Testing procedure and results of tests performed on a VVÉR-1000 fuel assembly fragment in a MIR channel for a maximum anticipated accident

The testing procedure and the results of tests performed on a 19-element fragment of a VVéR-1000 fuel assembly in the channel of a MIR reactor under conditions of the second and third stage of a maximum anticipated accident are presented. The state arising in the reactor core with an uncompensated leak arising in the first cooling loop when a pipeline with the maximum diameter bursts (large leak) is studied in the experiment. In each case study, superheated steam cools the top part of the fuel elements. The main goal of the tests is to obtain data on the distortion of fuel-element cladding under tensile stresses. __________ Translated from Atomnaya énergiya, Vol. 103, No. 5, pp. 286–291, November, 2007.     

Hemi- and Homozygous Loss-of-Function Mutations in DSG2 (Desmoglein-2) Cause Recessive Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy with an Early Onset

About 50% of patients with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) carry a pathogenic or likely pathogenic mutation in the desmosomal genes. However, there is a significant number of patients without positive familial anamnesis. Therefore, the molecular reasons for ACM in these patients are frequently unknown and a genetic contribution might be underestimated. Here, we used a next-generation sequencing (NGS) approach and in addition single nucleotide polymor-phism (SNP) arrays for the genetic analysis of two independent index patients without familial medical history. Of note, this genetic strategy revealed a homozygous splice site mutation (DSG2–c.378+1G>T) in the first patient and a nonsense mutation (DSG2–p.L772X) in combination with a large deletion in DSG2 in the second one. In conclusion, a recessive inheritance pattern is likely for both cases, which might contribute to the hidden medical history in both families. This is the first report about these novel loss-of-function mutations in DSG2 that have not been previously identi-fied. Therefore, we suggest performing deep genetic analyses using NGS in combination with SNP arrays also for ACM index patients without obvious familial medical history. In the future, this finding might has relevance for the genetic counseling of similar cases.     

Antibacterial properties of polyaniline derivatives

This work presents a detailed study on the effect of various functional groups both at the ortho position of the aromatic ring and in the amino group of PANI on the antibacterial properties of polymers against gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis) and gram-negative (Pseudomonas aureofaciens) microorganisms. It was found that incorporation of methyl, methoxy, or pentyl groups into the ortho-position of PANI did not increase the antibacterial activity but in most cases causes a significant decrease in the antibacterial properties of functionally substituted polyanilines. At the same time, PANI derivatives modified by incorporation of pentyl groups into the amino group were found to be more efficient antibacterial compounds against both gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms than the original polymer. It was also found that N-substituted PANI derivatives manifest not only bactericidal but also bacteriostatic properties toward the test microorganisms. Varying the nature and position of the substituent allowed us to conclude that the synthesis of various N-substituted PANI derivatives with a high degree of doping is the most promising approach to PANI modification for application in bacterial growth inhibition.     

A study of the effect of iron oxide nanoparticles on the optical and adhesive properties of thermal control coatings of the “solar reflector” and “true absorber” class

The ability to acquire thermal control coatings of the “solar reflector” and “true absorber” class modified with iron oxide nanoparticles has been studied. The optical and adhesive properties of thermal control coatings have also been established.     

A study of the influence of spatial and temporal variability of solar radiation on the energy parameters of the work of solar photoelectric modules in the conditions of the arid zone. Part I

This paper considers the spatial and temporal variability of the effect of solar radiation in local territories of different macroclimatic regions in Uzbekistan and analyzes the variability of solar radiation intensity in daily and annual time intervals depending on the variants of orientation of the beam-receiving surface.     

Determination of dehydroacetic acid and its sodium salt in food products and polymeric packing materials

HPLC method of determination of dehydroacetic acid and its sodium salt in food products and polymeric packing materials has been developed. The migration of DGA from food-contacting materials to food matrix has been investigated.