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Highly dispersed fluorinated SWCNTs of submicron length were prepared, characterized and tested as nonvolatile additive to the active layer of polymer/fullerene organic solar cells. Two types of initial SWCNT materials – TUBALL® (OCSiAl) and Super purified plasma tubes (Nanointegris Inc.) – were used. The absence of big CNT aggregates was revealed by atomic force microscopy. The absence of metallic SWCNTs is confirmed by optical spectra of fluorinated SWCNT dispersions. Reproducible increase of the main performance parameters of solar cells (short circuit current, open circuit voltage, fill factor and power conversion efficiency) was obtained upon admixing a small amount of fluorinated SWCNTs (less than 1% weight) into the polymer/fullerene active layer, with either P3HT or PCDTBT donor and either PC60BM or PC70BM acceptor for both direct and inverted device architectures. Since effective charge mobility did not change upon fluorinated SWCNT admixture, the improvement of solar cell performance is not related to SWCNT-induced modification of the electronic structure of the active layer components or charge transfer via fluorinated SWCNTs. Presumably, the origin of this improvements is geometric optimization of the active layer morphology (improving connectivity of donor and acceptor domains) by fluorinated SWCNTs due to their high aspect ratio.

Introduction. When choosing the optimal heat and electric power generating technology, the most promising in terms of ensuring maximum credibility of obtained results is the method of assessing the environmental and economic efficiency of various objects, which implies the application of the studied object life cycle assessment method to be the initial main stage. The authors tackle the problem of assessing the life cycle of steam and gas turbine CHP plants for selecting the optimal heat and electric power generating technology. The aim of the study is to define the main stages and their corresponding specifications of steam and gas CHP plants’ life cycle as facilities generating heat and electric power within the structure of various purpose urban complexes.Materials and methods. The authors' research is based on the object life cycle assessment method as well as on the quality management system and the theory of selecting and evaluating the various objects’ environmental and economic efficiency. Results. Based on the research, it was found that: -CHP plants are of particular interest in terms of selecting the optimal cogeneration technology because many technological types of this energy are implemented there; - the life cycle assessment method may well be implemented at CHP plants; - the authors have taken a steam and gas turbine CHP plant as an object for the life cycle analysis because it has significant advantage over other similar technologies; - the life cycle of a steam and gas turbine CHP plant includes three main stages: construction (erecting, setting-up and commissioning), operation and disposal, which have the largest share in the overall life cycle; - the most significant processes have been identified for each of the distinguished life cycle stages of a steam and gas turbine CHP plant.Discussion and conclusion. The performed life cycle analysis led to the conclusion that the life cycle of a steam and gas turbine CHP plant, the one commonly used in real life and representing particular interest in terms of choosing the optimal technology, has three main stages occupying the largest share in the overall life cycle: construction, operation and disposal. Besides, the most significant processes were identified and described for each of the distinguished life cycle stages of a steam and gas turbine CHP plant.

Introduction.The state of the blood flow within the capillaries and close blood vessels is highly important in practice for the revealing of pathogenetic mechanisms of both systemic and local circulatory disorders.Aimof the study was to define the parameters of microcirculation and the level of blood flow fluctuations (flux) in the distal segments of upper and lower limbs (in fingers of hands and toes of feet) in children of 6–7 years old; and to describe the possible differences in the mechanisms of blood flow modulation in boys and girls.Materials and methods.Skin microcirculation was assessed in middle fingers of hands and great toes of feet in children of 6-7 years old (14 girls and 7 boys in prone position) by means of laser doppler flowmetry.Results.The ranges for parameters of microcirculation (PM) for distal segments of upper and lower limbs in children of mentioned age group were defined, also it was shown that the PM are significantly lower in the lower limbs comparing to those of the upper limbs (both in groups of girls and boys). Asymmetry of PM in the feet was not found; the features of right hand-left hand asymmetry for PM in girls and boys are described. The analysis of modulation of blood flow fluctuations (fluxmotions) of different frequencies showed the profound role of vasomotor (myogenic) rhythm for regulation of microcirculation.Conclusion.Increased neurogenic influences on the modulation of fluxmotions in girls of 6-7 years old may be an evidence of the ongoing development of the mechanisms of blood flow regulation, particularly the association with the growth rate of girls is possible.

