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Aim. The goal of the study was to analyze the differential expression of lipid metabolism-related genes in the atherosclerotic plaques of different types in patients with coronary atherosclerosis.Material and Methods. The study was performed on the specimens of atherosclerotic plaques in 45–65-year-old patients with coronary atherosclerosis with stable exertional angina functional class II-IV without acute coronary syndrome. Coronary atherosclerosis was verified by coronary angiography. Atherosclerotic plaque tissue was sampled intraoperatively when indicated. Whole-genome sequencing of ribonucleic acid (RNA) was performed using the TruSeq RNA Sample Preparation Kit (Illumina, USA).Results. We analyzed the differences in the expression of 12 genes including LDLR, APOB, PCSK9, LDLRAP1, LIPA, STAP1, ABCA1, APOA1, APOE, LPL, SCARB1, and SREBF2 depending on the type of atherosclerotic plaques. The expression level of APOE gene was eight times higher in unstable atherosclerotic plaques of dystrophic-necrotic type (p < 0.0001). The expression levels of LDLR and APOB genes were eight times higher in stable atherosclerotic plaques (p < 0.0001). We did not find differences in the expression levels of the ABCG5, ABCG8, APOC3, CETP, CLPS, CYP7A1, and PNPLA5 genes.Conclusion. The study showed the differences in the activity of individual metabolism-related genes in the atherosclerotic plaques of different types in patients with coronary atherosclerosis. Obtained data may become the basis for the development of test systems aimed at predicting the development of atherosclerotic process and its complications.

Unalloyed titanium VT10 with a record value of the ultimate tensile strength of 1350 MPa obtained using technologies of selective laser melting and rotary swaging. This value exceeds by 3 times the tensile strength of commercially pure titanium produced using conventional technologies and also exceeds the strength values of Ti6Al4V (grade 5) high strength titanium alloy. The reasons of the increase in the strength characteristics of titanium VT10 are the finedispersed marten site obtained due to high crystallization rates in the process of selective laser melting, and its additional refinement during the rotary swaging process. To study the thermal stability of the mechanical properties of titanium VT10 processed using various technologies, research of the effect of annealing temperature in the range of 100–800 °C on the ultimate tensile strength and elongation to failure were carried out. Results have shown that the dependence of the ultimate tensile strength on the annealing temperature for VT10 titanium samples after selective laser melting and rotary swaging has a threestage behavior. The ultimate tensile strength decrease by 25–35% after heat treatment at 800 °C. The values of elongation to failure for VT10 titanium samples processed by selective laser melting and rotary swaging monotonically increase from 8–12 to 18–23% when the annealing temperature grows up to 800 °C. The possibilities of methods of selective laser melting, rotary swaging and heat treatment to control the mechanical characteristics of titanium VT10, which is a promising material for the manufacture of osteointegrable medical implants, are demonstrated. The combined application of the abovementioned methods makes it possible to produce VT10 titanium with a given combination of strength and plastic characteristics in a wide range of values.

The ceramic samples fabricated by spark plasma sintering of powder mixtures based on silicon nitride (Si3N4) were investigated. The powder mixtures were made by wet chemical methods from commercial α-Si3N4 powder (the particle size

International audience; Mini-EUSO is a high-sensitivity imaging telescope that observes the Earth from the ISS in the near ultraviolet band (290÷ 430 nm), through the nadir-facing, UV-transparent window in the Russian Zvezda module. The instrument, launched in 2019, has a field of view of 44∘, a spatial resolution on the Earth’s surface of 6.3 km and a temporal sampling rate of 2.5 microseconds. Thanks to its triggering and on-board processing, the telescope is capable of detecting UV emissions of cosmic, atmospheric, and terrestrial origin on different time scales, from a few microseconds up to tens of milliseconds. The optics is composed of two Fresnel lenses focusing light onto an array of 36 Hamamatsu Multi-Anode PhotoMultiplier Tubes, for a total of 2304 pixels. The telescope also contains two cameras in the near-infrared and visible, an 8-by-8 array of Silicon-PhotoMultipliers and a series of UV sensors to manage night-day transitions. The scientific objectives range from the observation of atmospheric phenomena [lightning, Transient Luminous Events (TLEs), ELVES], the study of meteoroids, the search of interstellar meteoroids and strange quark matter, mapping of the Earth’s nocturnal emissions in the ultraviolet range, and the search of cosmic rays with energy above 1021 eV. The instrument has been integrated and qualified in 2019, with the final tests in Baikonur prior to its launch. Operations involve periodic installation in the Zvezda module of the station with observations during the crew night time, with periodic downlink of data samples, with the full data being sent to the ground via pouches containing the data disks. Mission planning involves the selection of the optimal orbits to maximize the scientific return of the instrument. In this work, we will describe the various phases of construction, testing, and qualification prior to the launch and the in-flight operations of the instrument on board the ISS.

