Intermediate Forms Research Articles

Deciphering the stereo-specific catalytic mechanisms of cis-epoxysuccinate hydrolases producing L(+)-tartaric acid

Microbial epoxide hydrolases, cis-Epoxysuccinate hydrolases (CESHs) have been utilized for commercial production of enantiomerically pure L(+)- and D(-)-tartaric acids for decades. However, the stereo-catalytic mechanism of CESH producing L(+)-tartaric acid (CESH[L]) remains unclear. Herein, the crystal structures of two CESH[L]s in ligand-free, product-complexed, and catalytic intermediate forms were determined. These structures revealed the unique specific binding mode for the mirror-symmetric substrate, an active catalytic triad consisting of Asp-His-Glu, and an arginine providing a proton to the oxirane oxygen to facilitate the epoxide ring-opening reaction, which has been pursued for decades. These results provide the structural basis for the rational engineering of these industrial biocatalysts.

Holistic processing and face expertise after pediatric resection of occipitotemporal cortex

The nature and extent of hemispheric lateralization and its potential for reorganization continues to be debated, although there is general agreement that there is a right hemisphere (RH) advantage for face processing in human adults. Here, we examined face processing and its lateralization in individuals with a single preserved occipitotemporal cortex (OTC), either in the RH or left hemisphere (LH), following early childhood resection for the management of drug-resistant epilepsy. The matched controls and those with a lesion outside of OTC evinced the standard superiority in processing upright over inverted faces and the reverse sensitivity to a nonface category (bicycles). In contrast, the LH and the RH patient groups were significantly less accurate than the controls and showed mild orientation sensitivities at best (and not always in the predicted directions). For the two patient groups, the accuracies of face and bicycle processing did not differ from each other and were not obviously related to performance on intermediate level global form tasks with, again, poorer thresholds for both patient groups than controls and no difference between the patient groups. These findings shed light on the complexity of hemispheric lateralization and face and nonface object processing in individuals following surgical resection of OTC. Overall, this study highlights the unique dynamics and potential for plasticity in those with childhood cortical resection.

Taxonomic Status of Nanotyrannus lancensis (Dinosauria: Tyrannosauroidea)—A Distinct Taxon of Small-Bodied Tyrannosaur

Tyrannosaurs are among the most intensively studied and best-known dinosaurs. Despite this, their relationships and systematics are highly controversial. An ongoing debate concerns the validity of Nanotyrannus lancensis, interpreted either as a distinct genus of small-bodied tyrannosaur or a juvenile of Tyrannosaurus rex. We examine multiple lines of evidence and show that the evidence strongly supports recognition of Nanotyrannus as a distinct species for the following reasons: 1. High diversity of tyrannosaurs and predatory dinosaurs supports the idea that multiple tyrannosaurids inhabited the late Maastrichtian of Laramidia; 2. Nanotyrannus lacks characters supporting referral to Tyrannosaurus or Tyrannosaurinae but differs from T. rex in >150 morphological characters, while intermediate forms combining the features of Nanotyrannus and T. rex are unknown; 3. Histology shows specimens of Nanotyrannus showing (i) skeletal fusions, (ii) mature skull bone textures, (iii) slow growth rates relative to T. rex, (iv) decelerating growth in their final years of life, and (v) growth curves predicting adult masses of ~1500 kg or less, showing these animals are subadults and young adults, not juvenile Tyrannosaurus; 4. growth series of other tyrannosaurids, including Tarbosaurus and Gorgosaurus, do not show morphological changes proposed for a Nanotyrannus–Tyrannosaurus growth series, and deriving Tyrannosaurus from Nanotyrannus requires several changes inconsistent with known patterns of dinosaur development; 5. Juvenile T. rex exist, showing diagnostic features of Tyrannosaurus; 6. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that Nanotyrannus may lie outside Tyrannosauridae. Tyrannosaur diversity before the K-Pg extinction is higher than previously appreciated. The challenges inherent in diagnosing species based on fossils mean paleontologists may be systematically underestimating the diversity of ancient ecosystems.

Colloidal spherical stibnite particles via high-temperature metallo-organic synthesis.

