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The aim of the study is to determine the morphometric features of splenic vasculature structural components (biounits, BU) of various kinds in individuals of different sex and age. Material and methods. The paper is based on the results of morphometric study of corrosion casts of splenic venous vasculature of 64 people (32 men, 32 women) at the age of 21 to 60 years (32 first period of adulthood, 32 second period of adulthood), deceased from sudden death and accidental causes. The study was conducted in compliance with ethical principles, including the World Medical Association’s Declaration of Helsinki. The diameters (D) and lengths (L) of the venous segments constituting BU were measured. Splenic venous vasculature was represented as a system consisting of three types of BU: 1 BU – the proximal segment diameter (D) is less than the sum of the diameters of distal segments (dmax and dmin) associated with it, D < dmax + dmin; 0 BU – D = dmax + dmin; 2 BU – D > dmax + dmin. Results. All three kinds of BUs were identified; there was a significant relationship between the relative number of BUs of different kinds, sex and age group; the sizes of all three kinds of BUs were determined; 1 BU was the largest and 0 BU was the smallest; 0 BU was the most symmetrical and 2 BU was the most asymmetrical; the relative number of 1 BU decreased, 0 BU increased, and 2 BU practically did not change in the direction from proximal to distal parts of the channel. BUs of the 1st kind have the largest diameter of proximal segments, while 2 BUs occupy the middle position in the range of values of the investigated parameters. The smallest diameter belongs to 0 BU. As for the length of segments L, the maximum values are typical for 1 BU, the minimum – for 2 BU, and the middle position in the series is occupied by 0 BU. Conclusions. The results obtained can serve as a foundation for the creation of a morphometric standard of splenic venous vasculature, and should be considered in its numerical modelling.

Background A significant percentage of patients with congenital heart disease surviving into adulthood will develop arrhythmias. These arrhythmias are associated with an increased risk of adverse events and death. We aimed to assess arrhythmia prevalence, risk factors, and associated health care usage in a large national cohort of patients with adult congenital heart disease. Methods and Results Adults with a documented diagnosis of congenital heart disease, insured by Clalit and Maccabi health services between January 2007 and December 2011, were included. We assessed the associations between arrhythmia and subsequent hospitalization rates and death with mixed negative binomial and Cox proportional hazard models, respectively. Among 11 653 patients with adult congenital heart disease (median age, 47 years [interquartile range, 31–62]), 8.7% had a tachyarrhythmia at baseline, 1.5% had a conduction disturbance, and 0.5% had both. Among those without a baseline arrhythmia, 9.2% developed tachyarrhythmias, 0.9% developed a conduction disturbance, and 0.3% developed both during the study period. Compared with no arrhythmia (reference group), arrhythmia in the previous 6 months was associated with a higher multivariable adjusted hospitalization rate, 1.33‐fold higher than the rate of the reference group (95% CI, 1.00–1.76) for ventricular arrhythmia, 1.27‐fold higher (95% CI, 1.17–1.38) for atrial arrhythmias, and 1.33‐fold higher (95% CI, 1.04–1.71) for atrioventricular block. Atrial tachyarrhythmias were associated with an adjusted mortality hazard ratio (HR) of 1.65 (95% CI, 1.44–2.94), and ventricular tachyarrhythmias with a >2‐fold increase in mortality risk (HR, 2.06 [95% CI, 1.44–2.94]). Conclusions Arrhythmias are significant comorbidities in the adult congenital heart disease population and have a significant impact on health care usage and survival.

Background. Detailed knowledge of the splenic arterial vasculature is essential for the minimally invasive surgery. A promising area of research in this regard is the quantitative analysis of the vasculatures of parenchymatous organs as a fractal or quasi-fractal system." Purpose. to determine the morphometric features in different groups of dichotomies (‘optimal’/’non-optimal’) of the splenic arterial vasculature in individuals of different sex and age. Materials and methods. The morphometric features of ‘optimal’ and ‘non-optimal’ dichotomies (according to C.D. Murray’s and H.B.M Ulings’ criteria) were studies using corrosion casts of splenic arterial vasculature (67 individuals, 1st and 2nd adulthood period, both sexes). Results. The ‘optimal’ dichotomies equaled 1% according to C.D. Murray’s criteria and 9% by H.B.M. Ulings criteria out of total number of dichotomies investigated in splenic arterial vasculature corrosion casts. The relative amount of ‘optimal’ dichotomies in slightly higher in men than in female. Whereas relative number of ‘optimal’ dichotomies is lower in 1st adulthood period that in 2nd adulthood. ‘Optimal’ dichotomies are mainly located at the proximal generation and division level of splenic arterial vasculature. They are bigger in size, less symmetrical in comprising with ‘non-optimal’ ones. Conclusion. Morphometric parameters vary significantly in different sex and age groups which should be considered for numerical modelling of splenic arterial vasculature.

The prospect of automated mobility on-demand (AMoD) services in urban areas has highlighted critical challenges surrounding the sustainable development of urban mobility. To address this gap, we created an improved simulation tool by combining SimMobility’s demand simulator with the hybrid meso-micro supply model of Aimsun Next. A realistic and city-scale examination of AMoD using such an advanced simulation tool can address the limitations identified in the literature and significantly promote the understanding of AMoD services. In this paper, we demonstrate the use of our improved simulation tool and focus on demand exploration of AMoD services in the Tel-Aviv metropolitan area. We employ an activity- and agent-based framework, for both single and shared AMoD rides, and explore 6 service cost scenarios and its impact on demand elasticities, mode choice, travel patterns and AMoD use by population groups. Our results indicate that there is no existing latent demand in Tel-Aviv metropolitan area and the extent of mode shifts from active modes and public transportation to AMoD is neglectable. This is due to AMoD services average travel costs, which is high as compared to all other modes, even with the largest fare reduction examined. Furthermore, it was found that AMoD demand, as a single service, is more elastic than when AMoD is shared, as cost elasticities drops as fare reduction increases. Unlike other modes of transportation, the maximum number of AMoD trips is obtained for trips between 10 to 20 kilometers, while young riders and full-time students are responsible for most of AMoD trips.

