Construction of the Control Realizing the Rotation of a Timoshenko Beam

We consider the linear model of a slowly rotating Timoshenko beam in a horizontal plane whose moment is controlled by the angular acceleration of the disk of the driving motor into which the beam is clamped. This work complements our previous results on the controllability of the beam from a position of rest into another position of rest; we give a method of construction of a piecewise constant control solving the problem.     

Synthesis and structures of cuprous triptycylthiolate complexes

A synthesis of 1-(thioacetyl)triptycene (5), a convenient protected form of 1-(thiolato)triptycene [STrip](-), is described, a key transformation being the high yield conversion of tert-butyl 1-triptycenyl sulfide (8) to 5 by a protocol employing BBr(3)/AcCl. Syntheses of the two-coordinate copper(I) compounds [Bu(4)N][Cu(STrip)(2)], [Bu(4)N]10, and [(Cu(IMes)(STrip)] (13) proceed readily by chloride displacement from CuCl and [Cu(IMes)Cl], respectively. Reaction of 10 with Ph(3)SiSH or Me(3)SiI produces the heteroleptic species [Cu(STrip)(SSiPh(3))](-) (11) and [Cu(STrip)I](-) (12), detected by mass spectrometry, in mixture with the homoleptic bis(thiolate) anions. Structural identification by X-ray crystallography of the ligand precursor molecules 9-(thioacetyl)anthracene (4, triclinic and orthorhombic polymorphs), tert-butyl 9-anthracenyl sulfide (7), 5, and tert-butyl 1-triptycenyl sulfide (8) are presented. Crystallographic characterization of bis(9-anthracenyl)sulfide (3), which features a C-S-C angle of 104.0° and twist angle of 54.8° between anthracenyl planes, is also given. A crystal structure of [Bu(4)N][(STrip)], [Bu(4)N]9, provides an experimental measure of 144.6° for the ligand cone angle. The crystal structures of [Bu(4)N]10 and 13 are reported, the former of which reveals an unexpectedly small C-S···S-C torsion angle of ～41° (average of two values), which confers a near "cis" disposition of the triptycenyl groups with respect the S-Cu-S axis. This conformation is governed by interligand π···π and CH···π interactions. A crystal structure of an adventitious product, [Bu(4)N][(Cu-STrip)(6)(μ(6)-Br)]·[Bu(4)N][PF(6)], [Bu(4)N]14·[Bu(4)N][PF(6)] is described, which reveals a cyclic hexameric structure previously unobserved in cuprous thiolate chemistry. The Cu(6)S(6) ring displays a centrosymmetric cyclohexane chair type conformation with a Br(-) ion residing at the inversion center and held in place by apparent soft-soft interactions with the Cu(I) ions.     

Global cycle properties in graphs with large minimum clustering coefficient

Let 𝒫 be a graph property. A graph G is said to be locally 𝒫 (closed locally 𝒫) if the subgraph induced by the open neighbourhood (closed neighbourhood, respectively) of every vertex in G has property 𝒫. The clustering coefficient of a vertex is the proportion of pairs of its neighbours that are themselves neighbours. The minimum clustering coefficient of G is the smallest clustering coefficient among all vertices of G. Let H be a subgraph of a graph G and let S ? V (H). We say that H is a strongly induced subgraph of G with attachment set S, if H is an induced subgraph of G and the vertices of V (H) ? S are not incident with edges that are not in H. A graph G is fully cycle extendable if every vertex of G lies in a triangle and for every nonhamiltonian cycle C of G, there is a cycle of length |V (C)|?+?1 that contains the vertices of C. A complete characterization, of those locally connected graphs with minimum clustering coefficient 1/2 and maximum degree at most 6 that are fully cycle extendable, is given in terms of forbidden strongly induced subgraphs (with specified attachment sets). Moreover, it is shown that all locally connected graphs with Δ?≤?6 and sufficiently large minimum clustering coefficient are weakly pancylic, thereby proving Ryj´ǎcek’s conjecture for this class of graphs.     

Nanoencapsulation of stem cells within polyelectrolyte multilayer shells

Mouse mesenchymal stem cells have been individually encased by polyelectrolyte layers of poly (L-lysine) and hyaluronic acid using the electrostatic layer-by-layer assembly technique, resulting in a shell consisting of nanolayers of thickness around 6-9 nm. Maintenance of cell morphology and viability were demonstrated for up to one week. Further adjustments to shell permeability and flexibility will facilitate the use of these encapsulated cells in tissue engineering and targeted-delivery applications.     

Novel Putative Positive Modulators of α4β2 nAChRs Potentiate Nicotine Reward-Related Behavior

The popular tobacco and e-cigarette chemical flavorant (−)-menthol acts as a nonselective, noncompetitive antagonist of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), and contributes to multiple physiological effects that exacerbates nicotine addiction-related behavior. Menthol is classically known as a TRPM8 agonist; therefore, some have postulated that TRPM8 antagonists may be potential candidates for novel nicotine cessation pharmacotherapies. Here, we examine a novel class of TRPM8 antagonists for their ability to alter nicotine reward-related behavior in a mouse model of conditioned place preference. We found that these novel ligands enhanced nicotine reward-related behavior in a mouse model of conditioned place preference. To gain an understanding of the potential mechanism, we examined these ligands on mouse α4β2 nAChRs transiently transfected into neuroblastoma-2a cells. Using calcium flux assays, we determined that these ligands act as positive modulators (PMs) on α4β2 nAChRs. Due to α4β2 nAChRs’ important role in nicotine dependence, as well as various neurological disorders including Parkinson’s disease, the identification of these ligands as α4β2 nAChR PMs is an important finding, and they may serve as novel molecular tools for future nAChR-related investigations.     

Comparison of the reactivity of isomeric 2H- and 3H-naphthopyran mechanophores

Naphthopyrans are molecular switches that produce highly colored merocyanine dyes upon photochemical or mechanochemical activation in polymers. The mechanochromic behavior of these molecular force probes enables the straightforward visualization of stress and/or strain in materials. To date, research on the mechanochemistry of naphthopyran has largely focused on the 3H-naphtho[2,1-b]pyran (3H) scaffold, whereas isomeric 2H-naphtho[1,2-b]pyrans (2H) exhibit complementary properties as suggested from their photochemical reactivity. Here we directly compare the reactivity of two isomeric 2H- and 3H-naphthopyran mechanophores in solution-phase ultrasonication experiments and in crosslinked polydimethylsiloxane elastomers subjected to uniaxial tensile deformation. The prototypical 3H-naphthopyran mechanophore produces a yellow merocyanine dye that reverts quickly, while the 2H-naphthopyran mechanophore generates a red merocyanine dye that reverts significantly slower. The trends in absorption and reversion measured in solution are also reflected in solid polymeric materials activated in tension. Building on recent research into substituent effects, this study identifies naphthopyran isomerism as a simple lever for modulating the mechanochromic properties of the naphthopyran mechanophore used in the development of force-responsive polymers.