Search

• We provide a critical overview on a current status of apical dominance (AD) research. • Presumed role for each hormone and sugar implicated in AD regulation was assigned. • New biochemical mechanisms of AD control involving mobile sugars are discussed. • Special role was suggested for positive feedback loops involving sugars and hormones. • Unresolved AD issues are highlighted, outlining the prospects for future studies. Auxin alone or supplemented with cytokinins and strigolactones were long considered as the main player(s) in the control of apical dominance (AD) and correlative inhibition of the lateral bud outgrowth, the processes that shape the plant phenotype. However, past decade data indicate a more sophisticated pathways of AD regulation, with the involvement of mobile carbohydrates which perform both signal and trophic functions. Here we provide a critical comprehensive overview of the current status of the AD problem. This includes insight into intimate mechanisms regulating directed auxin transport in axillary buds with participation of phytohormones and sugars. Also roles of auxin, cytokinin and sugars in the dormancy or sustained growth of the lateral meristems were assigned. This review not only provides the latest data on implicated phytohormone crosstalk and its relationship with the signaling of sugars and abscisic acid, new AD players, but also focuses on the emerging biochemical mechanisms, at first positive feedback loops involving both sugars and hormones, that ensure the sustained bud growth. Data show that sugars act in concert with cytokinins but antagonistically to strigolactone signaling. A complex bud growth regulating network is demonstrated and unresolved issues regarding the hormone–carbohydrate regulation of AD are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measurements of the general magnetic field of the Sun seen as a star were performed over last 45 years by the CrAO and five other observatories (1968–2012, nearly 23 thousand daily strengths B ). Analysis of the B time series showed that the most substantial long-term period of the field variation is the Hale’s cycle 22 years, which cannot be explained by dynamo theory. It reveals a saw-edged profile, indicating perhaps a cosmic origin of the cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inhalation therapy treating severe infectious disease is among the more complex and emerging topics in controlled drug release. Micron-sized carriers are needed to deposit drugs into the lower airways, while nano-sized carriers are of preference for cell targeting. Here, we present a novel and versatile strategy using micron-sized spherical particles with an excellent aerodynamic profile that dissolve in the lung fluid to ultimately generate nanoparticles enabling to enhance both extra- and intra-cellular drug delivery (i.e., dual micro-nano inhalation strategy). The spherical particles are synthesised through the condensation of nano-sized amorphous silicon dioxide resulting in high surface area, disordered mesoporous silica particles (MSPs) with monodispersed size of 2.43 μm. Clofazimine (CLZ), a drug shown to be effective against multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, was encapsulated in the MSPs obtaining a dry powder formulation with high respirable fraction (F.P.F. <5 μm of 50%) without the need of additional excipients. DSC, XRPD, and Nitrogen adsorption-desorption indicate that the drug was fully amorphous when confined in the nano-sized pores (9–10 nm) of the MSPs (shelf-life of 20 months at 4 °C). Once deposited in the lung, the CLZ-MSPs exhibited a dual action. Firstly, the nanoconfinement within the MSPs enabled a drastic dissolution enhancement of CLZ in simulated lung fluid (i.e., 16-fold higher than the free drug), increasing mycobacterial killing than CLZ alone (p = 0.0262) and reaching concentrations above the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) against biofilms of M. tuberculosis (i.e., targeting extracellular bacteria). The released CLZ permeated but was highly retained in a Calu-3 respiratory epithelium model, suggesting a high local drug concentration within the lung tissue minimizing risk for systemic side effects. Secondly, the micron-sized drug carriers spontaneously dissolve in simulated lung fluid into nano-sized drug carriers (shown by Nano-FTIR), delivering high CLZ cargo inside macrophages and drastically decreasing the mycobacterial burden inside macrophages (i.e., targeting intracellular bacteria). Safety studies showed neither measurable toxicity on macrophages nor Calu-3 cells, nor impaired epithelial integrity. The dissolved MSPs also did not show haemolytic effect on human erythrocytes. In a nutshell, this study presents a low-cost, stable and non-invasive dried powder formulation based on a dual micro-nano carrier to efficiently deliver drug to the lungs overcoming technological and practical challenges for global healthcare. [Display omitted] • dry powder inhalation of clofazimine using porous microparticle as sole excipient. • a stable formulation with high FPF indicating high drug deposition in the lungs. • micron-sized carrier dissolves in the lung fluid generating nano-sized carrier. • enhanced efficacy (MIC99) against extra- and intra-cellular mycobacteria. • in vitro safety using respiratory epithelium model, macrophages and erythrocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Talbot effect on a binary phase grating with different phase depth is studied. • Talbot patterns are observed both theoretically and experimentally. • The Lau fringes formation in the different Talbot zones is observed. The Talbot effect of the finite phase grating is theoretically, computationally and experimentally investigated. The diffraction of finite periodic phase arrays in the Fresnel region is analyzed according to the scalar diffraction theory. The simulations can be performed with any PC using a MATLAB program developed by authors. Talbot images are generated for any light wavelength, grating period and any distance from the grating to screen. The algorithm details and MATLAB code are given, as well as the