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Bi2–х La х Fe4O9 and Bi2Fe4–2x Ti x Co x O9 ferrites have been prepared by solid-state reactions at a temperature of 1073 K. X-ray diffraction data indicate that, in the Bi2–х La х Fe4O9 system, the limiting degree of La3+ substitution for Bi3+ ions in Bi2Fe4O9 does not exceed 0.05 and that the limiting degree of substitution in the Bi2Fe4–2x Ti x Co x O9 system lies in the range 0.05 < x < 0.1. The specific magnetization and specific magnetic susceptibility of the samples have been measured at temperatures from 5 to 300 K in a magnetic field of 0.86 T. The field dependences of magnetization obtained for the Bi2–х La х Fe4O9 and Bi2Fe4–2x Ti x Co x O9 ferrites at temperatures of 300 and 5 K demonstrate that partial isovalent substitution of La3+ for Bi3+ ions in Bi2Fe4O9 and heterovalent substitution of Ti4+ and Co2+ ions for two Fe3+ ions leads to partial breakdown of the antiferromagnetic state and nucleation of a ferromagnetic state.

Examined various cases of human touch to emergency equipment in the mains voltage up to 1 kV at different types of grounding system TN. In analyzing the various cases derived the analytical contact voltage relations depending on various parameters of the electrical network. For different cases of human touch in the TN system are reviewed transitional processes.

The paper describes a modular design of a wheelset. Three prototypes of wheelsets and track were manufactured using the π theorem. Full-scale wheelsets for a cargo car truck were also manufactured. The results compare the movement dynamics of conventional and modular wheel-sets mounted on cargo car trucks.

The possibility of the car dynamic performance improvement is studied through structural changes (modernization) of the passenger bogie. Based on the calculations of the natural oscillations of the car, the critical values were determined and rational values of the damper resistance coefficient were chosen for vertical and lateral vibrations. It was concluded that with the forced spatial fluctuations of a carriages on KCCW-CRI bogies the required damping value of the vertical oscillations should be twice as large as for the lateral ones; important factors in damping of the car oscillations are the central suspension dampers. The rational angle of installation of the hydraulic damper in the central suspension and the use of separate action in the central suspension of hydraulic dampers are justified. The proposed version of the modernization of the bogie can improve the smoothness indicators of the car by 25-30%.

Physics letters / B 780, 200 - 204 (2018). doi:10.1016/j.physletb.2018.03.013, Published by North-Holland Publ., Amsterdam

The first data on the Middle Riphean (Stenian) age of the Isherim Formation developed in the synonymous anticlinorium of the North Urals and U–Pb age of detrital zircons from its arkosic sandstones are discussed.

Sexual features of physical development of students studied at the technical specialties of higher educational establishments were studied. According to our data, there is not the authentic distinctions on calendar age between young men and girls. However, they differ by physical development and functional age. The rate of physical development of the girls is more than of the young men. The girls’ physical development is characterized by formation of internal system interrelations between elements of the functional system.

The major rivers of Central Asia are transboundary rivers, used for countries of the region for both irrigation and hydropower production. This determines a conflict of interests between those sectors, which, after 1991, rose to an intergovernmental level. The paper shows that the solution of this problem is possible only through integration in utilizing the potentialities of the existing United Power Grid of Central Asian Countries.

The Isherim anticlinorium is located in the NorthUrals (Fig. 1). It represents one of the inliers of thePrePaleozoic basement of the Urals, a world standardof fold belts, which includes structures and complexesreflecting several geodynamic development stages.Recently, age and formation settings of granitoids relatively widespread within this structure are the subjectof acrimonious debates. They are considered as beingthe Late Ordovician [3], Middle Devonian–MiddleCarboniferous and Permian–Triassic [10], Ordovician–Cambrian [9], Late Ordovician and Early Cambrian [4], or Vendian–Cambrian and Middle–LateOrdovician [2] in age. The available isotopic–geochronologic dates obtained mostly in the 1960s indicate ages ranging from the Late Riphean to Permianand, thus, cannot be used for determining age of granitoids and reconstructing their geodynamic settings.At the same time, the answer to the question onbelonging of igneous rocks of the Isherim anticlinorium to the Uralides or PreUralides is of principalsignificance for specifying the boundary of subductionrelated and orogenic complexes of theTimanides. For example, the authors of [7] draw themain collisional suture between sequences of the LateProterozoic passive margin of the Baltica continentand accreted blocks north of the Isherim anticlinorium, while other researchers [14] show it as locatedsouth of the latter. Our investigations provide groundsfor an assumption that the Isherim block was accretedto the passive margin of Baltica. The Isherim anticlinorium is composed of Middleand Lower Riphean sedimentary sequences intrudedby dikes, stocks, and sills of various igneous rocks andoverlain by Ordovician terrigenous, volcanogenic, andcarbonate complexes. The Middle Riphean sequencesare represented by metasandstones and metasiltstonesof the Ras’ya Formation overlain by marbled limestones and dolomites of the Moiva Formation and carbonaceous metasiltstones of the Murav’inyi Formation. The Middle Riphean age of carbonate rocks constituting the Moiva Formation is traditionallysubstantiated by finds of stromatolites

