The influence of the lanthanide cation type on the structure and catalytic properties of Ln zirconates (Ln = La – Lu) obtained by coprecipitation was studied. It was found that Ln (La, Pr – Lu) zirconates are single-phase and have a face-centered cubic structure of a defect fluorite (sp. gr. Fm3̅m (225)) with nonequivalent positions of the Ln^3+ and Zr^4+ cations. Ce zirconate was a mixture of cubic CeO_2 (sp. gr. Fm3̅m ) and tetragonal (Zr_0.9Ce_0.1)O_2 (sp. gr. P4_2/nmc (137)). A study of the local structure showed possible formation of nanodomains with pyrochlore ordering in the fluorite matrix for light Ln zirconates. For heavy Ln zirconates, the emergence of δ -phase nanodomains in the fluorite matrix is revealed. The use of Ln zirconates significantly reduces the onset temperature of propane conversion and increases its conversion degree. It was established that the ionic radius and electron structure of the Ln^3+ cation determine the acidity of the active sites and the energy characteristics (i.e., adsorption energy and differential heat of adsorption), which are the main factors determining the adsorption capacity and pathways of the propane conversion process. The use of light Ln zirconates with the maximum concentration of Lewis acid sites facilitates the propane dehydrogenation reaction to form propylene. A decrease in the number of Lewis acid sites and an increase in the number of Brønsted acid sites as the 4f shell of the Ln^3+ cations gets progressively filled facilitates the propane cracking reaction to form a mixture of methane, ethylene, and ethane. Hourly screening showed that an increase in the operation time beyond 7 h leads to a significant change in the catalytic properties due to coking of the active catalytic sites.

Here, we describe and assess a method for reusing specific food waste to make hydrogels, which can be employed to improve the efficacy of agrochemicals and water. It represents an approach for tackling current challenges, such as food waste, water management, and pesticide optimization. Depending on the formulation, the hydrogels were created by crosslinking pectin and starch with CaCl2 or sodium trimetaphosphate. FTIR and SEM were employed to investigate the methylation degree of the extracted pectin, as well as the surface morphology and interior structure of the hydrogels. The swelling behavior and water retention in sandy soil have been investigated. In addition to the hydrogels’ potential to control and reduce pesticide loss, the herbicide Picloram is a model compound. The results show that the hydrogels have important swelling, up to 300%, and a capacity to retain water, preserve, and increase the water content in sandy soil up to 12 days. Picloram experiments show that hydrogels can limit herbicide mobility for up to 30 days under controlled conditions. The conversion of food wastes to highly valuable materials is a promising approach to optimize the water consumption and the loss of agrochemicals regarding sustainable agriculture.

The influence of Yb3+ cations substitution for Pr3+ on the structure and catalytic activity of (Pr1−xYbx)2Zr2O7 powders synthesized via coprecipitation followed by calcination is studied using a combination of long- (s-XRD), medium- (Raman, FT-IR, and SEM-EDS) and short-range (XAFS) sensitive methods, as well as adsorption and catalytic techniques. It is established that chemical composition and calcination temperature are the two major factors that govern the phase composition, crystallographic, and local-structure parameters of these polycrystalline materials. The crystallographic and local-structure parameters of (Pr1−xYbx)2Zr2O7 samples prepared at 1400 °C/3 h demonstrate a tight correlation with their catalytic activity towards propane cracking. The progressive replacement of Pr3+ with Yb3+ cations gives rise to an increase in the catalytic activity. A mechanism of the catalytic cracking of propane is proposed, which considers the geometrical match between the metal–oxygen (Pr–O, Yb–O, and Zr–O) bond lengths within the active sites and the size of adsorbed propane molecule to be the decisive factor governing the reaction route.

