Design and Testing of Effective Primers for Amplification of the orf7 Gene of Phage WO Associated with Andricus hakonensis

Phage WO was first characterized in Wolbachia, an obligate intracellular Rickettsiales known for its ability to regulate the reproduction of arthropod hosts. In this paper, we focus on the study of virus diversity in Andricus hakonensis and the development of highly effective primers. Based on the existing Wolbachia genome sequence, we designed primers (WO-TF and WO-TR) to amplify the full-length orf7 gene of phage WO. Surprisingly, sequencing results showed a high abundance of other phage WO groups in A. hakonensis, in addition to the four groups previously identified. The results also showed that A. hakonensis contained most of the known types of orf7 genes (I, III, IV, V and VI) and the level of diversity of harbored phage WO was very high. Therefore, we speculated that existing primers were not specific enough and that new primers for the detection of phage WO were needed. Based on the existing orf7 gene sequence, we designed specific detection primers (WO-SUF and WO-SUR). Sequencing results showed that the primers effectively amplified all known types of phage WO. In addition to amplifying most of the known sequences, we also detected some new genotypes in A. hakonensis using the new primers. Importantly, all phage WO groups could be efficiently detected. Combined with the results of previous studies, our results suggest that A. hakonensis contains the largest number of phage types (up to 36 types). This study is novel in that it provides practical molecular evidence supporting base deletions, in addition to gene mutations and genetic recombination, as an important cause of phage WO diversity.

Collectives, Communities and Non-Hierarchical Modes of Creation from the 1970s till the 1990s

Within the twenty-year period that coincides with the first twenty years of the Glej Theatre, the essay concentrates on the formation and transformations of non-hierarchical theatre communities, or, in the words of one of its founders, Dušan Jovanović, theatrical tribes. Using historical and present-day examples, the author will try to map the specific devised theatrical procedures producing what Badiou names “a generic vacillation”: “Theatre turns every representation, every actor’s gesture, into a generic vacillation so as to put differences to the test without any supporting base. The spectator must decide whether to expose himself to this void, whether to share in the infinite procedure. He is summoned, not to experience pleasure (which arrives perhaps ‘on top of everything’, as Aristotle says) but to think” (Rhapsody, 124).The essay strives to answer the following questions: How did the Slovenian experimental and non-institutional performing arts scene (as a reaction to the hierarchical structure of repertory theatres) create different non-hierarchical modes in relation to creating the performances, the theatre’s artistic direction and forming temporary communities with emancipated audiences? To which models did this scene turn – then and today – to develop its own logic of devised and collaborative theatrical tactics? And lately: To what extent have those different artistic collaborative tribes changed the theatrical landscape in Slovenia, Yugoslavia and elsewhere?

Simulation Study of Balancing Arm Arrangement for Controlling Base Disturbances in Long Reach Manipulators

The dynamics of the Long Reach Manipulators create disturbances in its supporting base structure. This causes positional and attitude inaccuracies of the end-effector, thwarting the accomplishment of the desired mission task. Hence the base disturbance problem has been a subject of research since long time bringing solutions from varied domains. This paper analyzes the balance link concept for compensating the disturbances. The LRM system is modelled as a two-link serial chain with payload, and the balance arm, as a single link with tip mass that is dynamically varied by controlling the quantity of the hydraulic fluid in the bellows-like reservoir at the tip. The supporting base is modelled as a half car. Simultaneous constraint matrices are set up for the arrangement, and dynamic simulation is performed using SIMULINK. The pitch and bounce motions of the base are studied along with the torque error during compensation. The simulation plots are obtained for two conditions of compensating arm¾with fixed tip mass and with varying tip mass. The results confirm the suitability of the suggested compensating arrangement in controlling base disturbances.

