Home – Home – Jornals – Contemporary Problems of Ecology 2013 number 6

Analysis of the microbial community developing on a plate made of stainless steel is presented. The sample was analyzed for the rpoC gene from this plate. Identification of dominant species (clones) of the biofilm was performed using molecular cloning and determination of the nucleotide sequence of the region of 16S rRNA gene. A comparison between the activities of the microorganisms of the plankton way of life and those adherent in the biofilm is presented. It was discovered that 7 of 19 treated sequences (37 %) belonged to the Sphingobacteria group. Analysis of nucleotide sequences of the 16S rRNA gene, cloned from natural biofilm samples from Lake Baikal, revealed a broad variety of microorganisms incorporated in the biofilm. The following taxonomic groups were revealed among them: sphingobacteria, α-proteobacteria, cyanobacteria, verrucomicrobia, bacilli, γ-proteobacteria, flavobacteria and β-proteobacteria. The analysis of this kind has been performed for Lake Baikal for the first time.

Experimental investigation of the behavior of turbellarians in water bodies located in the basin of Lake Baikal (Phagocata sibirica (Zabussov, 1903)) in response to the impact of light, toxic substances and combined effect of these factors allowed us to determine specific features in the behavior of the biosystem under the conditions of impact beyond the homeostasis. It has been determined that under the impact of light of increasing intensity, the system demonstrates oscillatory behavior of turbulent type with the effects of synchronization and desynchronization. Analysis of experimental results within the framework of non-linear dynamic systems theory has indicated that the behavior of turbellarian system is conformant with the model of associated bistable oscillators, which are synchronized by the internal system noise.

Data on the species composition of fish population in the tributaries of the Novosibirsk water reservoir are presented. The structure of fish communities and environmental factors determining it are revealed. A connection between the non-uniformity of fish communities with the depth and length of rivers, relief, flow velocity, the area of flood-plain and estuarial zone, the presence of riffles and the order of influx was analyzed.

Allozyme variability of the common shrew Sorex araneus in Western Siberia was studied. The low level of genetic variability and the lack of significant differences in performance polymorphism of populations living in the taiga, subtaiga and forest-steppe regions were revealed. The high level of genetic differentiation of populations belonging to the adjacent chromosomal races – Novosibirsk and Serov ( F_ST = 0.3) was shown.

We studied the variation of morphometric traits in Ground Beetle Carabus aeruginosus F.-W. Beetles were sampled in Kemerovo region in the gradient of urbanization: the city, its suburbs and natural biotopes outside the city. We used General Linear Models, Principal Component Analysis and Multidimensional Scaling to show that all environmental factors (anthropogenic disturbance, vegetation of biotope) contributed significantly into the size variation of the beetles. Females and males reacted in different ways to the environmental factors. These phenomena lead to the different values of size sex dimorphism (SSD). Factors “City” and “Suburbs” decreased the value on SSD in the species investigated, but factor “Meadows” increased SSD. Our results indicated shape sex dimorphism (ShSD) in Carabus aeruginosus as well.

Detection of the invasive lime leafminer Phyllonorycter isskii in Novosibirsk in 2008–2009 is reported. The pest mines were found on small-leaved lime Tilia cordata and Siberian lime Tilia sibirica , but not on Amur lime T. amurensis , the usual host of the moth. T. cordata carried 2–3 times more mines than T. sibirica . On both hosts, parasitism of matured larvae and pupae did not exceed 7 %. Lack of control by local parasitoids may give the pest an opportunity to increase population density and to spread further in Western Siberia.

