COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE FREQUENCY OF CYTOGENETIC ABNORMALIES IN THE ROOT APICAL MERISTEM OF SPRING BARLEY (<i>HORDEUM VULGARE </i> L.) CULTIVAE SEEDLINGS, CONTRASTING IN THEIR LEAD TOLERANCE

Cell division activity, frequencies and spectra of cytogenetical abnormalities were studied in the root apical meristem cells of spring barley seedlings (Hordeum vulgare L.). Comparative analysis of aberration frequencies in cells of most sensitive or tolerant barley cultivars was made. Sensitive and tolerant cultivars of spring barley were chosen by testing of lead influence on 100 barley cultivars from the VIR collection. Significant differences between groups of sensitive and tolerant cultivars were shown in indexes received on intact seedlings: frequencies of aberrant cells (FAC), frequency of cytogenetical abnormalities on a dividing cell (FADC), frequency of cytogenetical disturbances on a cell with cytogenetical abnormalities (FAAC). Mechanisms of tolerance to lead and HM were discussed

Status of Activities on Rehabilitation Of Radioactively Contaminated Facilities and the Site of Russian Research Center ''Kurchatov Institute''

This paper describes the program, the status, and the course of activities on rehabilitation of radioactively contaminated facilities and the territory of temporary radioactive waste (radwaste) disposal at the Russian Research Center ''Kurchatov Institute'' (RRC KI) in Moscow as performed in 2001-2002. The accumulation of significant amounts of radwaste at RRC KI territory is shown to be the inevitable result of Institute's activity performed in the days of former USSR nuclear weapons project and multiple initial nuclear power projects (performed from 1950's to early 1970's). A characterization of RRC KI temporary radwaste disposal site is given. Described is the system of radiation control and monitoring as implemented on this site. A potential hazard of adverse impacts on the environment and population of the nearby housing area is noted, which is due to possible spread of the radioactive plume by subsoil waters. A description of the concept and project of the RRC KI temporary radwaste disposal site is presented. Specific nature of the activities planned and performed stems from the nearness of housing area. This paper describes main stages of the planned activities for rehabilitation, their expected terms and sources of funding, as well as current status of the project advancement. Outlined are the problems faced in the performance and planning of works. The latter include: diagnostics of the concrete-grouted repositories, dust-suppression technologies, packaging of the fragmented ILW and HLW, soil clean-up, radioactive plume spread prevention, broad radiation monitoring of the work zone and environment in the performance of rehabilitation works. Noted is the intention of RRC KI to establish cooperation with foreign, first of all, the U.S. partners for the solution of problems mentioned above

Can residuals of the Solar system foreground explain low multipole anomalies of the CMB ?

The low multipole anomalies of the Cosmic Microwave Background has received much attention during the last few years. It is still not ascertained whether these anomalies are indeed primordial or the result of systematics or foregrounds. An example of a foreground, which could generate some non-Gaussian and statistically anisotropic features at low multipole range, is the very symmetric Kuiper Belt in the outer solar system. In this paper, expanding upon the methods presented by Maris et al. (2011), we investigate the contributions from the Kuiper Belt objects (KBO) to the WMAP ILC 7 map, whereby we can minimize the contrast in power between even and odd multipoles in the CMB, discussed discussed by Kim & Naselsky (2010). We submit our KBO de-correlated CMB signal to several tests, to analyze its validity, and find that incorporation of the KBO emission can decrease the quadrupole-octupole alignment and parity asymmetry problems, provided that the KBO signals has a non-cosmological dipole modulation, associated with the statistical anisotropy of the ILC 7 map. Additionally, we show that the amplitude of the dipole modulation, within a 2 sigma interval, is in agreement with the corresponding amplitudes, discussed by Lew (2008).Comment: 24 pages, 9 figures, 5 tables. Matches version in JCA

Advancing Tests of Relativistic Gravity via Laser Ranging to Phobos

Phobos Laser Ranging (PLR) is a concept for a space mission designed to advance tests of relativistic gravity in the solar system. PLR's primary objective is to measure the curvature of space around the Sun, represented by the Eddington parameter $\gamma$, with an accuracy of two parts in $10^7$, thereby improving today's best result by two orders of magnitude. Other mission goals include measurements of the time-rate-of-change of the gravitational constant, $G$ and of the gravitational inverse square law at 1.5 AU distances--with up to two orders-of-magnitude improvement for each. The science parameters will be estimated using laser ranging measurements of the distance between an Earth station and an active laser transponder on Phobos capable of reaching mm-level range resolution. A transponder on Phobos sending 0.25 mJ, 10 ps pulses at 1 kHz, and receiving asynchronous 1 kHz pulses from earth via a 12 cm aperture will permit links that even at maximum range will exceed a photon per second. A total measurement precision of 50 ps demands a few hundred photons to average to 1 mm (3.3 ps) range precision. Existing satellite laser ranging (SLR) facilities--with appropriate augmentation--may be able to participate in PLR. Since Phobos' orbital period is about 8 hours, each observatory is guaranteed visibility of the Phobos instrument every Earth day. Given the current technology readiness level, PLR could be started in 2011 for launch in 2016 for 3 years of science operations. We discuss the PLR's science objectives, instrument, and mission design. We also present the details of science simulations performed to support the mission's primary objectives.Comment: 25 pages, 10 figures, 9 table