International audience; The effects of as-produced and treated by HNO3(3M) carbon nanohorns on the microviscosity of rat erythrocyte membranes and the viscosity of the water-containing plasma protein matrix were investigated by the method of spin probes. Addition of nanohorns at the concentration of 100 μg/ml to a suspension of erythrocytes led to an increase in membrane microviscosity during 4 h (about 60% effect). In addition, it was shown that nanohorns also induced an increased polarity of the microenvironment for lipophilic probes in the outer layer of membrane phospholipids, as well as disorders in erythrocytes membranes. Addition of nanohorns to plasma led to a little decrease in the viscosity of water and protein matrix, apparently, due to its partial destruction, impacting especially albumin. Pristine and treated by HNO3(3M) acid nanohorns was found more cytotoxic than nanoparticles of oxidized graphene, and significantly less than carbon nanotubes, which are known to dramatically increase the microviscosity of the membranes of erythrocytes and disrupt their integrity.

The article provides a review of the current literature about time-restricted eating (TRE) as a new tool for the treatment of obesity and comorbid conditions. The search for new nutritional strategies in obesity, one of which is TRE, is due to the weak adherence of patients to hypocaloric diets in the long term, as well as the available data on the importance of ­desynchronization of food intake with natural circadian rhythms in the development and progression of obesity and cardio-­metabolic complications. The article describes the main mechanisms that regulate the circadian rhythms of food intake and nutrient absorption, substantiates the importance of adhering to a physiological diet for maintaining metabolic health. The main part of the review is devoted to reviewing the currently available researches on the effectiveness of various strategies of intermittent energy restriction for weight loss and the correction of metabolic parameters. Potential mechanisms of the ­effect of TRE on health are discussed, including those mediated by an unintentional decrease in caloric intake and changes in eating behavior, and differences in the effectiveness of early and late TRE. The article contains a detailed discussion of the potential problems and contradictions associated with the use of time-restricted eating in clinical practice, namely: the limitations and inconsistencies of the available clinical trials, the lack of data on long-term efficacy and safety, social and psychological limitations that impede the widespread use of TRE.

The patterns of sorption of lanthanum ions from model nitrate solutions by metallurgical slag were investigated. It was shown that slag is a rather effective sorbent of lanthanum ions. The kinetics of sorption of lanthanum ions from model nitrate solutions by granulated blast furnace slag Zaporozhstal was studied. Based on the processing of integral kinetic sorption curves by the equations of diffusion kinetics, it was found that the sorption process proceeds in a mixed diffuse mode. The use of chemical kinetics models has shown that the stage of the chemical interaction of lanthanum ions with the functional groups of the sorbent also contributes to the overall speed of the process. According to Giles’ classification, isotherms of adsorption of lanthanum ions by slag belong to L-type isotherms. To obtain quantitative characteristics of the sorption of lanthanum ions on slag, the experimental results were processed using the sorption models of Langmuir, Freindlich, and Dubinin – Radushkevich. It has been established that experimentally the isotherm of sorption of lanthanum from model nitrate solutions by slag is well described by all models in the same range of equilibrium concentrations. The obtained value ΔG 0 sorb = -25.83 kJ/mol indicates a rather high affinityof the sorbent for the sorbate and the advisability of using granular slag for the extraction of lanthanum compounds from model nitrate solutions. Using the Dubinin-Radushkevich model, which indicates the nature of sorbate sorption on the sorbent, the average free sorption energy was calculated. Calculations showed that the value of the free energy of sorption E = 7.18-8.33 kJ/mol indicates the physical nature of the interaction of the sorbate with the sorbent.

The ability to apply granulated materials with cellulose as sorbents for silver extraction from thiocyanate solutions in industrial technological schemes is studied. Samples extracted from sulfite unbleached pulp from coniferous wood via preactivation, dilution, chemical modification, and extraction with successive curing of granules formed are studied. The granule surface is shown to possess a developed pore system with diameter of 2–5 μm. The optimum time of silver sorption from a potassium thiocyanate solution by a cellulose-containing sorbent with a weight of 500 ± 2 mg is found to be 120 min. The silver anion complexes can be completely extracted from thiocyanate solutions with a silver content of not higher than 1 g/L. The experimentally evaluated sorption capacity of a cellulose-containing material in relation to silver is 20 mg/g.

