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—Anomalous variations in radon emissions from the soil are sometimes observed before and after strong earthquakes. In this paper, we theoretically analyze the known hypothesis that these variations in radioactive emanations in the surface layer of the atmosphere cause variations in the vertical background current in the atmosphere with subsequent changes in the electron density $${{n}_{e}}$$ in the lower ionosphere. For this purpose, we will first assess the relation between radon emission variations and the vertical atmospheric current flowing into the ionosphere. Then we will solve a model problem concerning the spatial distribution of plasma density and electric field perturbations occurring in the E-layer of the ionosphere caused by an inflowing vertical current. It was believed that the current flowing into this layer contains only an electron component and is attenuated only by the recombination of electrons. The estimate of the maximum variation $${{n}_{e}}$$ is at least 3–5 orders of magnitude smaller than the observed anomalous variations, which allows us to conclude that this hypothesis is not plausible.

The question of whether earthquake precursors can arise in the ionosphere is of a special interest in geophysics. Despite numerous encouraging reports on seismo-ionospheric effects, the mechanism of the lithosphere-ionosphere coupling during the crust destruction phase was not established. One of hypothesis assumes that a seismogenic current transfers an abnormal electric field from the near-surface atmosphere to the ionosphere prior to an earthquake occurrence. This current can be caused by air ionization due to enhancement of radon gas emission from the soil or upward movement of charged atmospheric aerosols. Here we present a theoretical model of the spatial structure of the electric field driven by a vertical external current in the lower atmosphere. Perturbations of electric fields in the ionosphere are derived in the approximation of the "thin" E-layer. Simple analytical estimates have been obtained that relate the electric fields in the ionosphere and on the ground to the parameters of the external current. The electric field attenuation with altitude is caused by the increase of atmospheric conductivity and the horizontal spreading of current. The estimates obtained enable one to evaluate the feasibility of anomalous variations of electric fields in the ionosphere related to forthcoming earthquakes. The analysis has shown that the suggested hypothesis seems unrealistic, since to explain the relation between the ionospheric anomalies and extrinsic current it is necessary to assume the presence of such large currents and electric fields in the lower atmosphere which were never observed during non-thunderstorm periods.

The paper discusses the design issues of a high-performance induction installation for heating ferromagnetic billets before processing on deforming equipment. Specific features of the technological process of heating ferromagnetic billets to plastic strain temperatures are noted. It is shown that in order to increase the efficiency of the process, the heating of large-sized preforms from ferromagnetic steel is advisable to be carried out in a two-frequency induction heater with two autonomous sections. A study of the heating process in a two-section heater of ferromagnetic billets was carried out taking into account the nonlinear dependence of the physical characteristics of the heated billets metal on the temperature changing during heating. The problem of minimizing the length of a two-section heater is formulated and solved taking into account energy and technological limitations. A condition for determining the optimal length of the first section is to achieve a temperature corresponding to the loss of magnetic properties in the layer equal to the depth of current penetration at the frequency of the second section power supply. The results of numerical calculation of the optimal parameters of a two-section heater are presented. It is shown that the power distribution algorithm along the length of a two-section heater is a piecewise constant function. The results of calculating the temperature distribution in the workpieces during heating are presented. The results of the study can be used to solve the problem of optimizing the structural and operational parameters of a multi-section heater.

The article discusses remote methods for the description of the intraseasonal dynamics of soil and vegetation moisture. The field moisture content of the soil and vegetation cover is described by an integral indicator that takes into account the moisture content of the upper soil horizon (5–10 cm), grass phytomass, and leaves of trees and shrubs. The integrated field moisture demonstrates a reliable association with the normalized differential water index (NDWI); the determination coefficient R2 reaches values of 0.91 for individual classes of tracts. The most significant factors determining the loss of moisture during the summer period are the amount of photosynthetically active phytomass, the potential influx of solar radiation during the study period, and the moisture reserve in the soil and vegetation at the beginning of the growing season. These factors describe 67% of the NDWI difference between May and August 2016 in forest areas and 89% in the steppes. The results can be used to search for fire hazardous areas in the steppes and forests, as well as for the monitoring of vineyards.

