MC-128: current commutator for silicon strip detector tests

The MC-128 is a CAMAC module designed to simplify routine tests of multichannel semiconductor detectors. It was developed at Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics (BINP) Novosibirsk in collaboration with RD2 as part of the ATLAS SCT development program. The module provides 128 channels, offering sequential measurements of the currents flowing grom detector strips to a grounded Common Bus. Each input stays virtually connected to the Common Bus independently on whether its current is measured or not. Eight inputs are permanently connected to the Common Bus, allowing the connection of additional elements like guard ring structures. The total detector current can be measured as the current flowing through the Common Bus. Measurements are accessible via a CAMAC bus and in analog form via a front panel detector. Optionally, the MC 128 allows the measurement of the capacitance between each strip and the common (high voltage) electrode of the detector at 10 kHz frequency

Spectral and spatial observations of microwave spikes and zebra structure in the short radio burst of May 29, 2003

The unusual radio burst of May 29, 2003 connected with the M1.5 flare in AR 10368 has been analyzed. It was observed by the Solar Broadband Radio Spectrometer (SBRS/Huairou station, Beijing) in the 5.2-7.6 GHz range. It proved to be only the third case of a neat zebra structure appearing among all observations at such high frequencies. Despite the short duration of the burst (25 s), it provided a wealth of data for studying the superfine structure with millisecond resolution (5 ms). We localize the site of emission sources in the flare region, estimate plasma parameters in the generation sites, and suggest applicable mechanisms for interpretating spikes and zebra-structure generation. Positions of radio bursts were obtained by the Siberian Solar Radio Telescope (SSRT) (5.7 GHz) and Nobeyama radioheliograph (NoRH) (17 GHz). The sources in intensity gravitated to tops of short loops at 17 GHz, and to long loops at 5.7 GHz. Short pulses at 17 GHz (with a temporal resolution of 100 ms) are registered in the R-polarized source over the N-magnetic polarity (extraordinary mode). Dynamic spectra show that all the emission comprised millisecond pulses (spikes) of 5-10 ms duration in the instantaneous band of 70 to 100 MHz, forming the superfine structure of different bursts, essentially in the form of fast or slow-drift fibers and various zebra-structure stripes. Five scales of zebra structures have been singled out. As the main mechanism for generating spikes (as the initial emission) we suggest the coalescence of plasma waves with whistlers in the pulse regime of interaction between whistlers and ion-sound waves. In this case one can explain the appearance of fibers and sporadic zebra-structure stripes exhibiting the frequency splitting.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures, in press; A&A 201

Drugs Based on Bioactive Oligopeptides

Oligopeptides, i.e. biopolymers containing up to fifty amino acids, are being recognized as first-line treatments for a growing number of disorders. The review encompasses various aspects of the application of these active pharmaceutical ingredients, ranging from methods for obtaining a peptide molecule and formulating a dosage form, including excipients and their key properties, to various information on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of peptide drugs supported by scientific experimental data, as well as modern quality control methods. The review considers that the application of peptide therapeutics covers a wide range of diseases. They include cancers of various genesis; bacterial infections; type 2 diabetes, neurological diseases, and eye diseases. The review notes that this is just a small fraction of the nosologies in which peptide bioregulators have demonstrated effective clinical activity. The review considers the role of excipients. A distinctive feature of the review is the consideration of innovative methods for quality control of peptide therapeutics. The methods include: high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, ultracentrifugation with flow-through rotors, dynamic laser light scattering, small-angle laser light scattering. The review specifically highlights the analysis of dispersion in turbid and opaque media – two-dimensional dynamic laser light scattering based on the kinetics of diffuse reflection with data analysis using a mathematical topological model. A non-invasive method for detecting intrinsic radiothermal emission of biologically active nanoparticles, which can be easily used for peptide molecules, is also described. The review presents a hypothesis according to which the background level of peptides forms a specific electromagnetic field of cells and tissues. Keywords: peptide drugs, modern drugs, safe drugs, peptide drugs review, peptide synthesis, peptide pharmacokinetics, peptide pharmacodynamics, drug excipients