BaPb1−xBixO3 (BPBO) bismuthate, showing high TC superconductivity for 0.05 < x < 0.35, is an archetypal system for studying the complex inhomogeneity of perovskite lattice favoring the emergence of quantum coherence, called the superstripes phase. Local lattice fluctuations, detected by EXAFS; nanoscale stripes, detected by electron microscopy; and two competing crystalline structures, detected by diffraction, are known to characterize the superconducting phase. At nanoscale [BaBiO3] centered nanoscale units (BBO) coexist with BaPbO3 centered (BPO) units in the BPBO perovskite; therefore, we expect a tensile microstrain in BPO units due the misfit strain between the two different lattices. Here, we report the measurement of the spatial micro-fluctuations of the local tensile microstrain ε in the BaPO units in superconducting Ba(Pb1−xBix)O3 crystals with x1 = 0.19 an x2 = 0.28. We show here the feasibility of applying the scanning dispersive micro-X-ray absorption near edge structure (SdμXANES) technique, using focused synchrotron radiation, to probe the microscale spatial fluctuations of the microstrain in BPO units. This unconventional real-space SdμXANES microscopy at the Pb L3 edge has been collected in the dispersive mode. Our experimental method allows us to measure either the local Bi chemical concentration x and the local lattice microstrain of local BBO and BPO units. The 5 × 5 micron-size spots from the focused X-ray beam allowed us to obtain maps of 1600 points covering an area of 200 × 200 microns. The mapping shows a substantial difference between the spatial fluctuations of the microstrain ε and the chemical inhomogeneity x. Moreover, we show the different relations ε(x) in samples with lower (x1 = 0.19) and higher (x2 = 0.28) doping respect to the optimum doping (x = 0.25).

Results of experimental studies of joint pyrolysis processes of a fairly typical and widely used in Russia and Poland 3B grade lignite and wood (sawdust of pine wood) are provided. The results were performed in order to substantiate the previously formulated hypothesis about the mechanism of suppression of sulfur oxides in the combustion products of such mixed fuels. Conclusions on the mechanism of SOx suppression were made after comparing the analysis results of the elemental composition of the initial lignite, wood, and ash remaining after the total completion of the studied mixtures pyrolysis processes, as well as X-ray phase analysis of the ash composition. It was found that the proportion of calcium and aluminum sulfates is higher in the solid pyrolysis products of mixtures of crushed coal and wood compared to the ash of homogeneous coal. Practical significance of the performed studies is that the obtained results of the experiments allow to justify the possibility of using wood as a part of mixed fuels based on 3B grade lignite as an additive that significantly reduces the yield of sulfur oxides during combustion of such fuels in the furnaces of steam and hot water boilers. It has been experimentally established that during high-temperature decomposition of two-component fuels based on 3B lignite in a mixture with fine wood biomass, the effect of reduction of sulfur oxide concentration in gaseous pyrolysis products of such mixtures is obtained due to the formation of calcium and aluminum sulfates in the ash of mixed fuels as a result of chemical reactions between gaseous and solid pyrolysis products of lignite and wood with participation of water vapor.

Fast and local probes, such as X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray microscopy, have provided direct evidence for nanoscale phase separation in high temperature perovskite superconductors composed of (i) free particles coexisting with (ii) Jahn Teller polarons (i.e., charges associated with local lattice distortions) not detected by slow experimental methods probing only delocalized states. Moreover, these experimental probes have shown the formation of a superstripes phase in the pseudogap regime below T* in cuprates. Here, we focus on the anomalous temperature dependence of short range X-ray diffraction CDW reflection satellites with high momentum transfer, probing both charge and lattice fluctuations in superconducting HgBa2CuO4+y (Hg1201) in the pseudogap regime below T* and above Tc. We report compelling evidence of the anomalous anticorrelation of the coherence volume with the peak maximum amplitude of the CDW XRD satellite by cooling below T*. This anomalous temperature trend of the short-range striped Jahn Teller polaronic CDW puddles is in agreement with predictions of the Q-ball theory of the quark gluon plasma extended to cuprates, providing compelling evidence for non topological soliton puddles of striped condensate of pairs in the pseudogap phase.

Thermodynamic data for the crystalline phase of indium were critically assessed using an extended Einstein model from 0 K. The heat capacity between 6 K and 354 K was measured using an automated vacuum adiabatic calorimeter to compensate for a lack of published data between 21 K and 273 K. Data for the liquid phase were described using a two state model. During the assessment, careful analysis of the experimental data was carried out. In order to derive a precise value for So298 an additional technique using multiple Einstein functions was used, which allows the experimental heat capacity and enthalpy data for the solid phase to be approximated accurately from 0 K up to the melting point.

