Internal instability as a possible failure mechanism for layered composites.

This paper revisits a three-dimensional analytical approach to study internal instability in layered composites, when the behaviour of each component of the material is described by the three-dimensional equations of solid mechanics. It shows the development of a unified computational procedure for numerical realization of the three-dimensional analytical method as applied to various constitutive equations of the layers and fibres, and different loading schemes (uniaxial or biaxial loading). The paper also contains many examples of calculation of critical controlled parameters for particular composites as well as analysis of different buckling modes. The results of this method can be used as a benchmark for simplified models. This article is part of the themed issue 'Multiscale modelling of the structural integrity of composite materials'.

[Polymorphic markers Ala455Val of the THBD gene and Arg353Gln of the F7 gene and association with unfavorable outcomes of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with a history of acute ischemic heart disease].

The polymorphic markers Ala455Val of the THBD gene and Arg353Gln of the F7 gene were tested for association with the frequency of unfavorable outcomes in patients with a history of acute ischemic heart disease. The study involved 1145 patients hospitalized in cardiology clinics of Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan, Chelyabinsk, Perm, Stavropol, and Rostov-on-Don because of acute ischemic heart disease. The patients were followed up for up to 62.5 months. None of the markers displayed a significant association with the time to an endpoint. The patients were then grouped by sex. In females, the frequency of unfavorable outcomes (fatal or nonfatal myocardial infarction and fatal or nonfatal stroke) was higher in carriers of allele Val of the Ala344Val polymorphic marker of the THBD gene and carriers of genotype Arg/Arg of the Arg353Gln polymorphic marker of the F7 gene, but the difference was not statistically significant. Such an increase in frequency was not observed in males. To study the combined effect of the polymorphic markers of the THBD and F7 genes, the course of ischemic heart disease was compared for two female subgroups. One included carriers of allele Val of the Ala344Val polymorphic marker of the THBD gene and genotype Arg/Arg of the Arg353Gln polymorphic marker of the F7 gene; the other subgroup included carriers ofgenotype Ala/Ala of the Ala455Val polymorphic marker of the THBD gene and allele Gln of the Arg353Gln polymorphic marker of the F7 gene. The frequency of unfavorable outcomes in the first subgroup was higher than in the second one. The time to an endpoin was 40.5 months (95% confidence interval (CI) 33.5-47.6) in the first subgroup and 51.6 months (95% CI 45.0-58.1) in the second subgroup (chi2 = 4.15, P = 0.042). The results made it possible to assume that the F7 and THBD genes play an important role in genetic predisposition to unfavorable outcomes in patients with a history of acute ischemic heart disease.

[Polymorphic markers G(-455)A of gene FGB and C(-1654)T of gene PROC and genetic predisposition to unfavorable outcomes patients undergoing acute coronary syndrome].

We investigated the association of polymorphisms of genes FGB G(-455)A and PROCC(-1654)T with coronary artery disease (CAD) in the Russian population. A total of 1145 patients with CAD diagnose on the basis of clinical studies in cardiological hospitals of Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan, Chelyabinsk, Perm, Stavropol and Rostov-on-Don. Supervision term was 1.14 +/- +/- 0.33 years (the maximum term 3.2 years). The group studied do not differ significantly with respect to the distributions of G(-455)A alleles and genotypes. However in case of gene PROC C(-1654)T polymorphism we determined that patients with CAD diagnose and Talleles of PROC gene had unfavorable outcome more often than patients with homozygous C alleles. Survival time from end point from carrier phenotype TT and CTis 2.19 +/- 0.18 r. years against 2.46 +/- 0.16 from carrier phenotype CCgene PROC. The obtained data allows to assume the important role of the genes which are responsible for functioning of system of a hemostasis, in the accelerated formation of failures at the patients who had a coronary syndrome.

The effect of the interaction of cracks in orthotropic layered materials under compressive loading.

The non-classical problem of fracture mechanics of composites compressed along the layers with interfacial cracks is analysed. The statement of the problem is based on the model of piecewise homogeneous medium, the most accurate within the framework of the mechanics of deformable bodies as applied to composites. The condition of plane strain state is examined. The layers are modelled by a transversally isotropic material (a matrix reinforced by continuous parallel fibres). The frictionless Hertzian contact of the crack faces is considered. The complex fracture mechanics problem is solved using the finite-element analysis. The shear mode of stability loss is studied. The results are obtained for the typical dispositions of cracks. It was found that the interacting crack faces, the crack length and the mutual position of cracks influence the critical strain in the composite.

