Development of catalysts for hydrogen generation from hydride compounds

Catalytic hydrolysis of NaBH₄ and NH₃BH₃ has been studied. It was shown that the nature of the support and the active component of the catalyst affect the H₂ generation rate. Despite similar sizes of rhodium particles formed on the surface of different supports (γ-Al₂O₃, TiO₂, carbon), their reactivity is different. Rh/TiO₂ with low rhodium concentration (1 wt.%) is the most active catalyst both in the hydrolysis of NaBH₄ and NH₃BH₃. The obtained results show that the rhodium chloride interaction with titania determines the reactivity of rhodium particles formed under action of NaBH₄ medium. TEM, DRS UV–vis and XPS were used to characterize the catalysts.     

Structure and Certain Properties of Hot-Pressed Boron Carbide-Based Ceramic with Calcium-Silicon Additive

The influence which the composition of powder mixtures, the treatment conditions which the mixtures are subjected to, and the conditions under which the hot-pressed composite materials B₄C – (5-10 mass%) calcium-silicon are fabricated exert on the structure, nature of failure, and mechanical properties of these materials is investigated. Optimum properties are possessed by material containing 10 mass% of addition. It is shown that the structure, morphology, and dispersivity, as well as the nature of the distribution of the components that are added to the composite material (secondary phase) vary as the temperature of hot pressing changes. Maximal mechanical characteristics of the composite material (σ_bend = 560 MPa, K _1c = 4.7 MPa·m^1/2, HV = 37 GPa) are attained at hot-pressing temperatures in the range 2000-2100°C.     

A method of determining the levels of deoxynivalenol (vomitoxin) and its metabolites]

A method has been developed for assay of deoxynivalenol (DON) and its metabolite desepoxideoxynivalenol (DOM-1) in animal excrements with the use of reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with UV-detection (218 nm). The method includes purification in the mini-column with activated carbon and aluminium oxide. The detection limit was 50 ng/g, relative standard deviation--0.05-0.1, the degree of toxin isolation--76-89%. DON isolated from Fusarium macroceras, strain 579a, cultivated in rice under laboratory conditions, and DOM-1 obtained as a result of DON incubation with the contents of the beef first stomach, were used in the study. The structure of toxins isolated has been proved by the mass-spectrometry method. The method developed by the authors was used in the study of DON metabolism in vivo in monkeys.     

Radiation–Thermal Decomposition of Nitric and Acetic Acids in a Aqueous Nitrate Solution

The kinetics of radiation, thermal, and radiation–thermal decomposition of a mixture of nitric and acetic acids in water solutions of sodium nitrate is investigated under homogeneous conditions and with a solid phase introduced in the form of sandstone. The experimental data are used to calculate the temperature dependences of the rate of radiation, thermal, and radiation–thermal decomposition of the acids. The results obtained make it possible to calculate the dynamics of decomposition of acids for the conditions of deep burial of liquid radioactive wastes.     

Factors affecting the quality of low- and medium-level solidified wastes

Main Science Center of the Russian Federation, A. A. Bochvara All-Russia Scientific-Research Institute of Standardization in Machine Engineering. Atomnaya énergiya, Vol. 79, No. 3, pp. 197–200, September, 1995.     

Natural and Designed Toxins for Precise Therapy: Modern Approaches in Experimental Oncology

Cancer cells frequently overexpress specific surface receptors providing tumor growth and survival which can be used for precise therapy. Targeting cancer cell receptors with protein toxins is an attractive approach widely used in contemporary experimental oncology and preclinical studies. Methods of targeted delivery of toxins to cancer cells, different drug carriers based on nanosized materials (liposomes, nanoparticles, polymers), the most promising designed light-activated toxins, as well as mechanisms of the cytotoxic action of the main natural toxins used in modern experimental oncology, are discussed in this review. The prospects of the combined therapy of tumors based on multimodal nanostructures are also discussed.