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Inhibition of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) or its cognate CGRP receptor (CGRPR) has arisen as a major breakthrough in the treatment of migraine. However, a second CGRP-responsive receptor exists, the amylin (Amy) 1 receptor (AMY1R), yet its involvement in the pathology of migraine is poorly understood. AMY1R and CGRPR are heterodimers consisting of receptor activity-modifying protein 1 (RAMP1) with the calcitonin receptor (CTR) and the calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CLR), respectively. Here, we present the structure of AMY1R in complex with CGRP and Gs protein and compare it with the reported structures of the AMY1R complex with rat amylin (rAmy) and the CGRPR in complex with CGRP. Despite similar protein backbones observed within the receptors and the N- and C-termini of the two peptides bound to the AMY1R complexes, they have distinct organization in the peptide midregions (the bypass motif) that is correlated with differences in the dynamics of the respective receptor extracellular domains. Moreover, divergent conformations of extracellular loop (ECL) 3, intracellular loop (ICL) 2, and ICL3 within the CTR and CLR protomers are evident when comparing the CGRP bound to the CGRPR and AMY1R, which influences the binding mode of CGRP. However, the conserved interactions made by the C-terminus of CGRP to the CGRPR and AMY1R are likely to account for cross-reactivity of nonpeptide CGRPR antagonists observed at AMY1R, which also extends to other clinically used CGRPR blockers, including antibodies.

In situ cryo-electron tomography enables investigation of macromolecules in their native cellular environment. Samples have become more readily available owing to recent software and hardware advancements. Data collection, however, still requires an experienced operator and appreciable microscope time to carefully select targets for high-throughput tilt series acquisition. Here, we developed smart parallel automated cryo-electron tomography (SPACEtomo), a workflow using machine learning approaches to fully automate the entire cryo-electron tomography process, including lamella detection, biological feature segmentation, target selection and parallel tilt series acquisition, all without the need for human intervention. This degree of automation will be essential for obtaining statistically relevant datasets and high-resolution structures of macromolecules in their native context.

This letter concerns a compact ultrawideband dual-port, dual-polarization antenna working from 6 to 9 GHz that can be integrated conveniently into a miniaturized transceiver, such as a car key, a dongle, or a small remote control, that uses a CR2032 battery. In fact, the proposed antenna is at one with the battery and the battery holder and assures a direct current connection between the battery and the transceiver electronics. It follows that the volume overall is almost the same as that occupied by the battery plus the battery holder. The low reflection coefficient at both input ports and the good isolation allow having an envelope correlation coefficient lower than −30 dB in the entire frequency band.

Amylin receptors (AMYRs), heterodimers of the calcitonin receptor (CTR) and one of three receptor activity-modifying proteins, are promising obesity targets. A hallmark of AMYR activation by Amy is the formation of a ‘bypass’ secondary structural motif (residues S19–P25). This study explored potential tuning of peptide selectivity through modification to residues 19–22, resulting in a selective AMYR agonist, San385, as well as nonselective dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonists (DACRAs), with San45 being an exemplar. We determined the structure and dynamics of San385-bound AMY3R, and San45 bound to AMY3R or CTR. San45, via its conjugated lipid at position 21, was anchored at the edge of the receptor bundle, enabling a stable, alternative binding mode when bound to the CTR, in addition to the bypass mode of binding to AMY3R. Targeted lipid modification may provide a single intervention strategy for design of long-acting, nonselective, Amy-based DACRAs with potential anti-obesity effects.

In situ cryo electron tomography of cryo focused ion beam milled samples has emerged in recent years as a powerful technique for structural studies of macromolecular complexes in their native cellular environment. However, the possibilities for recording tomographic tilt series in a high-throughput manner are limited, in part by the lamella-shaped samples. Here we utilize a geometrical sample model and optical image shift to record tens of tilt series in parallel, thereby saving time and gaining access to sample areas conventionally used for tracking specimen movement. The parallel cryo electron tomography (PACE-tomo) method achieves a throughput faster than 5 min per tilt series and allows for the collection of sample areas that were previously unreachable, thus maximizing the amount of data from each lamella. Performance testing with ribosomes in vitro and in situ on state-of-the-art and general-purpose microscopes demonstrated the high throughput and quality of PACE-tomo.