Antimony trisulfide (Sb2S3) is an emerging semiconductor with a high absorption coefficient and a bandgap in the visible range. This makes it a promising material for various electronic and optoelectronic applications. However, one of the main challenges is still the synthesis of the material, as it is usually obtained either as a nanomaterial in its amorphous form with inferior optical properties or in crystalline rod-like structures in the micrometer or sub-micrometer range, which leads to application-related difficulties such as clogging in inkjet printing or spraying processes or highly porous layers in film applications. In this study, a one-pot synthesis of highly crystalline, spherical Sb2S3 sub-micron particles is presented. The particles are growing encapsulated in a removable, wax-like matrix that is formed together with an intermediate from the precursors SbCl3 and l-cysteine. Both substances are insoluble in the reaction mixture but well-dispersable in the solvent 1-octadecene (ODE). The intermediate forms a complex crosslinked architecture whose basic building block consists of an Sb atom attached to three cysteine molecules via Sb-S bonds. Embedded in the matrix consisting of excess cysteine, ODE, and chlorine, the intermediate decomposes into amorphous Sb2S3 particles that crystallize as the reaction proceeds at 240 °C. The final particles are highly crystalline, spherical, and in the sub-micron range (420 ± 100 nm), making them ideal for further processing. The encapsulation method could not only provide a way to extend the size range of colloidal particles, but in the case of Sb2S3, this method circumvents the risk of carbonization of ligands or insufficient crystallization during the annealing of amorphous material.

A closer look at molecular mechanisms underlying inhibition of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase by transition metal cations.

We report biochemical and structural studies on inhibiting bacterial S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase by transition metal cations. Our results revealed diverse molecular mechanisms of enzyme inactivation. Depending on the cation, the mechanism is based on arresting the enzyme in its closed, inactive conformation, disulfide bond formation within the active site or oxidation of the intermediate form of a cofactor.

Polymorph driven diversification of photosalient responses in a zinc(II) coordination complex.

A novel crystallographic form of a Zn(II) coordination complex [Zn(4-ohbz)2(4-nvp)2] (1-Form-III) (H4-ohbz = 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and 4-nvp = (E)-4-(1-naphthylvinyl)pyridine), undergoes a solid-state photochemical [2+2] cycloaddition reaction accompanied by a moderate photosalient effect, whereby single-crystals show cracking and splitting. This UV-induced cycloaddition accompanies a single-crystal to single-crystal transformation, allowing for continuous monitoring of the unit cell parameters. The new polymorph represents an intermediate form of the two previously reported crystallographic forms of [Zn(4-ohbz)2(4-nvp)2], and provides novel insight into moderating the magnitude of photosalient responses across polymorphic materials.

Fractal narratives and musical transmission: the case of Nancy Huston

This article focuses on the narrative complexity in Nancy Huston’s novels. This is because Huston’s writing seems to showcase overlapping, interconnected, and perhaps never-ending relationships between and within her literary texts. This reflects the self-similarity of fractal shapes in the natural world. Crucially, if one were to zoom on to a small piece of fractal, the result would very much like the original (larger) entity. In a literary context, narratives as fractals are a “self-symmetry”; in the case of Huston’s texts, they are the (re)transmission of themselves, (re)fracted in different languages, both verbal and musical. In the first instance, this study focuses on Huston’s mise-en-abyme of the writing process, taking examples from the author’s novels since the 1990s. I will then analyse how Huston makes use of intermedial forms, such as musico-literary texts, in order to reinforce the self-reflexive dimension of the texts – attention will be paid to her first novel Les Variations Goldberg (1981) and her self-translation The Goldberg Variations (1996).

