Cardioinotropic Effects in Subchronic Intoxication of Rats with Lead and/or Cadmium Oxide Nanoparticles

Subchronic intoxication was induced in outbred male rats by repeated intraperitoneal injections with lead oxide (PbO) and/or cadmium oxide (CdO) nanoparticles (NPs) 3 times a week during 6 weeks for the purpose of examining its effects on the contractile characteristics of isolated right ventricle trabeculae and papillary muscles in isometric and afterload contractions. Isolated and combined intoxication with these NPs was observed to reduce the mechanical work produced by both types of myocardial preparation. Using the in vitro motility assay, we showed that the sliding velocity of regulated thin filaments drops under both isolated and combined intoxication with CdO–NP and PbO–NP. These results correlate with a shift in the expression of myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms towards slowly cycling β–MHC. The type of CdO–NP + PbO–NP combined cardiotoxicity depends on the effect of the toxic impact, the extent of this effect, the ratio of toxicant doses, and the degree of stretching of cardiomyocytes and muscle type studied. Some indices of combined Pb–NP and CdO–NP cardiotoxicity and general toxicity (genotoxicity included) became fully or partly normalized if intoxication developed against background administration of a bioprotective complex.     

Estimating the domain of phase variables in nonautonomous system using extremal Lyapunov functions

New efficient method is suggested for estimating the domain of phase variables in linear nonautonomous systems; the method is based on involving extremal Lyapunov functions.     

Products of Coal Pyrolysis

Solid, liquid, and gaseous products of the pyrolytic decomposition of coal are studied. Analysis of the gas composition shows that most gas is formed at 600–900°C. The calorific value of the gas is greatest at 500°C, on account of the high concentration of methane and heavy hydrocarbons. The results for the liquid products show that, with increase in temperature, the yield of phenols decreases, while the concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons increases.     

Experience gained with development of the instrumentation and control system for the PGU-410 power unit at the Krasnodar cogeneration station on the basis of the tornado-n distributed control system

The development of the instrumentation and control system for the PGU-410 power unit at the Krasnodar cogeneration station is discussed. Problems encountered in designing the process control system of a complex facility are considered, in particular, the need to integrate local control systems. Special attention is paid to the importance of setting up a united control area at such facilities.     

Recommendations for the Modernization and Adjustment of Weaving Machines During the Production of High-Count Fabrics

Fibre Chemistry - The paper investigates factors affecting the production of high-count fabrics using projectile weaving machines, as well as providing recommendations for improving the design of...     

Chitosan-based fiber-sponge materials as a promising tool for microalgae harvesting from Lake Baikal

Mass eutrophication of microalgae and cyanobacteria is observed in Lake Baikal in the past decade. In this paper, the concept of replaceable adsorption filter material based on chitosan flocculant filler and chlorinated polyvinyl chloride polymer nonwoven material are proposed. Functional and mechanical properties and morphology of the material are investigated depending on a packing density and a degree of chitosan filling. The introduction of 45% chitosan increases the Young's modulus up to 10 times, and it makes the material more rigid in 2.8 times. The high efficiency of sorption and growth inhibition of cumulative biomass culture was shown. The biomass source is taken from the coast of Barguzinsky Bay of Lake Baikal. Dominant species is microalgae of Scenedesmus genus.     

Electropolymerized flavin adenine dinucleotide as an advanced NADH transducer

Electropolymerizing the prosthetic group (flavin adenine dinucleotide, FAD) responsible in the active sites of dehydrogenases for NAD(+)|NADH regeneration, we succeeded in mimicking enzyme activity. Poly(FAD) characterized by an additional polymer-type redox reaction has been discovered as a highly effective electrocatalyst for NADH oxidation: operating at the lowest potentials reported for NADH transducers (0.00 V, pH 7.4), poly(FAD) is characterized by the electrochemical rate constant of 1.8 +/- 0.6 x 10(-3) cm s(-1), which is at the level of the NADH mass-transfer constant. Flow injection analysis of NADH with the poly(FAD)-modified wall-jet electrode as a detector has been characterized by a linear calibration range prolonged down to 5 x 10(-7) M and a sensitivity of 0.08 A M(-1) cm(-2), which taking into account the dispersion coefficient ( approximately 3), is at the diffusion-limiting value. In contrast to the low molecular weight mediators able to exhibit similar electrocatalytic properties, poly(FAD)-modified electrodes are characterized by the dramatically improved stability and, thus, can be considered as the most advantageous NADH transducers for analytical chemistry.