The need for future green sustainable transportation represents a motivation for the researchers in order to create a better society. In this paper a proposed Steer-by-Wire system for future automated vehicles is analysed by implementing model predictive control (MPC) controller that would optimise the desired behaviour of the vehicle. By using MATLAB/Simulink, a bicycle vehicle model is simulated in standardised test manoeuvres according to standard ISO:7401. These results are used as referent data for the desired trajectory of the vehicle and as input data for the MPC controller. The idea of using these results for the controller is generated by the desire of creating a shared information intelligent systems. Shared information and control in the future intelligent systems would be crucial for creating the desired sustainable transport. By traveling, the vehicle would collect data of the desired measured variables and those data would be send to every other vehicle. Therefore, the next vehicle would possess the previous data and would try to improve the vehicle response and safety. Every optimised trajectory would be shared with the rest of the vehicles and this cycle would result in further optimization and in creation of a safer, more comfortable and more sustainable transport. The optimisation is done by the MPC controller which is responsible for defining the steering wheel angle and therefore creating the Steer-by-Wire system that is entirely defined by the MPC controller without driver commands. By comparing the trajectory of the automated vehicle and the desired trajectory gained from the previous simulations, the desired steering wheel angle is defined. This results in creation of a Steer-by-Wire system that improves the vehicle dynamics, safety and dynamic response of the vehicle. The mathematical modelling, results of the simulations and advantages of using the MPC controller for the Steer-by-Wire system in automated vehicle are presented.

Recent advances in G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) structural elucidation have strengthened previous hypotheses that multidimensional signal propagation mediated by these receptors depends, in part, on their conformational mobility; however, the relationship between receptor function and static structures is inherently uncertain. Here, we examine the contribution of peptide agonist conformational plasticity to activation of the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R), an important clinical target. We use variants of the peptides GLP-1 and exendin-4 (Ex4) to explore the interplay between helical propensity near the agonist N terminus and the ability to bind to and activate the receptor. Cryo-EM analysis of a complex involving an Ex4 analog, the GLP-1R and Gsheterotrimer revealed two receptor conformers with distinct modes of peptide–receptor engagement. Our functional and structural data, along with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, suggest that receptor conformational dynamics associated with flexibility of the peptide N-terminal activation domain may be a key determinant of agonist efficacy.

A significant prerequisite to achieving a smart city is the availability of smart buildings and smart homes. In this regard, this article deals with the problem of smart homes, where an approach to managing automated heating is discussed. The particular problem is focused on combining the advantages of IoT for effective management of smart home heating by using of OpenHAB software platform. The results obtained refer to a single apartment and the current data cover one year. An identical 3D model with the same interior spaces as a twin of the real home was created to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. The comparison between the obtained real data and the simulation data of an identical 3D model shows a significant reduction in energy consumption.

The adenosine A1receptor (A1R) is a promising therapeutic target for non-opioid analgesic agents to treat neuropathic pain1,2. However, development of analgesic orthosteric A1R agonists has failed because of a lack of sufficient on-target selectivity as well as off-tissue adverse effects3. Here we show that [2-amino-4-(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)thiophen-3-yl)(4-chlorophenyl)methanone] (MIPS521), a positive allosteric modulator of the A1R, exhibits analgesic efficacy in rats in vivo through modulation of the increased levels of endogenous adenosine that occur in the spinal cord of rats with neuropathic pain. We also report the structure of the A1R co-bound to adenosine, MIPS521 and a Gi2heterotrimer, revealing an extrahelical lipid–detergent-facing allosteric binding pocket that involves transmembrane helixes 1, 6 and 7. Molecular dynamics simulations and ligand kinetic binding experiments support a mechanism whereby MIPS521 stabilizes the adenosine–receptor–G protein complex. This study provides proof of concept for structure-based allosteric drug design of non-opioid analgesic agents that are specific to disease contexts.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are among the most significant and common chronic non-communicable diseases in Bulgaria. Screening, identification and registration of pathophysiological mechanisms and psychological and occupational factors related to CVD should be implemented in the diagnostic work-up. Job analysis contributes to the implementation of screening and identification of the most significant psychological and professional factors related to the work activity.