Compounds of the types Pn(pyS)3 (Pn = P, As, Bi; pyS: pyridine-2-thiolate) and Sb(pyS) x Ph3–x (x = 3–1); molecular structures and electronic situations of the Pn atoms

The compounds Pn(pyS)3 (Pn = P, As, Sb, Bi) were synthesized from the respective chloride (Pn = P, As, Sb) or nitrate (Bi), pyridine-2-thiol (pySH) and triethylamine (NEt3) as a supporting base in THF (P, Sb), CHCl3 (As) or methanol (Bi). Sb(pyS)3 was also obtained from the reaction of SbCl3 with LipyS (prepared in situ) in methanol. The compounds Sb(pyS)2Ph and Sb(pyS)Ph2 were prepared in a one-pot reaction starting from SbCl3 and SbPh3 (1:1 ratio). Upon Cl/pyS substitution, the resulting reaction mixture allows for a facile separation of the products in hot hexane. P(pyS)3 and As(pyS)3 crystallize isostructurally to the reported structure of Sb(pyS)3 with κ-S-bound pyS ligands. These crystal structures feature close Pn···Pn contacts which are most pronounced for the arsenic derivative. Bi(pyS)3 adopts a different molecular structure in the solid state, which features two chelating (κ 2-S,N-pyS) ligands and a κ-S-bound ligand. The presence of N→Bi interactions between the nitrogen atom of the κ-S-pyS ligand and the Bi atom of another molecule renders this structure a polymer chain along the crystallographic b axis with Bi⋅⋅⋅Bi van-der-Waals contacts. The structures of this set of Pn(pyS)3 compounds were also studied in solution using 1H NMR spectroscopy, revealing equivalent pyS ligands in discrete Pn(pyS)3 molecules. The molecular structure of Sb(pyS)Ph2 was optimized by quantum chemical methods, and a comparison with the structures reported for the other Sb/pyS/Ph combinations reveals Sb(pyS)2Ph to feature the strongest Sb···N interactions with the κ-S-pyS ligand. The results of 1H NMR spectroscopic investigations of the compounds Sb(pyS) x Ph3–x (x = 3–0) suggest the Ph protons in ortho position to be incorporated into intramolecular C–H···S contacts for x = 2 and 1. Natural localized molecular orbital (NLMO) calculations were employed in order to gain insights into the electronic situations of the Pn atoms and Pn–R bonds (R = S, C), especially for the effects caused by formal substitution of Pn in the compounds Pn(pyS)3 and the ligand patterns in the compounds Sb(pyS) x Ph3–x (x = 3–0). For the latter series of compounds, the electronic situation of the Sb atom was further studied by 121Sb Mössbauer spectroscopy, providing a correlation between the calculated electron density at Sb [ρ(0)] and the experimentally observed isomer shift δ. The missing link between group 15 and group 13 metal compounds of the type M(pyS)3, compound Al(pyS)3, was synthesized in this work. In the solid state (confirmed crystallographically), the mer isomer of this tris-chelate complex with distorted octahedral Al coordination sphere was found. This coordination mode was confirmed for the solution state (CDCl3) by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy at T = −40 °C.

Experimental evaluation of traction properties of ultra -low pressure tires

Nowadays, mobile power vehicles (MPV) equipped with ultra-low pressure tires are widely used in agriculture when conducting field work in the early spring. For these power vehicles the funda-mentally new wide-profile tires with low load capacity were developed. Its features are ultra-low intra-tire pressure (10-80 kPa), increased profile width, low ply rating (2-4), high elasticity and soil-covering tread, which in turn provide the necessary traction qualities. Due to the high elasticity of these tires and the relative radial deflection (up to 25 %), the contact area of the tire with the soil increases and the specific pressure decreases. It was determined that due to the cost parameters, a wide range of ultra-low pressure tires, as well as specific features of the tests, they remain insuffi-ciently studied at the moment. In this regard, authors conducted bench tests and determined the basic and traction characteristics of the ultra-low pressure tire with a dimension of 1020×420-18 of Bel-79 model. The equations for the dependence of tire performance on various factors were de-rived. It was found out that when driving on a concrete supporting base, the traction properties of the tire improve with the increase of the internal pressure of the tire and the load on the wheel, but when driving on the field prepared for sowing, the improvement of support-coupling indicators is observed with a decrease of the internal pressure of the tire and the load on a wheel. It was noted that the results of the tests can be used as reliable initial data for the development of mathematical models of the movement of various mobile power vehicles equipped with ultra-low pressure tires.

