Whole-beam self-focusing in fusion-relevant plasma.

Fast ignition inertial confinement fusion requires the production of a low-density channel in plasma with density scale-lengths of several hundred microns. The channel assists in the propagation of an ultra-intense laser pulse used to generate fast electrons which form a hot spot on the side of pre-compressed fusion fuel. We present a systematic characterization of an expanding laser-produced plasma using optical interferometry, benchmarked against three-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations. Magnetic fields associated with channel formation are probed using proton radiography, and compared to magnetic field structures generated in full-scale particle-in-cell simulations. We present observations of long-lived, straight channels produced by the Habara-Kodama-Tanaka whole-beam self-focusing mechanism, overcoming a critical barrier on the path to realizing fast ignition. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Prospects for high gain inertial fusion energy (part 2)'.

Preparations for a European R&D roadmap for an inertial fusion demo reactor.

A European consortium of 15 laboratories across nine nations have worked together under the EUROFusion Enabling Research grants for the past decade with three principle objectives. These are: (a) investigating obstacles to ignition on megaJoule-class laser facilities; (b) investigating novel alternative approaches to ignition, including basic studies for fast ignition (both electron and ion-driven), auxiliary heating, shock ignition, etc.; and (c) developing technologies that will be required in the future for a fusion reactor. A brief overview of these activities, presented here, along with new calculations relates the concept of auxiliary heating of inertial fusion targets, and provides possible future directions of research and development for the updated European Roadmap that is due at the end of 2020. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Prospects for high gain inertial fusion energy (part 2)'.

Orbital Angular Momentum Coupling in Elastic Photon-Photon Scattering.

In this Letter, we investigate the effect of orbital angular momentum (OAM) on elastic photon-photon scattering in a vacuum for the first time. We define exact solutions to the vacuum electromagnetic wave equation which carry OAM. Using those, the expected coupling between three initial waves is derived in the framework of an effective field theory based on the Euler-Heisenberg Lagrangian and shows that OAM adds a signature to the generated photons thereby greatly improving the signal-to-noise ratio. This forms the basis for a proposed high-power laser experiment utilizing quantum optics techniques to filter the generated photons based on their OAM state.

[Clinical pathomorphology and tanatogenesis of various forms of alcoholic intoxication]. / Klinicheskaia patomorfologiia i tanatogenez razlichnykh form alkogol'noi intoksikatsii.

The objective of the present study was to identify the clinical and pathomorphological changes in the internal organs for the elucidation of the cause of death associated with various forms of alcoholic intoxication (chronic alcoholic intoxication, poisoning with surrogate alcohols, etc.). The analysis of the clinical conditions resulting from alcohol abuse has demonstrated that the principal pathology underlying the fatal outcome is complemented by a variety of non-lethal somatic disorders aggravating the patients' condition and enhancing its severity. The clinicians are known to give more attention to the accompanying somatic complications than to the cause underlying the main pathology (alcoholism). Such attitude in the absence of the adequate treatment of the alcohol dependency is neither clinically efficient nor economically appropriate. Poisoning with surrogate alcohols is characterized by the pulmonary-cerebral variant of tanatogenesis in the combination with hypercoagulation and the erosive processes in the gastrointestinal tract whereas death from alcoholic intoxication is usually associated with heart tanatogenesis.

[Cytogenetic indices for somatic mutagenesis in mammals exposed to chronic low-dose irradiation].

We used cytogenetic analysis in the studies of the biological effects of a radiation factor of natural and artificial origin (under conditions ofthe 30-km exclusion zone ofthe Chernobyl experimental landfills in Ukraine, Belarus and Russia). The studies have been performed on various types of mammals: domestic animals--cows, pigs, horses and rodents--root voles, the Af mouse line, and yellow necked field mouse, bank voles. We found significant changes in the level of MN and chromosomal aberrations in the animals that were exposed to the conditions of chronic low-dose radiation for a long time (bothin the habitat and upon exposure in the Chernobyl zone) regardless of the type of animal and nature of contamination.

[The experience of application of test system "TB-Biochip" in the Tambov oblast].

The analysis was implemented concerning application of biological chips technique developed by the V A. Engelgardt institute of molecular biology--"TB-Biochip" designed for detecting DNA agent of tuberculosis in diagnostic samples of human respiratory organs and establishing its medicinal sensitivity to rifampicin and isoniazid. It is demonstrated that "TB-Biochip" is a sensitive and highly specific method of detecting medicinal sensitivity to main anti-tuberculosis pharmaceuticals. At that, analysis time amount to less than 72 hours. The comparative analysis was carried out concerning results of detection of medicinal sensitivity of mycobacteria by two express techniques--TB-Biochip (Biochip-IMB) and BACTECTM MGITTM 960 ("Becton Dickonson"). The data obtained by two techniques matched in 97.6%for rifampicin and in 92.1% for isoniazid.

