2-nerves for bicategories

We describe a Cat-valued nerve of bicategories, which associates to every bicategory a simplicial object in Cat, called the 2-nerve. This becomes the object part of a 2-functor N : NHom → [Δ^op,Cat], where NHom is a 2-category whose objects are bicategories and whose 1-cells are normal homomorphisms of bicategories. The 2-functor N is fully faithful and has a left biadjoint, and we characterize its image. The 2-nerve of a bicategory is always a weak 2-category in the sense of Tamsamani, and we show that NHom is biequivalent to a certain 2-category whose objects are Tamsamani weak 2-categories. The hospitality of Macquarie University and the support of the Australian Research Council are gratefully acknowledged by S. Lack. The support of the Australian Research Council is gratefully acknowledged by S. Paoli.     

Simplicial Cohomology with Coefficients in Symmetric Categorical Groups

In this paper we introduce and study a cohomology theory {H ⁿ (–,A)} for simplicial sets with coefficients in symmetric categorical groups A. We associate to a symmetric categorical group A a sequence of simplicial sets {K(A,n)} _n0, which allows us to give a representation theorem for our cohomology. Moreover, we prove that for any n3, the functor K(–,n) is right adjoint to the functor _n , where _n (X ) is defined as the fundamental groupoid of the n-loop complex ⁿ (X ). Using this adjunction, we give another proof of how symmetric categorical groups model all homotopy types of spaces Y with _i (Y)=0 for all in,n+1 and n3; and also we obtain a classification theorem for those spaces: [–,Y]H ⁿ (–, _n (Y)).     

惯性平台稳定回路单神经元自校正PID控制

为了与新型高精度惯性平台相匹配,解决传统PID控制的稳定回路抗干扰性能不高的问题,利用神经网络具有自学习、自组织、联想记忆和并行处理等功能以及对于复杂系统控制可以达到满意效果的优势,设计了单神经元自校正PID控制器。这种控制器不但结构简单,而且适应环境变化,有较强的鲁棒性。设计中分别采用了无监督和有监督的Hebb学习算法以及改进的Hebb学习算法对系统进行控制。MATLAB仿真结果表明,单神经元自校正PID控制器在很多指标上均优于传统PID控制器,特别是其超调量,动态性能以及对干扰的抑制能力,是一种应用在实际平台系统中理想的控制器。     

Diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP) degradation activity using transition metal–dipicolylamine complexes

Transition metal complexes have been extensively used as catalysts for organophosphorus agent decomposition to reduce their toxicity with their performance being strongly dependent on the nature of the metal ion. To investigate this dependence, we prepared dipicolylamine (DPA)‐containing complexes of Cu(II), Zn(II), Ni(II), Co(II), and Fe(II) and analyzed their activities for the degradation of diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP), a nerve agent surrogate compound. Cu(II)‐DPA complex showed fastest reaction kinetics while Zn(II)‐DPA and Ni(II)‐DPA exhibited more slower reactions. This observation can be explained using frontier molecular orbital (FMO) theory, which revealed that the nucleophilicity of the oxygen atom in water molecules in these transition metal complexes was well matched with reactivity order observed in experiments. These investigations combined with theoretical study provide valuable information for designing and predicting the activity of new transition metal–organic ligand complexes as a catalyst to decompose and reduce toxicity of organophosphorus nerve agents.     

Deep-tissue confocal imaging of the central projections of ovipositor sensory afferents in the Egyptian cotton leafworm,Spodoptera littoralis

