Viscosity of fluoride melts promising for molten salt nuclear reactors

The viscosity of molten salt, as an important hydrodynamic property, should be taken into account when creating and operating molten salt nuclear reactors (MSRs). An eutectic FLiNaK is considered to be one of the most suitable for use in MSR designed for the minor actinides transmutation. The dynamic viscosity of the molten mixtures FLiNaK + NdF3, FLiNaK + CeF3 and FLiNaK + LaF3 was measured in a temperature range of 600–700 °C using the high-temperature rotary rheometer FRS-1600. Lanthanide fluorides were considered as analogues of actinide fluorides. It was revealed that the additions of rare earth fluorides (REM)F3 in amount of 15 mol. % significantly impact the viscosity of the system FLiNaK + (REM)F3,but the effect of NdF3, CeF3 and LaF3 was found to be almost the same. In order to calculate the kinematic viscosity of the molten mixture FLiNaK + NdF3, a regression equation depending on several parameters was derived. This model equation can be used for predicting the kinematic viscosity of molten mixtures of FLiNaK with other rare earth fluorides.https://doi.org/10.15826/elmattech.2023.2.02

New possibilities and tools for corporate strategic management for supporting its high competitiveness and economic effectiveness

The purpose of the article is to determine new possibilities and tools for corporate strategic management and to substantiate the necessity for their usage for supporting a company’s competitiveness and economic effectiveness in modern Russia. The information and analytical basis of the research consists of the materials of the Report on global competitiveness for 2016-2017, prepared within the World economic forum. For verification of the offered hypothesis, the methods of deduction, induction, synthesis, systemic, problem, and structural & functional analysis, as well as analysis of causal connections, and the methods of modeling and formalization were used. Because of the research, a conclusion is made that imperfection of the process of strategic management is a reason for low competitiveness and economic effectiveness of modern Russian companies. To solve this problem, the authors substantiate the necessity for applying the principle of interactivity, which supposes consideration of new possibilities and usage of leading tools in the process of corporate strategic management and develop the recommendations and offer an interactive model for strategic management of a modern company in modern Russia for the purpose of supporting high competitiveness and economic effectiveness of domestic entrepreneurship.peer-reviewe

New forms of coal industry management

The article studies progress and problems of development of coal industry in modern Russia and views regulatory basis and perspectives of use of new forms of coal industry management, which include public-private partnership and formation of territorial clusters.peer-reviewe

The Global Financial Crisis and the Banking System of Russia: Problems and Prospects

Russia's banking system is one of the most important for the country's economic development systems and developing dynamically. The banking system in each country reflects its economic and financial situation, the first responding to the UPS and downs in the national and global economy. The stable development of the banking sector ensures the stability of the entire state. Meanwhile, the crises affecting the banking system can change the growth prospects of national economies, resulting in ensuring the financial stability of the state is the basis of its development. Over the past two decades, the banking system of different levels of development of States faced financial turmoil, destabilizing national financial markets. Being in the center of economic life, serving the interests of manufacturers, banks mediate communication between industry and trade, agriculture and population. Banks play a huge role in further deepening and improvement of market relations in the country. Keywords: economic crisis, banking system, Russia, global financial crisis, economic development JEL Classifications: L83, Z30, Z32, F6

Leaf Extracts of Invasive Woody Species Demonstrate Allelopathic Effects on the Growth of a Lawn Grass Mixture

Biochemical composition was studied in the leaf litter of alien woody species included in the 100 most aggressive invasive species of Europe: Ailanthus altissima, Quercus rubra, Acer negundo, Robinia pseudoacacia, and Elaeagnus angustifolia. Using GC-MS, we detected 187 metabolites in the leaf litter, which are phenolic acids and their derivatives, carbohydrates and their derivatives, polyphenolic compounds, cyclic esters, glycosides, and amino acids and their derivatives. Species-specific metabolites were identified for each species. The main allelochemicals in the leaf litter extract of Q. rubra are determined mainly by the relative abundance of phenolic and fatty acids and their esters, whereas those in the leaf litter extract of R. pseudoacacia are determined by carbohydrates and their derivatives and ester of fatty acid, and those in the leaf litter extract of A. altissima are determined by glycosides. Profiles of macro- and microelements were characterized. It was found that aqueous extracts of leaf litter from all the invasive woody plants under study have a negative effect on the seed germination and initial growth of Vicia cracca and Avena strigosa used for the reclamation of disturbed urban and industrial lands. At the same time, V. cracca is potentially more sensitive

