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Few studies have examined the predictors of common mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression among Armenian American adidts. The present research explores whether there is a direct relationship between perceived discrimination and anxiety and depression symptoms among members of this population, and whether perceptions of quality of life (QOL) mediate this association. A structural equation model was configured that related perceptions of discrimination and QOL to general distress (i.e., anxiety, depression, and somatic symptoms) with a convenience sample of 287 Armenian American adults. Results indicated that perceived discrimination positively predicted general distress. QOL perceptions were also found to partially mediate this relationship, with increases in perceived discrimination producing lower QOL perceptions that in turn were associated with greater general distress. Implications for future Armenian American research are discussed., The history of Armenia as an organized state dates as far back as the middle of the second millennium B.C.E. (Hovannisian, 1997). The Armenian people have a long and complex [...]

The mountainous topography of the Armenian Highlands and the South Caucasus accentuates the importance of valleys as areas of habitation and as conduits among these interspersed settlement areas. The Vedi River Valley of Armenia, located along the southeastern edge of the Ararat Plateau (Plain), serves as one such important transportation route in and through these highland areas. At the center of the mouth of this valley sits the prominent Vedi Fortress, ideally situated for defense of this route and landscape. The site was first fortified during the Late Bronze Age, perhaps during the centralization of power by a local polity contained within the valley. Burned down and abandoned at the end of the Iron Age I, the fortress would then see varied reuse through several later periods given its prominent location and proximity to other local power centers. Of particular importance is its refortification during the Early Medieval (Late Antique) period, when Armenia was under Sasanian Persian suzerainty. This article presents the results of archaeological fieldwork in this valley and at the fortress, followed by a discussion of the landscape’s fortification and refortification during these two periods. The Vedi River Valley provides a case study for examining control, mobility, and the negotiation of local and remote power within the specific contained landscape of a river valley in mountainous terrain.

Abstract—: The article considers the ways to adapt fiscal rules in the postpandemic period in the Republic of Armenia, taking into account the new challenges associated with the geopolitical situation. The effectiveness of existing fiscal rules during the crisis is assessed, taking into account their impact on economic recovery, fiscal sustainability, and overall economic well-being. Through a comprehensive analysis of different configurations of fiscal rules, the authors attempt to determine the balance between flexibility and discipline in fiscal policy in the postcrisis period. The study examines the trade-offs between easing fiscal rules to achieve short-term recovery growth goals and maintaining stricter rules to ensure long-term fiscal stability.

ABSTRACTThe development of alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is associated with disorganized Golgi apparatus and accelerated phagophore formation. While Golgi membranes may contribute to phagophores, association between Golgi alterations and macroautophagy/autophagy remains unclear. GOLGA4/p230 (golgin A4), a dimeric Golgi matrix protein, participates in phagophore formation, but the underlying mechanism is elusive. Our prior research identified ethanol (EtOH)-induced Golgi scattering, disrupting intra-Golgi trafficking and depleting RAB3D GTPase from the trans-Golgi. Employing various techniques, we analyzed diverse cellular and animal models representing chronic and chronic/binge alcohol consumption. In trans-Golgi of non-treated hepatocytes, we found a triple complex formed between RAB3D, GOLGA4, and MYH10/NMIIB (myosin, heavy polypeptide 10, non-muscle). However, EtOH-induced RAB3D downregulation led to MYH10 segregation from the Golgi, accompanied by Golgi fragmentation and tethering of the MYH10 isoform, MYH9/NMIIA, to dispersed Golgi membranes. EtOH-activated autophagic flux is evident through increased WIPI2 recruitment to the Golgi, phagophore formation, enhanced LC3B lipidation, and reduced SQSTM1/p62. Although GOLGA4 dimerization and intra-Golgi localization are unaffected, loss of RAB3D leads to an extension of the cytoplasmic N terminal domain of GOLGA4, forming GOLGA4-positive phagophores. Autophagy inhibition by hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) prevents alcohol-mediated Golgi disorganization, restores distribution of ASGR (asialoglycoprotein receptor), and mitigates COL (collagen) deposition and steatosis. In contrast to short-term exposure to HCQ, extended co-treatment with both EtOH and HCQ results in the depletion of LC3B protein via proteasomal degradation. Thus, (a) RAB3D deficiency and GOLGA4 conformational changes are pivotal in MYH9-driven, EtOH-mediated Golgiphagy, and (b) HCQ treatment holds promise as a therapeutic approach for alcohol-induced liver injury.Abbreviation: ACTB: actin, beta; ALD: alcohol-associated liver disease; ASGR: asialoglycoprotein receptor; AV: autophagic vacuoles; EM: electron microscopy; ER: endoplasmic reticulum; EtOH: ethanol; HCQ: hydroxychloroquine; IP: immunoprecipitation; KD: knockdown; KO: knockout; MYH10/NMIIB: myosin, heavy polypeptide 10, non-muscle; MYH9/NMIIA: myosin, heavy polypeptide 9, non-muscle; PLA: proximity ligation assay; ORO: Oil Red O staining; PM: plasma membrane; TGN: trans-Golgi network; SIM: structured illumination super-resolution microscopy.

