Intrinsic Fluorescence of Actin

In this work actin is used to illustrate connection of protein fluorescence characteristics with its structure. On one hand, it has been demonstrated what kind of information about the contribution of each tryptophan residues to the bulk fluorescence spectrum can be obtained from the special analysis of protein three-dimensional structure. On the other hand, potentials of intrinsic fluorescence for elucidation of proteins structure, dynamics and processes of folding-unfolding are shown. In particular, using this method a new essentially unfolded kinetic intermediate state of actin was detected and characterized, and the place of inactivated actin and its kinetic predecessor in the process of folding-unfolding was determined. It has been revealed that inactivated actin is not intermediate state between the native and completely unfolded states, as it has been accepted before, but a result of protein misfolding. On the basis of the obtained data a new model of actin folding-unfolding pathway has been proposed.     

Parametric Frequency Converters Based on New Nonlinear Crystals

Results of investigations into the physical properties of a number of new nonlinear crystals are presented. The parameters of frequency converters manufactured on their basis are compared, and second-harmonic generation of CO₂ lasers first excited by frequency conversion in LiInSe₂, AgGa_{1– x} In_xSe₂, Ag_xGa_xGe_xS_{2(1 + x)}, and Hg_1–x Cd_xGa₂S₄ crystals is investigated. The superiority of HgGa₂S₄, Hg_1–x Cd_xGa₂S₄, and AgGa_1–x In_xSe₂ over the well-known crystals has been demonstrated for frequency conversion both within the middle-IR range and from the visible range to the middle-IR range. Advantages of LiInSe₂ and AgGa_1–x In_xSe₂ crystals are demonstrated for the direct frequency conversion of femtosecond laser radiation to the middle-IR range compared to the cascade frequency conversion and direct frequency conversion in LiInS₂ crystals.     

Justification of Averaging Method for Multifrequency Impulsive Systems

We prove new theorems on the justification of the averaging method for multifrequency oscillation systems with pulse influence at fixed times.     

Changes in the Laser-Induced Fluorescence Spectrum of Myocardium Tissue with Decrease in Its Viability

We investigated the laser-induced fluorescence spectra (LIF) of porcine cardiac tissues with different degrees of viability. The data obtained are compared with the results of routine histological investigations and also with the experiments performed with the use of fluorescent probes. It has been found with a high degree of reliability that the loss of the viability of the myocardium tissue leads to the alteration of its LIF spectra. This can be used for low-invasive rapid control of transplant viability in the process of its preparation and during surgery.     

Relaxor properties of Fe-doped TlInS<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The relaxor properties of Fe-doped TlInS₂ crystals are investigated. It is shown that Fe-doped TlInS₂ compounds exhibit all features inherent in relaxor ferroelectric materials. The temperature range of existence of the microdomain (relaxor) state and the temperature of the transition from this state to a macro-domain state are determined.     

Phase Diagrams of Polytype Transformations in Close-Packed Crystals Including Metastable States

The paper offers a method for calculating phase diagrams of polytype transformations in close-packed crystals based on the generalized axial Ising's model of finite dimensions at non-zero temperatures. Using the Metropolis algorithm, the behavior of systems with polytype transitions is studied under the conditions of changing external shear stress and temperature. The longest polytype period considered here is taken to be 30 close-packed planes.     

Integral Equation Method in Electromagnetic-Sounding Inverse Problems

The use of the integral equation method in electromagnetic-sounding inverse problems is considered. Several approaches to the solution of these inverse problems are proposed.     

Indoor radon measurements in dwellings of four Saudi Arabian cities

An indoor radon survey of a total of 269 dwellings, with one dosimeter per house, distributed in four Saudi Arabian cities was carried out. The objective of this survey was to carry out indoor radon measurements of two cities in the Eastern Province, Khafji and Hafr Al-Batin and to compare this with two cities in the Western Province, Al-Madina and Taif. The survey provides additional information about indoor radon concentrations in Saudi Arabia. The results of the survey in these cities showed that the overall minimum, maximum and average radon concentration were 7,137 and 30 Bqm⁻³, respectively. The lowest average radon concentration (20 Bqm⁻³) was found in Hafr Al-Batin, while the highest average concentration was found in Khafji (40 Bqm⁻³).     

On wave radiation induced by a fast shock wave in an oblique magnetic field

The corrugation stability of the flat surface of a fast magnetohydrodynamic shock wave in a perfect monoatomic gas with a constant heat capacity is studied with numerical techniques. The magnetic field makes an arbitrary angle with the plane of discontinuity. It is shown that the shock wave remains stable only if it is strictly perpendicular to the magnetic field. At any other angle between the fast shock wave and magnetic field, the former may spontaneously radiate outwardly propagating magnetohydrodynamic waves under certain conditions. Incoming flow characteristics at which these waves are induced are determined.