Identification of North Caucasian mole rats (Spalax) based on their karyotype description

The data on karyotypes of marginal forms of S. microphthalmus (act.) were analysed in light of the distribution of some chromosomal races. The most mysterious are the statuses of Spalax distributed in the south of Eastern Europe. These data were analysed based on the hypothesis that the range of S. microphthalmus (2n = 60) is limited to the Dnipro and Volga rivers in the latitudinal dimension and in the south to the Azov Upland. Accordingly, the mole rats from the Ciscaucasus in general and Stavropol Krai in particular should be attributed to S. giganteus. This hypothesis is supported by the karyotype data of ‘S. microphthalmus’ from the Stavropol region, with 2n = 62 (according to: Dzuev & Shogenov 2003). Such 62-chromosomal race can be considered as an intermediate form between the typical S. giganteus from the Caspian region and S. arenarius from the Lower Dnipro Sands.

The orange light emitting luciferase from the rare Euryopa clarindae adult railroadworm (Coleoptera:Phengodidae): structural/functional and evolutionary relationship with green and red emitting luciferases.

Railroadworms luciferases emit the widest range of bioluminescence colors among beetles, ranging from green to red, being model enzymes to investigate the structure and bioluminescence colors relationships. Only three active railroadworms luciferases from the larval stage have been cloned and investigated: the Phrixothrix hirtus head lanterns red-emitting luciferase (PhRE); the Phrixothrix vivianii lateral lanterns green emitting luciferases (PvGR) and the Phengodes sp. dorsal lanterns yellow-green emitting luciferase (Ph). No activeluciferase emitting in the yellow-orange region, however, has been cloned yet. Here we report the cloning and characterization of the orange emitting luciferase from the adult males of a rare Brazilian Cerrado railroadworm, Euryopa clarindae, and the transcriptional identification of two isozymes from the Amazon forest Mastinomorphus sp. railroadworm. The luciferase of E. clarindae has 548 residues, emits orange bioluminescence (600nm), and displays intermediate kinetic values [KM(luciferin) = 50µM, KM(ATP) ~ 170µM] between those reported for green-emitting lateral lanterns and red emitting head lanterns luciferases. It displays 74-78% identity with the lateral lanterns luciferases of other railroadworms and 70% with the head lantern PhRE luciferase, and 96% with the larval Mastinomorphus sp. Mast-1, suggesting that this larva could be from the Euryopa genus. The phylogenetic analysis and kinetic/functional properties, place this orange-emitting enzyme as an intermediate form between the green-emitting lateral lanterns and red-emitting head lanterns luciferases. Major structural differences that could be associated with bioluminescence color determination are a relatively larger cavity size, and substitutions in the loops 223-235 and 311-316, especially N/C/T311, and their interactions which may help to close the bottom of LBS.

Indicare, rappresentare e dislocare. La Deixis am Phantasma di Karl Bühler e i modi del Discorso Riportato

‘Deixis am phantasma’ or imagination-oriented deixis is a mode of reference, originally described by KarlBühler, that directly brings into play one of the distinctive properties of human language, namely the unlimitedcapacity to dislocate in space and time the referents and situations that are the object of discourse. Sincerepresenting and reporting other people's speech is a discourse situation in which speakers must represent,transpose and dislocate referents, situations, and other people's words, reported speech is a very suitable areain which to observe this particular type of deixis. In this paper, after briefly restating the main points of Bühler'stheory of language, i.e., the two-field theory and the different modes of reference within the deictic field, Idiscuss the three different types of imagination-oriented deixis (as identified by Bühler). I then try to point outwhat I consider to be their systematic correlations with the two main deictic modes of reporting speech (directvs. indirect), while, conversely, noting the unsystematic correlations with that intermediate or hybrid form ofreporting that is free indirect speech.

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia to Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia: phenotype switch at relapse. A Case Report

