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Lupus erythematosus (LE) is an autoimmune disorder commonly affecting the skin; cutaneous lesions may indicate systemic involvement, warranting further evaluation. Photosensitivity, which may result in hyperpigmentation, is a well-known feature of the disease. In contrast, the prevalence of primary hyperpigmentation as a presenting sign of LE is not well established. Here, we compare 3 unique cases of diffuse facial hyperpigmentation as the primary manifestation of LE (cutaneous or systemic) and review previously reported cases. Our data highlight the need for considering LE in the differential diagnosis of facial hyperpigmentation and substantiate the importance of this unique lupus variant in early diagnosis and patient evaluation.

BACKGROUND Pachyonychia congenita (PC) refers to a group of autosomal dominant disorders caused by mutations in five keratin genes (KRT16,KRT6A,KRT17,KRT6B or KRT6C). Current disease classification is based on the gene harbouring disease-causing variants. AIMS We harnessed the International Pachyonychia Congenita Research Registry (IPCRR) containing both clinical and molecular data on patients with PC worldwide, to identify genetic variants predicting disease severity. METHODS We ascertained 815 individuals harbouring keratin mutations registered in the IPCRR. We looked for statistically significant associations between genetic variants and clinical manifestations in a subgroup of patients carrying mutations found in at least 10% of the cohort. Data were analysed using χ2 and Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS We identified five mutations occurring in at least 10% of the patients registered in the IPCRR. The KRT16 p.L132P mutation was significantly associated with younger age of onset, presence of palmar keratoderma oral leucokeratosis and a higher number of involved nails. By contrast, the KRT16 p.N125S and p.R127C mutations resulted in a milder phenotype featuring a decreased number of involved nails and older age of onset. Patients carrying the p.N125S mutation were less likely to develop palmar keratoderma while p.R127C was associated with an older age of palmoplantar keratoderma onset. Moreover, the KRT17 p.L99P mutation resulted in an increased number of involved fingernails and patients demonstrating 20-nail dystrophy, while the opposite findings were observed with KRT17 p.N92S mutation. CONCLUSIONS We have identified novel and clinically useful genetic predictive variants in the largest cohort of patients with PC described to date.

Background Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a life-threatening mucocutaneous autoimmune blistering disease. We previously showed that genetic variants within the ST18 gene promoter area confer a sixfold increase in the propensity to develop PV. ST18, a transcription factor, was found to be overexpressed in the epidermis of patients with PV. In addition, it was found to promote autoantibody-mediated abnormal epidermal cell-cell adhesion and secretion of proinflammatory mediators by keratinocytes. Objectives To delineate the mechanism through which ST18 contributes to destabilization of cell-cell adhesion. Methods We used quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, immunofluorescence microscopy, a luciferase reporter system, site-directed mutagenesis, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and the dispase dissociation assay. Results The ChIP and luciferase reporter assays showed that ST18 directly binds and activates the TNF promoter. Accordingly, increased ST18 expression contributes to PV pathogenesis by destabilizing cell-cell adhesion in a tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α-dependent fashion. In addition, dual immunofluorescence staining showed increased expression of both ST18 and TNF-α in the skin of patients with PV carrying an ST18-associated PV risk variant, which was found to be associated with a more extensive PV phenotype. Conclusions Our findings suggest a role for TNF-α in mediating the deleterious effect of increased ST18 expression in PV skin.

Autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis (ARCI) manifests with generalized scaling often associated with generalized erythema. Mutations in at least 13 different genes have been reported to cause ARCI. Acral peeling skin syndrome (APSS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder manifesting with peeling over the distal limbs and dorsal surfaces of hands and feet. APSS is mostly due to mutations in TGM5, encoding transglutaminase 5. Both ARCI and APSS are fully penetrant genetic traits. Here, we describe a consanguineous family in which one patient with mild ARCI was found to carry a homozygous mutation in ALOXE3 (c.1238G > A; p.Gly413Asp). The patient was also found to carry a known pathogenic homozygous mutation in TGM5 (c.1335G > C; p.Lys445Asn) but did not display acral peeling skin. Her uncle carried the same homozygous mutation in TGM5 but carried the ALOXE3 mutation in a heterozygous state and showed clinical features typical of APSS. Taken collectively, these observations suggested that the ALOXE3 mutation suppresses the clinical expression of the TGM5 variant. We hypothesized that ALOXE3 deficiency may affect the expression of a protein capable of compensating for the lack of TGM5 expression. Downregulation of ALOXE3 in primary human keratinocytes resulted in increased levels of corneodesmosin, which plays a critical role in the maintenance of cell-cell adhesion in the upper epidermal layers. Accordingly, ectopic corneodesmosin expression rescued the cell-cell adhesion defect caused by TGM5 deficiency in keratinocytes as ascertained by the dispase dissociation assay. The present data thus provide evidence for phenotypic suppression in a human hereditary skin disorder.

BACKGROUND Hypotrichosis simplex of the scalp (HSS) is characterized by progressive loss of scalp hair that results in almost complete baldness at a young age. HSS is often caused by dominant nonsense mutations in CDSN encoding corneodesmosin, leading to the formation of an amyloid-like material, which interferes with normal hair follicle cycle. OBJECTIVES As gentamicin has been shown to mediate ribosomal read-through, we aimed to ascertain its therapeutic efficacy in a small series of patients carrying a recurrent mutation in CDSN . METHODS We used a green fluorescence reporter assay system, confocal microscopy and Western blot analysis to ascertain in vitro the ability of gentamicin to induce translational read-through across a causative CDSN mutation. RESULTS Using a reporter assay, we initially showed that gentamicin induces read-through activity across an HSS-causing nonsense mutation. Gentamicin was further shown to rescue corneodesmosin translation in primary keratinocytes obtained from a patient with HSS. To validate the in vitro data, we conducted a pilot clinical trial where the scalp of four patients was treated topically with gentamicin for 6 months, demonstrating significant improvement as ascertained by the Severity of Alopecia Tool score. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that topical gentamicin should be considered as a potential therapeutic modality in HSS. What's already known about this topic? Hypotrichosis simplex of the scalp (HSS) is caused by nonsense mutations in CDSN encoding corneodesmosin. The mutant corneodesmosin has been hypothesized to be toxic to the hair follicles, leading to hypotrichosis. Disorders caused by nonsense mutations are amenable to ribosomal read-through using gentamicin. What does this study add? Gentamicin enhanced read-through activity and promoted full-length corneodesmosin synthesis in primary keratinocytes derived from patients carrying a nonsense mutation in CDSN. Topical treatment with gentamicin was found to rescue the hypotrichosis phenotype partially in four patients with HSS. What is the translational message? Topical gentamicin should be considered as a potential treatment for HSS.

Summary Ultraviolet (UV) light affects endocrinological and behavioral aspects of sexuality via an unknown mechanism. Here we discover that ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure enhances the levels of sex-steroid hormones and sexual behavior, which are mediated by the skin. In female mice, UVB exposure increases hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis hormone levels, resulting in larger ovaries; extends estrus days; and increases anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) expression. UVB exposure also enhances the sexual responsiveness and attractiveness of females and male-female interactions. Conditional knockout of p53 specifically in skin keratinocytes abolishes the effects of UVB. Thus, UVB triggers a skin-brain-gonadal axis through skin p53 activation. In humans, solar exposure enhances romantic passion in both genders and aggressiveness in men, as seen in analysis of individual questionaries, and positively correlates with testosterone level. Our findings suggest opportunities for treatment of sex-steroid-related dysfunctions., Graphical abstract, Highlights • UVB exposure increases circulating sex-steroid levels in mice and humans • UVB exposure enhances female attractiveness and receptiveness toward males • UVB exposure increases females’ estrus phase, HPG axis hormones, and follicle growth • Skin p53 regulates UVB-induced sexual behavior and ovarian physiological changes, Parikh et al. find that UVB exposure triggers a skin-brain-gonadal axis through skin p53 activation. UVB exposure increases in female mice sexual responsiveness and attractiveness, hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis hormone levels, ovary size, and estrus duration, as well as male-female interactions. Solar exposure in humans enhances romantic passion and positively correlates with male testosterone levels.

