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The review of medical literature is devoted to modern data in the field of diagnosis and treatment of osteoarthritis using endo- and phenotyping. It includes the latest data on the epidemiology of osteoarthritis of different localizations, modern definitions and classifications of osteoarthritis endotypes and phenotypes, pathobiochemical patterns and pathomorphological parallels of disease phenotypes, new methodological approaches to the phenotyping of osteoarthritis (prognostic, prescriptive phenotyping, alternative methods), as well as modern advances in pharmacotherapy of the disease based on data from selected randomized controlled trials and meta-analyzes.

The Baikal-GVD deep underwater neutrino experiment participates in the international multi-messenger program to detect the astrophysical sources of high- and ultrahigh-energy cosmic-ray particles, being at the stage of array deployment and a step-by-step increase of the telescope’s effective volume to the scale of a cubic kilometer. At present, the telescope consists of seven clusters containing 2016 photodetectors. The effective volume of the detector has reached 0.35 km $${}^{3}$$ for the selection of shower events from neutrino interactions in Baikal water. The experimental data have been accumulated in a continuous exposure mode since 2015, allowing a prompt data analysis and a celestial-sphere monitoring program to be implemented in real time. We discuss the structure of the data acquisition system, describe the physical event reconstruction procedure in the mode of fast response to alerts, and present the results of our analysis of nine alerts from the polar IceCube telescope from early September to late October 2020.

The electromechanical model for analyzing a homopolar electric motor with a magnetic system made using second-generation high-temperature superconductors (HTSC 2G) is described. Homopolar electric motors made with a disk-shaped rotor have the simplest design of their magnetic system and heavy-current contact. Owing to the use of HTSC 2G conductors for producing constant magnetic field in the rotor area, it becomes possible to achieve a higher current density in the windings, thereby increasing the motor power capacity. Due to the HTSC ability to operate at the liquid nitrogen temperature (77 K), it becomes possible to have a simpler cryostat design in comparison with magnetic systems based on low-temperature superconductors. For large-capacity homopolar motors, the use of liquid metal contacts for supplying current to the rotating rotor seems to be the most promising design solution. The advantage of motors of this type is that their torque depends linearly on the rotor current. The homopolar motor operation governed by a proportional-integral-differentiating (PID) controller was simulated using the SciLab Xcos software. The application of the analysis model for selecting the optimal PID-controller coefficients is demonstrated. The electric motor dynamic operation modes are analyzed. The numerical simulation results are compared with the previously obtained experimental data.

A mathematical computer model of the detailed mechanism of the chemiluminescent process is developed based on the kinetic data on the nonstationary chemiluminescence accompanying the thermal decomposition of 2,2'-azodiisobutyronitrile in benzene. The model, which includes 16 elementary stages, makes it possible to estimate the rate constants of these reactions and to illustrate the interaction of elementary processes.

This article expresses the results of a comprehensive scientific research: 1) classification of information tools used in arbitration and civil proceedings; 2) identified problematic aspects of the use of legal reference systems and automated information retrieval systems, identified the importance of use the automated systems within the lawyer’s request; 3) analyzed the features of the use of videoconferencing systems by a lawyer; 4) the problematic aspect of the preservation of attorney secrecy was found when using EDS within the SAS “Electronic Justice”. The study is based on doctrinal sources (russian and foreign), concepts of the Government of the Russian Federation, intra-judicial administrative acts and corporate norms of the intra-legal community.

During the oxidation of sunflower oil initiated by 2,2'-azo-bis-isobutyronitrile, which was used in this study as the model lipid system of plant origin, the previously unobserved form of kinetic chemiluminescence curves has been discovered. At the end of the induction period, during which chemiluminescence was suppressed by the antioxidants present in sunflower oil, instead of the expected smooth S-shaped output of the luminescence intensity at a significantly higher stationary level, a sharp surge in intensity was observed with its subsequent decrease to the stationary level. The standard kinetic scheme, which is used in most works on the effect of antioxidants on chemiluminescence in the chain free-radical oxidation of hydrocarbons, cannot explain the shape of the obtained kinetic curves. To explain the discovered phenomenon, an extended kinetic scheme, which takes into account the reactions of the initiator isobutyronitrile-peroxide radicals and their conversion to methyl-peroxide radicals, is proposed. It is shown that the observed extreme kinetics is possible only in the case of quantum yields of the chemiluminescence from the reaction of the initiator isobutyronitrile-peroxide radicals with the substrate peroxide radicals, which are 1–2 orders of magnitude higher than the quantum yields of other chemiluminescent reactions.

In this work the design of a homopolar motor prototype is proposed. The magnetic system consists of a high temperature superconducting (HTS) stator and a disc rotor with liquid metal sliding electric contacts made of gallium indium tin alloy. The estimation of magnetic fields and torques is performed for the device. The possibility of using this motor as a servo actuator is considered. The results of the preliminary experimental attempts to control a single pole motor based on permanent magnets by means of a proportional–integral–derivative (PID) algorithm are presented.

Baikal-GVD is a kilometer scale neutrino telescope currently under construction in Lake Baikal. Due to water currents in Lake Baikal, individual photomultiplier housings are mobile and can drift away from their initial position. In order to accurately determine the coordinates of the photomultipliers, the telescope is equipped with an acoustic positioning system. The system consists of a network of acoustic modems, installed along the telescope strings and uses acoustic trilateration to determine the coordinates of individual modems. This contribution discusses the current state of the positioning in Baikal-GVD, including the recent upgrade to the acoustic modem polling algorithm., Presented at 37th International Cosmic Ray Conference (ICRC 2021)

The results of petrographic studies of the welding slags of electrodes UONI-13/55, Philips 27P, OZS-4, and VSTs-4 are presented. These electrodes are found to form welding slags having various phase compositions and morphologies. The phase compositions of the slags are shown to affect the physical properties of their melts, in particular, viscosity. The data obtained in the work are necessary for the development of new advanced grades of electrodes for welding and surfacing.

Nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots (NGQDs) synthesized from a single glucosamine precursor are utilized to develop a novel UV photodetector. Optical properties of NGQDs can be altered with short- (254 nm), mid- (302 nm), and long-wave (365 nm) ultraviolet (UV) exposure leading to the reduction of absorption from deep to mid UV (200-320 nm) and enhancement above 320 nm. Significant quenching of blue and near-IR fluorescence accompanied by the dramatic increase of green/yellow emission of UV-treated NGQDs can be used as a potential UV-sensing mechanism. These emission changes are attributed to the reduction of functional groups detected by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy and free-radical-driven polymerization of the NGQDs increasing their average size from 4.70 to 11.20 nm at 60 min treatment. Due to strong UV absorption and sensitivity to UV irradiation, NGQDs developed in this work are utilized to fabricate UV photodetectors. Tested under long-/mid-/short-wave UV, these devices show high photoresponsivity (up to 0.59 A/W) and excellent photodetectivity (up to 1.03 × 1011 Jones) with highly characteristic wavelength-dependent reproducible response. This study suggests that the optical/structural properties of NGQDs can be controllably altered via different wavelength UV treatment leading us to fabricate NGQD-based novel UV photodetectors providing high responsivity and detectivity.

In this work, we utilize a bottom-up approach to synthesize nitrogen self-doped graphene quantum dots (NGQDs) from a single glucosamine precursor via an eco-friendly microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. Structural and optical properties of as-produced NGQDs are further modified using controlled ozone treatment. Ozone-treated NGQDs (Oz-NGQDs) are reduced in size to 5.5 nm with clear changes in the lattice structure and ID/IG Raman ratios due to the introduction/alteration of oxygen-containing functional groups detected by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer and further verified by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) showing increased atomic/weight percentage of oxygen atoms. Along with structural modifications, GQDs experience decrease in ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) absorption coupled with progressive enhancement of visible (up to 16 min treatment) and near-infrared (NIR) (up to 45 min treatment) fluorescence. This allows fine-tuning optical properties of NGQDs for solar cell applications yielding controlled emission increase, while controlled emission quenching was achieved by either blue laser or thermal treatment. Optimized Oz-NGQDs were further used to form a photoactive layer of solar cells with a maximum efficiency of 2.64% providing a 6-fold enhancement over untreated NGQD devices and a 3-fold increase in fill factor/current density. This study suggests simple routes to alter and optimize optical properties of scalably produced NGQDs to boost the photovoltaic performance of solar cells.

This article offers a qualitatively new approach for production fused welding fluxes granules, based on the use of a plasma arc and the Ural region raw materials that have a particularly low content of harmful impurities. The processes of fused welding flux granules forming from the Ural region mineral raw materials under the impact of a highly concentrated energy source have been studied. A new fused welding flux for submerged arc welding is produced by plasma electric arc granulation, and has required shape and fractional, chemical and phase composition of the particles. This research presents experimental and theoretical studies of interaction processes of fine-dispersed batch from mineral raw materials with a highly concentrated energy source, aimed at obtaining new information about the basic patterns of the formation, structure and composition of resulting granules of functional materials, such as welding fused fluxes.

The article outlines the main principles of granulation technology for fused welding flux using highly concentrated heat sources (e.g. plasma arc). Modern plasma equipment and methods of its use for producing new welding materials (plasma-granulated welding flux) from mineral raw materials and synthetic mineral alloys are described. The developed technology makes it possible to produce granulated flux in a wide range of fractional composition (from 0.2 to 3 mm). Studies have focused on the influence of granulation regimes (plasmatron moving speed, current, voltage, arc length) on formation process and the morphology of welding flux particles. Mineral raw materials used for granulation were igneous rocks (basalt, hornblendite) and synthetic mineral alloys. The results obtained during experiments on the use of highly concentrated heat sources for granulation of a fused welding flux confirm the feasibility and prospects of this technology. Typical equipment for air-plasma cutting is used, and no new complex technological equipment is required, therefore it eliminates large material and labor costs.

Disconnection of power consumers from power grids is quite a common event, with a wide range of consequences. Power supply interruptions can be caused by both casual events, and planned shutdowns. Disruptions in systems of power supply of consumers lead to a variety of adverse events (under-delivery of products, large-scale product rejection, failure of production equipment, etc.), which inflicts a significant economic damage. The retrospective analysis of the failure rate of electrical networks of the Right Bank and Left Bank districts of Irkutsk over 2013–2017 has been carried out. The analysis was based on the data from dispatching logs of observations on events of failures caused by emergency damage to the Southern electrical networks. It is established that the greatest number of failures occurs for such reasons as damage at substations, damage to consumer electrical networks, wire breakage in air and cable power lines as well as damage of switching equipment. Failures related to wind load, damage at packaged transformer substations, insulators and surge arresters are also analysed. The percentage rate of failures of electrical power networks caused by specific reasons from the total number of failures is presented. Besides, the analysis is performed of the duration of interruptions of power supply owing to damage of individual elements of power network equipment as well as the amount of electric energy undelivered for these reasons, and financial losses caused by these failures due to under-delivery of electric energy, with the average wholesale electricity prices taken into account.

We study the possibility of application of SATRE modems for the transmission of reference time signals with optical carrier over fiber lines with lengths of up to 200 km. We experimentally estimated the uncertainties of comparison of time scales for the fiber communication lines with the help of SATRE modems.