The applicability of the notion of ecotone to the ornithofauna of forest-tundra near the Ob river is considered. Within the left-bank territory of the Ob, from the flood-plain and the Ob Bay to the Polar Urals and the eastern coast of the Baydarata Bay, from northern taiga to shrubby tundra, nesting of 177 bird species was proved by 2009. Nested avifauna of forest-tundra at the latitude of the Polar circle includes 140 species. For the northern extreme end of the taiga (64–65° n. l.), nesting of 151 species is known; for the shrubby tundra of Middle Yamal (68–69° n. l.), nesting of 73 species was established. The taiga-related species penetrate into the southern forest-tundra through flood-plain forests and the taiga islands of the placore, into the middle and northern forest-tundra only through flood-plain forests gradually loosing a part of the listed composition. Enrichment of the fauna of forest-tundra by the birds of tundra occurs at the placore: in the regions of tundras, tundra-like bogs and in depressions of forest-tundra lakes. The abundance of birds in the main biotopes in forest-tundra is somewhat lower than in northern taiga, and higher than in southern tundra. It is created by birds with large ranges. Open woodlands of the placore that distinguish forest-tundra from taiga and tundras for the majority of birds are the tundra, but richer in invertebrates due to the developed shrub stratum. At present, the forest-tundra does not have its own avifauna. It is likely to be forming because the species diversity of nesting birds increases, and the species having the maximum of population density in forest-tundra have appeared. However, at present there is no pronounced cumulative effect of faunas superposition.

The spatial arrangement and the dynamics of the number of forest reindeer in the central part of the Western Sayan during the period from 2004 to 2012 is considered. The territorial positions of sub-population groupings of reindeer, their migrations, sex and age structure, the effect of abiotic and anthropogenic factors are considered.

The results of the investigation of zoobenthos and zooperiphyton in two rivers in the basin of the middle reach of the Ob River are presented. Comparative analysis of two ecological groups of hydrocoles in zoobenthos and zooperiphyton showed differences in their taxonomic composition and dominating complexes. The similarities in total abundance and biomass of zoobenthos and zooperiphyton in a large river were detected, and higher values of the quantitative development of zooperiphyton in the medium river were observed.

The ability of rat plasma high density lipoproteins (HDLs) to increase the frequency and amplitude of isolated rat heart contraction without considerable increase of oxygen consumption was revealed in Langendorf model. 30 min perfusion of solution with adrenalin in the regime of recirculation diminished the contractility of myocardium and increased heart oxygen consumption. The addition of HDLs in the perfusion solution protected the heart from the negative adrenalin action. The established inotropic effects of HDLs may have various mechanisms and make high density lipoproteins pоssible candidates for the endogenous digitalis-like compounds.

The aim of present analysis was to investigate the correlations between the ultrasound parameters of subcutaneous and premesenteric fat and cardiovascular risk factors, anthropometric and biochemical parameters and behavioral characteristics in a population sample. The object of the study was a random population-based family sample in Octyabrsky district of Novosibirsk (324 men and women aged 18–64 years old). Ultrasound examination of heart, vessels and abdomen was conducted, the thickness of subcutaneous (SF) and premesenteric (PF) fat was measured in every second subject, totally in 163 subjects. In studied population sample of men and women aged 25-64 the value of ultrasonic PF and SF thickness strongly correlated between themselves and were associated with the anthropometric parameters (body mass index, waist-hip ratio, skinfold thickness) measured by standard methods. Ultrasonic indicator of PF thickness positively correlated with the level of blood pressure, proatherogenic lipid parameters (total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-choleaterol), blood glucose and plasma insulin levels and was inversely related to the level of HDL- cholesterol. Ultrasonic indicator of SF thickness was similarly correlated with blood pressure and insulin level, but in contrast to the thickness of the PF was not associated with the lipid parameters and blood glucose level.