THE CASE A female patient, age 11 years, presented with a firm, palpable mass in the left lower quadrant of the abdomen. Upon ultrasound imaging, the 3.5 cm * 5 [...]

Binocular vision disorders are prevalent in patients at all stages of life--from pediatric to geriatric--and especially in patients with developmental disabilities and a history of traumatic brain injury. (1-10) They [...]

THE CASE A 1.9-year-old girl was presented to the hospital with dancing eye movements, ataxia, and behavioral disorders. The MRI showed a retroperitoneal tumor (transversal size: 3.9 x 2.5 cm, [...]

Abstract: Based on fixed point theory for condensing operators, an initial value problem for semilinear differential inclusions of fractional order \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$q\in(1,2)$$\end{document}in Banach spaces is studied. It is assumed that the linear part of the inclusion generates a family of cosine operator functions and the nonlinear part is a multivalued map with nonconvex values. Local and global existence theorems for mild solutions of the initial value problem are proved.

D.Law is redefining the concept of what an employment law firm can be, and it's a true reflection of the vision, values and actions of our stellar team. We pride [...]

Economies of scale, economies of scope, and technology spillover are decisive economic elements that are crucial to the development in the Fintech industry. These positive externalities are often realized through network links. In this paper, we present a dynamic network of financial firms which exhibits these decisive elements. The network game equilibria are characterized. A Pareto efficient solution involving collaboration of all firms is provided. To obtain a fair-share distribution of cooperative gains, the Shapley value is adopted as the sharing mechanism. Payoff distribution mechanisms which guarantee the fulfilment of the Shapley value distribution in each stage of the cooperation duration are derived.

Aim: Computer vision syndrome (CVS) is a major occupational threat in the twentyfirst century, leading to decreased sleep quality, reduced work efficiency, and depression. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of CVS and the associated risk factors among undergraduate students of the American University of Armenia (AUA). Subject and methods: An online survey was conducted among 143 students aged 18 years and above in June 2021. Participants provided information about their socio-demographics, health, smoking, duration of computer/video display terminal (VDT) device use, daily hours of computer use before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, and protective habits while using the computer/VDT devices. The Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire was used to assess the presence of CVS. Results: The mean age of participants was 19.7 (SD ± 1.37). The majority of participants were women (79.4%). Allergy was the most prevalent chronic disease in the sample (17.5%). Almost 62.2% of participants reported having refractive errors (REs). About 9.0% of the study sample were current smokers. Daily hours of computer use before and during SARS–CoV-2 pandemic were 5.5 and 10.0 respectively. Only 10.7% of participants were taking breaks every 20 minutes while using computer/VDT devices. The prevalence of CVS was 78.3%. The most commonly reported symptoms of CVS were eye redness (74.6%), headache (72.5%), itching eye (71.2%), burning eye (70.5%), tearing eye (66.7%), and blurred vision (63.4%). In the adjusted analysis, the presence of REs, sitting position, viewing distance in using the computer/VDT devices, and voluntary blinking were associated with CVS. Conclusion: This study found a high prevalence of CVS in the study population. Following the recommendations on correct sitting position and viewing distance while using computer/VDT devices might reduce the prevalence of CVS in the target population. The interventions should particularly focus on the students with REs who are disproportionately affected by CVS.