Despite significant advances of nanomedicine, the issues of biocompatibility, accumulation-derived toxicity, and the lack of sensing and in vivo imaging capabilities hamper the translation of most nanocarriers into clinic. To address this, we utilize nitrogen, boron/nitrogen, and sulfur-doped graphene quantum dots (GQDs) as fully biocompatible multifunctional platforms allowing for multicolor visible/near-IR imaging and cancer-sensing. These GQDs are scalably produced in one-step synthesis from a single biocompatible glucosamine precursor, are water-soluble, show no cytotoxicity at high concentrations of 1 mg/mL, and demonstrate substantial degradation at 36 h in biological environments as verified by TEM imaging. Because of their small sizes, GQDs exhibit efficient internalization maximized at 12 h followed by further degradation/excretion. Their high-yield intrinsic fluorescence in blue/green and near-infrared allows for multicolor in vitro imaging on its own or in combination with other fluorophores, and offers the capabilities for in vivo near-IR fluorescence tracking. Additionally, nitrogen- and sulfur-doped GQDs exhibit pH-dependent fluorescence response that is successfully utilized as a sensing mechanism for acidic extracellular environments of cancer cells. It allows for the deterministic, ratiometric spectral discrimination between cancerous (HeLa and MCF-7 cell) versus healthy (HEK-293 cell) environments with substantial intensity ratios of 1.6 to 8. These results suggest fully biocompatible GQDs developed in this work as multifunctional candidates for in vitro delivery of active agents, multicolor visible/near-IR fluorescence imaging, and pH-sensing of cancerous environments.

The Baikal-GVD deep underwater neutrino experiment participates in the international multi-messenger program on discovering the astrophysical sources of high energy fluxes of cosmic particles, while being at the stage of deployment with a gradual increase of its effective volume to the scale of a cubic kilometer. In April 2021 the effective volume of the detector has been reached 0.4 km3 for cascade events with energy above 100 TeV generated by neutrino interactions in Lake Baikal. The alarm system in real-time monitoring of the celestial sphere was launched at the beginning of 2021, that allows to form the alerts of two ranks like "muon neutrino" and "VHE cascade". Recent results of fast follow-up searches for coincidences of Baikal-GVD high energy cascades with ANTARES/TAToO high energy neutrino alerts and IceCube GCN messages will be presented, as well as preliminary results of searches for high energy neutrinos in coincidence with the magnetar SGR 1935+2154 activity in period of radio and gamma burst in 2020., Comment: Submitted to Proc. of the 37th International Cosmic Ray Conference (ICRC 2021), PoS-0946, July 12th -- 23rd, 2021, Online -- Berlin, Germany. 8 pages, 5 figures

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) are unique derivatives of graphene that show promise in multiple biomedical applications as biosensors, bioimaging agents, and drug/gene delivery vehicles. Their ease in functionalization, biocompatibility, and intrinsic fluorescence enable those modalities. However, GQDs lack deep tissue magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) capabilities desirable for diagnostics. Considering that the drawbacks of MRI contrast agent toxicity are still poorly addressed, we develop novel Mn2+ or Gd3+ doped nitrogen-containing graphene quantum dots (NGQDs) to equip the GQDs with MRI capabilities and at the same time render contrast agents biocompatible. Water-soluble biocompatible Mn-NGQDs and Gd-NGQDs synthesized via single-step microwave-assisted scalable hydrothermal reaction enable dual MRI and fluorescence modalities. These quasi-spherical 3.9-6.6 nm average-sized structures possess highly crystalline graphitic lattice structure with 0.24 and 0.53 atomic % for Mn2+ and Gd3+ doping. This structure ensures high in vitro biocompatibility of up to 1.3 mg ml-1 and 1.5 mg ml-1 for Mn-NGQDs and Gd-NGQDs, respectively, and effective internalization in HEK-293 cells traced by intrinsic NGQD fluorescence. As MRI contrast agents with considerably low Gd and Mn content, Mn-NGQDs exhibit substantial transverse/longitudinal relaxivity (r 2/r 1) ratios of 11.190, showing potential as dual-mode longitudinal or transverse relaxation time (T 1 or T 2) contrast agents, while Gd-NGQDs possess r 2/r 1 of 1.148 with high r 1 of 9.546 mM-1 s-1 compared to commercial contrast agents, suggesting their potential as T1 contrast agents. Compared to other nanoplatforms, these novel Mn2+ and Gd3+ doped NGQDs not only provide scalable biocompatible alternatives as T1/T2 and T1 contrast agents but also enable in vitro intrinsic fluorescence imaging.

Graphene oxide (GO), a functional derivative of graphene, is a promising nanomaterial for a variety of optoelectronic applications as it exhibits fluorescence and maintains many of graphene’s beneficial physical properties. although other graphene derivatives are chemically plausible and may serve to the benefit of the aforementioned applications, GO remains the one heavily used. the nature of optical behavior of other graphene derivatives has yet to be fully understood and studied. in this work we develop a variety of graphene derivatives and characterize their optical properties concomitantly suggesting a unified model for optical emission in graphene derivatives. in this process we examine the influence of different functional groups on the surface of graphene on its optoelectronic properties. mildly oxidized graphene (oxo-g1), nitrated graphene, arylated graphene, brominated graphene, and fluorinated graphene are obtained and characterized via TEM and EDX, FTIR and fluorescence spectroscopies with the latter indicating a potential band gap-derived fluorescence from each of the materials. this suggests that optical properties of graphene derivatives have minimal functional group dependence and are manifested by the localized environments within the flakes. this is confirmed by the hyperchem theoretical modeling of all aforementioned graphene derivatives indicating a similar electronic configuration for all, assessed by the pm3 semi-empirical approach. this work can further serve to describe and predict optical properties of similar graphene-based structures and promote graphene derivatives other than GO for utilization in research and industry.

