Application of non-destructive neutron resonance capture analysis for investigation of women’s Old Believer cross dating back to the second half of the 17th century

Neutron Resonance Capture Analysis (NRCA) is presently being developed at the Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics (FLNP) to determine the elemental composition of samples. The NRCA is a nondestructive method that allows measuring objects’ bulk composition. The procedure is based on detecting neutron resonances in radiative capture and the measurement of the yield of reaction products in these resonances. The experiments are carried out at the Intense REsonance Neutron source (IREN). In this study, we applied the NRCA to investigate an archaeological object provided by the Museum and Exhibition Complex (MVK) "Volokolamsk Kremlin". The object was a women’s Old Believer cross (second half of the 17th century) found in the Moscow region, Volokolamsk district, the village of Chubarovo.

Membrane surface recognition by the ASAP1 PH domain and consequences for interactions with the small GTPase Arf1

Adenosine diphosphate–ribosylation factor (Arf) guanosine triphosphatase–activating proteins (GAPs) are enzymes that need to bind to membranes to catalyze the hydrolysis of guanosine triphosphate (GTP) bound to the small GTP-binding protein Arf. Binding of the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of the ArfGAP With SH3 domain, ankyrin repeat and PH domain 1 (ASAP1) to membranes containing phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2] is key for maximum GTP hydrolysis but not fully understood. By combining nuclear magnetic resonance, neutron reflectometry, and molecular dynamics simulation, we show that binding of multiple PI(4,5)P2 molecules to the ASAP1 PH domain (i) triggers a functionally relevant allosteric conformational switch and (ii) maintains the PH domain in a well-defined orientation, allowing critical contacts with an Arf1 mimic to occur. Our model provides a framework to understand how binding of the ASAP1 PH domain to PI(4,5)P2 at the membrane may play a role in the regulation of ASAP1.

Use Reactors with Fast Resonance Neutron Spectrum Cooled By Water of Supercritical Pressure for Nuclear Stations of Low Power (Nslp)

As a result of research for about 10 years in the JSC “SSC RF - IPPE”, OKB “Hydropress“, “Kurchatov Institute”, NIKIET with water cooled reactors with SCP with thermal and fast neutron spectra. Since 2006 “SSC RF - IPPE” and OKB “Hydropress” are working together to conceptual design WWER-SCP single-loop NPP with coolant with fast-resonance neutron spectrum capacity of Ne = 1700 MWt. This Rector has been acknowledged as the prospect of WWER technology with the ability of a transition to the use of MOX-based (U-Pu-Th) fuel and the closed fuel cycle. State Corporation “Rosatom” recognized this trend as an innovative system and signed an agreement on Russia’s participation in the GIF towards SCWR. There is a possibility of using reactors WWER-SCP with a quicklyresonant spectrum of neutrons capacity from 0,3 to 30 MWt for nuclear stations of low power is considered. Results of neutron-physical calculations of fuel cycles with MOX-fuel from oxide uranium and plutonium with possible duration of campaign from 2 till 20 years are presented. Preliminary results of calculations weight-dimensional characteristics in comparison with others offered NPP the specified appointment are resulted. The received results can be used at a substantiation and development of the concept of the developed reactors cooled by water at supercritical parameters, the big capacity for the future atomic.