Search

The efficiency of outreach diagnostics was assessed in 273 patients suffering from various forms glaucoma aged from 27 to 80 years. Following the developed algorithm, a set of instrumental and diagnostic tests was carried out to select 153 patients for surgical treatment and 64 patients for laser treatment. Necessary adjustments were made to the regimens of antihypertensive treatment for most patients, and recommendations were given. All glaucoma patients selected for surgical and laser treatment received timely and qualified assistance from specialists of the Khabarovsk branch of S. Fyodorov Eye Microsurgery Federal State Institution, which allowed the course of the disease to be stabilized and visual functions to be preserved. As a result, outreach consultations for patients with various forms of glaucoma showed their high efficiency. More than 60% of the examined patients were referred for surgical and laser treatment, 20% of patients were offered a corrected hypotensive regimen. Along with examining patients, outreach consultations provide methodological assistance for local ophthalmologists concerning the development of professional competencies in managing such patients. Due to a lack of ophthalmological services in regional polyclinical departments, the organization of outreach consultations for glaucoma patients is justified in terms of reducing cases of glaucoma progression and loss of visual functions.

PURPOSE. To assess the prognostic significance of the LAF coefficient (Lens thickness/Axial length factor) as a risk factor for acute glaucoma attack in anatomically short eyes of Europeans.METHODS. Group 1 consisted of 24 patients (48 eyes) with axial hyperopia. Group 2 included 24 patients (48 eyes) with primary closure of the anterior chamber angle. Group 3 — 17 patients (34 eyes) with initial stage of primary angleclosure glaucoma. Group 4 — 35 patients (35 eyes) with an acute attack of glaucoma. The studied groups did not differ in age (p=0.97) and gender (p=0.28). Lens thickness and axial length (AL) were measured by A-scan with calculation of the LAF coefficient.RESULTS. The LAF coefficient in group 4 (acute attack) was statistically significantly higher than in the other three groups. The best separation of groups 1 and 4 was seen in LAF coefficient compared to lens thickness and AL with sensitivity, specificity and the area under the curve (AUC) of 89%, 83% and 0.9, respectively. LAF coefficient values greater than 2.332 in patients with short AL are objectively associated with high risk of acute attack of glaucoma. The average value of the LAF coefficient (2.528) observed in group 4 (acute attack of glaucoma) significantly exceeds these parameters in works of other authors, which may be associated with morphometric structural features of the eyes of Europeans compared to the eyes of Asians.CONCLUSION. The LAF coefficient provides better separation of group 1 and 4 in comparison with lens thickness and, especially, axial length. LAF coefficient values greater than 2.332 in eyes with short AL objectively indicate high risk of acute attack of glaucoma, as evidenced by high sensitivity, specificity, and AUC.

The article presents the results of the introduction study of Tall Bearded group of the Iris x hybrida hort. cultivars collection of Cheboksary branch of the MBG RAS for the purpose of determining the most promising for complex of biological features and adaptive capabilities during introduction in the soil and climatic conditions of the Middle Volga region. The potential possibilities of cultivars as an object for landscaping has been investigated. The determination of decorative qualities made it possible to divide the cultivars of iris into groups by color and size of the flower, to establish the number of flowers in an inflorescence, the height of the peduncle, the length of the leaf. As a result of the study of economic and biological characteristics, cultivars with a high, medium, low coefficient of vegetative reproduction, high, medium, low winter hardiness, moderately resistant very and moderately susceptible to heterosporous were identified. The study of the rhythm of seasonal development made it possible to determine the timing and duration of flowering of the studied cultivars of Iris x hybrida hort. in the conditions of the region. The main directions of further work with the collection are outlined.