BACKGROUND Pachyonychia congenita (PC) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder featuring palmoplantar keratoderma, nail dystrophy, oral leucokeratosis, pilosebaceous cysts and natal teeth. PC results from dominant mutations in one of five genes (KRT6A, KRT6B, KRT6C, KRT16, KRT17) encoding keratin proteins. AIM To delineate the clinical and genetic features of PC in a series of Israeli patients. METHODS We used direct sequencing of genomic DNA, and also used cDNA sequencing where applicable. RESULTS We collected clinical information and molecular data in a cohort of Israeli families diagnosed with PC (n = 16). Most of the patients were Ashkenazi Jews and had a family history of PC. The most common clinical findings were painful focal plantar keratoderma (94%) accompanied by nail dystrophy (81%), pilosebaceous cysts (31%) and prenatal/natal teeth (13%). In contrast to the high prevalence of KRT6A mutations in other populations, we found that KRT16 mutations were the most common type among Israeli patients with PC (56%). Most (77%) of the Israeli patients with PC with KRT16 mutation carried the same variant (c.380G>A; p.R127H) and shared the same haplotype around the KRT16 locus, suggestive of a founder effect. CONCLUSION The data gleaned from this study emphasizes the importance of population-specific tailored diagnostic strategies.

PURPOSE: Localized autosomal recessive hypotrichosis (LAH) has been associated with pathogenic variants in DSG4, encoding a desmosomal protein as well as in LIPH and LPAR6, encoding respectively lipase H, which catalyzes the formation of 2-acyl-lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), and lysophosphatidic acid receptor 6, a receptor for LPA. LPA promotes hair growth and differentiation. In this study we aimed at delineating the genetic basis of LAH in patients without pathogenic variants in these three genes. METHODS: Variant analysis was conducted using exome and direct sequencing. We then performed quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), immunofluorescence staining, immunoblotting, enzymatic, and coimmunoprecipitation assays to evaluate the consequences of potential etiologic variants. RESULTS: We identified homozygous variants in C3ORF52 in four individuals with LAH. C3ORF52 was found to be coexpressed with lipase H in the inner root sheath of the hair follicle and the two proteins were found to directly interact. The LAH-causing variants were associated with decreased C3ORF52 expression and resulted in markedly reduced lipase H–mediated LPA biosynthesis. CONCLUSION: LAH can be caused by abnormal function of at least three proteins which are necessary for proper LPA biosynthesis.

Ultraviolet (UV) light affects endocrinological and behavioral aspects of human sexuality via an unknown mechanism. Using a unique male-female comparative approach, we discovered that the sexual behavioral and hormonal features enhanced by UVB are mediated by the skin. In mice, UV exposure increases hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis hormone levels, resulting in enhanced ovary size, extended estrus days, and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) expression. It likewise enhances sexual responsiveness and attractiveness of females and heterosexual interactions of both males and females. Conditional knockout of p53 specifically in skin keratinocytes abolished UV’s effects. In humans, UV exposure enhanced romantic passion in both genders, increased testosterone levels in men and correlated with heightened plasma AMH levels in women. Our data, revealing that UVB triggers a skin-brain-gonadal axis through skin p53 activation, offers therapeutic opportunities for sex-steroid-related dysfunctions. We speculate that during human furless skin evolution, the skin became the front-line regulator of the response to UVB.

