bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognostic Value of Diastolic Function Parameters In Significant Aortic Regurgitation. The Role of The Left Atrial Strain
Authors: García-Martín Ana , Sequeiros María Abellás , Gómez Ariana González , Díaz Luis Miguel Rincón , Ruiz Juan Manuel Monteagudo , Baydés Rocío Hinojar , Mur Jose Luis Moya , Gómez José Luis Zamorano , Fernández-Golfín Covadonga
Published: January 2022

AimsThe management of patients with asymptomatic significant aortic regurgitation (sAR) is often challenging and appropriate timing of aortic valve surgery remains controversial. Prognostic value of diastolic parameters has been demonstrated in several cardiac diseases. In particular, left atrial (LA) function has been shown to be an important determinant of morbimortality. The purpose of this study was to analyze the prognostic significance of diastolic function in asymptomatic patients with sAR.Methods and resultsA total of 126 patients with asymptomatic sAR were included. Conventional echocardiographic systolic and diastolic function parameters were assessed. LA and left ventricular (LV) auto-strain analysis was performed in a subgroup of 57 patients. During a mean follow up of 33±19 months, 25(19,8%) patients reached the combined end-point. Univariate analysis showed that LV volumes, LV ejection fraction (LVEF), LV-GLS, E wave, E/e’ ratio, LA volume and LA reservoir strain (LASr) were significant predictors of events. Multivariate model-1 that tested all classical echocardiographic variables statistically significant in the univariate model showed that LVEDV [HR=1,02;95% CI:1,01-1,03;(p<0,001)] and E/e’ ratio [HR=1,12;95% CI:1,03-1,23;(p=0,01)] were significant predictors of events. In the subgroup of patients with auto-strain analyzed, a multivariate model-2 including the previous significant variables for the first model as well as LASr, showed that LVEDV [HR=1,05;95% CI:1,01-1,08;(p=0,016)] and LASr [HR=0,8;95% CI:0,65-0,98;(p<0,035)] were the most significant predictors of cardiovascular events.ConclusionsIn this population of asymptomatic patients with sAR and normal LV systolic function, baseline diastolic parameters were prognostic markers of cardiovascular events; among them, LASr played a strong independent predictor role.
AMOC Trends From 1850 to 2100 At Interannual To Multi-Decadal Time Scales Corroborated By Changes In Salinity Budget
Authors: Lobelle Delphine , Sévellec Florian , Beaulieu Claudie , Livina Valerie , Frajka-Williams Eleanor
Published: January 2022

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is a key player in the global coupled ocean-atmosphere climate system. To characterise the potential of an AMOC slowdown, a past and future trend probability analysis is applied using 16 models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5. We determine the probability of AMOC annual to multidecadal trends under the historical period and two future climate scenarios (`business-as-usual’ scenario - RCP8.5 and `stabilisation’ scenario - RCP4.5). We show that the probability of a AMOC decline in model data shifts outside its range of intrinsic variability (determined from the pre-industrial control runs) for sustained 5-year trend or longer. This suggests that interannual AMOC events are not significantly affected by future climate scenario, and so potentially neither by anthropogenic forcing. Furthermore, under the ‘business-as-usual’ scenario the probability of a 20-year decline remains high (87\%) until 2100, however in a ‘stabilisation’ scenario the trend probability recovers its pre-industrial values by 2100. A 20-year unique event is identified from 1995 to 2015, marked by simultaneous unique features in the AMOC and salinity transport that are not replicated over any other 20-year period within the 250 years studied. These features include the maximum probability and magnitude of an `intense’ AMOC decline, and a sustained 20-year decline in subpolar salinity transport caused by internal oceanic processes (as opposed to external atmospheric forcing). This work therefore highlights the potential use of direct salinity transport observations, and ensemble mean numerical models to represent and understand changes in past, present, and future AMOC.
Morphological Characteristics of the Lacrimal Apparatus in its Obstruction of Various Genesis
Authors: Demyashkin Grigory A. , Yartsev Vasily D. , Atkova Eugenia L. , Ekaterinchev Maxim A. , Shchekin Vladimir I.
Published: January 2022

Purpose: morphological assessment of the lacrimal ducts at various anatomical levels in patients with primary (PANDO) and secondary (SALDO) obstruction after radioactive iodine therapy.Methods. The material was obtained during endoscopic dacryocystorinostomy with revision of Hasner's valve in patients with PANDO (n=7) in the distal segments of the nasolacrimal duct and in patients with SALDO (n=7) after radioactive iodine therapy. During the surgery, a biopsy of Hasner's valve, as well as a biopsy of the lacrimal sac wall were performed. The resulting material was stained with hemotoxylin and eosin, alcyan blue and by Masson method. Morphological and morphometric analyses were performed in semi-automatic mode. The results of histochemical staining of sections were translated into points taking into account the area and optical density (chromogenicity) in relative units: 1 – weak (0 – 0.3); 2 – moderate (0.3 – 0.6); 3 – significant (>0.6). The nonparametric Mann-Whitney criterion was used for statistical analysis. The differences were considered significant at p<0.05.Results. The comparative morphological study both confirmed the available information concerning the radiation nature of the obstruction and allowed to quantify the fibrosis level of the stromal component and other lacrimal ducts structures.Conclusion. It was shown that the nasolacrimal duct sclerosis is significantly lower (p=0.029) in patients with SALDO than in patients with PANDO while fibrosis in the lacrimal sac is the same in patients of the compared groups.
Socioeconomic Factors Associated with Poor Prognosis in Patients with Alcoholic Liver Cirrhosis
Authors: Kushibuchi Mio , Okuse Chiaki , Ie Kenya , Matsunaga Kotaro , Tsuchida Tomoya , Motohashi Iori , Hirose Masanori , Otsuki Takuya , Aihara Mari , Matsuda Takahide
Published: January 2022