interesting insights than can be gained from the program. The additional intensity maximums over the borders of grating aperture on Talbot images are predicted to appear. The evolution of diffraction patterns on the fractional Talbot distances for the phase grating is simulated and compared with images for the grating with amplitude transmission. Phase gratings are produced and Talbot images of them are successfully measured. A comparative analysis of the theoretical results with the experimental ones is illustrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Superplastic forming is an effective way to manufacture complex-shaped parts of titanium-based alloys. This paper studies the influence of the initial microstructure and its strain-induced evolution on superplastic deformation behavior and the formability of a titanium-based alloy. Two types of Ti–Al–V–Mo alloy samples having a different fraction of recrystallized grains before the start of the superplastic deformation were studied. The deformation behavior, including strain hardening and strain rate sensitivity of the flow stress, was analyzed in a temperature range of 775 °C–900 °C and a strain rate range of 10−5 to 10−2 s−1. Strain-induced changes of the microstructure within the bulk of the samples and on the surface of the pre-polished samples were studied during superplastic deformation with a constant strain rate. The dynamic recrystallization and dynamic grain growth in the volume of the samples and the multiple slip bands on the samples' surface were revealed after superplastic deformation. The grain structure evolution and slip bands localization depended on the samples' initial microstructure. The results showed that the samples with an increased fraction of recrystallized grains exhibited better superplasticity and higher quality of the formed parts with a more uniform thickness distribution across the section than the samples with a lower initial recrystallized fraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electron Multiplying Charge Coupled Devices, EMCCD are used as x-ray detectors. The NSLS-II Soft Inelastic x-ray Scattering (SIX) beam line has two EMCCDs for x-ray detection in the spectrometer arm. The spectrometer with high resolving power disperses x-rays vertically. The x-ray vertical position on the sensor plane is related to its energy. This allows for very accurate x-ray energy measurements through x-ray coordinates. X-rays interact with silicon and create a number of electron–hole pairs proportional to the x-ray energy. Electrons drift and diffuse toward pixel gates and are collected there. The diffused electrons form a charge cloud distributed over several neighboring pixels. This charge sharing enables coordinate measurements with accuracy better than the pixel pitch. The charge distribution shape has to be taken into account to achieve ultimate accuracy in coordinate measurements. In this paper, we present a method of the charge distribution shape analysis and demonstrate its applications. The drift and diffusion of electrons from the point of generation to pixel gates results in the bell-shaped electron cloud usually approximated by Gaussian shape. The number of electrons collected under a pixel is proportional to the shape function integral. These electron packets get transferred to the sense node of the output amplifier. The transfer process could introduce distortions to the original charge distribution. For example, during transfers, electrons in the packet could be exposed to traps if they are present in the sensor. The trapping and later the release processes distort the apparent shape of the charge distribution. Therefore, deviations of the charge distribution shape from the originally symmetrical form can indicate the presence of trap centers in the sensor and can be used for sensor diagnostics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five new derivatives of 3-ammoniopyridine, namely, 1,1'-(1,4-phenylenebis(methylene))bis (3-ammoniopyridinium) bromobismuthate-bromide [(3-NH 3 Py) 2 XK][BiBr 6 Br·H 2 O (1), 3-amino-1-(3-(3-ammoniopyridin-1-ium-1-yl)propyl)pyridin-1-ium bromobismuthate [(3-NH 2 Py)(3-NH 3 Py)C 3 [BiBr 6 ·1.5H 2 O (2), 1,1'-(butane-1,1′-diyl)bis(3-ammoniopyridinium) bromobismuthate [(3-NH 3 Py) 2 C 4 [Bi 2 Br 10 (3) and bromide [(3-NH 3 Py) 2 C 4 Br 4 ·2H 2 O (4), and 3-amino-1-(5-(3-ammoniopyridin-1-ium-1-yl)pentyl)pyridin-1-ium bromobismuthate [(3-NH 2 Py)(3-NH 3 Py)C 5 [BiBr 6 ·H 2 O (5), were successfully obtained from concentrated HBr solutions and characterised by single crystal X-Ray diffraction, XRD, DRS, and TG/DTA methods. All compounds are unstable and decompose slowly in humid air. According to DFT calculations the protonation of the amino group results in the increase of the electron affinity of the organic cation and leads to changes in the structure of the aminopyridine fragment of the cation. The C-NH n bond length values in 3-aminopyridinium (<1.40 Å) and in 3-ammoniopyridinium (≥1.44 Å) derivatives allows to uniquely determine the protonation degree of the N atom. Image 1 • Four new bromobismuthates of three- and four-charged cations were structurally characterized. • The investigation of the optical properties and thermal stability of the obtained bromobismuthates was performed. • Protonation of the amino group of 3-ammoniopyridinium derivatives results in a significant increase of C-NH n bond length. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Certain ionic liquids (ILs), such as 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (bmimCl) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (emimAc), are potent cellulose solvents, but the high viscosity of the resulting solutions is problematic in many applications. Organic co-solvents are often employed to alleviate this problem; however, our understanding of the intermolecular interactions determining the IL/co-solvent mixture performance is very limited, hampering the further development of this class of cellulose solvents. Herein, we applied infrared spectroscopy (IR), Raman spectroscopy, and quantum chemical model calculations to investigate the intermolecular interactions in differently concentrated mixtures of bmimCl and emimAc with amidic co-solvents, N -methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) and N -vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (NVP). Based on the detailed analysis of the vibrational spectra of individual mixture components and the improved assignment of the relevant characteristic bands, we determined that bmim+-co-solvent and emim+-co-solvent associates, stabilized by the hydrogen bonds between amidic carbonyl oxygens and the CH groups of the imidazolium rings, are formed in the mixtures. In addition, the data pointed to concomitant disruption of the H-bonds between the IL counterions as the co-solvent concentration was increased, which may indicate partial dissociation of the IL ion pairs. Further, through an extensive deconvolution analysis, we quantified the molar fractions of the co-solvent molecules involved in the associate formation, finding that this fraction is significantly lower for emimAc than for bmimCl mixtures at all the studied concentrations. On the other hand, the influence of the amidic co-solvent structure was negligible, suggesting that also other (aprotic) amides may be applicable as co-solvents. Furthermore, the calculated molar ratio of IL to interacting co-solvent molecules highlighted the possible differences in the associate stoichiometry. The findings indicate that the lower affinity of the IL to co-solvents in emimAc-based mixtures may lead to the retaining of larger IL-rich clusters and, consequently, the comparatively better performance of the system in cellulose dissolution. Finally, increased temperature was found to influence all the studied systems similarly, inflicting about 20% decrease in the fraction of interacting co-solvent molecules at 85 °C as compared to room temperature. In summary, the results of this study provide important implications for the design of new solvent systems for cellulose dissolution. • Updated band assignments are proposed for vibrational spectra of NMP, NVP and emimAc. • IR spectra and DFT calculations indicate H-bonding between IL cations and NMP or NVP. • Amidic co-solvents substituents have minor influence on their interactions with ILs. • EmimAc, compared to bmimCl, has lower tendency to form associates with NMP and NVP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stability constants and extinction coefficients of ethyl viologen–iodide ionic pairs were calculated using the modified Kosover equation, and the effective cation charge was found by an analysis of the crystal structure of ethyl viologen diiodide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After a careful reconsideration of the article (N. Kotov, V. Raus, J. Dybal, Journal of Molecular Liquids, 285 (2019) 688–696), we found that a calculation error has been made when preparing the data plotted in Fig. 6. This partially impacted on the observed trends and influenced to some extent the associated discussion and conclusions. An erratum is presented to rectify this problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comparative study were carried out on composition, nanostructure and conductivity of (Co + Fe + Zr)/(ZrO) amorphous granular composite films deposited on polyethylene terephthalate substrate by ion beam deposition in argon and nitrogen atmosphere. Atomic force microscopy, magnetic force microscopy, energy dispersive analysis and scanning electron microscopy were used. It is shown that the content of the metal phase in the films determines both the average granule sizes and their microwave reflecting and conducting properties. Dependences of granules size, reflection coefficient and conductivity on the metal phase content and film thickness were found. The influence of the metallic phase turns out to be significant in the presence of percolation (flow) processes that arise when the films are deposited. • Metallic-phase content has a key effect on the microwave reflection from the films. • Influence of the effective layer of films metallic phase on reflection was evaluated. • Percolation processes in composite films with magnetic properties connected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The ALICE experiment, one of the four LHC experiments, is dedicated to study Heavy Ion collisions at the center-of-mass energy of the 5.5TeV per nucleon pair. The ALICE detector is designed as a general purpose detector capable of measuring most phenomena related to the Quark Gluon Plasma (QGP) state of matter. A set of high granularity detectors is used for tracking and includes an Inner Tracking System, a large-volume Time-Projection Chamber and a Transition–Radiation Detector. The Inner Tracking System is designed for high precision reconstruction of the primary and secondary vertices and tracking and identification of low momentum particles. Motivations and requirements for the ITS tracking system are presented and specifics of the design and performance are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A new organic-inorganic hybrid material containing bromobismuthate anions and bis(1-pyridino)hexane cations was synthesized and characterized. The reaction between (C 16 H 22 N 2 ) 2 Bi 2 Br 10 and HBr in the presence of HI vapor afforded (C 16 H 22 N 2 ) 3 (BiBr 6 ) 2 as the main product and (C 16 H 22 N 2 ) 3 (BiBr 6 )(BiBr 7 I) as a by-product containing the BrIBr – anion coordinated by bismuth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• fMRI BOLD-signal is analyzed during the comprehension of natural narratives. • fMRI BOLD-signal analysis allows to define lexical clusters with similar activation patterns. • Lexical clusters include words that are situationally related to each other. • The conceptual brain system encodes situational information to process concepts. • Conceptual information is processed in distributed but specific regions of the brain. This article is a part of a large-scale brain mapping project aimed at finding the relations among semantic categories in oral Russian-language texts and brain activity as measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The goal of present study in particular