Search

The transition radiation tracker of the ATLAS setup, which is one of the two multipurpose detectors at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), its design, and the tasks it performs are described. The tracker is fully assembled and commissioned. The first physical results obtained by the tracker in the ATLAS cosmic muon runs are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of our study was to determine changes in central hemodynamics under the condition of exposure to low-intensity IPC on the lower limbs in individuals with different types of regulation of the autonomic nervous system. The group of 62 participants in age of 18-22 years were investigated. Testing session that included pressure of 40 mmHg and 20-minute period of temporary occlusion of the lower extremities was performed by intermittent pneumatic compression with Recovery Pump PRX device ("Mego Aftek AC Ltd", Israel). Before, during the exposure and recovery period of the procedure arterial blood pressure was recorded with Korotkov's auscultative method by mercury tonometer ("Dr.Frei"A-10, Switzerland). For monitoring hemodynamic changes impedance cardiography (ICG) method was applied ("ХАІ-medica", Kharkiv, Ukraine), by 15 sec. Based on the spectrum power values in the range of 0.15-0.4 (HFnorm), which was calculated according to the formula HFnorm = HF/(HF+LF)∙100%, 3 groups of volunteers were determined by method of sigma deviations. The 1st group included 29 people with a predominance of the sympathetic link of regulation of the autonomic nervous system, HF norm at rest is less than 40 nu. The 2nd - 19 people with a normotonic type of regulation, HFnorm from 40 to 60 nu. The 3rd - 14 people with a predominance of the parasympathetic link, HF norms higher than 60 nu. It has been established that in persons of the 1st group blood pressure maintenance is a result of complex neurohumoral interactions, in the 3rd group - due to vascular components. The decrease in the heart rate and cardiac index in the 1st and 2nd groups is caused by a decrease in venous return to the heart, and in the 3rd group - by contractile function of the heart. The proven impact of non-invasive IPC on peripheral blood circulation improving supports the concept of orthostatic tolerance. Future long-term studies are needed to evaluate the further long-term efficacy of IPC, safety and tolerability of this approach in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the highlights of the EMBO Workshop on Molecular and Cellular Gerontology from September 18 to 22, 1999 in Switzerland. Summary by George Martin of the present concepts and research status of the biology of aging in the first keynote lecture; Details of the presentations on a complete spectrum of organisms utilized in experimental gerontology on the first day of the workshop; Concepts highlighted by the session on replicative senescence and oxidative stress.