Glass Production from River Silica of Bangladesh: Converting Waste to Economically Potential Natural Resource

The Ganges-Brahmaputra river system at the Bengal Basin carries large amounts of sediments on the way to finally deposit at the Bay of Bengal. Those river-transported sediments form bar deposits during dry season in many areas of Bangladesh and accumulate economic mineral depositions at suitable geological environments. Dredging is a must for most of those rivers for proper navigation, as well as protecting bank erosion, which generates millions of tons of waste sand. The dredged materials from river beds are mostly composed of silicate minerals, especially quartz and feldspar along with several dark colored heavy minerals. Like the industrial processing of heavy minerals from bulk sands, various physical separation techniques can be utilized for the beneficiation of silica from those river-born silicate minerals in dredged sands. Those silica have been successfully upgraded to near-glass sand grade in the laboratory, however, they have yet to be utilized for any kind of commercial venture. The present study attempts characterization of several river sands through physical separation and laboratory analysis. The upgraded silica was successfully compared with several quality glass sands and laboratory production of glasses. This experimental production of glass from upgraded silica could potentially be economical considering its industrial application with positive environmental consequences through minimizing the dredging cost, increasing the navigability of the river and ecological balance along the flood plain.

Technical and Design Features of Laboratories Suitable for Work Involving Infected Animals

Introduction: The state biological safety system is an important component of the national security system. Handling of biological agents is always potentially hazardous. One of the types of work that poses the risk of developing laboratory-acquired infections includes studies of infected biological models used for experimental, production and diagnostic purposes in the laboratory facilities of various agencies authorized to deal with biological agents of pathogenicity groups I to IV. Objective: The study aimed to analyze the up-to-date regulatory, methodological and legislative framework setting requirements for technical and design features of special purpose laboratories suitable for work involving infected animals in order to minimize health risks. Methods: We analyzed regulatory documents and scientific publications found in bibliographic databases (Web of Science, PubMed, and eLIBRARY) using keyword searches and selected 35 sources for the present review. Results: Special attention is paid to the design of laboratories intended for experimental and diagnostic work with biological models infected with biological agents of pathogenicity groups I and II. Both construction and reconstruction of existing premises are carried out in accordance with the design documentation and have a number of specific features. The combination of facilities depends on the goals and objectives of the laboratory. The laboratory premises shall be provided with water supply, special sewerage, power supply, heating, exhaust ventilation, telephone communications, as well as security and fire alarms and fire extinguishing equipment in accordance with fire safety requirements. Conclusions: The results of analyzing the current regulatory, methodological and legislative framework governing technical and design characteristics of special purpose laboratories suitable for work with infected animals confirm that strict compliance with the appropriate requirements enables their effective performance and guarantees safety for human health and the environment by eliminating biological risks.

Radiation-Hygienic Investigations of Experimental Production of Mixed Nitride Uranium-Plutonium Fuel at JSC SChC. Part 1: Methods and Results

Purpose: To present the methods and results of studies of the factors of radiation exposure to workers involved in the manufacture of mixed uranium-plutonium nitride (MUPN) fuel at the complex experimental installations CEI-1 and CEI-2 of JSC SChC. Material and Methods: Regularities of the formation of external exposure doses have been revealed based on the study of the dynamics of the ambient dose equivalent rate (ADER) of photon and neutron radiation at the CEI-1 and CEI-2 workplaces, as well as instrumental individual dosimetric control of the equivalent doses to workers. In order to assess the inhalation intake and possible doses from internal irradiation, studies of the physicochemical properties of radioactive aerosols were carried out. Results: It has been found that the main sources of penetrating radiation in the premises of CEI-1 are boxes where tablets are pressed, chips and rejected tablets are crushed, as well as temporary storage of products is occurred. The highest ADER values have been measured in those boxes, where the radiation exposure was due to radioactive contamination caused by past activity, and is not associated with fabrication of MUPN fuel. A significant contribution of neutron exposure to individual doses of workers was measured, which exceeded the contribution of gamma exposure at some workplaces of the CEI-1. At CEI-2, a non-functioning exhaust ventilation pipe passing over the premises was found to be a powerful source of external radiation. This pipe contained a significant amount of radioactive material. Assessment of the contribution of gamma exposure from the ventilation pipe to the external exposure of workers reached 85% at some workplaces. Studies of the physicochemical properties of radioactive aerosols have revealed a high reactivity of MUPN compounds, leading to instant oxidation of the thoracic fraction of MUPN fuel aerosols under contact with air. The complex morphological and dispersed composition of aerosol particles in combination with a complex chemical composition caused by the aging processes of aerosols, can lead to a fundamental difference in the biokinetics of MUPN aerosols, the process of dose formation and, consequently, the degree of radiological hazard compared to those adopted in the ICRP models for U and Pu. The results of the current radiation-hygienic research are of a preliminary nature, since the object of this research is an experimental installation, which was used to develop a new technology for the production of MUPN fuel. The instrumental and methodological approaches to assess the factors of radiation exposure to workers tested at these experimental installations, will be used in the future to conduct similar studies during the pilot industrial operation of new modules for fabricating and refurbishing of MUPN fuel.