Background: Alcohol liver cirrhosis is a life-threatening condition, especially if alcohol cessation is not accomplished. Past studies have shown that alcohol abuse is closely linked to low socioeconomic status and social marginalization. Public assistance (PA), or Seikatsu-hogo, a Japanese public assistance ensuring medical care to low-income population, was employed as a proxy for social marginalization. This study aims to investigate the prognostic effect of being a PA recipient on overall mortality in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis.Methods: Patients diagnosed as alcoholic liver cirrhosis in a community hospital between 2006 to 2017 were included in this retrospective cohort study. Baseline demographics and mortality data were extracted from electronic health records. Cirrhosis severity at baseline was measured by mean model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score and Albumin-Bilirubin (ALBI) score. Primary outcome was survival probability obtained by the Kapan Meier method and Cox proportional hazards regression. Results: 244 participants were included, among which 62 were PA recipients. Baseline cirrhosis severity score was not different between the two groups. Incidence proportion for overall mortality was 48.4% and 31.9% for PA recipients and non-PA recipients, respectively (p=0.002). In cox regression model, adjusted for age, ALBI score and HCV infection, hazard ratio for PA reception was1.57 (95% CI: 0.97-2.5, p=0.06). Conclusions: Being a PA recipient may be a poor prognostic factor of mortality in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis.
In-vitro and In-vivo effects of Cu-Melo Seed´trypsinseed´trypsin Inhibitor on Angiogenesis and Tumor Characteristics in Balb-c Mice With Breast Cancer
Authors: Rezaei Shahla , Azarpira Negar , Koohpeyma Farhad , Yousefi Reza , Heidari Mojdeh , Doaei Saeid , Haghshenas Mohammad Reza , Mazloom Zohreh
Published: January 2022

BackgroundMelon seeds as an excellent supply of protease inhibitors may have a protective role against tumor progression and angiogenesis. However, its effects on angiogenesis and the mechanism of its motion on cancer progression remain elusive. This study aimed to investigate the effect of bioactive compounds of melon seed on the expression of angiogenesis genes in breast cancer cell lines.MethodsTrypsin inhibitor (TI) was purified from the seed powder of Cucumis Melo. Half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was determined for TI, extract of melon seed powder (EXT), and tamoxifen (TAM) by MTT test. Also, breast tumor was induced by subcutaneous injection of MC4-L2 cell line in blab-c inbreed mice breast tissue. After tumor growth, mice were treated with TI, EXT, and TAM to examine their effects on the tumor characteristics and the expression of the angiogenesis-related genes including MMP-2, MMP-9, and VEGF using the RT-PCR method.ResultsTI, EXT, TAM, and adjuvant treatment of TI+TAM resulted a reduction in expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, and VEGF. All treatments improved the breast tumor characteristics and the necrosis. The Real Time-PCR method verified the positive effects of the treatments on the breast cancer cell line and tumors.ConclusionThe results indicated that treatments with trypsin Inhibitor Purified from Cucumis Melo Seeds and also combination therapy of trypsin inhibitor and tamoxifen can be considered as an alternative therapy in breast cancer patients. Further studies are warranted.
A Pan-cancer Analysis of Thioredoxin-interacting Protein as an Immunological and Prognostic Biomarker
Authors: Guo Xuxue , Huang Mei , Zhang Haonan , Chen Qianhui , Hu Ying , Meng Yan , Wu Changjie , Tu Chenge , Liu Yongfeng , Li Aimin , Li Qingyuan , Zhou Peirong , Liu Side
Published: January 2022

BackgroundThe critical role of thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) in cellular sulfhydryl redox homeostasis and inflammasome activation is already widely known, however, no pan-cancer analysis is currently available. MethodsWe thus first explored the potential roles of TXNIP across thirty-three tumors mainly based on The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus datasets. ResultsTXNIP is lowly expressed in most cancers, and distinct associations exist between TXNIP expression and the prognosis of tumor patients. TXNIP expression was associated with tumor mutational burden, microsatellite instability, mismatch repair genes, tumor infiltrating immune cell abundance as well as cancer-associated fibroblasts. Moreover, ubiquitin mediated proteolysis, protein post-translational modification and other related pathways were involved in the functional mechanisms of TXNIP. ConclusionsOur first pan-cancer study offers a relatively comprehensive understanding of the carcinostatic roles of TXNIP across different tumors. And this molecule may be considered as a potential immunological and prognostic biomarker.
Nanodiamonds in Oil Emulsions as Effective Vaccine Adjuvants and Antitumor Therapeutic Agents
Authors: Lin Hsin-Hung , Wang Chih-Yen , Hsieh Feng-Jen , Liao Fang-Zhen , Su Yu-Kai , Pham Minh Dinh , Hsu Hsao-Hsun , Chang Huan-Cheng
Published: January 2022