Wind profiler based on continuous laser source is considers in this work. This lidar allows to solve the task of wind profile restoration up to 300 m altitude. Hardware level signal processing technic is developed by JSC «BANS». Increasing accuracy and speed of wind parameters calculation signal processing technics have been studied in this research.

Impulse wind lidar (IWL) signal processing software developed by JSC «BANS» recovers full wind speed vector by radial projections and provides wind parameters information up to 2 km distance. Increasing accuracy and speed of wind parameters calculation signal processing technics have been studied in this research. New double-elevation scan scheme and IWL data processing algorithm was developed and tested on lidar data base obtained during 70 hour atmosphere scan. Also, developed new IWL scanning scheme results were analyzed and compared to classic scheme

At present, the possible existence of a sterile neutrino having a significantly smaller cross section of interaction with a substance than, for example, electronic antineutrinos from a reactor is being widely discussed. It has been suggested that, due to reactor antineutrino transition into a sterile state, one can observe both the oscillation effect at short distances (5–15 m) from the reactor and a deficiency of the reactor antineutrino flux at large distances. We have investigated the possibility of performing experiments in search for reactor antineutrino oscillations into a sterile state on research reactors. A model experiment has been carried out on a 16-MW WWR-M reactor at the Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute with a view to implementing a full-scale experiment using a 100-MW SM-3 reactor at the Research Institute of Atomic Reactors (RIAR). Background conditions of these experiments have been studied for both reactors. It is concluded that the implementation of a full-scale Neutrino-4 experiment on the SM-3 reactor at the RIAR is possible.

Magnetic susceptibility for ferrite Bi25FeO39 is measured at 5–950 K in the magnetic field of 0.86 T. It is shown that Bi25FeO39 is paramagnetic in the temperature range 5−950 K. The saturation magnetization is equal to 5.04μB per formula unit at 5 K in a magnetic field of 10 T. It is found that at 5−300 K the effective magnetic moment of Fe3+ ions in Bi25FeO39 is equal to 5.82μB.

The work is dedicated to identifying the causes and making recommendations to reduce the intensive wear of the wheelset flanges in operation. A mathematical simulation of the movement of a freight car with the definition of the trajectories of all its elements and the existing forces has carried out. A laden four-axle gondola with nominal parameters of carriages and not worn wheel profiles was taken as an object. The friction forces developed at the contact points of the wheels and rails were taken as the criterion determining the wheel wear. According to the simulation results, the analysis of the intensity of wear of wheelset flanges was carried out depending on the change in the gauge, the broadening of the gauge in the curves and the elevation of the outer rail. It is established the rationalization of the size of the gaps between the wheelset flanges and rails, broadening the elevation of the outer rails in the curves reduces the flange wear by 3-4 times.