Sound Patterns as Connectors: An Experimental Production of Three Sisters

The actor is tasked with embodying text in order to portray the characters’ intentions. This article shows that such a complex task escalates when the actor performs in a second language. In South Africa, where eleven official languages are embraced, the multiplicity and crossover of spoken languages is a daily challenge for actors and theatre makers, leading to a preference for physical performances, which limits the use of text. The production of embodied sound patterns embedded in a text informed the creative process of an experimental production of Chekhov’s Three Sisters. It was created with a second-language cast (speakers of Setswana and Afrikaans) whose over-arching goal was to consider the embodied patterns of pre-linguistic expression as a theatre-making tool. When reflecting on their work, the actors indicated that their explorations facilitated a connection with the text in English and generated the relevant dynamics for the play’s sociopolitical themes to be adequately ‘translated’ to a contemporary multilingual South African context. Karina Lemmer is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Performing Arts at Tshwane University of Technology in Gauteng, where she teaches acting and voice. She has directed a number of multilingual productions, including Buried Voices (2018) and Motlotlegi (2019), and has published in the Voice and Speech Review (2018).

Application of modal and harmonic analysis to predict the automotive transmission vibration at an early stage of design

Introduction (problem statement and relevance). The need to increase the operating speeds and input torque of automobile transmissions because of their vibration is becoming a more and more urgent problem.The purpose of the study was to substantiate the applicability of harmonic analysis, which makes it possible to determine the actual values of vibration values during a steady oscillatory process, for the initial assessment of the gearbox vibration activity.Methodology and research methods. The calculation of the gearbox vibration activity was carried out by modal and harmonic analyses, implemented by the finite element method, and followed by the experimental study of gearbox vibration on a test bench.Scientific novelty and results. The presented experimental and calculated results of the research show that the difference between the experimental and calculated values is no more than 4.2%. This proves the possibility of applying modal and harmonic analysis to predict the gearbox vibration state at an early stage of product design at the stand.Practical significance. The given calculation algorithm makes it possible to predict, with a sufficient degree of accuracy, the vibration of the gearbox before the manufacture of a prototype in experimental production.

Brussels sprouts seeds growing without mother plants transplanting in the conditions of the Moscow region

В течение 2019–2021 годов на опытно-производственной базе ФГБНУ ВНИИФ в Московской области (Одинцовский городской округ) выращивали растения капусты брюссельской сорта Геркулес 1342 для получения семян в беспересадочной культуре без применения химически синтезированных препаратов защиты растений и агрохимикатов. Беспересадочный способ позволил вырастить семена капусты брюссельской исключив основные, наиболее затратные и трудоемкие агротехнические мероприятия: отбор и уборка с поля маточных растений с корневой системой, перевозка в хранилище и хранение маточников при соблюдении режима хранения, зачистка маточников и весенняя подготовка к высадке, высадка маточников в открытый грунт. После высадки в поле и приживания маточных растений потери могут достигать 50%. В беспересадочной культуре сохранность семенных растений после перезимовки составляла 80%, а семенная продуктивность достигала 23 г с одного растения, при лабораторной всхожести – 98%, что значительно превосходит контрольный вариант – выращивание семян в пересадочной культуре. Растения, выращенные из семян, полученных в беспересадочной культуре, склонности к преждевременному цветению не проявляли и формировали нормальные, по морфологическим признакам, продуктивные растения. Семенные растения капусты брюссельской сорта Геркулес 1342 успешно переживали в открытом грунте без укрытия как малоснежную зиму 2020 года, так и зиму 2021 года с достаточно высоким снежным покровом – до 55 см. При этом растения имели незначительные повреждения не от мороза, а от мышей. В отличие от маточных растений, высаживаемых в открытый грунт, после зимнего хранения, маточные растения, выращенные в беспересадочной культуре, не имели повреждения точек роста вследствие солнечных ожогов. Таким образом сохранялось наиболее продуктивное первое цветение. During 2019–2021, Brussels sprouts of the Hercules 1342 cultivar were grown at the experimental production base of the FSBSI VNIIF in the Moscow region, Odintsovo District in order to obtain seeds in a non-planting culture without the use of chemically synthesized plant protection preparations and agrochemicals. The non-planting method made it possible to grow Brussels sprouts seeds by eliminating the main, most expensive and time-consuming agrotechnical measures: selection and cleaning of mother plants with a root system from the field, transportation to the storage and storage of mother plants while observing the storage regime, cleaning of mother plants and spring preparation for planting, planting in the open ground. After planting in the field and taking root of the mother plants, losses can reach 50%. In a seedless culture, the safety of seed plants after overwintering was 80%, and the seed productivity reached 23 grams per plant, with laboratory germination – 98%, which significantly exceeds the control variant: growing seeds in a transplant culture. Plants grown from seeds obtained in a non-planting culture did not show a tendency to premature flowering and formed normal ones. According to morphological characteristics, productive plants. Seed plants of Brussels sprouts of the Hercules 1342 cultivar successfully survived both the low – snow winter of 2020 and the winter of 2021 with a sufficiently high snow cover-up to 55 cm in the open ground without shelter. At the same time, the plants had minor damage not from frost, but from mice. Unlike the mother plants planted in the open ground, after winter storage, the mother plants grown in a non-planting culture did not have damage to the growth points due to sunburn. Thus, the most productive first flowering was preserved.