Background

Composed of mineral oil and mycobacteria pathogens, complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) is one of the most commonly used adjuvants for antibody production and scientific research due to its high efficiency. However, the dead mycobacteria in CFA can cause many allergic reactions. We propose here a new formulation based on the use of nanodiamonds (NDs) as biocompatible non-allergic additives in incomplete Freund’s adjuvant (IFA) to avoid these adverse effects.
Methods

Chicken egg ovalbumin (OVA) was used as the antigens and 100-nm NDs after purification by air oxidation and strong oxidative acid washes were used as the additives. Levels of OVA-specific IgG antibody in mouse sera were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) after the second and third immunizations of healthy mice with OVA and OVA/ND in IFA or CFA. Abilities of the OVA/ND/IFA vaccination to inhibit the tumor growth of mice inoculated with EL4 cells or OVA-expressing E.G7 cells were examined over 1 month.
Results

The new formulation worked well as a potent vaccine adjuvant, which could boost the immune responses and reduce the consumption of antigens in producing antibodies of interest in model animals like mice. Additionally, the composites showed distinct therapeutic activities, as proven by the OVA/ND/IFA treatment that effectively inhibited the tumor progression of E.G7-inoculated mice, allowing the animals to survive over 35 days post tumor-cell challenges. About 0.2% of the injected ND particles were found in mouse spleens on day 24 after vaccination of the E.G7-inoculated mice with OVA/ND/IFA.
Conclusions

The multiple functionality of ND makes it useful as an active and trackable component of a vaccine adjuvant not only to enhance antibody production but also to suppress tumor growth in vivo. The ND-based new formulation can be developed into single-dose vaccines with promising potential for real-world applications.
The Effects of First-trimester Subchorionic Hematoma on Pregnancy Outcomes:A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Gu Chongjuan , He Yaojuan , Li Xiaojun , Li Qingfeng , Xuan Qingshan , Li Kuanrong
Published: January 2022

Background: Although first-trimester subchorionic hematoma (SCH) always concerns expectant parents, its clinical significance remains controversial. This study aimed to examine the relationship between first-trimester SCH and its association with subsequent miscarriage and other perinatal outcomes.Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study including 43,660 women who underwent routine prenatal care since the first trimester and then were followed up for maternal and neonatal outcomes. SCH was detected in the first-trimester ultrasound examinations. Robust Poisson regression was used to estimate adjusted risk associations between SCH maternal and neonatal outcomes.Results: A total of 815 (1.87%) SCH were detected in the first-trimester ultrasound examination. The rate of miscarriage was statistically significantly higher in women with SCH than in those without [35.2% vs. 23.9%, P<0.01; adjusted relative risk (RR):1.44, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.31-1.58]. Subgroup analysis of women with SCH showed a clear trend that the earlier SCH occurred, the higher the risk of miscarriage was [adjusted RR and 95% CI for onset at the gestational weeks of 8-9, 6- 7, and <6 vs. ≥10: 1.30 (0.69-2.46), 2.33 (1.28-4.23), and 4.18 (2.30-7.58), respectively; Ptrend<0.01]. In addition, women with SCH volume ≥1ml showed higher risk than those <1 ml [adjusted RR and 95% CI for 1-4.9 ml, and ≥5 ml vs. <1 ml: 1.36 (1.10-1.68) and 1.56 (1.18-2.07), respectively]. There was no statistically significant difference in the rates of other pregnancy outcomes between women with and without SCH.Conclusions: First-trimester SCH might significantly increase the risk of miscarriage, particularly the one that occurs early and the one with large size. Data from this study do not suggest adverse effects of SCH on other maternal and neonatal outcomes.
Chromosomal Analysis of 129 Miscarried Conceptuses: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Gui Juan , Liu Qian , Wang Xiaochen , Xie Qingzhen , Ming Lei
Published: January 2022

Background

Embryonic chromosomal abnormality is one of the significant causative factors of pregnancy loss. Our goal was to investigate the differences of chromosomal abnormality between different conception modes in miscarried products of conception (POCs).
Methods

A retrospective study included 129 miscarried POCs from 81 women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) and 48 spontaneous pregnant (SP) women during March 2019 to March 2021 in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University. Subgroups were divided according to age, fertilization method, types of embryo transfer. The profiles of cytogenetic abnormalities in the miscarried POCs were measured via next-generation sequencing.
Results

The total chromosomal abnormality rate was 65.1%. No significant difference was found in the rate of chromosomal abnormalities between ART and SP group (63% vs. 68.8%, P = 0.505). However, the rate of chromosomal structural abnormalities was significantly increased in ART group (P = 0.02). There was no significant difference in the rate of chromosomal abnormalities when stratified by age (62.9% vs. 71.9%, P = 0.355) and frequency of abortion (66.7% vs. 63.2%, P = 0.678). In the patients aged < 35 years, the ART group had more frequent structural abnormality than SP group (P = 0.006). In the patients aged ≥ 35 years, numerical chromosomal abnormality was predominated in both groups (P = 0.655). Compared with the IVF fertilization subgroup, microdeletion was more frequent in the ICSI fertilization subgroup (80% vs.28.6%, P = 0.013). The rate of chromosomal abnormality in the fresh embryo transfer group was significantly higher than that in the frozen embryo transfer group (92.3% vs.50%, P = 0.0001), especially the structural abnormality (46.2% vs. 15.4%, P = 0.016).
Conclusion