The influence of the nature of sound reflection from enclosures on the reverberation processes in the rooms

The article considers the questions of assessment of reverberation processes in rooms with various character of a sound reflection from the enclosures. An efficient technique for calculating of the reverberation sound energy in the rooms with mirror-diffuse reflection of sound is offered. The technique is based on the representation of mirror reflected sound rays in the form of separate groups with parameters corresponding oblique, axial and tangential rays. The article includes the comparison of the calculation of reverberation time results on the basis of the division of all the rays into groups with the results of direct reverberation modeling by tracing rays. A good convergence of the results was obtained

Non-destructive Remote Determination of Total Native Protein Concentration in Virus-Like Particle Vaccine Preparations

Introduction. Virus-Like Particles (VLPs) are nanoscale entities characterized by surface shape heterogeneity and enhanced emission activity in the millimeter wavelength range (30-300 GHz), which is influenced by external physical factors such as heating or electromagnetic radiation. This phenomenon presents opportunities for the noninvasive determination of accurate concentrations of the protein component in commercially prepared VLP vaccines. Objective. To propose a modern and rapid approach for the quantitative determination of native proteins in VLP-containing vaccines, which enables research to be conducted without opening the primary packaging. Materials and methods. Vaccines imitating rotavirus (Gam-VLP-Rota) and SARS-CoV2 virus (Gam-VLP-multivac) were studied. The density of the radiothermal emission flux at extremely high frequency (EHF) wavelengths was measured using a TES-92 device. The reference values for protein concentration in vaccines, prior to the addition of the adjuvant, were measured using the commercial "Micro BCA™ Protein Assay Kit". The dimensional characteristics of the VLP vaccine were analyzed using dynamic laser light scattering (Zetasizer Nano ZSP). Results. A strong linear correlation (r = 0.99) was established between the flux density of radiothermal emission and the protein content in vaccines, allowing for analysis without opening the packaging. The validation procedure for this technique assessed linearity, accuracy, and intra-laboratory precision for Gam-VLP-multivac. Conclusion. The values of the intrinsic radiothermal emission flux density enabled the determination of the native concentration of complex-shaped virus-like nanoparticles in vaccines without the need to open the primary packaging, irrespective of the presence of an adjuvant. Keywords: VLP, Virus-Like Particles, quality control, protein concentration determination, radiothermal emission

New Method of Quality and Quantity Control of the Insulin Glulisine Pharmaceuticals Based on Intrinsic Radiothermal Emission

According to the WHO, the prevalence of type I and type II diabetes in the world exceeds 800 million people (14% of the adult population). Insulin pharmaceuticals are therapeutically applied in various configurations with different pharmacokinetic characteristics. There exist highly effective, validated methods for their quality control. However, each method exhibits a number of disadvantages, including long-term sample preparation, significant expense, and the inability to analyze the sample without opening the primary packaging. Objective:  The aim of current work is to develop a new approach to control the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of a drugs based on insulin glulisine without opening the primary packaging. Materials and methods:  Insulin glulisine; TES-92 for estimating the intensity of the flux density of its intrinsic radiothermal emission; Zetasizer Nano ZSP for determining the dimensional characteristics of the samples. Results:  The heating of the samples to 370С effectively activates the emission activity (9.5 ± 0.5 µW/m2). The proposed method enables the differentiation of drugs that possess divergent qualitative characteristics. The effect of stress factors on the emission activity of insulin glulisine has been studied: heating, freezing and UV irradiation reduce the values of the flux density (1.2 ± 0.1; 1.7 ± 0.2; 3.2 ± 0.7 µW/m2). The feasibility of employing the proposed method for the quantitative determination of insulin samples is demonstrated. Conclusion: Based on the results obtained, the radiothermal emission detection method can be applied to control the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of biologically active drugs without opening the primary packaging. Keywords: insulin, quality control, quantity control, non-invasive method, intrinsic radiothermal emission, diabete

