The spherical stratification of discharge in high-molecular-mass gases

It is experimentally demonstrated that the spherical stratification of an electric discharge may take place in a gas phase containing high-molecular-mass additives. The process of a dissociative decomposition of the high-molecular-mass species in the course of discharge leads to the degradation of strata.     

Use of geosynthetic materials in dam construction

Geosynthetic materials in the form of geomembranes, geotextiles, geonets, geomats, geocomposites, etc., are used widely in modern dam construction. The article describes structural elements of dams in which various types of geosynthetics are used and those functions which geosynthetics perform in these elements.Translated from Gidrotekhnicheskoe Stroitel'stvo, No. 10, pp. 50–54, October, 1992.     

High-Melting Heat-Insulating Materials Obtained by Foaming and Gassing Methods

Heat-insulating ceramic materials have been developed, whose porous structure is provided by foaming and gas formation. Foaming and gas-forming agents, stabilizing, plastifying, and other additives and fixing agents for foam and gas mixtures are identified.     

eDNA,Amyloid Fibers and Membrane Vesicles Identified in Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25 Biofilms

Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25 is a model soil- and plant-associated bacterium capable of forming a variety of air–liquid interface biofilms in experimental microcosms and on plant surfaces. Previous investigations have shown that cellulose is the primary structural matrix component in the robust and well-attached Wrinkly Spreader biofilm, as well as in the fragile Viscous Mass biofilm. Here, we demonstrate that both biofilms include extracellular DNA (eDNA) which can be visualized using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), quantified by absorbance measurements, and degraded by DNase I treatment. This eDNA plays an important role in cell attachment and biofilm development. However, exogenous high-molecular-weight DNA appears to decrease the strength and attachment levels of mature Wrinkly Spreader biofilms, whereas low-molecular-weight DNA appears to have little effect. Further investigation with CLSM using an amyloid-specific fluorophore suggests that the Wrinkly Spreader biofilm might also include Fap fibers, which might be involved in attachment and contribute to biofilm strength. The robust nature of the Wrinkly Spreader biofilm also allowed us, using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, to identify matrix-associated proteins unable to diffuse out of the structure, as well as membrane vesicles which had a different protein profile compared to the matrix-associated proteins. CLSM and DNase I treatment suggest that some vesicles were also associated with eDNA. These findings add to our understanding of the matrix components in this model pseudomonad, and, as found in other biofilms, biofilm-specific products and material from lysed cells contribute to these structures through a range of complex interactions.     

State of hydropower installations in Armenia after the Spitak earthquake

Translated from Gidrotekhnicheskoe Stroitel'stvo, No. 8, pp. 21–25, August, 1989.     

Reverse electric field in spherical striations

We have experimentally studied the floating potential distribution in a spherical stratified dc discharge. A nonmonotonic potential profile is observed in the region of striations, which is indicative of the existence of regions with a reverse electric field.     

Influence of water on oxidation of IGP-series oils

Translated from Khimiya i Tekhnologiya Topliv i Masel, No. 8, pp. 20–21, August, 1990.