Evaluation of the efficacy of permethrin- and cypermethrin-based textile against taiga tick, Ixodes persulcatus

A comparison of the efficacy of permethrin- and cypermethrin-based textile against taiga ticks (Ixodes persulcatus) was carried out in a tick-borne viral encephalitis hotspot in the Irkutsk Region (Russia) using model samples of impregnated textiles. We demonstrated that permethrin- and cypermethrin-treated model samples have similar protective parameters in terms of maximum height reached by the tick when climbing up the treated textile (20.9-38.7 cm for cypermethrin, 27.6-39.3 cm for permethrin, depending on concentration) and knockdown time (i.e., the time until a female tick falls off the treated textile; 3.52-4.31 min for cypermethrin, 5.02-8.25 min for permethrin, depending on concentration). In contrast, when evaluating the 'biting speed' index (which is the ratio of the average attaching time of ticks contacting untreated textiles and ticks contacting treated textiles), it has been shown that permethrin-treated textiles accelerate biting. So, using permethrin-treated protective clothing against the taiga tick could be risky because it increases the likelihood of being bitten and thus getting infected. In contrast, cypermethrin-treated textiles appear to block the ability of ticks to attack warm-blooded animals and humans - after contact with cypermethrin-treated textiles none of the ticks attached to a rabbit. So cypermethrin-based textiles could be an alternative to permethrin for tick-bite protection clothing production if there is no toxic effect on humans of textile materials based on it.

Magnetic and magneto-thermal properties of ferrimagnetic alloys (Er1-xYx)(Co0.84Fe0.16)2and their dependence on the orientations of resultant and sublattice magnetizations

In this paper structure, magnetic and magneto-thermal properties: magnetic entropy change (ΔS_m) and refrigeration capacity (q) of Er_1-xY_x(Co_0.84Fe_0.16)₂alloys (x= 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1) in magnetic fields up to 90 kOe in a temperature range of 5-360 K are investigated. An analysis of temperature dependences of magnetization (σ) and high-field susceptibility (χ_hf) showed that in these compounds, three different ferri- and a one ferromagnetic structures are consequently realized. Concentration dependences of magnetic moment at 5 K (μ_f.u.), Curie temperature (T_C), residual magnetization (σ_r) and coercivity (H_c) have been shown to have an extreme at intermediate Y concentration. The character of temperature dependence of magnetic entropy change (ΔS_m(T)) depends on the composition and originates from the type of magnetic structure of the compound and the mutual orientation of R- and 3d- element sublattices magnetization with respect to the resulting one. In compounds withx= 0.6 andx= 0.8 temperature regions with different signs of ΔS_mare observed, reflecting the change of dominating R- or 3d- sublattice in the resulting magnetization.

Polymeric structure of a coproporphyrin I ruthenium(II) complex: a powder diffraction study

Porphyrin complexes of ruthenium are widely used as models for the heme protein system, for modelling naturally occurring iron-porphyrin systems and as catalysts in epoxidation reactions. The structural diversity of ruthenium complexes offers an opportunity to use them in the design of multifunctional supramolecular assemblies. Coproporphyrins and metallocoproporphyrins are used as sensors in bioassay and the potential use of derivatives as multiparametric sensors for oxygen and H⁺ is one of the main factors driving a growing interest in the synthesis of new porphyrin derivatives. In the coproporphyrin I Ru^II complex catena-poly[[carbonylruthenium(II)]-μ-2,7,12,17-tetrakis[2-(ethoxycarbonyl)ethyl]-3,8,13,18-tetramethylporphyrinato-κ⁵N,N',N'',N''':O], [Ru(C₄₄H₅₂N₄O₈)(CO)]_n, the Ru^II centre is coordinated by four N atoms in the basal plane, and by axial C (carbonyl ligand) and O (ethoxycarbonylethyl arm from a neighbouring complex) atoms. The complex adopts a distorted octahedral geometry. Self-assembly of the molecules during crystallization from a methylene chloride-ethanol (1:10 v/v) solution at room temperature gives one-dimensional polymeric chains.

Scale invariance and universality in a cold gas of indirect excitons

We address, theoretically, the puzzling similarity observed in the thermodynamic behavior of independent clouds of cold dipolar excitons in coupled semiconductor quantum wells. We argue that the condensation of self-trapped exciton gas starts at the same critical temperature in all traps due to the specific scaling rule. As a consequence of the reduced dimensionality of the system, the scaling parameters appear to be insensitive to disorder.

Thermodynamic model of the macroscopically ordered exciton state

We explain the experimentally observed instability of cold exciton gases and the formation of a macroscopically ordered exciton state in terms of a thermodynamic model accounting for the phase fluctuations of the condensate. We show that the temperature dependence of the exciton energy exhibits fundamental scaling behavior with the signature of the second order phase transition.

Optical pump-probe detection of manganese hyperfine beats in (Cd,Mn)Te crystals

Optical pump-probe experiments reveal spin beats of manganese ions in (Cd,Mn)Te, due to hyperfine and crystal fields. At "magic" orientations of the magnetic field, the effect of local crystal field is strongly suppressed. In this case, the spin precession of Mn(2+) embedded in the lattice approaches the precession expected for the free ion. Following optical excitation, regular spin pulses show up, revealing the one-to-one correspondence between precession frequency and Mn(2+) nuclear spin state. The period of the spin pulses accurately determines the hyperfine constant |A|=705  neV. The manganese spin coherence time up to T(2)(Mn)≃15  ns is measured for a manganese concentration x=0.0011.