Aim. To assess an activity of Fas-dependant apoptosis and its links with classical risk factors in patients (pts.) with acute and chronic coronary heart disease (CHD). Material and methods. We scrutinized 126 pts. with CHD: 84 pts. (1st group) - on 10–14th days of myocardial infarction (MI) and 42 pts. (2 ^nd group) with stable CHD. Control group consisted of 77 volunteers without CHD and metabolic syndrome (MS). Serum levels of apoptosis activator sFasL and its inhibitor sFas were measured by ELISA. SPSS for Windows 19.0 was used. Results. The frequency of classical risk factors in 1st and 2nd groups did not differ significantly, both sFas (37.8±24.4 vs. 22.1±9.3 ng/ml, p = 0.021) and sFasL (86.2±24.5 vs. 63.8±22.7 pg/ml, p < 0.001) levels being higher in 2nd group. Besides biomarkers concentrations were higher in 2nd group than in controls. In the whole cohort of CHD pts. we revealed correlations between sFas level and age (ρS = 0.330, p = 0.001), sFas and CC (ρ = –0.591, р < 0.001) and МВ-CC (ρ = –0.484, р < 0.001) levels. The level of sFasL correlated with HDL-С level (ρS = 0.329, p = 0.017) and was higher in arterial hypertension (79.8±31.2 vs. 60.1±24.1 pg/ml, p < 0.001). In the 1st group sFas/sFasL ratio was lower in pts. with full-component MS than in those with 3 components (204.7±43.8 vs. 464.4±196.4, p = 0.024), sFasL level being higher in DM/hyperglycemia. In the same group the number of coronary lesions appeared to be sFasL level predictor (β = 0.28, р = 0.016): F(2,65) = 496, p = 0.001. The pts. survived MI were characterized with higher sFasL level: 85.6±25.4 vs. 73.3±31.4 pg/ml ( p = 0.001). The concentration of sFasL (ρS = –0.362, p < 0.001) and sFas/sFasL (ρS = –0.341, p = 0.007) correlated with post-infarction period duration. Conclusion. Pts. with CHD had higher sFas и sFasL levels in comparison with controls. An activity of Fas-dependant apoptosis was associated with MS, survived MI and coronary lesions confirming its role in CHD development. The levels of sFas and sFasL depended on post-infarction period duration that may be of great significance as to prevent repeated coronary events.

Now to the independent predictors of cardiovascular events include indicators of arterial stiffness. It is shown that the arterial stiffness and, in particular, pulse wave velocity is increased in patients with the metabolic syndrome. It is of interest to what exactly the components of the metabolic syndrome, regardless of age is associated pulse wave velocity. We studied 63 individuals (45 women and 18 men) aged 56–78 years. The components of the metabolic syndrome was determined according to the criteria of ВНОК 2009. Pulse wave velocity in the carotid-femoral segment determined the device SphygmoCor. When analyzing the data in univariate model was registered significant association of pulse wave velocity with the age of participants ( p = 0.001), hypertension ( p = 0.009) and hypertriglyceridemia ( p = 0.004). Multivariate analysis with the simultaneous inclusion in the model variables such as age, sex, abdominal obesity, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, hypo-alpha-cholesterolemia, hyper-beta-cholesterolemia, fasting hyperglycemia, has revealed that out of all of these components of the metabolic syndrome, a significant independent determinant of pulse wave velocity, along with age ( p = 0.008) are only hypertriglyceridemia ( p = 0.024).

Identification of subclinical lesions of the heart and blood vessels in patients with rheumatic diseases (RD), as well as the comparison of subclinical markers of cardiovascular lesions in patients with RD and RD patients without having one of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Surveyed 56 patients (15 men and 41 female) at the age of 45.2 ± 13.42 years with different rheumatic diseases. For the comparison group surveyed residents of one of the districts of Saint Petersburg (50 people). All patients have been conducted questioning, characterizes lifestyle, risk factors, co-morbidity and drug therapy. Anthropometry were measured in weight, height with a calculation of body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference. Endothelial dysfunction study conducted on the EndoPat 2000 (company “Itamar Medical Ltd, Israel): reactive hyperemia index (RHI) and augmentation index (AI). Dysfunction of the endothelium have registered a value of RHI<1.64. Echocardiography and ultrasonography of carotid arteries with the assessment of the thickness of the thickness intima-media (TIM) conducted by Vivid 7 high resolution sensor 7 MHz. Central pressure values determined on device SphygmoCor (Australia) by applanation tonometry. The speed of pulse wave (SPW) carotid artery, femoral artery measured the sphygmography method on the device SphygmoCor PWX. On an empty stomach identified glucose and lipid levels (Hitachi-902). Average levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, SAD/DAD, BMI in groups not significantly different. Identify correlation titer of antinuclear factor with RHI, p = 0.53; AI (EndoPat), p = 0.47; PP, p = –0.43. Among persons 1 group (systemic sclerosis) frequently detected RHI<1,64 and SPW>9.6 m/s compared to the 2nd and 3rd groups of patients with RD. We have identified correlate titer of antinuclear factor, reactive hyperemia index (RHI), augmentation index (AI, EndoPat), the central pulse pressure (PP) show integration structures of the cardiovascular system in the pathological process in RD, including asymptomatic from the system.