is to examine the nature of lexical semantic relations and find an appropriate lexical space, homeomorphic to the activation patterns in the brain. Participants were presented with oral narratives, which described significant social issues from the first-person perspective. Stimuli were annotated using a dictionary and a vector approach. Results show that fMRI signal and clusters of related words have similar patterns of brain activation across participants. Results also show that annotation by a list of features more strongly contributes to prediction of the observed activation patterns. Findings confirm the hypothesis of situational semantic representation in the brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Tight requirements on the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope point spread function (PSF) demand sensor contribution to PSF be both small and well characterized. The sensor PSF is determined by the lateral charge diffusion on the drift path from the CCD window to the gates. Different techniques for charge diffusion characterization have been developed, each with its own systematics and measurement difficulties. A new way to measure charge diffusion using an X-ray source is presented. We demonstrate the effectiveness and limitations of our technique. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The problem of descent spacecrafts safety is closely related to the correct assessment of heat fluxes to their surface. This work is devoted to an experimental study of radiative heat fluxes that play an important role during the entry of a spacecraft into the Earth's atmosphere at superorbital velocity. The radiation properties of high-temperature air were measured in the detonation driven shock tube DDST-M at the gas pressure 0.25 Torr ahead of the shock wave in the shock wave velocity range from 7.7 to 11.4 km/s. The applied registration method fixates the time-integrated distribution of the radiation intensity of the shock heated air passing by the measuring cross section. The measurements were carried out in the spectral range from 190 to 1100 nm. Simultaneously, the evolution of the radiation power at certain wavelengths that are selected using monochromators was recorded. Time spectrograms at certain wave lengths make it possible to determine the effective process time that can be used to recalculate the measured integral radiation intensity to the radiation power that traditionally measures by 3-D spectroscopy method. A new spectral model is presented that performs a line-by-line calculation of the emission and absorption spectra of atoms and molecules. The experimental results are compared with the calculated data obtained using the spectral model, as well as data from other measurements. • Heat fluxes to spacecrafts surface. • New experimental data on the radiation of shock-heated air in in the spectral range from 190 to 1100 nm. • A new spectral model that performs a line-by-line calculation of the emission and absorption spectra of atoms and molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Offspring of depressed mothers have elevated risk of developing depression because they are exposed to greater stress. While generally assumed that youth's increased exposure to stress is due to the environmental effects of living with a depressed parent, youth's genes may influence stress exposure through gene-environment correlations (rGEs). To understand the relationship between risk for depression and stress, we examined the effects of polygenic risk for depression on youth stress exposure. We examined the relations of a polygenic risk score (PRS) for depression (DEP-PRS), as well as PRSs for 5 other disorders, with youth stress exposure. Data were from a longitudinal study of a community sample of youth and their parents (n = 377) focusing on data collected at youth's aged 12 and 15 assessments. Elevated youth DEP-PRS was robustly associated with increased dependent stress, particularly interpersonal events. Exploratory analyses indicated that findings were driven by major stress and were not moderated by maternal nor paternal history of depression, and of the 5 additional PRSs tested, only elevated genetic liability for bipolar I was associated with increased dependent stress—particularly non-interpersonal events. Like other PRS studies, we focused on those of European ancestry thus, generalizability of findings is limited. Polygenic risk contributes to youth experiencing stressful life events which are dependent on their behavior. This rGE appears to be specific to genetic risk for mood disorders. • Youth elevated polygenic risk for depression is robustly associated with elevated youth stress exposure, supporting a stress generation model. • Of the 5 additional PRSs tested, only bipolar I disorder was associated with elevated youth stress exposure. • Findings suggest that there are gene-environment correlations that are specific to mood disorders--depression and bipolar 1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insect, tadpole shrimp and plant macrofodssil assemblages dated to different intervals of MIS5 are presented for three sites in the northern part of the West Siberian plain: Karymkarskyi sor, Belaya Gora and Kiryas. The beetle faunas suggest a relatively warm climate associated with boreal forest and marsh communities of the middle and southern taiga type; this interpretation is in agreement with the paleobotanical studies. Evidence of warm climate is provided by the occurrence of the carabid beetle Trechus secalis , found in Karymkarskyi sor and Belaya Gora sites. This fossil occurrence is referred substages to MIS5e and MIS5c on the basis of TL and U/Th dates, and coincides with the presence of bark beetle remains at the Kiryas locality. Both plant macrofossils from the Belaya Gora locality and tadpole shrimp remains from Kiryas site do not include species indicative of warmer-than-present climate, despite the presence of residues of woody plants. Our data were compared with paleobotanical data from a number of locatities in the central and northern parts of the West Siberian plain that have been dated to MIS5 on