The molar magnetic susceptibility (χmol) of Bi1 − x La x Fe1 − x Co x O3 solid solutions (x = 1.0, 0.9, 0.8, or 0.7) with a crystal structure of rhombohedrally distorted perovskite (R $\bar 3$ c) has been investigated in the temperature range of 5–300 K in a 0.86 T magnetic field. In the temperature range where χmol depends on temperature T according to the Curie-Weiss law, the resulting effective magnetic moments of Fe3+ and Co3+ ions ( $\mu _{eff,Fe^{3 + } ,Co^{3 + } ,} \mu _{eff,Fe^{3 + } } $ and $\mu _{eff,Co^{3 + } } $ ) have been determined for the solid solutions under study. Fe3+ ions in the solid solutions have been found to be in the mixed intermediate spin (IS) and high spin (HS) states ( $\mu _{eff,Fe^{3 + } } $ is 4.26μB and 4.68μB for the temperature range of 5–100 and 150–300 K, respectively). It is shown that 8% Co3+ ions in LaCoO3 at 5–19 K are in the paramagnetic IS state and they determine to a great extent the magnetic susceptibility. It is established that only 9% and 18% Co3+ ions in Bi1 − x La x Fe1 − x Co x O3 solid solutions (x = 0.9 or 0.8) are in the paramagnetic IS state in the temperature ranges of 5–30 and 5–110 K, respectively, while the other ions are diamagnetic.

A Doppler lidar by means of which remote measurements of the speed (in the range 0–55 m/sec) and direction of wind at specified heights (3–300 m) along with processing, representation, and transmission of the obtained data to an operator’s computer may be performed is created. The lidar is intended for off-line continuous operation in different weather conditions. Results of studies of its technical and metrological characteristics are presented.

The “Neutrino-4” experiment for the 100-MW SM-3 reactor has been developed with the aim of testing the reactor antineutrino anomaly at Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute. The advantages of this reactor for studying the antineutrino anomaly are (i) a low background level and (ii) small dimensions (35 × 42 × 42 cm) of the active zone. Operation of a position-sensitive antineutrino detector comprising five working sections and moving so as to cover a region of distances within 6–13 m from the active zone has been simulated by the Monte-Carlo method. The range of experimental sensitivity with respect to the oscillation parameters Δm 2 and sin22θ is determined, which will make it possible to confirm the hypothesis of antineutrino oscillations into a sterile state.

A new way to bring into comparison the binary- and ternary-fission configurations is proposed. The method is founded on recently discovered ROT effect. The angle of fission axis deflection from its initial orientation at the moment of scission comes into existence as a result of dividing system rotation and carries information about fissioning nucleus deformation. The comparison of proper angles for binary and ternary fission can be used to estimate the difference in the rupture configurations.

Radiofrequency (RF) Mossbauer spectra in experiments on forward scattering by thick samples of iron borate (FeBO3) below the Neel temperature are measured. The spectra have satellites spaced by doubled RF-field frequency. A semiclassical model of Mossbauer transmission through a magnetic absorber exposed to RF reversals of a hyperfine field on nuclei is proposed. The model reproduces all features of the measured spectra. Experiments and modeling calculations indicate additional possibilities for studying soft magnetic materials using this measurement scheme.

Background: In pyroprocessing sulphide complex copper ores, considerable amount of selenium along with radio genic osmium and rhenium concentrated in the solid-phase products of acid wash is disappearing with waste chromium containing solutions. Methods: Studying the peculiarities of selenium recovery in sulfuric acid chromium-containing medium is an important task, which will prevent channel losses of selenium with intermediates of sulphate production at complex processing of sulfide polymetallic raw materials and thereby increase up the production. On the basis of analysis of the literature and patent data as the most promising methods for the extraction of selenium and selenium from sulfuric acid solutions, recovery methods were chosen. Results: The thermodynamic evaluation of the possibility of extracting selenium from sulfuric acid solutions at the temperatures of 298-348 K, with the use of sulfur dioxide and sodium sulfite proved a high probability of recovering selenite-ions SeO 3 2- and to a lesser extent, selenate-ions SeO 4 2- . The experiment on precipitation of selenium were carried out on the basis of synthetic sulfuric solutions, containing, (g/l): 5-15 Se (IV), 5 Se (VI), 60 Cr (III), 5 Cr (VI), 100-250 H 2 SO 4 . It has been found that the temperature increase adversely affects the process of recovering selenium with sulfur dioxide, which is caused by reduction of the solubility of sulfur dioxide. The selenium selection process using sodium sulfate is characterized by significantly higher recovery rate due to removal of the diffusion constraints associated with the dissolution of sulfur dioxide. By using all studied reducing agents in the optimum conditions, almost complete recovery of selenium is ensured, selenium is at that recovered with not more than 60%. Conclusion: Taking into account high rates of extraction of selenium from sulphate chrome-bearing solutions, sulfur dioxide and sodium sulfite, choice of selenium recovery, largely determined by specific features of an enterprise.