[The role of surrogate alcoholic beverages in the development of hemorrhage in the patients presenting with Mallory-Weiss syndrome].

The objective of the present work was to study the pathological changes in various organs and tanatogenesis associated with Mallory-Weiss syndrome making use of the forensic medical and clinical materials. It was shown that the main cause of unrestrained vomiting resulting from alcoholic intoxication and leading to perfusive bleeding is not only the direct action of ethanol and surrogate alcohol on gastroesophageal mucosa and induced thrombocytopenia. Another cause may be brain oedema with subsequent cerebral herniation and irritation of the pseudobulbar centres responsible for the initiation of the vomiting reflex. The authors propose recommendations for forensic medical diagnostics of the cases of such hemorrhage.

Spectroscopy of Oscillation Modes in Homogeneously Precessing Domain of Superfluid 3 He-B.

We study the homogeneously precessing domain (HPD) in superfluid 3 He-B in a regular continuous-wave nuclear magnetic resonance (CW NMR) experiment. Using Fourier analysis of CW NMR time traces, we identify several oscillation modes with frequency monotonically increasing with the frequency shift of the HPD. Some of these modes are localized near the cell walls, while others are localized in bulk liquid and can be interpreted as oscillations of ϑ -solitons. We also observe chaotic motion of the HPD in a certain range of temperatures and frequency shifts.

[To the Fas-induced neurons apoptosis mechanisms in stroke pathogenesis].

The goal of the present study was to investigate the plasma levels of proteins regulating Fas-induced apoptosis in acute stroke and to relate ones to brain damage and clinical features. By means of ELISA soluble Fas receptor (sFas) and soluble Fas ligand (sFasL) plasma levels were detected. Fas protein (CD95) expression on CD3 lymphocytes surfaces was detected using flow cytometry. It is summarized, that Fas-induced apoptosis play significant role in stroke pathogenesis. As the result, prognostic significance of sFasL plasma level is showed. Fas induced apoptosis mechanisms seems to be perspective target for search new therapy stroke patients.

[Treatment of neurological postoperative disorders after surgical intervention for head and neck tumors using low-intensity laser radiation]. / Korrektsiya nevrologicheskikh posleoperatsionnykh narushenii u bol'nykh s opukholyami golovy i shei s ispol'zovaniem nizkointensivnogo lazernogo izlucheniya.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of low-intensity laser radiation in rehabilitation treatment of patients undergoing radical treatment for head and neck tumors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 134 patients (39 (29.1%) men, 95 (70, 9%) women), aged from 23 to 78 years old, with an average age of 54.24±12.7 years. Three groups were formed: Group 1 - 45 patients who received the traditional complex of rehabilitation treatment, which includes physical exercise, massage, and drug therapy, without using low-intensity laser radiation; Group 2 - 45 patients who received the traditional complex of rehabilitation treatment in combination with low-intensity laser radiation; Group 3 - 44 patients who underwent only a few low-intensity laser irradiation courses as a rehabilitation treatment. The impact on the tissues of the shoulder joint and cervico-supraclavicular region was carried out by radiation with a wavelength of 660 nm and 970 nm using a matrix radiation source. The course of treatment was 10 treatment sessions lasting 10 minutes. During the first year after radical treatment, the course of laser therapy was repeated every 3 months. In the course of the study, indicators of the patient's subjective assessment of changes occurring with them were studied, depending on the method of rehabilitation used, as well as the restoration of range of motion in the shoulder joint on the side of the operation and the function of soft tissues in the shoulder joint on the radical treatment side. RESULTS: Against the background of the treatment, an improvement in the condition of patients was recorded in the form of a decrease in the severity of motor and sensory disorders. CONCLUSION: Complex rehabilitation treatment with the obligatory use of low-intensity laser radiation provides an improvement in the function of the peripheral nervous system and blood circulation, which, in turn, allows not only to restore the function of these organs, but also to generally improve the quality of life of patients.

[Guillain-Bare syndrome in a patient with tuberculous]. / Sindrom Giiena­Barre u bol'noi tuberkulezom.

The article reports on the rarest case of Guillain-Barré syndrome in the form of acute motor-sensory polyneuropathy in a female patient with tuberculous meningitis, disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis, and tuberculous pleurisy. In the neurological status at the exit from the coma, the patient was diagnosed with tetraplegia, bulbar syndrome, and respiratory disorders. Further, within a week, pronounced muscle atrophy appeared. Active etiotropic, pathogenetic therapy, including plasmapheresis, gave a dramatic effect with a significant improvement in the condition and a gradual regression of neurological disorders. The differential diagnosis was carried out primarily with critical illness polyneuropathy. The authors emphasize the rarity of the presented case: to date, such a combination of pathologies has never been described in the literature.