Lineage switch in acute leukemias is considered a rare event, especially in what concerns adult disease compared to pediatric patients. Differential diagnosis between biphenotypic/bilineal leukemias, de novo leukemias, therapy-related and phenotype switch variants, stands as an intricate challenge. Complementary laboratory studies and complex laboratory assays (conventional karyotyping, FISH- fluorescence in situ hybridization, molecular biology, immunophenotyping, etc.) represent one of the crucial resources regarding the process of establishing an accurate diagnosis, thus having a firm ground for the most beneficial treatment choice. Aim: To emphasize the diagnostic and therapeutic particularities regarding the case of a female patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who later developed a phenotype switch towards an intermediary form of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), sharing features of both AML with maturation and atypical acute promyelocytic leukemia (AML M2/M3/APL). Material and methods: We hereby present the case of a 66 year old female, diagnosed with B- ALL, who underwent both classical chemotherapy (adequate protocol related to age, genetic profile, commorbidites) and bispecific monoclonal antibody therapy at first early relapse (Blinatumomab), followed by phenotype switch at second early relapse towards atypical APL. Combined ATRA and anthracycline therapy followed, yet laboratory work-up shows refractory disease. Complications during treatment were comprised of severe DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation) and infections- sepsis followed by exitus. Results and conclusions: This is the case of a phenotype switch in a patient with ALL, who underwent both classical chemotherapy and Blinatumomab, towards myeloid lineage-refractory APL atypical variant. Availability of flow cytometry and cytogenetics during morphology evaluation represents a key aspect in the management of such hematologic malignancies.

The molecular spectrum of Turkish osteopetrosis and related osteoclast disorders with natural history (including a candidate gene, CCDC120).

Osteopetrosis and related osteoclastic disorders are a heterogeneous group of inherited diseases characterized by increased bone density. The aim of this study is to investigate the molecular spectrum and natural history of the clinical and radiological features of these disorders. 28 patients and 20 families were enrolled in the study; 20 of them were followed for a period of 1-16 years. Targeted gene analysis and whole-exome sequencing (WES) were performed. Biallelic mutations in CLCN7 or TCIRG1 were detected in three families, in TNFRSF11A or CA2 in two families, and in SNX10 in one family in the osteopetrosis group. A heterozygous variant of CLCN7 was also found in one family. In the osteopetrosis and related osteoclast disorders group, three different variants of CTSK were detected in five families with pycnodysostosis and the SLC29A3 variant causing dysosteosclerosis was detected in one family. In autosomal recessive osteopetrosis (ARO), a malignant infantile form, four patients died during follow-up, two of whom had undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Interestingly, all patients had osteopetrorachia of the long bone metaphyses in infancy, typical skeletal features such as Erlenmeyer flask deformity and bone-in-bone appearance that developed toward the end of early childhood. Two siblings with a biallelic missense mutation in CLCN7 and one patient with the compound heterozygous intronic TCIRG1 variant corresponded to the intermediate form of ARO (IARO); there was intrafamilial clinical heterogeneity in the family with the CLCN7 variant. One of two patients with IARO and distal tubular acidosis was found to have a large deletion in CA2. In one family, two siblings with a heterozygous mutation in CLCN7 were affected, whereas the father with the same mutation was asymptomatic. In WES analysis of three brothers from a family without mutations in osteopetrosis genes, a hemizygous missense variant in CCDC120, a novel gene, was found to be associated with high bone mass. This study extended the natural history of the different types of osteopetrosis and also introduced a candidate gene potentially causing osteopetrosis.

The Management of Intussusception: A Systematic Review.

Intussusception (ISN) is adangerous condition where a portion of the intestine slides into an adjacent area of the intestine. This telescoping motion frequently prevents liquids or food from flowing through. Developing management guidelines for ileocolic (IC) intussusception was the aim of this systematic study.Data sources were PubMed/Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), Scopus, and Embase databases. Our review investigated English-language articles (from 2010 to 2023) according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Overall, there were 15 articles. Surveys and analyses of national databases were the most widely used methods (n=15). The search identified 561 studies; 15 were eligible for inclusion in the analysis. Further understanding of the management of intussusception may help improve evaluation and management in the future. The use of preventive antibiotics does not reduce problems following radiologic reduction. When clinically appropriate, repeated attempts at enema reduction may be made. After the enema reduction of ileocolic intussusception, patients can be safely watched in the emergency room (ER), thereby avoiding hospitalization. Success rates for laparoscopic reduction are high. When it comes to intussusception in children who are hemodynamically stable and do not have a serious illness, there is no need for pre-reduction antibiotics. Prioritizing nonoperative outpatient (OP) therapy is recommended as the primary approach, with the utilization of minimally invasive procedures to avoid the necessity for laparotomy. The management of colonic intussusception involves complete removal in one piece, while enteric intussusception can be addressed through reduction followed by resection. A targeted approach is recommended, recognizing the intermediate forms of intussusception that may exist between the colonic and enteric types. It is essential to note that the prevailing treatment for adult intussusception remains to be surgical intervention.

