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The analysis of the particle size of suspended solids in snow samples from various areas near the coal-mining enterprise “Razrez Arshanovsky” LLC in the Republic of Khakassia. Snow sampling sites of the snow cover were located in the area of the road along which coal is transported, and at a distance of 0,5 km from the village of Arshanovo in accordance with the wind rose. Particle size analysis was performed using a LaskaTD device. It was found that in the samples under study, the main proportion of suspended particles, regardless of the point of study, had sizes from 5 to 20 microns, which numerically amounted from 63.8 to 81,3 % of the total weight of suspended substances. The site located in the western direction at a distance of 0,5 km from the Arshanovo had such low values of suspended solids that it was not possible to determine them using the Laska-TD device. The average particle size, depending on the point of study, had the following values (μm): № 1 - 11,2 ± 0,4; № 2 - 11 ± 1,6; № 3 - 9,3 ± 0,2; № 4 - 7,3 ± 0,9; № 5 - 13,5 ± 0,3; № 6 - 11,5 ± 0,2; № 8 - 11,6 ± 0,3. The obtained results of the study allow to conclude that there is a large amount of fine dust in the snow cover, which can accumulate in the environment and negatively affect its biological component, including humans.

This note is dedicated to the centenary of Boris Vasilyevich Pavlovsky’s birth. He was a professor at Ural State University and founder of Ural Art Studies. A Dr. Hab. (Art Studies), corresponding member of the Academy of Arts of the USSR, and laureate of the State Prize of the RSFSR, he was the founder of the Department of History and Theory of Art at Ural State University. He contributed to the study of the fine arts and stone-cutting art of the Urals and to the scholarly activities of the Sverdlovsk Art Gallery.