The effect of synthesis conditions on the features of the long- and short-range order of Ln2(WO4)3 (Ln = Gd, Dy, Ho, Yb) powders synthesized via coprecipitation of salts has been studied by a complex of physico-chemical techniques including synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, Raman and infrared spectroscopy, and simultaneous thermal analysis. It was found that crystallization of amorphous precursors begins at 600 °C/3 h and leads to the formation of the monoclinic structure with sp. gr. C12/c1(15) for Ln2(WO4)3 (Ln = Gd, Dy) and with sp. gr. P121/a1(14) for Ln = Yb, whereas crystallization of Ho precursor requires even higher temperature. After annealing at 1000 °C, the P121/a1(14) phase becomes the dominant phase component for all heavy lanthanoid types except for Ln = Gd. It was shown that the Ln (Ln = Dy, Ho, and Yb) tungstates with the P121/a1(14) monoclinic structure correspond to trihydrates Ln2(WO4)3·3H2O formed due to a rapid spontaneous hydration under ambient conditions. It was concluded that the proneness to hydration is due to a specific structure of the P121/a1(14) phase with large voids available to water molecules. Modifications in the local structure of Ln-O coordination shell accompanying the structure type change and hydration are monitored using EXAFS spectroscopy.

Various classes of chemical compounds that are considered promising thermoelectric materials with a high efficiency of converting thermal energy into electric energy are studied. The strategies for increasing the thermoelectric figure of merit and examples of their application are described. The progress in studies of compounds, such as SnX (X = S, Se, Te), AgSbTe2, M3 – xTe4 (M = La, Nd, Pr), Mg3Sb2, Mg2X (X = Si, Ge, Sn), and MgAgSb, is evaluated. The contribution of the use of information technology to the development of thermoelectric materials science is determined.

The scientific work of one of the famous graduates of the history department of Irkutsk State University, doctor of historical sciences, historiographer, professor L. V. Kuras is analyzed. The process of forming the scientific interests of the scientist, the nature of relations with teachers and colleagues is studied, the breadth of scientific views and professional interests of the historian is emphasized, the role of L. V. Kuras in the development of Siberian and Mongolian studies, and the expansion of the source base of modern regional historical science is considered.

This paper presents results of experimental research on thermal decomposition processes of a rather common D grade steam coal (metalignitous coal) and wood. The research aims to substantiate the previously formulated hypothesis on the mechanism of sulfur oxide sequestration in the combustion products of such mixtures. The elemental composition of the reference coal and wood biomass (pine sawdust) and the ash remaining after complete thermal decomposition of the studied mixtures was analyzed. The obtained results, along with results of the X-ray phase analysis of the ash composition, showed an increase in the proportion of calcium and aluminum sulfates in solid pyrolysis products. The performed experiments substantiate that the use wood as an additive for mixed metalignitous coal fuels reduces sulfur oxide yield during their combustion in power boilers in large-scale and small-scale power generation systems. It was established that pyrolysis of two-component fuels based on the D grade coal mixed with dispersed wood biomass contributes to reducing sulfur oxide concentration in gaseous products of their thermal decomposition. This effect can be attributed to formation of calcium and aluminum sulfates in the mixed fuel ash. They are formed as a result of reactions between the coal and wood pyrolysis products that occur if the content of wood components in the mixture is from 10% to 50%.

In this work we explored the possibility of obtaining single-phase β-Zn4Sb3 material by direct melting and spark plasma sintering (SPS). The effect of the SPS conditions and synthesized material composition on the structure and thermoelectric properties of the material was studied. X-ray diffraction was used for phase analysis, and scanning electron microscopy was used for characterizing the morphology of the bulk samples. We found electro-migration of Zn due to the exposure to DC pulses during SPS at 40 MPa. Zinc electro-migration produced a zinc-excess layer on the sample surface on the cathode side and a zinc-depleted layer, i.e., ZnSb, on the anode side of the sample. We show that an increase in the sintering pressure, and hence a decrease in the electric current passing through the material, produces single-phase β-Zn4Sb3 material in the entire sample bulk, provided the synthesized material contains excess zinc. The highest ZT of ∼ 1.28 at 673 K was obtained for the material synthesized with Zn excess and sintered by SPS at a pressure of 100 MPa.

Statistical computer modeling is implemented to analyze an autonomous system for navigation data integrity monitoring of satellite radio navigation systems using the measurement residual summation method in a sliding window. The analysis is made for integrated optimal information processing algorithms obtained by the methods of the optimal estimation Markov theory. Algorithms are generated for the vertical channel of the navigation complex, which includes an inertial navigation system, signal reception equipment from satellite radio navigation systems, and a barometric altimeter. The possibility of detecting unreliable data in using different measurement residuals, as well as depending on the size of the sliding window, is investigated in the modeling process.

Quasi-optimal algorithms for information processing are synthesized for navigation systems of mobile ground objects using the methods of the Markov estimation theory of random processes. The novelty of these algorithms lies in the possibility to solve the problem of detecting radio signals of satellite radio navigation systems at the input of the receiving equipment together with the problem of adaptive estimation of parameters of these signals and the problem of identifying the parameters of the model of mobile ground objects. A structural diagram of the navigation system is developed based on the synthesized algorithms.

