Convex Optimization and Feasible Circulant Matrix Embeddings in Synthesis of Stationary Gaussian Fields

Circulant matrix embedding is one of the most popular and efficient methods for the exact generation of Gaussian stationary univariate series. Although the idea of circulant matrix embedding has also been used for the generation of Gaussian stationary random fields, there are many practical covariance structures of random fields where classical embedding methods break down. In this work, we propose a novel methodology that adaptively constructs feasible circulant embeddings based on convex optimization with an objective function measuring the distance of the covariance embedding to the targeted covariance structure over the domain of interest. The optimal value of the objective function will be zero if and only if there exists a feasible embedding for the a priori chosen embedding size.     

Regioselective ring opening of thiomalic acid anhydrides by carbon nucleophiles. Synthesis and X-ray structure elucidation of novel thiophenone derivatives

Novel and promising thiophenone derivatives were synthesised by regioselective ring opening of activated thiomalic acid anhydrides, with a variety of active methylene nucleophiles via a C-acylation/cyclisation process involving an S-C bond formation. This regioselective approach could be moreover established by X-ray diffraction structure analysis. The thiolactone ring can act as valuable synthetic scaffold for the preparation of natural and synthetic compounds with important biological and pharmacological activities.     

A meta-analysis of the scientific literature on (photo)Fenton and persulfate advanced oxidation processes: Where do we stand and where are we heading to?

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Flexible quadrature amplitude modulation with semiconductor optical amplifier and electroabsorption modulator

Optical quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) is experimentally demonstrated with a low-complexity modulator based on a semiconductor optical amplifier and electroabsorption modulator. Flexible amplitude/phase format transmission is achieved. The applicability of octary QAM for coherent optical access networks with sustainable 3 Gb/s per-user bandwidth is investigated for a long reach of 100 km, and its compatibility with a potentially high split is verified.     

Fractional quantum-Hall liquid spontaneously generated by strongly correlated t(2g) electrons

For topologically nontrivial and very narrow bands, Coulomb repulsion between electrons has been predicted to give rise to a spontaneous fractional quantum-Hall (FQH) state in the absence of magnetic fields. Here we show that strongly correlated electrons in a t(2g)-orbital system on a triangular lattice self-organize into a spin-chiral magnetic ordering pattern that induces precisely the required topologically nontrivial and flat bands. This behavior is very robust and does not rely on fine-tuning. In order to go beyond mean field and to study the impact of longer-range interactions, we map the low-energy electronic states onto an effective one-band model. Exact diagonalization is then used to establish signatures of a spontaneous FQH state.     

Changes in Light Energy Utilization in Photosystem II and Reactive Oxygen Species Generation in Potato Leaves by the Pinworm Tuta absoluta

We evaluated photosystem II (PSII) functionality in potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L.) before and after a 15 min feeding by the leaf miner Tuta absoluta using chlorophyll a fluorescence imaging analysis combined with reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection. Fifteen minutes after feeding, we observed at the feeding zone and at the whole leaf a decrease in the effective quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry (Φ_PSII). While at the feeding zone the quantum yield of regulated non-photochemical energy loss in PSII (Φ_NPQ) did not change, at the whole leaf level there was a significant increase. As a result, at the feeding zone a significant increase in the quantum yield of non-regulated energy loss in PSII (Φ_NO) occurred, but there was no change at the whole leaf level compared to that before feeding, indicating no change in singlet oxygen (¹O₂) formation. The decreased Φ_PSII after feeding was due to a decreased fraction of open reaction centers (q_p), since the efficiency of open PSII reaction centers to utilize the light energy (Fv′/Fm′) did not differ before and after feeding. The decreased fraction of open reaction centers resulted in increased excess excitation energy (EXC) at the feeding zone and at the whole leaf level, while hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) production was detected only at the feeding zone. Although the whole leaf PSII efficiency decreased compared to that before feeding, the maximum efficiency of PSII photochemistry (Fv/Fm), and the efficiency of the water-splitting complex on the donor side of PSII (Fv/Fo), did not differ to that before feeding, thus they cannot be considered as sensitive parameters to monitor biotic stress effects. Chlorophyll fluorescence imaging analysis proved to be a good indicator to monitor even short-term impacts of insect herbivory on photosynthetic function, and among the studied parameters, the reduction status of the plastoquinone pool (q_p) was the most sensitive and suitable indicator to probe photosynthetic function under biotic stress.     

Preparation,characterization and in vitro assessment of ibuprofen loaded calcium phosphate/gypsum bone cements

In the present study, pure and mixed calcium phosphate/gypsum cements were prepared and characterized. Chara‐cterizations were performed using X‐ray diffraction FTIR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and Scanning Electron Microscopy. Furthermore, the mechanical proper‐ties of the materials were studied and it was found that they depend with the gypsum content. Bioactivity tests after incubation in 2xSBF solution revealed dense apatite structure on the samples containing α‐tricalcium phosphate while the pure gypsum specimens showed sparse distributed tiny apatite crystals. Finally, 1% and 2% wt of the anti‐inflammatory drug ibuprofen incorporated into the cement paste and the release behaviour of the drug was stu‐died for 18 days in PBS solution. The results showed marked differences in the release profiles of ibuprofen for the different formulations. Complete release of the drug was noticed in the case of pure calcium phosphate cements within 18 days whereas ca. 35–40% of the drug was released from its congeners containing gypsum at the same timescale.