Dumped slag and dust products of Norilsk region technogenic deposits are a promising source of precious and nonferrous metals. Methods for concentrating precious and nonferrous metals in multicomponent samples of the bottom deposits of slag product storage ponds are studied. A method of adhesive flotation using tributyl phosphate and straw oil followed by the collective melting – sulfatization operation, including absorption extraction of rare platinoids and preparation of rich platinum-metal concentrates, are studied.

The transmission of Mossbauer radiation through a thick ferromagnetic crystal, exposed to a radio-frequency (rf) magnetic field, is studied. The quantum-mechanical dynamical scattering theory is developed, taking into account the periodical reversals of the magnetic field at the nuclei. The Mossbauer forward scattering (FS) spectra of the weak ferromagnet FeBO3 placed into rf field are measured. It is found that the coherent gamma wave in the crystal absorbs or emits only couples of the rf photons. As a result, the FS spectra consist of equidistant lines spaced by twice the frequency of the rf field in contrast to the absorption spectra.

The main results of studying the properties of “instantaneous” neutrons and γ photons during the fission of 233, 235U(nth, f) and 239Pu(nth, f) nuclei and spontaneous fission of 252Cf, which were performed on the WWR-M reactor at the St. Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, are presented. Along with obtaining the main characteristics of the instantaneous radiation from fission fragments, these studies were also aimed at gaining deeper insight into such exotic processes as the emission of break neutrons and γ photons from a fissioning nucleus near the break point. These investigations were performed on different experimental setups using different analytical methods. This approach allowed us not only to find but also to reduce to minimum possible systematic effects. The yields of break neutrons were found to be about (5–7) × 10−2 of the total number of neutrons per 233, 235U(n, f) fission event and approximately twice as much for 239Pu(n, f) and 252Cf. The coefficient of T-odd asymmetry for γ photons is in agreement with the estimate obtained on the assumption that the observed effect is mainly related to the γ photons emitted by excited fragments with highly oriented angular momenta. This fact gave grounds to conclude that the desired break γ photons cannot be reliably selected (within the obtained experimental accuracy) against the much larger background of γ photons from fission fragments.

The new physical effects of T-odd asymmetry of the emission of light charged particles (LCPs) during the ternary fission of some heavy nuclei by cold polarized neutrons have been experimentally studied. The coefficients of triple scalar and vector correlation of the pulses of light particles and fission fragments (TRI effect) and the fivefold correlation of the same vectors (ROT effect) have been measured. These effects are believed to be caused by the rotation of polarized fissioning system around its polarization direction. The treatment of the experimental data for LCPs in the framework of this hypothesis leads to a good agreement between the calculation results and experimental data. The calculated value of the angle of rotation of the fission axis in the ternary fission of the polarized fissioning 236U* compound nucleus was used to process the results of measuring the ROT effect for γ photons from binary-fission fragments of the same nucleus. A satisfactory description of these experimental data is obtained which serves a convincing confirmation of the rotation hypothesis.

Muon catalyzed dd fusion in D2 and HD gases in the temperature range from 28 to 350 K was investigated in a series of experiments based on a time-projection ionization chamber operating with pure hydrogen. All main observables in this reaction chain were measured with high absolute precision including the resonant and non-resonant ddμ formation rates, the rate for hyperfine transitions in dμ atoms, the branching ratio of the two charge symmetric fusion channels 3He + n and t + p and the muon sticking probability. The report presents the final analysis of the data together with a comprehensive comparison with calculations based on recent μCF theories. The energy of the loosely bound ddμ state with quantum numbers J = 1, ν = 1, which is central to the mechanism of resonant molecule formation, is extracted with precision ɛ11(fit) = −1.9651(7) eV. in impressive agreement with the latest theoretical results ɛ11(theory) = −1.9646 eV.

The incidental concentration of valuable components that takes place during the processing of sulfide copper ore in Kazakhstan is accompanied by the formation of a semifinished product which contains large amounts of osmium, rhenium, and selenium. The article identifies products with high concentrations of rare micro-components, describes methods of extracting them, and discusses aspects of the technological behavior of rhenium, radiogenic osmium, and selenium.

The nonlocal equations for two harmonics of the Tollmien — Schlichting wave and averaged parameters of the incompressible boundary layer on a plate are derived. Computed results show that the wave gives rise to a friction increase on the wall, and this increase becomes substantial when the ratio of the amplitudes of the second and main harmonics reaches 0.5.