Investigated peculiarities of violations of lipid metabolism and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in 161 patients – veterans of the military actions on the territory of Afghanistan and the Northern Caucasus in the age 25–69 years. The dependence of the formation of dyslipidemias and related changes of atherosclerosis in the young age of neuroendocrine effects, accompanying the effects of combat stress and promoting accelerated aging. After 15-25 years of participating in hostilities, the intensity of PTSD and its influence on the development of violations of lipid spectrum may decline, and the leading role in the pathogenesis of dyslipidemias goes to age-related changes that accompany a process of accelerated aging veterans of combat operations, and to pathological disorders of metabolism in the liver associated with alcohol abuse and the consequences suffered infectious diseases.

Dyslipidemia is one of the leading risk factors for atherosclerosis-associated cardiovascular disease, along with hypertension and smoking. Not only non-drug measures have great importance in the correction of this risk factor, but also cholesterol-lowering medicines. Now the statins are recognized as the most effective and safe. However, its effect of the maximum dose is insufficient or accompanied by side effects in some patients. Currently, several new classes of drugs have tested in clinical trials: cholesterol ester transfer protein inhibitors, blockers of apoprotein B synthesis, analogue of thyroid hormones; immunological intervention ways are developed, by monoclonal antibodies in particular.

Reviews of some of the scientific problems related to the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis discussed at the 81 ^th Congress of the European Society of Atherosclerosis (EAS) 2–5 June 2013, Lyon, France.

A novel coordination polymer constructed with [Co(3,3'-bpbc)(H₂O)₃]×H₂O(I) (3,3'-bpbc = 2,2'-bipyridine-3,3'-dicarboxylic acid) is successfully synthesized at room temperature and characterized by elemental analysis and IR spectra. The crystal structure of the complex is determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The unit cell parameters for complex I are: a = 9.9606(11) Å, b = 9.2552(10) Å, c = 16.0258(17) Å, β = 96.731(0)°, V = 1467.2(3) ų, Z = 4, space group P2(1)/n. In the crystal, the cobalt(II) ion adopts a hexa-coordinate environment, and the structure units aggregate together to give birth to infinite 1D chains. The 2D and 3D framework is constructed via intermolecular hydrogen bonds.

A new compound of 6-ferrocenyl-3-phenyl-[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazole is synthesized and its single crystal structure is determined by X-ray diffraction method. The compound belongs to the monoclinic P2₁/c space group with cell parameters: a = 10.5523(12) Å, b = 13.8414(16) Å, c = 11.4303(13) Å, V = 1603.5(3) ų.

The crystal structure of tetra(m-acetato)-bis{[1-ethyl-3-(pyridine-2-yl)carbamide]copper} Cu₂(L)₂(CH₃COO)₄ (I), where L is 1-ethyl-3-(pyridine-2-yl)carbamide, is determined. The asymmetric unit cell of the crystal structure of I contains a copper complex with two acetate ions and a monodentate molecule of 1-ethyl-3-(pyridine-2-yl)carbamide, which is coordinated via the pyridine nitrogen atom. Due to the symmetry center, binuclear complexes form in the crystal, in which the acetate ions act as bridges between the metal atoms. In them, the coordination polyhedron of the central copper atoms represents an almost ideal tetragonal pyramid. Its base is formed from the oxygen atoms of acetate ions. In the crystal of the binuclear complex, hydrogen bonds form between the acetate ions and the L ligand along with an intramolecular hydrogen bond, which stabilize the conformation of the organic L molecule. Between the neighboring complexes in the crystal, the van der Waals interaction occurs.