Class B G-protein-coupled receptors are major targets for the treatment of chronic diseases, including diabetes and obesity1. Structures of active receptors reveal peptide agonists engage deep within the receptor core, leading to an outward movement of extracellular loop 3 and the tops of transmembrane helices 6 and 7, an inward movement of transmembrane helix 1, reorganization of extracellular loop 2 and outward movement of the intracellular side of transmembrane helix 6, resulting in G-protein interaction and activation2–6. Here we solved the structure of a non-peptide agonist, TT-OAD2, bound to the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor. Our structure identified an unpredicted non-peptide agonist-binding pocket in which reorganization of extracellular loop 3 and transmembrane helices 6 and 7 manifests independently of direct ligand interaction within the deep transmembrane domain pocket. TT-OAD2 exhibits biased agonism, and kinetics of G-protein activation and signalling that are distinct from peptide agonists. Within the structure, TT-OAD2 protrudes beyond the receptor core to interact with the lipid or detergent, providing an explanation for the distinct activation kinetics that may contribute to the clinical efficacy of this compound series. This work alters our understanding of the events that drive the activation of class B receptors.

The class A adenosine A1receptor (A1R) is a G-protein-coupled receptor that preferentially couples to inhibitory Gi/oheterotrimeric G proteins, has been implicated in numerous diseases, yet remains poorly targeted. Here we report the 3.6 Å structure of the human A1R in complex with adenosine and heterotrimeric Gi2protein determined by Volta phase plate cryo-electron microscopy. Compared to inactive A1R, there is contraction at the extracellular surface in the orthosteric binding site mediated via movement of transmembrane domains 1 and 2. At the intracellular surface, the G protein engages the A1R primarily via amino acids in the C terminus of the Gαiα5-helix, concomitant with a 10.5 Å outward movement of the A1R transmembrane domain 6. Comparison with the agonist-bound β2adrenergic receptor–Gs-protein complex reveals distinct orientations for each G-protein subtype upon engagement with its receptor. This active A1R structure provides molecular insights into receptor and G-protein selectivity. The cryo-electron microscopy structure of the human adenosine A1receptor in complex with adenosine and heterotrimeric Gi2protein provides molecular insights into receptor and G-protein selectivity.

The class B glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) G protein-coupled receptor is a major target for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity. Endogenous and mimetic GLP-1 peptides exhibit biased agonism—a difference in functional selectivity—that may provide improved therapeutic outcomes. Here we describe the structure of the human GLP-1 receptor in complex with the G protein-biased peptide exendin-P5 and a Gαsheterotrimer, determined at a global resolution of 3.3 Å. At the extracellular surface, the organization of extracellular loop 3 and proximal transmembrane segments differs between our exendin-P5-bound structure and previous GLP-1-bound GLP-1 receptor structure. At the intracellular face, there was a six-degree difference in the angle of the Gαs–α5 helix engagement between structures, which was propagated across the G protein heterotrimer. In addition, the structures differed in the rate and extent of conformational reorganization of the Gαsprotein. Our structure provides insights into the molecular basis of biased agonism.

Class B G-protein-coupled receptors are major targets for the treatment of chronic diseases, such as osteoporosis, diabetes and obesity. Here we report the structure of a full-length class B receptor, the calcitonin receptor, in complex with peptide ligand and heterotrimeric Gαsβγ protein determined by Volta phase-plate single-particle cryo-electron microscopy. The peptide agonist engages the receptor by binding to an extended hydrophobic pocket facilitated by the large outward movement of the extracellular ends of transmembrane helices 6 and 7. This conformation is accompanied by a 60° kink in helix 6 and a large outward movement of the intracellular end of this helix, opening the bundle to accommodate interactions with the α5-helix of Gαs. Also observed is an extended intracellular helix 8 that contributes to both receptor stability and functional G-protein coupling via an interaction with the Gβ subunit. This structure provides a new framework for understanding G-protein-coupled receptor function.

