Color characteristics of a parametric series of heat-absorbing toned glasses

The possibility of producing toned glasses of various tints that can be used as construction and decorative and architectural materials is shown. Translated from Steklo i Keramika, No. 4, pp. 7–8, April, 2000.     

Direct and mediate assessment of acidity in hydromorphic habitats in West Siberian Plain

The paper aims to show that mediate indication of environmental acidity conditions in hydromorphic habitats in the West Siberian Plain is possible by means of using indicator values for soil moisture and nutrient factors as substitute predictors. These factors are viewed as interrelated for plant communities located in the wetlands in the West Siberian Plain. Regression equations are introduced to assess the pH of soil solution in wetland plant communities.     

Halogen anion formation in 5-halouracil films: X rays compared to subionization electrons

The radiosensitization properties of 5-halouracils (5-FU, 5-BrU and 5-IU), i.e. the enhanced sensitivity of biological media containing these compounds to ionizing radiation, have been studied using surface science methods. We show that soft X rays and near 0 eV electrons both induce dissociation of 5-halouracils into a halogen anion and a uracilyl radical. The yield of anions from 5-FU is much smaller than that from the bromo- and iodo-analogs. We explain the high anion yields in 5-BrU and 5-IU with dissociative electron attachment (DEA) of near 0 eV electrons. The thermodynamic threshold for DEA to 5-FU is near 2 eV and therefore prohibits dissociation by near 0 eV electrons.     

BN-800 design validation and construction status

Information is presented on the BN-800 design, the second design following BN-600, power-generating unit with a fast reactor. The main stages of the development of the design begun in the 1980s, modified in the 1990s after the Chernobyl accident, and accepted for construction within the government program starting in 2000 are presented. The fundamental differences of BN-800 from BN-600 are characterized, and current R&D work is briefly described. Information is presented on the construction of BN-800 at the Beloyarskaya nuclear power plant, where the BN-600 has been operating since 1980.     

Use of local sands in sheet glass production

Study of domestic sands from the Aleksandrovskoe deposit (Saratov Region) revealed the possibility of using these sands in sheet glass production. The use of this sand as the main silicon-containing material in the pilot production of heat-absorbing glass of a wide color spectrum is discussed.     

The separate effects of E60Q in Lactobacillus casei thymidylate synthase delineate between mechanisms for formation of intermediates in catalysis

X-Ray crystal structures of Lactobacillus casei thymidylate synthase (TS) mutant complexes of E60D with dUMP, and E60Q with dUMP or FdUMP, as well as ternary complexes with folate analog inhibitor CB3717, are described. The structures we report address the decrease in rate of formation of ternary complexes in the E60 mutants. Structures of ternary complexes of L.casei TS mimic ligand-bound TS just prior to covalent bond formation between ligands and protein. Ternary complex structures of L.casei TS E60Q show the ligands are not optimally aligned for making the necessary covalent bonds. Since CB3717 is an analog of the open, activated form of the cofactor, these structures suggest that the slow rate of ternary complex formation in E60 mutants is at least partly the result of impaired alignment of ligands in the active site after binding and activation of the cofactor. Binary complexes of TS E60Q and TS E60D with substrate (dUMP) show no change in dUMP position or occupancy. These results are consistent with the fact that Kd(dUMP) and Km(dUMP) are almost the same, and the rates of folate-independent debromination of 5-bromo-dUMP are even higher than for wild type TS.      

Conceptions and misconceptions about transmission of HIV/AIDS among the Scottish general public, 1988-1992

Knowledge levels among the Scottish general public about so called 'casual' transmission of the AIDS virus were analysed using data collected by our Unit's survey using computer-assisted telephone interviewing methods. Five cross-sections of data from the period March to May of each year were analysed and compared to provide overall estimates of knowledge on four items relating to casual transmission between respondent groups and to provide an estimate of changes over time in knowledge levels from 1988 to 1992. The data show that significant differences in knowledge exist, with the lowest levels of knowledge found among the older and among the less educated respondents. There is evidence for a continuing increase in knowledge for all items studied and for most respondent groups, but little evidence that disparities in knowledge between respondent groups are lessening over time. Misconceptions about potential risks from donating blood and kissing persist at quite high levels.