Processing of liquid radioactive waste (LRW) includes evaporation followed by vitrification. Reducing the energy consumption of evaporation of LRW is an urgent task. In the article, an attention is paid to the fact that similar technical and economic problems are solved with the desalination of seawater. It is proposed to use well-developed seawater desalination technologies for preliminary evaporation of LRW. For a detailed analysis, desalination technology with mechanical vapor compression (MVC) was selected. This technology is energy-saving because it implements the heat pump principle. MVC technology is highly efficient, simple, and does not lead to the generation of secondary radioactive waste. A mathematical model of a single-stage desalination plant with MVC has been developed, taking into account that the thermodynamic cycle of this process is open. Since there are no data on the physical properties of LRW in the literature, the properties of sea water were used. The design and operational parameters were optimized in order to reduce the cost of 1 m3 of evaporated water. It has been established that the main design parameters affecting the cost of evaporated water are the degree of vapor compression in the compressor and the heat exchange surface area of the evaporatorcondenser. The influence of these parameters on capital and operating costs is shown. The optimal combinations of these parameters are determined. To ensure the optimal operating mode of the installation, it is necessary to maintain the optimum salt content of boiling brine, which is determined by the rate of consumption of the source water. The optimal values of these parameters are calculated in a wide range of salt content of the source water. It is shown that, at low salinity of the initial LRW, evaporation is advisable to be carried out in a multi-stage installation. As a result of the calculations, it was found that the specific cost of evaporation of liquid radioactive waste with an initial salt concentration of 10% to a salt content of 20% using the desalination technology with mechanical vapor compression is 0.843 USD/m3.

The article is devoted to solving a practical problem: the choice of equipment for pre-treatment of salt water that feeds the desalination plant. The preliminary stage of desalination is the purification of water from sand particles, which can significantly reduce productivity and even damage the desalination plant, which is situated at the next stage. For pre-treatment, settling tanks, hydrocyclones, sand filters, etc. are used. The main dimensions of hydrocyclones of standard designs are calculated based on well-known recommendations. Modern computer simulation systems allow you to create three-dimensional models of the apparatus being studied, and then calculate the velocity and pressure fields in them. It was necessary to estimate the amount of sand contained in the feed water. To solve this problem, an experimental hydrocyclone was developed and manufactured. The hydrocyclone was numerically simulated and the sand capture coefficient was estimated under various operating conditions. It has been established that an experimental hydrocyclone reliably captures grains of sand 50 microns in size and above. The average daily mass of trapped sand was experimentally determined. Numerical modeling made it possible with reasonable accuracy to estimate the sand capture coefficient by an experimental hydrocyclone. During the tests, the mass of sand entering the pipeline per day was determined. The hydrocyclone reliably captures sand particles of 50 microns or more. At the same time, a significant part of particles less than 50 microns is not captured by the hydrocyclone, which is why a sand filter was chosen for industrial use. In the future, it is advisable to use a serial connection of a hydrocyclone and a sand filter, but such a solution requires additional technical and economic calculation. It is concluded that in the case under consideration, it is advisable to use a sand filter for preliminary water treatment

The results of calculating the S-parameters of a coaxial magnetron are presented. The results of modeling the dynamic mode of interaction of the electron beam with the RF field are presented. The effect of surface and volume absorbers on the operation of a coaxial magnetron is estimated. The simulation results are compared with experimental data.

This paper considers improvement of high-power waveguide load for microwave devices testing. 3d model of load is set up and simulated using the simulation system. Comparative characteristics of voltage standing-wave ratio before and after the improvement is provided. The results of experimental studies of voltage standing-wave ratio of waveguide are presented.

Investigations were carried out concerning the influence of modifying additives on the formulations of carbamide formaldehyde resin of CFR-KhTP grade, used for the development of the noise-absorbing materials. The qualitative interdependence of the speed reduction of the formulations’ thermal curing on the amount of introduced modification agent was found. The preliminary results showed the application potential of the tetramethylthiuram disulfide as the modifying agent of the carbamide formaldehyde resin.