Background Palmoplantar keratoderma (PPK) refers to a large group of disorders characterized by extensive genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity. PPK diagnosis therefore increasingly relies upon genetic analysis. Aim To delineate the genetic defect underlying a case of diffuse erythematous PPK associated with peeling of the skin. Methods Whole exome and direct sequencing, real-time quantitative PCR, protein modelling and a cathepsin B enzymatic assay were used. Results The patient studied had severe diffuse erythematous PPK transgrediens. Pedigree analysis suggested an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance. Whole exome sequencing revealed a heterozygous missense mutation in the CTSB gene, encoding the cysteine protease cathepsin B. Genomic duplications in a noncoding region, which regulates the expression of CTSB, were recently found to cause erythrokeratolysis hiemalis, a rare autosomal dominant disorder of cornification. This mutation affects a highly conserved residue, and is predicted to be pathogenic. Protein modelling indicated that the mutation is likely to lead to increased endopeptidase cathepsin B activity. Accordingly, the CTSB variant was found to result in increased cathepsin B proteolytic activity. Conclusion In summary, we report the identification of the first gain-of-function missense mutation in CTSB, which was found to be associated in one individual with a dominant form of diffuse PPK.

Inherited palmoplantar keratodermas refer to a large and heterogeneous group of conditions resulting from abnormal epidermal differentiation and featuring thickening of the skin of the palms and soles. Here, we aimed at delineating the genetic basis of an autosomal recessive form of palmoplantar keratodermas manifesting with erythematous hyperkeratotic plaques over the palms and soles, extending to non-palmoplantar areas. Whole-exome sequencing in affected individuals revealed homozygous nonsense variants in the SERPINA12 gene. SERPINA12 encodes the visceral adipose tissue-derived serpin A12, a serine protease inhibitor. The pathogenic variants were found to result in reduced visceral adipose tissue-derived serpin A12 expression in patients' skin biopsies in comparison to healthy controls. In addition, SERPINA12 downregulation in three-dimensional skin equivalents was associated with marked epidermal acanthosis and hyperkeratosis, replicating the human phenotype. Moreover, decreased SERPINA12 expression resulted in reduced visceral adipose tissue-derived serpin A12-mediated inhibition of kallikrein 7 activity as well as decreased levels of desmoglein-1 and corneodesmosin, two known kallikrein 7 substrates, which are required for normal epidermal differentiation. The present data, taken collectively, demarcate a unique type of autosomal recessive palmoplantar keratodermas, attribute to visceral adipose tissue-derived serpin A12 a role in skin biology, and emphasize the importance of mechanisms regulating proteolytic activity for normal epidermal differentiation.

Lipid fatty acids composition for muscle tissue of pacific saury is determined in dependence on the fish body size. The percentage is 40.97 % of monounsaturated fatty acids and 34.20 % of polyunsaturated fatty acids for small-sized fish and 43.87 % and 31.09 %, respectively, for large-sized fish. The summary content of EPA and DHA is 2.30 g per 100 g of muscle tissue for small-sized fish and 3.77 g/100 g for large-sized fish. Decreasing of the omega-3 fatty acids content in the process of the canned food sterilization does not exceed 5.2 % of the initial amount. The saury of various size could be processed to the canned goods of pate type that excludes the fat losses in the process of broth and fat separation under high temperature. The portion of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the canned food from saury is 42.1-46.7%, with average content of EPA and DHA 1.73-2.71 g per 100 g that corresponds to daily requirements of human organism.