A reaction between caffeine (caff) and dipicolinic acid = 2,6-pyridine dicarboxylic acid (pydc.H ₂) in water results in the formation of a cocrystal compound (pydc.H₂.H₂O)(caff) 1. The characterization of the resulting crystallohydrate is performed using ¹H, ¹³C NMR and IR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. X-ray crystal structure analysis reveals the presence of both starting materials and water in the lattice. It also indicates intensive intermolecular H-bonding interactions between carboxylic acid, caffeine, and water as well as π—π stacking between the pydc.H₂ and caff rings as constituents of the cocrystal. The hydrogen bonding and non-covalent interactions play roles in the formation of the cocrystal. The crystal system is triclinic with the space group P- 1 and two formula units per unit cell. The unit cell parameters are a = 6.906(2) Å, b = 8.451(3) Å, c = 14.68 (4) Å with α = 81.51(3°), β = 78.47(3°), and γ = 78.14(3°). The final R value is 0.0660 for 7943 measured reflections.

Electron Spin Echo Envelope Modulation (ESEEM) spectroscopy in conjunction with biochemical techniques of site-directed spin labeling and deuterium substitution in molecules or parts of molecules can be used to gain insights into supramolecular structure of biological membranes. The review covers the applications of this approach to study water penetration into the hydrophobic part of model phospholipid membranes and into the ion channels of biological membranes, to determine the localization and orientation of peptide antibiotics in membranes, and to investigate the conformations of enzymes and membrane proteins.

EPR and Mössbauer spectroscopy is used to study a new liquid crystal complex of iron(III) with a Schiff base: 4,4'-dodecyloxybenzoyloxybenzoyl-4-oxysalicylidene-2-aminopyridine with a PF^-₆ counterion. It is shown that Fe(III) ions exist only in the high-spin (HS, S = 5/2) state. It is found that under the influence of temperature the system demonstrates the stepwise behavior of the product of the integrated intensity of EPR lines (I) and temperature (proportional to χТ, where χ is the magnetic susceptibility) with an inflection point at ~80 K. Above 80 K a new EPR spectrum is detected due to the excited S = 2 state and the formation of dimeric molecules (through oxygen bridges) with a strong intramolecular antiferromagnetic exchange interaction J₁ = 162.1 cm^–1. Below 80 K iron(III) complexes are organized in 1D chains where the exchange value J₂ = 2.1 cm^–1. At 80 K there is a structural phase transition in the system: the transition from a 1D chain organization of HS Fe(III) centers to dimeric molecules. Based on quantum chemical calculations a model of the binuclear iron(III) complex is proposed.

Results of the ⁷Li, ¹⁹F, and ²³Na NMR studies of ionic mobility in bismuth fluoride glasses in the systems BiF₃–LiF and BiF₃–MF–ZrF₄ (M = Li, Na, K, Cs) are summarized. Analysis of the ⁷Li, ¹⁹F, and ²³Na NMR spectra made it possible to reveal changes in the nature of ion motions in the fluoride, lithium and sodium sublattices of glasses upon temperature variation and to determine their types. The temperature ranges were found where main types of ion motions in the tested glasses are represented by diffusion of lithium ions, reorientations of fluorine-containing groups constituting the glass network, and diffusion of fluorine ions. The role of alkali cations in the formation of ionic mobility in bismuth fluorozirconate glasses is considered.