Radiation defects induced in planar nanosized structures by steady and pulsed ionizing radiation have been analyzed. Characteristics of test samples with a planar nanosized structure fabricated by deposition of an ultrathin titanium film onto a semi-insulating GaAs substrate and of field-effect transistor structures based on bundles of carbon nanotubes have been studied. Physical mechanisms responsible for the radiation-induced changes in characteristics of the nanoelectronic elements under consideration have been established.

The RF Mossbauer spectra have been measured on iron borate (FeBO3) in the forward scattering scheme. A model based on the mechanism of the RF reversal of the hyperfine field reproduces all features of the observed spectra, including the appearance of satellites at the double frequency.

The Tagil paleo-island arc terrane is composed of Late Ordovician-Devonian intrusive, volcanic, and volcano-sedimentary complexes. The western margin of the terrane is comprised of dunite-clinopyroxenite-gabbro massifs of the Ural platinum-bearing belt, which are fringed by rock strata of widely different metamorphic grades. Work on isotope systematics of olivine gabbros enabled us to infer a Vendian age (550–540 Ma) of homogenization of the Sm-Nd isotopic system of the Kytlym and Knyaspa massifs within the Ural platinum-bearing belt. The Sm-Nd ages for metamorphic rocks of the Belaya Gora complex surrounding the studied massifs also agree with a Vendian age (573–574 Ma). Our results suggest that metamorphites of the Belaya Gora complex (amphibolites, plagiogneisses, two-mica and biotite gneisses, schists containing garnet, cordierite, staurolite, gedrite, and sillimanite) and dunite-clinopyroxenite-gabbro intrusions of the proto-platinum-bearing belt may have been formed in a convergence setting above a mantle plume, most likely in a back-arc (?) extension region. Reactivation of this plume during the late Precambrian resulted in the opening of the Ural paleo-ocean. The Late Ordovician-Early Devonian times were marked by metamorphic reworking and tectonic transport of pre-Paleozoic complexes into an accretionary prism setting of the Tagil paleo-arc that was accompanied by generation of gabbroid and granitoid magmas. Based on the obtained results, the Tagil terrane can be now considered as part of the Paleozoic paleo-island arc system developed on a heterogeneous Proterozoic basement.

The angular dependence of the γ-ray asymmetry relative to the plane formed by the directions of fission-fragment separation and longitudinal polarization of the thermal neutrons inducing 235U(n, f) fission was investigated. The results obtained confirm the existence of γ-ray emission asymmetry and the dependence of its coefficient on the angle between the axes of the fission-fragment and γ-ray detectors, revealed for the first time by the ITEP group at the FRM-II reactor in Munich. The observed T-odd effect of around ∼2 × 10−4 can be explained by the angular anisotropy of the γ-ray emission from fission fragments with large angular momenta oriented relative to the fission axis.

At the continuous wave (cw) Superconducting Darmstadt Electron Linear Accelerator S-DALINAC, a new method has been developed for the determination of the electric ( α ¯ ) and magnetic ( β ¯ ) polarizabilities of the proton and the deuteron. For that purpose the energy and angular dependence of the differential cross-section for elastic γ p and γ d scattering of bremsstrahlung photons in the energy range between 20 and 100 MeV is measured by detecting the recoiling proton (deuteron) in coincidence with the scattered bremsstrahlung photon. α ¯ and β ¯ are then found by means of a best fit to a theoretical description of the scattering cross-section with these quantities as open parameters. The experimental setup consists of a bremsstrahlung photon facility, two specially designed high pressure hydrogen (deuterium) ionization chambers which serve as targets and detectors of the recoil proton (deuteron), NaI gamma spectrometers and several additional detectors for beam diagnostics and normalization. The whole setup was tested using bremsstrahlung photon beams with endpoint energies of 60 and 79.3 MeV. The results of the test experiments show that future high-statistics measurements are feasible.

