A new innovative real-time tracking method for flying insects applicable under natural conditions

Background Sixty percent of all species are insects, yet despite global efforts to monitor animal movement patterns, insects are continuously underrepresented. This striking difference between species richness and the number of species monitored is not due to a lack of interest but rather to the lack of technical solutions. Often the accuracy and speed of established tracking methods is not high enough to record behavior and react to it experimentally in real-time, which applies in particular to small flying animals. Results Our new method of real-time tracking relates to frequencies of solar radiation which are almost completely absorbed by traveling through the atmosphere. For tracking, photoluminescent tags with a peak emission (1400 nm), which lays in such a region of strong absorption through the atmosphere, were attached to the animals. The photoluminescent properties of passivated lead sulphide quantum dots were responsible for the emission of light by the tags and provide a superb signal-to noise ratio. We developed prototype markers with a weight of 12.5 mg and a diameter of 5 mm. Furthermore, we developed a short wave infrared detection system which can record and determine the position of an animal in a heterogeneous environment with a delay smaller than 10 ms. With this method we were able to track tagged bumblebees as well as hawk moths in a flight arena that was placed outside on a natural meadow. Conclusion Our new method eliminates the necessity of a constant or predictable environment for many experimental setups. Furthermore, we postulate that the developed matrix-detector mounted to a multicopter will enable tracking of small flying insects, over medium range distances (>1000m) in the near future because: a) the matrix-detector equipped with an 70 mm interchangeable lens weighs less than 380 g, b) it evaluates the position of an animal in real-time and c) it can directly control and communicate with electronic devices.

Research Progress of Two-dimensional Matrix Detectors in IMRT Dose Verification

With the continuous development of science and technologies in China, radiotherapy technology in medical field has been very significantly developing, and intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) technology has been the most widely used. This paper first introduces the components and types of two-dimensional matrix detector, two-dimensional ionization chamber matrix detector and two-dimensional semiconductor matrix detector, then analyzes the dosimetric characteristics of the two-dimensional matrix detector. In the end, the various applications of the two-dimensional matrix detector are analyzed and discussed in detail. The paper aims to promote the two-dimensional matrix detector’s development in the field of radiotherapy in China.

Study of the Qualitative Composition and Quantitative Content of Parthenolide in the Feverfew (Tanacetum Parthenium) Herb Cultivated in Ukraine

Feverfew is a well-known medicinal plant as a source of the sesquiterpene lactones, the main one is a parthenolide (about 85%). Owing to the parthenolide, feverfew herb has anti-inflammatory activity and it is widely used for prevention of migraine. The aim was to study the qualitative composition and quantitative content of the parthenolide in the samples of the feverfew herb cultivated in Ukraine and to study the influence of environmental factors on the accumulation of parthenolide. Methods The identification in the samples of the feverfew herb by the thin-layer chromatography method was carried out on silica gel 60 F254 plates, Merck. For the quantitative determination of the parthenolide, a high-performance liquid chromatography ProStar equipped with a diode-matrix detector, were used. Results The chromatographic profile of the samples of the feverfew herb was studied using a TLC method. In the chromatograms of test solutions from all samples, the blue zones were detected at the level of parthenolide. The quantitative content of parthenolide ranged between 0.16% and 0.39%. The highest content was observed in the sample from the Central region of Ukraine. The data obtained indicate that the optimal conditions for parthenolide accumulation in feverfew herb are as follows: black soils, solar insolation not higher than 5.25 kWh/m2/day, average air temperature from +20°C to +25°C. All the calculated validation parameters of the parthenolide quantitative determination method meet the necessary acceptance criteria. Conclusion The study of the qualitative composition and quantitative content of parthenolide in the samples of feverfew herb cultivated in different regions of Ukraine has been conducted. According to the methodology of Eur.Ph. and SPhU, a parthenolide was identified in all the samples. HPLC method was used to determine the quantitative content of parthenolide in the samples studied. The optimal conditions for parthenolide accumulation in feverfew herb were established.

Validation of Monaco Treatment Planning System for Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) and Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT®) on ELEKTA Infinity™ Linear Accelerator

The objective of this study is to evaluate the dosimetric precision of the Monte Carlo (MC) algorithm to validate the Monaco® (Elekta) treatment planning system for the two radiotherapy techniques IMRT and VMAT® on the Infinity™ Elekta linear accelerator. Several irradiation plans were created on the Monaco® treatment planning system (TPS) and calculated by the integrated MC algorithm for its validation. The same plans were applied experimentally using the Matrixx Evolution 2D array with its appropriate phantom. All measurements were performed by superimposition with those calculated on the Infinity™ linear accelerator (ELEKTA). The calculated and measured dosimetric data were overlaid to make the comparison of what is realistic and what was simulated using the MyQA (IBA) software associated with the Matrixx. Good agreement was observed between calculated and measured data using 3%, 3mm distance to agreement (DTA) and low dose threshold 5% criteria. Global gamma analysis passing rates for all tests are greater than 95%. An agreement less than 2 mm is shown for open fields and homogenous dose test. However, there was increase in the agreement criteria above 3 mm for chair and pyramid test as a result of high gradient dose regions especially at the edge of target volumes. Results obtained from this study allowed, in one hand to confirm the accuracy of our MC model dose calculation with Monaco® TPS, and in the other hand, the use of the matrix detector as a standard tool for IMRT/VMAT® patient quality control.

