Chronopotentiometry at platinum electrode in KF-NaF-AlF3-Al2O3 melt

Some features of the mechanism of the anode process on platinum in KF–NaF–AlF3–Al2O3 melt at 750–780 °C depending on the of anodic current density (0.5 mA/cm2 to 2.0 A/cm2) and anodic pulse duration have been studied using chronopotentiometry method. In curves of change in the platinum anode potential a small peak at current densities of 10–30 mA/cm2 and a clear peak at current densities of 0.5–2.0 A/cm2 are recorded when the current is cut on. Analysis of dependencies of the transition time on the current density indicates that the first peak in curve is associated with the formation of an oxide compound on the platinum surface, and the second one is related to hindering the diffusion for delivery of electroactive particles to its surface.The study was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (grant № 13–03–00829 A)

On the question of human life safety in geologically active zones

Today geological active zones unite active faults of lithosphere especially earth’s crust and caused by them zones of increased permeability such as paleo-valleys and underground water flows, karst and geological bodies, that are different in terms of composition and structure from the enclosing rocks. There is an evidence that mortality in geologically active zones increases dramatically, mental instability is detected and road accidents are more frequent. The purpose of this paper is to estimate the frequency of suicides among the residents of Saint Petersburg living above the geologically active zones and outside these zones and the influence of geomagnetic and gravitational disturbances on them. The dynamics of suicides among residents of 446 high-rise building in the territory of the Kalininsky and Vasileostrovsky districts of the city of Saint Petersburg is analyzed. Geological structure of those buildings was most studied. From 1999 to 2003 there were 268 suicides among the residents of such buildings. The group A included homes that were at least 40 m above the nearest tectonic fault. Group B included residential buildings located above or in the immediate vicinity of the faults. During the geomagnetic storms, full moon and new moon periods the number of suicides in a group A decreased. Magnetic storms and gravitational disturbances did not affect the frequency of suicides in a group B. There is also no significant correlation between dynamics of suicides and daily values of the K-index of the geomagnetic field, as well as between dynamics of suicides and the 3-hour geomagnetic activity in both groups. Results of studies presented in this paper show that there is no evidence of a significant negative impact of tectonic faults on people living above them

Baikal-GVD: status and prospects

Baikal-GVD is a next generation, kilometer-scale neutrino telescope under construction in Lake Baikal. It is designed to detect astrophysical neutrino fluxes at energies from a few TeV up to 100 PeV. GVD is formed by multi-megaton subarrays (clusters). The array construction started in 2015 by deployment of a reduced-size demonstration cluster named "Dubna". The first cluster in its baseline configuration was deployed in 2016, the second in 2017 and the third in 2018. The full scale GVD will be an array of ~10000 light sensors with an instrumented volume of about 2 cubic km. The first phase (GVD-1) is planned to be completed by 2020-2021. It will comprise 8 clusters with 2304 light sensors in total. We describe the design of Baikal-GVD and present selected results obtained in 2015-2017.Comment: 9 pages, 8 figures. Conference proceedings for QUARKS201

Development of Multi-Analytical Immune-Chromatographic Device for Toxin Indication

Objective of the work was to construct immune-chromatographic device for indication of five toxin types in a single processing cycle and investigation of its capacities regarding environment sample analysis and food testing. Obtained were the conjugates of monoclonal antibodies with nano-particles of colloid gold, formed were membrane composites for sandwich immune-chromatography of separate toxins. On the basis of distinct test panels designed was immune-chromatographic device for multiple analyses, which contained multi-analytical detection element, swab for surface sampling, and storage vessel with test buffer. This device allowed for concurrent identification of botulinic toxins A, B types concentrated up to 5 and 10 ng/ml, respectively; staphylococcal toxin B type - 40 ng/ml, cholera toxin - 500 ng/ml, and ricin - 80 ng/ml, within a single processing cycle. Demonstrated was the possibility of toxin detection in washings from ambient object surfaces, as well as in foodstuffs. Described was preliminary food sample preparation procedure

Diagnostic Nutrient Media for Isolation and Identification of Anthrax Agent

Designed is a differential-diagnostic solid nutrient media for isolation and identification of anthrax agent. This media contains: nutrient base (enzymic hydrolysate of fishbone powder), agar-agar, D (+)-sorbite, pH indicator bromthymol blue, and broad-spectrum antibiotic (polymyxin). The media makes it possible to differentiate virulent (capsular) and avirulent (non-capsular) Bacillus anthracis strains, as well as closely related saprophyte microorganisms, depending upon the color and colony morphology

Diagnostic Efficiency of Adsorbed Anthrax Vegetative Fluorescent Immunoglobulins Demonstrated in the Medical Trials

Studied is the diagnostic efficiency (specific activity, sensitivity, specificity, reproducibility) of anthrax vegetative fluorescent immunoglobulins. Based on the data, received in medical trials, this preparation is recommended for registration as a product for medical application in the Russian Federation

Tularemia: Relevant Issues and Forecast of Epidemic Situation in the Territory of the Russian Federation in 2018

