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Flerovium (Fl, element 114) is the heaviest element chemically studied so far. To date, its interaction with gold was investigated in two gas-solid chromatography experiments, which reported two different types of interaction, however, each based on the level of a few registered atoms only. Whereas noble-gas-like properties were suggested from the first experiment, the second one pointed at a volatile-metal-like character. Here, we present further experimental data on adsorption studies of Fl on silicon oxide and gold surfaces, accounting for the inhomogeneous nature of the surface, as it was used in the experiment and analyzed as part of the reported studies. We confirm that Fl is highly volatile and the least reactive member of group 14. Our experimental observations suggest that Fl exhibits lower reactivity towards Au than the volatile metal Hg, but higher reactivity than the noble gas Rn.

Nihonium (Nh, element 113) and flerovium (Fl, element 114) are the first superheavy elements in which the 7p shell is occupied. High volatility and inertness were predicted for Fl due to the strong relativistic stabilization of the closed 7p1/2 sub-shell, which originates from a large spin-orbit splitting between the 7p1/2 and 7p3/2 orbitals. One unpaired electron in the outermost 7p1/2 sub-shell in Nh is expected to give rise to a higher chemical reactivity. Theoretical predictions of Nh reactivity are discussed, along with results of the first experimental attempts to study Nh chemistry in the gas phase. The experimental observations verify a higher chemical reactivity of Nh atoms compared to its neighbor Fl and call for the development of advanced setups. First tests of a newly developed detection device miniCOMPACT with highly reactive Fr isotopes assure that effective chemical studies of Nh are within reach.

Based on the study of marketing activities of Russian TV channels of entertainment and educational segments the modern methods of attracting viewers to television brands have been analyzed. The objects of the study are seven well-known public broadcasters, whose business has established more than twenty-five significant and cost-effective ways to influence the loyalty of the audience. In combination with negative factors indirectly affecting the implementation of loyalty programs, taking into account the existing methods of other industries, a minimum independent evaluation of the effectiveness of loyalty, which can serve as an idea for new marketing developments, and will contribute to the development of scientific research in this economical area, has been suggested.

The isotopic distribution of nuclei produced in the 50Ti + 249Cf reaction has been studied at the gas-filled recoil separator TASCA at GSI Darmstadt, which separates ions according to differences in magnetic rigidity. The bombardment was performed at an energy around the Bass barrier and with the TASCA magnetic fields set for collecting fusion-evaporation reaction products. Fifty-three isotopes located “north-east” of 208Pb were identified as recoiling products formed in non-fusion channels of the reaction. These recoils were implanted with energies in two distinct ranges; besides one with higher energy, a significant low-energy contribution was identified. The latter observation was not expected to occur according to kinematics of the known types of reactions, namely quasi-elastic, multi-nucleon transfer, deep-inelastic collisions or quasifission. The present observations are discussed within the framework of two-body kinematics passing through the formation of a composite system. Keywords: Production of radioactive nuclei, α decay, Multi-nucleon transfer reactions, Quasifission

The new neutron-deficient nuclei 240Es and 236Bk were synthesised at the gas-filled recoil separator RITU. They were identified by their radioactive decay chains starting from 240Es produced in the fusion–evaporation reaction 209Bi(34S,3n)240Es. Half-lives of 6(2)s and 22−6+13s were obtained for 240Es and 236Bk, respectively. Two groups of α particles with energies Eα=8.19(3)MeV and 8.09(3)MeV were unambiguously assigned to 240Es. Electron-capture delayed fission branches with probabilities of 0.16(6) and 0.04(2) were measured for 240Es and 236Bk, respectively. These new data show a continuation of the exponential increase of ECDF probabilities in more neutron-deficient isotopes.

