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To determine the safety of using argon as a deuteron beam stopping material, the  40Ar(d,p)41Ar cross section was measured at average deuteron energies of 3.6 MeV, 5.5 MeV, and 7.0 MeV using an activation method. A 16-MeV deuteron beam produced by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's 88-Inch Cyclotron was degraded to each energy by nickel foils and the front wall of an aluminum gas chamber. The reduced-energy deuterons were used to activate a sample of natAr gas. After each irradiation, the gas chamber's  41Ar activation was measured with a high-purity germanium detector. The cross sections measured were larger than a previous measurement by ∼40%.

Abstract Local adaptations to the environment are an important aspect of the diversity of a species and their discovery, description and quantification has important implications for the fields of taxonomy, evolutionary and conservation biology. In this study, we scan genomes from several populations across the distributional range of the Eurasian lynx, with the objective of finding genomic windows under positive selection which may underlie local adaptations to different environments. A total of 394 genomic windows are found to be associated to local environmental conditions, and they are enriched for genes involved in metabolism, behaviour, synaptic organization and neural development. Adaptive genetic structure, reconstructed from SNPs in candidate windows, is considerably different than the neutral genetic structure of the species. A widespread adaptively homogeneous group is recovered occupying areas of harsher snow and temperature climatic conditions in the north‐western, central and eastern parts of the distribution. Adaptively divergent populations are recovered in the westernmost part of the range, especially within the Baltic population, but also predicted for different patches in the western and southern part of the range, associated with different snow and temperature regimes. Adaptive differentiation driven by climate does not correlate much with the subspecies taxonomic delimitations, suggesting that subspecific divergences are mostly driven by neutral processes of genetic drift and gene flow. Our results will aid the selection of source populations for assisted gene flow or genetic rescue programs by identifying what climatic patterns to look for as predictors of pre‐adaptation of individuals. Particularly, the Carpathian population is confirmed as the best source of individuals for the genetic rescue of the endangered, isolated and genetically eroded Balkan population. Additionally, reintroductions in central and western Europe, currently based mostly on Carpathian lynxes, could consider the Baltic population as an additional source to increase adaptive variation and likely improve adaptation to their milder climate.

This paper presents the concept of a modified 60E1 rail dedicated to continuous welded rail (CWR) track. The presented solution is the subject of a patent application by the authors of the publication. The paper describes problems associated with the operation of CWR track and the phenomena of so-called “rail stressing”, i.e., stresses created in the rail due to thermal shrinkage that, in extreme cases, can lead to the buckling of the rail track. Simulation calculations of longitudinal track loads to represent the occurrence of thermal force as a result of the occurrence of high air temperatures were carried out for the constructed conventional model of the railroad track as well as the track with the proposed solutions. A discussion of the simulation results is presented, indicating the possibility for the wider application of both varieties of modified rail.

The paper presents an approach for integrating conflicted cells in a chain-like structure based on a measurement of the level of integration of this structure. The authors’ prior experience suggests an assumption that conflicts always arise when cells are connected by a flow of materials, information, and money, although at different intensity levels. Usually, the intensity levels of said conflicts depend on the cooperation culture within a supply chain. This is a highly multidi-mensional problem, reflected by the literature referred to in this paper and related to this subject matter. The proposed approach treats technological processes between conflicted cells as an area of potential integration of these cells. Then, the integration becomes a problem of selecting the appropriate variant of realizing a technological process conducted in an area common for potentially conflicted cells of a company. The same approach may be used for cells belonging to separate production and distribution companies operating within a mutual supply chain. The paper proposes a method for measuring the integration level of neighboring cells, as a difficult-to-measure feature, by deter-mining an integration loss index. Also, the paper presents a multi-criteria method based on the fuzzy set theory for selecting a preferred variant of a technological process. A presented example uses this method in a supply chain to maximize the integration level between Shipping and Recipient cells/links. It has been assumed that the preferred realization variant of the flow process will be based on the following criteria: 1) shipping cost; 2) shipping quality; 3) shipping time. Also, an algorithm is shown for applying the presented methodology, which is helpful for managers interested in increasing the integration level of a supply chain. The methodology allows for increasing the integrity of conflicted cells both in newly designed supply chains as well as in existing ones when remodeled or reorganized. Moreover, the paper indicates some problems associated with the efficient implementation of the proposed method.