This study focuses on the archeological characterization of potsherds from Tigranakert in Artsakh belonging to different centuries (from 9–13 century) using SEM/EDS technique. Archeometry and archeological science correspond and refer to the application of scientific techniques to the analysis of archeological materials, as well as the processes involved in their manufacture (Williams, Late Roman Coarse Wares, Cooking Wares and Amphorae in the Mediterranean: Archaeology and Archaeometry, BAR International Series, London, 2005; Vigil de la Villa Mencía and García Giménez, La Ciencia y el Arte: Ciencias Experimentales y Conservación del Patrimonio Histórico. Instituto del Patrimonio Histórico Español, Madrid, 2008; Martinón-Torres and Killick, The Oxford Handbook of Archaeological Theory, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2015). This paper presents a study of a set of ceramic samples using stratigraphic analysis coupled with SEM/EDX technique. Ceramic materials provide information on the clay materials employed in their manufacture (Hradil et al., Appl Clay Sci 165:135–147, 2018; Giannossa et al., J Cult Herit 43:242–248, 2020), hence facilitating the assignment of their autochthonous or allochthonous character (Kordatzaki et al., J Archaeol Sci Rep 7:526–529, 2016; Montana, Anthropol Sci12:175, 2020; Hein and Kilikoglou, Anthropol Sci 12:180, 2020). Analysis of the cross-section provides the stratigraphic evaluation of the ceramic body (holes, cavities, imperfections, granulometry, inclusions, and color), the glaze, or other superficial layers (glazes, transparency or opacity, color and saturation, defects, and other). SEM images showed that the potsherds have a quite poor vitrification degree and heterogeneous grain distribution, suggesting a simple firing technique.

Durable controls that have effects lasting over a certain period of time are prevalent in real-life situations. Revenue-generating investments, toxic waste disposal, durable goods, emission of pollutants, regulatory measures, coalition agreements, diffusion of knowledge, advertisement and investments to build up physical capital are vivid examples of durable controls. Durable controls may affect both the decision-makers’ payoffs and the evolution of the state dynamics. This paper develops a new class of cooperative dynamic games with multiple durable controls of different lag durations affecting both the players’ payoffs and the state dynamics. A novel dynamic optimization theorem involving durable controls is derived. Dynamically consistent cooperative solutions are provided. An illustration of a dynamic game with durable controls causing lagged effects in capital formation, pollution accumulation and revenue generation from investment is presented. The analysis widens the application of dynamic game theory in practical problems. Further theoretical developments and relevant applications along this line would be expected.

This technical note develops a novel gain-sharing solution for distributing the gains to the players in cooperative dynamic network games which satisfies individual rationality, group optimality, time consistency, and fair-sharing principle.

Copyright of Indigenous World / El Mundo Indígena is the property of International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract—: The article provides calculations of economic losses in 2020 and total losses for 2020–2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as an econometric assessment of the impact of various indicators on their value in different countries of the world. Three groups of factors have been studied: macroeconomic indicators, macroeconomic policy factors, and factors describing the degree of institutional development of countries. As a result of the study, it was found that in 2020 macroeconomic policy measures did not play a significant role in mitigating the economic consequences of the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, however, fiscal policy measures contributed to the recovery process of national economies and reduced the amount of cumulative losses. Institutional factors had a similar impact.

Abstract: The potential ranges of three near-water (hereafter, semiaquatic) mammals included in the list of the 100 most dangerous invasive species of Russia (Сanadian beaver, muskrat, American mink) are presented. Maps of suitable habitats of species were created by ensemble modeling of spatial distribution of species (eSDM) on the basis of global species occurrence records in the native and invasive range and bioclimatic variables characterizing the current climate. An estimate of the effectiveness of constructing ensemble models in comparison with individual models (iSDM) is given. The results of analysis of consequences of invasions of semiaquatic mammals are presented and the features of control of number and limitation of their distribution in the future on the territory of Russia are considered. The patterns of formation of the invasive part of the range of alien semiaquatic mammals are summarized and suitable regions for their future invasions are predicted.

Abstract: In the present paper, we consider a control system with feedback in the form of sweeping processes in Hilbert spaces. Using the notion of generalized metric space and A. I. Perov’s contraction mapping principle, we present a theorem on the existence and uniqueness of an almost periodic solution of this system and justify the application of the averaging principle to systems of this kind.