The problem of comparison of the composition of crystalline rocks with the composition of the constituent minerals of these rocks is considered. It is proposed to present the composition of rocks and the compositions of the constituent minerals in the form of a triangle on the plane. The experience of presentation of compositions in phase diagrams was taken as a basis for the construction. Analysis of the crystallochemical characteristics of clinopyroxenes and garnets has shown that three parameters are enough for depicting the compositions of these and other minerals. For this purpose, similar composition components of rocks and their minerals are summarized in molecular proportions and are plotted on the triangle DO-1/2(R2O3)-XO2, where DO = (MgO + CaO + FeO + MnO + NiO + …) + 1/4(Na2O + Al2O3) + 1/4(K2O + Al2O3), 1/2(R2O3) = 1/2(Al2O3 + Fe2O3 + Cr2O3 + …) - (1/4(Na2O + Al2O3) + 1/4(K2O + Al2O3)), and XO2 = SiO2 + TiO2. The compositions of minerals are expressed as the sums of their components: Ol = Fo + Fa + Lar + Neph + …, Px = Di + En + Wol + Ged + Gip + Jd + Eg + …, Ga = Pyr + Gross + Alm + Spe + Ski + Knr + Mj + …, etc. A step-by-step calculation algorithm is proposed, which permits evaluation of the contents of bi- and trivalent iron during probe microanalyses of garnets and pyroxenes. Comparison of the compositions of deep-seated rocks and their minerals shows their good consistency. The proposed schematic projection permits a visual comparison of the compositions of rocks with low contents of carbonates and water, from ultrabasic (e.g., dunites) to acid (e.g., granites) ones.

Desalination of sea water is becoming more urgent for many regions. In the coming decades water will be used for desalination from various reservoirs of the World Ocean. It is important to determine the operating modes of desalination plants, which ensure the minimum cost of desalinated water at different salinity of sea water. Mathematical modeling of the desalination plant with mechanical vapor compres-sion (MVC) is carried out. It has been established that for each sea water salinity there is an optimum salinity value of the boiling brine in the evaporator. An approximating dependence was obtained for calculating the optimal salt content.

The study was based, firstly, on the diverse data collected during field work in 2018 – 2020 in the eastern part of the Terek River delta and long-term hydrological monitoring data on the Roshydromet gauges. Secondly, on a profound comparative analysis of multi-temporal cartographic materials and multiple satellite images, laboratory analysis of water and sediment samples and other research groups’ field data. The performed analysis resulted in unprecedented complex and profound assessment of the contemporary hydrological, morphological and ecological state of the former Agrakhan Bay of the Caspian Sea. The drivers, dependencies and parameters of hydrological and morphological degradation were described; a multi-layer large-scale GIS was created to design multiple illustrations. The performed assessment allowed for development of measures for partial restoration of the hydrological and ecological potential of the former Agrakhan Bay.

Oxygen isotope thermometry has been traditionally based on the ratio of 18O/16O in oxyanions of minerals such as carbonate (CaCO3) in shells/tests, and phosphate in bioapatites (Ca5(PO4)3OH) of marine invertebrates/vertebrates (for example, fish) and mammals. The requirement of mineral biomass, however, has restricted the application of oxygen isotope thermometry to only those organisms possessing biomineral hardparts. This has completely omitted from study, not only organisms lacking hard mineral tissues, but two entire Domains of life: Bacteria and Archaea. Prokaryotic organisms in the domains Bacteria and Archaea comprise the majority of earth9s biodiversity and also inhabit the most extreme environments on earth. This calls for a thermometry based on a more rudimentary component of biomass that is present in all organisms such as DNA. Our previous studies of the ubiquitous intracellular enzyme inorganic pyrophosphatase (PPase), which catalyzes oxygen isotope exchange between dissolved inorganic PO4 (Pi) and water inside of cells, suggest that DNA may contain even more information than the blueprint for life. Here we show that PO4 moieties in DNA record the temperature at which life forms and evolves. Our results demonstrate that the 18O/16O ratio of PO4 (δ18OP) in DNA as well as in bulk biomass, reflects the temperature-dependent exchange of oxygen isotopes between PO4 and intracellular water. Thus, δ18OP values of DNA may serve as both a new soft-tissue bio-thermometer and probe of intracellular PO4 or water during DNA synthesis and cellular growth. Results presented here of the first direct measurements of the oxygen isotopic composition of PO4 in microbial DNA, demonstrate systematic variation in δ18OP of DNA from several different strains of microorganisms as a function of temperature, and also extend the PO4-water O-isotope thermometer to >70 °C. A composite calibration curve based on several strains of bacteria is presented for DNA-PO4–water –temperature relations between 12 and 75 °C and suggests a “universal” DNA-based oxygen isotope thermometry for microorganisms that may further extend to all organisms. Our results open the possibility of connecting temperature with taxonomy and also expand the range of investigations of habitat temperatures and limits to life in extreme and diverse environments, from Earth9s subsurface deep biosphere to Antarctic ice sheets and extraterrestrial systems where life may have originated at extreme temperatures.