Gallbladder stones are present in 10–20 % of the population of Western countries, and the incidence rate has almost tripled over the past 30 years. Asymptomatic cholecystitis is more common than it is mentioned in the literature. Approximately 80 % of the GI have no clinical manifestations. In most cases, the disease will remain asymptomatic throughout life. The problem of asymptomatic cholecystitis is often hushed up and ignored. Surgeons try to avoid examining this pathology. Works on asymptomatic cholecystitis are not only few, but also scattered. At the same time, there is no uniformity in the literature. Since the tactics of treating such patients still does not have an unambiguous approach. Many surgeons doubt the decision on surgical treatment, a smaller part chooses cholecystectomy at the same time, without substantiating the indications for it. That is why most cases of postcholecystectomy syndrome occur in patients operated on for asymptomatic cholecystitis. The unwillingness to discover the secret of stone formation and asymptomatic cholecystitis in humans when concretions in the gallbladder are detected without reference to surgery, to indicate the trajectory of the examination, leads to a number of tactical errors, preserving the risk of PES, and erasing practical recommendations for the management of such patients. The solution to this issue lies in a thorough study of each stage of the tactical search in patients with asymptomatic cholecystitis, which will determine a new strategy in biliary surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Men diagnosed with prostate cancer (PCa) considering active surveillance (AS) are recommended confirmatory biopsy (CBx). Whether this is necessary in the era of MRI-informed biopsies is questionable. Materials and Methods: We studied men with Grade Group (GG) 1 PCa at diagnostic biopsy (DBx) considering AS who underwent MRI and CBx (systematic + targeted) within 18 months. Outcomes were grade reclassification to GG ≥ 2 and GG ≥ 3 and reclassification to unfavorable intermediate-risk (UIR) disease. Subset analyses were performed for men with (1) MRI before DBx and (2) MRI after DBx. Results: Five hundred twenty-two men had GG1 PCa at DBx. At CBx, 20% reclassified to GG ≥ 2, 12% to UIR disease, and 5.6% to GG ≥ 3. Of the 306 with positive MRI (Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System ≥3), 27% reclassified to GG ≥ 2 and 16% to UIR disease; men with negative MRI experienced these outcomes at rates of 9.2% and 5.5%, respectively. There were no differences in reclassification outcomes based on MRI timing (group A vs B), and neither PSA density nor prostate volume added to MRI information. In men with MRI targets, approximately one-third of GG ≥ 2 reclassification events were only captured by systematic biopsy core(s). Conclusions: Reclassification rates at CBx were high in men with positive MRI, but < 10% for all reclassification outcomes in men with negative MRI (95% CI, 5.8%-14% for GG ≥2; 95% CI, 2.9%-10% for UIR; 95% CI, 0.8%-5.3% for GG ≥3). Our data support systematic + targeted CBx for men with positive MRI considering AS, whereas men with GG1 cancer and negative MRI should be able to defer CBx. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One-anastomosis gastric bypass is an accepted bariatric procedure performed worldwide. Perforation of the gastrojejunal anastomosis ulcer is a rare and rather serious complication for which there is no well-defined treatment. Suturing of perforation with omentopexy is the most common treatment. Bile diversion from the anastomotic ulcer may be additionally required in some cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the development and principle of operation of resource-saving overcurrent protection, which is an alternative to traditional current protections. The experiments were used to study the electromagnetic field for the protection of electrical installations connected to the cells of complete switchgears, voltage 6–10 kV, without the use of conventional protections with metal-core current transformers. As is known, such current transformers (CTs) have significant weight and dimensional parameters and high price costs. The method of research is comparison of the developed protection with traditional current protections made using traditional measuring current transformers. The scientific novelty of this work consists of the developmental theory of the construction of protection for inductive coils based on the measurement of electromotive force values in different modes and points in the simulation of a three-phase short circuit inside the cell of the complete switchgear. The dependence of magnetic induction on the position of the inductive coil inside the cell has been found. It has been shown that the simplest formula of the Biot–Savart–Laplace law can be used to calculate them. This paper presents and describes the conducted experiments with their methodology. As a result of the industrial application of such protections, the act of implementation of the patent for the invention of an industrial enterprise is presented. The selection of settings of resource-saving protection is presented, as well as a feasibility study of the presented protection in comparison with conventional protection. This paper consists of the following sections: The Materials and Methods section describes the methodology used to achieve the purpose of the research. The Experiments section describes all the experiments conducted to achieve the purpose of the research. The Results section presents the results of the conducted experiments, an evaluation of the use of inductive coils in relay protection, an example of calculating the selection of the settings of parameters of resource-saving protection, a presentation of the patent for the invention, and a presentation of the feasibility study of the effectiveness of the considered resource-saving protection on inductive coils. The Conclusions section presents the result of this work, which is the creation of resource-saving protection on inductance coils. The References section presents a list of the sources used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the results of a study of the structure and phase composition of the hot-dip aluminizing coatings formed on the commercially pure titanium surface in AW-6063 aluminum alloy melt after heat treatment at 700 and 850 °C are presented. It is shown that as a result of aluminizing on the titanium surface, a homogeneous coating 30–40 µm thick without defects is formed. The hot-dip aluminizing coating consists of aluminum and the intermetallic compound TiAl3, located at the boundary with the substrate. Heat treatment results in the formation of a heterogeneous coating structure: its outer layer has a frame-type structure consisting of TiAl3 particles surrounded by an Al2O3 + TiO2 grid, and the inner continuous layer adjacent to the titanium consists of TiAl2, TiAl, and Ti3Al intermetallic layers. Increasing in the heat treatment temperature and/or holding time results in an increase in the thickness of both the outer and boundary layers of the coating. A mechanism for the formation of the coating structure via heat treatment is proposed. The scratch test method was used to evaluate the cohesive and adhesive strength of the coatings, and their scratch hardness was determined, which averaged 200 MPa. It was shown that the coating structure formed during heat treatment at 850 °C