Studying the geographic distribution of the Dwarf Lizard (Parvilacerta parva) at the north-eastern edge of its geographic range in Armenia, we compiled a list of 31 locations in six regions (marzes) of northern and central Armenia. Three occurrences remain unconfirmed, and we interpret those as outliers in the context of the fundamental climate-driven niche we estimated using maximum entropy modelling. The species’ niche is determined by the minimum temperature of the coldest quarter, the seasonality of precipitation, and the mean monthly diurnal range of temperature. While nearly 50% of this climate driven niche is currently occupied by developed lands, 10 out of 26 reasonably confirmed Armenian populations of P. parva(38.5%) have been lost over the past 110 years. Despite the documented decline of P. parvain Armenia, habitat protection measures for this species are lacking and there is a need for enhanced conservation strategy.

Background: Though dementia rates vary by racial or ethnic groups, it is unknown if these disparities remain among those aged 90 or older. Aims: To test this hypothesis, we used baseline clinical evaluation of 541 ethnically and racially diverse individuals participating in the LifeAfter90Study to assess how associations between core demographic characteristics and measures of physical and cognitive performance differ across the racial/ethnic groups. Methods: Participants in this study were long-term non-demented members of Kaiser Permanente Northern California. They were clinically evaluated and diagnosed with normal or impaired cognition (mild cognitive impairment and dementia) through an in-person comprehensive clinical assessment consisting of a detailed medical history, physical and neurological examination, functional, and cognitive tests. Results: The average age at enrollment was 93.0 ± 2.6 years, 62.4% female and 34.2% non-Hispanic White. At initial evaluation 301 participants had normal cognition and 165 had mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and despite screening, 69 participants were determined to have dementia. Age, education, 3MS, FAQ and CDR scores were significantly associated with cognitive impairment (normal versus MCI and dementia), but not gender. There was a significant univariate association between race/ethnicity and cognitive impairment (p< 0.02) being highest among Black (57.4%) and lowest among Asian (32.7%) individuals. After adjustment for age, gender, and education, however, prevalence of cognitive impairment was not influenced by race or ethnicity. Conclusion: Our results confirm the ability to reliably assess clinical diagnosis in a diverse sample of very old individuals.

Abstract: The paper is devoted to the study of the uniqueness and certain qualitative properties of the solution of a class of integral equations with sum-difference kernel on the positive half-line and with a convex nonlinearity. This class of equations arises in a particular case in the dynamical theory of \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$p$$\end{document}-adic closed-open strings for the scalar field of tachyons. Such equations also play a very important role in the study of the existence and uniqueness of solutions of nonlinear integral equations in the mathematical theory of the geographical distribution of an epidemic within the framework of the Diekmann–Kaper model.

Copyright of Indigenous World / El Mundo Indígena is the property of International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Scoliosis is defined as a lateral spine curvature of at least 10° with vertebral rotation, as seen on a posterior-anterior radiograph, often accompanied by reduced thoracic kyphosis. Scoliosis affects all age groups: idiopathic scoliosis is the most common spinal disorder in children and adolescents, while adult degenerative scoliosis typically affects individuals over fifty. In the United States, approximately 3 million new cases of scoliosis are diagnosed annually, with a predicted increase in part due to global aging. Despite its prevalence, the etiopathogenesis of scoliosis remains unclear.

Sub-wavelength arrays of atoms exhibit remarkable optical properties, analogous to those of phased array antennas, such as collimated directional emission or nearly perfect reflection of light near the collective resonance frequency. We propose to use a single-sheet sub-wavelength array of atoms as a switchable mirror to achieve a coherent interface between propagating optical photons and microwave photons in a superconducting coplanar waveguide resonator. In the proposed setup, the atomic array is located near the surface of the integrated superconducting chip containing the microwave cavity and optical waveguide. A driving laser couples the excited atomic state to Rydberg states with strong microwave transition. Then the presence or absence of a microwave photon in the superconducting cavity makes the atomic array transparent or reflective to the incoming optical pulses of proper frequency and finite bandwidth.

