Analog regulators of the energy-liberation distribution in nuclear reactors

Translated from Atomnaya Énergiya, Vol. 66, No. 2, pp. 81–85, February, 1989.     

Inhibitory activity of ginger rhizome on airway and uterine smooth muscle preparations

In this study, we describe the tracheal-relaxant and tocolytic activities of the methanol (ME) and aqueous (AQ) crude extracts of ginger (rhizome of Zingiber officinale) in an attempt to rationalize its traditional use in disorders of airways and uterine hyperactivity. Both of the ginger extracts dose-dependently relaxed K⁺ (80 mM) and carbachol (CCh, 1 μM)-induced contractions with more potency against K⁺, similar to that elicited by verapamil, a Ca²⁺ channel blocker. In isolated uterine preparations, the extracts suppressed the K⁺-induced contractions with respective EC₅₀ values of 0.03 mg/ml (0.02–0.05, 95% CI) and 0.05 mg/ml (0.04–0.06). Activity-directed fractionation of AQ yielded an organic and an aqueous fraction with the activities concentrated in the former. Both the crude extracts were found safe in mice up to the oral dose of 5 g/kg when tested for acute toxicity for 24 h. The study shows that ginger possesses tracheal and uterine smooth muscle relaxant activity, possibility mediated via Ca²⁺ channel blockade, justifying its use in disorders such as asthma, cough as well as in dysmenorrhoea and uterine and menstrual spasms and congestion.     

Stability of a full nonlinear electromagnetic suspension under decentralized control

Stability of the zero equilibrium state of a full electromagnetic suspension of a rotor under decentralized control of each bearing is proved. The obtained results may be used for selecting the structure of the system for control of electromagnetic bearings.     

The effect of OPWF filler on impact strength of glass-fiber reinforced epoxy composite

In the present study, oil palm wood flour (OPWF) particles with less than 250 μm sizes have been used as filler materials in the woven-glass-fiber reinforced epoxy composite. The hybrid composites were fabricated using a hand lay-up method and cured at room temperature under a compressive load of 196 N (20 kg). The OPWF of 2.5 to 10 parts per hundred (pph) by weight was used to evaluate its effect on impact strength of the hybrid composites at a range of temperature from −50 to 50 °C. The impact strength, evaluated using V-notch Charpy method, showed reduction with increasing filler content up to 5 pph and then the strength increment in those composites containing more than 5 pph OPWF. More severe damages were found in specimens with higher filler contents resulting higher energy absorption during impact. The composites with a large amount of OPWF particles deflected crack propagation paths or created obstacles at the crack tips and increased toughness of the composites. The impact strength was found to decrease when the samples fractured at subzero temperatures and this happened because of the reduction of the matrix ductility at lower temperatures.     

A mathematical model of a single-phase induction motor with an asymmetric stator winding

A model of an induction motor with an asymmetric stator winding is developed; it may be represented as two phases connected in parallel or in series and displaced is space by some angle.     

New technology for manufacturing gold smalto

A new technology for manufacturing gold smalto using a “liquid” gold preparation has been developed. Glasses with different hues for use as substrates in preparing smalto have been synthesized in the alkali-boro-silicate system. This has made it possible to expand the range of gold smalto. __________ Translated from Steklo i Keramika, No. 3, p. 36, March, 2007.     

Contribution of K. A. Andrianov to the development of heat-resistant adhesives

Listed are the grades of heat-resistant adhesives developed under the Andrianov’s scientific guidance at the All-Russia Institute of Aviation Materials on the basis of organosilicon polymers.     

Improved Complexometric Determination of Calcium in Cheese

Accuracy and repeatability of complexometric methods for measuring calcium in cheese are limited by titration endpoints that are difficult to recognize. Much of this difficulty results from turbidity during titration. An alternative procedure is described in which 2 to 3 g of cheese are ashed, dissolved in dilute acid, and added calcium chloride is back titrated with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid using hydroxy naphthol blue as indicator. Samples remain free of turbidity, and the titration endpoint is recognized easily.Recovery of calcium from solutions containing magnesium and phosphate was 100.9 ± .3%, indicating that a portion of sample magnesium (about 12%) also was measured. Error caused by magnesium recovery represented less than 1% of true calcium content.Analyses of 10 Cheddar cheese samples by the proposed method and by atomic emission differed by an average of .010% calcium. Mean values of the 10 samples did not differ significantly (P>.05) between methods. Duplicate analyses of 67 Cheddar cheese samples differed by an average of .008 ± .006% calcium. Similar repeatability was achieved by several inexperienced analysts. The method is applied readily to other dairy products.