[Postural stability during static strain before and after submaximal aerobic bycycle test in athletes].

The aim of study was to investigate static balance control in wrestlers (n = 31) and effects of fatigue on postural regulation in two position: bipedal stance and squat position with open eyes prior to and 2 min after bicycle PWC(170) test. A force platform ("Ritm". Russia) was used to determine static balance control. We found a minimum difference in postural control between wrestlers and controls prior to exercise in bipedal stance. In squat position linear and angular (all p < 0.001) sway velocity of centre of pressure were lower in wrestlers and were negatively correlated to PWC(170) index (r = 0.454 and r = 455, p < 0.001 with linear and angular sway velocities respectively) indicating that 20% dispersion of sway velocities in static strain position may be determined to physical working capacity. After PWC(170) test all parameters of sway were increased in both groups both in bipedal stance (p < 0.01) and squat position (p < 0.001) indicating an important role of muscular fatigue in the decrease of postural stability in both groups. Linear velocity after PWC(170) in bipedal stance increased to an equal extent in both groups but the increases of velocities of sway of centre of pressure in squat position were lower in athletes (ANOVA, p = 0.037 for linear and p = 0.008 for angular sway velocities respectively) and were negatively correlated to an extent of recovery of heart rate after PWC(170) indicating some contribution (6.5-14.2% of dispersion of linear and angular sway velocities) of an recovery rate to maintenance of a high level of postural stability in an static strain position in wrestlers during physical fatigue.

Topologically-imposed vacancies and mobile solid 3He on carbon nanotube.

Low dimensional fermionic quantum systems are exceptionally interesting because they reveal distinctive physical phenomena, including among others, topologically protected excitations, edge states, frustration, and fractionalization. Our aim was to confine 3He on a suspended carbon nanotube to form 2-dimensional Fermi-system. Here we report our measurements of the mechanical resonance of the nanotube with adsorbed sub-monolayer down to 10 mK. At intermediate coverages we have observed the famous 1/3 commensurate solid. However, at larger monolayer densities we have observed a quantum phase transition from 1/3 solid to an unknown, soft, and mobile solid phase. We interpret this mobile solid phase as a bosonic commensurate crystal consisting of helium dimers with topologically-induced zero-point vacancies which are delocalized at low temperatures. We thus demonstrate that 3He on a nanotube merges both fermionic and bosonic phenomena, with a quantum phase transition between fermionic solid 1/3 phase and the observed bosonic dimer solid.

[Effect of radio-ecological conditions in the ChNPP exclusion zone on morphofunctional state and responsiveness of organs and tissues of laboratory animals].

The state of hematopoietic, reproductive and endocrine systems of the organisms of male rats and their offspring in generations (F0-F1-F2) was studied, and the sensitivity of an organism to the action of carcinogen (Af mice) after a stay in the ChNPP exclusion zone was analyzed. It was ascertained that the most significant changes of the morphofunctional state of the animals were observed in the II generation (F2), which remained for a long period under the conditions of radioactive contamination. We have revealed an increased number of leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and, especially, monocytes as against while the decrease in the number of erythrocytes and haemoglobin content; the decrease of thyroid function and cortical layer of the adrenals as opposed to while the increase in the relative weight of testes and their epididymides and the decrease in the number of spermatocytes and spermatozoa in the testis tissue. The exposure of Af mice in the exclusion zone increases the processes of mutagenesis and carcinogenesis, and changes the organism response to standardized action of chemical carcinogen. The increase in the exposure time of animals intensifies metabolic processes in a cell and increases their sensitivity to the action of xenobiotics.

[New coarse-grained DNA model].

A new coarse-grained model of the DNA molecule has been proposed, which was elaborated on the basis of its all-atomic model analysis. The model has been shown to rather well reproduce the DNA structure under low and room temperatures. The Young's and torsion moduli calculated using the coarse-grained model are in close agreement with experimental data and the theoretical results of other authors. The model can be used for DNA fragments of several hundreds base pairs for rather long time scales (of the order of micros) and for simulating their interactions with other structures.

[Comparative analysis of the regulation of vertical posture in athletes of different sports qualifications].