Chromosomal abnormality is the main cause of spontaneous abortion, whether in SP or in ART patients. The incidence of structural abnormalities in miscarried POCs from ART patients was significantly increased and fresh cycles had higher frequency of chromosomal abnormalities than the frozen cycles, hints us that “freezing all” should be considered in the process of assisted reproduction if encountered hyper ovarian stimulation, to avoid the negative effect of high estrogen environment on embryo development.
Effects of Prebiotic Supplement on Gut Microbiota, Drug Bioavailability and Adverse Effects in Patients with Colorectal Cancer at Different Primary Tumor Locations Receiving Chemotherapy: Study Protocol for a Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Li Yanmin , Cao Hong , Fei Bojian , Bao Chuanqing , Xu Jianmin , Cao Huaxiang , Mao Yong , Chen Xiaoping , Gao Xiang , Zhao Wei , Zhang Feng
Published: January 2022

Background: The prevalence of colorectal cancer (CRC) worldwide is a huge challenge to human health. Primary tumor locations found to impact prognosisand response to therapy. The important role of gut microbiota in the progression and treatment of CRC has led to many attempts of alleviating chemotherapy-induced adverse effects using microecologics. However, the underlying mechanism of the difference in the prognosis of different primary tumor locations and the synergistic effect of prebiotics on chemotherapy need to be further elucidated. This study aims to explore the differences in tumor microbiota and examine the effectiveness of xylooligosaccharides (XOS) on gut microbiota, adverse effects, and bioavailability of chemotherapy drugs in CRC patients at different primary tumor locations.Methods: This is a double-blinded, randomized, parallel controlled clinical trial. Participants with left-sided CRC (LSCRC, n = 50) and right-sided CC (RSCC, n = 50) will randomly allocated to prebiotic group (n = 25) or control group (n = 25) and will receive either a daily XOS (3 g/d) or placebo, respectively, for 12 weeks. The primary outcomes will be the differences in the mucosa microbiota composition at different tumor locations, and differences in gut microbiota composition, adverse effects, and blood concentration of capecitabine posttreatment. The secondary outcomes will include other blood indicators, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) concentration, quality of life, and mental health.Discussion: This study will reveal the potential benefits of prebiotic for improving the gut microbiota composition, alleviating the adverse effects, and improving the efficacy of chemotherapy in patients with CRC. In addition, this study will provide data on the different distribution of tumor microbiota and the different changes of gut microbiota during treatment in LSCRC and RSCC, which may provide novel insights into personalized cancer treatment strategies based on primary tumor locations and gut microbiota in the future.Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry(www.chictr.org.cn): ChiCTR2100046237. Registered on 12 May 2021.
Acute Exposure to Simulated High-altitude Hypoxia Alters Gut Microbiota in Mice
Authors: Wang Feng , Zhang Han , Xu Tong , Hu Youchun , Jiang Yugang
Published: January 2022

Gut microbiota bears adaptive potential to different environments, but little is known regarding its responses to acute high-altitude exposure. This study aimed to evaluate the microbial changes after acute exposure to simulated high-altitude hypoxia. C57BL/6J mice were divided into hypoxia and normoxia groups. The hypoxia group was exposed to a simulated altitude of 5500 m for 24 hours above sea level. The normoxia group was maintained in low-altitude of 10 m above sea level. Colonic microbiota was analyzed using 16S rRNA V4 gene sequencing. Compared with the normoxia group, shannon, simpson and Akkermansia were significantly increased, while Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio and Bifidobacterium were significantly decreased in the hypoxia group. The hypoxia group exhibited lower mobile element containing and higher potentially pathogenic and stress tolerant phenotypes than those in the normoxia group. Functional analysis indicated that environmental information processing was significantly lower, metabolism, cellular processes and organismal systems were significantly higher in the hypoxia group than those in the normoxia group. In conclusion, acute exposure to simulated high-altitude hypoxia alters gut microbiota diversity and composition, which may provide a potential target to alleviate acute high-altitude diseases.
Association Between IL-23 And Coronary Arterial Lesions In Children With Kawasaki Disease
Authors: Su Ya , Feng Siqi , Liu Ruixi , Yi Qijian
Published: January 2022

The pathogenesis of coronary artery lesions (CALs) in KD patients has been thought of as an unknown stimulus that triggers an inflammatory cascade with activation of the immune system. However, interleukin-23 (IL-23) is supposed as a key cytokine in inflammatory and autoimmunity diseases. The role of IL-23 in the pathogenesis of CALs has not been fully elucidated. This study explored the relationship between the serum IL-23 levels and CALs in patients with KD. We collected blood specimens from 90 children with KD before intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy. Levels of IL-23, IL-6, IL-17A, IL-10, MCP-1 and VEGF were measured in 190 cases, including 4 groups: KD with CALs (n = 46), KD without CALs (n = 44), febrile control group, (FC, n = 40) and normal control group, (NC, n = 60). Clinical parameters were tested in all subjects. IL-23 was significantly elevated in the KD group compared with the febrile and normal control groups, especially increased in the KD patients with CALs. Serum levels of IL-23 in KD patients were positively associated with WBC, CRP, IL-6, IL-17A, IL-10, MCP-1, and VEGF in children with KD. IL-23 may be involved in the pro-inflammatory process and the pathogenesis of CALs in KD patients.
The integrated environmental monitoring system as a key factor of environmental safety of chemical weapons storage and destruction facilities
Authors: Galiakberov R. A.
Published: January 2022