ensures higher resistance to cohesive failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyethylene and polystyrene are massively used around the world in various applications and are the most abundant plastic waste. Once in the marine environment, under the influence of physical and chemical factors, plastic products degrade, changing from the size category of macroplastics to microplastics. In order to study the effect of plastic on marine organisms, we modeled the conditions of environmental pollution with different-sized plastic—polystyrene microparticles of 0.9 µm and macro-sized polyethylene fragments of 10 cm—and compared their effect on biochemical parameters in the tissues of the bivalve mollusk Mytilus trossulus. Using biomarkers, it was found that regardless of the size and type of polymer, polystyrene microparticles and polyethylene macrofragments induced the development of oxidative stress in mussels. A significant decrease in the level of lysosomal stability in mussel hemocytes was observed. Increases in the level of DNA damage and the concentration of malonic dialdehyde in the cells of gills and the digestive gland were also shown. The level of total antiradical activity in cells varied and had a tissue-specific character. It was shown that both ingested polystyrene particles and leachable chemical compounds from polyethylene are toxic for mussels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The specialists refer unexplained infertility to the so-called diagnosis of exclusion due to the fact that in the process of medical examination of married couples the causes of infertility cannot be established. Material and methods: The clinical characteristics and embryological features of in vitro fertilization programs of couples with unexplained infertility versus the patients with tuboperitoneal infertility were analyzed retrospectively and prospectively. The study group comprised 93 women, who underwent 108 in vitro fertilization programs, and the control group consisted of 45 patients, who underwent 49 in vitro fertilization programs. Results: Significant differences (p<0.05) were found between the groups in anamnestic, clinical, laboratory, and instrumental characteristics. The ovarian stimulation protocols were comparable between the groups of patients. The blastulation rate was considered to be the endpoint in in vitro fertilization programs, and it was significantly lower in the group of women with unexplained infertility (45.53%). In-depth analysis of the embryonic stage of in vitro fertilization programs showed, that low blastulation rate in unexplained infertility was mainly due to the fact that embryos stopped developing about three days after they were cultured. At the same time the morphological assessment showed that the quality of blastocysts was higher in the group of unexplained infertility (66.7%) compared to the group of tuboperitoneal factor of infertility (45.8%). Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy showed similar frequency of detection of euploid embryos (41.7% and 40.0%, respectively). Conclusion: A "clinical portrait" of women with unexplained infertility was described. The low blastulation rate was noted in in vitro fertilization programs for women with unexplained infertility. Given the identified impairments of early embryonic development in unexplained infertility, it is appropriate to recommend the patients to undergo early use of in vitro fertilization with good-quality embryo transfer (>3, AA, AB, BA according to Gardner grading system) on day 5-6 of culture without long-lasting preliminary examination and empirical treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential probiotic properties of three Bacillus strains were studied. A probiotic supplement for the African catfish Clarias gariepinus was produced via the solid-state fermentation protocol and incorporated into the fish feed for a period of seven weeks. Since the 36th day of the experiment, all experimental groups had a statistically significant increase in their weight gain than the control group. The maximum weight gain observed in fish fed the probiotic-supplemented feed was 29.16% higher than that of the control group, and the maximum feed conversion rate improvement was 24%. Cell-free extracts from these strains showed antioxidant (11.55–27.40%) and DNA-protective (45.33–61.83%) activity in a series of in vitro biosensor tests. Further investigation into the antimutagenic activity of the strains revealed that two of them reduced the level of induced mutagenesis in an Escherichia coli model (by 33.58% and 54.35%, respectively). We also assessed the impact of probiotic strains on the expression of several key genes in the host (C. gariepinus), including hsp70, cxc, tnfα, il1β, and lysC. More than a 10-fold increase in expression rates was observed for hsp70 in gonads and liver; for cxc in muscles and gonads; for tnfα in brain, gills, and liver; for il1β in the brain, gills, gonads, and liver; and for lysC in gills, gonads, liver, and muscles. This study provides evidence that probiotics exhibiting antioxidant and antimutagenic properties can provide significant benefits in vivo within aquaculture systems. The molecular effects of these probiotics appear to be complex and tissue-specific, with both upregulation and downregulation of immune system genes observed. Nevertheless, at the organismal level, the impact was unequivocally positive in terms of aquaculture objectives, manifested as enhanced body weight gain in the fish. Consequently, these Bacillus strains warrant serious consideration as potential probiotics for this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regenerative medicine (RM) has emerged as a promising and revolutionary solution to address a range of unmet needs in healthcare, including ophthalmology. Moreover, RM takes advantage of the body’s innate ability to repair and replace pathologically affected tissues. On the other hand, despite its immense promise, RM faces challenges such as ethical concerns, host-related immune responses, and the need for additional scientific validation, among others. The primary aim of this review is to present a high-level overview of current strategies in the domain of RM (cell therapy, exosomes, scaffolds, in vivo reprogramming, organoids, and interspecies chimerism), centering around the field of ophthalmology. A search conducted on clinicaltrials.gov unveiled a total of at least 209 interventional trials related to RM within the ophthalmological field. Among these trials, there were numerous early-phase studies, including phase I, I/II, II, II/III, and III trials. Many of these studies demonstrate potential in addressing previously challenging and degenerative eye conditions, spanning from posterior segment pathologies like Age-related Macular Degeneration and Retinitis Pigmentosa to anterior structure diseases such as Dry Eye Disease and Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency. Notably, these therapeutic approaches offer tailored solutions specific to the underlying causes of each pathology, thus allowing for the hopeful possibility of bringing forth a treatment for ocular diseases that previously seemed incurable and significantly enhancing patients’ quality of life. As advancements in research and technology continue to unfold, future objectives should focus on ensuring the safety and prolonged viability of transplanted cells, devising efficient delivery techniques, etc.

