The synthesis and transformations of ethyl (Z)-2-[2,2-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)vinyl]amino-3-dimethylaminopropenoate,a new reagent in the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds

Ethyl (Z)-2-[2,2-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)vinyl]amino-3-dimethylaminopropenoate (5) , a new reagent in the synthesis of heteroaryl substituted β-amino- α,β- -dehydro—amino acid derivatives and some fused hetero-cyclic systems, was prepared from ethyl N-2,2-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)vinylglycinate (3) and N,N-dimethyl-formamide dimethyl acetal (4) . The substitution of the dimethylamino group in the compound 5 with heterocyclic amines produced ethyl 2-[2,2-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)vinyl]amino-3-heteroarylaminopropenoates 7a-f and, in some instances, [2,2-bis-(ethoxycarbonyl)vinyl]aminoazolo- or -azinopyrimidine derivatives 8g-k.     

Model predictive control of nonlinear hybrid systems with discrete inputs employing a hybrid fuzzy model

The paper deals with model predictive control (MPC) of nonlinear hybrid systems with discrete inputs based on reachability analysis. In order to implement a MPC algorithm, a model of the process that we are dealing with is needed. In the paper, a hybrid fuzzy modelling approach is proposed. The hybrid system hierarchy is explained and the Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy formulation for hybrid fuzzy modelling purposes is tackled. An efficient method of identification of the hybrid fuzzy model is also discussed.

An algorithm that is–due to its MPC nature–suitable for controlling a wide spectrum of systems (provided that they have discrete inputs only) is presented.

The benefits of the algorithm employing a hybrid fuzzy model are verified on a batch reactor example. The results suggest that by suitably determining the cost function, satisfactory control can be attained, even when dealing with complex hybrid–nonlinear–stiff systems such as the batch reactor.

Finally, a comparison between MPC employing a hybrid linear model and a hybrid fuzzy model is carried out. It has been established that the latter approach clearly outperforms the approach where a linear model is used.     

Demonstration of a quantum controlled-NOT gate in the telecommunications band

We present the first quantum controlled-not (cnot) gate realized using a fiber-based indistinguishable photon-pair source in the 1.55 microm telecommunications band. Using this free-space cnot gate, all four Bell states are produced and fully characterized by performing quantum-state tomography, demonstrating the gate's unambiguous entangling capability and high fidelity. Telecom-band operation makes this cnot gate particularly suitable for quantum-information-processing tasks that are at the interface of quantum communication and linear optical quantum computing.     

Recombinant Single-Chain Antibody with the Trojan Peptide Penetratin Positioned in the Linker Region Enables Cargo Transfer Across the Blood–Brain Barrier

Delivery of therapeutic proteins into tissues and across the blood–brain barrier (BBB) is limited by the size and biochemical properties of the proteins. Efficient delivery across BBB is generally restricted to small, highly lipophilic molecules. However, in the last decades, several peptides that can pass cell membranes have been identified. It has been shown that these peptides are also capable of delivering large hydrophilic cargoes into cells and are therefore a powerful biological tool for transporting drugs across cell membranes and even into the brain. We designed and prepared a single-chain antibody fragment (scFvs), specific for the pathological form of the prion protein (PrP^Sc), where a cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) was used as a linker between the two variable domains of the scFv. The intravenously administered recombinant scFv-CPP was successfully targeted to and delivered into mouse brain cells. Our single-chain antibody fragments are of special interest in view of possible therapeutic reagents design not only for prion diseases but also for other neurodegenerative diseases.