Synthesis, Structural Characterization of 4’,4’’-Dibenzoylcurcumin and Assessment of its Complexation with Fe3+ and Cu2+

The curcumin derivative 4’,4’’-dibenzoylcurcumin (HL) was synthesized by the reaction between curcumin and benzoyl chloride in the presence of pyridine as a supporting base. The composition and structure of HL were characterized by spectroscopic methods such as IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Reactions of HL and transition metal ions, such as Fe3+ and Cu2+, in mixtures of CH3OH and CH2Cl2 gave rise to the corresponding complexes, compositions and structural features of which were studied by thermal analysis and IR spectroscopy. The results strongly suggested the obtained complexes with the compositions of [FeL3] and [CuL2]. In such compounds, metal ions coordinates with the deprotonated ligands L– through the donor sets (O,O) of the keto-enol moieties. Keywords: Curcumin, 4’,4’’-dibenzoylcurcumin, β-diketone, Fe(III) complexes, Cu(II) complexes. References [1] A. Goel, A.B. Kannumakkara, B.B. Aggarwal, Curcumin as “Curecumin”: From Kitchen to Clinic, Biochem. Pharmacol. 75 (2008) 787-809. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcp.2007.08.016.[2] T. Esatbeyoglu, P. Huebbe, I.M.A. Ernst, D. Chin, A.E. Wagner, G. Rimbach, Curcumin - From Molecule to Biological Function, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 51 (2012) 5308-5332. https://doi.org/ 10.1002/anie.201107724.[3] K. Priyadarsini, The Chemistry of Curcumin: From Extraction to Therapeutic Agent, Molecules 19 (2014) 20091-20112. https://doi.org/10.3390/ molecules191220091.[4] S. Wanninger, V. Lorenz, A. Subhan, F.T. Edelmann, Metal complexes of curcumin – synthetic strategies, structures and medicinal applications, Chem. Soc. Rev. 44 (2015) 4986-5002. https://doi.org/10.1039/C5CS00088B.[5] J. Wang, D. Wei, B. Jiang, T. Liu, J. Ni, S. Zhou, Two copper(II) complexes of curcumin derivatives: synthesis, crystal structure and in vitro antitumor activity, Transition Met. Chem. 39 (2014) 553-558. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11243-014-9831-z.[6] R. Pettinari, F. Marchetti, C. Pettinari, F. Condello, A. Petrini, R. Scopelliti, T. Riedel, P.J. Dyson, Organometallic rhodium(III) and iridium(III) cyclopentadienyl complexes with curcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin co-ligands, Dalton Transactions 44 (2015) 20523-20531. https://doi.org/10.1039/C5DT03037D.[7] P.T. Thùy, P.C. Thắng, N.H. Huy, N.V. Hà, T.T. Nguyệt, Synthesis, structural characterization of 4,4’-diacetylcurcumin and its complexes with Fe(III), Co(II) (in Vietnamese), Vietnam Journal of Chemistry 55 (2017) 33-37. [8] P.C. Thắng, P.T. Thùy, T.T.K. Ngân, L.C. Định, Đ.T. Đạt, T.T. Nguyệt, Synthesis, structural characterization of 4’,4’’-dimethoxy-4-methylcurcumin and evaluation of its complexation with Co2+ and Cu2+ (in Vietnamese), Vietnam Journal of Chemistry 56 (2018) 113-117. [9] P.T. Thùy, P.C. Thắng, V.T.B. Ngoc, T.T. Nguyệt, Synthesis and structural characterization of a heteroleptic Pd(II) complex with 4,4’-diacetylcurcumin (in Vietnamese), Vietnam Journal of Chemistry 56 (2018) 119-123. [10] K. Singletary, C. MacDonald, M. Iovinelli, C. Fisher, M. Wallig, Effect of the beta-diketones diferuloylmethane (curcumin) and dibenzoylmethane on rat mammary DNA adducts and tumors induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a] anthracene, Carcinogenesis 19 (1998) 1039-1043. https://doi.org/10.1093/carcin/ 19.6.1039.[11] F. Payton, P. Sandusky, W.L. Alworth, NMR Study of the Solution Structure of Curcumin, J. Nat. Prod. 70 (2007) 143-146. https://doi.org/10. 1021/np060263s.