the basis of TL and Th/U dates. Most of these sites yielded paleobotanical data indicative of relative warm climate and forest vegetation. The exception is the Elizarovo point site, where the palynological data indicate periglacial environments. Insect, crustacean and plant macrofossil data are well correlated with the results of studies of fossil insect and paleobotanical data from other regions of Northern Eurasia and may confirm warm and humid climate during some periods of MIS5 (substages 5e and 5c) and distribution of forest landscapes and corresponding insect complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Palaeoproterozoic terrigenous rocks of the Udokan Complex, Aldan Shield were studied. • Sediments have been deposited over a very short time interval of ca. 1.90–1.88 Ga. • Palaeoproterozoic (ca. 2.02 Ga) and Archean rocks were sources of the sediments. • Unknown Palaeoproterozoic juvenile rocks existed within/near the Chara-Olekma terrane. • Detrital zircons reveal "hidden" Palaeoproterozoic crust-forming event. In this study, new geological, geochronological, and Hf isotopic data are presented for the metaterrigenous deposits of the Kemen Group of the Udokan Complex in the Chara-Olekma terrane of the Aldan Shield, Siberian Craton. Their age of deposition and possible provenances are discussed, along with crust-forming events in the Aldan Shield. The Palaeoproterozoic carbonate-terrigenous deposits of the Udokan Complex in the Kodar-Udokan basin are the hypostratotype of the Lower Proterozoic deposits of the Eastern Siberia and the Far East, and host one of the largest and oldest sediment-hosted copper deposits. Concordia ages of detrital zircons demonstrate age peaks of ca. 2.02, 2.15, 2.38, 2.54, 2.73, 2.82, 2.93, 2.96, 3.00, 3.04 and 3.14 Ga on the probability plot. The morphology, internal texture, and Hf isotopic composition of the Meso- and Neoarchean detrital zircons indicate reworked Paleo- to Mesoarchean crustal sources in provenance areas. No rocks with the ages of ca. 2.02 Ga have been previously recognised in the Chara-Olekma terrane. Characteristics of the ca. 2.02 detrital zircons indicate their primary magmatic origin and proximal sedimentary transport. Hf isotopic data imply that the Palaeoproterozoic rocks in provenance area originated mainly from juvenile sources in a subduction-related setting. The Palaeoproterozoic island arc or an active continental margin probably existed within the western Aldan Shield or its framing and were later completely eroded or partially overlain by younger sediments. Erosion of the Palaeoproterozoic orogen led to deposition of the Chinei and Kemen groups of the Udokan Complex over a short time interval of ca. 1.90–1.88 Ga. Detrital zircons from the Kemen Group deposits reveal for previously unrecognised and lost from geological record Palaeoproterozoic crust-forming event on the western Aldan Shield. Available data show that significant part of the Siberian Craton was formed during ca. 2.07–1.98 Ga crust-forming events that indicate the discrete episodic nature of the continental crust formation and must be considered in models of its growth. The differences in isotope structure and geological history of the Siberia and the Laurentia are in agreement with palaeogeographic reconstructions suggesting that Siberia and Laurentia were not joined together in the Columbia/Nuna supercontinent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of aluminum alloys with superior mechanical properties and high strain rate superplasticity is an important prerequisite for advancing applications of superplastic blow-forming technology. This study focuses on the effect of Ce and Fe additions on the microstructural parameters and tensile properties of a superplastic Al-4.8%Mg-0.6%Mn-0.15%Cr (AA5083-type) alloy. The studied alloy exhibits a bimodal particle size distribution with coarse crystallization origin inclusions and fine secondary precipitates. Both the coarse and fine particles lead to grain refinement. The coarse Ce-, Fe-, and Mn-rich intermetallic particles of crystallization origin provide evidence of a particle-stimulated nucleation effect. The semi-coherent Mn-enriched compact-shaped dispersoids with an Ashby-Brown contrast, a quasicrystalline structure, and a mean size of 38 nm are precipitated after low-temperature homogenization and exhibit a strong Zener pinning effect. The proposed thermomechanical treatment results in the development of a grain size of 4 μm and an ultimate tensile strength of 340 MPa in the recrystallized sheet. The superplastic deformation behavior in a strain rate range of 1 × 10−2 to 1 × 10−1 s−1 and the associated strain-induced changes in the grain structure and mechanical properties of the developed alloy are presented and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Thermomechanical processing determines the practical applications of metal–matrix composites (MMCs) by contributing to the interrelationship between their microstructure and properties. In this study, we investigate the changes in Al-3.0Cu-1.2Mg/SiC p (40 vol%) caused by the tension applied at high temperatures and strain rates. The study shows the microstructural changes and mechanical characteristics resulting from the cold/warm and hot rolling of the extruded material. It is observed that hot rolling has a favorable effect on the restoration of the defects formed in parts of the extruded bar. The microstructural characteristics of the composite related to the deformation-induced redistribution of the secondary inclusions in the matrix and fracture of the reinforcement particles are shown. High-temperature uniaxial tensile testing of the studied composite conducted under high strain rates (10−1 and 10−2 s−1) indicates an increase in the ductility. The decrease in the stress of the tested samples is attributed to the refined grains in the matrix after the thermomechanical processing. The testing of the given material provides the stress–strain relationships, which indirectly assist in ranking the relative formabilities of the differently processed sheets of the MMCs with a high-volume fraction of the reinforcement particles. The proposed approach may be considered for the near net-shaped manufacturing of MMCs with high wear resistance and low thermal expansion coefficients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reasons for discrepancies between reported values of extinction coefficients of ion pairs formed by multicharged ions are analysed and approaches to a correct description of such systems are suggested. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The method of computation of currents induced on electrodes by charges moving in vacuum was introduced in Refs. . This method was extended for the case of a semiconductor with assumption that only fixed charges are presented. In presented paper, Ramo''s method is applied for charges moving in a media without limitation of the presence of fixed charges only. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We study the magnetic excitation spectrum of the two-dimensional (2D) square-lattice S=1/2 Kondo lattice model at finite (hole) doping, by representing the Hamiltonian in terms of a set of local excitations. The location of the paramagnetic–antiferromagnetic phase boundary at T=0 is determined. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Four metamorphic events were identified in the Early Precambrian history of the Eastern Sarmatia. The oldest Mesoarchaean (?) ultrahigh temperature (UHT) metamorphism at 900–1000 °C and 10–12 kbar occurred in the Kursk and Azov domains. Although attempts to constrain accurately the age of metamorphism failed, they provided evidence for the existence of the early Mesoarchaean ultra-hot orogen in the central part of the Archaean core of the Eastern Sarmatia. The 2.82 Ga metamorphism, widespread within the Eastern Sarmatia, finished the formation of the ancient Mesoarchaean basement. The granulite facies metamorphism at ∼750 °C and ∼5 kbar is confined to zones composed of gneisses and migmatites, while the epidote–amphibolite and amphibolite facies metamorphism occurred within preserved fragments of greenstone belts. The Palaeoproterozoic low-pressure metamorphism occured at 2.07 Ga in all Palaeoproterozoic structures under P-T conditions ranging from 350 °C at 2 kbar to 750 °C at 5 kbar. The metamorphic event was caused by a collision between the Volga-Uralia segment and Sarmatia at ca. 2.1 Ga. The youngest high-T granulite metamorphism at 850 °C and 5.5 kbar (2.04 Ga) recorded in the Bryansk domain likely reflects a thermal effect related to magmatic event that preceeded the main episode of the Osnitsk-Mikashevichi volcano-plutonic belt formation at the active margin of Sarmatia at 1.96–2.00 Ga. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel Al-Mg-Fe-Ni based alloy doped by Sc and Zr exhibits high strain rate superplasticity, good mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. The superplastic sheets of the alloy exhibit unrecrystallised grain structure after processing by a simple thermomechanical treatment and subsequent annealing at a temperature up to 0.97T melt . Superplastic deformation behaviour for the given alloy was studied by performing tensile tests with constant strain rates in a range of 2 × 10 −3 – 1 × 10 −1 s −1 and initial strain rates of 1 × 10 −2 and 1 × 10 −1 s −1 . The microstructure and the texture evolution of the studied alloy deformed at various constant strain rates were analysed by an SEM-EBSD method. The strain rate sensitivity index m ≈ 0.5 and elongation up to 750% were achieved due to the formation of a fine microstructure with a grain size of 2–4 µm at superplastic deformation. The developed alloy exhibits superplasticity at the strain rates up to 1 × 10 −1 s −1 , the yield strength of 270 MPa and the ultimate tensile stress of 385 MPa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents new geochemical, U–Pb geochronological, and Sm–Nd isotopic data for early Paleozoic granitoids and acidic volcanic rocks within the Mamyn Terrane that constrain the early Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the eastern central Asian orogenic belt (CAOB). The Mamyn Terrane is usually considered part of the Argun Massif, although our new geochronological data indicate the presence of two magmatic events within the terrane that occurred at the Ediacaran–Cambrian boundary (∼541 Ma) and the late Cambrian–Early Ordovician boundary (507–488 Ma). Field observations indicate that all of the late Ediacaran–Early Cambrian (∼541 Ma) volcanic rocks are deformed whereas the Late Cambrian–Early Ordovician (507–488 Ma) intrusive and volcanic rocks are either deformed or undeformed. The ∼541 Ma magmatic event in the study area produced rhyodacite, trachyrhyodacite, and trachyrhyolite units that are either high-K calc-alkaline or shoshonitic. These units have ε Nd(t) values from −7.4 to −8.7, t Nd(DM) ages of 1.9–1.8 Ga, and formed from primary magmas generated by the partial melting of Mesoproterozoic continental crustal material in a suprasubduction zone setting. The Late Cambrian–Early Ordovician (507–488 Ma) magmatic event in this area formed gabbrodiorite, diorite, granodiorite, granite, trachyrhyodacite, and rhyodacite units that are medium-K and calc-alkaline, and have arc-like trace element compositions that are enriched in the large ion lithophile elements (LILEs) and depleted in the high field strength elements (HFSEs). These units have initial 87 Sr/ 86 Sr (i) ratios and ε Nd(t) values that range from 0.7048 to 0.7067 and from −3.3 to −0.2, respectively, yielding t Nd(DM) ages of 1.6–1.1 Ga. These features indicate that the magmas that formed these units were generated in a subduction zone setting, most likely by the partial melting of Mesoproterozoic crustal material with the addition of some younger juvenile material. In addition, the Late Cambrian–Early Ordovician trachyrhyodacite and rhyodacite units in this area are high-K and calc-alkaline or are shoshonitic and are enriched in K, Rb, the rare earth elements (REE), Y, Nb, Ta, and Zr, and are depleted in Sr and have A-type granite affinities. However, these units do not contain alkali amphibole or pyroxene and have high FeO tot /MgO ratios (6.7–12.7) that indicate they