The opinion of the operators of the working machines in today’s world is much more valued than in the past. Their comfort, safety and satisfaction during the working hours can be crucial in the decision making process of buying new working machine. Therefore, in this research paper the vertical dynamics and ride comfort of an electric street sweeper would be analysed by using a multibody dynamic model. The model is created using MSC. ADAMS, based on a real electric street sweeper. In order to test the ride comfort of the existing model, a road profile is modelled, according to the standard ISO 8608. The virtual tests are conducted while the vehicle is traveling with maximum velocity of 40 km/h, achieved during transit and lower velocities which are achieved during the operating hours of the machine. An optimization of the suspension system of the real electric sweeper is made, by targeting its components location and positioning, stiffness and damping characteristics. This results in improved ride comfort and smaller root mean square (RMS) values of vertical acceleration of the driver seat. These improvements would influence on operator’s better comfort and health. Results are presented using comparative diagrams of the original and optimised model.

Advances in vehicle technologies brought changes into architectures of integration of chassis control systems. Alongside other improvements, integration can provide better vehicle handling, stability and safety. Different chassis control systems can use different control methods. Considering while in motion vehicle has movements in longitudinal, lateral and vertical direction, different control systems target different motion. If there is no coordination among active control systems, interaction and performance conflict can arise. This paper presents coordination of three control systems: electronic stability control (ESC), active front steering control (AFSC) and active suspension normal force control (ASNF). ESC is actually direct yaw and anti-roll control using selective wheel braking. ASNF is considered only on front axle. All systems use fuzzy-logic as a control method. Vehicle is presented as 14-DOF nonlinear full vehicle model and for the control purposes 3-DOF reference model was introduced. Emphasis was given on vehicle parameters characterizing dynamic behavior in longitudinal and lateral direction. Benefits of coordinated action of the three systems can be seen from the results gained through simulation of cornering event and single lane change in Matlab/Simulink. Coordinated control adds to the action of ESC itself, resulting in improved stability and handling, and thus safety of the vehicle.

The cooling stage is of particular importance to the formation of the final microstructure and the characteristics of the heat-treated product, so performing it properly is one of the prerequisites for obtaining high quality and mechanical properties. The aim of the present study is to examine heat exchange, conduct a practical test and obtain quantitative assessment of product hardness and distortion after conventional and vacuum quenching of cylindrical steel parts.

In this paper, the capacity maximization and the spectrum utilization efficiency improvement are investigated for the Pico cells in broadband heterogeneous networks. In frequency-reuse model, the users attached to Macro base station are usually viewed as primary users, and those attached to Pico base station should be regarded as cognitive radio (CR) users. As both the primary users and the CR users communicate in parallel frequency bands, the performance of the system is limited by the mutual inter-carrier interference (ICI). In order to control ICI and maximize the achievable transmission rate of the CR users, an effective power allocation scheme is proposed to maximize the transmission rate of the CR users under a given interference threshold prescribed by the primary users. By transforming this suboptimal solution into an innovative matrix expression, the algorithm is easier to perform in practice. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm provides a large performance gain in Pico cell capacity over the non-cooperative and equal power allocation schemes.

In this paper, we investigate joint subcarrier and power allocation scheme for distributed multicarrier cooperative networks with imperfect channel state information. Using practical channel estimation algorithms, the statistic model of the channel estimation error is first derived. Then based on the channel error model, the resource allocation scheme aims at maximizing the sum rate of the overall network. Specifically, both subcarrier allocation and power allocation are taken into account. In the subcarrier allocation, a realistic problem of the power leakage between neighboring subcarriers is also addressed. Furthermore, based on Lagrange dual-decomposition algorithm, a practical power allocation algorithm is proposed. Finally, the simulation results demonstrate the performance advantages of the proposed robust design.

