Mutagenic potential of copper compounds and modification of effects of silver iodide]

Mutagenic potential of copper compounds and its alteration in case of the interaction with silver compounds were analyzed by use of plant test systems. As test systems, Crepis capillaris L., Tradescantia clone 02, and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) were used. Mutagenic properties of copper iodide and copper sulfate were not detected. CuI, being not a mutagen by itself, remarkably enhanced mutagenic potential of AgI.     

Some approaches to evaluation of the mutagenic effect of industrial waste on the environment

The mutagenic effect of an industrial enterprise (tungsten and molybdenum factory) was studied in three stages. At the first stage, the putative impact of the industrial sewage of the factory was studied using three plant test systems: Crepis capillaris L., Tradescantia sp. clone 02, and Glycine max (L.) Merill. It was found that the sewage increased the mutation level by a factor of 11-45. At the second stage, the rate of mutation was studied in the native vegetation growing on solid waste piles of the enterprise. It exceeded the corresponding index of uncontaminated areas by a factor of 2-4.5. At the third stage, the rates of children with birth defects and miscarriages were studied in the vicinity of the enterprise. The rate of miscarriages proved to be higher than the value averaged over the autonomous republic by a factor of 2.4. No change in the rate of birth defects was detected.     

Analysis of the Mutagenic Potential of Copper Compounds and Modification of Their Effect by Silver Iodide

Mutagenic potential of copper compounds and its alteration in case of the interaction with silver compounds were analyzed by use of plant test systems. As test systems,Crepis capillarisL., Tradescantia clone 02, and soybean (Glycine max(L.) Merrill) were used. Mutagenic properties of copper iodide and copper sulfate were not detected. CuI, being not a mutagen by itself, remarkably enhanced mutagenic potential of AgI.     

Some Approaches to Evaluation of the Mutagenic Effect of Industrial Waste on the Environment

The mutagenic effect of an industrial enterprise (tungsten and molybdenum factory) was studied in three stages. At the first stage, the putative impact of the industrial sewage of the factory was studied using three plant test systems: Crepis capillaris L., Tradescantia sp. clone 02, and Glycine max (L.) Merill. It was found that the sewage increased the mutation level by a factor of 11–45. At the second stage, the rate of mutation was studied in the native vegetation growing on solid waste piles of the enterprise. It exceeded the corresponding index of uncontaminated areas by a factor of 2.0–4.5. At the third stage, the rates of children with birth defects and miscarriages were studied in the vicinity of the enterprise. The rate of miscarriages proved to be higher than the value averaged over the autonomous republic by a factor of 2.4. No change in the rate of birth defects was detected.__________Translated from Genetika, Vol. 41, No. 6, 2005, pp. 753–758.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by N. Reutova, Vorobyeva, T. Reutova.     

Picosecond runaway electron beams in air

Experimental data on the generation of picosecond runaway electron beams in an air gap with an inhomogeneous electric field at a cathode voltage of up to 500 kV are presented. The methods and equipment developed for these experiments made it possible to measure the beam characteristics with a time resolution of better than 10⁻¹¹ s, determine the voltage range and the beam formation time in the breakdown delay stage, and demonstrate the influence of the state of the cathode surface on the stability of runaway electron generation. It is demonstrated that the critical electron runaway field in air agrees with the classical concepts and that the accelerated beam can be compressed to ∼20 ps. It is unlikely that, under these conditions, the beam duration is limited due to the transition of field emission from the cathode to a microexplosion of inhomogeneities. The maximum energy acquired by runaway electrons in the course of acceleration does not exceed the value corresponding to the electrode voltage.