In the destruction of chemical weapons initiated in the Russian Federation in 1996, environmental safety issues played a key role in the creation of facilities for storing and destroying chemical weapons. The process of destroying chemical weapons is at the stage of eliminating consequences of activities and involving former destruction facilities in the economic turnover. The issue of development of safety systems is relevant. The purpose of the article is to study problems in the system of environmental safety insurance at chemical weapons destruction facilities and to identify possible ways of further development. The main methods used are analysis of information, induction, analogies, and generalization. The following conclusions were drawn: the environmental safety system fits into the system of safety insurance; the key subsystem is highly accurate and prompt environmental monitoring. Responding to the principles of the construction of head systems, complex monitoring systems were created at chemical weapons destruction facilities. The improvement of this subsystem can improve the environmental safety at these facilities; further development of the integrated environmental monitoring system requires the methods of data analysis and processing tools. Since the result of the monitoring system is information, its processing and interpretation is the most complex and time-consuming process. The use of modern information processing tools can reduce the time for an analysis, improve the quality, and create an information base for decision support systems in the environmental safety system. The research made it possible to outline further ways to improve the environmental safety systems at chemical weapons destruction facilities, which will further ensure the environmental safety and sustainability of chemical weapons destruction facilities and other potentially dangerous facilities that affect the environment.
Applications of ash аnd slag waste in agriculture
Authors: Paleev P. L. , Khudyakova L. I.
Published: January 2022

Environmental pollution creates problems for health of people living in residential areas near pollution sources. Studies aimed at developing methods for investigating the impact of industrial facilities on the air is of interest. The purpose of this work is to analyze the methodology for assessing the risk of exposure of a technosphere object to the atmosphere. It was assumed that the enterprise in emergency mode emits pollutants through the source of emissions at the maximum single concentration of the substance exceeding the maximum permissible concentration. To calculate the impact on a human, various scenarios of an emergency situation are taken into account. These are constructing failure trees and using well-known health risk assessment techniques. The calculation took into account the wind rose for a specific enterprise location and wind speed projections obeying the normal distribution law. These assumptions allowed us to develop a method for calculating the risk of exceeding the concentration of a pollutant at a given point (x, y) during the year. Isolines of surface concentrations were built. Three toxic substances were taken for analysis. The method for calculating the dispersion of emissions of harmful (polluting) substances in the atmospheric airwas used; maps of the dispersion of isolines of pollutants in residential areas were constructed. When solving the inverse problem, emergency emission intensities at which excess of permissible concentrations occurred were determined. In the range of multiplicities exceeding the maximum single maximum permissible concentration from 1 to 5, the dependence was well approximated by a straight line. This technique can be used to determine the risk of diseases caused by carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic substances and minimize the risk of exposure to harmful substances. Ash and slag wastes are the source of negative impact on the environment. This area is studied by a number of researchers. The article aims to systematize the data on possible applications, accumulated practical experience of using ash and slag waste in agriculture both in Russia and abroad. The analysis showed that waste from the fuel and energy industry can be widely used in various areas of agriculture. It can be used as ameliorants, zeolite-based mineral fertilizers, pesticides and insecticides for treating horticultural crops, microfertilizers, as well as for soil remediation and land reclamation. The use of ash and slag waste in agriculture and other sectors of the national economy can reduce the ecological load on the environment. The number of overfilled ash dumps can be reduced, and there will be no need to build new ones.
Short circuit fire risk assessment in investigating and examining fires caused by emergency modes in overhead transmission lines
Authors: Kozlova Yu. S.
Published: January 2022

Emergency modes (short circuits) in electric power system and equipment are the main technical cause of fires. However, it is not always possible to prove the involvement of a particular operating mode in a fire. The fire hazard can be due to three components: a fuel load, an oxidizer and an ignition source. Since overhead transmission lines are used in an open space, they are oxidized. The presence of a fuel load is confirmed by a fire. The source of ignition should be identified. The aim of the study is to develop an algorithm for assessing the fire hazard for short circuits in overhead transmission lines with 1000 V. The study was conducted using scientific analysis, physical experiment and simulation. The ignition source is due to the appearance of an energy source with parameters sufficient to ignite a fuel load. The probability of ignition in overhead line wires depends on the probability of occurrence of the short circuit itself  ( Qi (v1) ) , the probability of failure of protection devices  ( Qi (v2) ), and the probability that the electric current value in the event of a fault is in the range of fire hazard values (Qi(z)). The values of the first two components are determined on the basis of statistical data, taking into account the theory of reliability. The third component is based on the experiment results. The experimental studies made it possible to establish the ranges of fire hazard values for uninsulated aluminum wires of various cross-sections, thereby providing the possibility of calculating ( Qi (z). Using the data obtained and information about the nature of changes in short-circuit currents and performance characteristics of protection devices, depending on the line length, an algorithm for assessing the fire hazard for a short circuit was developed. The results make it possible to assess the fire hazard for short circuits in various sections of the electrical network, made by overhead transmission lines, and to establish the involvement of sparks generated by short circuits in a fire
Development of fully superconducting 5 MW aviation generator with liquid hydrogen cooling
Authors: Dezhin Dmitry , Ilyasov Roman
Published: January 2022