Disentangling the distribution of Adenostyles in the Northern Iberian Peninsula: new insights from nuclear and plastid markers

The genus Adenostyles (Asteraceae) comprises three species with high morphological variability that inhabit south Europe mountainous regions. The Iberian Peninsula harbours A. alpina subsp. pyrenaica and A. alliariae; the former (calcifugate) is restricted to western-central Pyrenees and the Cantabrian Mountains, while the latter (calcicole) is eastern Pyrenees and Sierra de Gredos. The number of taxa inhabiting the Cantabrian Mountains has remained controversial as the sole presence of A. alpina subsp. pyrenaica and the presence of both species and intermediate forms have been reported. Additionally, a recent study casted doubts on the A. alpina subsp. pyrenaica edaphic preference. We determined the number of taxa in the Cantabrian Mountains, their edaphic preference and the presence of hybrids, by conducting phylogenetic analyses based on plastid (trnL-rpL32 and trnH-psbA) and nuclear (ITS) markers. The ITS Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference topologies revealed no edaphic preference for A. alpina subsp. pyrenaica. The plastid networks grouped individuals by geographical origin in the Centre of Distribution and the Peripheral groups. The plastid-nuclear and PhyloNetwork topologies suggested Incomplete Lineage Sorting (ILS) in the Peripheral group, supporting the hypothesis of Quaternary expansions and contractions. No hybrid was found in the Cantabrian Mountains, although evidence suggested gene flow between species.

Gas-Pressurized Torrefaction of Lignocellulosic Solid Wastes: Deoxygenation and Aromatization Mechanisms of Cellulose.

A novel gas-pressurized (GP) torrefaction method at 250 °C has recently been developed that realizes the deep decomposition of cellulose in lignocellulosic solid wastes (LSW) to as high as 90% through deoxygenation and aromatization reactions. However, the deoxygenation and aromatization mechanisms are currently unclear. In this work, these mechanisms were studied through a developed molecular structure calculation method and the GP torrefaction of pure cellulose. The results demonstrate that GP torrefaction at 250 °C causes 47 wt.% of mass loss and 72 wt.% of O removal for cellulose, while traditional torrefaction at atmospheric pressure has almost no impact on cellulose decomposition. The GP-torrefied cellulose is determined to be composed of an aromatic furans nucleus with branch aliphatic C through conventional characterization. A molecular structure calculation method and its principles were developed for further investigation of molecular-level mechanisms. It was found 2-ring furans aromatic compound intermediate is formed by intra- and inter-molecular dehydroxylation reactions of amorphous cellulose, and the removal of O-containing function groups is mainly through the production of H2O. The three-ring furans aromatic compound intermediate and GP-torrefied cellulose are further formed through the polymerization reaction, which enhances the removal of ketones and aldehydes function groups in intermediate torrefied cellulose and form gaseous CO and O-containing organic molecules. A deoxygenation and aromatization mechanism model was developed based on the above investigation. This work provides theoretical guidance for the optimization of the gas-pressurized torrefaction method and a study method for the determination of molecular-level structure and the mechanism investigation of the thermal conversion processes of LSW.

The pathogenicity of blood stream and central nervous system forms of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense trypanosomes in laboratory mice: a comparative study.