Planning and organizing the post-conflict reconstruction of damaged areas is a fundamental challenge that the concerned authorities will face when deciding to begin reconstruction. This challenge lies in the need to determine how to properly plan and organize the process, and to determine the basis on which the process should be designed in order to ensure rapid reconstruction and rapid resettlement of refugees by reconstructing damaged housing stock. In this paper, we found that by adopting the concept of reconstruction priority and reconstruction sequence, we obtained a group of alternatives for planning and organizing the reconstruction process. After this, irrational alternatives were excluded, and the remaining ones were compared to choose the one that gives the shortest duration and, at the same time, less spread in the commissioning of the housing stock. The correlation between the main parameters of these alternatives was then examined and it was concluded that, by determining the approximate output per worker during reconstruction, it is possible to determine the values of other parameters that should be taken into account when designing reconstruction schedules for damaged areas in Syria.

The trust of society, investors, banks, and the state in the published information of economic entities is ensured through auditing, making auditing a public-legal function. The authors have analyzed the current state of the audit services market in Russia. As a result of the analysis conducted, inconsistencies in the state regulation of this function have been identified. Self-regulation of auditing in Russia, under the conditions of a non-alternative self-regulatory organization and strict control measures by government authorities, leads to a significant reduction in both auditors and auditing organizations, thereby reducing competition in the audit services market. The authors conclude that there are two components in auditing activities: professional and entrepreneurial, which have different goals and objectives. The authors identify insufficient implementation of professional elements in the activities of auditors and auditing organizations, as well as the predominance of entrepreneurial elements, as the prerequisites for problems in the industry's development and a decrease in society's trust in the work of auditors.

The information bases and principles for the development of a multilevel basic technology (MBT) system based on the method of analysis and synthesis of design and technological information in the working design documentation of the product are presented. The article deals with the scientific foundations and the Philosophical methodology of the multi-level basic technology system, using the descending and ascending design of technological processes by the "analysis-synthesis" method of design and technological information. The given graphical-text block diagrams allow to consider: - levels of technology and the degree of specification of information; - functions and structure of the MBT system; - a sequence of solving the problems of designing basic and working group technological processes. The application of the synthesis method for solving the problem of searching through technically possible variants of integrable transitions, positions and settings on professional personal computers with the correct filling of the matrix tables by a technologist of medium qualification makes it possible to obtain the optimal for the existing production of the technological processes machining of high-precision turning parts of simple and complex shape. Advantages of the proposed approach in comparison with the traditional ones are a significant increase in the quality of the developed technology and a sharp reduction in the terms of technological preparation of production.

The dependence of contact as a function of temperature, pressure and microgeometry (roughness) of the surface of the original material, as well as the mechanical properties of the treated surfaces of the parts of road-building machinery and equipment production of building materials, products and structures. The nature of contact interaction of different crystal materials at the thermal strain effect has been discussed. The relationship of the kinetics and character of smoothing microprotrusion and kinetics of contact strength increase in pressure welding at heating has been established. The displacement microprotrusion mechanism for the second stage of the process compared to the first stage has been defined. Linear dimensions the activated surface parts and bundle slip bundle have been found by theory and confirmed by experiment enough reliably. Kinetic dependence of physical contact with the oppositely and dissimilar materials with sharply varying resistance to plastic deformation had been ascertained and determined. The mechanism crumple microprotrusions for the second stage of the process compared to the first stage has been defined. Linear dimensions of the activated surface parts and bundle slip packs have been found by theory and confirmed by experiment enough reliably.

The current state of the problem shows that climate change is accompanied by a certain impact on the basic parameters of human life, among which a special place is occupied by the problem of water resources, their quality, quantity, possibilities of consumption, purification and others. In this regard, much attention is paid to assessing the quality of consumed water, since its use is determined by a number of factors, including: irrational use, pollution (chemical/biological), uneven distribution. A rather complex environmental situation has formed in the Kyrgyz Republic, associated with an increase in the level of man-made pressure on the environment. This influence, in turn, is accompanied by the emergence of new problems of protection and reproduction of geo- and biological resources. To analyze the quality of river water samples of the Alamedin River (spring and autumn samples) were selected, followed by purification with modified humic materials in the form of humic composites containing hybrid nanoparticles of iron oxide and rare earth metals. The purpose of the work is to study the influence of sorption modes on modified humic composites when analyzing water samples from the Alamedin River.

Traditional analytical methods for calculating and designing of grounding devices (GDs) in heterogeneous soils can lead to results that do not correspond to those obtained in practice. The empirical coefficients used in calculations of grounding systems given in various literature sources do not always give an explicable and significant discrepancy with the same initial data. In this paper, some well-known methods for calculating the spreading resistance of GDs are considered and the obtained results are compared with experimental data. It is shown that the recommendations and algorithms for calculating the resistance of GDs, presented in the well-known reference literature and regulatory documentation, do not give full and correct description for grounding devices installed in heterogeneous soil. In particular, it is shown that such a factor as the proportional ratio of soils with different resistivity practically does not affect the final result. This fact may mislead specialists, since the results obtained may differ significantly from what is observed in practice after the installation of GDs. The study proposes a calculation method and shows a fairly good convergence of the results with experimental data, and defines a further direction in optimizing calculation methods GDs.

This paper discusses a method for using mixtures to optimize the electrical parameters of grounding devices during the installation of vertical composite ground electrodes. The authors propose a design for the coupling and tip for vertical composite ground electrodes. Various techniques for artificially reducing the resistance of the grounding circuit are examined. Results from vertical electrode soundings of the soil at grounding locations are presented. The proposed method allows for the introduction of a mixture simultaneously with the vertical composite grounding electrode, including designs for the coupling, tip, and auxiliary device. Experimental studies of the proposed design have been conducted, and results measuring the resistance to current spread of such grounding devices are presented for both standard and proposed couplings.

