The Baksan Experiment on Sterile Transitions (BEST) was designed to investigate the deficit of electron neutrinos νe observed in previous gallium-based radiochemical measurements with high-intensity ...neutrino sources, commonly referred to as the "gallium anomaly," which could be interpreted as evidence for oscillations between νe and sterile neutrino (νs) states. A 3.414-MCi 51Cr νe source was placed at the center of two nested Ga volumes and measurements were made of the production of 71Ge through the charged current reaction, 71Ga(νe,e-)71Ge, at two average distances. The measured production rates for the inner and the outer targets, respectively, are 54.9$_{-2.4}^{+2.5}$(stat)±1.4(syst) and 55.6$_{-2.6}^{+2.7}$(stat)±1.4(syst) atoms of 71Ge/d. The ratio (R) of the measured rate of 71Ge production at each distance to the expected rate from the known cross section and experimental efficiencies are Rin=0.79±0.05 and Rout=0.77±0.05. The ratio of the outer to the inner result is 0.97±0.07, which is consistent with unity within uncertainty. The rates at each distance were found to be similar, but 20%-24% lower than expected, thus reaffirming the anomaly. Therefore these results are consistent with νe→νs oscillations with a relatively large Δm2 (> 0.5 eV2) and mixing sin22θ (≈0.4).
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Lack of directional bonding between two-dimensional crystals like graphene or monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides provides unusual freedom in the selection of components for vertical van der ...Waals heterostructures. However, even for identical layers, their stacking, in particular the relative angle between their crystallographic directions, modifies properties of the structure. We demonstrate that the interatomic coupling between two two-dimensional crystals can be determined from angle-resolved photoemission spectra of a trilayer structure with one aligned and one twisted interface. Each of the interfaces provides complementary information and together they enable self-consistent determination of the coupling. We parametrise interatomic coupling for carbon atoms by studying twisted trilayer graphene and show that the result can be applied to structures with different twists and number of layers. Our approach demonstrates how to extract fundamental information about interlayer coupling in a stack of two-dimensional crystals and can be applied to many other van der Waals interfaces.
A procedure for the determination of a group of perfluororganic compounds, promising for medical use, in whole blood and tissues of laboratory animals by gas-liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry ...was developed in in vitro experiments. The sample preparation procedure based on the liquid–liquid extraction of the target compounds from the biomaterial with heptane containing perfluorobenzene as an internal standard was optimized. The validation of the procedure and its testing in in vivo experiments was carried out on an example of perfluorodecalin. The time of the presence of the xenobiotic in the bloodstream and in various organs of small laboratory animals during the endotracheal route of administration was estimated.
In this paper, we report on comparative studies of mechanical properties of diamond-like nanocomposite (DLN) a-C:H:Si:O films and titanium-doped DLN films, which were focused on (i) nanoindentation ...and internal stress examination of DLN films of different thickness (up to 10 μm) and (ii) structural transformations and mechanical properties changes with increasing titanium content in Ti-DLN films. The DLN films were found to combine high hardness of 22–24 GPa, high elastic recovery, and low compressive stresses of 100–160 MPa. For Ti-DLN films, the hardness, elastic modulus, and residual stress were found to exhibit similar behavior vs Ti content: an initial decrease at low Ti contents was followed by gradual increase of the hardness, elastic modulus and compressive stresses. The mechanical properties changes were shown to correlate with the structure modifications induced by titanium incorporation into the DLN matrix. Raman spectra of Ti-DLN films revealed three peaks in the low-frequency region from 200 to 700 cm−1, attributed to the TiC phase. An additional evidence of the formation of TiC nanocrystals of several nanometers size was obtained using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of Ti-DLN films. The findings of Raman spectroscopy along with the TEM data have demonstrated the main factors – formation of TiC nanocrystals and increase of the sp2-carbon content, responsible for the mechanical behavior of Ti-DLN films.
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•Comparative study of mechanical properties of DLN (a-C:H:Si:O) and Ti-DLN films•Detection of Raman peaks related to the TiC phase in the spectra of Ti-DLN films•TiC phase and sp2 carbon contents define the mechanical properties of Ti-DLN films.•Hardness, elastic modulus and residual stress show similar behavior vs T content.•Low compressive stresses of 100–160 MPa in DLN films of up to 10 μm thick
This work presents the results of studies regarding the thermal stability of the surface layer of steel specimens subjected to combined hardening by electromechanical treatment (EMT) with subsequent ...surface plastic deformation (SPD), herein referred as (EMT + SPD). We also present the experimental data and characteristic aspects of the distribution of the microhardness of the white layer of steel samples 40H, 55, and 60S2A during sequential heating from 100°C to 400°C with an interval of
T
= 100°C. The results revealed that the thermal stability of surface-hardened EMT + SPD steel samples depends on the content of carbon and alloying elements of the original metal. Furthermore, the heat resistance of the white layer after EMT + SPD increased by 30–35% compared with the white layer obtained by traditional electromechanical processing and furnace martensite.