In his works published in the early 20th century, H. Steinman characterized ophiolites as a genetic asso� ciation of peridotites, gabbro, dolerites, and basalts. The Penrose Conference held in 1972 contributed much to generalization of available materials and solution of problems related to the origin, composi� tion, and structure of the ophiolitic association. At this meeting, it was suggested to consider ophiolites as fragments of the oceanic crust and include the ultra� mafic, gabbroid, doleritic (basic complex of sheeted dikes), and basaltic complexes into this association [1]. Subsequently, R.G. Coleman, N.L. Dobretsov, J. Pierce, A. Miyashiro, and other researchers paid attention to the formation of ophiolites in different

Among various types of gold-bearing ores a special place belongs to the ores, which contain gold finely-dispersed in sulphide minerals, mostly in arseno-pyrite and pyrite. Autoclave-hydrometallurgical processing technologies for such raw materials seem to be of a particular interest for study. However, autoclave oxidation of sulfide-arsenic material results in significant amounts of technological solutions with high concentrations of arsenic, iron and sulfuric acid.This article represents the studies of how arsenic behaves in autoclave oxidative leaching of a refractory sulphide gold-platinum-bearing concentrate. We studied how the composition of arsenic-bearing solutions in autoclave leaching (acidity, concentration of iron and arsenic) influences the depth of arsenic precipitation when neutralized with calcium-containing reagents, which allows converting the maximum amount of arsenic together with iron in the form of iron arsenate into a stable long-term storable precipitation.

Methodic approaches to the prediction of a positive corporate image of pharmaceutical organizations are presented. A technique is developed for the prediction of a risk of loss of the corporate image. The technique includes the algorithm for construction of estimation and prediction tables and rules of their usage.

The current situation with water use in Central Asia is analyzed. It is shown that the optimal way to resolve the conflict between irrigation and water power engineering in the region is their joint development by constructing large hydropower stations with reservoirs.

The provenance composition and geological evolution of different segments in the distal zone of the Late Vendian foreland basin of the Timan orogen were deciphered on the basis of sequence stratigraphic reconstructions and precision geochemical data on the Upper Vendian fine-grained terrigenous rocks from the Southeast White Sea region, Vychegda, Verkhnekama, and Shkapovo-Shikhan basins, and the Kvarkush-Kamennogorsk and Bashkirian meganticlinoriums. The Upper Vendian of the Southeast White Sea region is subdivided into four sequences: Agma, Solza, Zimnie Gory, and Erga. The tracing of sequence boundaries and lateral facies associations from the Southeast White Sea Region to the South Urals made it possible to identify the main stages of the evolution of sedimentary filling of the foreland basin: (I) shallow water epiplatformal basin, (II) isolated basin, (III) lowstand system tract, and (IV) progradation of delta platforms. Position of data points of the Upper Vendian shales, silty mudstones, and mudstones plotted in the diagrams Th-La, Ni-Cr, GdN/YbN-Eu/Eu*, Sc-Th/Sc, La/Sm-Sc/Th, and Co/Hf-Ce/Cr, together with their REE systematics and data on Nd model ages indicates that the Proterozoic, including Neoproterozoic rocks of the Timan thrust-folded belt served as the main source for fine aluminosiliciclastic material in the distal zones of the Timan foreland basin. Obtained results are consistent with the concept that the Vendian stage of the evolution of the Eastern European platform is related to the intense input of allochthonous material in its peripheral area owing to the activation of orogenic processes in the adjacent mobile belts and allow us to significantly specify the paleogeographical reconstructions.

Increasing the degree of Ga3+ substitution for Co3+ ions in LaCo1 − xGaxO3 solid solutions (x = 0–1) considerably reduces their electrical conductivity: at T= 850 K, from 190.5 S/cm in LaCoO3 to 1.32 × 10−5 S/cm in the x = 0.95 solid solution. The anomaly in the temperature-dependent conductivity of the solid solutions, due to the broad semiconductor-metal transition, decreases with increasing x. For x ≥ 0.8, there is a very weak or no anomaly. The activation energies for conduction in the samples with x = 0.90 and 0.95 are 0.89 and 0.92 eV, respectively. At room temperature, the materials with 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3 have a negative thermoelectric power. With increasing temperature, it increases, crosses zero between 435 and 530 K, reaches a maximum in the range 500–650 K, and decreases at higher temperatures.

