Saturable absorber: transparent glass-ceramics based on a mixture of Co:β-ZnSiO and Co:ZnO nanocrystals.

We report on the development of novel saturable absorbers for erbium lasers based on transparent glass-ceramics (GCs) containing a mixture of cobalt-doped β-willemite, Co:β-ZnSiO, and zinc oxide, Co:ZnO, nanosized (10-14 nm) crystals. The structure of the parent glass and GCs is studied by x-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, transmission electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. Variations of absorption spectra with heat-treatment reveal that Co ions from the parent glass enter the crystals of ZnO and β-willemite.

[Results of testing the basic questionnaire "SINDI" in the evaluation of prophylaxis program development].

The results are considered of testing questionnaires designed to evaluate the progress in the implementation of the complex prevention programme "CINDI". The questionnaire survey was carried out in two ways--by post and by telephone. The sample size amounted to 248 people each.

[Relation between the indicators of temporary disability and risk factors of ischemic heart disease in male industrial workers (epidemiological study)].

In 1986, a random sample of 400 males was examined at one of the Moscow enterprises. A registry developed at the enterprise was used to study risk factors for coronary heart disease such as arterial hypertension, smoking, obesity, and morbidity accompanied by temporary disability in 1986. The analysis showed that the major CHD risk factors: smoking, arterial hypertension, and obesity were significantly related to temporary disability parameters.

[Experience in training subinterns in theory and practice of prevention].

2380 workers have been screened and provided with findings of their health status and recommendations with regard to identified risk factors for chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCD) and for CNCD themselves. The study of the influence of the training cycle on the attitude of students-subinterns toward preventive part of physician activity indicated the increase in the level of knowledge on prevention issues of CNCD and recognition of the necessity to include preventive measures into the activity of district physician. The experience gained in joint activities of the All-Union Research Centre for Industrial Medicine, The USSR Ministry of Health, and the Chair of out-patient medicine of the Kalinin Medical Institute suggests the need for improving the existing system of students training.

[Practical evaluation of risk of acute myocardial infarct or sudden death].

A model (a formula) is given to estimate a risk for acute myocardial infarction or sudden death in the next 5 years. This model has been derived by using a logistic function method on the material obtained from a 8.5-year follow-up of males aged 40-59 years who represented a random sample from one of the Moscow districts.

[Characteristics of cerebral hemodynamics and the resistance to major cardiovascular diseases based on the data of an epidemiologic survey].

In the cross-sectional population study of 411 subjects aged 35-64 years and longitudinal 5.5-year follow-up of 157 aged 20-54 years, a relationship was examined between pulse blood flow to the cerebral vessels, their tone as assessed by rheoencephalography and resistance to arterial hypertension, coronary heart disease, and brain vascular lesions. The proportion of healthy persons (without the above-mentioned diseases) was shown to be larger if the pulse blood flow to the cerebral vessels was higher and their tone was lower.

[The identification of persons with excess body weight by means of a mail survey].

The data of postal questionnaire were compared to those obtained as a result of examination (anthropometry) of a random sample (n-806) of persons working at one of the Moscow industrial enterprises. It has been shown that the postal questionnaire makes it possible to assess the body weight with an accuracy of up to +/- 3 kg in 67 percent of men and in 69 percent of women. Meanwhile the height could be assessed with an accuracy of up to +/- 3 cm in 93 percent of men and in 80 percent of women.

[Practical implications of the results of recent Soviet research concerning the prevention of cardiovascular diseases].

Data of two Soviet preventive studies, "Multifactorial prevention of coronary heart disease" and "Control of arterial hypertension in industrial workers", reported in 1985, are reviewed. There are data indicative of the role of arterial hypertension, smoking and hypercholesterolemia as coronary risk factors. The two preventive studies demonstrated a 20% and 21% decrease in total mortality, a 38% decrease in the incidence of myocardial infarction and a 70% decrease in the incidence of cerebral apoplexy.

[Chief risk factors of ischemic heart disease and mortality of the middle-aged male population of Kaunas].

A prospective study, averaging 11 years, of a representative sample of 2455 male residents of Kaunas between 45 and 59 years of age has explored relationships between coronary risk factors and mortality due to coronary heart disease (CHD), cancer, injuries, as well as total mortality rates. An original analytical approach has been developed for the analysis of associations between individual risk factors and mortality that allows to exclude the effects of age and other examined factors. A marked relationship has been demonstrated between: coronary mortality and age, arterial blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose tolerance, smoking, body weight, the presence and clinical form of CHD; cancer-related mortality, and age or smoking; traumatic mortality and smoking; total mortality and age, arterial blood pressure, glucose tolerance, body weight, smoking, and the presence and type of CHD.

[Bicycle ergometry test and the work incapacity of men 40 to 59].

The purpose of the investigation was to study the relationship between indicators of the bicycle ergometry test and temporary disability degree in males aged 40 to 59 residing in the area of 2 district outpatient clinics in Moscow. Disability (temporary, stable) was studied by a method of standard interviewing. The bicycle ergometry test was applied to each patient using a standard scheme.

[Express-method of assessing the status of hypertension control].

The authors describe a method for evaluating arterial hypertension control among the unorganized population visiting polyclinics and organized population taken care of at the medical centers. The method was tried in the city of Chelyabinsk as applicable to a randomized population sample of a medical territorial district and to a randomized sample (8%) of the workers from 9 shops of the steel plant. The method lies in the study of the population health status (arterial hypertension prevalence and knowledge, treatment coverage and efficacy) and of the documentation available at the treatment and prophylactic institutions concerning arterial hypertension control (coverage, registration, scope of examinations, and so forth).