Background. Peanut is one of the most important oil crops for food purposes. Natural peanut butter contains two unsaturated fatty acids, oleic and linoleic, which make up to 80% of the total fatty acid content in peanut oil. The quality of oil depends on the ratio between these two acids. Analyzing the diversity of oil content and fatty acid composition in peanut accessions preserved at VIR and assessing the effect of soil, climate, and other factors on these characters is vital for the development of new peanut cultivars rich in oil. Materials and methods. Peanut germplasm accessions were studied for their biochemical composition of fatty acids and the content of oil and protein. The accessions were reproduced for three years (2019–2021) at two ecogeographic locations: in Krasnodar Territory, and Astrakhan Province. Cv. ‘Otradokubansky’ was used as a reference. ANOVA was applied for statistical data processing. Results and discussion. The percentage composition of 18 fatty acids was calculated in peanut oil, with oleic and linoleic acids dominating. The content of oleic acid depended on the genotype for 42–53%, and that of linoleic acid, for 50–71%. The latter was also influenced by the place and year of cultivation. The ranges of variation over the three years of studies in Krasnodar Territory were 35.4–57.6% for oleic acid, and 18.3–38.1% for linoleic acid, whereas in Astrakhan Province they were 33.4–51.2%, and 30.9–42.7%, respectively. Under unfavorable conditions, the content of oleic acid in peanut prevailed. The oil content depended on the genotype for 81%, and its percentage was 32.0–44.4%.

Background. It has been shown that southern oilseeds, including peanuts, can be successfully grown in the south of the Russian Federation under the conditions of Krasnodar Territory and Astrakhan Province. Currently, only two peanut cultivars are included in the State Register of the Russian Federation: ‘Otradokubansky’ and ‘Astrakhansky 5’. Development of raw material for obtaining new peanut cultivars adaptable to the growing conditions in Krasnodar Territory and Astrakhan Province is a relevant task.Materials and methods. We examined 57 peanut accessions of various origins from the VIR collection. The study of peanut accessions for agronomic characters was carried out in two ecogeographic sites located in Krasnodar Territory and Astrakhan Province. Cv. ‘Otradokubansky’ was used as a reference. ANOVA was applied for statistical data processing.Results and discussion. A wide range of variability in agronomic characters was revealed during the study of peanut accessions. The most stable character was the 1000 seed weight. The share of the genotype the variability of productivity was from 30 to 40%. A great effect of soil and climate factors and the place of cultivation on the ripening of beans was observed. Seed yield depended on the genotype (60–70%) as well as on the temperature factors and the presence of moisture in the soil. The best accessions were selected according to their agronomic characters; they may serve as promising material for breeding. Some accessions are able to produce a good harvest either in Astrakhan Province or Krasnodar Territory, while others can do it regardless of the place of cultivation. This study confirmed the possibility of growing peanuts in Astrakhan Province on medium loamy soils under irrigation, or in Krasnodar Territory on black earth without irrigation.

This study includes an assessment of the VIR (Center N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources) chufa collection, grown in various ecological and geographical conditions of the Russian Federation: “Yekaterininskaya experimental station VIR” in the Tambov region and “Kuban experimental station VIR” in the Krasnodar Region during the years 2020–2021. The main indicators of the economic value of chufa accessions were studied: yield structure and nutritional value (oil, protein, starch, and fatty acid profile). The accessions were grown in regions with different climatic conditions. As a result of the study, the variability of the biochemical and yield characteristics and the correlation between the studied indicators and the factor structure of its variability were established. Of the 20 accessions used in the study, the accessions with the highest protein, starch, oil and unsaturated fatty acid contents were selected, which are the most promising for their use as a raw material to expand the range of regional functional food products, as well as for future breeding efforts in the development of new, promising regional chufa varieties.

Sesame is an ancient oilseed crop grown throughout the arid and subarid climates. Sesame oil has a good taste and is appreciated for its beneficial properties. The genus Sesamum L. (Pedaliaceae Lindl.) includes up to 38 species. The only cultivated species is S. indicum L. (2n = 26). It is grown in areas located between 45° N and 45° S. South Africa is considered the homeland of S. indicum. Sesame seeds contain 50–63% of oil, 25–27% of protein, 20% of carbohydrates, and are sources of such micronutrients as copper, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, vitamins A, B1, C and E. Sesame seeds and oil are used not only in the food industry but also in medicine. Sesame meal is a good animal feed. Recently, thanks to the deciphering of the sesame nuclear genome and the development of various genomic resources, including molecular markers for qualitative and quantitative characters, molecular breeding has become possible for such agronomic traits as high oil content and its composition, drought resistance, resistance to waterlogging, disease resistance, and high yield. The world production of sesame seeds according to FAO estimates for 2019 was about 7 million tons. The largest cropping areas are located in Africa, India, and China. In Russia, sesame can be grown in southern regions: Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories, Rostov and Astrakhan Provinces. Breeding work on sesame was carried out at the All-Union Research Institute of Oil Crops, where cultivars resistant to bacterial blight and Fusarium wilt were developed. Currently, sesame breeding programs are absent in Russia. There are over 25,000 sesame accessions in the world’s genebanks, including about 1,500 accessions in the VIR collection.