A systematic theoretical study of laser-irradiated targets made of material with increasing atomic number has been performed. The formation of energetic light ions resulting from the interaction of an intense ultrashort pulse laser with thin planar targets is investigated theoretically with a two-dimensional relativistic electromagnetic particle-in-cell model. A common parameter, the areal electron density of the foil, can be used to describe qualitatively targets made of different material. By varying either the laser intensity or the target thickness we observe a gradual transition of various ion acceleration mechanisms from one into another. Light ions, such as H+, Li3+, C6+, and Al13+, can be accelerated to GeV energies with existing laser systems at a laser fluence of 10–20 J/μm2.

This article surveys the current state of the recycling of copper-bearing sludge from electrolysis operations. It notes the main advantages and disadvantages of existing recycling methods, the final operation in which is the smelting of a gold-silver alloy. It is shown that the smelting is the main source of losses of noble metals. The main direction that should be taken to improve sludge recycling is the development of a hydrometallurgical technology that completely eliminates the smelting stage. The article examines several variants of hydrometallurgical technologies. It was found that there has not yet been enough research into the hydrometallurgical decomposition of chalcogenides of noble metals. This process determines the conditions under which gold and silver are concentrated during the recycling of sludge. Existing Russian technologies for extracting selenium in sludge processing are discussed, and it was determined that one of the main ways of improving selenide roasting technology might be the electrolytic precipitation of selenium. Also discussed are different aspects of making the decision to recycle sludge by hydrometallurgical means and the importance of solving problems related to separation of the valuable components.

Today’s continuous increase in prices paid for mineral fuel, and stringency of requirements to protect the environment from pollution by hot-house gases throughout the entire world is promoting growing interest in the development of water power. In Russia, for example, construction is therefore being planned for a number of new HPP, and prospects for resumption of construction on the Rogunskaya HPP in Tadzhikistan and the Kambartin HPP in Kirgizia are being actively revisited. High dams, including those built of earthen materials are a component part in all large-scale HPP. The most important problem encountered for these dams is the assurance of their reliability and safety; this is achieved primarily by the strength of the soils employed. Large-lump soils, the volumes of which are frequently very large, are some of the basic materials utilized for the construction of high earthen dams. Thus, the volume of soils in the Nurek and Rogunskaya (designed by the Sredazgidroproekt) Dams is 54.2 and 72.1 million m3, respectively. Although man has used conventional soils as a construction material for several thousands of years, large-lump soils, the size of individual lumps of which reaches 500 mm and more, has come into use only recently since the middle of the last century after the appearance of heavy-duty construction equipment capable of excavating and transporting them, and placing and compacting them in a structure [1, 2]. The two basic types of large-lump spoils are gravellyconglomerate mixtures, and a quarried mass of broken stone. Here, the strength of large-lump soils has been standardized only for sandy and gravelly-sandy soils for hydraulicked dams, whereupon standardization has been to a large degree conditional for densities that vary over a rather broad range. It is also possible to note that the design strength for these soils has also been established with insufficient accuracy; this has necessitated its substantial reduction in Construction Rule and Regulation 2.06.05–84 as compared with Construction Rule and Regulation II-53–73 (Table 1). As for large-lump soils in rolled filled dams, the Constructions Rules and Regulations recommend the density be determined from results of direct tests of the soils, or their standard mixtures. Strength investigations for large-lump soils are very labor-intensive, and require considerable time; tests with these soils are therefore conducted only within the framework of plans for specific large-scale structures, and in very limited volumes. Due to the high labor intensiveness and duration of direct strength tests for large-lump soils, these investigations for each specific case are, as a rule, restricted to the testing of only a small number of specimens (3 – 5) for different normal-stress values o. Experimental data are reduced in o – o coordinates. The resultant o = f(o) line or curve also serves as the basis for determination of the desired strength parameters tan o and c. Here, the standard strength is assumed equal to the average value. Moreover, the design strength is generally conditional in nature, since it is impossible here to satisfy requirements of the Construction Rules and Regulations regarding its level of significance, for which the 90-percentile strength, or strength corresponding to a confidence level of 0.95 is adopted. A large number of points would be required for this purpose. And mainly, all test points on the experimental o = f(o) curve are, as a rule, obtained during the testPower Technology and Engineering Vol. 43, No. 2, 2009

Cobaltites-gallates in the binary system LaCoO3 – LaGaO3 are synthesized. X-ray phase analysis showed that a continuous series of solid solutions with the composition LaCo1 − x Ga x O3 is formed in the system investigated. It is determined that solid solutions with 0