Quantitative Determination of Benzalconium Chloride in the Naltrexone Hydrochloride Nasal Spray

Introduction. Benzalkonium chloride is widely used as a conservation agent in medicines. For quantitative determination, the methods described in the European and American Pharmacopoeias by chromatography using columns with nitrile sorbent are often used. However, in order to unify the methods and simplify the quality control technology in the production process, it is advisable to adapt the existing methods for new goals and objectives.Aim. To develop a method for the quantitative determination of benzalkonium chloride in a nasal spray containing a thermosensitive polymer Poloxamer 407 and validate it.Materials and methods. As an object of research, a naltrexone hydrochloride nasal spray was used. The quantitative determination of naltrexone in the test sample was developed using a Dionex UltiMate 3000 high-performance liquid chromatograph (Thermo Fisher Scientific, USA) equipped with a diode-matrix detector.Results and discussion. The paper explored the possibility of using an earlier developed method for the quantitative determination of naltrexone hydrochloride for the quantitative determination of benzalkonium chloride in the composition of a nasal spray. Based on the results obtained, changes were made to the quantitative determination method, and the sample preparation of the samples under study was adapted.Conclusion. As a result of the studies carried out, the most acceptable conditions for the preparation of the nasal spray for the quantitative determination of the preservative were selected. The developed technique provides for the chromatographic conditions previously used for the determination of naltrexone hydrochloride, which makes it possible to use the equipment as efficiently as possible in the analysis of the finished drug. The method has been validated and its specificity, linearity, correctness and precision have been proven.

ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF EUPHORBIA TRIODONTA PLANT POLYPHENOLS BY CHROMATO-MASS SPECTROMETRY

The aim of this work is to study the composition of polyphenols contained in plants of Euphorbia triodontus Prokh., growing throughout the Republic of Uzbekistan, in particular the Ferghana Valley region, using a high-performance liquid chromatograph with a diode-matrix detector (HPLC-DAD) and a tandem chromato-mass spectrometer (HPLC – Q-TOF-MS/MS). The roots of the plant Euphorbia triodontus Prokh., growing on the territory of Uzbekistan, collected in the period after flowering, studied the polyphenolic composition. For the first time from this type of Euphorbia, the method of stepwise hydrophobic chromatography was used to isolate polyphenolic fractions. By HPLC, as a result of semi-preparative chromatography, 6 individual compounds were isolated from the fraction eluted with a 20% methanol solution in the amount of: E-20-1 – 7 mg, E-20-2 – 22 mg, E-20-3 – 14.2 mg, E-20-4 – 41 mg, E-20-5 – 11.4 mg and E-20-6 – 32 mg. As a result of mass spectrometric analyzes, it was established that the polyphenols isolated in an individual state consist of gallic acid and glucose linked by an ester bond: O-galloyl-β-D-glucose. The structure of individual compounds was determined: E-20-1 – 1-O-meta-trigalloyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(4-O-β-D)-1-O-meta-trigalloyl-β-D-glucose, E-20-2 – 1-O-meta-trihalloyl-β-D-glucose, E-20-3 – 1-O-meta-tetragalloyl-β-D-glucose, E-20-4 – 1-O-meta-trigalloyl-4-O-haloyl-β-D-glucose, E-20-5 – 2,3,6-tri-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose and E-20-6 – 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose.