Updating the facile chemiluminescence oxygen-aftereffect method, most suitable for determining the rate constant (kt ) of the peroxy-radical self-reaction (main chemiluminescence channel), pertained to considering the sensitivity of such a method toward a disturbing influence of the peroxy radicals of the initiator of the chain oxidation process. Such a disturbance may derive from the side chemiluminescent reaction, which involves peroxy radicals of both hydrocarbon and initiator. To examine the applicability and limitations of the chemiluminescence method under present scrutiny, cyclohexene was used as the model oxidizable hydrocarbon substrate. Computer simulations of the reaction and chemiluminescence kinetics have demonstrated the validity of the considered methodology at the value of the rate constant of the propagation of the overall chain process by peroxy radicals of the initiator higher than 1 m-1 s-1 . Despite that the chemiluminescence time profile and the stationary level of the total chemiluminescence intensity depend on the kinetics of the side chemiluminescence channel and on the ratio of the excited-state generation yields in the mentioned reaction channel and in the main chemiluminescence process, the value of kt assessed by the oxygen-aftereffect method has been found independent of variation of these characteristics.

The present work investigates local flow structures and the downstream evolution of the core of helical tip vortices generated by a three-bladed rotor. Earlier experimental studies have shown that the core of a helical tip vortex exhibits a local helical symmetry with a simple relation between the axial and azimuthal velocities. In the present study, a self-similarity scaling argument further describes the downstream development of the vortex core. Self-similarity has up to now only been investigated for longitudinal vortices and it is the first time that helical vortices have become the subject of such an analysis. Combining symmetry arguments from previous studies on helical vortices with novel experiments and knowledge regarding the self-similarity evolution of the core of longitudinal vortices, a new model describing what is referred to as ‘helical self-similarity’ is proposed. The generality of the model is verified and supported by experimental data. The proposed model is important for fundamental understanding of the behaviour of helical vortices, with a range of applications in both industry and nature. Examples of this are tip vortices behind aerodynamic devices, such as vortex generators, and fixed and rotary aircraft, and in combustion chambers and cyclone separators.

The processing of images of point-like fluorescing objects, obtained by a matrix detector in the scheme of a luminescent microscope, is considered. Analysis of model images with parameters close to experimental images of flickering single CdSe/ZnS quantum dots is presented. A scheme for obtaining information on fluctuations in fluorescence intensity is proposed.

The international project “NICA” (Nuclotron-based Ion Collider fAcility) is an accelerator complex which is under construction at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (Dubna, Russia). Basing on the NICA project demands NRC “Kurchatov Institute” (Moscow, Russia) designed and manufactured two trial 12 kA 1G current leads (CLs) intended for powering of the JINR superconducting magnets test bench. The main requirements for the CLs were: a reliable and robust design, usage of liquid nitrogen from the NICA cooling circuits as a resistive section coolant, low resistance joints, current ramp rates up to 10 kA/s and the total heat load to the 5 K end not exceeding 0.4 W/kA per one CL. An in-situ cold test of the trial 12 kA CLs held at JINR in 2015 demonstrated the operational reliability of our technological approaches. Following the successful test results the serial production of 20 pairs of 10.5 kA HTS CLs with very few design updates for the accelerator powering started. The first 10 pairs were fabricated, tested and shipped to JINR as a part of the NICA commissioning framework in June 2017. All the CLs fulfilled the acceptance test requirements. The production of the remaining 10 pairs is to be finished in 2018. The paper gives an overview of the 12 kA and 10.5 kA HTS CLs’ design, discusses their thermal, magnetic and electrical characteristics and presents the acceptance tests results. We also compare our CLs with earlier works by other groups in the context of HTS stack-and-soldering technique, joints’ resistances, relative heat loads into the cryogenic environment etc.

A technique for image processing and the localization (tracking) of fluorescent nanoparticles is developed on the basis of the Hough transform. Features of data analysis in the Hough parametric space that are due to the need to display the coordinates of single point emitters in 3D space are discussed. Examples are given of tracking single point emitters in the form of colloidal semiconductor CdSe/ZnS nanocrystals.

The possibility of determining the distance between two closely spaced blinking single colloidal quantum dots using super-resolution far-field luminescence microscopy is considered. Numerical simulation of microscope images of a single pair of point light emitters is performed for different modes of luminescence blinking observed in experiments with CdSe/ZnS core/shell quantum dots. The distance between the emitters is varied within the radiation wavelength λ, on the scale where effects associated with dipole–dipole interaction are typically manifested (from λ/5 to λ/30). An algorithm to determine the spatial arrangement of emitters in a pair with subdiffraction accuracy is developed and applied in model and laboratory experiments for different types of blinking dynamics of single quantum dots.

The literature review is devoted to the peculiarities of treating co-morbid patients with acute conditions of chronic pain. The proved effect of NSAIDS must always correlate with the side effect risk. Patented microcrystalline glucosamine sulfate (pCGS) is likely to have an effect similar to NSAIDS because it can cause decrease of COX-2 and PGE2 gene expression. Randomized trials show, that patented microcrystalline glucosamine sulfate can impede complex structure changes and have a positive effect on the symptoms at the early stage of knee OA. Pharmacokinetic evidence demonstrates that repeated oral intake of microcrystalline glucosamine sulfate can cause the increase of GS in synovial fluid. It is necessary to monitor OA biomarkers during microcrystalline GS treatment, recommend appropriate physical exercise and study the neuropathic component of chronic pain.

The research and description of modern methods and procedure of welding flux manufacture are presented. The technology of welding fused flux production by influencing on the composition of mineral raw materials furnace burden (from 0,5 mic up to 0,20 mm) with electric arc (diameter graphite electrodes 6-18 mm, current from 200 up to 600 A) is proposed to be significantly reducing the labor input as well as dustiness during the operation and transport and improves mechanical properties (granules strength of 16-19 N/mm2) and surface condition of flux granules. The equipment for the granulation does not require large melting furnace and powerful transformers, fuel gas, coke or oil, i.e. welding flux is easy to manufacture.

