Methane conversion in a plasma created by a periodic-pulsed electron beam and non-self-sustained discharge

The process of methane conversion in a mixture modeling the natural gas under the action of a periodic nanosecond pulsed electron beam and an electron-beam-induced non-self-sustained discharge has been numerically simulated and studied in experiment. The possibility of methane conversion under the action of electric pulses without significant heating of the processed gas mixture is demonstrated for the first time. The main conversion products in experiment were hydrogen, ethylene, and acetylene.     

Daily hyperhydration effect on electrolyte deficiency of endurance-trained subjects during prolonged hypokinesia

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a daily intake of fluid and salt supplementation (FSS) on the deficiency of electrolytes, which is characterized by higher rather than lower plasma concentration of electrolytes during prolonged hypokinesia (HK) (decreased number of km taken per day). Forty long distance runners aged 22-25 yr with a peak VO2 65.4 mL min(-1) kg(-1) with an average 14.2 km d running distance were selected as subjects. They were equally divided into four groups: 1) unsupplemented control subjects (UCS); 2) unsupplemented hypokinetic subjects (UHS); 3) supplemented hypokinetic subjects (SHS), and 4) supplemented control subjects (SCS). During the investigation of 364 d, groups 2 and 3 maintained an average running distance of less than 4.7 km per day, groups 1 and 4 did not experience any modification in their normal training routines and diets. During the preexperimental period of 60 d and during the experimental period of 364 d urinary excretion of electrolytes and concentrations of sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium in plasma were determined. Whole blood hemoglobin, hematocrit index, plasma osmolality, and plasma protein concentration were measured. In the UHS plasma concentration of electrolytes and urinary excretion thereof, fluid elimination, hematocrit, whole blood hemoglobin, plasma osmolality, and plasma protein concentration increased significantly (p < 0.05) when compared with the UCS, SCS, and SHS groups. In the SHS plasma concentration of electrolytes and urinary excretion thereof, fluid excretion, whole blood hemoglobin, hematocrit, plasma osmolality, and plasma protein concentration decreased when compared with the UHS and increased insignificantly when compared with the UCS and SCS groups. It was concluded that FSS may be used to prevent or minimize electrolyte deficiency in endurance-trained volunteers during prolonged restriction of muscular activity.     

The costs and benefits of tonal centers for chord processing.

Harmonic priming studies have shown that a musical context, with its established tonal center, influences target chord processing. This study investigated costs and benefits of priming tonal centers for target processing by adding a baseline condition (sequences without a specific tonal center). Results confirmed harmonic priming, with faster processing for related than for unrelated and less related targets (tonic chord, out-of-key chord, subdominant chord). Comparing targets in baseline contexts with targets in sequences with well-established tonal centers revealed a benefit of processing for related targets but a cost of processing for unrelated and less related targets. Findings are discussed in terms of tonal knowledge activation and suggest that an activated tonal center gives rise to strong expectations for the tonic. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Erbium ion electroluminescence in p ++/n +/n-Si:Er/n ++ silicon diode structures

Results of experimental studies of erbium ion electroluminescence in p ⁺⁺/n ⁺/n-Si:Er/n ⁺⁺ silicon diode structures grown by sublimation molecular-beam epitaxy are discussed. The distinctive feature of these structures is that the regions of electron flux formation of (n ⁺-Si) and impact excitation of erbium ions (n-Si:Er) are spaced. The influence of the n ⁺-Si layer thickness on electrical and electroluminescent properties of diodes was studied. It was shown that n ⁺-Si layer thinning causes the transformation of the structure breakdown mechanism from tunneling to avalanche. The dependence of the Er³⁺ ion electroluminescence on the thickness of the heavily doped n ⁺-Si region is bell-shaped. At the n ⁺-Si-layer doping level n ≈ 2 × 10¹⁸ cm^?3, the maximum electroluminescence intensity is attained at an n ⁺-Si layer thickness of ～23 nm.     

Electrical characteristics of (<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>)3C-SiC-(<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>)6H-SiC heterojunctions

The electrical characteristics of (p)3C-SiC-(n)6H-SiC epitaxial heterostructures obtained by sublimation epitaxy in vacuum are studied. The band discontinuities are determined and the energy band diagram of the heterojunction is constructed. It is shown that the obtained heterostructure offers a promising material for high electron mobility transistors.     

Formation and investigation of epoxy intumescent compositions modified by active additives

Results are reported of research on intumescent composites based on epoxy resin cross‐linked with polyethylene polyamine and containing ammonium polyphosphate and such modifying additives as calcium borate, manganese dioxide, nickel, and chromium, containing tubulenes as gas‐formers and carbonization stimulators. The changes in composition and physicochemical properties of modified compositions under conditions of heat and fire were investigated by X‐ray photo‐electron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and local force spectroscopy. Ammonium polyphosphate mainly stimulates carbonization processes on the inner surface of a bubble being formed during foam coke formation. The introduction of metal‐containing tubulenes leads to the formation of fire‐retardant and low flammability‐compositions with high coke and carbon structures content. The use of calcium borate in the compositions considerably increases the strength of foam coke being formed. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 1477–1483, 2002     

Stoichiometric dye-binding procedure for the determination of the reactive lysine content of soya bean protein

A new analytical method has been developed for the determination of the reactive lysine content of soya bean protein. The method is based on the reaction of the free basic groups of the protein with 1-phenylazo-2 naphthol-6,8 disulphonic acid. With regard to the stoichiometry of the procedure, it has been proved, contrary to earlier reports, that the basic amino acids, histidine, arginine and lysine, each combine with one mole of the dye. After acylation with propionic anhydride lysine alone loses its dye reactivity. The usefulness of the proposed method has been demonstrated by the determination of the reactive lysine content of several untreated, heat-treated and acid-treated soya bean samples. The results show that heat damage of about 5% in reactive lysine content can be measured in 1·5 h with good reproducibility.     

Perspective channel-type reactor with enhanced safety

Following the search for new design solutions to develop within the framework of channel trends the reactor with enhanced safety the Research and Development Institute of Power Engineering has developed the design of the multiloop boiling water reactor (MKER). The MKER enhanced safety is attained when involving the inherent safety features, passive safety systems as well as the accident consequences confinement devices. The design realizes several advantages which are typical of the channel-type reactors, namely: the design desintegration simplifying the manufacture, control, equipment delivery and decreasing, versus the pressure vessel reactors, the accident effect if it proceeds in an explosive manner; small operating reactivity margin and fuel burnup increased due to continuous refuelling; fuel cycle flexibility allowing comparatively easily to adopt the reactor to the conjuncture of the country fuel balance; multiloop circuit of the main coolant which reduces the degree and effect of the accidents connected with the equipment and pipings rupture; monitoring of the channels and fuel assemblies leak-tightness.