Human dihydrofolate reductase (hDHFR) is an essential cellular enzyme, and inhibiting its activity is a promising strategy for cancer therapy. We have chosen the trimethoprim molecule (TMP) as a model compound in our search for a new class of hDHFR inhibitors. We incorporated an amide bond, a structural element typical of netropsin, a ligand that binds selectively in the minor groove of DNA, into the molecules of TMP analogs. In this work, we present previously obtained and evaluated eleven benzamides (JW1–JW8; MB1, MB3, MB4). Recently, these compounds were specifically projected as potential inhibitors of the enzymes acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and β-secretase (BACE1). JW8 was most active against AChE, with an inhibitory concentration of AChE IC50 = 0.056 µM, while the IC50 for donepezil was 0.046 µM. This compound was also the most active against the BACE1 enzyme. The IC50 value was 9.01 µM compared to that for quercetin, with IC50 = 4.89 µM. All the benzamides were active against hDHFR, with IC50 values ranging from 4.72 to 20.17 µM, and showed activity greater than TMP (55.26 µM). Quantitative results identified the derivatives JW2 and JW8 as the most promising. A molecular modeling study demonstrates that JW2 interacts strongly with the key residue Gly-117, while JW8 interacts strongly with Asn-64 and Arg-70. Furthermore, JW2 and JW8 demonstrate the ability to stabilize the hDHFR enzyme, despite forming fewer hydrogen bonds with the protein compared to reference ligands. It can be concluded that this class of compounds certainly holds great promise for good active leads in medicinal chemistry.

New experimental data obtained from γ-ray tagged one-neutron and one-proton knockout from Co55 are presented. A candidate for the sought-after T=1,Tz=0,Jπ=6+ state in Co54 is proposed based on a comparison to the new data on Fe54, the corresponding observables predicted by large-scale-shell-model (LSSM) calculations in the full fp-model space employing charge-dependent contributions, and isospin-symmetry arguments. Furthermore, possible isospin-symmetry breaking in the A=54, T=1 triplet is studied by calculating the experimental c coefficients of the isobaric mass multiplet equation (IMME) up to the maximum possible spin J=6 expected for the (1f7/2)-2 two-hole configuration relative to the doubly magic nucleus Ni56. The experimental quantities are compared to the theoretically predicted c coefficients from LSSM calculations using two-body matrix elements obtained from a realistic chiral effective field theory potential at next-to-next-to-next-to-leading order (N3LO).

New experimental data obtained from γ-ray tagged one-neutron and one-proton knockout from Co55 are presented. A candidate for the sought-after T=1,Tz=0,Jπ=6+ state in Co54 is proposed based on a comparison to the new data on Fe54, the corresponding observables predicted by large-scale-shell-model (LSSM) calculations in the full fp-model space employing charge-dependent contributions, and isospin-symmetry arguments. Furthermore, possible isospin-symmetry breaking in the A=54, T=1 triplet is studied by calculating the experimental c coefficients of the isobaric mass multiplet equation (IMME) up to the maximum possible spin J=6 expected for the (1f7/2)-2 two-hole configuration relative to the doubly magic nucleus Ni56. The experimental quantities are compared to the theoretically predicted c coefficients from LSSM calculations using two-body matrix elements obtained from a realistic chiral effective field theory potential at next-to-next-to-next-to-leading order (N3LO).