The goal of study was to investigate the regulation of balance in athletes with different sports qualifications: masters of sport (MS, n=18) and candidates for master of sports (CMS, n=13). Balance examined by means of stabilographic complex ("Rhythm". Russia) in the static tests: in simple bipedal stance (BS) and squat positions (SQ), as well as in the dynamic tests: "Involute", evaluating the tracking movement and "Step input", assessing the reaction of the whole body on the visual-motor task. It was found that the MS with the same anthropometric data, PWC 170 and trunk power did not differ in linear and angular velocity of oscillations of the center of pressure (CP) in BS and SQ positions. MS had a relative dominance of low-frequency oscillations in the spectral analysis in the BS test with eyes open. In the test "Step input" MS had a lower latent period of reaction, a greater speed and an accuracy of the body motion forward and back in response to the step input signals, while they had a relative dominance of high frequency oscillations. Thus, the results showed that the masters of sport have improved postural regulation, which manifested itself mainly in the dynamic test on the speed and accuracy of the vertical body reaction to input visual signals.

Thermoelectric current in a graphene Cooper pair splitter.

Generation of electric voltage in a conductor by applying a temperature gradient is a fundamental phenomenon called the Seebeck effect. This effect and its inverse is widely exploited in diverse applications ranging from thermoelectric power generators to temperature sensing. Recently, a possibility of thermoelectricity arising from the interplay of the non-local Cooper pair splitting and the elastic co-tunneling in the hybrid normal metal-superconductor-normal metal structures was predicted. Here, we report the observation of the non-local Seebeck effect in a graphene-based Cooper pair splitting device comprising two quantum dots connected to an aluminum superconductor and present a theoretical description of this phenomenon. The observed non-local Seebeck effect offers an efficient tool for producing entangled electrons.

[Arterial stiffness in patients with acute cerebrovascular accident]. / Zhestkost' arterial'noi stenki u bol'nykh s ishemicheskimi narusheniyami mozgovogo krovoobrashcheniya.

OBJECTIVE: To identify correlations between parameters of vascular stiffness and characteristics of the clinical course of acute cerebrovascular accident (stroke). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two hundred and seven patients with stroke (mean age 64.6±10.9 years; 115 men) treated in a neurological department of «Municipal Clinical Hospital Br. Bakhrushins of the Health Care Department of Moscow¼ were studied. All patients underwent a standard neurological and clinical-instrumental examination, including assessment of arterial stiffness by sphygmography. Analysis of the data was carried out depending on the severity of stroke and the pathogenetic subtype of stroke. RESULTS: The pathological value of the CAVI was detected in all patients with cerebral infarction. The highest values were noted in patients with an atherothrombotic subtype of stroke. A positive correlation was revealed between CAVI and the age of patients (r=0.57; p=0.0001), left ventricular myocardial mass index (r=0.55; p=0.0001), NIHSS score (r=0.6; p=0.0001) The inverse correlation was found between CAVI and glomerular filtration rate (r= -0.4; p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The factors determining the severity of stroke are age, arterial hypertension, type 2 diabetes, carotid atherosclerosis, left ventricular remodeling, and decreased glomerular filtration rate. The CAV and the toe-brachial index, rather than the ankle-brachial index, significantly distinguished patients with ischemic stroke from patients with transient ischemic attack.

[Neurohumoral response and Fas-ligand-induced apoptosis in peripheral blood of patients with acute ischemic stroke]. / Neirogumoral'nyi otvet i aktivnost' Fas-liganda perifericheskoi krovi v ostrom periode ishemicheskogo insul'ta.

OBJECTIVE: To identify an effect of the neurohumoral response on the severity and orientation of Fas-ligand-initiated processes in the acute period of IS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 155 patients with IS in the territory of the left and right middle cerebral arteries, the control group consisted of 28 people. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Daily Life Stress scale were used. Concentrations of sFas, sFasL, cortisol (K), adrenaline (A), norepinephrine (NE), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in the blood plasma of patients with IS were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay on days 1, 7 and 21 and once in the control group. CD3CD95+ lymphocytes phenotyping was performed using flow cytometry. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dominance is associated with the activation of the apoptosis-inducing properties of peripheral blood in the first week after the IS onset and their decrease towards the end of the acute period, which is clinically represented by the increased levels of anxiety and depression, an unfavorable outcome of the acute period of IS.

[The influence of ecological factors of Polesky State Radioecological Reserve on spontaneous and chemically induced mutagenesis and tumor formation].

The cycle of researches of the influence of an exposion of mice of line Af in the conditions of the zone of Chernobyl disaster on spontaneous and chemically induced mutability, lung tumour (adenomas), morphological and functional condition of alveolar macrophages, and also genetic effects in natural populations wild rodents is executed. The increase in polychromatic frequency in mouse bone marrow, adenomas in lungs, and change of sensitivity of an organism to action mutagen and transgenerational transfer of genetic damages is shown.