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The author of this research developed a modified topological method for calculating distribution coefficients of main currents. Main currents are represented as functions of electrical network parameters based on possible trees of directed graphs. Algorithms can be realized in the MATLAB environment. This method can increase load automation of complex electrical networks and systems. Keywords: Urban power network, Topology of electrical networks, Load flow analysis, Reactive power, Power transmission

Abstract Dystonia is a hyperkinetic movement disorder that has been associated with an imbalance towards the direct pathway between striatum and internal pallidum, but the neuronal underpinnings of this abnormal basal ganglia pathway activity remain unknown. Here, we report invasive recordings from ten dystonia patients via deep brain stimulation electrodes that allow for parallel recordings of several basal ganglia nuclei, namely the striatum, external and internal pallidum, that all displayed activity in the low frequency band (3–12 Hz). In addition to a correlation with low-frequency activity in the internal pallidum (R = 0.88, P = 0.001), we demonstrate that dystonic symptoms correlate specifically with low-frequency coupling between striatum and internal pallidum (R = 0.75, P = 0.009). This points towards a pathophysiological role of the direct striato-pallidal pathway in dystonia that is conveyed via coupling in the enhanced low-frequency band. Our study provides a mechanistic insight into the pathophysiology of dystonia by revealing a link between symptom severity and frequency-specific coupling of distinct basal ganglia pathways.

The purpose of this work was to determine the effect of glycerin TM BASF, sunflower honey and sesame powder TM "Korysne Boroshno" on the state of water in gel systems based on agar 1200 TM "Fujian Province" for the production of jelly bars. The research was carried out using infrared spectroscopy on a Perkin-Elmer Spectrum One FTIR Spectrometer. The study showed that gel formation in the "agar-water-glycerol" system leads to redistribution of OH groups, an increase in the number of associated hydroxyls, and water adsorption. This is confirmed by the appearance of a characteristic broad intense absorption band in the region of 37002600 cm-1 in the IR spectrum. The addition of honey to the gel system leads to a change in the intensity of the band of valence vibrations of the С-С bond in honey carbohydrates (at 1245 cm-1) and its shift towards higher frequencies compared to the "agar-waterglycerol" gel, which is confirmed by the presence of a band absorption in the region of 1200-700 cm-1. Spectroscopy data also showed that the addition of sesame powder during the preparation of an agar-based gel reduced the intensity of the OH valence vibrations of the water group (2151 cm-1), and also led to a shift of the intense broad band towards higher frequencies compared to gels without sesame (2139 cm-1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, joint precast piles with a cross-section of 400 × 400 mm and a pin-joined connection were considered, and their interaction with the soil of Western Kazakhstan has been analyzed. The following methods were used: assessment of the bearing capacity using the static compression load test (SCLT by ASTM) method, interpretation of the field test data, and the dynamic loading test (DLT) method for driving precast concrete joint piles, including Pile Driving Analyzer (PDA by ASTM) and Control and Provisioning of Wireless Access Points (CAPWAP) methods. According to the results, the composite piles tested by the PDA (by ASTM) method differ by 15 percent compared to the static load method, while the difference between the dynamic DLT (by ASTM) method and the static load (by ASTM) method was only 7 percent. So, according to the results, the alternative dynamic method DLT (by ASTM) is very effective and more accurate compared to other existing methods.

Objective: To review the efficacy and safety of PS neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser for the removal of cosmetic tattoos of the eyebrows. Method: This was a retrospective review from January 2022 to August 2023 of patients who underwent cosmetic tattoo removal of the eyebrows with PS Nd:YAG laser. Results: A total of 24 patients were included in the review. 70% of patients were rated as “very much improved” (75-100% of the tattoo removed) and 30% of patients were rated “much improved” (50-75% of the tattoo removed). 1064-nm was the 1st wavelength used in all the cases. The average number of sessions required to obtain satisfactory results was 3. Four patients experienced unexpected change in their primary color of the eyebrow tattoos after the 1st treatment, which was successfully treated with 532-nm wavelength. None of the patients experienced dyspigmentation, scarring, or damage/bleaching of hairs of the eyebrows. Conclusion: PS Nd:YAG garnet laser is an effective and safe treatment for the removal of cosmetic tattoos of the eyebrows.