Background: Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) develops in two stages namely early stage when trypanosomes are found in the blood and late stage when trypanosomes are found in the central nervous system (CNS). The two environments are different with CNS environment reported as being hostile to the trypanosomes than the blood environment. The clinical symptoms manifested by the disease in the two environments are different. Information on whether blood stream are pathologically different from CNS trypanosomes is lacking. This study undertook to compare the inter-isolate pathological differences caused by bloodstream forms (BSF) and central nervous system (CNS) of five Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense ( Tbr) isolates in Swiss white mice. Methods: Donor mice infected with each of the five isolates were euthanized at 21 days post infection (DPI) for recovery of BSF trypanosomes in heart blood and CNS trypanosomes in brain supernatants. Groups of Swiss white mice (n = 10) were then infected with BSF or CNS forms of each isolate and monitored for parasitaemia, packed cell volume (PCV), body weight, survivorship, trypanosome length, gross and histopathology characteristics. Results: Amplification of SRA gene prior to trypanosome morphology and pathogenicity studies confirmed all isolates as T. b. rhodesiense. At 21 DPI, CNS trypanosomes were predominantly long slender (LS) while BSF were a mixture of short stumpy and intermediate forms. The density of BSF trypanosomes was on average 2-3 log-scales greater than that of CNS trypanosomes with isolate KETRI 2656 having the highest CNS trypanosome density. Conclusions: The pathogenicity study revealed clear differences in the virulence/pathogenicity of the five (5) isolates but no distinct and consistent differences between CNS and BSF forms of the same isolate. We also identified KETRI 2656 as a suitable isolate for acute menigo- encephalitic studies.

Sexual attraction with pollination during feeding behaviour: implications for transitions between specialized strategies.

Understanding the origin of pollination by sexual deception has proven challenging, as sexually deceptive flowers are often highly modified, making it hard to resolve how any intermediate forms between sexual deception and an ancestral strategy might have functioned. Here, we report the discovery in Caladenia (Orchidaceae) of sexual attraction with pollination during feeding behaviour, which may offer important clues for understanding shifts in pollination strategy. For Caladenia robinsonii, we observed the behaviour of its male wasp pollinator, Phymatothynnus aff. nitidus (Thynnidae), determined the site of release of the sexual attractant, and experimentally evaluated if the position of the attractant influences rates of attempted copulation and feeding behaviour. We applied GC-MS to test for surface sugar on the labellum. To establish if this pollination strategy is widespread in Caladenia, we conducted similar observations and experiments for four other Caladenia species. In C. robinsonii, long-range sexual attraction of the pollinator is via semiochemicals emitted from the glandular sepal tips. Of the wasps landing on the flower, 57 % attempted copulation with the sepal tips, while 27 % attempted to feed from the base of the labellum, the behaviour associated with pollen transfer. A similar proportion of wasps exhibited feeding behaviour when the site of odour release was manipulated. A comparable pollination strategy occurs in another phylogenetically distinct clade of Caladenia. We document a previously overlooked type of sexual deception for orchids involving long-distance sexual attraction, but with pollination occurring during feeding behaviour at the labellum. We show this type of sexual deception operates in other Caladenia species and predict that it is widespread across the genus. Our findings may offer clues about how an intermediate transitional strategy from a food-rewarding or food-deceptive ancestor operated during the evolution of sexual deception.

Temperature dependent magnetic and electrical transport properties of lanthanum and samarium substituted nanocrystalline nickel ferrite and their hyperthermia applications

