Reconstructing Images from Projections Using the Maximum-Entropy Method. Numerical Simulations of Low-Aspect Astrotomography

The reconstruction of images from a small number of projections using the maximum-entropy method (MEM) with the Shannon entropy is considered. MEM provides higher-quality image reconstruction for sources with extended components than the Hogbom CLEAN method, which is also used in low-aspect astrotomography. The quality of image reconstruction for sources with mixed structure containing bright, compact features embedded in a comparatively weak, extended base can be further improved using a difference-mapping method, which requires a generalization of MEM for the reconstruction of sign-variable functions.We draw conclusions based on the results of numerical simulations for a number of model radio sources with various morphologies.Comment: 11 pages, 9 figure

Nanodiamonds carrying quantum emitters with almost lifetime-limited linewidths

Nanodiamonds (NDs) hosting optically active defects are an important technical material for applications in quantum sensing, biological imaging, and quantum optics. The negatively charged silicon vacancy (SiV) defect is known to fluoresce in molecular sized NDs (1 to 6 nm) and its spectral properties depend on the quality of the surrounding host lattice. This defect is therefore a good probe to investigate the material properties of small NDs. Here we report unprecedented narrow optical transitions for SiV colour centers hosted in nanodiamonds produced using a novel high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) technique. The SiV zero-phonon lines were measured to have an inhomogeneous distribution of 1.05 nm at 5 K across a sample of numerous NDs. Individual spectral lines as narrow as 354 MHz were measured for SiV centres in nanodiamonds smaller than 200 nm, which is four times narrower than the best SiV line previously reported for nanodiamonds. Correcting for apparent spectral diffusion yielded a homogeneous linewith of about 200 MHz, which is close to the width limit imposed by the radiative lifetime. These results demonstrate that the direct HPHT synthesis technique is capable of producing nanodiamonds with high crystal lattice quality, which are therefore a valuable technical material

On the Conference «Regulatory Impact Assessment: How to Change Law, Experience and Practices»

On December 11, 2019, the VIth Russian Scientific and Practical Conference “Regulatory Impact Assessment: How to Change Law, Experience and Practices” was held in St. Petersburg. The conference, organized by the North-West Institute of Management of RANEPA and the Committee for Economic Development and Investment Activity of the Leningrad Region Administration, was devoted to the Institute of Regulatory Impact Assessment, an important and potentially effective procedure for improving the quality of public polic

Mössbauer studies of structural properties and electrochemical characteristics of LiFePO 4

The valency state and local coordination of Fe ions of four industrial samples and a sample of cathodic materials for recharcheable lithium ion batteries obtained using an original technology of St. Petersburg State Technological Institute (Technological University) were studied using the Mössbauer effect on the 57Fe isotope. It was found that the main valency state for more than 90% of iron ions was Fe 2+. The values of isomer shift δ = 0.96-0.98 mm/s and quadrupole splitting σ = 2.88-2.93 mm/s for Fe 2+ ions coincide with the values for compounds with the structure of olivine LiFePO 4 and occupy positions in highly distorted FeO 6 octahedrons. Fe 3+ ions are in octahedral and/or tetrahedral local positions. © 2012 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd

Construction of PCR Test-System for Differentiation between Genetically Altered Toxigenic Vibrio cholerae Strains, Biovar El Tor, with Varied Epidemic Potential

Designed is a multi-locus PCR test-system that allows for differentiation between genetically altered Vibrio cholerae strains, biovar El Tor, with high and low epidemic potential respectively, based on identification of genetic marker structure in the agent of the seventh cholera pandemic - pandemicity island VSP-II. In the course of investigations selected have been three target genes allocated in the central region and terminal end of the mobile genetic element. This test-system offers the possibility to identify the strains containing intact VSP-II, the ones containing VSP-II with a short-length deletion, and the strains with VSP-II with extended deletion. The first two are classified as the variants with low epidemic potential, while the last ones - as the variants with high epidemic potential. Specificity and efficacy of the test-system is shown by the experiments with 28 toxigenic genetically altered V. cholerae strains, biovar El Tor, and 6 strains of closely related species and enterobacteria. The results obtained coincide with the data on mono-locus PCR assay and in a number of instances are verified by sequencing

Phenotypic and Molecular-Genetic Analysis of Genetically Modified Toxigenic <I>Vibrio cholerae</I> El Tor Strain 301, Isolated in 2011 in Russia

The phenotypic and molecular-genetic analysis of Vibrio cholerae O1 El Tor Inaba strain 301, isolated in 2011 from sea water in recreation zone in Taganrog, demonstrated this isolate to be a genetic variant of El Tor cholera causative agent. Its genome was shown to carry a hybrid prophage, containing gene ctxB of classical type and gene rstR of El Tor type, as well as altered pathogenicity island VPI-1 and pandemicity island VSP-II. This strain produced much more cholera toxin (0,12 mcg/ml) than typical strains of this causative agent

Identification of a small molecule inhibitor that stalls splicing at an early step of spliceosome activation.

Small molecule inhibitors of pre-mRNA splicing are important tools for identifying new spliceosome assembly intermediates, allowing a finer dissection of spliceosome dynamics and function. Here, we identified a small molecule that inhibits human pre-mRNA splicing at an intermediate stage during conversion of pre-catalytic spliceosomal B complexes into activated Bact complexes. Characterization of the stalled complexes (designated B028) revealed that U4/U6 snRNP proteins are released during activation before the U6 Lsm and B-specific proteins, and before recruitment and/or stable incorporation of Prp19/CDC5L complex and other Bact complex proteins. The U2/U6 RNA network in B028 complexes differs from that of the Bact complex, consistent with the idea that the catalytic RNA core forms stepwise during the B to Bact transition and is likely stabilized by the Prp19/CDC5L complex and related proteins. Taken together, our data provide new insights into the RNP rearrangements and extensive exchange of proteins that occurs during spliceosome activation

New Superhard Phases for 3D C60-based Fullerites

We have explored new possible phases of 3D C60-based fullerites using semiempirical potentials and ab-initio density functional methods. We have found three closely related structures - two body centered orthorhombic and one body centered cubic - having 52, 56 and 60 tetracoordinated atoms per molecule. These 3D polymers result in semiconductors with bulk moduli near 300 GPa, and shear moduli around 240 GPa, which make them good candidates for new low density superhard materials.Comment: To be published in Physical Review Letter

Unidirectional motion of magnetic domain walls: The experiment and numerical simulation

The results of study of unidirectional motion of topologically different domain structures under the influence of periodic bipolar and unipolar magnetic field pulses applied perpendicular to the sample plane of (111) iron garnet single crystal plate are presented. The response of the domain structure to the field pulses was studied by direct observations utilizing the stroboscopic technique. Experimentally obtained dependences of the speed of unidirectional motion of stripe domains on the parameters of external bipolar pulsed magnetic field are compared with the results of numerical simulations. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation: 3.6121.2017The work was performed within the framework of the basic part of the state assignment of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (project 3.6121.2017)