Boundary integral equations in elastodynamics of interface cracks.

The paper concerns the validation of a method for solving elastodynamics problems for cracked solids. The proposed method is based on the application of boundary integral equations. The problem of an interface penny-shaped crack between two dissimilar elastic half-spaces under harmonic loading is considered as an example.

Predicting the properties of micro- and nanocomposites: from the microwhiskers to the bristled nano-centipedes.

The paper draws on the similarities between the well-known process of whiskerization of microfibres and the recent idea of bristled nanowires. The new method for evaluation of the effective elastic properties of such materials is suggested based on the model of four-component composition. This model assumes the transverse isotropy of continuum and predicts five elastic moduli and density as independent effective constants. An example of calculation of the constants for the particular materials is given. It shows the significant increase in the shear strength of composites with whiskerized or bristled fibres.

Psicobiologia da consciência / Psychobiology of the conscience

Ressalta-se a importância do estudo científico da consciência, analisando, sumariamente, suas bases neurais dos pontos de vista anatômico e eletrobioquímico para, finalmente, concluir ser ela uma propriedade emergente da atividade neuronal do cérebro.

[Serum levels of vitamin B12 in epileptic patients treated with carbamazepine]. / Poziom witaminy B12 u chorych na padaczke leczonych karbamazepina.

In 21 epileptic patients (11 females and 10 males) aged 18-55 years on carbamazepine (CBZ) therapy the serum levels of vitamin B12 were measured. Mean serum level of vitamin B12 in epileptic patients was in the same range as compared to the values in healthy subjects. However, there were differences depending on the drug dose, treatment duration and course of epilepsy. The mean serum level of vitamin B12 was lower in epileptic patients with earlier age of disease onset, frequent seizures and with higher drug dose (above 600 mg/d). In patients treated longer than 15 years the vitamin B12 serum level amounted to 65 per cent of the values in control group.

Adrenal cortex hormones in male epileptic patients before and during a 2-year phenytoin treatment.

Serum levels of progesterone, cortisol and phenytoin as well as the excretion of 17-OHCS were determined in 45 male epileptics before and during 24 months of the therapy. A significant decrease of the hormones was found in untreated patients. Phenytoin administration caused further decrease of cortisol and its metabolite 17-OHCS levels and a compensation of progesterone serum concentration.

Dados sobre 508 casos de doença do pânico e respostas ao tratamento com alprozolam, clomipramina, imipramina e tranilcipromina / Data about 508 cases of panic disorders and response of treatment with alprazolam, clomipramine, imipramine and tranylcypromine

Quinhentos e oito casos de Doenças do Pânico foram estudados. A evitaçäo fóbica está correlacionada freqüentemente aos ataques de pânico. Em apenas 23% dos pacientes, o diagnóstico de depressäo maior, no passado ou presente, foi dado. Em 238 casos, Alprazolam, Clomipramina, Imipramina e Tranilcipromina foram efetivos em doses mais baixas do que as citadas na literatura. Como cada uma das medicaçöes tem alguns inconvenientes específicos, nenhuma foi considerada superior às outras

Dados sobre 508 casos de doenca do panico e respostas ao tratamento com alprazolam, clomipramina, imipramina e tranilcipromina

Quinentos e oito casos de Doencas do Panico foram estudados. A evitacao fobica esta correlacionada frequentemente aos ataques de panico. Em apenas 23 por cento dos pacientes, o diagnostico de depressao maior, no passado ou presente, foi dado. Em 238 casos, Alprazolam, Clomipramina, Imipramina e Tranilcipromina foram efetivos em doses mais baixas do que as citadas na literatura. Como cada uma das meditacoes tem alguns inconvenientes especificos, nenhum foi considerada superior as outras.

Ovarian hormones, anticonvulsant drugs, and seizures during the menstrual cycle in women with epilepsy.

