Tissue mimicking phantoms for fluorescence imaging

The article describes the development of the optical phantom mimicking flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and skin collagen fluorescence. The results of experimental studies using fluorescence imaging and fluorescence spectroscopy methods are demonstrated. The method of optical phantom production for quick calibration of fluorescence imaging devices for further application in clinical practice is proposed

The Genome of Rhyzopertha dominica (Fab.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae): Adaptation for Success

The lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae), is a major global pest of cereal grains. Infestations are difficult to control as larvae feed inside grain kernels, and many populations are resistant to both contact insecticides and fumigants. We sequenced the genome of R. dominica to identify genes responsible for important biological functions and develop more targeted and efficacious management strategies. The genome was assembled from long read sequencing and long-range scaffolding technologies. The genome assembly is 479.1 Mb, close to the predicted genome size of 480.4 Mb by flow cytometry. This assembly is among the most contiguous beetle assemblies published to date, with 139 scaffolds, an N50 of 53.6 Mb, and L50 of 4, indicating chromosome-scale scaffolds. Predicted genes from biologically relevant groups were manually annotated using transcriptome data from adults and different larval tissues to guide annotation. The expansion of carbohydrase and serine peptidase genes suggest that they combine to enable efficient digestion of cereal proteins. A reduction in the copy number of several detoxification gene families relative to other coleopterans may reflect the low selective pressure on these genes in an insect that spends most of its life feeding internally. Chemoreceptor genes contain elevated numbers of pseudogenes for odorant receptors that also may be related to the recent ontogenetic shift of R. dominica to a diet consisting primarily of stored grains. Analysis of repetitive sequences will further define the evolution of bostrichid beetles compared to other species. The data overall contribute significantly to coleopteran genetic research

Proteinase inhibitors from cockroaches: perspective of their use in the plant protection

The salivary glands and the gut of cockroaches contain both the digestive enzymes and their potential inhibitors. Four proteinase inhibitors were identified in the salivary glands of Nauphoeta cinerea and three of them were partially sequenced from the N-terminus. Coding sequences of corresponding cDNAs were established with the aid of RT PCR and degenerate primers. The sequences clearly encode inhibitors of serine proteinases

Synthesis of Mixed Actinide Oxides Using Microwave Radiation

A method has been developed for producing mixed actinide oxides suitable for fabricating mixed nitride uranium plutonium fuel for fast neutron reactors. The method is based on the use of microwave radiation for the direct denitration of actinide nitrate solutions. The possibility of producing uranium, plutonium, and neptunium-mixed oxides was shown. A pilot installation for preparing actinide oxides by microwave denitration was designed and tested. Mixed oxides of uranium and cerium (for plutonium imitation) were successfully used to synthesize uranium cerium nitrides and produce fuel pellets. Compared with the precipitation (ammonia) method of producing mixed oxides, microwave denitration reduces the generation of secondary liquid radioactive waste by more than six times

Measurements of magnetic field of variable period undulator and correction of field errors

A new variable period undulator of unique design was developed and built recently at Budker INP. It will replace the electromagnetic undulator in use now on the second FEL of the Novosibirsk FEL facility. As a result, the FEL tunability range will be substantially extended. In this paper, we present the results of measurements of the undulator magnetic field for different periods and discuss ways to reduce the field errors, which include sorting of magnets, weakening of undulator edge poles, and using of steering coils

Synthesis of Mixed Actinide Oxides Using Microwave Radiation

A method has been developed for producing mixed actinide oxides suitable for fabricating mixed nitride uranium plutonium fuel for fast neutron reactors. The method is based on the use of microwave radiation for the direct denitration of actinide nitrate solutions. The possibility of producing uranium, plutonium, and neptunium-mixed oxides was shown. A pilot installation for preparing actinide oxides by microwave denitration was designed and tested. Mixed oxides of uranium and cerium (for plutonium imitation) were successfully used to synthesize uranium cerium nitrides and produce fuel pellets. Compared with the precipitation (ammonia) method of producing mixed oxides, microwave denitration reduces the generation of secondary liquid radioactive waste by more than six times

First terahertz-range experiments on pump – probe setup at Novosibirsk free electron laser

A single-color pump-probe system has been commissioned at the Novosibirsk free electron laser. The laser emits a tunable monochromatic terahertz radiation. To prove the proper system operation, we investigated the time-resolved absorption of a sample of n-type germanium doped with antimony, which was previously investigated at the FELBE facility, in the temperature range from 5 to 40 K. The measured relaxation time amounted to about 1.7 ns, which agreed with the results obtained at the FELBE. The results of pump-probe measurements of non-equilibrium dynamics of hot electrons in the germanium crystal at cryogenic temperatures are presented for wavelengths of 105, 141 and 150 μm