Features of a method of thermal crystallization from a discrete liquid source through a little vacuum zone to produce thin ilm Ge/Si heterostructures onto large substrates were investigated. It is established the obtaining conditions for growing of homogeneous in thickness layers. The temperature dependence of structural perfection of germanium layers on silicon substrates and the optimal technological conditions were found.

The article is devoted to the subject, virtually untouched in the world historiography: the personal characteristics of the great Carthaginian general Hannibal, showing him with a rather unexpected source.

Background. Francisella tularensis, the etiological agent of tularemia, belongs to the facultative intracellular pathogens that cause severe disease in humans and man species of animals, and is a category A bioterrorism agent. Currently, F. tularensis is divided into four subspecies: F. tularensis subsp. tularensis (nearctica), F. tularensis subsp. holarctica, F. tularensis subsp. mediasiatica, F. tularensis subsp novicida, which differ in their pathogenicity and geographical distribution. Historically, this division was due to the different distribution area of strains, their differences in biochemical activity and pathogenicity for different hosts. The biochemical identification of subspecies is very laborious and requires work with live cultures of the microorganism, which determines the need to develop new molecular genetic approaches for genotyping F. tularensis strains.The aim of this study is to develop a method for differentiating subspecies and individual groups of F. tularensis based on INDEL typing. Research objectives: creation of a local database of nucleotide sequences of F. tularensis strains of different subspecies, search for INDEL markers that are significant for the differentiation of subspecies of the causative agent of tularemia, designing primers for the detection of INDEL markers using PCR, optimization of the set of INDEL markers and elucidation of phylogenetic relationships between the studied strains based on the proposed INDEL typing method.Materials and methods. The local database of nucleotide sequences of F. tularensis strains of different subspecies for comparative analysis of F. tularensis genomes presented in the GenBank database was created using the author's software. Detection of INDEL markers in the genomes of strains of the local database was carried out using the GeneExpert program. Primer design and in silico PCR were performed using the Primer3Plus software and the proprietary VirtualPCR software. Cluster analysis and construction of a phylogenetic tree were performed using the GrapeTree program.Results and discussion. The implementation of the proposed five INDEL markers for genotyping of 29 studied strains of different subspecies from the GenBank database made it possible to detect 9 individual genotypes with a high diversity index (DI = 0.85). Not only the corresponding division of the tularensis, holarctica, mediasiatica, and novicida subspecies into different clusters was noted, but also the intraspecific division into groups of strains was observed. Differentiation of F. tularensis subspecies was confirmed in vitro for the collection of strains of different subspecies of the Collection of Living Cultures of the Rostov-on-Don Plague Control Researsh Institute.Conclusion. For the first time, the F. tularensis subspecies differentiation system based on the INDEL typing method has been developed, which allows in vitro identification of both F. tularensis subspecies (tularensis, holarctica, mediasiatica and novicida) and groups of strains within subspecies without the need for strain sequencing. The method is protected by a patent. The topology of the INDEL phylogenetic tree of genotypes of F. tularensis strains correlates with the patterns of evolution of the tularemia microbe presented earlier. The proposed method can be used for combined typing of F. tularensis strains together with MLVA or SNP typing

Background. According to the modern concept of surgical treatment of ovarian cancer (OC) it is necessary to perform cytoreductive surgery (CRS) without residual tumor in order to achieve more favorable oncological prognoses. However, the possibilities of achieving it with a disseminated process (stages IIIIV) are limited, and therefore, for some patients, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) is the optimal initial treatment. Aim. To compare the duration of progression-free survival (PFS) of patients with advanced OC after treatment, as well as to assess the value of the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) in predicting this outcome. Materials and methods. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 78 patients with stages IIIIV OC, who received combined treatment between January 2016 and March 2020 (54 patients after primary CRS (PCRS)+platinum-based chemotherapy (CT), 24 patients after NACT+interval CRS (ICRS)+postoperative CT. The predictive value of the PNI was calculated. Results. The complete PCRS is associated with increased PFS: after complete PCRS 3211.21 months (95% confidence interval CI 10.0953.97); after optimal PCRS 223.46 months (95% CI 15.2128.79); after suboptimal PCRS 147 months (95% CI 0.2827.72). Performing a complete ICRS is associated with decreased PFS compared to PCRS, even if the complete CRS is achieved: after complete ICRS 143.34 months (95% CI 7.4620.54); after optimal ICRS 172.16 months (95% CI 12.7721.23); after suboptimal ICRS 7 months. PNI27.86 correlates with an increased probability of complete PCRS in patients with advanced PCR (AUC 94.3, sensitivity 80%, specificity 91.7%; p0.001). Conclusion. Achieving complete PCRS in patients with disseminated OC leads to an improvement in the oncological outcome. The prognostic value of pre-treatment calculation of PNI has been revealed: an increased PNI is associated with more favorable perioperative outcomes. Objective criteria should be developed for a strictly reasoned refusal to carry out the first stage of surgical treatment due to the obviously less favorable prognosis of the tactics of "NACT+ICRS+CT".