The technical passport for the X-ray room in accordance with the current sanitary legislation is a mandatory document certifying the technical condition of X-ray diagnostic equipment, devices for developing, fixing and drying X-ray films, additional equipment and accessories for performing special types of X-ray diagnostics, means of protection against ionizing radiation of workplaces of the office staff and adjacent to the office of the premises and confirming the compliance of their characteristics with the normative and technical documentation and domestic standards. The purpose of this work was to assess the relevance and necessity of issuing a technical passport for the X-ray room and to coordinate the project of the X-ray room with the X-ray department in the light of the current sanitary legislation. Registration of a technical passport by organizations that have special permits for these types of work, and not only by the X-ray and radiological department, would increase the legal value of the technical passport. The information contained in the technical passport is duplicated in the rest of the documentation for the X-ray room, the requirements for which are enshrined in the sanitary legislation, which generally casts doubt on the need for a technical passport as a mandatory document.

Background. Cotton production, processing and trade are essential part of the world economy. The acreage under cultivated cotton over the world has expanded during the past five years, while total production of cotton fiber has increased almost twice. Cotton is the most demanded natural fiber in Russia: the share of pure cotton in Russian commercial textile trade is up to 54%. Effective use of Russia's diverse climate conditions to solve priority tasks of the domestic industry and agriculture has high innovative importance, considering that the share of imported cotton in the country's total textile inputs used by its light industry is 40%. Therefore, it is urgent and important enough to evaluate the effect of soil and climate conditions in the south of Russia on cotton yield and fiber quality.Materials and methods. In 2016, a research was accomplished to evaluate the accessions of Gossypium hirsutum L. listed in the introduction catalogue in the steppe areas of Prikubanskaya Plain, Krasnodar Region (Kuban Experiment Station of VIR, Gulkevichi District), according to VIR's guidelines. The most important features of cotton fiber were estimated in the context of the trends existing on the world market (HVI testing).Results and conclusions. Accessions that produced 75 -100% of mature plants after 120 days of vegetation were described. Fiber yield of the studied white fiber accessions was not high. With some exceptions, accessions yielding naturally colored fiber had lower productivity than white fiber ones. The accession i-604984 exceeded the reference in fiber productivity, boll weight, and fiber harvest. The results of HVI tests showed that the evaluated accessions yielded fiber of good quality (4-5th type of the O'zDSt604-2001 standard, Uzbekistan). Fiber of the accessions i-604971 and i-604975 had the best strength. The fibers of all accessions demonstrated high or very high degree of uniformity in length. All white fiber accessions demonstrated normal micronaire values, quite acceptable for textile industry. Micronaire indicators of colored cotton accessions were only slightly lower than those of white fiber ones in maturity and fineness, but these differences were not significant when compared with the references.

Flax is one of the oldest oil crops, but only since the end of the twentieth century nutritional use of its whole seeds and flour has been resumed. This crop has been evaluated for its oil fatty acid composition, content of sterols and tocopherols, carbohydrate composition of mucilage, but a comprehensive study has never been carried out, so the aim of the work was to identify differences in the metabolomic profiles of flax lines contrasting in color and size of seeds. The biochemical composition of seeds from 16 lines of the sixth generation of inbreeding was tested using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. In total, more than 90 compounds related to sugars (78% of the identified substances), free fatty acids (13%), polyatomic alcohols (5%), heterocyclic compounds, free amino acids, phytosterols and organic acids (no more than 2.5% in total) were identified. Statistical analyses revealed six main factors. The first is a factor of sugar content; the second one affects most of organic acids, as well as some free fatty acids, not related to reserve ones, the third factor is related to compounds that play a certain role in the formation of “storage” substances and resistance to stress, the fourth factor is influencing free polar amino acids, some organic and free fatty acids, the fifth one is a factor of phenolic compounds, the sixth factor combined substances not included in the first five groups. Factor analysis made it possible to differentiate all 16 lines, 10 of which occupied a separate position by one or two factors. Interestingly, the first two factors with the highest loads (20 and 15% of the total variability, respectively) showed a separate position of the gc-432 line, which differed from the others, not only by chemical composition, but also by the phenotype of the seeds, while gc-159 differed from the rest ones by the complex of organic acids and other substances taking about 1% of the extracted substances of the seed. Thus, the analysis of metabolomic profiles is promising for a comprehensive assessment of the VIR flax genetic collection, which has wide biochemical diversity.