Needs for artificial food for salmons considerably increase recently because of foundation of new salmon hatcheries and reconstruction of existing hatcheries in Sakhalin, Kamchatka, Primorye, and Khabarovsk and Magadan regions. In conditions of shortage of Russian-made mixed fodders of high quality and urges toward substitution of imported fodders by domestic ones, highly productive fodders for salmons should be developed using modern scientific knowledge and industrial technologies. Fermented pastas on the base of raw pollock and wastes of other fish processing (chum salmon, saury, herring) are presented as components of mixed fodders for juvenile salmons corresponding by their quality and safety to nutritional requirements of juveniles. Recipes of starting fodders for farming of salmons are proposed with 6 % and 10 % of dry fermentolyzate of these raw materials. These experimental fodders are successfully tested in conditions of salmon hatcheries. The mixed fodder B-1-6 % has lower content of protein (38.5 %) but higher content of lipids (14.5 %) and carbohydrates (37.5 %), as compared with the B-1-10 %, its amino acid composition corresponds to the needs of chum salmon. In the experiments, the feeding coefficients of the experimental fodders (0.64-0.86) were better than those of the fodders Aller Aqua (Denmark) and Dalkorm (Russia) with feeding coefficients 1.00 and 1.44, respectively. The fodders Aller Aqua and Dalkorm caused some pathomorphological changes in digestive system of juvenile chum salmon that reduced quality of juveniles and impeded their growth; the experimental fodder with 6 % of dry fermentolyzate caused mild lipoidal degeneration of liver in reversible form for 15 % of the examined juveniles, but this pathology had no significant effect on quality of the released juveniles. Introduction of high-protein dry fermentolyzate to mixed fodders allows to reduce the portion of fish flour without reducing quality of their protein component, herewith the juveniles vitality increasing.

International audience; Background: Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA) is the most common form of scarring alopecia among women of African ancestry. The disease is occasionally observed to affect women in families in a manner that suggests an autosomal dominant trait and usually manifests clinically after intense hair grooming. We sought to determine whether there exists a genetic basis of CCCA and, if so, what it is. Methods: We used exome sequencing in a group of women with alopecia (discovery set), compared the results with those in a public repository, and applied other filtering criteria to identify candidate genes. We then performed direct sequencing to identify disease-associated DNA variations and RNA sequencing, protein modeling, immunofluorescence staining, immunoblotting, and an enzymatic assay to evaluate the consequences of potential etiologic mutations. We used a replication set that consisted of women with CCCA to confirm the data obtained with the discovery set. Results: In the discovery set, which included 16 patients, we identified one splice site and three heterozygous missense mutations in PADI3 in 5 patients (31%). (The approximate prevalence of the disease is up to 5.6%.) PADI3 encodes peptidyl arginine deiminase, type III (PADI3), an enzyme that post-translationally modifies other proteins that are essential to hair-shaft formation. All three CCCA-associated missense mutations in PADI3 affect highly conserved residues and are predicted to be pathogenic; protein modeling suggests that they result in protein misfolding. These mutations were found to result in reduced PADI3 expression, abnormal intracellular localization of the protein, and decreased enzymatic activity - findings that support their pathogenicity. Immunofluorescence staining showed decreased expression of PADI3 in biopsy samples of scalp skin obtained from patients with CCCA. We then directly sequenced PADI3 in an additional 42 patients (replication set) and observed genetic variants in 9 of them. A post hoc analysis of the combined data sets showed that the prevalence of PADI3 mutation was higher among patients with CCCA than in a control cohort of women of African ancestry (P = 0.002 by the chi-square test; P = 0.006 by Fisher's exact test; and after adjustment for relatedness of persons, P = 0.03 and P = 0.04, respectively). Conclusions: Mutations in PADI3, which encodes a protein that is essential to proper hair-shaft formation, were associated with CCCA. (Funded by the Ram Family Foundation and others.).

Peeling skin syndromes form a large and heterogeneous group of inherited disorders characterized by superficial detachment of the epidermal cornified cell layers, often associated with inflammatory features. Here we report on a consanguineous family featuring noninflammatory peeling of the skin exacerbated by exposure to heat and mechanical stress. Whole exome sequencing revealed a homozygous nonsense mutation in FLG2, encoding filaggrin 2, which cosegregated with the disease phenotype in the family. The mutation was found to result in decreased FLG2 RNA levels as well as almost total absence of filaggrin 2 in the patient epidermis. Filaggrin 2 was found to be expressed throughout the cornified cell layers and to colocalize with corneodesmosin that plays a crucial role in maintaining cell-cell adhesion in this region of the epidermis. The absence of filaggrin 2 in the patient skin was associated with markedly decreased corneodesmosin expression, which may contribute to the peeling phenotype displayed by the patients. Accordingly, using the dispase dissociation assay, we showed that FLG2 downregulation interferes with keratinocyte cell-cell adhesion. Of particular interest, this effect was aggravated by temperature elevation, consistent with the clinical phenotype. Restoration of corneodesmosin levels by ectopic expression rescued cell-cell adhesion. Taken together, the present data suggest that filaggrin 2 is essential for normal cell-cell adhesion in the cornified cell layers.

