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The impact of temporary storage sites for radioactive wastes in Guba Andreeva on the environmental conditions in the coastal zone of the Barents Sea after 50 years of operation is evaluated on the basis of general chronological reconstruction of the dynamics of radioactive contamination of the marine environment. The bottom deposits along the seacoast at different distances from the repository were investigated. It was found that the region of constant impact of the repository on the conditions in the marine environment is localized near the perimeter of the sanitary-protective zone. Growth of the specific activity of 137Cs, 90Sr, 238Pu, 239,240Pu is recorded in sediments layers up to the level 16–20 cm. The impact of the emission of radionuclides from the repository site is not perceptible in the seacoast zone (Motovskii Zaliv). The age of the sedimentary layers was determined: it shows that the significant concentration of 137Cs in the deposits in Motovskii Zaliv corresponds to the mid-1960s and 1986 and is associated with atmospheric fallout of radionuclides as a result of the nuclear weapons tests and the accident at the Chernobyl NPP.

Pulsed plasma ignition systems in gas-turbine engines with synchronization of primary and auxiliary discharge processes are considered. In terms of discharge duration, such systems are intermediate between pulsed capacitive systems and plasma ignition systems with a prolonged arc discharge. Experiments show that pulsed plasma systems have better ignition capabilities than capacitive systems with oscillatory discharge, for the same capacitor charge.

The experimental detection technique of acoustical center of noise source is proposed. It is applicable for noise source without distinct limits and emitting acoustic energy unevenly on the surface area. The constraints of this technique are established and factors influencing on the precision of detection of noise center are discussed. The results of the experiment set under the offered technique are shown and comparison to results of mathematical modeling of steam jet is given.

The dynamics of cavity formation is studied. Technological recommendations for the electrochemical engraving of steels 40Kh, 5KhNM, 40Kh13, and U8 in neutral salt solutions with uncontrolled interelectrode spacing have been developed, taking into account the steel microstructure.

Reproduction in fishes is sensitive to temperature. Elevated temperatures and anomalous ‘heat waves’ associated with climate change have the potential to impact fish reproductive performance and, in some cases, even induce sex reversals. Here we examine how thermal sensitivity in the hormone pathways regulating reproduction provides a framework for understanding impacts of warmer conditions on fish reproduction. Such effects will differ depending on evolved variation in temperature sensitivity of endocrine pathways regulating reproductive processes of sex determination/differentiation, gametogenesis and spawning, as well as how developmental timing of those processes varies with reproductive ecology. For fish populations unable to shift geographical range, persistence under future climates may require changes in temperature responsiveness of the hormone pathways regulating reproductive processes. How thermal sensitivity in those hormone pathways varies among populations and species, how those pathways generate temperature maxima for reproduction, and how rapidly reproductive thermal tolerances can change via adaptation or transgenerational plasticity will shape which fishes are most at risk for impaired reproduction under rising temperatures. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Endocrine responses to environmental variation: conceptual approaches and recent developments’.

The energy-mass and operational characteristics of a nuclear electrorocket propulsion system based on thermionic reactor-converters largely depend on the parameters of the current converter and the onboard cable network. The decrease of the specific mass of a nuclear electrorocket propulsion system due to the choice of the temperature regime of the current converter and the onboard cable network as well as the frequency of the supply voltage is examined. Investigations have shown that increasing the working temperature of the onboard cable network and current converter makes it possible to decrease the specific mass of the nuclear electrorocket propulsion system by 33–83%, as a result of which the useful load fraction of the spacecraft increases from tens of percent to a factor of 2–3, 1 figure, 6 references.

In the light of The Paris Agreement (COP 21), global leaders reached a consensus to curtail the increase in global temperature up to 2.0 °C ideally 1.5 °C pre-industrial level. Likewise, it has become a pathway to accomplish long-term goals of achieving carbon neutrality. In this regard, this paper aims to explore the role of green process innovation and environmental orientation toward environmental performance for achieving the long-term goal of carbon neutrality. In addition, this paper also discovers a mediating role of green competitive advantage in said context. Using data from a survey among managers of equipment manufacturing sector, the study employed structural equation modeling technique and found that green process innovation, environmental orientation and green competitive advantage significantly influence environmental performance. Subsequently, mediation analysis indicated that green competitive advantage partially mediates the relation from green process innovation and environmental orientation to environmental performance. In light of the carbon neutrality targets, the study highlight that improving environmental performance through green process innovation and environmental orientation can be a way-forward for manufacturing sector to play its role to achieve carbon neutrality. The study concludes with theoretical and practical implications.

Tests have been done on steels 40, 20N2M, and ES (experimental steel) for stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in various media (NACE medium, 3% NaCl solution, and chloride-calcium stratal water containing hydrogen sulfide).