Single-shot structural analysis by high-energy X-ray diffraction using an ultrashort all-optical source.

High-energy X-rays (HEX-rays) with photon energies on order of 100 keV have attractive characteristics, such as comparably low absorption, high spatial resolution and the ability to access inner-shell states of heavy atoms. These properties are advantageous for many applications ranging from studies of bulk materials to the investigation of materials in extreme conditions. Ultrafast X-ray diffraction allows the direct imaging of atomic dynamics simultaneously on its natural time and length scale. However, using HEX-rays for ultrafast studies has been limited due to the lack of sources that can generate pulses of sufficiently short (femtosecond) duration in this wavelength range. Here we show single-crystal diffraction using ultrashort ~90 keV HEX-ray pulses generated by an all-optical source based on inverse Compton scattering. We also demonstrate a method for measuring the crystal lattice spacing in a single shot that contains only ~105 photons in a spectral bandwidth of ~50% full width at half maximum (FWHM). Our approach allows us to obtain structural information from the full X-ray spectrum. As target we use a cylindrically bent Ge crystal in Laue transmission geometry. This experiment constitutes a first step towards measurements of ultrafast atomic dynamics using femtosecond HEX-ray pulses.

Intrinsic beam emittance of laser-accelerated electrons measured by x-ray spectroscopic imaging.

The recent combination of ultra-intense lasers and laser-accelerated electron beams is enabling the development of a new generation of compact x-ray light sources, the coherence of which depends directly on electron beam emittance. Although the emittance of accelerated electron beams can be low, it can grow due to the effects of space charge during free-space propagation. Direct experimental measurement of this important property is complicated by micron-scale beam sizes, and the presence of intense fields at the location where space charge acts. Reported here is a novel, non-destructive, single-shot method that overcame this problem. It employed an intense laser probe pulse, and spectroscopic imaging of the inverse-Compton scattered x-rays, allowing measurement of an ultra-low value for the normalized transverse emittance, 0.15 (±0.06) π mm mrad, as well as study of its subsequent growth upon exiting the accelerator. The technique and results are critical for designing multi-stage laser-wakefield accelerators, and generating high-brightness, spatially coherent x-rays.

Tomographic imaging of nonsymmetric multicomponent tailored supersonic flows from structured gas nozzles.

We report experimental results on the production and characterization of asymmetric and composite supersonic gas flows, created by merging independently controllable flows from multiple nozzles. We demonstrate that the spatial profiles are adjustable over a large range of parameters, including gas density, density gradient, and atomic composition. The profiles were precisely characterized using three-dimensional tomography. The creation and measurement of complex gas flows is relevant to numerous applications, ranging from laser-produced plasmas to rocket thrusters.

MeV-energy x rays from inverse compton scattering with laser-wakefield accelerated electrons.

We report the generation of MeV x rays using an undulator and accelerator that are both driven by the same 100-terawatt laser system. The laser pulse driving the accelerator and the scattering laser pulse are independently optimized to generate a high energy electron beam (>200 MeV) and maximize the output x-ray brightness. The total x-ray photon number was measured to be ∼1×10(7), the source size was 5 µm, and the beam divergence angle was ∼10 mrad. The x-ray photon energy, peaked at 1 MeV (reaching up to 4 MeV), exceeds the thresholds of fundamental nuclear processes (e.g., pair production and photodisintegration).

[The use of photomodified blood in oncology]. / K probleme ispol'zovaniia fotomodifitsirovannoi krovi v onkologii.

Under study was the influence of different regimens of blood photomodification on the course of the tumor process. Experiments were carried out on 460 syngeneic mice with a model of Lewis adenocarcinoma of lungs and melanoma B 16. It was established that the influence of APMB on the course of the tumor process is dose-dependent and when specially selected the regimen of APMB may have an antitumoral effect. The transfusion of the photomodified donor blood may facilitate the suppression of antitumoral immune reaction of the recipient organism.

[Possibilities of using UV-irradiated blood in the prevention of serum hepatitis after blood transfusions during surgery]. / Vozmozhnosti ispol'zovaniia UF-oblucheniia krovi v profilaktike syvorotochnogo gepatita pri gemotransfuziiakh v khirurgii.