Methylene blue (MB) is a well-known pharmaceutical ingredient that is thought to have a multi-targeted therapeutic effect as an anti-malarial and neuroprotective agent and has recently been identified as a treatment for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this review, we present an overview of relevant clinical trials, including ongoing trials, on the therapeutic uses of MB. A search for clinical trials on clinicaltrials.gov was performed using the terms “methylene blue” and “methylthionine chloride.” This review focuses on clinical trials of MB-based therapies applied to brain diseases, cancer imaging and diagnosis, infectious diseases such as malaria or COVID-19, and cardiovascular diseases. Nanoparticle-based delivery techniques have also been briefly discussed in addition to common delivery methods.

This article discusses the foundations of a conical shape directed with their apex downwards to increase the cross-sectional area and, accordingly, the bearing capacity during settlement and under the influence of horizontal tensile strains in undermined areas. To simulate the deformability of undermined and seismically exposed foundations, a three-dimensional expandable box was manufactured and assembled. Models of a conical foundation with an aperture angle of the cones at 90° and 80° were buried into the soil at 0.75 of its height, in order to provide a safety margin for further loading due to an increase in the bearing area when the cone is immersed deeper into the ground. Laboratory and field tests were performed on the vertical loading of single cones before and after horizontal soil displacement. Numerical modeling of the interaction between soil and foundation was carried out for conical foundation models that were considered for laboratory and field testing using the Plaxis 2D (Version 8.2) program. To compare the bearing capacity, isolated shallow foundations with a diameter equal to the cross section of the conical foundation at the intersection with the ground surface were tested. The isolated shallow foundations lost their bearing capacity after 0.15 kN in laboratory tests and after 75 kN in the field tests, while the ultimate bearing capacity of conical foundations with the similar cross section at the soil surface was not achieved, even after 0.2 kN during laboratory tests with horizontal soil displacement and at a load of 100 kN in field tests.

Abstract Adaptive deep brain stimulation (aDBS) is a promising concept for feedback-based neurostimulation, with the potential of clinical implementation with the sensing-enabled Percept neurostimulator. We aim to characterize chronic electrophysiological activity during stimulation and to validate beta-band activity as a biomarker for bradykinesia. Subthalamic activity was recorded during stepwise stimulation amplitude increase OFF medication in 10 Parkinson’s patients during rest and finger tapping. Offline analysis of wavelet-transformed beta-band activity and assessment of inter-variable relationships in linear mixed effects models were implemented. There was a stepwise suppression of low-beta activity with increasing stimulation intensity (p = 0.002). Low-beta power was negatively correlated with movement speed and predictive for velocity improvements (p

Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation emerged as an effective treatment for various forms of refractory chronic pain, although the evidence for thoracic neuropathic pain is scarce. Pain relief can decrease over time and might be underappreciated in clinical studies. Hence, alternative procedures should be kept in mind when DRG stimulation fails to provide lasting pain relief. A 55-year-old man had a 3-year history of severe right-sided refractory intercostal neuralgia after thoracic trauma (visual analogue scale (VAS) 6/10 for average intensity of pain) concerning T10 and T11 with allodynia. He underwent DRG stimulation, providing initial improvement (VAS 4/10). After two years, the relief had diminished (VAS 6/10), and a salvage ganglionectomy was performed (VAS 4/10). Seven months later DRG trial stimulation was performed for new pain at T9. Since no pain relief was achieved, a ganglionectomy at T9 was performed with subsequent removal of the stimulation system. At the last follow-up 3 years after the initial presentation, the patient reported continued pain relief (VAS 4/10) with absence of allodynia. Selective thoracic ganglionectomy is a viable rescue technique in patients with intercostal neuralgia in whom DRG stimulation fails to provide continuous pain relief.