There is a lot of information and a great experience in the development of programmes on organisation of PE studies with improving orientation in the domestic science and practice. However, results of mass inspections of schoolchildren's health state that traditional ways of improving influences by means ofphysical culture aren't effective enough. In the article there are original approaches to the organisation of PE lessons of improving orientation taking into consideration modern claims of FSES general education.

The most complete presentation of stability of curvilinear motion of wheeled vehicle is provided by variations of motion path of its kinematic center and turn coordinates: maximum abscissa and ordinate showing both transversal and longitudinal deviations of vehicle, including those determining its flexibility and capacity. The methods of motion of wheeled vehicle are selected on the basis of specific operating conditions. This article describes derivation of explicit equations for analytical prediction of theoretical coordinates of path points of wheeled vehicle kinematic center upon loop-free circulation cornering. The derivation is based on parametric equation for determination of current coordinates of theoretical curve of entering corner and circumference, as well as smoothness condition and path continuity at the sites of their junction. The proposed equations made it possible to determine theoretical path of total cycle of loop-free circulation cornering of wheeled vehicle as a function of the following parameters: design related – axle base, distance between kingpins, maximum turn angles of internal steered wheels, and operation related – vehicle forward speed, angular turning speed of steered wheels in transverse plane, as well as to analyze and to compare the most universal methods of cornering: by front steered wheel and by front and rear wheel by their turning in opposite directions with regard to frame.

Purpose is to study the mechanisms leading to genetic divergence (stable genetic differences between two adjacent populations). We considered the following classical model situation. Populations are panmictic with Mendelian rules of inheritance. The action of natural selection (differences in fitness) on each of population is the same and is determined by the genotypes of only one diallel locus. We assume that adjacent generations do not overlap and genetic transformations can be described by a discrete time model. This model describes the change in the concentration of one of the alleles in each population and the ratio (weight) of first population to the total size. Methods. We used the analogue of saddle charts to construct parametric portraits showing the domains of qualitatively different dynamic modes. The study is supplemented with phase portraits, basins of attraction and bifurcation diagrams. Results. We found that the model dynamic regimes qualitatively coincide with the regimes of a similar model with continuous time, but only for a weak migration. With a strong coupling, fluctuations of the phase variables are possible. We showed that the genetic divergence is possible only with reduced fitness of heterozygotes and is the result of a series of bifurcations: pitchfork bifurcation, period doubling, or saddle-node bifurcation. After these qualitative changes, the dynamics become bi- or quadstable. In the first case, the solutions corresponding to the genetic divergence are unstable and are just a part of the transient process to monomorphic state. In the second case, the divergence is stable and appears as 2-cycle for a strong migration coupling. Conclusion. In neighboring populations, movement towards an asymptotic genetic structure (monomorphism, polymorphism or divergence) can be strictly monotonous or in the form of damped unstable or undamped stable fluctuations with a period of 2 for biologically significant parameters. For insignificant parameters, we found a complex dynamics (chaos) that consist of divergent fluctuations around fixed points and quasi-random transitions between them.

ObjectiveMicro-ultrasound is an imaging modality used to visualize and target prostate cancer during transrectal or transperineal biopsy. We evaluated the effectiveness of a micro-ultrasound training program and estimated the learning curve for prostate biopsy. MethodsA training program registry was assessed for the rate of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa, grade group ≥ 2), negative predictive value, and specificity at each stage of the program. Nine metrics of biopsy quality were evaluated in 4 stages for each practitioner. Non-linear fitting and logistic regression models were used to evaluate the time-course of these metrics over training. ResultsThirteen practitioners from 8 institutions completed stages 1 to 3 of the program, and 9 completed all 4 stages. Over 1190 micro-ultrasound biopsy procedures were performed. Detection of csPCa increased from 40% to 57% from stage 1 to stage 4 (P < 0.01). Stage 4 “expert” level was independently associated with higher detection of csPCa when correcting for overall risk factors (OR 1.95; P = 0.03). Limitations include the retrospective analysis and variation in biopsy protocols. ConclusionThe micro-ultrasound training program was effective in improving biopsy quality and rate of csPCa detection. The presented learning curve provides an initial guide for acquiring expertise with real-time micro-ultrasound image-guided biopsy.