The anisotropy of the properties of a ceramic cutting insert (for three faces) obtained by the lithography-based technology from the Al2O3 + ZrO2 composite has been studied. The study was carried out using the indentation method and Mayer’s law. This method, in contrast to the bending test, excludes the sample destruction. All the studies were carried out on three faces of a ceramic cutting insert made of a composite Al2O3 + ZrO2. The behavior of the Mayer index was studied in the range of loads from 2 to 20 kg and from 0.2 to 1 kg. The results of studying the density, phase composition and microstructure of each face of the sample are presented. The study of the adhesion of the printed layers were also carried out using a Knoop indenter. No anisotropy of the hardness was observed in the load range up to 10 kg. It is shown that a layered structure present in the sample, contributes to the hardness anisotropy under the load of 20 kg and more. No anisotropy of the fracture toughness is observed in the load range of 2 – 20 kg. The results of using a Knoop indenter revealed a high adhesion between 3D printed layers. Studies using a Knoop indenter have indicated high adhesion between the layers of 3D printing.

Mini-EUSO (Multiwavelength Imaging New Instrument for the Extreme Universe Space Observatory) is a telescope observing the Earth from the International Space Station since 2019. The instrument employs a Fresnel-lens optical system and a focal surface composed of 36 multi-anode photomultiplier tubes, 64 channels each, for a total of 2304 channels with single photon counting sensitivity. Mini-EUSO also contains two ancillary cameras to complement measurements in the near infrared and visible ranges. The scientific objectives of the mission range from the search for extensive air showers generated by Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Rays (UHECRs) with energies above 10$^{21}$ eV, the search for nuclearites and Strange Quark Matter (SQM), up to the study of atmospheric phenomena such as Transient Luminous Events (TLEs), meteors and meteoroids. Mini-EUSO can map the night-time Earth in the near UV range (between 290-430 nm) with a spatial resolution of about 6.3 km (full field of view of 44{\deg}) and a maximum temporal resolution of 2.5 $\mu$s, observing our planet through a nadir-facing UV-transparent window in the Russian Zvezda module. The detector saves triggered transient phenomena with a sampling rate of 2.5 $\mu$s and 320 $\mu$s, as well as continuous acquisition at 40.96 ms scale. In this paper we discuss the detector response and the flat-fielding and calibration procedures. Using the 40.96 ms data, we present $\simeq$6.3 km resolution night-time Earth maps in the UV band, and report on various emissions of anthropogenic and natural origin. We measure ionospheric airglow emissions of dark moonless nights over the sea and ground, studying the effect of clouds, moonlight, and artificial (towns, boats) lights. In addition to paving the way forward for the study of long-term variations of natural and artificial light, we also estimate the observation live-time of future UHECR detectors., Comment: 49 pages, 27 figures, 1 table, published in Remote Sensing of Environment

The experimental results of the hollow electrodes erosion resistance considering a pilot arc re-ignition during plasma torches operating, are presented in the paper. A high voltage alternating current oscillator is used to simulate an initial process instability. The electrical circuit of the experimental setup with a pulsed discharge current up to 2 kA with time parameter 8/250 and a follow current of 800 A at industrial frequency is described. Four electrodes materials of tungsten (W), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), copper with a sprayed nickel+iron powder (Cu-Ni-Fe) are investigated. X-ray patterns of the different electrode surfaces are demonstrated after 4–9 pulses and one pulse with follow current impacts. The electric charge is calculated by integrating the obtained discharge current to assess the erosion coefficient. The following decreasing order of the electrical erosion resistance is determined: W - Fe - Cu-Ni-Fe - Cu.