Abstract: Globodera rostochiensisis one of the 100 most dangerous invasive species in Russia, causing significant damage to agriculture. In Russia, this nematode was first found in Kaliningrad oblast in 1949. Ensemble modeling (ESDM) was used in this study to predict the potential distribution of G. rostochiensisin Russia, and we found that there would be a tendency with changes in global climate and land use in the future to expand the range in two directions: from the south to the north and from the west to the east. The history of the distribution of the species on the territory of Russia and the current and potential ranges of the species from 2020 to 2100 with a step of 20 years in the implementation of various models and scenarios of climate change and land use are presented. Information on the native range, features of the biology, features of host plant damage and injuriousness of G. rostochiensis, methods of identification of pathotypes, invasion vectors, and control measures are shown. The predicted ranges of the species are important for the development of measures to minimize future invasion of G. rostochiensisand its negative consequences.

AbstractThe interaction of thiazine dye methylene blue (MB) with Calf thymus DNA and human blood serum albumin (HSA) has been studied. MB was revealed to stabilize the native structure of DNA and HSA, since the melting temperature of the complexes is shifted to higher values in relation to that of both macromolecules in pure state. It was also revealed that the absorption and fluorescence spectra of the MB-DNA complexes change significantly, while those of MB-albumin complexes do not change noticeably. Analysis of the obtained data allows to conclude that MB binds to DNA by two modes, including intercalation and electrostatic mechanisms. In the case of HSA, the main binding mode of MB, conditioning the stabilization of the protein native structure, is the electrostatic mechanism.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

HPC clouds may provide fast access to fully configurable and dynamically scalable virtualized HPC clusters to address the complex and challenging computation and storage-intensive requirements. The complex environmental, software, and hardware requirements and dependencies on such systems make it challenging to carry out our large-scale simulations, prediction systems, and other data and compute-intensive workloads over the cloud. The article aims to present an architecture that enables HPC workloads to be serverless over the cloud (Shoc), one of the most critical cloud capabilities for HPC workloads. On one hand, Shoc utilizes the abstraction power of container technologies like Singularity and Docker, combined with the scheduling and resource management capabilities of Kubernetes. On the other hand, Shoc allows running any CPU-intensive and data-intensive workloads in the cloud without needing to manage HPC infrastructure, complex software, and hardware environment deployments.

The authors of the title paper (Journal of Optics 49:181–186, 2020) claim to have grown a so-called urea potassium dichromate (UPDC) by slow evaporation of an aqueous solution containing equimolar amounts of urea and potassium dichromate and characterized it based on a unit cell study. A critical analysis reveals that the claims in the title paper are erroneous. Hence, we reinvestigated the crystal growth reaction and determined the structure of the product crystal. Based on these studies, we prove that due to no chemical reaction between the reagents fractional crystallization of potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) occurs and not formation of any so-called UPDC crystal. Taking the title crystal as an example we show the importance of reporting single-crystal structure for new compound characterization.

Abstract: This paper presents models describing ecological niches of the stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatusPallas, 1771) in the northern part of the Caspian Sea produced on the basis of long-term (1992–2006) monitoring data. Long-time spatial distribution dynamics of two alien species (polychaete worm Hediste diversicolorand mollusk Abra ovata) and crustaceans is analyzed. The effects of abiotic and biotic factors on the formation of stellate sturgeon ecological niches in the eastern and western regions of the northern part of the Caspian Sea are estimated. Ordination diagrams reflecting the spatial distribution of stellate sturgeon in different years in the plane of two principal components (PCA) are constructed. It is shown that the leading factors for the construction of ecological niche models are water salinity and density of crustacean aggregations.

One of the basic measures of energy efficiency in residential buildings is the reduction of heat and coolant pressure, when external structures - walls, ceilings - contain thermal insulation material, as a result of which heat and cold losses are reduced, as a result of air-and moisture permeability. Their number is largely determined by the climatic zone of the building, construction, sources of heat and cold, fuel and electricity prices in this region. In such practice, first of all, attention is paid to the problems of the optimal thickness of the thermal insulator, the installation location, since improper installation in the structure can cause water condensation, which will lead to partial wear of the structure, since the properties of reinforced-concrete layers will deteriorate. This concerns the peculiarities of carrying out thermal insulation works and their necessity both in under construction and in buildings in use. However, even in these conditions, when discussing the thermal effect of thermal insulation on structures, due attention is not paid to individual structures, especially walls, moisture problems. Consideration of insulators with more or less efficient energy and heat engineering characteristics, when it was found that there is a significant difference between their results and effects, aroused particular interest in the study of the problem. This is followed by a study of the influence of the presence of thermal insulation in the structure on the cold load required for cooling, revealed a pattern of cost changes in the case of insulating materials with more or less properties - foam.