[Deterministic chaos in the dynamics of biomembrane ion channel current]

Within the framework of the theory of deterministic chaos, a nonlinear first-order differential equation with delay and relaxation with periodic influence on channel current for the parameter of order (deviation of channel current from the equilibrium value) was obtained. The numerical solutions of the equation indicate a chaotic dynamics of the order parameter and conformation potential of the channel protein with positive Lyapunov indices. By integration in the time interval between the "jumps" of ions through energy barriers of the channel protein, a mapping was obtained that also results in chaotic solutions realized in experiments. Basic kinetic characteristics of ionic channels for the mapping were obtained: the probability for the channel to be in the open state, P0, and the mean duration of a pack of current pulses depending on controlling parameters. Algorithms for constructing bifurcation diagrams with the transition to chaos and for determining Lyapunov indices and Kholmogorov entropy, pulsation spectra, and other parameters of chaotic dymanics were developed.

[A method for decreasing the volume of the solution of radium salts used for radon therapy]

A procedure has been proposed to reduce the volume of radon salt in the radon generators used in the laboratories for artificial preparation of radon procedures. This permits work to be done remotely under the conditions of a radon laboratory without manipulations just with radon solution and without radioactive waste.

[Increasing the radon concentration in natural water without the use of radium preparations]

The method of increasing radon concentrations in natural radon water without radon generators is based on radon redistribution between various water volumes, water and air. Radon is extracted from hot radon water with subsequent solution in cold radon water. This method enables the specialists to increase radon concentrations 2-3-fold using a simple enriching unit.

[A method for preparing air-radon mixtures from radon water by decompression]

The technique has been tested of intensive radon dissolving in water usable for therapeutic procedures. The gas is provided from the soil or ore radon-containing air. The dissolving occurs under artificial growth of radon concentration in gas atmosphere by its compression at the time of mixing with cooled water in accordance with classical laws of gas distribution between liquid and gas phases in closed space. Practical utilization of the above method allows preparation of therapeutic water media without radium preparations and more effective use of radon produced in radon laboratories, thus significantly reducing radon waste and environment pollution.

[The correction of the functional activity of alveolar macrophages in inducing a primary immune response in influenza]

The functional activity of alveolar macrophages obtained from mice, both healthy and infected with influenza virus A/Aichi 2/68 (H3N2), as manifested by their capacity to initiate the development of primary immune response to sheep red blood cells and Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide after the transfer of these macrophages to intact syngeneic recipients was studied. The capacity of alveolar macrophages to perform antigen-presenting functions in the induction of humoral immune response was shown, and at the same time the development of experimental influenza infection was found to essentially decrease these properties. The injection of the immunomodulating agent diuciphon into experimental mice somewhat enhanced the immune response after the syngeneic transfer of alveolar macrophages from infected mice to intact recipients.

[Ecological protection against volley discharges of radon from the installations of radon laboratories]

The authors analyzed the amount of radon waste and decay products discharged into atmosphere from radon laboratory units. Underlying principles of the design of radon escape monitoring and protection devices are considered. Relevant rating and the parameters of the apparatus developed to considerably limit the isotopes escape are presented. The apparatus is adjusted for current devices making radon concentrates.

[Effect of SOS repair in enterobacteria on their interaction with the complement system]

The interaction of E. coli (serovar 0124) and its rec A-mutants with serum complement resulting in the alternative pathway activation was studied. Bacteria VT1240 (original smooth strain), VT1241 (rough mutant) and VT 2240 (recA56 mutant) were shown to be complement-sensitive when treated with 1.5 X 10(8)--1.9 X 10(8) cells per ml of normal human serum, while the cells with SOS-activated system (recA441 mutant, strain VT3251) retained their viability. An alternative pathway of complement activation was minimal with E. coli VT1241, while VT3251 demonstrated intermediate activity. To decrease the level of complement components (AH50) and factor B (BH50) by 50%, 3.5 X 10(6)--4.5 X 10(6) cells of VT1240 and VT2240 strains were required. R-mutants and recA441 mutants caused a 50% reduction in AH50, when used in the amount of 6.4 X 10(7) and 2.6 X 10(7), respectively, the same degree of BH50 decrease was achieved with the amounts used equal to 1.1 X 10(8) and 4.3 X 10(6), respectively. C3 conversions caused by 4 X 10(8) cells in I ml of the normal human serum in the four strains tested accounted for 5-15%.

[Use of the liposomal forms of a terrilytin preparation for the lysis of experimental thrombi]

Thrombolytic activity of liposomal terrilytin forms has been experimentally studied. Liposomal terrilytin form (50-280 PU/kg) was administered to rabbits 24 hours after the experimental induction of femoral thrombi. In 43.75% of cases complete lysis of the thrombi was noted, in 37.5% of cases different stages of the lysis of wall thrombi were observed and in 18.75% of cases the thrombi remained. In the control experiments the thrombi remained in 75% of cases, while in 25% of cases spontaneous lysis of the thrombi occurred. Statistically significant hemostasis changes gave evidence of the decrease in the blood clotting activity after oral administration of a liposomal terrilytin form. It has become possible to achieve thrombolytic effect using lower doses of orally administered liposomal terrilytin form, which is both therapeutically and economically important.