Neutron Reflectometry in Russia: Current State and Prospects

Crystallography Reports - The review is devoted to the current state of affairs and prospects for development in the field of neutron reflectometry on the existing and future neutron sources in the...     

A Gorizont neutron reflectometer—small-angle spectrometer based on the IN-06 pulsed neutron source

The Gorizont time-of-flight neutron reflectometer—small-angle spectrometer has been designed, manufactured, and assembled to operate with the IN-0 6 pulsed neutron source. The instrument has a vertical neutron scattering plane enabling research on liquid surfaces and interfaces. Model calculations of neutron spectra, beam profiles, and spectrometer resolutions have been performed via the Monte Carlo method. The spectrometer operates at wavelengths from 1.5 to 9 Å and ensures measurements in the momentum-transfer range of 0.003—1.5 Å^-1.     

Modification of sulfate lignin with sodium periodate to obtain sorbent of 1,1-dimethylhydrazine

Application of the oxidative modification of sulfate kraft lignin with sodium periodate under mild conditions is suggested in order to obtain a sorbent for detoxication of spillage places of rocket fuels based on 1,1-dimethylhydrazine and to purify wastewaters containing this compound. It was found that processing with the periodate at a temperature of 55°C for 20 h results in a more than twofold increase in the content of carbonyl and quinone groups in a lignin preparation and a rise in its polydispersity due to the appearance of a macromolecular condensed fraction and a threefold increase in the sorption capacity for 1,1-dimethylhydrazine. The sorbent can bind 6.7% of 1,1-dimethylhydrazine and substantially surpasses in this parameter other lignin-based sorbents. It was shown that the firm chemical binding of hydrazines hinders desorption of the highly toxic rocket propellant and products of its oxidative transformation from the surface of lignin both into solution and into the vapor phase, thereby providing safe handling of the spent sorbent.     

Ionic liquid matrices for MALDI mass spectrometry of lignin

Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry - The use of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry for the study of lignin is still extremely limited due to its low...     

Determination of the content and localization of magnesium in bioapatite of bone

Using x-ray diffraction, electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy with an x-ray microanalysis, we have studied the phase decomposition of biogenic and synthetic Mg-containing apatite at 900°C with formation of β-tricalcium-magnesium phosphate (β-TCMP). Employing simplified model representations, we obtained a relation that couples the initial Mg concentration with the degree of transformation of apatite into β-TCMP. It is shown that for the β-TCMP contents measured in bioapatite samples and on replacement of calcium by magnesium to about 8% in this phase the calculated range of Mg concentrations coincides with that available in literature sources (0.2–0.6 wt. %). A comparative investigation of the products of decomposition of biogenic and synthetic apatite by the methods of analysis of the composition and structure has established that the formation of β-TCMP is limited by both the insufficient concentration of magnesium and the small sizes of the crystals. The results of the investigations carried out together with the experimental data known from the literature are indicative of the nonuniform distribution of magnesium in the bulk of crystals of biogenic and synthetic apatite, with its predominant localization at the surface sites of the lattice. __________ Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 72, No. 6, pp. 821–826, November–December, 2005.     

On the index of the boundary value problem for a homogeneous Hamiltonian system of differential equations

The index of the homogeneous self-adjoint boundary value problem for the Hamiltonian systems of ordinary differential equations is introduced. It is assumed that the system has a nontrivial solution. The relationship between the index of an eigenvalue of the nonlinear eigenvalue problem and the index of the corresponding homogeneous problem is established. Properties of the index of the problem and those of the eigenvalue are examined.     

The measurement and verification of parameters of pulse electromagnetic radiation generated by a large-radius ring current

Experimental and analytic studies of the generation and propagation of electromagnetic radiation due to repetitive current pulses of a nanosecond duration (peak power to 1 MW, current slew rate of 3.5 A/ns) are presented. The radiation source was a fine-wire ring antenna of large radius (ρ_a=1.4 m). The antenna was driven along its full length instantaneously within the time τ shorter than the time of wave travel along the ring diameter (τ≤2ρ_a/c). Parameters of the emitted wave were measured. The experimental data are consistent with the calculated emitted-wave parameters that take into account radiation reflection from the conducting walls of the laboratory. The efficiency of transformation of drive pulse energy into ultra-wideband radiation was found to be approximately 15%. A ring antenna driven by repetitive current pulses (within the time τ≤2ρ_a/c) is suggested to be used as a reference ultra-wideband emitter.