Objective: the examine variants of quantity of intercostal nerves in the area of the lateral edge rectus sheath around umbilical region, depending on the shape of the anterior abdominal wall. Materials and methods: There were studied 88 floating corpses of both sexes without pathology of the anterior abdominal wall. Among them there were 45% male corpses (mean age – 53,8±11,9 years) and 55% – female corpses (51,9±13,2 years). We measured linea bicostalis, linea bispinalis and linea xiphoidopubica, determined quantity of the intercostal nerves in the umbilical region of the anterior abdominal wall. Results: At the study of anthropometric parameters of the anterior abdominal wall were found that linea bicostalis averaged 29,2±0,3 cm, linea bispinalis – 28,2±0,2 cm, linea xiphoidopubica – 30,4±0,5 cm. Using method of cluster analysis of the new data were obtained the main shapes of anterior abdominal wall: male, oval, female. It was found that persons with a female shape of the anterior abdominal wall was observed significantly more often 2 pairs of intercostal nerves (74%). In turn, at persons with oval shape were often observed 3 pairs of intercostal nerves (60%). In the cases of the male shape of the anterior abdominal wall 1 pair of intercostal nerves were observed in 38%, and 2 pairs of nerves – in 50% of cases. Conclusions: The quantity of intercostal nerves in the area of the lateral edge rectus sheath around umbilical region depends on the shape of the anterior abdominal wall.

Flerovium (Fl, element 114) is the heaviest element chemically studied so far. To date, its interaction with gold was investigated in two gas-solid chromatography experiments, which reported two different types of interaction, however, each based on the level of a few registered atoms only. Whereas noble-gas-like properties were suggested from the first experiment, the second one pointed at a volatile-metal-like character. Here, we present further experimental data on adsorption studies of Fl on silicon oxide and gold surfaces, accounting for the inhomogeneous nature of the surface, as it was used in the experiment and analyzed as part of the reported studies. We confirm that Fl is highly volatile and the least reactive member of group 14. Our experimental observations suggest that Fl exhibits lower reactivity towards Au than the volatile metal Hg, but higher reactivity than the noble gas Rn., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Yakushev, Lens, Düllmann, Khuyagbaatar, Jäger, Krier, Runke, Albers, Asai, Block, Despotopulos, Di Nitto, Eberhardt, Forsberg, Golubev, Götz, Götz, Haba, Harkness-Brennan, Herzberg, Heßberger, Hinde, Hübner, Judson, Kindler, Komori, Konki, Kratz, Kurz, Laatiaoui, Lahiri, Lommel, Maiti, Mistry, Mokry, Moody, Nagame, Omtvedt, Papadakis, Pershina, Rudolph, Samiento, Sato, Schädel, Scharrer, Schausten, Shaughnessy, Steiner, Thörle-Pospiech, Toyoshima, Trautmann, Tsukada, Uusitalo, Voss, Ward, Wegrzecki, Wiehl, Williams and Yakusheva.)

Nihonium (Nh, element 113) and flerovium (Fl, element 114) are the first superheavy elements in which the 7p shell is occupied. High volatility and inertness were predicted for Fl due to the strong relativistic stabilization of the closed 7p 1/2 sub-shell, which originates from a large spin-orbit splitting between the 7p 1/2 and 7p 3/2 orbitals. One unpaired electron in the outermost 7p 1/2 sub-shell in Nh is expected to give rise to a higher chemical reactivity. Theoretical predictions of Nh reactivity are discussed, along with results of the first experimental attempts to study Nh chemistry in the gas phase. The experimental observations verify a higher chemical reactivity of Nh atoms compared to its neighbor Fl and call for the development of advanced setups. First tests of a newly developed detection device miniCOMPACT with highly reactive Fr isotopes assure that effective chemical studies of Nh are within reach., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The reviewer WL declared a past co-authorship with one of the authors CED to the handling Editor., (Copyright © 2021 Yakushev, Lens, Düllmann, Block, Brand, Calverley, Dasgupta, Di Nitto, Götz, Götz, Haba, Harkness-Brennan, Herzberg, Heßberger, Hinde, Hübner, Jäger, Judson, Khuyagbaatar, Kindler, Komori, Konki, Kratz, Krier, Kurz, Laatiaoui, Lommel, Lorenz, Maiti, Mistry, Mokry, Nagame, Papadakis, Såmark-Roth, Rudolph, Runke, Sarmiento, Sato, Schädel, Scharrer, Schausten, Steiner, Thörle-Pospiech, Toyoshima, Trautmann, Uusitalo, Ward, Wegrzecki and Yakusheva.)