Introduction.In today’s world, a problem of vandalism has become rather widespread. Vandals damage monuments of cultural heritage, historic sights and other types of public space. A theoretical aspect of vandalism is registered in jurisprudence, which is guided principally by regulatory approach to the solution of questions of the violation of laws and recognised rules of human coexistence. However, focusing only on the application of administrative and criminal sanctions to those guilty of vandal offenses, does not allow reducing the excessive number of universal manifestations of vandalism, which have been increased recently, by avoiding psychological factors. Theaimsof the publication were the following: to actualise and discuss the problem of vandal behaviour among adolescents; to denote a problem field of psychological research, which is necessary for identifying genesis, vandal determination and further organisation of effective preventive activity in educational institutions.Methodology and research methods.The methodological basis of the research involved hermeneutic and dialectic approaches, general scientific methods of analysis, synthesis, comparison and synthesis of scientific data.Results and scientific novelty.The author attempted to interpret the problem of vandal behaviour of adolescents from the point of view of interdisciplinary understanding. The author highlighted the need for a detailed psychological analysis of the phenomenon under study, its causes and predictors for the formation of adequate measures to reduce the spread of vandalism in the public space. The contradictions in the psychological theory, educational practice and consciousness of society were revealed: between the widespread occurrence of acts of vandal behaviour and the limited methods and means to prevent it; between the mass involvement of adolescents in vandalism and the lack of specialised age-based programmes to correct vandal behaviour; between the prevalence of unauthorized graphic activity of schoolchildren and other forms of vandal behaviour in the educational environment and the reluctance of teachers and administration of educational institutions to recognise this as a noteworthy problem; between the social significance of determination of lawful and effective punishment (in terms of prevention) and insufficient attention to personal reasons that encourage a person to commit or not to commit vandal acts; between common scientific interest in the individual psychological and socio-typological features of adolescents committing vandalism and inadequate attention to the socio-psychological motivational determinants, initiating and forming the readiness to commit vandal actions. The outlined discrepancies allowed the author to plan a general trajectory of the required research, in which the phenomenon of vandalism has to be considered in the context of realisation of personal subjectivity.Practical significance. It is known that small forms of vandal behaviour can be transformed to heavier types of destructive behaviour, right up to antisocial ones. Nevertheless, the ambiguous perception of vandal acts in society and scientific community, lack of a clear boundary in understanding of acceptability or unacceptability of kinds of this phenomenon is interfered with creation of effective model of counteraction of its expansion. On the one hand, the designated direction of scientific search can generate knowledge of essence of such deviant behaviour as vandalism, and, on the other hand, vandalism has the practice-focused importance as it can establish the foundation for the development of approaches of educational influence, which prevent the manifestations of vandalism.

The dependence of the physical and chemical properties of hydroxyapatite powder on its preparation technique was determined. Samples produced from biological raw materials by methods of annealing and demineralization of cattle bones were studied. Hydroxyapatite powder surface was studied by scanning electron microscopy, the particle size distribution histograms and the specific surface area values were obtained. The phase compositions of the studied materials were determined by X-ray phase analysis. The preparation technique for ultra-dispersed hydroxyapatite powder with a controlled particle size and Ca/P ratio closest to the stoichiometric one in human bone tissue was determined. It was shown that hydroxyapatite powders produced by cattle bone demineralization method with 1 and 2 M hydrogen chloride aqueous solutions had the best physical and chemical properties in terms of practical application in medicine. Those powders had the smallest particle sizes and the highest specific surface area values.

Introduction.Osseointegration process exerts considerable influence on the term of biological fixation of the implants and is an important parameter that is to be focused on at the implant placement.Purpose: to conduct a comparative analysis of the osseointegration of the titanium alloy implants with different coatings for the determination of the optimum coating compound for osteogenesis.Materials and methods. Comparative analysis of osteogenic properties of the implants with thermal chemical surface treatment, calcium phosphate coating and Germanium enriched (3% and 5%) calcium phosphate coatings applied by electrochemical technique was performed. Implant recipients were 29 not pedigree male cats aged 1.5 to 4.0 years with 2500 to 3400 g body weight. Experimental animals were euthanized in 90 days after surgical intervention.Results.Histological study results showed that bone tissue regeneration was most active when implants with higher level (5%) of Germanium in calcium phosphate coating were used. Calcium phosphate coatings and Germanium enriched ones showed better osseointegration as compared to the implants with thermal chemical surface treatment.

The patterns of sorption of lanthanum ions from model nitrate solutions by the natural sorbent clinoptilolite were investigated. It was shown that clinoptilolite is a rather effective sorbent of lanthanum ions. The kinetics of adsorption of lanthanum ions by clinoptilolite was studied. Based on the results obtained, it was established that the external and internal diffusion is the limiting stage of the process. Along with this, a certain contribution to the overall rate of the process is introduced and the stage of interaction of the adsorbed ions with the functional groups of clinoptilolite. According to Giles’s classification the isotherms of adsorption of lanthanum ions by clinoptilolite belong to L-type isotherms. To obtain quantitative characteristics of the sorption of lanthanum ions on clinoptilolite, the experimental results were processed using sorption models of Langmuir, Freindlich, and Dubinin – Radushkevich. It has been established that experimentally the isotherm of sorption of lanthanum from model nitrate solutions by the natural sorbent clinoptilolite is well described by all models in the same range of equilibrium concentrations. The obtained value ΔG 0sorb = -36.87 kJ/mol indicates a rather high affinity of the sorbent for the sorbate and the advisability of using clinoptilolite to extract lanthanum compounds from model nitrate solutions. Using the Dubinin-Radushkevich model, which indicates the nature of sorbate sorption on the sorbent, it was calculated average free energy of sorption. Calculations showed that the value of the free energy of sorption E = 12 kJ/mol indicates the chemical nature of the interaction of the sorbate with the sorbent. Thus, the process of sorption of lanthanum ions on the surface of clinoptilolite proceeds according to the ion-exchange mechanism, and the fixation of lanthanum ions has a chemical nature.