Introduction Approximately one million prostate biopsies are performed annually in the USA, and most are performed using a transrectal approach under local anaesthesia. The risk of postbiopsy infection is increasing due to increasing antibiotic resistance of rectal flora. Single-centre studies suggest that a clean, percutaneous transperineal approach to prostate biopsy may have a lower risk of infection. To date, there is no high-level evidence comparing transperineal versus transrectal prostate biopsy. We hypothesise that transperineal versus transrectal prostate biopsy under local anaesthesia has a significantly lower risk of infection, similar pain/discomfort levels and comparable detection of non-low-grade prostate cancer.Methods and analysis We will perform a multicentre, prospective randomised clinical trial to compare transperineal versus transrectal prostate biopsy for elevated prostate-specific antigen in the first biopsy, prior negative biopsy and active surveillance biopsy setting. Prostate MRI will be performed prior to biopsy, and targeted biopsy will be conducted for suspicious MRI lesions in addition to systematic biopsy (12 cores). Approximately 1700 men will be recruited and randomised in a 1:1 ratio to transperineal versus transrectal biopsy. A streamlined design to collect data and to determine trial eligibility along with the two-stage consent process will be used to facilitate subject recruitment and retention. The primary outcome is postbiopsy infection, and secondary outcomes include other adverse events (bleeding, urinary retention), pain/discomfort/anxiety and critically, detection of non-low-grade (grade group ≥2) prostate cancer.Ethics and dissemination The Institutional Review Board of the Biomedical Research Alliance of New York approved the research protocol (protocol number #18-02-365, approved 20 April 2020). The results of the trial will be presented at scientific conferences and published in peer-reviewed medical journals.Trial registration number NCT04815876.

Background. The variety of polishing systems and tools available for finishing direct composite restorations may perplex the dentist.Objectives. An effect evaluation in one- and multi-step composite polishing tools using model specimens of GC Gradia Direct and 3M ESPE Filtek Ultimate restoratives.Methods. The prepared specimens of GC Gradia Direct and 3M ESPE Filtek Ultimate restorative composites were exposed in laboratory to the Kenda Maximus, Dentsply PoGo, Kagayaki RoundFlex, Shofu Super-Snap, Kagayaki Ensmart Pin, EVE Composoft polishing systems and Daiyamondo Kagayaki paste. The polishing systems distinguished by brand, technical and performance characters.Surface microgeometry in all 16 samples was estimated in the Laboratory of Optical Metrology, Institute of Design and Technology for Scientific Instrument Engineering, Novosibirsk, using a MNP-1 light interferometric nanoprofile microscope and at the shared core facilities of the Research and Education Centre “Nanomaterial Diagnostics and Properties” of Kuban State University, Krasnodar, using a JEOL JSM-7500F scanning electron microscope.Results. Optical profilometry and scanning electron microscopy were used to estimate surface roughness in 16 specimens exposed to polishing for one minute. The polishing tools Kenda Maximus, Dentsply PoGo, Kagayaki RoundFlex, Shofu Super-Snap, Kagayaki Ensmart Pin, EVE Composoft, as well as Daiyamondo Kagayaki paste used in instrumental polishing, revealed a varied performance. Optical profilometry exhibited the GC Gradia Direct and Filtek Ultimate specimens to possess the lowest average roughness in two cases: 1) after multi-step polishing with Kagayaki Ensmart Pin tools with Daiyamondo Kagayaki paste (average roughness corresponded to Sa — 0.214 pm in GC Gradia Direct and Sa — 0.248 pm — in Filtek Ultimate), 2) in application of the Kenda Maximus monopolishing tool (roughness values of Sa — 0.211 and Sa — 0.242 pm, respectively). Surface roughness after multi-step machining with EVE Composoft silicone polishers was average Sa — 0.579 and Sa — 0.549 pm in both samples and was reported the highest. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the optical profilometry estimates.Conclusion. The assay showed that the specimen machining with a sole Kenda Maximus diamond abrasive tool and several Kagayaki Ensmart Pin silicone polishing heads followed by a Daiyamondo Kagayaki diamond abrasive paste application produced very similar surface roughness values, which were graded the lowest with GC Gradia Direct and 3M ESPE Filtek Ultimate composite samples using scanning electron microscopy and optical profilometry.

The Immunotherapy to Prevent Progression on Active Surveillance Study is the first trial of immunotherapy for localized prostate cancer. We randomized active surveillance patients to PSA-TRICOM (PROSTVAC) or placebo for 5mo. Final results will be available in 2019.

Objectives: To compare the performance of micro-ultrasound (mUS) with multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) in detecting clinically significant prostate cancer. Materials and Methods: Retrospective data from consecutive patients with any indication for prostate biopsy in 2 academic institutions were included. The operator, blinded to mpMRI, would first scan the prostate and annotate any mUS lesions. All mUS lesions were biopsied. Any mpMRI lesions that did not correspond to mUS lesion upon unblinding were additionally biopsied. Grade group (GG) ≥ 2 was considered clinically significant cancer. The Jeffreys interval method was used to compare performance of mUS with mpMRI with the non-inferiority limit set at −5%. Results: Imaging and biopsy were performed in 82 patients with 153 lesions. mUS had similar sensitivity to mpMRI (per-lesion analysis: 78.4% versus 72.5%), but lower specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and area under the curve. Micro-ultrasound found GG ≥ 2 in 13% of cases missed by mpMRI, while mpMRI found GG ≥ 2 in 11% of cases missed by mUS. The difference 0.020 (95% CI −0.070 to 0.110) was not statistically significant (P = 0.33). Conclusion: The sensitivity of mUS in detecting GG ≥ 2 disease was similar to that of mpMRI, but the specificity was lower. Further evaluation with a larger sample size and experienced operators is warranted.