Background: The favorable decay properties of 43 Sc and 44 Sc for PET make them promising candidates for future applications in nuclear medicine. An advantage 43 Sc (T 1/2 = 3.89 h, Eβ + av = 476 keV [88%]) exhibits over 44 Sc, however, is the absence of co-emitted high energy γ-rays. While the production and application of 44 Sc has been comprehensively discussed, research concerning 43 Sc is still in its infancy. This study aimed at developing two different production routes for 43 Sc, based on proton irradiation of enriched 46 Ti and 43 Ca target material., Results: 43 Sc was produced via the 46 Ti(p,α) 43 Sc and 43 Ca(p,n) 43 Sc nuclear reactions, yielding activities of up to 225 MBq and 480 MBq, respectively. 43 Sc was chemically separated from enriched metallic 46 Ti (97.0%) and 43 CaCO 3 (57.9%) targets, using extraction chromatography. In both cases, ~90% of the final activity was eluted in a small volume of 700 μL, thereby, making it suitable for direct radiolabeling. The prepared products were of high radionuclidic purity, i.e. 98.2% 43 Sc were achieved from the irradiation of 46 Ti, whereas the product isolated from irradiated 43 Ca consisted of 66.2% 43 Sc and 33.3% 44 Sc. A PET phantom study performed with 43 Sc, via both nuclear reactions, revealed slightly improved resolution over 44 Sc. In order to assess the chemical purity of the separated 43 Sc, radiolabeling experiments were performed with DOTANOC, attaining specific activities of 5-8 MBq/nmol, respectively, with a radiochemical yield of >96%., Conclusions: It was determined that higher 43 Sc activities were accessible via the 43 Ca production route, with a comparatively less complex target preparation and separation procedure. The product isolated from irradiated 46 Ti, however, revealed purer 43 Sc with minor radionuclidic impurities. Based on the results obtained herein, the 43 Ca route features some advantages (such as higher yields and direct usage of the purchased target material) over the 46 Ti path when aiming at 43 Sc production on a routine basis., Competing Interests: This article does not contain any studies with human participants performed by any of the authors. All applicable international, national, and/or institutional guidelines for the care and use of test animals were followed.The authors declare that they have no competing interests.Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Two short-lived isotopes ^{221}U and ^{222}U were produced as evaporation residues in the fusion reaction ^{50}Ti+^{176}Yb at the gas-filled recoil separator TASCA. An α decay with an energy of E_{α}=9.31(5)  MeV and half-life T_{1/2}=4.7(7)  μs was attributed to ^{222}U. The new isotope ^{221}U was identified in α-decay chains starting with E_{α}=9.71(5)  MeV and T_{1/2}=0.66(14)  μs leading to known daughters. Synthesis and detection of these unstable heavy nuclei and their descendants were achieved thanks to a fast data readout system. The evolution of the N=126 shell closure and its influence on the stability of uranium isotopes are discussed within the framework of α-decay reduced width.

The superheavy element with atomic number Z=117 was produced as an evaporation residue in the (48)Ca+(249)Bk fusion reaction at the gas-filled recoil separator TASCA at GSI Darmstadt, Germany. The radioactive decay of evaporation residues and their α-decay products was studied using a detection setup that allowed measuring decays of single atomic nuclei with half-lives between sub-μs and a few days. Two decay chains comprising seven α decays and a spontaneous fission each were identified and are assigned to the isotope (294)117 and its decay products. A hitherto unknown α-decay branch in (270)Db (Z = 105) was observed, which populated the new isotope (266)Lr (Z = 103). The identification of the long-lived (T(1/2) = 1.0(-0.4)(+1.9) h) α-emitter (270)Db marks an important step towards the observation of even more long-lived nuclei of superheavy elements located on an "island of stability."