Graphene oxide (GO) is a graphene derivative that emits fluorescence, which makes GO an attractive material for optoelectronics and biotechnology. In this work, we utilize ozone treatment to controllably tune the band gap of GO, which can significantly enhance its applications. Ozone treatment in aqueous GO suspensions yields the addition/rearrangement of oxygen-containing functional groups suggested by the increase in vibrational transitions of C-O and C=O moieties. Concomitantly it leads to an initial increase in GO fluorescence intensity and significant (100 nm) blue shifts in emission maxima. Based on the model of GO fluorescence originating from sp2 graphitic islands confined by oxygenated addends, we propose that ozone-induced functionalization decreases the size of graphitic islands affecting the GO band gap and emission energies. TEM analyses of GO flakes confirm the size decrease of ordered sp2 domains with ozone treatment, whereas semi-empirical PM3 calculations on model addend-confined graphitic clusters predict the inverse dependence of the band gap energies on sp2 cluster size. This mod el explains ozone-induced increase in emission energies yielding fluorescence blue shifts and helps develop an understanding of the origins of GO fluorescence emission. Furthermore, ozone treatment provides a versatile approach to controllably alter GO band gap for optoelectronics and bio-sensing applications.

A pair of hybrid current leads (brass + stacked & soldered ReBCO tapes) rated for 12 kA in steady state and for up to 18 kA at pulsed over current conditions was designed, developed and tested at NRC “Kurchatov Institute” (NRC “KI”). During the experiment at LN2 temperature, the current leads (CLs) were successfully charged with 18 kA at 100 A/s ramp rate. To date, as far as we know, this is the highest current capacity achieved for 2G HTS current leads. The feasibility of “stack-and-soldering technique” for 10 kA+ class coated conductor CLs for accelerators and fusion was demonstrated. This paper gives an overview of the leads design and presents the preliminary test results. Detailed studies of magnetic properties and current sharing process for the stacked and staggered HTS joints are also reported.

Slag bases for welding materials have been developed from mineral raw materials and man–made mineral formations of the Urals. Successful comprehensive studies and tests of fused fluxes and also of weld metal and weld joints obtained by these welding materials have been carried out. It has been clearly established that the obtained weld metal has low content of harmful impurities ([S] is as low as 0.01 wt%) due to the use of the electric arc furnace method, purity of the feedstock minerals and technogenic raw materials and physicochemical reactions during the welding process.

The efficiency of a pair of wind turbines is experimentally investigated for the case when the model of the second rotor is coaxially located in the wake of the first one. This configuration implies the maximum level of losses in wind farms, as in the rotor wakes, the deceleration of the freestream is maximum. As a result of strain gauge measurements, the dependences of dimensionless power characteristics of both rotors on the distances between them were determined for different modes at different tip speed ratios. The obtained results are of interest for further development of aerodynamics of wind turbines, for optimizing the work of existing wind farms and reducing their power losses due to interactions with wakes of other wind turbines during design and calculation.

Skeletal bone fractures in newborns present a problem of modern traumatology. Aim. The goal is to present the use of the method of intramedullary osteosynthesis in the treatment of a pathological fracture of the right femur in a newborn girl to a wide audience of pediatric orthopedic traumatologists. Material and methods. We have experience in the treatment of a 6-day-old girl, who was born with intrauterine growth retardation and bowel disease. On the second day of stay in the intensive care unit, she had a pathological fracture of the right femur. Diagnosis of the pathological fracture was established based upon the results of clinical examination and radiography of the injured limb segment. Results. Immediately after the diagnosis, the right lower limb of the child was fixed with a plaster bandage. On the control radiographs, the standing of the bone fragments were unsatisfactory, and a decision was made to use the intramedullary osteosynthesis method with a knitting needle on the 6th day after birth of the child. The need for surgical treatment of a fracture of the femur was due to a congenital abnormality of the intestine in the child, and a need to perform surgery on the abdominal organs. Discussion. Spontaneous fracture of the right femur occurred in the child in treatment in the intensive care unit. The cause of the fracture was osteopenic syndrome, which developed as a result of vitamin D deficiency. During the first 12 days of her life, the newborn had two laparoscopic operations to address the intestinal pathology. Four weeks after the operation using osteosynthesis, the metal from the bone marrow channel of the right femur was removed. After the removal of the needle, the correct axis of the operated segment was fixed to the same length of the lower extremities. The patient had absence of pathological mobility in the fracture region, and full amplitude of movements in the knee and hip joints. Conclusion. When receiving fractures of the femur, both traditionally used conservative methods of treatment, as well as surgical methods can be used on newborn children. This is especially true, when a newborn has an accompanying congenital pathology of the internal organs requiring immediate treatment.

The welding fluxes production and the influence of detrimental impurities on the quality of the weld metal in engineering industry is considered. The solutions on how to reduce the detrimental impurities content in the weld by using slag base of welding materials of Ural minerals (Russia) with low sulfur content are developed. The thermodynamic analysis of sulfur distribution between the metal and slag during submerged arc welding is conducted, its results and calculations show that the slag has a sufficiently high sulfur absorbing capacity. The most feasible physical-chemical process is interaction between CaF 2 and CaS with O 2 , forming slag of CaO and SF 6 gas at temperature above 1600 °C.