It was shown in 31 samples of donor blood containing HBsAg that independent of the irradiation dose HBsAg was not detected in 66.7% of the photomodified blood when using short wave UV radiation. Long-wave UV radiation provides disappearance of HBsAg in 50%. A conclusion is made on expedience of irradiation of the donor blood with ultraviolet rays before transfusion.

[The role of daylight on the blood in the mechanism of the therapeutic effect of blood transfusion]. / Ro'l vozdeistviia dnevnogo sveta na kro'v v mekhanizme lecheb- nogo éffekta gemotransfuzii.

The authors studied the influence of daylight upon peroxidase activity and lipid content in neutrophils by means of cytochemical reactions in blood smears. In the experimental series of studies the blood was taken and stored without daylight. Control blood samples were kept under normal conditions. The studies have shown daylight to be a potent activator of redox processes and lipid metabolism in neutrophils. Similar effect upon peroxidase activity and lipid content in neutrophils is exerted by one calculated dose of long-wave UV rays, two doses inhibiting these processes. Taking and storing blood without daylight contributes to longer valuable morphological and functional condition of the formed elements.

[Significance of blood groups in surgical practice]. / Znachenie grupp krovi v khirurgicheskoi praktike.

Based on their personal experience and analysis of literature data the authors elucidate the significance of achievements of the present-day immunohematology in surgical practice: in blood transfusion, allotransplantation, the connection of surgical diseases with group antigens of blood.

[Value of dosimetric control of ultraviolet irradiation of autologous blood in surgical practice]. / Znachenie dozimetricheskogo kontrolia pri obluchenii autokrovi ul'trafioletovymi luchami v khirurgicheskoi praktike.

Photometric measurements have shown that during UV irradiation of autoblood in the apparatus "Izolda" the dose of the falling UV irradiation does not remain constant. It becomes less with the term of work of the quartz-mercury lamp and at the expense of the film formed on the walls of the quartz flask of blood cells and plasma components. Therefore for the comparative assessment of the biological and clinical effects in photomodification of autoblood and its transfusion it is necessary to measure the dose of the falling UVI.

[Ambulatory treatment of peptic ulcer by autologous transfusion of photo-modified blood]. / Lechenie iazvennoi bolezni autotransfuziiami fotomodifitsirovannoi krovi v ambulatornykh usloviiakh.

The authors have determined indications and contraindications for using the method of haemotherapy based upon their experience with more than 1200 transfusions of photomodified autoblood under conditions of the hospital and 84 AUVIBs under the ambulatory conditions. The treatment of non-complicated forms of ulcer disease of the stomach and duodenum is shown to be possible under the ambulatory conditions, cicatrization of the ulcers developing 2-3 times more rapidly than under the currently used treatment of the ulcer disease under conditions of the hospital.

[Various aspects of perestroika in surgery and blood transfusion]. / O nekotorykh aspektakh perestroiki v khirurgii i transfuziologii.

The author considers different aspects of perestroika in medical science and health protection concerned with surgery and transfusiology which are necessary for improving the quality and effectiveness of medical aid to people.

[The 70th anniversary of Soviet blood transfusion]. / K 70-letiiu Sovetskoi transfuziologii.

The article describes the achievements of transfusiology in the USSR for the period from 1917 till 1987. The leading role of Soviet scientists in the development of all main problems of the present-day transfusiological science and practice is stressed.

[The use of preserved photomodified autoblood for the prevention of thromboembolic complications in surgical interventions on the small pelvis]. / Primenenie konservirovannoi fotomodifitsirovannoi autokrovi dlia profilaktiki tromboémbolicheskikh oslozhnenii pri operativnykh vmeshatel'stvakh v malom tazu.

The method of UV irradiation of autoblood followed by infusion in the early postoperative period was used in 109 patients subjected to various operative interventions on the small pelvis organs. It was established that the infusion of autologous photomodified blood allowed to avoid postoperative thromboembolic complications.

[Effect of the autotransfusion of UV-irradiated blood on the homeostatic indices of surgical patients]. / Vliianie autotransfuzii UF-obluchennoi krovi na nekotorye pokazateli gomeostaza khirurgicheskikh bol'nykh.

The investigation of parameters of hemograms, biochemical composition of blood, hemostasis, certain indicators of the immunological status in transfusing UV-irradiated autologous blood the authors made a conclusion that this variant of autohemotransfusion exerted a specific effect on the patient's organism. It depended on the scheme of irradiation of the blood, number of sessions of autotransfusions and intervals between them.