The influence of a corrosive medium on the transformation of strength properties of a steel 45 surface layer subjected to impact electromechanical treatment is studied. Results are provided for a ...study of the effect of impact electromechanical treatment regimes on the corrosion activity of strengthened specimens, estimated by the change in hardened surface layer microhardness. The nature and degree of reduction in strengthened surface layer hardness in specimens strengthened with current density
j
= 100, 300, and 600 A/mm
2
are established in relation to corrosion test duration.
The research examined correlation between essential characteristics of mass communication, caused by its nature, and origin, and spread of fears and anxieties in society. We analyzed the role of such ...essential components of mass communication as subjects of mass communication, features of mass information, its production and distribution, media news in causing fears and anxieties. Academic works covering the problems of mass communications were theoretical-methodological basis of research. Results of the leading state sociological services’ surveys and regional researches were used as empirical basis for research. We used comparative analysis and secondary data analysis. The study also looked at the roles of mass media's founder and journalist in the development of audience’s fears. The study highlighted that the journalist’s perception of an audience, the idea of social mission of journalism, audience's attitude towards journalistic activity transformed under the influence of commercialization of all aspects of social life in the post-Soviet Russia and it played a crucial role in emergence of anxieties and fears. The study analyzed the impact of information entropy on generation and circulation of population's fears. We found that, on the one hand, media become means of stabilizing public attitudes in crisis situations, and, on the other hand, controversial image of social reality created by media produces state of confusion and provokes growth of population's anxieties and fears. Analysis of the news' role in creating fears and anxieties is based on the idea of their non-normativity that deroutinize everyday reality, which may also happen due to creating a show of catastrophic events by the media.
The review of data on alien species in fish fauna of Ivanovo oblast, Russia, is presented. In the composition of the fish fauna of this region, 14 alien species were recorded, nine of which were ...successfully established in natural communities. Of all the species that naturalized successfully, only two have fully integrated into the structure of the ecosystems of the territory under study and inflict harm to the aboriginal fish fauna.
Postpartum endometritis is a common complication of cesarean section, the progression of which often leads to the loss of the uterus and the patient's fertility. We evaluated a detoxification therapy ...for treating patients with postpartum endometritis using an intrauterine application of a modified molded sorbent containing polyvinylpyrrolidone. A retrospective, controlled study included 124 patients with postpartum endometritis. The study group, n = 63, was composed of puerperae with postpartum endometritis after cesarean section, receiving antibacterial therapy in combination with the intrauterine application of a molded modified sorbent containing polyvinylpyrrolidone (FSMP) for 24 h daily for 5 days. The control group, n = 61, was composed of puerperae with postpartum endometritis after cesarean section, receiving antibacterial treatment only. The uterine cavity was infected by coccal flora (Enterococcus faecalis (26.6%), Staphylococcus spp. (21.3%), E. faecium (14.3%), and Gram-negative Escherichia coli (9.6%). A combination of these microorganisms was present in 40.5% of crops. Antibiotic resistance was detected in 53.6%–68.3% of the cases. In the study group, we observed: a faster and higher decrease in neutrophils (p < 0.05); a lower uterine concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines: interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) - 4.0 and 3.2 times, respectively, compared with the control group (p < 0.05); and a significant decrease in the uterus volume and cavity (M-echo). Using a newly modified sorbent associated with antibiotic treatment in patients with postpartum endometritis, compared with antibiotics alone, we showed a sharp reduction of inflammatory parameters, residual microorganism growth, and faster uterine volume involution. Moreover, the frequency of hysterectomy decreased by 14.4 times.
Summary
Background
Fibrinogen has been intensively studied with transmission electron microscopy and x‐ray diffraction. But until now, a complete 3D structure of the molecule has not yet been ...available because the two highly flexible αC regions could not be resolved in fibrinogen crystals. This study was aimed at determining whether the αC regions can be visualized by high‐resolution atomic force microscopy.
Methods
Atomic force microscopy with super high resolution was used to image single molecules of fibrinogen and fibrin associates. The key approach was to use a graphite surface modified with the monolayer of amphiphilic carbohydrate‐glycine molecules and unique supersharp cantilevers with 1 nm tip diameter.
Results
Fibrinogen αC regions were visualized along with the complete domain structure of the protein. In almost all molecules at pH 7.4 the D domain regions had one or two protrusions of average height 0.4 ± 0.1 nm and length 21 ± 6 nm. The complex, formed between thrombin and fibrinogen, was also visualized. Images of growing fibrin fibers with clearly visible αC regions have been obtained.
Conclusions
Fibrin αC regions were visible in protofibrils and large fibers; αC regions intertwined near a branchpoint and looked like a zipper. These results support the idea that αC regions are involved in the thickening of fibrin fibers. In addition, new details were revealed about the behavior of individual fibrin molecules during formation of the fibrin network. Under the diluted condition, the positioning of the αC regions could suggest their involvement in long‐range interactions between fibrin but not fibrinogen molecules.
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