According to the study literature, urolithiasis remains one of the most common nosologies among the child population. In connection with the global changes in the health status of the population of our planet, the social significance of urolithiasis has recently acquired new relevance. The mechanism of stone formation is a complex process; stones are formed as a result of urine saturation with oxalates, calcium, uric acid, cystine. Most stones in children are located in the upper urinary tract. In 15%-25% of cases in children, urolithiasis may be asymptomatic. Diagnostics today are not difficult. If urolithiasis is suspected, first, among the instrumental research methods, ultrasound examination of the urinary tract is used, which identifies both X-ray-positive and X-ray-negative stones. Nowadays, not all standards for treating obstructing stones of the upper urinary tract in children of various sizes and localizations, as well as the type of pelvis structure, have been defined. Simultaneously, new trends in treatment may change already existing standards. It should be noted that in the modern world, and ways of metaphylaxis urolithiasis in children studied insufficiently. In the world literature, there is insufficient information on predicting the occurrence of recurrence of urolithiasis and ways to eliminate them. This literature review examines the epidemiology, etiopathogenesis of urolithiasis, diagnosis, existing treatment standards and metaphylaxis. Methods of active tactics of treatment of obstructive stones of the upper urinary tract are analysed in more detail.

Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT) is a rare and highly malignant central nervous system (CNS) embryonal neoplasm: it accounts for

Background: Brain sensing devices are approved today for Parkinson's, essential tremor, and epilepsy therapies. Clinical decisions for implants are often influenced by the premise that patients will benefit from using sensing technology. However, artifacts, such as ECG contamination, can render such treatments unreliable. Therefore, clinicians need to understand how surgical decisions may affect artifact probability. Objectives: Investigate neural signal contamination with ECG activity in sensing enabled neurostimulation systems, and in particular clinical choices such as implant location that impact signal fidelity. Methods: Electric field modeling and empirical signals from 85 patients were used to investigate the relationship between implant location and ECG contamination. Results: The impact on neural recordings depends on the difference between ECG signal and noise floor of the electrophysiological recording. Empirically, we demonstrate that severe ECG contamination was more than 3.2x higher in left-sided subclavicular implants (48.3%), when compared to right-sided implants (15.3%). Cranial implants did not show ECG contamination. Conclusions: Given the relative frequency of corrupted neural signals, we conclude that implant location will impact the ability of brain sensing devices to be used for “closed-loop” algorithms. Clinical adjustments such as implant location can significantly affect signal integrity and need consideration.

Neuronal accumulation of mis-folded tau is the pathological hallmark of multiple neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease. Distinct from amyloid plaques, which appear simultaneously throughout the brain, tau pathology develops first in a specific brain region and then propagates to neuroanatomically connected brain regions, exacerbating the disease. Due to the implication in disease progression, prevention of tau transmission is recognized as an important therapeutic strategy that can halt disease progression in the brain. Recently, accumulating studies have demonstrated diverse cellular mechanisms associated with cell-to-cell transmission of tau. Once transmitted, mis-folded tau species act as a prion-like seed for native tau aggregation in the recipient neuron. In this review, we summarize the diverse cellular mechanisms associated with the secretion and uptake of tau, and highlight tau-trafficking receptors, which mediate tau clearance or cell-to-cell tau transmission.

The dynamic spread of 3D printing technologies and open-source electronics prototyping platforms has significantly enriched the diversity of instruments used within educational robotics (ER) settings. An active, low-entry-level community offering ready-to-use libraries for a broad variety of devices assists in the development of quite sophisticated projects. However, the flipside of the coin is represented by the current research findings, which reveal that students’ interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects has declined across Europe, as manifested in difficulties when approaching scientific topics and dealing with problems and phenomena studied from a multidisciplinary perspective. Consequently, a significant percentage of youths are at risk of social exclusion due to the direct relationship between low academic achievements and school dropout. Moreover, learners lack guidance in applied and life-context skills, such as creative thinking, problem solving, and collaboration, which highlights the need to introduce innovative pedagogical approaches. In this context, the design thinking (DT) methodology was proposed to tackle the problem. Originating in the development of psychological studies on creativity in the 1950s within the educational context, DT is known to foster creative thinking, help develop empathy, promote action-oriented actions, improve meta-cognitive awareness, contribute to problem-solving skills, and enhance students’ imagination. The last point supports the students’ development of critical thinking, social inclusion, teamwork skills, and academic performance. Thus, this paper introduces a methodological framework combining DT with ER classes. First, to approach the problem, the teachers’ survey data were collected and analysed to reveal the respondents’ level of integration of the DT methodology into current school curricula. Then, the work focused on the application of this framework in a learning experience by addressing the weakest points established and their elaboration through the combined ER and DT classes in the context of secondary schools.