Research and complete the processing technology of Son La oxide copper ores for the Tay Bac Minerals Joint Stock Company

The copper ore processing plant of the Tay Bac Minerals Joint Stock Company has been designed and operated to produce metallic copper from copper sulphide ores and copper oxide ores in Son La province. Copper sulphide ores are processed to produce copper concentrates with content of more than 20% Cu for the next processing stage, while copper oxide ores, with average content of 1÷3% Cu and after grinding, are fed directly into hydrometallurgical processes to extract copper. However, this process requires large amount of chemicals. Therefore, the economic efficiency is not high. The National Institute of Mining - Metallurgy Science and Technology has researched and proposed a reasonable technology process for Son La copper oxide ores for solving difficulties and perfecting the processing technology at the plant that improves economic efficiency and minimizes environmental pollutions. This report presents results of the experimental production research project with the code CNKK.013.19, implemented by the Institute of Materials Science and sponsored by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Sweet cherry competitive varieties for the horticulture of the Krasnodar Territory

Creation of new varieties that combine a complex of valuable traits, incl. the marketability and quality of fruits for updating the assortment of sweet cherry is an urgent direction of breeding research. The paper presents the results of a long-term work on the assessment of 12 varieties of sweet cherries of domestic and foreign breeding according to the main parameters of marketability and quality of fruits. The studies were carried out in 2015–2020 on the basis of the «Tsentralnoye» experimental production farm of the North Caucasian Federal Scientific Center of Horticulture, Viticulture, Winemaking. As a result of regional breeding and long-term variety study sweet cherry varieties of local breeding (Alaya, Volshebnitsa, Chernie glaza) and introduced varieties (Anonce, Vasilisa, Kroupnoplodnaya, Sweet Heart, Skina) with larger fruits (fruit weight of 8.5–12.0 g) were identified. These varieties correspond to world marketability standards. Varieties with high biochemical parameters have been revealed: vitamin C (10.9–13.0 mg/100 g) Volshebnitsa, Podarok leta, Anonce; vitamin P (81.6–116.0 mg/100 g) Volshebnitsa, Podarok leta, Kroupnoplodnaya; anthocyanins (213.5–390.0 mg/100 g) Madonna, Chernie glaza; sugars (14.2–15.2 %) Alaya, Volshebnitsa, Podarok leta; soluble solids (19.8–22.8 %) Alaya and Volshebnitsa. A greatest variation in parameters (Cv = 60 %) was noted in the number of anthocyanins from 87.0 in the Volshebnitsa variety to 390.0 mg/100 g in the Madonna variety. At the same time, the supposed direct correlation between the ripening period and the accumulation of sugars (R2 = 0.083) and dry matter (R2 = 0.107) was not revealed, due primarily to the varietal specifics and year conditions. For modern technologies of the production of high-quality cherry products in the south of the country, domestic varieties Krasnaya devitsa, Volshebnitsa, Alaya, introduced varieties Anonce, Kroupnoplodnaya, Sweet Heart and Skina, stably bearing fruit under stress conditions, with a yield of 20.0 t/ha with a planting scheme 5.3 m, high marketable and taste qualities were suggested. Super early ripening cherry variety Madonna was recommended to expand the regional cherry conveyor.

Cluster Analysis Of Triticum L. Samples Of Different Ecological And Geographical Origin

This research paper is devoted to the application of cluster analysis for evaluating samples of soft spring wheat by elements of crop structure. The purpose of the study is to analyse the intraspecific and interspecific variability of morphological features of samples of spring wheat of various ecological and geographical origin according to 8 morphological features. Observations were carried out in 2018-2020 in the training and experimental production centre “Doslidne pole” of the Kharkiv National Agrarian University named after V.V. Dokuchaev. The cluster analysis of the collection of spring wheat samples, which included 76 samples of various ecological and geographical origin, allowed the study to assess the following features: the presence of awns, the colour of awns, the colour of ear scales, the pubescence of leaves, the pubescence of the subcrown internode, the pubescence of the ear internode, the colour of caryopsis, the colour of straw. The results of analysis of the phylogeny of various types of spring wheat by cluster analysis using morphological markers to determine homogeneous groups are presented, and the affected tree of systematic formation of clustering groups is established. Based on the cluster analysis, two separate groups of soft spring wheat samples were identified according to the complex of plant productivity elements. Samples are grouped into each cluster depending on the quantitative characteristics of the crop structure and their interaction with each other. In general, all samples over the years of study showed good results, namely based on “colour of awns”, of particular note are the samples of the Tr. persicumspecies. According to the results obtained, all samples have good indicators, and cluster analysis of soft spring wheat samples allowed identifying groups of plants that exceed the parent forms in the optimal set of economically valuable traits, which would allow for a more purposeful selection of valuable forms based on certain traits