Electrolytes Based on the Potassium Kriolit for Low-Temperature Obtaining of Aluminium

Исследованы и описаны общими регрессионными уравнениями основные физико-химические свойства (температура ликвидуса, электропроводность, растворимость оксида алюминия) смешанных калий-натриевых криолитовых расплавов с криолитовым отношением 1,3-1,5 с добавками LiF и CaF2. На основании выявленных закономерностей определены составы электролитов, перспективные для низкотемпературного электролитического получения алюминия: KF-AlF3 и KF-NaF-AlF3, содержащие 12-15 мас. % NaF, с криолитовым отношением 1,3-1,5 и температурой ликвидуса ниже 800 °С. Растворимость глинозема в таких электролитах составляет не менее 4,5 мас. % в интервале температур 700-800 °С. Для повышения электропроводности рекомендуются добавки LiF в количестве не более 3 мас. %. Присутствие CaF2 в электролите нежелательноThe general regression equations basic physical and chemical properties (liquidus temperature, conductivity, solubility of alumina) mixed potassium-sodium cryolite melts with cryolite ratio 1,3- 1,5 with additives LiF and CaF2 are investigated and described. Based on the identified patterns the electrolyte composition, promising for low-temperature aluminum electrowinning are defined: KFAlF3 and KF-NaF-AlF3, containing 12-15 wt.% NaF, with cryolite ratio of 1,3-1,5 and the liquidus temperature below 800 C. The solubility of alumina in electrolytes such is not less than 4.5 wt.% in the temperature range of 700-800 C. In order to increase the electrical conductivity supplements LiF in an amount of not more than 3 wt.% are recommended. CaF2 in the presence of the electrolyte is not desirabl

A Cross-Sectional Study of the Gut Microbiota Composition in Moscow Long-Livers

The aim was to assess the gut microbiota of long-livers from Moscow. This study included two groups of patients who signed their consent to participate. The group of long-livers (LL) included 20 participants aged 97–100 years (4 men and 16 women). The second group included 22 participants aged 60–76 years (6 men) without clinical manifestations of chronic diseases (healthy elderly). Gut microbiota was studied by 16S rRNA sequencing. Long-livers underwent a complex geriatric assessment as well as expanded blood biochemistry. Gut microbiota composition in the cohorts was also compared with microbiome in long-livers from Japan and Italy. Russian long-livers’ microbiome contained more beneficial bacteria than healthy elderly including Ruminococcaceae, Christensenellaceae, Lactobacillaceae families. Conditional pathogens like Veillonellaceae, Mogibacteriaceae, Alcaligenaceae, Peptococcaceae, Peptostreptococcaceae were more abundant in the healthy elderly. Compared with Italian and Japanese microbiome LL, the Russian LL appeared to be more similar to the Italian cohort. Bifidobacterium/Coprococcus and Faecalibacterium/Coprococcus balances were associated with femoral and carotid intima–media thickness, respectively. Bifidobacterium/Coriobacteriaceae balance was assessed with the folic acid level and Faecalibacterium/Coriobacteriaceae_u the with Mini Nutritional Assessment score. Long-livers’ microbiome appeared to be unexpectedly balanced. The high representation of beneficial bacteria in long-livers may prevent them from low-grade inflammation and thus protect them from the development of atherosclerosis and other aging-associated conditions

Aromatic Plants Metabolic Engineering: A Review

Secondary metabolites of aromatic plants are used in many health applications as drugs, pheromones, insecticides, fragrances, and antioxidants. Due to the huge commercial demand for these secondary metabolites, the need to overcome the insufficient productivity of aromatic plants has become a significant challenge. Plant breeding is a traditional, labor-intensive, and limited method to improve the ability of aromatic plants to produce secondary metabolites. Modern methods of biotechnology, including genetic engineering and genome editing, can be useful and cost-effective in improving aromatic plants, as they can increase the efficiency of obtaining plants with high productivity and the creation of resistant forms and breeding lines. This review illustrates the importance of developing methods for the modification of aromatic plants belonging to different families, with a predictable quality, resistance to adverse factors and pests, and intensive growth and high yields and productivity of valuable essential oils. Particular attention is paid to successful examples of the modification of aromatic plants, applied methods, and principal approache