For a number of reasons, the domestic construction industry has traditionally been characterized by a conservative attitude to such means of influencing the market as marketing in general and branding in particular. The excess of demand over supply, observed in the Russian housing market for a long time, allowed the construction companies to consider marketing as an unnecessary, unproductive element of market activity. However, the active growth in production volumes that took place in the field of housing over the past 20 years has led to a significant intensification of competition between the construction companies, contributed to the increased demands from the consumers, and, as a result, forced many construction companies to reconsider their old attitude to marketing. To date, almost every major construction company operating in the housing market is already actively using certain marketing tools. Branding was no exception in this series either. Creating and promoting brands of construction companies and residential complexes has become a daily practice. A review of the current situation, problems and prospects in this area are the objectives of this article.

Construction is rightfully considered one of the most important sectors in any economic system. It takes an active part in building up the fixed assets, creating a diverse technological and social infrastructure, as well as providing the population with housing. At the same time, the specific features inherent in construction and the product it produces, such as, for example, territorial consolidation and a long service life, as well as excess of demand over the supply on the Russian housing market, allowed the construction companies to long consider marketing as an unnecessary, optional element of the market activities. However, the rapid growth observed in the field of housing construction over the past 20 years, increased the competition and increased the demands from the consumers, led to the fact that many construction companies were forced to reconsider their old attitude to marketing. Today, almost every organization in the housing market uses, to one degree or another, marketing tools, more often tactical, less often strategic. However, the ongoing changes in the Russian construction market, due primarily to economic stagnation and a decrease in the population solvency, actualize a greater active introduction of marketing tools in the construction companies’ practice, including against the backdrop of the economic activity increasing digitalization. A review of the problems and prospects in this area is one of the objectives of this article.

We have described the current hydrological state of the Agrakhan Bay, studied its features and defined trends, factors and parameters of hydrologic-morphological evolution of the Bay, mainly in the XX and early XXI centuries, and proposed measures for its restoration. The study was based on field measurements and long-term networked hydrological observations, comparative analysis of multitemporal cartographic material and satellite images, and laboratory analysis of water samples. Agrakhan Bay is a unique hydrographic and ecologically valuable object in the south-eastern part of the Terek delta, which 100 years ago had the features of a typical sea gulf and an area of 340 km2, was one of the main habitats for sturgeon spawning and fishery. Now it is divided into two different parts. Water areas and watered reed cover only 258 km2. Their area continues to decrease, which generates negative environmental and socio-economic consequences. The fishing value of the bay has been lost.

A comparison of measured and calculated neutronic characteristics (fast neutron flux and fission rate of 235U) in the core and reflector of the IR-8 reactor is presented. The irradiation devices equipped with neutron activation detectors were prepared. The determination of fast neutron flux was performed using the 54Fe (n, p) and 58Ni (n, p) reactions. The 235U fission rate was measured using uranium dioxide with 10% enrichment in 235U. The determination of specific activities of detectors was carried out by measuring the intensity of characteristic gamma peaks using the ORTEC gamma spectrometer. Neutron fields in the core and reflector of the IR-8 reactor were calculated using the MCU-PTR code.