Fiber optics are increasingly being used in structural health monitoring applications. In addition to the well-known advantages, they most reliably transmit the stress–strain condition of the structure in the long term. This article presents the results of structural health monitoring on the embedding of fiber optics in the upper layer of the raft over the entire area of a high-rise building in Astana city (Kazakhstan), including the 75-storey 320 m block R. Temperature and strain data were collected constantly via a distributed fiber optic strain sensing system (DFOSS). The analysis of strains in fiber optic chainage indicated that the compression strains were observed over the entire area of the building, with values from −20 to −40 µε and with progression of the compression loaded up to −80 µε along the core wall closer to the eastern facade of the building. Tension strains were concentrated along the extreme axes of the building, with a predominance in the southern part of the R block, as well as in the immediate vicinity of the columns, in a range of −20 to −40 µε, with separate spots from −40 to −60 µε. Individual patches of tension strains near the columns have been explained by the increased deflection of the raft under the application of a concentrated load (columns). Fiber optic monitoring results at the time of testing did not exceed the permitted values for high-rise building operation; however, they characterized the general picture of the strain in the raft plane and made it possible to determine the initiation of cracks in concrete at an early stage.

Objective: Olanzapine and Aripiprazole are widely used second-generation antipsychotic drugs. Olanzapine, more than Aripiprazole, leads to considerable metabolic side effects including obesity and diabetes. While the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood, these side effects are likely associated with mild inflammation in the metabolic organs. An in vitro model that accurately recapitulates the metabolic impact of olanzapine and aripiprazole should be useful to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Methods: We established co-cultures of matured adipocytes derived from the human SGBS cell line and the THP-1 human monocytic cell-derived or primary macrophages to explore the effects of both drugs on the response to insulin. Results: Olanzapine, but not aripiprazole induced insulin resistance in SGBS adipocytes only when co-cultured with THP-1 or primary macrophages, polarized either into M0, M1 or M2. Noteworthy, M2 macrophages induced olanzapine-dependent insulin resistance in the absence of induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Insulin resistance by olanzapine was stronger than induced by high concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines even in combinations, suggesting the contribution of factors other than the classical inflammatory cytokines to promote insulin resistance in adipocytes by olanzapine. Conclusion: Macrophage/adipocyte co-cultures recapitulate the features of olanzapine-induced insulin resistance and implicate the existence of yet unknown factors in mediating this effect.

Nowadays the process of correction anxiety is the subject of study of many branches of scientific knowledge. Increased anxiety is an obstacle to gaining new knowledge and skills. Whatever it was, the problem of anxiety in children with special needs is relevant. The correction of this condition using kinesiotherapy should be explored both in theory and in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the potential influence of operating water levels and loading conditions on the slope stability of an embankment dam. Four different operating reservoir levels (normal, reduced, embankment height, and overflow) were considered in the study. Numerical modeling was used to investigate the problem in the case of the Chardara dam within the Syrdarya catchment in Kazakhstan. Based on the drawdown rates and operating conditions, minimum factor of safety values ranging from 0.56 (total failure) to 2.5 were retrieved. Furthermore, a very high correlation was observed between drawdown days, the minimum factor of safety values, the maximum factor of safety values, and pore-water pressures, with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.561 to 0.997 (strong to very strong correlation). On the other hand, the highest negative correlation of 0.997 was observed between the minimum factor of safety values and pore-water pressures. Additionally, based on the results from the analysis of variance, three reservoir operating levels (normal, embankment height, and overflow) resulted in p-values less than 0.05, indicating that the variations in the factor of safety values from the drawdown rates were statistically significant. The findings of this study demonstrated that, not only may the drawdown rate be detrimental to the embankments, but that different operating levels can also affect slope stability in different ways.