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) can serve as drug delivery/biological imaging agents, as they exhibit intrinsic fluorescence in the near-infrared, allowing for deeper tissue imaging while providing therapeutic transport. In this work, CoMoCAT (Cobalt Molybdenum Catalyst) SWCNTs, chirality-sorted by aqueous two-phase extraction, are utilized for the first time to deliver a drug/gene combination therapy and image each therapeutic component separately via chirality-specific SWCNT fluorescence. Each of (7,5) and (7,6) sorted SWCNTs were non-covalently loaded with their specific payload: the PI3 kinase inhibitor targeting liver fibrosis or CCR5 siRNA targeting inflammatory pathways with the goal of addressing these processes in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), ultimately to prevent its progression to hepatocellular carcinoma. PX-866-(7,5) SWCNTs and siRNA-(7,6) SWCNTs were each imaged via characteristic SWCNT emission at 1024/1120 nm in HepG2 and HeLa cells by hyperspectral fluorescence microscopy. Wavelength-resolved imaging verified the intracellular transport of each SWCNT chirality and drug release. The therapeutic efficacy of each formulation was further demonstrated by the dose-dependent cytotoxicity of SWCNT-bound PX-866 and &gt, 90% knockdown of CCR5 expression with SWCNT/siRNA transfection. This study verifies the feasibility of utilizing chirality-sorted SWCNTs for the delivery and component-specific imaging of combination therapies, also suggesting a novel nanotherapeutic approach for addressing the progressions of NASH to hepatocellular carcinoma.

One of the most important characteristics of the functioning internal networks of industrial power supply is the level of power losses. Reducing electricity losses in modern conditions of constant growth in the energy cost is an important task in the overall set of energy-saving measures. Electricity is the only type of product, the transportation of which is carried out at the expense of consuming a certain part of the product itself, therefore, losses during its transfer are inevitable. In this case, it becomes necessary to determine the reliable value of the electric power losses. Under the conditions of operation networks, the value of energy losses acquires an independent value, since it is an important indicator of the technical condition of networks and their correct operation. In this regard, high requirements are imposed on the accuracy of loss determination. The paper presents the calculation of the resistance of the retraction contact connection of switching devices, allowing one to take into account the technical condition of low switching equipment and to specify the amount of energy emitted in the switching operating mode of the electrical network.

Graphene oxide (GO), the most common derivative of graphene, is an exceptional nanomaterial that possesses multiple physical properties critical for biomedical applications. GO exhibits pH-dependent fluorescence emission in the visible/near-infrared, providing a possibility of molecular imaging and pH-sensing. It is also water soluble and has a substantial platform for functionalization, allowing for the delivery of multiple therapeutics. GO physical properties are modified to enhance cellular internalization, producing fluorescent nanoflakes with low (

Graphene Oxide (GO) has recently attracted substantial attention in biomedical field as an effective platform for biological sensing, tissue scaffolds and in vitro fluorescence imaging. However, the targeting modality and the capability of its in vivo detection have not been explored. To enhance the functionality of GO, we combine it with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) serving as a biocompatible magnetic drug delivery addends and magnetic resonance contrast agent for MRI. Synthesized GO-Fe3O4 conjugates have an average size of 260 nm and show low cytotoxicity comparable to that of GO. Fe3O4 nanoparticles provide superparamagnetic properties for magnetic targeted drug delivery allowing simple manipulation by the magnetic field and magnetic resonance imaging with high r2/r1 relaxivity ratios of ~10.7. GO-Fe3O4 retains pH-sensing capabilities of GO used in this work to detect cancer versus healthy environments in vitro and exhibits fluorescence in the visible for bioimaging. As a drug delivery platform GO-Fe3O4 shows successful fluorescence-tracked transport of hydrophobic doxorubicin non-covalently conjugated to GO with substantial loading and 2.5-fold improved efficacy. As a result, we propose GO-Fe3O4 nanoparticles as a novel multifunctional magnetic targeted platform for high efficacy drug delivery traced in vitro by GO fluorescence and in vivo via MRI capable of optical cancer detection.

A topological semimetal PtSn4 single crystal was grown by method of crystallization from a solution in a melt. Then the electrical resistivity and galvanomagnetic properties (magnetoresistivity and the Hall effect) were studied in the temperature range from 4.2 to 80 K and in magnetic fields up to 100 kOe. The optical measurements were carried out at room temperature. The residual resistivity is shown to be low enough and amount to ∼ 0.5 μOhm•cm. The temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity has a metallic type, increasing monotonically with temperature. A sufficiently large magnetoresistance of 750% is observed. The majority carriers are supposed to be holes with a concentration of ∼ 6.8•10 21 cm -3 and mobility of ∼ 1950 cm 2 /Vs at T = 4.2 K as a result of the Hall effect studies. The optical properties of PtSn 4 have features characteristic of "bad" metals. © 2019 Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd. This work was partly supported by the state assignment of Russia (theme “Spin” No. АААА-А18-18020290104-2 and theme “Electron” No. АААА-А18-118020190098-5), by the RFBR (project No.17-52-52008) and by the Government of the Russian Federation (state contract No. 02.A03.21.0006).

This paper presents calculation of operation modes of power transformers aiming at determination of optimum loading at which the transformer performance coefficient reaches its maximum. Options for increasing the efficiency of power transformers operation at industrial enterprises are proposed.

