Data from the SVD-2 experiment that were obtained at the IHEP accelerator in 70-GeV/c proton-nucleus interactions are analyzed with the aim of searches for an exotic Θ+ baryon that decays through the pK S 0 channel. The reaction pN → pK S 0 + X characterized by a bounded multiplicity of charged secondaries is used for this analysis. A resonance of mass M = 1526 ± 3(stat.) ± 3(syst.) MeV/c2 and width Γ < 24 MeV/c2 is observed in the invariant-mass spectrum of the pK S 0 system at a statistical significance of 5.6σ. The mass and the width of this resonance correspond to the recently found positive-strangeness Θ+ baryon, which was predicted to be an exotic baryon consisting of five quarks (pentaquark), \(uudd\bar s\). The total cross section for the production of a Θ+ baryon in pA interactions is estimated at a value within the range 30–120 μb for xF ≥ 0. An analysis of the A dependence of the cross section for Θ+-baryon production does not reveal a significant deviation from the A dependence for inelastic events (∼A0.7).

The interaction of diethylzinc with Aerosil has been examined by IR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The reaction involves both free hydroxyl groups and siloxane groups of the surface resulting in the formation of ≡Si-O-Zn-Et and ≡Si-Et fragments. At temperatures above 300 °C, these structures undergo decomposition with the recovery of ≡Si-OH groups on the Aerosil surface and liberation of metallic zinc.

Shortcomings in the production of reinforcing wire at the Orlovsk Steel Rolling Works are discussed. The workability of rod treated by different layouts and the quality of wire manufactured from it have been investigated on trial rod batches. The effect of mechanical descaling on the ductile and strength properties of wire has been examined. The measures taken to improve the production technology enable the necessary combination of mechanical properties of reinforcing wire to be obtained.

Conclusions Experiments carried out with the use of the autodump cars with the special clamps for mechanization of handling work in refractories departments and transporting departments of refractories plants and factory users and warehousing indicate that this method is effective for the refractories industry.