The fact that men and women are genetically different goes without saying. How does this factor affect various aspects of skin pigmentation is an extensive area of study.

This article describes the fabrication of non-woven fibrous materials based on sodium alginate by electrospinning and their modification with RGD peptides. The rheological properties of sodium alginate solutions are investigated. A defect-free fibrous material with an average fiber diameter of 180 nm was obtained. Ionic and covalent crosslinking of sodium alginate was carried out.

Granuloma annulare (GA) is a benign, usually self-limited, granulomatous skin disease of unknown etiology. The generalized form of the disease shows a more chronic, relapsing course, rare spontaneous resolution, and poorer response to therapy. Psoralen plus UVA phototherapy has been reported to be effective for GA. However, little is known regarding the efficacy of narrowband UVB phototherapy. Our goal was to determine the efficacy of NB-UVB phototherapy in generalized GA. We carried out a retrospective study of patients with generalized GA treated with NB-UVB phototherapy over a period of 3 years. On completion of treatment, outcome was assessed as complete response (complete clearance of the lesions), partial response (>50% clearance of the lesions), and poor response (

A 48-year-old woman initially presented with a 2-year history of progressive scalp alopecia associated with arthralgia and tenosynovitis, mainly in the joints of the hands, which had begun 3 years before that presentation. The patient had hypercholesterolaemia, but was otherwise healthy, and there was no family history of alopecia. The results of laboratory investigations carried out at the time were normal, apart from a mild elevation in her lactate dehydrogenase levels and liver-function tests. The persistent tenosynovitis was successfully treated with low-dose prednisolone and hydroxychloroquine. A few months later, the patient returned to our department, presenting with exerciseinduced and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea, recurrent diarrhoea, and progressive worsening of the alopecia. On physical examination, diffuse alopecia was seen, without evidence of scarring. The scalp was diffusely thickened (Fig. 1), while the eyebrows, eyelashes, axillary, genital and body hair appeared normal. Skin biopsies were taken from the scalp.

Congenital erythroderma is a rare and often life-threatening condition, which has been shown to result from mutations in several genes encoding important components of the epidermal differentiation program. Using whole exome sequencing, we identified in a child with congenital exfoliative erythroderma, hypotrichosis, severe nail dystrophy and failure to thrive, two heterozygous mutations in ABCA12 (c.2956C>T, p.R986W; c.5778+2T>C, p. G1900Mfs*16), a gene known to be associated with two forms of ichthyosis, autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis, and harlequin ichthyosis. Because the patient displayed an atypical phenotype, including severe hair and nail manifestations, we scrutinized the exome sequencing data for additional potentially deleterious genetic variations in genes of relevance to the cornification process. Two mutations were identified in CAPN12, encoding a member of the calpain proteases: a paternal missense mutation (c.1511C>A; p.P504Q) and a maternal deletion due to activation of a cryptic splice site in exon 9 of the gene (c.1090_1129del; p.Val364Lysfs*11). The calpain 12 protein was found to be expressed in both the epidermis and hair follicle of normal skin, but its expression was dramatically reduced in the patient's skin. The downregulation of capn12 expression in zebrafish was associated with abnormal epidermal morphogenesis. Small interfering RNA knockdown of CAPN12 in three-dimensional human skin models was associated with acanthosis, disorganized epidermal architecture, and downregulation of several differentiation markers, including filaggrin. Accordingly, filaggrin expression was almost absent in the patient skin. Using ex vivo live imaging, small interfering RNA knockdown of calpain 12 in skin from K14-H2B GFP mice led to significant hair follicle catagen transformation compared with controls. In summary, our results indicate that calpain 12 plays an essential role during epidermal ontogenesis and normal hair follicle cycling and that its absence may aggravate the clinical manifestations of ABCA12 mutations.