With the advent of graphene, there has been an interest in utilizing this material and its derivative, graphene oxide (GO) for novel applications in nanodevices such as bio and gas sensors, solid-state supercapacitors and solar cells. Although GO exhibits lower conductivity and structural stability, it possesses an energy band gap that enables fluorescence emission in the visible/near infrared leading to a plethora of optoelectronic applications. In order to allow fine-tuning of its optical properties in the device geometry, new physical techniques are required that, unlike existing chemical approaches, yield substantial alteration of GO structure. Such a desired new technique is one that is electronically controlled and leads to reversible changes in GO optoelectronic properties. In this work, we for the first time investigate the methods to controllably alter the optical response of GO with the electric field and provide theoretical modeling of the electric field-induced changes. Field-dependent GO emission is studied in bulk GO/polyvinylpyrrolidone films with up to 6% reversible decrease under 1.6 V m−1 electric fields. On an individual flake level, a more substantial over 50% quenching is achieved for select GO flakes in a polymeric matrix between interdigitated microelectrodes subject to two orders of magnitude higher fields. This effect is modeled on a single exciton level by utilizing Wentzel, Kremer, and Brillouin approximation for electron escape from the exciton potential well. In an aqueous suspension at low fields, GO flakes exhibit electrophoretic migration, indicating a degree of charge separation and a possibility of manipulating GO materials on a single-flake level to assemble electric field-controlled microelectronics. As a result of this work, we suggest the potential of varying the optical and electronic properties of GO via the electric field for the advancement and control over its optoelectronic device applications.

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) are unique derivatives of graphene that show promise in multiple biomedical applications as biosensors, bioimaging agents, and drug/gene delivery vehicles. Their ease in functionalization, biocompatibility, and intrinsic fluorescence enable those modalities. However, GQDs lack deep tissue magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) capabilities desirable for diagnostics. Considering that the drawbacks of MRI contrast agent toxicity are still poorly addressed, we develop novel Mn2+ or Gd3+ doped nitrogen-containing graphene quantum dots (NGQDs) to equip the GQDs with MRI capabilities and at the same time render contrast agents biocompatible. Water-soluble biocompatible Mn-NGQDs and Gd-NGQDs synthesized via single-step microwave-assisted scalable hydrothermal reaction enable dual MRI and fluorescence modalities. These quasi-spherical 3.9–6.6 nm average-sized structures possess highly crystalline graphitic lattice structure with 0.24 and 0.53 atomic % for Mn2+ and Gd3+ doping. This structure ensures high in vitro biocompatibility of up to 1.3 mg ml−1 and 1.5 mg ml−1 for Mn-NGQDs and Gd-NGQDs, respectively, and effective internalization in HEK-293 cells traced by intrinsic NGQD fluorescence. As MRI contrast agents with considerably low Gd and Mn content, Mn-NGQDs exhibit substantial transverse/longitudinal relaxivity (r 2/r 1) ratios of 11.190, showing potential as dual-mode longitudinal or transverse relaxation time (T 1 or T 2) contrast agents, while Gd-NGQDs possess r 2/r 1 of 1.148 with high r 1 of 9.546 mM−1 s−1 compared to commercial contrast agents, suggesting their potential as T1 contrast agents. Compared to other nanoplatforms, these novel Mn2+ and Gd3+ doped NGQDs not only provide scalable biocompatible alternatives as T1/T2 and T1 contrast agents but also enable in vitro intrinsic fluorescence imaging.

Non-invasive temperature sensing is necessary for the analysis of biological processes occurring in the human body including cellular enzyme activity, protein expression, and ion regulation. In order to probe temperature-sensitive processes at the nanoscale we develop novel luminescence nanothermometers based on graphene quantum dots (GQDs) synthesized via top-down (RGQDs) and bottom-up (N-GQDs) approaches from reduced graphene oxide and glucosamine precursors. Because of their small 3-6 nm size, non-invasive optical sensitivity to temperature change, and high biocompatibility, GQDs enable biologically safe sub-cellular resolution sensing. Both GQD types exhibit temperature-sensitive, yet photostable fluorescence in the visible and near-infrared for RGQDs, utilized as a sensing mechanism in this work. Distinctive linear and reversible fluorescence quenching with temperature by up to 19.3 % is observed for the visible and near-infrared GQD emission in aqueous suspension, in a small temperature range from 25 to 49℃. An even more pronounced trend is observed with GQD nanothermometers internalized into the cytoplasm of HeLa cells as they are tested in vitro in the temperature range of 25℃ to 45℃ with over 40% quenching response. Our findings suggest that the temperature-dependent fluorescence quenching of bottom-up and top-down-synthesized GQDs studied in this work can serve as non-invasive reversible photostable deterministic mechanism for temperature sensing in microscopic sub-cellular biological environments.

Near-infrared (NIR) emissive nanomaterials are desired for bioimaging and drug delivery applications due to the high tissue penetration depth of NIR light, enabling in vitro/ex vivo/in vivo fluorescence tracking. Considering the scarcity of NIR-fluorescing biocompatible nanostructures, we have for the first-time synthesized nanometer-sized reduced graphene oxide-derived graphene quantum dots (RGQDs) with NIR (950 nm) emission highly biocompatible in vitro with no preliminary toxic response in vivo. RGQDs are obtained in a high-yield (∼90%) top-down sodium hypochlorite/ultraviolet-driven synthetic process from non-emissive micron-sized reduced graphene oxide (RGO) flakes. This oxidation of RGO yields quantum dots with an average size of 3.54 ± 0.05 nm and a highly crystalline graphitic lattice structure with distinguishable lattice fringes. RGQDs exhibit excitation-independent emission in the visible and NIR-I region with a maximum NIR quantum yield of ∼7%. Unlike their parent material, RGQDs show substantial biocompatibility with ∼75%–80% cell viability up to high (1 mg ml−1) concentrations verified via both MTT and luminescence-based cytotoxicity assays. Tracked in vitro via their NIR fluorescence, RGQDs exhibit efficient internalization in HeLa cells maximized at 12 h with further anticipated excretion. In vivo, RGQDs introduced intravenously to NCr nude mice allow for fluorescence imaging in live sedated animals without the need in sacrificing those at imaging time points. Their distribution in spleen, kidneys, liver, and intestine assessed from NIR fluorescence in live mice, is further confirmed by excised organ analysis and microscopy of organ tissue slices. This outlines the potential of novel RGQDs as NIR imaging probes suitable for tracking therapeutic delivery in live animal models. A combination of smaller size, water-solubility, bright NIR emission, simple/scalable synthesis, and high biocompatibility gives RGQDs a critical advantage over a number of existing nanomaterials-based imaging platforms.

