Yb:YAG diverging beam amplifier with 20 mJ pulse energy and 1.5 kHz repetition rate.

We have developed a laser system with a combination of record-breaking parameters for rod ytterbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Yb:YAG) lasers with pulse energy 20 mJ, average power 30 W, and beam quality М< 1.35. This record was achieved thanks to the Yb:YAG diverging beam amplifier (DBA) geometry, which allows combining efficient amplification with high average power, good beam quality, and high-energy pulse extraction.

High average-power ultrafast CPA Yb:KYW laser system with dual-slab amplifier.

A diode-pumped, ultrafast Yb:KYW laser system utilizing chirped-pulse amplification in a dual-slab regenerative amplifier with spectral shaping of seeding pulse from a master oscillator has been developed. A train of compressed pulses with pulse length of 181 fs, repetition rate up to 200 kHz, and average power exceeding 8 W after compression and pulse picker was achieved.

Ultrafast time-to-space conversion of phase by the method of spectral nonlinear optics.

We propose a method for direct conversion of an ultrashort pulse into a monochromatic beam whose wave front either repeats or is related to the phase structure of the pulse or its spectrum. This can be done by sum-frequency generation of the spectrally resolved pulses. Experimentally, we projected two spectra of the same chirped pulse onto the nonlinear crystal so that the dispersions were opposite.

[Factual nutritional status in workers of a machine-building factory].

Physical development, energy expenditures, morbidity, and supply with the main food-stuffs were studied in machine-building workers. Peculiarities of alimentary status of workers were basis for development of hygienic recommendations on rationalization of their nutrition.

[Effectiveness of urine-preserving agents used in water reclamation systems].

The antimicrobial activity of 11 chemicals of different classes was investigated having in view their potential use as urine conserving agents onboard space flying vehicles. The investigations were performed on 8 bacterial cultures, including spore-forming, urease-active bacteria and microorganisms that typically occur in the spacecraft environment. Out of the chemical tested, five haloid-containing agents, primarily oxidative agents, showed the largest spectrum of antimicrobial action and highest bactericidal effect.

[Effect of silver preparations on the microflora regenerated from a condensate of atmospheric water vapor in a hermetically-sealed chamber].

The effect of different silver compounds (silver sulphate, silver nitrate, electrolytic ionic silver) on microorganisms in water reclaimed from the atmospheric condensate in an enclosed environment was investigated. The following microorganisms were examined: Alcaligenes faecalis, Citrobacter freundii. Aeromonas hydrophila, Staphylococcus epidermidis, etc.

[Reasons for the formation of hydrogen sulfide in regenerated water].

The factors responsible for the formation of hydrogen sulphide in the water reclaimed from the atmospheric condensate were investigated. It was found that hydrogen sulphide developed in reclaimed water due to microorganisms which in the presence of inorganic sulphur (sodium thiosulphate) acquired the capacity to produce hydrogen sulphide, although normally they are not sulphur reducing. Among the microorganisms studied, E.

[Water intake at high altitudes].

The paper presents data on the water balance, factors responsible for water requirements and methods of maintaining optimum water balance in humans at high altitudes.

[Comparative evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of urine preservatives].

New antiseptics were examined for their antimicrobial activity with respect to the microorganisms that are most likely to occur in the urine subject to prolonged storage. Chlorine- and iodine-containing compounds were found to have the highest antimicrobial activity combined with a wide spectrum of antimicrobial action. The antimicrobial effect of these compounds was mostly expressed in regard to the typical representatives of urobacteria that actively hydrolyze urea to yield ammonia during prolonged storage of urine.

[Hygienic evaluation of the water reclaimed from various moisture-containing wastes].

The paper reviews 5 experiments on 25 healthy male test subjects, aged 20-36. For drinking and cooking they used water reclaimed from various water-containing wastes (atmospheric condensate, urine, fluids used in engineering processes and biological wastes) by the oxidation-catalytic and sorption techniques. The resultant water was saturated with salts and decontaminated by ionic silver at a dose of 0.

[Assessment of the quality of relcaimed water by total organic carbon].

The paper discusses possible application of the method of measuring the total content of organic carbon to evaluate the quality or reclaimed water. The paper gives data on the content of organic carbon, ratio of chemical consumption of oxygen and carbon in the atmospheric condensate, urine, condensate of urine low-temperature evaporation and portable water reclaimed from these sources.

[Effect of a magnetic field on Escherichia coli].

The decontaminating effect of the pulsing magnetic field on the E. coli infected reclaimed water was studied on two installations. The magnetic field intensity was 500 and 1000-1500 ersted and the microbial load was 1, 10 and 100 thous.

Life in the spacecraft and planetary station.

Further exploration of outer space and the solar system, performance of interplanetary flights and establishment of planetary stations necessitate extensive physiological studies and development of reliable life-support systems. When developing the systems, particular attention should be paid to the concept and testing of new processes which can provide a highly efficient regeneration of vitally important materials and decrease the weight of expendables. Of great significance is the establishment of optimal parameters of the environment for long-term manned spaceflights and selection of facilities securing them.