Studies with non-human primates have suggested an excitatory influence of the thalamus on the cerebral cortex, with the centromedian-parafascicular complex (CM-Pf) being particularly involved in processes of sensory event-driven attention and arousal. To define the involvement of the human CM-Pf in bottom-up and top-down auditory attention, we simultaneously recorded cortical EEG activity and intracranial local field potentials (LFPs) via electrodes implanted for deep brain stimulation for the treatment of neuropathic pain. The patients (N ​= ​6) performed an auditory three-class oddball paradigm with frequent standard stimuli and two types of infrequent deviant stimuli (target and distractor). We found a parietal P3b to targets and a central P3a to distractors at the scalp level. Subcortical recordings in the CM-Pf revealed enhanced activation to targets compared to standards. Interarea-correlation analyses showed that activation in the CM-Pf predicted the generation of longer latency P3b scalp potentials specifically in the target condition. Our results provide first direct human evidence for a functional temporal relationship between target-related activation in the CM-Pf and an enhanced cortical target response. These results corroborate the hypothetical model of a cortico-basal ganglia loop system that switches from top-down to bottom-up mode in response to salient, task-relevant external events that are not predictable.

Vapour mass transfer is often underestimated when designing the bases for structures in frost susceptible soils. Intensive and long-term vapour transport may lead to excessive frost heaving and associated issues. A vapour transport model and the algorithm of its calculation is presented in this study based on the results of experimental freeze–thaw cycles of nine soil samples with varied density. The temperature field distribution, air voids volume and the energy comprising latent heat for the phase transition and heat extracted during the temperature drop are the main parameters for determining the vapour velocity and the amount of ice formed. According to the results, the average speed of vapour transport in frozen soils was about 0.4 m/h. The amount of ice built in 1 h during uniaxial freezing due to the saturated vapour pressure difference was 1.64 × 10−5–3.6 × 10−⁵ g/h in loose samples and 1.41 × 10−⁶ g/h to 5.61 × 10−⁷ g/h in dense samples of 10 cm diameter and 10 cm high sections. The results show that vapour mass transfer can increase the risk of ice growth and related problems.

Destructuring settlements due to frost heave during the structures’ exploitation are often not taken into account at the designing stage, although they are indirectly related to the bearing capacity of the soils. The objective of this research was analyzing the effect of the number of freezing-thawing cycles on the strength characteristics of soils. A paired experiment with various initial parameters (void ratio, initial moisture content, and the number of freezing-thawing cycles) was carried out. According to the experimental results, the cohesion largely depends on the above parameters which might lead to its decrease by up to three times. The angle of internal friction demonstrated an indefinite behavior during the freeze-thaw cycles, which is confirmed by a literature review. Freezing–thawing cycles significantly decrease the soil bearing capacity: up to 44% after 10 freezing-thawing cycles for soil with e=0.55 and w=16.5%. However, in the case of e=0.75 and w=22.6%, it increased by 33%. A program based on the least-squares method was used to calculate the approximation coefficients of the dependence describing the changes in strength characteristics from the abovementioned parameters. Changes in strength characteristics must be taken into account when designing structures, as they can lead to additional settlement or even subsidence of the foundations.

Background: DYT6 dystonia can have an unpredictable clinical course and the result of deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the internal part of the globus pallidus (GPi) is known to be less robust than in other forms of autosomal dominant dystonia. Patients who had previous stereotactic surgery with insufficient clinical benefit form a particular challenge with very limited other treatment options available. Case Report: A pediatric DYT6 patient unexpectedly deteriorated to status dystonicus 1 year after GPi DBS implantation with good initial clinical response. After repositioning the DBS electrodes the status dystonicus resolved. Discussion: This case study demonstrates that medication-resistant status dystonicus in DYT6 dystonia can be reversed by relocation of pallidal electrodes. This case highlights that repositioning of DBS electrodes may be considered in patients with status dystonicus, especially when the electrode position is not optimal, even after an initial clinical response to DBS.