The energy dissipation for one cycle of clay soil deformation over the area of ​​a hysteresis loop under conditions of one-dimensional deformation has been experimentally studied. Several series of trials were carried out under different conditions of soil density and moisture and different loading modes. It was established by the experiments that after several cycles of loading and unloading of the samples, the transient process of the closed loop formation ends and certain dependences of stress on deformations are established in the sections of the ascending and descending branches of the hysteresis loop. To determine these dependencies, rheological relations obtained directly from the hysteresis loop by approximating the arcs of its contour have been used. By integrating the approximating rheological dependences along the branches of the loop, the dissipated energy per deformation cycle has been obtained as a function of cyclic deformation amplitude, measured by the area of the hysteresis loop. Experiments on obtaining a hysteresis loop were carried out on a compression device with a cyclic sample. Samples with different states of density and moisture content were produced by consolidating a paste having yield point moisture under different pressures. Several series of experiments have been carried out. In the first series, soil absorption coefficients were derived for different states of density-moisture at different loading rates. In the second series, three types of clayish soil (clay, loam, sandy loam) were studied. Dissipation coefficients have been found out for the indicated soils. In the third series, three types of clay soil were tested under different conditions of density and moisture. The dissipation coefficients have been obtained. In the fourth series, the dependences of the absorption coefficient on the amplitude value of the cyclic stress for three types of clay soil were disclosed. It was found that a change in the loading rate within the range from 0.05 MPa to 0.2 MPa does not lead to the significant change in the absorption coefficient, the increase in the number of clay fractions in the sample leads to an increase in the absorption coefficient, a change in the amplitude of cyclic loading (in the indicated range of change) does not affect the absorption coefficient.

In order to study the effect of temperature changes on the dissipative properties of materials, two approaches are used. The first approach implies introducing some temperature function under the sign of the integral in the heredity theory equation and simultaneously taking into account the dependence of the elastic modulus on temperature. As a result, based on experimental data on the thermal creep of soils, the expression for determining the hysteresis energy losses under the periodic voltage changes was obtained depending on temperature changes.According to the second approach, the expression for determining the hysteresis energy losses under isothermal conditions at different temperatures was obtained by introducing into the heredity theory equation an approximation of the experimental dependences of instantaneous deformation and temperature creep parameters for steel Kh18 N10T.

Abstract: A YAlO3crystal with an admixture of iron was studied by broadband EPR spectroscopy. Two types of paramagnetic centers were found. The energy level scheme of one of them is a singlet and a doublet with a splitting of 215.2 GHz. This center is presumably associated with the Fe2+ion. The second center was identified as the Tb3+ion, which entered the crystal as an uncontrolled impurity. The localization of the impurity ion in the YAlO3crystal lattice is determined for each case. Within the framework of the existing theory, calculations are carried out and spectral parameters are determined.

Abstract: The fluorescence of some dielectric crystals doped with Cr3+ions is studied upon laser excitation in the range of the long wavelength tail of the absorption spectrum (cooling mode). Although no actual optical cooling was observed, spectroscopic results and temperature measurements of the samples indicate that electron-phonon bands of Cr3+ions are of interest for obtaining laser cooling.