Microwave Zebra Pattern Structures in the X2.2 Solar Flare on Feb 15, 2011

Zebra pattern structure (ZP) is the most intriguing fine structure on the dynamic spectrograph of solar microwave burst. On 15 February 2011, there erupts an X2.2 flare event on the solar disk, it is the first X-class flare since the solar Schwabe cycle 24. It is interesting that there are several microwave ZPs observed by the Chinese Solar Broadband Radiospectrometer (SBRS/Huairou) at frequency of 6.40 ~ 7.00 GHz (ZP1), 2.60 ~ 2.75 GHz (ZP2), and the Yunnan Solar Broadband Radio Spectrometer (SBRS/Yunnan) at frequency of 1.04 ~ 1.13 GHz (ZP3). The most important phenomena is the unusual high-frequency ZP structure (ZP1, up to 7.00 GHz) occurred in the early rising phase of the flare, and there are two ZP structure (ZP2, ZP3) with relative low frequencies occurred in the decay phase of the flare. By scrutinizing the current prevalent theoretical models of ZP structure generations, and comparing their estimated magnetic field strengths in the corresponding source regions, we suggest that the double plasma resonance model should be the most possible one for explaining the formation of microwave ZPs, which may derive the magnetic field strengths as about 230 - 345 G, 126 - 147 G, and 23 - 26 G in the source regions of ZP1, ZP2, and ZP3, respectively.Comment: 18 pages, 6 figures, submitted to ApJ, 201

EFFICIENCY ASSESSMENT OF MINIMALLY INVASIVE TREATMENT OF SEVERE FORMS OF CHRONIC VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY OF LOWER EXTREMITIES

Aim. To improve the results of treatment of severe chronic venous insufficiency (CEAP 4-6) using the methods of minimally invasive phlebology. Materials and methods. The study included 158 patients aged 26-72 (mean age 49,5±1,2) suffering from chronic venous insufficiency (CEAP 4-6). All patients underwent the following examination methods: assessment of subjective and objective symptoms, duplex ultrasound scan and laboratory examinations. Results. Comparative study of endovenous laser hemadostenosis of great and small saphenous veins in combination with subfascial endoscopic perforator vein surgery (SEPS) in the control group and the combined use of endovenous laser coagulation and microfoam echo-sclerotherapy in the main group showed significant benefits in the primary group in the form of a significant reduction of pain syndrome, decrease of postoperative complications, a significant reduction of terms of rehabilitation. The study demonstrated the absence of significant differences between main and control groups of respondents according to the criteria of recurrence of the disease in the late postoperative period (difference in frequency of the detected unsatisfactory effects of the studied medical interventions in the late postoperative period was not statistically significant (p=0,67). Conclusions. Positive dynamics of the combined use of endovenous laser coagulation and microfoam echosclerotherapy of the main group in the immediate postoperative period demonstrate the effectiveness of this method in patients with chronic venous insufficiency (CEAP 4-6)

Количественные характеристики лучевого повреждения легочной ткани у онкологических пациентов при лучевой терапии на основании данных РКТ