The patterns of sorption of lanthanum ions from model nitrate solutions by the natural sorbent clinoptilolite were investigated. It was shown that clinoptilolite is a rather effective sorbent of lanthanum ions. The kinetics of adsorption of lanthanum ions by clinoptilolite was studied. Based on the results obtained, it was established that the external and internal diffusion is the limiting stage of the process. Along with this, a certain contribution to the overall rate of the process is introduced and the stage of interaction of the adsorbed ions with the functional groups of clinoptilolite. According to Giles’s classification the isotherms of adsorption of lanthanum ions by clinoptilolite belong to L-type isotherms. To obtain quantitative characteristics of the sorption of lanthanum ions on clinoptilolite, the experimental results were processed using sorption models of Langmuir, Freindlich, and Dubinin – Radushkevich. It has been established that experimentally the isotherm of sorption of lanthanum from model nitrate solutions by the natural sorbent clinoptilolite is well described by all models in the same range of equilibrium concentrations. The obtained value ΔG0sorb = -36.87 kJ/mol indicates a rather high affinity of the sorbent for the sorbate and the advisability of using clinoptilolite to extract lanthanum compounds from model nitrate solutions. Using the Dubinin-Radushkevich model, which indicates the nature of sorbate sorption on the sorbent, it was calculated average free energy of sorption. Calculations showed that the value of the free energy of sorption E = 12 kJ/mol indicates the chemical nature of the interaction of the sorbate with the sorbent. Thus, the process of sorption of lanthanum ions on the surface of clinoptilolite proceeds according to the ion-exchange mechanism, and the fixation of lanthanum ions has a chemical nature., Досліджені закономірності сорбції іонів лантану з модельних нітратних розчинів природним сорбентом клиноптилолітом. На підставі отриманих результатів встановлене, що процес сорбції лантану клиноптилолітом описується рівнянням псевдопершого порядку та протікає в змішано дифузійному режимі. По класифікації Джайлса ізотерми адсорбції іонів лантану клиноптилолітом ставляться до ізотерм L-типу. Опис сорбційного процесу добре описуються моделями Фрейндліха, Ленгмюра, Дубініна-Радушкевича. Встановлено механізм взаємодії іонів лантану з клиноптилолітом.

The article discusses the production of cylindrical hollow workpieces with different cross-sections along the height. The difference in cross-sections is ensured by crimping. During the crimping, the ends of the blanks are thickening. The operation under consideration is carried out in a hot state with local heating of the workpiece elements with a slow movement of the tool. It occurs due to the material grade of the workpiece, which is very demanding in terms of the deformation conditions. Simulation of the studied combined process has been carried out, during which the influence of the parameters of the main operations (deformation rate, heating parameters, friction) on the possibility of obtaining products with specified geometric characteristics has been established.

Background: Eating in obesity represents behavioral systems more powerful than conscious self-control. Aim: To study the obese patients’ behavior with the help of clinical-psychopathological and personal style criteria. Materials and methods: A total of 149 patients (aged 19-69 years), who sought medical help due to obesity or overweight were examined. Their physical condition was satisfactory and concomitant somatic diseases were compensated. Patients’ behavior was assessed by diagnostic criteria ICD-10 as well as with a Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (psychological testing). Results: It was established that psychical impairments existed in 98 (65.8%) patients. The anxiety disorders (in 65 patients, 43.6%) and affective ones (in 41 patients, 31.5%) were noted most frequently. Factor analysis of the psychological test data revealed 5 main styles of behavior in patients with overweight and obesity: borderline, hyperthymic, dysthymic, sensitive, and undifferentiated. Neither these behavioral styles nor the frequency of disorders corresponded to the degree of obesity. Conclusion: Disturbances of eating self-regulation in obesity are associated with different behavioral styles, which are not specific for mental disorders only. These behavioral styles are described in the study as well as corresponding psychological mechanisms of overeating.