The pre-ovipositon behavior of moths is largely dependent upon the cues that a gravid female perceives while assessing potential oviposition sites. Assessment of such sites is accomplished, at least in part, by mechanosensory and gustatory sensilla located on the ovipositor whose sensory neurons project into the terminal abdominal ganglion (TAG). Using anterograde backfill staining, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and three dimensional reconstruction, we traced and analyzed the central projections of the sensory neurons housed in the sensilla located on the ovipositor papillae and explored the neuropilar composition of the TAG in the Egyptian cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis. The TAG consists of three fused neuromeres (6–8th Ner) associated with the 6–8th abdominal segments. Within the TAG, and specifically in the 8th neuromere, four unstructured neuropilar compartments are present; the dorso-ipsilateral motor neuropil (MN), the medio-ipsilateral mechanosensory neuropil (MchN), the medio-ipsilateral small gustatory neuropil (GN), and the medio-contralateral posterior ovipositor glomerulus (Og). The Og appears quite compact, with a hollow core free of terminal arborizations. The MchN is further subdivided into 4 unstructured glomeruli in the 8th neuromere, whose afferents are subsequently extended into 3 glomeruli in the 7th and 6th neuromeres. Few neurites of the Og are populated with large dense varicosities reminiscent of neurosecretory vesicles. Given that all ovipositor nerves converge into a common ganglionic center, the TAG, we assume that this ganglion may be a center for coordination of oviposition behaviors, including movements of the ovipositor during assessment of oviposition substrates and egg laying in S. littoralis.     

颠倒睡眠状态调制心率变异性信号的功率谱和基本尺度熵分析

心率变异性(HRV)信号能够提供心脏活动状态的重要信息.通过建立颠倒睡眠模型,联合功率谱和基本尺度熵方法分析颠倒睡眠状态下24 h的HRV信号,研究颠倒睡眠对自主神经相互作用以及HRV信号混沌强度的调制.结果表明,颠倒睡眠导致自主神经在昼夜间的活动节律发生颠倒,基本尺度熵在昼夜的变化趋势也随之发生逆转,因此HRV信号的混沌强度与自主神经的相互作用密切相关,进一步研究两者之间的关系发现:HRV信号的混沌强度与交感神经的调制强度正相关,与迷走神经的调制强度负相关.     

Phosphites and Hexafluoroacetone-Hexafluoroacetylacetones: a Comparison

Abstract

Selected acyclic and cyclic phosphites (RO)₂PX (1-5) were reacted with activated ketones (CF₃)₂CO (6) and Z-CF₃C(O)CH=C(OH)CF₃ (7a) / E-CF₃C(O)CH=C(OSiMe₃)CF₃ (7b) in order to study the influence of R and X on the product formation. A new type of insertion, a 1,4 group shift and cyclo-addition reactions yielding five membered rings and bicyclic fused systems were observed. In most cases phosphonates and their λ⁵[sgrave]⁵ P derivatives were obtained. The ketones in question can be considered versatile reactants in phosphorus chemistry.     

UiO-66-NH2 and Zeolite-Templated Carbon Composites for the Degradation and Adsorption of Nerve Agents

Composites of metal-organic frameworks and carbon materials have been suggested to be effective materials for the decomposition of chemical warfare agents. In this study, we synthesized UiO-66-NH₂/zeolite-templated carbon (ZTC) composites for the adsorption and decomposition of the nerve agents sarin and soman. UiO-66-NH₂/ZTC composites with good dispersion were prepared via a solvothermal method. Characterization studies showed that the composites had higher specific surface areas than pristine UiO-66-NH₂, with broad pore size distributions centered at 1–2 nm. Owing to their porous nature, the UiO-66-NH₂/ZTC composites could adsorb more water at 80% relative humidity. Among the UiO-66-NH₂/ZTC composites, U_0.8Z_0.2 showed the best degradation performance. Characterization and gas adsorption studies revealed that beta-ZTC in U_0.8Z_0.2 provided additional adsorption and degradation sites for nerve agents. Among the investigated materials, including the pristine materials, U_0.8Z_0.2 also exhibited the best protection performance against the nerve agents. These results demonstrate that U_0.8Z_0.2 has the optimal composition for exploiting the degradation performance of pristine UiO-66-NH₂ and the adsorption performance of pristine beta-ZTC.     

Neurofilaments are intrinsic determinants of axonal caliber

Neurofilaments (NFs) are intrinsic determinants of axonal caliber in large-caliber myelinated nerve fibers. Axonal caliber is influenced by the number of NFs in the axon (axonal NF content) and the spacing between adjacent NFs (interfilament distance). Axonal NF content depends on the level of NF gene expression, the amount of NF protein entering the axon, and the velocity at which NF protein moves within the axon. In this review we discuss possible factors affecting both axonal NF content and interfilament distance; these include the ratio of NF subunits, the level of phosphorylation of these subunits, interactions with target cells, and interactions with ensheathing glial cells.