Objective. Comparison of the magnitude of the change in the density of lung tissue and the volume of these changes after radiation therapy over time based on the data obtained using the new method of quantitative analysis developed by us and with the usual visual assessment of the CT data.Materials and methods. We used the data of dynamic observation of 90 patients who underwent RT for the tumors of thoracic localization during the period from 2014 to 2021 at the Federal Institution “Russian Scientific Center of Roentgenoradiology”. These patients had CT examinations performed before and after RT. Control CT studies were performed 1–237 days after RT (mean control interval 96 ± 64.3 days). A total of 238 CT studies of these patients were analyzed, with an average number of RCT studies per patient of 2.6. Among the selected patients, there were 36 (40%) men and 54 (60%) women aged 23 to 86 years (the average age was 51.9 ± 15.6 years).Results. Radiation damage in the lungs using the method of quantitative analysis of CT data is detected starting from the value of ΔHU = 20 and volume from 3.2% for the early period (15–35 days) after the end of treatment. Starting from 15–25 to 50 days after the end of RT, quantitative analysis reveals primary changes in the lung tissue, incl. and undetectable visually (from 20 to 80 HU), and to suggest further dynamics of these changes depending on the characteristics of the performed RT. From 50 to 80 days – reveals the real volume of radiation pulmonitis by taking into account the changes invisible during visual analysis in the lung tissue irradiated at a dose of 20 Gy to 30 Gy. From 80 to 120 days – allows you to assess the presence and dynamics of changes in the lung tissue with the threshold radiation dose in the lung tissue 30–35 Gy. From 120 onwards, quantitative analysis of CT data, as well as visual assessment, reveals damage in areas of the lungs with the dose of more than 30–35 Gy, which is caused by post-radiation pneumofibrosis. On the basis of the obtained quantitative data on radiation lung damage, the mathematical regularities of the development of this process were calculated, taking into account the time and dose factors.Conclusions. Quantitative assessment of changes in lung density according to CT data in dynamics, carried out using the technique developed by us, is a radiomic indicator of their radiation damage during therapeutic irradiation in cancer patients, which, in combination with the presented mathematical model, can be used for diagnostic purposes to quantify the severity and predicting the dynamics of radiation damage to the lungs in general, as well as identifying individual radiosensitivity.The results obtained can be presented not only in the form of graphs, but also in the form of color maps with preservation of anatomical landmarks, which is convenient for use in clinical practice to support medical decision-making on patient management.Цель исследования: сопоставление величины изменения плотности легочной ткани и объемов этих изменений после лучевой терапии (ЛТ) с течением времени на основании данных, получаемых с помощью разработанной нами новой методики количественного анализа и при обычной визуальной оценке данных РКТ.Материал и методы. Использовались данные динамического наблюдения 90 пациентов, которым была проведена ЛТ по поводу опухолей торакальной локализации за период с 2014 по 2021 г. в ФГБУ “Российский научный центр рентгенорадиологии”. У всех этих пациентов имелись РКТ-исследования, выполненные до и после ЛТ. Контрольные исследования выполнялись через 1–237 сут после ЛТ (средний интервал контроля 96 ± 64,3 сут). Всего было проанализировано 238 РКТ-исследований со средним количеством РКТ-исследований на одного пациента 2,6. Среди отобранных пациентов было 36 (40,0%) мужчин и 54 (60,0%) женщины в возрасте от 23 до 86 лет (средний возраст 51,9 ± 15,6 года).Результаты. Предлагаемая методика количественного анализа данных РКТ выявляет увеличение плотности облученных участков легкого начиная с величины от 20 HU и объема от 3,2% для раннего периода (15–35 сут) после окончания ЛТ. Начиная с 25-х по 50-е сутки после окончания ЛТ количественный анализ позволяет выявить первичные изменения в легочной ткани, в том числе и не определяемые визуально по сравнению с исходной плотностью от 20 до 80 HU, и предположить дальнейшую динамику этих изменений в зависимости от методики проведенной ЛТ. С 50-х по 80-е сутки количественный анализ выявляет реальный объем лучевого пульмонита за счет учета невидимых при визуальном анализе изменений плотности легочной ткани, облученной в дозе от 20 до 30 Гр. С 80-х по 120-е сутки – позволяет оценить наличие и динамику изменений в легочной ткани, облученной в дозе более 30–35 Гр. Начиная со 120-х суток и далее количественный анализ РКТ данных, как и визуальная оценка, выявляет формирование стойкого постлучевого пневмофиброза в участках легких, облученных в дозе более 30–35 Гр. На основе полученных количественных данных о лучевом повреждении легочной ткани была рассчитана математическая закономерность развития этого процесса с учетом временнFого и дозовых факторов.Заключение. Количественная оценка изменения плотности легких по данным РКТ в динамике по разработанной нами методике является радиомическим показателем их лучевого повреждения при терапевтическом облучении онкологических пациентов, который в сочетании с представленной математической моделью может быть использован в диагностических целях для количественной оценки степени тяжести и прогнозирования динамики лучевого повреждения легких в целом, а также выявления индивидуальной радиочувствительности.Полученные результаты могут быть представлены не только в виде графиков, но и в виде цветовых карт с сохранением анатомических ориентиров, что удобно для использования в клинической практике с целью поддержки принятия врачебных решений по ведению пациентов