The use of liquid hydrogen as a fuel will be inevitable in the aviation of the future. This statement means that manufacturers will also implement liquid hydrogen for cooling all superconducting aviation equipment of an electric propulsion system. The development of fully electric aircraft is the most promising solution in this case. Scientists from the Department of electrical machines and power electronics of Moscow aviation institute have conducted calculations and theoretical researches of critical specific mass-dimensional parameters (MW/ton and MW/m3 at 21 K) of fully superconducting aviation synchronous generator of the electric propulsion system. The results are in this article.

The article discusses the results 3D finite element modeling (FEM) simulation of a 5 MW fully superconducting synchronous generator with combined excitation. Superconducting armature and axial excitation windings based on second generation high temperature superconductors (HTS-2G) are located on the stator, which makes it possible to contactlessness and the absence of sliding seals. A dry gap will reduce gas-dynamic losses and increase the nominal peripheral speed of the rotor. The use of liquid hydrogen as a coolant makes it possible to significantly increase the linear load of the generator, and high current densities to reduce the cross-sectional area of the coils, which will make it possible to place them in individual cryostats in the future. Individual cryostats will allow to remove the heat release of magnetic losses from the cryogenic zone and reduce the consumption of refrigerant. For the purpose of internal redundancy of the HTS coils, the machine has a complete set of reserve winding made of ultrapure aluminum, also cooled by liquid hydrogen. If the superconducting coils get out of the stand, the generator will provide 15 % power on standby
Development of a method for the combined control of the hardness of winding textile package
Authors: Nuriyev Mahammadali Nuraddin , Jafarova Afet Mastan
Published: January 2022

Analysis of methods for determining the hardness of the winding shows that all existing methods require a lot of labor and time. When measuring the layer-by-layer hardness, the known methods do not allow obtaining continuous values, and in the case of measuring the hardness of packages of complex shape (conical bobbins, cops, spinning cobs, etc.), it requires a calculation using cumbersome formulas. In this case, the main difficulties arise in determining the volume of the layers of the winding, which in the general case have a complex configuration, and due to defects in the winding may have an irregular shape. Obviously, the described technique is rather cumbersome, and a lot of measurements and calculations are required to obtain a graph of the change in the winding hardness along the package radius. The construction of a graph of the change in hardness along the generatrix using a special device is generally problematic, since placement of more than three sources on the device is impossible due to the size of the meters, and the construction of the curve by three points cannot be considered satisfactory. Winding hardness is one of the most important parameters, on which many technological properties of the package depend. Indeed, with an increase in the hardness of the winding, the amount of material in the same volume increases, which makes it possible to replace packages less often, both on the machine that forms them, and at the subsequent transition. As a result, the equipment useful time increases.

It was found that the hardness of the winding is closely related to its rigidity, and hence to the stability during transportation. The hardness of the winding affects the permeability of the package when it is treated with solutions. In this case, a huge role is played not only by the average value of the hardness, but also by its distribution over the layers
Increasing the mechanical properties of structural cast iron for machine-building parts by combined Mn – Al alloying
Authors: Popov Stanislav , Frolova Liliia , Rebrov Oleksii , Naumenko Yevheniia , Postupna Оlenа , Zubko Vladyslav , Shvets Pavel
Published: January 2022

The object of research in this work was cast iron for machine-building parts, alloyed with Al. The possibility of improving the mechanical properties of cast iron by choosing the optimal Mn – Al combinations, depending on the carbon content in the cast iron, was determined. The study was carried out on the basis of available retrospective data of serial industrial melts by constructing the regression equation for the ultimate strength of cast iron in the three-factor space of the input variables C – Mn – Al. The optimization problem was solved by the ridge analysis method after reducing the dimension of the factor space by fixing the carbon content at three levels: C = 3 %, C = 3.3 %, and C = 3.6 %.

It was found that the maximum values of the ultimate strength are achieved at the minimum level of carbon content (C = 3%) and are in the range of values close to 300 MPa. In this case, the Al content is in the range (2.4–2.6) %, and the Mn content is about 0.82 %. With an increase in the carbon content, there is a tendency to a decrease in the content of Mn and Al in the alloy, which is necessary to ensure the ultimate strength close to 300 MPa. The results of the ridge analysis of the response surface also showed that at the upper limit of the carbon content (C = 3.6%), it is not possible to reach the ultimate strength of 300 MPa in the existing range of Mn and Al variation.

All solutions are verified for the following ranges of input variables C = (2.94–3.66) %, Mn = (0.5–1.1) %, Al = (1.7–2.9) %.