We present a high-resolution in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy study of excited states in the mirror nuclei Co55 and Ni55 following one-nucleon knockout from a projectile beam of Ni56. The newly determined partial cross sections and the γ-decay properties of excited states provide a test of state-of-the-art nuclear structure models and probe mirror symmetry in unique ways. The new experimental data are compared to large-scale shell-model calculations in the full pf space which include charge-dependent contributions. A mirror asymmetry for the partial cross sections leading to the two lowest 3/2- states in the A=55 mirror pair was identified as well as a significant difference in the E1 decays from the 1/21+ state to the same two 3/2- states. The mirror asymmetry in the partial cross sections cannot be reconciled with the present shell-model picture or small mixing introduced in a two-state model. The observed mirror asymmetry in the E1 decay pattern, however, points at stronger mixing between the two lowest 3/2- states in Co55 than in its mirror Ni55.

We present a high-resolution in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy study of excited states in the mirror nuclei Co55 and Ni55 following one-nucleon knockout from a projectile beam of Ni56. The newly determined partial cross sections and the γ-decay properties of excited states provide a test of state-of-the-art nuclear structure models and probe mirror symmetry in unique ways. The new experimental data are compared to large-scale shell-model calculations in the full pf space which include charge-dependent contributions. A mirror asymmetry for the partial cross sections leading to the two lowest 3/2- states in the A=55 mirror pair was identified as well as a significant difference in the E1 decays from the 1/21+ state to the same two 3/2- states. The mirror asymmetry in the partial cross sections cannot be reconciled with the present shell-model picture or small mixing introduced in a two-state model. The observed mirror asymmetry in the E1 decay pattern, however, points at stronger mixing between the two lowest 3/2- states in Co55 than in its mirror Ni55.

Abstract Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) lineages are recognized as important components of intra- and interspecific biodiversity, and allow to reveal colonization routes and phylogeographic structure of many taxa. Among these is the genus Cervus that is widely distributed across the Holarctic. We obtained sequences of complete mitochondrial genomes from 13 Cervus taxa and included them in global phylogenetic analyses of 71 Cervinae mitogenomes. The well-resolved phylogenetic trees confirmed Cervus to be monophyletic. Molecular dating based on several fossil calibration points revealed that ca. 2.6 Mya two main mitochondrial lineages of Cervus separated in Central Asia, the Western (including C. hanglu and C. elaphus) and the Eastern (comprising C. albirostris, C. canadensis and C. nippon). We also observed convergent changes in the composition of some mitochondrial genes in C. hanglu of the Western lineage and representatives of the Eastern lineage. Several subspecies of C. nippon and C. hanglu have accumulated a large portion of deleterious substitutions in their mitochondrial protein-coding genes, probably due to drift in the wake of decreasing population size. In contrast to previous studies, we found that the relic haplogroup B of C. elaphus was sister to all other red deer lineages and that the Middle-Eastern haplogroup E shared a common ancestor with the Balkan haplogroup C. Comparison of the mtDNA phylogenetic tree with a published nuclear genome tree may imply ancient introgressions of mtDNA between different Cervus species as well as from the common ancestor of South Asian deer, Rusa timorensis and R. unicolor, to the Cervus clade.

Analysis of muscle architecture, traditionally conducted via gross dissection, has been used to evaluate adaptive relationships between anatomical form and behavioral function. However, gross dissection cannot preserve three-dimensional relationships between myological structures for analysis. To analyze such data, we employ diffusible, iodine-based contrast-enhanced computed tomography (DiceCT) to explore the relationships between feeding ecology and masticatory muscle microanatomy in eight dietarily diverse strepsirrhines: allowing, for the first time, preservation of three-dimensional fascicle orientation and tortuosity across a functional comparative sample. We find that fascicle properties derived from these digital analyses generally agree with those measured from gross-dissected conspecifics. Physiological cross-sectional area was greatest in species with mechanically challenging diets. Frugivorous taxa and the wood-gouging species all exhibit long jaw adductor fascicles, while more folivorous species show the shortest relative jaw adductor fascicle lengths. Fascicle orientation in the parasagittal plane also seems to have a clear dietary association: most folivorous taxa have masseter and temporalis muscle vectors that intersect acutely while these vectors intersect obliquely in more frugivorous species. Finally, we observed notably greater magnitudes of fascicle tortuosity, as well as greater interspecific variation in tortuosity, within the jaw adductor musculature than in the jaw abductors. While the use of a single specimen per species precludes analysis of intraspecific variation, our data highlight the diversity of microanatomical variation that exists within the strepsirrhine feeding system and suggest that muscle architectural configurations are evolutionarily labile in response to dietary ecology-an observation to be explored across larger samples in the future., (© 2023 The Authors. The Anatomical Record published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Association for Anatomy.)