The excretion of three oestrogen fractions and progesterone metabolites in 64 female epileptic patients was determined during the menstrual cycle, and in 50 women of this sample serum phenytoin and phenobarbitone levels were measured. A significant decrease of both hormones in epileptic patients was found as compared to a control group. The variations in serum phenytoin levels were greater in females with so-called catamenial epilepsy with a marked fall of drug levels between days 27 and 28 corresponding with an increase of seizure frequency. The effect of progesterone deficit on seizure susceptibility before menstrual bleeding is discussed, and the need of serum anticonvulsant level determination during the premenstrual phase in epileptic women is suggested.

[Humoral immunological reactivity in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis]. / Odczynnosc immunologiczna humoralna w SSPE (subacute sclerosing panencephalitis).

In a group of 37 children with SSPE serum protein and cerebrospinal fluid electrophoresis was done (in 34 and 25 cases respectively) determining immunoglobulins in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid in all 37 cases. The obtained results demonstrated a lack of correlation between the changes observed in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid. The most frequent change in the serum was a rise in alpha 2 globulin level (85%) and reduced IgA level (58%), while in the cerebrospinal fluid a rise in gamma globulins (92% of cases) and IgG (100%) was observed most frequently. A comparison of these results with past history of measles, with the clinical course of SSPE and with the survival time of the children showed no correlations. Measles antibodies were determined in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid in 37 children, and the determinations, were repeated several times in the serum of all children and in the cerebrospinal fluid of 9 children. Measles antibodies were found in the serum in all children and in the cerebrospinal fluid in 21 children (57%). The highest titres of antibodies above 1:32 in the cerebrospinal fluid were demonstrated in children with measles at the age up to 2 years. The prognosis was worst in children with acute onset of the disease preceded frequently by cranial injury or infection, with a high serum antibody level and absence of antibody in the cerebrospinal fluid.

Pipotiazina e seu ester palmitico no tratamento da esquizofrenia. / Pipothiazine and its palmitic ester in the treatment of schizophrenia

Foram tratados 30 pacientes esquizofrenicos cronicos com a pipotiazina (19366 RP)e ester palmitico de pipotiazina (19552 RP).A pipotiazina foi administrada na dose unica diaria de 20 mg ate se obter o controle do surto agudo. No seguimento ambulatorial foi administrado o ester palmitico de pipotiazina, na dose inicial de 100 mg por via intramuscular a cada 30 dias, por 6 meses. 19 pacientes apresentaram resultados entre excelente e bom; 4 permaneceram inalterados e 7 nao encerraram o estudo. Os efeitos colaterais foram de intensidade moderada e bem controlaveis, nao ocorrendo novos episodios de agudizacao

Insucessos em psicofarmacoterapia. / Failures in psychopharmacotherapy

A psicofarmacoterapia nao satisfez todas as expectativas criadas a partir de seus primeiros avancos. Os pacientes ainda tem duvidas quanto a opcao psicoterapia versus psicofarmacoterapia. Sao discutidas as diversas vias de administracao dos psicofarmacos e fatores de insucesso no tratamento. Enfatiza-se a importancia do diagnostico correto, da familiarizacao do profissional com poucos medicamentos para o exito terapeutico

Oxprenolol associado a oxazepam em neurose de ansiedade. / Oxprendol associated with oxazepam in auxiety neuroses

Estudaram-se as atividades do oxprenolol e do oxazepam em 60 pacientes com neurose de ansiedade diagnosticada por escalas de auto-avaliacao e de Hamilton-ansiedade e por parametros clinicos. Dividiram-se os pacientes em tres grupos: A, que recebeu apenas 45 mg de oxazepam por dia; B, que recebeu 80 mg de oxprenolol e 15 mg de oxazepam por dia e C, que recebeu 160 mg de oxprenolol e 15 mg de oxazepam por dia.A administracao das drogas foi feita de modo duplo-cego. Apos tres semanas de reavaliacoes, analisou-se a evolucao dos parametros clinicos (pulso, pressao arterial e sintomas proeminentes) e das escalas de auto-avaliacao e de Hamilton-ansiedade.Tal evolucao foi significativa em todos os grupos, mas nao diferiu, no global, entre eles. A tolerabilidade foi aceitavel em todos os grupos, tam-pouco diferindo significativamente entre os mesmos. Apresenta-se o oxprenolol como opcao para o tratamento de neurose de ansiedade