Material Based FEA Analysis of a Go-Kart Chassis: A Comparative Study

The following study involves designing of a go-kart chassis using CAD and CAE tools. The chassis is the supporting base for every automobile and chassis is subjected to various loads due to self-weight, acceleration, braking, bumps and cornering. CATIA Software was used for designing the CAD model of the chassis and ANSYS software was used for the FEA analysis of the chassis under different loading conditions. The calculations of these forces due to impacts are required to design a functional chassis for go-kart and having an adequate stiffness to avoid any vibration or resulting resonance. Ten mode shapes and natural frequencies are studied for vibration characteristics using Modal analysis in ANSYS. For impact analysis the loads in terms of gravitational acceleration are applied for the front, side and rear impact as 4g, 2g and 2g respectively and the results are compared to get the best material among the four selected materials AISI 4130, AISI 1080, AISI 1020 and AISI 1026.

On increasing the noise immunity of micro acoustic-mechanical gyroscope

The paper proposes and describes a new modified micro acoustic-mechanical gyroscope, which, while maintaining the positive qualities of known analogues, differs in comparison with them its enhanced functionality by converting the angular speeds of rotation of the supporting base into electrical signals simultaneously with respect to two axes of rotation and increasing the level of the useful signal compared to with noise level. The proposed technical solution is protected by a patent of the Russian Federation for invention. The proposed gyroscope can be used in navigation systems, orientation and control of various moving objects in aviation technology, auto transport, robotics, etc.

CHARACTERISTICS OF SPITAK EARTHQUAKE

Сопоставляются динамические параметры Спитакского землетрясения 7 декабря 1988 года, полученные по ортодоксальной модели (упругой отдачи), с оценками динамики по ударной модели (удар при перемещении блока горных пород). Предлагается модель земной коры, сформированной тяготением Земли – геологические массивные тела опираются друг на друга и выдерживают вес вышележащих пород. В результате разрушения опорной площадки блок горных пород смещается, при торможении блока формируется пакет сейсмического излучения – распространяется механический импульс, приобретенный блоком при перемещении. Рассмотрена номограмма, позволяющая оценивать значения параметров процесса землетрясения – сместившейся массы, механического импульса, давления волнового фронта. Магнитуда процесса имеет размерность механического импульса, а балл сотрясения – размерность давления Parameters of Spitak earthquake (December 7th, 1988) obtained according to the universally recognized theory of seismic events are compared to the results of the analysis of earthquake dynamics based on the impact model (impact occurs due to the rock body shift). Earth crust is presented as a system formed by gravity field, which consists of geological massive bodies resting on each other and holding weight of the rocks located above. Due to the rupture of the supporting base, a block of rocks shifts. When it decelerates, a seismic emission occurs and a momentum obtained during block’s movement propagates. We propose a nomographic chart for evaluation of dynamic parameters, such as shifted mass, momentum, pressure of the wave front. The magnitude of a seismic event has dimension of the momentum. The earthquake intensity has dimension of pressure.

Practice Guidelines in Neurorehabilitation

Practice guidelines are scientifically based practice recommendations. They can be consensus-based and provided by a single medical society (S1 guideline) or developed by a group of national medical societies with a structured consensus process (S2k guideline). S2k guidelines are a good opportunity to develop valid practice guidelines with a broad supporting base when health topics are either complex or when clinical evidence is limited. Evidence-based guidelines rest on a systematic search and critical appraisal of the available evidence and represent the highest quality level for guidelines; they can be developed by single medical societies (S2e guideline) or jointly by several national medical societies (S3 guideline). They reflect the state of the art and generate a high degree of confidence that their recommendations support optimal treatment. The German neurorehabilitation society (DGNR) provides evidence-based guidelines for motor rehabilitation after stroke (arm, mobility, spasticity).