Ensuring the competitiveness of Russian producers of food products is impossible without achieving the consistent quality and food safety. Special attention in this paper is paid to the introduction of relevant management systems at the enterprises of the food processing industry. A significant number of the currently available standards and specifications enables the management of any enterprise to choose the most appropriate variant for the given enterprise: to implement a single system or a set of systems which can represent the integrated management system (IMS). The main point in this choice is the idea of these types of management systems and of the potential, additional opportunities, and advantages that can be obtained due to their implementation at the enterprises. The responsibility of food manufacturers for the implementation and maintenance of procedures based on the principles of HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) also determines the relevance of the topic. The evaluation of management systems, which are possible to implement at the food enterprises, has been conducted according to the following criteria: solvability of problems, applicability for the food enterprises and the possible effect from the implementation (a potential). The availability of fundamentals for the integration of management systems has been shown, the concept of IMS has been discussed and the need for IMS from the food enterprises has been identified The detailed plan of IMS development has been proposed. The possibility and the attractiveness of the development, implementation of other management systems in the food processing industry, in particular, the environmental management systems, management systems of occupational safety and health, energy management systems, models of ethical and social management have been established. The approach to the choice of IMS components has been confirmed on the basis of the utility definition and potential advantages of each management system separately. The model of the development and implementation of the "optimal" integrated management system of quality and safety for the food enterprises has been offered. The basic point of it is the process model as the main part of the "optimal" IMS of the food enterprise.

The thermal stability and structure of binary amorphous Zr100 − xBex alloys have been studied using differential scanning calorimetry and neutron diffraction over a wide concentration range (30 ≤ x ≤ 65). The amorphous alloys have been prepared by rapid quenching from melt. The studied amorphous system involves the composition range around the eutectic composition with boundary phases α-Zr and ZrBe2. It has been found that the crystallization of alloys with low beryllium contents (“hypoeutectic” alloys with x ≤ 40) proceeds in two stages. Neutron diffraction has demonstrated that, at the first stage, α-Zr crystallizes and the remaining amorphous phase is enriched to the eutectic composition; at the second stage, the alloy crystallizes in the α-Zr and ZrBe2 phases. At higher beryllium contents (“hypereutectic” alloys), one phase transition of the amorphous phase to a mixture of the α-Zr and ZrBe2 phases has been observed. The concentration dependences of the crystallization temperature and activation energy have been revealed.

Criminal personality for thousands of years is the object of philosophical research. For philosophical anthropology, in particular, it is important to understand which components of human nature can be regarded as criminal. The term “hubris” that appears in ancient Greek culture, today received its second wind. It is widely used (especially in the West) to refer to the human outlook, which provokes too arrogant, defiant behavior, which is a public danger. The term “hubris” is often used in criticism of certain politicians. However, we propose to expand the scope of its application also in other spheres of public life. Іn the history of criminology there are many examples of people with hubris, especially among dangerous criminals. Therefore hubris can be considered as criminogenic factor that requires research and limitations of the society. In another case, there is a situation, by analogy with the term “intoxication of power”, can be called “intoxication of impunity”. This thesis is confirmed by authoritative theories developed in criminology, sociology, psychology too. It is also consistent with some modern philosophical views on the nature of the criminal personality. Analysis of factors that stimulate the emergence and growth of hubris, suggest that most are present in a mass society. It generates anomie (loss of values) that щаеут manifests as hubris that can act as criminogenic factor. Therefore, hubris reducing requires changes in the organization of social life.

Results from a study of the design of a model series of hardware-software complexes for automated measurements of the parameters of gear-cutting tools are presented. The technical characteristics, structural designs, and features of the software are presented.

