Immunogenic potential of glanders and melioidosis agents

Unlike the glanders agent, the superficial structures of the melioidosis agent were demonstrated to be responsible for marked was immunosuppressive activity. Some antigenic fractions suppressing the blast transformation of lymphocytes, reducing the count of T helpers and profoundly potentiating the infection in vivo were isolated from P. pseudomallei cells. The immunogenic and immunosuppressive activities of both agents' superficial structures were studied by high performance chromatography. Antigenic complexes that were able to protect immunized laboratory animals against fatal infections and to prevent bacterial carriage due to the activation of T cells and to the bacterial activity of macrophages were identified. A composition comprising several immunogens was found to provide an additive protective action against both causative agents. Therefore, the composition may be considered to be a prototype of a molecular antipseudomonadic vaccine.     

Formation of incandescent bodies at the surface and increase in the combustion rate of condensed systems by additions of chromium compounds

Combustion, Explosion, and Shock Waves -     

Developing an Algorithm for the Calculation of a Painting Chamber

Theoretical Foundations of Chemical Engineering - This team of authors presents the development of an algorithm and its practical application in the software for solving the problems of...     

Coprecipitation of Pu(IV) with Fe(III) and Cr(III) hydroxides from nitrate-acetate solutions under hydrothermal conditions simulating deep disposal of liquid radioactive wastes

Precipitation of Fe(III), Cr(III), Ni(II), and Mn(II) from nitrate-acetate solutions and coprecipitation of Pu(IV) with Fe(III) and Cr(III) were studied. The degree of precipitation of 80–95% is attained for Fe(III) at 95–200°C and pH>0.5–0.6, and for Cr(III), at T=95°C and pH≥4.0 or T=200°C and pH≥1.0. The phase composition of the precipitates formed by thermal hydrolysis of iron nitrate in model solutions was analyzed. Depending on pH and temperature, the solid phase contains various modifications of Fe₂O₃, FeOOH, and amorphous phases. Noticeable coprecipitation of plutonium from nitrate-acetate solutions is observed at pH≥4, and it is incorporated in the precipitate only at formation of FeOOH. No coprecipitation of Pu(IV) with Fe₂O₃ was found. Under the given experimental conditions, plutonium in aqueous solutions occurs in the oxidation state +4 forming monoacetate (or, probably, hydroxo acetate) complexes.     

A modified electrochemical procedure for isolating <Superscript>177</Superscript>Lu radionuclide

A cell for isolating ¹⁷⁷Lu from a neutron-irradiated ¹⁷⁶Yb target was developed. The procedure involves a combination of two processes: contact reduction of Yb from acetate–chloride solution on sodium amalgam, followed by electrolysis of the solution on a mercury cathode. The process conditions were chosen so that the adjustment of the working solution characteristics (composition, pH, etc.) in going from contact reduction to electrolysis was not required. Both processes are performed in one cell, which reduces the ¹⁷⁷Lu loss. On an installation consisting of two cells, the decontamination factor of the ¹⁷⁷Lu solution from Yb of up to 10⁶ was reached, which is necessary for obtaining a ¹⁷⁷Lu preparation of high specific activity.     

Development of a mathematical model of the hydroerosive wear of the piston couple in hydraulic machines: Part 1

The paper presents a definition of hydroerosive wear, which occurs in hydraulic machines due to water/air presence in fluid, obtained from a mathematical model. The model includes fatigue processes related to the influence of hydraulic water droplets inside of air bubbles in the surface layer of metal, as well as a sharp increase in temperature caused by adiabatic compression in the piston chamber of a hydraulic machine.     

Microstructure and dielectric and piezoelectric properties of PbFe0.5Nb0.5O3 ceramics modified with Li2CO3 and MnO2

Unmodified lead ferroniobate (PFN) and samples modified with 1 wt % Li₂CO₃ (PFNL) and 1 wt % MnO₂ (PFNM) have been prepared by solid-state reactions followed by sintering by a conventional ceramic processing technique. The modifiers have been shown to change the nature of the recrystallization sintering process, reduce the optimal sintering temperature of the material, increase its average grain size, stabilize its dielectric properties, and improve its piezoelectric performance. The observed effects are interpreted in terms of the crystal-chemical specifics of the modifiers and their location in the structure of the parent compound.     

Mechanical Activation of Diopside in CO2

The mechanical activation (MA) of diopside in a controlled CO₂ atmosphere was studied using different grinding facilities. The results demonstrate that diopside may sorb CO₂ by two mechanisms, depending on the nature of the MA process. If grinding is not accompanied by structure breakdown, the sorption process is similar to that reported for metal oxides, and the adsorbate consists of undistorted CO₃ ^2- groups. If the MA process leads to diopside amorphization, CO₂ is sorbed in the form of distorted carbonate groups, and the IR spectrum contains a split absorption band (1433 and 1522 cm^–1) similar to the CO₃ ^2- band in the spectra of carbonate-containing silicate glasses. After ball milling in an AL-1000 mechanical activator in CO₂ for 580 min, diopside contains up to 15 wt % CO₂. Subsequent heating ensures partial or complete removal of the carbonate. Acid treatment of diopside after MA in CO₂ leads to decomposition of the carbonate and almost complete leaching of the Ca and Mg cations.