The efficiency of systems for converting wind energy into electricity to a large extent depends on the ratio of the speed of rotation of the shaft of the wind turbine to the speed of the wind driving the wind turbine. In this paper, the dependence of the efficiency of a wind energy conversion system on wind speed is determined when using the mode of maintaining the maximum power point tracking, which allows maximum power to be extracted from wind energy. The provision of the optimal turbine rotation speed calculated using the maximum power mode is carried out using the vector control system of the permanent magnet synchronous generator. The mechanical losses in the gearbox and in the synchronous machine are determined, the losses in the steel of the synchronous machine and the switching losses in an autonomous voltage inverter are taken into account.

With alcohol and cannabis remaining the most commonly detected drugs in seriously and fatally injured drivers, there is a need to understand their combined effects on driving. The present study examined the effects of combinations of smoked cannabis (12.5% THC) and alcohol (target BrAC 0.08%) on simulated driving performance, subjective drug effects, cardiovascular measures, and self-reported perception of driving ability. In this within-subjects, double-blind, double-dummy, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial, cannabis users (1–7 days/week) aged 19–29 years attended four drug administration sessions in which simulated driving, subjective effects, cardiovascular measures, and whole blood THC and metabolite concentrations were assessed following placebo alcohol and placebo cannabis (

International audience; The results of recent theoretical studies of features of superconducting states in hybrid structures whose properties are significantly determined by the spin–orbit effects have been reported. The two main phenomena appearing in such systems in the presence of additional spin splitting caused either by the Zeeman effect in a magnetic field or by the exchange field: (i) the generation of spontaneous currents and (ii) the appearance of topologically nontrivial superconducting phases. It has been shown that the spin–orbit coupling can be a key mechanism that allows implementing new inhomogeneous phase structures, in particular, the so-called “phase batteries.” The effect of geometric factors on the properties of topologically nontrivial superconducting states has been analyzed. New types of topological transitions in vortex states of Majorana wires have been proposed.

Recent theoretical ideas concerning the mechanism of the electromagnetic proximity effect in hybrid superconducting structures with ferromagnetic layers, as well as the problem of Fulde–Ferrell–Larkin–Ovchinnikov (FFLO) instability with the modulation of the superconducting order parameter in the plane of the layers forming the structure, are reviewed. It is shown that, near the transition to the FFLO phase, the electromagnetic proximity effect can be enhanced: the corresponding spontaneous current flowing along the superconducting layer of the hybrid superconductor–ferromagnet structure increases drastically when approaching the FFLO transition line on the phase diagram of the structure. The transition to the FFLO phase can thus be observed using experimental techniques involving the diagnostics of the arising spontaneous currents.

The paper presents the results of research to assess the quality of the urban environment in the areas we have identified by the functional and economic significance of Cheboksary using a method of fluctuating asymmetry of Betula pendula Roth leaves and a scale of gas resistance of tree and shrub plants. The studies have showed that the integral indices of fluctuating asymmetry of Betula pendula leaf plates of all surveyed green planting objects vary from 0,038 to 0,054. The highest levels of asymmetry were found in the eastern and southern parts of the city, where the values of leaf asymmetry fluctuations range from 0,050 to 0,054. Based on an assessment of the quality of the urban environment the authors have developed recommendations to improve and expand the range of resistant woody plants to anthropogenic stress of Cheboksary. Depending on the nature of the urban environment and the degree of woody plants resistance to anthropogenic pollution, we offer a range of woody and shrub plants for landscaping, it contains 73 species. The recommended range of trees and shrubs for landscaping in the Central zone of Cheboksary is 68 species (asymmetry coefficient 0,040 to 0,044), in the Coastal and Suburban areas 62 species (asymmetry coefficient 0,046 to 0,049), in the Industrial zone 29 species (asymmetry coefficient 0,050 to 0,053).

The computation methods of the thermodynamic properties are used for theoretical studies of multicomponent refrigerant blends (MRBs) for low-temperature throttling refrigeration units, providing cryostatting modes for cooled objects in the temperature range of –90 – –160 °С. The article presents the comparative analysis of the state equations for calculating thermodynamic properties of multicomponent refrigerant mixtures. Quantitative and qualitative differences in the results of calculations in the lowtemperature region are determined.