Very thin nanostructured carbon films were deposited on quartz substrate by reactive magnetron sputtering using graphite target and gas mixture of Ar and reactive gas N_2 or N_2+H_2. Film thicknesses were in the range of 20-25 nm. Rutherford backscattering spectrometry and Elastic recoil detection analytical method determined the concentration of elements in the films. Scanning electron microscopy scanned the surface morphology of carbon films. Raman spectroscopy was used for chemical structural properties determination of very thin carbon films. Raman spectra intensities were fitted with Gaussian peaks. The photo-induced (pulsed laser - 266 nm) electron emission properties of very thin nanostructured carbon films were investigated by the measurement of cathode bunch charge at different electric field and calculate quantum efficiency. The influence of different electric field on the photo-induced electron emission characteristics of prepared transmission photocathodes are discussed.

The literature review is devoted to the modern concepts of the vesiculation phenomenon and its biological role in pathogenic bacteria – causative agents of particularly dangerous human infections. Data on the production, structure, composition, and functions of the outer membrane vesicles (OMV) of bacteria have been summarized. In recent years, the interest of researchers in the formation of spherical structures (so called bubbles or vesicles) from outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria has significantly increased. Such structures are surrounded by the double layer of a phospholipid membrane, the outer layer of which is enriched with lipopolysaccharide molecules. The inner space of vesicles could include various antigens, receptors, adhesins, toxins, enzymes, porins, etc. The formation of vesicles by the outer membranes of bacteria is recognized as a normal physiological manifestation of bacterial activity aimed at adaptation to environmental conditions. The investigation of the biological role of OMV showed their connection with the pathogenesis and immunogenesis of bacterial diseases. The review provides information on the peculiarity of induction, OMV composition and their participation in the processes of patho- and immunogenesis of severe infections caused by groups I–II PBA – the gram-negative causative agents of plague, tularemia, brucellosis, glanders, melioidosis, cholera, and formation of extracellular vesicles in a gram-positive anthrax pathogen. The particular attention is paid to the issue of developing safe and effective next-generation vaccine preparations based on bacterial vesicles.

The article is devoted to some methodological features of modernization in modern education in the context of "the knowledge economy" development which is aimed at shaping new mental potential of the modern state. Features and prerequisites for the emergence of the knowledge economy, the priorities of which include the development and spread of information technologies, development and introduction of innovations, investment in human capital formation, have been clarified. It has been shown that in the socio-economic development system of the country, the knowledge economy as a social labor resource is one of the most important criteria of efficiency of organization of the socio-economic system of the country. Preconditions for organization of innovative-educational sector of economy of the Russian Federation are stated. The article focuses on the strategic landmarks of the formation and development of the innovative-educational sector of economy in the Southern Federal District. Network integration is considered to be the factor which enables to treat education as a separate, innovational sector. As for the preferable form of its organization, the authors mention private-public partnership with attraction of businesses. The paper also covers technical characteristics of implementing the model in the innovative-educational sector of economy of the Southern Federal District. The article presents promising areas of the study of this problem, which involves further development of the theory of intellectual capital development in education, subject-oriented methodology of educational system modernization in the applied aspect, as well as technologies of management of the national innovation-oriented educational system of the Russian Federation.

The article reveals the role of creative social practices in the development of united activities in Russian society. Creative social practices in Russian society are implemented by different social groups and strata for the purpose of self-realization, participation in socially important affairs when agreed by state institutions, ensuring safety and stability, and developing social creativity. In modern Russian society, there is a requirement for social solidarity associated with the mutual responsibility of the elites and the public, community groups and the state.

The solution of many clinical problems, including the issues of the origin of pain as a component of individual pathologies, lies in the plane of quantitative objectification of the underlying disease and elucidation of the role of pain syndrome (PS) in it. The analysis of literature data on methods of pain assessment, including quantitative scales and questionnaires, biochemical and instrumental studies, was carried out. Various PS correlates used in fundamental and applied research are considered. The neurophysiological mechanisms of pain formation and specific methods for assessing PS in endometriosis were studied.

The review presents a critical analysis of data on the role of immune factors in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. The research results accumulated by now convincingly demonstrate that an abnormal subclinical inflammatory response and disorders in the immune control system play a significant role in the onset, progression and persistence of endometriosis. In spite of the fact that many studies are concentrates on particular components of immune disorders in the pathogenesis of endometriosis, there is still no overall picture summarizing these data. Further research is needed to find immunological parameters that can be used as markers for clinical use in non-invasive diagnosis of this disease. The search for specific immune markers that could be used for target immunotherapy of endometriosis also remains relevant.