Non-invasive temperature sensing is necessary to analyze biological processes occurring in the human body, including cellular enzyme activity, protein expression, and ion regulation. To probe temperature-sensitive processes at the nanoscale, novel luminescence nanothermometers are developed based on graphene quantum dots (GQDs) synthesized via top-down (RGQDs) and bottom-up (N-GQDs) approaches from reduced graphene oxide and glucosamine precursors, respectively. Because of their small 3&ndash, 6 nm size, non-invasive optical sensitivity to temperature change, and high biocompatibility, GQDs enable biologically safe sub-cellular resolution sensing. Both GQD types exhibit temperature-sensitive yet photostable fluorescence in the visible and near-infrared for RGQDs, utilized as a sensing mechanism in this work. Distinctive linear and reversible fluorescence quenching by up to 19.3% is observed for the visible and near-infrared GQD emission in aqueous suspension from 25 &deg, C to 49 &deg, C. A more pronounced trend is observed with GQD nanothermometers internalized into the cytoplasm of HeLa cells as they are tested in vitro from 25 &deg, C to 45 &deg, C with over 40% quenching response. Our findings suggest that the temperature-dependent fluorescence quenching of bottom-up and top-down-synthesized GQDs studied in this work can serve as non-invasive reversible/photostable deterministic mechanisms for temperature sensing in microscopic sub-cellular biological environments.

The paper presents an optical method for monitoring of transparent icing, which is applicable for remote monitoring of wind turbine blade icing. The method is based on the effect of total internal reflection of light. A point light source is formed on a wind turbine blade. When icing appears on the blade, a light circle is formed around the light source at the ice–air interface as a result of refraction and reflection of light beams; the observed size of the beam depends on the icing thickness. Using several light sources, the method enables field monitoring of icing on the wind turbine blades.

The structure of graphene oxide (GO) is a matter of discussion. While established GO models are based on functional groups attached to the carbon framework, another frequently used model claims that GO consists of two components, a slightly oxidized graphene core and highly oxidized molecular species, oxidative debris (OD), adsorbed on it. Those adsorbents are claimed to be the origin for optical properties of GO. Here, we examine this model by preparing GO with a low degree of functionalization, combining it with OD and studying the optical properties of both components and their combination in an artificial two-component system. The analyses of absorption and emission spectra as well as lifetime measurements reveal that properties of the combined system are distinctly different from those of GO. That confirms structural models of GO as a separate oxygenated hexagonal carbon framework with optical properties governed by its internal structure rather than the presence of OD. Understanding the structure of GO allows further reliable interpretation of its optical and electronic properties and enables controlled processing of GO.

The objectives of this work are to develop the experimental model of wake behind the wind-power generator rotor to estimate its propagation distance and the impact on the average and pulsation characteristics of incident flow with the possibility of further use of these data in the calculation models of wind and climate changes in the regions and to determine the optimal operation of wind turbines. For experimental modeling, the laboratory model of wind-powered generator with a horizontal axis was used that operated as wind turbine in optimal mode. The kinematic characteristics of flow and changes in the wake structure in the distance of more than 40 rotor diameters downstream with a slight level of turbulent pulsations (less than 2%) of free flow were investigated. A significant impact of external intense pulsations typical for natural atmospheric conditions was purposely excluded in the experimental research in order to define the degree of self-damping of perturbations generated by oneself wind-powered generator. The obtained experimental data for the wake dynamics behind the model of wind-powered generator allowed ascertaining its impact on slowing down of incident vortex flow and determining the distance at which its impact on the stream disappears, and the deceleration values are comparable to the level of pulsations of incident flow. This experimental model with the same degree of damping its velocity and pulsations can be used to adjust the theoretical approximation of the far wake. It is shown that the recovery of velocity of incident flow is faster than has been previously defined in the models of calculating the impact of wind electric power plants on the regional climate changes. Thus, existing wind loss calculated on the model of wake behind the wind-powered generator, adjusted in this study can be even less significant.

With the advent of graphene, there has been an interest in utilizing this material and its derivative, graphene oxide (GO) for novel applications in nanodevices such as bio and gas sensors, solid-state supercapacitors and solar cells. Although GO exhibits lower conductivity and structural stability, it possesses an energy band gap that enables fluorescence emission in the visible/near infrared leading to a plethora of optoelectronic applications. In order to allow fine-tuning of its optical properties in the device geometry, new physical techniques are required that, unlike existing chemical approaches, yield substantial alteration of GO structure. Such a desired new technique is one that is electronically controlled and leads to reversible changes in GO optoelectronic properties. In this work, we for the first time investigate the methods to controllably alter the optical response of GO with the electric field and provide theoretical modeling of the electric field-induced changes. Field-dependent GO emission is studied in bulk GO/polyvinylpyrrolidone films with up to 6% reversible decrease under 1.6 V µm-1 electric fields. On an individual flake level, a more substantial over 50% quenching is achieved for select GO flakes in a polymeric matrix between interdigitated microelectrodes subject to two orders of magnitude higher fields. This effect is modeled on a single exciton level by utilizing Wentzel, Kremer, and Brillouin approximation for electron escape from the exciton potential well. In an aqueous suspension at low fields, GO flakes exhibit electrophoretic migration, indicating a degree of charge separation and a possibility of manipulating GO materials on a single-flake level to assemble electric field-controlled microelectronics. As a result of this work, we suggest the potential of varying the optical and electronic properties of GO via the electric field for the advancement and control over its optoelectronic device applications.