formed from highly fractionated magmas. Therefore, these volcanic rocks represent extreme melt differentiates that also formed the coeval granites. The early Paleozoic magmatic events within the Mamyn Terrane have also been identified in the Argun, Bureya, and Jiamusi areas of the eastern CAOB, suggesting that all of these areas have a common geodynamic history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CLEC16A is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that regulates mitochondrial quality control through mitophagy and is associated with over 20 human diseases. CLEC16A forms a complex with another E3 ligase, RNF41, and a ubiquitin-specific peptidase, USP8; however, regions that regulate CLEC16A activity or the assembly of the tripartite mitophagy regulatory complex are unknown. Here, we report that CLEC16A contains an internal intrinsically disordered protein region (IDPR) that is crucial for CLEC16A function and turnover. IDPRs lack a fixed secondary structure and possess emerging yet still equivocal roles in protein stability, interactions, and enzymatic activity. We find that the internal IDPR of CLEC16A is crucial for its degradation. CLEC16A turnover was promoted by RNF41, which binds and acts upon the internal IDPR to destabilize CLEC16A. Loss of this internal IDPR also destabilized the ubiquitin-dependent tripartite CLEC16A-RNF41-USP8 complex. Finally, the presence of an internal IDPR within CLEC16A was confirmed using NMR and CD spectroscopy. Together, our studies reveal that an IDPR is essential to control the reciprocal regulatory balance between CLEC16A and RNF41, which could be targeted to improve mitochondrial health in disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Formation of high density ( ) low temperature ( ) regions on the closed flux surfaces near X-point – an X-point MARFE – in the B2-EIRENE simulations of edge plasma has been studied. The MARFE is found to form in a natural way at high gas puffing rate in both D+C and pure D plasma. Inclusion of the Ly-radiation transport and photo-excitation in the simulations turns out to be mandatory for obtaining stable steady-state solutions with MARFE. Contrary to that, at the low discharge densities the solution is not sensitive with respect to the details of the neutral transport model. In order to sort out possible numerical artifacts due to finite grid resolution, the results are verified on a high resolution grid with massively parallelized Monte-Carlo part of the code. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Different Al-based alloys were evaluated as materials for cladding on a high-strength Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Ni-Zr alloy with high-strain rate superplasticity. Clad sheets were fabricated by hot-roll bonding. Superplastic behaviour, mechanical properties at room temperature and corrosion properties of clad sheets were studied. The microstructure analysis and tensile results revealed that bonding was acceptable in the samples with cladding materials. The research revealed that the Al-Zn-Ca alloy provided good corrosion protection, superplasticity and a low decrease in the mechanical properties of cladded sheets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many previous studies have indicated that individuals who are depressed or at risk for depression are characterized by increased levels of morning cortisol and a greater cortisol awakening response (CAR). However, despite the high comorbidity between depressive and anxiety disorders, fewer studies have examined whether these diurnal cortisol abnormalities are also characteristic of anxiety or risk for anxiety.Methods: In the present study we examined cortisol in a community sample of 476 female adolescents and related it to maternal history of depression and/or anxiety disorders. Salivary cortisol was collected at waking, 30min post waking, and in the evening on three weekdays.Results: Contrary to prior results, offspring at risk for depression did not have increased morning cortisol or CAR. However, offspring at risk for anxiety disorders had elevated 30min cortisol and total cortisol produced throughout the day; this effect was primarily driven by offspring of mothers with panic disorder or agoraphobia. Additionally, levels of cortisol were highest among offspring of mothers with multiple anxiety diagnoses.Limitations: The study is limited to female adolescents and maternal diagnostic history. Additionally, some diagnoses could not be examined as a result of too few cases (e.g. GAD).Conclusions: Overall, these results underscore the importance of considering anxiety when examining the association of diurnal cortisol abnormalities with risk for psychopathology, as it may have influenced prior observations of elevated morning cortisol in depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the UV-VIS spectroscopic data, preferential solvation in binary solvents results in the formation of less stable ion pairs MQ + I – as compared to those in individual solvents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The six new bis(4-cyano-1-pyridino)alkanes derivatives with different alkyl chain length (n = 2-6) and cyanometallate anions ([Fe(CN) 6 ] 3− , [Сo(CN) 6 ] 3− , [Fe(CN) 4 (CNH) 2 ] 2− and [Fe(CN) 6 ] 4− ) have been synthesized and characterized by 1H-NMR, single-crystal X-ray analysis and UV–vis spectroscopy. The electroreduction of the obtained compounds under potentiostatic conditions (E 1 = −0.75 V) and further electrode stabilization at E 2 = 0 V resulted in the deposition of polyviologen films. The current efficiency of electropolymerization was found to increase with varying the counter anion in the row: [Fe(CN) 6 ] 3− < Br − < [Сo(CN) 6 ] 3− ∼ [Fe(CN) 6 ] 4− . Analysis of cyclic voltammograms and EDX data demonstrated the simultaneous incorporation of [Fe(CN) 6 ] 4− and K + ions into poly(pentyl-viologen) film during electropolymerization, and further expulsion of K + ions during the film stabilization at E 2 = 0 V. The electropolymerization efficiency was found to increase with increasing the alkyl chain length, resulting in the formation of polyviologen film