Analytic description of the domain of existence of triple configurations with a negative slope of reflected shock

We consider triple configurations of compression shocks in supersonic flows of an inviscid perfect gas. The boundaries of the domain of existence of shock-wave structures of a new type (triple configurations with a negative slope of the reflected shock or negative triple configurations) on a set of flow parameters have been theoretically investigated.     

Prediction of African Swine Fever Virus Inhibitors by Molecular Docking-Driven Machine Learning Models

African swine fever virus (ASFV) causes a highly contagious and severe hemorrhagic viral disease with high mortality in domestic pigs of all ages. Although the virus is harmless to humans, the ongoing ASFV epidemic could have severe economic consequences for global food security. Recent studies have found a few antiviral agents that can inhibit ASFV infections. However, currently, there are no vaccines or antiviral drugs. Hence, there is an urgent need to identify new drugs to treat ASFV. Based on the structural information data on the targets of ASFV, we used molecular docking and machine learning models to identify novel antiviral agents. We confirmed that compounds with high affinity present in the region of interest belonged to subsets in the chemical space using principal component analysis and k-means clustering in molecular docking studies of FDA-approved drugs. These methods predicted pentagastrin as a potential antiviral drug against ASFVs. Finally, it was also observed that the compound had an inhibitory effect on AsfvPolX activity. Results from the present study suggest that molecular docking and machine learning models can play an important role in identifying potential antiviral drugs against ASFVs.     

A parabolic equation with nonlocal conditions

For a linear parabolic equation with the principal part in divergence form, a boundary-value problem with nonlocal (irregular) conditions of integral type is considered. Sufficient conditions of the unique solvability are found for the above-mentioned problem. __________ Translated from Sovremennaya Matematika. Fundamental’nye Napravleniya (Contemporary Mathematics. Fundamental Directions), Vol. 17, Differential and Functional Differential Equations. Part 3, 2006.     

Mechanism of methanol conversion on ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and 5% Cu/ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> according to in situ IR spectroscopic data

It is demonstrated by in situ IR spectroscopy that, in methanol conversion on ZrO₂ and 5% Cu/ZrO₂ catalysts, methoxy groups are present on the catalyst surface, which result from O-H or C-O bond breaking in the methanol molecule. Two types of formate complexes, localized on ZrO₂ and CuO, are also observed. The formate complexes form via the oxidative conversion of the methoxy groups. There are two types of linear methoxy groups. First-type linear methoxy groups condense with the formate complex located on CuO to yield methyl formate and then CO and H₂. Second-type methoxy groups appear as intermediate products in the formation of dimethyl ether. The main hydrogen formation reactions are the recombination of hydrogen atoms (which result from the interconversion of surface complexes) on copper clusters and the decomposition of methyl formate. The source of CO₂ in the gas phase is the formate complex, and the source of CO is methyl formate. The effect of water vapor and oxygen the surface reactions and product formation is discussed.     

Structure, phase transitions, 55Mn NMR, and magnetoresistive properties of La0.6Sr0.2Mn1.2 ? yCryO3 ± δ

The structure and properties of lanthanum strontium manganite perovskites La_0.6Sr_0.2Mn_{1.2 − y} Cr _y O_{3 ± δ} (y = 0–0.3) sintered at 1430°C have been studied by X-ray, resistive, and magnetic (χ_ac and ⁵⁵Mn NMR) methods. The parameter of the rhombohedrally distorted (R $ \bar 3 $ \bar 3 c) perovskite structure decreases with increasing y. The real perovskite structure contains point (anion and cation vacancies) and cluster-type nanostructure defects. The analysis of asymmetrically broadened ⁵⁵Mn NMR spectra has confirmed the high-frequency electron-hole exchange Mn³⁺ ↔ Mn⁴⁺ and local inhomogeneity of their surrounding by other ions and point and cluster-type defects. An increase in the Cr content leads to an increase in the resistivity and the magnetoresistive effect and a decrease in the metal-semiconductor and ferromagnetic-paramagnetic phase transition temperatures (T _ms and T _c ) due to the distortion of the exchange interactions Mn³⁺ ↔ Mn⁴⁺ by chromium ions, vacancies, and clusters. Introduction of Cr decreases the ferromagnetic component and increases the activation energy. The magnetoresistive effect near T _ms and T _c is caused by scattering of charge carriers from intercrystallite nanostructure inhomogeneities of the lattice, and the low-temperature effect is associated with the tunneling on mesostructural intercrystallite boundaries.     

Tetracationic compounds based on 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane: antibacterial activity and reactions with N-containing nucleophiles

Antibacterial activity of tetracationic compounds based on 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) bis-quaternary salts with dodecyl substituents bound by linker groups containing four carbon atoms was studied. All the compounds exhibited activity against the test-strains under study. The gram-positive culture S. aureus was found to be the most sensitive to the influence of compounds in question. The highest activity against S. aureus was exhibited by the compounds containing a but-2-yne or a butane linker; their efficiency exceeded that of the reference compound, antibiotic Ciprofloxacin. For the gram-negative culture P. aeruginosa, the highest activity was exhibited by the compound containing a but-2-yne linker. The compounds with a but-2-yne or a butane linker are stable in the presence of nitrogen-containing nucleophiles, which makes them promising for further studies.     

The enhanced expression of IL-17-secreting T cells during the early progression of atherosclerosis in ApoE-deficient mice fed on a western-type diet

Atherosclerosis is a chronic progressive inflammatory disorder and the leading cause of cardiovascular mortality. Here we assessed the dynamic changes of T-cell-derived cytokines, such as inteferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-4, during the progression of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-null (ApoE^−/−) mice, to understand the role of immune responses in different stages of atherosclerosis. Male ApoE^−/− mice were fed a high-fat, western-type diet (WD: 21% lipid, 1.5% cholesterol) after 5 weeks of age and were compared with C57BL/6 wild-type control mice fed a standard chow diet. Atherosclerotic lesions appeared in the aortic sinus of ApoE^−/− mice 4 weeks after WD and the lesions progressed and occupied >50% of the total sinus area 16 weeks after WD. Aortic IL-17 mRNA and protein expression started to increase in ApoE^−/− mice after 4 weeks on the WD and peaked at around 8–12 weeks on the WD. In terms of systemic expression of T-cell-derived cytokines, IL-17 production from splenocytes after anti-CD3/CD28 stimuli increased from 4 weeks on the WD, peaked at 12 weeks and returned to control levels at 16 weeks. The production of IFN-γ and IL-4 (Th1 and Th2 cytokines, respectively) from splenocytes was delayed compared with IL-17. Taken together, the present data indicate that Th17 cell response may be involved at an early stage in the development of atherosclerosis.