Application of neutron generators for high explosives, toxic agents and fissile material detection.

The portable pulsed neutron generators developed and designed by VNIIA are presented. The neutron methods are good tools for non-destructive assay of dangerous materials. The samples of various systems for the detection of high explosives in luggage, identification of toxic agents in chemical munitions, and also for the prevention of illicit trafficking of fissile elements in passengers' luggage are discussed.

[The protective action of arbidol during a rise in respiratory diseases in 1990]. / Izuchenie zashchitnogo deistviia arbidola vo vremia pod''ema respiratornykh zabolevanii v 1990 g.

Prophylactic properties of a new chemical drug, arbidol, against acute respiratory diseases (ARD) were studied. Arbidol given daily in a dose of 0.2 g for 19 days reduced the morbidity rate 2.3-fold in adults during an outbreak of ARD. Geometric mean titres of antibodies to respiratory viruses among healthy persons did not change after treatment with arbidol indicating the lack of immunosuppressive properties in the drug. The prophylactic effect of arbidol may be due to both specific effect of the drug on influenza and parainfluenza viruses, and its interferon-inducing and immunity-stimulating properties.