New options of the design of a vapor-compressor refrigerator with cold thermal energy storage are proposed. A comparative analysis of the performance of the considered systems is carried out. Results on the effectiveness of using various methods of cold thermal energy storage in the vapor-compression refrigerator circuit have been obtained. Recommendations regarding the field of application of these systems and the volume of cold thermal energy storages are given.

LNG gas-turbine engines have several advantages over diesel engines: capacity to develop higher power with smaller weight and size, lower fuel price, environment friendliness, etc. At the same time, this type of engines is characterized by low efficiency at insufficient load and high idle-run fuel consumption. A part of the energy losses under these conditions occurs in the cryogenic unit of the LNG gas-turbine engine fuel system. Schematic diagrams and characteristic features of the cryogenic unit of the LNG gas-turbine engine are presented. Schemes of LNG delivery with vapor-pressurization, sparging of the tank with an external noncondensing gas, and use of pumps are described. The impact on the fuel system performance of such factors as fuel delivery mode, LNG flow return, restraining temperature of the delivered LNG, variation of LNG composition, etc. are investigated. The criteria of efficiency of the system in start, main, and idle modes are calculated by mathematical modeling method.

Results of experimental studies of the optical and geometric characteristics of high-level clouds over Tomsk combined with actinometric measurements of solar radiation are presented. The diurnal and three-year variations of the characteristics of clouds including those with anomalous backscattering are presented. In contrast to previous studies, the data presented here have been obtained using the parallel accumulation of one-electron pulses during registration of lidar returns.

Information on the characteristics of the growth and development of plants of large snapdragon, hybrid petunia, sparkling sage, elegant zinnia, depending on the depth of planting is provided. Characteristics of the main morphological signs are given, data on the height of plants, the number of lateral axes, buds, flowers, fruits, leaves, weight and number of roots of deeply planted and control plants are presented; provides information on vegetation periods; ways to improve the agricultural technology of transplants of indicated plants are identified. It is shown that deep planting is an economically viable rational agricultural method that helps to increase the decorativeness of plants, their earlier, long and plentiful flowering, and to improve the aesthetic expressiveness of flower beds without additional labor and material costs.

Short oligonucleotides are widely used for the construction of aptamer-based sensors and logical bioelements to modulate aptamer–ligand binding. However, relationships between the parameters (length, location of the complementary region) of oligonucleotides and their influence on aptamer–ligand interactions remain unclear. Here, we addressed this task by comparing the effects of short complementary oligonucleotides (ssDNAs) on the structure and ligand-binding ability of an aptamer and identifying ssDNAs’ features that determine these effects. Within this, the interactions between the OTA-specific G-quadruplex aptamer 1.12.2 (5′-GATCGGGTGTGGGTGGCGTAAAGGGA GCATCGGACA-3′) and 21 single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) oligonucleotides complementary to different regions of the aptamer were studied. Two sets of aptamer–ssDNA dissociation constants were obtained in the absence and in the presence of OTA by isothermal calorimetry and fluorescence anisotropy, respectively. In both sets, the binding constants depend on the number of hydrogen bonds formed in the aptamer–ssDNA complex. The ssDNAs’ having more than 23 hydrogen bonds with the aptamer have a lower aptamer dissociation constant than for aptamer–OTA interactions. The ssDNAs’ having less than 18 hydrogen bonds did not affect the aptamer–OTA affinity. The location of ssDNA’s complementary site in the aptamer affeced the kinetics of the interaction and retention of OTA-binding in aptamer–ssDNA complexes. The location of the ssDNA site in the aptamer G-quadruplex led to its unfolding. In the presence of OTA, the unfolding process was longer and takes from 20 to 70 min. The refolding in the presence of OTA was possible and depends on the length and location of the ssDNA’s complementary site. The location of the ssDNA site in the tail region led to its rapid displacement and wasn’t affecting the G-qaudruplex’s integrity. It makes the tail region more perspective for the development of ssDNA-based tools using this aptamer.

