Palladium(II) Ion Mediated Disulfide/Thiolate Interconversion: Predicting the Disulfide Group State from First Principles.

Different reactivity of homologous disulfides toward Pd was previously reported: stepwise complexation to Pd for l-cystine and cystamine ligands, while for dl-homocystine and 3,3'-dithiodipropionic acid, disulfide's disproportionation toward thiolate and sulfinic acid complexes is observed. The disulfide/thiolate interconversion of four different disulfide ligands in the presence of nonredox metal cation Pd in aqueous solution has been computationally investigated. We see this different reactivity in different capacities of considered homologous disulfides to stabilize forming S,S'-binuclear complexes, which are believed to be key intermediates toward interconversion products.

Larch Forests of Middle Siberia: Long-Term Trends in Fire Return Intervals.

Fire history within the northern larch forests of Central Siberia was studied (65+°N). Fires within this area are predominantly caused by lightning strikes rather than human activity. Mean fire return intervals (FRI) were found to be 112 ± 49 years (based on fire scars) and 106 ± 36 years (based on fire scars and tree natality dates).

Magnetic structure of CuMnBO ludwigite: thermodynamic, magnetic properties and neutron diffraction study.

We report on the thermodynamic, magnetic properties and the magnetic structure of ludwigite-type CuMnBO. The specific heat, low-field magnetization and paramagnetic susceptibility were studied on a single crystal and combined with powder neutron diffraction data. The temperature dependence of the specific heat and the neutron diffraction pattern reveal a single magnetic phase transition at T  =  92 K, which corresponds to the magnetic ordering into a ferrimagnetic phase.

Analysis of the metal layer thickness influence on the dispersion characteristics of acoustic waves propagating in the layered piezoelectric structure "Me/AlN/Me/diamond".

The paper presents the results of computer simulation of the acoustic waves propagation in piezoelectric layered structures based on diamond substrate under the influence of various metal film deposition. It has been observed that the maximum phase velocity change Δv/v is achieved with an "Au/(001) AlN/Au/(100) diamond" PLS configuration. However, if the acoustic impedance of the metal layer is greater than the acoustic impedance of the substrate, an elastic wave reflection can be observed, reducing the Δv/v quantities.

Tree Wave Migration Across an Elevation Gradient in the Altai Mountains, Siberia.

The phenomenon of "tree waves" (hedges and ribbons) formation within the alpine ecotone in Altai Mountains and its response to observed air temperature increase was considered. At the upper limit of tree growth Siberian pine () forms hedges on windward slopes and ribbons on the leeward ones. Hedges were formed by prevailing winds and oriented along winds direction.

Climate-induced mortality of Siberian pine and fir in the Lake Baikal Watershed, Siberia.

Siberian pine () and fir () (so called "dark needle conifers", DNC) showed decreased radial growth increment within the Lake Baikal watershed since the 1980s with increasing mortality recorded since the year 2000. Tree ring width was strongly correlated with vapor pressure deficit, aridity and root zone moisture. Water stress from droughts made trees more susceptible to insect attacks causing mortality in about 10% of DNC stands within the Lake Baikal watershed.

Spin polarized bound states in the continuum in open Aharonov-Bohm rings with the Rashba spin-orbit interaction.

We consider the trapping of electrons with a definite spin polarization by bound states in the continuum (BSC) in the open Aharonov-Bohm rings in the presence of the Rashba spin-orbit interaction (RSOI). Neglecting the Zeeman term we show the existence of BSCs in the one-dimensional ring when the eigenstates of the closed ring are doubly degenerate. With account of the Zeeman term BSCs occur only at the points of threefold degeneracy.

Climate-Induced Landslides within the Larch Dominant Permafrost Zone of Central Siberia.

Climate impact on landslide occurrence and spatial patterns were analyzed within the larch-dominant communities associated with continuous permafrost areas of Central Siberia. We used high resolution satellite imagery (i.e.

The effects of the frequency and waveform of the activating current on physicochemical oxidation of organic wastes.

The study describes the process of organic waste mineralization in an H2O2 aqueous medium activated by alternating current, which is intended to enhance the cycling rates in closed life support systems (CLSS) for space missions. The focus of this study is the relationship between the energy consumption and duration of the process and oxidation level of organic wastes on the one hand and the frequency and waveform of the electric current activating H2O2 decomposition, on the other. Energy consumption and duration of the complete waste mineralization process have been reduced by about 17-18%.

The analysis of the effect of homogeneous mechanical stress on the acoustic wave propagation in the "La3Ga5SiO14/fused silica" piezoelectric layered structure.

The results of computer simulation taking into account the linear and nonlinear material constants have been presented. Study of the influence of external uniaxial mechanical stress on the dispersive characteristics of elastic waves in piezoelectric structures as "La3Ga5SiO14/fused silica" has been executed. The comparison of elastic wave velocity changes under the influence of an uniaxial stress while a full set of nonlinear material constants of crystalline layer+geometric nonlinearity, or only geometric nonlinearity of the layer induced by the static deformation of a substrate, has been fulfilled.