Structural, optical, temperature dependent magnetic and electrical properties have been investigated for the nanocrystalline NiFe1.97RE0.03O4 (RE = La3+ and Sm3+) compound. Without any signs of a secondary REFeO3 phase, the Rietveld refinement reveals a single-phase spinel structure possessing cubic symmetry for current samples. The decrease in lattice constant has been observed as a result of RE ions substitution. The TEM micrographs reveal nanosized particles with an average size of 35 ± 3 nm and 32 ± 3 nm for La3+ and Sm3+ substituted samples. EDX spectra of both samples show good compositional homogeneity. HRTEM micrographs of both samples show well resolved lattice fringes and their inter-planar spacing matches with that obtained from the Rietveld analysis of the XRD patterns. The concentration of Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions has been estimated from the XPS spectra analysis and it is found to be ∼ 22% and 78% for NiFe1.97La0.03O4 and, 20% and 80% for NiFe1.97Sm0.03O4 compound. The optical energy band gap for rare earth substituted samples is found to be more than that of pure nickel ferrite. The value of saturation magnetization (Ms) and magneto-crystalline anisotropy constant (K1) estimated from the “Law of Approach to Saturation” equation for rare earth substituted samples are found to be less than that of pure nickel ferrite. However, an enhanced value of coercivity has been observed with RE substitution. ZFC (zero field cooling) and FC (field cooling) DC magnetization curves measured at 100 Oe in the temperature range of 60–400 K reveal a combination of weak and intermediate forms of magnetic interaction between the particles for both samples. Temperature dependent analysis of saturation magnetization and coercivity employing modified Bloch’s law and Kneller’s relation supports the nanomagnetic behavior of both samples. Under an AC magnetic field of 14.92 kA/m and frequency 337 kHz, the SAR and ILP values have been found to be ∼ 331 W/g and 4.22 nHm2/kg for NiFe1.97La0.03O4 and, ∼ 241 W/g and 3.21 nHm2/kg for NiFe1.97Sm0.03O4. The dielectric relaxation data have been analyzed at various temperatures ranging from 40 to 300 0C over the frequency range 100 Hz-1 MHz using electrical impedance spectroscopy. The dielectric constant for rare earth substituted samples is found to be more and their AC conductivity is observed to be less than that of pure nickel ferrite. The analysis of temperature dependent AC conductivity employing Jonscher’s power law suggests that the charge carrier’s conduction mechanism of both samples follows the small polaron hopping mechanism below 200 0C, thereafter; it follows the correlated barrier hopping mechanism. The activation energy estimated by imaginary impedance spectra is found to be 0.411 eV and 0.398 eV for NiFe1.97La0.03O4 and NiFe1.97Sm0.03O4 which is more than that of pure nickel ferrite. The Cole-Cole plots at different temperatures suggest the presence of non-Debye-type relaxation. The modeling of Cole-Cole plots with equivalent circuits for both samples confirms the contribution of both grain and grain boundary in electrical conduction. The estimated stretching exponential factor by fitting the modified KWW (Kohlrausch-Williams-Watts) equation to the imaginary modulus curve reveals relatively more dipole-dipole interaction in NiFe1.97Sm0.03O4 than that of the La3+ substituted sample.

Improved Linear Decomposition of Majority and Threshold Boolean Functions

To support efficient design automation for emerging computing fabrics, novel data structures for logic synthesis and technology mapping are being intensively studied. It has been shown that for several promising computing technologies intermediate forms like Majority-Inverter Graph (MIG), and Xor-Majority Graph (XMG) can be particularly beneficial. This has propelled the Boolean majority operator at the forefront of research. Though these structures primarily utilise 3-input Majority nodes, the efficacy of n-input Majority operators has been demonstrated as well. A long-standing research problem, in that context and also for theoretical circuit complexity, is to determine efficient decomposition of an n-input Majority (Majn) function in terms of 3-input Majority (Maj3) operator. In this manuscript, we make two significant advances in this topic. First, a practically realizable linear decomposition is provided, thus improving the previously reported quadratic bounds. Second, the theoretical upper bound of decomposing Majn, in terms of Maj3, is reduced from 5.884n to 3n. The erstwhile theoretical upper bound of 5.884n also lacked a practical construction for Majn decomposition, presumably due to the presence of sequential elements in the algorithm. The proof of the linearity, detailed construction procedure along with experimental studies using state-of-the-art synthesis flows to validate the aforementioned claims are presented in this work. The results are applicable to threshold Boolean functions, too.

Synodality in the Reception of the Second Vatican Council and Development of the Pastoral Orientations of the Chilean Bishops’ Conference, 1965–1985

After the Second Vatican Council, the Chilean bishops met in a plenary assembly during May 1968. As a result, the Episcopal Conference of Chile developed its first Pastoral Orientations (POs). Between 1968 and 1985, the Chilean Bishops produced eight different iterations of the POs. The ongoing development of the POs during this period reflected an emerging consensus across the various dioceses of the county. Five aspects of the POs in particular helped develop a synodal culture: (1) to reform the Church, (2) to establish the Church as an evangelizer and servant of humanity, (3) to opt for the base ecclesial communities as the local realization of the People of God, (4), to carry out the liturgical reform and diocesan synods, and (5) to develop intermediate forms of collegiality among the bishops.