The review considers the main propositions of PELDOR theory. It is shown how from the analysis of PELDOR time traces it is possible to find the parameters of a spin system such as the distance and the distance distribution (spectrum), number of spins in aggregates and complexes, exchange integral and how to separate for the following analysis the inter- and intramolecular contributions to the general dipole interaction. Examples of PELDOR application in the studies of the spatial distribution of nitroxyl radicals, the charge effect of dipolar interacting nitroxyls on their spatial distribution are given and the results of the determination of distances and the spectrum of distances for nitroxyl bi-, tri-, and tetraradicals are presented. The works on nitroxyl radicals in which the orientation selectivity effect, spin exchange, and conformational properties of the radicals are examined by the PELDOR method are analyzed. The studies of the structure of paramagnetic ion–nitroxyl radical pairs and the PELDOR data on nitroxyls at high frequencies (high fields) are considered. The last section of the review is devoted to the works examining the properties such as the molecular flexibility of oligomers and supramolecules contains nitroxyl radicals.

The X-band PELDOR spectroscopy was used to investigate the magnetic dipole-dipole interactions in glassy solutions of nitroxide mono-labeled tylopeptin B and heptaibin peptaibiotics at 77 K. Specifically, a study was performed of the tylopeptin B peptides labeled at either position 3, 8 or 13, denoted as Т3, Т8 and Т13, respectively. The heptaibin analogs labeled at either position 2 or 14, denoted as H2 and H14, respectively, were also investigated. It was shown that in frozen glassy peptide solutions in methanol, the spin labels are randomly distributed over the solvent volume. This result points to the absence of specific dipolar interactions between the peptides under these conditions. However, peptide aggregation was detected in weakly polar methanol/toluene environments. To study the properties of the resulting aggregates, we examined the depth of modulation for the PELDOR traces as a function of the concentration of the peptides in solution and the distances between the spin labels in the aggregates. Based on the concentration dependencies, the number of peptide molecules in the aggregates was estimated. We find that this value ranges from 2 to 3, depending on the position of the spin label in the peptide sequence. The combined analysis of the distance spectra and the number of peptide molecules in the aggregates allows us to suggest that dimer formation is the prevailing mode of self-association. In the case of spin-labeled tylopeptin B, the molecules in the dimer are head-to-head oriented. In addition, the distance spectra of the aggregates show that the C-termini of the molecules in the tylopeptin B dimer are more mobile than the N-termini. This phenomenon leads to an increase in the spread of the distances between the nitroxides as the label position is approaching the peptide C-terminus. For heptaibin, we show that two forms of dimerization (head-to-head and head-to-tail) occur. Finally, in addition to dimers, aggregates containing 3 or 4 peptide molecules, which give broad lines in the distance spectra, are seen in solution.

The effect is studied of electron and X-ray irradiation on phosphorous centers in synthetic diamonds grown in the P–C medium by the Bars technology. After exposure to X-ray irradiation, a new paramagnetic phosphorus-containing center NP6, in addition to the phosphorous centers NP4 and NP5, is observed in diamonds annealed at a temperature of 2300°С and pressure of 7.5 GPa. The spectrum of NP6 is simulated to give the following parameters: A₁ = 29.42 G, A₂ = 23.28 G, A₃ = 75.85 G, g₁ = 2.00085, g₂ = 2.00083, and g₃ = 2.00083. The NP4–NP6 centers are assumed to be genetically related to the three nitrogen–phosphorous centers NP1–NP3 and be formed as a result of the transformation of the tetrahedral environment around the phosphorous atom into an octahedral environment at an annealing temperature of 2300°C. The synthetic diamonds annealed at 2300°С were successively exposed to irradiation with electrons with energies of 3.5 MeV (5×10¹⁷ e/cm²) and annealing at temperatures of 500°C and 700°С. The EPR method is used to find that annealing of the electron-irradiated crystals at 700°С leads to the formation of a new paramagnetic center with spin S = 1 and hyperfine structure (HFS) from one phosphorus atom with the parameters: g = 2.0012, D = 19.7 G, and А(Р) = 3.6 G. The center is likely to have an eight-vacancy chain structure with a phosphorus atom located at the center.