Highlights: The paper concerns the possibility of using an innovative railway rail structure in a contactless track: The correct operation of CWR track, due to the occurrence of additional thermal stresses with a value dependent on changes in rail temperature, requires a systematic diagnosis of its condition; The paper presents the research of longitudinal force load tests for a classic rail and for two cases of an innovative railway rail solution. The research presented in the paper shows that: The proposed proprietary design of the rail used for the railroad track can enable the reduction in the longitudinal force occurring as a result of high ambient temperatures; The use of an innovative rail conception will allow for less steel consumption, which means less emissions into the atmosphere during its production (lower carbon footprint). This paper presents the concept of a modified 60E1 rail dedicated to continuous welded rail (CWR) track. The presented solution is the subject of a patent application by the authors of the publication. The paper describes problems associated with the operation of CWR track and the phenomena of so-called "rail stressing", i.e., stresses created in the rail due to thermal shrinkage that, in extreme cases, can lead to the buckling of the rail track. Simulation calculations of longitudinal track loads to represent the occurrence of thermal force as a result of the occurrence of high air temperatures were carried out for the constructed conventional model of the railroad track as well as the track with the proposed solutions. A discussion of the simulation results is presented, indicating the possibility for the wider application of both varieties of modified rail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytostatic and pro-apoptotic effects of selenium steroid derivatives against HeLa cells were determined. The highest cytostatic activity was shown by derivative 4 (GI50 25.0 µM, almost complete growth inhibition after three days of culture, and over 97% of apoptotic and dead cells at 200 µM). The results of our study (cell number measurements, apoptosis profile, relative expression of apoptosis-related APAF1, BID, and mevalonate pathway-involved HMGCR, SQLE, CYP51A1, and PDHB genes, and computational chemistry data) support the hypothesis that tested selenosteroids induce the extrinsic pathway of apoptosis by affecting the cell membrane as cholesterol antimetabolites. An additional mechanism of action is possible through a direct action of derivative 4 to inhibit PDHB expression in a way similar to steroid hormones.

The spectrum of biological properties of s-triazine derivatives is broad and includes anti-microbial, anti-cancer, and anti-neurodegenerative activities, among others. The s-triazine molecule, due to the possibility of substituting three substituents, offers many opportunities to obtain hybrid compounds with a wide variety of activities. A group of 1,3,5 triazine derivatives containing a dipeptide, 2-ethylpiperazine, and a methoxy group as substituents was screened for their antimicrobial activity. An in vitro study was conducted on pathogenic bacteria (E. coli, S. aureus, B. subtilis, and M. luteus), yeasts (C. albicans), and filamentous fungi (A. fumigatus, A. flavus, F. solani, and P. citrinum) via microdilution in broth, and the results were compared with antibacterial (Streptomycin) and antifungal (Ketoconazole and Nystatin) antibiotics. Several s-triazine analogues have minimal inhibitory concentrations lower than the standard. To confirm the inhibitory potential of the most active compounds against gyrases E. coli and S. aureus, a bacterial gyrases inhibition assay, and molecular docking studies were performed. The most active s-triazine derivatives contained the -NH-Trp(Boc)-AlaOMe, -NH-Asp(OtBu)-AlaOMe, and -NH-PheOMe moieties in their structures.