Using laser doppler flowmetry (LDF) the parameters of skin microcirculation of different topographo-anatomic regions of the body at healthy persons age of 18—24 years were studied. Features of the skin structure and microvessels in these areas of the body are investigated by histological methods and capillaroscopy. Normative parameters of microcirculation in the skin of head, body and main segments of hand and leg are determined.

Obesity causes variety of metabolic disorders, and decreases the quality of life. At the same time many people with BMI>30 kg/A possess different psychopathologic disturbances. The results of ourwork disclose high percentage of impaired carbohydrate metabolism, hyperlipidemia, and resistance to insulin in patients with obesity Besides, it was revealed that more than a half of the patients have symptoms of maladjustment, and decreased quality of life. Reduction of body w eight due to the treatment with Orlistat w as accompanied by improvement in parameters of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and quality of life

Mutations in the tumor suppressor gene p53 often lead to disarrangement of the cell cycle and of genetic integrity control of cells that may contribute to tumor development. We studied p53 gene mutations in 26 primary tumors of colorectal cancer patients. Mutations in p53 were found in 17 tumors (65.4%). All point mutations affected the DNA binding domain of p53 and were localized in exons 4-8 of the gene. Mutant p53 isoforms with altered domain structure and/or with alternative C-terminus arising from frameshift mutations or abnormal splicing were found in six tumors. Mutations Leu111Gln and Ser127Phe were shown in colorectal cancer for the first time. Isoforms p53-305 with C(4) insertion in codons 300/301 and p53i9* including an additional 44 nucleotides of the 3 -end of intron 9 were discovered for the first time. Mutations of p53 were associated with lymph node metastases and III/IV stage of tumors that are signs of unfavorable prognosis in colorectal cancer.

Lug a reliable determinat ion of the shape of the blood flow curve. Under conditions of acute experiment the intravascular transducer makes it possible to investigate the hemodynamics in alert animals. The duration of the operating period of intravascular transducers under these conditions has not yet been established, and depends on the quality of the materials used. Howe~cer, the relative benign procedure of implantation, greatly reduces the time before postoperative studies can be begun, which is an important plus for physiological investigations.

1. Coating of modified polycaprolactam fibers with biocompatible copolymer makes the fibers pseudo monofilamentous and prevents cellular elements from penetrating through into the suture thread. This effect in the Capromed suture material holds for 7–21 days after implantation.

The paper gives data on the composition and strength characteristics and experimental and clinical findings of resolving antimicrobial suture materials, such as Capromed-type one, based on the modified caproic fiber coated by the biocompatible polymer PPB-1 which contains antimicrobial drugs. Capromed threads are demonstrated to have high strength characteristics and resolve in the body within 8-9 months. Coating the modified caproic fibers with the biocompatible copolymer imparts them pseudomonfilament characteristics and prevents the penetration of cellular elements to the thickness of threads. The content of antibacterial agents in the polymer coating confers prolonged antibacterial properties on Capromed. Desorption of antimicrobial agents from Capromed is conducive to more favourable healing, prevents the development of ligature fistulas, favours an over 4-fold reduction in the incidence of wound complications, as compared to the controls.

Experiments with male California rabbits were carried out different intervals of acute alcohol intoxication induced by intragastric administration of 40% ethanol solution in a dose of 10 ml/kg to examine daily changes of concentration of iron, alpha-tocopherol and lipid peroxidation products in the blood plasma from vena portal and vena hepatis. Acute alcohol intoxication was demonstrated to be accompanied by inversion in temporal organization of lipid peroxidation products, sideremia and alpha-tocopherol levels in the blood of vena hepatis. The invariability of the circadian rhythms of iron, alpha-tocopherol and lipid peroxidation products levels in vena portal blood a considered to prove participation of the liver in regulation of iron metabolism temporal organization in California rabbits with acute alcohol intoxication.

By means of the biomicroscopy method under vital conditions, conjunctival microvessels in the eyeball have been investigated in 240 healthy boys 7-17 years of age at the state of rest and at the antiorthostatic action. The rearrangement of the conjunctival microcirculatory bed of the eyeball completes on the whole by 13-14 years of age and is characterized by transition from diffuse to a more refulate structure (the number of the main magistrals lessens, they become larger, the number of capillaries functioning simultaneously decreases, the role of the shunting blood stream becomes more important). With this process in ontogenesis, certain changes in reactivity of microvessels are connected. The quickest and the most adequate responses of the microvessels appear in the development by the time when the definitive composition of the conjunctival microcirculatory bed in the eyeball is formed. Since that time the microcirculatory system reaches its optimal level of functioning and all the processes are performed in the most economic regimen.