IMPORTANCE: High-risk smoldering myeloma has a 5-year risk of progression to symptomatic multiple myeloma of approximately 75%. Treatment with lenalidomide decreases the risk of progression; however, novel triplet regimens are superior, and earlier disease may be more treatment sensitive. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (KRd) with lenalidomide maintenance therapy as early intervention in high-risk smoldering myeloma and to determine the rates of minimal residual disease (MRD)–negative complete response (CR). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: In this single-arm, single-center, phase 2 nonrandomized controlled trial, responses were evaluated at every cycle during KRd treatment and every 3 cycles subsequently. Bone marrow biopsies and imaging were performed by cycle 8 and then annually. The study enrolled patients from May 29, 2012, to July 23, 2020, at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, a highly specialized tertiary cancer center. Patient key eligibility criteria included a diagnosis of high-risk smoldering myeloma based on the Mayo Clinic, Spanish, and/or Rajkumar, Mateos, and Landgren criteria. INTERVENTIONS: Patients received eight 4-week cycles of intravenous carfilzomib 36 mg/m2 (first 2 doses, 20 mg/m2), dexamethasone (20 mg, cycles 1-4; 10 mg, cycles 5-8 twice weekly), and lenalidomide 25 mg (days 1-21) followed by twenty-four 28-day cycles of maintenance lenalidomide 10 mg (days 1-21). Stem cell harvest and storage were optional. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was the MRD-negative CR rate. Key secondary outcomes included duration of MRD-negative CR and progression to multiple myeloma. RESULTS: A total of 54 patients (median age, 59 years [range, 40-79 years]; 30 men [55.6%]; and 2 Asian [3.7%], 15 Black [27.8%], 1 Hispanic [1.9%], and 36 White [66.7%] patients) were enrolled, with a median potential follow-up time of 31.9 months (range, 6.7-102.9 months). The MRD-negative CR rate was 70.4% (95% CI, 56.4%-82.0%), with a median sustained duration of 5.5 years (95% CI, 3.7 years to not estimable). The 8-year probability of being free from progression to multiple myeloma was 91.2% (95% CI, 67.4%-97.9%), and no deaths occurred. Nonhematologic grade 3 adverse events occurred in 21 patients (38.9%) and included thromboembolism, rash, and lung infection, with no grade 4 events. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Results of this phase 2 nonrandomized controlled trial suggest that treatment of high-risk smoldering myeloma with novel triplet regimens, such as KRd and lenalidomide maintenance therapy, may alter the natural history of smoldering myeloma by significantly delaying development of end-organ disease. Randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm this favorable benefit-to-risk profile. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01572480

Abstract: Rhombic 153Eu2+and 151Eu2+centers are studied in specially grown single crystals of yttrium–aluminum garnet. The parameters of the hyperfine and quadrupole interactions describing the hyperfine structure of the EPR spectra of both isotopes have been determined.

Purpose: This paper aims to expose the nature, pattern and mechanism of Roman private enterprise as the rudimentary form of capitalistic business. In the second part, it is shown why and how the directorship of slaves in private enterprise appeared and what shape it took. Design/methodology/approach: By means of historical analysis and theoretical reconstruction, the author reveals the pattern and mechanism of business through slaves as the primordial form of private enterprise. Findings: A comprehensive view of public and private entrepreneurship at the end of Republic and the beginning of Empire is presented. The origin and advantages of Roman public enterprise acknowledged by the state are brought to light. The way the benefits the corporate status affords were adjusted to a business framework allowed by law is demonstrated. It is just business through slaves that, combining peculium with free administration, secured limited liability for owners and turned the slaves to whom a business was entrusted into a kind of director. This construction enabled masters to become the proprietor of many formally separate enterprises at once, thereby expanding their business into something like a holding. Research limitations/implications: The results obtained allow historians to retrace the origins of modern private enterprise to classical antiquity, and economists and managers to better understand the nature of private enterprise and organizational status of those owning and managing it. Practical implications: Leaders and executives can draw from the paper an object lesson of how to make, within the existing political system, legal regulation and economic traditions, a radical innovation whose true meaning and social potential are so immense and far-reaching that show up in full measure evident many centuries later. The findings and conclusions the author comes to may be used in educational courses on economics, entrepreneurship, management, business history and so on. Social implications: The paper provides an instructive model of conciliation of interests (social “compromise”). “Directors” – those organizing and managing a business but not owning it – were held subject to proprietors but within legally regulated relations with them. The state created incentives for initiative and competent businessmen in subjection to well-offs, to work hard, on one hand, and made their masters to use these incentives to public and their own profits. The benefits of all parties were taken into account, though, of course, not to the same degree. Originality/value: The structure and “engine” of Roman private enterprise as well as the functions and organizational status of its “director” are demonstrated in relief for the first time.