A method for obtaining thin vacuum deposited azopolyimide layers is established. On the basis of the thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses, the chemical reaction in the solid state between the initial precursors - 4,4’-diaminoazobenzene and pyromellitic dianhydride is discussed. Also, the preparation parameters allowing for a condensation of films of desired composition are determined. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy analyses confirm that the azo group is chemically bound in a thin polyimide layer matrix. This is a solution to the task of preparing a “Main – Chain” type polyimide matrix with a chemically bound azo- group.

An aggregation behavior of potassium N-acyl phenylalaninate in dilute aqueous solution was investigated. It was found that this surfactant formed large aggregates at lower concentrations, which were then transformed to micelles at higher concentrations. Fluorescence intensity measurements using a probe were used to examine the effects of alkali concentration, acyl chain length, and solvent isotope on the aggregation behavior. The influence of the alkali concentration suggested that formation of an acid-soap dimer brought about the construction of the large particles at very dilute concentrations. Increases in both the acyl chain length and replacement of H2O with D2O resulted in stronger hydrophobic interactions; consequently, the large aggregate formation was enhanced. This aggregation behavior has not been observed when racemic modification of N-acyl phenylalaninate has taken place. By using cryo-transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with a Zernike differential contrast phase plate, it was found that the large aggregates were tubes with bilayer structures, which were then transformed into spherical micelles via threadlike micelles with increasing concentration due to a drastic increase in the concentration of ionic species in the aggregate.

Changes in the energy structure of local states during the exposure of metal-free phthalocyanine films to chlorodifluoromethane were studied using the technique of thermomodulated space-charge-limited currents. The broadening of the energy distribution of the states is explained on the basis of charge-dipole interactions.

Changes in the energy structure of local states during the exposure of metal‐free phthalocyanine films to chlorodifluoromethane were studied using the technique of thermomodulated space‐charge‐limited currents. The broadening of the energy distribution of the states is explained on the basis of charge‐dipole interactions.

We report a novel class of transmission electron microscope (TEM), the difference-contrast electron microscope (DTEM), which displays nanostructures of thin specimen objects in a topographical manner. Topography obtained by the difference-contrast develops shadowgraphs in pseudo three-dimension, namely volume-like representation of projected objects as if things are illuminated by light from one direction. The specific optical device tomanipulate electron waves for DTEM is the hemicircular π phase-plate, which appears to be quite distinguishable from the Zernike phase plate utilized in Zernike phase-contrast TEM, while both have to be placed onto the back-focal plane of the objective lens. The topographic images obtained with DTEM for ultrathin sections of kidney cells were compared with those obtained with conventional TEM. DTEM confirmed the experimental advantage of high contrast topography by visualizing ultrastructural details inside the cells.

The phase shift of electron waves due to charging of thin films is investigated using the contrast transfer properties of the microscope. We take two photos, one with film at the back focal plane and the other one without film. The phase difference between the contrast transfer functions of the two photos is evaluated using our theoretical predictions. The theoretical model is based on an analytical solution of the Laplace equation with appropriate boundary conditions. From the resulting electrostatic potential function the phase shift of electron waves is derived in a weak lens approximation. With this method, information about the radius of the electron beam and the magnitude of the electrostatic potential at the thin film is obtained. The excellent agreement between the theoretical model and experimental results is observed.

A bulk polyimide system prepared by pressing of the precursor monomers 4,4′-oxidianiline (ODA) and 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic or pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) mixtures has been investigated. The synthesized bulk polyimide is formed as a result of a polycondensation reaction of monomers in solid state phase. A change of the monomers polycrystalline structure to an amorphous one of the bulk polyimide after imidization is established. The possibility for excimer laser microstructuring by drilling at various diameters and depths is demonstrated. The scanning electron microscopic observations reveal alterations in the so formed blind holes as a consequence of the laser action parameters variation. The changes observed and the dependencies obtained are discussed.