Graphical-analytical descriptions of the optimal Mn – Al ratios are obtained, depending on the actual content of carbon in the alloy, which make it possible to purposefully select the optimal melting modes by controlling the tensile strength of the alloy
Influence of milk-clotting enzymes of animal and microbial origin on the quality and shelf life of soft cheeses
Authors: Myagkonosov D. S. , Smykov I. T. , Abramov D. V. , Delitskaya I. N. , Ovchinnikova E. G.
Published: January 2022

A comparative test was carried out for milk-clotting enzymes (MCE) of animal origin (Naturen® Extra), microbial origin (Marzyme®) and MCE based on recombinant camel chymosin (Chy-max® M) in the production of soft cheese “Lyubitelskiy”. By the end of the shelf life of the cheeses (12 days at a temperature of 3 ± 1 °C), differences were noted in the degree of proteolysis (DP) and the value of the complex modulus G*, which were the following ones for cheeses produced with MCE of the brands: Naturen® — DP = 17.86 ± 0.24%; G* = 4164 ± 587 Pa; Marzyme® — DP = 17.98 ± 0.49%; G* = 4581±786 Pa; Chy-max® M — DP = 9.85 ± 0.63%; G* = 7949 ± 1157 Pa. Cheeses made with Chy-max® M MCE had a denser texture than cheeses made with MCE of Naturen or Marzyme, which did not differ significantly in consistency. In the studied cheeses, the severity of the bitter taste was proportional to the content of water-soluble peptides with a mass of 0.5–3 kDa. Cheeses with Marzyme® MCE had a more intense bitterness than cheeses with Naturen® MCE. There was no bitter taste in cheeses produced with MCE of Chy-max® M. It was concluded that in the production of soft cheeses, recombinant camel chymosin can be used to increase the shelf life, and MCE of microbial origin can be recommended to replace more expensive MCE of animal origin.
Influência do Treinamento Presencial e à Distância (EAD) sobre o Desempenho Individual dos Gestores
Authors: Friedrich Marcos Paulo Albarello , Santos Alexandre Corrêa dos , Hein Nelson
Published: January 2022

A aprendizagem organizacional (AO) é uma importante fonte de vantagem competitiva para as organizações, pois representa uma ponte entre as estratégias de negócio e o desenvolvimento dos colaboradores. Este estudo investiga a relação entre os treinamentos presenciais e à distância (EAD) de uma universidade corporativa e o desempenho sob a ótica da perspectiva cognitiva de aprendizagem na organização. Neste contexto, foi realizado um estudo de caso único com dados primários coletados junto ao departamento de recursos humanos da instituição pesquisada no período de 12 a 13 de junho de 2018 referentes à carga de treinamento em horas-aula para as duas modalidades. Utilizou-se os métodos de análise multicritério CRitic e TOPSIS para determinar os pesos de cada indicador de resultado individual e ranquear o desempenho dos profissionais analisados e regressão linear para identificar os efeitos de cada modalidade de desempenho. Os achados permitem inferir que, nos dois grupos de gestores os treinamentos presenciais apresentaram resultados negativos sobre o desempenho individual, enquanto os treinamentos (EAD) mostraram resultados positivos para os gestores pessoa jurídica e negativos para pessoa física.
As Escolhas de Trabalhadores na Maturidade no Contexto de um Programa de Demissão Voluntária
Authors: Oliveira Lucia B. , Oliveira Carla Mendes
Published: January 2022

O envelhecimento da população brasileira vem ampliando o debate em torno da permanência e saída de trabalhadores na maturidade do mercado de trabalho. Evidências também apontam que empresas têm promovido o desligamento desses empregados, incluindo aqueles que prefeririam continuar trabalhando. Nesse sentido, a presente pesquisa teve por objetivo analisar os fatores que contribuíram para a decisão de aderir ou não ao programa de demissão voluntária (PDV) de uma grande empresa brasileira, voltado especificamente para empregados com mais de 55 anos e já aposentados pelo INSS. Participaram deste estudo qualitativo oito ex-empregados que aderiram ao PDV e oito empregados elegíveis ao programa que optaram por continuar na empresa. Os resultados mostraram que a decisão depende de diversos fatores, incluindo saúde, situação financeira, questões familiares e o significado atribuído ao trabalho. Também foram identificadas perdas e ganhos associados à aposentadoria. Por fim, a partir das categorias centralidade do trabalho, dificuldade na tomada de decisão frente ao PDV e satisfação com a decisão, foram identificados seis grupos ou tipos ideais. Este trabalho contribui para preencher uma lacuna relativa à escassez de estudos nacionais sobre programas de desligamento voluntário. Além disso, espera-se que os resultados do estudo contribuam para a elaboração de políticas e práticas, por parte das organizações, que facilitem essa importante decisão.
Effects of intraspecific cooperative interactions in large ecosystems
Authors: Altieri Ada , Biroli Giulio
Published: January 2022

We analyze the role of the Allee effect - a positive correlation between population density and mean individual fitness - for ecological communities formed by a large number of species. Our study is performed using the generalized Lotka-Volterra model with random interactions between species. We obtain the phase diagram and analyze the nature of the multiple equilibria phase. Remarkable differences emerge with respect to the logistic growth case, thus revealing the major role played by the functional response in determining aggregate behaviors of large ecosystems.
Comment on Coleman-DeLuccia instantons
Authors: Banks Thomas , Zhang Bingnan
Published: January 2022