Small angle reconstruction of plasma luminosity for spherical tokamak

Публикация посвящена применению методов вычислительной геометрии, интервального анализа и линейного программирования к задачам физики управляемого термоядерного синтеза. Рассмотрены геометрические аспекты проблемы, получены проекции светимостей различных объемов сферического токамака на плоскость матричного детектора, изучены изображения предполагаемых макроскопических структур и микроскопических включений. Для набора модельных распределений светимости объема токамака поставлена задача восстановления сигнала. Решение получено с использованием задач линейного программирования. The problems of reconstruction of plasma luminosity are important for physics and technology of power plants-tokamaks. The Globus-M research tokamak obtained a large amount of data using a matrix detector in pinhole camera geometry. From the mathematical point of view, finding the luminosity for different regions of the plasma volume according to the matrix detector is an inverse problem related to the field of integral geometry. An essential feature of the particular task is the use of a single fixed camera with a small viewing angle. In this regard, application of methods of harmonic analysis of data is not enough. The paper investigates the geometric aspects of the problem. In the general view, a threedimensional object is projected onto a two-dimensional plane through a diaphragm. Under the assumption of azimuthal symmetry, there is a central projection of the luminosity of the body of rotation onto a flat matrix detector. The initial information for the calculation is the plasma boundary obtained from magnetic sensors. There is no reliable information about the internal structure of the plasma, so its division into regions of the equal luminosity is not unambiguous. The paper presents an algorithm for finding the projections of the luminosity of plasma volumes on the plane of the matrix detector. A set of model direct problems for the construction of algorithms for their recognition according to the detector data was investigated. Images of supposed macroscopic structures and microscopic inclusions were obtained. The methodological basis of the work is the use of interval analysis methods for solving geometric and algebraic problems. This approach allows obtaining qualitative and quantitative results that takes into account the uncertainty of the input data with the minimum amount of computational costs. Algebraic solvability is investigated in the interval formulation using response functionality. Solutions for a set of test problems are obtained, which demonstrate the availability of successful reconstruction for real data. An important result of the study is an information about the presence of uncertainties in geometric data and related calculations by obtaining results about the luminosity of the plasma by solving linear programming problems.

STRUCTURE OF POLYPHENOLS OF LEAVES TANNING SUMAC RHUS CORIARIA L.

The aim of this work is to study the composition and structural characteristics of the polyphenols of the tanning sumac Rhus coriaria L. of the Anacardiaceae family, growing in Uzbekistan, using a high-performance liquid chromatograph with a diode-matrix detector (HPLC-DAD) and a tandem temple mass-spectrometer (HPLC– Q-TOF-MS / MS). The phenolic compounds of the aerial part (leaves) of Rhus coriaria L. plants of the Anacardiaceae family were studied. For the first time, polyphenol fractions were isolated from tanning sumac leaves using stepwise hydrophobic chromatography. By HPLC, as a result of semi-preparative chromatography from the fraction eluted with 30% ethanol, 9 individual compounds were obtained, in the amount of: R-1 – 0.5 mg, R-2 – 0.8 mg, R-3 – 2.3 mg, R-4 – 12.6 mg, R-5 – 34.5 mg, R-6 – 15 mg, R-7 – 8 mg, R-8 – 7.1 mg, R-9 – 45.5 mg As a result of mass spectrometric analyzes and NMR spectroscopy for individual polyphenols, it was established that the polyphenols isolated in the individual state consist of gallic acid and glucose, interconnected by an ester bond: mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, penta- , hexa-, hepta-, octa- and non-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose.

Exploring the Potential of Compressive Sensing and Super-Resolution for Space Applications in the MIR-TIR

Earth Observation applications could take advantage from the availability of high spatial resolution data in the MIR-TIR. This, however, poses technological challenges, especially for the availability of large focal plane. Here we discuss two approaches, the compressive sensing and the super-resolution, that could provide a basis for the development of innovative EO instruments working in the MIR-TIR and able to enjoy an augmented resolution without increasing the number of detection elements in the matrix detector. Main pros and cons are analyzed, focusing on simulations done for an instrument combining both approaches to achieve super-resolved images for studying hot events.

METABOLOMIC PROFILE BUPLEURUM SCORZONERIFOLIUM WILLD., GROWING IN THE BAIKAL REGION

In folk medicine in the Baikal region, an infusion from the aerial part of the plant Bupleurum scorzonerifolium (Willd) is widely used as a choleretic and anti-inflammatory agent. The choleretic effect of herbal remedies is mainly due to the content of phenylpropanoids and flavonoids. Using high performance liquid chromatography with a diode-matrix detector and 3Q electrospray ionization detector, we studied the metabolic profile of the phenylpropanoids and flavonoids of the aboveground organs of B. scorzonerifolium (Willd.), which grows in the Baikal region. In the aboveground organs of B. scorzonerifolium, 7 phenylpropanoids and 17 flavonoids were identified, of which 15 compounds for the species were identified for the first time. Quantitative determination of individual components was carried out in the aboveground organs of B. scorzonerifolium and dry extract by microcolumn HPLC with UV detection. The predominant components in the aerial part of the plant are 5-O-caffeic quinic acid, 3,5-di-O-caffeic quinic acid, isoquercitrin, isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside, kaempferol-3-O-rhamnoside and rutin. The dry extract obtained from the aerial part of B. scorzonerifolium contains the entire complex of phenylpropanoids and flavonoids, which are identified in the plant. The content of active ingredients in the extract is 2.5–3.0 times higher than in the aboveground organs. The aboveground organs and dry extract of B. scorzonerifolium can be used as a source of phenylpropanoids and flavonoids.