A Production Planning and Control (PPC) system for soft drink production is developed as a distributed system to cope with the uncertain economic environment, diversified customers needs and plant disturbances. The paper describes a novel approach for design a small intelligent PPC system based on holonic concepts and using the methodology of Generalized Nets (GNs). The proposed approach is very suitable for planning and control of hybrid production systems and is applied using the software tool “GNET” with DDE connection to the MS - Office.

In this paper we consider designs in polynomial metric spaces with relatively small cardinalities (near to the classical bounds). We obtain restrictions on the distributions of the inner products of points of such designs. These conditions turn out to be strong enough to ensure obtaining nonexistence results already for the first open cases.

The effect of XeCl (308 nm, 20 and 75 ns) excimer laser ablation of 30–40 nm thick carbide layers (TiC, Cr3C2, B4C) deposited on 2000 nm polyimide in the laser fluence range 10–1300 mJ cm⁻² has been investigated. The surface modification in the ablated spot areas has been observed. At fluences of 100–250 mJ cm⁻², complete removal of the carbide layers was achieved without damage to the bottom polyimide layer. Ablation at fluences above 250 mJ cm⁻² caused interface damage and a different polyimide behaviour under RIE in oxygen. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A programe suite for Computer - Aided Design (CAD) of multivariable linear control systems by means of poles assignment technique is described. The suite provides two main parts analysis and syntesis. The part syntesis includes the majority of well known and novel computational procedures devoted to the mentioned problem. The control can be formed by unity or full rank feedback matrices. Special emphasis has been paid on the procedures for poles assignment and simultaneous satisfaction of additional design reguirements.

We consider spherical codes attaining the Levenshtein upper bounds on the cardinality of codes with prescribed maximal inner product. We prove that the even Levenshtein bounds can be attained only by codes which are tight spherical designs. For every fixed n ≥ 5, there exist only a finite number of codes attaining the odd bounds. We derive different expressions for the distance distribution of a maximal code. As a by-product, we obtain a result about its inner products. We describe the parameters of those codes meeting the third Levenshtein bound, which have a regular simplex as a derived code. Finally, we discuss a connection between the maximal codes attaining the third bound and strongly regular graphs. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Combin Designs 7: 316–326, 1999

IFOis a newly developed computer program which transforms experimental structure factors for disordered materials to atomic distribution functions by employing an image‐reconstruction‐type technique. The transformation is carried out through a Monte Carlo search for an atomic distribution function which is a smooth, i.e. free of termination and other spurious ripples, real‐space image of a given experimental structure factor. IFOhas been tested on a number of data‐sets and its efficiency has been demonstrated. The program is considered to be a useful tool for controlling and improving the quality of experimental structure functions for disordered materials.

A spherical τ-design on Sn-1is a finite set such that, for all polynomials fof degree at most τ, the average of fover the set is equal to the average of fover the sphere Sn-1. In this paper we obtain some necessary conditions for the existence of designs of odd strengths and cardinalities. This gives nonexistence results in many cases. Asymptotically, we derive a bound which is better than the corresponding estimation ensured by the Delsarte—Goethals—Seidel bound. We consider in detail the strengths τ=3 and τ=5 and obtain further nonexistence results in these cases. When the nonexistence argument does not work, we obtain bounds on the minimum distance of such designs.

The presence of circulating agglutinating anti‐sperm antibodies as cause for unexplained infertility of artificially inseminated buffalo cows was assessed. An attempt to identify buffalo sperm isoantigens was also made. The following methods were applied for that purpose: the tray agglutination test (TAT), SDS‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and immunoblotting. The results obtained showed that three of 90 sera from buffalo cows with unexplained infertility were positive in TAT (3.3%) and their titers were low. A total of 27 spermatozoal polypeptides reacted positively with the IgG‐isoantibodies of one of the sperm agglutinating sera in immunoblotting. Of the control sera 12 also revealed individual variations in the number of positive fractions on the blots. On the basis of comparing the blot with the positive sperm agglutinating serum to the blots of the positive controls, two buffalo sperm isoantigens were identified, with the respective molecular weights of 40 kDa and 120kDa.