We examine energy relaxation of non-equilibrium quasiparticles in different vortex configurations in ``dirty'' $s$-wave superconductors. The heat flow from the electronic subsystem to phonons in a mesoscopic superconducting disk with a radius of the order of several coherence lengths is calculated both in the Meissner and giant vortex states using the Usadel approach. The recombination process is shown to be strongly affected by interplay of the subgap states, located in the vortex core and in the region at the sample edge where the spectral gap $E_{\rm g}$ is reduced by the Meissner currents. In order to uncover physical origin of the results, we develop a semiquantitative analytical approximation based on the combination of homogeneous solutions of Usadel equations in Meissner and vortex states of a mesoscopic superconducting disc and analytically calculate the corresponding spatially resolved electron-phonon heat rates. Our approach provides an important information about non-equilibrium quasiparticles cooling by the magnetic-field induced traps in various mesoscopic superconducting devices., 9 pages, 8 figures, 80 references + 4 pages of Appendices and references. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1901.01263

The concept of merging the roles of producers of online courses is considered. It is relevant if it is necessary to quickly develop online training courses on electric drive or when converting a full-time training course into a hybrid format. The economic and technological aspects of the proposed approach are considered. Authors' capture of all the roles required to produce online courses can reduce costs and, in some cases, even improve product quality. To capture all the functions necessary for production, authors must master the technologies of capturing video from a computer screen, editing video, recording sound, editing audio tracks. To study modern electromechanical systems and electric drive control systems, knowledge of electrical machines, power electronics and control theory is required. When preparing online courses on electric drive, it is imperative to include practical exercises that are implemented using the Simulink or SimInTech visual modeling environments.

The use of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) as carriers for the decrease in the detection limit of a fluorescence polarization (FP) aptamer assay is proposed. The common FP assay is based on the use of polarized exciting light and changes in the polarization of emitted light by the fluorophore–analyte conjugate before and after its binding with a receptor of the target analyte. Aptamers’ application as receptors in such an assay is limited due to their low molecular weight and, consequently, insufficient influence on polarization of emitted light. This limitation can be overcome by the inclusion of aptamers in larger intermolecular complexes. In the present work, the advantages of GNPs as unified, stable, and simply modified carriers for aptamers are demonstrated. The FP aptamer assay is realized with the use of GNPs with average diameter of 8.7 nm and ochratoxin A (OTA) as the target analyte. Finally, the assay is tested for OTA control in spiked white wine. The reached limit of detection is 2.3 µg/kg, which is 25-fold lower as compared to native aptamer. The time of the assay is 15 min. The universality of the proposed approach makes it possible to use aptamers for FP assays of various low-molecular-weight substances.

The technique and results of the study of optical and microphysical characteristics of contrails with the use of the unique high-altitude polarization lidar of the National Research Tomsk State University are described. The microstructure parameters of ensembles of crystalline particles were estimated by comparing elements of light backscattering matrices calculated theoretically and obtained experimentally. It is shown that the condensation trail appearing in the atmosphere behind the plane 30–40 min after the emission of fuel combustion products from the engines consists of small chaotically oriented ice particles, mostly of the column shape.

Various technologies and equipment complexes for associated petroleum gas (APG) stripping are analyzed and modeled to develop a universal technology and mobile modular complexes for getting liquid products from APG. The selection of a schematic design of an APG stripping plant that includes a refrigerating machine operating with a multicomponent mixed refrigerant and a fractionating column is validated.

