strengthening heat treatment have been discussed. more...

Perovskite Quantum Dots have excellent optical properties but low stability under high flux irradiation. In this work, a method to synthesize perovskite QDs‐polymer composite will be presented to overcome the high flux stability problem. As compared to pristine perovskite QDs, the perovskite QDs‐polymer composite shows higher stability under high flux condition in a long term. more...

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Abstract: The peculiarities of solid state joint (SSJ) formation under conditions of superplastic forming (SPF) were investigated for the titanium alloy VT6S (Ti-6Al-4V). The influence of annealing and SPF on the change of state of the alloy surface was considered. A significant role of grain boundary sliding (GBS) in the formation of both surface microrelief and SSJ was established. It was shown that SSJ formation under SPF conditions is primarily a deformation process. Corresponding schemes of the appearance of surface microrelief and SSJ formation are proposed. more...

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Summary A new alkaloid has been isolated from the roots ofBerberis oblonga. On the basis of spectral characteristics and chemical transformations, its structure has been determined as 2'-N-methylberbamine. more...

1. The separation of a mixture of bases from the epigeal part ofReseda luteolaL. has given four alkaloids: resedine, resedinine, phenyl-β-naphthylamine, and β-hydroxyphenylethylamine. 2. A study of the chemical properties and spectral characteristics of resedine and resedinine has confirmed the structure put forward for them previously. 3. It has been shown that under the conditions of the mass spectrometry of resedinine the 2-thiooxazolidone nucleus rearranges into a thiazolidone nucleus. more...

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The qualitative and quantitative changes in the composition of the combined bases inReseda luteoladuring the vegetation periods have been studied. From the epigeal part of the plant we have isolated cinnamamide and two new alkaloids: lutine and lutinine. A study of the spectral characteristics and the mechanism of fragmentation has shown that lutine has the structure of 2-anilino-1,4-naphthoquinone and lutidine that of 4-anilino-2-phenylamino-1,2-dihydronaphthalen-1-one. more...

We investigated the effect of the strain BacillussubtilisGM5 on growth, feed conversion, and the composition of cecum microbiota in broiler chickens. Half of which received a control diet, while the other half was fed a diet supplemented with GM5 spores. Cecal contents on days 1, 10, and 42 were subjected to metataxonomic analysis. Principal Component Analysis showed that the control and probiotic groups formed three separate clusters, indicating changes, which occurred gradually in microbial communities. On day 1, Firmicutes(53.87–57.61%) and Proteobacteria(43.77–38.93%) were prevalent in both groups, whereas samples of days 10 and 42 were predominantly occupied by Firmicutes(54.55–81.79%) and Bacteroidetes(26.94–30.45%). In the group of chickens treated with probiotic, the average daily gain in body weight was higher, while feed conversion decreased by 1.44%. A surge in the presence of beneficial bacteria of the Ruminococcaceaefamily was observed. The introduction of the probiotic led to an elevated Firmicutes/Bacteroidetesratio, which positively correlated with chickens’ bodyweight (Spearman ??=?1.0, P? more...

1. The alkaloid compositions of young shoots ofBerberis integerrima andB. oblonga have been studied. Berbamunine, hydroxyacanthine, magnoflorine, berberine, and palmatine have been isolated.

The paper summarizes the results of solid-phase joining experiments performed for intermetallic single-crystal Ni3Al-based alloys (known as Russian VKNA-alloys) and wrought fine grained nickel-based superalloys using superplastic deformation of the wrought superalloys. For this, two single-crystal VKNA-alloys, VKNA and VKNA-25 and two Russian nickel-based superalloys, EK61 and EP975, were taken. It was shown that the formation of an ultrafine grained structure (d<1 um) in the EK61 superalloy made it possible to obtain the solid-phase joint of EK61/VKNA under pressure welding at T = 800 degC using superplastic deformation of the nickel-based superalloy. Another nickel-based superalloy, EP975, was taken in a fine grained condition (d = 8 um). High-quality solid-phase joints of EP975/VKNA and EP975/VKNA-25 were obtained under pressure welding at T = 1125 degC using the superplastic deformation of the EP975 superalloy. The obtained solid-state joints EP975/VKNA and EP975/VKNA-25 were subjected to heat treatment, which led to the formation of coarse g grains in the EP975 superalloy. This also led to an increase in thickness of the g phase interlayers up to 500 nm in both VKNA-alloys near the solid-phase joints more...

Superplastic forming of a three-sheet structure is considered. The focus is on overcoming the main disadvantages of the process of manufacturing of such structures by means of the SPF/DB technique including high temperatures of treatment and the formation of folds on the outer surface of the article manufactured. The application of ultrafine-grained sheets of titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V has been analyzed in order to avoid these disadvantages. Various combinations of the use of ultrafine-grained and microcrystalline sheets as skin and core sheets are considered by means of the finite element analysis. The standard power law of superplasticity is used for analysis with material constants determined from technological experiments. The conclusion is made that the most attractive way appears to be the usage of ultafine-grained material for the core sheet and microcrystalline material for the skin sheets. more...