Definite regular quadratic forms over

Let be a power of an odd prime, and be the ring of polynomials over a finite field of elements. A quadratic form over is said to be regular if globally represents all polynomials that are represented by the genus of . In this paper, we study definite regular quadratic forms over . It is shown that for a fixed , there are only finitely many equivalence classes of regular definite primitive quadratic forms over , regardless of the number of variables. Characterizations of those which are universal are also given.

     

Adjustment of Residual Stresses in Unsymmetric Fiber-Reinforced Composites Using Genetic Algorithms

During the manufacturing process of multilayered fiber-reinforced composites with variable fiber orientations, residual stresses build up in these composites due to the directional expansion of single unidirectionally reinforced layers. Depending on the laminate lay-up, the inhomogeneous residual stresses, which are caused by thermal effects, moisture absorption, and chemical shrinkage, can lead to large multistable out-of-plane deformations. Instead of avoiding these curvatures, they can be advantageously used for technical applications following the near-net-shape technology. In order to adjust the deformations to the technical requirements, genetic algorithms in combination with a nonlinear calculation method have been developed, which can purposefully adapt the laminate lay-up depending on the loading and process parameters.     

MRICOM–MRI COntrast Modelling using 2D T1–T2 correlation spectra and relaxation signatures

Image contrast is calculated by inputting experimental 2D T₁–T₂ relaxation spectra into the ODIN software interface. The method involves characterising a magnetic resonance imaging pulse sequence with a “relaxation signature” which describes the sensitivity of the sequence to relaxation and is independent of sample parameters. Maximising (or minimising) the overlap between the experimental 2D T₁–T₂ relaxation spectra and the relaxation signature can then be used to maximise image contrast. The concept is illustrated using relaxation signatures for the echo planar imaging and Turbo spin-echo imaging sequences, together with in-vitro 2D T₁–T₂ spectra for liver and cartilage.     

Cyclic Disulfide Liposomes for Membrane Functionalization and Cellular Delivery

Liposomes are effective therapeutic delivery nanocarriers due to their ability to encapsulate and enhance the pharmacokinetic properties of a wide range of therapeutics. Two primary areas in which improvement is needed for liposomal drug delivery is to enhance the ability to infiltrate cells and to facilitate derivatization of the liposome surface. Herein, we report a liposome platform incorporating a cyclic disulfide lipid (CDL) for the dual purpose of enhancing cell entry and functionalizing the liposome membrane through thiol-disulfide exchange. In order to accomplish this, CDL-1 and CDL-2 , composed of lipoic acid (LA) or asparagusic acid (AA) appended to a lipid scaffold, were designed and synthesized. A fluorescence-based microplate immobilization assay was implemented to show that these compounds enable convenient membrane decoration through reaction with thiol-functionalized small molecules. Additionally, fluorescence microscopy experiments indicated dramatic enhancements in cellular delivery when CDLs were incorporated within liposomes. These results demonstrate that multifunctional CDLs serve as an exciting liposome system for surface decoration and enhanced cellular delivery.     

An Air‐Stable Semiconducting Polymer Containing Dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]arsole

Arsole‐containing conjugated polymers are a practically unexplored class of materials despite the high interest in their phosphole analogues. Herein we report the synthesis of the first dithieno[3,2‐b;2′,3′‐d]arsole derivative, and demonstrate that it is stable to ambient oxidation in its +3 oxidation state. A soluble copolymer is obtained by a palladium‐catalyzed Stille polymerization and demonstrated to be a p‐type semiconductor with promising hole mobility, which was evaluated by field‐effect transistor measurements.     

The coupling of aryl halides in the ionic liquid [bmim]PF6

Several aryl halides have been coupled using the zero valent nickel catalyst [(PPh₃)_nNi(0)], to give the biaryl in moderate to good yield, employing the ionic liquid [bmim]PF₆. The ionic liquid and catalyst were recycled after extraction of the biaryl.     

A Compound I Mimic Reveals the Transient Active Species of a Cytochrome P450 Enzyme: Insight into the Stereoselectivity of P450-Catalysed Oxidations

Catching the structure of cytochrome P450 enzymes in flagrante is crucial for the development of P450 biocatalysts, as most structures collected are found trapped in a precatalytic conformation. At the heart of P450 catalysis lies Cpd I, a short-lived, highly reactive intermediate, whose recalcitrant nature has thwarted most attempts at capturing catalytically relevant poses of P450s. We report the crystal structure of P450BM3 mimicking the state in the precise moment preceding epoxidation, which is in perfect agreement with the experimentally observed stereoselectivity. This structure was attained by incorporation of the stable Cpd I mimic oxomolybdenum mesoporphyrin IX into P450BM3 in the presence of styrene. The orientation of styrene to the Mo-oxo species in the crystal structures sheds light onto the dynamics involved in the rotation of styrene to present its vinyl group to Cpd I. This method serves as a powerful tool for predicting and modelling the stereoselectivity of P450 reactions.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,and electronic structure of Li2PbSiS4: a quaternary thiosilicate with a compressed chalcopyrite‐like structure

The new quaternary thiosilicate, Li₂PbSiS₄ (dilithium lead silicon tetrasulfide), was prepared in an evacuated fused‐silica tube via high‐temperature, solid‐state synthesis at 800 °C, followed by slow cooling. The crystal structure was solved and refined using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data. By strict definition, the title compound crystallizes in the stannite structure type; however, this type of structure can also be described as a compressed chalcopyrite‐like structure. The Li⁺ cation lies on a crystallographic fourfold rotoinversion axis, while the Pb²⁺ and Si⁴⁺ cations reside at the intersection of the fourfold rotoinversion axis with a twofold axis and a mirror plane. The Li⁺ and Si⁴⁺ cations in this structure are tetrahedrally coordinated, while the larger Pb²⁺ cation adopts a distorted eight‐coordinate dodecahedral coordination. These units join together via corner‐ and edge‐sharing to create a dense, three‐dimensional structure. Powder X‐ray diffraction indicates that the title compound is the major phase of the reaction product. Electronic structure calculations, performed using the full potential linearized augmented plane wave method within density functional theory (DFT), indicate that Li₂PbSiS₄ is a semiconductor with an indirect bandgap of 2.22 eV, which compares well with the measured optical bandgap of 2.51 eV. The noncentrosymmetric crystal structure and relatively wide bandgap designate this compound to be of interest for IR nonlinear optics.