with higher content of dimer form of viologen cation radical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective/background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by substantial disruptions in sleep quality, continuity, and depth. Sleep problems also may exacerbate PTSD symptom severity. Understanding how PTSD and sleep may reinforce one another is critical for informing effective treatments.Patients/methods: In a sample of 452 World Trade Center 9/11 responders (mean age = 55.22, 89.4% male, 66.1% current or former police), we examined concurrent and cross-lagged associations between PTSD symptom severity, insomnia symptoms, nightmares, and sleep quality at 3 time points ∼1 year apart. Data were analyzed using random intercept cross-lagged panel models.Results: PTSD symptom severity and sleep variables were relatively stable across time (intraclass correlation coefficients: 0.63 to 0.84). Individuals with more insomnia symptoms, more nightmares, and poorer sleep quality had greater PTSD symptom severity, on average. Within-person results revealed that greater insomnia symptoms and nightmares at Time 1 were concurrently associated with greater PTSD symptoms at Time 1. Insomnia symptoms were also concurrently associated with PTSD symptoms at Times 2 and 3, respectively. Cross-lagged and autoregressive results revealed that PTSD symptoms and nightmares predicted nightmares at the next timepoint.Conclusions: Overall, results suggest PTSD and sleep problems may be linked at the same point in time but may not always influence each other longitudinally. Further, individuals who experience more sleep disturbances on average may suffer from more debilitating PTSD. Evidence-based treatments for PTSD may consider incorporating treatment of underlying sleep disturbances and nightmares. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The work is devoted to the research of the magnetic and relaxation properties of metal-dielectric (composite) films and revealing their relationship with the nanostructure characteristics. The nanosize of ferromagnetic particles in the composite films results in unusual magnetic properties including an abnormal magnetization relaxation. Correlation of the magnetic relaxation frequencies and specific electric resistance with the nanostructure characteristics are discovered. The FMR line shape for films with a small percentage of the metal phase transforms from a resonant line shape to a relaxation line shape if the film is annealed. This transition is connected to the changes in the array of metal and dielectric particles and its boundary properties. The significant changes in the shape of the FMR spectra lines are connected to nanostructural transformations in the ferromagnetic granules topology and distance between the granules. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The dynamics of the magnetization in the ferrite film close to the nonlinear magnetoacoustic resonance (MAR) for different magnitudes of the magnetic dissipation parameter is investigated. The interval of the magnetic dissipation parameter magnitudes, in which the nonlinear relaxation and strong damping of the magnetization is observed, is defined. The regime of the magnetoelastic autooscillations is observed if there is some detuning of the acoustic eigenfrequency from the MAR frequency in certain intervals of values of the alternating field amplitude during its action. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] • Precipitates and grain structure evolutions during multidirectional forging were studied. • β-phase precipitated during intermediate annealing and provided PSN effect. • Higher HAGB fraction of Al-solution was observed for more heterogeneous structure; • β-phase heterogenization provided grains refinement and improved strength properties. Multidirectional forging (MDF) is an effective severe plastic deformation method that provides grain refinement and improves the mechanical strength of metallic materials. In this study, the microstructural homogeneity was improved in the MDF-treated Al-Mg alloy due to coarse particles of the β(Al 3 Mg 2)-phase precipitated during intermediate heterogenization annealing. The β-phase stimulated recrystallization due to a particle stimulated nucleation mechanism, improved the grain refinement effect during MDF that increased the yield strength of the alloy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Negative symptoms are among the greatest sources of functional impairment for individuals with schizophrenia, yet their mechanisms remain poorly understood. Olfactory impairment is associated with negative symptoms. The processing of pleasant olfactory stimuli is subserved by reward-related neural circuitry while unpleasant olfactory processing is subserved by emotion-related neural circuitry, suggesting that these two odor dimensions may offer a window into differential mechanisms of negative symptoms. We examined whether pleasant and unpleasant odor identification bears differential relationships with avolition and inexpressivity dimensions of negative symptoms, whether these relationships are transdiagnostic, and whether pleasant and unpleasant odor processing also relate differently to other domains of functioning in a sample of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia (N = 54), other psychotic disorders (N = 65), and never-psychotic adults (N = 160). Hierarchical regressions showed that pleasant odor identification was uniquely associated with avolition, while unpleasant odor identification was uniquely associated with inexpressivity. These relationships were largely transdiagnostic across groups. Additionally, pleasant and unpleasant odor identification displayed signs of specificity with other functional and cognitive measures. These results align with past work suggesting dissociable pathomechanisms of negative symptoms and provide a potential avenue for future work using valence-specific olfactory dysfunction as a semi-objective and low-cost marker for understanding and predicting the severity of specific negative symptom profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]