We complete an old argument that causal diamonds in the crunching region of the Lorentzian continuation of a Coleman-Deluccia instanton for transitions out of de Sitter space have finite area, and provide quantum models consistent with the principle of detailed balance, which can mimic the instanton transition probabilities for the cases where this diamond is larger or smaller than the causal patch of de Sitter space. We review arguments that potentials which do not have a positive energy theorem when the lowest de Sitter minimum is shifted to zero, may not correspond to real models of quantum gravity.
The role of “latent autoimmune diabetes in adults” in the structure of diabetes mellitus in young people
Authors: Ovsyannikova A. K. , Galenok R. B. , Rymar O. B.
Published: January 2022

In the clinical practice of an endocrinologist, verification of the type of diabetes mellitus (DM) in young people is of high clinical significance, since the prescription of treatment depends on this: from the correction of carbohydrate metabolism by a balanced diet to the prescription of oral hypoglycemic drugs and insulin therapy. In rare forms of diabetes mellitus, which include «latent autoimmune diabetes in adults» (LADA), it is not always possible to make a correct diagnosis. This form of diabetes mellitus occupies an intermediate position between type 1 diabetes mellitus and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM 1 and DM 2) and is often not detected. In this regard, the study of the LADA flow is of great practical importance. Verification of the LADA diagnosis is based on three clinical criteria: adult onset of diabetes; the presence of circulating islet autoantibodies, which distinguishes LADA from T2DM; the absence of an absolute need for insulin when making a diagnosis, which distinguishes LADA from the classic type 1 diabetes mellitus. The main treatment tactics for patients with LADA should be aimed at preserving their own insulin secretion. This requires the timely appointment of insulin therapy. The question of the possibility of using drugs of peripheral action – biguanides and glitazones, which do not cause depletion of β-cells, is discussed, but their effectiveness has not yet been established. The appointment of any secretogens, including sulfonylurea preparations, is contraindicated Quite often, LADA is difficult to diagnose, and the wrong treatment tactics are prescribed. At the moment, there is little data on the effectiveness of different classes of drugs, which leads to further detailed study of this type of diabetes. Currently, there are no special algorithms for LADA treatment
The problem of low adherence to antiresorptive therapy with bisphosphonates: solutions
Authors: Yakushevskaya O. V.
Published: January 2022

Over the past several decades, there has been a global aging of the population around the world. The demographic situation in the Russian Federation is no exception, being a natural result of an increase in the life expectancy of the population. In clinical practice, geriatric diseases have been identified and are widely studied, which deserve priority attention due to a sharp decline in the quality of life of elderly patients. Osteoporosis is called a “silent epidemic” among elderly and senile patients. This disease is associated with a high risk of low-traumatic fractures of various localization. The imperfect rehabilitation program after complex fractures and its insufficient funding are forcing clinicians to focus on more cost-effective solutions to this problem  – the  prevention and treatment of  osteoporosis. Osteomodifying agents are widely used by physicians of  various specialties. Bisphosphonates effectively reduce the risk of low-traumatic fractures against the background of an increase in bone mineral density. The  level of  effectiveness of  bisphosphonates depends on the  patient’s adherence to antiresorptive therapy and the degree of compensation for vitamin D and serum calcium. Low adherence to osteoporosis therapy is based on the need for long-term use of bisphosphonates and a different spectrum of adverse events. In the article, using alendronate as an example, the problem of low adherence to antiresorptive therapy will be considered and ways to solve it are presented.
Non-hormonal therapy of patients with fibrocystic mastopathy in combination with endometrial hyperplasia
Authors: Borovikov I. O. , Kutsenko I. I. , Bulgakova V. P. , Borovikova O. I.
Published: January 2022

Introduction. The article presents a comparative analysis of the treatment of patients with combined estrogen-dependent pathology of female reproductive system: fibrocystic mastopathy and endometrial hyperplasia without atypia. The experience of treatment with an indole-carbinol-containing drug as monotherapy while using a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system is presented.

Aim. To evaluate the clinical efficacy of indolecarbinol in the treatment of patients with combined estrogen-dependent pathology of the female reproductive system.

Materials and methods. The authors studied the responses to the treatment of patients with fibrocystic mastopathy and simple endometrial hyperplasia (n = 65) with the indole-carbinol-containing drug at a dose of 400 mg once daily for 12 months. All patients were divided into two groups: Group I (n = 32) – women who refused hormone therapy (indole-carbinol monotherapy); Group II (n = 33) – the use of indole-carbinol while using the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system. Diagnostic methods: clinical and laboratory examination, ultrasound examination of mammary glands and pelvic organs, mammography, nipple discharge cytology at baseline and 6 and 12 months after the start of therapy. Before study group assignment to treatment, all patients underwent hysteroscopy with endometrial biopsy and histological examination. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate the data: p-values below 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results and discussion. The presented experience in treating women with combined pathology of the female reproductive system (fibrocystic mastopathy and endometrial hyperplasia without atypia) with the indole-carbinol-containing drug showed high clinical efficacy in mastopathy (relief of mastodynia (83.0 ± 1.6%), improvement of the ultrasound view of BI-RADS (66.1 ± 1.4%), reductions in mammographic density (66.1 ± 2.1%, p < 0.05)), high tolerability and satisfactory compliance. This drug combined with hormone therapy is recommended for the treatment of endometrial hyperplasia.

Сonclusion. The use of indole-carbinol in the treatment of benign hyperplastic processes in mammary glands and endometrial hyperplasia is pathogenetically substantiated and shows high clinical efficacy