The paper discusses a new approach to the design of thermal management for high-frequency high-power transformers. Proposed thermal management concept is based on heat removal by conduction aided b...

In this paper, the possibility of reaching high power densities in multikilowatt dc-dc converters with galvanic isolation is demonstrated and the main design issues are discussed. The issues related to converter topology, transformer design, and thermal management are addressed, and new conceptual solutions are proposed. Implementing zero-voltage-switching quasi-zero-current-switching topology, optimized transformer design with leakage layer, and thermal management based on conduction enhanced by heat pipes at critical places resulted in very high power density and efficiency. The power density reached by the converter prototype is 11.13 kW/L with water cooling and 6.6 kW/L with air cooling. In the same time, the measured efficiency exceeded 97% in a broad load range. The new design concepts are demonstrated on a 50-kW converter prototype that was successfully tested at full-load conditions.

Розглянуто результати комплексних досліджень вирішення інженерної проблеми створення висотного монумента колонного типу в Києві, динамічних досліджень моделі в масштабі 1:25 та аеродинамічних досліджень великомасштабної моделі (1:8) в аеродинамічній трубі ТАД-2 Національного авіаційного університету. Наведено процедуру визначення на натурному об’єкті реальних динамічних характеристик та забезпечення ефективності демпфірування

Background Phototherapy has a time-honoured place in the treatment of variety of skin diseases in adults. The use of this modality in children is limited mainly due to concerns about long-term carcinogenic potential. Only a few clinical trials have been performed on the efficacy and safety of phototherapy in children. Objectives To determine the efficacy and safety of NB-UVB phototherapy in children with atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis. Methods This is a retrospective review of the treatment outcomes of 129 children with psoriasis and AD, who were treated with NB-UVB between 1998 and 2006 at our institute. Results Fifty per cent of the psoriatic patients and 25% of patients with AD achieved clearance by the end of the treatment. NB-UVB phototherapy was well-tolerated, with no serious adverse effects except one doubtful case of melanoma in situ. Conclusions NB-UVB may be considered as a viable therapeutic option in children with psoriasis and AD. Children who are treated by phototherapy should remain under annual dermatologic observation. To determine true carcinogenic risk of UV therapy, longer follow-up is essential.

We present an optical study of four 45' × 45' fields centered ~05 east, west, north, and south of the Orion Nebula Cluster center. We have measured V and IC photometry for ~5000 stars, and U photometry for ~1600 of these. We have obtained spectral classifications for ~300 of the stars with UVIC photometry plus an additional ~200 stars located outside the area of our photometric survey. Dereddened photometry allows us to investigate the evidence for circumstellar accretion disks from excess emission at ultraviolet wavelengths, as well as the mass and age distributions of our sample. We find ~230 active accretion disk candidates and estimate the accretion disk fraction at 40%. We use the magnitude of the ultraviolet excess to infer disk accretion rates. The mass accretion rate () decreases slowly with age over the limited age range spanned by our data, 1–3 Myr, and increases slowly with mass over the limited mass range 0.2–1.2 M⊙. Although complicated selection effects are likely to affect the overall trends with mass and age, we are sensitive to, but do not see, high -values associated with the older ages and lower masses in our sample. The mean value of is ~10-8 M⊙ yr-1, with a range of more than 1 order of magnitude at all ages and masses. We find an age and age spread for our sample of 106.0±0.4 yr with no variation within or between our fields. Meaningful constraint of the mass distribution is precluded because of the completeness limits of our survey.