We examine the factors that are responsible for the formation of the beaded structure of channels in the permafrost zone. It is found that formation of beaded channels in the permafrost zone is possible only in the case of small gradients and water flow rates. The existence of such channels in the permafrost zone is unstable; hence, there is little likelihood that they have persisted in a relict form to date

The refractive index of Na2MgSi4O10 and Na2Al2Si4O12 glasses in the pressure range to 6.0 GPa was measured using a polarization-interference microscope and apparatus with diamond anvils. The changes in relative density, which characterize the compressibility of glasses, were calculated in the studied range of pressures from the measured refractive indices within the framework of the theory of photoelasticity. For the studied glasses, the degree of depolimerization was found to be NBO/T = 0.28 and 0.25 for Na2MgSi4O10 and Na2Al2Si4O12 glasses, respectively. It is shown that the replacement of aluminum by magnesium in silicate glasses does not lead to a considerable decrease in compressibility, which suggests the predominant role of magnesium ions as network formers. A minor increase in compressibility when passing from Na2MgSi4O10 to Na2Al2Si4O12 glass conforms with the corresponding decrease in the degree of depolymerization.

We examine the transformation of a gentle segmental to a meander loop with the result that the city, founded in the 17th century, found itself on the caving bank. Comparison of cartographic materials from different times showed the occurrence of secondary bends on elongated rectilinear wings. Not only did such an evolution of the meanders lead to the caving of the terraced urban bank, but also it involved a likely emergency situation on the underwater crossing of the pipeline, and on other engineering facilities. We ascertained the causes of the ongoing channel deformations; modeling data were used in developing recommendations on meander straightening in order to divert the river away from the city.

Data on the refractive index, density, and bulk modulus variations of Di64An36 glass, which is used as a model basalt melt, were obtained with a polarization interference microscope and a high-pressure diamond anvil cell at ambient temperature and pressure up to 5.0 GPa. An anomalous decrease in the bulk modulus, Kt, was observed in the pressure range 0–1.0 GPa. The values of the zero-pressure isothermal bulk modulus, Kt,0 = 22.2, and variation of the bulk modulus with pressure, ΔKt/ΔP = 11.35, were derived using a linear equation relating Kt and P over the pressure range with the normal behavior of the compressibility. A comparison of our results with previous data on other glasses and melts showed that the bulk moduli of silicate glasses are similar to those of corresponding melts. The values of the pressure coefficient of the bulk moduli, ΔKt/ΔP, for glasses derived from linear equations are 2.5 times higher than the pressure derivative of the bulk modulus, K′T, derived using the Birch-Murnaghan equation for corresponding melts. The difference in ΔKt/ΔP and K′T has an effect on the compressibility of glasses and melts. The compressibility of glasses up to 5.0 GPa calculated as (d − d0)/d is almost two times lower than that of corresponding melts.

The Al-rich region of the CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 system was experimentally studied at pressures of 1.0–2.8 GPa and temperatures of 1300–1535°C. The slopes of the lines of the monovariant reactions An + Sp = Cpx + Cor + (Ga) and L = Cpx + Ga + Cor + Sp and the compositions of the phases involved in these reactions are determined. The results are utilized in the topological analysis of the aluminous region of the CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 system. On this basis, the principal structure of the phase diagram is analyzed, and a phase diagram is constructed for the junction region of the quaternary system and the CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 ternary system. A continuous series of the monovariant eutectic: L = Cpx + Opx + Fo + An, L = Cpx + Opx + An + Sp, L = Cpx + (Ga) + An + Sp, L = Cpx + Cor + (Ga) + An, L = An + Ga + Cpx + Ky and L = Ga + Cpx + Ky + Qz is examined within the pressure range from atmospheric to 3.0 GPa and higher. Analogous “telescoped” eutectic series are of fundamental character for interpreting the evolution of magmatic melts. A physicochemical model is suggested for the evolution of magmatic melts that produce rocks of the calc-alkaline series, with this model underlain by the fact that a change in the composition of magmatic melt at a pressure decrease should correspond to the minimum melting temperatures, i.e., to melts in the fundamental series of eutectic reactions. The comparison of our physicochemical model and rocks of the calc-alkaline series shows that the compositions of rocks of the calc-alkaline series are close to the compositions determined for the eutectic equilibria, and the mineralogical composition of xenoliths and megacrysts in volcanic and dike varieties of the rocks are similar to the subsolidus phases of the established fundamental eutectic system.