Determination of kinetic constants of the cationic copolymerization of isobutylene with isoprene

A theoretical kinetic model has been developed for cationic isobutylene–isoprene copolymerization in methyl chloride with an AlCl₃ catalyst. Kinetic constants of this process have been derived from experimental data available on copolymerization kinetics (isobutylene conversion curve) and on molecular weight characteristics of the isobutylene–isoprene copolymer (butyl rubber). The adequacy of the theoretical kinetic model of the isobutylene–isoprene copolymerization process has been demonstrated by comparing the calculated molecular weight characteristics and degree of unsaturation of butyl rubber to the corresponding independent experimental data.     

Macrokinetics of the cationic copolymerization of isobutylene with isoprene

A theoretical model has been developed for the macrokinetics of cationic isobutylene–isoprene copolymerization in a stirred reactor and in a tubular turbulent reactor. The model provides means to calculate the reaction mass temperature, velocity, and turbulence kinetic energy fields. The adequacy of the model has been demonstrated using the Fisher criterion. Computational experiments have been carried out to estimate the effects of the catalyst concentration and the rotational speed of the stirrer (in the case of the synthesis conducted in a stirred reactor) and the effects of reaction mixture velocity and apparatus diameter (in the case of the synthesis conducted in a tubular turbulent reactor) on molecular weight characteristics of the resulting copolymer (butyl rubber).     

Trifluoroacetate complexes of 3<Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis> elements: Specific features of syntheses and structures

Data on the syntheses and structures of trifluoroacetates of 3d elements mainly based on our results are reviewed. Specific features of the coordination chemistry of mono-, oligo-, and polynuclear trifluoroacetate complexes are successively considered. Special attention is given to oxo- and fluorotrifluoroacetates containing the trinuclear triangular fragment as a structural unit. Structural features of trifluoroacetates compared to other carboxylates are discussed.     

X-ray and synchrotron methods in studies of cultural heritage sites

X-ray and synchrotron methods that are most widely used in studies of cultural heritage objects (including archaeological sites)—X-ray diffraction analysis, X-ray spectroscopy, and visualization techniques— have been considered. The reported examples show high efficiency and informativeness of natural science studies when solving most diverse problems of archaeology, history, the study of art, museology, etc.     

Single-photon emission computed tomography in a proportional scattering medium

The reconstruction of the spatial distribution of radiation sources in a proportional scattering medium has been considered. An exact solution of the inverse tomographic problem has been obtained by analytically solving the radiation transport equation for arbitrary distributions of radiation sources and extinction coefficient and exact boundary conditions. The type and scale of distortions associated with radiation scattering in tomographic reconstructions have been demonstrated.     

Transcontinental radio tomographic chain: First results of ionospheric imaging

The results of studying the structure of the ionospheric plasma distribution from data obtained at the transcontinental Russian radio tomographic chain, which is the world’s longest, are presented. The 4000 km long tomographic chain extends from the Svalbard Archipelago to Sochi. The unique feature of this upgraded radio tomographic system is that for the first time observations cover a wide sector of the ionosphere from high latitudes (polar cap and auroral region) to low latitudes. This allows us to study the transfer of perturbations in the system auroral-subauroral-midlatitude-low latitude ionosphere, and to analyze ionospheric electron density distributions in different latitudinal regions as a function of different external factors and solar-geophysical conditions. The first recent results speak for a complex structure of the ionospheric plasma, even in quiet geophysical conditions (K _p < 2.)     

Investigation of the formation of quasicrystalline Al<Subscript>70</Subscript>-Pd<Subscript>20</Subscript>-Re<Subscript>10</Subscript> phase in situ during annealing

The change in the phase composition of thin-film layered AlPdRe nanostructures during annealing, which led to the formation of a quasicrystalline layer, has been studied in situ. It is shown that the Al₃Pd phase is formed at a temperature above 260°C, which transforms into the AlPd phase at 580°C, and the icosahedral quasicrystalline Al-Pd-Re phase is formed at 680°C.     

Formation of Dusty Plasma Clouds at Meteoroid Impact on the Surface of the Moon

The nature of two dusty plasma clouds appearing because of the impact of a meteoroid on the surface of the Moon has been discussed. It has been shown that one of the clouds is formed by particles (or fragments) of regolith ejected into free space by a shock wave induced by the meteoroid impact on the surface of the Moon and the second cloud is formed by solidified melt droplets. The main characteristics of these clouds, including the cloud expansion rates, the characteristic sizes of particles in both clouds, and the concentrations and charges of particles, have been calculated. The calculated cloud expansion rates are in qualitative agreement with the observational data.     

In situ study of the growth and degradation processes in tetragonal lysozyme crystals on a silicon substrate by high-resolution X-ray diffractometry

The results of an in situ study of the growth of tetragonal lysozyme crystals by high-resolution X-ray diffractometry are considered. The crystals are grown by the sitting-drop method on crystalline silicon substrates of different types: both on smooth substrates and substrates with artificial surface-relief structures using graphoepitaxy. The crystals are grown in a special hermetically closed crystallization cell, which enables one to obtain images with an optical microscope and perform in situ X-ray diffraction studies in the course of crystal growth. Measurements for lysozyme crystals were carried out in different stages of the crystallization process, including crystal nucleation and growth, developed crystals, the degradation of the crystal structure, and complete destruction.     

Complex Study of the Spearhead Superficial Crust from Burial Mound no. 1 near Novosvobodnaya Village

A complex study of a spearhead dated back to IV mill. BC from burial mound no. 1 near Novosvobodnaya village (collection of the State Historical Museum) and, in particular, the material of spearhead superficial crust has been performed. The elemental and phase composition of the metal of spearhead and the superficial crust on its surface have been determined by scanning electron microscopy, jointly with energydispersive X-ray microanalysis and X-ray phase analysis. A comparative analysis of the results of studying the spearhead superficial crust and similar crusts on other artifacts from the mounds near Novosvobodnaya village suggest natural origin of the crust on copper?arsenic artifacts.