168 cases of human infection with Francisella tularensis were registered in the Russian Federation in 2017. 80 % of the cases are accounted for by three Federal Districts: North-Western, North-Caucasian, and Siberian ones. Epizootic manifestations of the infection of varying intensity were reported in 61 constituent entities of the Russian Federation. High morbidity rates in 2017 were observed in the Stavropol Territory – 49 tularemia cases, in the Republic of Karelia – 40, Omsk Region – 20, and Saint Petersburg – 12. To assess epizootic and epidemic situation in each constituent entity of the Federation, the numbers of small mammals and their species composition, infection rates of rodents, ticks, mosquitoes, horseflies, hunting animals, nests, regurgitates of birds of prey and excrements of carnivores, surface water bodies, agent culture numbers, isolated from clinical samples, animals, ticks and water, as well as the data on incidence and vaccination of the population in the region were analyzed. The conclusion has been drawn in regard to the territories where epidemic complications are most likely to occur in 2018

Multidrug Resistance of <i>F. tularensis</i> subsp. <i>holarctica</i>, Epizootiological and Epidemiological Analysis of the Situation on Tularemia in the Russian Federation in 2022 and Forecast for 2023

The review provides concise information on the innate ability of cells of the tularemia pathogen, Francisella tularensis subsp. Holarctica, to resist antimicrobials through a variety of mechanisms, leading to its multi-resistance. In total, taking into account new territories, 120 cases of human infection were registered in the Russian Federation in 2022. Epizootic manifestations of the infection of varying degrees of intensity were detected in 58 constituent entities. Against this background, sporadic cases of tularemia in humans were reported in 18 regions of the country. An outbreak of tularemia occurred in the Stavropol Territory; the disease of mild and moderate severity was found in 76 people. The increased incidence of tularemia persists in the Republic of Karelia with severe cases of the disease in the absence of immunoprophylaxis of this infection in the region. A total of 61 cultures of the tularemia pathogen F. tularensis subsp. holarctica, out of which 20 erythromycin-resistant strains were isolated in the Stavropol Territory. In addition, 8 cultures of F. tularensis subsp. mediasiatica from a silt sample and mites Dermacentor silvarum and Haemaphysalis concinna caught in the Republic of Altai were isolated. On the territory of the Russian Federation in 2022, 930 999 people were vaccinated and revaccinated against tularemia. Based on the analysis of the data obtained in 2022, epidemic complications in 2023 in the form of sporadic cases of the disease among the unvaccinated population are most likely to occur in the territories of the Central Federal District – in the Vladimir, Ryazan and Smolensk Regions; Northwestern Federal District – in the Arkhangelsk Region and the Republic of Karelia; Southern Federal District – in the Volgograd and Rostov Regions. The situation in the North Caucasian Federal District will remain tense in the Stavropol Territory; in the Volga Federal District – in the territories of the Saratov Region, as well as in the Kirov Region and the Republic of Mordovia; Ural Federal District – in Khanty-Mansi and Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Districts; Siberian Federal District – in certain territories of Omsk, Kemerovo, Tomsk, Novosibirsk, Irkutsk Regions, Altai, Krasnoyarsk Territories; in the Far Eastern Federal District, the most intense epizootic activity of natural tularemia foci is in Primorsky Krai

Epizootiological and Epidemiological Situation on Tularemia in Russia in 2020, the Forecast for 2021

The purpose of the review is to assess the trends in the development of epizootic activity in various territories of the Russian Federation in order to identify the regions of increased risk of infection of the population with tularemia pathogen in 2021 and to plan and carry out high-priority measures in these regions, such as vaccination, investments in water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure, epizootiological monitoring of natural foci and other measures aimed at suppressing the activity of natural foci and the development of herd immunity to this infection. In 2020, 41 cases of human infection with tularemia pathogen were registered on the territory of the Russian Federation, 60 % of which occurred in the Northwestern Federal District. Epizootic manifestations of the infection of varying intensity were detected in 55 constituent entities of Russia. Against this background, sporadic cases of tularemia in humans were registered in 14 regions of the country. The most pronounced epidemic complications continue in the territory of Karelia – 23 patients. 12 cultures of Francisella tularensis subsp. holarctica from the ambient environment were isolated in the Vologda (3), Rostov Regions (6), in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous District (2), and in St. Petersburg (1). Based on the analysis of the data presented, in 2021, epidemic complications in the form of sporadic cases of the disease among the unvaccinated population in the following territories are most likely to occur: Central Federal District – in the Oryol, Ryazan and Yaroslavl Regions, as well as in Moscow; Northwestern Federal District – in the Arkhangelsk and Leningrad Regions, the Republic of Karelia and in St. Petersburg; Volga Federal District – in Tatarstan, Mordovia, Chuvash Republic, Kirov and Orenburg Regions; Ural Federal District – in the Khanty-Mansiysk, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Districts and the Tyumen Region; Siberian Federal District – in the Novosibirsk, Kemerovo, Tomsk and Omsk Regions, as well as in the Altai Territory; Far Eastern Federal District – in some regions of Kamchatka and Khabarovsk Territories