Verification of high-energy transport codes on the basis of activation data

Nuclide production cross sections measured at ITEP for the targets of nat-Cr, 56-Fe, nat-Ni, 93-Nb, 181-Ta, nat-W, nat-Pb, 209-Bi irradiated by protons with energies from 40 to 2600 MeV were used to estimate the predictive accuracy of several popular high-energy transport codes. A general agreement of the ITEP data with the data obtained by other groups, including the numerous GSI data measured by the inverse kinematics method was found. Simulations of the measured data were performed with the MCNPX (Bertini and ISABEL options), CEM03.02, INCL4.2+ABLA, INCL4.5+ABLA07, PHITS, and CASCADE.07 codes. Deviation factors between the calculated and experimental cross sections have been estimated for each target and for the whole energy range covered by our measurements. Two-dimensional diagrams of deviation factor values were produced for estimating the predictive power of every code for intermediate, not measured masses of nuclei-targets and bombarding energies of protons. Further improvements of all tested here codes are recommended. In addition, new measurements at ITEP of nuclide yields from a 208-Pb target irradiated by 500 MeV protons are presented. A good agreement between these new data and the GSI measurements obtained by the inverse kinematics method was foundComment: 31 pages, 18 figures, 6 tables, only pdf, LANL Report LA-UR-11-02704, Los Alamos (2011), submitted to Phys. Rev.

Cytogenetic Effects in Pinus sylvestris L. Populations Experiencing Chronic Low Level Radioactive Exposure

Contamination of the environment has become a worldwide problem. A clear understanding of all the dangers posed by environmental pollutants to both human health and ecologic systems are needed. An important gap in our knowledge is long-term ecotoxical effects induced by chronic low dose-rate and multi-pollutant exposure at contaminated sites. Actually, few studies exist that are directly relevant to revealing the responses of plant and animal populations to radionuclides in their natural environments. The results of long-term field studies of cytogenetic effects in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) populations growing in the vicinity of the radioactive wastes processing and storage facility (Leningrad region, Russia) and in the Bryansk region, Russia affected by the ChNPP accident are presented. Cytogenetic damage levels in root meristem of seedlings are found to significantly exceed corresponding controls. Adaptation processes in the affected tree populations are studied by means of an additional acute exposure of seeds. An enlargement of variance of studied cytogenetic parameters is found in the populations experiencing radiation and technogenic influence. This indicates processes of cytogenetical adaptation in the populations over 30 years experiencing anthropogenic influence. An analysis of the structure of ecological-genetical variability is carried out with the purpose of separating two components in the interpopulational variability the first is engaged to the genetically determined variability of biological characteristics intrinsic for this species, and the second is responsible for the variability originating from anthropogenic contamination of the habitat areal. Changes of these two types of variability in pine populations in the Leningrad region are studied in dependence on time and technogenic impact severity. Our results have provided evidence that genetic diversity is increased in Scots pine populations occupying the radionuclide-contaminated and/or technogenically affected sites

ABOUT EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION IN THE INFORMATION SYSTEM OF VACANCIES OF EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IN THE CITY OF MOSCOW

The article discusses some of the mechanisms of effective communication market participants of pedagogical work with services information system vacancies educational organizations in the city of Mosco

Effects of radioactive contamination on plant populations and radiological protection of the environment

Data from large scale field experiments are clearly highly relevant to the development of a new system for radiological protection of the environment. Therefore, an actuality and severity of population-level effects within radioactively contaminated areas are among key problems today. The results of long-term field studies in the Bryansk Region, Russia, affected by the Chernobyl accident, and at the Semipalatinsk Test Site, Kazakhstan are discussed. The results of these studies clearly indicate that plant populations growing in areas with relatively low levels of pollution are characterized by the increased level of both cytogenetic disturbances and genetic diversity. Genetic processes in exposed populations lead to increasing of phenotypic diversity and rapid selection of novel phenotypes favoured in changed environment. In particular, radioactive contamination of the plants' environment activates genetic mechanisms, changing a population's resistance to exposure. However, in different radioecological situations, genetic adaptation to extreme edaphic conditions in plant populations could be achieved with different rates. Such evolutionary effects are of special concern because they are able to negatively affect population dynamics and local extinction rates. A development of a system for protection of the environment from ionizing radiation should be based on a clear understanding of these effects and their contribution to biological response

Impact assessment of long-term chronic radiation exposure on plant populations

Studies that examine biological effects on non-human biota in natural settings provide a unique opportunity for obtaining information about the potential biological hazard associated with radioactive contamination. The results of long-term field study in the Bryansk Region, Russia, affected by the Chernobyl accident are discussed. Plant populations growing in areas with relatively low levels of pollution are characterized by the increased level of both cytogenetic alterations and genetic diversity. In particular, radioactive contamination of the plants’ environment activates genetic mechanisms, changing a population’s resistance to exposure. However, there are radioecological situations where enhanced radioresistance has not evolved or has not persisted. A development of a system for protection of the environment from ionizing radiation should be based on a clear understanding of these effects and their contribution to response of populations