[en] The subject of this paper is a comparative analysis of forward and backward pion and antiproton production and search for new peculiarities of cumulative process. The comparison of the data on cumulative pion and antiproton production in forward and backward hemispheres obtained by the same experimental procedure shows: the dependences of cumulative antiproton production cross sections on T (kinetic energy of secondaries) or X (cumulative number) are nonmonotonous; the target atomic mass dependences of forward and backward pion and antiproton production are vert similar; very weak dependence of cumulative antiproton production cross sections on transverse momentum is observed; the values of the slope parameters of pion spectra at 59 deg are less than for backward angles by approximately 20 per cents; no change of slope parameters at X ∼ 1 for forward high momentum cumulative pion production is observed

[en] First results of a series of studies on gas microstrip chamber prototypes prepared on sapphire substrates are presented. The sapphire substrates were prepared by ion-assisted deposition technique in one of the chambers and by placing an approximately 1 μm boro-silica glass film on a second chamber. Responses to X-rays and beta electrons and high rate performance were studied with argon-isobutane and argon-DME gas mixtures. Counting rates of 6x10⁵ counts/mm²s) were achieved for X-rays from an X-ray generator with similar 50% change in gas gain. The timing response (relative to a fast plastic scintillator) of ultraviolet-light-ionized photoelectrons were studied with an argon-ethane gas mixture. Timing peaks having widths of less than 85 ns (σ) were obtained. Details of the experimental setup and results are presented. ((orig.))