Laser microlithography has been one of the most rapidly developing lithographic methods in the last years. The possibility of using thin metal carbide layers deposited on polyimide coated substrates has been investigated. The deposition conditions of thin polyimide (⩽1 μm) and carbide (40 nm) films for lithographic applications were determined. UV laser ablation of the metal carbide layers was performed at different wavelengths. Ablation threshold fluences are around 20–90 mJ/cm2. Clean ablation with high edge definition by one single laser pulse is achieved at about 40–200 mJ/cm2 leaving a smooth polyimide surface. At 248 nm ablation using two different pulse durations (32, 81 ns) was performed, but no significant differences could be found. Microstructures can be produced by ablation using mask imaging techniques. These results demonstrate the applicability of polyimide-metal carbide layer combinations as lithographic systems for a full dry process: laser-ablation-structuring of the carbide image layer and subsequent image transfer by reactive ion etching of the polyimide.

The possibilities of ‘resistless’ microstructuring of As36·1S63·9 wafers by soft X-ray irradiation and wet alkaline etching have been investigated. Scanning electron microscopy is used to study the influence of the exposure and processing parameters on the depth and acuity of the patterned structures. Structures 1 μm wide are obtained by irradiation with an energy flux of 2000 mJ cm⁻², followed by etching in a solution of pH 10·8 at a temperature of 23°C for a processing time of 18 min. It is established that by X-ray irradiation and suitable processing of As36·1S63·9 wafers, microstructures of a depth up to 0·65 μm could be patterned. The structured wafers could be used as diffraction elements for IR optics. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

In an eight-choice reaction task, the influence of erroneous responses upon the temporary changes in the level of heart rate (HR) was studied. It was shown that after errors there was a short-term deceleration of the HR-level, while after correct responses an accelerating tendency was found. This phenomenon has to be regarded as an additional source of fluctuations of the HR-level. Therefore, it has to be taken into account when suppression of sinus arrhythmia is used for assessing the level of mental load.

Focused laser light can manipulate the phase of electrons and solve the long-standing phase contrast conundrum in electron microscopy.

The glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) regulates insulin secretion, carbohydrate metabolism, and appetite and is an important target for treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity. Multiple GLP-1R agonists have entered into clinical trials, with some, such as semaglutide, progressing to approval. Others, including taspoglutide, failed due to the high incidence of side effects or insufficient efficacy. GLP-1R agonists have a broad spectrum of signaling profiles, but molecular understanding is limited by a lack of structural information on how different agonists engage with the GLP-1R. Here, we report cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures and cryo-EM 3D variability analysis of semaglutide- and taspoglutide-bound GLP-1R-Gs protein complexes. These reveal similar peptide interactions to GLP-1 but different motions within the receptor and bound peptides, providing insights into the molecular determinants of GLP-1R peptide engagement.

A polycondensation solid-state-reaction-based polyimide (PI) matrix has been used for composite material formation. Two types of PI matrix have been employed – a bulk PI system prepared by pressing a mixture of the powdered precursors (4, 4′-oxidianiline (ODA) and pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA)) and a thin-film matrix formed by vapor co-deposition of the same precursors, PI monomers. A variety of different “guests” (trimethylaminalan, phthalocyanine, carbon) and the methods for their incorporation into the PI matrix are presented. The influence of the “guest” concentration and the thermal-treatment conditions on the surface morphology are shown and discussed.

Space-charge-limited currents have been measured in thin films of poly[methyl(phenyl)silylene] provided with Al and hole-injecting ITO electrodes. Electroluminescence observed at high voltages was interpreted as being due to a double injection. The thermo-modulated space-charge-limited current technique has been employed to determine the structure of traps in the low-voltage (single-injection) regime.

To protect the HTS-thin film microwave-frequency passive and active devices from traces of acids and humidity in the atmosphere, the oxide superconductors must be passivated. Electric parameters of the films and Q-factor of the resonators have been measured before and after passivation cycle, and thermocycles. The relative decrease of the critical current density for different quality HTS films after passivation treatment is explained by water penetration between grains during imidization cycle.