Amaranth leaves are of high nutritional value, containing various metabolites, monoand disaccharides, photosynthetic pigments, unsaturated acids, phenolcarboxylic acids with high antioxidant activity. Vegetable amaranth is grown in different soil and climatic conditions all over the world. The article describes the results of physicochemical analysis of composition of amaranth plant introduced in southern Dagestan. The results of determining biochemical composition of vitamins, organic acids, antioxidants, betacyanin - amaranthin, chlorophyll, carotenoids and chlorogenic acid in the leaves of the introduced amaranth are presented. It has been shown that amaranth culture can be an important source of vitamins and valuable biologically active substances for both humans and animals. Based on the results obtained on amaranth introduction, it can be noted that cultivation of amaranth has great prospects in Southern Dagestan, as a mass crop.

Background Several studies have examined hospitalizations among patients with adult congenital heart disease (ACHD). Few investigated other services or utilization patterns. Our aim was to study service utilization patterns and predictors among patients with ACHD. Methods and Results We identified 11 653 patients with ACHD aged ≥18 years (median, 47 years), through electronic records of 2 large Israeli healthcare providers (2007–2011). The association between patient, disease, and sociogeographic characteristics and healthcare resource utilization were modeled as recurrent events accounting for the competing death risk. Patients with ACHD had high healthcare utilization rates compared with the general population. The highest standardized service utilization ratios (SSRs) were found among patients with complex congenital heart disease including primary care visits (SSR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.47–1.58), cardiology outpatient visits (SSR, 5.17; 95% CI, 4.69–5.64), hospitalizations (SSR, 6.68; 95% CI, 5.82–7.54), and days in hospital (SSR, 15.37; 95% CI, 14.61–16.12). Adjusted resource utilization hazard increased with increasing lesion complexity. Hazard ratios (HRs) for complex versus simple disease were: primary care (HR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.06–1.23); cardiology outpatient visits (HR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.24–1.59); emergency department visits (HR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.02–1.39); and hospitalizations (HR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.49–2.05). Effects attenuated with age for cardiology outpatient visits and hospitalizations and increased for emergency department visits. Female sex, geographic periphery, and ethnic minority were associated with more primary care visits, and female sex (HR versus men, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.84–0.94]) and periphery (HR, 0.72 [95% CI, 0.58–0.90] for very peripheral versus very central) were associated with fewer cardiology visits. Arab minority patients also had high hospitalization rates compared with the majority group of Jewish or other patients. Conclusions Healthcare utilization rates were high among patients with ACHD. Female sex, geographic periphery, and ethnicity were associated with less optimal service utilization patterns. Further research should examine strategies to optimize service utilization in these groups.

The article provides a brief overview of irrigation systems and canals applied to slopes, landslide-prone, seismic areas, and swelling and collapsing soils. The new construction of the canal used for irrigation, energy and water supply purposes is described. In order to ensure the durability, longevity and reliability of the channel, a damping mat made of cast material is created under its cover, and the top is covered with a waterproof screen. Dowels are placed on the bottom and sides of the channel and the bottom dowel is riveted to the solid bedrock and connected with piles placed at certain distances. Drainage was placed next to the bottom dowel, an operation road was created on one side of the channel, and a berm road was created on the other side. A bathtub was built on the side of the road and a forest-bush strip was built on its bank. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents observations of atmospheric and ionospheric parameters during strong meteorological disturbances (storms) in the Kaliningrad region. The critical frequency of the F2 layer (foF2) and the total electron content (TEC) were observed at the station Kaliningrad (20 °E, 54.20 °N). Atmospheric pressure and wind were taken to be the atmospheric parameters under study. The analysis of ionospheric observations has shown that during meteorological storms the amplitude of diurnal variations in TEC decreases to 50 %; and in foF2, to 15 % as compared to quiet days. The revealed changes in ionospheric conditions during meteorological storms are regularly registered and represent a characteristic feature of the meteorological effect on the ionosphere.

Brain plasticity in the somatosensory cortex and tactile performance can be facilitated by brain stimulation. Here, we investigated the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on tactile perception in musicians and non-musicians to elucidate how tDCS-effects might depend on tactile expertise. On three separate days, 17 semi-professional musicians (e.g., piano or violin players) and 16 non-musicians aged 18–27 years received 15 min of 1 mA anodal (a-tDCS), cathodal (c-tDCS) or sham tDCS in a pseudorandomized design. Pre and post tDCS, tactile sensitivity (Touch Detection Task; TDT) and discrimination performance (Grating Orientation Task; GOT) were assessed. For further analysis, the weekly hours of instrument-playing and computer-typing were combined into a “tactile experience” variable. For GOT, but not TDT, a significant group effect at baseline was revealed with musicians performing better than non-musicians. TDT thresholds were significantly reduced after a-tDCS but not c-tDCS or sham stimulation. While both musicians’ and non-musicians’ performance improved after anodal stimulation, neither musical nor tactile expertise was directly associated with the magnitude of this improvement. Low performers in TDT with high tactile experience profited most from a-tDCS. We conclude that tactile expertise may facilitate somatosensory cortical plasticity and tactile learning in low performers.