A VRI photometric survey has been conducted in the young open cluster IC 2391 to identify candidate low-mass cluster members. Photometry for some 10,725 objects, ranging from V = 10 to V = 20, were extracted from 21 CCD fields positioned within 1° of the nominal cluster center [α(2000) = 08 h42m, δ(2000) = -53°00°]. Seventeen stars have been identified as candidate cluster members with (V–I) colors ranging from 2.78 to 3.72. The masses of these candidate members are estimated to range from 0.25 to 0.09 M⊙. If these stars are indeed IC 2391 members, they will help to rectify an apparent deficit of low-luminosity stars in the luminosity function of this cluster.

A small scale model (length 1710 mm) of General Motor SUV was built and tested in the wind tunnel for expected wind conditions and road clearance. Two passive devices, rear screen which is plate behind the car and rear fairing where the end of the car is aerodynamically extended, were incorporated in the model and tested in the wind tunnel for different wind conditions. The conclusion is that rear screen could reduce drag up to 6.5% and rear fairing can reduce the drag by 26%. There were additional tests for front edging and rear vortex generators. The results for drag reduction were mixed. It should be noted that there are aesthetic and practical considerations that may allow only partial implementation of these or any drag reduction options.

The article examines an algorithm used for processing the results of laboratory tests when experimental data was obtained in the aerodynamic tunnel. The paper deals with information when data about pressure distribution on the surfaces of a designed building are recalculated into wind loads required for calculating a virtual model for the finite element method. Due to differences in methodology between experimental airflow testing in the aerodynamic tunnel and the simulation of wind loads for a complex facility referring to the finite element method, the proposed investigations are actual while taking into account the current design codes and climatology conditions for an individual site. A review of similar problems, design conditions, the principles of the conducted experiment, a concept of the algorithm, basic assumptions and some results are briefly described in the paper. The final conclusions and recommendations can help with choosing the right solution during such calculations. Santrauka Straipsnyje nagrinėjamas laboratorinio bandymo rezultatų apdorojimo algoritmas, kai aerodinaminiame tunelyje gauti eksperimentiniai duomenys apie oro slėgio pasiskirstymą ant pastato maketo paviršių perskaičiuojami šio vėjo apkrovas, reikalingas baigtinių elementų metodo virtualiajam modeliui skaičiuoti. Duomenu perkėlimo uždavinys yra aktualus, nes laboratorinių tyrimų metodika ir priemonės iš esmės skiriasi nuo skaitinio modeliavimo baigtiniais elementais eigos ir principų, kai atsižvelgiama šių realiai projektuojamo statinio vietovės klimatologines sąlygas ir galiojančių projektavimo normų reikalavimus. Straipsnyje apžvelgta eksperimento duomenų apdorojimo problematika, nagrinejama konkretaus statinio konstrukcijų skaičiavimo situacija, aptarti pagrindiniai laboratorinio aerodinaminio bandymo principai, paaiškintas duomenų perkėlimo inžinerinis algoritmas bei esmines prielaidos, pasirinktinai pateikti rezultatai uždavinio sprendimui vaizduoti. Baigiamosios išvados ir siūlymai pades rasti tinkamiausius sprendinius kuriant panašaus pobūdžio algoritmus. Reikšminiai žodžiai:perskaičiavimo algoritmas,vėjo inžinerija,sudėtingas statinys,aerodinaminiai bandymai,baigtinių elementų metodas

The paper describes a method for reducing the winding losses and for tuning the leakage inductance of transformers with foil windings. A new way of interleaving foil windings called "partial interleaving" is used to adjust the profile of the magnetic field. This results in relatively low field intensity and hence low eddy current losses in the windings. The partial interleaving is mainly suitable for transformers with winding ratio close to 1. Together with the partial interleaving, a layer of magnetic polymer is used in the windings to enhance and to tune the value of the leakage inductance. The main design objectives are to keep windings simple and to achieve high power density. The partially interleaved design is compared with a foil winding without interleaving. The method is demonstrated for a 50 kW transformer where a clear improvement is observed. Using the method resulted in a transformer volume of less then 2 litres. The paper also discusses two analytical methods for calculating the winding losses of the partially interleaved windings. FEM simulation is used as the reference