Зараженность мышевидных грызунов лесных массивов Белгородской области иксодовыми клещами

Rodents are one of the largest groups of existing mammals and number more than 2,270 known species, which is almost 42 % of the total biodiversity of worldwide-distributed mammals (except Antarctica and some islands). They are well adapted to various habitats and are known to live alongside people and livestock complexes. The purpose of the study was to study infestation of mice with ixodid ticks in forests of the Belgorod region adjacent to livestock and poultry farms. The study was carried out in 2019—2022. The extensiveness of mice infestation was observed in Sylvaemus sylvaticus species, which was 13.26 % higher (P < 0.05) than in Sylvimus flavicollis, and 24.33 % higher (P < 0.01) than in Apodemus agrarius. The intensity of infestation with preimaginal (larvae and nymphs) stages of Ixodes ricinus ticks had wide fluctuations depending on the type of synanthropic rodent. Thus, the highest intensity was noted in Sylvaemus sylvaticus mice, which was 8.73 and 13.56 % higher (P < 0.001) compared to Sylvimus flavicollis and Apodemus agrarius mice, respectively. The maximum infestation of male synanthropic mouse species was 31 ticks in Sylvaemus sylvaticus, 19 ticks in Sylvimus flavicollis, and 9 ticks in Apodemus agrarius. The intensity of infestation in synanthropic mice was the highest in the summer months (from July to August) and decreased slightly in autumn. In autumn, 41.2 % of the examined rodents were infested with ticks, the predominant species was Ixodes ricinus (larvae). Larvae and nymphs of Ixodes ricinus ticks were more often attached to rodents in the head area (mainly on the ears) — 82 %, less often on other parts of the body — 18 %. A smaller number of ticks were present on neck, body, legs, sometimes parasites were found on tail.Грызуны — одна из самых больших групп существующих млекопитающих, известно более 2270 видов, что составляет почти 42 % общего биоразнообразия млекопитающих, имеющих всемирное распространение (за исключением Антарктиды и некоторых островов). Они хорошо приспособлены к различным средам обитания и, как известно, чаще всего сосуществуют вблизи людей и животноводческих комплексах при их глобальном расселении. Цель исследования — изучить зараженность иксодовыми клещами мышевидных грызунов лесных массивов Белгородской области, прилегающих к животноводческим и птицеводческим комплексам и фермам. Исследование выполняли с 2019 по 2022 гг. Экстенсивность инвазии мышевидных грызунов, обнаруженных в лесных массивах вблизи сельскохозяйственных комплексов и ферм Белгородской области, наблюдалась нами на мышах вида Sylvaemus sylvaticus, что на 13,26 % больше (Р < 0,05) от зараженности вида Sylvimus flavicollis, и на 24,33 % более (Р < 0,01) от экстенсивности инвазии по виду мышей Apodemus agrarius. Интенсивность инвазии по преимагинальным (личинкам и нифам) стадиям клещей Ixodes ricinus имела широкие колебания в зависимости от вида синантропного грызуна. Так, наибольшим данный показатель был отмечен нами по виду мышей Sylvaemus sylvaticus, что на 8,73 % больше (Р < 0,001) от вида Sylvimus flavicollis и на 13,56 % больше от вида мышей Apodemus agrarius. Максимальная зараженность самцов синантропных видов мышей составила 31 особь по виду Sylvaemus sylvaticus, 19 особей клещей по виду Sylvimus flavicollis и 9 паразитов по виду Apodemus agrarius. Интенсивность инвазии синантропных мышей была самой высокой в летние месяцы (с июля по август) и несколько снижалась осенью. Осенью 41,2 % исследованных грызунов были поражены клещами, при этом преобладали личинки Ixodes ricinus. Личинки и нимфы иксодовых клещей вида Ixodes ricinus чаще были прикреплены в области головы грызунов (преимущественно на ушах) — 82 %, реже на других частях тела — 18 %. Меньшее количество клещей было подкреплено на шее, туловище, лапках, иногда обнаруживали паразитов на хвосте мышей