Background Randomized trials of complex interventions are increasingly including qualitative components to further understand factors that contribute to their success. In this paper, we explore the experiences of health care practitioners in a province wide smoking cessation program (the Smoking Treatment for Ontario Patients program) who participated in the COMBAT trial. This trial examined if the addition of an electronic prompt embedded in a Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS)—designed to prompt practitioners to Screen, provide a Brief intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) to patients who drank alcohol above the amounts recommended by the Canadian Cancer Society guidelines—influenced the proportion of practitioners delivering a brief intervention to their eligible patients. We wanted to understand the factors influencing implementation and acceptability of delivering a brief alcohol intervention for treatment-seeking smokers for health care providers who had access to the CDSS (intervention arm) and those who did not (control arm). Methods Twenty-three health care practitioners were selected for a qualitative interview using stratified purposeful sampling (12 from the control arm and 11 from the intervention arm). Interviews were 45 to 90 min in length and conducted by phone using an interview guide that was informed by the National Implementation Research Network’s Hexagon tool. Interview recordings were transcribed and coded iteratively between three researchers to achieve consensus on emerging themes. The preliminary coding structure was developed using the National Implementation Research Network’s Hexagon Tool framework and data was analyzed using the framework analysis approach. Results Seventy eight percent (18/23) of the health care practitioners interviewed recognized the need to simultaneously address alcohol and tobacco use. Seventy four percent (17/23), were knowledgeable about the evidence of health risks associated with dual alcohol and tobacco use but 57% (13/23) expressed concerns with using the Canadian Cancer Society guidelines to screen for alcohol use. Practitioners acknowledged the value of adding a validated screening tool to the STOP program’s baseline questionnaire (19/23); however, following through with a brief intervention and referral to treatment proved challenging due to lack of training, limited time, and fear of stigmatizing patients. Practitioners in the intervention arm (5/11; 45%) might not follow the recommendations from CDSS if these recommendations are not perceived as beneficial to the patients. Conclusions The results of the study show that practitioners’ beliefs were reflective of the current social norms around alcohol use and this influenced their decision to offer a brief alcohol intervention. Future interventions need to emphasize both organizational and sociocultural factors as part of the design. The results of this study point to the need to change social norms regarding alcohol in order to effectively implement interventions that target both alcohol and tobacco use in primary care clinics. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03108144. Retrospectively registered 11 April 2017, https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03108144

mathematical model of a wind turbine is investigated, which includes mathematical descriptions of a horizontal axis small- scale power wind turbine with permanent magnet synchronous generator with vector control and a three-phase rectifier connected to a stand-alone voltage source inverter. The maximum power point tracking of the wind turbine, which calculates the optimal rotation turbine speed for each wind speed is used. Vector control system provides the calculated optimal rotation turbine speed. The mechanical losses in the gearbox and in the synchronous machine are determined, as the iron losses and copper losses in the permanent magnet synchronous machine and commutation losses (switching and conduction losses) in stand- alone voltage source inverter are taken into account.

Analysis of the interaction of the electromagnetic field and matter is a topical area of research in modern physics. The goal of this paper is to move from mathematical postulates and formalisms of quantum mechanics to equations that include macroscopic variables. In this case, the macroscopic observables are determined by the mean values of the operator corresponding to the observable value, and the mean value is deter-mined by the density matrix. Then the equations are written only through the mean values, by substituting equivalent expressions for the density matrix. As a result, we come to a system of equations expressed in terms of such macroscopic variables as polarization and electromagnetic field. In the semi-classical approach, when the electromagnetic field is not quantized, it is necessary to add the Maxwell's equations of the electromagnetic field to the equations for the mean values. This forms a self-consistent system of equations.

Vector control of an induction motor with torque control function eliminates the need for a torque sensor, which reduces the cost of the system and simplifies the design of the electromechanical part of the load stand. This approach is applicable to study the characteristics of a BLDC machine operating in both motor and generator modes. A mathematical model of a BLDC machine, loaded by an induction motor fed by frequency converter is built in the SimInTech dynamic modeling environment. Speed-torque curve of BLDC machine is obtained. Comparison of the values of the characteristic points with the motor specification data proves the correctness of the mathematical model and the adequacy of the results.