The transformation is studied of the compounds {[Ni(cyclam)]@CB[8]}Cl₂·16H₂O and {cis-[Ni(cyclen)(H₂O)Cl]@CB[8]}Cl×12H₂O during thermal annealing in a temperature range of 20 °C to 340 °C. Using EPR spectroscopy, {cis-[Ni(cyclen)(H₂O)Cl]@CB[8]}Cl×12H₂O, Ni is found to reduce to the 3d⁹ state during annealing in a hydrogen atmosphere yet oxidize to the 3d ⁷ state in the air at 20°C. In the case of {[Ni(cyclam)]@CB[8]}Cl₂×16H₂O, nickel ions remain in the 3d⁸ state after annealing in a hydrogen atmosphere and make a transition to the 3d⁷ state after air pumping. In both cases, annealing in a hydrogen atmosphere leads to the decomposition of the nickel complexes; simultaneously, a single line with g = 2.003 appears in the EPR spectra, which is likely to be due to the resulting metal nickel clusters.

Electrochemical reduction in DMF is used to produce the radical anion of 2,4,6-trimethoxynitrobenzene with an EPR spectrum that shows hyperfine splitting for ¹⁵N nuclei of the nitro group and ¹³С nuclei of the benzene ring given the natural abundance of the isotopes. According to UB3LYP/6-31+G* quantum chemical calculations considering solvation in the PCM model, the nitro group in the equilibrium conformation of the RA of 2,4,6-trimethoxynitrobenzene is rotated relative to the benzene ring plane by an angle close to 90° and has a pyramidal structure. The calculated isotropic hyperfine coupling constants for this conformation are closest to the experimental results.

An internal-field ⁵⁹Co NMR study of cobalt-containing Fischer–Tropsch synthesis catalysts supported on different alumina modifications was reported. The Co/δ-Al₂O₃ sample was shown to contain single-domain fcc packing and stacking faults, whereas Co/γ-Al₂O₃ gave signals from the fcc domain walls, hcp and stacking faults, thus indicating differences in the particle size of the studied samples. T₂ relaxation times were measured; their distribution in a spectrum is non-uniform, which allows signals to be distinguished by their relaxation times. Quantitative measurements of the relative atoms content in different packings revealed that the catalysts have mostly a defect structure. A brief historical background was presented to characterize the internal-field ⁵⁹Co NMR technique, the related problems, and different approaches to acquired data interpretation.

A comparative analysis of ^6,7Li NMR spectra is performed for the samples of monoclinic lithium titanate obtained at different synthesis temperatures. In the ⁷Li NMR spectra three lines are found, which differ in quadrupole splitting frequencies ν_Q and according to ab initio EFG calculations are assigned to three crystallographic sites of lithium: Li1 (ν_Q ~ 27 kHz); Li2 (ν_Q ~ 59 kHz); Li3 (ν_Q ~ 6 kHz). The dynamics of lithium ions is studied in a wide temperature range from 300 K to 900 K. It is found that the narrowing of ⁷Li NMR spectra as a result of thermally activated diffusion of lithium ions in the low-temperature Li₂TiO₃ sample is observed at a higher temperature in comparison with a sample of high-temperature lithium titanate. Based on the analysis of ⁶Li NMR spectra it is assumed that there is mixed occupancy of lithium and titanium sites in the corresponding layers of the crystal structure of low-temperature lithium titanate, which hinders lithium ion transfer over regular crystallographic sites.

The structure of zeolite water in single crystals of natural zeolites represented by clinoptilolite Na₂K₂Ca[Al₆Si₃₀O₇₂]×22H₂O and heulandite Са₃Mg[Al₈Si₂₈O₇₂]×24H₂O is studied with ¹H NMR. Below 170 K the distribution of H₂O over the structural positions is shown to be fixed but different for the two minerals. Above 290 K translational and orientational diffusion of zeolite water molecules is observed and the structure of water is almost identical in both heulandite and clinoptilolite. Diffusion mechanism may be associated with the interaction between librational modes of H₂O and high-frequency oscillations of aluminosilicate framework. The microwave absorption is shown to be caused in certain conditions by this type of interaction.