The myocardial performance index (MPI) is used for global systolic-diastolic left ventricular function and prognosis assessment in patients with heart disease, allowing assessment of the patient‘s current condition and disease development follow-up. The classic method of calculation is pulsed Doppler echocardiography. The aim of the study was to evaluate the correlation of myocardial performance index with established left ventricular systolic and diastolic function indices and to determine cut-off values of the myocardial performance index in M-mode color tissue Doppler echocardiography through the aortic and mitral valves predicting abnormal myocardial performance index by pulsed Doppler echocardiography. One hundred and fi ve subjects were studied, including 30 healthy controls, 45 hypertensive patients, and 30 patients with CHD. MPI was calculated using pulsed Doppler (MPIPW) and M-mode color tissue Doppler echocardiography through the aortic (MPIAO1 and MPIAO2) and mitral (MPIMV) valves. In all patients, the myocardial performance index showed a low to moderatenegative correlation with the left ventricular ejection fraction, and the correlation with the diastolic function indices was moderate to high. In healthy persons, the correlations were not signifi cant in almost all comparisons. The MPIAO1, MPIAO2,and MPIMV values predicting abnormal MPI by pulsed Doppler (MPIPW ≥ 0.50) are MPIAO1 ≥ 0.578, MPIAO2 ≥ 0.446, and MPIMV ≥ 0.552. The cut-off values of MPI by M-mode color tissue Doppler echocardiography through the aortic and mitral valve obtained can be used for global left ventricular function assessment in patients with heart disease. Further studies, on a larger number of patients, are necessary to estimate the predictive value of the parameters established.

The article demonstrates various aspects of the formation and functioning of the Kozmodemyansk forest fair in the Kazan province since its foundation. Quite a significant range of archival and published historical sources, first introduced into scientific circulation, is involved. There five subjects of fundamental importance for the study of the problem are singled out: the role of natural and geographical factors in the fair formation, the determination of the fair time holding, the volume and the size of fair trade dynamics, the forms of timber marketing, quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the participants, the role of the fair in the development of Kozmodemyansk city.

ZnO thin films of zinc oxide doped with 10 % ITO (indium tin oxide) on anodic aluminum oxide substrates are formed in vacuum during high-frequency repetitively pulsed laser deposition. The morphology of films on porous and non-porous surfaces of substrates was studied by atomic force microscopy. The optical properties of the films in the visible, near, and middle IR regions of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum, the Raman spectra, and also the features of the photoluminescence characteristics have been experimentally investigated. Zinc oxide films can be used in optoelectronic transducers, as luminescent material, in the form of transparent electrodes, sensitive layers of gas and biological sensors, catalysts, X-ray and gamma-radiation detectors.

Introduction: Myocardial performance index (MPI) (the sum of isovolumic contraction [IVCT] and isovolumic relaxation [IVRT] divided by ejection time [ET]) is a useful method of left ventricular function assessment. MPI can be calculated based on measurements of left ventricular intervals by pulsed wave Doppler, pulsed wave tissue Doppler [pw TDI], color tissue Doppler [c TDI], M-mode color TDI through the anterior mitral leaflet, etc. Aim: The aim of our study is to test a possible method of LV intervals measurement and MPI calculation, namely M-mode color TDI through the aortic valve. Materials and methods: Eighty four (84) subjects, including 37 patients with arterial hypertension (AH), 21 patients with cor-onary artery disease (CAD) and 26 healthy subjects were studied. In all participants IVCT, ET and IVRT were measured using four different echocardiographic methods: 1) pw Doppler, 2) pw TDI, 3) M-mode color TDI through the anterior mitral leaflet, and 4) M-mode color TDI through the aortic valve. MPI based on these four methods of measurement was calculated. MPI by M-mode color TDI through the aortic valve was assessed in two variants (MPIAO1, MPI using the two phases of IVCT, and MPIAO2, MPI using only the second phase of IVCT). Results: MPIAO1 and MPIAO2 showed good correlation with the three reference methods of measurement used. The highest corre-lation was found between MPIAO2 and MPI by M-mode TDI through the anterior mitral leaflet (r(s) = 0.848, P< 0.001) in coronary artery disease patients. Conclusion: Calculation of MPI based on M-mode TDI through the aortic valve could be a useful method in comprehensive echocardiographic evaluation. It could be used for current assessment of the patients and for their follow-up.