⁵¹V NMR, DTA, and thermogravimetric analysis are used to study the thermal behavior of a manganese-nickel pyrovanadate complex Mn_2–2xNi_2xV₂O₇. It is shown that the nature of ⁵¹V hyperfine interactions in manganese pyrovanadate and solid solutions based on its polymorphic modifications is specified by the structurally activated oxygen exchange with the gaseous phase.

The ¹¹B NMR method is used to study the crystals of trigonal alumina borates Ho_1–xY_xAl ₃(BO₃)₄ (x = 0, 0.5, 1). The temperature-field evolution of quadrupole and hyperfine interactions in these compounds is studied and described.

Ionic mobility and phase transitions in heptafluorodiantimonates with homo- and heteroatomic cations in the systems MSb₂F₇ (M = K, Cs, NH₄) and CsM'Sb₂F₇ (M' = K, NH₄) have been studied using the ¹⁹F, ¹H NMR and DSC methods. Analysis of the ¹⁹F and ¹H NMR spectra made it possible to reveal the nature of ion motions in the fluoride and proton sublattices upon temperature variation and to determine the types and temperature ranges of such motions. It was found that diffusion of fluorine ions becomes the dominant form of ion motions in the high-temperature modifications, the amount of diffusing ammonium ions depending on the composition of a sample. The observed phase transitions in cesium–potassium and cesium–ammonium fluoroantimonates(III) leading to the formation of high-temperature modifications are the transitions to superionic state. According to preliminary results of electrophysical studies, high-temperature phases Cs_1–x(NH₄)_xSb₂F₇ (0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.6) are superionic, their conductivity reaching ~10 ^–3—10 ^–4 S/cm at 463-483 K.

The dynamic structure of hydrogen sublattice in lawsonite, CaAl₂[Si₂O₇](OH)₂×H₂O is studied by the solid-state proton magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) spectroscopy of single crystal at room temperature. It is shown that both encapsulated water molecules, and hydroxyl OH-groups undergoes the rocking librations of the amplitudes of ~20° for H₂O, and ~40° for hydroxyls.

¹H, ²³Na and ²⁹Si solid-state NMR spectroscopy was used to investigate the formation of fiberglass zirconium-silicate supports and catalysts (glass → fiberglass → leached fiberglass → catalyst). The main emphasis was made on OH–H₂O domains in fiberglass and their role in catalyst preparation. The size of OH–H₂O domains and their accessibility to H–D exchange were determined. Platinum was shown to be anchored on the bridging hydroxyl groups. The quantum-chemical calculations demonstrated the activity of Pt⁰ clusters forming in fiberglass to depend on their nuclearity.

Ionic mobility of Li₄ZrF₈ (I) and Li_3.72Mg_0.14ZrF₈ (II) compounds has been studied over the temperature range of 300-420 K using ⁷Li, ¹⁹F broad-line NMR and NMR relaxation techniques. The fluorine sublattice in these compounds was found to be rigid, whereas in the lithium sublattice there occurs a diffusion with the activation energy of 0.2-0.3 eV. NMR data indicate the formation of lithium vacancies in solid solution II. MAS NMR of fluorine was used to determine the isotropic chemical shifts of its magnetically nonequivalent positions and to correlate these shifts with the crystal structure of Li₄ZrF₈.

NMR spectroscopy is used to study the structural features of polymer composites produced by the simultaneous pyrolysis of a polytetrafluoroethylene and ammonium fluorosilicate mixture. The effect is discussed of technological factors on the composition and structure of fluoropolymer composites.

Chemical shifts in ¹⁹F and ¹³C NMR spectra of substituted pentafluorobenzenes are calculated by Hartree-Fock and density functional theory methods. The calculated values are compared with the experimental data known from the literature. It is shown that chemical shifts in non-polar solvents can be predicted sufficiently accurately by the GIAO-DFT(PBE/L22) method. This method is used to predict the ¹⁹F and ¹³C chemical shifts of a heptafluorobenzyl cation in the SbF₅ medium. The best agreement between the calculated and experimental values is achieved when the counterion effect is taken into account.